Queen's Road Cell

 Satan moved Judas to betray Jesus (22:3). Does that relieve Judas of responsibility for the betrayal? Why or why not? (Mt 27:3-5, Lk 22:22, Ac 5:1-6, 1 Pet 5:8-9)   For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” ( Lk 22:22)   God, from all eternity, did, by the most wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely, and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass: yet so, as thereby neither is God the author of sin, nor is violence offered to the will of the creatures; nor is the liberty or contingency (" a future event or circumstance which is possible but cannot be predicted with certainty ") of second causes taken away, but rather established. (WCF 3.1)   = God works His will through agents who are held to be morally responsible. e.g. Gen 50:20 ; Ac 2:23, 4:27-28   Luke refers to the enormity of the betrayal only by saying that he was of the number of the twelve. Judas took the initiative and sought out th...

1. Some of the disciples' misconceptions about the temple prompt Jesus to teach on the end times (21:5-7). What are those misconceptions?   As they were leaving the temple "o ne of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” (Mark 13:1).  According to Josephus some of them were as much as 45 cubits (22.5m) long.   The Temple, as a symbol of God's physical presence and glory with His people, was thought to be invincible. Jesus warns that it will be totally destroyed. Whatever we think in this life is stable and permanent in the end proves changeable and temporary.   Why is the warning Jesus gives in 21:8-9 necessary for the disciples?  There will be imposters and there will be troubles. We are not to be deceived, and we are not to be frightened. There must be endurance, since "the end will not be at once".   3. What instructions and encouragement does Jesus give to those who will be persecuted for procla...