The Illusion of Knowledge
"But concerning the sacrifices to idols, we know that we all have knowledge" (1 Corinthians 8:1). The context, "sacrifices to idols, " involves holiday meals that were consecrated by false gods and celebrated by most everyone in the community. These religious and social events provided all of the usual friendship, fellowship and family time together that was and is still enjoyed by people all over the world. Who can argue against the values and virtues of friendship, fellowship and family? Yet, new Christians in Corinth began to worry that the consecration of the food at such events by what they now understood in the light of Christ to be false gods might be offensive or counterproductive to their new faith in Christ.
God s Love For the Hurting
At first glance, this morning's Gospel reading seems a little disjointed. It starts with a discussion about divorce and ends with a discussion about entering God's kingdom like little children. While they seem to be disconnected, they really are connected. Let me try to explain. Mark's Gospel was the first of the four major gospels to be written. In fact, if you compare the Gospels of Mark, Matthew and Luke, you will find that they are very similar. John's Gospel is different for reasons that I won't get into this morning. Mark's Gospel was not intended to be a daily diary of Jesus' activities.
Key of David Biography
In 1993, God's Future World radio program, presented by Gerald Flurry, was transformed into a 30-minute television program-the Key of David. The program is sponsored by the Philadelphia Church of God and production takes place in the church's television studios on the campus of Herbert W. Armstrong College in Edmond, Oklahoma. The Key of David is produced in Hi-Definition quality and has received various awards in recognition of broadcast excellence over its 17 years history. Firmly established in many key markets worldwide, the Key of David has access to a potential audience of over 400 million.
What If the Lord Jesus Christ is Coming Back Soon?
Jesus' coming is going to be a surprise to most people. They will not be looking for Him. Some will say, "We have heard that from our childhood days and He has not come yet." Some will say, "People are telling us this to scare us into following their teachings." Others will say, "I do not believe in that Jesus stuff." Some may believe He is coming back, but not today. Whatever our feelings may be on this subject, it is very important that we know the truth. How can we prepare for something we do not believe is going to happen? Jesus told us, "No man knows the day or the hour" when He is coming again.
Sukkot - Unity Through Diversity - Or All the Same?
The festival of Sukkot contains within it two completely contrasting Mitzvot. It is odd that a festival so geared up for the idea of unity be filled with such contrasts. On the one hand we have the Mitzvah of the 4 species. On the other, we have the Mitzvah to dwell in Sukkot. What is the constant between these two Mitzvot, and how are they different? Hidden inside both of these Mitzvot are the keys to understanding the uniqueness of the Jewish people, the uniqueness of each Jew - and the greatness that lies at the core of a Jewish soul, irrespective of any apparent unique quality that every Jew has.
Asking the Right Questions
When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into these boats and went to Capernaum to look for Jesus. When they had found him on the other side of the sea, they asked him, "Rabbi, when did you get here? " Jesus replied to them, "Truly, truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate the loaves and were completely satisfied. Do not work for the food that perishes but for the food that lasts for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal." Then they said to him, "What must we do to perform the works of God?
Build on a Solid Foundation
Creator is the Rock. Deuteronomy 32:4. He is the solid foundation on which we can build, but how can we do this? We read in scripture that God is Love. And those that dwell in love, dwell in God, and God in them. 1 John 4:16. The first epistle of St. John is an illuminated pronouncement of our wonderful Rock of Love, our omnipotent, omnipresent heavenly Father. He is the most powerful entity in the universe, and He is everywhere. Anywhere we are, there is our Father with us. How can we build on this Rock of Love? Creator gave us instructions and commandments through His servant, Moses, in the Torah, the first five books of the Bible.
The Justice of Polygamy
The fact that polygamy is permitted in the Torah is obvious from the many great men who had multiple wives beginning with the three fathers and the six mothers; though the practice was outlawed by the Rabbis with a 1000 year proclamation that ended a few decades ago, still the question remains as to the justice of polygamy-why is a man allowed to have more than one wife while the woman is bound to one man and no more? One of things known about the Creator, stemming from the six days of creation which were divided male and female, is God observes equality; but if God is so concerned about equality than why the disparity?
Mark Of The Beast Revealed
Earlier, I wrote an article titled, "Sunday Churches and the Great Tribulation." As I was reading the article later, it was revealed to me that the Sunday churches, i.e., along with the Sunday sabbath, are the Mark of the Beast. An implant or other physical 'mark' may be demanded professing your allegiance to the Sunday Churches--Satan's mark in the world. How can this be possible you might ask? Let's look at a quote from 'Sunday Churches and the Great Tribulation.' "One of the greatest accomplishments Satan has prepared for the time of the Great Tribulation is the Sunday church. This is his mark, and he will put it to great use in the coming dark times ahead.
Jesus - Legendary Hero or Real Man?
Surely, it's the most extraordinary story ever told. Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God, came to earth and sacrificed himself so that we mortals might have eternal life. Yes, an extraordinary story, but is it fact? or fiction? One compelling bit of evidence strongly suggests it is indeed a fact. Even so, you will never hear it mentioned in a church! Say you were examining an old manuscript and wanted to determine whether the story was fact or fiction, what should you look for? Scholars focus on the hero. If he (or she) is cast in the most favorable light in all circumstances, then the work is probably a fiction.