The book of Daniel in the Old Testament contains several references to God revealing “hidden things” or “mysteries.” Two key verses that mention this are Daniel 2:22 and Daniel 2:28. Daniel 2:22 states: “He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.” This verse comes in the context of Daniel praising and thanking God for giving him the ability to interpret King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream when none of the king’s own wise men could do so. Daniel 2:28 records Daniel telling King Nebuchadnezzar: “but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries,…
Author: Mike Solis
The term “scarlet letter” originates from Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 1850 novel The Scarlet Letter. In the novel, set in Puritan Boston during the 17th century, the protagonist Hester Prynne is forced to wear a scarlet “A” on her dress after being convicted of adultery. The scarlet letter serves as a symbol of her sin and shame. While the novel is a work of fiction, it touches on important historical and biblical themes related to morality, sin, guilt, judgment, and redemption. In a biblical sense, a scarlet letter can represent outward signs of inward transgressions. Scripture speaks extensively about sins of various…
Apartheid was a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination that existed in South Africa from 1948 to the early 1990s. Under apartheid, the rights, associations, and movements of the black majority were curtailed, and white minority rule was maintained. How should Christians view and respond to apartheid? The Bible makes it clear that all human beings are created in the image of God and have equal dignity and worth (Genesis 1:27). God does not show partiality or favoritism based on ethnicity, skin color, or race (Acts 10:34-35). Therefore, apartheid’s foundational philosophy of racial hierarchy and segregation is incompatible with…
In Jeremiah 32:26, God declares “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?” This verse comes in the context of God promising restoration to Israel after their exile in Babylon. But what does God mean when He refers to Himself as “the God of all flesh”? Let’s explore this topic in depth. God is Creator of All People First, when God says He is the “God of all flesh,” it means He is the Creator of all humanity. As it says in Genesis 1:26-27, God created man and woman in His own…
One of Jesus’ most well-known and yet often misunderstood teachings is His instruction to “turn the other cheek” when struck. This principle is found in Matthew 5:39, where Jesus said, “But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” To properly understand what Jesus meant, we need to examine the context, intent, and application of this challenging command. The Context of Jesus’ Teaching Jesus’ statement about turning the other cheek is part of His famous “Sermon on the Mount” recorded in…
What does the Bible mean when it refers to a sound mind? The Bible refers to having a “sound mind” or a “sober mind” in several places. This concept is an important one for Christians to understand if we desire to live according to God’s will. At its core, having a sound mind means having self-control, clarity of thought, and wisdom in our attitudes and actions. Self-Control One of the key facets of having a sound mind is practicing self-control over our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. The book of 2 Timothy refers to this idea: “For this reason I remind…
How can we discern counterfeit miracles? Discerning counterfeit miracles requires wisdom and discernment from God. As Jesus warned, false prophets will arise performing great signs and wonders to deceive people (Matthew 24:24). We must be on guard against deception while also being open to God’s supernatural work. Here are some biblical principles for discernment: 1. Test the message Any miracle must be examined in light of the accompanying teaching. Does it align with Scripture and point people to the gospel of Christ? Or does it contradict God’s Word and promote false doctrine (Isaiah 8:20)? Even an astounding miracle proves nothing…
Baptism is an important practice and rite in Christianity that symbolizes the cleansing of sins and the initiation into the Christian faith. The Bible provides important details about the origins, meaning, and purpose of baptism for followers of Jesus Christ. The root of the word “baptism” comes from the Greek word “baptizo” which means to immerse, submerge, or wash. In the New Testament, the concept of baptism is closely tied to repentance, conversion, and the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). John the Baptist was the first to practice baptism as a symbolic act of spiritual cleansing and preparation for the…
God is described throughout the Bible as having many awe-inspiring characteristics. As believers, how should we respond when we meditate on the nature of our magnificent Creator? Here are some key ways believers can and should respond to the incredible characteristics of God revealed in Scripture: Worship God for who He is When we ponder the power, wisdom, love, justice and other attributes of God, our hearts should be moved to worship. We worship God not just for what He has done, but for who He is (Psalm 29:2). The more we understand of God’s limitless greatness, the more we…
The “war on Christmas” refers to the perceived opposition by secular society against the Christian origins and traditions associated with the Christmas holiday. This can include efforts to remove Nativity scenes from public spaces, discourage the use of “Merry Christmas” greetings, or shift focus away from the religious aspects of the season. For Christians, how to respond to these trends can be a sensitive issue. On one hand, some Christians feel that efforts to “take Christ out of Christmas” are an attack on their faith. They want to defend their right to celebrate Christmas as they see fit, without having…