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Lesson 22 - God's People IdentifiedIntroduction: Throughout history God has had a special people with a special message. In this lesson we will discover who are God's special people in this age. 1. Who did God say were His people? Eze. 34:30, 31 (Ezekiel 34:30-31 NKJV) "Thus they shall know that I, the LORD their God, am with them, and they, the house of Israel, are My people," says the Lord GOD.'" {31} "You are My flock, the flock of My pasture; you are men, and I am your God," says the Lord GOD. [Ans: "The house of Israel." (See Lesson 11.) The Further-study verse is Heb. 8:10] 2. Is God, then, dependent upon the literal descendants of Abraham to have a people? Matt. 3:9, 10 [Matt. 21:43] (Matthew 3:9-10 NKJV) "and do not think to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. {10} "And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 3. In God's sight, are all of Abraham's descendants a part of the true "house of Israel"? Rom. 9:6, 24-26 [Rom. 2:28, 29; John 8:39, 44] (Romans 9:6 NKJV) But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, (Romans 9:24-26 NKJV) even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? {25} As He says also in Hosea: "I will call them My people, who were not My people, And her beloved, who was not beloved." {26} "And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, 'You are not My people,' There they shall be called sons of the living God." 4. How can we become part of God's true Israel? Gal. 3:7, 8, 14, 26-29 [Col. 2:10-13] (Galatians 3:7-8 NKJV) Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. {8} And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, "In you all the nations shall be blessed." (Galatians 3:14 NKJV) that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (Galatians 3:26-29 NKJV) For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. {27} For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. {28} There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. {29} And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. 5. Is there any hope for Gentiles who refuse to become true Israelites through Jesus Christ? Eph. 2:11-14 (Ephesians 2:11-14 NKJV) Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh; who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands; {12} that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. {13} But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. {14} For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, [Ans: ". . . having no hope." 1 Peter 2:6, 9, 10] 6. Besides "Israel," by what other terms does the Bible refer to God's people? Eph. 1:22,23 (Ephesians 1:22-23 NKJV) And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, {23} which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. [Ans: "Church" and "Christ's body." Col. 1:24] 7. In Greek the word "angel" means God's "messenger" and often refers to God's church when used symbolically in prophecy. How far will God's people take His message in the last days? Rev. 14:6, 7 [Matt. 24:14] (Revelation 14:6-7 NKJV) Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth; to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people; {7} saying with a loud voice, "Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water." 8. What other symbol does God use to represent Israel (or Zion) in prophecy? Jer. 6:2 [Isa. 51:16; Eph. 5:23; Rev. 19:7] (Jeremiah 6:2 NKJV) I have likened the daughter of Zion To a lovely and delicate woman. 9. What will the dragon do to God's lastday church, as symbolized by a woman? Rev. 12:17a [Eph. 6:12] (Revelation 12:17 NKJV) And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, ... 10. Besides being worldwide, as noted in question 7, what other identifying marks does God give to help us recognize His true people symbolized by a woman? Rev. 12:17b [Rev. 14:12] (Revelation 12:17 NKJV) .....who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. 11. Thus, God's people will keep all the commandments, including the Sabbath commandment. They also will have "the testimony of Jesus Christ." What is "the testimony of Jesus Christ"? Rev. 19:10 [Rev. 22:9] (Revelation 19:10 NKJV) And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." 12. In summary, God's lastday church will be a (1) Christian, (2) worldwide, (3) commandmentkeeping church (4) that has the gift of prophecy. Do you know of a church that fits these specifications today? 13. The Seventh-day Adventist Church alone meets the Biblical requirements. Like ancient Israel, this church was called into being by God and He invites all people into its fellowship. In 1844 God gave this church the promised gift of prophecy through Ellen G. White. After two men, one after the other, refused to be God's messenger, He chose this 17 yearold woman. She continued her inspired, prophetic ministry until she died in 1915. What other women did God call to be His prophets? Judges 4:4; Luke 2:36 [Ex. 15:20; lsa. 8:3; 2 Kings 22:14; Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 21:9] (Judges 4:4 NKJV) Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, was judging Israel at that time. (Luke 2:36 NKJV) Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; 14. Ellen White had only a limited, formal education, yet she wrote profound truths about Jesus, the Scriptures, education, health, marriage, administration, prophecy, and latterday events that we are seeing happening today. What kind of human instruments does God often choose to do His work? 1 Cor. 1:27-29 [Zech. 4:6] (1 Corinthians 1:27-29 NKJV) But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; {28} and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, {29} that no flesh should glory in His presence. 