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From Daniel to Revelation

The main purpose of this independent website is to explain the Book of Revelation.

MENUMENU
  • ATONEMENT/JUSTIFICATION
    • ATONEMENT
      • AtonementThe word “atonement” does not mean to pacify God. The Greek word means a state of unity: at-one-ment.
      • Theories of AtonementAn overview of the main theories: To understand how Jesus’ death is the solution, we first have to define the problem.
      • Proposed TheoryChrist suffered the worst possible temptations but never sinned. That He died without sin solved a problem in heaven.
      • Metaphors for SalvationWords 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 dieAn attempt to explain the atonement to a Moslem
      • A brief overview of these articles
    • JUSTIFICATION
      • Judgment by DeedsGod judges all people by their deeds and justifies some by grace.
      • JustificationJustification changes the person; it is not a mere legal process irrespective of whether person has changed.
  • REVELATION
    • 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 SequenceDoes 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 InterpretationIs it valid to assume that everything in Revelation is literal unless it cannot be literal?
      • Christ's ReturnAn overview of the end-time events, as described in Revelation, leading up to Christ’s return
      • Hear/See CombinationsIn Revelation, John sometimes hears about something, but when he looks to see that thing, he sees something completely different.
      • Revelation’s strange numbersAll 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 Almighty?
      • Jesus is worshiped.Jesus is worshiped. Does that mean that He is God?
      • Worship in 5:14Are both the Father and the Son worshiped in Revelation 5:14?
    • REVELATION - THE SEVEN SEALS
      • SummarySummary of all the articles on the seven seals
      • ListList of articles with brief descriptions
    • REVELATION 4
      • Verses 1-8A visual description of God’s throne room
      • The 24 eldersThe 24 elders in God’s throne room are people; not angels.
      • WorshipWorship 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 BookThis 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 dieWhy 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 VerseThe 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 SealThe white horse is not the Antichrist. The color white, the stephanos crown, and its never-ending conquering identify it as the gospel.
      • The next three sealsThe 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 SealWho or what are the souls under the altar? Would Christians cry for revenge?
      • Souls under the AltarAre these literal souls, literally crying out to God? If they are alive, why are they resting?
      • Sixth SealIn 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 EndGod’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” in the Book of Revelation?
      • The Innumerable MultitudeWho is the Great Multitude of Revelation 7:9-17 and when will they be gathered as described?
    • REVELATION 8
      • Seventh SealWhen 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 trumpetsDoes the seventh seal include the seven trumpets?
      • The DelayGod 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 childThe “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 HeavenWhen did the war in heaven begin and when was Satan thrown out of heaven?
      • The VictoryHow 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 SeaThis 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 WoundRevelation 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 BeastThis 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.
    • REVELATION 15
      • Introduction to the Seven Last PlaguesWhat 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 BeastThe 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 BeastThe 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. 
      • DarknessIt 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 EmpireThe 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 upThe Euphrates symbolizes the people under control of the beast.
      • Kings from the EastThere 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.
      • ArmageddonArmageddon 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.
      • RaptureJesus is “coming like a thief” (Rev 16:15). Does this support a secret rapture?
      • Why the Euphrates dries upWhy must the Euphrates dry up before the kings from the east can come? (Rev 16:12)
      • SummaryA summary of the articles on the sixth plague
    • SEVENTH PLAGUE
      • Seventh PlagueThis 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 ShowThe 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 judgmentsThe ultimate purpose is to show that God judges perfectly, but would that be necessary?
    • THE SEVEN-HEADED BEASTS
      • The seven-headed beasts identifiedRevelation 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 identifiedWhat are the seven heads of the beast?
    • BABYLON THE GREAT
      • General CharacteristicsShe is not an ordinary world ruler. She corrupts the people, unites the world against God, and is worldwide and timeless.
      • Babylon and the BeastThis article explains the relationship between the harlot Babylon and the beast of Revelation 13.
      • False ChristianityBabylon exists everywhere and for all human history, but false Christianity has adopted the Babylonian spirit.
      • Babylon's merchantsThe 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.
      • BABYLON THE GREATOverview of the articles on Babylon
    • REVELATION 17
      • Revelation 17:1-3The harlot sitting on the scarlet beast – verse-by-verse
      • Revelation 17:4-6Babylon the great, the mother of harlots – verse-by-verse
      • The weak headAccording 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?
  • LIST ALL
  • DANIEL'S ANTICHRIST
    • Antichrist in Daniel
      • Daniel 2Daniel 2 divides world history into six successive ages.
      • Daniel 7Daniel 7 uses beasts and horns to symbolize world empires.
      • Evil Horn: IdentityDaniel 8 explicitly identifies the two beasts but not the evil horn. This article lists three alternative interpretations.
      • Evil Horn: OriginA 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 themWhat 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 11Who is the “vile person?”
      • Antiochus IVCritics claim that the vile person is Antiochus but he does not fit the profile.
    • Is the Book of Daniel a forgery?
      • Critical scholarsCritical 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.
      • SummarySummary of the previous article
      • The Fall of RomeRome fell in the way predicted in Daniel. This confirms Daniel as true prophecy.
      • Darius the MedeDoes the absence of Darius in other historical sources prove that Daniel is fiction?
      • Dead Sea ScrollsThe Dead Sea Scrolls also confirm Daniel as true prophecy.
  • DANIEL 9
    • DANIEL 9 - SPECIFIC TOPICS
      • SummarySummary of all the articles on Daniel 9
      • IntroductionOverview of the Prophecy and its major interpretations
      • DecreeWith which decree did the 490 years of Daniel 9 begin?
      • Purpose of the 490 yearsThe 490 years are an extension of God’s covenant with Israel.
      • The end of the 490 yearsThe 490 years did not end at the Cross but a few years later when the Jews also rejected the Holy Spirit
      • The seven last yearsWho will confirm what covenant with whom during the last 7 years?
      • Complete DestructionWhat is destroyed in the “complete destruction” of Daniel 9:27?
      • Sequence of EventsDoes the prophecy list events in chronological sequence?
      • The Six GoalsWhen 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.
      • Jeremiah’s 70 yearsWhere do we find the 70 years predicted by Jeremiah in history?
      • NehemiahThe book of Nehemiah provides context for Daniel’s prophecies.
    • DANIEL 9 - INTERPRETATIONS
      • Liberal-CriticalCritical scholars claim that Daniel was written after the events it pretends to predict.
