Bible Study with Pr. Daniel Batarseh | Verse by Verse Series | Maranatha Bible Church - Chicago

Sunday Service (1/4/26) // Revelation 12:7-12 (ESV) // Satan Thrown Down to Earth

7 Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, 8 but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers[a] has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. 11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. 12 Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”

Footnotes

a. Revelation 12:10 Or brothers and sisters

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Friday Bible Study (1/2/26) // Ezra 5:6-17 (ESV) // Tattenai's Letter to King Darius

6 This is a copy of the letter that Tattenai the governor of the province Beyond the River and Shethar-bozenai and his associates, the governors who were in the province Beyond the River, sent to Darius the king. 7 They sent him a report, in which was written as follows: “To Darius the king, all peace. 8 Be it known to the king that we went to the province of Judah, to the house of the great God. It is being built with huge stones, and timber is laid in the walls. This work goes on diligently and prospers in their hands. 9 Then we asked those elders and spoke to them thus: ‘Who gave you a decree to build this house and to finish this structure?’ 10 We also asked them their names, for your information, that we might write down the names of their leaders.[a] 11 And this was their reply to us: ‘We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the house that was built many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and finished. 12 But because our fathers had angered the God of heaven, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house and carried away the people to Babylonia. 13 However, in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, Cyrus the king made a decree that this house of God should be rebuilt. 14 And the gold and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple that was in Jerusalem and brought into the temple of Babylon, these Cyrus the king took out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered to one whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor; 15 and he said to him, “Take these vessels, go and put them in the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be rebuilt on its site.” 16 Then this Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundations of the house of God that is in Jerusalem, and from that time until now it has been in building, and it is not yet finished.’ 17 Therefore, if it seems good to the king, let search be made in the royal archives there in Babylon, to see whether a decree was issued by Cyrus the king for the rebuilding of this house of God in Jerusalem. And let the king send us his pleasure in this matter.”

Footnotes

a. Ezra 5:10 Aramaic of the men at their heads

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Sunday (12/28/25) // This sermon explores the biblical truth that God knows the innermost intentions and desires of humanity. The core message is derived from Solomon's prayer in 1 Kings 8:39, where he acknowledges that "you, you only, know the hearts of all the children of mankind" (2:27-3:20).

Key takeaways from the sermon include:

• God's Omniscience Regarding Repentance (5:07-6:04): Solomon's prayer reminds the people that God alone discerns the sincerity of their contrition and desire to be right with Him. Unlike humans who can be deceived, God perceives the true intentions behind confessions of sin.

• God Honors Aspirations, Not Just Actions (7:50-9:15): The sermon highlights God's commendation of King David's desire to build a temple, even though David was not permitted to build it himself (6:58-7:54). This illustrates that God is pleased with the genuine passions and intentions of the heart, regardless of whether they are physically materialized.

• A Warning Against Hidden Agendas (12:33-12:48): The message serves as a warning for those with selfish motives or hidden agendas, who might use spiritual positions or church settings to satisfy personal impulses.

• The Example of Gehazi (12:49-19:56): The story of Gehazi, Elisha's servant, is used to demonstrate that God sees beyond outward appearances and knows the true, often greedy, desires of the heart. Gehazi's covetousness led him to deceive Naaman, revealing his true aspirations for material wealth (19:15).

• God's Knowledge of Character (Judas and Abimelech) (22:46-28:31): The sermon draws parallels between Gehazi and Judas, emphasizing that Jesus knew Judas's true character despite his outward appearance as a disciple. The story of Abimelech in Genesis 20 is also cited to show that God judges based on the integrity of the heart and motives, not just actions or ignorance.

• Applications for Believers (34:12-36:57):

• Horizontal Relationships: Believers are cautioned against premature judgment of others, as only God knows the true intentions of the heart (35:02-35:13). The Apostle Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 4:5 are cited, encouraging believers to examine their own hearts instead of judging others.

• Vertical Relationship with God: David's prayer in Psalm 19: 14, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord," is presented as a model for believers (38:10-39:59). This encourages a focus on the purity and sincerity of inward thoughts and desires before God.

