Book of Revelation Series: Chapter 2, Part 3

Pergamon (Ancient Greek: τὸ Πέργαμον or ἡ Πέργαμος), or Pergamum, was an ancient Greek city in modern-day Turkey, in Mysia, today located 16 miles (26 km) from the Aegean Sea on a promontory on the north side of the river Caicus (modern day Bakırçay), that became the capital of the Kingdom of Pergamon during the Hellenistic period, under the Attalid dynasty, 281–133 BC. Pergamon was cited in the book of Revelation as one of the seven churches of Asia. Today, the main sites of ancient Pergamon are to the north and west of the modern city of Bergama (in present-day Turkey). (Wikipedia)

URL Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pergamon

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Revelation 2:12-17
Amplified Bible (AMP)

12 Then to the angel (messenger) of the assembly (church) in Pergamum write: These are the words of Him Who has and wields the sharp two-edged sword:

13 I know where you live—a place where Satan sits enthroned. [Yet] you are clinging to and holding fast My name, and you did not deny My faith, even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed (martyred) in your midst—where Satan dwells.

14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: you have some people there who are clinging to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to set a trap and a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, [to entice them] to eat food that had been sacrificed to idols and to practice lewdness [giving themselves up to sexual vice].(A)

15 You also have some who in a similar way are clinging to the teaching of the Nicolaitans [those corrupters of the people] which thing I hate.

16 Repent [then]! Or else I will come to you quickly and fight against them with the sword of My mouth.

17 He who is able to hear, let him listen to and heed what the Spirit says to the assemblies (churches). To him who overcomes (conquers), I will give to eat of the manna that is hidden, and I will give him a white stone with a new name engraved on the stone, which no one knows or understands except he who receives it.(B)

Cross references:

Revelation 2:14 : Num. 25:1, 2; 31:16.
Revelation 2:17 : Ps. 78:24; Isa. 62:2.

Amplified Bible (AMP)
Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation

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Jesus' message to the Church in Pergamum is delivered with a two-edged sword. Jesus recognizes the fact that the Church at Pergamum has been faithful to Jesus, even to the point of the threat of death. He mentions that Pergamum has been the seat of satan. Here is an interesting article concerning this: http://www.cbn.com/700club/features/ChurchHistory/Pergamon/EZ28_seat_of_satan_part_1.aspx. However, Jesus also takes account of two things He has against what the Church has done. Some within the Church had been clinging to certain unGodly teachings by balaam and the nicolaitans, which are very bad. Jesus says to repent or He will come quickly to fight against those involved. Then, Jesus again encourages the Church in saying something curious. He says that He who overcomes will be given hidden manna and a white stone with a name engraved which no one knows except whoever receives it. What does that mean? Here is an excerpt from the Matthew Henry commentary:

The hidden manna, the influences and comforts of the Spirit of Christ in communion with him, coming down from heaven into the soul, from time to time, for its support, to let it taste something how saints and angels live in heaven. This is hidden from the rest of the world—a stranger intermeddles not with this joy; and it is laid up in Christ, the ark of the covenant, in the holy of holies. 2. The white stone, with a new name engraven upon it. This white stone is absolution from the guilt of sin, alluding to the ancient custom of giving a white stone to those acquitted on trial and a black stone to those condemned. The new name is the name of adoption: adopted persons took the name of the family into which they were adopted. None can read the evidence of a man’s adoption but himself; he cannot always read it, but if he persevere he shall have both the evidence of sonship and the inheritance. (Copyright © 2012, Bible Study Tools. All rights reserved.)

URL Link: http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/revelation/2.html?p=5

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Book of Revelation Series: Chapter 2, Part 2

Here Jesus sends a message to the Church in Smyrna. Smyrna, which is now the modern city Izmir, was located in present-day Turkey. Here is what Wikipedia says about Smyrna:

Smyrna (Ancient Greek: Σμύρνη or Σμύρνα) was an ancient city located at a central and strategic point on the Aegean coast of Anatolia. Thanks to its advantageous port conditions, its ease of defence and its good inland connections, Smyrna rose to prominence. The ancient city is located at two sites within modern İzmir, Turkey. The first site, probably founded indigenously, rose to prominence during the Archaic Period as one of the principal ancient Greek settlements in western Anatolia. The second, whose foundation is associated with Alexander the Great, reached metropolitan proportions during the period of the Roman Empire. Most of the present-day remains date from the Roman era, the majority from after a 2nd century AD earthquake.

URL Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smyrna

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Revelation 2
Amplified Bible (AMP)

8 And to the angel (messenger) of the assembly (church) in Smyrna write: These are the words of the First and the Last, Who died and came to life again:(B)

9 I know your affliction and distress and pressing trouble and your poverty—but you are rich! and how you are abused and reviled and slandered by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

10 Fear nothing that you are about to suffer. [Dismiss your dread and your fears!] Behold, the devil is indeed about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested and proved and critically appraised, and for ten days you will have affliction. Be loyally faithful unto death [even if you must die for it], and I will give you the crown of life.(C)

11 He who is able to hear, let him listen to and heed what the Spirit says to the assemblies (churches). He who overcomes (is victorious) shall in no way be injured by the second death.

Cross References:

B. Isaiah 44:6

C. Rev. 3:10, 11

Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation

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In Jesus' message to Smyrna, he doesn't appear to have anything to criticize the Church about, but rather he recognizes their suffering and informs them of the suffering they are to expect at the hands of satan. However, he also encourages them to not give up and that whoever overcomes will receive the Crown of Life. He mentions that He Himself died and came to life again.

Book of Revelation Series: Chapter 2, Part 1

Here is my second addition to the Book of Revelation series. I started to read the second chapter, but it goes straight to focusing on the seven Churches, beginning with the Church at Ephesus (think book of Ephesians). I became so focused on what is said about Ephesus that I decided that I'm probably just going to break it down one by one (what is said about each Church).