      • DispensationalA brief evaluation of the Dispensational interpretation of Daniel 9. (See more detail below.)
      • Consistent SymbolicalIn this, even the 490 years are symbolic and not literal.
      • Historic-MessianicThe 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 DispensationalismIn Pre-Wrath Dispensationalism, the church will NOT be raptured but will suffer the end-time tribulation.
      • Church fathersHow did the early church fathers interpret Daniel 9?
    • DANIEL 9 - DISPENSATIONAL INTERPRETATION
      • Time IndicationsDoes the Dispensational interpretation fit the time indications?
      • God’s or Satan’s covenant?Whose covenant is confirmed in Daniel 9:27: God’s or Satan’s?
      • Who confirms the covenant?Who confirms the covenant in Daniel 9:27; the Christ or the Antichrist?
      • The Seven Last YearsIn Dispensationalism, the last week of Daniel 9:27 symbolizes the last seven years before Christ returns. This does not fit the prophecy
      • Other FlawsVarious other differences between Daniel 9 and the Dispensational interpretation
    • DANIEL 9 - HISTORICAL-MESSIANIC INTERPRETATION
      • IntroductionThis is the traditional understanding of Daniel 9. In it, the 490 years are an extension of God’s covenant with Israel
      • DecreeThe 490 years began with Artaxerxes’ first decree in 458/7 BC.
      • Messiah the PrinceThe Messiah who is cut off (Dan 9:26) is the Lord Jesus Christ.
      • Make firm a covenantIt is Jesus who made ” a firm covenant with the many (in Israel)” (Dan 9:27).
      • Seven Last YearsDuring 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 systemJesus’ death “put a stop to sacrifice” (Dan 9:27).
  • EARLY CHURCH
    • ------------------------------
      • 1. Jerusalem PhaseAfter receiving the Holy Spirit, the church grew quickly, but it a remained a Jewish sect, based in Jerusalem.
      • 2. Judea and Samaria phaseWhen the 490 years of Daniel 9 came to an end, God dispersed the church to Judea and Samaria through persecution.
      • 3. Gentile Dispute PhaseWhen the first Gentiles became Christians, a dispute arose whether they must observe the Law of Moses.
      • 4. Separation between Jew and GentileThe 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.
      • 5. Theological ImplicationsThis history explains the disputes in Paul’s letters over justification, unity of Jew and Gentile, the Law of Moses, and the Sabbath.
  • ORIGIN OF EVIL
    • ------------------------------
      • Origin of EvilGod creates intelligent beings with the freedom to choose between good and evil. Evil arose from that freedom.
      • Why Satan thought he could winA study of the book of Job
      • Rulers and AuthoritiesPaul and also Peter refer to them. They are supernatural beings that oppose Christ.
      • DisarmedHow did the Cross disarm the supernatural rulers and authorities? (Col 2:15)
  • Romans
    • Is Jesus God
    • Is Jesus God
    • Is Jesus God
  • LAW OF MOSES
    • MATTHEW 5 - SERMON ON THE MOUNT
      • Jesus fulfilled the Law and the Prophets.Discussion of Matthew 5:17. What does “fulfill” mean and what are the Law and the prophets?
      • MATTHEW 5:17-18 CONTINUEDA discussion of objections to the previous article
      • SERMON ON THE MOUNTDiscussion of Matthew 5
      • ACTS 15 CHURCH COUNCILIf Jesus said not the smallest letter shall pass from the Law, why did the Acts 15 Church Council grant Gentiles freedom from the Law?
    • ● ● DOES GALATIANS CONTRADICT JESUS? ● ●
      • LAW OF CHRIST REPLACED MOSESAccording to Galatians, the Law of Christ replaced the Law of Moses.
      • THE COVENANT VS THE LAWAccording to the Old Testament, the covenant is permanent while the Law was a temporary emergency addition that will fall away.
      • JESUS’ HIGHER STANDARDSJesus did not do away with the moral commandments but replaced it with higher standards.
      • LAW OF CHRISTThe Law of Christ is God’s law as it existed from the beginning. The Ten Commandments interpret the principle of love for an evil world.
      • SUMMARYSummary of the articles above
  • NT LETTERS
    • ROMANS VERSE BY VERSEList of available articles
    • GALATIANS VERSE BY VERSEList of available articles
    • COLOSSIANS VERSES BY VERSEList of available articles
    • HEBREWS; JESUS, OUR HIGH PRIEST
      • 1. HOW HE BECAME OUR HIGH PRIESTThrough death, He made purification of sins and became our high priest when He sat down on His Father’s throne.
      • 2. BETTER THAN A LEVITICAL PRIESTThe Levitical priesthood and the earthly tabernacle were only a copy of the reality in heaven, and could therefore not free people from guilt for sin.
      • 3. JESUS APPEARS BEFORE GOD FOR US.He guarantees the new covenant promise, “their lawless deeds I will remember no more”.
      • 4. DRAW NEAR WITH CONFIDENCEFor Jesus sympathetic with our weaknesses.
      • 5. IMPOSSIBLE TO RENEW REPENTANCEIf we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.
      • 1:1-2 GOD SPOKE TO US IN HIS SON.What God spoke to us in His Son, as contained in the gospels and the New Testament, has a much higher authority than the Old Testament.
  • RETURN OF CHRIST
    • ● ● WHEN AND HOW? ● ●
      • NO SECRET RAPTUREHis coming to earth, to raise God’s dead people who sleep in the tombs, will be visible and audible; not a secret rapture.
      • IN REVELATIONChrist’s Return as described in the book of Revelation
      • THE END OF THE AGEHis people who sleep in the dust will awake to everlasting life. Those who do evil are thrown into the furnace of fire.
      • THE LITTLE APOCALYPSEHow to distinguish between the destruction of Jerusalem and the Return of Christ in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21.
      • THE LITTLE APOCALYPSE SUPPORTComparison of Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21, where Christ gave His most comprehensive explanation of His return and of the End of the Age.
    • ● ● HE COMES SOON ● ●
      • MATTHEW 10:23Jesus said to His disciples: “You will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes.”
      • MATTHEW 16:28Jesus said, “Some standing here shall not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming.” Is this His Physical Return?
      • MATTHEW 24:34What generation, did Jesus say, will not pass away until all these things take place?
      • HE SAID HE WILL COME SOONJesus said and the entire New Testament teaches that the Lord is coming soon. How should that be understood?
