From Daniel to Revelation

Categories

This website does not reflect the views of any specific denomination or church. (See – About Author) The articles are categorized as follows:

• • • The Book of Daniel:
      • • The Antichrist
        • The 490 Years of Daniel 9
        • Is the Book of Daniel a forgery?
    • Book of Revelation:
      • • General
        • Seven Seals
        • Chapters 12-14
        • Seven Last Plagues
        • Chapter 17 & Babylon, the Mother of Harlots
        • The Seven-headed Beasts
    • The Trinity
      • • Is Jesus the Most High God?
        • Trinity Doctrine – Historical Development
        • Trinity Doctrine – General
    • Other Specific Topics
      • • Early Church History
        • Death, Eternal Life, and Eternal Torment
        • Atonement
        • Justification
        • The Return of Christ
        • The Sabbath
        • The Law of Moses
        • The Gospel in Galatians
        • The Origin of Evil
    • Specific Bible Books
      • • Romans
        • Galatians
        • Colossians
        • Hebrews

The Book of Daniel
– The Antichrist –

• • Daniel 2
    Daniel 2 divides world history into six successive ages..
  • Daniel 7
    Daniel 7 uses beasts and horns to symbolize world empires.
    
  • Evil Horn: Identity
    Daniel 8 explicitly identifies the two beasts but not the evil horn. This article lists three alternative interpretations.
    
  • Evil Horn: Origin
    A comparison of the animals of Daniel 7 and 8 identifies the fourth kingdom, from which the evil horn-king arises, as the Roman Empire.
    
  • Out of one of them
    What does it mean that the evil horn arises “out of one of them” (Dan 8:9)? Did it come out of a Greek horn?
  • Daniel 11
    Who is the “vile person?”
  • Antiochus IV
    Critics claim that the vile person is Antiochus but he does not fit the profile.

Daniel 9
– Summary –

• • Summary
    Summary of all Daniel 9-articles

Daniel 9
– Specific Concepts –

• • Introduction
    Overview of the Prophecy and its major interpretations
  • Decree
    With which decree did the 490 years begin?
  • Purpose of the 490 years
    The 490 years are an extension of God’s covenant with Israel.
  • The end of the 490 years
    The 490 years did not end at the Cross but a few years later when the Jews also rejected the Holy Spirit.
  • The seven last years
    Who confirms what covenant with whom during the last 7 years?
  • Complete Destruction
    What is destroyed in the “complete destruction” of Daniel 9:27?
  • Sequence of Events
    Does the prophecy list events in chronological sequence?
  • The Six Goals
    When were or will the goals of the 490 years (Daniel 9:24) be fulfilled?
    
  • When will the Messiah appear?
    Translations differ with respect to whether the Messiah will appear after the first 49 years or after 483 years.
  • Same Crisis?
    Does Daniel 9 describe the same crisis as the other prophecies in Daniel?
  • Daniel 9 forms a unit.
    The prophecy is the answer to Daniel’s prayer in the first part of Daniel 9.

Daniel 9
– Interpretations –

• • Liberal-Critical
    Critical scholars claim that Daniel was written after the events it pretends to predict.
    
  • Dispensational
    A brief evaluation of the Dispensational interpretation of Daniel 9. (See more detail below.)
  • Consistent Symbolical
    In this, even the 490 years are symbolic and not literal.
    
  • Historic-Messianic
    The full 490 years are past history; fulfilled in the work that Jesus Christ and, after His death, the Holy Spirit did in Israel. (See more detail below.)
    
  • Pre-Wrath Dispensationalism
    The church will NOT be raptured but will suffer the end-time tribulation.
    
  • Church Fathers
    How did the early church fathers interpret Daniel 9?

Daniel 9
– Dispensational Interpretation –

• • Time Indications
    Does the Dispensational interpretation fit the time indications in the prophecy?
  • God’s or Satan’s covenant?
    Whose covenant is confirmed in Daniel 9:27: God’s or Satan’s?
    
  • Who confirms the covenant?
    Christ or the Antichrist?
  • The Last Seven Years
    In Dispensationalism, the last week of Daniel 9:27 symbolizes the last seven years before Christ returns. This does not fit the prophecy.
    
