Zion is another name for Jerusalem, and 100 years ago Jerusalem was a neglected city. It had been part of the aging Turkish empire for several centuries and only those who saw significance in Bible prophecies about this ancient city were interested in its welfare. Of course, some of the scattered Jews were also interested.… Read More Zion for whom no one cares
Today’s thought “The gospel … the power of God” (July 28) Paul in writing to the Romans speaks about “the power of God”. But he is not referring to physical power such as will be shown at the time Jesus returns when the greatest earthquake ever (Revelation 16:18) and other terrible events occur. God gave… Read More Today’s thought “The gospel … the power of God” (July 28)
Reflections of/ on Jesus’ ministry Are all readings equally valid? Relation to course of Jesus ministry The ‘mystery’ of God’s kingdom – cf. The kingdom of heaven is like … (Matt. 13:24, 31, 33, 44, 45, 47) Tares: a reflection of opposition The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in… Read More Jesus the Storyteller 3 Reflections of/ on Jesus’ ministry
But those who are diligent readers of God’s word do understand! Our heading is quoted from the prophet Micah – and his words contain things we can relate to in our own days. Chapters 3 and 4 today are quite remarkable. First, the message which God gave him about the godlessness of his days is… Read More Today’s thought “They do not understand” (December 6)
Today’s thought “Disaster after disaster: behold it comes” (September 11) Ezekiel 7 is initially about the disaster coming on the people still living in Jerusalem. Ezekiel was a priest and is among those taken into captivity (1:1) some years before Jerusalem is destroyed. Those taken away are earnestly hoping to return to the land of… Read More Today’s thought “Disaster after disaster: behold it comes” (September 11)
Let us meditate on what Peter is writing about in the second chapter of his first epistle. Peter penned these challenging words! “… if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God” (verse 20). How true this was in centuries past for those… Read More Today’s Thought “Leaving you an example” (June 12)
In a few days lots of people shall come to gather in the family. For many of them it is supposedly to celebrate the birth of their god. They should remember that the real God, Who is an unseen eternal Spirit Being has no beginning at all (otherwise he would not have been eternal, meaning… Read More Thought for the Christmas time: A sense of history
Today’s thought “My help comes from the LORD” (March 13) Psalm 121 today begins with a question and sometimes this is not recognised. The Psalmist is lifting up his eyes to the hills and asking, “from where does my help come?” The pagan people around and all too often the Jewish people also, looked to… Read More Today’s thought “My help comes from the LORD” (March 13)
The fulfilment of Bible prophecy can be a powerful faith builder. To witness events come to pass that were prophesied thousands of years ago in the Bible, renews our confidence in the sure Word of God. Therefore let us examine all the Bible prophecies, see which ones came to be and which ones still have to pass.… Read More Sign of the Times and the Last Days #3 Coming events revealed in the prophetic writings
Today’s thought “Keep me … hide me …” (January 7) How inspiring are the Psalms of David. We perceive that the more troublesome the circumstances that surround him, the closer he comes to God. In today’s Psalm 17 we read his prayer, “Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword, from men by your… Read More Today’s thought “Keep me … hide me …” (January 7)
As the Jewish political organization tottered towards its end, the call of the Gospel was dramatically widened: for the first time, Gentiles were invited to share in the privilege of knowing the eternal God. Paul was the foremost and most energetic leader of this preaching to the Gentiles. “It was necessary that the word of… Read More The Return of Israel
We can get pictures of what went on in the past by the many research papers, historical books and documentaries. Many empires have come and gone. Throughout the centuries many battles were fought. After World War I people even thought there would never come a war again. Peace and progress? What a shock the events… Read More Prophecies over coming days
Prophecy concerning Babylon In the days of the prophets of Israel (850-560 BC approximately) two great military powers arose in the territory around the Euphrates and the Tigris rivers, now known as Iraq. The earlier was the Empire of Assyria, with Nineveh as its capital. During two centuries the Assyrians carried out invasions of the… Read More Prophecy concerning Babylon and Israel
When looking at the many prophecies in the Holy Scriptures, we can notice that most of them came true. Some prophecies are about some future times still to come. But when knowing that all other prophecies became a reality we should be warned and be prepared for the Day of Judgment. Living in this day… Read More To be prepared for the Day of Judgment
The BBC, the largest and hence one of the most influential broadcasting organisations in the world today, looks at Tel Aviv, founded in 1909; and as such wanted to see at least a small version of it on the British military maps printed in May 1917. The name of the British map is Jaffa, and… Read More Palestine 1787-1917-2006 – Maps and Christian population
In recent weeks news reports have covered the renewed hostilities in Gaza, an area that has been a tinderbox for many years. Israel seized the Gaza Strip from Egypt during the Six-Day War also called June War or Third Arab-Israeli War, brief war that took place June 5–10, 1967, and was the third of the… Read More Signs of the times – “Gaza – once more a flashpoint”
Solomon’s temple and the ecclesia today The construction of the temple in Solomon’s day was, very probably, the most unusual building project of all time. Apart from the fact that Jews and Gentiles worked together in harmony, using materials which had been gathered together and financed by David, we know that the stones were shaped… Read More Living stones 8 Solomon’s temple and the ecclesia today
The stones will cry out … After three and a half years, the time had come. Jesus was to enter Jerusalem for the final time. Of course, many who followed him did so in the mistaken belief that he had come to oust the Romans, under whose hand they had suffered for so long. Very… Read More Living stones 6 Stones that will cry out
Today’s thought “Turning over the page” (December 31) On the last day of the civil year we want to close the book of the year with all the bad and good memories of the year. At the close of the 2017th year of the Common Era which has been designated as the International Year of… Read More Today’s thought “Turning over the page” (December 31)
God’s purpose is worked out in ways beyond the intention or comprehension of many … On August 1, 1917, the Chief of the Imperial General Staff, Sir William Robertson, declared that Mesopotamia was not a side-show, “because as long as we keep up a good show there India and Persia will be more or less… Read More The liberation of Jerusalem
