Tag: Prophecy

  • Biblical Terminology

    Biblical Terminology

    Allegory

    Allegory is a literary and artistic device in which characters, events, and details within a narrative symbolize broader concepts and ideas, often conveying moral, social, or political messages. The term derives from the Greek word “allegoria,” meaning “speaking otherwise,” which highlights its function of expressing deeper meanings beyond the literal interpretation. Allegories can be found across various mediums, including literature, visual arts, and film, and they often involve a narrative that operates on two levels: the surface story and the underlying message.

    Classic examples include George Orwell’s “Animal Farm,” which critiques totalitarianism through the story of farm animals, and John Bunyan’s “The Pilgrim’s Progress,” which represents the spiritual journey of a Christian believer.

    Allegory has been a significant tool throughout history, allowing creators to address complex themes in a more accessible manner, as noted in sources like Britannica and Merriam-Webster.

    Apocrypha

    A collection of ancient texts that are not considered canonical by certain religious traditions, often included in some versions of the Bible.

    Beatitudes

    A series of blessings pronounced by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3-12), highlighting the values of the Kingdom of God.

    Canon

    The official list of books that are considered authoritative scripture by a particular religious community.

    Disciples

    Followers of Jesus Christ, particularly the twelve apostles who were chosen to spread his teachings.

    Epistle

    A letter, often written by apostles, that addresses specific issues or teachings within early Christian communities (e.g., the letters of Paul).

    Gospel

    The “good news” of Jesus Christ, specifically the accounts of his life, death, and resurrection found in the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John).

    Hermeneutics

    The study of interpretation, especially of biblical texts, focusing on understanding the meaning and application of scripture.

    Idolatry

    The worship of idols or false gods, which is condemned throughout the Bible.

    Kingdom of God

    A central theme in Jesus’ teachings, referring to God’s reign and authority, both in the present and in the future.

    Law

    Refers to the commandments and regulations given by God, particularly those found in the Torah (the first five books of the Old Testament).

    Messiah

    The anointed one, a savior or liberator expected by the Jewish people, fulfilled in the New Testament by Jesus Christ.

    Parable

    A simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson, often told by Jesus.

    Prophecy

    A message from God, often delivered by a prophet, that foretells future events or conveys divine truth.

    Redemption

    The act of being saved from sin and its consequences, often associated with the sacrifice of Jesus.

    Righteousness

    The quality of being morally right or just, often associated with living in accordance with God’s will.

    Sacrament

    A religious rite recognized as of particular importance and significance, such as baptism and communion.

    Sin

    An act that goes against God’s will or law, often understood as a separation from God.

    Testament

    Refers to the two main divisions of the Bible: the Old Testament (Hebrew Scriptures) and the New Testament (Christian Scriptures).

    Transfiguration

    The event in which Jesus is transformed and revealed in divine glory to three of his disciples (Matthew 17:1-9).

    Worship

    The term “worship” originates from the Old English word “weorþscipe,” which combines “weorþ,” meaning worth or value, and “scipe,” indicating a condition or quality.

    Thus, worship fundamentally conveys the idea of attributing worth to a deity or divine being.

    In various religious contexts, worship encompasses acts of reverence, adoration, and devotion directed towards God or gods, often involving rituals, prayers, and communal gatherings. It serves as a means for individuals and communities to express their beliefs, seek spiritual connection, and engage in transformative experiences.

    True worship is not merely about fulfilling personal or communal needs but is centered on honoring and glorifying God, reflecting a commitment to divine values and principles.

    Understanding these terms can greatly enhance your study of the Bible and provide a clearer framework for interpreting its messages and teachings.

    MORE WORDS YOU SHOULD KNOW:

    Theology

    … the study of God.

    Apologetics

    … defense of Faith.

    Exegesis

    … critical interpretation of scripture.

    Substitutionary Atonement

    Christ died as a substitute for sinners, bearing the punishment that they deserved.

    Eschatology

    Eschatology is the study of the end times, focusing on events like

    • the Second Coming of Christ
    • the final judgment
    • the ultimate destiny of souls.

    It encompasses what happens to individuals after death and the fate of the entire universe.

    Key eschatological concepts include:

    • the resurrection of the dead
    • the millennium
    • the establishment of God’s kingdom. 

