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

Sunday Service (3/1/26) // Revelation 14:1-5 (ESV) // The Lamb and the 144,000 // 14 Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, 3 and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. 4 It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb, 5 and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless.#Revelation #BookofRevelation #BibleStudy #BibleExplained #BiblicalStudies #BibleTeacher #WordOfGod #BiblicalLessons #BibleJournal #BibleReading #BibleStudyCommunity #BibleVerse #prophecy #prophetic #jerusalemWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mbchicago.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FOLLOW US Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcasts: Listen on Apple, Spotify & others TO SUPPORT USZelle to: info@mbchicago.orgWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mbchicago.org/give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Venmo: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://venmo.com/mbchurch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ DAF Donations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://every.org/mbc.chicago⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PayPal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_but...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Sunday Service (2/22/26) // Revelation 13: 15-18 (ESV) // The Second Beast // 15 And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. 16 Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave,[a] to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, 17 so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. 18 This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.[b]Footnotesa. Revelation 13: 16 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Prefaceb. Revelation 13: 18 Some manuscripts 616The video addresses common misconceptions and provides a theological interpretation of the Mark of the Beast as described in Revelation 13:15-18 (0:00-0:53). Pastor Daniel emphasizes the importance of understanding this biblical truth within its proper context, despite the confusion and speculation it often generates (0:56-1:23).Here are the key takeaways from the sermon:Context of Revelation 13 (1:31-4:00): The passage describes the "second beast" (the Antichrist) who will enforce worship of the "first beast" and implement a system of control, ultimately leading to the "mark of the beast."The Idolatrous Image (7:00-10:20): The sermon highlights that the image of the beast will be uniquely animated and able to speak, unlike previous biblical idols. This animation, whether technological or supernatural, will compel worship and has the authority to kill those who refuse.Worship Driven by Terror vs. Grace (11:28-16:20): A stark contrast is drawn between the Antichrist's coerced worship, driven by fear and threat of death, and the true Christ's invitation to worship, which is motivated by love, grace, and sacrifice. The video emphasizes that God's ultimate disposition towards humanity is grace, as seen in the closing verse of Revelation (15:33-16:20).Spiritual Significance of the Mark (18:54-25:30): The mark of the beast is primarily understood as a spiritual inversion and perversion of God's command for complete devotion, as outlined in Deuteronomy 6 (the Shema). It signifies full allegiance to the Antichrist, influencing thoughts and actions.Physical Consequences of the Mark (25:31-32:42): Beyond symbolism, the mark has undeniable physical implications, serving as a required universal identification system that controls economic activity. Those without the mark will be unable to buy or sell, leading to severe persecution and pressure to conform. The pastor contrasts this with God's provision for all, even those who reject Him.Clarification on the Mark (36:00-39:20): The sermon explicitly states that the mark of the beast is not a vaccine, internet service, or a day of worship. It will be totally recognizable and obvious, directly linked to the conscious worship of a man and participation in a new world religion. You cannot accidentally take the mark.The Number 666 (40:05-47:49): While acknowledging the historical use of gematria to interpret 666, the video suggests that its full meaning will likely be revealed during the tribulation period. Symbolically, the number six represents man's imperfection and falling short of God's perfection (represented by seven). Triple six emphasizes the amplification of man's fallenness and the unholy trinity's efforts to defy God.⁠#Revelation⁠ ⁠#BookofRevelation⁠ ⁠#BibleStudy⁠ ⁠#BibleExplained⁠ ⁠#BiblicalStudies⁠ ⁠#BibleTeacher⁠ ⁠#WordOfGod⁠ ⁠#BiblicalLessons⁠ ⁠#BibleJournal⁠ ⁠#BibleReading⁠ ⁠#BibleStudyCommunity⁠ ⁠#BibleVerse⁠ ⁠#prophecy⁠ ⁠#prophetic⁠ ⁠#jerusalem⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mbchicago.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Friday Bible Study (2/13/26) // Ezra 7: 11-28 (ESV) // Ezra Sent to Teach the People // 11 This is a copy of the letter that King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe, a man learned in matters of the commandments of the Lord and his statutes for Israel:[a] 12 “Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven. Peace.[b] And now 13 I make a decree that anyone of the people of Israel or their priests or Levites in my kingdom, who freely offers to go to Jerusalem, may go with you. 14 For you are sent by the king and his seven counselors to make inquiries about Judah and Jerusalem according to the Law of your God, which is in your hand, 15 and also to carry the silver and gold that the king and his counselors have freely offered to the God of Israel, whose dwelling is in Jerusalem, 16 with all the silver and gold that you shall find in the whole province of Babylonia, and with the freewill offerings of the people and the priests, vowed willingly for the house of their God that is in Jerusalem. 17 With this money, then, you shall with all diligence buy bulls, rams, and lambs, with their grain offerings and their drink offerings, and you shall offer them on the altar of the house of your God that is in Jerusalem. 18 Whatever seems good to you and your brothers to do with the rest of the silver and gold, you may do, according to the will of your God. 19 The vessels that have been given you for the service of the house of your God, you shall deliver before the God of Jerusalem. 