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From Daniel to Revelation

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

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  • DANIEL
    • Antichrist in DanielThe prophecies of Daniel form the foundation for the identification of the beast of Revelation and, therefore, the mark of the beast.
      • Daniel 2Daniel 2 divides world history into six successive ages.
      • Daniel 7Daniel 7 uses beasts and horns to symbolize world empires.
      • The Evil HornDaniel 8 explicitly identifies two beasts but not the evil horn. This article lists three alternative interpretations.
      • Out of which kingdom does it arise?When we compare the animals of Daniel 7 and 8, we see that the fourth kingdom, from which the evil horn-king arises, is the Roman Empire.
      • Out of what kingdom does it arise in Daniel 8?The evil horn arises “out of one of them” (Dan 8:9)? Did it come out of a Greek horn?
      • Who is the vile person of Daniel 11?And how does he relate to the evil horn?
      • Antiochus IVCritical Scholars claim that the vile person is Antiochus but he does not fit the profile.
    • Is the Book of Daniel a forgery?Critical scholars, typically those that you will find at the prestigious universities of this world, argue that the prophecies of Daniel were written after the events it claims to predict. If this is true, then Revelation is also a fraud, because it is based on Daniel.
      • Critical scholarsWho are they?
      • Evidence that Daniel is true prophecyEvidence from the book itself as well as from external sources, that Daniel was written before the events it predicts
      • Summary– of the previous article
      • The Fall of Rome validates Daniel as true prophecy.Rome fell about 7 centuries after Daniel was written according to Critical Scholars, but it fell in exactly the way predicted by Daniel.
      • 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 TOPICSDaniel 9 is different from the other prophecies in Daniel. While Daniel 9 deals only with Israel and the 490 years allocated to her, the other prophecies involve all nations and all time.
      • Summary– of all the articles on Daniel 9
      • Overview– 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?
      • What 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?In some translations, the Messiah appears after the first 49 years. In others, 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 yearsDaniel received this prophecy at the end of those 70 years prophecied by Jeremiah. Where do we find the 70 years in history?
      • NehemiahThe book of Nehemiah provides context for Daniel’s prophecies.
    • DANIEL 9 - INTERPRETATIONS
      • Liberal-CriticalIn this view, the prophecy describes the exploits of Antiochus IV – two centuries before Christ.
      • DispensationalA brief evaluation of the Dispensational interpretation of Daniel 9. More detail is provided below.
      • Pre-Wrath DispensationalismIn this dispensational view, the church will NOT be raptured but Christians will suffer the end-time tribulation.
      • Consistent SymbolicalIn this view, even the 490 years are symbolic and not literal.
      • Historic-MessianicThe full 490 years are past history; fulfilled in the personal work of Jesus Christ and, after His death, of the Holy Spirit. (See more detail below.)
      • Church fathersHow did the early church fathers interpret Daniel 9?
    • DANIEL 9 - DISPENSATIONAL INTERPRETATION
      • Time IndicationsDoes the Dispensational interpretation fit the time indications?
      • Whose covenant?Whose covenant is confirmed in Daniel 9:27: God’s or Satan’s?
      • Who confirms the covenant?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 VariancesVarious 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.
      • Christ makes the covenant firm.It is Jesus who made “a firm covenant with the many (in Israel) by honoring God’s covenant with Israel until the very end of the 490 years.
      • 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.
      • Jesus' death ended the Jewish sacrificial systemJesus’ death “put a stop to sacrifice” (Dan 9:27).
  • 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 in heavenEvery 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. However, when he looks, he sees something completely different but it is the same thing.
      • Revelation’s numbersAll numbers in Revelation are symbols. This article explains the meaning of the numbers 2, 4, 7, and 12.
    • REVELATION - THE SEVEN SEALS
      • SummarySummary of all the articles on the seven seals
    • 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.
      • Worship in God’s presenceThis article discusses the worship in Revelation 4:8-11 as well as in Revelation 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 VerseVerses 1-4 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 color white, the stephanos crown, and its never-ending conquering identify the white horse as the gospel.
      • The next three sealsThe bloodshed, famine, and death in the next three horsemen are the consequence of the first (the gospel).
      • Fifth SealDoes the cry of the souls under the altar symbolize a general principle or a specific event?
      • Souls under the AltarAre these literal souls, literally crying out to God for revenge?
      • Sixth SealThe Son of Man separates the people from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
    • REVELATION 7
      • The sealingWhere does the sealing of the 144000 in Revelation 7:1-8 fit in the end-time events described later in Revelation?
      • The sealWith what are God’s people sealed? God will make more power available to enable His last-day people to remain faithful during the catastrophic end-time events.
      • The sealing in DanielHow does the sealing fit in the end-time events described in Daniel?
      • 144,000Who are the 144,000 “Sons of Israel” (Rev 7:4)?
      • Innumerable MultitudeWho is the Great Multitude (Rev 7:9-17) and when will they be gathered as described?
    • REVELATION 8
      • Seventh SealWhen the seventh seal is broken, the book is fully open, God’s judgments are understood, and God can make a final end to evil, causing silence in heaven.
      • Does the seventh seal include the seven trumpets?This is something that literal interpreters usually claim.
      • Why does God delay Christ's return?God delays His return until all seven seals are broken.
    • REVELATION 12
      • The woman and her childThe “male child” is Christ, but who is His mother? Is she Eve or Mary or Israel or the church or some higher-level principle?
      • The stars of heavenWhat stars are thrown out of heaven (Rev 12:4)?
      • War in HeavenWhen did the war in heaven begin and when was Satan thrown out?
      • How did Michael defeat Satan?What are Satan’s weapons and what did Michael use to overcome Satan?
      • The testimony of God's peopleIf Christ’s death defeated Satan, why would “their testimony” also be required? (Rev 12:11)
      • 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
      • The beast from the seaThis beast is the Antichrist (Rev 13:1-2). People will be forced to accept its mark in the end time.
      • The Fatal WoundWhat is the fatal wound that the beast suffers (Rev 13:3-4)?
      • Identity of the BeastThe Beast is Daniel’s evil horn. This article identifies the beast by comparing the description of the horn in Daniel 7 to history.
    • REVELATION 15
      • What must happen before the plagues begin?Discussion of Revelation 15
    • FIRST FOUR PLAGUES
      • First Four PlaguesSymbolize a single event. 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 will 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
      • The throne of the BeastThe beast received its throne (authority) from the Roman Empire.
      • Darkness on the Beast's throneGod’s message proclaimed with power will darken the beast’s throne.
      • The beast is the church of the Roman Empire.The Roman Empire chose a specific version of Christianity as its official religion, transformed it into its own image, and destroyed all other versions of Christianity. With the power of the Empire behind it, the ‘church’ of the Roman Empire 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 the control of the beast. In other words, the beast’s support dries up.
      • The Kings from the EastIn this plague, there are two groups of kings. Since the kings of the whole world oppose God, the kings from the east are the kings of God’s army.
      • ArmageddonIt 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.
      • Jesus comes like a thief(Rev 16:15) Is this a secret rapture?
      • Why the Euphrates dries upWhy must the Euphrates dry up before the kings from the east can come? (Rev 16:12)
      • Overview– of the articles on the sixth plague
    • PLAGUES - CONCLUSION
      • Seventh PlagueThis plague ends with Christ’s Return.
      • Purpose of the PlaguesThe purpose is not to punish but to show that the people with the mark of the beast, who also claim to be Christians, are hardened beyond repentance.
