The scriptures show three general meanings of the cross. The first is the literal cross where Christ was crucified. (John 19:17-31) The second is an illustration of the Christian life - willing to do God’s will under whatever circumstances He may permit. “Then said [...]
The scriptures say that all the saints that die before the second presence of Christ will remain in the grave until his return. (I Thessalonians 4:16) The order of resurrection is also spoken of as the sounding of the last trumpet when the dead [...]
We know that literal bread is a food that supports life, as a person could live on bread and water alone. So, it is a beautiful picture of Jesus’ sacrifice. Jesus gave his human body, his life, to give men life. John 6:51, “I am [...]
Exodus 8:15 (NKJV), “But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and did not heed them, as the LORD had said.” It was the Lord’s mercy which caused Pharaoh to harden his own heart. Pharaoh didn’t want to lose the [...]
After his resurrection, Jesus told his disciples, “go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…teaching them to observe all that I commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20. This is sometimes referred to as the Great Commission. As followers of Christ, we are all given this [...]
Quite simply, He loves his Father in heaven the most. Jesus told us the most important commandment is to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind” Matthew 22:36. Certainly, that was what Jesus [...]
The early part of the 19th century in the U.S. witnessed a notable religious revival. As the country prospered industrially, people turned to perfecting the inner spirit. There were reforms, causes and societies, and an awakening in biblical scholarship, especially in the prophecies of [...]
The blood of Jesus pays for our sins. 1 Timothy 2:5,6: “…the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all to be testified in due time.” This testimony has been delivered to those whom God has called to be part of the church [...]
This can certainly be a puzzling question! By our way of counting, the third day would seem to be on Monday, but it seems the phrase "for three days" can really indicate parts of three days. He was in the grave for part of [...]
The parable of the talents illustrates the individual responsibility of every Christian to serve God. Christian living is much more than saying, “I accept Jesus.” We are to demonstrate our salvation by service through our works. (James 2:17-26). Remember that Jesus, himself, was called [...]
“Blessed are the poor in spirit (humble-minded) for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” The Greek word translated “poor” has the significance of utter destitution, extreme poverty. Thus, a full appreciation of our own spiritual destitution is essential in order to receive the divine grace [...]
Summary: The question of a person’s earthly age and appearance really does not apply to the spirit body. In the resurrection of the Church class, our divine bodies will look nothing like our earthly bodies. We cannot even comprehend what the divine body is [...]
“For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who will have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (I Timothy 2:3,4) These verses indicate that God has a far-reaching plan for the salvation of [...]
In this event, Jesus was talking to the Pharisees. How could God’s kingdom be in the hearts of Pharisees? Jesus had called the Pharisees hypocrites! (See Luke 11 and Matthew 23.) The NIV, ESV, CSB, NASB translate this as “the kingdom of God is among [...]
First ask, who established the tradition? Did God found the tradition or did men? If God told a group of people to do something and to repeat it at certain times, then the remembrance is holy and good. God’s arrangements are designed to keep [...]
An account of Jesus cleansing the temple is recorded in Matthew 21:12-17. The temple would have been a busy place at Passover time. Both local and foreign-born Jews had come to observe the Passover week. There would be sacrifices of sheep, cattle, and doves [...]
What events led up to Palm Sunday? The evening before, Jesus enjoyed a fine feast at the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. This was the same Lazarus that Jesus had recently awakened from the sleep of death (John 12:1,2). There was a large crowd [...]
As Christians, we have the assurance that “all thing are working together for our good.” (Romans 8: 28) Therefore we must “with faith” endure whatever circumstances the Lord permits us to experience. We have His word that He knows and will provide the things [...]
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 [...]
