Welcome to our Study Guide book blog where we discuss the Revelation of Jesus Christ and post about other relevant topics. We welcome your comments and feedback. Thank you for visiting.
Posted by Elfriede
We already mentioned the beast in last week’s post when we discussed the question “Who is the Antichrist”. Is there more to the beast then mentioned last week?
I believe there is.
The word “beast/beasts” appears in the Bible over 300 times; the majority of which is mentioned in the Old Testament (KJV).
Continue reading “Who is the Beast, the Dragon, and the False Prophet? (Part 1)”Posted by Elfriede
Most people think of the Book of Revelation when they hear the word “Antichrist” Interesting enough though, the word “Antichrist” is never mentioned in the Book of Revelation.
What does “Antichrist” mean?
The Strong’s Concordance describes it as “an opponent of, an imposter for the Messiah: – against Christ or instead of Christ”. (The new Strong’s Expanded Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible Red-Letter Edition – Greek Dictionary of the New Testament pg 30 #500)
The word “Antichrist” is mentioned 4 times in the Scriptures:
Continue reading “What Does Scripture Say about the Antichrist?”Posted by Elfriede
Revelation 1:7-8
7Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. 8“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Revelation 22:13
I am the Alpha and the Omega, theBeginning and the End, the First and the Last.
The Revelation is from Christ and about Christ. In Revelation 1:7 He (Jesus) will be seen by all at His Second Coming, whether then or during His Millennial reign or at the Great White Throne of judgment.
Jesus Christ is the equal Almighty God with the Father
Continue reading “WHO IS THE ALPHA AND OMEGA, THE BEGINNING AND THE END, THE FIRST AND THE LAST?”Posted by Elfriede
Jesus Christ being God and the Son of God called Himself Son of Man.
Why did He do that and what does it mean?
The “Son of Man” was a Messianic title pointing to the Messiah who we now know is Jesus Christ. The Jews knew the Old Testament and therefore could relate to the term “Messiah”. They were actually waiting for the Messiah, but unfortunately wouldn’t acknowledge Jesus to be that Messiah.
You even find the words “Son of Man” mentioned in the Old Testament pointing to the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ in Daniel.
Continue reading “WHO IS THE SON OF MAN?”Posted by Elfriede
Today we are continuing our discussion from last week.
In March and April last year we posted Bible Study Notes on the Seven Churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation. And we asked the question to which one of the Seven Churches your church belongs to.
Church of Ephesus (the loveless church),
Church of Smyrna (the persecuted church),
Church of Pergamos (the compromising/over tolerant church),
Church of Thyatira (the corrupt church –moral departure),
Church of Sardis (the spiritually dead church),
Church of Philadelphia (the faithful church),
Church of Laodicea (the lukewarm/complacent church).
The “church” is only mentioned in the Book of Revelation in the first 3 chapters and then, not anymore, until in chapter 22 verse 16!
Continue reading “WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE CHURCH IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION?”Posted by Elfriede
Have you ever asked friends, family or people around you how they define “church”? I find that a lot of them associate the “church” with the building where Christians fellowship and worship God.
However, when we study the Scriptures we find out that the “church” is not a building. Buildings are man-made. God doesn’t live in a building.
Acts 17:24:
“God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.”
Acts 7:48- 50:
48“However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says:
49‘Heaven is My throne,
And earth is My footstool.
What house will you build for Me? says the Lord,
Or what is the place of My rest?
50Has My hand not made all these things?’
So, if the building is not the “church”, what is?
Continue reading “WHAT OR WHO IS THE CHURCH?”Posted by Elfriede
Acts 2:42:And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Acts 20:7a
Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread,
.
Excerpt from “DIGGING DEEP INTO THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST” (pgs. 116/117) a Study Guide by Michael Copple (posted by Elfriede Copple)
We are continuing our study in Revelation:
Chapter 13 Verses 1-2 (NKJV)
1Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast [the Antichrist] rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. 2Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon [Satan] gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.
Commentary, Reference Verses and Commentary on those Reference Verses:
The first beast, the Antichrist, who, although not known yet, will already be among the church before the Rapture
1 John 4:3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.
[In 1 John 4:3 the spirit of the Antichrist which is now already in the world is a solid fact. *There are many today who are willing to say good things about Jesus, but not to confess Him as God incarnate. They say that Christ is “divine,” but not that He is God.*]
Excerpt from “DIGGING DEEP INTO THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST” (pgs. 114/115) a Study Guide by Michael Copple
INTRODUCTION
Chapter 13 introduces us to how Satan (the dragon) blasphemously sets up his own false “trinity”. Satan acts as the Father, the Antichrist as the Son, and the False Prophet as the Spirit who attempts to bring glory to the Antichrist.