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Amplified Bible (AMP)

Revelation 2

2 To the angel (messenger) of the assembly (church) in Ephesus write: These are the words of Him Who holds the seven stars [which are the messengers of the seven churches] in His right hand, Who goes about among the seven golden lampstands [which are the seven churches]:

2 I know your industry and activities, laborious toil and trouble, and your patient endurance, and how you cannot tolerate wicked [men] and have tested and critically appraised those who call [themselves] apostles (special messengers of Christ) and yet are not, and have found them to be impostors and liars.

3 I know you are enduring patiently and are bearing up for My name’s sake, and you have not fainted or become exhausted or grown weary.

4 But I have this [one charge to make] against you: that you have left (abandoned) the love that you had at first [you have deserted Me, your first love].

5 Remember then from what heights you have fallen. Repent (change the inner man to meet God’s will) and do the works you did previously [when first you knew the Lord], or else I will visit you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you change your mind and repent.

6 Yet you have this [in your favor and to your credit]: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans [what they are doing as corrupters of the people], which I Myself also detest.

7 He who is able to hear, let him listen to and give heed to what the Spirit says to the assemblies (churches). To him who overcomes (is victorious), I will grant to eat [of the fruit] of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.(A)

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Jesus starts out giving the 'good news' to the Church at Ephesus by recognizing the good things about them and then goes into the bad.

The good things: working hard, patient (twice mentioned), intolerant of wicked men, testing false teachers and proving them wrong, bearing up for Jesus, and not grown weary.

The bad thing (only one thing): Leaving their first love (Jesus). Jesus even goes so far as to say that they have abandoned the love that they had for Jesus in the beginning and that they have deserted Him, their first love.

So, basically, the Church at Ephesus has been great at working hard for God doing good works, being patient and enduring, and calling out the false teachers. But, they've lost the kind of special love that they used to have for Jesus. It's as if they became so caught up in doing good, doing all the right things, that they left their special love for Jesus behind and ignored it. They're not focusing on their love for Jesus first. They are too consumed with 'busy work.' Jesus feels abandoned and deserted because of this.

So, Jesus tells them: 1) Remember how far you've fallen 2) Repent, change your inner self to meet God's will 3) do the works that you did previously (when you first knew the Lord).

Then He gives a threat: 'Or else I will visit you and remove your lampstand from its place.' I'm not really sure what that means, to be honest, but it's obviously something bad. But, He reminds/encourages them again to 'change your mind and repent.'

Then, He does something curious in that He suddenly mentions a new thing that they have done which is very good on their part. He says, 'in your favor and to your credit'...'you hate the works of the nicolaitans (what they are doing as corrupters of the people)'...'which I Myself also detest.' Who or what are the nicolaitans?

First of all, let's backtrack. I looked up the Book of Ephesians, which is actually a letter that Paul wrote probably decades earlier. In the Book of Ephesians I noticed that much is made about the spiritual life: spiritual blessings, spiritual wisdom, being made alive with Christ, peace and oneness with Christ, being a temple for the Lord, Paul reveals God's mysterious plan, spiritual growth, unity in the body, living as children of Light, living in the Light, living by the Spirit's power, Spirit-guided relationships (husband and wife, children and parents, slaves and masters), and putting on the whole armor of God. This sounds like a really good Church that particularly focuses on the Spirit-led life and oneness with Jesus.

Now, who are the nicolaitans?

Wikipedia says (snuggled under a series on gnosticism):

Nicolaism (also Nicholaism, Nicolationism, or Nicolaitanism) is a Christian heresy, first mentioned (twice) in the Book of Revelation of the New Testament, whose adherents were called Nicolaitans, Nicolaitanes, or Nicolaites. According to Revelation 2, vv. 6 and 15,[1] they were known in the cities of Ephesus and Pergamon. In this chapter, the church at Ephesus is commended for "hating the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate" and the church in Pergamon is blamed for "having them who hold their [the Nicolaitans'] doctrines". There is no other first-hand evidence to give us certainty about the nature of this sect.

Hippolytus of Rome states that the deacon Nicolas was the author of the heresy and the sect.[2] Several of the early church fathers, including Irenaeus, Epiphanius, and Theodoret mentioned this group. Irenaeus discusses them but adds nothing to the Apocalypse except that "they lead lives of unrestrained indulgence."[3] Victorinus of Pettau states that they ate things offered to idols.[4] Bede states that Nicolas allowed other men to marry his wife[5] and Thomas Aquinas believed that Nicholas supported either polygamy or the holding of wives in common.[6] Eusebius said that the sect was short-lived.[7]

URL Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/nicolaism

Word of Truth Radio says:

Nicolaitans: One of the heretical sects that plagued the churches at Ephesus and at Pergamum, and perhaps elsewhere. Irenaeus identifies the Nicolaitans as a Gnostic sect: “John, the disciple of the Lord, preaches this faith (the deity of Christ), and seeks, by the proclamation of the Gospel, to remove that error which by Cerinthus had been disseminated among men, and a long time previously by those termed Nicolaitans, who are an offset of that “knowledge” falsely so called, that he might confound them, and persuade them that there is but one God, who made all things by His Word” (see Irenaeus Against Heresies iii 11. 1; ANF vol. 1, p. 426) There is also historical evidence of a Gnostic sect called Nitolaitans a century or so later.

The doctrine of the Nicolaitans appears to have been a form of antinomianism. (Antinomianism: A belief that is based upon a recognition of the mercy of God as the ground of salvation, but it makes the fatal mistake that man can freely partake in sin because the Law of God is no longer binding. It held the truth on the gratuitous reckoning of righteousness; but supposed that a mere intellectual “belief” in this truth had a saving power. The Apostle James refuted this error in James 2:19 with the admonition, "The devils also believe, and tremble"; reminding us that true faith is an active principle which works by love and it goes beyond a profession of belief. "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" (James 2:20) The Bible teaches us that salvation is a free gift, based upon God's grace alone (Ephesians 2:8-9) However, the very next verse tells us that "we are created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10) True faith produce action, as well as a desire for holiness and obedience. (1 John 3:18, Titus 2:11-15, 1 Peter 1:15-16, Revelation 14:12)