  • Other Flaws
    Various other differences between Daniel 9 and the Dispensational interpretation
    

Daniel 9
– Historical-Messianic Interpretation-

• • Introduction
    This is the traditional understanding of Daniel 9. In it, the 490 years are an extension of God’s covenant with Israel.
  • Decree
    The 490 years began with Artaxerxes’ first decree in 458/7 BC.
  • Messiah the Prince
    The Messiah who is cut off (Dan 9:26) is the Lord Jesus Christ.
  • Make firm a covenant
    It is Jesus who made ” a firm covenant with the many (in Israel)” (Dan 9:27).
  • Seven Last Years
    During the seven last years, Jesus confirmed God’s covenant with Israel; firstly, by His personal preaching and, secondly, after His death, by sending the Holy Spirit ONLY to Israel.
  • Jewish sacrificial system
    Jesus’ death “put a stop to sacrifice” (Dan 9:27).

Daniel 9
– Related Articles –

• • Jeremiah’s 70 years
    Where do we find the 70 years predicted by Jeremiah in history?
  • Nehemiah
    The book of Nehemiah provides context for Daniel’s prophecies.

The Book of Daniel
– Is it a forgery? –

1. • Critical scholars
     Critical scholars claim that the prophecies of Daniel were written after the events it predicts.
     
   • Evidence that Daniel is true prophecy.
     This article provides evidence that Daniel was written BEFORE the events it predicts.
     
   • Summary
     Summary of the previous article
   • The Fall of Rome
     Rome fell in the way predicted in Daniel. This confirms Daniel as true prophecy.
   • Darius the Mede
     Does the absence of Darius in other historical sources prove that Daniel is fiction?
   • Dead Sea Scrolls
     The Dead Sea Scrolls also confirm Daniel as true prophecy.

Revelation
– General Topics –

• • Revelation OF or BY Jesus?
    Should the title of the book be “Revelation OF” or “Revelation BY Jesus Christ?” In other words, is the book ABOUT Jesus Christ or FROM Him?
  • Chronological Sequence
    Does Revelation describe events in strict chronological sequence from beginning to end?
  • The temple is prominent.
    Every one of the five main parts of Revelation begins in the temple in heaven.
  • Literal Interpretation
    Is it valid to assume that everything in Revelation is literal unless it cannot be literal?
  • Christ’s Return
    An overview of the end-time events, as described in Revelation, leading up to Christ’s return
    
  • Hear/See Combinations
    In Revelation, John sometimes hears about something, but when he looks to see that thing, he sees something completely different.
    
  • Revelation’s strange numbers
    All numbers in Revelation are symbols. This article explains the meaning of the numbers 2, 4, 7, and 12.

Revelation
– The Trinity –

• • Is Jesus God?
    Does the book of Revelation present Jesus as God?
  • Worship
    If Jesus is worshiped in Revelation, does that mean that He is God?
  • Is Jesus worshiped?
    Are both the Father and the Son worshiped in Revelation 5:14?

Revelation
– The Seven Seals –

• • Summary
    Summary of all the articles on the seven seals
  • List
    List of articles with brief descriptions

Revelation 4

• • Verses 1-8
    A visual description of God’s throne room
  • The 24 elders
    The 24 elders in God’s throne room are people; not angels.
  • Worship
    Worship in God’s presence in Revelation 4:8-11 and 5; after Jesus has appeared in the throne room
    

Revelation 5

• • What event is this?
    Revelation 4 is a timeless description of God’s throne room. Revelation 5 describes what happened in heaven after Christ’s ascension.
  • The Sealed Book
    This is the Lamb’s Book of Life, which is the book of God’s judgments; indicating who will inherit eternal life.
  • Why Jesus had to die
    Why Jesus was not worthy to break the seals before His death and how did His death make Him worthy? (Rev 5:3. 5, 9)
  • Revelation 5 – Verse by Verse
    The first four verses describe the time before Christ, verses 5-6 describe His death and the rest of the chapter describes what happens in heaven after His ascension.
    

