prophecy

odyssey 4
An Amazing Fact:

The largest-known meteorite on Earth is the Hoba.

The space rock was discovered by chance in 1920
when a farmer in Namibia, Africa, struck the metallic
object with his plow. Curious, he removed the topsoil to
discover a massive iron meteorite nearly nine feet across.
Although partially excavated for study, the alien object
has never been moved from its original discovery
location because of its immense weight of 66 tons.
Declared a national monument in 1955, this unique
treasure attracts thousands of tourists every year.

G od’s Word, His law, and Christ Himself are often

compared to an immovable and indestructible
rock that will crush the wicked (Deuteronomy 32:3, 4;
Matthew 7:24, 25; Luke 20:17, 18). Yet at the same
time, the Bible describes God as a compassionate,
patient, forgiving, and merciful Savior (Exodus 34:5–7).
Many have wondered: Is the God of the Old
Testament the same as Jesus and the God of the
New Testament?
Especially in the prophecies, we see this
paradox of pictures. In one place, Jesus is
portrayed as a meek, redeeming Lamb—
but a few chapters later, Christ comes as a
conquering king to execute fierce wrath upon
the wicked (Revelation 5:6; 19:15).
 So how do we harmonize these two seemingly contradictory pictures of
God? Is God vengeful and angry—or is He kind and forgiving? How do we
reconcile God’s loving mercy with His law and justice? A careful, prayerful
study of the Bible reveals a beautiful balance between law and grace—a
harmony between the Lion and the Lamb of Revelation.

When you see a blank, use your Bible to

look up the missing word and fill it in.

1 Who is symbolized by the Lamb in Revelation 5:6?

John 1:29 The next day John saw _______________ coming toward
him, and said, “Behold! The __________ of God who takes away the sin of
the world!”

NOTE: The central character in Revelation is the Lamb of God—mentioned 27 times!

When God tested Abraham by telling him to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice, Abraham
told his son, “God will provide Himself a lamb” (Genesis 22:8 KJV). From the Passover
lamb in Egypt and throughout the Old Testament, a lamb represented a pure and
innocent sacrifice. The Bible’s prophecies highlight this gentle creature as a symbol of
Jesus, whose death would be the only hope for humanity.

2 Why was it necessary for Jesus to suffer and die?

Romans 3:23 For ______ have sinned.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is _______________.

1 Corinthians 15:3 Christ died for ______ sins.

1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the __________ for
the _______________.
Copyright © 2024 by Amazing Facts International. All rights reserved.

2
P.O. Box 1058, Roseville, CA 95678 | amazingfacts.org | 800-538-7275
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are taken from the New King
Lesson 4 James Version®, Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission.
NOTE: The Bible is priceless because it tells us how sin entered the world and how it
will be removed. Prophecy says that God will not tolerate the ugly malignancy of sin
in His creation for much longer. The penalty for sin is death. And when Adam and Eve
sinned, the disease of sin passed to the entire human race. God’s law and the penalty
for breaking it could not be changed, so all people were doomed.
But God could not stand to be separated from those created in His image. So in
an act of incredible love, He sent His Son into the world to suffer and die in our place.
Your sins and death penalty were placed upon Him. If you choose to accept and
follow Him, you are freed from the penalty.

3 What does Revelation call this plan to save people

from death?
Revelation 14:6 Having the everlasting _______________ to
preach to those who dwell on the earth.

NOTE: God’s plan of salvation is called the gospel, which means “good news.” It is
the most wonderful news ever delivered to people! Jesus suffered and died for the
sins of the whole world to provide a way for anyone to be saved from the awful
penalty of sin. But there is something we must do to benefit from His sacrifice. The
Bible tells us the problem and the solution.

4 According to the Bible, what is sin—and how do we recognize it?

1 John 3:4 Sin is _______________.

Romans 3:20 For by the ______ is the knowledge of sin.

NOTE: The law of God represents His perfect will for humanity. The devil hates the
law because it makes us aware of our need for a Savior from sin. Romans 4:15 states,
“Where there is no law there is no transgression.” The law cannot save anyone, but it
shows us God’s perfection and our imperfection.
Any sin a person commits is condemned by at least one of the Ten Commandments.
This is why God’s law is called “broad” (Psalm 119:96) and “perfect” (Psalm 19:7). It
covers the “whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13 KJV). (In this lesson, the term “law”
is primarily referencing the Ten Commandments. There were a number of ceremonial
laws that pointed to Christ; those requirements ended at His death.)
Lesson 4 3
 5 Can God’s moral law be changed or repealed?
Luke 16:17 It is easier for heaven and earth to _________ _________
than for one tittle of the law to fail.

