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).
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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
Did Jesus Fulfill the Law?
The Apostle Paul warned that “in the last days perilous times will come” (II Timothy 3:1). Jesus warned that as the time for his second coming approaches “because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12). Certainly we are living today in increasingly “perilous times,” and witnessing increasingly pervasive lawlessness of historical proportions.
Unfortunately, popular “Christianity,” while historically having some moderating influence on the natural human tendancy toward lawlessness, and encouraging moral restraint, has at the same time tended to encourage lawlessness through erroneous teachings regarding the laws of God. One rather common misunderstanding is the idea that Jesus “fulfilled the law” for us, so we don’t have to, although the idea may not necessarily be stated in such stark terms.
This has been by no means necessarily a teaching of all professing Christian Churches or ministers, but is nevertheless a misunderstanding among many who view themselves as Christians, that has been fostered at least partly by doctrines taught within their churches.
What is the real meaning of Jesus’ statement concerning fulfilling the law, and how does that affect your obligations concerning God’s word?
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
Why Four Gospels?
Have you ever wondered why there are four “gospels,” or four accounts of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ of Nazareth in the New Testament? Actually, there is a significance to this fact that many are not aware of.
Each of the gospel accounts, as they are called, has a particular bearing on the nature of God, Jesus Christ, and God’s government, and on the kingdom of God destined to be established in the future on this earth. The gospel accounts provide insight into major aspects of the nature and character of the government of God that will be established on the earth and of the one who is to be at it’s head, Jesus Christ. The Father has set Jesus Christ “far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And he put all things under his feet…” (Ephesians 1:21-22).
The gospels are about Jesus Christ the Messiah, the King, who is at the head of a government that will one day rule all nations and will encompass the entire world. And even beyond that it’s a government that has authority over all creation, everything that exists whether physical or spiritual. The gospels are a message about both the king and the kingdom. They are about what kind of ruler he is and what kind of government he will administer.
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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