2019 – Volume 30
Ezekiel’s Temple and the Solar Year
“In the 25th year of our captivity, in the beginning of the year, in the 10th day of the month, in the 14th year after that the city was smitten ... there was a man, whose appearance was like the appearance of brass, with a line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed” (Ezekiel 40:1, 3). The temple described in Ezekiel’s vision [...]
The Waters of Marah (Exodus 15:22-27)
“And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah” (Exodus 15:23). The nation of Israel had just been through the most amazing experience of their lifetimes. They had witnessed the awesome power of their God, a God with whom they had been acquainted only through the [...]
Water from the Rock at Rephidim (Exodus 17:1-7)
“And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, by their journeys, according to the commandment of Jehovah, and en camped in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink” (Exodus 17:1). Chapter 17 opens with the nation of Israel pitching their tents in Rephidim after a journey of several stops coming from the wilderness [...]
Migdal Eder (Tower of the Flock)
“And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you [...]
Prophecy — A Light that Shines in a Dark Place
“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shines in a dark place” (2 Peter 1:19). The Apostle Peter’s appeal to the church was passionate. His second epistle held his final words and it was to be circulated throughout all the churches. Peter knew that his martyrdom was close at [...]
Cleansing the Water
What made the water at Marah bitter? A huge underground water supply is underneath the Sinai desert, which drains near the eastern and western coasts. This water is rich in sulfates, which are bitter, and when ingested is a strong cathartic. (Glauber’s salt, sodium sulfate, is given medicinally as a cathartic, but it is too bitter for some people.) Not only is it bitter, [...]
King David, a Model of Repentance
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions” (Psalms 51:1). One of the questions candidates are usually asked at a baptismal service is, “Do you acknowledge yourself a sinner in need of redemption?” This acknowledgment is an essential part of growing a relationship with God. With that acknowledgment must [...]
God’s Message at Calvary
“Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the spirit. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent” (Matthew 27:50,51). By orchestrating the events that occurred while Jesus hung on the cross, and upon his death, God spoke in almost a parable‑like [...]
Numbers
“Jehovah spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt” (Numbers 1:1). What Christians refer to as the Old Testament, Jewish believers refer to as the Tanakh — a word assembled from the letters TNK, signifying the [...]
Manna and Quail (Exodus 16)
“And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host” (Exodus 16:13). Israel had just spent several weeks at the beautiful wilderness oasis of Elim. They continued their journey to the Promised Land on the 15th day of the second month. Verse 1: “And they took their [...]
286.1 Inches
“In that day shall there be an altar to Jehovah in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to Jehovah. And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto Jehovah of hosts in the land of Egypt” (Isaiah 19:19, 20). Most Bible Students who are readers of this journal are familiar with the spiritual [...]
Living Clean in a Dirty World
Quotes from RVIC Living clean is embodied in the four attributes of Jehovah God Almighty: “Four living creatures ... they had the faces of a man; and they four had the faces of a lion on the right side; and they four had the faces of an ox on the left side; they four had also the faces of an eagle” (Ezekiel 1:5, 10). [...]
Caesarea Philippi and The Gates of Hades
“When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked ... whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter ... said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus ... said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona ... Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not [...]