    • ● ● HAS HE ALREADY COME? ● ●
      • RETURNED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT?Was His promise to return soon fulfilled when He was resurrected and enthroned, followed by the Holy Spirit?
      • IN THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM?Was His promise to soon return fulfilled in the Destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70?
    • ● ● ● ●
      • WAS CHRIST’S RETURN DELAYED?A discussion of the Dispensational Gap Theory and the 490 years-of Daniel 9 to explain the delay in Christ’s Return.
      • TABLE OF CONTENTSTable of Contents of the Articles on Christ’s Return: Why has Jesus not yet returned? What is He waiting for?
  • DEATH & TORMENT
    • ETERNAL HELL
      • Everlasting Torment vs AnnihilationThe evidence for annihilation is much stronger than for eternal torment.
      • The Case for AnnihilationGod will annihilate the lost. They will not suffer eternal torment.
      • The Third Angel’s WarningThe smoke of their torment will rise forever symbolically (Rev 14:9-11).
      • The Lake of FireThe lake of fire is the second death (Rev 20:10) and symbolizes annihilation.
      • The Evidence for Eternal TormentThe Biblical evidence for eternal torment actually supports annihilation.
    • STATE OF THE DEAD
      • 1 Corinthians 15In 1 Corinthians 15, are the dead in heaven as conscious immortal souls?
      • The Resurrection BodyWith what kind of body are the dead raised
  • IS JESUS GOD?
    • ● ● WHO IS JESUS? ● ●
      • IS JESUS THE MOST HIGH?A list of articles about the nature of Christ and a proposal on how it is possible for the Son to be both eternal and subordinate to the Father.
      • WHO IS JESUS?This is a summary of the articles on this website about the nature of Christ.
      • THREE VIEWS OF CHRISTIs the Son of God a created being, or was He derived from the Father, or did He always exist; co-equal with the Father?
      • ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GODHe is God’s only true family. Since He was “begotten,” He was not created.
      • FIRSTBORN OF ALL CREATIONDoes that mean that He is part of creation? Was He literally born first?
      • PRE-EXISTENCEJesus existed prior to His birth in the form of God and with equality to God.
      • GOD CREATED THROUGH JESUS.All things, including creation, judgment and salvation, are from God, the Father, but through Jesus Christ.
    • ● ● JESUS IN SPECIFIC BIBLE BOOKS ● ●
      • REVELATIONA study of the relationship between God and Jesus in the book of Revelation.
      • COLOSSIANS PART IThe roles of God and Christ Jesus in the letter to the Colossians
      • COLOSSIANS PART IIIs Jesus God? Or is He a created being? – A study of the letter to the Colossians
    • ● ● SPECIFIC TEXTS ● ●
      • PHILIPPIANS 2Christ did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself.
      • 1 CORINTHIANS 8:6Did Paul divide the words of the Shema between the Father and the Son?
      • DID JESUS CLAIM TO BE GOD?A discussion of John 10:33
      • I AND THE FATHER ARE ONE.Did Jesus say that He and the Father are one being?
    • ● ● EQUALITY WITH GOD ● ●
      • EQUALITYJesus has equality with God. For example, only the Son knows the Father.
      • EQUALITY IN JOHN'S GOSPELFor example, Jesus answers prayers, performs miracles, knew things, is in believers, hold believers in His hand and own all things.
      • WE MUST WORSHIP JESUS.The Bible commands us to worship only God, but we must also worship Jesus.
      • WORSHIP VERSESDid Jesus call us to worship Him?
    • ● ● SUBORDINATE TO GOD ● ●
      • JESUS IS NOT GOD.The Bible consistently distinguishes between God and Jesus.
      • WHO IS JESUS?The Father is the invisible uncaused Cause of all things. Jesus is His visible image; at His right hand.
      • THE ALMIGHTYJesus is the Beginning and the End. Does that mean that He is Almighty?
      • GOD IS THE HEAD OF CHRIST.This article provides evidence that Christ is subordinate to God.
      • SUBORDINATE IN JOHN'S GOSPELJesus was subordinate to the Father before He became a human being.
    • ● ● JESUS IS CALLED GOD ● ●
      • THEOSWhen Jesus is called THEOS, how should the word be translated?
      • JOHN 1:18Is Jesus called God in this verse? The original text of John 1:18 is disputed.
      • JOHN 20:28Jesus did not teach that He is God. Where would Thomas have heard that Jesus is God?
      • JOHN'S GOSPELDiscussion of the instances where this gospel refers to Jesus as theos.
      • ROMANS 9:5Whether this verse refers to Jesus as God depends on punctuation, and punctuation is interpretation.
      • HEBREWS 1:8Verse 8 refers to Jesus as theos but verse 9 says that God is His theos.
      • JESUS IS CALLED GOD.This is an overview of the articles on the verses that refer to Jesus as theos.
    • ● ● THE TRANSLATION OF JOHN 1:1 ● ●
      • 1. INTRODUCTIONHow must John 1:1 be translated?
      • 2. WHO IS THE WORD?Does “the Word” refer to Jesus, or is it a personification of the Wisdom of God in creation?
      • 3. THE WORD WAS A GOD.Arguments against the Jehovah Witness translation
      • 4. THEOS IS A COUNT NOUN.To support their translation, Jehovah Witness argue that theos is a count noun.
      • 5. THE WORD WAS GOD.Arguments against the usual translation: “The Word was God.”
    • ● ● JESUS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT ● ●
      • JESUS IN THE OLD TESTAMENTJesus has always existed. In fact, God created all things through Him. Therefore, the question arises: Where do we find Jesus in the Old Testament?
  • TRINITY
    • ● ● TRINITY DOCTRINE ● ●
      • CONTRADICTIONResponse to Gotquestions – The Trinity doctrine contradicts itself.
      • ELOHIMElohim is plural in form. Does this mean that God is a multi-personal Being?
    • THE THEOLOGY OF THE APOLOGISTS
      • Polycarp
      • Justin Martyr
      • Ignatius of Antioch
      • Irenaeus
      • Did these fathers refer to Jesus as "god" or "God?"
      • Was Sabellius the first Trinitarian?
    • ● ● FOURTH CENTURY ● ●
      • COUNCIL OF NICAEAConstantine controlled the council. He called, presided over, and actively guided the Council. He also proposed and enforced the keyword Homoousios.
