Scripture Revealed

A Revelation of Jesus Christ – Revelation 1:1

Author: Ron

I’ve studied and taught the good news of Jesus Christ and His kingdom since 1985. My goal is to reveal the biblical truths I’ve come to see through prayer and study. I believe that the scriptures are revealed to those that study and rightly divide the "Word of Truth.”

Man

man

I ran across this poem this morning.   It really touched my heart and really hit home with me.

“Man” -a poem by Pentecostal Pioneer John Baptist Thomas, former missionary to Iraq and founder of the First Pentecostal Church of New Orleans.

 

If every day a man should labor
From childhood till he’s old,
What would it profit tho he gained the world,
If at last he lost his soul?

Man is like a little flower
With glory for a time,
Then he sees the shining sickle
And hears the death bells chime.

The doors are closed, the windows dark,
The sound of grinding is low.
It matters not how strong he is,
His time has come to go.

And ere the silver card is loosed,
Oh mortal fading fame,
The dust to earth, The spirit returns
To God from where it came.

John Baptist Thomas
Baghdad, Iraq
July 12, 1930(...)

Pearly Gates and Streets of Gold

Folio 55r of the Bamberg Apocalypse. Depicts the Angel showing John the New Jerusalem, with the Lamb of God at its center.
Folio 55r of the Bamberg Apocalypse.
Depicts the Angel showing John the New Jerusalem, with the Lamb of God at its center.

The Nature of the Book

One of the most misunderstood scriptures in our Bible centers around Revelation 21:21. This is the “pearly gates”, “street of gold” scripture.  Should we take this scripture literally?  Let’s explore what the scriptures reveal.

Revelation is undoubtedly a unique book. While considered part of the New Testament, it is different from other books of the New Testament. More importantly, it is different from styles of writing used today. Revelation is apocalyptic. The word ‘revelation’ in Greek is “apokalupsis”, which means ‘an uncovering’ or ‘unveiling.’ Thus, Revelation is a book that was intended to reveal, not conceal! The book is an example of apocalyptic literature.

Apocalyptic Literature

Apocalyptic literature is a literary style popular from 200 B.C. to 200 A.D. It is a style known for highly symbolic or figurative language written during times of persecution. It usually depicts the conflict between good and evil while encouraging the righteous to persevere. Other examples of apocalyptic literature are parts of Ezekiel, Daniel, Zechariah, and Matthew chapter 24.

While the book of (...)

The Great Tribulation

The Siege and Destruction of Jerusalem, Painting by David Roberts (1850)
                   The Siege and Destruction of Jerusalem,
                        Painting by David Roberts (1850)

One of the most difficult passages in the Bible is found in Matthew chapter 24. Referred to as the Olivet Discourse, this part of the Bible is the main jumping off point for a lot of the prophecy teachings regarding a period called “the end time” or “the last days.” Matthew 24 is a frightening scripture that mentions earthquakes, wars and rumors of wars, famines, and pestilences, among the few calamities in store for planet earth. As the teaching goes, all of these horrible things will be a sign that the “end of the world” is right around the corner.

Endtime Industry

Over the years, I began to realize that there is an entire industry that has grown up focusing on the “end time.” There are books, movies, conferences and seminars that support this area of Bible study. The basic pitch is that terrible stuff is coming! And why is that? Because they believe that the Bible tells them so. The pitchmen declare that they know best how to interpret all this apocalyptic imagery and symbolism. Of course, to avoid all this bad stuff you need to purchase their (...)

The Antichrist Deception

John the Apostle on Patmos, Painting by Jacopo Vignali
John the Apostle on Patmos, Painting by Jacopo Vignali

Over thirty years ago I got off track! How so you might ask. Well as a newly minted Christian I had a fascination with the “last days” and anything that had to do with the “end times”. One of the first books that I purchased, besides the Bible, was Hal Lindsey’s book, The Late Great Planet Earth. That book had a profound effect on the way that I interpreted Bible passages that I assumed dealt with the “end time”. The book was published in 1970 by Zondervan Publishing House. I picked up my copy in 1983, thirteen years after its original publication date. 28 million copies had sold by 1990. Did I bother to check the claims made in this book against the scriptures? Nope! Sure didn’t.  That is until a few short years ago!

Although Lindsey did not claim to know the dates of future events with any certainty, he suggested that Matthew 24:32-34 indicated that Jesus’ return might be within “one generation” of the rebirth of the state of Israel, and the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple. Lindsey asserted that “in the Bible” one generation is forty years. (...)

The Gift of the Holy Ghost

 

Pentecost, a painting by Jean II Restout, 1732
Pentecost, a painting by Jean II Restout, 1732

This is the fourth and final article addressing the subject of salvation and what it means to “believe the gospel”. The first article was entitled Salvation – the Gospel. The second article was entitled Repent and Believe the Gospel! The third article was entitled Water Baptism – Burial.

The final step in the gospel plan is to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost was preached by Peter in Acts 2:38.

Acts 2:38 (KJV) – “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

Notice that the Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit) is referred to as a “gift” from God. Many have argued that the “Holy Ghost” is not for us today or that it is not essential for salvation. We will discuss these arguments later in this article. However, is there any sincere Christian that would turn down a “gift” that God has for them?

Acts 11:18 (KJV) – “Forasmuch then as God

(...)

