Four Gospels One Christ

Why Four Gospels Give Us One Christ More Clearly

Readers often ask why the New Testament includes four accounts of Jesus instead of one. If they all tell the same story, wouldn’t a single Gospel be enough? At first glance, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John can seem repetitive, or even inconsistent. But their differences are not a problem to be solved. They are the point.

Rather than giving us a single, flattened account of Jesus, the Gospels offer something closer to a three-dimensional portrait. To see why that matters, consider the difference between a drawing and a sculpture.

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.—John 1:1

Old Testament Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus Christ

Old Testament Prophecies About the Messiah

For many people today (especially those unfamiliar with the Bible) the idea that Jesus’ life and ministry were foretold centuries in advance can be surprising. Yet Jesus Himself pointed to the Hebrew Scriptures as witnesses to His identity: “These are they which testify of Me” (John 5:39).

The Old Testament includes dozens of specific prophecies pointing toward a coming Messiah, and the New Testament records their fulfillment in the life of Jesus. Below is an accessible overview of these key prophecies: what they predicted, when they were written, and how they illuminate the identity and mission of Christ.

The Truth About Satan

The Bible’s Portrait of Satan: Beyond the Caricatures and Toward the Story Scripture Tells

In today’s world, the figure commonly called the Devil or Satan is rarely taken seriously as a real spiritual being. Many people, whether casually religious, deeply secular, or somewhere in between, treat him as a symbol of evil rather than an actual adversary. Pop culture only reinforces this idea. We meet him as a cartoon villain with horns and a pitchfork, a slick deal-maker offering shortcuts to success, or even a charming anti-hero who simply wants a little freedom. These portrayals are memorable, but they tend to turn Satan into entertainment rather than something to consider seriously

Surveys reflect this cultural shift. Fewer and fewer people believe in a personal, literal devil; many prefer to think of “Satan” as a metaphor for the darker impulses of human nature or the destructive patterns in society. Even some who believe in God dismiss the idea of a spiritual enemy as outdated. As a result, the biblical story of Satan is often overshadowed by modern reinterpretations that soften, reshape, or even glamorize him.

But when we set aside the caricatures and go back to the Bible itself, we encounter a very different picture, one that begins not in an underworld but in the heavenly courts of God.

The Hidden Side of Halloween and All Saints’ Day

When something cute and “harmless” masks a deeper danger

What often appears cute, harmless, or simply “fun” can, in truth, be a kind of spiritual Trojan horse, a disguise for something far more dangerous. Halloween, and even its more “Christianized” counterpart, All Saints’ Day, are now celebrated with smiling pumpkins, playful costumes, and light-hearted talk of ghosts and spirits.

Yet beneath their innocent surface lies a legacy rooted in pagan ritual and spiritual practices that stand in direct opposition to the truth of God’s Word. Just as the enemy cloaks deception in charm and familiarity, these festivals can dull our sensitivity to the reality of evil and the seriousness of dabbling in the spiritual realm apart from Christ.

What begins as harmless cultural fun can, over time, open hearts and homes to influences that draw people away from the purity of biblical faith and toward a growing tolerance, even fascination, with the occult.

1844: A Pivotal Year in Prophecy

The year 1844 stands as a turning point spiritually, prophetically, politically, and socially. As Christ was preparing the way for His truth to be proclaimed globally, Bible-based principles were rediscovered and revived. Yet at the same time, Satan worked relentlessly to obscure truth and counteract its influence.

What the Bible Really Says About Speaking in Tongues

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 

— 1 Corinthians 12:7

Around the world, people are searching for genuine spiritual experiences. Some wonder if miracles and signs are proof of a close connection with God. Many people have heard of “speaking in tongues.” Some picture a person praying in a language no one understands; others imagine an ancient miracle that no longer happens. The topic can feel confusing, but the Bible actually explains it quite clearly.

Echoes of Creation in Chinese Characters

The Chinese written language is one of the oldest and most enduring writing systems in the world, using logographic characters—symbols representing words or meaningful concepts—rather than phonetic sounds. Its origins stretch back more than 3,000 years to the Shang dynasty, with oracle bone inscriptions from around 1200 BCE, and its visual nature has allowed it to unify speakers of many dialects while evolving over millennia. Interestingly, some of the oldest characters appear to preserve themes found in the book of Genesis, such as the character for “temptation,” which merges symbols for a WOMAN and TWO TREES, echoing the story of Eve and the serpent, and the character for “boat,” which combines EIGHT, PEOPLE, and SHIP, paralleling the eight persons saved in Noah’s ark during the flood.

