The rapture refers to the event described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, when Christ will descend from heaven and believers who have died will be resurrected first. Then believers who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet Christ in the air. The rapture is the next major event on the prophetic calendar and could happen at any moment (1 Thessalonians 5:2). As Christians, we should live each day with the expectancy that the rapture could occur and we want to be ready when it happens. Repent of Your Sins In order to be…
Author: Aaron Chin
You’ve made the most important decision of your life by putting your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. This is an exciting new chapter as you embark on your journey with God. However, you may be wondering “now what?” Here’s an overview of what the Bible says about next steps after salvation: 1. Get baptized Baptism is an outward display of the inward commitment you’ve made to follow Christ. It illustrates Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection and your identification with that. Although baptism doesn’t save you, Jesus commanded his disciples to be baptized in Matthew 28:19. Baptism…
Harold Camping was a Christian radio broadcaster who gained notoriety in 2011 for predicting that the rapture would take place on May 21, 2011, and that the end of the world would occur five months later on October 21, 2011. Camping used elaborate mathematical calculations based on Biblical timelines to arrive at these dates. Camping was born in 1921 in Colorado and studied civil engineering at the University of California Berkeley. He founded the Family Radio network in 1958 which grew to over 150 outlets nationwide by 2011. Though Family Radio was nonprofit, it was a $120 million-a-year enterprise by…
The Book of Song of Solomon in the Bible contains beautiful poetry describing the love between a bridegroom and his bride. Song of Solomon 2:15 says, “Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom.” This verse has been interpreted in different ways throughout history. Here is an in-depth look at the possible meanings behind the foxes in Song of Solomon 2:15. Literal Meaning The most straightforward interpretation is that this verse refers literally to foxes that could damage grape vineyards. In ancient Israel, grape cultivation and winemaking were important industries.…
The story of Balaam and his talking donkey is found in Numbers 22 in the Bible. This unusual account has sparked much interest and debate over the years. Did Balaam’s donkey really speak to him supernaturally, or is there another explanation? Let’s explore what the Bible says about this fascinating event. The Background To understand this story, we need to know some background. Balaam was a prophet who lived during the time of Moses. The Israelites were camped in the plains of Moab near Canaan, having recently left Egypt after the Exodus. The king of Moab, Balak, was afraid of…
The Adam-God theory is a controversial doctrine in Mormonism that was taught by some early leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including Brigham Young. According to this theory, Adam (the first man created by God) is literally our Heavenly Father and the god of this world. The core teaching of the Adam-God theory is that Adam is the father of our spirits as well as being the physical father of the human race. Brigham Young taught that Adam is “our Father and our God, and the only God with whom we have to do.” According to…
The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh originally requested to settle on the east side of the Jordan River for several reasons according to the Bible: Fertile land for livestock When the Israelites were preparing to enter the Promised Land after their wilderness wanderings, the tribes of Reuben and Gad saw that the land east of the Jordan was ideal grazing land for their large numbers of livestock (Numbers 32:1-5). The land was fertile and suitable for cattle. As these tribes had amassed substantial livestock herds, they sought Moses’ permission to settle there rather than crossing the…
How can I know if I have received a call to ministry? The idea of receiving a “call to ministry” is an important one for many Christians. At some point, most believers wonder if they are called by God into some form of vocational ministry as a pastor, missionary, or other full-time servant of the gospel. So how can someone know if they have received a genuine call from God into ministry? Here are some biblical principles to consider: 1. A God-given desire for ministry. Often when God calls someone to ministry, He places within them a deep desire and…
Ephesians 4:8 says, “Therefore it says, ‘When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.'” This verse references Psalm 68:18, which says, “You ascended on high, leading a host of captives in your train and receiving gifts among men, even among the rebellious, that the Lord God may dwell there.” The meaning and implications of Jesus leading captivity captive and giving gifts to men are profound and worth exploring in depth. Jesus’ Triumphant Ascension Ephesians 4:8 and Psalm 68:18 refer to Jesus’ ascension into heaven after his death and resurrection. Jesus decisively…
Statism is the belief that the state or government should have substantial centralized control over social and economic affairs. At its core, statism elevates the state above the individual and grants significant authority to the governing powers. Throughout history and across cultures, there has been much debate among philosophers, theologians, and average citizens about the appropriate role and size of government. The Bible does not explicitly endorse or reject statism, but it does offer principles that can inform a Christian perspective on the merits and dangers of a strong centralized state. Biblical Principles Regarding Government Authority The Bible makes clear…