Have you ever stood in great need of comfort and encouragement? If so, you know that in time of affliction, there is no thought or word that has deeper meaning, nor any possession of greater value, than that of effective and genuine comfort. The objective of this study is to equip us to have the assurance that there is comfort available, and to know how to be comforted, as well as how to be a comfort to others in the fires of affliction.
Gene Cunningham - September 8, 2019
AZ 2019 Lesson 5
![AZ 2019 Lesson 5](https://basictraining.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/light-in-the-darkness-900x675.png)
Scripture References: Titus 2:13, 2 Corinthians 2:6, Luke 12:37-48, 1 John 1:5, 1 Peter 2:9, Matthew 23:13-30, Romans 5:1-8, 1 Peter 1:4-5, Matthew 24:1-51, Matthew 5:20, Colossians 1:12, Isaiah 41:8, 1 John 1:7, Isaiah 42:1, Ephesians 4:24
From Series: "Shedding Ancient Light on the Outer Darkness Controversy"
Summary of the 2019 Arizona Conference 1. The theme running all through Matthew is the presentation of the King, His rejection by Israel, and the justice of the coming judgment. 2. All of the parables/teachings we have studied are consistent in the promise of reward to those who believe and warning of eternal judgment to those who reject their King. In light of this, how significant is the act of Pilate in posting over Jesus’ head the crime for which He was crucified, “This is Jesus the King of the Jews” (Matt. 27:37; Mark 15:26; Luke 23:38; John 19:19)? 3. The term “outer darkness” was well understood by the Jews of Jesus’ time to refer to Gehenna/Hell. 4. Though the Jews assumed a right to enter the kingdom based on their lineage, Jesus makes it abundantly clear that each one “must be born again” by faith in Him. 5. Nowhere in these passages is the focus on the Church, nor are they describing events at the Bema Seat of Christ. 6. Sound biblical interpretation demands that passages be studied in the light of their literal, historical, grammatical, and cultural setting.