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…
Story Category: Kingdom
Seventy Weeks Are Determined – Richard T. Ritenbaugh cgg.org
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
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…
Rending the Heart – Jeremy Lallier sabbaththoughts.com
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
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
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
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…
God’s 7,000-Year Plan – Wyatt Ciesielka lcg.org
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
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
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
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
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…