Sermons and Biblical Studies

192. What Did Paul Mean by "The Revelation of the Man of Sin"? Paul evidently believed that immediately before the second coming of Christ there would be fierce temptation and persecution (2Th_2:3). Christ referred to the same event (see Mat_24:20-25). The man of sin is the Antichrist or Pseudo-Christ, who is to deceive many. He … Continue reading “192 – What Did Paul Mean by "The Revelation of the Man of Sin"?”

191. Who Were the Magi? These wise men were from either Arabia, Mesopotamia, Egypt, or somewhere else in the East. "East" is not to be understood in our wide, modern sense, but referred to those countries that lie to the east as well as north of Palestine. Thus, Persia is referred to as the "East" … Continue reading “191 – Who Were the Magi?”

190. What Were the "Marks of the Lord Jesus" ? It was a practice to brand slaves with their owners' initials. A slave by showing the brand proved to whom his service was due and that no one else had a claim upon him. The marks of the Lord Jesus which Paul bore (Gal_6:17) were … Continue reading “190 – What Were the "Marks of the Lord Jesus" ?”

189. How Did Satan Receive the Name "Lucifer"? There have been at different times various interpretations of the famous passage in Isa_14:12 : "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning ! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!" "Lucifer" means "light-bringer," and has also … Continue reading “189 – How Did Satan Receive the Name "Lucifer"?”

188. What Is Meant by "Because Thou Hast Left Thy First Love"? These words (in Rev_2:4.) were addressed to the Christian believers at Ephesus. The "first love" does not refer to any person or influence other than Christ, but simply means that the Ephesians had lost the intensity of their affection and zeal for Christ. … Continue reading “188 – What Is Meant by "Because Thou Hast Left Thy First Love"?”

187. What Is an Indulgence? An "indulgence" is a spiritual bill of health or official act of pardon granted by the Church of Rome. It has no warrant in Scripture. There are indulgences to ease the way of souls out of purgatory, indulgences for the living, permitting them to eat meat on holy days; indulgences … Continue reading “187 – What Is an Indulgence?”

186. What Was the "Heresies" of Apostolic Times? The Greek word translated "heresies" in Gal_5:20 means either an opinion or a party. As used in the New Testament it stands for an opinion "varying from the true exposition of the Christian faith" (as in 2Pe_2:11), or a body of men following mistaken or blameworthy ideas, … Continue reading “186 – What Was the "Heresies" of Apostolic Times?”

185. Where Did theJews Get the Name "Hebrews"? It is held by the best authorities and by the Jews themselves that the name is derived from Heber, or Eber (which means "from the other side," or a sojourner, or immigrant). Heber was the son of Salah and the father of Peleg (see Gen_10:24, Gen_11:14, and … Continue reading “185 – Where Did theJews Get the Name "Hebrews"?”

184. What Does "God's Image" Mean? In discussing spiritual things, to be right, no one can go beyond the word of Scripture. The Bible tells us that God gave to man a living soul. In this sense he was in the image of his Maker in his dispositions, temperament and desires, and in his obedience … Continue reading “184 – What Does "God's Image" Mean?”

183. What Was the "Gift of Tongues"? It is understood to have been not only the power of speaking various languages which the speaker had not previously studied or acquired, but also the power to speak a spiritual language unknown to man, uttered in ecstasy and understood only by those enlightened by the Holy Spirit. … Continue reading “183 – What Was the "Gift of Tongues"?”