The Gospel in Galatians

From Slaves to Heirs

Lesson #8 for August 19, 2017

Scriptures: Galatians 3:26-4:20; Romans 6:1-11; Hebrews 2:14-18; 4:14-15; Romans 9:4-5[1].

1.    This lesson covers some very significant issues in Christianity. Paul was determined to break down any barrier that might remain between Jew and Gentile, slave and free, male and female. When we join ourselves to Christ through baptism, we are to become a part of the body of Christ; every human being is eligible. There are no distinctions remaining. Paul was born in Tarsus, the capital of the Roman province of Cilicia. He was a Roman citizen from birth. Paul was a Pharisee and a member of the tribe of Benjamin.

2.    Many times in his earlier days, Paul must have prayed the famous prayer of the Jewish male: “Lord, I thank you that I was not born a Gentile, a slave, or a woman.” As recorded in Galatians 3:28-29; Romans 3:22; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Colossians 3:11; and Ephesians 2:15[2], Paul went all out to reject Jewish male exclusiveness. Modern Jews hate Paul for these words.

3.    The Jewish males were not the only ones who had such attitudes. The Greek males also felt quite superior. Today, do we males have that attitude? Is that the attitude displayed in the church?

Much of the Greek tradition could be summarized in the thanksgiving variously attributed to Thales, Socrates, and Plato that “I was born a human being and not a beast, next, a man and not a woman, thirdly, a Greek and not a barbarian.” (Diog. Laert 1.33; Lactant. Div. Inst. 3.19)

4.    But, Paul did more than just eliminate former distinctions. He invited every person who was baptized into the body of Christ to become a true heir-one with Christ Himself. Paul was doing everything he could to tear down walls. Does that remind you of Ronald Reagan in 1987 standing at the Brandenburg Gate near the Berlin Wall and saying: “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.” And we know what happened soon thereafter.

5.    The Chinese Christian Watchmen Nee put it like this when asked about it by a new convert who was discouraged:

“No matter how much I pray, no matter how hard I try, I simply cannot seem to be faithful to my Lord. I think I’m losing my salvation.” Nee said, “Do you see this dog here? He is my dog. He is house-trained; he never makes a mess; he is obedient; he is a pure delight to me. Out in the kitchen I have a son, a baby son. He makes a mess, he throws his food around, he fouls his clothes, he is a total mess. But who is going to inherit my kingdom? Not my dog; my son is my heir. You are Jesus Christ’s heir because it is for you that He died.”—Lou Nicholes, Hebrews: Patterns for Living (Longwood, Fla.: Xulon Press, 2004), p. 31. (Also quoted in an old Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide for Sabbath, November 12, 2011.)

6.    We may be sinners; we may do all sorts of bad things. But, if we claim to be Christians, God is ready to accept us as His children and heirs. Shouldn’t all of us be heirs?

7.    Paul used the word sons instead of children. Why was that? In biblical times, the sons were the ones who received the inheritance. Daughters were expected to marry and become a part of a different family. Furthermore, the children of Israel came to be known as the “sons of God.” Paul wanted to be clear in stating that Gentile sinners could also be a part of that family-children of Abraham. (Galatians 3:29[3])

8.    But, the physical act of baptism does not accomplish such a change. It is supposed to happen inside of us first. We must be born of the Spirit and clothed in Christ. (Romans 6:1-3[4]) This means that Christ becomes the Center of our lives. If we are going to receive that amazing inheritance, then Christianity-our new identity-must affect every part of our lives.

9.    How does that actually work? By beholding, we become changed. How do we become like Christ? We look to Him and try to copy His life.

It is a law both of the intellectual and the spiritual nature that by beholding we become changed. The mind gradually adapts itself to the subjects upon which it is allowed to dwell. It becomes assimilated to that which it is accustomed to love and reverence. Man will never rise higher than his standard of purity or goodness or truth. If self is his loftiest ideal, he will never attain to anything more exalted. Rather, he will constantly sink lower and lower. The grace of God alone has power to exalt man. Left to himself, his course must inevitably be downward.—Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy* 555.2 (1888); The Great Controversy* 555.1; Mind, Character, and Personality,* vol. 1,331.1; Mind, Character, and Personality,* vol. 2, 418.4. [Bold type is added.]

10.    Do our friends and associates at work and even our casual acquaintances recognize Christ in us? (Matthew 5:16[5]) What change takes place so that people see God instead of us? Could people actually see the difference in us?

