In the times in which we’re living, we should be aware of religious deception. Jesus said that in the last days, there would be an explosion of it, culminating in the appearance of the ultimate deceiver, the Antichrist. We should look out for cults and groups who say they’re the way to God and that their leader, guru, or teacher is the Messiah. Today, in addition to relatively established cults, newer groups have sprung up. There has been a literal explosion of mysticism and spirituality in recent years.
In the times in which we’re living, we should be aware of religious deception. Jesus said that in the last days, there would be an explosion of it, culminating in the appearance of the ultimate deceiver, the Antichrist. We should look out for cults and groups who say they’re the way to God and that their leader, guru, or teacher is the Messiah. Today, in addition to relatively established cults, newer groups have sprung up. There has been a literal explosion of mysticism and spirituality in recent years.
In the times in which we’re living, we should be aware of religious deception. Jesus said that in the last days, there would be an explosion of it, culminating in the appearance of the ultimate deceiver, the Antichrist. We should look out for cults and groups who say they’re the way to God and that their leader, guru, or teacher is the Messiah. Today, in addition to relatively established cults, newer groups have sprung up. There has been a literal explosion of mysticism and spirituality in recent years.
In the modern day, we don’t often use the word “behold,” but it is a word that is used repeatedly in the Bible. In fact, between Genesis and Revelation, it is used over 1,000 times, and it functions like a literary finger, drawing specific attention to a person, thing, or situation. As we approach the season during which we remember the death, burial, and resurrection of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, let us take a moment to reflect on what God would have us behold in the Scriptures as it concerns His plan of redemption for mankind and the future reign of Jesus Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords.
Does our view of Israel really matter? Yes—because it relates to the credibility of Scripture and the character of God. A theology that redefines God’s promises inevitably reshapes how His people are viewed. The conviction that God will yet fulfill His promises to Israel is not political; it is Biblical. And in a world where antisemitism is again rising, it is a conviction Christians cannot afford to surrender.
Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East, and yet the media portrays her as the villain of the world. I believe this is a supernatural hatred that comes from the pit of hell—spiritual warfare against the plan of God and the Jewish people. Questions from some in the church, about the position of Israel as the elected people of God and the return of the Jewish people to their homeland as acts of God, are rooted in Biblical illiteracy.
Even as Christians, our works will be tried before God, and He will reveal whether we have acquired gold, silver, and precious stones, or whether we've been building and living for wood, hay, and stubble. All the temporal, worthless works will be burned up and reduced to ash.
In his quest to discredit Israel as God’s chosen nation, Tucker Carlson recently joked that the Old Testament should be updated and rewritten. Because of podcasters like Tucker, Israel—ethnically, theologically, and politically—has become part of a larger debate in the media on U.S. foreign policy. Therefore, the Old Testament is frequently targeted because of Israel’s central role in it. But what does God’s Word plainly say about the Old Testament?
The whole idea that we need further purification is wrong on so many levels, as it is a sister belief in a partial Rapture of only faithful saints. If the words of Ephesians chapters 1 and 2 along with those of Romans 8 are true, then we must thoroughly reject the idea of our need as regenerated saints to experience any further cleansing. Yes, the Lord tests and strengthens our faith in this life, but that’s an entirely different ball game than saying living believers will need a purgatory-type experience during the Tribulation.
Those who hold to a postmillennial view argue that Jesus is exercising His authority as King from heaven right now. The proof text for many postmillennialists is Psalm 110 and they conclude that Psalm 110:1 supports a present Davidic reign of Christ where He is gradually subduing all His enemies during this interadvent period. However, a consistent, literal interpretation of Scripture leads us to reject such a view, particularly when we undertake an examination of the three-fold work of Christ.
We’re seeing pastors today who refuse to support Israel because they’ve been influenced by replacement theology’s faulty interpretation of Scripture, and there are terrible repercussions for giving place to this damaging theology. When the church entertains the idea that God has somehow replaced His covenant with the Jewish people—it provides fuel for the fire of those who would do Israel harm.
