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The Coming of Jesus: Introduction

...t, as the prophetic language used to describe similar events, and understanding that language, has huge impacts on how we understand what Jesus was saying when he spoke in a similar manner. Both Old and New testaments are connected and can't be taken separately from one another when trying to understand the imagery used in the Gospels, Epistles and Revelation. So, welcome! This is an introduction to a six/seven part series on this topic to give an overview of what I'll be looking at over the next few posts. I haven't got the structure completely down yet (so there may be other parts depending how each one goes), but I'm aiming to do something along this fr...

Lent: Day 13 - Justin Martyr: First Apology, Chaps. 12-23

..., and the prophetic Spirit in the third, we will prove. For they proclaim our madness to consist in this, that we give to a crucified man a place second to the unchangeable and eternal God, the Creator of all Demonic Influences This is the start of misunderstanding, and Justin goes on to explain how it is the demons he previously mentioned (see yesterday's reading) that go about misrepresenting the Christian faith, but in reality, Christians are changed people and the evil and wicked things they once did and loved, they now do the opposite of: …we who formerly delighted in fornication, but now embrace chastity alone … we who valued above all things th...

Lent: Day 17 - Justin Martyr: First Apology: Chaps. 60-68

...about the prophetic announcement of Jesus and how even “heathens” recognise the things God has put in place, even without realising it. Case in point here, Plato. As touched on yesterday, Plato mentions in his work, Timoeus of Plato, about “the Son of God” being placed “crosswise” in the universe, which Justin goes on to say that although Plato misunderstood the symbolism of the cross from the writings of Moses, which he “borrowed in like manner”, he inadvertently recognises the Trinity. Plato does this by saying that the “power next to the first God” which was placed crosswise is second, and then speaks of a third, the Spirit of God, beca...

Lent Day 24: Athanasius: Life of Anthony: Chaps. 31-40

...rning any prophetic utterances demons may give, and how it is possible that they can be accurate in what they foretell. I found this very interesting to read because it’s exactly the way I understand the way demons work from what the Lord revealed to me after I was delivered from the demonic. Anthony clarifies as well, that only God knows the things which are unseen and so we may be dazzled or some may be marvelled at the foreknowledge of other spirits, but they are actually only pretending to know anything real about the future. Giving an example from something Anthony and others have seemingly witnessed, he says that “often [the demons] announce beforehan...

Lent Day 29: Athanasius: Life of Anthony: Chaps. 81-94

...an with a prophetic warning telling him to cease his persecutions, otherwise wrath would come on him very shortly since “it is on the point of coming upon” him already. He ignore the warning, and only eight days later, died from an unusual horse riding accident where one of his regular steeds, which was known to be a mild-mannered and temperate horse, suddenly bucked him off and bit through his leg which led to his death. This served as a warning to all who were cruel or who may have planned to inflict punishment on the Christians, and many people sought out Anthony to hear him speak, or to receive prayer, with a lot of people turning from their worldly way...

Slavery in the Bible – Does God Condone Slavery?

...etic, and prophetic books. The historical books are historical accounts of times past and sinful things are not excluded. God knows the heart of man. The laws He gave in regards to slavery were given as grace for those in slavery.We see at least two forms of slavery in the Bible and God gives guidelines, seemingly approving of one of those forms of slavery. We see the type of forced slavery that the Jews, God’s own people, were forced into (Exodus 1:13-14). The Lord delivered Israel from that slavery. So we know that this type of slavery certainly does not have God’s approval (Exodus 6:6). God would not need to “deliver” a people from something that is n...