We begin a new series of studies on prophecy. What are your views on Bible prophecy? Do you think you understand them, while many others do not? Do you think it is a waste of time to study them? The best argument for studying Bible prophecy is the second chapter of Daniel. In that chapter Daniel interprets a dream of King Nebuchadnezzar which lays out the entire course of history on planet earth! While our history is not yet complete, the first 2,000 years following the dream were correctly predicted! The best argument for being skeptical, or at least cautious about Bible prophecy, is that most of our current study is on the Second Coming of Jesus. The Bible scholars got Jesus' first coming wrong, so why should we think we can get His Second Coming right? Whatever your current views on Bible prophecy, come with me as we explore this topic!...
Nothing had ever died. When God warned Adam and Eve in the book of Genesis that they would die if they ate from a certain tree, did they understand death? How could they? Closely tied to understanding death is understanding how the death of a lamb is related to our sin problem. The theory underlying our Bible discussion this week is that the meaning of death and the lamb grow as we follow their development in the Bible. Not only does the understanding grow, but it is never disconnected from the earliest Biblical meanings. Sound a little complex? Let's plunge into our study of the Bible and see what we can understand of God's will!...
Do you love to spend time with those who are loving and warm to you? I do! We would rather not spend time with those who are cold and distant. Of all the things you might expect from a pagan god, being loving and warm is not one of them. I am no expert on the pagan gods, but as I understand it love or warmth is an attribute of the pagan god, and not the emotion it showed to humans. For example, Eros, the god of love, and Aphrodite, the goddess of love, are figures of passion. They might inspire love, but they are not showing love to humans. That is what makes our God so remarkable. The true God of the Universe presents Himself as having the most loving interaction with humans. He is our Father. This week He is our Spouse. How grateful we should be! Let's dive into our study of the Bible and learn more about God as our Spouse!...
If you were going to establish a nation, what kind of government would you give it? Would it be a democracy? Would it be a theocracy? Would it be ruled by a king? What about having a small group of leaders? Or would you have no government at all? Christian friends tell me that they are concerned about having a government that enforces Biblical principles. My question to them is, "What kind of principles do you want for a government?" "Do you want anti-God principles?" The Bible has something to say about government, so let's dive in and see what we can learn!...
If you were asked, "What proof do you have that God exists," what would you answer? One thing you could point to is that ancient prophecy has been fulfilled. What would be needed for that happen? You would need not only a Supreme Being, but One who knows the future. Does that mean that God also controls the future? If God controls kings and kingdoms, that would constitute further proof of His existence and power. That raises another question, "If God controls kings and kingdoms, why do we have evil kings and kingdoms?" Let's jump into our study of the Bible and learn more!...
Can you describe the way sins were forgiven and salvation achieved in the Old Testament? The answer is the system of animal sacrifices. When a human sinned, an animal would die. In the debate between salvation by works and salvation by faith, this is not works. What do you think about that system? Humans like to blame others for their failures. We are generally grateful when someone else takes the blame for our mistakes. The animal sacrifice system looks like humans never had to take personal responsibility for what they did. Does that trouble you? Let's dive into our study of the Bible and see what we can learn about the full meaning of animal sacrifices!...
Many story plots feature a powerful and abusive person who victimizes others. The story goes into detail about those being abused, but then the plot turns. The abuser loses power and the abused take over. Is there a story like that in the Bible? How about the Book of Esther? I think this is a type of "revenge plot." Bible prophecy follows that same story line. Satan serves in the throne room of heaven, he rebels against God, widens the rebellion to planet earth, and then tortures those in the rebellion. However, some on earth reject Satan, and join with the God who voluntarily left the throne room to save planet earth. The revenge is complete when Satan is destroyed and those on planet earth join with those in the throne room of heaven to praise God. Let's turn to the Bible to prove this story plot!...
When Jerusalem and its second temple were destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD was that the end of its importance? Has the current resurgence of antisemitism any relevance to the end of days? The continued attack on Jewish people suggests that Satan still continues to believe them to be important in his battle against God. The book of Psalms contains many references to the temple and to events connected with end-time prophecy. The book of Hebrews is focused on the prophetic importance of the sacrificial system. Let's dive into our study of Hebrews and Psalms and find what they have to do with end time prophecy!...
How is your life going? Would you answer, "Reasonably well" or "Poorly?" Is there a way that we can improve how our life progresses? God tells us that there is a better way. A way that leads to ultimate victory. Let's jump into the study of the Bible and learn about the better way!...
Most everyone believes in a judgment at some time in the future. But how many spend any time thinking about God executing judgment? Especially on them? The Bible records very few large scale supernatural judgments taking place long before the final judgment. What do these earlier supernatural judgments teach us about the final judgment? Let's plunge into our study of two of these early judgments in the Bible and learn more!...
How many books of the Bible are named after women? For Protestants, the answer is "two, Ruth and Esther." We have them for our study this week. Why would a series of lessons on prophecy include these two books? Women are powerful prophetic religious symbols. Women are representatives of both the true church and religious powers that are evil. How do Ruth and Esther generally fit into those symbols? Let's plunge into our study of the Bible and find out!...
How does temptation come to you? Is it in the big issues or the small issues of life? Our study this week is about two stories where young men faced losing their lives for being faithful to God. You may be thinking, "I've never had anything like that, and I hope I never will!" Remember, however, that some of these young men started out with the issue of their loyalty to God when it came to diet. Is it possible that we have not faced the big, dramatic choices because we fail in the small choices? Or, have we lost sight of the big picture that all issues of loyalty to God, both large and small, are important? Let's dive into our study of the Bible and see what we can learn about being loyal to God under terrible pressure!...
Many believe that the "Three Angels Messages" of Revelation 14:6-13 are the last message before the Second Coming of Jesus. Revelation reports that angels shared the messages while flying overhead. How does that work? Is it like a slow little plane pulling a banner that has a message? I have always believed that the "angels" are us - those sharing the good news about Jesus' Second Coming. But is that right? If the angels are not literal angels, but humans, what are the attributes of the humans involved in the work? And why would we exclude actual angels? What do the stories of the Old Testament teach us about how God accomplishes His work of warning on earth? Let's dive into our study of the Bible and learn more!...