Satan appoints two great beasts (men): the first beast rising up out of the sea—the Antichrist and his empire—and the second beast out of the earth or land—the False Prophet—possibly a Jew. The land could be the literal earth, or, possibly, the land of Israel.
*These beasts symbolize men who will play prominent roles during the Tribulation Period. They combine the features of the four beasts of Daniel 7:3*-9
Posted by Elfriede
Another day closer to meeting our Lord!
And another day closer to our book promotion, speaking and signing tour through 10 US States in April/May 2020. We are in the planning phase which is quite exciting.
You can find updates, event locations, dates and times on Facebook and Twitter .
We submitted the manuscript for “Considering Wisdom” to our publisher WestBow Press hoping that the book will be ready to take on our book tour together with “Calling from the Sky” and “Digging Deep into the Revelation of Jesus Christ”.
“Calling from the Sky” is a Biographical Fiction which is inspired by true events in the author’s life who served 26 plus years in the US Air Force. He served nine years with the Wings of Blue Parachute Team and as the Superintendent of Parachuting Operations at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
When asked why he wrote “Calling from the Sky” Mike says: “CALLING FROM THE SKY was prompted by the deep gratitude I have for life. I experienced many “close calls” mostly during seventeen years and over 2000 parachute jumps, and one day my oldest son, Don, said to me, “Dad, you should write those stories down so they don’t get lost.” This began an autobiography which evolved into a more exciting thriller (since I didn’t think anyone would want to read about me, Mike Copple). So the truth became faction (fact/fiction). Part of the fiction are the Russian spies who try to take revenge and kill “Luke” by sabotaging his parachute.”
Malachi 2:16a; 3:1a
For the LORD God…says…
“Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me.”
The Gospel According to Mark begins with John the Baptist fulfilling the prophecies:
Mark 1:1-8
THE beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the Prophets: [Notice the plurality Prophets.] “Behold I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.” [Malachi] “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.’” [Isaiah 40:3] John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission [forgiveness] of sins. Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.
The prophets Malachi and Isaiah were led by the Holy Spirit to prophesy that God would send the Lord’s messenger {John} to prepare the Lord’s way for people to come to him with a contrite, broken, ashamed, repentant heart—to apologize for offending God when they had been disobedient to His Commandments. In other words, John’s baptism was preparing the hearts for people to take the first step to being saved. When a baby is first conceived and then born, that child is innocent for never having broken any of the Commandments. So the child is accepted by God—justified to be viewed by God as having the righteousness of God—totally sinless. Therefore God welcomes the child to be with Him in His kingdom. However, when the child matures and, even unknowingly, breaks a Commandment—like even telling a falsehood—a lie, then, since God does not accept sin, God separates that person from Himself and keeps that separation until the person comes to admit he has sinned—that is to repent and asks to be forgiven—and to believe without any doubt that God is who He says He is and will, indeed take those sins away. At that moment, the sinner is brought back to no longer being separated from God—for all eternity future—freely given eternal life—totally redeemed, bought back with a tremendous price.
How does this happen? When we say “God is who He says He is,” we read that He redeems us with His blood. That eternal life is in His Blood:
Continue reading “THE FOUNDATION OF REPENTANCE”Posted by Elfriede Copple from the Bible Study Guide “DIGGING DEEP INTO THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST” (pgs 96+97)
Last week’s Bible Study of Revelation 11:3-6 gives us some insight into who the TWO WITNESSES are. It is quite interesting, and I thought I would share that with you today.
REVELATION 11:3
And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”
Posted by Elfriede
After reading the first Chapter titled: SEARCHING FOR SOMETHING THAT FITS –
John 15:9 – I decided to write down my thoughts and what I discovered searching the Scriptures:
Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
Psalm 49:15b God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, for He shall receive me.
John 6:39-40 “This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. [Last day refers to last day of Church Age.] And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”
Continue reading “God’s Choices of Whom He will take Up and the Rapture Timing”by Randy Amos
We live in a changing world – and church. Truth once held is being let go in the name of liberty. And in our technological explosion things are changing almost monthly. We let go of what was the “newest and greatest” to further upgrade to something more exciting.
Is it easy to hold something fast for a long period of time? Try holding a 3-pound book in your hand while standing. For a few minutes it’s easy. But could you do it for even a week? Tiredness, hunger, inconvenience, time demands, peer pressure to move on, and even boredom would make it a monumental task.
There are things the Lord asks His children to hold fast (not let go of) until He comes. But that can be hard because of relativism, results, reputation, relationships, and regression (small at times). If 20 people were standing side-by-side in a straight line and eventually 19 stepped back, the one who didn’t move now looks strange and out of unity with the others. Yet we are exhorted to be “steadfast, unmovable,” 1Cor. 15:58.
