Bible Study from June 4th, 2022

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Bible Study Questions and Readings

Mankind must learn that evil is not power. Its so-called despotism is but a phase of nothingness. Christian Science despoils the kingdom of evil, and re-eminently promotes affection and virtue in families and therefore in the community.

The destruction of the claims of mortal mind through Science, by which man can escape from sin and mortality, blesses the whole human family.

From Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,
by Mary Baker Eddy, page 102: 30-2; page 103: 6-9

Topic: Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. (Jeremiah 17:7)

Note: This season, the Bible study of the book of Revelation will be a continuous study. What is not covered in one Bible study will be in the next.

Moderator: Thomas from NY

King James Bible: Bible.PlainfieldCS.com

Science and Health: Chapter 16 “Apocalypse” by Mary Baker Eddy

Revelation of Saint John An Open Book: by Irving Tomlinson

Download or read Study Notes on Revelation here: by Thomas

Questions:

  1. Discuss the Blessing (Rev ): “Blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.” (Rev 22:7)

  2. What is the lesson of the letter to the church of Philadelphia? (Rev 3:7-13)(Tomlinson, pages 135-136)
  3. What is the lesson of the letter to the church of Laodicea? (Rev 3:14-22)(Tomlinson, pages 136-137)
  4. What is the lesson of Vision One? (Rev 4-5:10)(Tomlinson, pages 139-149)
  5. What is the lesson of Vision Two? (Rev 5:11-8:1)(Tomlinson, pages 150-166)

Notes from the Discussion

“Behold, the Christ-mind will soon be known among men: Blessed are they that order their lives in accordance with the truth which is revealed in this book.”(Rev. 22:7)

— from Revelation Interpreted By Rev. G.A. Kratzer


“It is not in reading, or wondering, or talking, but in keeping, that the blessing comes. He that loves Christ will keep His commandments (John 14:15), even as Christ loved His Father, and kept His commandments (John 15:10). Those who so keep the sayings or words of Christ in this book will stand firm as those who have built upon the rock (Matthew 7:24-25). The blessing of Christ to such was victory over death. “If a man keep My saying, he shall never see death.(John 8:51)”

— from Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers


“God calls every one to witness to the declarations here made. This book, thus kept open, … will confirm, strengthen, and further sanctify those who are upright with God. Never let us think that a dead or disobedient faith will save us, for the First and the Last has declared that those alone are blessed who do his commandments ….There is no middle place or condition. Jesus, who is the Spirit of prophecy, has given his churches this morning-light of prophecy, to assure them of the light of the perfect day approaching. All is confirmed by an open and general invitation to mankind, to come and partake freely of the promises and of the privileges of the gospel.”

— from Matthew Henry Bible Commentary, 1875, by Matthew Henry



“Earlier this past year Japan experienced two earthquakes, first in February and then again in March. Both earthquakes, thankfully, did not result in too much damage or loss of life.

… Crafted and left by generations past, these stone tablets have but one message carved onto their face: “Do not build your homes below this point!” In modern Japan, many who felt assured that advanced technology and higher seawalls would protect any vulnerable areas, chose to ignore or forget these ancient, silent warnings of the past.

… But other, smaller, more remote villages in Japan heeded the wisdom and warning of their ancestors and built their households on higher ground. In one case, all the homes in a particular village in Japan stayed safely out of reach of the lethal waves of tsunami by only 300 feet. Such stories like these remind us that messages from the past serve to instruct those living in the present – that those who forget to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

This is a good and helpful framework for our reading of the seven letters in the book of Revelation. But instead of messages from unknown ancestors, we have correspondence from Jesus – letters dictated by Christ through the apostle John to seven local congregations in the 1st century A.D. Messages intended not only for them but for every generation of the Church – to warn us, to correct us, – and in the case of today’s particular letter – to encourage and reassure us – especially when we find ourselves most vulnerable and lacking strength in the journey of faith.”

“Revelation 3:7-13 Sermon” excerpt by Pastor Chris Tweitmann



“The Seven Churches,” from Christian Science Journal, October 1917 by Caroline Getty



“The primary object of every Christian Scientist is to endeavor to gain a spiritual insight into the knowledge of those laws and principles which relate to Christ and to his teaching as we find them in the Scriptures, and to so order their lives as to act up to these principles.”

— from Christian Science Sentinel, August 29, 1901 by Earl of Dunmore



Article: “The Brother’s Keeper”, from Christian Science Journal, March 1905, by Mary Brookins



Article: “The Divine Viewpoint”, from The Christian Science Sentinel, January 20, 1923 by Nelle B. Beardslee



Poem — “The Reader Prays” by Grace K. Sticht



“The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies. What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time.”

— Nahum 1: 7-9 From The King James Bible Dictionary