      • NICENE CREED INTERPRETEDThe creed implies that the Son is equal with the Father in terms of substance, but subordinate to the Father in all other respects.
      • FOURTH CENTURY ARIAN PERIODThe Council of Nicaea was not the end of Arianism. For fifty years afterward, the emperors were Arian and actively crushed the Nicene party.
      • WHAT DID ARIANISM BELIEVE?The Father is the only God, the Son is our god, but the Father is His god and the Holy Spirit is not a Person, but a power; that is subject to the Son.
      • LONG LINES CREEDThe Long Lines Creed reflects the Christology of the first centuries. Christ had a beginning but always existed.
      • END OF ROMAN ARIANISM / THEODOSIUSEmperor Theodosius wiped Arianism out among the Roman people in 380. He outlawed Arianism, exiled Arian bishops, and forced the Council of 381 to accept Nicene Christology.
    • ● ● FIFTH CENTURY ● ●
      • FALL OF THE WESTERN ROMAN EMPIREMassive in-migration and top positions for barbarians in the Western Roman Empire allowed them to progressively assume control of the Empire.
      • WHY THE ROMAN EMPIRE FELLHistorians mention underfunding the army, barbarian mercenaries, a plunder economy, pomp of rulers, high taxes, weak emperors, and Sassanid and Hunnic incursions.
      • FALL OF ROME PROVES DANIELThe Book of Daniel correctly predicted the HOW of the Fall of Rome; It was SUBDIVIDED into many kingdoms that CONTINUED it. Daniel is, therefore, a true prophecy.
      • FIFTH CENTURY ARIAN PERIODIn the fifth century, Arian Germanic immigrants dominated the Western Empire and the West was Arian once again.
      • JUSTINIAN CONQUERED THE ARIANSJustinian liberated the Nicene Church in Rome from Arian domination. This commenced the Byzantine Papacy which completely eliminated Arianism.
  • SABBATH
    • ● ● SABBATH IN THE OLD TESTAMENT ● ●
      • 1. SEVENTH DAY AT CREATIONGod permanently engrained the seventh day into human existence.
      • 2. SABBATH BEFORE MOSESThe small part of the Bible which covers the 2500 years before Moses never mentions the Sabbath, but the many references to seven days imply a seven-day cycle.
      • 3. IN THE TEN COMMANDMENTSThe Sabbath was a day of rest; not for church meetings or worship.
      • 4. SABBATH TRADITIONSThe traditions were intended as a hedge against sin, but, eventually, promoted self-righteousness, destroyed love and represented God as a tyrant.
    • ● ● SABBATH HEALING MIRACLES ● ●
      • 1. FIRST SABBATH HEALINGSBy healing on the Sabbath, Jesus acted contrary to and condemned the traditions.
      • 2. THE MAN'S WITHERED HANDThe rulers actually wanted Jesus to heal on the Sabbath so that, on the basis of the Old Testament, they could justify His execution.
      • 3. THE CRIPPLED WOMANThe authorities were angry when Jesus healed a crippled woman on the Sabbath. He responded that the purpose of the Sabbath is to free people from Satan’s bonds.
      • 5. SABBATH HEALING AT BETHESDAThe strict traditions allowed little space for compassion. The Sabbath became an intolerable burden, falsely depicting God as a tyrant.
      • 6. HEALING OF THE BLIND MANWhy did Jesus select the Sabbath specifically for His healing miracles?
      • 4. SABBATH WAS MADE FOR MANThe Sabbath was to be the best day of the week for it was made for man. Human needs are more important than the Sabbath. The traditions made it the worst day.
    • ● ● JESUS TAUGHT A DIFFERENT SABBATH ● ●
      • OPPORTUNITY TO TEACHJesus’ healing miracles also gave credibility to His teachings.
      • JESUS DELIBERATELY DISOBEYED.According to the traditions, healing is work that is disallowed on the Sabbath. Why did Jesus deliberately heal on the Sabbath?
      • WHAT JESUS TAUGHT ABOUT THE SABBATHMan may work on the Sabbath to relieve suffering, to heal from diseases and to teach people about God.
      • JESUS TAUGHT A DIFFERENT SABBATH.The 10 Commandments require rest. Jesus taught a different Sabbath. He taught the Sabbath as a day to work to heal and restore people.
      • THE LAW OF CHRISTChrist did more than merely to interpret the Law of Moses; He replaced the Law of Moses with much higher moral standards, reflecting the Father’s perfect heart, which Paul calls the Law of Christ. This is the law that Adam and Abraham knew.
      • WHY DID THEY KILL JESUS?The Jewish rulers’ authority was based on the traditions. Christ, by transgressing the traditions, condemned the Jewish system of authority.
      • THE LAW OF CHRISTChrist did not only interpret the Law of Moses; He replaced it with higher moral standards that reflect the Father’s perfect heart. This is the law as it existed “from the beginning.” The Law of Moses was a temporary watered-down version.
      • LAW OF CHRIST REBUTTALThis is Thomas Lee’s response to the Law of Christ-article. He argues that the Mosaic Law has not been nullified, abolished, replaced, or altered.
    • ● ● OTHER SABBATH ARTICLES ● ●
      • NO SABBATH IN THE NEW TESTAMENTJesus taught more about the Sabbath than all the other nine commandments put together. Why would He do that if the Sabbath would expire a year or twoi later?
      • ROMANS 14:5-6 - IS THE SABBATH OPTIONAL?The context is a dispute about eating meat. The “days” were days on which some Christians abstained from eating meat.
      • LIST OF ALL SABBATH ARTICLES
  • OTHER
    • ● ● ● ●
      • EVOLUTION AND THE BIBLEEvolution teaches that man never was a sinless being, that sin is simply our present level of development and, consequently, that we do not need a savior.
      • CHRISTMAS:Its meaning and origin
      • KINGDOM OF GODWhat did Jesus mean, the “Kingdom of God comes”?
      • WALDENSIANSThe Waldensians were critical of Catholic beliefs. In return, the Catholic Church called all to destroy them, causing centuries of massacres.
      • TABLE OF CONTENTSA list and brief descriptions of the articles on this website – not up to date.
      • HELSE HORDEMy Afrikaans translation of The Final Quest; a book by Rick Joyner. For my own edification, I have translated some of his books in this series.
      • ABOUT AUTHORI am not part of any religious group but work completely alone. Therefore, I do not have to conform to the views of others.