Nicolaitans of the 2nd century seem to have continued and extended the views of the 1st century adherents, holding to the freedom of the flesh and sin, and teaching that the deeds of the flesh had no effect upon the health of the soul and consequently no relation to salvation. On the other hand, the Bible teaches that Christians are supposed to "die" to sin and the deeds of our "flesh": "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" (Romans 6:1-2) "Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God." (Romans 6:11-13)

Today, the doctrine is now largely taught that the gospel of Christ has made God's law of no effect: that by “believing” we are released from the necessity of being doers of the Word. But this is the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which Christ so unsparingly condemned in the book of Revelation. "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." (James 1:22)

URL Link: http://www.wordoftruthradio.com/questions/38.html

So, basically, the nicolaitans centered around Ephesus and Pergamon and taught and lived out a horrible belief which corrupted themselves and others they influenced. Their belief was that, in their view, because they are 'saved' by simply having an intellectual belief (in other words more of a 'i kinda agree with this but don't necessarily strictly adhere to it' passe belief) that they can do whatever they feel like doing and sin all they want because they are 'saved' anyway. Jesus and the Church at Ephesus both hated this. That was something that Jesus took particular care to commend the Church at Ephesus of.

Then He again admonishes the Church at Ephesus to 'overcome' and He will grant whoever overcomes to eat of the fruit of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

Amen.

The Book of Revelation Series: Chapter 1

I have felt led by God to re-read the Book of Revelation recently. I began reading it yesterday, taking it slowly and really trying to take it in. I wanted to begin a series of posts that has to do with this book along with my own thoughts and feelings that came to me whilst reading it. I began with Chapter 1, naturally. I'm also reading it through the Amplified Version of the Bible which is the one that I have in hand and have been using for quite a while. But, I posted a copy of it from Biblegateway Online (which I use a lot) so that I could easily post it onto here. And remember this concerns not only the time of John, but our future, as the end has not yet come.

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Amplified Bible (AMP)

Chapter 1

1 [This is] the revelation of Jesus Christ [His unveiling of the divine mysteries]. God gave it to Him to disclose and make known to His bond servants certain things which must shortly and speedily come to pass [a]in their entirety. And He sent and communicated it through His angel (messenger) to His bond servant John,

2 Who has testified to and vouched for all that he saw [[b]in his visions], the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.

3 Blessed (happy, [c]to be envied) is the man who reads aloud [in the assemblies] the word of this prophecy; and blessed (happy, [d]to be envied) are those who hear [it read] and who keep themselves true to the things which are written in it [heeding them and laying them to heart], for the time [for them to be fulfilled] is near.

4 John to the seven assemblies (churches) that are in Asia: May grace (God’s unmerited favor) be granted to you and spiritual peace ([e]the peace of Christ’s kingdom) from Him Who is and Who was and Who is to come, and from the seven Spirits [[f]the sevenfold Holy Spirit] before His throne,(A)

5 And from Jesus Christ the faithful and trustworthy Witness, the Firstborn of the dead [first to be brought back to life] and the Prince (Ruler) of the kings of the earth. To Him Who [g]ever loves us and has [h]once [for all] loosed and freed us from our sins by His own blood,(B)

6 And formed us into a kingdom (a royal race), priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the power and the majesty and the dominion throughout the ages and forever and ever. Amen (so be it).(C)

7 Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth shall gaze upon Him and beat their breasts and mourn and lament over Him. Even so [must it be]. Amen (so be it).(D)

8 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, says the Lord God, He Who is and Who was and Who is to come, the Almighty (the Ruler of all).(E)

9 I, John, your brother and companion (sharer and participator) with you in the tribulation and kingdom and patient endurance [which are] in Jesus Christ, was on the isle called Patmos, [banished] on account of [my witnessing to] the Word of God and the testimony (the proof, the evidence) for Jesus Christ.

10 I was in the Spirit [rapt in His power] on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a great voice like the calling of a [i]war trumpet,

11 Saying, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last. Write promptly what you see (your vision) in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia—to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.

12 Then I turned to see [whose was] the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands,

13 And in the midst of the lampstands [One] like a Son of Man, clothed with a robe which reached to His feet and with a girdle of gold about His breast.(F)

14 His head and His hair were white like white wool, [as white] as snow, and His eyes [flashed] like a flame of fire.(G)

15 His feet glowed like burnished (bright) bronze as it is refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters.(H)

16 In His right hand He held seven stars, and from His mouth there came forth a sharp two-edged sword, and His face was like the sun shining in full power at midday.(I)

17 When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as if dead. But He laid His right hand on me and said, Do not be afraid! I am the First and the Last,(J)

18 And the Ever-living One [I am living in the eternity of the eternities]. I died, but see, I am alive forevermore; and I possess the keys of death and Hades (the realm of the dead).

19 Write therefore the things you see, what they are [and signify] and what is to take place hereafter.

20 As to the hidden meaning (the mystery) of the seven stars which you saw on My right hand and the seven lampstands of gold: the seven stars are the seven angels (messengers) of the seven assemblies (churches) and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Footnotes:

Revelation 1:1 Marvin Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament.
Revelation 1:2 Marvin Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament.
Revelation 1:3 Alexander Souter, Pocket Lexicon of the Greek New Testament.
Revelation 1:3 Alexander Souter, Pocket Lexicon of the Greek New Testament.
Revelation 1:4 G. Abbott-Smith, Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament.
Revelation 1:4 Richard of St. Victor, cited by Richard Trench, Synonyms of the New Testament.
Revelation 1:5 Charles B. Williams, The New Testament: A Translation in the Language of the People: “ever” and “once” captures the idea of ongoing and completed action contained within the Greek present and aorist (past) verb tenses used here.
Revelation 1:5 Charles B. Williams, The New Testament: A Translation in the Language of the People: “ever” and “once” captures the idea of ongoing and completed action contained within the Greek present and aorist (past) verb tenses used here.
Revelation 1:10 Marvin Vincent, Word Studies.

Cross references:

Revelation 1:4 : Isa. 11:2.
Revelation 1:5 : Ps. 89:27.
Revelation 1:6 : Exod. 19:6; Isa. 61:6.
Revelation 1:7 : Dan. 7:13; Zech. 12:10.
Revelation 1:8 : Isa. 9:6.
Revelation 1:13 : Dan. 7:13; 10:5.
Revelation 1:14 : Dan. 7:9.
Revelation 1:15 : Dan. 10:6.
Revelation 1:16 : Exod. 34:29.
Revelation 1:17 : Isa. 44:6.