11.    What is implied by being an heir with Christ? Doesn’t the whole universe belong to Him? Think of the incredible privileges that are included with that designation. Just as Jesus ascended to His Father, we-in association with Him-are invited into that intimate relationship. (John 17[6]) At the third coming, God is going to move His headquarters to our planet! (Revelation 21[7]) But, there are also huge responsibilities. In the Old Testament, the children of Israel lost their special relationship with God because they ignored the responsibilities while claiming all the privileges of that special relationship. Are we going to make that same mistake?

12.    During the last evening that Jesus spent with His disciples on this earth, after washing their dirty feet and seeing Judas get up and leave, He said to the eleven: “I don’t want you to be slaves any longer; I want you to be My friends.” (See John 15:15[8].) Which would you rather be? A slave? A son or daughter? An heir? Or, a friend? Which do you think is truly closer to the Father? A slave? A son or daughter? An heir? Or, a friend? Not every son is close to his father. He may be the inheritor of the father’s estate; but, they may not even be on speaking terms.

13.    But, Paul went on to say that those who become a part of the body of Christ become so close to Him that they refer to Him as Daddy or Papa. (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6[9]) Would we dare to address God in that way? What is unique about a child’s relationship with his father? As Watchman Nee has suggested, the child may not be very responsible. But, does the child have to earn his father’s love? Or, his mother’s love? Children may still require a paidagogos-a guardian and guide, someone to discipline them and teach them the right way-but, they are still children of their parents.

14.    Read Galatians 4:1-3[10]. What is implied by the elemental things of the world or the ruling spirits of the universe in Galatians 4:3? In light of the way Paul used this expression in other places, (Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 5:12[11]) it seems likely that he was talking about the “elementary steps in the Christian life.” “Baby” Christians may feel like they are bound by rules and laws that did not affect them in the past. But, when they have accepted Christianity, they are working their way through the “alphabet” of the Christian life.

15.    Are those elementary things somehow analogous to the “shadows of the good things to come” described in Hebrews 10:1-4[12]?

16.    Read Matthew 18:3[13]. In what sense are Christians to be childlike? Many people point to this verse and suggest that to be childlike means to be willing to believe even things that are somehow unbelievable. Does this mean that true Christians are to be gullible?

17.    What is the most important characteristic of a child? Isn’t it his capacity to grow? We become alarmed if a child fails to grow physically and even more if he fails to grow mentally. Would it be true that if a child fails to grow spiritually, that is great? Or, would that be a disaster? (Ephesians 4:13-16; Hebrews 5:11-6:3[14]) Children ask a lot of questions! They want to learn. If your picture of God has not grown in the last year, you are worshiping a graven image.

18.    Read Galatians 4:4. What is the meaning of the fullness of time? Several things have been suggested as an answer to this question. What about the prophecy of Daniel 9:24-27[15] which predicted the coming of a Messiah? Rome ruled the world, and there was relative peace, the PaxRomana. There was a common language as well as relatively easy communication and transportation. There was a common culture which made it easy to spread the gospel.

19.    But, there is another reason why that was the fullness of time even though it is often not recognized or acknowledged. The sect of the Pharisees had come to dominate the culture in Palestine. They seemed to be the super-religious people. But, it was those same Pharisees who were most determined to get rid of Jesus Christ. They were people who seemed to dedicate their whole lives to serving God; however, they ended up crucifying the very God they claimed to be serving! The Pharisees were no better than the pagans! This demonstrated that the ditch on each side of the road is just as deep and just as treacherous!

20.    Do you think the Jews of the Old Testament would have killed Christ? Or, would they just have ignored Him as they did so many of His prophets? Why this difference?

21.    Why was it necessary for Jesus to become fully human, to be born to a human mother, and to live the life of an ordinary human being? Many answers have been given to this question. He could not have died either the first death or the second death unless He had become human. (John 1:14; Galatians 4:4-5; Romans 8:3-4; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 2:5-8; Hebrews 2:14-18; 4:14-15)[16] These verses suggest that Jesus needed to live a perfect, yet fully human, life in order to prove that it can be done. He demonstrated His glory, the righteousness of God, and the attitude of a servant. By His death He destroyed the Devil, and He dealt with sin-even “doing away with sin.” He came to show us what a Christian life is really like-to be our Example. Coming to this earth as a Human was not necessary so that God could learn something that He/They did not know as some seem to imply. He came so that we could see what God is like.

22.    Read Galatians 4:4-5:

4But when the right time finally came, God sent his own Son. He came as the son of a human mother and lived under the Jewish Law, to redeem those who were under the Law, so that we might become God’s sons and daughters.—American Bible Society. (1992). The Holy Bible: The Good News Translation* (2nd ed., Galatians 4:4-5). New York: American Bible Society.

