2012 – Volume 23
The Wandering of Hagar
And Abraham ... took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba" (Genesis 21:14). Sometimes in scripture we have occasions where God approves of actions that we might not think to be very kind. A frequent target of Bible [...]
Two Readings of the Law
"And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which Jehovah had commanded to Israel" (Nehemiah 8:1). Ezra and Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem from Babylon and Persia respectively. Their object was the same: to revive the work of [...]
Earnest Admonitions
"Consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession" (Hebrews 3:1, NASE). The letter to the Hebrews contains the longest sustained argument of any book in the Bible. Employing a careful and closely-knit discussion, the author moves with confidence step by step through an elaborate proof of Christianity's preeminence over Judaism. The recipients of the letter were wavering in their Christian faith and [...]
The Stars Cry Out
"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the end of the world" (Psalms 19:1-4 NIV). In this text, notice David's [...]
Michael Nekora
November 4, 2011 Bro. Michael Nekora, well known to nearly all our readers, completed his term in the "School of Christ" and passed to his service above, on the evening of November 4, 2011, as the clouds parted near sunset. Bro. Nekora served as one of the founding editors of Beauties of the Truth in October 1990 and continued to serve as a thoughtful [...]
The Seven Spirits, What and Where?
"There were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God" (Revelation 4:5). The Book of Revelation gives us the "Revelation of Jesus Christ" (Revelation 1:1). God gave this revelation to him, but it is Jesus who testifies it to John, through an angel. "He which testifies these things saith, Surely I come quickly ... even so, come, [...]
Thy Throne is the Throne of God Forever and Ever
Hebrews 1:8 reads, "but of the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever; and the sceptre of uprightness is the sceptre of thy kingdom" (ASV text). Or, "but of the Son he saith, Thy throne is God forever and ever; and the sceptre of uprightness is the sceptre of thy kingdom" (ASV margin). When taken out of context, the Greek [...]
The Precious Fruit of the Earth
"Wait patiently therefore, brethren, till the coming of the Lord. Behold! the husbandman expects the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it, till he receive the early and latter harvest" (James 5:7, Wilson Diaglott). In the 0ld Testament God appointed special times for the nation of Israel to celebrate and remember certain important events. In Leviticus 23 He commanded Israel to observe [...]
Kittel, on Lutron
"Lutron (Strong 3083) is formed from luo (Strong 3089; to loosen) with the ending "tron." ... In post-Homeric constructs ... lutron is "money paid as a ransom." The word is not found in Homer, but it occurs in Herodotus and the tragedians, as well as various inscriptions and papyri. "Lutron is especially the money paid to ransom prisoners of war, but it is then [...]
Two Views of Atonement
"And this shall be a statute forever unto you; in the 10th day of the 7th month ... to make an atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year" (Leviticus 16:29,34). The Hebrew word rendered "atonement" means "to cover." Strong says it appears in various forms including the words cleanse, disannul, forgive, be merciful, pardon, purge, reconcile. It is [...]
Ten Glorious Days
After Jesus' resurrection, on Nisan 16, he was on earth for 40 days teaching and encouraging his disciples. They needed his post resurrection appearances to establish their faith that Jesus was alive and that his death had been essential to God's plan. The Day of Pentecost followed 50 days after his resurrection. 0n the day of Pentecost the holy spirit was sent to the [...]
The Sacrificial Ritual of Ezekiel 43
Understanding Leviticus chapter 16 has blesssed Bible Students for well over 120 years.1 It is interesting to note that Ezekiel 43:18-27 has many of the same symbols and overall tone. We believe it is another picture of the Antitypical Atonement Day sacrifices of the Gospel Age, as it is a ritual that takes place immediately before the activation of Ezekiel's Temple, which is a [...]
Bible Words for “Ransom”
"The Son of man came ... to give his life a ransom" (Matthew 20:28). There are three Hebrew root words and two Greek words that are translated "ransom" in the KJV. They are listed in the following chart. Included are the three Greek words used in the Septuagint translation of the Old Testament, and some examples of texts in which these words appear. The [...]
70 Bullocks
The number of animal sacrifices during the Feast of Tabernacles was greater by far than any other feast. 70 bullocks were sacrificed during the week, 119 lambs, rams and goats in addition to grain and wine offerings. Numbers 29 details which animals were offered on which day. The number of smaller animals was the same on each day of the feast. There was one [...]
For Liberty
"For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty" (Galatians 5:13). The doctrine of Christian Liberty is a broad one with many wonderful lessons. To this list we may add a nice note found in W.E. Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words. Under the topic of Freedom we find this gem thought: "The word is twice rendered "freedom" in the RV of Galatians 5:13 [...]
153 Fishes
"Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, and hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken" (John 21:11). After the death of Jesus, a number of disciples returned to their fishing business. After a night of casting their net, they caught nothing. Standing on the shore, Jesus [...]