Back to Jerusalem
The Story . . .
Luke 24:13-35
The disciples of Jesus were completely devastated. All of
their hopes and dreams for the new kingdom of God had been
nailed to a cross the previous Friday. Reeling with grief and
confusion, Cleopas and his companion slowly made the sevenmile
trip from Jerusalem down to their home in the little town
of Emmaus. As the sun was setting that Sunday afternoon and
they trod their way down the bumpy road, a stranger drew
near to journey with them. Little did they know that this new
traveling companion was the resurrected
Lord Himself.
Paying little heed to their fellow
pilgrim, the two dejected disciples
rehearsed the staggering events of the
weekend, feeling more despondent with
every step. As Jesus silently listened, He
desperately longed to reveal Himself to
His downcast friends. But the Lord
deliberately shielded His true identity
because they needed now, more than
ever, to understand the Scriptures. If
Christ had allowed these two faithful
followers to recognize who He was, they
would have been far too excited to listen
to the important truths He had to share.
Even after three and a half years of
listening to His teaching and preaching,
they still did not comprehend the nature
of His mission. He had plainly told them, "The Son of man is
delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and
after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day. But they
understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him." Mark
9:31, 32.
Jesus gently interrupted their sad conversation, and for the
next two hours He gave them the keys for understanding all
Scripture and prophecy.
The Study
Fill in the blanks after reading each Bible text.
1. How much of the Scriptures are we commanded
to believe?
Luke 24:25 Believe _______________ that the prophets have spoken.
2 Timothy 3:16 All _______________ is given by inspiration of God.
NOTE: The complete oracles (sacred truth) of God are contained in the writings
of the Old and New Testaments. The keys to understanding the prophecies of
Revelation are found primarily in the stories of the Old Testament. For example,
of the 404 verses found in the book of Revelation, 278 of them are echoes from
other stories and prophecies in the Old Testament.
2. Whom did Jesus say the Scriptures and prophecies
reveal?
Luke 24:27 Beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto
them in all the scriptures the things concerning _______________.
John 5:39 Search the Scriptures; for ... they are they which testify
of _______________.
Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of _______________
_______________, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants
things which must shortly come to pass.
NOTE: The central figure in all of Scripture and prophecy is Jesus. This
captivating series will cover many themes of prophecy, but keep in mind that the
primary focus of Daniel and Revelation is Jesus Christ and His kingdom.
3. What is another name used in the Bible for Jesus?
John 1:1 In the beginning was the _______________, and the Word was
with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:14 And the _______________ was made flesh, and dwelt among us.
4. What kind of people did God use to write the Bible?
2 Peter 1:21 _______________ men of God spake as they were moved by
the Holy Ghost.
5. Eternal life comes from knowing Jesus (John 17:3). How
was Jesus known to His disciples?
Luke 24:35 He was known of them in _______________ of
_______________.
NOTE: In the Bible, bread is a symbol of the Word of God. Jesus said, "It is
written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out
of the mouth of God." Matthew 4:4. As we read, digest, and follow the Scriptures,
we will find strength, joy, peace, and everlasting life.
6. How important should Bible study be to the Christian?
Job 23:12 I have esteemed the words of his mouth _______________
than my necessary _______________.
Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a _______________ unto my feet, and a
_______________ unto my path.
NOTE: The devil hates the Bible and will do almost anything to prevent people
from reading it. He knows that its prophecies expose his plans to deceive the
human race. So don't be surprised if Satan attempts to distract you from this
series of lessons or tries to get you preoccupied with other things. God will
make a way for those who seek to know the truth to find it.
7. Who helps us understand the Bible?
John 16:13 When he, the _______________ of truth, is come, he will
guide you into all truth.
John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the _______________
_______________, ... shall teach you all things.
1 Corinthians 2:13 We speak, not in the words which man's wisdom
teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost _______________.
8. What must I do to be certain the Holy Spirit is guiding
my Bible study?
Luke 11:9 And I say unto you, _______________, and it shall be
given you.
Luke 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your
children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit
to them that _______________ _______________?
John 7:17 If any man will do _______________ _______________,
he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God.
NOTE: Part of the work of the Holy Spirit is to help us understand the truth of
the Scriptures. This is why we should always ask the Holy Spirit to guide us
before we open God's book. I can be certain the Holy Spirit is guiding my Bible
study if (1) I ask Him to guide me, and (2) I am willing to accept and follow
truth as He reveals it to me.
9. How does prayerful study of the Word help us?
Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might
_______________ _______________ against thee.
Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will _______________ thee, and
shew thee great and _______________ _______________, which
thou knowest not.
Romans 15:4 Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for
our _______________, that we ... might have _______________.
James 1:5 If any of you lack _______________, let him ask of God ...
and it shall be given him.
10. What method of Bible study do the Scriptures
recommend?
Isaiah 28:10 For _______________ must be upon precept, ...
_______________ upon line, ... here a little, and there a little.
1 Corinthians 2:13 But which the Holy Ghost teacheth;
_______________ spiritual things with spiritual.
2 Peter 1:20 No prophecy of the scripture is of any _______________
interpretation.
NOTE: We must lay aside our own ideas and study the Bible by reading
everything in the Scriptures on any given subject ("here a little, and there a
little") and by comparing all the verses for input. We should let the Bible speak
for itself. When this is done, the truth always comes through clearly. This is
how Jesus convinced the two disciples on the road to Emmaus that He was
indeed the Messiah (Luke 24:27).
