There is an interesting connection between Jesus and Abraham in Scripture. In John 8, Jesus says, “Abraham rejoiced to see My day,” as though they were friends. Abraham knew of His coming and was glad. But how could Abraham have known Jesus? Let’s go back to Genesis. Abraham meets a mysterious figure: Melchizedek, the “king of Salem” and “priest of God Most High.” Melchizedek blesses…
Story Tag: truthsum
Who Was Melchizedek in the Bible? – Tom Clark and Erik Jones lifehopeandtruth.com
Ryan Welsh
11 months ago in Bible
In Genesis 14, we meet Melchizedek, the “king of Salem” and “priest of God Most High.” He blesses Abram after his victory and receives a tithe from him, offering bread and wine—a gesture echoed in the New Covenant Passover. Though Genesis mentions Melchizedek briefly, his significance unfolds in Psalms and Hebrews. Psalm 110:4 prophesies a Messiah who will be “a priest forever according to the…
The Seven Churches: What Now? – Richard T. Ritenbaugh cgg.org
Ryan Welsh
11 months ago in The Church
Internal biblical evidence indicates that the seven churches of Revelation 2-3 represent attitudes and conditions within God’s church throughout history, culminating in the end time. Revelation’s focus on the Day of the Lord (Revelation 1:1, 10) underscores this conclusion. The prevalent attitude of the Laodicean church (Revelation 3:14-22), marked by spiritual indifference, mirrors conditions today as Christ’s return approaches. As the church undergoes scattering, what…
God’s Name in Vain youtube.com
Imagine a world where the universally accepted standard is to never take God’s name in vain. What would that look like? How would it transform our world? At its core, this commandment isn’t just about avoiding blasphemy or disrespectful speech. It’s about humility—living in a way that reflects God’s character, truth, and love in every word and action. If society embraced this command, we’d see…
Lucifer youtube.com
Before he was Satan, meaning “adversary,” Lucifer was a high-ranking angel, known as the “shining one.” As an anointed cherub, he served near God’s throne, perfect in wisdom and beauty (Ezekiel 28). But pride corrupted him. He sought to exalt himself above God, leading a rebellion and convincing a third of the angels to join him (Isaiah 14). Cast down from heaven (Revelation 12), he…
What Is Spirit? – Steve Moody lifehopeandtruth.com
Ryan Welsh
12 months ago in Holy Spirit
The Bible presents God as a spirit (John 4:24), and angels are also spirits (Hebrews 1:13-14), suggesting that the entire spirit realm is composed of spirit, unlike the material world, which is made up of matter. This means that everything associated with God’s presence—including His throne (Ezekiel 10:1) and the heavenly sanctuary represented by the mercy seat on the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:17,…
The Church Through the Ages – John H. Ogwyn tomorrowsworld.org
Ryan Welsh
12 months ago in The Church
The Church that Jesus Christ built has faced challenges throughout history, as depicted in Revelation 2 and 3, where Christ addresses the seven churches of Asia Minor. These churches symbolize both literal first-century congregations and different periods of Church history. The first, Ephesus, represents the Apostolic era, where the Church struggled with false teachings and lost its zeal after Jerusalem’s destruction in 70 AD. Smyrna,…
Sabbath Day youtube.com
Imagine a world where just one of the Ten Commandments was prioritized. In this case commandment 4. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. With just this one command society would transform. Being much more than just a break from work; this would be a chance for real connection. Every Sabbath would become a day to nurture relationships, uplift neighbors, and serve each other’s…
Creation Story youtube.com
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1) All that was created was created by the Word, who later became Jesus Christ. (John 1:1) As God laid the foundations of the earth, “the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.” (Job 38:4-7) All was very good! (Genesis 1:31) But then, something happened. The earth became…
The Holy Day Satan Hates Most – David Treybig lifehopeandtruth.com
Ryan Welsh
1 year ago in Atonement
The Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, is a holy day focusing on humanity’s reconciliation with God. The word “atonement” means making amends or restoring a relationship. This day signifies the time when the whole world will have the opportunity to be reconciled to God after Jesus Christ returns (Romans 5:10). Christians today can seek forgiveness through repentance (1 John 1:9), but the Day of…
Godly Justice leadingtolife.org
Ryan Welsh
1 year ago in Atonement
