Month: October 2024

Red heifer stories are in the news. “The delivery of five red heifers to Israel has sparked a worldwide debate about its significance in biblical prophecy, particularly among Christians who believe a third temple will be built during the End Times, of which the New Testament says nothing. You will search the New Testament with… Continue reading Stay Away from Red Heifer Mythology

Jesus’s coming in AD 70 was cataclysmic judgment of the wicked; however, it was also a time of salvation for the righteous. Regarding this event, Jesus said in approximately AD 33: “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity,… Continue reading Judgment and Salvation go Hand in Hand

Although many Christians believe salvation was obtained at the cross, that’s technically incorrect. Salvation was certainly obtained by the cross, but it was not obtained at the cross. We can be sure of this because Paul said in AD 58–almost three decades after the cross–”Our salvation is nearer than when we first believed” (Rom. 13:10).… Continue reading Salvation and the Cross

Many Christians believe the Law/Old Covenant ended when Jesus died on the cross in approximately AD 33. Another popular view is that the Law ended on Pentecost, fifty days after the cross. However, both of these views have insurmountable problems, not the least of which is that the writer of Hebrews said in approximately AD… Continue reading The Passing of the Law

The New Testament is filled with New Covenant realities that had already arrived in part (pre-AD 70), but had not yet arrived in full. Consider the following examples: Salvation had already arrived in part (2 Tim. 1:9, Titus 3:5, 1 Cor. 6:11), but salvation still had to come in full (Rom. 13:10; 1 Pet. 1:5;… Continue reading The Already and Not Yet

“Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age? Assuredly, I [Jesus] say to you [apostles], this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place” (Matt. 24:3, 34,). The significance of the end of the Old… Continue reading The End of the Age

Many Christians believe heaven and earth will literally be destroyed at a future second coming, based on the following statement by Jesus in the Olivet Discourse. After describing the Son of Man coming on clouds of glory, Jesus said “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away” (Matt.… Continue reading The Passing of Heaven and Earth

The “gathering of the elect” is linked to Jesus’ second coming and happened in the first century. We can be sure of this because of what Jesus said in the Olivet Discourse in approximately AD 33: “They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And… Continue reading The Gathering of the Elect

“The Heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervant heat” (2 Pet. 3:12). Many Christians believe God will one day destroy the planet, based on this prophecy from Peter, which he uttered in approximately AD 63. But is that really what Peter meant? First, the Greek word for “elements”… Continue reading The Elements Will Melt with Fervant Heat

Let’s explore the many biblical prophecies that were fulfilled in the first century, specifically around the year AD 70. The Historical Climate in first-century Judea In Wars of the Jews, the first-century Jewish historian Flavius Josephus (AD 31-101) chronicled the war between the Jews and the Romans, which began in the spring of AD 67… Continue reading Prophecies Fulfilled in the First Century

Because of all the speculation and controversy regarding the topic of the “third temple,” I want to respond to three common questions about it. Temple Question #1: Does Ezekiel 40–47 prophesy that a third temple will one day be built for Jews? Biblical commentators differ as to which temple Ezekiel is referring to in chapters 40–47.… Continue reading The Third Temple

Although many Christians believe the second coming will be a global event, the New Testament teaches it would be a local event, albeit with global significance–just like the first coming. At his first coming, Jesus sacrificed himself on the cross for the sins of the world–past, present and future. Although this was a local event… Continue reading The Second Coming: Global or Local?

To better understand the second coming, it helps to understand the reason for it–and Jesus addressed this issue in the Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers: “33 There was a certain landowner [God] who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower. And he leased it… Continue reading The Reason for the Second Coming

To understand the timing of the second coming, we need look no further than Jesus’s own words. Jesus’s statements tell us everything we need to know. And Jesus spoke plainly enough that the people of his day–many of whom were fishermen, farmers, merchants, etc.–could grasp his meaning (at least if they wanted to). In fact,… Continue reading The Timing of the Second Coming

One of the reasons there is so much confusion about Jesus’s second coming is because of the apocalyptic descriptions of it. For example, Jesus said he would “come on clouds” and “the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven” (Matt. 24:29–31). While this may… Continue reading What is a “Coming of the Lord”?

This message will show that “the last days” refers to the last days of the Old Covenant age–not the last days of planet earth, and not the last days of the Christian age. The last days’ time period began at Jesus’ earthly ministry (first coming) in approximately AD 30 and ended at his coming in… Continue reading Are We in the Last Days?