Shemitah – Secret to America’s Future?

Prophet Isaiah - painting by Antonio Balestra (18th century)
Prophet Isaiah – painting by Antonio Balestra (18th century)

The word “shemitah” has been making the rounds of Christian churches in America. However, what in the world is the “shemitah”? The word “shemitah” is a legal Biblical term. It originates in the Torah, the first five books of the Scriptures. Shemitah in Hebrew means a “legally permanent release”. The main idea of the word shemitah in the Hebrew means to “violently throw something down with force—to utterly destroy something”. God’s law commanded that every seventh year Israel must allow the land to rest completely. There was to be no harvesting, reaping or any other work in the fields. Also, creditors were to release all who owed money (Deut. 15:1-2). This was the shemitah (or “release” in Hebrew). However, what has all of this to do with America – the United States?

The idea of the “shemitah” was popularized by the “Messianic Christian Rabbi” Jonathan Cahn. Rabbi Cahn, a best-selling author, has written books on the subject of the “shemitah”. These include: The Harbinger, The Mystery of the Shemitah Unlocked and The Mystery of the Shemitah. I read The Harbinger: the (...)

The Book of Revelation – An Introduction

The Revelation
The Revelation

I’ve always had a fascination with the last book of the Bible, Revelation. Fascination mixed with a certain amount of fear and curiosity. My mind raced ahead to thoughts of therm-nuclear war, computer chips and the end of the world as we know it.

The book of Revelation, more than any other New Testament book, has been used to support any number of “end of the world” scenarios. Many view Revelation chapters 4 thru 20 as unfulfilled. Revelation is used to support beliefs found nowhere else in Scripture. For example, the one thousand years or millennium reign of Christ is mentioned only in Revelation 20:1-6. Also, those who hold the belief in separate resurrections turn to Revelation 20:1-6 as their proof texts.

The Nature of the Book

Revelation is undoubtedly a unique book. While considered part of the New Testament, it is different from other books of the New Testament. More importantly it is different from styles of writing used today. Revelation is apocalyptic. The word ‘revelation’ in Greek is apokalupsis, which means ‘an uncovering’ or ‘unveiling’. Thus, Revelation is a book that was intended to reveal, not conceal! The book is an example (...)

Water Baptism – Burial

An 1890 sketch for St. Vladimir's Cathedral, Kiev: The Baptism of Saint Vladimir by Viktor Vasnetsov.
An 1890 sketch for St. Vladimir’s Cathedral, Kiev: The Baptism of Saint Vladimir by Viktor Vasnetsov.

This is the third article in a four-part series addressing the subject of salvation and what it means to “believe the Gospel”. The first article was entitled Salvation – the Gospel. The second article was entitled Repent and Believe the Gospel!

The next step on our journey to the gospel plan is water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. Baptism was preached by Peter in Acts 2:38.

Acts 2:38 (KJV) – “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

 

Total Immersion

The proper method of baptism is by total immersion. This is how we identify with the burial of Jesus Christ. The word “burial” means: to put a dead body in the earth, a tomb, etc.; to hid or cover; to immerse. The only mode of baptism that can qualify as a “burial” is total immersion.

Romans 6:4-5 (KJV) – “Therefore we are buried with him by

(...)

Mad From Learning

Paul, the Apostle, preaches on Christianity in the presence of King Agrippa, his sister Bernice, and Governor Festus 1875 painting by Vasily Surikov
Paul, the Apostle, preaches on Christianity in the presence of King Agrippa, his sister Bernice, and Governor Festus 1875 painting by Vasily Surikov

Defining Moment – The Resurrection

History certainly has its “defining moments”. These “defining moments” forever change the identity and destiny of an individual, a movement, and even a nation. In my opinion, one of the most important events in all of human history is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the book of Acts chapter 24 we read of Paul boldly proclaiming the resurrection before some of the most powerful people of his day – Festus, King Agrippa, and Bernice.

Historical Background

King Agrippa was the Jewish monarch. Agrippa’s territory comprised most of Israel, including Judea, Galilee, Batanaea and Perea. Agrippa (Marcus Julius Agrippa II – A.D. 27-100) was the son of Agrippa I (Acts 12:1-25) and the great-grandson of Herod the Great (Mt 2:1-23). He came to pay his respects to Festus, who was the procurator (governor) of Judea (AD 59 to 62). Agrippa was brought up in Rome in the court of Emperor Claudius. Agrippa had supreme power in Jewish religious life. The Romans had given him the right to appoint (...)

What’s the Milk and Meat of the Word?

Milk and Meat of the Word
                    Milk and Meat

I don’t know about you, but I sure do like a thick, juicy steak every once in awhile. But with the current price of beef being sky high, it’s a rare treat. Drinking milk is another thing altogether. I consider milk a breakfast drink, something I rarely drink for lunch or dinner. I like milk with my cereal. Paul, the Apostle, mentioned “meat” and “milk” in two separate books of the Bible, 1st Corinthians and Hebrews. Paul contrasts “milk” and “meat” to make an important spiritual analogy. Paul, in his address to the Corinthian church, wrote:

 

1 Corinthians 3:1-3 (KJV) – “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?”

The word “milk” in the above quote (Greek gala) means the basic, elemental teachings of Christianity first learned by new believers according to (...)

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