There is only one hope for life and reward after death — resurrection (Job 19:26-27, Daniel 12:1-2, Luke 14:14-15, John 5:28-29; 11:23-24, Acts 4:1-2; 24:15, Hebrews 6:1-2; 11:35, 39-40, Philippians 3:10-11). Judgment is in the future, and takes place at the return of Christ, not before (Ecclesiastes 12:14, Daniel 12:1-2, Matthew 7:21-23; 10:14-15; 11:22-24; 12:36-37; 13:24-50; 16:27; […]
Did Jacob literally wrestle with God or with an angel? And did Jacob see God’s face? (Gen 32:24-30)
Did Jacob literally wrestle with God or with an angel? And did Jacob see God’s face? (Gen 32:24-30) The text from Genesis 32 reads as follows: 24 Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him […]
Was Galilee not part of Israel (the Northern Kingdom) after being destroyed by the Assyrians? If so, why were Galileans not stigmatized to the same degree as Samaritans?
The region of Galilee is in Northern Palestine, and thus would have formed part of the Kingdom of Israel. The Israelite population of Galilee was deported by the Assyrians (cf. 2 Kings 15:29). This region would have been repopulated by Gentiles from other parts of the Assyrian empire (like the Samaritans). Under the Maccabees this region […]
What is “Michael, the devil and the body of Moses” about? (Jude 9)
This question is about one of the most obscure references in the New Testament. Jude 9 But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.” To answer this question in every detail would require […]
Are “soul ties” mentioned in the Bible?
No, “soul ties” are never mentioned in the Bible. Soul ties are said to be connections between two people’s souls, but the idea has no basis in Scripture. However, the Bible does speak of close friendships. A good example is David and Jonathan: After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit […]
What is the correct meaning of the title “bishop”?
The Greek word episkopos occurs five times in the New Testament (Acts 20:28; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:7; 1 Peter 2:25). The word is translated “bishop” in the King James Version, but “overseer” in most modern versions. The word means an overseer or superintendent. The term is used in reference to Jesus Christ in 1 Peter 2:25 […]
Are the tree of life and the Lamb’s book of life the same?
There are no Bible passages suggesting that the tree of life is the same thing as the Lamb’s book of life. By looking at scriptures that talk about them individually we can conclude that they are different. The tree of life is a divine source of eternal life and the Lamb’s book of life is […]
How was the Bible put together and by whom?
The first five books of the Old Testament are attributed to Moses, who would have gathered together records by Adam, Noah, Shem and Abraham which had been passed on by word of mouth, or possibly in some more permanent form. He added the account of the history of Israel and the laws that God commanded […]
How did the doctrine of the Trinity arise?
The Hindus had a Trimurti, which was a triad of three of their multitude of gods, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. However it is most unlikely that this, or any other pagan beliefs, had any significant effect on the doctrine of the Trinity. The doctrine is not taught in the New Testament, but was the outcome […]
When did smoking first appear and did any of the Old Testament heroes smoke?
Tobacco was probably first used by the ancient Maya people. Christopher Columbus observed people of the Caribbean smoking tobacco in 1492 AD and the practice was introduced into Europe in the sixteenth century AD. It is most unlikely that any person in the Bible was smoking thousands of years before this.