    Incarnation

    The Incarnation is the doctrine that the Son of God assumed human nature and became man in the person of Jesus Christ. This belief is central to Christianity, affirming that Jesus is both fully divine and fully human. The theological implications of the Incarnation include the idea that through Jesus, God entered human history, experiencing human life and providing a means of salvation.

    Grace

    Grace is the unmerited favor and love of God towards humanity. It is central to Christian soteriology (the study of salvation), emphasizing that salvation is a gift from God, not earned by human effort. Different traditions emphasize different aspects of grace:

    Justification

    Justification is the act by which God declares a sinner to be righteous on the basis of faith in Jesus Christ. In Protestant theology, this is often emphasized

    REFORMED THEOLOGY

    Reformed theology affirms the five solas with all their implications; recognizes the centrality of the covenant in God’s saving purposes; and is expressed in a historic and public confession of faith.

    CALVINISM

    Calvinism, also known as Reformed theology or the Reformed tradition: is a major branch of Protestant Christianity that originated with the teachings of the French theologian John Calvin in the 16th century.

    It is named after Calvin because he played a significant role in shaping its doctrines and organizing its Ecclesiastical structure.

    Calvinism emphasizes the sovereignty of God in all aspects of life, including salvation, divine providence, and the governance of the world. It is characterized by its adherence to the “Five Points of Calvinism,” which are often summarized using the acronym TULIP.

    Total Depravity

    This doctrine teaches that due to the fall of Adam and Eve, all human beings are born in a state of spiritual depravity and are incapable of choosing God or doing good on their own. They are entirely dependent on God’s grace for salvation.

    Unconditional Election

    According to this belief, God, out of His sovereign will and without any consideration of human merit or choice, predestines certain individuals to be saved. This election is not based on anything that humans do but solely on God’s divine purpose.

    Limited atonement

    This doctrine states that Christ’s atoning sacrifice on the cross was specifically intended for the salvation of the elect, those whom God has chosen for salvation. It does not extend to all people universally.

    Irresistible grace

    Also known as “effectual calling” or “regenerating grace,” this doctrine asserts that when God chooses to save someone, His grace is irresistible and will unfailingly bring that person to salvation. Those who are called by God cannot ultimately resist His saving work.

    Perseverance of the saints

    This belief affirms that those who are truly saved by God’s grace will persevere in faith and holiness until the end. Genuine believers cannot lose their salvation but will continue to follow Christ throughout their lives.

    Calvinism

    Calvinism is a theological system and branch of Protestant Christianity that originated with the teachings of John Calvin, a 16th-century French reformer. It emphasizes the sovereignty of God in all aspects of salvation, particularly through the doctrine of predestination, which asserts that God has already chosen who will be saved and who will not. This belief is often summarized by the Five Points of Calvinism, which include Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints. Calvinism stands in contrast to Arminianism, which emphasizes free will and the ability of individuals to choose salvation. The term itself derives from Calvin's last name, and the movement has significantly influenced various Protestant denominations, particularly in Reformed and Presbyterian traditions. It gained prominence during the Reformation and has continued to shape theological discussions and debates within Christianity today, as noted in various sources like Britannica and Clickmill.

    Arminianism

    Arminianism is a theological system named after the Dutch theologian Jacob Arminius (1560-1609), who proposed a framework of Christian belief that emphasizes free will and God’s universal grace. This doctrine arose as a response to the deterministic views of Calvinism, particularly regarding predestination and salvation. Arminianism asserts that while God offers salvation to all, individuals have the free will to accept or reject this offer, which stands in contrast to the Calvinist belief in irresistible grace. Central to Arminian theology are five key points: the denial of original sin as an insurmountable barrier, justification by faith, conditional predestination, the resistibility of grace, and the possibility of falling from grace.

    The theological debate between Arminianism and Calvinism was notably formalized during the Synod of Dort (1618-1619), where Arminian views were challenged but continued to influence various Protestant traditions, especially Methodism and the broader Evangelical movement (Christian History Institute, Wellspring MS Church).

    Free Will

    The term “free will” refers to the philosophical concept that individuals have the capacity to make choices that are not predetermined by prior causes or divine intervention.

    Etymologically, the phrase combines “free,” deriving from the Old English freo, meaning “not in bondage,” and “will,” from the Old English willan, meaning “to wish or desire.”