The Book of Enoch

The Book of Enoch has long captivated readers with its vivid visions, stories of fallen angels, and dramatic departures from the biblical narrative. Though attributed to Enoch, the great-grandfather of Noah, it was actually written by multiple anonymous authors during the Second Temple period and was never included in the Jewish or most Christian biblical canons. This study examines the Book of Enoch not as inspired Scripture but by testing its claims against the Bible itself, revealing where it contradicts God’s Word and why it was rightly excluded. Key themes such as the origin of sin, the descent of the Watchers, the birth of Noah, and the messianic portrayal of Enoch demonstrate both its influence and its divergence from Scripture. By comparing its teachings with biblical truth, we aim to discern whether this text truly carries divine authority or merely presents a compelling but ultimately flawed account.

Health Blog Launch

New Health Blog Launch – Wellness for the End Times

We’re excited to announce the launch of a brand-new sister blog dedicated to health, healing, and well-being from a biblical perspective. While this blog remains focused on Bible prophecy and preparing spiritually for the end times, we recognize that physical health is an essential part of readiness, too.

Constantine the Great

July 25, 306 AD Constantine became emperor in AD 306, following the death of his father, Constantius Chlorus. Constantine the Great (reigned AD 306–337) is most known for transforming Christianity from a persecuted faith into a legally recognized and increasingly favoured religion within the Roman Empire. 

Constantine, along with Licinius, issued the Edict of Milan, which granted religious tolerance throughout the Roman Empire. It legalized Christianity, ending centuries of persecution allowed Christians to worship freely and restored confiscated Church property.

Did Jehthah Sacrifice His Daughter?

The story of Jephthah and his vow is one of the most challenging accounts in the book of Judges, often raising questions about sacrifice, devotion, and God’s will. At first glance, it may appear that Jephthah offered his daughter as a burnt sacrifice, something God clearly abhorred and repeatedly forbade His people to imitate from the surrounding nations. Yet, a closer look at Scripture reveals a deeper meaning: Jephthah’s daughter was not slain, but rather consecrated, a living sacrifice, wholly dedicated to God. This study will explore the biblical context of vows, God’s rejection of human sacrifice, and how Jephthah’s daughter’s submission reflects the call of Romans 12:1 to present our lives as holy and acceptable to the Lord.

The Patience Of Job's Wife

The story of Job is often read as an example of patience and faith in the midst of great suffering. Satan accuses Job of serving God only for His blessings, and God allows Job’s faith to be tested. Job endures unimaginable loss, his wealth, his health, and even his children, yet he does not curse God. While Job is usually the focus, it is worth pausing to consider the grief and perspective of his wife, who suffered these losses alongside him. Her response, though often criticized, raises important questions about how we walk with others through seasons of sorrow.

Job’s Test of Faith

And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him… But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. — Job 1:8-10

Satan charges that Job’s devotion rests only on God’s protection. With God’s permission, Satan strips Job of everything—his servants, possessions, children, and finally his health. Yet Job continues to trust God.

Job’s Wife Speaks

In the ashes of his suffering, Job’s wife urges him to let go:

Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? Curse God, and die. But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips. — Job 2:9-10

Her words are often dismissed as foolish, even compared to mockers at the cross (Matthew 27:43). Yet we must remember Job’s losses were hers too. The children Job mourned were the ones she bore and nurtured. While Job tore his robe and worshipped, Scripture does not record anyone comforting his wife.

The Need to Mourn

The Bible never condemns mourning. In fact, it calls it a necessary part of life and even a source of blessing:

• To every thing there is a season… a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance. (Ecclesiastes 3:1,4)

• Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. (Romans 12:15)

• Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. (Matthew 5:4)

When Job’s friends first arrive, they respond rightly:

They lifted up their eyes afar off… they lifted up their voice, and wept… So they sat down with him… seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great. — Job 2:12-13

Comfort sometimes means presence, not explanations.