Amplified Bible (AMP)

Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation

URL Link: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+1&version=AMP

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Chapter 1 is pretty straightforward to me. I feel extremely blessed to be reading the Book of Revelation. The fact that I have this vital information in my own hands in my native language is amazing to me. Each word is precious and handled with care by me. Too bad that I started this series of posts the day after because now the thoughts aren't fresh in my head. But, oh well. Like I said, the first chapter seems pretty straightforward. The things that stood out to me the most were I noticed that the book starts out saying that He sent and communicated it through His angel to John, but later John describes what this messenger looks like and it looks like Jesus. Also, when it says that He formed us into a kingdom, a royal race of priests, it definitely reminds me of how God formed Israel to be a nation of priests. When John fell at His feet as if dead when he saw Him and then Jesus laid his His right hand on John and said "Do not be afraid! I am the First and the Last..." I felt so touched by those words. It's like Jesus is saying to not be afraid and he's reminding us of what He went through. He died, but He is very much alive eternally.

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Questions about Relationships

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Questions about Sex
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What is an appropriate level of intimacy before marriage?

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What does the Bible say about oral sex?

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If a couple gets pregnant before marriage do they have to get married?

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What constitutes marriage according to the Bible?

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Is it a sin to have a sexual fetish?

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Why is sexual purity so important?

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Questions about Marriage

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Why is living together before marriage considered living in sin?

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Masturbation - is it a sin according to the Bible?

Masturbation - is it a sin according to the Bible? Is playing with yourself (jacking off) a sin?

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How young is too young to be in a romantic relationship?

How young is too young to be in a romantic relationship? What is an appropriate age to start dating / courting?

URL: http://www.gotquestions.org/too-young-relationship.html

Should a Christian use a dating service to find a spouse?

Should a Christian use a dating service to find a spouse? What is the Biblical method to find a potential spouse?

URL: http://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-dating-service.html

Is there such a thing as soul mates?

Is there such a thing as soul mates (soulmates)? Does God have one specific person (a soulmate) for you to marry?

URL: http://www.gotquestions.org/soul-mates.html

Can/should a Christian who is a virgin marry someone who is not a virgin?

Can/should a Christian who is a virgin marry someone who is not a virgin? Should a virgin only marry another virgin?

URL: http://www.gotquestions.org/marry-non-virgin.html

What does the Bible say about dating / courting?

What does the Bible say about dating / courting? Should Christians date or court in order to find a spouse?

URL: http://www.gotquestions.org/dating-courting.html

Is cyber sex a sin?

Is cyber sex a sin? If sex is not really happening, is it a sin to fantasize about someone else?

URL: http://www.gotquestions.org/cyber-sex-sin.html

Why is virginity so important in the Bible?

Why is virginity so important in the Bible? Why is it a sin for two people who are in love to have sex before marriage?

URL: http://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-virginity.html

What does the Bible say about asexuality?

What does the Bible say about asexuality? Is it wrong to have absolutely no desire for marriage or sex?

URL: http://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-asexuality.html

What does the Bible say about a Christian staying single?

What does the Bible say about a Christian staying single? Does God call some believers never to get married?

URL: http://www.gotquestions.org/single-Christian.html

What does the Bible say about pornography?

What does the Bible say about pornography? Is looking at pornography a sin? Why is it wrong to watch porn?

URL: http://www.gotquestions.org/pornography-Bible.html

What should be the Christian view of romance?

What should be the Christian view of romance? What does the Bible say about romantic love?

URL: http://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-romance.html

How can I know if I am in love?

How can I know if I am in love? What is true romantic love according to the Bible?

URL: http://www.gotquestions.org/know-in-love.html

Can you give me some Christian relationship advice?

Can you give me some Christian relationship advice? How can I know God's will for my relationships?

URL: http://www.gotquestions.org/relationship-advice-Christian.html

Is it right for a Christian to date or marry a non-Christian?

Is it right for a Christian to date or marry a non-Christian? What does it mean that Christians should not be unequally yoked with unbelievers?

URL: http://www.gotquestions.org/date-marry-unbeliever.html

When is the right time for marriage?

When is the right time for marriage? How can a couple know when they are ready to get married?

URL: http://www.gotquestions.org/marriage-right-time.html

How can I overcome an addiction to internet porn? Can addiction to pornography be defeated?

How can I overcome an addiction to internet porn? Can addiction to pornography be defeated? Why is pornography such a difficult sin to overcome?

URL: http://www.gotquestions.org/overcome-internet-porn.html

What is lust? What does the Bible have to say about lust?

What is lust? What does the Bible have to say about lust? What is the difference between attraction and lust?

URL: http://www.gotquestions.org/what-is-lust.html

What does the Bible say about hentai? Is looking at hentai / cartoon porn a sin?

What does the Bible say about hentai? Is looking at hentai / cartoon porn a sin? Why is pornography such a difficult sin to overcome?

URL: http://www.gotquestions.org/hentai-Bible-sin.html

What does the Bible say about homosexuality? Is homosexuality a sin?

What does the Bible say about homosexuality? Is homosexuality a sin? Is homosexuality a choice, or are homosexuals born that way?

URL: http://www.gotquestions.org/homosexuality-Bible.html

What does the Bible say about flirting?

What does the Bible say about flirting? For a Christian, is there anything wrong with flirting?

URL: http://www.gotquestions.org/flirting.html

How can I prepare myself for marriage?

How can I prepare myself for marriage? What things should I be doing to help me be ready when I get married?

URL: http://www.gotquestions.org/prepare-marriage.html

How will I know when I have found the perfect spouse for me?

How will I know when I have found the perfect spouse for me? How can I recognize the one God has chosen for me?

URL: http://www.gotquestions.org/know-found-spouse.html

When is the right time for marriage?

When is the right time for marriage? How can a couple know when they are ready to get married?

