David Bunting
Will Christ Reign On Earth?
The Lord Jesus Christ promised that He will return one day. He told the apostles, “If I go and prepare place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself” (John 14:3). Immediately after Christ’s ascension, two angels declared, “This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11). John the apostle wrote, “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him” (Revelation 1:7). Jesus is coming back!
Raptured To Christ?
Predicting the return of the Lord Jesus and the end of the world is not new. Throughout the centuries men have been vainly foretelling the second coming of Christ based upon false interpretations of so-called signs or clues they have discovered or identified. The New Testament clearly reveals that men do not and will not know the day and hour of the coming of the Lord (Matt. 24:36, 42, 44; 1 Thess. 5:2; 2 Pet. 3:10).
CHRIST, OUR PASSOVER
While Israel was still enslaved in Egypt, God commanded the Israelites to observe the first Passover feast in preparation for the last plague to be sent against the Egyptians (Exodus 12:1-14). God required that a special meal be eaten on the fourteenth day of the first month. [He designated that month to be the first month of the year to Israelites because it was to be their beginning.] The feast was called the Lord’s Passover because God passed over their homes, where the blood of the lamb was smeared on the doorposts and lintel, when He put to death the firstborn of man and livestock in Egypt. God commanded that this feast be observed annually as a memorial of His deliverance of the nation of Israel. The Passover meal would be a reminder of how the nation ate in haste when Pharaoh finally released them (Deuteronomy 16:1-8).
IS TITHING REQUIRED TODAY?
Many modern churches practice tithing. Some even request that members complete written pledges. Church administers then keep an accounting of each member’s tithing to assure that they fulfill their obligations. Does Jesus Christ authorize this means of collecting funds to meet the needs of the church?
HOLD TO THE PATTERN
God commanded Moses to build the tabernacle according to the pattern He had shown him (Exodus 25:40), and Moses did (39:42-43). Most everyone understands what a pattern is and how important that the prescribed form is followed. Patterns are used in all areas of life, ranging from set forms to assist in assembling to diagrams used to guide to design intended to be reproduced. The New Testament reveals the heavenly pattern to be followed today in regard to spiritual and religious matters.