Revelation 6

• • First Seal
    The white horse is not the Antichrist. The color white, the stephanos crown, and its never-ending conquering identify it as the gospel.
  • Next three seals
    The four horsemen form a unit, meaning that the bloodshed, famine, and death in the next three horsemen are the consequence of the first (the gospel).
  • Fifth Seal
    Who or what are the souls under the altar? Would Christians cry for revenge?
    
  • Souls under the Altar
    Are these literal souls, literally crying out to God? If they are alive, why are they resting?
  • Sixth Seal
    In the sixth seal, the Son of Man separates the people from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

Revelation 7

• • When is the sealing?
    Where does the sealing of the 144000 in Revelation 7:1-8 fit in the end-time events described later in Revelation?
  • What is the seal?
    God will make more power available to enable His last-day people to remain faithful during the catastrophic end-time events.
  • The Time of the End
    God’s people are sealed during the Time of the End, as described by Daniel, when the little open book comes down from heaven.
  • 144000 are sealed.
    Who are the 144,000 “Sons of Israel” (Rev 7:4)?
  • The Innumerable Multitude
    Who is the Great Multitude of Revelation 7:9-17 and when will they be gathered as described?

Revelation 8

• • Seventh Seal
    When the seventh seal is broken, God’s judgments are understood and God can make a final end of evil, causing silence in heaven for half an hour.
  • The seven trumpets
    Does the seventh seal include the seven trumpets?
  • The Delay
    God delays Christ’s return until all seven seals are broken. This article explains why Christ has not yet returned.

Revelation 12

• • The woman and her child
    The “male child” seems to be Christ, but who is His mother? Is she Eve or Mary or Israel or the church or some higher-level principle?
  • The stars
    “A great red dragon swept away a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth” (Rev 12:4). What are the stars?
  • War in heaven
    When did the war in heaven begin and when was Satan thrown out of heaven?
  • The Victory
    How did Michael defeat Satan? What are Satan’s weapons and what did Michael use to overcome Satan?
  • Their Testimony
    “They overcame Satan by the word of their testimony” (Rev 12:11). If Christ’s death defeated Satan, why would “their testimony” also be required? 
  • Why does evil continue?
    After peace was restored in heaven, the war on earth only intensified (Rev 12:9, 12). Why did God not make an end of evil immediately after the Cross?

Revelation 13

• • Beast from the Sea
    This beast is the Antichrist (Rev 13:1-2). It is its mark that people will be forced to accept in the end time. This article provides a preliminary identification.
  • Fatal Wound
    Revelation 17 describes the same fatal wound as in Revelation 13:3-4 and identifies the slain head as the sixth of the beast’s seven heads.
    
  • Identity of the Beast
    This article shows that the beast in Revelation is the same as the evil horn in Daniel. It then identifies the horn by comparing its description in Daniel 7 to history.

Seven Last Plagues
– Revelation 15-16 –

• • • Introduction
      What must happen before the plagues will start to fall?
      

First Four Plagues

• • • The first four form a unit.
      Revelation has seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven plagues. The first four of each series should be interpreted as a unit; not individually.
      
    • Mark of the Beast
      The plagues show that the people with the mark of the beast are so deeply entrenched in Satan’s ways that they are unable to repent, even when faced with clear evidence that they are wrong.
      

Fifth Plague

• • • Throne of the Beast
      The beast received its throne (authority) from the Roman Empire (Rev 13:2). The beast is the mainstream church of today, namely the church that has developed from the official religion of the Roman Empire. 
      
    • Darkness
      It is the loud cry (Rev 18:2) that causes the darkness on the throne of the beast. That cry convinces the followers of the beast that the light from their religious system is actually spiritual darkness.
      
    • The Church of the Roman Empire
      The Roman Empire chose a specific subset of Christianity as the official religion of the Empire and transformed it into its own image. With the power of the Empire behind it, that religion developed into the ‘church’ of the Middle Ages and will remain the mainstream ‘church’ until it is destroyed by the seven last plagues.
      

Sixth Plague

• • • The Euphrates dries up.
      The Euphrates symbolizes the people under control of the beast.
      
    • Kings from the East
      There are two groups of kings in this plague. Since the kings of the whole world war against God, the kings from the east are the kings of God’s army.
    • Armageddon
      Armageddon is not a place. It is an event; the Day of the Lord; the Day of Judgment. The people will not gather at a specific place; spirits of demons will unite the world against God.
      
