Opened Scriptures Bible Studies

We turn now to Paul's first letter to the Christians at Corinth. He references both parts of Jesus' second coming: the rapture of the church and the great, day of final judgment. Jesus will bring His church home before final judgment.  1 Corinthians 15:22-23  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.  23)  But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.  Paul was used by God to show us that Jesus Christ is the second Adam. Whereas the first Adam failed to obey God, and plunged all humanity into sin, the second Adam did not fail. Death is a result of man falling into sin. God undid this by sending His Son, Jesus Christ to live a perfect life as the God man, and to taste death for all humanity.  Then, Jesus shed His perfect innocent blood as the perfect Lamb of God. He paid off our sin debt.  The good news is that even though all people are born sinners, separated from ...

Life's reality is that the poor are taken advantage of.  Ecclesiastes 5:8  If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.  It was common for the poor to be taken advantage of by the kings deputies. The farther away from Jerusalem where the king abode, the worse the abuse.  Though oppressors be high in position and power, God is above them, He knows their wrongdoings.   God is higher than the highest of creatures, than the highest of princes, higher than any king.  Jehovah is higher than the highest angels, or the thrones and dominions of the upper world. Though no man regards the plight of the poor, fatherless or widows, God does, and He will comfort them. There was no man to plead the cause of the poor. They lacked resources to send a message to the king, or to have someone represent their ...

Paul brings up the second coming of Jesus Christ in this paragraph of his first letter to the Corinthians. Paul expressed thanks to God for the gifts He gave to Christians.  1 Corinthians 1:4-6  I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; 5)  That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;  6)  Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:   We know Paul had to give many rebukes and corrective actions for this particular church. He begins by sharing what he is blessed to know about the Christians at Corinth, before he addresses their problems. Each time that he prayed for this church, Paul thanked the Father for the manifestation of the grace of God in their lives.  He is speaking more about the spiritual graces and gifts poured out on them by the Spirit of God. They were enriched by the Spirit's work. A Christian will always find our richest treasure is...

Solomon gave us a good warning about keeping our feet before attempting to serve God, It is a reminder to confess and forsake our sins first, before we worship or serve God.   Next, he showed us to be more ready to hear and willing to obey when the scriptures are preached and taught.  In our last post, Solomon gave some illustration about not being rash when we speak. We must learn to be careful with our speech. This post will amplify that a bit more. Fools speak many words without thinking.  Ecclesiastes 5:3   For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words.  Dreams are generally the result of whatever business, we have been engaged during the day, so a multitude of words evidence the feeble workings of a foolish heart. A fool speaks without thinking. A fool's mouth may unleash a torrent of valueless words, like pompous politicians who speak many words with little substance! Business de...

I want to share some administrative  thoughts with you, that I hope will enhance your ability to study the Bible, through the lessons posted on this blog. First the index for each year, 2019, 2020 and 2021, was posted on September 7, 2022. When you go to the archives , go back to that date, and you will find the complete index to all posts for those years.   Second, the index for all of 2022 was posted January 24, 2023. The titles for each post are contained in the indexes, to help you look for a specific doctrine, topic or book of the Bible that we have studied together. I urge you to share these studies with your family and friends, so that we may all grown in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, together. Finally, the "Comments" section is available for you to post comments about these Bible studies. Please feel free to share how they have impacted your life.  I welcome your comments and thoughts and I will reply to your quest...

Creation awaits for Christ to take His church home.  Romans 8:19  For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.  The apostle Paul is writing about the coming of Jesus Christ to take His church home to heaven, for the marriage supper of the Lamb.  The sons of God refers to believers in Jesus Christ both male and female (See for example, 2 Corinthians 6:16-18).  Their manifestation will occur at the first resurrection, when Jesus come in the clouds, and the dead in Christ rise from the grave first.  This will be followed by all living believers being changed and caught up to Christ in the clouds, and going to heaven (See 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).  All creation groans under the curse. Rom 8:20-22  For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,  21)  Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage o...

Make sure you are right with God before entering His house. Ecclesiastes 5:1  Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.   King Solomon gave us such good truth to think about in regards to our worship and service of God. This truth applies to us when we go to meet with our church family for worship services, or when we commune with God in our homes. The idea of "keep thy foot" reminds us that we are exposed to a sin contaminated world during the week.  We must be cleansed of any sins and ask for God's help to shield us from depraving influences or corrupt communication.  We know that when we confess our sins and forsake them as best we can, the blood of Jesus Christ will cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:7 to 2:2).  God's Spirit will lead us in worship in Spirit and in truth. 1 Corinthians 14:15  What is it then? I will pra...

Solomon's design, in causing us to flee from the world by showing its vanity, is to drive us to God and to our duty. Why? So that we don't walk in the ways of the world.  Our great need is to be taught and learn to walk by God's rules. We must learn to depend upon Jehovah rather than our wealth or status.  Keep your foot when going to God's house! Ecclesiastes 5:1  Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.  The Preacher, King Solomon now turns his attention to religious vanities and he includes some warnings, even for believing people.  There are pitfalls or vanities which one may fall into while serving the King of kings or worshipping the Creator. Solomon used a well known Hebrew expression in telling us we must "Keep thy foot" when we go to the house of God.  "Keep thy foot" is much more than taking our shoes off.   Exodus 3:4-5  A...