The figure of Maitreya has gained popularity in some circles as a potential end times false messiah or antichrist figure. However, the Bible does not specifically mention Maitreya, so we cannot say definitively whether or not he is the prophesied antichrist. Looking to Scripture, we can gain some insight about the nature and rise of the antichrist that can help us evaluate if Maitreya matches the biblical descriptions. The Origin of the Maitreya Claim The name Maitreya originates in Buddhist tradition, where he is seen as a future Buddha. Some modern day religious teachers like Benjamin Creme have tried to…
Author: Richard Curi
The Bishops’ Bible is an English translation of the Bible produced under the authority of the established Church of England in 1568. Its purpose was to provide an alternative to the Geneva Bible, which had strong association with Calvinism and Protestant exiles during the reign of Queen Mary I. The Bishops’ Bible was the third official English Bible translation, following the Great Bible of 1539 and the Geneva Bible of 1560. The Bishops’ Bible was produced by a committee of bishops and scholars appointed by Archbishop Matthew Parker. The committee included bishops such as Edmund Grindal, Richard Cox and Matthew…
The Book of Joshua is the sixth book of the Bible and is part of the Old Testament. It picks up the story after the death of Moses and describes how Joshua leads the Israelites into the Promised Land after their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. Here is a summary of the key events and themes found in the Book of Joshua: Entering the Promised Land After Moses dies, God appoints Joshua as the new leader of the Israelites. Under Joshua’s leadership, the Israelites prepare to enter Canaan, the land that God had promised them. Joshua sends spies…
Mildew is mentioned frequently in the Old Testament laws given to the Israelites. But why does the law focus so heavily on this fungus? Here are some key reasons: Mildew’s Destructive Impact In ancient Israel, mildew could quickly ruin clothes, leather goods, and even the walls of homes (Leviticus 13:47-59). This destruction threatened people’s livelihood and dwelling places. So regulating mildew was a practical necessity. The law provided detailed instructions for identifying, containing, and eliminating mildew from garments, homes, and other possessions (Leviticus 14:33-57). These measures protected Israelites from material loss. Mildew’s Association with Sin and Impurity According to the…
The question of whether dinosaurs were on Noah’s ark is an interesting one that many people wonder about. The Bible does not specifically say whether dinosaurs were present during Noah’s time and brought onto the ark. However, by looking at what the Bible does say about Noah’s ark and the flood, as well as what we know from science about dinosaurs, we can draw some plausible conclusions. Let’s start by looking at what the Bible says about Noah’s ark and the animals that were brought on board. Genesis 6:19-20 states that Noah was instructed to bring two of every kind…
The Bible has a lot to say about war, offering guidance, examples, and principles for God’s people to consider. Here is an overview of some of the major biblical teachings about war: Old Testament Examples and Teachings In the Old Testament, Israel engaged in many wars, as both the initiator and recipient of military aggression. God often commanded Israel to go to war against wicked nations (Deuteronomy 7:1-2; 20:16-18). At the same time, God gave guidelines for conducting war justly, such as accepting peace offerings (Deuteronomy 20:10) and avoiding harm to fruit trees (Deuteronomy 20:19). Notable wars in the Old…
The Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) is an evangelical Protestant denomination that was founded in 1887 by Rev. Albert Benjamin Simpson. The C&MA places a strong emphasis on worldwide missionary work, believing that spiritual lostness must be addressed globally. Here is an overview of the C&MA’s key beliefs and practices: Key Beliefs The C&MA adheres to evangelical theology and emphasizes the core doctrines of: The inerrancy and authority of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17) The Trinity – God exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19) The deity and sinless life of Jesus Christ (John 1:1, 14; Hebrews 4:15) Christ’s…
The Greek god Zeus is not directly mentioned by name in the Bible. However, there are some indirect references and allusions to Zeus and other Greek gods in the Bible that are worth examining. Who Was Zeus? Zeus was the chief god of the Greek pantheon of gods. He was the god of the sky and thunder, and known as the ruler of Mount Olympus and all the other Greek gods. Zeus was the son of the Titans Cronus and Rhea, and the brother of Poseidon, Hades, Hestia, Demeter, and Hera (who was also his wife). Zeus was a powerful…
The role of women in church leadership and governance is a much debated topic in Christian circles. Those who believe women can serve as elders point to examples of female leaders in the early church, as well as biblical passages that suggest women held positions of authority. However, there are also verses that seem to restrict women’s leadership, leading many Christians to believe that the office of elder is reserved for men. Let’s look at some of the key biblical passages regarding this issue: Evidence for women elders Romans 16:1-2 – Paul commends Phoebe, referring to her as a “deacon”…
The Bible teaches that when we repent and turn to God, He forgives and “blots out” our sins. This powerful imagery conveys the completeness of God’s forgiveness and the removal of our guilt before Him. Let’s explore what Scripture says about God blotting out transgressions and the meaning behind this promise. Blotting Out Transgressions in the Old Testament In the Old Testament, the phrase “blot out transgressions” occurs several times in reference to God’s mercy and forgiveness: “I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.” (Isaiah 43:25) “You…