ANSWERS.

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ANSWERS Revelation 3:2

1.Read Revelation 3:2.

2.What is the warning to the believers of the Sardis-type assembling?

The warning to the Christians of the Sardis-type assembling is to begin watching in prayer in order to regain the mind of the Holy Spirit. Whatever remains of worship, of holiness, and of the unadulterated Word of God, strengthen this.

3.What happens when a church achieves "success" by human effort?

All that is of God will be choked out and die.

4.What is one principal difference between the Sardis-type church and the remnant?

The amount of prayer that is exercised.

5.How does the Sardis-type assembling regard prayer?

The human-oriented, Sardis-type assembling will crowd out prayer in favor of any number of religious activities. Such a church will not set aside a centrally located room for the purpose of prayer. Prayer will not be a concern of the church. Although the importance of prayer always will be mentioned, in actual practice intense prayer and praise will not predominate in the services and activities of that church.

6.How does the remnant regard prayer?

To them, prayer is everything.

7.What does the Sardis-type assembling fear?

People will be driven away by "excessive" spiritual activity.

8.Will a Sardis-type assembling place fervent and prolonged prayer and worship, on the part of the congregation, in the forefront of its main services?

No.

9.What does the story of Simeon and Anna illustrate?

The contrast between the anointed, praying remnant and the busy religious people of the popular churches.

10.What was true of the Temple area of Jerusalem?

The Temple area was filled with people who were busily engaged in the statutes of Moses and in the numerous customs and practices that had grown up around the original statutes.

11.Who entered the midst of this religious activity?

Joseph and Mary of Nazareth, holding in their arms the Word of God Incarnate.

12.What should have taken place immediately?

Every mouth should have shut. Every action should have stopped. Every eye should have been fastened on Immanuel. Every knee should have bent in worship before the thundering God of Sinai now appearing as a babe.

13.Who was now in visible form in the midst of His people?

The almighty God of Israel.

14.Instead, what took place (and always will take place in the Sardis-type assembling)?

None of the people turned. None of them worshiped. The priests, scribes, and Pharisees continued to practice the politics and discuss the problems of the nation. Money continued to change hands. The young men continued their studies.

15.Why were the Jews—priests and people alike—unable to grasp the fact that the greatest event of human history was taking place in their midst?

Because they were putting human effort ahead of prayer and reliance on God.

16.What were Simeon and Anna?

A remnant of the thousands of Israelites.

17.Read Luke 2:26.

18.Why did Simeon arrive just in time to meet Joseph and Mary?

He was led by the Spirit of God.

19.What did Simeon do?

Simeon took Jesus in his arms and began to prophesy of the Divine Glory that was at hand for the

Gentiles and the nation of Israel.

20.What did Anna do?

She recognized her Christ and prophesied of the redemption He would bring.

21.What did the leaders of Israel do?

The leaders of Israel continued with their business as usual.

22.What did the common people do?

The common people baked their bread, worked in the fields, watered their animals.

23.What tragic mistake can a believer make?

To spend one’s life in religious activity and then to have God pass us by; to miss the Lord’s Christ.

24.How can we avoid being a "living corpse," a Sardis-type Christian?

By looking to the Holy Spirit for guidance and enablement rather than to human help. By exalting Christ in the church and worshiping Him rather than filling up the Divine service with activities operated by human skill and talent.

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