15. Who inspires prophets to write or speak God's messages? 2 Peter 1:21 [Jer. 1:5; Hosea 12:13; Luke 1:70] (2 Peter 1:21 NKJV) for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. 16. When God appoints a prophet, where is he placed? 1 Cor. 12:28 (1 Corinthians 12:28 NKJV) And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. [Ans: As with other spiritual gifts, the gift of prophecy is placed within God's true church. Eph. 4:11-14] Commitment: As responsible human beings in search of salvation, we must identify two very important things: (1) God's last true church and (2) the reformation messenger God promised to send before His second coming. But if we find one we have found them both, for the prophet is placed within the church. After applying all the Biblical tests, it is then up to us to listen to the gentle voice of Jesus, saying, "Follow Me." It has never been popular to follow Jesus, but He is calling you today to become a part of His true church. Will you accept that invitation just now?
Further Study VersesQuestion 1 - Further Study (Hebrews 8:10 NKJV) "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. -->Back to Study Question 2 - Further Study (Matthew 21:43 NKJV) "Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. -->Back to Study Question 3 - Further Study (Romans 2:28-29 NKJV) For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; {29} but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God. John 8:39 NKJV) They answered and said to Him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham. (John 8:44 NKJV) "You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. -->Back to Study Question 4 - Further Study (Colossians 2:10-13 NKJV) and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. {11} In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, {12} buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. {13} And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, -->Back to Study Question 5 - Further Study (1 Peter 2:6 NKJV) Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame." (1 Peter 2:9-10 NKJV) But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; {10} who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. -->Back to Study Question 6 - Further Study (Colossians 1:24 NKJV) I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, -->Back to Study Question 7 - Further Study (Matthew 24:14 NKJV) "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. -->Back to Study Question 8 - Further Study (Isaiah 51:16 NKJV) And I have put My words in your mouth; I have covered you with the shadow of My hand, That I may plant the heavens, Lay the foundations of the earth, And say to Zion, 'You are My people.'" (Ephesians 5:23 NKJV) For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. (Revelation 19:7 NKJV) "Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready." -->Back to Study Question 9 - Further Study (Ephesians 6:12 NKJV) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. -->Back to Study Question 10 - Further Study (Revelation 14:12 NKJV) Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. -->Back to Study Question 11 - Further Study (Revelation 22:9 NKJV) Then he said to me, "See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God." -->Back to Study Question 13 - Further Study (Exodus 15:20 NKJV) Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. (Isaiah 8:3 NKJV) Then I went to the prophetess, and she conceived and bore a son. Then the LORD said to me, "Call his name Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz; (2 Kings 22:14 NKJV) So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe. (She dwelt in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter.) And they spoke with her. (Joel 2:28-29 NKJV) "And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. {29} And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. (Acts 21:9 NKJV) Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied. -->Back to Study Question 14 - Further Study (Zechariah 4:6 NKJV) So he answered and said to me: "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts. -->Back to Study Question 15 - Further Study (Jeremiah 1:5 NKJV) "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations." (Hosea 12:13 NKJV) By a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, And by a prophet he was preserved. (Luke 1:70 NKJV) As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, Who have been since the world began, -->Back to Study Question 16 - Further Study (Ephesians 4:11-14 NKJV) And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, {12} for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, {13} till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; {14} that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, -->Back to Study
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