      • To validate God's judgmentsThe ultimate purpose is to show that God judges perfectly, but why is that necessary?
    • REVELATION'S BEASTS
      • The seven-headed beastsRevelation has three beasts with seven heads and ten horns each. What are they and how are they related?
      • The Seven HeadsThe seven heads are the phases of the beast.
      • The seven heads identifiedWhat are the seven heads of the beast?
    • BABYLON THE GREAT
      • General CharacteristicsShe corrupts the people, unites the world against God, and is worldwide and timeless.
      • The Harlot and the BeastHow does the harlot relate to the beast?
      • Christianity is part of Babylon.Babylon exists everywhere and for all human history, but false Christianity has adopted the Babylonian spirit.
      • Babylon's merchantsBabylon’s “merchants were the great men of the earth” (Rev 18:23).
      • A Literal City?Some 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 identify the Papacy as Babylon.
      • Overview– of the articles on Babylon
    • REVELATION 17
      • 17:1-3 verse-by-verseThe harlot sitting on the scarlet beast
      • 17:4-6 verse-by-verseBabylon the great, the mother of harlots
      • The sixth 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?
  • IS JESUS GOD?
    • SUMMARY
      • Summary of these articlesIn summary, Christ is divine but also distinct from God and subordinate to the Father.
    • SPECIFIC BIBLE BOOKS
      • RevelationDoes the book of Revelation present Jesus as the Most High God?
      • RolesGod’s and Christ’s roles in creation and salvation as described in the letter to the Colossians
      • ColossiansDoes Colossians present Jesus as God?
    • SPECIFIC BIBLE PASSAGES
      • Philippians 2Four stages of Christ’s existence, from a human perspective
      • 1 Corinthians 8Does this verse divide the words of the Shema between the Father and the Son?
      • Did Jesus claim to be God?(John 10:33-36) Or did He claim to be the Son of God?
      • One BeingThis article discusses three statements that Jesus made that are often interpreted to mean that they are literally one (John 10:30, 38; 14:9).
    • Christ's Origin and Pre-existence
      • Only-BegottenIs He the only-begotten or the only-unique?
      • Firstborn of all Creation(Col 1:15) – Does this mean that He was literally born first, or that He is part of creation?
      • God's Son created all things.All things, including creation, judgment and salvation, are from God, the Father, but through His Son.
      • Jesus in the Old TestamentSince the Son ‘always’ existed and existed in the ‘form’ of God, and since God is invisible, the God who was seen in the Old Testament is the One we know as Jesus.
    • IS JESUS GOD?
      • Jesus is not God.The Bible always distinguishes – not only between the Son and the Father – but between the Son and God.
      • The AlmightyThe title, “the Almighty,” appears ten times in the New Testament and always refers to the Father alone.
      • The Son is subordinate.The Son always was, still is, and always will be subordinate to the Father. Everything that He has, He received from His Father.
      • Christ is divine.In many respects, the Son is equal to God. For example, He is the only other being who has life in himself (John 5:26).
    • WORSHIP
      • If Jesus is not God, why do we worship Him?We do not “worship” Jesus. The Greek word translated as “worship” (proskuneó) has a wide range of meanings, including to bow down before an exalted human being. It is only translated as “worship” if we assume that Jesus is God. Therefore, if a Bible translation says that Jesus is worshiped, that is an application of the Trinity Doctrine; not proof of that doctrine.
      • Worship in RevelationIf 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?
    • Is Jesus called God?
      • John 1:1 - IntroductionThis verse is often used as the best proof of Christ’s divinity.
      • John 1:1 - The Word was a god.This is how Jehovah’s Witnesses translate this verse. This article lists seven objections.
      • John 1:1 - Theos is a count noun.To defend their translation, Jehovah’s Witnesses argue that “God” is a count noun. Is this a valid argument?
      • John 1:1 - The Word was God.This translation interprets theos as definite, but John 1:1c uses theos in a descriptive sense, meaning that the Word was like God.
      • TheosThe Bible refers to Jesus as theos but that Greek word has a wide range of meanings. One possible meaning is reflected by the English word “God,” which refers only to the Ultimate Reality. In what sense of theos does the New Testament refer to Jesus?
      • The Only Begotten God(John 1:18) Scholars are not sure what John actually wrote here. Many ancient manuscripts of this verse refer to Jesus as “son” and not as theos (god).
      • My Lord and my God!(John 20:28) – This is what Thomas exclaimed when he saw Jesus after His resurrection. In what sense of theos did Thomas address Jesus as ho theos?
      • Theos in John's gospelA study of the word theos in John’s gospel. Did John use the term for both the Father and the Son?
      • Paul never refers to Jesus as God.This must be significant. The only possible exception is Romans 9:5 but the translation of this verse depends on punctuation, which is interpretation.
      • Letter to the HebrewsHebrews 1:8 refers to Jesus as theos but the next verse (Heb 1:9) shows that He is not God because it says that God is His God.
      • Overview of these articlesTo translate theos as “God,” when it refers to Jesus, is an application of the Trinity doctrine; not proof thereof.
    • THE WORD OF GOD
      • Who is the Word?Some propose that the logos in John 1:1 is not a person but a personification of God’s eternal plan.
      • Why is He called "the Word?"Everything that the creation receives from God, it receives through His Son.
      • Did Philo's logos influence the New Testament?Philo wrote a few decades before John. In his interpretation of the Old Testament, he included the logos from Greek philosophy and described him as similar to John’s logos.
  • TRINITY DOCTRINE
    • PURPOSEThese articles describe the development of the Trinity Doctrine, which is closely related to the development of the church. They cover the first 8 centuries with an emphasis on the fourth. The ‘Arian’ Controversy divided the church into four ‘branches’. The main purpose of these articles is to show that the Roman Empire selected one of these, namely, Trinitarian Christianity, made it the official religion of the Empire, and brutally eliminated the other ‘branches’ of Christianity. With the military support of the Empire, that official religion of the Roman Empire became the Roman Church of the Middle Ages.
    • THE APOLOGISTSThe Apologists were the theologians of the first 3 centuries who had to defend Christianity at a time when the Empire attempted to exterminate Christianity.
      • Ignatius of Antioch (c. 35-107)He described the Son as our God but the Father as the only true God.
      • Polycarp (c. 69–155)He was a personal disciple of the Apostle John. He made a clear distinction between the Almighty God and His subordinate Son.
      • Justin Martyr (c. 100–165)He used Greek philosophy to explain the Son of God as a rational power that was begotten from the substance of God.
      • Irenaeus (c. 115-190)He identified the Father as the only true God, alone Almighty, and the Head of Christ.
      • TheosDid these church fathers describe Jesus as “god” or as “God?”
      • Sabellius (fl. c. 217-220)Was he the first Trinitarian?
    • ARIUSThe Arian Controversy was named after him.
      • Orthodox ChristianityWhen the Arian Controversy began, what was the ‘orthodox’ view of Christ?
      • Arius is NOT important.The Arian Controversy is named after Arius only because Athanasius referred the anti-Nicenes as ‘Arians’ to label them with a theology that has already been formally rejected. But the anti-Nicenes did not follow Arius.
      • Athanasius invented Arianism.The term “Arianism” implies that Arius’ theology dominated the fourth-century church. But that is fiction. Arius was an insignificant writer.
    • ARIUS' TEACHINGS
      • Did Arius corrupt theology with pagan philosophy?Over the centuries, Arius was always accused of this. This article shows that that is not true.
