A Comma, a Cross, and a Kingdom truthsum.org
TS Writer
2 months ago in Translation Issues, Bible
When Jesus turned to the thief beside Him and said, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43), it has long been read as proof that believers go directly to heaven at death. But could this hinge on nothing more than a translator’s comma? The earliest Greek manuscripts had no punctuation. Word-for-word, the verse reads: “Truly I say…
The Wisdom of God’s Law: Why Being Different Should Make People Ask Questions truthsum.org
Have you ever considered that one of the main purposes of God’s law was to make people ask questions? In Deuteronomy 4, Moses tells Israel that if they keep God’s commands, the surrounding nations will marvel: “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people” (Deut. 4:6). The law was never meant to be a cold checklist or a tool for self-righteousness. It was…
Righteous, Not Perfect: What the Bible Actually Says truthsum.org
TS Writer
2 months ago in Righteousness, Law
Many Christians believe that being “righteous” means being sinless or morally perfect. As a result, they assume that no one can truly be righteous, except by having Christ’s righteousness imputed to them. But is that what Scripture actually teaches? The Bible paints a different picture – one of real people declared righteous not because they were flawless, but because they lived by faith. Noah, Abraham,…
What Really Happens to the Wicked? truthsum.org
TS Writer
1 month ago in Heaven & Hell
Many believe the wicked go to hell – a place of unending torment where fire burns forever. But does the Bible actually teach that? Scripture says God is love (1 John 4:8). Would a loving God torture people for eternity over a short lifetime of sin? Jesus said those who believe “should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Perish means to die –…
Reasoning Over Blind Belief: Why It Matters truthsum.org
TS Writer
2 months ago in Biblical Discernment, Bible
In today’s world, advice changes constantly. One day, eggs are bad; the next, they’re a superfood. The problem isn’t just conflicting information – it’s how quickly we accept what we’re told without thinking critically. This habit often extends beyond diet and lifestyle into faith itself. Many hold beliefs because they’ve been taught them since childhood or because respected leaders said so. But is that enough?…
Beyond Clichés: Rediscovering Biblical Wisdom in a World of Catchy Sayings truthsum.org
TS Writer
1 month ago in Biblical Discernment
Catchy sayings like “God will never give you more than you can handle” often circulate in Christian circles. They sound comforting, but they risk oversimplifying the rich and demanding call of discipleship. Scripture paints a deeper picture, describing believers as children, athletes, soldiers, servants, and members of God’s family. Jesus taught that entrance into His kingdom requires childlike humility – a readiness to trust and…
The Day God Made for Us: Rediscovering the Sabbath truthsum.org
TS Writer
1 month ago in Weekly Sabbath
Before Israel, Sinai, or sin, God set apart a day: “Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it” (Genesis 2:3, NKJV). The Sabbath was woven into creation – not for one nation, but for all humanity (Mark 2:27). It is a gift, a sign of covenant, and a rhythm of rest pointing to God’s Kingdom (Exodus 31:13; Hebrews 4:9). Yet history shows a pattern…
Is This Really the Only Day of Salvation? truthsum.org
TS Writer
2 months ago in Plan of Salvation
For most Christians, the message is simple: accept Christ in this life or be lost forever. That belief has fueled centuries of evangelism and missionary work, driven by the fear that billions will never know salvation unless they are reached now. But is this really what the Bible teaches? Scripture suggests something far more hopeful. The apostle Peter wrote that God is “not willing that…
The Feast of Trumpets: Warning and Hope truthsum.org
TS Writer
2 weeks ago in Day of Trumpets
The Feast of Trumpets has always stirred a mixture of emotions in me. Growing up, some messages emphasized the sobering prophecies leading up to Christ’s return – wars, upheavals, and God’s judgment. We understood this to mean that even God’s people would face tribulation, and that nations of the West, including the U.S., would experience devastation. That brought the reality of this day very close…
Finding Encouragement in Day of Atonement Fasting truthsum.org
For many, the Day of Atonement is a challenging Holy Day. Fasting can be uncomfortable, even daunting, yet it carries profound encouragement for God’s people. It’s more than abstaining from food—it’s a tool for spiritual growth, physical renewal, and resilience in faith. God designed our bodies to respond powerfully to fasting. Studies show fasting triggers a kind of immune system “reset”, clearing damaged cells and…
The Feast of Trumpets: A Warning and a Hope youtu.be
The Feast of Trumpets is the fourth step in God’s plan of salvation, commanded in Leviticus 23:24 as a “memorial of blowing of trumpets.” In Scripture, trumpets announced war and destruction (Numbers 10) and the coronation of a king (1 Kings 1:34). Both meanings reveal the prophetic purpose of this day. First, it points to the coming Day of the Lord – a year-long period…
Feast of Tabernacles: Celebrating God’s Restored Kingdom truthsum.org
TS Writer
2 days ago in Feast of Tabernacles
From the moment we are born, the world is dominated by self-interest. Division, conflict, and selfish ambition shape human relationships and even nature itself. This mindset, traced back to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, continues to influence humanity (Genesis 3). Pride and rebellion, first seen in Satan (Ezekiel 28), spread like a virus, affecting angels, humans, and the natural world alike (Revelation…
The Day of Atonement: Covering Sin and Removing Satan truthsum.org
Ryan Welsh
1 week ago in Atonement
The Day of Atonement is one of God’s most solemn holy days, set apart not for feasting but for fasting and reflection. Its meaning reaches to the heart of God’s plan: humanity cannot be reconciled to Him without both the covering of sin and the removal of Satan. On a personal level, the apostle John reminds us: “If anyone sins, we have an Advocate with…