Zechariah was a prophet who lived around 520-518 B.C. during the time when the Jewish people had returned from exile in Babylon and were rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. Zechariah’s ministry focused on encouraging the people to finish rebuilding the temple and motivating them spiritually to wholeheartedly follow and obey God. His prophecies point to the coming Messiah and the end times. Here are some common questions people have about the prophet Zechariah and the book of the Bible that bears his name: Who was Zechariah? Zechariah was the son of Berechiah, the grandson of Iddo, and a member of…
Author: Aaron Chin
The idea that Satan is the “god of this world” comes from 2 Corinthians 4:4, which states: “In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” This verse is part of a larger passage where Paul is defending his ministry against those who doubted his apostleship. In context, Paul is arguing that the reason some people do not believe his message is because the “god of this world” has blinded their minds. There…
In 1 Samuel 13, we read about a time when Saul unlawfully offered a burnt offering to the Lord. This happened after Samuel had instructed Saul to wait seven days for him to arrive to offer the sacrifice. However, Saul grew impatient and offered the burnt offering himself on the seventh day before Samuel arrived. This was a grievous sin in God’s eyes for several reasons. Saul disobeyed God’s command God had specifically commanded that only priests from the tribe of Levi were permitted to offer sacrifices to Him (Numbers 3:5-10, 18:1-7). The priest acted as a mediator between God…
The Bible does not directly address the use of marijuana for recreational purposes. However, there are several biblical principles that can guide Christians in evaluating whether recreational marijuana use is wise and honoring to God. 1. The Bible calls Christians to sobriety and clear-mindedness Several passages in Scripture speak against intoxication and warn about substances that can cloud judgment and impair discernment. For example: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8) “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be…
The question of why God allows Satan to attack and tempt us is one that has challenged believers throughout the ages. To properly address this issue, we must first understand a few key truths about God, Satan, and God’s purposes in allowing spiritual warfare. God is Sovereign and Good First, we must recognize that God is sovereign over all things, including Satan and his demons. Satan has no power except that which God grants him (Job 1:12). This means that God has a purpose in allowing Satan’s activity. We also know that God is perfectly good, wise, and just (Psalm…
The Holy Eucharist, also known as Holy Communion or the Lord’s Supper, is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. It involves the consumption of consecrated bread and wine, which Catholics believe become the actual body and blood of Jesus Christ through a process called transubstantiation. The Eucharist is considered the central sacrament, as Catholics believe it makes Christ’s sacrifice on the cross truly present again. Here is an in-depth look at this important Catholic sacrament: Instituted by Jesus at the Last Supper According to the Gospels, Jesus instituted the Eucharist at the Last Supper, the final meal…
The Bible has a lot to say about demon possession and evil spirits. Here is an overview of some of the key passages and themes related to this topic in Scripture: Demons are real spiritual beings The Bible affirms the existence of demons as spiritual beings opposed to God. They are portrayed as intelligent, able to speak and respond (Mark 1:24, Luke 4:41), and as personal/individual beings (Mark 5:9). Though sometimes the terms are used interchangeably, demons are distinguished from the devil/Satan who is described as their leader (Matthew 12:24). Demons are evil and unclean Demons are consistently portrayed as…
Conspiracy theories have become increasingly popular and pervasive in our culture today. From theories about faked moon landings to claims that shape-shifting reptilian aliens control our government, speculative conspiracy ideation seems to captivate many. As Christians, how should we think about and respond to sensational conspiracy theories? What does the Bible have to say that might guide our perspective? First, it’s helpful to define what makes a conspiracy theory. Broadly speaking, a conspiracy theory proposes an alternative explanation for an event or circumstance that invokes a secretive plot by powerful malevolent forces. Rather than accepting the conventional understanding, conspiracy theories…
The Bible provides some glimpses into what hell, the place of eternal punishment for those who reject Christ, will be like. However, the full nature of hell is beyond our ability to comprehend. The Bible uses vivid imagery to portray hell as a place of torment, suffering, isolation, and hopelessness. While the language is symbolic, it points to very real spiritual realities. Here are some key things the Bible reveals about hell: It’s a place of fire and burning Several passages use the imagery of fire to depict hell as a place of burning anguish and torment: “But the cowardly,…
The Nephilim are mysterious beings mentioned in the Bible, particularly in the book of Genesis. The Hebrew word “Nephilim” literally means “fallen ones” or “those who fell.” There is debate among Bible scholars about the identity and origin of the Nephilim. The first mention of the Nephilim is in Genesis 6:1-4. This passage describes the “sons of God” marrying the “daughters of humans” and their offspring being the Nephilim. Some interpret the “sons of God” as referring to angels or heavenly beings who procreated with human women, resulting in superhuman hybrid offspring called the Nephilim. However, others argue this refers…