A key to understanding the great harlot is the temple. Ezekiel was a priest who was exiled to Babylon in 597 B.C. This was the second of three groups of exiles under Nebuchadnezzar. (These exiles occurred in 605 B.C., 597 B.C. and 586 B.C.) In chapter 8 of Ezekiel, the Spirit transports Ezekiel who is [...]
Popular television preacher, Joel Osteen, has a standard introduction to each of his sermons. He invites all in attendance (usually 8,000 plus people) to take their Bibles, raise them in the air, and repeat after him: This is my Bible I am what it says I am I have what it says I have I [...]
Let us now examine the title for the great prostitute: MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. There is some argument as to whether the word “mystery” in this case is a descriptor or part of the title. Suffice it to say that the identity of Babylon [...]
Revelation uses the term “great city” in reference to Jerusalem (Revelation 11:8) and Babylon the Great (Revelation 16:19, 17:18, 18:10, 18:16, 18:18, 18:19, 18:21). What are the possibilities that John is speaking of two great cities? Revelation 17:18 tells us that she is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth. Similar [...]
Understanding Revelation requires some familiarity with the Old Testament because of the many allusions to it. In chapter 16 of Ezekiel we are given background to the city of Jerusalem that impacts our understanding of The Mother of Prostitutes and of the Abominations of the Earth. The allegory is graphic, and one of a romance. [...]
I am wrapping up a year long expositional class on the book of Revelation. The book of Revelation is a beautiful gift of a King to His bride. From the outset of this prophetic work, it is announced: Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who [...]
In Part 1 of this series we were introduced to the idea of God as a husband (Jeremiah 31:32). Is this anthropomorphism just an isolated occurrence or is it repeated? Chapter 50 of Isaiah gives us marriage language with regard to Israel although in the negative, echoing Hosea. This is what the LORD says: “Where [...]
In studying Bible prophecy, I have observed many identifications for Babylon the Great of Revelation 17 and 18. The city of Rome, the Catholic Church and the Pope are the most popular, but Mecca, the Arabian peninsula, ancient Babylon and Jerusalem have also been suggested. Does the harlot-prostitute-adulteress motif in the Bible give us insight [...]
Ever year at this time, particular attention is paid to the Gospel birth narratives. While it is wonderful that the Scriptures are being read and engaged, several details in these accounts have been misunderstood due to their “popular” portrayal in our culture. For instance, we see dozens of nativity scenes every year, yet Jesus was most probably born in a typical “middle class” home in Bethlehem. Furthermore, there was no innkeeper refusing to let Mary and Joseph stay in a “hotel.” This crept into church history because of a misunderstanding of a particular Greek word. Beyond these matters, there are also matters that we often gloss over when there are powerful points that arise from these “small details.” One I wish to explore in this is article is the declaration of Joseph as being a “just man” and some of the implications that arise for our own walk in the Lord.
In the first chapter of Matthew we read the royal genealogy of Jesus. The Messianic credentials are established. Jesus is the descendant of Abraham, Judah, David, and Zerubbabel — highlighting the fulfillment of God’s promises throughout the Law and Prophets. But in the text we are introduced to a problem; a crisis:
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. Matthew 1:18-19
Reflections On A Morning With The Author Of “The Pursuit Of Holiness”
Earlier this month, I was blessed to attend a breakfast with Jerry Bridges. For those unfamiliar with this man, he has worked with the Navigators for nearly 50 years and is widely known for his writings on sanctification. In 1978 he wrote a bestselling book titled “The Pursuit of Holiness.” He followed up this work with titles such as “The Practice of Godliness,” “The Discipline of Grace” and “Respectable Sins.” In a small group setting, Mr. Bridges gave us a stirring message from the Scriptures and we had ample time to interact with him. While there were many memorable moments, two matters really “hit their mark,” stirring me to remembrance to how I need to pursue conformity to the image of Christ.
Ryan is being interviewed on his new book “The Parable of the Fig Tree” on KKMS 980AM in Minneapolis/St Paul on Tuesday, October 27th (4:00-5:00 p.m.). Click here for more information.
