Received by Jesus Listen to audio: “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3). David Rice Our lead text indicates that the raising of the saints to their heavenly reward was to be at the return of Jesus. The saints that died long ago rested in the peaceful sleep of death until the end of the age, awaiting their reward. Thus, when the […]
Hope Even for Those Who Compromise Their Covenant Listen to audio: “Behold a great multitude which no one could count from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes and palm branches … in their hands … saying, Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb” (Revelation 7:9-10. All quotations from NASB, 1963). God’s heavenly call is only to the 144,000, the Bride, the little […]
A Good Report and a Better Resurrection Listen to audio: “These all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect” (Hebrews 11:39,40). David Stein The term “Ancient Worthies” is used by Bible Students to identify those faithful worshipers of Jehovah who lived before Jesus died. We can identify the first and last members of this class. The first was Abel who was murdered by […]
Should not ALL benefit? Listen to audio: “The hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth” (John 5:28,29). Brian Montague Coping with the death of a family member, a dear friend, or even a public figure with whom a personal connection had been made, is one of the hardest challenges mankind faces. During such times, emotions can run deep with sadness or even depression. Grief can be intense and, at times, […]
They Shall Not Hurt Nor Destroy Listen to audio: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign forever and ever” (Revelation 11:15 NRSV). After Christ’s thousand-year kingdom has restored humanity to the perfection lost in Eden, Satan is to be loosed “to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth” (Revelation 20:13 ASV). That will be the re-formed world’s final examination. What little the Bible says […]