Empty Comforts

Many of us have heard well-meaning words during grief: “God works in mysterious ways,” “At least it wasn’t worse,” “Be thankful for what you still have.” While true in a sense, such words can feel hollow when someone is crushed by sorrow. Even Job, who once comforted others, found little comfort when those same phrases were turned back on him (Job 4–10).

Instead of relief, Job’s friends added weight to his suffering, until he longed for death itself (Job 10:1). Scripture shows that even the faithful—Moses (Numbers 11:14-15), Jeremiah (Jeremiah 20:14-18), Jonah (Jonah 4:3,9), and Elijah (1 Kings 19:4)—struggled with despair and thoughts of death. Even Jesus confessed:

My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death. — Matthew 26:38

Christ’s Example of Comfort

At Lazarus’s tomb, Jesus models true compassion:

When Jesus therefore saw (Mary) weeping, and the Jews also weeping… he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled… Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! —  John 11:33-36

Jesus did not rush His friends through their grief. Though He knew resurrection was moments away, He first shared in their sorrow. His tears spoke louder than any words.

The Takeaway

Scripture reminds us that comfort is not about quick answers, but about love, patience, and shared burdens:

• Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2

• Judge not… but rather… that no man put a stumbling block… in his brother’s way. (Romans 14:13)

• Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. (Romans 12:15)

• Charity suffereth long, and is kind… beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. (1 Corinthians 13:4,7)

Job’s wife may not have spoken wisely, but her grief was real. In her pain, she needed compassion more than correction. And so do we all.

*All scripture are taken from the King James Version unless otherwise specified.

The Great Seal

 

Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the 7th day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the 7th day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the 7th day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. Genesis 2:1-3 

The seal of the president of the United States is used to mark correspondence from the president of the United States to the U.S. Congress, and is also used as a symbol of the presidency itself. The central design, based on the Great Seal of the United States first adopted by the U.S. Congress on June 20, 1782, is the official coat of arms of the U.S. presidency and also appears on the presidential flag.   

A king’s seal is like a signature, password, and stamp of authority all in one—authenticating royal documents and protecting them from tampering. Historically, a king’s seal served as a symbol of the monarch's sovereign authority. 

All royal seals—especially historical ones—tend to share three core elements that identify them as official and authoritative symbols of the monarch: 

• The monarchs name
• The monarchs official title
• A description of their domain

Did you know that God also has an official seal?

Pentecost

Based on Acts 2:1-39 

As the disciples returned from Olivet to Jerusalem, the people looked on them, expecting to see on their faces expressions of sorrow, confusion, and defeat; but they saw there gladness and triumph. The disciples did not now mourn over disappointed hopes. They had seen the risen Saviour, and the words of His parting promise echoed constantly in their ears.

Laodicean Church Under The Curses Of God

But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee: Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the field. Deuteronomy 28:15-16

And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. Revelation 3:14-18

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. Revelation 3:19-21

 

Christians & The Stock Market

Christians are called to be faithful stewards of all that God has entrusted to them, using their time, talents, and resources in ways that honour Him and serve others. While some may view investing in the stock market as a form of financial stewardship, Scripture repeatedly emphasizes working diligently, providing for one’s family, supporting the poor, and avoiding participation in systems that exploit others or promote greed. This study examines what it means to manage wealth biblically, considering God’s call to labour, give generously, and act justly, and asks whether engaging in the stock market aligns with the principles of faithful stewardship.

The Rapture: Left Behind

 

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Isaiah 5:20

 

While mainstream Christianity has varied views on the Rapture the most common view is that the Rapture is a pre-tribulation event where believers are taken away to heaven before a period of intense tribulation and judgment on those left behind.

 

Christians hope to be taken away while others fear being left behind, but what does the Bible say on these things?

Miller's Rules Of Bible Interpretation

William Miller was a farmer in the early 1800s who gave his life to God and began intensely studying his Bible. He gained fame for his interpretation of biblical prophecies, particularly those in the Book of Daniel, leading to his prediction of the Second Coming of Christ in 1843. This belief sparked the Millerite movement, a significant religious phenomenon in 19th-century North America.

Ellen White has written positively about Miller in The Great Controversy and elsewhere. She heard him preach, and accepted his teachings, going through the disappointment at age 16. She believed that his preaching fulfilled the prophecies of Scripture, and saw him being guided by the Lord.

