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God’s Sovereign Death Clock

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Revelation 6:9-11 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.  These verses hit me like a lightening bolt this morning. God’s sovereign plan includes waiting for judgment till the full number of martyrs have died! God’s plan includes the horrific death of His own. We know this was true at the cross. But all too often we think because He died we won’t have to. We expect God’s love to make our lives easier because we are His children. But Scripture often paints a different picture. Our lives here on earth are not meant to be easier. G
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Don't trust in humanity!

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We should put no confidence in humanity! It is interesting how in both my Old Testament and New Testament readings for today there is a similar theme revealed. Isaiah 2: 22 Stop regarding man, whose breath of life is in his nostrils;  For why should he be esteemed? John 2:23–25  Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name, observing His signs which He was doing.  24 But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men,  25 and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man. Jesus knew all men.  He knew what was in man.  So He didn't trust (believe) in man. Isaiah states mankind should not trust in their fellow man because humanity is fallen. THE solution was the Word became flesh and dwelt amongst us (John 1:14).  We saw His glory ... Jesus did signs which revealed His glory (2:1-23).  Jesus was man, BUT He was also GOD!  God became a man to save man from them
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A Kingdom still not experienced!

Another passage that points to a millennium kingdom to come when Judah in Jerusalem will be the location of the Lord’s rule and reign over the nations. Has this happened yet? Isaiah 2:1–4 The word which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 2 Now it will come about thatIn the last days The mountain of the house of the Lord Will be established as the chief of the mountains, And will be raised above the hills; And all the nations will stream to it. 3And many peoples will come and say,“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, To the house of the God of Jacob; That He may teach us concerning His ways And that we may walk in His paths.”For the law will go forth from Zion And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 4And He will judge between the nations, And will render decisions for many peoples; And they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, And never again will they learn war. We
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  Romans 3:19-26 Questions to Go Deeper “ Now ” sets what for this section (19)?  What do “we know?” What does the Law speak to? What is the two-fold purpose of the Law speaking to those under the Law (19)? Why is everyone condemned that is under the Law (20)?   Where will those who attempt to be justified by works of the law not be justified (20)? What really comes through the Law (20)? How are the beginning of verse 21 and verse 19 similar (21)?  What is the contrast of verse 21 ( But )? It appear because of the contrast to verse 20 “from the Law” implies “works of the Law.” Though Paul doesn’t specifically include “works of the Law, the contrast to WHERE the righteousness of God has been manifested. What are the witnesses to this manifested righteousness of God (21)? How is the righteousness of God manifested (22)? Who is this righteousness of God manifested in (22)? What does it show about the righteousness of God being manifested in
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  Romans 3:1-18 Answers Questions to Go Deeper “Then” is translated “therefore” by some translations.  “Therefore” best points to the Greek text.  What would Paul be referencing with with “therefore”? His previous discourse on the Jewish person’s state of condemnation despite their identity as Jews. Based on Paul’s answer in verse 2 He knows the answer to the two questions before he asks them.  Why would he use these two questions? Who would he be speaking for in the two questions? Paul is giving the hypothetical Jewish critics questions.  If there was absolutely no advantage or benefit Jews over Gentiles, then what would be the answer to the answer to the two questions?  However, what is the answer (2)? He would have to say there is no advantage or benefit.  But he says the opposite…Great in every respect. What does the phrase “first of all” imply about the advantages or benefits?  How many advantages are listed (2)?  Where is the list completed (hint Romans
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  Romans 3:1-18 Questions to Go Deeper “Then” is translated “therefore” by some translations.  “Therefore” best points to the Greek text.  What would Paul be referencing with with “therefore”? Based on Paul’s answer in verse 2 He knows the answer to the two questions before he asks them.  Why would he use these two questions? Who would he be speaking for in the two questions? If there was absolutely no advantage or benefit Jews over Gentiles, then what would be the answer to the answer to the two questions?  However, what is the answer (2)? What does the phrase “first of all” imply about the advantages or benefits?  How many advantages are listed (2)?  Where is the list completed (hint Romans 9)? Does unbelief of some Jews nullify God’s faithfulness to the Jews (3)? What is Paul’s response to the possibility of God being accused for condemning some Jews for their unbelief (4)? Where is the proof text from in the OT (4)?  Who said these words previously?  What i
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  Romans 2:17-29 Questions to Go Deeper! Who is the “you” referring to (2:17)?   Could it be the same you mentioned in the previous section? Either way, ‘if the shoe fits wear it’ is the implication.  It would need to be a jewish reader. What is the name he or she bears (2:17)? Jew - Judean In verse 17 there are three privileges “you” attributes to himself, what are they (2:17)? 1. Bear the name Jew, 2. Rely upon the Law, and boast in God. In verse 18 there are two understandings “you” has, what are they (2:18)? 1. His will, 2. Approve the things that are essential Where does “you” receive these understandings (2:18)? being instructed out of the Law. There are four roles that “You” is confident of for himself, what are they (2:19-20)?  1. A guide to the blind, 2. A light to those who are in darkness, 3. A corrector of the foolish, 4. A teacher of the immature. What is the basis of his confident instruction (2:20b)? having the Law! How is th
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