Assyria was one of the great ancient kingdoms that rose to power in Mesopotamia, the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. It occupied parts of what are now northern Iraq, southeastern Turkey, and northwestern Iran. The Assyrian empire dominated the Near East from about 900 to 612 BC. The Bible contains many references to Assyria as both a nation and a geographic location. Assyria figures prominently in the history of Israel and Judah as recorded in the books of Kings, Chronicles, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and others. Here are some of the key ways that Assyria is significant in the…
Author: Richard Curi
The verse that contains this powerful phrase comes from a letter that the apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth. In 2 Corinthians 4:7-9, Paul writes: But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. To understand what Paul means when he says “struck down, but not destroyed,” we need to look at the context surrounding this verse. 1. Afflicted but not…
The book of Daniel provides key insights into how we can be assured of God’s eternal dominion that shall have no end. This article will examine relevant passages in Daniel to demonstrate the biblical basis for God’s everlasting rule and sovereignty. God’s Kingdom is Eternal and Cannot Be Destroyed In Daniel 2, King Nebuchadnezzar has a dream of a great statue made of different materials, representing human kingdoms that would rise and fall. But a rock cut out without human hands struck the statue and broke it to pieces, while the rock became a great mountain filling the whole earth…
Debauchery is a term that refers to excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures. In the Bible, debauchery often refers to sexual immorality, drunkenness, gluttony, and other behaviors that go against God’s standards of holiness and purity. Here is an overview of what the Bible says about debauchery and its dangers: Definitions of Debauchery The word “debauchery” comes from the old French word “debauche” which meant to lead someone astray morally. It refers to extreme indulgence in bodily pleasures and sensual appetites. Synonyms include corruption, depravity, dissipation, libertinism, and profligacy. In the Bible, debauchery is most often associated with sexual sin, idolatry,…
The question of who will go to heaven is an important one that the Bible addresses. At the most basic level, the Bible teaches that those who have faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will go to heaven. However, there are also some nuances around this topic that are worth exploring in more detail from a biblical perspective. First, it’s important to understand what the Bible teaches about salvation. The core message of the gospel is that all people are sinful and separated from God (Romans 3:23), but that through faith in Jesus Christ, our sins can…
The Perizzites were one of the nations living in Canaan at the time when the Israelites entered the Promised Land after their Exodus from Egypt. They are mentioned numerous times throughout the Old Testament, giving us clues about who they were and where they lived. The name “Perizzite” means “belonging to a village” or “rustic” in Hebrew. This suggests that the Perizzites were a rural people, living in unwalled villages rather than major cities. They seemed to be scattered throughout Canaan rather than concentrated in one particular area. Where did the Perizzites live? Here are some of the key passages…
Surrendering to God is a key concept in the Bible that involves humbly submitting our will to God’s will and seeking to align our thoughts, desires, and actions with His truth. Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about surrendering to God: Acknowledging God’s Sovereignty and Lordship To surrender to God, we must start by acknowledging that He is sovereign, meaning He has supreme authority and power over everything (Psalm 103:19). We also must accept that Jesus Christ is Lord of our lives (Romans 10:9). This means He has the right to govern and rule our lives as…
The verse in question comes from the Gospel of Mark, chapter 9, verse 23. In this verse, Jesus tells a man whose son is afflicted by an unclean spirit, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” This is a powerful statement that has encouraged and challenged Christians throughout the ages. But what exactly does Jesus mean here? Let’s explore this verse in context to gain a fuller understanding. To set the stage, Jesus has just come down from the Mount of Transfiguration with Peter, James and John (Mark 9:2-13). When they rejoin the other disciples,…
Unrepentance is the state of not repenting or feeling remorse for one’s sins. It is the opposite of repentance, which involves turning away from sin and turning towards God. Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about unrepentance: Unrepentance is a serious sin The Bible makes it clear that unrepentance is extremely displeasing to God. In Revelation 16:9, the people being judged “did not repent and give him [God] glory.” Their refusal to repent brought judgment upon them. In Revelation 2:21, Jesus gave the church in Thyatira time to repent, but they did not turn from their sinful…
The story of Jesus healing the lame man at the pool of Bethesda in John 5:1-15 contains important truths about who Jesus is and what He came to do. At first glance, Jesus’ command to the lame man to “Take up your bed and walk” may seem like just a small detail in the narrative. However, when examined more closely, this short phrase is packed with spiritual significance and reveals key aspects of Jesus’ identity and mission. Background on the Healing at Bethesda To fully appreciate the meaning behind Jesus’ words, it is helpful to understand the context. John 5…