      • CONTACT

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MENUMENU
  • ATONEMENT/JUSTIFICATION
    • ATONEMENT
      • AtonementThe word “atonement” does not mean to pacify God. The Greek word means a state of unity: at-one-ment.
      • Theories of AtonementAn overview of the main theories: To understand how Jesus’ death is the solution, we first have to define the problem.
      • Proposed TheoryChrist suffered the worst possible temptations but never sinned. That He died without sin solved a problem in heaven.
      • Metaphors for SalvationWords 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 dieAn attempt to explain the atonement to a Moslem
      • A brief overview of these articles
    • JUSTIFICATION
      • Judgment by DeedsGod judges all people by their deeds and justifies some by grace.
      • JustificationJustification changes the person; it is not a mere legal process irrespective of whether person has changed.
  • REVELATION
    • 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 SequenceDoes 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 InterpretationIs it valid to assume that everything in Revelation is literal unless it cannot be literal?
      • Christ's ReturnAn overview of the end-time events, as described in Revelation, leading up to Christ’s return
      • Hear/See CombinationsIn Revelation, John sometimes hears about something, but when he looks to see that thing, he sees something completely different.
      • Revelation’s strange numbersAll 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 Almighty?
      • Jesus is worshiped.Jesus is worshiped. Does that mean that He is God?
      • Worship in 5:14Are both the Father and the Son worshiped in Revelation 5:14?
    • REVELATION - THE SEVEN SEALS
      • SummarySummary of all the articles on the seven seals
      • ListList of articles with brief descriptions
    • REVELATION 4
      • Verses 1-8A visual description of God’s throne room
      • The 24 eldersThe 24 elders in God’s throne room are people; not angels.
      • WorshipWorship 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 BookThis 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 dieWhy 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 VerseThe 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 SealThe white horse is not the Antichrist. The color white, the stephanos crown, and its never-ending conquering identify it as the gospel.
      • The next three sealsThe 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 SealWho or what are the souls under the altar? Would Christians cry for revenge?
      • Souls under the AltarAre these literal souls, literally crying out to God? If they are alive, why are they resting?
      • Sixth SealIn 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 EndGod’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” in the Book of Revelation?
      • The Innumerable MultitudeWho is the Great Multitude of Revelation 7:9-17 and when will they be gathered as described?
    • REVELATION 8
      • Seventh SealWhen 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 trumpetsDoes the seventh seal include the seven trumpets?
      • The DelayGod 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 childThe “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 HeavenWhen did the war in heaven begin and when was Satan thrown out of heaven?
      • The VictoryHow 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 SeaThis 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 WoundRevelation 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 BeastThis 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.
    • REVELATION 15
      • Introduction to the Seven Last PlaguesWhat 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 BeastThe 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 BeastThe 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. 
      • DarknessIt 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 EmpireThe 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 upThe Euphrates symbolizes the people under control of the beast.
      • Kings from the EastThere 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.
      • ArmageddonArmageddon 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.
      • RaptureJesus is “coming like a thief” (Rev 16:15). Does this support a secret rapture?
      • Why the Euphrates dries upWhy must the Euphrates dry up before the kings from the east can come? (Rev 16:12)
      • SummaryA summary of the articles on the sixth plague
    • SEVENTH PLAGUE
      • Seventh PlagueThis 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 ShowThe 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 judgmentsThe ultimate purpose is to show that God judges perfectly, but would that be necessary?
    • THE SEVEN-HEADED BEASTS
      • The seven-headed beasts identifiedRevelation 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 identifiedWhat are the seven heads of the beast?
    • BABYLON THE GREAT
      • General CharacteristicsShe is not an ordinary world ruler. She corrupts the people, unites the world against God, and is worldwide and timeless.
      • Babylon and the BeastThis article explains the relationship between the harlot Babylon and the beast of Revelation 13.
      • False ChristianityBabylon exists everywhere and for all human history, but false Christianity has adopted the Babylonian spirit.
      • Babylon's merchantsThe 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.
      • BABYLON THE GREATOverview of the articles on Babylon
    • REVELATION 17
      • Revelation 17:1-3The harlot sitting on the scarlet beast – verse-by-verse
      • Revelation 17:4-6Babylon the great, the mother of harlots – verse-by-verse
      • The weak headAccording 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?
  • LIST ALL
  • DANIEL'S ANTICHRIST
    • Antichrist in Daniel
      • Daniel 2Daniel 2 divides world history into six successive ages.
      • Daniel 7Daniel 7 uses beasts and horns to symbolize world empires.
      • Evil Horn: IdentityDaniel 8 explicitly identifies the two beasts but not the evil horn. This article lists three alternative interpretations.
      • Evil Horn: OriginA 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 themWhat 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 11Who is the “vile person?”
      • Antiochus IVCritics claim that the vile person is Antiochus but he does not fit the profile.
    • Is the Book of Daniel a forgery?
      • Critical scholarsCritical 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.
      • SummarySummary of the previous article
      • The Fall of RomeRome fell in the way predicted in Daniel. This confirms Daniel as true prophecy.
      • Darius the MedeDoes the absence of Darius in other historical sources prove that Daniel is fiction?
      • Dead Sea ScrollsThe Dead Sea Scrolls also confirm Daniel as true prophecy.
  • DANIEL 9
    • DANIEL 9 - SPECIFIC TOPICS
      • SummarySummary of all the articles on Daniel 9
      • IntroductionOverview of the Prophecy and its major interpretations
      • DecreeWith which decree did the 490 years of Daniel 9 begin?
      • Purpose of the 490 yearsThe 490 years are an extension of God’s covenant with Israel.
      • The end of the 490 yearsThe 490 years did not end at the Cross but a few years later when the Jews also rejected the Holy Spirit
      • The seven last yearsWho will confirm what covenant with whom during the last 7 years?
      • Complete DestructionWhat is destroyed in the “complete destruction” of Daniel 9:27?
      • Sequence of EventsDoes the prophecy list events in chronological sequence?
      • The Six GoalsWhen 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.
      • Jeremiah’s 70 yearsWhere do we find the 70 years predicted by Jeremiah in history?
      • NehemiahThe book of Nehemiah provides context for Daniel’s prophecies.
    • DANIEL 9 - INTERPRETATIONS
      • Liberal-CriticalCritical scholars claim that Daniel was written after the events it pretends to predict.
