Jim Parkinson
Cain and Abel
Genesis 4 The account of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4 raises a number of questions in the mind of the reader, among which are these three. (1) When Cain murdered his brother, why was the penalty not death? Why “a fugitive and a wanderer in the earth?” And then, though he was not remorseful, why did God grant him a blessing? (2) Why [...]
How 535-542 AD Changed the World
Introduction to the Dark Ages Occasionally, a natural event has a dramatic effect on the world. Recent discovery shows how it shifted power from Constantinople back to Rome. A catastrophic volcanic eruption in 535-536 AD made 536 and 541 the worst years for trees in the past two millennia. [1] The effects were worldwide, as told by writers in Italy, Constantinople, and China. Sulfate spikes [...]
Allies Against Ancient Israel
There are many times enemies came against Israel or Judah and were defeated. These often appear to typify the destruction — often self‑destruction — of this world at the end of the Gospel Age, preparatory to the Resurrection in the Millennial Kingdom. In some cases, there are multiple nations allied against Israel, and three of these are of interest here. THREE ENEMIES AGAINST GIDEON [...]
An Introduction to the Exodus: A Picture of the Plan of the Ages
A people oppressed by cruel taskmasters are freed from oppression by the mighty acts of God: Israel's Exodus from Egypt. Who has not been moved by the recounting of it? But many scriptures in both Old and New Testaments point out a greater significance. By the Exodus our God has shown how He will eventually deliver His church and the world of mankind from [...]
The Seven Churches of Revelation 2-3
Ephesus Smyrna Pergamum Address To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: Christ These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, he that walketh in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: These things saith the first and [...]
When the Seventh Angel Sounds
The Apostle John, who wrote down Revelation Revelation 10:7 seems to present a near‑certain contradiction as it is commonly read: “In the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then is finished the mystery of God, according to the good tidings which he declared to his servants [1] the prophets” (Revelation 10:7 ASV). Too easily, this verse [...]
New Testament Greek Words Regarding Christ’s Second Presence
Below is a brief review of the relevant words, followed with a chart of their appearances in the Scriptures. Erchomai. The first thing one must do to be present is “to come.“ Thus the word erchomai is used more frequently of Christ's Second Advent than all others combined. The noun form, elevsis, means “coming.” Another form, ho erchomenos, means “the coming one,” or “he [...]
The People that Walked in Darkness
“In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali; but in the latter time hath he made it glorious, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them [...]
How David Beat Goliath
In the 20th century endocrinology has shown that tall and strong people often have limited eyesight. [1] "Endocrinology has been marshalled to prove convincingly that limited eyesight, common in tall, strong people, could have hampered Goliath's capability to react correctly to David's aiming his sling." Consider highlights of this encounter: "And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that [...]
Languages and Babel
“God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the earth” (Genesis 9:1). But Nimrod and those like him rebelled and said, “Come, let us build a city and a tower ... lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth” (Genesis 11:3‑4). Therefore, God set about to punish them (or let them punish [...]
The Seven Last Plagues
An Update from 1991 The Seven Last Plagues were given a suggested interpretation in an article, “An Introduction to the Exodus: A Picture of the Plan of the Ages,” Beauties of the Truth, November 1991. Since that time, new information has surfaced, particularly for Plagues 1 and 6, as reflected in the table below and in the subsequent discussion. This writer had been unaware [...]
The Exodus – Part II
A continuation of “An Introduction to the Exodus. A Picture of the Plan of the Ages,” appearing in the previous issue. THE PASSOVER The passover lamb is a picture of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 5:7). The Passover has been the subject of many good studies and summaries (e.g., Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 6, Study XI, “The Passover of the New Creation”), [...]
Using the Enemy Against the Enemy
“And they cried, The sword of Jehovah and of Gideon” (Judges 7:20 ASV). Several times in the period of the Judges (Deliverers), we are told, “And the children of Israel again did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah” (Judges 3:12, 4:1, 10:6, 13:1). In the time of Deborah, Israel had sinned and was delivered into the hand of the king of [...]
Seven Pictures of Armageddon
Seven climactic battles are detailed in the time of the Judges; each typifying the Battle of Armageddon, but each offering a different facet of it. Judges 3:7‑11. Cushan‑rishathaim king of Mesopotamia (Hebrews, Aram Naharaim, “Aram of two rivers,” or “Highlands of two rivers,” Euphrates and Tigris) was the first king God permitted to punish Israel in their land, for eight years. His name means, [...]
In Our Image, After Our Likeness
“And God [1] said, Let us make man [2] in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. (27) And God created the man in his own image, in the image [...]