Some believe that once a person accepts Jesus Christ as Savior, their salvation is forever assured—often called “eternal security” or “once saved, always saved.” But does the Bible actually teach this? A common proof text is John 10:27-29, where Jesus says His sheep hear His voice and no one can snatch them from His or the Father’s hand. However, this speaks of external threats, not…
Story Category: Kingdom
Why Israel? leadingtolife.org
Ryan Welsh
8 months ago in Kingdom
Discussing “Why Israel?” in a non-church environment can be uncomfortable due to its association with British-Israelism, a belief that Britain’s people descend from ancient Israel. This ideology, tied to notions of racial superiority and colonialism, has been discredited by historians and is widely considered racist. British-Israelism has also influenced extremist movements like “Christian Identity” and “Serpent Seed,” which promote white supremacy and distort biblical teachings…
The “Good News” Gospel – Richard F. Ames tomorrowsworld.org
Ryan Welsh
1 year ago in Gospel Message, Kingdom, Plan of Salvation
The essence of the Gospel, or “Good News,” preached by Jesus contrasts sharply with various distorted versions found within mainstream Christianity. The “prosperity gospel” and “political gospel” are misleading, promoting health and wealth or human-centered activism. To discern the true Gospel, one must turn to the New Testament, where the Greek word “euaggelion” translates to “good news.” The genuine Gospel centers on Jesus proclaiming the…
Seventy Weeks Are Determined – Richard T. Ritenbaugh cgg.org
Ryan Welsh
1 year ago in Plan of Salvation
In the past, the church extensively covered prophetic topics, particularly in World Tomorrow broadcasts, focusing on Daniel 2’s Nebuchadnezzar’s image, the beasts representing world empires in Daniel 7, and symbols and timelines in Revelation. However, the Seventy Weeks Prophecy of Daniel 9:24-27 was seldom explained. Though not as emphasized as other prophecies, it’s crucial for dating Christ’s birth, ministry, and death. This season, as the…
The Violent Take It – Jeremy Lallier sabbaththoughts.com
Ryan Welsh
1 year ago in Kingdom
To embrace Christ’s teachings and attain the Kingdom, we must shift our thinking. He declared, “the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force” (Matthew 11:12). This may seem at odds with being peacemakers and turning the other cheek. However, it’s about our determination in pursuit. This isn’t about unchecked anger but a relentless pursuit of an invaluable treasure. We must…
Why Christ Used Parables cogiw.org
Ryan Welsh
2 years ago in Gospel Message
In this article, the author discusses the notion of Jesus speaking in parables and why most people were prevented from understanding their meaning. Contrary to the common belief that parables were used to make the message clearer, scriptures indicate that Jesus used parables to obscure the meaning from the majority of mankind. (Matthew 13:10-13 and Mark 4:11-12) Jesus revealed that His disciples – those the…
“He Gets Us” . . . But Do We Get Him? – Kendrick Diaz lifehopeandtruth.com
Ryan Welsh
2 years ago in Gospel Message
This article discusses the recently launched “He Gets Us” ad campaign. The stated goal of this campaign is to reintroduce people to the Jesus of the Bible. Unfortunately, the approach that is often taken by these campaigns is to highlight specific traits of Jesus while ignoring the sum total of why He actually came. A watered down version of the Man. This contextually lacking and…
Implications of the Gospel of the Kingdom – David Grabbe cgg.org
Steven Orchard
2 years ago in Kingdom
The word gospel means “good news,” but conflicting ideas exist about what that is. Most consider it simply to be that Jesus died for the sins of humanity, which is indeed good news. But the good news that Jesus himself brought was about the Kingdom of God; that is, God’s rulership. God promises to claim rule over all the kingdoms and nations of this world….