 “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the… Continue reading The Flood and the Second Coming

While Jesus “came as a thief” to his enemies, it was not like that for his disciples. First, the apostle Paul said: “But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a… Continue reading Coming as a Thief

What did Peter mean by, “With the Lord, one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day” (2 Pet. 3:8)? This is one of the most frequently used verses to try to get around those time statements that say the second coming would happen “soon,” that is, in the first… Continue reading One Day is Like a Thousand Years

“Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him” (Rev. 1:7). This is a popular “proof text” for the future coming of Christ. As the argument goes, every single person who has ever lived, and ever… Continue reading Every Eye Will See Jesus Coming

Since Jesus ascended to heaven in a physical body, must he therefore return in a physical body? “Now when He [Jesus] had spoken these things, while they [the disciples] watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold,… Continue reading In Like Manner

Is the infamous man of sin someone in the future…or has he already come? “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day [second coming] will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that… Continue reading The Man of Sin

Here’s a simple way to show the general resurrection happened in the first century. The general resurrection was one of the Old Testament promises that God made to Israel (Isa. 25:8, Dan. 12:2). And Jesus said he came to fulfill the promises made to Israel. In fact, he said not one jot or tittle could… Continue reading Resurrection Fulfilled

Does Jesus still have a fleshly body? While the Bible does not explicitly tell us what happened to Jesus’s body after the ascension (in AD 33), it does teach that Jesus no longer has a fleshly body…although he does have a body. To begin with, Christians agree that Jesus did not have a fleshly body… Continue reading In the Days of His Flesh

Did Jesus really teach he would delay his return for thousands of years? Those who say “yes” usually point to the following two passages in Matthew. In the parable of the virgins, Jesus said the Bridegroom (which represents himself) delayed his return (Matt. 25:1–13). Likewise, in the parable of the talents, Jesus said the Master… Continue reading The Long Delay

“I [Paul] have hope in God, which they [the Pharisees] also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust” (Acts 24:15; Acts 26:6–8). First, Paul clearly believed in the general resurrection, just like the Pharisees. However, it is equally clear that Paul defined it differently than… Continue reading Paul’s View of the Resurrection

Many Christians believe 1 Thessalonians 4:15–18 is a still-future event. However, the biblical evidence shows it must have happened in the first century. Here’s what the passage says: “15 For this we [apostles] say to you [Thessalonians] by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the… Continue reading 1 Thessalonians 4: Fulfilled

“The key to understanding the book of Revelation has been hanging by the front door all along (the timing indicator in Rev. 1:1–3). Unfortunately, most people walk right past the key and try to climb in the window”. While Christians generally agree that most of the New Testament was written before AD 70, there is… Continue reading The Dating of Revelation

Most Christians believe that the timing of the second coming is unknowable, based on Jesus’ words in the Olivet Discourse: “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only” (Matt. 24:36). The popular interpretation of this passage is that not even Jesus knew the timing… Continue reading No One Knows the Day and Hour?

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven…and we who are alive and remain will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thess. 4:16–17). Up until the 1800s, most Christians understood this passage to refer to the second coming and general resurrection. However, many Christians in America today (namely, dispensationalists) say… Continue reading The Rapture…or Not?

Since Jesus was the firstfruit of the resurrection–and Jesus rose from the dead physically–does this mean Christians, too, will one day be resurrected physically? “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection… Continue reading Firstfruits of the Resurrection

One of the objections to the view that Jesus came on clouds in AD 70 (Matthew 16:28, 10:23, 24:30-34, 26:64; Revelation 22:7) is that the gospel had not been preached throughout the world by AD 70. In fact, it still hasn’t, we’re told. The passage often referenced is Matthew 24:14, where Jesus says, “And this… Continue reading The Preaching of the Gospel to All the World

“He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let… Continue reading The Mark of the Beast

Many Christians believe marriage ends at the Second Coming, based on the following dialogue between Jesus and the Sadducees: “Then some of the Sadducees, who deny that there is a resurrection, came to Him [Jesus] and asked Him, saying: ‘Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man’s brother dies, having a wife, and he… Continue reading Does Marriage End at the Second Coming?

“For I know that my Redeemer lives. And He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God” (Job 19:25–26, NKJV). Many Bible commentators say this passage proves that Job expected to be resurrected physically someday. But does it really… Continue reading Did Job Expect To Be Resurrected Physically?

“Behold I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed–in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this… Continue reading Does 1 Corinthians 15:51-57 Prophesy About a Future, Physical Resurrection?

Many Christians and Jews believe war will cease after Messiah comes, based on the following passage from Micah 4:1–3 (also repeated in Isaiah 2:2–4): “1 Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted… Continue reading When Were Swords Beaten Into Plowshares?

During his earthly ministry in AD 30, Jesus predicted “great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matt. 24:21). Jesus went on to say it would happen within “this generation” (v. 34). Keep in mind, a biblical generation equates to around forty… Continue reading When Was the Tribulation?

Many Christians believe that all God’s people will be resurrected on the last day of the world, based on John 6:39: “And this is the will of him [God] who sent me [Jesus], that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it [them] up on the last day” (John… Continue reading Raised Up on the Last Day

We often hear Christians saying we should bless Israel. And it’s true; we should. But who is true Israel today? It has nothing to do with one’s bloodline or place of residence. Paul said, “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly…but he is a Jew who is one inwardly” (Rom. 2:28–29). True… Continue reading Who Is Israel Today?

