Although perhaps most professing Christians are aware that the people of Israel are featured in the “Old Testament” of the Bible, many are not familiar enough with the Scriptures to understand that the terms “Israel” or “Israelite” are not necessarily synonymous with the “Jews.” The patriarch Jacob, whose name God changed to Israel (Genesis 32:28), had twelve sons. The progeny of each of his twelve sons eventually became one of the twelve tribes of Israel (Genesis 49:28; Exodus 24:4).
Continue readingAuthor Archives: Rod Reynolds
Worship of the Dead
Heathen cultures and religions in many parts of the world involve some form of worship directed toward dead heroes or ancestors.
Religious observances such as Hallowmas, which begins on the evening of October 31, or Halloween (All Hallows’ Eve), preserve to one extent or another, depending on the region, widespread ancient customs and superstitions directly associated with the worship of the dead. As does the “secular” observance of Halloween itself.
Does God’s Word have anything to say about customs involving worship of the dead? Should Christians participate in the Halloween custom, or similar customs? It’s important to consider the Bible’s answers to these questions.
Copyright © 2024 by Messenger Church of God
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Messenger Church of God
PO Box 619
Wentzville, MO 63385
USA
Smoke Ascends Forever?
Will the wicked really be tormented forever in hell? In this sermon, pastor Rod Reynolds examines in detail passages in the book of Revelation that have traditionally been used to establish the common belief in a never-ending hellfire reserved for punishment of the wicked. To understand what the Bible says about hell, we must carefully study the context of the scriptures in question.
Copyright © 2024 by Messenger Church of God
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Messenger Church of God
PO Box 619
Wentzville, MO 63385
USA
The Hope of the Resurrection
This final of the seven annual festivals commanded by God to be kept by his people, an annual Sabbath, an eighth day, associated with but following the Feast of Tabernacles, is called the last day, the “great [Greek, megas, great or high] day of the Feast” (Leviticus 23:39; John 7:31). This feast looks forward to a time following the Millennial period, when there will be a general resurrection. In order to understand how God’s plan of salvation for mankind will be fully accomplished, this period cannot be overlooked.
Copyright © 2024 by Messenger Church of God
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Messenger Church of God
PO Box 619
Wentzville, MO 63385
USA
What Will it be like to be in the First Resurrection?
How often have you thought about the rewards God promises to those faithful to Him? When you think about it the magnitude of God’s promises to us are staggering, if we repent of our sins and prove faithful. We are told that those who are Christ’s will be resurrected at his coming.
In this flesh we are born, grow up, and even if all goes well, soon enough we reach the point of death. Often people spend years pursuing pleasure and happiness, but in the end look around and say, “Is this all there is?”
Happily, for those who know and obey the truth, this is not all there is. In this message, “What Will it be like to be in the First Resurrection?”, we catch a glimpse of the magnificent promises God makes regarding those who are privileged to be in the first resurrection.
Copyright © 2024 by Messenger Church of God
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Messenger Church of God
PO Box 619
Wentzville, MO 63385
USA
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