Psalm 89:34 My covenant I will ______ break, nor _____________

the word that has gone out of My lips.

Psalm 111:7, 8 All His precepts are sure. They stand fast
_______________ and __________.

Malachi 3:6 For I am the Lord, I do not _______________.

NOTE: No! Under no circumstances can God’s law be amended or repealed. It is as

permanent as God Himself. He spoke the Ten Commandments audibly before an
entire nation and then wrote them in stone with His own finger to emphasize their
permanent nature. God’s law is, in essence, His character in writing. It is no more
possible to change God’s law than to change God Himself.

6 Did Jesus keep the Ten Commandments?

John 15:10 I have __________ My Father’s commandments.

1 Peter 2:22 Who committed _____ sin, nor was deceit found in
His mouth.

NOTE: First and foremost, a Christian is a follower of the teachings and example of
Jesus. He perfectly obeyed all Ten Commandments as a model for us (John 15:10;
1 John 2:6:). If God’s law could be changed, it would not have been necessary for
Jesus to die on the cross. The fact that Jesus had to die for our sins is proof that the
law is unchangeable!

4 Lesson 4
 7 Are New Testament Christians required to keep the
Ten Commandments?
Matthew 19:17 If you want to enter into life, __________
the commandments.

John 14:15 If you love me, __________ my commandments.

Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are

those who__________ the commandments of God.

Revelation 22:14 Blessed are those who _______

His commandments.

NOTE: Yes! The New Testament plainly teaches that God’s people will keep His
commandments. We all know that the world is in big trouble today because so many,
even some professed Christians, no longer feel it is important to obey God’s law.
The Bible speaks of our day by saying, “It is time for You to act, O Lord, for they have
regarded Your law as void” (Psalm 119:126).

8 What is the difference between the new and old covenant?

Deuteronomy 4:13 So He declared to you His covenant which He
commanded you to perform, the _____ _______________; and He wrote
them on two tablets of stone.

Hebrews 8:8, 10 Because finding fault with __________, He says:

“... I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house
of Judah— … I will put My __________ in their mind and write them on
their ___________.”

Lesson 4 5
 NOTE: The two covenants represent agreements between God and His people. The
old covenant failed because it was partially based upon the faulty promises of sinful
people to keep the law: “All that the Lord has said we will do, and be obedient”
(Exodus 24:7). The new covenant succeeded because it is based upon Jesus’ promise
to write His law in our hearts. Because a person’s nature is changed, doing God’s will
becomes a pleasure. The new covenant is still based on the same law, but it is written
in a different place (the heart) and based on better promises (God’s).

9 What is it called when we are converted and given a new heart?

John 3:7 You must be __________ _______________.

NOTE: This glorious experience is known as a new birth because, like a newborn
infant, we begin a fresh life—without one blot of guilt on our records.

10 What must I do to be forgiven and cleansed from sin?

Acts 3:19 _______________ therefore and be converted, that your sins
may be blotted out.

1 John 1:9 If we _______________ our sins, He is faithful and just to

forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

NOTE: True repentance means both a sorrow for sin and a willingness to turn away from
it (Proverbs 28:13). Confession is a necessary part of repentance. Sins against God should
be confessed to Him. Sins against another person should be acknowledged to that person
(Matthew 5:24). Nowhere in the Bible are we required to confess sins to a priest.

11 Who enters the heart of a born-again Christian—and what

does He do?
John 14:17 The _______________ of truth, … you know Him, for He

6
dwells with you and will be in you.
Lesson 4
 Philippians 2:13 Both to will and to _____ for His good pleasure.

NOTE: Jesus dwells in a Christian through His Holy Spirit! He transforms our hearts,
changes our desires, and He gives us the power to do His will.

12 Why did God make such a fantastic sacrifice for us—and

how do we accept it?
John 3:16 For God so _______________ the world that He gave His
only begotten Son.

Acts 16:31 _______________ on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will
be saved.

John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to
become _______________ of God.

NOTE: The strongest earthly tie is the love of a parent for a child. When God
the Father was willing to allow His Son, Jesus, to suffer and die in our place, He
demonstrated in the most powerful language how fervently He loves each of us.
Jesus’ offer of salvation is a gift (Romans 6:23). Your part is to believe it is true
and to receive the gift by faith.

13 Is anyone saved by keeping the law?

Ephesians 2:8, 9 For by _______________ you have been saved
through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works,
lest anyone should boast.