Creation vs Evolution

A 2013 Pew Research Center survey found that roughly a quarter of adults (24%) say that "a supreme being guided the evolution of living things for the purpose of creating humans and other life in the form it exists today". The survey also showed that 36% of white evangelical Protestants say humans have evolved over time, while 60% say humans have existed in their present form since the beginning of time.

Some Christian thinkers, like Charles Kingsley and Frederick Temple, began to reconcile evolution with their faith in the 19th century, suggesting that evolution could be a mechanism used by God.

In his encyclical "Humani Generis," Pope Pius XII stated that Catholic teachings on creation could coexist with evolutionary theory, provided that the human soul is a direct creation of God. Pope John Paul II further clarified the Church's view, stating that evolution is "more than a hypothesis" and that the Church recognizes the scientific validity of evolution.

Many Catholics, and other Christians, embrace the concept of theistic evolution, which suggests that God used the process of evolution to create life, rather than a literal, six-day creation.

But what does the Bible say?

Women And Head Coverings

Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God. Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God. 1 Corinthians 11:4-16

Is Paul saying that a woman should have her head covered when she prays or prophesizes? Let's examine a few key verses from the passage above using the Bible's own principles for studying scripture to discern what God's word really says on the matter.

The Bible and Alcohol: Clearing the Confusion

Should Christians Drink Alcohol?

As the holiday season approaches, alcohol naturally becomes a larger part of many celebrations. It’s woven into cultural traditions, workplace gatherings, family meals, and moments of relaxation, which can make discussions about its risks feel uncomfortable or even intrusive. Yet increased drinking during this time of year consistently brings real consequences: higher rates of accidents, impaired driving, violence, emotional strain, and medical emergencies affecting people of every background, religious or not.

The aim here is not to judge but to offer awareness and perspective, inviting readers, especially Christians, to reflect thoughtfully during a season when choices carry added weight.

What the Bible Actually Says About “Wine”

The writers of Scripture used the Hebrew yayin and the Greek oinos (οἶνος) broadly, covering everything from freshly pressed grape juice to fully fermented wine. Neither language had separate words to distinguish them; the context reveals whether the drink is a blessing or a curse.

To study faithfully, Scripture tells us to interpret line upon line, precept upon precept (Isa. 28:10), with no “private interpretation” (2 Pet. 1:20), and to establish truth by “two or three witnesses” (2 Cor. 13:1). God is not the author of confusion (1 Cor. 14:33).

When we apply these principles, a consistent pattern emerges: the Bible distinguishes between two kinds of “wine.” 

Wine That Blesses vs. Wine That Destroys

Psalm 104:15 speaks of “wine that maketh glad the heart of man,” but notice carefully: the text does not say “wine maketh glad,” but “wine THAT maketh glad.” This implies there is also wine that does not make the heart glad, and Scripture makes that distinction repeatedly.

Wine that curses:

• “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging…” (Prov. 20:1)
• “Look not thou upon the wine when it is red… at the last it biteth like a serpent.” (Prov. 23:31–33)
• “Who hath woe? …They that tarry long at the wine.” (Prov. 23:29–30)

This type of wine is inherently deceptive and destructive.

Wine that blesses:

A different kind of “wine” is described as a gift from God—fresh, life-giving, joyful (Jer. 31:12; Joel 2:24; Deut. 7:13). Isaiah clarifies explicitly:

“As the NEW wine is found IN THE CLUSTER… for a blessing is in it.” – Isaiah 65:8

The blessing is found in the cluster, not in fermentation. Fermentation is a process of decay: the fruit beginning to rot. Heaven is described as incorruptible:

• “Where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt” (Matthew 6:20).
• “An inheritance incorruptible” (1 Peter 1:4).

Jesus even distinguished the two:

“I will drink… this fruit of the vine… NEW with you in My Father’s kingdom.” – Matthew 26:29

Wine in the Bible is often used as a symbol for blood. During the Last Supper Jesus identifies the wine with his blood of the new covenant. The Bible states that "the life of the flesh is in the blood" (Leviticus 17:11). Christ would not use a symbol of decay, rot, and fermentation to represent His pure, sinless blood.

