Kingdom Parable of the Tares and Wheat
May 21st, 2010 | End of the World 2012 | 1 Comment
The kingdom parable of the tares and wheat follows the parable of the sower. As in the former, we have both the parable and its application and meaning. The text is found in Matthew 13: 24-51. In the parable of the sower, the kingdom was likened to the sowing of seed. In this parable it is likened to the "growing" of the seed and the weed, no pun intended.
There are a few facts that should readily be apparent. Seed grows incrementally over time. It is important not to miss that part of the parable. Secondly, while seed is growing, it ...
Parables of the Kingdom
May 19th, 2010 | Parables | No Comment
Parables of the Kingdom
The parables of the kingdom, are some of Jesus' most memorable teachings. One, because of they form short, memorable stories taken from the culture of His day. Secondly because of the clarity in which He expressed their simple truths. Another reason is that they engage the curiosity forcing one to contemplate and to think deeply about them.
Matthew chapter 13, contains many of His parables. They all are focused on the imminent arrival of the kingdom of God. One of the most well known is the parable of the sower. This story definitely focuses on the responsibility one ...
Spiritual Gifts Discernment
May 18th, 2010 | Eschatology | 5 Comments
Spiritual Gifts Discernment
In Paul's list of spiritual gifts discernment of spirits is among those listed, (1 Cor. 12:10). What is this particular gift of the Spirit and how was it used? Clarke's commentary says it is a gift by which the person so privileged could discern a false miracle from a true one; or a pretender to inspiration from him who was made really partaker of the Holy Ghost. It probably extended also to the discernment of false professors from true ones, as appears in Peter in the case of Ananias and his wife. (Adam Clarke, First Corinthians, p. 259, ...
Fruit of the Spirit in the Age to Come
May 11th, 2010 | Christianity | No Comment
Fruit of the Spirit in the Age to Come
Why are Christians more focused on the miraculous gifts of the Spirit than they are the fruit of the Spirit in the age to come? Why are miracles and speaking in tongues more appealing than the fruit of the Spirit? Miracles were temporary but the fruit of the Spirit is eternal and enduring. Miracles were for a select few, but the Spirit's fruit is for all and for all time. In fact, the latter characterizes the life in the age to come, i.e. the present Christian age.
Walk in the Fruit of the ...
How Do We Define Zionism?
November 12th, 2009 | Eschatology | No Comment
How do we define Zionism? It depends on our eschatology (study of the end times). For this post, we suggest three views of Zionism leaving the reader to choose which you find to be more in harmony with the Bible. Initially, Zion identified with the City of David, presumed to be the once Canaanitish city as it existed at the time of its capture by David in 1003 B.C.
After Solomon had expanded Jerusalem northward to include Mt. Moriah, the latter king, at his dedication of the Temple on this new site in 958 B.C., is said to have brought up ...