The phrase “Jesus will return like a thief in the night” comes from 1 Thessalonians 5:2 which says, “For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” This verse, along with several other passages in the New Testament, refer to Jesus’ second coming as being sudden and unexpected, like a thief breaking into a home at night. The metaphor of Jesus returning like a thief contains several implications: 1. His coming will be unexpected Thieves typically come when they are not expected. Homeowners do not know precisely when a…
Author: Nicole Sands
The question of whether Jesus Christ was supposed to return in 2017 has been a topic of much debate and speculation among some Christians in recent years. This view stems primarily from an interpretation of Revelation 12 and the woman clothed in the sun. Let’s take a closer look at what the Bible really says about Christ’s return. Revelation 12 Revelation 12 contains a symbolic vision of a pregnant woman, representing Israel, who gives birth to a male child who is caught up to God’s throne. Later in the chapter, after a war in heaven, the devil is cast down…
Rebekah is a significant woman in the Bible who was the wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau. Here is an overview of her story and character in Scripture: Rebekah’s Family Background Rebekah was the granddaughter of Milcah and Nahor, Abraham’s brother (Genesis 22:20-23). She grew up in Paddan Aram, where her father Bethuel lived (Genesis 25:20). Rebekah had a brother named Laban who would later play an important role in the life of Jacob (Genesis 24:29). Rebekah Chosen as a Wife for Isaac When Abraham was old, he sent his servant back to his relatives in Paddan…
2 Peter 3:8 is a fascinating verse that has generated much discussion about how God relates to time. Here is the full verse: “But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” (2 Peter 3:8 ESV) At first glance, this verse seems to suggest that God experiences time in a completely different way than we do as humans. While we mark the passage of time in days, months, and years, God apparently views a single day like we would view a thousand years,…
Contracting a sexually transmitted disease can be a frightening and challenging experience for anyone, but for Christians it can also raise questions about faith, repentance, and God’s will. Here is a biblical overview of how Christians can respond in a godly way when faced with an STD diagnosis. 1. Seek Medical Care The first priority when diagnosed with an STD should be to seek proper medical treatment. STDs can have serious health consequences if left untreated, so it is important to follow doctor’s orders for medication, testing, and partner notification. Christians should not let fear, shame, or denial prevent them…
The verse “call those things which are not as though they were” is found in Romans 4:17 in the Bible. This verse falls within the broader context of Romans chapter 4, where the apostle Paul is discussing the nature of faith and justification. Specifically, Paul is using Abraham as an example of someone who exhibited great faith in God’s promises. Romans 4:17 states: “As it is written: ‘I have made you a father of many nations.’ He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed – the God who gives life to the dead and calls…
The Bible mentions three types of songs that Christians should sing: psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. While they have some overlap in meaning, each refers to a different style and use of music for worship and teaching. Psalms The Book of Psalms in the Bible is a collection of 150 songs and prayers written by several authors, including David, Asaph, and the sons of Korah. The psalms cover a wide range of topics, emotions, and purposes, including praise, lament, wisdom, royal, pilgrimage, prophetic, and more. Some of the key themes include trust in God, repentance, God’s deliverance, God’s justice and…
The Bible contains many different names and titles that refer to God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Here is an overview of some of the major ones found in Scripture: Names of God Yahweh – The most common name used for God in the Old Testament, translated as “LORD” in most English translations. It comes from the Hebrew word meaning “to be” and refers to God’s eternal, self-existent nature (Exodus 3:14). Elohim – A Hebrew name for God that emphasizes His power and sovereignty. It’s used over 2,500 times in the Old Testament (Genesis 1:1). El, Eloah – These…
The question of whether King Saul was saved or not is an interesting one that the Bible does not explicitly answer. Saul was the first king of Israel, anointed by Samuel at the Lord’s direction (1 Samuel 9-10). Saul started off well, leading Israel to some military victories. However, he eventually disobeyed God in multiple incidents, leading to God regretting making him king and rejecting him from being king over Israel (1 Samuel 13, 15). Saul’s disobedience and lack of true devotion to God eventually led God to send Samuel to anoint David as the next king over Israel (1…
The crucifixion of Jesus Christ is one of the most well-known events in human history. Yet exactly how Jesus was nailed to the cross has been debated by scholars for centuries. Specifically, there has been disagreement over whether the nails went through Jesus’ hands or His wrists. The Bible itself does not give definitive details on where the nails pierced Jesus’ body. The Gospel accounts simply refer to Jesus being “nailed to the cross” or having His “hands and feet” nailed (Matthew 27:35; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:33; John 20:25). However, based on historical and archaeological evidence, most modern scholars believe…