November 18, 2024
November 24 Study | Free at Last
If there is anything that should cause us to give thanks this week it is that God has provided an eternal home for us.
Articles for tag: Prophecy
November 11, 2024
November 17 Application | Praise the Alpha and the Omega
The Lord is “the Alpha and the Omega”. In the past he has kept his covenants through all generations. In the present he guides and comforts us through the Scriptures and the presence of his indwelling Spirit. He is forever faithful. The future is not a mystery to him.
October 28, 2024
November 3 Study | The Battle is the Lord’s
In Revelation 15-16, Christians are given a front-row seat on the judgments of God. They can watch them unfold through observing the angels with their seven bowls of wrath.
October 28, 2024
November 3 Application | The Praiseworthy Justice of God
The more we respect God’s justice, the more we will appreciate the way he forgives our sins even though he has the right to punish us.
August 5, 2024
August 11 Study | Thoughtful Hearts
The prophets Zechariah and Malachi warn God's people to turn their hearts toward God and repentance.
May 27, 2024
June 2 Study | Knowledge and Understanding
The major prophet Daniel had the challenging task of balancing (or holding in tension) the knowledge he received from Almighty God and the knowledge he acquired from living in captivity. . . .
July 31, 2023
August 6 | Power for Justice
Jonah prophesied around 760 BC for the people of Nineveh to repent. They repented. The city was spared from the justice of God for 100 years. But later Nahum came along (663–612 BC) and had to prophesy against Nineveh again. . . .
June 19, 2023
June 25 | Warning for Liars
People have many motivations for lying. Pride, saving face, selfishness, greed, and more can motivate a person to be dishonest. Hananiah, it seems, was angered by Jeremiah’s message of doom. . . .
December 22, 2022
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘The Telstar of God’ (1962)
Television audiences on the North American and European continents were treated to an added marvel of electronics on July 23, 1962, when live transmissions were beamed off the Telstar satellite. But as Solomon said, “There is no new thing under the sun.” God long ago placed in the sky His own Telstar, commonly called the “Star of Bethlehem.” . . .
December 18, 2022
An Unprompted Carol Sing at Disney
That night at that Disney amphitheater, Arron Chambers recalls, "I witnessed the uncontainable joy Dad had for Jesus and all things Christmas." (This is the first of eight Christmas reflections Christian leaders will be sharing in the days leading up to the celebration of our Lord's birth.)
July 1, 2022
The World Is Sick and Jesus Is the Cure
By Jerry Harris We’ve been ready for COVID-19 to end for two-plus years, but throughout this season I have seen the faithfulness of God in many ways. I’m reminded of Jesus’ words: Do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. . . . For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well (Luke 12:22-23, 30-31).
December 25, 2019
Christmas Poems from 1877
(Christian Standard featured poetry for many years. This Christmas Day we share three poems by Marie Radcliffe Butler. All of these poems appeared at the top left column of the front page of the December 22, 1877, issue of the magazine. Fun fact: Butler’s poem “The Christian Standard — on the Field of Armageddon” was in the very first issue of Christian Standard, April 7, 1866, and occupied that same top-left position.) _ _ _ (Written for the Christian Standard.) CHRISTMAS POEMS. _ _ _ MARIE RADCLIFFE BUTLER. _ _ _ WHEN SHILOH CAME. (Luke i. 7.) A light in
Returning to Palestine
It can be fascinating to read an editorial from an old issue of Christian Standard and consider biblical history that preceded it and world history that has occurred since. Such is the case with this piece from 140 years ago. One important note: We don’t believe the editor’s reference to the Jewish people as “the hated race” was intended as a personal slur. Instead, we think he meant to describe the anti-Semitic opinion held by many in the world at that time in history. Sadly, some of these feelings and rhetoric remain today. _ _ _ Jews in Jerusalem An
May 1, 2018
A Divine Springtime
By Rick Chromey Spring is a beautiful time of year. Flowers bloom. Trees bud. Babies are everywhere. Daylight saving time provides an extra hour of sun nightly. Barbecues, backyards, and baseball are back. Springtime is a testimony to God’s redemption. As temperatures warm, the snow and ice melt, the days lengthen, and a new world emerges from winter hibernation. What was dead now has life. What was brown now is green. What was dark now is light. It’s no wonder God used the spring of the year to release his final redemptive act to mankind. The Easter story is perfectly
January 11, 2018
He Didn’t Fit the Profile
By Jim Nieman Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecy concerning the Messiah, so why did most leading Jewish religious leaders and scholars of his day reject Jesus, plot to kill him, and coerce and influence the Roman occupiers into crucifying him? In part, it’s because Jesus—though he performed many impressive miracles, and taught lessons and made claims like no one else—was just too ordinary. Jewish leaders had a preconceived notion of what the Messiah would be and what he would do: he would be a mighty warrior and earthly king; he would overthrow the oppressors and establish an earthly kingdom. And
July 24, 2017
Lesson for July 30, 2017: Amos (Amos 7)
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in the July 23, 2017, issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott In the field of education, accreditation is an organized means of ensuring academic quality. One question might be: who determines that academic quality? Who has the authority to say whether or not some aspect of education is good? What happens if those with the credentials, the clout, the majority, and the machinery are all wrong?
December 21, 2016
The Colors of Christmas
By Jim Tune Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too” (Luke 2:34, 35). A popular Roman Catholic devotion holds that Mary suffered seven sorrows: Simeon”s prophecy that her heart would be pierced, her flight to Egypt that Jesus might escape the infanticide, the anxious days in Jerusalem when she thought she had lost Jesus,
May 25, 2015
Lesson for May 31, 2015: The Greatest Is Love (1 Corinthians 13)
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the May 24 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone This week concludes a study of key passages in Paul”s first letter to the church in Corinth. Members of this first-century congregation had written Paul with several questions. We have considered some of their concerns in past weeks. Today”s study of 1 Corinthians 13 is best understood when we realize that it is sandwiched in with a discussion of spiritual gifts
Lesson for May 10, 2015: Gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:1-11)
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the May 3 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone The apostle Paul spent about 18 months in the prominent Greek city of Corinth during his second missionary journey. Although he faced strong opposition (Acts 18:1-11), still the church grew and prospered. Later Paul received a letter from Corinth raising several important issues. He addressed them in 1 Corinthians. His discussion of spiritual gifts extends from 12:1″“14:40. Obviously this was a
November 30, 2012
The “˜New” Revelation
By Brian Mavis In celebration of the Mayan calendar ending, I dedicate this installment of “What”s Next” to eschatology. Specifically, we”ll look at a “new” interpretation of Revelation that is trending up. Let me frame the argument by mentioning the four main schools of interpreting Revelation. Preterism This view teaches that the events described in Revelation were fulfilled in AD 70 with the destruction of the temple and the fall of Jerusalem (or with the fall of the Roman Empire). Most preterists believe chapters 20-22 point to future events. Historicism This view teaches that the prophetic symbols are the
