Scripture Revealed

A Revelation of Jesus Christ – Revelation 1:1

Category: Bible Studies

New Heaven and New Earth

New Heaven and New Earth

By Tom K Burk on May 29, 2014

For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. (Matthew 5:18)

If we do not currently have a new heaven and a new earth, would we therefore still be under every stipulation of the Law, many of which focus on animal sacrifices for salvation? The answer to this question requires understanding what is meant by the “passing away” of “heaven and earth,” as well as the terms “New Heaven” and “New Earth.” Of course these terms could refer to a coming atmospheric or comic occurrence. However the Bible does not refer to such a situation. Instead, these terms, when left within the biblical context of prophetic symbolism, shows something quite different.

Isaiah 66:7-24 is about the coming of Jesus and His New Covenant. Isaiah starts this chapter by condemning those who trust in physical things for their salvation. He ends this prophecy with a promise that the “new heaven” and “new earth” (verses 20-23) would be established with Jews and Gentiles, that these groups would be (...)

God’s Land Promise to Abraham – Fulfilled?

By Ron – editor of Scripture Revealed!

Moses and the Messengers from Canaan, painting by Giovanni Lanfranco – 1621

For many years, I believed that the scriptures taught that God had never completely fulfilled the land promise that He made to Abraham. This is what I was taught to believe and what, I in turn taught others. Now we all know that God will not go back on His promises. So, assuming this teaching is true, then at some point in the future, God will have to keep His promise that He made to Abraham. This “promised land” will have to be given to Abraham’s descendants. Did God fulfill His promise to Abraham? Or should we look to the future for this fulfillment? What do the scriptures reveal? Get your Bibles out! Let’s start in the book of Genesis.

Land Promise Given to Abram/Abraham

The first mention of a land promise is in the twelfth chapter of Genesis.

Genesis 12:5-7 (KJV) – And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of (...)

Jesus is Not a Failed Messiah: Six Proofs from Daniel 9:24

By T K Burk

Bible prophecy is about much more than just a prediction the Last Days, for found within its words is evidence of both the identity and the authenticity of the true Messiah of God. About this, Jesus said, “Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (see John 5:39). He also said, “These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me” (Luke 24:44). These words are proof that the early church used as their evidence of Jesus being their one true Messiah. Some examples are:

  1. Philip said, “We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph,” when telling Nathanael why he believed Jesus was the awaited Messiah (see John 1:45).
  2. Paul “expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the
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The Apostles Doctrine

The Apostles Doctrine

Easy Believism vs. The Doctrine!

Modern Christianity often attempts to remove the absolutes of the scriptures.  What I call easy believism seems to be the hallmark of many churches in this day.  What do the scriptures reveal regarding this vital subject?  What is doctrine?  And what exactly is the Apostles Doctrine?  Doesn’t doctrine tend to divide people?  Can’t we all just follow the leading of the Holy Spirit?   One fact is certain, and that is the 1st Century Church continued steadfastly in the Apostles Doctrine.

Many Christians tend to shy away from any discussion of doctrine.  First off what exactly is doctrine?  Well, it’s simple!  Doctrine is simply a body of principles presented for acceptance of belief.  In other words, it’s something that is taught; a teaching.  No one can escape doctrine.  Everyone, whether they know it or not, believes and practices some type of doctrine.  And that doctrine may be true, or it may be false.  The early church experienced explosive growth because of the apostle’s doctrine.

Acts 2:41-42 (KJV) – “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.  And they continued stedfastly in

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Who Is Your Momma?

Who Is Your Momma?

Early in the book of Galatians, Paul, the Apostle, pointed to a problem for the Galatian believers.  What Paul identified was that some of the Galatian Christians wanted to impose Judaic customs on other believers.  Some Galatians believed that Mosaic (Jewish) customs were essential to salvation while others claimed they were essential for spiritual growth.  In Galatians, we see Paul strongly arguing against these ideas and teachings.