We received our Cornerstone Magazine and feel blessed by the below article written by Rick Morse in the Nov-Dec 2019 issue (pg 4+5).
We hope you enjoy it too and find the teaching helpful to rightly divide God’s Word.
“Be diligent to present thyself approved to God –
a workman irreproachable, rightly dividing the Word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15, (Young’s Literal Translation)
In His wisdom, our God has placed what we might consider three “sentinels” in His Word – one at the beginning, one in the middle, and one at the end (Deut. 4:2; Prov. 30:5- 6; Rev. 22:18-19). It is to warn all who read it to neither add nor take away from what He has chosen to reveal. He also inspired Paul to exhort Timothy to study the Word of God with diligent care, to pursue an orderly and consistent approach to discovering its truths (2 Tim. 2:15). Out of gratitude to those have mentored and nurtured my own interest in Bible study, I offer these ten “rules of thumb”. If observed, they will enable the eager Bible student to rightly divide the word of truth, and to avoid many popular but harmful bypaths which are so readily available today.
1. Observe What The Text Says
Forcing a preconception on what is written usually leads to error. Reading and re-reading a portion slowly, and out loud, is the best way to take in every word. Notice every detail, verb, order, progression, pattern, etc. God does not do things haphazardly. Before we even begin thinking about what the Bible teaches, we need to first establish what the Bible says.
Continue reading “10 COMMANDMENTS for BIBLE STUDY”In Revelation Chapter 6 each of the four horses with a rider represents the antichrist in a preview of chronological events which will take place over the Seven-year Tribulation Period.
In Revelation 6:2 the white horse previews the antichrist’s beginning phase:
– entering to conquer,
– imitating the Messiah
(Rev. 13:1-3, 13-14; 2 Thess. 2:4, 11; Matt. 24:24) and
– coming into power at the beginning of the Tribulation.
Today we are posting a short summary of each chapter of the Book of Revelation:
Chapter 1
The Lord Jesus tells John to write this Book and that it will bless those who understand. Revelation 1:3, 11
Chapter 2
The Lord Jesus tells John what to say to four of seven churches.
The number seven represents all churches.
Revelation 2
To answer this controversial question, we must realize an important fact about the arrangement of the last Book in the Bible: The Revelation of Jesus Christ.
Revelation begins in chronological order, but the sequence changes and repeats some of what has already been written. For example, in chapter 6, six of the seven seals reveal to us the things which must be hereafter. These seals give us a preview of what will take place in heaven and on earth. But when the seventh seal is opened in chapter 8, then the things spoken of before begin to happen.
Continue reading “When does the Rapture occur in relation to the Seven-Year Tribulation?”Are you using the Spiritual Gift given to you by the Holy Spirit?
Posted by Elfriede Copple
Ezekiel 33:1-6 1 (NKJV)
Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Son of man, speak to the children of your people, and say to them: ‘When I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from their territory and make him their watchman, when he sees the sword coming upon the land, if he blows the trumpet and warns the people, then whoever hears the sound of the trumpet and does not take warning, if the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be on his own head. He heard the sound of the trumpet, but did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself. But he who takes warning will save his life. But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand.”
In Ezekiel 33 God is naming Ezekiel as the watchman and, if he doesn’t warn the others, God is holding him responsible for Israel’s destruction. Quoting William MacDonald, “The question arises for every believer: For whom will God hold us responsible? To whom shall we witness? Whom shall we warn? Our relatives, fellow workers, neighbors, friends? It is a solemn responsibility, and we do harm to our own soul if we do not fulfill it faithfully.”
Are you a watchman for the Lord? Is Ezekiel 33:1-6 still relevant to the believer who confesses the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior?
Continue reading “Are you a WATCHMAN (Ezekiel 33:1-6)?”Posted by Elfriede Copple
Today we would like to share some exciting and encouraging news with you regarding the publicity campaign of our Study Guide “DIGGING DEEP INTO THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST”.
A Press Release was sent out on September 16, 2019 and has been picked up by
Continue reading “Publicity Update on DIGGING DEEP INTO THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST Study Guide”Posted by Elfriede Copple
It has been a busy week. I finished the editing of Mike’s new book “CONSIDERING WISDOM” and we are now going over the suggested changes. We are hoping to have this new manuscript ready for the publisher this month. This book is going to challenge the reader and his views about events and ideas in today’s world.
Continue reading “CONSIDERING WISDOM – CALLING FROM THE SKY – DIGGING DEEP INTO THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST”When one becomes a believer and follower of the Lord Jesus Christ he now has sonship status with all its benefits in the family of God. However, the believer also has three major enemies that will fiercely oppose him in his Christian life.