20 And whatever else is required for the house of your God, which it falls to you to provide, you may provide it out of the king's treasury.21 “And I, Artaxerxes the king, make a decree to all the treasurers in the province Beyond the River: Whatever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven, requires of you, let it be done with all diligence, 22 up to 100 talents[c] of silver, 100 cors[d] of wheat, 100 baths[e] of wine, 100 baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much. 23 Whatever is decreed by the God of heaven, let it be done in full for the house of the God of heaven, lest his wrath be against the realm of the king and his sons. 24 We also notify you that it shall not be lawful to impose tribute, custom, or toll on anyone of the priests, the Levites, the singers, the doorkeepers, the temple servants, or other servants of this house of God.25 “And you, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God that is in your hand, appoint magistrates and judges who may judge all the people in the province Beyond the River, all such as know the laws of your God. And those who do not know them, you shall teach. 26 Whoever will not obey the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be strictly executed on him, whether for death or for banishment or for confiscation of his goods or for imprisonment.”27 Blessed be the Lord, the God of our fathers, who put such a thing as this into the heart of the king, to beautify the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem, 28 and who extended to me his steadfast love before the king and his counselors, and before all the king's mighty officers. I took courage, for the hand of the Lord my God was on me, and I gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me.Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mbchicago.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FOLLOW USFacebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TO SUPPORT US Zelle to: info@mbchicago.org Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mbchicago.org/give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Venmo: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://venmo.com/mbchurch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ DAF Donations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://every.org/mbc.chicago⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PayPal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_but...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Friday Bible Study (1/30/26) // Ezra 7:1-10 (ESV) // Ezra Sent to Teach the People // 1 Now after this, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, son of Azariah, son of Hilkiah, 2 son of Shallum, son of Zadok, son of Ahitub, 3 son of Amariah, son of Azariah, son of Meraioth, 4 son of Zerahiah, son of Uzzi, son of Bukki, 5 son of Abishua, son of Phinehas, son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the chief priest— 6 this Ezra went up from Babylonia. He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses that the Lord, the God of Israel, had given, and the king granted him all that he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him.7 And there went up also to Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king, some of the people of Israel, and some of the priests and Levites, the singers and gatekeepers, and the temple servants. 8 And Ezra[a] came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king. 9 For on the first day of the first month he began to go up from Babylonia, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, for the good hand of his God was on him. 10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.Footnotesa. Ezra 7:8 Hebrew heWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mbchicago.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FOLLOW USFacebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcasts: Listen on Apple, Spotify & others TO SUPPORT US Zelle to: info@mbchicago.org Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mbchicago.org/give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Venmo: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://venmo.com/mbchurch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ DAF Donations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://every.org/mbc.chicago⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PayPal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_but...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Friday Bible Study (1/16/26) // Ezra 6:13-22 (ESV) // The Temple Finished and Dedicated // 13 Then, according to the word sent by Darius the king, Tattenai, the governor of the province Beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and their associates did with all diligence what Darius the king had ordered. 14 And the elders of the Jews built and prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. They finished their building by decree of the God of Israel and by decree of Cyrus and Darius and Artaxerxes king of Persia; 15 and this house was finished on the third day of the month of Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.16 And the people of Israel, the priests and the Levites, and the rest of the returned exiles, celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy. 17 They offered at the dedication of this house of God 100 bulls, 200 rams, 400 lambs, and as a sin offering for all Israel 12 male goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel. 18 And they set the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their divisions, for the service of God at Jerusalem, as it is written in the Book of Moses.Passover Celebrated19 On the fourteenth day of the first month, the returned exiles kept the Passover. 20 For the priests and the Levites had purified themselves together; all of them were clean. So they slaughtered the Passover lamb for all the returned exiles, for their fellow priests, and for themselves. 21 It was eaten by the people of Israel who had returned from exile, and also by every one who had joined them and separated himself from the uncleanness of the peoples of the land to worship the Lord, the God of Israel. 22 And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy, for the Lord had made them joyful and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, so that he aided them in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mbchicago.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FOLLOW USFacebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcasts: Listen on Apple, Spotify & others TO SUPPORT US Zelle to: info@mbchicago.org Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mbchicago.org/give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Venmo: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://venmo.com/mbchurch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ DAF Donations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://every.org/mbc.chicago⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PayPal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_but...