23.    What is implied by these words? Is this what is supposed to happen when someone is baptized? What does it mean to be redeemed? In the first two or three centuries after Jesus’s death, there was a popular theory of why Jesus had to die known as the Ransom Theory. When our first parents sinned, they, in effect, sold themselves into the control of Satan. That theory says that when Jesus came to live on this earth, the Father said to Satan: “I will give you Jesus in exchange for all of the souls of sinners.” Satan had always wanted to be in the position of Christ; so, he agreed. Later, after the crucifixion and the burial, Jesus arose and escaped Satan’s control and returned to heaven. Thus, according to the Ransom Theory, God won the great controversy by deceiving and tricking the Devil! Does that sound right to you?

24.    Implicit in Galatians 4:4-5[17] is the idea that Christ was fully God. What do the Scriptures say about that? See John 1:1-3,18; Philippians 2:5-9; Colossians 1:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-14[18].

25.    Many of our Christian friends would suggest that it was necessary for Christ to come and live and die in order to be legally qualified to “pay the price for sin.” What does that mean? Does justice require the death of Someone to pay for sin? Who is it specifically that is requiring that death? Is it the Father? Did Jesus need to do something to assuage or propitiate the Father’s wrath against sin? Does that suggest that the Trinity is not always in perfect harmony? Does the Son need to plead with the Father to forgive us? That is pure paganism! See John 16:26-27[19] where Jesus said that He will not plead with the Father because the Father Himself loves us already.

26.    What really happens to a person when he is baptized? The physical baptism in water is not the key point. What God is looking for is a true baptism by the Spirit. If we become true children of God, then we can believe that our sins have been buried with Christ. More than that, as He was raised to life, so we can live a new Christian life. If we do that, God will count us as His heirs, and we will be eligible for all of the rights and privileges of children alongside Jesus Christ. Do we become actual children of God? Or, have we always been the children of God?

27.    How well did Jesus deal with Satan when He was on this earth? Look at His handling of Satan during the temptations in the wilderness. (See Matthew 4:4-11[20].)

God could have destroyed Satan and his sympathizers as easily as one can cast a pebble to the earth; but He did not do this. Rebellion was not to be overcome by force. Compelling power is found only under Satan’s government. The Lord’s principles are not of this order. His authority rests upon goodness, mercy, and love; and the presentation of these principles is the means to be used. God’s government is moral, and truth and love are to be the prevailing power.

[Usually when two armies face off, they are somewhat equal in power. But, when Satan faces off with God, he uses force, power, deceit, lies, trickery, etc. while God limits Himself to using only truth and love. Does that seem fair?]

It was God’s purpose to place things on an eternal basis of security, and in the councils of heaven it was decided that time must be given for Satan to develop the principles which were the foundation of his system of government. He had claimed that these were superior to God’s principles. Time was given for the working of Satan’s principles, that they might be seen by the heavenly universe.

Satan led men into sin, and the plan of redemption was put in operation. For four thousand years, Christ was working for man’s uplifting, and Satan for his ruin and degradation. And the heavenly universe beheld it all.—Ellen G. White, Desire of Ages* 759.1-3.

28.    This earth is the theater of the universe? (1 Corinthians 4:9) God tells us that when we are baptized, He adopts us into His family. What does adoption mean to Christians? What did Paul promise, and what does God promise to those who are adopted? See the Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide for Wednesday, August 16.

1)    Final victory over the Devil and his temptations. (Hebrews 2:14-15[21])

2)    Final freedom from death. (1 Corinthians 15:56-57[22])

3)    Freedom from sin and all that implies. (Romans 6:22[23])

4)    Freedom from the condemnation of the law. (Romans 3:19-24; Galatians 3:13; 4:5[24])

In light of these statements, have we truly become the children of God?

29.    Even in the Greco-Roman world, there was a well-known legal adoption code. It included the following provisions:

1)    The adopted son became the true son of his adopter.

2)    The adopter agreed to bring up the child properly and provide the necessities of food and clothing.

3)    The adopter could not repudiate his adopted son.

4)    The child could not be reduced to slavery.

5)    The child’s natural parents had no right to reclaim him.

6)    The adoption established the right to inherit. (See Derek R. Moore-Crispin, “Galatians 4:1-9: The Use and Abuse of Parallels,” The Evangelical Quarterly, vol. 61, no. 3 (1989), p. 216.) (Referenced in the Bible Study Guide for Wednesday) [Some of the famous Caesars were adopted as children.]

