Isaiah 28:14 pronounces judgment against the rulers in Jerusalem. This judgment would apply to any who embrace the doctrine of hell. In Verse 15 the rulers reply that they have an agreement or compact with death and hell (sheol see Hell, Death/Grave for an explanation of the truth on Hell). Clergy scare and control their [...]
I Corinthians 11:27-29 (NIV), “So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and [...]
First, let us examine death. We are told that “The soul that sins, it shall die.” (Ezekiel 18:4) Also, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.” (Ecclesiastes 9:10) Thus the dead are asleep, [...]
Jesus gave only the Apostles the authorization to “forgive or retain sins” (John 20:23) and to bind or loose things in heaven and on earth (Matthew 18:18). But what do these words mean? Many misunderstand the nature of these commissions, forgetting that God alone can forgive sins (Isaiah 43:25). Some believe these scriptures apply to [...]
1. Does a person die for his or her sins? No. 1 Corinthians 15:22, “For as in Adam all die…” Christian or not, everyone dies. Christian or not, everyone has sinned. We are all under the penalty of death due to the sin of Father Adam. Because Adam sinned, all of his posterity are also [...]
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 not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also [...]
The book of Job addresses the deep philosophical question of the human suffering and presents different perspectives on the issue of the permission of evil and vindication of God’s justice. A series of tragedies befall Job, and his three friends Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar come to comfort him. Although they show compassion for Job’s pain and [...]
This is a very sad story. Absalom's half-brother, Amnon raped the beautiful Tamar, Absalom's sister. 2 Samuel 13:14-22 (NIV), “he (Amnon) was stronger than she, he raped her. Then Amnon hated her with intense hatred. In fact, he hated her more than he had loved her. Amnon said to her, 'Get up and get out!’ [...]
“The LORD your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior!” Zephaniah 3:17. The third chapter of Zephaniah records rebellion and then deliverance. Israel's rebellion and disobedience to God's instructions are in Zephaniah 3:1-7. These prophecies display our God’s ability to deal with the obstacles of sin with the amazing result of victorious deliverance and blessing [...]
John 5:28, 29 (ESV), “all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.” The concept of judgment includes a trial and a verdict. Mankind is not currently on trial. All [...]
