"From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches [lamps] of fire, which are the seven spirits of God." (Revelation 4:5) The book of Revelation is apocalyptic literature. The word apocalypse comes from the Greek word meaning "to reveal" hence the title "Revelation."… Continue reading Who or what are “the seven spirits” of God? (Revelation 1:4, 4:5) And why does it matter?
This question came across my inbox this month, and the answer is not as simple as a yes or no. Some evidence points one way, and some points the other. It also depends on which "Bible times" you mean. My main intention here is not to argue whether Christians today should drink alcohol, but to… Continue reading Was wine mixed with water in Bible times?
There is an event in 2 Kings 2:23-24, which records part of a journey of the prophet Elisha: "...while he was going up on the way, some small boys came out of the city and jeered at him, saying, āGo up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!ā And he turned around, and when he saw… Continue reading Why were 42 small boys (young men?) torn by bears for ridiculing Elisha?
Tim Keller defines idolatry as āanything more important to you than God. Anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God. Anything you seek to give you what only God can give.ā (Timothy Keller, Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters. New York, Penguin. 2009,… Continue reading Are idols only things “above” God, or can they be defined as on a level with, and even below Him?
The full Biblical answer is yes and no. No because of Judas' heart. Yes because God could do anything. With a full Biblical perspective, we can say that, like Judas, all humanity has the potential freedom to do the right thing, even though God knows ahead of time all the wrongs we will do. This… Continue reading Could Judas have repented?
Adorn the Gospel 