The King James Version (KJV) of the Bible is an English translation commissioned by King James I of England in 1604 and published in 1611 by the Church of England. As the most widely-used and influential English Bible translation for over 400 years, the King James Version is one of the most monumental achievements in the history of Christianity. But who exactly was King James, the monarch whose name would become practically synonymous with the definitive English Bible for centuries to come? King James was born James Charles Stuart on June 19, 1566 in Edinburgh Castle in Scotland. He was…
Author: Tim Collings
This is an interesting question that many Bible believers have pondered. When Israel was re-established as a modern nation in 1948, it seemed like a fulfillment of biblical prophecy and a sign that the Second Coming of Christ could be soon. Now, 75 years later, some wonder if any of that “fig tree generation” will still be alive when Jesus returns. While we cannot know for sure the timing of Christ’s return, there are some biblical principles we can look to for guidance on this topic. First, Jesus himself said that no one knows the day or hour of his…
Zumba is a popular form of group fitness that incorporates dance moves and rhythms from styles like hip-hop, samba, salsa, merengue, and mambo. Classes are usually set to upbeat Latin music and involve aerobic movements like squats, lunges, and hip swivels. While Zumba can be a fun way to exercise, some Christians wonder if it’s appropriate for believers to participate in. When evaluating any activity as a Christian, the main considerations are: does it glorify God, does it violate any biblical principles, and does it cause anyone to stumble. With these criteria in mind, here are some factors to weigh…
Christ’s return is one of the central teachings of the Christian faith. All throughout the New Testament, we find references to Christ’s second coming and are exhorted to be ready for that glorious day. As believers, we are to live our lives in light of the reality that Jesus is returning and will one day establish His eternal kingdom. But what exactly does that mean? How should we live day-to-day in light of Christ’s return? Fundamentally, living in light of Christ’s return means living with eternity in view. It means recognizing that this world is not our ultimate home, but…
What is the Worst Sin? The question of what constitutes the worst sin is an important one for Christians seeking to understand God’s standards and prioritize obedience to His commands. While all sin separates us from God and necessitates Christ’s atonement, Scripture weighs some sins as more grievous than others. As we examine biblical teaching on this topic, we must filter our conclusions through the lens of God’s holiness, justice, and mercy. The Old Testament Law categorized sins into those punishable by death versus other offenses. Sins like murder (Exodus 20:13), adultery (Leviticus 20:10), sorcery (Exodus 22:18), blasphemy (Leviticus 24:16),…
The book of Zechariah contains numerous visions and prophecies about the restoration of Israel after the Babylonian exile. One of these visions, found in Zechariah 3:1-10, involves a figure named Joshua who is depicted as standing before the angel of the Lord. Understanding who this Joshua was is important for properly interpreting the meaning of the vision. Most biblical scholars agree that the Joshua mentioned in Zechariah 3 was Joshua the high priest, who had returned to Jerusalem from Babylon with Zerubbabel to lead the rebuilding of the temple. This Joshua is the same person mentioned in the books of…
King Zechariah is a figure mentioned briefly in the Old Testament books of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. He was one of the later kings of the northern kingdom of Israel during a turbulent time in the nation’s history. Here is an overview of what the Bible records about Zechariah: Zechariah’s Reign Zechariah ascended to the throne of Israel after the assassination of King Shallum. The Bible tells us in 2 Kings 15:10 that “Shallum son of Jabesh conspired against [King] Zechariah, assaulted him in public, executed him, and succeeded him as king.” So Zechariah’s reign was very brief, ended…
The concept of a “partial rapture” refers to the belief that only some Christians will be raptured when the rapture occurs, while other Christians will be left behind. This belief is based on the interpretation that only faithful or spiritually mature Christians will be included in the rapture, while carnal or unfaithful Christians will miss it. There are a few key biblical passages that are cited in support of a partial rapture view: 1. The Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) In this parable, ten virgins are waiting for the bridegroom to come. Five are prepared with oil in…
Gnosticism refers to a collection of ancient religious ideas and systems which originated in the first and second century AD among early Christian and Jewish sects. The word “Gnosticism” comes from the Greek word “gnosis” which means “knowledge.” Gnostics emphasized the importance of inner, mystical knowledge and rejected materialism and much of the writings of the Old Testament. Here is a more detailed overview of Gnostic beliefs and history: Origins of Gnosticism Most scholars agree that Gnosticism likely arose out of the diverse intellectual and religious milieu of the first and second centuries AD. During this time period, the Mediterranean…
The Amalekites were an ancient tribal group that lived in the southern region of Canaan. They are first mentioned in the Bible in Genesis 14:7, where they are listed among the people groups defeated by Chedorlaomer. The name “Amalek” comes from Amalek, who was a grandson of Esau (Genesis 36:12). As descendants of Esau, the Amalekites were distant cousins to the Israelites. The Amalekites’ first recorded encounter with the Israelites occurred shortly after the exodus from Egypt. As the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness, the Amalekites attacked them at Rephidim (Exodus 17:8-16). God helped Joshua and the Israelites defeat the…