Sunday, May 1, 2022

“The Dragon Hurled Down to Earth”

Pastor Hiroyuki Anjiki

1. The war in heaven

* Revelation 12:7 “Then” = The topic of conversation changed

(Verses 7-12 are an inserted part, so the continuation of verse 6 is verse 13)

* Revelation 12:7 “a war broke out in heaven” = The war that takes place in the idle of the Great Tribulation

* Daniel 12:1 “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people - everyone whose name is found written in the book - will be delivered.” (NIV)

* Revelation 12:9 “the devil” = “diavolos” in Greek = “the accuser”

(1) Accuser of humans to God, (2) Accuser of God to humans, (3) Accuser of humans to humans

* 2 Corinthians 11:14 “And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.” (NIV)

2. The dragon who persecutes Israel

* Exodus 19:4 “You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.” (NIV)

3. The secret to defeating the devil

* Revelation 12:11 “the blood of the Lamb,” “the word of their testimony,” “did not love their lives so much”

Thoughts to share at mini church:

1. Poem by Tomihiro Hoshino (English translation)

“When I thought that life was most important,

It became difficult for me to live

The day when I found out that

Something more important than life exists

I was happy to be alive”

What is “more important than life” for you?

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Sunday, April 24, 2022

“Jesus, Rejected in His Hometown”

Pastor Joey Anjiki

1. Rejected in hometown

* Rejected by the people of Nazareth

* Mark 6:3 (See above)

* Rejected by family

* The difficulty in evangelizing to our family and friends

2. What does it mean to be a testimony?

* Salvation of Jesus’ family

* Thinking from Paul’s perspective: 1 Corinthians 4:16 “Therefore I urge you to imitate me.” (NIV)

* Philippians 3:12-14 “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (NIV)

* Former lawyer of Al Capone, Eddie O'Hare

Thoughts to share at mini church:

1. Has your family ever opposed your profession of faith?

2. What does it mean to be a testimony?

3. Please pray for the salvation of unsaved family members and friends.

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Sunday, April 17, 2022

“Not Dead but Asleep”

Pastor Joey Anjiki

1. What can the resolution to death be found in?

* The faith of Jairus

* Where should the resolution of the problem of death be inquired?

* Humans are headed for destruction because of sin

* The sinking of the Titanic in April 1912

2. Hope for what is after death

* Mark 5:42 “Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around…” (NIV)

* 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” (NIV)

3. The joy of being reunited

* Mark 5:42 “Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished.” (NIV)

* The testimony of a young boy, Jimmy

* John 11:25 “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.’” (NIV)

Thoughts to share at mini church:

1. Up until now, what did you try and find the resolution to death in?

2. What is it that humans can believe in to be saved? Refer to 1 Corinthians 15.

3. Is there anyone you are looking forward to being reunited with in Heaven?

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Sunday, April 10, 2022

“The Red Dragon Attempting to Eat a Boy”

Pastor Hiroyuki Anjiki

* God’s covenant with Abraham

Genesis 12:3 “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (NIV)

1. The characters in Chapter 12

(1) A woman = Israel

(2) A red dragon = Satan (the devil)

(3) A boy = Christ

(4) Michael = One of the archangels

(5) The remnant of the descendants of the woman = The Jews in the Great Tribulation

2. The activities of Satan and demons

* Revelation 12:1 (See above and refer to Genesis 37:9-11)

* Revelation 12:4 Reflection on historical events (the fall of archangel Lucifer)

* Revelation 12:5 “The woman gave birth to a male boy” = direct translation

* Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (NIV)

* Psalm 2:7-9 “I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: He said to me, ‘You are my son; today I have become your father. Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. You will break them with a rod of iron; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.’” (NIV)

3. Why does Satan attempt to destroy Israel?

* Matthew 23:39 “For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’” (NIV)

* Micah 2:12 “I will surely gather all of you, Jacob; I will surely bring together the remnant of Israel. I will bring them together like sheep in a pen, like a flock in its pasture; the place will throng with people.” (NIV)

* Micah 2:12 “in a pen” = Botsula in Hebrew = Petra in Greek

Thoughts to share at mini church:

1. What is the root cause of “antisemitism?”

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Sunday, April 3, 2022

“Blessed are Those Who Wait on the Lord”

Pastor Kouki Suzuki

1. The Kingdom of South Judah, reliant on Egypt

* The rise of the Assyrian Empire in the Mediterranean world

* Isaiah 10:7 “But this is not what he (Assyria) intends, this is not what he has in mind; his purpose is to destroy, to put an end to many nations.” (NIV)

* The evaluation of Egypt (Isaiah 30:3, 5, 7)

* Proverbs 16:20 “Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.” (NIV)

2. Relying on something other than God by various means

* Recommendation when reading the Bible:

Read while thinking “If I had been in this situation, what would I have done?”