      • Was Origen the source of Arius' heresy?There are significant differences between Origen and Arius. Where they agree, they agree because both followed the traditional Logos theology.
      • Is the Son a creature?Did Arius describe the Son as a created Being?
      • Was there time when He was not?Did Arius teach that time existed before the Son?
      • Is the Son mutable?Arius wrote that the Son of God cannot change but Athanasius claimed that Arius taught the exact opposite, namely that the Son is “like all others … subject to change.”
    • THE NICENE CREEDThe most famous and influential creed in the history of the church
      • What was the core issue of dispute?It is often said that the Council was called to determine whether Jesus is God. But that does not accurately describe the dispute prior to Nicaea.
      • The Emperor's InfluenceConstantine called and presided over the meeting, proposed and insisted on the key word Homoousios, and exiled the bishops who refused to sign the creed.
      • What does the Creed say?The Son is equal to the Father in terms of substance, but subordinate to the Father in other respects.
      • Eusebius' Explanation of the CreedEusebius of Caesarea, the most respected theologian at the Council, immediately afterward wrote to his church in Caesarea to explain why he accepted the Creed and how he understood the controversial phrases.
      • Should a Protestant accept the Nicene Creed?The Creed not only uses non-Biblical words; the concept of homoousios (that the Son is of the same substance as the Father) is not in the Bible.
      • The word Homoousios comes from Egyptian Paganism.The word is not found in the Bible or in any orthodox Christian confession before Nicaea.
      • The Creed uses ousia and hypostasis as synonyms.By implication, the Creed says that the Father and the Son are one and the same hypostasis (Person). That is Sabellianism.
      • Of the Father's substanceDoes the phrase “of another substance or essence” mean that the Son has (1) the same substance as the Father or that He (2) has been begotten out of the Father’s substance?
    • FOURTH-CENTURY ARIANISMThe Council of Nicaea was not the end of ‘Arianism’. After Nicaea, for about 50 years, anti-Nicenes dominated the church.
      • Emperors' Influence on the Christology of the churchThe emperors were ‘Arian’ and crushed the Nicene party. The reason is that, throughout the Arian Controversy, the emperor was the ultimate authority with respect to church doctrine.
      • What did fourth-century 'Arianism' believe?The Father is the only true God, the Son is our god, but the Father is His god and the Holy Spirit is not a Person, but a power; subject to the Son.
      • Long Lines CreedAn example of the many creeds that were developed during the fourth century ‘Arian’ period
    • The End of Roman 'Arianism'In AD 380, Emperor Theodosius made the Trinity Doctrine Law and outlawed and brutally eliminated other versions of Christianity.
      • Edict of Thessalonica AD 380This made the Trinity Doctrine the official religion of the Roman Empire. Thereafter, Emperor Theodosius eliminated ‘Arianism’ among the Roman people.
      • The Creed of 381How does it differ from the 325-Creed?
    • End of all 'Arianism'Emperor Theodosius did not make an end of all ‘Arianism’. Soon after he died, the empire ‘fell’ to the ‘barbarians’. These ‘barbarians’ were also ‘Arians’ for they were evangelized during the 50 years of ‘Arian rule’ before Theodosius. It was Emperor Justinian (in the sixth century) and the Byzantine papacy (in the next two centuries) that made a complete end to all ‘Arianism’.
      • The Fall of the Roman EmpireIt did not fall; it transformed. Massive in-migration and top positions for ‘barbarians’ in the Roman Army allowed them to progressively assume control of the Empire.
      • Why the empire fellA discussion of the key causes
      • Arians ruled Europe again.In the fifth century, the Empire fell to the Germanic peoples. They were Arians because they received the gospel when Arianism dominated the church. This article also provides an overview of the events of the preceding fourth century.
      • Justinian subjected the Arian nations.In the sixth century, Justinian crushed the Arian nations, liberating the Nicene Church in Rome from Arian domination, and set up the Byzantine Papacy through which the emperors in the east, with their imperial version of Christianity, ruled Europe, crushing all opposition to the Trinity Doctrine.
      • The Roman ChurchWith the military power of the Roman Empire, the imperial version of Christianity became the church of the Middle Ages, symbolized by Daniel’s evil eleventh horn.
      • WaldensiansThe church of the Middle Ages had the spirit of Satan. For example, the Waldensians were critical of Catholic beliefs. In return, the church called all to destroy them, causing centuries of massacres.
    • Authors on the Arian ControversyExtracts from the writings of scholars who have studied the ancient documents for themselves:
      • RPC Hanson – A lecture on the Arian ControversyA very informative lecture on the Arian Controversy by RPC Hanson, a famous fourth-century scholar 
      • FortmanEdmund J. Fortman, The Triune God – Nicene Creed
      • EricksonMillard J. Erickson, God in Three Persons – Nicene Creed
      • BoydWilliam Boyd, Union of Church and State in the Late Roman Empire, based on The Ecclesiastical Edicts of the Theodosian Code 
    • Arian Controversy - Conclusions
      • The True Origin of the Trinity DoctrineThe scholarship of the last 100 years has shown that the traditional textbook account of the Arian Controversy is a complete travesty.
    • GENERAL CONCEPTS
      • CONTRADICTIONResponse to Gotquestions – The Trinity doctrine contradicts itself.
      • ELOHIMElohim is plural in form. Does this mean that God is a multi-personal Being?
  • ORIGIN OF EVIL
    • ------------------------------Why does evil exist and why does God not make an end to all 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 AuthoritiesBoth Paul and also Peter refer to them. They are supernatural beings that oppose Christ.
      • Evil DisarmedHow did the Cross disarm the supernatural rulers and authorities? (Col 2:15)
  • EARLY CHURCH
    • ------------------------------Key events that transformed the church from a sect of Judaism into an independent religion
      • 1. Jerusalem PhaseAfter receiving the Holy Spirit, the church grew quickly, but it 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 about whether they must observe the Law of Moses.
      • 4. Separation between Jew and GentileThe Acts 15 church council caused a 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.
  • ATONEMENT
    • ---------------------Why Jesus had to die – How does God erase sin?
      • What does "atonement" mean?The 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 explain how Jesus’ death is the solution, we first have to understand the problem.
      • How this website explains AtonementThat Christ died without sin, while suffering the worst possible temptations, solved a problem in heaven.
      • Metaphors for SalvationWords such as redeemed, reconciled, justified, and reconciled 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.
      • An attempt to explain the atonement to a Moslem 
      • A brief overview of these articles
  • JUSTIFICATION
    • -----------------How people are put right with God
      • God judges all people by their deeds.Why, then, did Paul write that people are justified by grace through faith?
      • Justification changes the person.It is not a mere legal process irrespective of whether it is a changed person.
  • LAW OF MOSES
    • DOES GALATIANS CONTRADICT JESUS?
      • The Law of Christ replaced the Law of Moses.Paul argued that God’s people are no longer subject to the Law of Moses and introduced the concept of “the Law of Christ.”
      • The Old Testament implies that Moses' Law would fall away.The Law was added more than 400 years after God made His covenant with Abraham. Therefore, the Law was temporary.
      • Christ replaced the Law with higher standards.Jesus did not do away with the moral commandments but replaced it with higher standards.
      • The Law of Christ– is God’s law as it always existed and always will exist.
      • Summary– of the previous four articles
    • SERMON ON THE MOUNT
      • Jesus fulfilled the Law and the Prophets.(Matt 5:17). What does “fulfill” mean and what are the Law and the Prophets?
