In the Bible, both Abaddon and Apollyon are names referring to the same entity. Abaddon is a Hebrew word that means “destruction” or “ruin”, while Apollyon is the Greek equivalent meaning “destroyer”. This entity is described symbolically in Revelation 9 as the “angel of the abyss” who is the king of a swarm of locust-like creatures that torment people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. The first reference to Abaddon/Apollyon is in Revelation 9:11 which states: “They have as king over them the angel of the abyss. His name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in…
Author: Richard Curi
John 8:36 says, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” This verse points to the incredible gift of freedom that Jesus offers us through faith in Him. But what does it mean to be “free indeed”? Let’s explore the context, meaning, and implications of this profound promise. The Context of John 8:36 To fully appreciate what Jesus meant by “free indeed,” we need to understand the context. In John 8, Jesus was in Jerusalem teaching in the temple courts. The religious leaders confronted a woman caught in adultery and challenged Jesus regarding the Law of…
The issue of whether smoking is a sin or not is a complex one that requires looking at biblical principles, the health effects of smoking, and issues of Christian freedom and legalism. Ultimately, the Bible does not directly prohibit smoking. However, there are some important biblical considerations that should lead Christians to carefully think through this issue. Biblical Principles Related to Smoking While the Bible does not specifically mention smoking, there are some broader biblical principles that can provide guidance: Our Bodies Are Temples of the Holy Spirit 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says “Or do you not know that your body…
The phrase “worship the starry host or the host of the heavens” comes from Zephaniah 1:5 which says, “those who bow down on the roofs to worship the starry host, those who bow down and swear by the Lord and who also swear by Molek.” This verse is referring to the sinful practice of astrology and worshipping celestial bodies, which was common among the pagan nations surrounding Israel at that time. In the ancient Near East, it was common for people to worship the sun, moon, planets and stars as gods. They believed these celestial bodies had power over human…
The question of whether all sins are equal in the eyes of God is an important one that many Christians wrestle with. There are various perspectives on this issue within the Bible and Christian theology. Here is an overview of some of the key considerations around this topic: All Sin Separates Us From God A foundational biblical principle is that all sin separates humans from the holy God who cannot tolerate wrongdoing (Habakkuk 1:13). When Adam and Eve first sinned, it fractured the intimate relationship between God and humanity (Genesis 3). Their rebellion against God’s command introduced sin into the…
In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus teaches us to pray “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12). This verse raises an important question – why should we ask God to forgive us our debts or sins? Here are 9000 words exploring the biblical basis for seeking God’s forgiveness: We Are All Sinners Who Need God’s Forgiveness The Bible clearly teaches that all people are sinners who fall short of God’s perfect standard (Romans 3:23). Even the most righteous person sins and makes mistakes daily. From seemingly small sins of omission to blatant acts of commission,…
The question of whether God is a moral monster is an important one that many struggle with. At first glance, some of the stories and commands in the Bible can seem troubling. However, when examined more closely within their historical and biblical contexts, we gain insight into God’s righteous and loving character. There are several key considerations when evaluating God’s morality in the Bible: God is the creator and sustainer of life and has the right to take it as he sees fit. God’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). We have limited knowledge and perspective. God…
Babylon was one of the most powerful and influential kingdoms mentioned in the Bible. It emerged as the capital of the Babylonian empire around the 18th century BC and lasted until around the 6th century BC. Babylon plays a major role in several books of the Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, Babylon rose to prominence under King Nebuchadnezzar II around 605-562 BC. Under his rule, the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem and destroyed the first temple that had been built by Solomon. This began what is known as the Babylonian exile, where many Jews were…
The children of Israel refers to the descendants of the patriarch Jacob, who was renamed Israel after wrestling with God (Genesis 32:28). Jacob’s twelve sons became the twelve tribes of Israel, and their descendants are collectively referred to as the children of Israel throughout the Old Testament. The twelve tribes of Israel originated from the twelve sons of Jacob: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Zebulun, Issachar, Dan, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Joseph and Benjamin (Genesis 29:31-30:24, 35:16-18). Jacob also had a daughter named Dinah (Genesis 30:21). Each tribe was allotted land in Canaan except the tribe of Levi, who were set apart…
The book of Haggai addresses an important question – is it wrong for God’s people to live in nicely built houses while God’s house lies in ruins? At first glance, this passage may seem to condemn the pursuit of comfortable living. However, a closer examination in light of the full biblical context reveals a more nuanced perspective. Haggai delivered his message to the Jews who had returned from exile in Babylon to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. After laying the foundation, they became discouraged and turned their attention to building fancy homes for themselves. Their apathy towards completing God’s house…