    • Rapture
      Jesus is “coming like a thief” (Rev 16:15). Does this support a secret rapture?
      
    • Why the Euphrates must dry up
      Why must the Euphrates dry up before the kings from the east may come? (Rev 16:12)
      
    • Summary
      Overview of the articles on the sixth plague

Seventh Plague

• • • Seventh Plague
      This final plague continues in Revelation 19 and ends with Christ’s return, the destruction of the beast and the extermination of the people with the mark of the beast.

Purpose of the Plagues

• • • To Reveal
      The purpose is not to save or to punish but to show that the people with the mark of the beast, who appear to be Christians, are hardened beyond repentance.
      
    • To validate God judgments
      The ultimate purpose is to show that God judges perfectly, but would that be necessary?

Revelation’s Beasts

• • The seven-headed beasts identified
    Revelation has three beasts with seven heads and ten horns each. What are they and how are they related?
  • Beasts are heads.
    “Here is the mind which has wisdom. The seven heads are …” (Rev 17:9). The seven heads are the seven phases of the beast-power. Each beast is one of the phases and, therefore, one of the seven heads.
    
  • The seven heads identified
    What are the seven heads of the beast?

Babylon – the Mother of Harlots

• • General characteristics
    She is not an ordinary world ruler. She corrupts the people, unites the world against God, and is worldwide and timeless.
    
  • Babylon and the Beast
    This article explains the relationship between the harlot Babylon and the beast of Revelation 13.
    
  • False Christianity
    Babylon exists everywhere and for all human history, but false Christianity has adopted the Babylonian spirit.
  • Babylon’s merchants
    The angel said that Babylon’s “merchants were the great men of the earth” (Rev 18:23). Who are they?
    
  • A Literal City?
    Literal interpreters propose that ancient Babylon will be rebuilt on the literal Euphrates River, to become the capital of the world.
    
  • The Papacy?
    Based on a comparison of the harlot of Revelation and the church’s history, some view the Papacy as the Babylon, the great.
    
  • Summary
    Overview of the articles on Babylon

Revelation 17

• • Revelation 17:1-3
    The harlot sitting on the scarlet beast – verse-by-verse
  • Revelation 17:4-6
    Babylon the great, the mother of harlots – verse-by-verse
  • The weak head
    According to Revelation 17:8, 10-11, while the beast “is not,” the sixth head “is.” In other words, the sixth phase of the beast is weak. When will that be?

Revelation – External Resources

• • • The characters of Revelation 12 and the War in Heaven.
    • The Great Controversy in Revelation 4 and 5.
    • Jon Paulien’s commentary.

Early Church History

(Key events which transformed the church from a sect of Judaism to an independent religion

• • • Jerusalem Phase
      After receiving the Holy Spirit, the church grew quickly, but it a remained a Jewish sect, based in Jerusalem.
      
    • Judea and Samaria phase
      When the 490 years of Daniel 9 came to an end, God dispersed the church to Judea and Samaria through persecution.
      
    • Gentile Dispute Phase
      When the first Gentiles became Christians, a dispute arose whether they must observe the Law of Moses.
    • Separation between Jew and Gentile
      The Acts 15 church council caused separation between Jewish and Gentile Christians when it decided that Gentiles are not subject to the Law while Jewish Christians continued in the Law.
    • Theological Implications
      This history explains the disputes in Paul’s letters over justification, unity of Jew and Gentile, the Law of Moses, and the Sabbath.
    • Chronology
      Dates for key events in the first few decades

The Origin of Evil

• • • Origin of evil
      God creates intelligent beings with the freedom to choose between good and evil. Evil arose from that freedom.
      
    • Why Satan thought he could win
      A study of the book of Job
    • Rulers and Authorities
      Paul and also Peter refer to them. They are supernatural beings that oppose Christ.
    • Disarmed
      How did the Cross disarm the supernatural rulers and authorities? (Col 2:15)

Atonement
– The solution for evil –

• • • Atonement
      The word “atonement” does not mean to pacify God. The Greek word means a state of unity: at-one-ment.
    • Theories of Atonement
      An overview of the main theories: To understand how Jesus’ death is the solution, we first have to define the problem.
      
