Sermons and Biblical Studies

The Land of Canaan belonged to the Israelites as it had been given to Abraham and promised to his seed as an everlasting possession. The Philistines, Amorites and others who inhabited the land at the time when Moses under Divine direction led the Israelites out of Egypt, were a semi-barbarous race whose sins and iniquities … Continue reading “If God is a God of love, as the Bible tells us, how can we understand His command to the children of Israel to utterly destroy their enemies, men, women, and children?”

The first expression should be understood in the concrete sense. No mortal being could see the Lord God and live–"Whom no man hath seen, nor can see." The last expression, to be understood in harmony with the first, should be considered in the abstract. As it was impossible for the Lord's followers to actually see … Continue reading “Can you explain these two passages of Scripture: `John 1:18`, “No man hath seen God at any time;” and `John 14:9`, “Ye that have seen me, have seen my Father also?””

The word "repent" means "To change the mind, or course of conduct, on account of regret or dissatisfaction with what has occurred." The question then is, Did God change His mind (plan) or His course of conduct? We claim that, knowing the end from the beginning, God's mind could not be changed; hence "repent" in … Continue reading “If God is omniscient, knowing the end from the beginning, how could He REPENT of His course in creating man? – Gen 6:5”

In many places in the Scriptures the expression "fatherless," in the original language in which the Bible was written, has the significance of bereaved or orphans. The thought is that the Lord's special care and compassion are over the weak, helpless and the bereaved ones, and not that He has less consideration for the motherless … Continue reading “Please explain why the Scriptures refer to the special care of God over the fatherless and the widow and says nothing about the widower and the motherless? It seems to me that where the wife and mother is taken away it is much sadder than where the husband and father is removed from the family circle.”

A "key," in the symbolisms of the Scriptures, is representative of the opening power vested in the one who has been duly authorized to act, just as is sometimes expressed in the vernacular–"He holds the key to the situation." St. Peter was given two "keys" (`Mat. 16:19`), one of which he used on the day … Continue reading “Somebody told me that Saint Peter must have a higher position than the Lord Jesus because St. Peter has the keys to heaven, whereas the Lord Jesus has the keys to hell. Where do we find this in he Bible and please explain?”

Many Christians are quite perplexed as to where the Lord Jesus was from the time of His crucifixion to the time of His resurrection. Some have the thought that He was away somewhere preaching to the spirits in prison (`1 Pet. 3:19`); some that He was with the thief in Paradise (`Luke 23:43`); some that … Continue reading “Is it a Biblical fact that Christ descended into hell after His crucifixion and before His resurrection?”

The so-called "orthodox hell," of a vast furnace of fire and brimstone, manned by fire-proof devils with pitch forks in their hands, who are busily engaged in jabbing and tormenting the billions of poor unfortunates–all of the human race, with the exception of the few saints, who with much difficulty manage to squeeze through the … Continue reading “Where is hell, and who created it?”

These verses, doubtless, refer to Israel's judgments and their final repentance and reconciliation. The three days we understand to be the days of the larger week, one thousand years to each day. In this larger week the seventh day will be the seventh thousand-year period–the Sabbath of rest from sin and Satan. Recognizing time from … Continue reading “Can you explain the first three verses of the sixth chapter of Hosea? (`Hos 6:1-3`)”

We are aware that quite a number seem to hold the thought of an actual city, with all of its walls, buildings, towers and turrets, coming down from above and locating in the land of Palestine. Those who have this thought should try to bear in mind that much of the Bible is written in … Continue reading “Will the New Jerusalem (`Rev. 21:2`) be a literal city of gold and gems, and will it come floating down through the sky and locate somewhere on the earth? If so, how, when, and where?”

A close reading of these chapters will convince any student that a literal city was certainly not meant. In symbolic prophecy a "city" signifies a religious government backed by power and authority. Thus the "holy city, the New Jerusalem," is the symbol used to represent the established Kingdom of God, the overcomers of the Gospel … Continue reading “What is meant by the New Jerusalem referred to in `Rev. 21` and `22` chapters?”