Paul starts his letter to the Galatians by defending the Gospel and his Apostleship.  Paul reminds them that his salvation and growth as a Christian was independent of men and even separate from the Apostles in Jerusalem.  Paul comes out against the teaching that Diaspora believers must become like Judaics to be right with God.

Paul makes it clear to the Galatians that the only true children of Abraham were believers in Jesus Christ whether they be Judeans or Diaspora believers. In fact, Paul states that believers in Jesus Christ are the true inheritors and heirs of the Abrahamic Covenant which includes all its blessings and promises.

Galatians 3:7 (KJV) – Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

No Special Privilege

The Abrahamic covenant (...)

False Christs and False Prophets During the Lifetime of Jesus

False Christs and False Prophets During the Lifetime of Jesus

 

Are there false Christs and prophets today?  Of course, there are!  What about in the first century?  This article will explore that question.  Jesus warned His first-century followers to “take heed.”  The gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke serve as warnings to the disciples of Jesus.  Jesus was addressing His disciples in the first century.

Matthew 24:3-5 (KJV)  – And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Mark 13:21-22 (KJV)  – And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

Luke 21:8 (KJV)  – And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am

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The Logos

The Four Evangelists, by Pieter Soutman, 17th century
The Four Evangelists, by Pieter Soutman, 17th Century

 

 

Webster’s Dictionary defines the word “Logos” as:

1:  the divine wisdom manifest in the creation, government, and redemption of the world and often identified with the second person of the Trinity

2:  reason that in ancient Greek philosophy is the controlling principle in the universe

John 1:1-4 (KJV)  – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2  The same was in the beginning with God. 3  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4  In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

John 1:14 (KJV)  – And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

The Gospel of John begins, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1).  Here John clearly states that this “Word” was not only with God, but this “Word” was God. Then in verse 14 John states that this (...)

Seed of Abraham

Isaac embraces his father Abraham after the Binding of Isaac, early 1900s Bible illustration
Isaac embraces his father Abraham after the Binding of Isaac, early 1900s Bible illustration

If you’ve ever attended a Christian Sunday school class perhaps you sang about “Father Abraham”.  The song goes like this:

Father Abraham had many sons

Many sons had Father Abraham

I am one of them and so are you

So let’s all praise the Lord……..

Abraham is called the father of the faithful (Gal. 3:16-29; Rom. 4:11) and “the friend of God” (Jas. 2:23). He is an example to us in many ways, therefore, it is always good to study him and learn from that which the Bible reveals to us about him.  The Biblical account of Abraham starts with God making the following promises to him:

 

  • I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you;
  • I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.
  • I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse;
  • And all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:2-3)

Genesis 12:2-3(KJV) – “And I will make thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be

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Preaching the Gospel – To the Whole World

Titus Arch in Rome - Prophecy in Matthew 24 - Destruction of the Temple in 70 AD
Titus Arch in Rome – Prophecy in Matthew 24 – Destruction of the Temple in 70 AD

A friend from India recently shared with me that he and his family were “Saint Thomas Christians”.  At the time I had not known that Saint Thomas had evangelized the nation of India.   I had assumed (wrongfully) that all Indians followed the Hindu religion or were perhaps Muslims.  The Saint Thomas Christians refer to themselves in this way because their tradition holds that their ancestors, who all came from the high castes of Hindu society, were converted by the Saint Thomas (the Apostle), who landed in India around 52 AD.  History tells us that Saint Thomas died a martyr’s death in India. Pilgrimages to his tomb have always been an important element in the religious life of the St Thomas Christian community.  So in the first century A.D., from its’ origin in Jerusalem, the gospel had reached the people living in far away India!  Saint Thomas was doing his part to spread the gospel of the kingdom throughout the world of his day.  Saint Thomas was fulfilling Jesus’ call to preach the gospel of the kingdom “in all the world for a (...)

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 (...)

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