    • Proposed Theory
      Christ suffered the worst possible temptations but never sinned. That He died without sin solved a problem in heaven.
      
    • Metaphors for Salvation
      Words such as redeemed, reconciled, justified, reconciled and made alive are metaphors and must not be taken literally.
    • Christ’s death enabled God’s grace.
      Christ died to demonstrate that it is just of God to justify sinners by faith alone, which is judgment by grace.
    • Why Jesus had to die
      An attempt to explain the atonement to a Moslem
    • A brief overview of these articles

• • • External Resources
      • Graham Maxwell
        • • Atonement, Justification, and why Christ had to die from the letter to the Galatians.
          • Atonement and Your Picture of God
      • Noah Worcester
        • • Part 1
          • Part 2

Justification

• • • Judgment by Deeds
      God judges all people by their deeds and justifies some by grace.
      
    • Justification
      Justification changes the person; it is not a mere legal process irrespective of whether he or she is a changed person.

The Law of Moses

1. 1. 1. The Law of Christ replaced the Law of Moses.
         Paul that God’s people are no longer subject to the Law of Moses and introduced the concept of “the Law of Christ.”
         
      2. The Old Testament foresaw that the Law of Moses would fall away.
         The Law was added more than 400 years after God made His covenant with Abraham. Therefore, the Law was temporary.
         
      3. Christ’s Higher Standards
         Jesus did not do away with the moral commandments but replaced it with higher standards.
      4. The Law of Christ
         The Law of Christ is God’s law as it always existed and always will exist.
      5. Summary of the previous four articles

Sermon on the Mount

1. 1. 1. How Jesus fulfilled the Law and the Prophets
         Discussion of Matthew 5:17. What does “fulfill” mean and what are the Law and the Prophets?
         
      2. Objections to the previous article
         What is “the Law” and what did Jesus and the Acts 15 Church Council say about it?
         
      3. Did the Acts 15 Church Council contradict Jesus?
         Since Jesus said nothing shall pass from the Law (Matt 5:19), why did the Acts 15 Church Council grant Gentiles freedom from the Law?
         
      4. Sermon on the Mount
         Jesus taught people do not have immortality and that God judges people by their deeds.

Death, Eternal Life, and Eternal Torment

Eternal Torment

• • • Annihilate
      God will annihilate the lost. They will not suffer eternal torment.
    • The Third Angel’s Warning
      The smoke of their torment will symbolically rise forever (Rev 14:9-11).
    • The Lake of Fire
      The lake of fire is the second death (Rev 20:10) and symbolizes annihilation.
    • Eternal Torment
      The evidence for eternal torment actually supports annihilation.
      
    • Summary
      Summary of the articles on eternal torment
      
    • Eternal Life
      Only God’s people will receive eternal life and they will receive it only when Christ returns.
    • Immortal Souls
      Do people have immortal souls? Discussion of 1 Corinthians 15
    • Resurrection Body
      With what kind of body will the dead be resurrected?

External Resources

• • • Glenn Peoples’ article, Why I am an Annihilationist.
    • Rethinking Hell podcasts, including:
      • Episode 1: A Final Word With Edward Fudge
      • Episode 4: The Case for Annihilationism with Glenn Peoples
      • Episode 7: Traditional Objections Answered with Chris Date
    • What does the Bible say about the “Immortal Soul”?

The Return of Christ

How Will He Return?

• • • When and how will Jesus return?
    • Christ’s return in the Book of Revelation
    • What did Jesus mean by “the End of the Age”?
    • Little Apocalypse – Christ’s description of the end
    • Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 side-by-side
    • The “kingdom of God” has a King, laws, and citizens. Its King is God. Jesus explained its laws.

When Will He Return?

These articles discuss the statements Jesus made indicating that He will return soon:

• • • “This generation will not pass away until …” (Matt 24:34)
    • “You will not finish … until the Son of Man comes” (Matt 10:23).
    • What does “the Kingdom of God” mean?
    • “Some standing here shall not taste death until …“ (Matt 16:28).
    • Jesus said and His disciples believed that He will return soon.
    • Did He return “soon” through His Resurrection?
    • Did He return “soon” through the destruction of Jerusalem (AD 70)?
    • Why did Jesus not return soon?