      • DispensationalA brief evaluation of the Dispensational interpretation of Daniel 9. (See more detail below.)
      • Consistent SymbolicalIn this, even the 490 years are symbolic and not literal.
      • Historic-MessianicThe 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 DispensationalismIn Pre-Wrath Dispensationalism, the church will NOT be raptured but will suffer the end-time tribulation.
      • Church fathersHow did the early church fathers interpret Daniel 9?
    • DANIEL 9 - DISPENSATIONAL INTERPRETATION
      • Time IndicationsDoes the Dispensational interpretation fit the time indications?
      • God’s or Satan’s covenant?Whose covenant is confirmed in Daniel 9:27: God’s or Satan’s?
      • Who confirms the covenant?Who confirms the covenant in Daniel 9:27; the Christ or the Antichrist?
      • The Seven Last YearsIn Dispensationalism, the last week of Daniel 9:27 symbolizes the last seven years before Christ returns. This does not fit the prophecy
      • Other FlawsVarious other differences between Daniel 9 and the Dispensational interpretation
    • DANIEL 9 - HISTORICAL-MESSIANIC INTERPRETATION
      • IntroductionThis is the traditional understanding of Daniel 9. In it, the 490 years are an extension of God’s covenant with Israel
      • DecreeThe 490 years began with Artaxerxes’ first decree in 458/7 BC.
      • Messiah the PrinceThe Messiah who is cut off (Dan 9:26) is the Lord Jesus Christ.
      • Make firm a covenantIt is Jesus who made ” a firm covenant with the many (in Israel)” (Dan 9:27).
      • Seven Last YearsDuring 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 systemJesus’ death “put a stop to sacrifice” (Dan 9:27).
  • EARLY CHURCH
    • ------------------------------
      • 1. Jerusalem PhaseAfter receiving the Holy Spirit, the church grew quickly, but it a remained a Jewish sect, based in Jerusalem.
      • 2. Judea and Samaria phaseWhen the 490 years of Daniel 9 came to an end, God dispersed the church to Judea and Samaria through persecution.
      • 3. Gentile Dispute PhaseWhen the first Gentiles became Christians, a dispute arose whether they must observe the Law of Moses.
      • 4. Separation between Jew and GentileThe 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.
      • 5. Theological ImplicationsThis history explains the disputes in Paul’s letters over justification, unity of Jew and Gentile, the Law of Moses, and the Sabbath.
  • ORIGIN OF EVIL
    • ------------------------------
      • Origin of EvilGod creates intelligent beings with the freedom to choose between good and evil. Evil arose from that freedom.
      • Why Satan thought he could winA study of the book of Job
      • Rulers and AuthoritiesPaul and also Peter refer to them. They are supernatural beings that oppose Christ.
      • DisarmedHow did the Cross disarm the supernatural rulers and authorities? (Col 2:15)
  • Romans
    • Is Jesus God
    • Is Jesus God
    • Is Jesus God
  • LAW OF MOSES
    • MATTHEW 5 - SERMON ON THE MOUNT
      • Jesus fulfilled the Law and the Prophets.Discussion of Matthew 5:17. What does “fulfill” mean and what are the Law and the prophets?
      • MATTHEW 5:17-18 CONTINUEDA discussion of objections to the previous article
      • SERMON ON THE MOUNTDiscussion of Matthew 5
      • ACTS 15 CHURCH COUNCILIf Jesus said not the smallest letter shall pass from the Law, why did the Acts 15 Church Council grant Gentiles freedom from the Law?
    • ● ● DOES GALATIANS CONTRADICT JESUS? ● ●
      • LAW OF CHRIST REPLACED MOSESAccording to Galatians, the Law of Christ replaced the Law of Moses.
      • THE COVENANT VS THE LAWAccording to the Old Testament, the covenant is permanent while the Law was a temporary emergency addition that will fall away.
      • JESUS’ HIGHER STANDARDSJesus did not do away with the moral commandments but replaced it with higher standards.
      • LAW OF CHRISTThe Law of Christ is God’s law as it existed from the beginning. The Ten Commandments interpret the principle of love for an evil world.
      • SUMMARYSummary of the articles above
  • NT LETTERS
    • ROMANS VERSE BY VERSEList of available articles
    • GALATIANS VERSE BY VERSEList of available articles
    • COLOSSIANS VERSES BY VERSEList of available articles
    • HEBREWS; JESUS, OUR HIGH PRIEST
      • 1. HOW HE BECAME OUR HIGH PRIESTThrough death, He made purification of sins and became our high priest when He sat down on His Father’s throne.
      • 2. BETTER THAN A LEVITICAL PRIESTThe Levitical priesthood and the earthly tabernacle were only a copy of the reality in heaven, and could therefore not free people from guilt for sin.
      • 3. JESUS APPEARS BEFORE GOD FOR US.He guarantees the new covenant promise, “their lawless deeds I will remember no more”.
      • 4. DRAW NEAR WITH CONFIDENCEFor Jesus sympathetic with our weaknesses.
      • 5. IMPOSSIBLE TO RENEW REPENTANCEIf we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.
      • 1:1-2 GOD SPOKE TO US IN HIS SON.What God spoke to us in His Son, as contained in the gospels and the New Testament, has a much higher authority than the Old Testament.
  • RETURN OF CHRIST
    • ● ● WHEN AND HOW? ● ●
      • NO SECRET RAPTUREHis coming to earth, to raise God’s dead people who sleep in the tombs, will be visible and audible; not a secret rapture.
      • IN REVELATIONChrist’s Return as described in the book of Revelation
      • THE END OF THE AGEHis people who sleep in the dust will awake to everlasting life. Those who do evil are thrown into the furnace of fire.
      • THE LITTLE APOCALYPSEHow to distinguish between the destruction of Jerusalem and the Return of Christ in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21.
      • THE LITTLE APOCALYPSE SUPPORTComparison of Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21, where Christ gave His most comprehensive explanation of His return and of the End of the Age.
    • ● ● HE COMES SOON ● ●
      • MATTHEW 10:23Jesus said to His disciples: “You will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes.”
      • MATTHEW 16:28Jesus said, “Some standing here shall not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming.” Is this His Physical Return?
      • MATTHEW 24:34What generation, did Jesus say, will not pass away until all these things take place?
      • HE SAID HE WILL COME SOONJesus said and the entire New Testament teaches that the Lord is coming soon. How should that be understood?