      • Objections to the previous articleWhat is “the Law” and what did Jesus and the Church Council in Acts 15 say about it?
      • Did the Church Council in Acts 15 contradict Jesus?Since Jesus said nothing shall pass from the Law (Matt 5:19), why did the Church Council grant Gentiles freedom from the Law?
      • Sermon on the MountJesus taught that people do not have immortality and that God judges people by their deeds.
  • DEATH & HELL
    • Eternal Torment
      • AnnihilationGod will annihilate the lost. They will not suffer eternal torment.
      • The Third Angel’s Warning(Rev 14:9-11) The smoke of their torment will rise forever – symbolically.
      • The Lake of Fire(Rev 20:10) The lake of fire is the second death and symbolizes annihilation.
      • Eternal TormentThe evidence for eternal torment actually supports annihilation.
      • Summary of these articles
      • Eternal LifeOnly God’s people will receive eternal life, and they receive it only when Christ returns.
    • State of the Dead
      • Do people have immortal souls?A discussion of 1 Corinthians 15
      • Resurrection BodyWith what kind of body will the dead be resurrected?
  • CHRIST'S RETURN
    • -------------------
      • When and how will Jesus return?An analysis of the Second Coming verses in the New Testament
      • Christ's Return in RevelationRevelation described the profound events that will precede and follow His return.
      • The End of the AgeWhat will happen at the end?
      • The Little ApocalypseAn analysis of Christ’s teachings in Matthew 24 with respect to the end-time events
    • Christ promised to return soon.These articles discuss such promises.
      • This generation will not pass away. – until they see the Son of man coming on the clouds. (Matt 24:34)
      • You will not finish– going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes. (Matt 10:23).
      • "Some standing here shall not taste death until– until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom, (Matt 16:28).
      • He will come soon.Jesus said and His disciples believed that He will return soon.
    • Did He already return?The following articles evaluate claims that Jesus’ promise to return soon was already fulfilled through:
      • The outpouring of the Holy Spirit
      • Or the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70?
    • Does God delay Christ's Return?
      • Was Christ’s return delayed?Why did He not return in the first century as promised?
  • SABBATH
    • IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
      • At CreationGod engrained the seventh day into human existence.
      • Evolution TheoryThe evolution theory destroys the Bible’s core message.
      • From Creation to MosesA seven-day cycle did exist before Moses
      • In the Ten CommandmentsA symbol of liberation, a day of rest, a reminder of the Lord, and a test of obedience, but not a day for church meetings.
      • In the TraditionsThe traditions of the elders are extremely detailed laws that began as a hedge against sin but, eventually, represented God as a tyrant.
    • JESUS' SABBATH HEALING MIRACLES
      • The demon-possessed manBy healing a man on the Sabbath, Christ publicly contravened the traditions.
      • The Withered Hand(Matt 12:9-14) – The rulers wanted Jesus to heal on the Sabbath so that they could legally kill Him.
      • The Crippled Woman(Luke 13:10-17) – The purpose of the Sabbath is to free people from Satan’s bonds.
      • Paralytic At Bethesda(John 5) – The strict traditions allowed little space for compassion, caused the Sabbath to become an intolerable burden, and depicted God as a tyrant.
      • The man born blind(John 9) – Why did Jesus select specifically the Sabbath for His healing miracles?
    • JESUS' SABBATH TEACHINGS
      • The Sabbath was made for man.(Matt 12:1-8) – God made the Sabbath to be the best day of the week. Human needs are more important than the Sabbath.
      • Christ deliberately contravened the traditions.While the Jews regarded healing as work and disallowed it on the Sabbath, Jesus deliberately healed on the Sabbath.
      • Why they killed JesusBy contravening the traditions, He condemned the Jewish system of authority.
      • Why did Jesus perform these miracles?His healing miracles gave credibility to His teachings and to His claim to be the Messiah.
      • What Jesus taught about the SabbathMan may and must work on the Sabbath to relieve suffering, to heal, and to teach about God.
      • Jesus taught a different Sabbath.Moses made rest the goal but Christ shifted the focus to the original purpose: To heal and restore.
      • The Law of ChristChrist did not only interpret the Law of Moses; He replaced it with higher moral standards that existed from the beginning.
    • THE SABBATH IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
      • No Sabbath CommandmentIs the Sabbath commandment repeated in the New Testament?
      • Does Romans 14 refer to the Sabbath?Each must be fully convinced in his own mind (Rom 14:5-6).
  • ROMANS
    • Romans 1-3:8
      • Romans 1God does not override human freedom. He gives evidence of Himself but if we reject this evidence, there remains nothing that He can or will do, and He gives us up to our lusts.
      • Romans 2On Judgment Day, God will justify the doers of the Law.
      • Romans 3:1-8Did God reject Israel?
    • Romans 9 and 11
      • Romans 9-11 - IsraelThe book of Revelation often refers to Israel and her things. Romans 9 and 11 explain what Israel is.
      • Summary of the previous articleAll Israel will be saved.
      • ElectionGod did not elect Israel to save them but to save through them. It is an election to a mission.
    • Romans 14
      • The dispute in Rome was not over the Law of Moses.(Rom 14:1-4)
      • Nothing is unclean (koinos) in itself.(Rom 14:14) This does not refer to the unclean animals of the Old Testament.
      • The dispute in CorinthThe parallels to 1 Corinthians 8 and 10 explain the dispute as ‘weak’ Christians who regarded eating meat as idol worship.
      • Does Romans 14 say that the weekly Sabbath is optional?(Rom 14:5-6) Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind.
      • God will judge people by their deeds.(Rom 14:7-13) – The difference between “deeds” and “the works of the Law”
      • Rather abstain from meat.(Rom 14:13-23) – If eating meat may cause a weaker brother to stumble, rather abstain.
      • List of articles– with some more detail
  • GALATIANS
  • COLOSSIANS
  • HEBREWS
    • -------------
      • Jesus, our High PriestTo become our high priest in the Tabernacle in Heaven, He had to suffer but remain without sin.
      • A better High Priest.The earthly Tabernacle was only a copy of the reality in heaven, and could, therefore, not free people from guilt for sin.
      • Jesus appears for us before God.Jesus guarantees God’s promise, “their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”
      • Hebrews' two bookends(Heb 4:14-16 and 10:22-24) – We may draw near to God with, for Jesus sympathizes with our weaknesses.
      • The Unpardonable Sin(Heb 10:26) If we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.
      • Christ is superior to the Old Testament.What God spoke through His Son has a much higher authority than the Old Testament.
  • OTHER
    • ● ● ● ●
      • CHRISTMAS:Christmas was derived from the pagan feast of the birthday of the Invincible Sun
      • ABOUT AUTHORSince I have no formal Bible training and since I am not part of any church group, I am free to present the truth as I understand it.
      • HELSE HORDEMy Afrikaans translation of The Final Quest; a book by Rick Joyner. For my own edification, I have translated some of the books in this series.
      • CONTACT
  • Lewis Ayres, Nicaea and its Legacy

Tag: Romans 8:13

Posted on 2020-07-122023-05-28

If people are justified through faith, why will they be judged by their deeds?

This article has been replaced by:

God judges all people by their deeds and justifies some by grace.

Other Articles

      • Atonement
      • Justification
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Listen to Graham Maxwell, a well-known preacher, as he explains, from the letter to the Galatians, his view of the Atonement and of Justification.

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  • The 490 years of Daniel 9 - Evaluation of the Four Major Interpretations
  • The sealed book in Revelation 5 is the Lamb's Book of Life.
