Revelation 19:11 says, “Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.” This verse describes Jesus Christ returning on a white horse, and he is given the name “Faithful and True.” This name is significant because it highlights two key attributes of Christ’s character that are powerfully displayed in his second coming. 1. Faithful Calling Jesus “Faithful” in Revelation 19:11 emphasizes his trustworthiness and reliability. Throughout Scripture, Jesus proved himself to be consistently faithful in fulfilling God’s promises and carrying out…
Author: Richard Curi
The pineal gland is a small endocrine gland located in the brain that produces melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep patterns. Some believe the pineal gland has spiritual powers and is the “third eye” or seat of the soul. However, the Bible does not specifically mention the pineal gland or assign it any spiritual significance. In the Bible, spiritual matters are associated with the heart rather than a specific part of the physical body. Proverbs 4:23 says “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Matthew 15:18-19 also states “But the things that come out…
Christianity has evolved and branched out in many different ways since its beginnings around 2000 years ago. Here is an overview of the origins and early development of some of the major branches of Christianity: Roman Catholicism Roman Catholicism considers itself to be the original and unified Christian church founded by Jesus Christ. According to Catholic tradition, the early Christian community was led by the apostles, with Peter as the first “Pope” or bishop of Rome. The Catholic Church sees an unbroken line of succession back to Peter and the original apostles. Doctrinally, Roman Catholicism follows the traditions and ecclesiastical…
The term “adiaphora” comes from the Greek word ἀδιάφορα (adiaphora) which means “indifferent things”. In Christian theology, adiaphora refers to matters not regarded as essential to faith, but nevertheless as permissible for Christians or allowed in church. There are two main meanings: 1. Things neither explicitly commanded nor forbidden in Scripture. Adiaphora are matters of indifference, concerning which God has not commanded us to do one way or the other. Examples include eating meat sacrificed to idols, monogamy versus polygamy, and celebrating holidays such as Christmas or Easter. Christians are free to use their sanctified wisdom to decide on what…
The verse “Be angry, and do not sin” (Psalm 4:4 ESV) teaches an important lesson about properly handling anger as Christians. At first glance it may seem contradictory – how can we be angry yet not sin at the same time? A closer look at the full verse in its context reveals the biblical perspective on righteous versus unrighteous anger. The Context of Psalm 4 Psalm 4 is attributed to David. In verses 1-3 David cries out to God in his time of trouble and asks for relief from distress. He then addresses the “sons of men” (perhaps his enemies…
In the Bible, a shepherd was someone who tended and cared for sheep. Sheep were very important livestock in biblical times, valued for their milk, meat, and wool. As a result, shepherding was a common occupation in Bible times. The duties of a shepherd in the Bible included: Leading the sheep to pasture and water – Shepherds had to know good grazing lands and watering holes to lead the sheep to (Psalm 23:2). Guarding the sheep from predators – Using a rod and staff, shepherds protected sheep from lions, bears, wolves, and other dangers (Psalm 23:4, 1 Samuel 17:34-35). Searching…
Cussing, swearing, and cursing are often used interchangeably to refer to the use of certain words and phrases that are considered vulgar, impolite, or offensive. The Bible does not specifically mention many of the words we today consider “cuss” words, yet it has much to say about the power of our words and controlling our speech. Here are some key points to consider regarding cussing and what the Bible teaches: Our words reflect what is in our hearts. Jesus said that “out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). Foul language often reveals anger, bitterness, pride,…
The question of whether or not a Christian should go to movies is one that elicits a variety of responses within the Christian community. There are reasonable arguments on both sides of this issue. Ultimately, the Bible does not explicitly prohibit or condone going to the movies. As with many issues Christians face today, wisdom and discernment are needed to make decisions that honor God and align with biblical values. Those who argue against Christians going to movies often point to a number of concerns. First, there is the content of many Hollywood films which frequently includes levels of sexuality,…
The Bible has a lot to say about how Satan tempts people to sin. As the enemy of God, Satan seeks to turn people away from following God’s ways and lure them into rebellion and destruction. Here are some key things the Bible teaches about how Satan works to tempt humanity: Satan Appeals to Our Sinful Desires One of Satan’s primary tactics is to tempt us by appealing to the sinful desires of our flesh. As James 1:14 (ESV) says, “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.” Satan will craft temptations customized…
The phrase “crown of glory and diadem of beauty” comes from Isaiah 28:5, which says: “In that day the Lord of hosts will be a crown of glory, and a diadem of beauty, to the remnant of his people.” To understand the meaning of this verse, we need to look at the context. Isaiah 28 is addressing the northern kingdom of Israel, who had turned away from following God. Through the prophet Isaiah, God was warning Israel of coming judgment because of their lack of faith and disobedience. However, God also promised that there would be a remnant of faithful…