Reflections from the Holy Land — No Peace in the Middle East

“Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.” [Galatians 4:28] The ancient city of Jerusalem was built on a mountain called Moriah, which remains to this day. Mt. Moriah is significant on many different levels because it holds the key to understanding the age-old conflict in the Middle East between two people groups — Jews […]

Reflections from Israel — The Spiritual Epicenter of the World

“For the LORD has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his dwelling place. ‘This is my resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it.’” (Psalm 132:13-14) Jewish tradition says that the earth is at the center of the universe. Israel is at the center of the earth. Jerusalem is the […]

Stranger Thing #20 — Angels

“Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” [Hebrews 1:14 – NIV] Angelology — or the study of angels — is one of the most underemphasized and misunderstood doctrines in all of Scripture. Many have oversimplified their understanding of the unseen realm by reducing it down to God, the […]

Stranger Thing #19 — Cherubim & Seraphim

“He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.” [Genesis 3:24 – ESV] The Word of God is unique in that the Holy Spirit inspired human authors as His […]

Stranger Thing #18 — Sodom and Gomorrah

“Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the LORD.” [Genesis 13:13] The notorious city of ancient Sodom will be forever remembered for its extreme wickedness and its severe judgment. The Bible has much to say about Sodom, and frankly, none of it is good. Something exceptionally perverse and grossly immoral was taking place […]

Stranger Thing #17 — The Angel of the Lord

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” [Colossians 1:16] The doctrine of the Trinity is one of the most complex and transcendent concepts within the Christian faith. We believe in the One True God who eternally exists in three distinct Persons within the Godhead — Father, Son and Holy […]

Stranger Thing #16 – Melchizedek

The LORD has swornand will not change his mind,“You are a priest foreverafter the order of Melchizedek.” [Psalm 110:4 – ESV] When it comes to the stranger things in the Bible, Melchizedek is certainly at the top of the list. We are first introduced to this mysterious character in Genesis 14. Abram and a group of his […]