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Friday Bible Study (1/9/26) // Ezra 6:1-12 (ESV) // The Decree of Darius6 Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in Babylonia, in the house of the archives where the documents were stored. 2 And in Ecbatana, the citadel that is in the province of Media, a scroll was found on which this was written: “A record. 3 In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king issued a decree: Concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, let the house be rebuilt, the place where sacrifices were offered, and let its foundations be retained. Its height shall be sixty cubits[a] and its breadth sixty cubits, 4 with three layers of great stones and one layer of timber. Let the cost be paid from the royal treasury. 5 And also let the gold and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that is in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, be restored and brought back to the temple that is in Jerusalem, each to its place. You shall put them in the house of God.”6 “Now therefore, Tattenai, governor of the province Beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and your[b] associates the governors who are in the province Beyond the River, keep away. 7 Let the work on this house of God alone. Let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews rebuild this house of God on its site. 8 Moreover, I make a decree regarding what you shall do for these elders of the Jews for the rebuilding of this house of God. The cost is to be paid to these men in full and without delay from the royal revenue, the tribute of the province from Beyond the River. 9 And whatever is needed—bulls, rams, or sheep for burnt offerings to the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, or oil, as the priests at Jerusalem require—let that be given to them day by day without fail, 10 that they may offer pleasing sacrifices to the God of heaven and pray for the life of the king and his sons. 11 Also I make a decree that if anyone alters this edict, a beam shall be pulled out of his house, and he shall be impaled on it, and his house shall be made a dunghill. 12 May the God who has caused his name to dwell there overthrow any king or people who shall put out a hand to alter this, or to destroy this house of God that is in Jerusalem. I Darius make a decree; let it be done with all diligence.”Footnotesa. Ezra 6:3 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimetersb. Ezra 6:6 Aramaic theirWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mbchicago.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FOLLOW USFacebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcasts: Listen on Apple, Spotify & others TO SUPPORT US Zelle to: info@mbchicago.org Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mbchicago.org/give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Venmo: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://venmo.com/mbchurch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ DAF Donations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://every.org/mbc.chicago⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PayPal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_but...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Friday Bible Study (1/2/26) // Ezra 5:6-17 (ESV) // Tattenai's Letter to King Darius6 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.”Footnotesa. Ezra 5:10 Aramaic of the men at their headsWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mbchicago.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FOLLOW USFacebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcasts: Listen on Apple, Spotify & others TO SUPPORT US Zelle to: info@mbchicago.org Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mbchicago.org/give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Venmo: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://venmo.com/mbchurch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ DAF Donations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://every.org/mbc.chicago⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PayPal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_but...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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 Anew1 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.Footnotesa. Ezra 5:4 Septuagint, Syriac; Aramaic Then we said to them, Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mbchicago.org⁠⁠⁠⁠ FOLLOW USFacebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcasts: Listen on Apple, Spotify & others TO SUPPORT US Zelle to: info@mbchicago.org Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mbchicago.org/give⁠⁠⁠⁠ Venmo: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://venmo.com/mbchurch⁠⁠⁠⁠ DAF Donations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://every.org/mbc.chicago⁠⁠⁠⁠ PayPal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_but...⁠⁠⁠⁠

Friday Bible Study (12/12/25) // Ezra 4 (ESV) // Adversaries Oppose the Rebuilding1 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 Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://mbchicago.org⁠⁠⁠ FOLLOW USFacebook: ⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠ Podcasts: Listen on Apple, Spotify & others TO SUPPORT US Zelle to: info@mbchicago.org Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://mbchicago.org/give⁠⁠⁠ Venmo: ⁠⁠⁠https://venmo.com/mbchurch⁠⁠⁠ DAF Donations: ⁠⁠⁠https://every.org/mbc.chicago⁠⁠⁠ PayPal: ⁠⁠⁠https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_but...⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠#Ezra⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠#DanielBatarseh⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠#BibleStudy⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠#mbchicago⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠#mbcchicago⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠#Bible⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠#versebyverse⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠#church⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠#chicago⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠#livechurch⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠#churchlive⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠#chicagochurch⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠#chicagochurches⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠#sermon⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠#bibleexplained⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠#bibleproject⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠#bibleverse⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠#bookbybook⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠#oldtestament⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠#explained