URL: http://www.gotquestions.org/marriage-right-time.html

Why is sexual temptation a bigger problem for men than for women?

Why is sexual temptation a bigger problem for men than for women? Why do men have more trouble resisting sexual temptation than women?

URL: http://www.gotquestions.org/sexual-temptation.html

How important is physical attraction when looking for a spouse?

How important is physical attraction when looking for a spouse? Should husbands and wives be physically attracted to each other?

URL: http://www.gotquestions.org/physical-attraction.html

What should I look for in a Christian girlfriend?

What should I look for in a Christian girlfriend? As a Christian, is having a girlfriend a good thing, or is it a distraction from a strong relati...

URL: http://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-girlfriend.html

What should I look for in a Christian boyfriend?

What should I look for in a Christian boyfriend? As a Christian, is having a boyfriend a good thing, or is it a distraction from a strong relation...

URL: http://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-boyfriend.html

What are valid reasons for breaking up with a boyfriend/girlfriend?

What are valid reasons for breaking up with a boyfriend/girlfriend? My boyfriend/girlfriend did '_______' should I break up with him/her?

URL: http://www.gotquestions.org/breaking-up.html

Is it right for a Christian to date or marry a non-Christian?

Is it right for a Christian to date or marry a non-Christian? What does it mean that Christians should not be unequally yoked with unbelievers?

URL: http://www.gotquestions.org/date-marry-unbeliever.html

How young is too young to be in a romantic relationship?

How young is too young to be in a romantic relationship? What is an appropriate age to start dating / courting?

URL: http://www.gotquestions.org/too-young-relationship.html

Should Christians of different denominations date or marry?

Should Christians of different denominations date or marry? Can a Baptist marry a Pentecostal? Should a Lutheran date a Catholic?

URL: http://www.gotquestions.org/date-denominations.html

What should I do if I cannot decide who I should be dating?

What should I do if I cannot decide who I should be dating? How can I decide if I am interested in dating more than one person?

URL: http://www.gotquestions.org/dating-choice.html

What does the Bible say about age differences in relationships?

What does the Bible say about age differences in relationships? What is an appropriate age difference for a couple?

URL: http://www.gotquestions.org/age-differences-relationships.html

What is the difference between dating and courting?

What is the difference between dating and courting? Which is better, dating or courting?

URL: http://www.gotquestions.org/difference-dating-courting.html

Why is premarital counseling important?

Why is premarital counseling important? What is the value of a couple getting premarital counseling?

URL: http://www.gotquestions.org/premarital-counseling.html

What should I be looking for in a husband?

What should I be looking for in a husband? How can I recognize a man who will be a good husband?

URL: http://www.gotquestions.org/husband-looking.html
What should I be looking for in a wife?

What should I be looking for in a wife? How can I recognize a woman who will be a good wife?

URL: http://www.gotquestions.org/wife-looking.html

What does it mean to be unequally yoked?

What does it mean to be unequally yoked? What does it mean that Christians should not be unequally yoked with unbelievers?

URL: http://www.gotquestions.org/unequally-yoked.html
What does the Bible say about abortion?

What does the Bible say about abortion? Is an abortion allowable under any circumstances according to the Bible?

URL: http://www.gotquestions.org/abortion-Bible.html

How should Christian parents handle a teen daughter who has become pregnant?

How should Christian parents handle a teen daughter who has become pregnant? Why is love, forgiveness, and acceptance so important when a teen pre...

URL: http://www.gotquestions.org/teen-pregnancy.html

© Copyright 2002-2012 Got Questions Ministries - All Rights Reserved.
www.gotquestions.org - Bible Questions Answered

What should be different about a Christian marriage?

by Got Questions Ministries

The primary difference between a Christian marriage and a non-Christian marriage is that Christ is the center of the marriage. When two people are united in Christ, their goal is to grow in Christlikeness throughout the life of the marriage. Non-Christians may have many goals for their marriage, but Christlikeness is not one of them. This is not to say that all Christians, when they marry, immediately begin to work toward this goal. Many young Christians don’t even realize this actually is the goal, but the presence of the Holy Spirit within each of them works with them, maturing each one so that the goal of Christlikeness becomes increasingly clear to them. When both partners make becoming more like Christ their individual goal, a strong, vibrant Christian marriage begins to take shape.

A Christian marriage begins with the understanding that the Bible gives a clear description of roles of husband and wife—found primarily in Ephesians 5—and a commitment to fulfilling those roles. The husband is to assume leadership in the home (Ephesians 5:23-26). This leadership should not be dictatorial, condescending, or patronizing to the wife, but should be in accordance with the example of Christ leading the church. Christ loved the church (His people) with compassion, mercy, forgiveness, respect, and selflessness. In this same way husbands are to love their wives.

Wives are to submit to their husbands “as to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:22), not because she is to be subservient to him, but because both husband and wife are to “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21) and because there is to be an authority structure within the home, with Christ at the head (Ephesians 5:23-24). Respect is a key element of the desire to submit; wives must respect their husbands as husbands are to love their wives (Ephesians 5:33). Mutual love, respect, and submission are the cornerstone of a Christian marriage. Built upon these three principles, both husband and wife will grow in Christlikeness, growing together, not apart, as each matures in godliness.

Another key component in a Christian marriage is selflessness, as described in Philippians 2:3-4. The principle of humility outlined in these verses is crucial to a strong Christian marriage. Both husband and wife must consider their partner’s needs before their own, which requires a selflessness that is only possible by the power of the Holy Spirit who indwells them. Humility and selflessness do not come naturally to the fallen human nature. They are traits only the Spirit of God can produce, nurture, and perfect in us. That’s why strong Christian marriage are characterized by the spiritual disciplines—Bible study, Scripture memory, prayer, and meditation on the things of God. When both partners practice these disciplines, each is strengthened and matured, which naturally strengthens and matures the marriage.

Recommended Resource: Fit to Be Tied: Making Marriage Last a Lifetime by Bill Hybels.

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Related Topics:

How does one handle conflict in a marriage (or any relationship for that matter)?

What does it mean to be one flesh in a marriage?

What does the Bible say about an unhappy marriage?