    This concept has been a subject of intense debate in philosophy, psychology, and neuroscience, particularly concerning whether human actions are determined by biological processes or if individuals can act independently of such influences.

    Some philosophers advocate for a “compatibilist” view, suggesting that free will can coexist with determinism, arguing that the essence of free will lies in the ability to act according to one’s motivations and desires, even if those are influenced by prior causes (psyche.co).

    The implications of free will are profound, affecting moral responsibility and ethical considerations in society, as individuals are often held accountable for their actions based on the assumption that they can choose freely (scientificamerican.com).

    Election

    The etymology of “election” comes from the Latin word “electio,” meaning “choice” or “selection,” which itself derives from the verb “eligere,” meaning “to choose.”

    In a biblical context, election is seen as an expression of God’s sovereignty, where He selects individuals based on His divine will rather than their actions or merits.

    This concept is discussed in various theological writings, emphasizing that God’s choice is unconditional and not based on foreseen faith or works (as noted in sources like gotquestions.org).

    The implications of this doctrine often lead to discussions about grace, justice, and the nature of God’s love, as seen in the debates surrounding unconditional election and its portrayal of God in relation to humanity (monergism.com).

    Atonement

    The term “atonement” refers to the act of making amends or reparation for a wrongdoing or injury, often implying a reconciliation between two parties. Etymologically, the word is derived from the Middle English phrase “at one,” which signifies being in harmony or agreement. This concept has significant theological implications, particularly in Christianity, where atonement is associated with the reconciliation between God and humanity through the life, suffering, and death of Jesus Christ. The doctrine of atonement encompasses various interpretations, such as the satisfaction view and substitutionary atonement, which explore how this reconciliation is achieved (Merriam-Webster, Cambridge Dictionary, Dictionary.com).

    Grace

    The term “grace” has a rich etymological background, originating from the Latin word “gratia,” which means favor, goodwill, or kindness.

    In contemporary usage, grace encompasses various meanings, including elegance or beauty of form, manner, motion, or action, as well as a disposition to kindness and compassion.

    In religious contexts, particularly within Christianity, grace refers to the unmerited favor of God towards humanity, often linked to salvation and divine assistance.

    This theological concept emphasizes that grace is a gift from God, as highlighted in Ephesians 2:8, which states, “For by grace you have been saved through faith.”

    The multifaceted nature of grace can be seen in phrases like “fall from grace,” which denotes a loss of status or favor, and “saving grace,” which refers to a redeeming quality that mitigates a negative situation.

    Perseverance of the Saints

    the belief that salvation is secure and cannot be lost, a concept often referred to as “eternal security.”

    The etymology of the word “perseverance” comes from the Latin “perseverare,” meaning to persist or continue steadfastly.

    This idea is rooted in the understanding of predestination, where God’s grace enables the faithful to endure in their beliefs despite challenges

    John 10:28-29: “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”

    ECCLESIAL / ECCLESIOLOGY 

    ecclesiology is the study of the Church, the origins of Christianity, its relationship to Jesus, its role in salvation, its polity, its discipline, its eschatology, and its leadership.

  • WHAT CAN LIMIT GOD’S WILL: DOES GOD STILL SPEAK?

    WHAT CAN LIMIT GOD’S WILL: DOES GOD STILL SPEAK?

    The power of God's will cannot be understated. He is the master of all creation, and everything is subject to His purpose and plan. As believers, we must trust in His infinite wisdom and understand that our will is ultimately dependent on His. Through Christ, we can be freed from the bondage of sin and operate in God's will, rejecting anything that goes against it. Though we may not always understand God's ways or the trials we face, we can trust in His love and grace to guide us through.

    WHAT DOES GOD’S WILL DEPEND UPON?

    Nothing, except for His own Will

    God is the ultimate source of knowledge and power, and only He can bring about His will. He is all-knowing and all-powerful, with complete control over everything in creation. His sovereignty is evident in how He has ordained all things that come to pass.

    In everything that happens, His omniscience and omnipotence are at work, and He alone can bring about His foreknowledge. He directs all things according to the counsel of His will, and this will be accomplished in due time, no matter how long it takes.

    Through it all, God remains faithful and trustworthy. However, some may ask if God is only Almighty and Powerful but operates in accordance with His creatures’ will rather than His own. Still, we can trust that God is working out His ultimate plan for our lives and fulfilling His purposes, even if we do not always understand His ways.

