Q14 What unusual practical advice does the Bible give for overcoming our enemy?
Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Romans 12:19-20
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee. Proverbs 25:21,22.
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21
NOTE: The human reaction to evil, is to get your own back. God states that He will avenge it for us. He asks us to be kind to our enemies, to love them, also to forgive them, as He did.
Q15 How had the young men in John’s day overcome the subtleties of Satan?
The Word of God abideth in you. 1 John 2:14
NOTE: Often as adults we can still hear the voice of our mother advising us. In same way, if we have memorised Bible texts, we will hear the voice of God when we need it, It is a good idea to make a written collection of the commands and statements of God that are given in the Bible. Add to them as you find them in your study. Here is an example. ‘Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.’ Psalm 119:11.
Q16 What specific things are spoken of in the prophecies for our day that we are to overcome?
And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. Revelation 15:2
NOTE: As evil reaches its culmination in the world, the Book of Revelation reveals that Satan’s personal pride and ambition underlie everything that happens in the world. His desire is to receive the praise and adulation of the entire world. He also desires that all should worship Him. His aim is take the place of God in this world. Satan will work to achieve this through the agents whom He has set up in positions of power. Revelation 13:2,4. He also works by deception, and numerous wiles and falsehoods. Read Revelation 12-14 to see the entire picture then go back to Module 23 for more scriptural detail.
In the Book of Revelation the One who stands in contrast to the beast is the lamb of God. Those who stand in support of the Lamb will be considered as the off scourings of the world - the dissidents holding back the full unity, and claimed peace, that Satan is working achieve. This will require total courage, and full understanding of the situation.
The mark of the beast is connected with worship. God gives a final call and warning in Revelation 14:6-12. We can worship either the beast or we can worship the Creator. This will prove to be the final showdown in the whole history of good and evil that began in heaven.
The Creator is the only one with total authority in heaven and earth and therefore worthy of our worship. The revealed way to worship our Maker is to remember the pattern of the 6 days of creation which are crowned on the seventh day with the gift of the Sabbath from Jesus Christ, the Lord of Creation.
Today the only other major day of worship is Sunday, but this has nothing to do with the 6 days of creation and the Creator. This man-made day for the unifying of the neo-Holy Roman Empire will become the major and final test in the realm of good and evil.
Those who overcome the deceptions of Satan that will lead to a world-wide worship of the beast, will stand at the end of things, before the throne of God, victorious and safe on the sea of glass. This time is now very close to its fulfilment. |
