Category: The Bible

13 And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads.

• “beast” – literally: monster, in our understanding.
• “out of the sea” – there is much speculation as to the meaning of this phrase, the ocean, for many ancient peoples was a place of unknown terrors and great storms, thus it is often used to represent evil and danger.
• “ten horns and seven heads” – the monster mirrors and mimics its master, the dragon. See 12.3. For the dragon this description is meant to communicate wisdom and power, thus they should be understood this way here as well.

Continue reading “What Happens Next? Revelation 13: 2 Beasts”

Introduction: 

Throughout our lives we encounter various individuals who really help mold us into who we are to be. We learn from these people and they change our thoughts and actions. We see this most frequently from our parents. I catch myself saying something or thinking something, and I immediately think, “That sounds just like my Dad.”

Another individual who impacted me greatly, was Mr. Rodney Middleton. He was an older gentleman in my home church. He gave me my first real job. He taught me about work, fun, love, hope, and how Jesus makes all of these possible.

Continue reading “Grace Makes A Difference (Titus 2.11-15)”

…to understand any book such as Ezra-Nehemiah (in the Hebrew Bible, they are one book, not two), we must understand something of its historical context. The Bible teaches that the way God works with his people in one historical context, such as the Persian Empire, can help us understand his work in other contexts.*

Continue reading “Nehemiah: A Brief Background”

INTRODUCTION

I’ve was always the kid who couldn’t wait for Christmas morning. My children aren’t that bad, they get up a hair early, but I wasn’t like that growing up. I was the kid that stayed awake on Christmas eve as long as they could, and would then wake up every hour on the hour starting around 2:30 or 3:00am. Once I interrupted a very frustrated Santa while he was in the middle of assembling a bicycle for my sister. I offered my assistance and was sharply told to go back to bed. However, after much waiting, eventually there would be presents under the tree. As a child, I just couldn’t wait to see what was under the tree on Christmas morning. Now, as an adult, I don’t want to see the bank statement on Christmas morning. Ignorance is bliss.

Continue reading “Anticipating the Gift”

Chapter 11 mirrors chapter 7 in that it serves as an interlude between scenes within the book and they both seek to reassure the reader of God’s protection.

Continue reading “What Happens Next? Revelation 11, The Two Witnesses & Trumpet 7”