Paying little heed to their fellow pilgrim, the two dejected disciples rehearsed the staggering events of the weekend, feeling more despondent with every step. As Jesus silently listened, He desperately longed to reveal Himself to His downcast friends. But the Lord deliberately shielded His true identity because they needed now, more than ever, to understand the Scriptures. If Christ had allowed these two faithful followers to recognize who He was, they would have been far too excited to listen to the important truths He had to share.

Even after three and a half years of listening to His teaching and preaching, they still did not comprehend the nature of His mission. He had plainly told them, “The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the third day. But they did not understand this saying, and were afraid to ask Him.” Mark 9:31, 32.

Jesus gently interrupted their sad conversation, and for the next two hours He gave them the keys for understanding all Scripture and prophecy.

The Study

Fill in the blanks after reading each Bible text.

1. How much of the Scriptures are we commanded to believe?

Luke 24:25 Believe in           that the prophets have spoken!

2 Timothy 3:16 All ____is given by inspiration of God.

NOTE: The complete oracles (sacred truth) of God are contained in the writings of the Old and New Testaments. The keys to understanding the prophecies of Revelation are found primarily in the stories of the Old Testament. For example, of the 404 verses found in the book of Revelation, 278 of them are echoes from other stories and prophecies in the Old Testament.

2. Whom did Jesus say the Scriptures and prophecies reveal?

Luke 24:27 Beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning_____ .

John 5:39 Search the Scriptures, for … they which testify of____.

Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of ____, _____which God gave Him to show His servants things—which must shortly take place.

NOTE: The central figure in all of Scripture and prophecy is Jesus. This captivating series will cover many themes of prophecy, but keep in mind that the primary focus of Daniel and Revelation is Jesus Christ and His kingdom.

3. What is another name used in the Bible for Jesus?

John 1:1 In the beginning was the           , and the Word was with God.

John 1:14 And the          became flesh and dwelt among us.

4. What kind of people did God use to write the Bible?

2 Peter 1:21  ___ men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

5. Eternal life comes from knowing Jesus (John 17:3). How was Jesus known to His disciples?

Luke 24:35 He was known to them in the           of _____.

NOTE: In the Bible, bread is a symbol of the Word of God. Jesus said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4. As we read, digest, and follow the Scriptures, we will find strength, joy, peace, and everlasting life.

6. How important should Bible study be to the Christian?

Job 23:12 I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth           than my necessary____.

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a           to my feet and a           to my path.

NOTE: The devil hates the Bible and will do almost anything to prevent people from reading it. He knows that its prophecies expose his plans to deceive the human race. So don’t be surprised if Satan attempts to distract you from this series of lessons or tries to get you preoccupied with other things. God will make a way for those who seek to know the truth to find it.

7. Who helps us understand the Bible?

John 16:13 When He, the           of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth.

John 14:26 But the Helper, the_____ ____...will teach you all things.

1 Corinthians 2:13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit           .

8. What must I do to be certain the Holy Spirit is guiding my Bible study?

Luke 11:9 So I say to you,           , and it will be given to you.

 Luke 11:13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ____ _____!

John 7:17 If anyone wills to do _____ ______, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God.

NOTE: Part of the work of the Holy Spirit is to help us understand the truth of the Scriptures. This is why we should always ask the Holy Spirit to guide us before we open God’s book. I can be certain the Holy Spirit is guiding my Bible study if (1) I ask Him to guide me, and (2) I am willing to accept and follow truth as He reveals it to me.

9. How does prayerful study of the Word help us?

Psalm 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might______ _______against You.

Jeremiah 33:3 Call to Me, and I will           you, and show you great and ______ _______, which you do not know.

Romans 15:4 For whatever things were written before were written for our_____, that we … might have_______.

James 1:5 If any of you lacks           , let him ask of God, … and it will be given to him.

10. What method of Bible study do the Scriptures recommend?

Isaiah 28:10 For           must be upon precept, …_____upon line, … here a little, there a little.

1 Corinthians 2:13 But which the Holy Spirit teaches,           spiritual things with spiritual.

1 Peter 1:20 No prophecy of Scripture is of any           interpretation.

NOTE: We must lay aside our own ideas and study the Bible by reading everything in the Scriptures on any given subject (“here a little, and there a little”) and by comparing all the verses for input. We should let the Bible speak for itself. When this is done, the truth always comes through clearly. This is how Jesus convinced the two disciples on the road to Emmaus that He was indeed the Messiah (Luke 24:27).

11. What will studying the Scriptures do for us?

2 Timothy 3:15 You have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you_____ for_____ through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

NOTE: The Scriptures help us understand God’s great plan of salvation—the most important information ever given to mortals.

12. According to Jesus, where do we find the truth?

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the_____ .”

John 17:17 Your_____ is truth.