NOTE: No one is saved by keeping God’s law. All are saved by the miracle-working
grace of God. But those who are saved—that is, transformed—by the grace of Jesus
will want to obey His law as an expression of their love and thanksgiving. “If you
love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).

Lesson 4 7
 14 Isn’t it true that once we are saved by grace, it’s no longer
necessary to keep the law?
Romans 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly
not! On the contrary, we _______________ the _____.

Romans 6:15 Shall we sin because we are not under law but under
grace? Certainly _____!

NOTE: No—a thousand times, no! God’s grace does not free us to disobey His law
but empowers us to keep His commandments. Those who have been forgiven by
Jesus for breaking His law are duty-bound to obey Him. And sensing the price He
paid to secure their forgiveness, they are more desirous than others to follow Jesus.

15 Can I be a true Christian without keeping His commandments?

1 John 2:3, 4 By this we know that we know Him, if we__________
His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His
commandments, is a __________.

Matthew 7:21 Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” shall
enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who ________ the will of My Father
in heaven.

16 Who does the devil especially hate in the last days?

Revelation 12:17 And the dragon was enraged with the
_______________ [the church], and he went to make war with the rest of
her offspring [the end-time faithful], who keep the _______________ of
God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

8 Lesson 4
NOTE: Satan hates and is infuriated with God’s end-time church, which obeys Jesus’
commands and teaches people that there is divine power to change a sinner into a saint.

17 What motivates a person to obey God’s law?

Romans 13:10 Therefore __________ is the fulfillment of the law.

Matthew 22:37–39 “You shall love the Lord your God with
all your __________, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the
first and great commandment. And the second is like it: “You shall love your
neighbor as yourself.”

1 John 5:3 For this is the __________ of God, that we keep His
commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.

NOTE: Love is the magnificent motivator! The first four commandments have to do
with our duty to God. When you love Him, obeying those commands is a pleasure.
The last six commandments embrace our duty to people. If you truly love people,
you will not want to do anything to hurt them.

18 What are some of the glorious rewards of accepting Christ

and keeping God’s law?
John 15:11 These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain
in you, and that your _____ may be full.

Proverbs 29:18 But _______________ is he who keeps the law.

Psalm 119:165 Great _______________ have those who love Your

law, and nothing causes them to stumble.

NOTE: Happiness, joy, peace, and more abundant living come to those who obey
God’s law. No wonder David said that God’s commands are more desirable than

9
gold (Psalm 19:10).
Lesson 4
 YOUR RESPONSE
Will you decide now to accept Jesus’ plan to save you and follow His
teachings—or, perhaps, to renew that decision?
ANSWER: _______________

FURTHER STUDY
Are some Old Testament laws no longer
binding on New Testament Christians?

Yes! Moses made a distinction between the

Ten Commandments and the other laws when he
reviewed how the two laws were given: “He declared
to you His covenant which He commanded you to perform,
the Ten Commandments; and He wrote them on two tablets of stone. And the
Lord commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and judgments, that you
might observe them in the land which you cross over to possess” (Deuteronomy
4:13, 14). Notice how Moses separated the Ten Commandments, which God
“commanded you,” from the statutes that God “commanded me” to give Israel.
In another verse, God reinforces this distinction so that no doubt can remain:
“They [must be] careful to do according to all that I have commanded them,
and according to all the law that My servant Moses commanded them” (2 Kings
21:8). Clearly, “the law that … Moses commanded” was an addition to the law
that “[God had] commanded.” The Ten Commandments and the law of Moses
had different authors, were written at different times on different materials, were
placed in different locations, and had largely different content!
So, which laws were abolished when Christ completed His earthly
ministry? Paul explains in Ephesians 2:15, “Having abolished ... the law of
commandments contained in ordinances.” The ordinances and feast days that
regulated the priesthood and sacrificial system have been abolished because
they prefigured Christ (Colossians 2:13–17). He fulfilled them as the true Lamb
of God. The apostle also said circumcision, separate from God’s moral law, is

10 Lesson 4
no longer required: “Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but
keeping the commandments of God is what matters” (1 Corinthians 7:19).

How is it possible to keep

the commandments?
When a person is born again, Jesus Christ, through His Holy Spirit, moves
into that person’s life and miraculously makes obedience possible. “He who
has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ”
(Philippians 1:6). Rely wholly on Jesus, and He can help you do God’s will!
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

ootes:

Discover the Bible’s great truths

with our FREE online courses!

AmazingBibleStudies.com
Lesson 4 11
Prophecy
Odyssey
Lesson 4

P.O. Box 1058

Roseville, CA 95678
amazingfacts.org