Bible Studies, Inspired by Faith and Science

It seems the media keeps telling us about wars, violence, terrorists, rebels and more. Maybe history repeats itself, or maybe we're just condemned to repeat history because we live in a fallen world. It's interesting to look at historical events through Biblical eyes. And it's interesting to look at Biblical prophecy through historical eyes. So now our Bible Study Group gets to look at Syria and Israel, while rediscovering words very familiar to modern-day Christians. (16) When Syria and Israel attack Syria are the bad guys, foreigners, followers of foreign gods. Israel are the sometimes good, sometimes bad guys. They don’t quite belong to “our church,” but they’re the kind of people that Judah sometimes loves, sometimes hates. Assyria is a rising force who recently demanded tribute from the king of Israel ( Read 2 Kings 15:19-20 ). At this point, King Uzziah of Judah has finally died after years as a leper. His son has reigned and died. And now his grandson Ahaz i...

Out of Heaven 1. What Old Testament prophecies refer to the birth of Jesus? 2. What Old Testament prophecies tell us about Jesus’ life? 3. What Old Testament prophecies tell us about Jesus’ death? 4. Which angel spoke to Elizabeth? 5. Which angel spoke to Mary? 6. Which angel spoke to Joseph? 7. How many times does the Bible say God spoke out loud to Jesus? 8. How many times does the Bible say Jesus spoke out loud to God? 9. What holy names did Jesus use to refer to himself? 10. What did other people say Jesus was called? Christians recognize many Old Testament prophecies as referring to Jesus though other interpret them differently. For example, Isaiah says a virgin will bear a child, but “virgin” could mean young girl; he could be prophesying that a war will be over when a boy about to born comes of age. Christians read many prophesies as having three meanings—one obvious when the prophesy was made, a second true for all time (e.g. that God is always “Immanuel”—God with us), and a th...

10: Revelation 15:5-16:21: Burning of the Seven Bowls of Incense In the Temple, incense is burned after the readings have been heard. The imagery fits well with this next part of the book of Revelation, and the specific plagues recall passages from the Old and New Testament. The plagues are sent out from the Temple, from the place where the law is kept (and incense burned), implying a connection between their effect and disobedience to law. The angels are dressed as priests, symbols of holiness. And the four creatures offering the bowls have been seen earlier in Revelation, representing the created world—seven bowls and seven angels representing God’s complete plan. The rising smoke reminds readers of God’s glory, as when law was given on Sinai. The increasing numbers of people affected by the plagues leads readers to imagine God’s increasing urgency as He calls us to Himself, and the inevitability of consequences when God stops holding back His wrath. List of Plagues 1. 1st plague : T...

There are fifty days from Easter to Pentecost: 7 weeks: And the Book of Revelation is filled with sevens of sevens. I'm not sure if I can cover the whole book in 7 weeks, but I'd like to try. Introduction to Revelation Most people recognize the book of Revelation as a book of prophecy, typically of end-times prophecy describing the world’s ultimate fate. But it’s also a book steeped in symbolism. And it’s a story, with all the background and repetition and view-points that any other story might have. Prophecy: In general prophecies might have three separate meanings: immediate, general and long-term. For example, the well-known prophesy in Isaiah 7:14 Look, the virgin is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanue l, has several meanings, at least one of which is not accepted by all faiths that accept the passage as prophecy: Immediate meaning: The “virgin” is used to mean Israel, as opposed to the harlot who represents the godless. The name “God is with us” or...