Is Jesus the Most High God?

• • • Summary of the articles below

Specific Bible Books

• • • The Book of Revelation
    • Colossians – Roles of God and Christ in creation and salvation
    • Colossians Part 2 – Is Jesus God? Is He equal to the Father?

Specific Bible Passages

• • • Philippians 2 – Four stages of Christ’s existence
    • 1 Corinthians 8:6 – Does this verse divide the words of the Shema between the Father and the Son?
    • John 10:33-36 – Did Jesus claim to be God?
    • John 10:30 – Jesus said, “I and the Father are one.”

Origin and Pre-existence

• • • Monogenēs – Does it mean “only begotten” or “only unique?”
    • Firstborn of all creation (Col 1:15) – Is He part of creation?
    • Pre-existence – Did He exist before He was born?
    • Creation – God created all things through His Son.
    • Jesus in the Old Testament

Jesus is subordinate to God.

• • • Jesus is not God.
    • Does the New Testament refer to Jesus as “Almighty?”
    • The Son is ALWAYS subordinate to the Father.
    • If Jesus is not God, why must we worship Him?
    • List of all worship verses in the New Testament.

The Word of God

• • • Who is the word? – Jesus or wisdom personified?
    • Why is Christ called the “Word of God?”
    • Did Philo influence the Bible’s description of the Son of God?

The translation of John 1:1

• • • Introduction – John 1:1 is the best proof of Jesus’ deity.
    • The word was a god. – Arguments against this translation
    • Theos is a count noun. What are the implications?
    • Arguments against the translation: “The word was God.”

Jesus is called God.

• • • The meanings of theos (translated as “God” or as “god”)
    • John 1:18 – “the only begotten God”
    • John 20:28 – Did Thomas say that Jesus is God?
    • A study of the title theos (God) in John’s gospel.
    • Romans 9:5 – Paul never refers to Jesus as God.
    • Hebrews 1:8 refers to Jesus as theos.
    • Overview of the verses that refer to Jesus as theos.

Other Resources

I do not agree with Dale Tuggy’s Christology but I do recommend his podcasts.

Trinity Doctrine – History of the Development

The emphasis in this section is the Fourth Century Arian Controversy but it includes articles on the views of the ante-Nicene church fathers and the events of the fifth and sixth centuries:

The Theology of the Apologists (first 3 centuries)

• • • Ignatius of Antioch
    • Polycarp
    • Justin Martyr
    • Irenaeus (died 190)
    • Did these fathers refer to Jesus as “god” or “God?“
    • Was Sabellius the first Trinitarian?
    • External Sources:
      • Pre-Nicene fathers – Dr. Tuggy’s podcasts 239-242.

Arius

• • • The ‘orthodox’ view of God when the Arian Controversy began
    • Who was Arius and why is he important?
    • Why the Arian Controversy is named after Arius
    • Did Arius mix theology with pagan philosophy?
    • Was Origen the ultimate source of Arius’ heresy?
    • Did Arius describe Jesus Christ as a Created Being?
    • Did Arius teach that time existed before the Son?
    • Did Arius describe the Son as immutable (not subject to change)?

The Nicene Creed (AD 325)

The Nicene Creed is the most famous and influential creed in the history of the church:

• • • What was the core issue in the dispute?
      
    • Emperor Constantine controlled the Council.
    • Why does the creed use ousia and hypostasis as synonyms?
    • Eusebius of Caesarea’s explanation of the Nicene Creed
    • What does the Nicene Creed really say?
    • The meaning of “of” in “He is of another substance or essence“
    • Should a Protestant accept the Nicene Creed?
    • The word Homoousios originates from Egyptian Paganism.

Fourth-Century ‘Arianism’

• • • After Nicaea, ‘Arianism’ dominated the church.
    • What did fourth-century ‘Arianism’ believe?
    • Long Lines Creed – an example of what the church taught

The End of Roman ‘Arianism’

• • • Emperor Theodosius made the Trinity Doctrine law. (AD 380)
    • Why Theodosius was able to end the controversy (Stack)
    • Was the creed of AD 381 an update of the Nicene Creed of 325?

