The "branches" do not represent the various different religious denominations of Christendom. At the time the parable was given, there were no denominations, and none were organized until several centuries afterward. Jesus never authorized the formation of these denominational systems, and furthermore, he has never recognized [...]
To understand this statement of the Master it is necessary to remember the clearly marked distinction between the different ages of time. John was the last of the prophets and belonged to the time period that was coming to an end - the “Jewish [...]
This is a prophecy relating to the Church, the Kingdom class, the Kingdom of Heaven in its embryonic state. It has been remarkably fulfilled in the history of the true Church of Christ from the days of John to the present. The "violent," those of the Ishmael and Esau [...]
The "extremely critical" are the very ones to recognize the reasonableness of the doctrine of election so positively outlined in this passage. It is the thinking, critical minds that are rejecting the antiquated, obsolete theories of the past, and now are coming to see [...]
This will he fulfilled in the future for the following reasons: There is no "Bride" now. Jesus during the Gospel Age has been preparing a place for the Bride as he declared (`John 14:2-4`). The union of the Bride and the Bridegroom takes place [...]
Looking at the context, we see this is one of the “Messianic Psalms,” and is mainly a prophecy relating to the church of Christ - the “bride” class, the faithful followers of Jesus who receive a heavenly reward. The “king's daughter,” the bride of the [...]
Yes, it seems to us that Jesus would be treated the same if his first advent were repeated in our day. People received Jesus at his first advent according to their heart attitude. It is reasonable to assume that this would also be true [...]
This statement is addressed to the church in Laodicea, a wealthy city in Asia during the time the Apostle John wrote the book of Revelation. The city’s great prosperity contributed to the Christian church’s sense of self-sufficiency described in verses 17. “Because thou sayest, I [...]
There is only one church from the scriptural standpoint - "the church of the first born which are written in heaven," the "church of the living God," and “the church of Christ” (Hebrews 12:23, 1 Timothy 3:15, Romans 16:16.) Jesus established this church and [...]
For more than 16 centuries, God dealt exclusively with the Jewish nation. They were favored above every other nation in the earth. The Lord told them on one occasion that He recognized them only of all the families of the earth (Amos 3:2). The [...]
1 Peter 1:9 – “Being about to bear away the end of your faith––a salvation of souls:” RotherhamThe “end” [purpose, aim, objective] of our Faith is the “salvation of souls” [our characters being prepared to be like Christ's character so that we may assist in teaching, [...]
Just as the Anointed 144,000 (the Little Flock) are selected “out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9 NWT), so are the Great Crowd (Revelation 7:9), also known as the “Great Company” or “Great Multitude,” depending on the translation. Neither of [...]
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us...” John 17:20, 21.It is [...]
Which is it? “Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” (1 Timothy 2:6) OR: “Even as the son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” [...]
