Outside of the church within the world, sin reigns and thus brings forth all kinds of destruction, including the ultimate destruction of hell. However, the Lord and King of all protects those who are within the walls of the spiritual Jerusalem which is the church of Christ (Matt. 6:25-34; 1 Cor. 10:13; Phil. 4:6-7; Heb. 13:5-6; 2 Pet. 2:9; cf. Is. 2:2-4; Mic. 4:1-4).… Read More Zechariah: “The Lord Will Be King Over All The Earth”
Some such as Bob Winton in his commentary on the Minor Prophets view this as a prophecy about Rome’s destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Others such as Homer Hailey cite as a “more probable explanation” that God through Zechariah is “pointing to the spiritual Jerusalem as the capital of His spiritual kingdom (cf. Heb. 12:22; Gal. 4:26)” – i.e., the church – “and of the assault upon it by the world.” … Read More Zechariah: “The Spoil Taken From You Will Be Divided In Your Midst”
People who live in tents generally are not as well off as people who live in houses in the city. Most of the religious elite rejected the gospel, although not all did (cf. John 12:42; Acts 6:7). There were some in the higher stations of life who became faithful Christians like Cornelius, Lydia, and Philemon. However, as Paul later described, those most receptive to the gospel who generally tended to be first to obey were not “wise according to worldly standards,” nor “powerful” or “of noble birth” (1 Cor. 1:26; cf. Matt. 11:25; Mk. 12:37). Yet regardless of one’s financial or social status, within the church we are “all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28).… Read More Zechariah: The Tents of Judah
Only a “remnant” of the Jews would be part of His church and thus experience the “marvelous” blessings found within it, the majority having rejected Jesus as the Messiah (Rom. 11:5ff). Yet under the new covenant God’s people would not be limited to the nation of Israel.… Read More Zechariah: A Dual Prophecy About God’s People
This is a prophecy about Jesus (Is. 11:1-2; cf. Matt. 3:16). Just as a branch grows out of a tree, Jesus would grow out of the priesthood (Zech. 6:11-12; Is. 11:1-10; Jer. 23:5-6; 33:15).… Read More Zechariah: My Servant the Branch (The Fourth Vision)
Christianity — the gospel — calls on us to remember our heritage…and embrace it.… Read More The Church’s Heritage
What I don’t understand is why many professed followers of Christ want to have nothing to do with His church. I’ve heard people say, “Christ yes. The church, no,” or “I love Jesus and want to follow Him, but I have little use for the church.” I believe many do not understand what the church truly is and what the Bible actually teaches about the church. If we would see what Scripture teaches about Christ’s church, we will come to appreciate her more and make sure our own concept of the church is harmonious with God’s Word.… Read More The Importance of Christ’s Church
And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. Colossians 1:18 – Scripture of the Day (March 6, 2014) Some have the wrong idea about the ownership of the church. Before going further, let me clarify that I’m… Read More And He Is The Head Of The Body, The Church…
Happy New Year, everyone! 2014 is here, the beginning of a new year. As is the case every January 1, many of us are looking at things in a new way. We have new goals and resolutions. We are fixated on the fact that it is a new year, a new beginning. As the film Forrest… Read More “Behold, I Am Making All Things New…”
Pre-Denominational Christianity 