Friday Bible Study (11/21/25) // Ezra 3:8-13- (ESV) // Rebuilding the Temple8 Now in the second year after their coming to the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak made a beginning, together with the rest of their kinsmen, the priests and the Levites and all who had come to Jerusalem from the captivity. They appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to supervise the work of the house of the Lord. 9 And Jeshua with his sons and his brothers, and Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together supervised the workmen in the house of God, along with the sons of Henadad and the Levites, their sons and brothers.10 And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests in their vestments came forward with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the Lord, according to the directions of David king of Israel. 11 And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord,“For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.”And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. 12 But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers' houses, old men who had seen the first house, wept with a loud voice when they saw the foundation of this house being laid, though many shouted aloud for joy, 13 so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the joyful shout from the sound of the people's weeping, for the people shouted with a great shout, and the sound was heard far away.Website: ⁠⁠https://mbchicago.org⁠⁠ FOLLOW USFacebook: ⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠ Podcasts: Listen on Apple, Spotify & others TO SUPPORT US Zelle to: info@mbchicago.org Website: ⁠⁠https://mbchicago.org/give⁠⁠ Venmo: ⁠⁠https://venmo.com/mbchurch⁠⁠ DAF Donations: ⁠⁠https://every.org/mbc.chicago⁠⁠ PayPal: ⁠⁠https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_but...⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#Ezra⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#DanielBatarseh⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#BibleStudy⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#mbchicago⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#mbcchicago⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#Bible⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#versebyverse⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#church⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#chicago⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#livechurch⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#churchlive⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#chicagochurch⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#chicagochurches⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#sermon⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#bibleexplained⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#bibleproject⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#bibleverse⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#bookbybook⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#oldtestament⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#explained

Friday Bible Study (11/14/25) // Ezra 3:1-7- (ESV) // Rebuilding the Altar1 When the seventh month came, and the children of Israel were in the towns, the people gathered as one man to Jerusalem. 2 Then arose Jeshua the son of Jozadak, with his fellow priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel with his kinsmen, and they built the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the Law of Moses the man of God. 3 They set the altar in its place, for fear was on them because of the peoples of the lands, and they offered burnt offerings on it to the Lord, burnt offerings morning and evening. 4 And they kept the Feast of Booths, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number according to the rule, as each day required, 5 and after that the regular burnt offerings, the offerings at the new moon and at all the appointed feasts of the Lord, and the offerings of everyone who made a freewill offering to the Lord. 6 From the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to the Lord. But the foundation of the temple of the Lord was not yet laid. 7 So they gave money to the masons and the carpenters, and food, drink, and oil to the Sidonians and the Tyrians to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea, to Joppa, according to the grant that they had from Cyrus king of Persia.Website: ⁠⁠https://mbchicago.org⁠⁠ FOLLOW US Facebook: ⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠ Podcasts: Listen on Apple, Spotify & others TO SUPPORT US Zelle to: info@mbchicago.org Website: ⁠⁠https://mbchicago.org/give⁠⁠ Venmo: ⁠⁠https://venmo.com/mbchurch⁠⁠ DAF Donations: ⁠⁠https://every.org/mbc.chicago⁠⁠ PayPal: ⁠⁠https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_but...⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#Ezra⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#DanielBatarseh⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#BibleStudy⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#mbchicago⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#mbcchicago⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#Bible⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#versebyverse⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#church⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#chicago⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#livechurch⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#churchlive⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#chicagochurch⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#chicagochurches⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#sermon⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#bibleexplained⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#bibleproject⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#bibleverse⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#bookbybook⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#oldtestament⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#explained