  • Revelation 4:1-8 - a visual description of God's throne room.
  • The 490 years and God’s covenant with Israel ended at Stephen’s stoning.
  • The original text of John 1:18 is in dispute.
  • In the Nicene Creed, is the Son to EQUAL to the Father?
  • Did Philo influence the Bible's description of the Son of God?
  • The Biblical evidence for eternal torment actually supports annihilation.
  • Who or what is the beast from the sea? (Revelation 13:1-2)

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  • ALL ARTICLES
  • DANIEL
    • Antichrist in DanielThe prophecies of Daniel form the foundation for the identification of the beast of Revelation and, therefore, the mark of the beast.
      • Daniel 2Daniel 2 divides world history into six successive ages.
      • Daniel 7Daniel 7 uses beasts and horns to symbolize world empires.
      • The Evil HornDaniel 8 explicitly identifies two beasts but not the evil horn. This article lists three alternative interpretations.
      • Out of which kingdom does it arise?When we compare the animals of Daniel 7 and 8, we see that the fourth kingdom, from which the evil horn-king arises, is the Roman Empire.
      • Out of what kingdom does it arise in Daniel 8?The evil horn arises “out of one of them” (Dan 8:9)? Did it come out of a Greek horn?
      • Who is the vile person of Daniel 11?And how does he relate to the evil horn?
      • Antiochus IVCritical Scholars claim that the vile person is Antiochus but he does not fit the profile.
    • Is the Book of Daniel a forgery?Critical scholars, typically those that you will find at the prestigious universities of this world, argue that the prophecies of Daniel were written after the events it claims to predict. If this is true, then Revelation is also a fraud, because it is based on Daniel.
      • Critical scholarsWho are they?
      • Evidence that Daniel is true prophecyEvidence from the book itself as well as from external sources, that Daniel was written before the events it predicts
      • Summary– of the previous article
      • The Fall of Rome validates Daniel as true prophecy.Rome fell about 7 centuries after Daniel was written according to Critical Scholars, but it fell in exactly the way predicted by Daniel.
      • 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 TOPICSDaniel 9 is different from the other prophecies in Daniel. While Daniel 9 deals only with Israel and the 490 years allocated to her, the other prophecies involve all nations and all time.
      • Summary– of all the articles on Daniel 9
      • Overview– 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?
      • What 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?In some translations, the Messiah appears after the first 49 years. In others, 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 yearsDaniel received this prophecy at the end of those 70 years prophecied by Jeremiah. Where do we find the 70 years in history?
      • NehemiahThe book of Nehemiah provides context for Daniel’s prophecies.
    • DANIEL 9 - INTERPRETATIONS
      • Liberal-CriticalIn this view, the prophecy describes the exploits of Antiochus IV – two centuries before Christ.
      • DispensationalA brief evaluation of the Dispensational interpretation of Daniel 9. More detail is provided below.
      • Pre-Wrath DispensationalismIn this dispensational view, the church will NOT be raptured but Christians will suffer the end-time tribulation.
      • Consistent SymbolicalIn this view, even the 490 years are symbolic and not literal.
      • Historic-MessianicThe full 490 years are past history; fulfilled in the personal work of Jesus Christ and, after His death, of the Holy Spirit. (See more detail below.)
      • Church fathersHow did the early church fathers interpret Daniel 9?
    • DANIEL 9 - DISPENSATIONAL INTERPRETATION
      • Time IndicationsDoes the Dispensational interpretation fit the time indications?
      • Whose covenant?Whose covenant is confirmed in Daniel 9:27: God’s or Satan’s?
      • Who confirms the covenant?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 VariancesVarious 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.
      • Christ makes the covenant firm.It is Jesus who made “a firm covenant with the many (in Israel) by honoring God’s covenant with Israel until the very end of the 490 years.
      • 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.
      • Jesus' death ended the Jewish sacrificial systemJesus’ death “put a stop to sacrifice” (Dan 9:27).
  • 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 in heavenEvery 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. However, when he looks, he sees something completely different but it is the same thing.
      • Revelation’s numbersAll numbers in Revelation are symbols. This article explains the meaning of the numbers 2, 4, 7, and 12.
    • REVELATION - THE SEVEN SEALS
      • SummarySummary of all the articles on the seven seals
    • 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.
      • Worship in God’s presenceThis article discusses the worship in Revelation 4:8-11 as well as in Revelation 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 VerseVerses 1-4 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 color white, the stephanos crown, and its never-ending conquering identify the white horse as the gospel.
      • The next three sealsThe bloodshed, famine, and death in the next three horsemen are the consequence of the first (the gospel).
      • Fifth SealDoes the cry of the souls under the altar symbolize a general principle or a specific event?
      • Souls under the AltarAre these literal souls, literally crying out to God for revenge?
      • Sixth SealThe Son of Man separates the people from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
    • REVELATION 7
      • The sealingWhere does the sealing of the 144000 in Revelation 7:1-8 fit in the end-time events described later in Revelation?
      • The sealWith what are God’s people sealed? God will make more power available to enable His last-day people to remain faithful during the catastrophic end-time events.
      • The sealing in DanielHow does the sealing fit in the end-time events described in Daniel?
      • 144,000Who are the 144,000 “Sons of Israel” (Rev 7:4)?
      • Innumerable MultitudeWho is the Great Multitude (Rev 7:9-17) and when will they be gathered as described?
    • REVELATION 8
      • Seventh SealWhen the seventh seal is broken, the book is fully open, God’s judgments are understood, and God can make a final end to evil, causing silence in heaven.
      • Does the seventh seal include the seven trumpets?This is something that literal interpreters usually claim.
      • Why does God delay Christ's return?God delays His return until all seven seals are broken.
    • REVELATION 12
      • The woman and her childThe “male child” is Christ, but who is His mother? Is she Eve or Mary or Israel or the church or some higher-level principle?
      • The stars of heavenWhat stars are thrown out of heaven (Rev 12:4)?
      • War in HeavenWhen did the war in heaven begin and when was Satan thrown out?
      • How did Michael defeat Satan?What are Satan’s weapons and what did Michael use to overcome Satan?
      • The testimony of God's peopleIf Christ’s death defeated Satan, why would “their testimony” also be required? (Rev 12:11)
      • 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
      • The beast from the seaThis beast is the Antichrist (Rev 13:1-2). People will be forced to accept its mark in the end time.
      • The Fatal WoundWhat is the fatal wound that the beast suffers (Rev 13:3-4)?
      • Identity of the BeastThe Beast is Daniel’s evil horn. This article identifies the beast by comparing the description of the horn in Daniel 7 to history.
    • REVELATION 15
      • What must happen before the plagues begin?Discussion of Revelation 15
    • FIRST FOUR PLAGUES
      • First Four PlaguesSymbolize a single event. 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 will 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
      • The throne of the BeastThe beast received its throne (authority) from the Roman Empire.
      • Darkness on the Beast's throneGod’s message proclaimed with power will darken the beast’s throne.
      • The beast is the church of the Roman Empire.The Roman Empire chose a specific version of Christianity as its official religion, transformed it into its own image, and destroyed all other versions of Christianity. With the power of the Empire behind it, the ‘church’ of the Roman Empire 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 the control of the beast. In other words, the beast’s support dries up.
      • The Kings from the EastIn this plague, there are two groups of kings. Since the kings of the whole world oppose God, the kings from the east are the kings of God’s army.
      • ArmageddonIt 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.