    • ● ● HAS HE ALREADY COME? ● ●
      • RETURNED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT?Was His promise to return soon fulfilled when He was resurrected and enthroned, followed by the Holy Spirit?
      • IN THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM?Was His promise to soon return fulfilled in the Destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70?
    • ● ● ● ●
      • WAS CHRIST’S RETURN DELAYED?A discussion of the Dispensational Gap Theory and the 490 years-of Daniel 9 to explain the delay in Christ’s Return.
      • TABLE OF CONTENTSTable of Contents of the Articles on Christ’s Return: Why has Jesus not yet returned? What is He waiting for?
  • DEATH & TORMENT
    • ETERNAL HELL
      • Everlasting Torment vs AnnihilationThe evidence for annihilation is much stronger than for eternal torment.
      • The Case for AnnihilationGod will annihilate the lost. They will not suffer eternal torment.
      • The Third Angel’s WarningThe smoke of their torment will rise forever symbolically (Rev 14:9-11).
      • The Lake of FireThe lake of fire is the second death (Rev 20:10) and symbolizes annihilation.
      • The Evidence for Eternal TormentThe Biblical evidence for eternal torment actually supports annihilation.
    • STATE OF THE DEAD
      • 1 Corinthians 15In 1 Corinthians 15, are the dead in heaven as conscious immortal souls?
      • The Resurrection BodyWith what kind of body are the dead raised
  • IS JESUS GOD?
    • ● ● WHO IS JESUS? ● ●
      • IS JESUS THE MOST HIGH?A list of articles about the nature of Christ and a proposal on how it is possible for the Son to be both eternal and subordinate to the Father.
      • WHO IS JESUS?This is a summary of the articles on this website about the nature of Christ.
      • THREE VIEWS OF CHRISTIs the Son of God a created being, or was He derived from the Father, or did He always exist; co-equal with the Father?
      • ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GODHe is God’s only true family. Since He was “begotten,” He was not created.
      • FIRSTBORN OF ALL CREATIONDoes that mean that He is part of creation? Was He literally born first?
      • PRE-EXISTENCEJesus existed prior to His birth in the form of God and with equality to God.
      • GOD CREATED THROUGH JESUS.All things, including creation, judgment and salvation, are from God, the Father, but through Jesus Christ.
    • ● ● JESUS IN SPECIFIC BIBLE BOOKS ● ●
      • REVELATIONA study of the relationship between God and Jesus in the book of Revelation.
      • COLOSSIANS PART IThe roles of God and Christ Jesus in the letter to the Colossians
      • COLOSSIANS PART IIIs Jesus God? Or is He a created being? – A study of the letter to the Colossians
    • ● ● SPECIFIC TEXTS ● ●
      • PHILIPPIANS 2Christ did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself.
      • 1 CORINTHIANS 8:6Did Paul divide the words of the Shema between the Father and the Son?
      • DID JESUS CLAIM TO BE GOD?A discussion of John 10:33
      • I AND THE FATHER ARE ONE.Did Jesus say that He and the Father are one being?
    • ● ● EQUALITY WITH GOD ● ●
      • EQUALITYJesus has equality with God. For example, only the Son knows the Father.
      • EQUALITY IN JOHN'S GOSPELFor example, Jesus answers prayers, performs miracles, knew things, is in believers, hold believers in His hand and own all things.
      • WE MUST WORSHIP JESUS.The Bible commands us to worship only God, but we must also worship Jesus.
      • WORSHIP VERSESDid Jesus call us to worship Him?
    • ● ● SUBORDINATE TO GOD ● ●
      • JESUS IS NOT GOD.The Bible consistently distinguishes between God and Jesus.
      • WHO IS JESUS?The Father is the invisible uncaused Cause of all things. Jesus is His visible image; at His right hand.
      • THE ALMIGHTYJesus is the Beginning and the End. Does that mean that He is Almighty?
      • GOD IS THE HEAD OF CHRIST.This article provides evidence that Christ is subordinate to God.
      • SUBORDINATE IN JOHN'S GOSPELJesus was subordinate to the Father before He became a human being.
    • ● ● JESUS IS CALLED GOD ● ●
      • THEOSWhen Jesus is called THEOS, how should the word be translated?
      • JOHN 1:18Is Jesus called God in this verse? The original text of John 1:18 is disputed.
      • JOHN 20:28Jesus did not teach that He is God. Where would Thomas have heard that Jesus is God?
      • JOHN'S GOSPELDiscussion of the instances where this gospel refers to Jesus as theos.
      • ROMANS 9:5Whether this verse refers to Jesus as God depends on punctuation, and punctuation is interpretation.
      • HEBREWS 1:8Verse 8 refers to Jesus as theos but verse 9 says that God is His theos.
      • JESUS IS CALLED GOD.This is an overview of the articles on the verses that refer to Jesus as theos.
    • ● ● THE TRANSLATION OF JOHN 1:1 ● ●
      • 1. INTRODUCTIONHow must John 1:1 be translated?
      • 2. WHO IS THE WORD?Does “the Word” refer to Jesus, or is it a personification of the Wisdom of God in creation?
      • 3. THE WORD WAS A GOD.Arguments against the Jehovah Witness translation
      • 4. THEOS IS A COUNT NOUN.To support their translation, Jehovah Witness argue that theos is a count noun.
      • 5. THE WORD WAS GOD.Arguments against the usual translation: “The Word was God.”
    • ● ● JESUS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT ● ●
      • JESUS IN THE OLD TESTAMENTJesus has always existed. In fact, God created all things through Him. Therefore, the question arises: Where do we find Jesus in the Old Testament?
  • TRINITY
    • ● ● TRINITY DOCTRINE ● ●
      • CONTRADICTIONResponse to Gotquestions – The Trinity doctrine contradicts itself.
      • ELOHIMElohim is plural in form. Does this mean that God is a multi-personal Being?
    • THE THEOLOGY OF THE APOLOGISTS
      • Polycarp
      • Justin Martyr
      • Ignatius of Antioch
      • Irenaeus
      • Did these fathers refer to Jesus as "god" or "God?"
      • Was Sabellius the first Trinitarian?
    • ● ● FOURTH CENTURY ● ●
      • COUNCIL OF NICAEAConstantine controlled the council. He called, presided over, and actively guided the Council. He also proposed and enforced the keyword Homoousios.