Friday Bible Study (11/7/25) // Ezra 2: 41-70- (ESV) // The Exiles Return41 The singers: the sons of Asaph, 128. 42 The sons of the gatekeepers: the sons of Shallum, the sons of Ater, the sons of Talmon, the sons of Akkub, the sons of Hatita, and the sons of Shobai, in all 139.43 The temple servants: the sons of Ziha, the sons of Hasupha, the sons of Tabbaoth, 44 the sons of Keros, the sons of Siaha, the sons of Padon, 45 the sons of Lebanah, the sons of Hagabah, the sons of Akkub, 46 the sons of Hagab, the sons of Shamlai, the sons of Hanan, 47 the sons of Giddel, the sons of Gahar, the sons of Reaiah, 48 the sons of Rezin, the sons of Nekoda, the sons of Gazzam, 49 the sons of Uzza, the sons of Paseah, the sons of Besai, 50 the sons of Asnah, the sons of Meunim, the sons of Nephisim, 51 the sons of Bakbuk, the sons of Hakupha, the sons of Harhur, 52 the sons of Bazluth, the sons of Mehida, the sons of Harsha, 53 the sons of Barkos, the sons of Sisera, the sons of Temah, 54 the sons of Neziah, and the sons of Hatipha.55 The sons of Solomon's servants: the sons of Sotai, the sons of Hassophereth, the sons of Peruda, 56 the sons of Jaalah, the sons of Darkon, the sons of Giddel, 57 the sons of Shephatiah, the sons of Hattil, the sons of Pochereth-hazzebaim, and the sons of Ami.58 All the temple servants and the sons of Solomon's servants were 392.59 The following were those who came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer, though they could not prove their fathers' houses or their descent, whether they belonged to Israel: 60 the sons of Delaiah, the sons of Tobiah, and the sons of Nekoda, 652. 61 Also, of the sons of the priests: the sons of Habaiah, the sons of Hakkoz, and the sons of Barzillai (who had taken a wife from the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called by their name). 62 These sought their registration among those enrolled in the genealogies, but they were not found there, and so they were excluded from the priesthood as unclean. 63 The governor told them that they were not to partake of the most holy food, until there should be a priest to consult Urim and Thummim.64 The whole assembly together was 42,360, 65 besides their male and female servants, of whom there were 7,337, and they had 200 male and female singers. 66 Their horses were 736, their mules were 245, 67 their camels were 435, and their donkeys were 6,720.68 Some of the heads of families, when they came to the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem, made freewill offerings for the house of God, to erect it on its site. 69 According to their ability they gave to the treasury of the work 61,000 darics[a] of gold, 5,000 minas[b] of silver, and 100 priests' garments.70 Now the priests, the Levites, some of the people, the singers, the gatekeepers, and the temple servants lived in their towns, and all the rest of Israel[c] in their towns.Footnotesa. Ezra 2:69 A daric was a coin weighing about 1/4 ounce or 8.5 gramsb. Ezra 2:69 A mina was about 1 1/4 pounds or 0.6 kilogramc. Ezra 2:70 Hebrew all IsraelWebsite: ⁠https://mbchicago.org⁠ FOLLOW US Facebook: ⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠ Instagram: ⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠ TikTok: ⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠ Podcasts: Listen on Apple, Spotify & others TO SUPPORT US Zelle to: info@mbchicago.org Website: ⁠https://mbchicago.org/give⁠ Venmo: ⁠https://venmo.com/mbchurch⁠ DAF Donations: ⁠https://every.org/mbc.chicago⁠ PayPal: ⁠https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_but...⁠ ⁠#Ezra⁠ ⁠#DanielBatarseh⁠ ⁠#BibleStudy⁠ ⁠#mbchicago⁠ ⁠#mbcchicago⁠ ⁠#Bible⁠ ⁠#versebyverse⁠ ⁠#church⁠ ⁠#chicago⁠ ⁠#livechurch⁠ ⁠#churchlive⁠ ⁠#chicagochurch⁠ ⁠#chicagochurches⁠ ⁠#sermon⁠ ⁠#bibleexplained⁠ ⁠#bibleproject⁠ ⁠#bibleverse⁠ ⁠#bookbybook⁠ ⁠#oldtestament⁠ ⁠#explained

Friday Bible Study (10/31/25) // Ezra 2:1-40- (ESV) // The Exiles Return Now these were the people of the province who came up out of the captivity of those exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried captive to Babylonia. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own town. 2 They came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah.The number of the men of the people of Israel: 3 the sons of Parosh, 2,172. 4 The sons of Shephatiah, 372. 5 The sons of Arah, 775. 6 The sons of Pahath-moab, namely the sons of Jeshua and Joab, 2,812. 7 The sons of Elam, 1,254. 8 The sons of Zattu, 945. 9 The sons of Zaccai, 760. 10 The sons of Bani, 642. 11 The sons of Bebai, 623. 12 The sons of Azgad, 1,222. 13 The sons of Adonikam, 666. 14 The sons of Bigvai, 2,056. 15 The sons of Adin, 454. 16 The sons of Ater, namely of Hezekiah, 98. 17 The sons of Bezai, 323. 18 The sons of Jorah, 112. 19 The sons of Hashum, 223. 20 The sons of Gibbar, 95. 21 The sons of Bethlehem, 123. 22 The men of Netophah, 56. 23 The men of Anathoth, 128. 24 The sons of Azmaveth, 42. 25 The sons of Kiriath-arim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, 743. 26 The sons of Ramah and Geba, 621. 27 The men of Michmas, 122. 28 The men of Bethel and Ai, 223. 29 The sons of Nebo, 52. 30 The sons of Magbish, 156. 31 The sons of the other Elam, 1,254. 32 The sons of Harim, 320. 33 The sons of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, 725. 34 The sons of Jericho, 345. 35 The sons of Senaah, 3,630.36 The priests: the sons of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, 973. 37 The sons of Immer, 1,052. 38 The sons of Pashhur, 1,247. 39 The sons of Harim, 1,017.40 The Levites: the sons of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the sons of Hodaviah, 74.Website: https://mbchicago.org FOLLOW US Facebook:   / mbc.chicago   Instagram:   / mbc.chicago   TikTok:   / mbc.chicago   Podcasts: Listen on Apple, Spotify & others TO SUPPORT US Zelle to: info@mbchicago.org Website: https://mbchicago.org/give Venmo: https://venmo.com/mbchurch DAF Donations: https://every.org/mbc.chicago PayPal: https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_but... #Ezra #DanielBatarseh #BibleStudy #mbchicago #mbcchicago #Bible #versebyverse #church #chicago #livechurch #churchlive #chicagochurch #chicagochurches #sermon #bibleexplained #bibleproject #bibleverse #bookbybook #oldtestament #explained