Authors on the Arian Controversy

(Extracts from important scholars)

• • • RPC Hanson:
      • A lecture on the Arian Controversy
      • The conventional account of the Arian Controversy is a complete travesty.
    • What were the issues in the Fourth-Century Arian Controversy?
    • Edmund J. Fortman, The Triune God – Nicene Creed
    • Millard J. Erickson, God in Three Persons
    • William Boyd, Union of Church and State in the Roman Empire

Later Developments

• • • The Roman Empire did not fall; it transformed.
    • Why the Roman Empire fell
    • After the Roman Empire ‘fell’, Arian tribes ruled Europe.
    • The Fall of Rome proves Daniel to be true prophecy.
    • Justinian and the Byzantine Papacy made an end to Anianism.

Trinity Doctrine – General

• • • The difference between the Trinity doctrine and Modalism
      
    • Athanasian Creed vs “Monarchy of the Father” in Eastern Orthodoxy
      
    • The Eastern Orthodox view of the Trinity.
    • The Trinity doctrine contradicts itself.
    • Elohim, translated as “God,” is plural. Is God more than one?

External Resources

• • • The Trinity Doctrine did not exist until the Late Fourth Century.

The Sabbath 

The Seventh Day – blessed at creation, counted by Noah, made a Sabbath by Moses, corrupted by the Traditions, reformed by Christ, nut a non-issue for Paul.

In the Old Testament

• • • Blessed and sanctified at creation
    • The evolution theory makes the Bible null and void.
      
    • During the 2500 years between Creation and Moses
    • In the Ten Commandments; a day of rest
    • Corrupted by the Jewish Traditions

Jesus’ Sabbath Healing Miracles

• • • A demon-possessed man and Simon’s mother-in-law
    • The man with the withered hand (Matt 12:9-14)
    • The crippled woman (Luke 13:10-17)
    • The Paralytic At Bethesda (John 5)
    • The man that was born blind (John 9)

Jesus’ Sabbath Teachings

• • • The Sabbath was made for man. (Matt 12:1-8)
    • Christ deliberately contravened the Sabbath.
    • The real reason they killed Jesus.
    • His miracles gave Him the opportunity to teach.
    • What did Jesus teach about the Sabbath?
    • Jesus taught a different Sabbath.
    • Jesus replaced the Law of Moses with the Law of Christ.

The Sabbath in the New Testament

• • • Is the Sabbath commandment repeated in the New Testament?
    • Each must be fully convinced in his own mind (Rom 14:5-6).

Romans

• • • Romans 1: God will not override human freedom.
    • Romans 2: The doers of the Law will be justified.
    • Romans 3:1-8: Did God reject Israel?

Romans 9 and 11

• • • Romans 9-11: Who Israel is in the Book of Revelation?
    • All Israel will be saved: Summary of the previous article

Election

• • • Romans 9-11 describes election to a mission, not to salvation.

    • Dr. John Piper on why not everyone is elect (Recommended podcast)

Romans 14

• • • Romans 14:1-4 – The dispute was NOT over the Law of Moses.
    • Koinós (unclean Rom 14:14) does not refer to unclean animals.
    • The same dispute in Corinth over eating meat is idol worship
    • Romans 14:5-6 – These days do not refer to the Sabbath.
    • Romans 14:7-13 – God will judge people by their deeds.
    • Romans 14:13-23 – Abstain from meat if a brother to stumble.

Galatians

Galatians is important because it describes the very early power struggle between Paul and Judaising Jewish Christians.