The sermon concludes with a call to examine one's own heart, encouraging worship for aspirations never realized, comfort for past mistakes made with pure intentions, and repentance for worldly ambitions (40:36-43:33).

1 Kings 8:39 (ESV)

39 then hear in heaven your dwelling place and forgive and act and render to each whose heart you know, according to all his ways (for you, you only, know the hearts of all the children of mankind),

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(12/24/25) // This Christmas Eve sermon explores the question of why Jesus came when he did , referencing Galatians 4:4, which states, "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son" (0:23-1:32). He explains that "the fullness of time" means at the perfect moment when everything was ripe and best possible (1:36-1:48).

The sermon highlights three key dimensions that made Christ's arrival at that specific time profoundly wise:

1. Spiritual Component : The Old Testament, particularly through the Law, served its purpose in demonstrating humanity's overwhelming and consistent inability to achieve righteousness on its own (2:51-6:10). This long history of failure, especially Israel's, established an irrefutable case against humanity, making it clear that mankind needed a redeemer (6:10-9:06).

2. Political Component : The peak of the Roman Empire, marked by the Pax Romana (Roman peace) , created a period of stability, improved infrastructure (like roads), and easier communication (9:08-12:32). This environment significantly accelerated and protected the spread of the Gospel (12:33-14:02). The pastor also notes how Roman officials, often unknowingly, protected early Christians like Apostle Paul due to his Roman citizenship (14:02-19:18).

3. Cultural Component : The widespread use of Greek as a common language (lingua franca) across the Eastern Mediterranean facilitated the dissemination of the Gospel message (20:22-21:06). The New Testament was written in Greek precisely for this reason, to reach the widest possible audience (21:29-21:56). An example is given of the inscription on Christ's cross being written in Aramaic, Latin, and Greek, unknowingly declaring gospel truth to many pilgrims from different parts of the world (22:24-26:22).

Pastor Batarseh concludes by emphasizing God's profound wisdom and grace in orchestrating all these details, and he calls on the audience to recognize "now is the favorable time" for salvation (27:08-27:35).

Galatians 4:4 (ESV)

4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,

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Sunday Christmas Service (12/21/25) // Luke 2:25-35 (ESV) //

26 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant[a] depart in peace, according to your word;30 for my eyes have seen your salvation31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

Footnotes

a. Luke 2:29 Or bondservant

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Friday Bible Study (12/19/25) // Ezra 5:1-5 (ESV) // This video focuses on the recommencement of the temple's rebuilding in Jerusalem after a 16-year cessation (0:19). The pastor explains that the work stopped due to discouragement, frustration, fear, and persecution, leading the people to become distracted with their own affairs (1:13-1:31).

Key points from the study include:

• The Reappearance of Prophets : The emergence of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah marks a significant turning point, as they were directly called by God to bring fresh revelation and spark renewed interest in rebuilding the temple (3:37-5:51).

• Haggai's Message of Misplaced Priorities : Haggai confronted the people about their misplaced priorities, noting they were focused on their own "paneled houses" while the house of God lay in ruins (7:23-8:50). He highlighted that their material endeavors yielded little reward because God had withheld prosperity due to their disobedience (12:31-14:50).

• God's Pleasure in Obedience : The pastor emphasizes that God takes pleasure in wholehearted obedience, even when the human effort or outcome might seem inferior, as was the case with the rebuilt temple compared to Solomon's temple (17:00-19:28).

• The Power of the Preached Word : The sermon highlights that the stirring of the people's spirits and their return to work on the temple came after the word of the Lord was spoken through the prophets, underscoring the transformative power of the preached word (20:28-23:02).

• Zechariah's Call to Repentance and Sustained Obedience : Two months after Haggai's message, Zechariah arrived with a message of repentance, indicating that some might not have been sincere or that the people's initial zeal had faded (27:37-30:05). This emphasizes the importance of continual exposure to the word of God for sustained spiritual growth and preventing backsliding (30:19-34:40).

• Leadership's Role : The leaders, Zerubbabel and Joshua, though initially susceptible to distractions, were the first to respond positively to the prophets' messages, showing that when leadership turns to God, people often follow (35:25-37:10).