    Do We Permit God To Act?

    As we submit to the divine will of the Potter, we become vessels of honor, fit for His use. While we may not always understand His methods or the path He leads us on, we can trust that He has a purpose for every trial and tribulation we face. Our Potter is not only sovereign and all-powerful, but He is also a God of love and mercy, who desires the very best for us. As we surrender to Him, we can rest assured that our lives are in good hands, and that our Potter will mold us into vessels of beauty and significance, fulfilling His eternal purposes through us.
    Ephesians 2:3 & Collossians 2:13 says we were dead in the trespasses & sins & by nature children of wrath.

    Is the human will truly free if it is restricted by sin or righteousness, the flesh or the Spirit?

    When Scripture speaks of us being slaves, it is not referring to physical servitude, but rather to our will. Our hearts and wills are enslaved to wickedness. The will of humanity can only be freed from the bonds of righteousness; our will is only free when it is freed from the bonds of sin. The choices we make and the thoughts we think are determined by the will we have; we are not our own.

    IF OUR WILL IS FREE, WHAT IS IT FREE FROM?

    Romans 6:6 states that our old self, including our will, was crucified with Him, so that the body of sin could be rendered powerless, and we would no longer be enslaved to sin.

    "You who were once slaves of sin have become obedient FROM THE HEART to the standard of teaching to which you WERE COMMITTED, &, having BEEN SET FREE from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.
    When you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness...the end of those things is death.
    NOW that you have been set free from sin & have become SLAVES of God, the FRUIT YOU GET leads to sanctification & its end, eternal life."
    Romans 6:17‭-‬18‭, ‬20‭-‬22

    ✝️”All Scripture is breathed out by God & profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, & training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
    ✝️”The Word of God is living & active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul & of spirit, of joints & of marrow, & discerning the thoughts & intentions of the heart”
    Hebrews 4:12

    EVERYTHING CAME TO BE BY GODS WORD

    God’s voice is a powerful force that brings creation into existence. From the seen to the unseen, everything came into being because of His spoken word. Before the scrolls were written, God spoke and His Word was made flesh through His Son and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The apostles were instrumental in forming the infallible completed Word of God, which is the entire revelation of God. Through this revelation, the veil is lifted for all who belong to Him and they come to know God intimately.

    In the past, God spoke to our forefathers through prophets in many different ways. But in these last days, He speaks to us through His Son, who is appointed the heir of all things. Through His Son, the world was created and upheld by the word of His power. His Son is the exact imprint of God’s nature and the radiance of His glory. And after making purification for sins, He sits at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become superior to angels.

    POWER OF GOD’S WORD

    In Hebrews 1:1-4, we are reminded of the power and authority of God’s spoken word, and how He continues to reveal Himself through the Word made flesh, His Son. As we study and meditate on the Word, we will come to know Him more deeply and be transformed by His power.

    ✝️”Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom HE appointed the heir of all things, through whom also He created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the WORD OF HIS POWER. After making purification for sins, HE sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name He has inherited is more excellent than theirs.”

    Hebrews 1:1‭-‬4

    It’s important to remember that in the time of Noah, God spoke exclusively and His Word wasn’t complete like it is now. Noah wasn’t relying on his imagination; he knew that if God spoke, he needed to listen. Today, our imaginations can be filled with garbage that we’ve been exposed to since birth through various programming. Comparing ourselves to Noah or any of the Prophets isn’t fair because they didn’t have the distractions we have today.

    It’s also important to question what we see and hear and stand firm in our faith in Jesus Christ and the infallible Word of God. Even though Noah had free will, we must question what his will was truly free from since it was bound by God’s will.

    We cannot give glory to Noah for the formation of the ark, as all glory belongs to God for using Noah to accomplish His purpose. We mustn’t start down the path of honoring mere men and taking away honor from the One who deserves it all. Everything is for God, by God, and through God. He creates and establishes all things for His will.

    WHO GIVES ABRAHAM FAITH?

    The question of who gives faith to Abraham, and whether man is truly able to come to faith by his own will, is one that has been debated throughout history. Some believe that faith is purely a matter of personal will, while others argue that it is a gift from God.

    It is clear from scripture that God is the one who graces his people with faith. In fact, we are told that even Abraham, the father of faith, received his faith as a gift from God (Romans 4:16).

