Volume 7, No.4, Nov. 1996
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 - [...]
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 [...]