Will Christians get new “buildings”–that is, new physical bodies–from heaven at the Resurrection? Those who say “yes” often point to Paul’s words in Corinthians: “For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this… Continue reading New Building from Heaven

Many Christians believe the “fullness of the Gentiles” refers to a set number of Gentiles that will come to the Lord. After the last Gentile is converted, then Jesus will return. The passage often used to “prove” this is Romans 11:25: “For I [Paul] do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this… Continue reading The Fullness of the Gentiles

“For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I… Continue reading Seeing in a Mirror Dimly vs. Perfected Knowledge

“Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and… Continue reading The Views of the Millennium

“Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory…Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all… Continue reading This Generation = Jesus’s Generation

Eschatology memes are all the rage on Facebook. One of the most egregious is one that claims that Donald Trump is the antichrist. Some people did something similar with former President Obama and even JFK after his “mortal head wound.” The Trump antichrist memes started with Revelation 13:3 after Trump was shot in the ear:… Continue reading A Small Sample of Bad Christian Prophecy Memes and Comments

If we were talking about any other topic but the Second Coming, there would be no debate about what the statement “Behold, I am coming quickly” means. It means “I am coming soon.” However, because of all the deep-seated traditions about the Second Coming—which hold that it is a future event—many Christians simply will not… Continue reading “Behold, I am Coming Quickly”

What is the New Jerusalem? Many Christians believe it to be a physical city that will one day come down from heaven. However, Jesus and the biblical writers described it as a spiritual place. For example, Jesus said: “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem,… Continue reading The New Jerusalem

“I was watching in the night visions. And behold, One like the Son of Man [Jesus], coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days [God], and they [the angels] brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and… Continue reading Daniel 7:13–14…The Ascension or Second Coming?

Some Christians believe the parable of the wedding feast (Matt. 22:1–14) describes two judgments—one in AD 70, and another at the end of time. But is that really the case? Let’s look at the passage: “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king [God] who arranged a marriage for his son [Jesus to the… Continue reading The Parable of the Wedding Feast

If you’ve been a Christian for any length of time, you no doubt know about the Old and New Covenants. But what you may not know is that these covenants represent marriage covenants; namely, God’s marriage covenants with his people. The Old Covenant was God’s marriage covenant with Israel (mostly Jews); and the New Covenant… Continue reading What are Covenants?

“If this is all God had in mind, you can have it” – hyperfuturist Sam Frost [1] Does preterism take away the Christian’s hope? Not at all. In fact, it affirms it. Since Jesus’s prophecy of the second coming was fulfilled exactly when it was supposed to—within the lifetimes of Jesus’s first-century audiences (Matt. 10:23,… Continue reading Does Preterism Take Away Hope?

We can be confident the New Testament was written before AD 70 for a number of reasons. To start with, during his earthly ministry Jesus prophesied that Jerusalem and the temple would be destroyed (Matt. 24:2–35, Luke 21:5–33, Mark 13:1–31). Yet Jerusalem and the temple—which historians agree were destroyed in AD 70—were still intact and… Continue reading The Dating of the New Testament

Many Christians believe that the “wolf laying with the lamb” is still future event. However, the Scriptural evidence shows it has been fulfilled. “6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, the calf and the young lion and the fatling together. 7 The cow and… Continue reading Wolves are Laying with Lambs

There are many reasons we can be confident the Bible is true. First, it contains prophecies that came to pass with amazing accuracy. Second, the Bible has gone through centuries of intense scrutiny by its critics and has shown itself reliable. Third, the writers/apostles endured torture and martyrdom rather than recanting their testimonies. Fourth, the… Continue reading Is the Bible True?

Zechariah 9–14 is another Old Testament prophecy that was fulfilled in the first century. Zechariah linked the events of this prophecy to a specific time period or generation by the repeated use of the term “in that day” (Zech. 9:16; 12:3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11; 13:1, 2, 4; 14:6, 8, 9, 13). And the… Continue reading Zechariah 9–14: Fulfilled!

“So also is the resurrection of the dead…it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, ‘The first man Adam became a living being.’ The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. However, the spiritual is not… Continue reading The “Spiritual Body” Resurrection (1 Cor. 15:42–46)

“Who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body” (Phil. 3:21) This passage is often used to “prove” a future physical resurrection. Paul talks about “being conformed to His [Jesus’s] death…if, by any means, I may obtain… Continue reading The Transformation of Lowly Bodies (Philippians 3:21)—Physical or Spiritual?

“It is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not… Continue reading Coming in Flaming Fire

There’s a lot of confusion about Hades, but it simply refers to the realm of the dead (or place of the dead). The Old Testament equivalent is called Sheol. This is where the dead went before the time of Jesus, or more specifically, before Jesus completed the atonement. The story of The Rich Man and… Continue reading Hades / Sheol

Revelation 17:1 Come, I [the messenger of Revelation] will show you [John] the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, 2 with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication. 3 So he carried me away in… Continue reading The Harlot, Mystery Babylon, and the Seven-Headed Beast