Tag: ecclesia
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Nothing Happens on Earth Unless People Allow It
Introduction When God created the heavens and the Earth, He made separate realms with separate inhabitants, rulers of their own realms. When He formed Humanity, He decreed that the humans would rule on the Earth while spiritual beings like Himself would rule in the heavens. He made a divine law that keeps them separate from… Read more
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People of God Will Replace Sons of God
Introduction In the beginning (Genesis 1), the Supreme Spiritual Being created the heavenly and earthly realms. He made other spiritual beings – also known as sons of God, His divine council, lesser gods – to inhabit the heavens and to rule from there over times and seasons. The Creator made sea creatures for the chaotic… Read more
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Why a Holy City, Not a Holy Garden?
Introduction In the Beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). He planted a garden in the mountain country of Eden and made Humanity to reign with Him on the Earth. We were to continue the work of organizing the surrounding jungle into more cultivated, dedicated real estate. In the end, as Revelation… Read more
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Rapture Teachings Are Like Government Cheese
Introduction I have never cared for the boxed bricks of soft government cheesefood given away to low- income people. Its taste doesn’t please me. Its soft, grainy texture repels me. Its artificial – processed cheesefood fabrication – offends me. In much the same way, the teachings about the Rapture irritate me. Rapture teachings are like… Read more
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Ministry through Work
Introduction A question often asked by new believers is whether God would call them to full- time ministry. In their enthusiasm for their new beliefs, they wonder if He wants them to preach the Gospel or lead a church somewhere. It turns out that most are not so called. They need to make a living… Read more
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To Conquer or Not To Conquer, That Is the Question
Introduction Earlier this week, I talked with a middle- aged man who told me about a young man he knew. This young man endured near failure to pursue his passion for building a brewery for his own beer. He overcame a troublesome partner and the near loss of his investments to succeed with his brewery… Read more
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Surrendering from Positions of Strength
Introduction In military engagements, diplomatic negotiations, even business discussions, it is a well- known necessity to confront one’s opponents from a position of strength. On the other hand, the Christian religion teaches that one best wins confrontations from an attitude of meekness and the surrender of one’s own interests. Bible stories, even the life of… Read more
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Defend Democracy. Support the Republic.
Introduction Walking home from the store last week, I passed a yard sign that demanded, “Defend Democracy”. I remembered memes on X proclaiming that the U.S. is a republic. I couldn’t help thinking – wrongly, I suppose – that Democrats work to defend democracy while Republicans support our republic. So, defend democracy. Support the republic. … Read more
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Strategic Value of High Places in the New Testament
Introduction In a recent post, I wrote of the strategic value of high places in the Old Testament. I explained these as intersections of Heaven and Earth, where the Creator met with people to further His plan to make the whole Earth like Heaven. This time, I want to explain how the Creator’s Son embodied… Read more
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How Did Early Believers Do Church?
Introduction During the early centuries of its existence, before Constantine allowed Christianity to become recognized as a legal religion, the followers of King Jesus met in small house gatherings. See Paul’s greetings to “the church that meets in [someone’s] house” at the end of some of his letters. As Tom Wadsworth teaches, these gatherings were… Read more