Does marriage hinder your relationship with God?

What sort of things should be in Christian wedding/marriage vows?

Questions about Marriage

 © Copyright 2002-2012 Got Questions Ministries - All Rights Reserved.
www.gotquestions.org - Bible Questions Answered -

What does the Bible say about depression? How can a Christian overcome depression?

by Got Questions Ministries

Depression is a widespread condition, affecting millions of people, Christians and non-Christians alike. Those suffering from depression can experience intense feelings of sadness, anger, hopelessness, fatigue, and a variety of other symptoms. They may begin to feel useless and even suicidal, losing interest in things and people that they once enjoyed. Depression is often triggered by life circumstances, such as a loss of job, death of a loved one, divorce, or psychological problems such as abuse or low self-esteem.

The Bible tells us to be filled with joy and praise (Philippians 4:4; Romans 15:11), so God apparently intends for us all to live joyful lives. This is not easy for someone suffering from situational depression, but it can be remedied through God's gifts of prayer, Bible study and application, support groups, fellowship among believers, confession, forgiveness, and counseling. We must make the conscious effort to not be absorbed in ourselves, but to turn our efforts outward. Feelings of depression can often be solved when those suffering with depression move the focus from themselves to Christ and others.

Clinical depression is a physical condition that must be diagnosed by a physician. It may not be caused by unfortunate life circumstances, nor can the symptoms be alleviated by one's own will. Contrary to what some in the Christian community believe, clinical depression is not always caused by sin. Depression can sometimes be caused by a physical disorder that needs to be treated with medication and/or counseling. Of course, God is able to cure any disease or disorder. However, in some cases, seeing a doctor for depression is no different than seeing a doctor for an injury.

There are some things that those who suffer from depression can do to alleviate their anxiety. They should make sure that they are staying in the Word, even when they do not feel like it. Emotions can lead us astray, but God's Word stands firm and unchanging. We must maintain strong faith in God and hold even more tightly to Him when we undergo trials and temptations. The Bible tells us that God will never allow temptations into our lives that are too much for us to handle (1 Corinthians 10:13). Although being depressed is not a sin, one is still accountable for the response to the affliction, including getting the professional help that is needed. “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name” (Hebrews 13:15).

Recommended Resource: How to Win Over Depression by Tim Lahaye.

This page is also available in: Chinese, Indonesia, Hebrew, Arabic, Español, Português, Polski, Korean, Russian, Thai, Nederlands, Hrvatski, Français, Italiano, Srpski, Română, Greek, Bulgarian, Japanese, Melayu, Slovenčina, Sinhala, Trad-Chinese, Farsi, Ukrainian, Magyar, Suomi, Deutsch, Mongolian, Cesky, Afrikaans, Türkçe, Norsk, Kiswahili

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Related Topics:

Why should I not commit suicide?

What does the Bible say about sadness?

What does the Bible say about loneliness?

What does the Bible say about being bipolar / manic depression?

What is godly sorrow?

© Copyright 2002-2012 Got Questions Ministries - All Rights Reserved.
www.gotquestions.org - Bible Questions Answered

How do I stop committing the same sins?/How can I overcome a habitual sin?

by Got Questions Ministries

The first thing to consider in how to overcome habitual sin is to note the change, or transformation, that takes place when a person is saved. The Bible describes the natural man as “dead in sin and trespasses” (Ephesians 2:1). As a result of Adam’s fall into sin, man is born spiritually dead. In this state of spiritual death, man is unable and unwilling to follow and obey God and habitual sin naturally follows. Natural man sees the things of God as foolishness (1 Corinthians 2:14) and is hostile toward God (Romans 8:7). When a person is saved, a transformation takes place. The Apostle Paul refers to this as the new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). From the moment we place our faith in Christ we are in the process of sanctification.

The process of sanctification is that by which those who are in Christ are conformed by the Holy Spirit into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). Sanctification in this life will never be fully complete, which means that believers will always struggle with remaining sin. Paul describes this battle with sin in Romans 7:15-25. In that passage he notes that even though he desires to do what is good in the eyes of God, he often does what is evil instead. He does the evil he doesn’t want to do and fails to do the good that he wants to do. In this, he is describing every Christian’s struggle with sin.

James says we all sin in different ways (James 3:2), and that means each of us has what may be called “besetting” sins. Some sins are easier to overcome than others. Some struggle with anger, others with gossip, and others with lying. The point is that each of us has a sin (or some sins) with which we struggle. These besetting sins are habits that we developed during our lives as unbelievers and require more grace and discipline to overcome.

Part of the process of overcoming these habitual, or besetting, sins is in recognizing the transformation that has indeed taken place within the believer. Paul writes, “So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:11). When Paul says, “consider yourselves dead to sin,” he is telling us to remember that in coming to Christ, the power of sin has been broken in our lives. He uses the metaphor of slavery to make this point. We were at one time slaves to sin, but now we are slaves to righteousness (Romans 6:17-18). At the cross, the power of sin was broken and in becoming Christians, we are set free from sin’s slavery over us. Therefore, when a Christian sins, it is no longer out of the necessity of his nature, but because he has willfully submitted himself to sin’s dominion (Galatians 5:1).

The next part of the process is recognizing our inability to overcome habitual sin and our need to rely on the power of God’s Holy Spirit, who dwells within us. Back to Romans 7, Paul says, “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out” (Romans 7:25). The Christian’s struggle against sin is one in which our ability does not match our desire. That is why we need the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul later says, “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you” (Romans 8:11). The Holy Spirit, through God’s Word (John 17:17), works sanctification in the people of God. Habitual sin is overcome as we submit ourselves to God and refuse the temptations of the flesh (James 4:7-8).

Another part of the process of overcoming habitual sin is to change the habits that facilitate it. We have to adopt the attitude of Joseph who, when tempted by Potiphar’s wife to come to bed with her, left the room so quickly that he left his cloak in her hands (Genesis 39:15). We simply must make every effort to run from the things that tempt us to sin, including access to food if we are given to overeating, and access to pornography if we are tempted to sexual sin. Jesus tells us to cut off our hand or pluck out our eye if they “offend” us (Matthew 5:29-30). This means removing from our lives anything, even those things close to us, if they tempt us to sin. In short, we have to change the habits that lead to habitual sin.