Administering justice is a key theme in the Bible. God expects His people to practice justice, as seen in scriptures like 1 Corinthians 6:2-3, where saints are called to judge the world and even angels. The question for us is: are we practicing justice in our daily lives? In the business world, justice often aligns with legality—what is lawful is deemed just. However, laws can…
Ideological Subversion – Marshall Stiver leadingtolife.org
Ryan Welsh
1 year ago in Human Beings
In a 38-year-old interview, former KGB spy Yuri Bezmenov warned that the U.S. could be undermined through a process of ideological subversion. He explained that this method would change Americans’ perception of reality, making them unable to protect their country, families, and communities. Bezmenov outlined four stages: demoralization, destabilization, crisis, and normalization. The demoralization phase separates people from God, leaving them to rely on their…
How Hell Got Hijacked: The Surprising Origins of the Modern View of Eternal Torment truthsum.org
TS Writer
1 year ago in Heaven & Hell, Immortal Soul
The hell most people picture—fiery pits, screaming souls, and pitchfork-wielding demons—is more fiction than Scripture. While many assume this vision comes from the Bible, the modern concept of hell is deeply rooted in Greek philosophy, medieval literature, and church tradition, not the teachings of Jesus. Ancient Greek thinkers like Plato promoted the idea of the soul’s inherent immortality—an idea foreign to the Bible, which teaches…
A Journey Through Church History: The Enduring Legacy of the Church of God truthsum.org
TS Writer
1 year ago in The Church
The Church of God traces its spiritual roots to the first-century believers described in the New Testament—not as a denomination, but as a faithful body of believers led by the Holy Spirit. Through the centuries, it has endured persecution, doctrinal compromise, and institutional upheaval, yet it continues as a living remnant devoted to biblical truth. This history is often viewed through the lens of Revelation…
A Mind Fit for Eternity truthsum.org
TS Writer
1 year ago in Plan of Salvation, Human Beings
God isn’t just saving people—He’s shaping minds for eternity. Scripture shows us that He works through flawed individuals like David, Moses, and Peter—not because they were perfect, but because they were willing to yield. That’s the key: not flawlessness, but a heart open to change. Romans 8:7 says the carnal mind is hostile to God. A rebellious mind resists His way and is incompatible with…
Counting to Pentecost: The Firstfruits of God’s Plan truthsum.org
Unlike other biblical festivals with fixed calendar dates, Pentecost must be counted. From the day of the Wave Sheaf offering during Unleavened Bread, God instructs, “Count fifty days… then you shall offer a new grain offering to the LORD” (Leviticus 23:16). This is why the Greek name Pentecost—meaning “fiftieth”—endures today. But this counting has caused debate for centuries. Pharisees counted from the first High Day…
Salvation Reframed: From Scorecard to Spiritual Family truthsum.org
TS Writer
1 year ago in Plan of Salvation
The Christian world is filled with debates about salvation. Is it once saved, always saved? Can it be lost? Do works matter? These questions all assume salvation is a transaction—something to secure or maintain. But what if salvation isn’t about a scorecard at all? Scripture reveals a different perspective. Jesus said no one can come to Him unless the Father draws them (John 6:44). This…
The Great Deception: How Satan Masquerades as an Angel of Light truthsum.org
Satan’s strategy has always been to deceive, beginning with Eve in the Garden and continuing throughout history by distorting God’s truth. Today, that deception may not look like paganism or atheism—it may look like Christianity. The Bible warns us that Satan masquerades as an angel of light. His most insidious tactic is not open rebellion but counterfeit worship that mimics the truth while subtly replacing…
The Mystery of the Trinity: Is God Truly Unknowable? – Part 1 truthsum.org
Many assume that the God of the Old Testament was the Father, but Scripture tells a different story. John 1:18 says no one has seen the Father at any time, yet countless Old Testament figures saw and spoke with God. Jesus clarified this mystery—He came to reveal the Father, because the One known to Israel throughout their history was actually the Word, who later became…
From Scripture to Speculation: The Philosophical Origins of the Trinity – Part 3 truthsum.org
The doctrine of the Trinity—God as three co-equal, co-eternal persons—is central to mainstream Christianity today. Yet this concept did not emerge directly from the teachings of Jesus or the apostles. Instead, it developed centuries later under the influence of Greek philosophy, particularly Platonism and Neoplatonism. Early theologians like Origen and Augustine integrated these ideas into Christian doctrine, introducing terms like essence and substance that were…