30.    We can see even from this ancient law code that the privileges of an adopted son or daughter are essentially the same as those of a true child. Thus it is that we can be free to call our heavenly Father, “Daddy” or “Papa.” (Galatians 4:6[25]) What is the difference between a child and a friend? Could we be both?

31.    How far did Paul go in associating with Gentiles? Was he ever able to overcome his Pharisaical prejudices? Was it easy for him? (1 Corinthians 9:21[26])

32.    How can we become more and more like God? Jesus had an incredible relationship with His Father even while He was living on this earth as a human being. Did God actually direct His life moment-by-moment?

But the Son of God was surrendered to the Father’s will, and dependent upon His power. So utterly was Christ emptied of self that He made no plans for Himself. He accepted God’s plans for Him, and day by day the Father unfolded His plans. So should we depend upon God, that our lives may be the simple outworking of His will.—Ellen G. White, Desire of Ages* 208.2; compare Signs of the Times, November 21, 1892, par. 2; HDL 18.3; MH 478, 479 (1905); 2MCP 734.1.

What role should our devotional life play in our relationship with God? (Mark 1:35-39[27])

33.    Read Galatians 4:8-20[28]. Finally, Paul became almost exasperated in dealing with the Galatians. In effect, he asked: “You really don’t want to become slaves again, do you?”

34.    What is implied by paying attention to certain days, months, seasons, or years? Was Paul referring to the seventh-day Sabbath? If Paul meant to include the seventh-day Sabbath, he certainly could have mentioned it specifically as he did elsewhere. (Colossians 2:16[29]) Paul suggested that those legalistic requirements being promoted by the Judaizers in Galatia were leading the Galatian Christians back into bondage. Do we really believe that God would give human beings a law that led to bondage?

35.    Would Jesus have kept the Sabbath if He thought it was a sign of bondage? Or, is it our attitude about these things that mostly involves the bondage?

36.    Even in our day, conservative Christians tend to follow a lot of rules. Those rules include dress codes, what is appropriate in worship, diet, etc. How do these requirements fit into the idea of Christian freedom?

37.    Human beings tend to be very selfish-even to the point of harming themselves. Do we ever refuse the help that God offers because we want to “do it ourselves”?

38.    Those of us who believe in the larger view, great-controversy, trust, healing model of the plan of salvation believe that God has a wonderful plan for our lives. We are to become more and more like Him by beholding and studying His life and incorporating more and more of the Christian ideals into our lives. (See again The Great Controversy 555.1 as quoted in Item #9 above.) Isn’t that what children do as they watch their parents and grow to become like those parents? In the same way, are we becoming the children of God? Or, are we too occupied with the things of this world?

© 2017, Kenneth Hart, MD, MA, MPH. Permission is hereby granted for any noncommercial use of these materials. Free distribution of all or of a portion of this material such as to a Bible study class is encouraged. *Electronic version.    Info@theox.org

1-Gal 3:26-29 NIV So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, (27) for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. (28) There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (29) If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Gal 4:1-20 NIV What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. (2) The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. (3) So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. (4) But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, (5) to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. (6) Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." (7) So you are no longer a slave, but God's child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. (8) Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. (9) But now that you know God--or rather are known by God--how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? (10) You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! (11) I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you. (12) I plead with you, brothers and sisters, become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. (13) As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you, (14) and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. (15) Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. (16) Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? (17) Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them. (18) It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you. (19) My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, (20) how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!

Rom 6:1-11 NIV What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? (2) By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? (3) Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? (4) We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. (5) For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. (6) For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin-- (7) because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. (8) Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. (9) For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. (10) The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. (11) In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Heb 2:14-18 NIV Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil-- (15) and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. (16) For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants. (17) For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. (18) Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Heb 4:14-15 NIV Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. (15) For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet he did not sin.

Rom 9:4-5 NIV the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. (5) Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.

2-Gal 3:28-29 NIV There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (29) If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Rom 3:22 NIV This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,

1Co 12:13 NIV For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body--whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

Col 3:11 NIV Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

Eph 2:15 NIV by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace,

3-Gal 3:29 NIV If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

4-Rom 6:1-3 NIV What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? (2) By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? (3) Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

5-Mat 5:16 NIV In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

6-Joh 17:1-26 NIV After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. (2) For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. (3) Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. (4) I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. (5) And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. (6) "I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. (7) Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. (8) For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. (9) I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. (10) All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. (11) I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. (12) While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. (13) "I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. (14) I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. (15) My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. (16) They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. (17) Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. (18) As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. (19) For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. (20) "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, (21) that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. (22) I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one-- (23) I in them and you in me--so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. (24) "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. (25) "Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. (26) I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."