      • NICENE CREED INTERPRETEDThe creed implies that the Son is equal with the Father in terms of substance, but subordinate to the Father in all other respects.
      • FOURTH CENTURY ARIAN PERIODThe Council of Nicaea was not the end of Arianism. For fifty years afterward, the emperors were Arian and actively crushed the Nicene party.
      • WHAT DID ARIANISM BELIEVE?The Father is the only God, the Son is our god, but the Father is His god and the Holy Spirit is not a Person, but a power; that is subject to the Son.
      • LONG LINES CREEDThe Long Lines Creed reflects the Christology of the first centuries. Christ had a beginning but always existed.
      • END OF ROMAN ARIANISM / THEODOSIUSEmperor Theodosius wiped Arianism out among the Roman people in 380. He outlawed Arianism, exiled Arian bishops, and forced the Council of 381 to accept Nicene Christology.
    • ● ● FIFTH CENTURY ● ●
      • FALL OF THE WESTERN ROMAN EMPIREMassive in-migration and top positions for barbarians in the Western Roman Empire allowed them to progressively assume control of the Empire.
      • WHY THE ROMAN EMPIRE FELLHistorians mention underfunding the army, barbarian mercenaries, a plunder economy, pomp of rulers, high taxes, weak emperors, and Sassanid and Hunnic incursions.
      • FALL OF ROME PROVES DANIELThe Book of Daniel correctly predicted the HOW of the Fall of Rome; It was SUBDIVIDED into many kingdoms that CONTINUED it. Daniel is, therefore, a true prophecy.
      • FIFTH CENTURY ARIAN PERIODIn the fifth century, Arian Germanic immigrants dominated the Western Empire and the West was Arian once again.
      • JUSTINIAN CONQUERED THE ARIANSJustinian liberated the Nicene Church in Rome from Arian domination. This commenced the Byzantine Papacy which completely eliminated Arianism.
  • SABBATH
    • ● ● SABBATH IN THE OLD TESTAMENT ● ●
      • 1. SEVENTH DAY AT CREATIONGod permanently engrained the seventh day into human existence.
      • 2. SABBATH BEFORE MOSESThe small part of the Bible which covers the 2500 years before Moses never mentions the Sabbath, but the many references to seven days imply a seven-day cycle.
      • 3. IN THE TEN COMMANDMENTSThe Sabbath was a day of rest; not for church meetings or worship.
      • 4. SABBATH TRADITIONSThe traditions were intended as a hedge against sin, but, eventually, promoted self-righteousness, destroyed love and represented God as a tyrant.
    • ● ● SABBATH HEALING MIRACLES ● ●
      • 1. FIRST SABBATH HEALINGSBy healing on the Sabbath, Jesus acted contrary to and condemned the traditions.
      • 2. THE MAN'S WITHERED HANDThe rulers actually wanted Jesus to heal on the Sabbath so that, on the basis of the Old Testament, they could justify His execution.
      • 3. THE CRIPPLED WOMANThe authorities were angry when Jesus healed a crippled woman on the Sabbath. He responded that the purpose of the Sabbath is to free people from Satan’s bonds.
      • 5. SABBATH HEALING AT BETHESDAThe strict traditions allowed little space for compassion. The Sabbath became an intolerable burden, falsely depicting God as a tyrant.
      • 6. HEALING OF THE BLIND MANWhy did Jesus select the Sabbath specifically for His healing miracles?
      • 4. SABBATH WAS MADE FOR MANThe Sabbath was to be the best day of the week for it was made for man. Human needs are more important than the Sabbath. The traditions made it the worst day.
    • ● ● JESUS TAUGHT A DIFFERENT SABBATH ● ●
      • OPPORTUNITY TO TEACHJesus’ healing miracles also gave credibility to His teachings.
      • JESUS DELIBERATELY DISOBEYED.According to the traditions, healing is work that is disallowed on the Sabbath. Why did Jesus deliberately heal on the Sabbath?
      • WHAT JESUS TAUGHT ABOUT THE SABBATHMan may work on the Sabbath to relieve suffering, to heal from diseases and to teach people about God.
      • JESUS TAUGHT A DIFFERENT SABBATH.The 10 Commandments require rest. Jesus taught a different Sabbath. He taught the Sabbath as a day to work to heal and restore people.
      • THE LAW OF CHRISTChrist did more than merely to interpret the Law of Moses; He replaced the Law of Moses with much higher moral standards, reflecting the Father’s perfect heart, which Paul calls the Law of Christ. This is the law that Adam and Abraham knew.
      • WHY DID THEY KILL JESUS?The Jewish rulers’ authority was based on the traditions. Christ, by transgressing the traditions, condemned the Jewish system of authority.
      • THE LAW OF CHRISTChrist did not only interpret the Law of Moses; He replaced it with higher moral standards that reflect the Father’s perfect heart. This is the law as it existed “from the beginning.” The Law of Moses was a temporary watered-down version.
      • LAW OF CHRIST REBUTTALThis is Thomas Lee’s response to the Law of Christ-article. He argues that the Mosaic Law has not been nullified, abolished, replaced, or altered.
    • ● ● OTHER SABBATH ARTICLES ● ●
      • NO SABBATH IN THE NEW TESTAMENTJesus taught more about the Sabbath than all the other nine commandments put together. Why would He do that if the Sabbath would expire a year or twoi later?
      • ROMANS 14:5-6 - IS THE SABBATH OPTIONAL?The context is a dispute about eating meat. The “days” were days on which some Christians abstained from eating meat.
      • LIST OF ALL SABBATH ARTICLES
  • OTHER
    • ● ● ● ●
      • EVOLUTION AND THE BIBLEEvolution teaches that man never was a sinless being, that sin is simply our present level of development and, consequently, that we do not need a savior.
      • CHRISTMAS:Its meaning and origin
      • KINGDOM OF GODWhat did Jesus mean, the “Kingdom of God comes”?
      • WALDENSIANSThe Waldensians were critical of Catholic beliefs. In return, the Catholic Church called all to destroy them, causing centuries of massacres.
      • TABLE OF CONTENTSA list and brief descriptions of the articles on this website – not up to date.
      • HELSE HORDEMy Afrikaans translation of The Final Quest; a book by Rick Joyner. For my own edification, I have translated some of his books in this series.
      • ABOUT AUTHORI am not part of any religious group but work completely alone. Therefore, I do not have to conform to the views of others.
      • CONTACT
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