Amillennialism is a view in Christian eschatology which holds that the “thousand years” mentioned in Revelation 20 is symbolic and does not refer to a literal thousand-year reign of Christ. The amillennial view interprets the millennium as the current church age or the interval between Christ’s first and second comings. It stands in contrast to premillennialism and postmillennialism, which see the millennium as a future literal thousand-year period. The term amillennialism was introduced in the 1930s, but the view itself has been common throughout church history. Key Tenets of Amillennialism Here are some of the key tenets of amillennialism: The…
Author: Richard Curi
Rehoboam and Jeroboam were two kings who ruled over the divided kingdom of Israel after the death of King Solomon. Their story is told in 1 Kings chapters 11-14 and 2 Chronicles chapters 9-13 in the Bible. After Solomon’s death, his son Rehoboam became king over the united kingdom of Israel. However, the people asked Rehoboam to lighten the heavy burdens and forced labor that Solomon had placed on them. Rehoboam consulted with his father’s advisors, who advised him to be kind and gain the favor of the people. But Rehoboam ignored this advice and said he would be even…
The Bible has a lot to say about mourning and grief. As humans, we all experience seasons of sadness and loss. But Scripture gives guidance on walking through these valleys and finding hope in Christ. Here’s an overview of key Bible verses about mourning: Mourning is a natural response to loss When we lose a loved one, mourning is a natural and even healthy response. Ecclesiastes 3:4 says there is “a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.” Jesus himself wept at the tomb of Lazarus, even though he knew…
The question of whether a Christian should take out a mortgage to purchase a home is one that does not have a definitive yes or no answer according to the Bible. There are good arguments on both sides of the issue that thoughtful Christians have considered when making this decision for their families. Looking at the principles found in Scripture can help provide wisdom when thinking through the pros and cons of taking out a home loan. The Case for Taking Out a Mortgage There are several biblical principles that can support the decision to take out a mortgage: God…
The “holy kiss” or “kiss of love” is referred to several times in the New Testament writings as a form of greeting among early Christians. It was a common cultural practice in the ancient Mediterranean world to greet friends and relatives with a kiss on the cheek, and this practice was adopted by the early Christian church. Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about the holy kiss: Biblical References to the Holy Kiss The holy kiss is specifically mentioned in these passages: – Romans 16:16 – “Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of…
Anointing with oil and spices is mentioned numerous times throughout the Bible, both in the Old Testament and New Testament. Anointing served important symbolic, medicinal, and spiritual purposes in biblical times. Here is an overview of the significance of anointing spices in the Bible: Symbolic Significance One of the main symbolic purposes of anointing with oil in the Bible was to set something or someone apart as holy and consecrated to God. When objects like the tabernacle, ark of the covenant, altar, or other temple furnishings were anointed, it signified their sanctification for God’s purposes (Exodus 30:26-29). When prophets, priests,…
Friday the 13th has long been considered an unlucky day in Western superstition. The origins of this belief are somewhat murky, but it seems to be rooted in a confluence of ancient pagan and Christian beliefs. Here’s a closer look at some of the possible origins and meanings behind the superstitions surrounding this date: Links to Norse Mythology In Norse mythology, Friday is named after Frigga, the goddess of love and fertility. Frigga was associated with superstitions surrounding love and marriage. According to some sources, Christians in the Middle Ages may have viewed Frigga as being connected to witchcraft and…
The book of Proverbs contains many wise sayings and teachings that provide practical guidance for living a godly life. Proverbs 18:24 stands out as a profound statement about the value of true friendship: “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” This verse raises an important question – what does it mean for a friend to be closer than family? How can such a bond be forged? To properly understand this proverb, it is helpful to examine it in context. The surrounding verses contrast casual friendships with the…
The question of whether Christians should tithe off miscellaneous income not from a regular job is an important one for believers who want to honor God with their finances. The Bible does not explicitly command tithing off miscellaneous income sources, but looking at principles in Scripture can help provide wisdom for how to handle these situations. First, it is helpful to understand what the tithe is. In the Old Testament, God commanded the Israelites to give 10% of their income back to Him, through supporting the Levites and the tabernacle/temple system (Leviticus 27:30-33, Numbers 18:21-24, Deuteronomy 14:22-29). This principle of…
The phrase “God gave them over” appears three times in Romans 1:24-28 and is an important concept that requires deeper understanding. This passage describes God’s response to those who reject Him and turn to idolatry and sinful desires. The first occurrence is in verse 24: “Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves.” This indicates that God abandoned rebellious sinners to follow the lusts of their sinful hearts. He removed restraint and allowed them to indulge in sexual immorality and impurity. The second instance is in verse…