Friday Bible Study (10/24/25) // Ezra 1:2-11 (ESV) // The Proclamation of Cyrus1 In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing:2 “Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. 3 Whoever is among you of all his people, may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel—he is the God who is in Jerusalem. 4 And let each survivor, in whatever place he sojourns, be assisted by the men of his place with silver and gold, with goods and with beasts, besides freewill offerings for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.”5 Then rose up the heads of the fathers' houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites, everyone whose spirit God had stirred to go up to rebuild the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem. 6 And all who were about them aided them with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, with beasts, and with costly wares, besides all that was freely offered. 7 Cyrus the king also brought out the vessels of the house of the Lord that Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from Jerusalem and placed in the house of his gods. 8 Cyrus king of Persia brought these out in the charge of Mithredath the treasurer, who counted them out to Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah. 9 And this was the number of them: 30 basins of gold, 1,000 basins of silver, 29 censers, 10 30 bowls of gold, 410 bowls of silver, and 1,000 other vessels; 11 all the vessels of gold and of silver were 5,400. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up, when the exiles were brought up from Babylonia to Jerusalem.Visit our website: https://mbchicago.orgFollow us to remain connected:Facebook:   / mbc.chicago   Instagram:   / mbc.chicago   TikTok:   / mbc.chicago   Podcasts: Listen on Apple, Spotify & othersTo support this ministry, you can donate via: Zelle to: info@mbchicago.org Web: https://mbchicago.org/give Venmo: https://venmo.com/mbchurch PayPal/Credit: https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_but...#Ezra #DanielBatarseh #BibleStudy #mbchicago #mbcchicago #Bible #versebyverse #church #chicago #livechurch #churchlive #chicagochurch #chicagochurches #sermon #bibleexplained #bibleproject #bibleverse #bookbybook #oldtestament #explained

Friday Bible Study (10/17/25) // Ezra 1:1 (ESV) // The Proclamation of Cyrus1 In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing:2 “Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. 3 Whoever is among you of all his people, may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel—he is the God who is in Jerusalem. 4 And let each survivor, in whatever place he sojourns, be assisted by the men of his place with silver and gold, with goods and with beasts, besides freewill offerings for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.”5 Then rose up the heads of the fathers' houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites, everyone whose spirit God had stirred to go up to rebuild the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem. 6 And all who were about them aided them with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, with beasts, and with costly wares, besides all that was freely offered. 7 Cyrus the king also brought out the vessels of the house of the Lord that Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from Jerusalem and placed in the house of his gods. 8 Cyrus king of Persia brought these out in the charge of Mithredath the treasurer, who counted them out to Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah. 9 And this was the number of them: 30 basins of gold, 1,000 basins of silver, 29 censers, 10 30 bowls of gold, 410 bowls of silver, and 1,000 other vessels; 11 all the vessels of gold and of silver were 5,400. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up, when the exiles were brought up from Babylonia to Jerusalem.Website: https://mbchicago.org FOLLOW US Facebook:   / mbc.chicago   Instagram:   / mbc.chicago   TikTok:   / mbc.chicago   Podcasts: Listen on Apple, Spotify & others TO SUPPORT US Zelle to: info@mbchicago.org Website: https://mbchicago.org/give Venmo: https://venmo.com/mbchurch DAF Donations: https://every.org/mbc.chicago PayPal: https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_but... #Ezra #DanielBatarseh #BibleStudy #mbchicago #mbcchicago #Bible #livechurch #churchlive #chicagochurch #chicagochurches #versebyverse #church #chicago #sermon #bibleexplained #bibleproject #bibleverse #bookbybook #oldtestament #explained

Friday Bible Study (2/20/26) // Ezra 8:1-20 (ESV) // *Genealogy of Those Who Returned with Ezra*// 8 These are the heads of their fathers' houses, and this is the genealogy of those who went up with me from Babylonia, in the reign of Artaxerxes the king: 2 Of the sons of Phinehas, Gershom. Of the sons of Ithamar, Daniel. Of the sons of David, Hattush. 3 Of the sons of Shecaniah, who was of the sons of Parosh, Zechariah, with whom were registered 150 men. 4 Of the sons of Pahath-moab, Eliehoenai the son of Zerahiah, and with him 200 men. 5 Of the sons of Zattu,[a] Shecaniah the son of Jahaziel, and with him 300 men. 6 Of the sons of Adin, Ebed the son of Jonathan, and with him 50 men. 7 Of the sons of Elam, Jeshaiah the son of Athaliah, and with him 70 men. 8 Of the sons of Shephatiah, Zebadiah the son of Michael, and with him 80 men. 9 Of the sons of Joab, Obadiah the son of Jehiel, and with him 218 men. 10 Of the sons of Bani,[b] Shelomith the son of Josiphiah, and with him 160 men. 11 Of the sons of Bebai, Zechariah, the son of Bebai, and with him 28 men. 12 Of the sons of Azgad, Johanan the son of Hakkatan, and with him 110 men. 13 Of the sons of Adonikam, those who came later, their names being Eliphelet, Jeuel, and Shemaiah, and with them 60 men. 14 Of the sons of Bigvai, Uthai and Zaccur, and with them 70 men.Ezra Sends for Levites15 I gathered them to the river that runs to Ahava, and there we camped three days. As I reviewed the people and the priests, I found there none of the sons of Levi. 16 Then I sent for Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah, and Meshullam, leading men, and for Joiarib and Elnathan, who were men of insight, 17 and sent them to Iddo, the leading man at the place Casiphia, telling them what to say to Iddo and his brothers and[c] the temple servants at the place Casiphia, namely, to send us ministers for the house of our God. 18 And by the good hand of our God on us, they brought us a man of discretion, of the sons of Mahli the son of Levi, son of Israel, namely Sherebiah with his sons and kinsmen, 18; 19 also Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, with his kinsmen and their sons, 20; 20 besides 220 of the temple servants, whom David and his officials had set apart to attend the Levites. These were all mentioned by name.Footnotesa. Ezra 8:5 Septuagint; Hebrew lacks of Zattub. Ezra 8: 10 Septuagint; Hebrew lacks Banic. Ezra 8: 17 Hebrew lacks andWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mbchicago.