Jesus Had Brothers and Sisters

Do you think Jesus was an only child? The idea that Jesus had no half-brothers or half-sisters is a common misconception. This idea has been spread, in part, because some felt that it was necessary that Mary remain a perpetual virgin. However, this teaching is contrary to the Bible. Several times in the Bible Jesus’ siblings are referred to. In fact, it is very likely that two half-brothers of the Lord were even authors of New Testament books. In Matthew 12:47-49, Mark 3:31-35 and Luke 8:19 a Pharisee informs Jesus that His “mother and brethren” are waiting to speak to … Continue reading →

What Have You Done With Your Talents?

You might recall in Matthew 25:14-30 the parable of the talents. Basically, Jesus compared the kingdom of heaven to the traveling man who gave talents to his servants (my understanding a talent in today’s time is approximately $1000 in USD). The man gave the first man 5 talents, to the second he gave 2, and to the third he gave 1. None got the same because their abilities were different. Then he left. So the first and the second servants invested the talents and doubled the investment! The servant that received one talent went and buried it out of the … Continue reading →

What is the Millennial Reign?

Some Christians, mostly conservative Protestants, believe that the Great Tribulation will be followed by the Millennial Reign of Christ on earth. This reign will take place after a rebellion of Satan, in which Satan was bound and cast into the bottomless pit, but before the final judgment of mankind. Since the earth was completely decimated during the Tribulation, God makes a new earth, completely restored, beautiful and sinless. During this time He lives and reigns will all of those who have trusted in Him throughout human history. Revelation 20:4-6 gives the Scriptural basis for this belief: And I saw thrones, … Continue reading →

What is the Tribulation? Part 2

The Great Tribulation is a period of seven years in which God will judge the wicked on the earth. It will be a time of great persecution and suffering for all mankind, and especially for those who remain true to Jesus Christ. The Bible mentions several different judgments that will occur during the Tribulation. They are referred to as the Seven Trumpet Judgments, the Seven Seal Judgments, and the Seven Bowl Judgments (seven is the number of perfection in the Bible): Seven Seals: The Tribulation will begin with the Antichrist rising to power. He will cause the world to believe … Continue reading →

What is the Tribulation? Part 1

The Great Tribulation is a period of time, most Bible students say a period of seven years, in which the world will see the greatest destruction, turmoil and death of all time. It is a period of God unleashing His wrath on the earth for all of those who have rejected Him. His ultimate purpose in the tribulation is to bring His people, Israel, back to Himself through His righteous judgment. Many Protestants believe that the Great Tribulation could begin at any time, and that it must be accomplished before the Millennial Reign of Christ. Some view these events as … Continue reading →

What is the Rapture? Part 2

The short answer is, “Nobody knows”. Jesus said that “No man knoweth the day nor the hour.” God wanted the timing of the rapture to be uncertain to people living on the earth. Why? Probably so that no one would get comfortable in his Christian life and think, “I can live however I want, Jesus isn’t coming back for __ years.” etc. Instead, Jesus wants His church to always be ready for His return. Still, many scholars through careful study of the Bible have developed theories about the timing of the rapture. 1. Pre-Tribulational View This view holds that the … Continue reading →

What is the Rapture? Part 1

Over the past several years the teaching of the Rapture of the Church has been much taught, publicized and debated among Protestants, Evangelicals and in the public forum. What is the Rapture? Though the word “rapture” is never found in the Bible, the idea for the doctrine is found in I Thessalonians 4:13-18, which states: “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, (dead) that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus … Continue reading →

Why Should I Read the Pentateuch? Part 2

Part 1 of this series discussed the reasons why many people dread reading the first five books of the Bible, and why others do not attempt it at all. The following are a few suggestions for how to read the Pentateuch and enjoy it: 1. Read larger portions (four chapters or more) in one sitting. A mistake many people make when they sit down to read Leviticus, for example, is that they read only several verses to one chapter at a time. It is no wonder that when a month later, they are still reading the same book, they feel … Continue reading →

Why Should I Read the Pentateuch? Part 1

Most of the people I know approach reading the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible, Genesis-Deuteronomy) with one of two feelings. Either they dread reading it, but do so out of a sense of obligation, or they start off determined to “just get through it”, and end up quitting somewhere in the middle of Leviticus. Genesis is usually pretty good reading, it is filled with many famous stories such as the Creation, Cain and Abel, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Esau and of course, Joseph and his coat of many colors. Even Exodus is pretty interesting with God … Continue reading →

Dispensations of the Bible

A dispensation in the Bible is a period of time in which God dealt/deals with man a certain way. There are 8 dispensations that are commonly agreed between many Christian scholars. Some scholars who do not believe in a rapture of the Christian church or in a literal millennial reign, may only adhere to 7 dispensations. The 7th and 8th dispensation might be combined as the “Dispensation of Christ’s Reign.” Under each dispensation there seems to be a means of salvation for that time: 1. Dispensation of Innocence: Began from creation and ended with the fall of man (the first … Continue reading →