Finally, we need to immerse ourselves in the truth of the gospel. The gospel is not only the means by which we are saved, but it is also the means by which we are sanctified (Romans 16:25). If we think we are saved by grace, but sanctified by our own efforts, we fall into error (Galatians 3:1-3). Sanctification is as much a work of God as justification. The promise we have from Scripture is that he who began a good work in us will complete it on the last day (Philippians 1:6).

Recommended Resource: Overcoming Sin and Temptation by John Owen.

Related Topics:

In regards to forgiveness, is there a difference between willful sin and ignorant sin?

What is mortification of sin / the flesh?

What is a sin of omission?

What does it mean to be a slave to sin?

Do we sin daily? Is it possible to go an entire day without sinning?

© Copyright 2002-2012 Got Questions Ministries - All Rights Reserved.
www.gotquestions.org - Bible Questions Answered

A Faith-Based Response to Adolescent Bullying

This article is the first in a series of articles that explains just how prevalent and damaging adolescent bullying is to children, and what an appropriate response is from the faith-based community. 

http://www.cbn.com/family/parenting/Coughlin_Bully1.aspx

© 2012 The Christian Broadcasting Network, Inc., A nonprofit 501 (c)(3) Charitable Organization.  http://www.cbn.com

How should a Christian respond to bullying?

by Got Questions Ministries

Although we do not find the word “bullying” in the Bible, we do find the word “brutish,” a synonym of the brutal thuggery associated with thieves, assassins, and savage beasts (Psalm 49:10; Proverbs 12:1; Isaiah 19:11). The Hebrew and Greek words translated “brute” or “brutish” mean stupid, foolish, and irrational, as cattle. We can derive from this that those who bully are acting as cattle or other beasts incapable of rational thought. It is, unfortunately, not uncommon to see this type of abhorrent behavior in fallen man—even in the church—in both males and females throughout all life stages.

Sadly, Christians are not immune from attacks by brutish bullies. In fact, Christians are often more likely to be victims, especially if they are trying to live according to Jesus’ command to “turn the other cheek” (Matthew 5:39). That does not mean Christians cannot pray for God to defend them. Are Christians denied the option of self-defense? Not necessarily. All husbands are required to defend their wives, children, families, homes, businesses, and their nations (Ephesians 5:21-6:9). Where the bullying of children is involved, it is a parent’s responsibility before God to protect their children and remove them from situations where they may be in danger.

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments" (Matthew 22:36-40). The Bible says believers are to love God with everything in them, so they can produce good fruit (Galatians 5:22-23) and apply the Golden Rule to others. In the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), Jesus reveals that the heart of a true neighbor is one that shows mercy, even to one’s enemies. So, Christians are to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) first being sure their own hearts are pure before God.

Recommended Resource: The Gift of Forgiveness by Charles Stanley.

 © Copyright 2002-2012 Got Questions Ministries - All Rights Reserved.
www.gotquestions.org - Bible Questions Answered

Basic Timeline of the Bible

by Got Questions Ministries


In the most basic sense, the Bible timeline is endless and eternal, as it chronicles creation (date unknown; Genesis 1:1-31) and the end of ages (Matthew 28:20). From a more practical viewpoint, the Bible timeline on which most scholars agree begins with Abram’s birth, renamed Abraham by God (Genesis 17:4-6) in the year 2,166 (B.C.) and ends with the writing of the book of Revelation in approximately 95 A.D. Prior to Abraham’s birth, the Bible timeline beginning in Genesis contains a rich history of creation, Adam and Eve, the Fall of Man, extensive genealogies, stories of human travails leading up to Noah and the Great Flood (date also unknown), and much more.

Of course, this raises the question of how literally to interpret dates and other statements in the Bible. Genesis says that God created the world and everything in it in six days (Genesis 1:31). Yet the Bible also says that with God a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day (2 Peter 3:8). And as Jesus told His disciples to forgive people not only seven times but seventy times seven times (490), the context seems clear that Jesus exhorts us to offer limitless forgiveness to those who trespass against us (Matthew 6:9-13). So, the most accurate and practical way to regard biblical time is that only God knows the true beginning and end of His universe (Mark 13:32).

Yet, within the period between Abraham’s birth and the Apostle John’s writing of the book of Revelation in A.D. 95 from his exile on the island of Patmos shortly before his death, history clearly documents and verifies many of the events and people addressed in the Old and New Testaments. For example, Moses was estimated to be born in 1526 B.C., Joshua entered the Promised Land approximately 1,400 B.C., and the period of Israel’s 10 judges lasted until 1,050 B.C, or until the onset of King Saul’s reign, when most scholars agree concrete historically-verifiable dating was possible.

From there, Israel’s first king, Saul, the famous King David—from whose family Jesus Christ would be born—and David’s son, wise King Solomon, presided over a united kingdom until 930 B.C. After King Solomon’s reign, Israel experienced a divided kingdom. Kings ruled the north (kings of Israel) and the south (kings of Judah) until the fall of the northern kingdom in 722 B.C. and the fall of Jerusalem (southern kingdom), which resulted in the Jews being exiled to Babylonia in 586 B.C.

This exile lasted until 538 B.C. when Persian King Cyrus directed Ezra to return to Israel and build a temple for God at Jerusalem in Judah (Ezra 1). The Jews restored Israel between this time and approximately 432 B.C., when the last book of the Old Testament (Malachi) was written. What followed next was a period of approximately 430 years, often referred to as “the time between the testaments.”

In approximately 6 B.C., Jesus Christ, the Messiah of Israel, was born in Bethlehem and left soon thereafter for Egypt. After the death of Herod the Great in 4 B.C., Jesus and His parents left Egypt and returned to Nazareth (Matthew 2:19-23). Nothing is recorded for the next 10 years, until we see Jesus astounding the teachers in the Temple at age twelve (Luke 2:40-52). This was followed by approximately 19 years of silence until Jesus began His public ministry in circa 27 A.D., which included His baptism (Matthew 3:13-17), temptation in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-13), first miracle in Cana (John 2:1-12), the first cleansing of the Temple (John 2:13-25) and early Judean ministry (John 3:1–4:43). The following year in Galilee, He called His disciples (Luke 6:13-16), preached the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1–8:1), spoke in parables, did many miracles, including healings (Matthew 8:23–9:34), and sent forth the twelve (Matthew 9:35–11:1).

