1996 – Volume 7
The Memorial Supper – Questions of Interest
QUESTION 1. Since Bible Students link the celebration of the Memorial to the Passover observance and use the Jewish calendar to determine the date for the 14th of Nisan, why does our Memorial occur consistently two days before the Passover? (Using the 1996 calendar to illustrate this point, Thursday, April 4 is listed as the Passover day, but our Memorial will be held on [...]
Nine Men in the Life of Bathsheba
Lives are often defined by those with whom we come in contact. Bathsheba is a good example. There is little we know of her life and character from the scriptural account. We have no direct information concerning her character, either for good or for bad. She figures directly only in four incidents in the Bible: her illegitimate liaison with King David (2 Samuel 11), [...]
Walls, Bars and Gates
“I will go up to the land of unwalled villages ... having neither bars nor gates.”(Ezekiel 38:15) There is evidence that WALLS, BARS and GATES symbolically relate more to faith than natural defenses. They are the essential emblems of a city. The building of cities grew out of the desire for conveniences, safety, trade, concentration of wealth as well as the expression of human [...]
Haggai and the Second Temple
Two years after they returned from their captivity in Babylon the Jewish people began to reconstruct the temple in Jerusalem. They had received permission from Cyrus and the construction went on uninterruptedly during his reign. After the next king, Cambyses, began his reign, the construction was halted due to the intervention of the surrounding nations. Two years after King Darius assumed the throne, the [...]
The Right Hand
“I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth.- my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy,- at thy right hand there are Pleasures for evermore.” - Psalms 16.-8-11 [...]
So Many Beasts, Heads and Horns!
One problem in the interpretation of Revelation is the identification of the similar but differing beasts of Daniel 7, Revelation 12, 13, and 17. For purposes of reference, they will herein be referred to by the following titles: Daniel 7 - The Terrible Beast Revelation 12 - The Red Dragon Revelation 13 - The Leopard Beast Revelation 17 - The Scarlet Beast Let it [...]
“Ye Shall Find a Colt Tied”
Knowing that the Passover season was approaching, Jesus turned his steps toward Jerusalem. As he neared the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples into a nearby village to procure for him the colt upon which he would ride for his presentation to Israel as its king (Zechariah 9:9). In this connection, it is interesting to note that this colt was one [...]
Consecration vs. Pharaoah’s Objections
The Christian’s duty to separate himself from the world is well illustrated in Pharaoh’s four subtle objections to the full deliverance of God's ancient people from the land of Egypt. The first objection is expressed in his words to Moses: 1. “Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land [of Egypt]” (Exodus 8:25) The object in this proposal of Pharaoh, doubtless instigated by [...]
Dating the Crucifixion
This article is abbreviated from one appearing in Nature Magazine, December 1983, by Colin J. Humphreys and W.G. Waddington. (Square brackets indicate BT editorial comments.) In this study astronomical calculations have been used to reconstruct the Jewish calendar in the first century AD and to date a lunar eclipse that Biblical and other references suggest followed the crucifixion. The evidence points to Friday 3 [...]
Rocks in the Wilderness
“He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths.” - Psalms 78:5 With great celebration the Israelites praised the Lord for the victory he wrought over Pharaoh and his hosts in the Red Sea (Exodus 15). However they were soon to face the perils of a desert journey which would sorely test them. Under these tests [...]
Our Lord’s Resurrection Appearances
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched - this we proclaim concerning the Word of Life .” 1 John 1:1, NIV TEN POST-RESURRECTION APPEARANCES The Bible records ten1 post-resurrection appearances of Jesus during the forty days following that most blessed Sunday.2 This is significant [...]
The Builder’s Temple-Tower (Luke 14:25-30)
“Now there went great multitudes with him.” Some were friends and followers; more were enemies who sought an occasion to do him injury; most, mere curiosity-seekers or place-hunters. Upon this mixed assembly the Master turns, and in a few words lays down the primary requirements for discipleship. Listen, O easy-going, lukewarm professor of Christianity: full consecration - a daily cross-bearing, even unto death - [...]
Jeremiah’s Purchase
Think of all the important documents that have touched your life. Insurance policies offer assurance to file claims in time of distress. You may keep some honorary degrees or certificate of credentials in a safe place to be used to acquire employment. Power of Attorney and letters of authorization empower you to act on behalf of another in the eyes of the law. Your [...]
The Dew and the Lion
“And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the LORD, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men. And the remnant of jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a [...]
The Song of Solomon and Revelation
The central idea of the Song of Solomon is the same as that of the Apocalypse. According to Ewald, the commentator who has given the most subtle analysis of this exquisite poem, the plot is this: “On the one hand, a king in all the splendors of his glory, transported with admiration, overflowing with passion; on the other, the poor and simple shepherd to [...]
Treasures in Heaven
“Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal For where your treasure iS there will your heart be alsa” - Matthew 6:20-21 The things we value in history are not the records of events, the geographical and historical information; but what they reveal of the men and women that [...]
Four Passovers
“Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews.” (John 5:1, NIV) “The identity of this feast is significant for the attempt to ascertain the number of Passovers included in Jesus' ministry, and thus the number of years his ministry lasted. John explicitly mentions at least three different Passovers: the first in 2:13, 23, the second in 6:4 and [...]
Venerable Tradition
Psalm 90:3-4 - “Thou dost turn man back into dust, and dost say, 'Return, children of men' ' For a thousand years in Thy sight are like yesterday when it passes by, or as a watch in the night” (NAS) 2 Peter 3:8 - “But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a [...]