7-Rev 21:1-27 NIV Then I saw "a new heaven and a new earth," for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. (2) I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. (3) And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. (4) 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (5) He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." (6) He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. (7) Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. (8) But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars--they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." (9) One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb." (10) And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. (11) It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. (12) It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. (13) There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. (14) The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. (15) The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls. (16) The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length, and as wide and high as it is long. (17) The angel measured the wall using human measurement, and it was 144 cubits thick. (18) The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. (19) The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, (20) the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. (21) The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass. (22) I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. (23) The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. (24) The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. (25) On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. (26) The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. (27) Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.

8-Joh 15:15 NIV I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

9-Rom 8:15 NIV The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."

Gal 4:6 NIV Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father."

10-Gal 4:1-3 NIV What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. (2) The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. (3) So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world.

11-Col 2:15 NIV And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Heb 5:12 NIV In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!

12-Heb 10:1-4 NIV The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming--not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. (2) Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. (3) But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. (4) It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

13-Mat 18:3 NIV And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

14-Eph 4:13-16 NIV until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (14) Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. (15) Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. (16) From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Heb 5:11-14 NIV We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. (12) In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! (13) Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. (14) But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

Heb 6:1-3 NIV Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, (2) instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. (3) And God permitting, we will do so.

15-Dan 9:24-27 NIV "Seventy 'sevens' are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy Place. (25) "Know and understand this: From the time the word goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven 'sevens,' and sixty-two 'sevens.' It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble. (26) After the sixty-two 'sevens,' the Anointed One will be put to death and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed. (27) He will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.' In the middle of the 'seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him."

16-Joh 1:14 NIV The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Gal 4:4-5 NIV But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, (5) to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.

Rom 8:3-4 NIV For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, (4) in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

2Co 5:21 NIV God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Php 2:5-8 NIV In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: (6) Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; (7) rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. (8) And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death-- even death on a cross!

Heb 2:14-18 NIV Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil-- (15) and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. (16) For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants. (17) For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. (18) Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Heb 4:14-15 NIV Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. (15) For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet he did not sin.

17-Gal 4:4-5 NIV But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, (5) to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.

18-Joh 1:1-3 NIV In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (2) He was with God in the beginning. (3) Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

Joh 1:18 NIV No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

Php 2:5-9 NIV In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: (6) Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; (7) rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. (8) And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death-- even death on a cross! (9) Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,

Col 1:15-17 NIV The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. (16) For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. (17) He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Heb 1:1-14 NIV In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, (2) but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. (3) The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. (4) So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. (5) For to which of the angels did God ever say, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father"? Or again, "I will be his Father, and he will be my Son"? (6) And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him." (7) In speaking of the angels he says, "He makes his angels spirits, and his servants flames of fire." (8) But about the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. (9) You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy." (10) He also says, "In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. (11) They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. (12) You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end." (13) To which of the angels did God ever say, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet"? (14) Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

19-Joh 16:26-27 NIV In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. (27) No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.

20-Mat 4:4-11 NIV Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" (5) Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. (6) "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: "'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'" (7) Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" (8) Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. (9) "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me." (10) Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" (11) Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

21-Heb 2:14-15 NIV Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil-- (15) and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

22-1Co 15:56-57 NIV The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. (57) But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

23-Rom 6:22 NIV But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.

24-Rom 3:19-24 NIV Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. (20) Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. (21) But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. (22) This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, (23) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (24) and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Gal 3:13 NIV Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole."

Gal 4:5 NIV to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.

25-Gal 4:6 NIV Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father."

26-1Co 9:21 NIV To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law.

27-Mar 1:35-39 NIV Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. (36) Simon and his companions went to look for him, (37) and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!" (38) Jesus replied, "Let us go somewhere else--to the nearby villages--so I can preach there also. That is why I have come." (39) So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

28-Gal 4:8-20 NIV Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. (9) But now that you know God--or rather are known by God--how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? (10) You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! (11) I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you. (12) I plead with you, brothers and sisters, become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. (13) As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you, (14) and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. (15) Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. (16) Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? (17) Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them. (18) It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you. (19) My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, (20) how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!

29-Col 2:16 NIV Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.

Table of Contents

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

1-

2-

3-

4-

5-

6-

7-

8-

9-

10-

11-

12-

13-

14-

15-

16-

17-

18-

19-

20-

21-