11. What will studying the Scriptures do for us?
2 Timothy 3:15 Thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to
make thee _______________ unto _______________ through faith
which is in Christ Jesus.
NOTE: The Scriptures help us understand God's great plan of salvation-the
most important information ever given to mortals.
12. According to Jesus, where do we find the truth?
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the _______________,
and the life.
John 17:17 Thy _______________ is truth.
NOTE: We find the truth in God's Word-the Bible. Truth is a scarce
commodity in today's world, and all the people of earth suffer as a result. The
truth about everything that really matters is found in Scripture. Studying and
following its counsel sets people free (John 8:32) and brings them happy,
abundant living (John 15:11).
13. What warnings regarding Bible study are given in
the Scriptures?
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, ... rightly
_______________ the word of truth.
2 Peter 3:16 In all his epistles ... are some things hard to be understood,
which they that are unlearned and unstable _______________, as they
do also the other scriptures, unto their own _______________.
NOTE: "Rightly dividing the word of truth" means to interpret it correctly and
truthfully. There is great danger in twisting Scripture to make it say what we
want it to say. What I say about the Bible matters little. What counts is what
Scripture says about itself.
14. How should we test all religious teachings
and doctrines?
Acts 17:11 They received the word with all readiness of mind, and
_______________ the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Isaiah 8:20 To the _______________ and to the _______________:
if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no
_______________ in them.
NOTE: All religious teachings should be checked by the Bible. If any teaching
does not clearly agree with the Scriptures, it is false and should be abandoned.
15. What happened when Jesus explained the Scriptures to
His two discouraged disciples on the road to Emmaus?
Luke 24:32 Did not our _______________ _______________
within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us
the scriptures?
16. After these two disciples knew that Jesus was alive and
heard Him explain the prophecies, what did they do?
Luke 24:33 They rose up the same hour, and _______________ to
Jerusalem, and _______________ the eleven gathered together, and them
that were with them.
NOTE: One of the first reactions these disciples had after hearing Jesus explain the
Scriptures was a burning desire to share the good news with others. We hope it is also
your desire to invite your friends to join you in this dynamic series of Bible studies.
Your Response
Do you wish to fully understand and follow the Scriptures?
ANSWER: _______________
Supplement
Following is a list of key terms that often have symbolic meanings in Bible prophecy.
Each symbol is in bold type and is followed by its corresponding literal meaning.
Angel = Messenger
Daniel 8:16; 9:21; Luke 1:19, 26; Hebrews 1:14
Babylon = Religious apostasy/confusion
Genesis 10:8-10; 11:6-9; Revelation 18:2, 3; 17:1-5
Beast = Kingdom/government/political power
Daniel 7:17, 23
Bread = Word of God
John 6:35, 51, 52, 63
Day = Literal year
Ezekiel 4:6; Numbers 14:34
Dragon = Satan or his agency
Isaiah 27:1; 30:6; Psalm 74:13, 14; Revelation 12:7-9; Ezekiel 29:3; Jeremiah 51:34
Forehead = Mind
Romans 7:25; Ezekiel 3:8, 9
Hand = Work
Ecclesiastes 9:10
Harlot = Apostate church/religion
Isaiah 1:21-27; Jeremiah 3:1-3, 6-9
Heads = Major powers/rulers/governments
Revelation 17:3, 9, 10
Horn = King or kingdom
Daniel 7:24; 8:5, 21, 22; Zechariah 1:18, 19; Revelation 17:12
Lamb = Jesus/sacrifice
John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7
Lamp = Word of God
Psalm 119:105
Lion = Jesus Christ
Revelation 5:4-9
Mark = Sign or seal of approval or disapproval
Ezekiel 9:4; Romans 4:11; Revelation 13:17; 14:9-11; 7:2, 3
Mountains = Political or religio-political powers
Isaiah 2:2, 3; Jeremiah 17:3; 31:23; 51:24, 25; Ezekiel 17:22, 23; Daniel 2:35, 44, 45
Oil = Holy Spirit
Zechariah 4:2-6; Revelation 4:5
Red = Sin/corruption
Isaiah 1:18; Nahum 2:3; Revelation 17:1-4
Rock = Jesus/truth
1 Corinthians 10:4; Isaiah 8:13, 14; Romans 9:33; Matthew 7:24
Seal = Sign or mark of approval or disapproval
Romans 4:11; Revelation 7:2, 3
Serpent = Satan
Revelation 12:9; 20:2
Stars = Angels/messengers
Revelation 1:16, 20; 12:4, 7-9; Job 38:7
Sun = Jesus/the gospel
Psalm 84:11; Malachi 4:2; Matthew 17:2; John 8:12; 9:5
Sword = Word of God
Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12
Thief = Suddenness of Jesus' coming
1 Thessalonians 5:2-4; 2 Peter 3:10
Time = Literal year
Daniel 4:16, 23, 25, 32; 7:25; Daniel 11:13 margin
Waters = Inhabited area/people, nations
Revelation 17:15
White Robes = Victory/righteousness
Revelation 19:8; 3:5; 7:14
Winds = Strife/commotion/"winds of war"
Jeremiah 25:31-33; 49:36, 37; 4:11-13; Zechariah 7:14
Woman, Pure = True church
Jeremiah 6:2; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:23-27
Woman, Corrupt = Apostate church
Ezekiel 16:15-58; 23:2-21; Hosea 2:5; 3:1; Revelation 14:4
