2023 – Volume 34
How 535-542 AD Changed the World
Introduction to the Dark Ages Occasionally, a natural event has a dramatic effect on the world. Recent discovery shows how it shifted power from Constantinople back to Rome. A catastrophic volcanic eruption in 535-536 AD made 536 and 541 the worst years for trees in the past two millennia. [1] The effects were worldwide, as told by writers in Italy, Constantinople, and China. Sulfate spikes [...]
Two Overturnings of the Tables — Two Miracle Fish Draughts
A few days before he finished his earthly course, and his last Passover, three Gospel accounts describe Jesus entering the temple complex and overturning the tables of the moneychangers. This was at the close of his ministry, and is recorded in Matthew 21:12, Mark 11:15, and Luke 19:45. However, the Apostle John relates an overturning of the tables event that seems to occur at [...]
Allies Against Ancient Israel
There are many times enemies came against Israel or Judah and were defeated. These often appear to typify the destruction — often self‑destruction — of this world at the end of the Gospel Age, preparatory to the Resurrection in the Millennial Kingdom. In some cases, there are multiple nations allied against Israel, and three of these are of interest here. THREE ENEMIES AGAINST GIDEON [...]
Hosea, A Minor Prophet with a Major Challenge
“I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God” (Hosea 2:23). On a number of occasions the heavenly Father asked some faithful individuals to do things they could not understand at the time. Those who obeyed received a profound glimpse at the wisdom of God. One such individual was the prophet, [...]
True Christians in the Middle Ages
The Beliefs and History of the Albigenses Editor’s Note — The following contribution significantly updates the scholarship on the Albigenses found in the “Man of Sin” chapter of The Time is at Hand, Studies in the Scriptures, Volume 2. Departing from our usual literary style, the investigation of current scholarship by Bro. Timothy Krupa is based on visiting the Cathar Museum in Mazamet, France, [...]
The First Trumpet, Ephesus
“And the first [trumpet] sounded, and there came to be hail and fire, mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of the earth was burnt up, and the third part of the trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up” (Revelation 8:7, RVIC). Seven angels with seven trumpets prepare to sound. The first to [...]
When the Seventh Angel Sounds
The Apostle John, who wrote down Revelation Revelation 10:7 seems to present a near‑certain contradiction as it is commonly read: “In the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then is finished the mystery of God, according to the good tidings which he declared to his servants [1] the prophets” (Revelation 10:7 ASV). Too easily, this verse [...]
The Bloodshed of Jezreel
“Name him Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will punish the house of Jehu for the bloodshed of Jezreel, and I will put an end to the kingdom of the house of Israel. On that day I will break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel” (Hosea 1:4, 5). When God instructed Hosea to name his son Jezreel, He also [...]
Gnostic Belief
A background to Gnosticism, as an editorial adjunct to the previous article Shortly before our Lord’s birth, Gnostic belief emerged. It was a mixture of Judaism that was awed by Platonic Greek Philosophy but departed from both sacred Biblical text and Platonism. Gnosticism set forth a basic tenet of error — that all creation excepting the inaccessible divine creator was an amalgam of spirit [...]
Can We Explain Gehenna Without the Garbage Dump?
Most modern translations of the Bible transliterate the Hebrew Sheol and the Greek Hades, both of which refer to the death state from which resurrection is possible. It is still, however, the general practice to translate Gehenna as “hell,” allowing readers to think that the reference is to a place of eternal torment. Gehenna is the Greek form of the Hebrew Gai Hinnom, or [...]
The People that Walked in Darkness
“In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali; but in the latter time hath he made it glorious, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them [...]
The Pentateuch and the Divine Plan
The opening books of the Bible appear to parallel the various stages of the Divine Plan. This provides additional confirmation of the plan’s divine origin. GENESIS The word Genesis means, “the origin, or coming into being of something.” The book includes the events of Creation, the fall of man, the flood of Noah’s day, and the histories and generations of the earliest Patriarchs. It [...]
Joel 2:28,29
The Prophet Joel The interpretation of these two verses is, at the very least, difficult! As we will discern, Bro. Russell is likely the only interpreter to grasp the layout and prophetic sequencing within these verses. Jewish translations (and a very few gentile ones) begin Joel Chapter 3 with the verse we have as 2:28. This includes: Soncino Tanach (Stone), Tanach (JPS), Leeser, New [...]
Languages and Babel
“God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the earth” (Genesis 9:1). But Nimrod and those like him rebelled and said, “Come, let us build a city and a tower ... lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth” (Genesis 11:3‑4). Therefore, God set about to punish them (or let them punish [...]
The Seven Last Plagues
An Update from 1991 The Seven Last Plagues were given a suggested interpretation in an article, “An Introduction to the Exodus: A Picture of the Plan of the Ages,” Beauties of the Truth, November 1991. Since that time, new information has surfaced, particularly for Plagues 1 and 6, as reflected in the table below and in the subsequent discussion. This writer had been unaware [...]
The Likeness of Moses and Paul
“God will raise up ... a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me” (Deuteronomy 18:15). Moses, as a type, points to Christ (Deuteronomy 18:15). As the messenger of God, Moses was used to convey the Law and be a mediator between God and the nation of Israel. Jesus likewise is designated as the “mediator of the new covenant” (Hebrews [...]
Evidence Missing!
The One-half billion years (give or take a few years) of evolutionary evidence is missing! The June 22, 2023 Nature magazine article “Lost World of Complex Life,” by Jochen J. Brocks, et al. [1] deserves special mention to our readership. The intense interest in all aspects of the appearance of “complex life” by the science community has brought to light compelling proof for the [...]
Using the Enemy Against the Enemy
“And they cried, The sword of Jehovah and of Gideon” (Judges 7:20 ASV). Several times in the period of the Judges (Deliverers), we are told, “And the children of Israel again did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah” (Judges 3:12, 4:1, 10:6, 13:1). In the time of Deborah, Israel had sinned and was delivered into the hand of the king of [...]
Seven Pictures of Armageddon
Seven climactic battles are detailed in the time of the Judges; each typifying the Battle of Armageddon, but each offering a different facet of it. Judges 3:7‑11. Cushan‑rishathaim king of Mesopotamia (Hebrews, Aram Naharaim, “Aram of two rivers,” or “Highlands of two rivers,” Euphrates and Tigris) was the first king God permitted to punish Israel in their land, for eight years. His name means, [...]
In Our Image, After Our Likeness
“And God [1] said, Let us make man [2] in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. (27) And God created the man in his own image, in the image [...]
No “Give Me” in the Lord’s Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer is given to us in Matthew 6:9‑13, and in shorter form in Luke 11:2‑4. The first part is addressed to God: “Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.” Next is for others: “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth.” Then “Give US ...,” “Forgive US ...,” “Bring US not ...,” “Deliver US [...]