The phrase “one like a son of man” in Daniel 7:13 refers to a heavenly figure who approaches the Ancient of Days (God) and is given authority, glory, and sovereign power over all peoples and nations. This has been a much discussed and debated passage over the centuries as to the identity of this “son of man” figure. Here is the full verse: “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.” (Daniel 7:13 ESV)…
Author: Kristal Wheatley
How does the “testing of your faith” produce perseverance (James 1:3)? James 1:3 states “for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” This verse teaches us that going through difficult times and facing trials in life can strengthen our faith and develop perseverance if we respond correctly. Here are some key points to understand how the testing of faith produces perseverance: God Allows Trials to Test Our Faith God promises to be with us during times of trouble and testing (Psalm 23:4, Isaiah 43:2). He uses difficult circumstances to refine us, build our character, and help us…
The statement “the Lord is at hand” in Philippians 4:5 is a powerful reminder for Christians that Jesus Christ could return at any moment. As Paul writes this letter to the church in Philippi, he encourages them to rejoice, be gentle, not be anxious, and bring their requests to God (Philippians 4:4-6). In the midst of this, he tells them, “The Lord is at hand.” There are a few key things to understand about this phrase: 1. It refers to the imminent return of Christ The “Lord” here is Jesus Christ. For the early church, the promise that He could…
The statue outside the United Nations headquarters in New York City has garnered much speculation regarding any potential connections to biblical end times prophecy. This large bronze sculpture depicts a man hammering a sword into a plowshare, representing the UN’s mission of promoting peace. However, some wonder if this statue bears any resemblance to the beast from the sea described in Revelation 13. Revelation 13:1-2 states, “And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. And the beast that I saw…
The phrase “unfruitful works of darkness” comes from Ephesians 5:11 which says, “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” In order to understand what Paul meant by “unfruitful works of darkness,” we need to look at the broader context of Ephesians 5. In Ephesians 5:3-5, Paul instructs believers to avoid sexual immorality, impurity, covetousness, filthiness, foolish talk, crude joking, and obscenity. He warns that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Then in verses 6-10, Paul urges believers not to be deceived by empty words or become partners with…
J. Vernon McGee was an influential American Presbyterian pastor, theologian, and Bible teacher who was heard daily on his radio program Thru the Bible. He was known for his simple, straightforward approach to teaching the Bible in a way that was easy for ordinary people to understand. Here is an overview of his life and ministry: J. Vernon McGee was born on June 17, 1904 in Hillsboro, Texas. From a young age, he had a strong interest in the Bible and felt called to full-time Christian ministry. He attended Columbia Theological Seminary and was ordained as a Presbyterian minister in…
Psalm 95:8 says, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah in the wilderness.” This verse comes within a larger passage in Psalm 95 that calls God’s people to worship and obey Him. The specific exhortation not to harden one’s heart is a warning against repeating the rebellion and disbelief of the Israelites after they left Egypt. During the wilderness wanderings, the Israelites faced many tests of faith. On two occasions at places called Meribah and Massah, the people complained and quarreled against God and…
This is a profound theological question that gets to the heart of the Christian gospel and experience. In short, the Bible teaches that salvation has past, present, and future aspects to it. When someone puts their faith in Jesus, they are justified before God and granted eternal life (Titus 3:7). Their salvation is secured and they are saved. However, salvation is not just a one-time event but an ongoing journey. Believers experience salvation in the present as God sanctifies them and delivers them from sin’s power. And in the future, Christians will experience the fullness of salvation when Jesus returns…
Claudius Caesar was Roman emperor from 41 to 54 AD. He is mentioned a few times in the Bible, specifically in the book of Acts. However, Claudius does not seem to have had a major direct impact on Christian history. Here is an overview of what the Bible records about Claudius Caesar and the early church: Claudius Expelled Jews from Rome In Acts 18:2, the apostle Paul met Aquila and Priscilla in Corinth, who had recently come from Italy because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome. The Roman historian Suetonius confirms this expulsion of Jews from…
This is a question that many Christians have wondered about over the years. The Bible does not give a definitive answer, but it does provide some clues that can help us think through this issue biblically. What the Bible Says About Satan and Demons The Bible teaches that Satan is a fallen angel who rebelled against God and leads a host of other demonic beings in rebellion as well (Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:11-19; Revelation 12:7-9). Satan and the demons are evil, but they are not omniscient or omnipresent like God is. However, as spiritual beings, they do have certain abilities…