Deuteronomy 4 - Isaiah 22 – 2 Corinthians 5 – Revelations 4

Deuteronomy 4
- Moses tells them to listen to rules he is going to teach them.
- That shouldn't add or subtract from the commandments of God.
- Moses reminds them of how God destroyed those who followed Baal.
- Those alive today did not follow Baal
- Moses reminds them to keep God's commandments in this new land
- By keeping the commandments other nations will see them as wise
- God is nearer to His people than any other "god"
- God's laws are more righteous than other gods'
- Moses cautions them to remember these things lest they forget and turn from God
- They are to teach their kids and grand kids what God has done and His commandments.
- God spoke to His people so they might fear Him and follow Him
- Moses recalls how they stood at the base of the mountain that burned in God's presence.
- They heard God's voice there though they couldn't see Him.
- God had commanded them to perform the 10 commandments
- God spoke to them without form, so they need to beware of carving images or idols
- Moses lists things that they may be tempted to worship; animals, birds, sun, moon, etc...
- God brought them out of Egypt (the iron furnace)
- Moses reminds them that God was angry with Moses because of the people and forbid Moses from entering the new land but said he'd die before crossing the Jordan.
- God is a jealous God and has forbidden them from worshipping idols.
- Moses tells them that if they provoke God to anger like they have in the past, they will perish from the new land.
- In those days, they will be scattered and worship foreign gods of wood and stone that have no power
- Then they will seek God again and will find Him if they seek Him with all their hearts.
- When these things take place God will be merciful and remember His covenant with their fathers.
- Moses asks if any other god has ever spoken out of fire since God created man
- Moses then asks if any other god has chosen to free a people by trials, signs, wonders, war, or a mighty hand which God did for them in Egypt.
- God let the people hear His voice when disciplining them.
- God brought them out of Egypt and helped them conquer stronger armies than themselves to bring them an inheritance.
- There is no other God in heaven or on earth.
- Moses again states they must follow God's commands that it may go well with them.
- There were 3 cities set aside as cities of refuge for the unintentional man slayer
- Bezer in the wilderness of the Reubenites
- Ramoth in Gilead for the Gadites
- Golan in Bashan for the Manassites.
- Moses gave the people the law in Sihon in the land they had taken from the King of Og

Isaiah 22
- Oracle concerning Jerusalem
- referred to as the "valley of vision"
- Their dead were not killed but fled and were captured without weapons
- Isaiah would weep bitter tears at the destruction of his people
- Jerusalem will face troubles and confusion and its wall will tumble
- Elam will bear a quiver
- Kir will bear a shield
- What is the "covering of Judah"?
- They will look for weapons but the holes in the wall will be too many
- They will tear down houses to fortify the walls
- They will make a "moat" between the walls but will forget God who built it long ago.
- God will call for weeping and mourning, baldness and sackcloth (meaning death and great sadness)
- They will pay for their sins by death.
- God tells Isaiah to go to the steward, Shebna, and ask why he has had a nice tomb carved out for himself when God will hurl him away violently.
- God will throw him to a "wide land" and he shall die in the midsts of his chariots.
- God will replace Shebna with Eliakim and give him Shebna's robe and sash
- God will give Eliakim a key to the house of David
- He will be come a throne of honor to his father's house.
- Why does God call Eliakim a secure peg whole will be a throne of honor and then say the "peg" will give way and be cut down and the load that was on it will be cut off?

2 Corinthians 5
- Our home on earth is a tent.
- Our home on earth will be eternal
- We groan in this tent (body) longing for our heavenly one
- What is mortal is swallowed up by life.
- The Spirit is a guarantee of life with Him.
- We should be encouraged.
- While we are away from God we are in the body.
- Paul says he'd rather be away from the body (dead) and at home with God (in heaven)
- We should aim to please Him wherever we are.
- We will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ to receive what is due; good or evil
- Paul hopes the Corinthians know who he is in their conscience.
- He is not commending himself but giving them reason to boast about the heart over outward appearance.
- Being side themselves = for God
- In his right mind = for them
- Paul says the love of Christ controls Him because everyone has died through Him.
- Those living for Him will die and be raised.
- They no longer regard Christ according to the flesh or other believers.
- Anyone in Christ = new creation
- The old has passed away and is replaced by the new
- We have been reconciled to God through Jesus Christ.
- Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself not counting their sins against them.
- God gave believers the message of reconciliation to preach to others.
- Why does v. 19 say "Christ God"?
- They are ambassadors for Christ.
- God is speaking to others through them.
- Paul implores the Corinthians to be reconciled to God.
- God made Christ to be sin even though Jesus never sinned so that we might become the "righteousness of God"

Revelations 4
- John then exclaims that he saw a door open in heaven.
- The voice told John to come and see what must take place
- John said he was taken in Spirit to one seated on a throne.
- The figure looked like jasper and carnelian.
- There was an emerald colored rainbow around the throne.
- Around the throne there were 24 other thrones with elders seated on them wearing white and golden crowns.
- There was lightning and thunder coming from the throne.
- There were 7 burning torches (signifying the 7 spirits of God)
- In front of the throne there was a sea of glass crystal
- Around the throne were 4 living creatures full of eyes in front and behind
- The first = lion
- The second = ox
- The third = had a face of a man
- The fourth = an eagle (in flight)
- The 4 creatures each had 6 wings
- Are the wings or the whole creatures full of eyes?
- The 4 creatures cried out continuously, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!"
- When the creatures given honor to the one seated on the throne the 24 elders fall down and worship Him who lives forever and ever
- Forever and ever is repeated twice and is eluded to 2 other times
- The elders cast their crowns before the throne
- The elders cry out, "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you have created all things and by your will they existed and were created."
- The elders are referring back to Genesis 1's creation story in this, the last book of the Bible.