In the period 29-30 A.D., Jesus spent most of His time in Judea, preaching, teaching, performing miracles—including the raising of Lazarus from the dead—and further equipping the disciples to continue on after His death. Early in the year 30 A.D., He set His face toward Jerusalem. During the last week of His life, Jesus celebrated the Passover with His friends, where He instituted the Lord’s Supper (Luke 22:14-20) and gave His farewell discourse, including His High Priestly prayer (John 17:1-26). Finally, He was betrayed, arrested, tried, crucified and resurrected (Matthew 26:36–28:8). After that, the risen Christ began a 40-day ministry, was seen by many, and finally ascended to heaven (Acts 1:3-11; 1 Corinthians 15:6-7).

Shortly after Jesus was crucified and resurrected, His apostles and followers wrote what we now call the New Testament, a collection of books composed comparatively soon after His earthly ministry. Many scholars proficient in studying ancient texts believe that the concurrency of accounts plus the enormous number of copies produced and replicated over subsequent years makes the New Testament the most historically reliable document of all ancient texts. The first book of the New Testament (either Galatians or James) could have been written as early as A.D. 49, or within two decades of Jesus’ death and resurrection. This meant that the original texts were written by eyewitnesses providing first-hand accounts of what took place. The final book of the New Testament, Revelation, was written in approximately 95 A.D.

Recommended Resource: Chronological Bibles.

 © Copyright 2002-2012 Got Questions Ministries - All Rights Reserved.
www.gotquestions.org - Bible Questions Answered

Old Testament vs. New Testament - What are the differences?

by Got Questions Ministries

The Old Testament lays the foundation for the teachings and events found in the New Testament. The Bible is a progressive revelation. If you skip the first half of any good book and try to finish it, you will have a hard time understanding the characters, the plot, and the ending. In the same way, the New Testament is only completely understood when it is seen as a fulfillment of the events, characters, laws, sacrificial system, covenants, and promises of the Old Testament.

If we only had the New Testament, we would come to the gospels and not know why the Jews were looking for a Messiah (a Savior King). Without the Old Testament, we would not understand why this Messiah was coming (see Isaiah 53), and we would not have been able to identify Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah through the many detailed prophecies that were given concerning Him, e.g., His birthplace (Micah 5:2); His manner of death (Psalm 22, especially vv. 1, 7-8, 14-18; Psalm 69:21), His resurrection (Psalm 16:10), and many more details of His ministry (Isaiah 52:13-15; 9:2).

Without the Old Testament, we would not understand the Jewish customs that are mentioned in passing in the New Testament. We would not understand the perversions that the Pharisees had made to God's law as they added their traditions to it. We would not understand why Jesus was so upset as He cleansed the temple courtyard. We would not understand that we can make use of the same wisdom that Christ used in His many replies to His adversaries.

The New Testament Gospels and the Acts of the apostles record many of the fulfillments of prophecies that were recorded hundreds of years earlier in the Old Testament. In the circumstances of Jesus' birth, life, miracles, death, and resurrection as found in the Gospels, we find the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies that relate to the Messiah's first coming. It is these details that validate Jesus' claim to be the promised Christ. And even the prophecies in the New Testament (many of which are in the book of Revelation) are built upon earlier prophecies found in Old Testament books. These New Testament prophecies relate to events surrounding the second coming of Christ. Roughly two out of three verses in Revelation are based on or related to Old Testament verses.

Also, because the revelation in Scripture is progressive, the New Testament brings into focus teachings that were only alluded to in the Old Testament. The book of Hebrews describes how Jesus is the true High Priest and how His one sacrifice replaces all of the previous sacrifices, which were mere portrayals. The Old Testament gives the Law, which has two parts: the commandments and the blessing/curse that comes from obedience or disobedience to those commands. The New Testament clarifies that God gave those commandments to show men their need of salvation; they were never intended to be a means of salvation (Romans 3:19).

The Old Testament describes the sacrificial system God gave the Israelites to temporarily cover their sins. The New Testament clarifies that this system alluded to the sacrifice of Christ through whom alone salvation is found (Acts 4:12; Hebrews 10:4-10). The Old Testament saw paradise lost; the New Testament shows how paradise was regained for mankind through the second Adam (Christ) and how it will one day be restored. The Old Testament declares that man was separated from God through sin (Genesis chapter 3), and the New Testament declares that man can now be restored in his relationship to God (Romans chapters 3–6). The Old Testament predicted the Messiah's life. The Gospels primarily record Jesus' life, and the Epistles interpret His life and how we are to respond to all He has done.

Without the Old Testament we would not understand the promises God will yet fulfill to the Jewish nation. As a result, we would not properly see that the tribulation period is a seven-year period in which He will specifically be working with the Jewish nation who rejected His first coming but who will receive Him at His second coming. We would not understand how Christ's future 1000-year reign fits in with His promises to the Jews, or how Gentiles will fit in. Nor would we see how the end of the Bible ties up the loose ends that were unraveled in the beginning of the Bible, restoring the paradise that God originally created this world to be.

In summary, the Old Testament lays the foundation for, and was meant to prepare the Israelites for, the coming of the Messiah who would sacrifice Himself for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2). The New Testament shares the life of Jesus Christ and then looks back on what He did and how we are to respond to His gift of eternal life and live our lives in gratitude for all He has done for us (Romans 12). Both testaments reveal the same holy, merciful, and righteous God who must condemn sin but who desires to bring to Himself a fallen human race of sinners through the forgiveness only possible through Christ's atoning sacrifice. In both testaments, God reveals Himself to us and how we are to come to Him through Jesus Christ. In both testaments, we find all we need for eternal life and godly living (2 Timothy 3:15-17).

Recommended Resource: The Quest Study Bible.

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