Posted by Elfriede Copple
Today I was reading and studying in the “Believer’s Building Booklets #1 – WINNING THE WAR!” by Randy P. Amos (itinerant Bible teacher). I am posting some passages here because Randy has a great way of explaining the war between our sinful nature and our desire to please our Lord, and how to overcome.
Pages 2 + 3:
THE CHRISTIAN’S THREE ENEMIES
When one becomes a believer and follower of the Lord Jesus Christ he now has sonship status with all its benefits in the family of God. However, the believer also has three major enemies that will fiercely oppose him in his Christian life.
Continue reading “THE CHRISTIAN’S THREE ENEMIES”Posted by Elfriede Copple
Today I want to post an Overview outline of the Last Book of the 27 New Testament books “The Book Of Revelation” by Randy Amos who wants to give the plan of God and His ways in a condensed form.
“…this prophecy…write in a book” 1:3,11
“Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter”
DO YOU BELONG TO A CHURCH LIKE THE CHURCH OF PHILADELPHIA?
Posted by Elfriede Copple
This week I am going back to our short study of the church of Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13).
We need to be aware that Satan has gotten his foot into the door of a number of churches, and is deceiving them. Therefore be on guard by checking God’s word to learn what He expects of His church the believers. The New Testament gives us clear instructions on how to meet and worship.
Posted by Elfriede Copple
Today our post is about a book with the title COUNTERFEIT JESUS by R.P. Amos who lives in Oregon City, Oregon. Randy Amos is an itinerant Bible teacher who has blessed us with his messages and books.
It is a book relevant to today’s times and an eye opener to who the Counterfeit is and how he got his foot in the door to deceive many.
In the introduction Randy states:
“In this book many authoritative statements are made. The authority for these statements does not come from some man-made council, some creed of a denominational headquarters, or a majority vote on certain issues. The authority for the many statements comes from no less a source than the Holy Scriptures (Bible) which is the Word of the living God.”
Continue reading “WHO IS THE COUNTERFEIT JESUS?”The Rapture is a frequent topic in our home. The Antichrist, the Tribulation Period, false prophets and today’s false teachers are the center of many discussions. Last week we started part 1 of “LET NO ONE DECEIVE YOU,” today we will continue with part 2:
2 Thessalonians 2:5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?
We remember from Acts 17:1 that Paul visited Thessalonica and helped “turn the world upside down,” and then travelled on to Berea, Athens, and Corinth. He is writing this Letter from Corinth. So he had verbally taught them, but since then, besides all the contradictory teaching being given to them since he left, they’ve also been fiercely persecuted. Between the false teaching and the suffering they were enduring, they must have thought the Tribulation Period had already begun. In troubles we all forget too easily and need to be constantly reminded of the great truths of our God. It is vitally important to stay focused by staying in God’s Word and by praying without ceasing.
Continue reading “LET NO ONE DECEIVE YOU (Part 2)”The Thessalonian saints were apparently confused mixing up a separate split-second event—the Rapture—with our gathering together to Him with the coming of our Lord Jesus.
2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 1Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.
The Thessalonian saints were apparently confused concerning two different periods of time—they were mixing up a separate split-second event—the Rapture—our gathering together to Him with the coming of our Lord Jesus. The instantaneous Rapture happens first. Then the period of time begins. This period of time is called the “Tribulation.” Immediately, or nearly so, following our being raptured, the church age ends, and a period of judgment begins—a Day of the Lord—begins. The first event of the period of time is the seven-year Tribulation Period. Those seven years are given over to the false trinity to rule on earth. The first half of the seven years (3 ½ years) is a time of deception, and the second half of the seven years will be the Great Tribulation. At the end of the seven-year Tribulation Period, the next quick-as-lightening event is the Lord’s Second Coming. Immediately after that is our Lord’s 1,000 year millennial reign. That time will be followed by the destruction of this earth and heavens, and the Lord’s creation of a new heaven and earth. The words our gathering together to Him are referring to the Rapture.
Continue reading “LET NO ONE DECEIVE YOU (Part 1)”Romans 11:25 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
“Come in” meaning ‘come in to the church’, as believers, that is.
Israel will believe after they see that the Rapture is true. They will realize this truth upon the church {all believers in Christ} disappearing, having been taken up into the clouds.
Continue reading ““The Rapture—The Hope that Comforts All Believers””Posted by Elfriede Copple
The Study Guide is in the last phase of design with the publisher and it should get to the printer next week. We are excited about the final layout!
Today, I want to share Mike’s response to the question:
“WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE YOUR BOOK?”
The inspiration for the book, Digging Deep into the Revelation of Jesus Christ, came from three important sources.
Continue reading “WHAT INSPIRED MIKE TO COMPILE A STUDY GUIDE ON THE BOOK OF REVELATION?”
