Who is Jesus referring to when in John 10:8 he said, "All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers." (Parable of the Good Shepherd)
John chapter 9 opens with an account of Jesus restoring vision to a man who had been blind since birth (John 9:1-7). Afterward, the man’s neighbors question him. The man tells his neighbors that Jesus [...]
What is the book of Galatians about?
When Paul was converted to Christianity, he was given the commission by Jesus to preach the gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15). To fulfill this calling, Paul journeyed to many areas of Asia Minor and [...]
When Jesus said, "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the prophets" (Matthew 22:40), what did he mean by the "Law and the prophets"?
Understanding that the proper time had arrived in God’s plan, Matthew chapter 21 chronicles how Jesus arranged his entry into Jerusalem in a manner which identified him as the Messiah prophesied in Scripture (Zechariah 9:9, [...]
Who are the beasts of Revelation 13?
To understand the book of Revelation, it is important to compare it with the Book of Daniel. Taken together, the symbolism comes to life.Daniel shows us that empires, or civil powers, are pictured as beasts. [...]
Where is Jesus now?
Shortly after his resurrection, Jesus was elevated to a new, glorified level of existence. After he had disappeared from their sight, the apostles who had witnessed Jesus’ elevation were told by two angels that Jesus [...]
"For we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men" (1 Corinthians 4:9). How were the apostles made a "spectacle" to the angels?
Paul was aware that some members of the early Christian church had begun to regard him, the other Apostles, and other early Christians such as Apollos and Cephas as “spectacles” (“spectacle…to men” in 1 Corinthians [...]
Why did an angel appear to shepherds to announce the birth of Jesus? Why choose shepherds? (Christmas)
These were lowly shepherds being rewarded for their humility with this incredible message. The humble shepherds out tending their sheep were given the gift of being able to observe and participate in this world-changing event. Luke [...]
What does Philippians 1:23 mean? ("For I am in a strait betwixt two having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better)
The Apostle Paul was a prisoner in Rome when he wrote the letter to the church at Philippi that would eventually become the book of Philippians. Paul refers to his captivity as being “in my [...]
What does 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 mean? (Apostle Paul running a race)
The Apostle Paul uses the illustration of an athlete’s training to illustrate the lifestyle of a faithful Christian. Several Bible commentaries make reference to the Isthmain games, named because they took place in the isthmus [...]
In 1 Thessalonians 5:23, what does the Apostle Paul mean in his prayer that “your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless”?
1 Thessalonians consists of a letter from the Apostle Paul to the early Christian church at Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 1:1). In chapter 1, Paul issues greetings to the church members. Chapters 2 and 3 continue [...]
According to Genesis 2:2, God rests on the 7th day of creation, but in John 5:17, Jesus says the Father is still working. Is this a contradiction?
Genesis chapters 1 and 2 outline God’s process of creating the earth, the plants, the animals, and finally human beings. Genesis 2:1-3 state that God finished this creative work, and on the seventh “day,” God [...]
What does Revelation 19:6-8 mean? (Marriage of the Lamb)
These verses describe the great rejoicing that will occur in heaven when the marriage of the Lamb takes place. Jesus is referred to as a Lamb because of his previous sacrifice. When he came to [...]
Does God say He will save the Jews?
Yes!The key to seeing the Bible’s harmony is to understand that God has a plan that is currently in progress. Yes, Israel is God’s chosen nation and currently does not believe in Jesus. And yes, [...]
What is "spirit begettal"?
The phrase born again is found in John 3:3: Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. A more accurate translation for born again here is "begotten from above.” It does not describe [...]
What is the message of the true church of Jesus' faithful followers to the world at this time?
There has always been one main criteria for those who seek membership in Christ’s church – to love God with all one’s mind and heart and to love one’s neighbor as oneself (Matthew 22:37-40). Those [...]
What is the meaning of Ruth 4:9-12?
Ruth chapter 1 describes how a Jewish man named Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their two sons travel to the country of Moab. While there, the two sons marry two women of Moab, one of [...]
What does Luke 18:8 mean, "Nevertheless when the son of man cometh shall he find faith on the earth?" (Parable of the Importune Widow)
Jesus was a masterful teacher. He often used stories, known as parables, to convey concepts and lessons in a way that his audience could relate to and apply to their lives. Some parables have multiple [...]
Can you please explain how in Exodus 33:11, the Lord would speak to Moses "face to face as one speaks to a friend," but in Exodus 34: 20 He said you cannot see My face, for no one may see my face and live?
When thinking of the expression, "face to face," we should understand it to signify that Moses enjoyed a closeness of fellowship and favor with the Lord rather than that he really looked into the face [...]
Please explain James 5:1-6. (riches, wealth)
James 5:1-6: (KJV) “5 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. 2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. 3 Your gold and [...]
What was the reason the lawyer asked Jesus the question in Luke 10:25? (Parable of the Good Samaritan)
Jesus used this opportunity to tell the Parable of the Good Samaritan.One of the traditional ways to communicate with the learned men of Israel was by asking questions. First, one would ask a question, and [...]
What did Jesus mean in John 14:2 when he said, "In my Father's house are many mansions"?
In a large sense the whole universe is God’s house, and the different planes and of life are the different “rooms.” My Father’s house: Again, in a large sense the whole universe is God’s house, and [...]
If resurrected mankind gets another opportunity for life in God's future kingdom, wouldn't that make people careless and sinful in this life?
The Bible teaches that in the future, mankind will be resurrected to a state of human perfection, as was experienced by Adam and Eve before their sin. This is part of the “restitution” spoken of in [...]