      • Jesus comes like a thief(Rev 16:15) Is this a secret rapture?
      • Why the Euphrates dries upWhy must the Euphrates dry up before the kings from the east can come? (Rev 16:12)
      • Overview– of the articles on the sixth plague
    • PLAGUES - CONCLUSION
      • Seventh PlagueThis plague ends with Christ’s Return.
      • Purpose of the PlaguesThe purpose is not to punish but to show that the people with the mark of the beast, who also claim to be Christians, are hardened beyond repentance.
      • To validate God's judgmentsThe ultimate purpose is to show that God judges perfectly, but why is that necessary?
    • REVELATION'S BEASTS
      • The seven-headed beastsRevelation has three beasts with seven heads and ten horns each. What are they and how are they related?
      • The Seven HeadsThe seven heads are the phases of the beast.
      • The seven heads identifiedWhat are the seven heads of the beast?
    • BABYLON THE GREAT
      • General CharacteristicsShe corrupts the people, unites the world against God, and is worldwide and timeless.
      • The Harlot and the BeastHow does the harlot relate to the beast?
      • Christianity is part of Babylon.Babylon exists everywhere and for all human history, but false Christianity has adopted the Babylonian spirit.
      • Babylon's merchantsBabylon’s “merchants were the great men of the earth” (Rev 18:23).
      • A Literal City?Some 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 identify the Papacy as Babylon.
      • Overview– of the articles on Babylon
    • REVELATION 17
      • 17:1-3 verse-by-verseThe harlot sitting on the scarlet beast
      • 17:4-6 verse-by-verseBabylon the great, the mother of harlots
      • The sixth 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?
  • IS JESUS GOD?
    • SUMMARY
      • Summary of these articlesIn summary, Christ is divine but also distinct from God and subordinate to the Father.
    • SPECIFIC BIBLE BOOKS
      • RevelationDoes the book of Revelation present Jesus as the Most High God?
      • RolesGod’s and Christ’s roles in creation and salvation as described in the letter to the Colossians
      • ColossiansDoes Colossians present Jesus as God?
    • SPECIFIC BIBLE PASSAGES
      • Philippians 2Four stages of Christ’s existence, from a human perspective
      • 1 Corinthians 8Does this verse divide the words of the Shema between the Father and the Son?
      • Did Jesus claim to be God?(John 10:33-36) Or did He claim to be the Son of God?
      • One BeingThis article discusses three statements that Jesus made that are often interpreted to mean that they are literally one (John 10:30, 38; 14:9).
    • Christ's Origin and Pre-existence
      • Only-BegottenIs He the only-begotten or the only-unique?
      • Firstborn of all Creation(Col 1:15) – Does this mean that He was literally born first, or that He is part of creation?
      • God's Son created all things.All things, including creation, judgment and salvation, are from God, the Father, but through His Son.
      • Jesus in the Old TestamentSince the Son ‘always’ existed and existed in the ‘form’ of God, and since God is invisible, the God who was seen in the Old Testament is the One we know as Jesus.
    • IS JESUS GOD?
      • Jesus is not God.The Bible always distinguishes – not only between the Son and the Father – but between the Son and God.
      • The AlmightyThe title, “the Almighty,” appears ten times in the New Testament and always refers to the Father alone.
      • The Son is subordinate.The Son always was, still is, and always will be subordinate to the Father. Everything that He has, He received from His Father.
      • Christ is divine.In many respects, the Son is equal to God. For example, He is the only other being who has life in himself (John 5:26).
    • WORSHIP
      • If Jesus is not God, why do we worship Him?We do not “worship” Jesus. The Greek word translated as “worship” (proskuneó) has a wide range of meanings, including to bow down before an exalted human being. It is only translated as “worship” if we assume that Jesus is God. Therefore, if a Bible translation says that Jesus is worshiped, that is an application of the Trinity Doctrine; not proof of that doctrine.
      • Worship in RevelationIf 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?
    • Is Jesus called God?
      • John 1:1 - IntroductionThis verse is often used as the best proof of Christ’s divinity.
      • John 1:1 - The Word was a god.This is how Jehovah’s Witnesses translate this verse. This article lists seven objections.
      • John 1:1 - Theos is a count noun.To defend their translation, Jehovah’s Witnesses argue that “God” is a count noun. Is this a valid argument?
      • John 1:1 - The Word was God.This translation interprets theos as definite, but John 1:1c uses theos in a descriptive sense, meaning that the Word was like God.
      • TheosThe Bible refers to Jesus as theos but that Greek word has a wide range of meanings. One possible meaning is reflected by the English word “God,” which refers only to the Ultimate Reality. In what sense of theos does the New Testament refer to Jesus?
      • The Only Begotten God(John 1:18) Scholars are not sure what John actually wrote here. Many ancient manuscripts of this verse refer to Jesus as “son” and not as theos (god).
      • My Lord and my God!(John 20:28) – This is what Thomas exclaimed when he saw Jesus after His resurrection. In what sense of theos did Thomas address Jesus as ho theos?
      • Theos in John's gospelA study of the word theos in John’s gospel. Did John use the term for both the Father and the Son?
      • Paul never refers to Jesus as God.This must be significant. The only possible exception is Romans 9:5 but the translation of this verse depends on punctuation, which is interpretation.
      • Letter to the HebrewsHebrews 1:8 refers to Jesus as theos but the next verse (Heb 1:9) shows that He is not God because it says that God is His God.
      • Overview of these articlesTo translate theos as “God,” when it refers to Jesus, is an application of the Trinity doctrine; not proof thereof.
    • THE WORD OF GOD
      • Who is the Word?Some propose that the logos in John 1:1 is not a person but a personification of God’s eternal plan.
      • Why is He called "the Word?"Everything that the creation receives from God, it receives through His Son.
      • Did Philo's logos influence the New Testament?Philo wrote a few decades before John. In his interpretation of the Old Testament, he included the logos from Greek philosophy and described him as similar to John’s logos.
  • TRINITY DOCTRINE
    • PURPOSEThese articles describe the development of the Trinity Doctrine, which is closely related to the development of the church. They cover the first 8 centuries with an emphasis on the fourth. The ‘Arian’ Controversy divided the church into four ‘branches’. The main purpose of these articles is to show that the Roman Empire selected one of these, namely, Trinitarian Christianity, made it the official religion of the Empire, and brutally eliminated the other ‘branches’ of Christianity. With the military support of the Empire, that official religion of the Roman Empire became the Roman Church of the Middle Ages.
    • THE APOLOGISTSThe Apologists were the theologians of the first 3 centuries who had to defend Christianity at a time when the Empire attempted to exterminate Christianity.
      • Ignatius of Antioch (c. 35-107)He described the Son as our God but the Father as the only true God.
      • Polycarp (c. 69–155)He was a personal disciple of the Apostle John. He made a clear distinction between the Almighty God and His subordinate Son.
      • Justin Martyr (c. 100–165)He used Greek philosophy to explain the Son of God as a rational power that was begotten from the substance of God.
      • Irenaeus (c. 115-190)He identified the Father as the only true God, alone Almighty, and the Head of Christ.
      • TheosDid these church fathers describe Jesus as “god” or as “God?”
      • Sabellius (fl. c. 217-220)Was he the first Trinitarian?
    • ARIUSThe Arian Controversy was named after him.
      • Orthodox ChristianityWhen the Arian Controversy began, what was the ‘orthodox’ view of Christ?
