Jesus’ return will usher in a time of great upheaval and change on the earth. According to the Bible, Jesus will come back to earth again in the future, but this time it will be a whole different circumstance than his first coming over 2000 years ago. When Jesus returns, he will come in power and glory to judge the world and establish God’s kingdom on earth. Here is an overview of some of the major things the Bible says will happen when Jesus returns: The Rapture The rapture refers to the event where Jesus will come in the clouds…
Author: Aaron Chin
The phrase “casting down imaginations” comes from 2 Corinthians 10:5, which says “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” To understand this verse, we need to look at the context. In 2 Corinthians 10, Paul is defending his authority as an apostle of Christ. False teachers had come to Corinth and were undermining Paul’s authority. In response, Paul explains that though he wages spiritual warfare, he does not fight like the world fights. His weapons are not physical but spiritual, empowered…
The mysterious figure of Melchizedek appears briefly in the Old Testament, and is mentioned extensively in the New Testament book of Hebrews. He is described as a king and priest of the most high God (Genesis 14:18; Hebrews 7:1). Two key passages that discuss Melchizedek are Psalm 110:4 and Hebrews 7:17, which speak of Christ as a high priest “after the order of Melchizedek.” Let’s explore what the Bible teaches about this intriguing biblical character. Melchizedek in the Old Testament Melchizedek first appears in Genesis 14, after Abram rescues Lot and defeats the four kings. Upon Abram’s return, Melchizedek the…
The Lord’s Prayer found in Matthew 6:9-13 provides us with an excellent model on how we ought to pray. In the opening address, Jesus teaches us to pray saying, “Our Father which art in heaven.” This opening line is rich with meaning that provides a framework for our relationship with God and informs how we are to pray. It Reminds Us of Our Adoption into God’s Family When Jesus tells us to address God as “Our Father,” he is reminding us that through faith in Christ we have been adopted into God’s family (Romans 8:15-17, Galatians 4:4-7). We can approach…
The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church and international charitable organization. It was founded in London, England in 1865 by William and Catherine Booth. The Salvation Army’s stated mission is “to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.” Some key beliefs of the Salvation Army include: 1. The Bible The Salvation Army believes the Bible is the inspired and authoritative Word of God. It is the source of their teachings and practices. They affirm the truth found in the Apostles Creed and other historic Christian creeds. Some key Bible passages…
In Matthew 23:13-36, Jesus launches into a scathing denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees, delivering seven woes against them for their hypocrisy and false practices. This harsh rebuke from Jesus has puzzled many readers over the years. Why did Jesus speak so strongly against the religious leaders of His day? A closer examination of the text provides some answers. The Identity of the Scribes and Pharisees The scribes were experts in the Law of Moses and would transcribe copies, teach it to others, and offer authoritative interpretations (Matthew 23:2). The Pharisees were a religious party known for strictly observing the…
The death of Jesus Christ on the cross is central to the Christian faith. All four gospels record His death, and the rest of the New Testament elaborates on its significance. But why exactly did Jesus have to die? What purpose did it serve? The Bible provides several important reasons. To Fulfill Old Testament Prophecies One key reason Jesus had to die was to fulfill the many Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah. There are over 300 prophecies about the coming Messiah in the Old Testament, many of which specifically mention His suffering and death. For example, Isaiah 53 vividly…
King David is one of the most well-known figures in the Bible. He started out as a shepherd boy who was anointed by Samuel to become the future king of Israel after Saul. David eventually became king and established Jerusalem as his capital. He had a very eventful reign as king, which included many wives, concubines, children, military conquests, sins and repentance. So when it comes to the question of how many children King David had, the answer is complex. The Bible records multiple wives and concubines of David, who bore him many sons and daughters over his lifetime. However,…
John 3:16 is one of the most well-known and beloved verses in the Bible. It reads: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” This powerful verse encapsulates the gospel message in one simple sentence. Let’s break it down phrase by phrase to understand the full meaning of this significant verse. “For God so loved the world” John 3:16 begins by highlighting God’s love for the world. This affirms that God earnestly and intensely loves all people, not just a select few. His love…
Swedenborgianism, also known as the New Church or the Church of the New Jerusalem, is a Christian denomination based on the theological writings of Emanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772). Swedenborg was a Swedish scientist, philosopher, and theologian who claimed to have received a revelation from Jesus Christ that called him to reform Christianity. Some key beliefs of Swedenborgianism include: 1. The Bible has an inner, spiritual meaning Swedenborg taught that in addition to the literal sense, every verse and detail of the Bible has an inner, spiritual meaning. This allows the Bible to continuously reveal deeper truths as one grows spiritually. Swedenborg…