Sermons and Biblical Studies

by David F. Maas Forerunner, January 11, 2003 How many of us during our lives have encountered real, excruciating, physical pain? How many of us wish that pain did not exist—that God had never created any such thing as pain? Though most of us would gladly avoid pain at all costs, we would not want … Continue reading “Guilt: Our Spiritual Pain”

by John W. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Personal," July 1996 Because four holy days fall in one month's time—and Tabernacles so dominates the season—Atonement frequently gets short shrift. But so important is its meaning to us that God's instruction for observing it carries what some commentators interpret as the death penalty for not observing it properly (Leviticus … Continue reading “Pride, Humility, and the Day of Atonement”

by William R. Gray (1941-2021) Forerunner, July 1996 The idea of someone taking something “to the grave,” has long intrigued me. People speak of taking a secret “to the grave.” Other people take cherished possessions with them “to the grave.” The more cynical among us sigh and say, “You came into this world with nothing, … Continue reading “Taking It Through the Grave”

by Earl L. Henn (1934-1997) Forerunner, "Prophecy Watch," July 1996 Jesus Christ gave many “indicator markings” to help us to determine when His second coming is near. One of these is mentioned in Luke 17:28-30: Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, … Continue reading “As In the Days of Lot”

by Staff Forerunner, "Ready Answer," July 1996 In Paul's letter to the church of God in Rome, the apostle describes how the called-out brethren must conduct themselves in a way acceptable to God. We are not to allow ourselves to conform to this world's ways of doing things, but instead, we are to be transformed … Continue reading “Why Should Christians Refuse Jury Duty?”

by John W. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Personal," June 1996 Much about life in this world seems designed to make us think that what we are or what we think or do is of no account. We feel that it really makes no difference whether we live or die. We feel that we are lost in the … Continue reading “Little Things Count!”

by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021) Forerunner, June 1996 We stand today at the threshold of the second half of Christ's seven-year ministry. During its first half nearly two millennia ago, many did not recognize the Messiah as He stood before them. A few did. When He returns, will we recognize Him for what He is? One … Continue reading “Recognizing the Second Witness”

by Richard T. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Prophecy Watch," June 1996 The aged John had never seen anything like this before! God had shown him a number of incredible visions: the very throne of God, the 144,000 and innumerable multitude, the Two Witnesses, various beasts and plagues of every description. But this one seemed to top them … Continue reading “The Woman Atop the Beast (Part 2)”

by Earl L. Henn (1934-1997) Forerunner, "Ready Answer," June 1996 Many years ago, I watched a Sunday morning television program presented by a popular Protestant denomination. This particular denomination teaches that the Ten Commandments and the entire Old Testament are now obsolete, and its adherents use only the New Testament. On one program, they used … Continue reading “Have the Ten Commandments Passed Away?”

by John W. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Personal," May 1996 Branded upon our minds is the idea that I Corinthians 15 is the “resurrection” chapter, and indeed resurrection is its major theme. However, the apostle Paul inserts other important ideas into this inspiring chapter. As important as it is to us and to God's purpose, the resurrection … Continue reading “All in All”