2006 – Volume 17
Summer, Winter, and Sabbath (Matthew 24)
In the 24th chapter of Matthew, which we call "Our Lord's Great Prophecy" verses 20-22 read: "But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there [...]
I Will Be What I Will Be (Etymology of the words “Yahweh” and “Ehyeh”)
While the word "Jehovah" is used in some versions of the Bible, the general practice of replacing it with "LORD" in most Bibles has concealed some of the most profound and beautiful thoughts in the word of God. The disciple who correctly understands and appreciates the deep significance and beauties of this sacred name will never desire to bury these beauties under other names, [...]
Matthew 28:19
"Go ye and make disciples of all the nations in my name, teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I commanded you" (Matthew 28:19). Following is the seminal article frequently quoted in scholarly studies on the modifications of Christian doctrine after the Apostles slept. Published in 1902, the Hibbert Journal article by Conybeare draws together the scholarship for the close of Matthew's Gospel to [...]
If He Love His Master
'1f thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years shall he serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing ... And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free: Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto [...]
A Friend Loveth Like a Brother
''A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity" (Proverbs 17:17). A different and more correct rendering would give the verse thus: "The true friend loveth at all times, and loveth like a brother born for adversity." We are to be on our guard against merely whimsical friend ship, a friendship that is governed by moods and incidental and ever-changing [...]
Names of Ten Antediluvian Patriarchs
In Hebrew, as in most Oriental languages, we find that all proper names are significant words. Instances of this occur in almost every page of the Hebrew scriptures. As an example, Genesis 5:3-32 lists the names of ten antediluvian patriarchs from Adam to Noah, inclusive. These are (1) Adam, Seth, (3) Enos, (4) Cainan, (5) Mahalaleel, (6) Jared, (7) Enoch, (8) Methuselah, (9) Lamech. [...]
Ancient Papyri Disprove Critics
Revolutionary ideas about the Bible that have been popularized over the past century include the notions: (1) that Constantine (312-337) excluded several valid gospels from our Bibles, (2) that the Epistle to the Hebrews was not writ ten by Paul or any other apostle, (3) that the writings of John could not possibly have been written before the late 3rd century since the dragon [...]
Trample Not on Any
The Jews would not willingly tread upon the smallest piece of paper in their way, but took it up; for possibly, they say, the name of God may be on it. Though there was a little superstition in this, yet truly there is nothing but good religion in it, if we apply it to men. Trample not on any; there may be some work [...]
Enoch and Elijah
These two Ancient Worthies both had a miraculous ending to their lives. Of Enoch it was written simply, "Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him" (Genesis 5:24). Of Elijah, "There appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire ... and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven" (2 Kings 2:11). Most brethren who express a thought on [...]
Hebrew “Roots” in Strong’s Concordance
One of the great blessings contributing to an improved understanding of the Bible for non-speakers of Hebrew and Greek was the first printing of the James Strong's Concordance in 1894. A little assistance in understanding Strong's references to Hebrew words may be of help since the language structure is so different from English and Romance languages. Consider the Hebrew word "to write" (Strong 3789). [...]
The Conversion of Nathanael
An Expansion of John 1:43-51 Nathanael was a devout Jew with the highest of ethical standards.1 He was aware of the distinction between himself and most of his fellow Israelites. Rising above the expected always takes special effort, and Nathanael clearly recognized this. He also possessed the character trait of healthy skepticism. When his friend Philip proclaimed, "I have found the messiah!," Nathanael mused [...]
The 9th of Av
Tisha B'Av (tish'ah be-ab) is a major annual fast day in Judaism. Its name denotes the ninth day "Tisha" of the Jewish month of ''Av," which falls in mid-summer. It has been called the "saddest day in Jewish history." In the Bible, before the exile, this month was simply called, "the fifth month." The lunar-based Jewish calendar shows some variation of the dates each [...]
Crimson Garments from Bozrah (Isaiah 63:1-3, 5, 6)
Who is this that cometh from Edom [the land of Esau, who for one earthly morsel sacrificed his spiritual inheritance - Edom thus typifying the nominal Church and so-called Christendom], with dyed [crimson, RSV] garments from Bozrah [the capital of Edom signifying the Papacy]? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling [riding on horseback] in the greatness of his strength? I [the risen [...]
Lo, I Am With You Always
(This lesson is continued from the previous issue. The first portion took us through the miracle of Jesus stilling the tempest after awaking from sleep in a storm tossed boat. Then the miracle of Jesus' feeding of the 5000 was introduced, after which he sent the disciples in a boat across the Sea of Galilee, as he went into a mountain for solitude and [...]
“Hastening the Presence”
We find 2 Peter 3:12 translated ''As you look forward to the day of God, and speed its coming" (New International Version), where this last phrase is otherwise translated "hasting unto the coming" (King James). A technical translation such as the Marshall Diaglott renders this phrase "hastening the presence (parousia) of the day of God." How should we understand this? This word "hastening" in [...]
Wisdom That is Tender Hearted
''Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves" (Matthew 10:16). Jesus recognized the need for blending opposites. He knew that his disciples would face a difficult and hostile world, where they would confront cold and arrogant men whose hearts had been hardened. So he said to them, "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves," (Mat thew 10:16) [...]
Lo, I Am With You Always
The setting for our lesson is a storm on the Sea of Galilee. "Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side" (Matthew 8:18). The press of the crowd to follow Jesus and witness his many miracles began to tax his strength, and he wished to go by boat with his disciples to the other side [...]
Lamech
In our last issue appeared an article on Enoch and Elijah, suggesting that the quiet taking of Enoch represents the raising of the sleeping saints, whereas the climactic taking of Elijah represents the taking of the last members of the body of Christ amid the tumults closing the Harvest. We then noticed that Methuselah, the successor of Enoch, may represent the same class as [...]
Oxen and Wagons
"(1) And it came to pass on the day that Moses had fully set up the tabernacle, and had anointed it, and sanctified it, and all the instruments thereof, both the altar and all the vessels thereof, and had anointed them, and sanctified them; (2) That the princes of Israel, heads of the house of their fathers, who were the princes of the tribes, [...]