John wrote five books in the New Testament: the Gospel, these three letters, and the Book of Revelation. These letters include a sermon and two personal letters, one of which may have been written to Mary, the mother of our Lord.

For many years we have been following the conventional view of Ezekiel 38 and 39, the ill-fated invasion attempt of Magog and its allies, notably Iran. With the growing tensions between Iran—as an ostensible nuclear power—and Israel, these passages are the subject of much current discussion and debate.

Each Easter season we celebrate the series of injustices that led to the conviction of the innocent and the acquittal of the guilty. There were six trials that fateful night: three Jewish trials— before Annas, before Caiaphas, and before the Sanhedrin; and three Roman trials—before Pilate, before Herod, and then again before Pilate.

The ancient Jewish wedding is a model of the Rapture. At the Rapture, living believers will be “caught up,” translated into the clouds, in a moment in time, to join the Lord in the air. One of several reasons we favor a “pretribulation” view of the Rapture is the model, or type, of the Jewish wedding.

Paul’s Epistle to the Colossians has several unique and compelling characteristics. It is regarded as including the most elevated view of Christ to be found in the Bible, and it also focuses on the most relevant insights and counsel for Believers in our present day.

Our Lord repeatedly instructed us: “Be not deceived.” That is an imperative: a command, not simply a suggestion. But how? What are the tools to prevent our being deceived or misled?

It is disturbing to discover how much we are all victims of our own presuppositions.

In many respects Ruth is the ultimate love story. It’s a love story because Ruth falls in love with Boaz—that’s the main plot line. But overlaying that is the ultimate love story, a love story written in blood on a wooden cross, erected in Judea two thousand years ago.

Hosea, a contemporary of Isaiah (for most of his ministry) and Amos (in his earlier years) was the “Jeremiah” of the Northern Kingdom. His main target was the Northern Kingdom, yet his message was for the people of God.

The final installment of this series focuses on the most controversial member of the treacherous trio of Ezekiel 38—Russia. Parts 1 and 2 of this series discussed the rise of Turkey and Iran, respectively. Historically, each of these three countries enjoyed grand imperial pasts. All are ambitious. All are making a move to achieve a measure of their previous success.

The New Testament books of Hebrews, James, 1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2, and 3 John, and Jude are known as the Hebrew Epistles because they were, in large measure, written to the Jews, and yet they have important lessons for all of us.

As discussed in Part 1 of this series, the treacherous trio of Ezekiel 38 is defined as Turkey, Iran and Russia. Historically, each of these countries enjoyed grand imperial pasts. All are ambitious. All are making a move to achieve a measure of their previous success.

There is a figure of merit in optics regarding “resolving power.” If you look at a star with a cheap telescope, you will see a bright spot. If you look at that same star with very high-quality optics, you may discover that that ostensible spot is actually a double star.

On May 29th (the 6th of Sivan on the Hebrew calendar) the Jews will celebrate Hag HaShavuot, the Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost. This comes from Leviticus 23:16, which points to “the morrow after the seventh sabbath” after the Feast of First Fruits (thus, 50 days—in Greek, pentecost.)

The Book of Ephesians is the first of Paul’s “prison epistles” and is considered by many scholars to be the most majestic of all the epistles. Ephesians teaches the doctrine of Ecclesiology.

This month many of us may avail ourselves of the opportunity to celebrate our loved ones with a traditional remembrance. It is also an appropriate time to remind ourselves that you and I are the recipients of the ultimate “valentine.” It was written in blood on a wooden cross that was erected in Judea almost 2,000 years ago. And yet it was interlaced throughout the history of mankind with a scarlet thread of promises.

Ezekiel was one of the most fascinating and mystical prophets of the Old Testament. He was held captive with King Jehoiachin in the second of three deportations under Nebuchadnezzar, years before Jerusalem was overthrown. Daniel, who had been in Babylon years before Ezekiel arrived, is mentioned three times.

One of the most familiar “Christmas Card” verses is found in Isaiah:

One of Christianity’s most controversial issues—and one of our most frequently asked questions—involves the concept of Eternal Security. There are good scholars on all sides of this issue, yet we felt it would be useful to explain our own views on this highly charged subject.

Can a man lose his salvation? Yes! If it depends on him. This is one of the most controversial issues—and one of our most frequently asked questions. There are good scholars on all sides of this issue, yet we felt it would useful to explain our own views on this highly charged subject.

Ever since it was originally suggested by Thomas Chalmers in 1814, there have been two reactions to the so-called “gap” theory: either to dismiss it completely or to misapply it. We will attempt to do neither. Let’s start at the beginning:

These are easy questions only to those who have not studied them seriously! The Epistle to the Galatians is regarded as the supreme rebuttal to legalism of any kind.

The Epistle to the Hebrews is widely regarded as one of the most difficult of books, enigmatic to those who fail to recognize the status of (and the issues confronting) the specific readers who are being addressed. In our previous article on this challenging book, we focused on the mysteries surrounding its authorship and its role in the Trilogy on Habakkuk 2:4.

The Epistle to the Hebrews is one of the two greatest theological treatises of the New Testament. This letter is, in a real sense, the “Leviticus” of the New Testament, detailing how the Lord Jesus Christ is both the fulfillment and the successor to all that had gone on before.

Paul wrote four personal letters to three different pastors: Timothy (two), Titus, and Philemon. These letters were also intended for circulation in the churches, but they were specifically to encourage, instruct, and warn pastors faced with the burden of ministering.

On March 16th most churches will celebrate Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter. This event, also known as “the Triumphal Entry,” involves one of the most astonishing passages in the entire Bible.

As we prepare our hearts for Easter next month, I thought we’d review the famed incident of Abraham offering his son Isaac in Genesis chapter 22, called in Hebrew the Akedah. Let’s review this strange account.

The Epistle to the Romans is a cornerstone in the Scriptures. Sometimes called the Gospel according to Paul, it is the most comprehensive book in the New Testament. If you are going to study the New Testament seriously, you must diligently address this book.

The most-often quoted reference in the New Testament is the Book of Psalms. The psalms are not only unexcelled for being inspirational and comforting, they are also among the richest sources of prophetic insights in the entire Bible.

On May 23rd our Jewish friends will celebrate the Feast of Shavuot. The Book of Ruth is traditionally read on this holiday, also known as the Feast of Pentecost. For a number of reasons, this feast may have far more prophetic relevance than is commonly recognized.