What is the Kingdom of God? – Staff thebiblesaysthat.com
Steven Orchard
3 years ago in Gospel Message, Restoration, Kingdom, Plan of Salvation, Millennium, Feast of Tabernacles
Christ will return to establish the Kingdom of God and unprecedented peace and prosperity on planet Earth (Isaiah 11:6-9). Christ will rule that Kingdom, assisted by a corps of “Kings and Priests” (Revelation 5:10, 20:6) comprised of faithful Christians, past and present, who will have been resurrect and/or translated as spirit beings in the God Family. For a thousand years human beings will live in…
Rending the Heart – Jeremy Lallier sabbaththoughts.com
Ryan Welsh
3 years ago in Plan of Salvation
As the divide in this country grows ever greater, Americans look to those that govern to push this or that legislative action to solve the evil that has become so prominent in our daily lives. With the slew of heart rending shootings that have plagued this country for example, we hear comments from our officials like “We need laws to restrict access to guns” or…
Is Your Time Running Out? – Daniel Tompsett vision.org
Ryan Welsh
3 years ago in Plan of Salvation
Many Christians view salvation as an epic battle for the souls of this world. A fight that they have joined, between God and Satan, to get as many people to confess the name of Jesus before death and the fires of hell overtake them. Are Christians mandated to convert the whole world now? So much effort is done to that end: missionary activity, evangelical outreach,…
Mankind’s Inheritance – Michael Kelley ucg.org
Steven Orchard
3 years ago in God Family, Plan of Salvation
The Bible teaches that God is in the process of expanding the divine family. God the Father and the Son are reproducing Themselves in the form of perhaps billions of spirit beings, who will be like Them, sharing Their level of existence: “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters” (2 Corinthians 6:18) This is a radically different…
The Time That Matters – Jeremy Lallier sabbaththoughts.com
Ryan Welsh
3 years ago in Plan of Salvation
Does it matter to God how we spend our time – the decisions we make, the lives we lead, the paths we choose to follow? Analyzing scripture and the time dedicated to specific events would indicate that it does. Found in the Bible, there are very specific moments in time that focus and attention is given while other expanses of time are given little to…
Where Is God? – Jim Servidio lifehopeandtruth.com
Ryan Welsh
4 years ago in Gospel Message
Why does God stay hidden from mankind? This is a question that many have asked. The answer can be surprising and enlightening. In short, we hide ourselves from God through our sins. Our sinful nature separates us from God. He spoke face to face with Adam and Eve until they sinned. That sin caused the breach in their relationship followed by Adam and Eve hiding…
“The Kingdom of God: An Earth Transformed” lifehopeandtruth.com
Marshall Stiver
4 years ago in Gospel Message, Restoration, Kingdom, Plan of Salvation, Millennium, Feast of Tabernacles
This earth will soon be transformed! Do you know the means by which that will happen? The transformation will be directed by Jesus Christ upon His return to this earth. There are many biblical prophecies that paint the picture for us. Cities will be rebuilt to God’s standards and be a blessing to the inhabitants. An agricultural lifestyle will once again gain prominence as families…
God’s 7,000-Year Plan – Wyatt Ciesielka lcg.org
Karrie Orchard
4 years ago in Plan of Salvation, Physical World
There is ample proof that the universe is billions of years old, however, this does not preclude God’s 7,000 year plan for humanity. These widely varying ideas about the history of the universe can be rectified by the Gap Theory. By reading Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1-3, we know that the Word (Jesus Christ) was with God from the beginning. Through the Word, God created…
Drunk With Blood, Part One: The Proper Context sabbaththoughts.com
Julie Modad
4 years ago in Plan of Salvation, Human Beings
Skeptics of the Bible often accuse God of being inconsistent, cruel or unjust. Is He a God of love, or a God wielding harsh punishments sometimes on large swaths of people? The argument stems from some of the more graphic stories of the bible and ask how a “loving God” could do that. The problem is that, almost universally, these stories are presented without any…
Drunk With Blood, Part Two: Understanding Love sabbaththoughts.com
Julie Modad
4 years ago in Plan of Salvation, Human Beings
In Part Two of this series, we learn that Godly love makes a clear distinction between right and wrong, good and evil—and what’s more, it refuses to condone or approve of anything wrong or evil. Godly love comes with the understanding that the best life we can live exists within the boundaries of God’s law, and that by stepping outside that law, we expose ourselves…
Drunk With Blood, Part Three: Beyond Justice sabbaththoughts.com
Julie Modad
4 years ago in Plan of Salvation, Human Beings
We know that sin, unchecked and unchallenged, spreads like a disease. We know that God’s decision to put an end to corruption is just, fair, and ultimately an act of love from a patient God no longer willing to watch His creation engaged in a cycle of self-destruction. In Part Three, we learn the final piece of the puzzle. The actions that seem so final…
God’s Days of Worship ucg.org
Julie Modad
4 years ago in Plan of Salvation, Holy Days, Weekly Sabbath
God has given us seven annual festivals, or feasts, on which to worship and honor Him. By observing them according to His instruction, we can understand His ultimate plan for humanity. It starts with the first commanded day of worship, the Sabbath, a day set aside to commune with Him. The plan of salvation continues to unfold through seven annual festivals endowed with profound purpose. Passover…