      • Arius is NOT important.The Arian Controversy is named after Arius only because Athanasius referred the anti-Nicenes as ‘Arians’ to label them with a theology that has already been formally rejected. But the anti-Nicenes did not follow Arius.
      • Athanasius invented Arianism.The term “Arianism” implies that Arius’ theology dominated the fourth-century church. But that is fiction. Arius was an insignificant writer.
    • ARIUS' TEACHINGS
      • Did Arius corrupt theology with pagan philosophy?Over the centuries, Arius was always accused of this. This article shows that that is not true.
      • Was Origen the source of Arius' heresy?There are significant differences between Origen and Arius. Where they agree, they agree because both followed the traditional Logos theology.
      • Is the Son a creature?Did Arius describe the Son as a created Being?
      • Was there time when He was not?Did Arius teach that time existed before the Son?
      • Is the Son mutable?Arius wrote that the Son of God cannot change but Athanasius claimed that Arius taught the exact opposite, namely that the Son is “like all others … subject to change.”
    • THE NICENE CREEDThe most famous and influential creed in the history of the church
      • What was the core issue of dispute?It is often said that the Council was called to determine whether Jesus is God. But that does not accurately describe the dispute prior to Nicaea.
      • The Emperor's InfluenceConstantine called and presided over the meeting, proposed and insisted on the key word Homoousios, and exiled the bishops who refused to sign the creed.
      • What does the Creed say?The Son is equal to the Father in terms of substance, but subordinate to the Father in other respects.
      • Eusebius' Explanation of the CreedEusebius of Caesarea, the most respected theologian at the Council, immediately afterward wrote to his church in Caesarea to explain why he accepted the Creed and how he understood the controversial phrases.
      • Should a Protestant accept the Nicene Creed?The Creed not only uses non-Biblical words; the concept of homoousios (that the Son is of the same substance as the Father) is not in the Bible.
      • The word Homoousios comes from Egyptian Paganism.The word is not found in the Bible or in any orthodox Christian confession before Nicaea.
      • The Creed uses ousia and hypostasis as synonyms.By implication, the Creed says that the Father and the Son are one and the same hypostasis (Person). That is Sabellianism.
      • Of the Father's substanceDoes the phrase “of another substance or essence” mean that the Son has (1) the same substance as the Father or that He (2) has been begotten out of the Father’s substance?
    • FOURTH-CENTURY ARIANISMThe Council of Nicaea was not the end of ‘Arianism’. After Nicaea, for about 50 years, anti-Nicenes dominated the church.
      • Emperors' Influence on the Christology of the churchThe emperors were ‘Arian’ and crushed the Nicene party. The reason is that, throughout the Arian Controversy, the emperor was the ultimate authority with respect to church doctrine.
      • What did fourth-century 'Arianism' believe?The Father is the only true God, the Son is our god, but the Father is His god and the Holy Spirit is not a Person, but a power; subject to the Son.
      • Long Lines CreedAn example of the many creeds that were developed during the fourth century ‘Arian’ period
    • The End of Roman 'Arianism'In AD 380, Emperor Theodosius made the Trinity Doctrine Law and outlawed and brutally eliminated other versions of Christianity.
      • Edict of Thessalonica AD 380This made the Trinity Doctrine the official religion of the Roman Empire. Thereafter, Emperor Theodosius eliminated ‘Arianism’ among the Roman people.
      • The Creed of 381How does it differ from the 325-Creed?
    • End of all 'Arianism'Emperor Theodosius did not make an end of all ‘Arianism’. Soon after he died, the empire ‘fell’ to the ‘barbarians’. These ‘barbarians’ were also ‘Arians’ for they were evangelized during the 50 years of ‘Arian rule’ before Theodosius. It was Emperor Justinian (in the sixth century) and the Byzantine papacy (in the next two centuries) that made a complete end to all ‘Arianism’.
      • The Fall of the Roman EmpireIt did not fall; it transformed. Massive in-migration and top positions for ‘barbarians’ in the Roman Army allowed them to progressively assume control of the Empire.
      • Why the empire fellA discussion of the key causes
      • Arians ruled Europe again.In the fifth century, the Empire fell to the Germanic peoples. They were Arians because they received the gospel when Arianism dominated the church. This article also provides an overview of the events of the preceding fourth century.
      • Justinian subjected the Arian nations.In the sixth century, Justinian crushed the Arian nations, liberating the Nicene Church in Rome from Arian domination, and set up the Byzantine Papacy through which the emperors in the east, with their imperial version of Christianity, ruled Europe, crushing all opposition to the Trinity Doctrine.
      • The Roman ChurchWith the military power of the Roman Empire, the imperial version of Christianity became the church of the Middle Ages, symbolized by Daniel’s evil eleventh horn.
      • WaldensiansThe church of the Middle Ages had the spirit of Satan. For example, the Waldensians were critical of Catholic beliefs. In return, the church called all to destroy them, causing centuries of massacres.
    • Authors on the Arian ControversyExtracts from the writings of scholars who have studied the ancient documents for themselves:
      • RPC Hanson – A lecture on the Arian ControversyA very informative lecture on the Arian Controversy by RPC Hanson, a famous fourth-century scholar 
      • FortmanEdmund J. Fortman, The Triune God – Nicene Creed
      • EricksonMillard J. Erickson, God in Three Persons – Nicene Creed
      • BoydWilliam Boyd, Union of Church and State in the Late Roman Empire, based on The Ecclesiastical Edicts of the Theodosian Code 
    • Arian Controversy - Conclusions
      • The True Origin of the Trinity DoctrineThe scholarship of the last 100 years has shown that the traditional textbook account of the Arian Controversy is a complete travesty.
    • GENERAL CONCEPTS
      • CONTRADICTIONResponse to Gotquestions – The Trinity doctrine contradicts itself.
      • ELOHIMElohim is plural in form. Does this mean that God is a multi-personal Being?
  • ORIGIN OF EVIL
    • ------------------------------Why does evil exist and why does God not make an end to all 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 AuthoritiesBoth Paul and also Peter refer to them. They are supernatural beings that oppose Christ.
      • Evil DisarmedHow did the Cross disarm the supernatural rulers and authorities? (Col 2:15)
  • EARLY CHURCH
    • ------------------------------Key events that transformed the church from a sect of Judaism into an independent religion
      • 1. Jerusalem PhaseAfter receiving the Holy Spirit, the church grew quickly, but it 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 about whether they must observe the Law of Moses.
      • 4. Separation between Jew and GentileThe Acts 15 church council caused a 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.
  • ATONEMENT
    • ---------------------Why Jesus had to die – How does God erase sin?
      • What does "atonement" mean?The 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 explain how Jesus’ death is the solution, we first have to understand the problem.
      • How this website explains AtonementThat Christ died without sin, while suffering the worst possible temptations, solved a problem in heaven.
      • Metaphors for SalvationWords such as redeemed, reconciled, justified, and reconciled 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.
      • An attempt to explain the atonement to a Moslem 
      • A brief overview of these articles
  • JUSTIFICATION
    • -----------------How people are put right with God
      • God judges all people by their deeds.Why, then, did Paul write that people are justified by grace through faith?
      • Justification changes the person.It is not a mere legal process irrespective of whether it is a changed person.
  • LAW OF MOSES
    • DOES GALATIANS CONTRADICT JESUS?
      • The Law of Christ replaced the Law of Moses.Paul argued that God’s people are no longer subject to the Law of Moses and introduced the concept of “the Law of Christ.”