• Divine Protection Amidst Opposition : When the rebuilding resumed, adversaries like Tattenai questioned their authority (38:23). However, "the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews," preventing the officials from stopping the work until a report reached Darius (42:55-44:12). This illustrates God's vigilant care and protection over those who fear Him and hope in His steadfast love, providing peace even in turbulence (45:20-47:50).

Rebuilding Begins Anew

1 Now the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel who was over them. 2 Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak arose and began to rebuild the house of God that is in Jerusalem, and the prophets of God were with them, supporting them.3 At the same time Tattenai the governor of the province Beyond the River and Shethar-bozenai and their associates came to them and spoke to them thus: “Who gave you a decree to build this house and to finish this structure?” 4 They also asked them this:[a] “What are the names of the men who are building this building?” 5 But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, and they did not stop them until the report should reach Darius and then an answer be returned by letter concerning it.

Footnotes

a. Ezra 5:4 Septuagint, Syriac; Aramaic Then we said to them,

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Sunday Service (12/14/25) // Revelation 12:1-6 (ESV) // The Woman and the Dragon

12 And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. 2 She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth. 3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems. 4 His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. 5 She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule[a] all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne, 6 and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days.

Footnotes

a. Revelation 12:5 Greek shepherd

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Friday Bible Study (12/12/25) // Ezra 4 (ESV) // Adversaries Oppose the Rebuilding

1 Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the returned exiles were building a temple to the Lord, the God of Israel, 2 they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of fathers' houses and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we worship your God as you do, and we have been sacrificing to him ever since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria who brought us here.” 3 But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the rest of the heads of fathers' houses in Israel said to them, “You have nothing to do with us in building a house to our God; but we alone will build to the Lord, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus the king of Persia has commanded us.”

4 Then the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah and made them afraid to build 5 and bribed counselors against them to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.

6 And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.

The Letter to King Artaxerxes7 In the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam and Mithredath and Tabeel and the rest of their associates wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia. The letter was written in Aramaic and translated.[a] 8 Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king as follows: 9 Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their associates, the judges, the governors, the officials, the Persians, the men of Erech, the Babylonians, the men of Susa, that is, the Elamites, 10 and the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Osnappar deported and settled in the cities of Samaria and in the rest of the province Beyond the River. 11 (This is a copy of the letter that they sent.) “To Artaxerxes the king: Your servants, the men of the province Beyond the River, send greeting. And now 12 be it known to the king that the Jews who came up from you to us have gone to Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are finishing the walls and repairing the foundations. 13 Now be it known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and the royal revenue will be impaired. 14 Now because we eat the salt of the palace[b] and it is not fitting for us to witness the king's dishonor, therefore we send and inform the king, 15 in order that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. You will find in the book of the records and learn that this city is a rebellious city, hurtful to kings and provinces, and that sedition was stirred up in it from of old. That was why this city was laid waste. 16 We make known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls finished, you will then have no possession in the province Beyond the River.”

The King Orders the Work to Cease17 The king sent an answer: “To Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe and the rest of their associates who live in Samaria and in the rest of the province Beyond the River, greeting. And now 18 the letter that you sent to us has been 

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Sunday Service (12/7/25) // Revelation 11: 15-19 (ESV) // The Seventh Trumpet

15 Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” 16 And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying,“We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was,for you have taken your great power and begun to reign.18 The nations raged, but your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged,and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear your name, both small and great,and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.”19 Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings,[a] peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.

Footnotes

a. Revelation 11:19 Or voices, or sounds

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Sunday Service (11/30/25) // Revelation 11:3-14 (ESV) // The Two Witnesses

1 Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, 2 but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months. 3 And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. 5 And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. 6 They have the power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire. 7 And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that rises from the bottomless pit[a] will make war on them and conquer them and kill them, 8 and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city that symbolically[b] is called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was crucified. 9 For three and a half days some from the peoples and tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and refuse to let them be placed in a tomb, 10 and those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth. 11 But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. 12 Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here!” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies watched them. 13 And at that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.14 The second woe has passed; behold, the third woe is soon to come.

Footnotes

a. Revelation 11:7 Or the abyss

b. Revelation 11:8 Greek spiritually

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