Genealogies, or family trees and lineages, are found throughout the Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments. They serve several important purposes that reveal God’s redemptive plan through history. Here are some of the key reasons genealogies are included in Scripture: To show God’s faithfulness across generations Many biblical genealogies span dozens of generations, demonstrating how God kept His promises to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David across hundreds of years (Genesis 12:1-3, 17:1-8; 2 Samuel 7:8-16). Despite their ancestors’ and their own failings, God remained faithful to bless His people. The extensive genealogies prove that God is trustworthy and…
Author: Nicole Sands
This is a sobering question that all people must grapple with. According to the Bible, the sad reality is that more people will end up in hell than in heaven. Jesus himself said that the road to destruction is broad and many enter through it, while the road to life is narrow and only a few find it (Matthew 7:13-14). This indicates that numerically, more people will choose the path that leads to condemnation than the path that leads to eternal life with God. Why is this the case? The Bible teaches that all people are born with a sinful…
The Bible has a lot to say about magic, magicians, and illusionists. At its core, the Bible condemns the practice of magic and occult arts as sinful rebellion against God. The Bible also makes a distinction between supernatural miracles performed by God’s power and illusionary magic tricks performed by deception. Here is an overview of some key biblical passages regarding magic and illusion: Old Testament Verses Exodus 7-8 – Moses and Aaron performed genuine miracles by God’s power, while Pharaoh’s magicians used tricks and sorcery. Exodus 22:18 – “You shall not permit a sorceress to live.” This demonstrates God’s prohibition…
Halakhah refers to the collective body of Jewish religious law, including biblical law and later talmudic and rabbinic law, as well as customs and traditions. Halakhah is based on biblical commandments (mitzvot), subsequent interpretations and applicability. It often refers to the ritual law, but Halakhah regulates all aspects of Jewish life. The word “halakhah” comes from the Hebrew root “to walk” and is derived from the frequent use of the phrase “to walk” in the Mosaic law. Therefore, Halakhah means “the way” or “the path” a Jew is commanded to take. Halakhah has developed over millennia through discussion and debate…
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are described in the Bible’s Book of Revelation, chapter 6, verses 1-8. These four horsemen represent conquest, war, famine, and death respectively. They emerge during the apocalyptic period described in Revelation, symbolizing the evils that will occur at the end times before Christ’s return. Let’s explore what the Bible says about each of these horsemen. The First Horseman – Conquest The first horseman rides a white horse and carries a bow. Revelation 6:2 (ESV) states: “And I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given…
The phrase “bind up the brokenhearted” comes from Isaiah 61:1, which reads: “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.” This verse speaks of God’s anointed one who will come to proclaim and bring restoration to those who are hurting and oppressed. Let’s explore the meaning behind “binding up the brokenhearted”: 1. The brokenhearted have deep emotional wounds To be…
The Book of Revelation, also known as the Apocalypse of John, is the final book of the New Testament and perhaps one of the most complex and controversial books in the Bible. Written by the apostle John while in exile on the island of Patmos, Revelation contains vivid prophetic imagery and symbolism depicting the ultimate triumph of good over evil and the second coming of Jesus Christ. Though challenging to interpret, there are several key things to keep in mind when studying Revelation: It is filled with allusions to Old Testament prophetic books like Daniel, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Zechariah. Understanding…
Calvinism, also known as Reformed theology, is a theological framework that emphasizes God’s sovereignty and humanity’s predestination. It is named after the 16th-century French reformer John Calvin. The five points of Calvinism are often summarized by the acronym TULIP: Total depravity, Unconditional election, Limited atonement, Irresistible grace, and Perseverance of the saints. Some Christians believe that certain aspects of Calvinist doctrine could potentially hinder the spread of the gospel. Here are some of their concerns: Emphasis on predestination over free will Calvinism teaches that God, in His sovereignty, predestines some to salvation and others to damnation. This can conflict with…
This is a common question that many have when reading the Bible or thinking about the Christian faith. If God is truly all-powerful, then why doesn’t He just destroy Satan and eliminate evil once and for all? To properly address this, we first need to understand a few key truths about God and Satan from the Bible: God is eternal, all-powerful, all-knowing, and sovereign over all things (Psalm 90:2, Revelation 19:6, Hebrews 4:13, Daniel 4:35). Nothing happens without His permission or outside of His ultimate plan. Satan is a created being, originally an angel named Lucifer, who rebelled against God…
In John 15:1, Jesus declares “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.” This is part of Jesus’ farewell discourse to his disciples before his crucifixion. It’s a powerful metaphor that reveals deep truths about Jesus’ relationship to his followers. To unpack the meaning, we first need to understand the importance of grapevines and vine dressing in ancient Palestine. Grapevines were a staple crop and produced the fruit that was turned into wine, a core part of the diet and culture. A vine’s quality was dependent on the vinedresser who cultivated it – pruning away unfruitful branches,…