A Royal Priesthood Called to Sobriety

In the Old Testament, God commanded His priests to abstain from wine and strong drink so they could discern rightly between holy and unholy, right and wrong, and teach God’s people (Leviticus 10:9–11). This principle did not end at the cross. Kings were likewise commanded to abstain, lest their judgment be distorted (Prov. 31:4–5).

In Christ, believers are both a royal priesthood (1 Pet. 2:9) and heirs of Abraham (Gal. 3:28–29). Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19). As such, we are called to present our bodies as “living sacrifices,” being “transformed,” and to “think soberly” (Rom. 12:1–3).

The message is consistent and clear:

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." – 1 Pet. 5:8

“Sober” comes from the Latin sobrius, meaning not drunk, free from the influence of alcohol, not merely “moderate.” One cannot be “moderately sober.” Impairment begins with the first drink. 

Alcohol’s Real Effects on the Body, Brain, and Emotions

Modern research overwhelmingly supports Scripture’s warnings:

• Impairment begins with the very first drink. Judgment, coordination, and decision-making immediately decline.
• Alcohol damages the brain, contributing to memory problems, emotional instability, nerve damage, and increased dementia risk.
• It harms the heart, raising blood pressure, causing arrhythmias, and increasing stroke risk.
• The liver progresses from fatty liver → hepatitis → cirrhosis → cancer.
• Alcohol is a known carcinogen, increasing risk of breast, colon, liver, throat, and esophageal cancers.
• It disrupts hormones, digestion, immunity, and fertility.
• It increases depression, anxiety, and suicide risk; harmful drinking nearly doubles suicide mortality.

Alcohol is implicated in 178,000 U.S. deaths annually, over 1 million hospitalizations, and countless broken relationships.

Even “moderate” drinking carries harm. From cognitive function to emotional stability, alcohol harms long before the outward signs of intoxication appear. There is no risk-free level.

Alcohol, Pain, Loneliness, and Broken Relationships

People often drink to numb emotional distress, (loneliness, anxiety, sadness) but the relief is temporary and deceptive. Alcohol disrupts neurotransmitter balance, worsening mood disorders, and deepening isolation.

Rather than fostering connection, alcohol erodes it:

• It blunts emotional presence.
• It fuels misunderstandings and impulsiveness.
• It contributes to broken trust and instability in families.

Alcohol dulls emotional awareness, relational connection, and spiritual sensitivity. The very thing people use to “feel less alone” often becomes the force that isolates them the most.

Alcohol as a Spiritual Barrier

Alcohol often becomes more than a habit; it becomes a refuge, a coping mechanism, or a form of emotional escape. When that happens, it risks becoming a functional idol. Scripture frequently links intoxication with spiritual unfaithfulness. (Hosea 4:11)

Paul warns believers to be filled with the Spirit, not with wine. (Eph. 5:18) Anything we turn to for comfort in place of God, even if unintentionally, creates spiritual distance. Alcohol promises relief, but delivers bondage. It mutes conviction, blurs discernment, and numbs the very heart God seeks to heal. 

Alcohol and Spiritual Deception in the Last Days

Scripture warns that physical intoxication has a spiritual parallel, and both lead to deception. Revelation describes a symbolic woman, a harlot, and the imagery of wine to describe end-time spiritual corruption:

“The kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.” — Revelation 17:2

Here the “woman” represents a church (Jeremiah 6:2; Ephesians 5:25–27). The woman of Revelation 17 is a harlot, symbolizing an apostate or unfaithful church; one who claims the name of God but allies herself with earthly powers.

This “wine of her fornication” represents false doctrine, corrupted worship, and compromised spirituality so intoxicating that it clouds judgment worldwide. Just as literal alcohol impairs discernment, spiritual “wine” does the same, only on a global scale.

The prophecy reveals that:

• The harlot seduces the rulers of the world (Rev. 17:2).
• They become spiritually intoxicated, unable to discern truth from deception.
• This corrupted alliance allows her to wield worldwide influence and persecute the faithful (Rev. 17:6).

In the last days, then, alcohol becomes not only a physical danger but also a symbol of spiritual vulnerability. Those who surrender clarity, physically or spiritually, become easier to deceive.

God calls His people to stand apart:

“Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins.” — Revelation 18:4

To resist spiritual deception, Scripture emphasizes the same theme we see regarding literal alcohol: sobriety, clarity, discernment, and watchfulness. (1 Thess. 5:6; 1 Pet. 5:8) The sober Christian, physically and spiritually, is not easily seduced. 