NOTE: We find the truth in God’s Word—the Bible. Truth is a scarce commodity in today’s world, and all the people of earth suffer as a result. The truth about everything that really matters is found in Scripture. Studying and following its counsel sets people free (John 8:32) and brings them happy, abundant living (John 15:11).

13. What warnings regarding Bible study are given in the Scriptures?

2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, … rightly_____ the word of truth.

2 Peter 3:16 In all his epistles, … some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people to their own______, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.

NOTE: “Rightly dividing the word of truth” means to interpret it correctly and truthfully. There is great danger in twisting Scripture to make it say what we want it to say. What I say about the Bible matters little. What counts is what Scripture says about itself.

14. How should we test all religious teachings and doctrines?

Acts 17:11 they received the word with all readiness, and_____ the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

Isaiah 8:20 To the _____and to the______ ! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no_____ in them.

NOTE: All religious teachings should be checked by the Bible. If any teaching does not clearly agree with the Scriptures, it is false and should be abandoned.

15. What happened when Jesus explained the Scriptures to His two discouraged disciples on the road to Emmaus?

Luke 24:32 Did not our_____ ______ within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?

16. After these two disciples knew that Jesus was alive and heard Him explain the prophecies, what did they do?

Luke 24:33 They rose up that very hour and_______ to Jerusalem, and_______ the eleven and those who were with them.

NOTE: One of the first reactions these disciples had after hearing Jesus explain the Scriptures was a burning desire to share the good news with others. We hope it is also your desire to invite your friends to join you in this dynamic series of Bible studies.

YOUR RESPONSE

Do you wish to fully understand and follow the Scriptures?

ANSWER:

SUPPLEMENT

Following is a list of key terms that often have symbolic meanings in Bible prophecy. Each symbol is in bold type and is followed by its corresponding literal meaning.

Angel = Messenger

Daniel 8:16; 9:21; Luke 1:19, 26; Hebrews 1:14

Babylon = Religious apostasy/confusion

Genesis 10:8-10; 11:6-9; Revelation 18:2, 3; 17:1-5

Beast = Kingdom/government/political power

Daniel 7:17, 23

Bread = Word of God

John 6:35, 51, 52, 63

Day = Literal year

Ezekiel 4:6; Numbers 14:34

Dragon = Satan or his agency

Isaiah 27:1; 30:6; Psalm 74:13, 14; Revelation 12:7-9; Ezekiel 29:3; Jeremiah 51:34

Forehead = Mind

Romans 7:25; Ezekiel 3:8, 9

Hand = Work

Ecclesiastes 9:10

Harlot = Apostate church/religion

Isaiah 1:21-27; Jeremiah 3:1-3, 6-9

Heads = Major powers/rulers/governments

Revelation 17:3, 9, 10

Horn = King or kingdom

Daniel 7:24; 8:5, 21, 22; Zechariah 1:18, 19; Revelation 17:12

Lamb = Jesus/sacrifice

John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7

Lamp = Word of God

Psalm 119:105

Lion = Jesus Christ

Revelation 5:4-9

Mark = Sign or seal of approval or disapproval

Ezekiel 9:4; Romans 4:11; Revelation 13:17; 14:9-11; 7:2, 3

Mountains = Political or religio-political powers

Isaiah 2:2, 3; Jeremiah 17:3; 31:23; 51:24, 25; Ezekiel 17:22, 23; Daniel 2:35, 44, 45

Oil = Holy Spirit

Zechariah 4:2-6; Revelation 4:5

Red = Sin/corruption

Isaiah 1:18; Nahum 2:3; Revelation 17:1-4

Rock = Jesus/truth

1 Corinthians 10:4; Isaiah 8:13, 14; Romans 9:33; Matthew 7:24

Seal = Sign or mark of approval or disapproval

Romans 4:11; Revelation 7:2, 3

Serpent = Satan

Revelation 12:9; 20:2

Stars = Angels/messengers

Revelation 1:16, 20; 12:4, 7-9; Job 38:7

Sun = Jesus/the gospel

Psalm 84:11; Malachi 4:2; Matthew 17:2; John 8:12; 9:5

Sword = Word of God

Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12

Thief = Suddenness of Jesus’ coming

1 Thessalonians 5:2-4; 2 Peter 3:10

Time = Literal year

Daniel 4:16, 23, 25, 32; 7:25; Daniel 11:13 margin

Waters = Inhabited area/people, nations

Revelation 17:15

White Robes = Victory/righteousness

Revelation 19:8; 3:5; 7:14

Winds = Strife/commotion/“winds of war”

Jeremiah 25:31-33; 49:36, 37; 4:11-13; Zechariah 7:14

Woman, Pure = True church

Jeremiah 6:2; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:23-27

Woman, Corrupt = Apostate church

Ezekiel 16:15-58; 23:2-21; Hosea 2:5; 3:1; Revelation 14:4