Sermons and Biblical Studies

by David C. Grabbe Forerunner, "Prophecy Watch," August 24, 2011 Matthew 24:14 has been one of the most-quoted scriptures during the last few decades of the church of God: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” … Continue reading “‘This Gospel of the Kingdom Shall Be Preached’”

by Mike Ford (1955-2021) Forerunner, "Ready Answer," August 24, 2011 “. . . where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever.” —Hebrews 6:20 I remember discovering at about age eight or nine a series of books called “Childhood of Famous Americans.” My little school library was a converted storage … Continue reading “Blazing a Trail Through the Wilderness”

by Richard T. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "WorldWatch," August 24, 2011 Visegrád is certainly not a household name in the United States—and likely nowhere else outside of Europe. It is the name of a medieval castle and its surrounding town situated in what is now Hungary, where two fourteenth-century meetings were held among the monarchs of the … Continue reading “A Battle Group for Eastern Europe”

by John W. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Personal," June 23, 2011 James 4:5-6 reads, “Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, 'The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously'? But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'” Proverbs 23:6-7 adds this thought on the … Continue reading “Job, Self-Righteousness, and Humility”

by Richard T. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Prophecy Watch," June 23, 2011 Since the early 1970s, the modern church of God has been in turmoil. This turmoil has not been constant, and the reasons for it are many—personal, doctrinal, governmental, cultural, political, etc. Attendance at church services and feasts have surged and retreated like the tide. Over … Continue reading “A Distant Reflection”

by David F. Maas Forerunner, "Ready Answer," June 23, 2011 “He who is slothful in his work is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.”—Proverbs 18:9 Could we picture ourselves strapping on a bomb under our coats, walking into a crowded shopping mall, and blowing ourselves to smithereens along with several hundred innocent … Continue reading “Could You Be a Spiritual Terrorist?”

by David C. Grabbe Forerunner, "WorldWatch," June 23, 2011 “The current situation of the earthquake, tsunami, and the nuclear plants is in a way the most severe crisis in the past 65 years since World War II,” Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan said at a press conference on March 13, two days after being hit … Continue reading “Fukushima: Aftermath and Implications”

by John W. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Personal," May 5, 2011 There was a time when the church of God appeared to be focused in one corporate body, the Worldwide Church of God. However, during these times of disintegration and disappointment, the church is widely scattered following that body's collapse. It is so widely scattered that it … Continue reading “Is There a True Church?”

by Richard T. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Prophecy Watch," May 5, 2011 Hebrews 11, popularly called “the Faith Chapter,” contains the recitation of the names and deeds of several men and women of faith from creation to the time of Israel's entering of the Promised Land. In it, the author—most likely the apostle Paul—presents illustrations from the … Continue reading “David the Prophet”

by David C. Grabbe Forerunner, "WorldWatch," May 5, 2011 From above, the Middle East and North Africa appear to be experiencing a regional revolution. The forced resignations of the presidents of Tunisia and Egypt, along with anti-government violence in Libya and popular protests across the region, give the impression that a wave of repressive, aging … Continue reading “The Burning Middle East: Revolution or Power-Grab?”