The Seen and Unseen War – Discussion Starters
- None greater than John the Baptist. What is the “unseen reality” that has a great impact on our lives? Why is there a screen hiding our view from the controversy between Christ and Satan?Or is there such a screen? Do we need to understand all the details of the Plan of Salvation before we can understand any of them?
John the Baptist in Prison Image © Pacific Press from GoodSalt.com
- Matthew 11:11-12. Our lesson guide states that these two verses are the most challenging of all Bible texts. Do you agree? Follow a scientist studying the most basic forms of life. Can these forms be fully understood even by a trained scientist? How can John the Baptist be greater than all humans born of a woman? The sun is very close to earth, so why is there so much mystery about the sun’s strength and power?
- The frontiers of greatness. (borrowed from the lesson guide) So, does Matthew 11:12 mean that the meek and mild kingdom of heaven is suffering violence and that violent people are attacking it? Or is the kingdom of heaven forcefully advancing in a positive sense, and the forceful men seizing it are actually followers of Christ? Is this the ideal picture of Christ’s followers engaged in the great controversy between Christ and Satan?
- The “warfare worldview.” Are you personally involved in the world war between good and evil? How does your daily life, including your personal battle with sin, sharpen the difference between God’s way and Satan’s? How are supernatural forces besides the kingdom of heaven involved in this expansive conflict? What about your own life? Is the world war of Christ and Satan alive in what you think and do?
- When the battle gets nasty. Has there ever been a time when God’s gospel prevailed? What marked the start, according to Matthew 11:12, for the battle that will end all battles? Have you ever wondered why good people like John the Baptist are pursued and punished as if they were evil ones? Have the issues at stake in thie great worldwide war ever changed? If so, in what way(s)?
- A lost cause. Satan led the most vicious battle of all time. He knew, or should have known, that his fate was determined from the start. What kept him from admitting this obvious truth? In what way have God’s true people always been the winners in the great controversy, even though cursed, punished, mocked and murdered? As powerful as the forces of evil around us may be, can we count on being on the winning side no matter what? How?
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You can not be greator than John in holiness and devotedness to God. John did that too. If you become the humble preacher of Christ's ministry, crucifiction, death and resurrection and His second advent you will be greator than John because John was not permitted to do that.
#2. "None greater" doesn't necessarily mean John was the greatest ever. There could be a whole group included in that statement, even every believer. Even every human, though that seems unlikely. Maybe this is a glimpse of God being "no respecter of persons". I'm pretty sure humble and obedient John would be okay with that.