* Horse = Symbol of military power

* “Feeling as if one is clinging to straw” Straw = worthless, useless

* Isaiah 10:24 “Therefore this is what the Lord, the Lord Almighty, says: ‘My people who live in Zion, do not be afraid of the Assyrians…’” (NIV)

3. The Sovereign Lord, the Holy One

* Isaiah 30:20 “God of righteousness” = A person who keeps his promise correctly

* Isaiah 30:15 (see above)

Thoughts to share at mini church:

1. What would you have done if you had been in the situation in the Kingdom of South Judah?

2. How does the Bible explain about the existence of the one we are to believe and trust in?

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Sunday, March 27, 2022

“The Death & Resurrection of the Two Witnesses”

Pastor Hiroyuki Anjiki

* Joshua 10:12-13 (Reference)

* 2 Kings 20 (Reference)

* “Joshua’s Long Day” a thesis by Prof. Tutton of Yale University

1. The death of the two witnesses

* Revelation 11:7 “finished” = complete, “the Abyss” = the place where the devil and demons are locked up in the world after death, “the beast” = the anti-Christ, “comes up” = resurrection

* Revelation 11:8 “great city” = big city, “figuratively called” = recognition of the Holy Spirit

2. The resurrection of the two witnesses

* Revelation 11:13 “gave glory to the God of heaven” = reverent fear generated for the God of heaven

3. The seventh angel’s trumpet

* Revelation 11:17-18 “gave glory to the God of heaven” = Prophetic declaration of God’s victory from Christ’s second coming

* 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 “for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead - Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.” (NIV)

* 1 Thessalonians 5:9 “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (NIV)

Thoughts to share at mini church:

1. How can you refute people who say, “The Bible is a manmade story”?

2. When is the period the “two witnesses” are active? Why do their activities end?

3. What do you think is the “personal calling” given to you from creator God?

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Sunday, March 20, 2022

“Wanting to Know Who Touched Him”

Pastor Joey Anjiki

1. Turning one’s eyes to Jesus

〓 The woman subject to bleeding

〓 Leviticus 15:25-26 “When a woman has a discharge of blood for many days at a time other than her

monthly period or has a discharge that continues beyond her period, she will be unclean as long as she has the discharge, just as in the days of her period.Any bed she lies on while her discharge continues will be unclean, as is her bed during her monthly period, and anything she sits on will be unclean, as during her period.” (NIV)

〓 The faith of the woman subject to bleeding

〓 The story of the harp-maker

2. Reaching one’s hand out to Jesus

〓 Touching the fringe of Jesus’ clothes

〓 Numbers 15:38-40 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘Throughout the generations to come you

are to make tassels on the corners of your garments, with a blue cord on each tassel. You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by chasing after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes.Then you will remember to obey all my commands and will be consecrated to your God.” (NIV)

〓 The testimony of Stormie Omartian

3. Seeking Jesus himself

〓 Why did Jesus look for the person who touched him?

〓 The Air Florida Flight 90 accident on January 13, 1982

Thoughts to share at mini church:

1. Have you ever experienced being freed form a problem like the one the woman subject to blood had?

2. Is there a problem that you have been dealing with for many years? Ask Jesus for resolution to it.

3. What is the reason that Jesus gives us blessings?

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Sunday, March 13, 2022

“Measuring the Temple of God with its Worshipers”

Pastor Hiroyuki Anjiki

1. What is the “temple of God”?

* 1st temple of God = 957BC - 586BC

* 2nd temple of God = 516BC - 70AD

* 3rd temple of God = The Great Tribulation

* “Temple Institute”

2. What does it mean to measure?

* Revelation 11:1 “measuring rod” = type of long straight type of plant that grows along Jordan River

(direct translation)

3. Who are the “two witnesses”?

* Overwhelming miraculous acts

* Fulfillment of Old Testament prophesy (Zechariah Ch. 4)

Thoughts to share at mini church:

1. What is the “3rd temple of God”? Who builds it when and for what purpose?

2. What does it mean to “measure”? Would you be OK if you got measured?

3. What do the “two witnesses” do?

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Sunday, March 6, 2022

“The Authority Given”

Pastor Joey Anjiki

1. The existence of demons

〓 Mark 5:3 & Mark 5:5 (See above)

〓 The origin of the devil and demons (Isaiah 14:12-15)

〓 The existence of the devil: Otohiko Kaga

2. The authority to control evil spirits

〓 C.S. Lewis’ two mistaken attitudes about the devil and demons

(1) Denying the existence of the devil and demons

(2) Having an unhealthy interest in the devil and demons

〓 Luke 10:19 “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” (NIV)

〓 Martin Luther

3. God’s plan to surpass the wisdom of demons

〓 The demons were transferred into pigs and the inflicted financial damage caused people to not believe in Jesus. However, Jesus used the healed man as a plan of victory for that

〓 Revival in China

Thoughts to share at mini church:

1. What do we need to be careful about with our attitude towards the devil and demons?

2. What is our position in respect to the devil and demons?

3. Reconsider how God is placed much higher than the strategies of the devil and demons.

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Sunday, February 27, 2022

“The Small Scroll”

Pastor Hiroyuki Anjiki

1. Another mighty angel

* Revelation 10:1 “Then I saw” = an idiom used when transitioning to the next topic, in other words Chapter 10 is a continuation of Chapter 9

* Revelation 10:1 “coming down” = present progressive form participle

* Revelation 10:1 “another” = another being of exactly the same characteristics (In Greek = “Aros”)

* Daniel 12:1 “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people - everyone whose name is found written in the book - will be delivered.” (NIV)

* Revelation 10:2 “planted” = “step firmly upon” (expresses conquest and reign)

* Hebrews 1:14 “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” (NIV)

2. The small scroll that turns one’s stomach sour, but sweet in one’s mouth

* Revelation 10:9 “eat” = Understand well, to make something one’s own

3. No more delay

* Revelation 10:6 “time” = “chronos” (in Greek means chronological time)

“kairos” (in Greek means situational time)

Thoughts to share at mini church:

1. Take time to review the timetable for the content in Revelation on the handout (Japanese handout).

2. When does the content in Chapter 10 occur?

3. What does “sour to the stomach, sweet to the mouth” mean?

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