There are eight Bible passages/verses that I keep close by when I’m called to visit a hospital patient or a hospice patient or someone trying to make sense of a tragic or traumatic event. I’ve never unloaded all of them in a single visit and I can’t image a situation where I would reference more than two or three. I’m … Continue reading →
Among my archived posts you’ll find me addressing both dispensational and historicist views. It may mean that I am eschatologically schizophrenic or I am ok with two different viewpoints being held in Christian churches. Personally, I think if one begins by looking for a pre-trib understanding of prophecy, they’ll find it. If one begins by looking for an historicist understanding … Continue reading →
In a previous post titled “Why Seven Year Tribulation?” I addressed the 70 week prophecy of Daniel 9 and why it doesn’t apply to a supposed seven year tribulation period. I even included a chart in that article to illustrate how it relates to the ministry and covenant of Jesus Christ as the Messiah. Here, I want to share a … Continue reading →
This article is not about arguing my position or trying to disprove your position. It’s about the often overlooked common ground between the pre-trib and post-trib positions of the return of the Lord. Pre-trib is the eschatological position that believes the saved will be in Heaven before the reign of the Anti-Christ and a tribulation period of seven-years. See the … Continue reading →
The idea that there will be a seven year period of tribulation on earth, after believers are raptured up to Heaven, comes from a prophecy in Daniel 9 on “Seventy Weeks.” It is part of the eschatology held by dispensationalist theology, better known as the pre-trib position. The seventy weeks in Daniel 9 are prophetic years that span a period … Continue reading →
When I was a pastor with the Seventh-day Adventist denomination we practiced foot washing along with the Lord’s Supper. Once a quarter an SDA church holds a communion service that included, what was called, the “Ordinance of Humility” or foot washing. The reason SDA churches practiced foot washing, was because they believed that when Jesus said, “I have set you … Continue reading →
Matthew 12:40 is a reference by Jesus to His forthcoming stay in the tomb and this is what it says, “For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” Every Easter season this question comes up and based … Continue reading →
Is Michael the Archangel spoken of in the Old Testament the preincarnate Jesus? First, let me say that no one is going to be held out of heaven for believing Michael the Archangel is not the preincarnate Jesus and no one is going to be allowed into heaven because of believing Michael the Archangel is the preincarnate Jesus. Second, let … Continue reading →
This coming Sunday, October 17th, at CrossHope Chapel we will open to the 27th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew and continue through the closing scenes of Jesus’ trial, crucifixion, and resurrection. We will cover Matthew 27:1-44 this coming Sunday, and on the following Sunday, October 24, we’ll look at the remainder of Matthew 27 into Matthew 28 as we … Continue reading →
Here is a 22-point sequence of events for an understanding of the post-tribulation rapture or the second coming of Christ, sometimes called historicism in eschatology… Jesus returns for His church as promised in John 14:1-3 and detailed in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18. The saints who have died in Christ will be resurrected. 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; 1 Corinthians 15:42-44. This is the … Continue reading →
It is often stated that since the church is not mentioned between Revelation 3:22 and Revelation 22:16, it is proof of a pre-tribulation rapture of the church. When ministers and prophecy teachers make mention of there being no church between Revelation 3:22 and Revelation 22:16, they mean that the Greek word “ekklēsia” is not used. In an earlier post titled … Continue reading →
This is Easter week and soon we will be together to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord together through fellowship and communion. Every year during this season I tend to think of a very minute portion of the Easter story that is usually insignificant to most retelling’s of the resurrection day. However, it speaks volumes to the glorious fact that … Continue reading →
This past Sunday when I mentioned wanting to leave you with a promise for our fellowship as we go into the future, I asked for someone to find and read Matthew 18:16. I wrote that verse on the flip chart, but of course my handwriting says I should have been a physician, so the verse that was read was Mark … Continue reading →
How can Isaiah 7:14 be considered a prophecy about Christ’s virgin birth when the word translated there also means a young female? This is a popular objection for those looking for a reason to deny prophesy and the virgin birth of the Messiah but it is also an opportunity to consider proper interpretation of Scripture. So I am going to … Continue reading →
From time to time someone on social media gets all hyped up about wanting to educate people about Bible translations that appear to have eliminated verses, and this video below addresses that question.
Continue reading →I realize that many Bible prophecy teachers are quick to say that the United States of America isn’t in Revelation. Many of these preachers pinpoint other countries in prophecy but emphatically conclude that the United States is not even mentioned. While I hold a great deal of respect for the ministry of those who are doing all within their power … Continue reading →
Many Bible teachers today point to the Antichrist of Bible prophecy as a very devilish character with obvious ill motives, but the understanding within Christian history is different. The word “anti” doesn’t just mean “against,” it means “in place of” so the more accurate view of an Antichrist would be one who puts himself in place of Christ. Below are … Continue reading →
In Luke 16:19-31 we have a story that Jesus told about a rich man who went to hell and Lazarus, a poor man who went to heaven. At question is, using this account as a literal story or example of what happens after we die? I frequently hear ministers point to this story as evidence of what happens after we … Continue reading →
In Revelation 1:10 John makes mention to “the Lord’s Day” and the question is, Is John referring to the seventh-day Sabbath or the resurrection day? My answer is, I don’t know because the text doesn’t give us enough detail to know. However, there is a relevant societal issue that may be at the heart of John’s mention of “the Lord’s … Continue reading →
In Jesus’ discourse on the sign of the end times, He makes a statement that often raises a question about who is He talking about, that statement is Matthew 24:34. The verse says, “Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.” Over the years of my ministry I have heard people ask, … Continue reading →
Revelation 3:10 is often cited as evidence for a pre-tribulation rapture the text says, “I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” The text does speak to Lord’s protection for the believer in face of tribulation, but beyond that one has to read … Continue reading →
It’s not an uncommon question to ask, Why Sin? So I want to point out that we have some resources available to you at www.crosshopechapel.org if this question arises in your conversations or within your own heart. It’s a good question, and I personally think it shows that some one is thinking on spiritual things so if you hear it, … Continue reading →
In my last post titled “Will the COVID-19 Vaccine be the Mark of the Beast?” I attempted to encourage those who harbor some fears of taking the mark of the beast by learning that the verse in Revelation says the mark is not a visible or tangible thing, but a belief that puts the Beast power above Christ’s power. Revelation … Continue reading →
My short answer is No, but let me explain… Revelation 13:17 clearly says that “…no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” The verse literally says the mark of the beast is “the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” The … Continue reading →