      • The Old Testament implies that Moses' Law would fall away.The Law was added more than 400 years after God made His covenant with Abraham. Therefore, the Law was temporary.
      • Christ replaced the Law with higher standards.Jesus did not do away with the moral commandments but replaced it with higher standards.
      • The Law of Christ– is God’s law as it always existed and always will exist.
      • Summary– of the previous four articles
    • SERMON ON THE MOUNT
      • Jesus fulfilled the Law and the Prophets.(Matt 5:17). What does “fulfill” mean and what are the Law and the Prophets?
      • Objections to the previous articleWhat is “the Law” and what did Jesus and the Church Council in Acts 15 say about it?
      • Did the Church Council in Acts 15 contradict Jesus?Since Jesus said nothing shall pass from the Law (Matt 5:19), why did the Church Council grant Gentiles freedom from the Law?
      • Sermon on the MountJesus taught that people do not have immortality and that God judges people by their deeds.
  • DEATH & HELL
    • Eternal Torment
      • AnnihilationGod will annihilate the lost. They will not suffer eternal torment.
      • The Third Angel’s Warning(Rev 14:9-11) The smoke of their torment will rise forever – symbolically.
      • The Lake of Fire(Rev 20:10) The lake of fire is the second death and symbolizes annihilation.
      • Eternal TormentThe evidence for eternal torment actually supports annihilation.
      • Summary of these articles
      • Eternal LifeOnly God’s people will receive eternal life, and they receive it only when Christ returns.
    • State of the Dead
      • Do people have immortal souls?A discussion of 1 Corinthians 15
      • Resurrection BodyWith what kind of body will the dead be resurrected?
  • CHRIST'S RETURN
    • -------------------
      • When and how will Jesus return?An analysis of the Second Coming verses in the New Testament
      • Christ's Return in RevelationRevelation described the profound events that will precede and follow His return.
      • The End of the AgeWhat will happen at the end?
      • The Little ApocalypseAn analysis of Christ’s teachings in Matthew 24 with respect to the end-time events
    • Christ promised to return soon.These articles discuss such promises.
      • This generation will not pass away. – until they see the Son of man coming on the clouds. (Matt 24:34)
      • You will not finish– going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes. (Matt 10:23).
      • "Some standing here shall not taste death until– until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom, (Matt 16:28).
      • He will come soon.Jesus said and His disciples believed that He will return soon.
    • Did He already return?The following articles evaluate claims that Jesus’ promise to return soon was already fulfilled through:
      • The outpouring of the Holy Spirit
      • Or the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70?
    • Does God delay Christ's Return?
      • Was Christ’s return delayed?Why did He not return in the first century as promised?
  • SABBATH
    • IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
      • At CreationGod engrained the seventh day into human existence.
      • Evolution TheoryThe evolution theory destroys the Bible’s core message.
      • From Creation to MosesA seven-day cycle did exist before Moses
      • In the Ten CommandmentsA symbol of liberation, a day of rest, a reminder of the Lord, and a test of obedience, but not a day for church meetings.
      • In the TraditionsThe traditions of the elders are extremely detailed laws that began as a hedge against sin but, eventually, represented God as a tyrant.
    • JESUS' SABBATH HEALING MIRACLES
      • The demon-possessed manBy healing a man on the Sabbath, Christ publicly contravened the traditions.
      • The Withered Hand(Matt 12:9-14) – The rulers wanted Jesus to heal on the Sabbath so that they could legally kill Him.
      • The Crippled Woman(Luke 13:10-17) – The purpose of the Sabbath is to free people from Satan’s bonds.
      • Paralytic At Bethesda(John 5) – The strict traditions allowed little space for compassion, caused the Sabbath to become an intolerable burden, and depicted God as a tyrant.
      • The man born blind(John 9) – Why did Jesus select specifically the Sabbath for His healing miracles?
    • JESUS' SABBATH TEACHINGS
      • The Sabbath was made for man.(Matt 12:1-8) – God made the Sabbath to be the best day of the week. Human needs are more important than the Sabbath.
      • Christ deliberately contravened the traditions.While the Jews regarded healing as work and disallowed it on the Sabbath, Jesus deliberately healed on the Sabbath.
      • Why they killed JesusBy contravening the traditions, He condemned the Jewish system of authority.
      • Why did Jesus perform these miracles?His healing miracles gave credibility to His teachings and to His claim to be the Messiah.
      • What Jesus taught about the SabbathMan may and must work on the Sabbath to relieve suffering, to heal, and to teach about God.
      • Jesus taught a different Sabbath.Moses made rest the goal but Christ shifted the focus to the original purpose: To heal and restore.
      • The Law of ChristChrist did not only interpret the Law of Moses; He replaced it with higher moral standards that existed from the beginning.
    • THE SABBATH IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
      • No Sabbath CommandmentIs the Sabbath commandment repeated in the New Testament?
      • Does Romans 14 refer to the Sabbath?Each must be fully convinced in his own mind (Rom 14:5-6).
  • ROMANS
    • Romans 1-3:8
      • Romans 1God does not override human freedom. He gives evidence of Himself but if we reject this evidence, there remains nothing that He can or will do, and He gives us up to our lusts.
      • Romans 2On Judgment Day, God will justify the doers of the Law.
      • Romans 3:1-8Did God reject Israel?
    • Romans 9 and 11
      • Romans 9-11 - IsraelThe book of Revelation often refers to Israel and her things. Romans 9 and 11 explain what Israel is.
      • Summary of the previous articleAll Israel will be saved.
      • ElectionGod did not elect Israel to save them but to save through them. It is an election to a mission.
    • Romans 14
      • The dispute in Rome was not over the Law of Moses.(Rom 14:1-4)
      • Nothing is unclean (koinos) in itself.(Rom 14:14) This does not refer to the unclean animals of the Old Testament.
      • The dispute in CorinthThe parallels to 1 Corinthians 8 and 10 explain the dispute as ‘weak’ Christians who regarded eating meat as idol worship.
      • Does Romans 14 say that the weekly Sabbath is optional?(Rom 14:5-6) Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind.
      • God will judge people by their deeds.(Rom 14:7-13) – The difference between “deeds” and “the works of the Law”
      • Rather abstain from meat.(Rom 14:13-23) – If eating meat may cause a weaker brother to stumble, rather abstain.
      • List of articles– with some more detail
  • GALATIANS
  • COLOSSIANS
  • HEBREWS
    • -------------
      • Jesus, our High PriestTo become our high priest in the Tabernacle in Heaven, He had to suffer but remain without sin.
      • A better High Priest.The earthly Tabernacle was only a copy of the reality in heaven, and could, therefore, not free people from guilt for sin.
      • Jesus appears for us before God.Jesus guarantees God’s promise, “their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”
      • Hebrews' two bookends(Heb 4:14-16 and 10:22-24) – We may draw near to God with, for Jesus sympathizes with our weaknesses.
      • The Unpardonable Sin(Heb 10:26) If we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.
      • Christ is superior to the Old Testament.What God spoke through His Son has a much higher authority than the Old Testament.
  • OTHER
    • ● ● ● ●
      • CHRISTMAS:Christmas was derived from the pagan feast of the birthday of the Invincible Sun
      • ABOUT AUTHORSince I have no formal Bible training and since I am not part of any church group, I am free to present the truth as I understand it.
      • HELSE HORDEMy Afrikaans translation of The Final Quest; a book by Rick Joyner. For my own edification, I have translated some of the books in this series.
      • CONTACT
  • Lewis Ayres, Nicaea and its Legacy
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