    BUT WHAT ABOUT THE SPIRITUALLY DEAD?

    Can they come to faith on their own, without the help of God’s grace? The answer is a resounding no. Scripture is clear that it is only through God’s will that the spiritually dead can wake up to eternal life.

    This raises an important theological question: if we are saved by our own good use of God’s grace, then shouldn’t we share in the praise? The answer, of course, is no. All praise belongs to God, who is the one who gives us the faith we need to be saved.

    It is also important to recognize that God speaks to his people with a purpose. He led the apostles to form his church and to teach us the heavenly things that are not seen or heard. We don’t rely on our physical senses anymore, but instead on faith with our evidence being revealed through his spirit interceding with ours.

    GOD HAS ALREADY SPOKE

    But what’s even more amazing is that we get to say that God has already spoken. The revelation of the coming Christ has been written and exposed, and the ending is known. We don’t need any more revelation; we have the revelation!

    That being said, we must recognize that we are fallible, imaginative creatures living in a crooked and perverse generation. We are inundated with lies, and we can’t believe everything we hear and see, even if it feels like it’s from God. We must be cautious and discerning, and always seek God’s will above our own.

    In the end, it is clear that God does as he wills, creating vessels of mercy as well as vessels of wrath. It is up to us to trust in his grace and seek his will in all things.

    ✝️”…though they were not yet born & had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s PURPOSE OF ELECTION might continue, not because of works but because of Him who calls— she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” …
    What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means!
    He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, & I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
    *** It depends NOT ON HUMAN WILL or exertion, but ON GOD, who has mercy.
    For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might SHOW MY POWER IN YOU, & that MY NAME might be proclaimed in all the earth.”
    So then He has mercy on WHOMEVER HE WILLS, & He hardens WHOMEVER HE WILLS.
    You will say to me then, “Why does HE still find fault? For who can resist His Will?”
    But who are you, O man, to answer back to God?
    ***Will what is molded say to its Molder, “Why have You made me like this?”
    ***Has the Potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?
    What if God, DESIRING TO SHOW HIS WRATH and MAKE KNOWN HIS POWER, has endured with much patience VESSELS OF WRATH PREPARED FOR DESTRUCTION, in order to MAKE KNOWN the riches of His GLORY for vessels of mercy, which He has prepared beforehand for glory— even us whom He has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?

    Romans 9:11‭-‬24

    OUR WILL POWER DEPENDS ON GOD

    As human beings, we often tend to believe that our willpower is solely dependent on ourselves. However, the truth is that our will is dependent on the one who has written our will – God. The Bible tells us that we are not our own and that we belong to God. Additionally, those who are not bound to God’s will, like the Jews who were called children of the devil, are unable to believe.

    When we are born, we have a will to sin and are free from righteousness. However, through Christ, we can be adopted by God’s Spirit and be freed from the bondage of sin. This allows us to operate in His will and reject anything that goes against it. We develop a new will through God’s Spirit that guides our actions.

    It is important to understand the fallibility of the human mind and senses when determining doctrine. Even if God speaks to us, He knows our limitations and what we will do. He may will something to happen, even if it causes us pain or hardship. We cannot always understand the reasons why things happen, but we trust that God’s infinite wisdom is guiding everything.

    It is true that God’s will is not always easy to understand or accept. We see things from a temporal perspective, whereas God sees the entire picture all at once. He sees the purpose in things that we cannot comprehend. Just because something hurts us in this life doesn’t mean it wasn’t willed by God for our spiritual growth and benefit.

    As believers, we must trust in the strength of God’s will over the will of the enemy and the world. We must remember that God is not weak and that nothing happens outside of His will. This can be difficult to comprehend, especially when we face trials or hardships, but God’s love and wisdom never fails us. We can have peace in knowing that everything is subject to God and His purpose, even when we don’t understand it.

    REVELATIONS WARNING

    At the end of the book of Revelation, John delivers a solemn warning to anyone who hears the prophecy contained within its pages. Should anyone add to or take away from the words of this book, God will bring upon them the plagues described within its pages. Moreover, God will deny them a share in the tree of life and the holy city that are also described within this sacred text.

    He who bears witness to these things declares, “I am coming soon.” Let us all say, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you all. Amen. (Revelation 22:18-21)