Sermons and Biblical Studies

by John W. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Personal," November 2002 Sometimes it seems as though all of life's time is divided between just two general activities, work and play. One we look forward to eagerly, but very frequently, the same cannot be said of the other. We often perceive the expending of time and energy in work … Continue reading “The Elements of Motivation (Part Five): Who We Are”

by Richard T. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Prophecy Watch," November 2002 Without much exaggeration, one could say that the history of the world is the story of the movements of peoples over the face of the earth. As a migrating group made contact with an established people, conflict usually flared. The winner of such conflicts remained on … Continue reading “Clash of Cultures”

by Staff Forerunner, "Ready Answer," November 2002 “A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful ambassador brings health.” —Proverbs 13:17 One of the greatest statesmen in modern history could arguably be Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of Great Britain during World War II. To war-torn England, he brought a formidable example of tenacity and resolve … Continue reading “The Art of Tact and Diplomacy”

by John W. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Personal," September-October 2002 The beginning of each article in this series has shown that accepting Christ's blood and entering into the New Covenant is just the beginning of the creative process initiated at God's calling. His calling, not an end in itself, places us under obligation to live up to … Continue reading “The Elements of Motivation (Part Four): Obligation”

by Staff Forerunner, "Ready Answer," September-October 2002 “O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name.” —Daniel 9:19 During the now infamous 9-11 terrorist attacks against America, how did you feel about your … Continue reading “Should We Pray for the World?”

by Richard T. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Prophecy Watch," September 8, 2002 Two months have passed since devastating fires in Colorado and Arizona destroyed over a half-million acres of forestland. In mid-July, a blaze raged precariously close to 1,500-year-old sequoias in northern California, and in nearby southern Oregon, a wildfire torched well over 460,000 acres as August … Continue reading “Sky Like Iron, Earth Like Bronze”

by David C. Grabbe Forerunner, September 8, 2002 The last two articles have focused on strange women and the warning given to us in Proverbs 7 about how they seduce foolish men. The Bible provides two examples of such women—Miss Heresy and Miss Babylon—who are strangers to God because He does not identify with their … Continue reading “Strange Women (Part Three)”

by John W. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Personal," August 2002 These articles were originally precipitated by a major doctrinal change in the Worldwide Church of God in the early 1990s. Those in authority at the time adopted the concept generally described as “once saved, always saved,” the notion that, once one accepts Jesus Christ as Savior, salvation … Continue reading “The Elements of Motivation (Part Three): Hope”

by Staff Forerunner, "Ready Answer," August 2002 It is hard to believe that we are now well into the countdown to the Feast of Tabernacles. There are only a few weeks to go! Here are some scriptures to get us into its spirit: And you shall spend that money for whatever your heart desires: for … Continue reading “God’s Way of Give at the Feast of Tabernacles”

by Richard T. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Prophecy Watch," August 1, 2002 We have all heard the stories. Over the next century, mean temperatures all over the world will rise as much as six degrees Celsius, causing massive environmental damage. The planet's polar ice caps will melt, and billions of gallons of the now-liquid water will raise … Continue reading “A Cool Appraisal of Global Warming”