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Month: November 2018

Why Does God Allow Suffering?

Why Does God Allow Suffering?

God created the first humans perfect (Deuteronomy 32:4,5; Job 14:4; Ecclesiastes 7:29). If Adam and Eve had obeyed God, there would never have been suffering or problems. They were warned of the dire consequences of disobedience (Genesis 2:16,17). Yet, they chose to believe lies, and rejected God’s truthful warnings (Genesis 3:1-6; John 8:44). God mercifully allowed humans to live long enough to produce the human race, albeit with inherited sin (Romans 8:21; 5:12). But, God allowed the consequences of sin to develop, without his intervention. Why? Because to interfere with the natural results of sin would be to help Satan’s cause, that is, that people could violate God’s standards with impunity (Genesis 3:4,5; John 8:44). read more

Daniel Accurately Predicted Antiochus IV Epiphanes

Daniel Accurately Predicted Antiochus IV Epiphanes

Critics claim the writer of the Book of Daniel was a fraud who really lived in the 160’s BCE, rather than Daniel himself, who wrote the book in the 530’s BCE. Could it possibly be true that Daniel accurately predicted Antiochus IV Epiphanes 350 years in advance?

“And now I shall tell you the truth about these things”—Daniel 11:1 NJB

“The vision of the evenings and the mornings which has been revealed is true”—Daniel 8:26 NJB

Other articles on this site have provided documented evidence that the Book of Daniel was written in the 500’s BCE, and 350 years in advance, accurately predicted details of the exploits of Syrian King Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who was the Biblical “king of the north” (compare Daniel 11:7,13,15) for about 12 years. The Greek philosopher Porphyry (233-304 CE) wrote a work in fifteen volumes he called Against the Christians, in which he attempted to prove that Jesus Christ was only an outstanding philosopher, but not who he said he was. In fact, Porphyry railed against Jesus’ reference to “the prophet Daniel” (Matthew 24:15 NIV) as being the writer of the book bearing his name. His reasoning was based, at least, in part, on the fact that Daniel 8:9-14,23-25; 11:21-39 so accurately predicted Antiochus IV Epiphanes, that he could not accept it as prophecy written in advance. The “predictions” were just too accurate for him to accept. He claimed that a fraud pretending to write prophecy in advance had to have written Daniel, because the events described could not have been so accurately predicted. read more

Are Restoration Prophecies About Israel Literal – or Symbolic?

Are Restoration Prophecies About Israel Literal – or Symbolic?

The majority of Biblical commentators and preachers take the restoration prophecies about Israel literally, so many Christians today think that the modern-day Republic of Israel is fulfilling Bible prophecies. However, a careful analysis of the Bible, especially the New Testament, shows that this is not the case at all. Please keep in mind, however, that a symbolic or spiritual fulfillment does not mean not real or not true. All Bible prophecies are real and true!

When the first Christians miraculously spoke in foreign languages (Acts 2:1-12), “Some, however, made fun of them and said, ‘they have had too much wine.’ Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd . . . ‘No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people”‘” (Acts 2:13-17 NIV). Peter, under God’s direction through the Holy Spirit,  applies Joel 2:28-32 about the spirit poured out on all people as being fulfilled right then and there, “In the last days”. Peter’s quote from Joel 2:28,29 was fulfilled on that Pentecost Day, but not literally. Peter (and Luke, the Bible writer) includes this part of Joel’s prophecy also: read more

Anonymous Folklore, or Eyewitness Accounts, of Jesus?

Anonymous Folklore, or Eyewitness Accounts, of Jesus?

A popular myth is spread that the gospels, and the New Testament historical accounts, are simply anonymous folklore, embellished oral traditions and legends about a man named Jesus, who was likely a real, historical figure. As other articles on this site have shown, the entire New Testament was written within the lifetime of the Apostle John, who apparently lived on about 60-70 years after Jesus’ death. This is certainly believable since there are alive today a number of people who were living back during WWII, which ended in 1945. read more

Importance of Eyewitnesses of Jesus’ Death & Resurrection

Importance of Eyewitnesses of Jesus’ Death & Resurrection

Critics of the Bible often say there are no eyewitness accounts recorded in the Bible of Jesus’ death and resurrection. This article examines the facts of the issue of whether there are eyewitnesses of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus.” (Luke 1:1-3 NIV) read more

What Are John 3:16 & The Gospel About?

What Are John 3:16 & The Gospel About?

“For God loved the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”—John 3:16 NKJV

On November 8, 2018, an article was posted on Patheos entitled, “Why John 3:16 Isn’t About The Crucifixion“:

In preparation for an upcoming online debate about PSA [Penal Substitutionary Atonement] Theory, I started wondering whether or not Jesus, or any of the Gospel authors, specifically communicated the Gospel as being about Jesus dying on the cross for our sins, or to appease the wrath of God, etc. read more

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