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This study delves into the genealogy of those who returned to Jerusalem with Ezra from Babylonia, emphasizing the significance of these historical records (0:05-0:31).Key points covered in the summary include:The Purpose of the Genealogy (1:14-1:27): Ezra 8 lists the families and divisions joining Ezra on the second major return of Jews to Jerusalem, approximately 80 years after the first group."Only Some" Returned (3:13-3:21): Ezra emphasizes that only some of the exiles returned with him, which the pastor highlights as a profound truth. Even a leader like Ezra could not persuade everyone, a point of encouragement for those who feel discouraged when not everyone shares their spiritual drive (4:01-5:47).The Importance of Household Heads (9:07-11:22): Ezra's repeated phrasing "with him" underscores the influence of family leaders in inspiring their relatives to leave the comfort and familiarity of Babylon for God's purposes.God's Faithfulness Highlighted (18:12-20:03)The "Last Ones" / Delayed Response (23:40-25:22)Absence of Levites (26:37-29:00)Ezra's Character and Raising Up Teachers (29:40-31:16)Recruiting More Levites (33:47-34:12)Danger of Declining God-ward Interest (36:12-37:43)God's Provision of Leaders (41:35-43:17)Gentiles Valuing an Inheritance Not Their Own (43:26-47:38):

Sunday Service (2/1/26) // Revelation 13: 11-14 (ESV) // The Second Beast // 11 Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. 12 It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence,[a] and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. 13 It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, 14 and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of[b] the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived.Footnotesa. Revelation ⁠13:12⁠ Or on its behalfb. Revelation ⁠13:14⁠ Or on behalf of⁠#DanielBatarseh⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#Revelation⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#BookofRevelation⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#BibleStudy⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#mbchicago⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#mbcchicago⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#Bible⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#versebyverse⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#sermon⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#sermons⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#sermononline⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#bookofrevelation⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#bookofrevelations⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#revelation⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#revelations⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#newtestament⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#scripture⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#verses⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#lessons⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#church⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#chicago⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#livechurch⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#churchlive⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#chicagochurch⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#chicagochurches⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#prophecy⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#prophetic⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#jesus⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#jesuschrist⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#israel⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#jerusalem⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mbchicago.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FOLLOW US Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcasts: Listen on Apple, Spotify & others TO SUPPORT USZelle to: info@mbchicago.orgWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mbchicago.org/give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Venmo: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://venmo.com/mbchurch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ DAF Donations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://every.org/mbc.chicago⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PayPal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_but...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This video focuses on Revelation chapter 13, verses 11-14, discussing the emergence and characteristics of the second beast, identified as the false prophet (0:51-1:01). Pastor Daniel Batarseh outlines three main points concerning this figure: his identity, his mission, and his authority (4:06-4:45).Here's a breakdown of the key points:Identity of the Second Beast (4:47-18:45):The second beast rises "out of the earth" (5:58-6:01), differentiating him from the first beast who came from the sea. This suggests a worldly origin, rather than a divine one (9:15-10:06).He is described as having "two horns like a lamb" but speaking "like a dragon" (10:30-10:35). This signifies an outward appearance of innocence and harmlessness (11:18-11:23) but an underlying demonic influence, as his words reveal his true, Satanic nature (12:28-12:36, 17:38-17:43).The pastor emphasizes the importance of discerning false teachers by evaluating the content of their message against God's word, rather than their appearance, charisma, or supposed miracles (16:46-17:15).Mission of the Second Beast (23:48-36:15):The primary mission of the false prophet is to compel the inhabitants of the earth to worship the first beast, the Antichrist (27:10-27:31).This false prophet completes a "satanic trinity," mimicking the Holy Spirit's role by directing worship towards the Antichrist, who is presented as a false Christ (28:15-29:17, 30:21-30:31).He will leverage the Antichrist's apparent resurrection from a mortal wound (30:42-31:11) to convince people of the Antichrist's divinity and worthiness of worship (31:13-31:28).This ultimately culminates in a one-world religion focused on the Antichrist, alongside the one-world government (31:51-32:11). The pastor notes humanity's innate desire to worship, which can be misdirected towards idols (33:16-35:19).Authority of the Second Beast (36:29-45:10):The false prophet will perform "great signs," including making fire come down from heaven (37:12-37:17), which are genuine miracles.These powerful miracles are allowed by God as an act of judgment upon those who