While the previous “Misapplied Scripture” articles have dealt with verses that are often used out of context by those professing a faith in Christ, this is a verse that is often used by those who have made no such profession, or in some cases they have only very recently made such a profession. Nevertheless, it is a verse that is commonly misapplied, so I wish to address it here.
As with any verse, this one must be taken within its context. Normally I advise, at the very least, to read a verse within the chapter that contains it. In this case, such an approach would be adequate, but not optimal. Chapter seven of Matthew’s Gospel comes as the third of three chapters detailing the famous Sermon on the Mount1. This chapter is especially Gospel-centric.
I’ll begin by showing verse one in conjunction with the following verse: Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you (emphasis mine.)
“Are we living in the last days?” This is certainly a common question asked throughout the contemporary church. I believe we can confidently answer, by the authority of the word of God, “Yes!” Now before one decides to dump their insurance, stop putting money in their I.R.A.’s, or buy a secluded retreat, allow me to expound what the Scriptures declare to be the “last days,” and highlight our calling in light of this significant time.
In Acts chapter 2, we read of a climactic event in salvation history. Jesus has been raised from the dead, appeared to His followers, and instructed them to wait in Jerusalem. The promise of power from on high was about to come. On the day of Pentecost, 50 days after Jesus was raised from the dead, the Holy Spirit was poured out upon all who believed in Jesus of Nazareth. They began speaking in various tongues, pointing to the truth that this was the fulfillment of God’s promise proclaimed through the prophet Joel.
Ever since I was a kid, I’ve looked forward to being married. Growing up in a Christian home, I had the gift of the Scripture’s teaching on marriage as well as my parent’s example of how it should be applied. Both caused me to look forward to the day when God would bless me with [...]
“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13 – NASB So far in our “Misapplied Scripture” series, we have looked at three verses that are fairly well known in the Church, but often taken out of context. In this article, we tackle a fourth that is popularly used by Christians [...]
“For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” – Matthew 18:20 – NASB What a beautiful verse, though so often misunderstood. It is common for Christians to comfort each other with it, implying some mystical presence of the Lord whenever and wherever his people are gathered [...]
“For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11 – NASB Popular among Evangelicals today is the idea of “claiming” a verse for one’s self, latching on to a passage of scripture and [...]
A few years ago an area pastor took out advertisements in one of our local Christian periodicals. These ads issued both a proclamation and a challenge: “Christians are required to observe the Sabbath on Saturdays, and I invite anyone to debate me on this subject.” The challenge was eventually accepted and I proceeded to attend the public debate. At the time of this debate I was engaged in expository work on both Galatians and Hebrews. As I listened to these two men debate the issues, I compared their views to what I was learning through my studies. What struck me was this: the theological issues that the first century church struggled against are just as pressing 2,000 years later.
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.” – Revelation 3:20 – NASB In our previous Misapplied Scripture article, we discussed a verse that is popular among those who teach that [...]
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me – John 10:27 NASB Today’s Christians tend to be very familiar with many verses in the Bible, including this verse, but do they understand it correctly? In this article, we will show how many Christians fail to understand John 10:27 and get [...]
Hank Hanegraaff, radio’s “Bible Answer Man,” includes the following statement in the introduction to his new book, The Apocalypse Code: “Make no mistake: this is not the stuff of ivory-tower debates. The stakes for Christianity and the culture in the controversy surrounding eschatology are enormous!” With the stakes so high, he’s entered the fray—writing on [...]
I recall a conversation I had with an individual early in my Christian life regarding the high calling of living in light of the Gospel — the need for devotion to the Word, the need for prayer, the need for fellowship, and the task of evangelism. His response took me aback: “All those are fine [...]
Few biblical authors give their readers such a clear proclamation of “intent” as does the author of the gospel of John. In bold and simple fashion, John announces his purpose in penning his account of the person and work of Jesus Christ. On the heels of his chronicling of the teaching of Jesus, the signs [...]
The newer the better. So goes much of our cultural mindset. Sadly, this type of thinking has crept into the way many view the Old Testament Scriptures. Many believe the Old Testament has “passed on” so to speak, and the New Testament has replaced it. While much of the Old Testament has in a sense [...]