Welcome

In John 17 the Spirit draws us in to the intimate communication between Jesus and his Father. Jesus lifts up his eyes to heaven and speaks the words of the glorious prayer that follows in the rest of the chapter.

Readings: Nehemiah 3; Hosea 13; 1 Thessalonians 1-2

The prophet Hosea prophesied during the period when the kingdom of Israel was divided into two; the two tribes of Judah and the ten tribes of Israel. This prophecy focusses on the kingdom of those ten tribes.  We know from scripture that at the time of Hosea, God’s judgement on the northern kingdom of Israel was near.

Readings: Ezra 3-4; Hosea 6; Acts 23-24

Paul had completed three missionary journeys altogether possibly lasting about ten years. However, he never forgot all the evil he had done in his earlier days against the new Christian church, or ecclesia; “I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief” (1 Timothy 1:13).

Readings: 2 Chronicles 31; Daniel 11; Acts 11-12

When we think of the term ‘rulership’ we may think of a dictatorship, the suppression of a people by a ruling authority or some other idea related to what we have seen or experienced in this world.

The reason why dictatorship and suppression are often linked with rulership today is because mankind is failing and selfish and very often produces a corrupt leader, governor or ruler. Such a leader is greedy and yearns for control.

But when we look at the future kingdom of GOD that will be set up on earth when Christ returns, do you think there will be a rulership in the same way as we see today? Full of corruption, extortion, selfishness and greed?

(Daniel 1)

In the previous part of this study, we began to consider how God guided the commander of Nebuchadnezzar’s officials to cause him to show kindness and favour to Daniel; and how this was a reflection of the way that God Himself had compassion on His faithful servant.

Readings: 2 Chronicles 23; Daniel 4; Acts 2

“In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6). This miracle performed for a lame man outside the temple in Jerusalem is a significant step in the spread of the gospel after the Holy Spirit has been given to the apostles on the day of Pentecost.

The book of Acts will tell this story in four stages (Acts 1:8). It starts in Jerusalem and continues to the uttermost parts of the earth. A major thread that runs throughout will be reference to the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. More than thirty times it will be the included in the gospel message being preached. The book of Acts mentions this name far more than any other book of the New Testament.

(Daniel 1)

In the previous part of our study, we said that each candidate amongst the exiles who was selected to stand before Nebuchadnezzar, was required to fulfil nine criteria, and we looked at the first four. We remarked that these may be considered to have more to do with physical attributes and status at birth. The remaining five have more to do with mental acuity and capacity for instruction.