Scripture is clear that God’s people are called to live differently: 

Jesus said He came that we “might have life… more abundantly” (John 10:10). Alcohol brings only destruction. The fermentation that produces alcohol is literally a process of decay, a fitting symbol of what it does to the body, mind, relationships, and spiritual life.

Paul instructs:

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink… do all to the glory of God.” — 1 Corinthians 10:31

We cannot glorify God by consuming something that impairs judgment, harms the body, disrupts relationships, dulls spiritual sensitivity, increases suffering, and symbolizes the corruption of Babylon in the last days.

“What agreement hath the temple of God with idols?… Come out from among them… and touch not the unclean thing.” — 2 Corinthians 6:16–17

Not in judgment, but in love, Scripture calls us to be a people of clarity in a world of confusion, a people of light in a time of deepening darkness. If one wine brings blessing and the other brings woe, the choice is clear. May we choose the wine “that maketh glad,” the pure blessings of God, and reject the wine that mocks, deceives, corrupts, and destroys.

Discussion questions: 

1. How does understanding that the Bible uses one word (“wine”) for both fermented and unfermented drinks change the way we read passages about wine?
2. If impairment begins with the first drink (as modern research shows), what challenges does this present to the argument for “moderate” drinking?
3. How have you personally seen alcohol affect judgment, relationships, or emotional health, either in your life or in the lives of others?
4. Many people turn to alcohol to cope with loneliness, pain, or stress. What healthier, biblically grounded alternatives can the Christian community offer? 
5. Revelation 17 uses the imagery of a harlot giving the nations the “wine of her fornication.” How does literal intoxication help us understand this symbol of spiritual deception?
6. Why do you think rulers, representing political power, are depicted as being seduced rather than coerced? What does this suggest about the nature of deception?
7. How does the Bible’s symbol of the great harlot (an unfaithful church) influence our understanding of end-time deception?
8. In what ways could religious influence combined with political power lead to global deception, according to Revelation?
9. What habits, influences, or beliefs in your own life have the potential to cloud spiritual clarity or dull your sensitivity to the Holy Spirit?
10. How can Christians remain both compassionate and courageous in a world where both physical and spiritual dangers exist?

Sources Used

• PubMed: Alcohol use and death by suicide: A meta-analysis of 33 studies
• CDC: Facts About U.S. Deaths from Excessive Alcohol Use
• CDC: Deaths from Excessive Alcohol Use — United States, 2016–2021
• David R. Brumbelow, "Preserving Unfermented Wine in Bible Time," October 5, 2010
• JAMA: Network Open – Analysis of alcohol-attributable deaths (2015–2019)
• Kyle Pope, "Bible Wines: Testing Ancient Claims," July 18, 2021
• NIAAA: Alcohol-Related Emergencies and Deaths in the United States
• World Health Organization, "No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health," January 4, 2023

The War On God's Word

Nearly 60 years ago, on March 4, 1966, London's Evening Standard published the interview where John Lennon made the infamous claim that the Beatles were bigger than Jesus:

"Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. I needn't argue about that; I'm right and I'll be proved right. We're more popular than Jesus now; I don't know which will go first - rock 'n' roll or Christianity. Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. It's them twisting it that ruins it for me."

Less than 15 years later, Lennon was fatally shot by one of his own "disciples," American fan Mark David Chapman.

Spirit Of Television

Hollywood is a neighbourhood in Los Angeles, California. Named by its founders after an estate in Illinois, Hollywood is home to the U.S. film industry which has significantly influenced the global film industry for over 100 years.

Film, in addition to radio and television, are mediums where by programs are broadcast through various channels. Hollywood has produced many stars who are worshipped as idols by their adoring fans.

The entertainment industry could have devised any number of terms to describe what they do. It is interesting how each of these terms, medium, broadcast, channel, program, idol, stars, also have occult significance, even the name itself, Hollywood, also known as "Tinseltown", and its association with Los Angeles. Let's look at a few of those terms now.

A Happy New Year!

Another year of life is now in the past. A new year is opening before us. What will be its record? What will we each inscribe upon its spotless pages? The manner in which we spend each passing day will decide this question....