Sunday Service (1/25/26) // Revelation 13:3-10 (ESV) // The First Beast // 1 And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. 2 And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear's, and its mouth was like a lion's mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. 3 One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. 4 And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?”5 And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. 6 It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling,[a] that is, those who dwell in heaven. 7 Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them.[b] And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, 8 and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. 9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear:10 If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.Footnotesa. Revelation 13:6 Or tabernacleb. Revelation 13:7 Some manuscripts omit this sentence#DanielBatarseh⁠ ⁠#Revelation⁠ ⁠#BookofRevelation⁠ ⁠#BibleStudy⁠ ⁠#mbchicago⁠ ⁠#mbcchicago⁠ ⁠#Bible⁠ ⁠#versebyverse⁠ ⁠#sermon⁠ ⁠#sermons⁠ ⁠#sermononline⁠ ⁠#bookofrevelation⁠ ⁠#bookofrevelations⁠ ⁠#revelation⁠ ⁠#revelations⁠ ⁠#newtestament⁠ ⁠#scripture⁠ ⁠#verses⁠ ⁠#lessons⁠ ⁠#church⁠ ⁠#chicago⁠ ⁠#livechurch⁠ ⁠#churchlive⁠ ⁠#chicagochurch⁠ ⁠#chicagochurches⁠ ⁠#prophecy⁠ ⁠#prophetic⁠ ⁠#jesus⁠ ⁠#jesuschrist⁠ ⁠#israel⁠ ⁠#jerusalem⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mbchicago.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FOLLOW US Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcasts: Listen on Apple, Spotify & others TO SUPPORT USZelle to: info@mbchicago.orgWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mbchicago.org/give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Venmo: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://venmo.com/mbchurch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ DAF Donations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://every.org/mbc.chicago⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PayPal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_but...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Sunday Service (1/18/26) // Revelation 13:1-2 (ESV) // The First Beast // 1 And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. 2 And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear's, and its mouth was like a lion's mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority.#DanielBatarseh #Revelation #BookofRevelation #BibleStudy #mbchicago #mbcchicago #Bible #versebyverse #sermon #sermons #sermononline #bookofrevelation #bookofrevelations #revelation #revelations #newtestament #scripture #verses #lessons #church #chicago #livechurch #churchlive #chicagochurch #chicagochurches #prophecy #prophetic #jesus #jesuschrist #israel #jerusalemWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mbchicago.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FOLLOW US Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcasts: Listen on Apple, Spotify & others TO SUPPORT USZelle to: info@mbchicago.orgWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mbchicago.org/give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Venmo: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://venmo.com/mbchurch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ DAF Donations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://every.org/mbc.chicago⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PayPal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_but...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Sunday Service (1/11/26) // Revelation 12: 13-17 (ESV) // Satan Thrown Down to Earth13 And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. 14 But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. 15 The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood. 16 But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth. 17 Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood[a] on the sand of the sea.Footnotesa. Revelation 12:17 Some manuscripts And I stood, connecting the sentence with 13:1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#DanielBatarseh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#Revelation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#BookofRevelation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#BibleStudy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#mbchicago⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#mbcchicago⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#Bible⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#versebyverse⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#sermon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#sermons⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#sermononline⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#bookofrevelation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#bookofrevelations⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#revelation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#revelations⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#newtestament⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#scripture⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#verses⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#lessons⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#chicago⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#livechurch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#churchlive⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#chicagochurch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#chicagochurches⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#prophecy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#prophetic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#jesus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#jesuschrist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mbchicago.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FOLLOW US Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcasts: Listen on Apple, Spotify & others TO SUPPORT USZelle to: info@mbchicago.orgWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mbchicago.org/give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Venmo: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://venmo.com/mbchurch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ DAF Donations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://every.org/mbc.chicago⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PayPal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_but...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