When Christ returns, every human ruler will be dethroned and every idol will be dismantled. We who have already accepted Christ’s dominion look forward to that time. But do we really see our King clearly? The first commandment prohibits idolatry and reinforces God’s primary rule over all things. But throughout the history of God’s people putting God first has been a continuous struggle. In 1446 B.C. the Israelites, having come out of Egypt witnessing God’s miracles, lost sight of Moses and … [Read more...] about Is Christ Your King?
Kingdom of God
Our Human Potential
Humanity struggles to find purpose and meaning in life. Human beings have invented all sorts of distractions and ways to find meaning, usually in the form of religion – whether that be a political, a philosophical, or a theological religion. The Bible, by contrast, provides a bold and profound purpose for human existence: God is a family, a family of Creators. They are working to expand their family. If we start with pre-history, the accounts given in Genesis 1 and John 1, we can see … [Read more...] about Our Human Potential
The Kingdom of God
The world has been successively ruled by kingdoms. From a biblical perspective we see this clearly outlined by Daniel as he explains to the Babylonian king the contents of the king’s dream. Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar, “For the God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, strength, and glory” (Daniel 2:37). There were to be three similar kingdoms to follow the Babylonian kingdom. The progress of the dream’s revelation ends with a future fifth kingdom – the Kingdom of God. “And in the days of … [Read more...] about The Kingdom of God
The Memorial Trumpets
The Feast of Trumpets gets its name from the ordained blowing of trumpets which were blown as “a memorial of blowing of trumpets” (Leviticus 23:24). The Hebrew word for “memorial” is zikkārôn. Which – according to the Dictionary of Biblical Languages (DBL) – means “to commemorate” or “call to remembrance.” The Feast of Trumpets symbolizes a future event. How can we memorialize something that has not happened yet? Zikkārôn also means memorializing our right or claim to an inheritance based on … [Read more...] about The Memorial Trumpets
God Values Small Things
It had been some years since Cyrus, King of Persia, granted right-of-return to the original Jewish refugees. Zerubbabel had laid the foundation and built the altar, but the work rebuilding the Holy Temple in Jerusalem had stalled. Finally, King Darius initiated new momentum. Zechariah was sent with a special message to inspire renewed efforts. And that message has special meaning for the Church: “Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying: ‘The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the … [Read more...] about God Values Small Things
Live Life Abundantly
What does it mean to live abundantly? Is it to be blessed beyond measure in money, jewels, or other physical bounty? Is that what Christ meant when he said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10). In this same chapter, Christ speaks about His role as Shepherd and the response of the sheep. Sheep were kept in an enclosed courtyard, with a gate or opening at one end. In a sheepfold the shepherd might sleep in the opening at night to … [Read more...] about Live Life Abundantly
Anticipating the Feast of Trumpets
How do we know that the Feast of Trumpets is related to Christ’s second coming? In ancient Israel, a trumpet or shofar was blown for a variety of reasons, to call an assembly for a festival or to gather the people together in the presence of the Lord. When God descended onto Mount Sinai and gave Israel the law, trumpets were blown to announce the arrival of God’s presence. Trumpets were also sounded in alarm and to call troops to battle, at the coronation of a king, and to declare the Jubilee … [Read more...] about Anticipating the Feast of Trumpets