For centuries, Christians approached the Bible as a sacred text to be interpreted with reverence and obedience. Today, however, many churches are reshaping Scripture's language, tone, and expectations, making it more accessible, relatable, and, some argue, "easier" to obey. But what is gained, and what might be lost, when ancient commands are adapted to modern sensibilities?
Of all the End Time events, the Rapture of the Church generates the most interest and the most controversy. I have a friend who wrote that the Rapture is third in the list of top 10 topics that have most divided the Church—right after COVID-19 vaccinations and the Harry Potter books! So what is the Rapture of the Church? Where did that idea come from? Is it a new idea as some purport? Is it something we should seriously consider; and if so, why? And when will it happen exactly?
Replacement theology is the belief that the Church has replaced Israel in God’s plan, and that the promises God made to Israel no longer apply to the Jewish people. Instead, those promises are said to now belong only to the Church. However, when we read the Bible carefully, this view does not fit with what Scripture actually teaches.
It is almost unimaginable to think of a bride who would be apathetic about her impending wedding. And yet, many in the Bride of Christ seem unconcerned and indifferent about the joy that awaits when our Bridegroom comes to snatch us away, gathering us to Himself in the blink of an eye. Oh, what a joy-filled day that will be! But that is only the beginning of the glories and joys that await us according to Bible prophecy.
We should embrace the current Israel as genuine Israel, called to travel a painful path in the future that will lead to her sifting and salvation. The defense and preservation of this nation is dear to the heart of God. It should be dear to ours also. The adversary wants conservatives and Christians to turn their back on current Israel because that helps forward his iniquitous plans to expunge the current Israel so there is no Israel at the second coming that can be redeemed. It is high time for all dispensationalists to get on the right side of the Zionism issue.
Though secular geologists insist the Grand Canyon was carved by the Colorado River over millions of years, a group of Calvary Chapel pastors recently visited the canyon, examining firsthand evidence of a young earth and a global flood—as described in the Bible.
Unfortunately, some theologians claim Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension invalidate God’s covenantal relationship with Israel. If this theory were true, there would be no biblical reason to support Israel’s rebirth as a nation in its ancient homeland today. But this concept never entered Paul’s mind. Paul taught that Israel not only matters to God, but that the nation has a bright prophetic future.
The political, economic and societal demise of what was once the wealthiest country in South America should serve as a stark warning for those in our country who champion the so-called virtues of socialism—an atheistic worldview that says government, not God, has the answers for all our problems. With all the man-centered religions and philosophies of the world, thank God we have the Holy Bible—universal truth for all people, for all time, regardless of culture, ethnicity, politics or socio-economic status.
From the beginning of my ministry, I have given testimony of my parents raising their children to stand on the authority of God’s Word, never knowingly compromise God’s Word, and have a heart for reaching people with the gospel message. I have testified many times of my father’s leadership of my family and how he led us to stand boldly on the Bible’s authority. We all saw our parents’ love for God and His Word and their heart for the gospel. I can’t emphasize the impact our parents had on our lives enough.
Only the study of what God has told us about that coming day, and the events around and contributing to it, can reinforce our hope in such a powerful way. We need to study what He’s told us is to come. It’s heartbreaking to think that God gave us these beautiful depictions of our hope revealed and we might simply ignore them, for fear that they might make us unpopular, or because they seem too divisive.
The rise of humanism (the idea that man is the measure of all things) has changed all of that. In today's world, the basis of truth has been moved from something that is objective—outside of us—to something that is subjective—inside of us. Everything is measured by how you feel about it. About a decade ago, I first heard the phrase: "I'm speaking my truth." Since when do you get to personalize it?
Instead of simply offering criticism, let’s lift them up in prayer—asking God to protect them, guide them, and give them the wisdom they need to lead well. Because at the end of the day, when godly wisdom leads, we all benefit. Pray for our president. Pray for our nation. And pray that we would continue to be one nation under God!
Should Christians support children destroying their bodies with cross-sex hormones and mutilating themselves because “all children are children of God”? Well, that’s the reasoning that our Kentucky governor, Andy Beshear, recently used on The View. This is an example of progressive Christians taking and championing something that sounds good and quasi-biblical while ignoring everything else the Bible says on the subject.
