The Revelation of Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:1), given to the Apostle John, was a symbolic vision using “signs” (verse 1). These symbols are the rule, and literal interpretations are the exception. When Jesus answered his disciples in Matthew 24 regarding his “parousia” (presence, mistranslated [...]
Most of our sins are repetitive. What unique sin have you committed recently? We all tend to repeat sins, because we are born imperfect and have inherited weak, sinful tendencies. (Psalm 51:5) Some struggle with anger, others with selfishness, others are lustful. This is [...]
Remember that Revelation is a symbolic book. The word “signified” in Revelation 1:1 means putting the message in signs, pictures. Verse 1: The church class is the temple of God. (1 Corinthians 3:16). True Christians understand God’s perfect standard of judgment (measuring rod) and [...]
Everybody is afraid of something. Even the people we admire in the Bible felt fear! In Luke (2:9), the shepherds were afraid when an angel came to tell them about the birth of Jesus. In Mark (4:40), while Jesus slept, Jesus’ disciples [...]
It may be hard to understand, but nobody made God. Psalms says, “Before the mountains were born, or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” “Everlasting” means that God was always there. He has existed forever. [...]
In the beginning, God created everything. The best part of his earthly creation was the first man, Adam. Adam’s wife Eve was created using one of Adam’s ribs. Adam and Eve were perfect, and lived in a beautiful place called the Garden [...]
Beginning with the first verse of Matthew 6, Jesus discusses five areas of important Christian development. Give to the needy. This is a way to ‘practice righteousness’ in verses 1-4. Pray, which allows us to communicate with our heavenly father and develop the proper [...]
Man now is exploring the technology of genetic modification to alter the inheritable characteristics of living creatures (even human babies). People involved with ethics in research are concerned about these developments. Man has never been good at predicting all the unintended consequences of [...]
After Jesus received water baptism and after He received the Holy Spirit, He said, "But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished!" Luke 12:50 (NKJV). What baptism was this? It was the complete death [...]
God does not deny what is true. So, if someone at death is truly repentant, God will accept the fact that he or she has repented. But, does a deathbed repentance earn a heavenly reward? Galatians 6:7,8 reads, “Do not be deceived, God is [...]
The New Testament does not instruct Christians to pay a bride price (lobola). However, Romans 12:18 teaches, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." If the bride's family requests a lobola, and it is a [...]
James 4:8 (NIV), "Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." When we approach God, we should come with pure, sincere, humble hearts. If we are sinning, we need to "wash," - stop sinning and ask [...]
Conflicts between brethren are very personal matters to be handled as quietly as possible. The broad principle stated in Titus 3:2 should be honored, “Speak evil of no man”. If we are to “love our brother as ourselves,” Matthew 12:31, we surely want to [...]
Yes, it does contradict the trinity. The man, Jesus, died on the cross. Our Father God is everlasting (Isaiah 40:28) and eternal (Deuteronomy 33:27). He cannot die. God and Jesus are two distinct beings. Jesus shows He is one in purpose and spirit with [...]
In the New Testament, we find no mention of “collecting firstfruits” from believers. “Firstfruits” is a picture of Christ or his church (See: 1 Corinthians 15:20,23, 2 Thessalonians 2:13 NIV, and Revelation 14:4).In Old Testament times, the Israelites were instructed to “bring the best [...]
Biological Information:One's gender is determined by genes at conception. Females have XX genes, while males have XY genes. Surgery and hormones cannot transform the numerous differences between sexes. In fact, for those dear people who do undergo sex reassignment treatment, the emotional and social [...]
Some questions do not have a return email address. The question writer may enter ten or eleven numbers or a partial email address. Sadly, we cannot send an answer to those writers. We can only send an answer to a full, valid email address like: [...]
“This is what the LORD says: "Do not learn the ways of the nations…for the practices of the peoples are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel. They adorn it with silver and gold; [...]
The book of Exodus records that the whole nation of Israel was living in bondage under the Egyptians. Israel’s liberation came from God through the leadership of Moses. Because they had never existed as a free, self-governing nation, it was necessary that they receive [...]
Psalm 1:2, “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night.”The definition of the word “meditate” from Strong’s Concordance is hâgâh, to murmur (in pleasure or anger); by implication, to ponder.So, then, what is God’s [...]