• • • Gal 1:1-5 – Jesus gave Himself to rescue us.
    • Gal 1:6-9 – The dangerously distorted gospel.
    • Gal 1:10-12 – Paul received his gospel directly from Christ.
    • Gal 1:13-14 – The Traditions of the Elders
    • Gal 1:15-24 – Overview of Galatians 1.
    • Gal 2:1-10 – The church leaders accepted an uncircumcised Gentile Christian.
    • Gal 2:11-14 – God instructed Peter to accept Gentiles without circumcision but he yielded to the Circumcision Party.
    • Gal 2:15-16 – The Acts 15 Church Council confirmed that Gentile Christians do not have to convert to Judaism.
    • Gal 2:17-18 – Paul’s teachings destroyed the law; the dividing wall between Jewish and Gentile Christians.
    • Gal 2:19-20 – Christians are not subject to the Law of Moses but to the Law of Christ.
    • Gal 2:21 – To attempt to earn “righteousness” through the Law is to nullify “the grace of God.”
    • Overview Galatians 1 & 2
    • Gal 3:1-5 – The Galatians received the Spirit without the Law but want to continue in their own power.
    • Gal 3:6-9 – Those who believe are sons of Abraham.
    • Gal 3:10-14 – No one is justified by the Law because no one is able to comply with the law.
    • Gal 3:15-18 – Jesus Christ is Abraham’s true Seed. As such, He inherited the Covenant promises.
    • Gal 3:19-25 – When Christ came, He became our Tutor. We no longer need the Law.
    • Gal 3:26-29 – There is no need to circumcise Gentile Christians because Israel no longer has a separate role in God’s plan.

Overview of Galatians Chapters 1 to 3

Chapter 4 – Work In Progress

Transversal Topics

Galatians represents Paul’s arguments before the Jerusalem Church Council in Acts 15.

The Galatians were at risk of losing their eternal inheritance. What exactly did they do wrong?

Colossians

Col 1:1-8 – We thank God for the hope laid up for us in heaven.

Col 1:9-14 – The Father rescued us from the domain of darkness.

Col 1:15-19 – The Colossian deception claimed to have supernatural knowledge, but all knowledge is found in Christ.

Col 1:20-22 – Through Christ, God brought an end to the war in heaven.

Col 1:23-28 – The mystery which has been hidden, namely that Gentiles are fellow members of the body

Col 2:1-4 – Deceivers merged the gospel with mystery religions, arguing that Christ is not the only source of knowledge.

Col 2:5-8 – The Colossian deception was man-made pagan philosophy; not Old Testament law..

Col 2:9-10 – The deception claimed that people need more than Christ to become complete.

Col 2:11 – Circumcision without hands is a heart circumcised by the Spirit. It loves God and hates sin.

Col 2:11-14 – Canceling the certificate of debt is forgiving of sins.

Col 2:14

• • • • • Different translations of cheirographon
        • Cheirographon is a certificate of debt; not the Law of Moses.
        • This verse is similar to Ephesians 2:15 but Colossians 2:14 abolishes something else to achieve a different purpose.

Col 2:15 – What rulers and authorities did God disarm through Christ?

Col 2:16

• • • • • The Sabbath is heavily debated today but it was a not controversial issue in Paul’s day.
        • Festivals, new moons, and sabbaths is a technical phrase for “all the appointed feasts of the house of Israel.”
        • “Sabbaths” refers to the weekly Sabbath; not to the annual Sabbaths.
        • Meros – The Colossians were criticized for HOW they kept these days.
      • Building …

Colossians: Specific Topics:

• • • Rulers and Authorities
    • War in Heaven
    • The Cross was a public display.
    • The pagan nature of the deception
    • It was the Gentiles who criticized the Christians
    • Weekly and Annual Sabbaths

Hebrews

1) Jesus became High Priest in the tabernacle in heaven through His suffering.

2) Jesus is a better High Priest because the Levitical priesthood was unable to do away with sin.

3) Jesus appears before God for us. He guarantees the promise which God made: “Their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”

4) Draw near with confidence to the throne of grace – an analysis of the two bookends (4:14-16 and 10:22-24).

5) If Christians go “on sinning willfully”, then there only remains “the fury of a fire which will consume” (10:27).

6) Hebrews 1:1-3: Christ’s message is superior to that of the Old Testament prophets because He is superior to them.

Other Topics

Christmas: Its Meaning and Origin – God’s willingness to send His Son reveals much about Him, but 25 December was derived from the pagan feast of the birthday of the Invincible Sun.

Author – I have no formal Bible training and I am not part of any church group.

For general discussions of theology, I recommend Graham Maxwell, who you will find on the Pineknoll website.