In a single moment in time, you can make a decision that affects your entire life. The most important decision of all is Jesus Christ – whether you accept him or reject him. The biggest decision of all is what you do with Jesus Christ. A lot is at stake. I really believe that Jesus is coming back. He could return today, tonight, or tomorrow. Will you be ready? Get right with God. Get right … or get left.
The church can play a vital role in shaping moral conscience. But that role carries responsibility. Scripture should never be weaponized to shield unlawful behavior or to shame those charged with upholding the law. Pastors are free to call individuals to acts of mercy, generosity and personal sacrifice. But ministers should cautiously, honestly consider whether they are using their platform to demand that the state surrender its God-given duty to govern justly.
As I’ve spoken to churches around the nation, I’ve asked seasoned Christians who were alive in 1948 and 1967 if they remember the excitement surrounding developments in Israel. Almost everyone who lived through those times consistently testified that there was no celebration, no sense of “Aha!”, not even faint awareness that God’s prophetic time clock was moving into overdrive. Without a clear understanding of God’s promises to Israel—most people had no real awareness of what was coming to pass before their eyes.
In a day when social media blasts us with such a vast assortment of false beliefs on every conceivable matter, it’s more important than ever that we know what the Bible says about the fundamentals of our faith. And of course, that includes reminders of the biblical basis for our hope in Jesus’ soon appearing, which is so often the target of ridicule in today’s world.
Influencing government for good on the basis of the wisdom found in God’s own words is a theme that runs through the entire Bible. Try to imagine what a nation and its government would be like if all Christian influence on government were suddenly removed—if all the churches and all the Christians in a society stopped seeking to have any kind of influence on laws or on government. Within a few years, most people would have no moral authority beyond that of individual human opinion. How could a nation find any moral guidance?
“Almost 250 years after our founding fathers took one of the greatest leaps of faith in human history … [the] faith of the American people remains unbroken. It actually became stronger than ever. And it reminds us that prayers strengthen, prayers heal, prayer empowers, and prayer saves. Quite simply, prayer is America’s superpower. It really is a superpower. And it always has been, and it always will be.”
As our culture increasingly clings to madness and barrels toward destruction, many in the church simply turn a blind eye. Yet, the presence of the church and the power of the Holy Spirit are the only two forces restraining evil in our world. If we see the rising tide of evil in our land and decide to do nothing, we are ceding ground to the enemy and being unfaithful in our calling as ambassadors for Christ. While the world’s mission is to conform us to its image, the church’s mission is to help others understand that they can be transformed by the person and power of Jesus Christ—and we must not abandon our mission.
Today’s prevalent kingdom mentality comes from applying human reason to the words of Scripture rather than interpreting them as the authors intended. The false assumption that God has replaced Israel with the Church dismisses a great multitude of clear prophetic texts as allegory, symbolic of another reality. Such interpretations find their basis in human wisdom, that which someone brings to Scripture rather than letting the words speak for themselves.
As a pastor, I try to keep my eye on Jesus, my nose in the Bible, and my ear to the ground. I try to pay attention to the cultural, social, and political trends that shape people's thinking and lives. I will often address those things from the pulpit through a biblical lens to help equip my congregation. We need to be wise about the times—and that will only happen if we know our Bibles and have the discernment of the Holy Spirit. As I've paid attention to recent events in our culture and the world, the trend is clear that antisemitism is on the rise.
Will Graham, who was invited to speak and lead a prayer, took the opportunity to share the Gospel with anyone who didn’t yet have a relationship with Christ. He told the story of Nicodemus, a religious leader in the Bible. “You can do good things, you can serve your community, but that doesn’t make you right in God’s eyes. You may look like you have it all together, but on the inside you’re far from God.”
Federal civil rights officials are investigating the disruption of a Sunday church service in St. Paul after anti-ICE agitators stormed a Minnesota congregation, while some left-wing Christian leaders publicly applauded the incident as a form of judgment.