December 13, 2023

Questions about Signs and the End Times

Destruction of Jerusalem

After Islamist militants attacked Israeli civilians on October 7, 2023, Israel went to war against Hamas – the Palestinian militant Islamist group in Gaza. Israel’s stated mission was to wipe them out.

When this conflict escalated, many wondered how it might fit into the prophecies contained in the Bible. There was speculation that it could be a possible sign of the “end times.” This is nothing new. Anytime there is a significant military conflict involving Israel, these discussions arise.

It is helpful to know what (if anything) the Bible says about this. Matthew 24 is a key chapter to help us on this point. Unfortunately, many people misunderstand and misinterpret this chapter. However, understanding what Jesus taught there will help us answer questions about whether some current event is a sign of the end.Continue Reading

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April 23, 2020

How Should Christians View America’s Role in Supporting Israel? (Episode 7)

Plain Bible Teaching Podcast

The question we’ll be considering in this episode was submitted via the podcast question submission form:

How should Christians view America’s role in supporting Israel?

This is a political topic because it is about government policy. Yet many religious people believe there is a Biblical mandate for the national support of the modern state of Israel. To answer this question from a Biblical perspective, we’re going to consider a few principles.

Additional resources:

Do you have a question you would like to submit for a future episode? Fill out the Plain Bible Teaching Podcast question form.

Thanks for listening!

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June 6, 2018

Rapture and Tribulation

Sunset Over City

“Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left” (Matthew 24:40-41).

The “rapture” is a popular doctrine among “Christian” denominations. The common doctrine of the “rapture” in the religious world is rooted in the theory of Premillennialism – the idea that we are awaiting the return of Christ in which He will come back to earth and establish His kingdom. However, we are not waiting for a future kingdom; Christ is reigning now (Acts 2:29-36). His kingdom (church) was established on the day of Pentecost (Mark 9:1; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4, 47; Colossians 1:13).

There are different variations of the theory of Premillennialism and the “rapture.” We will discuss those in a moment. But all of them have the “rapture” occurring before the millennium. In other words, many “Christian” denominations believe and teach that Christians will be caught up sometime before the reign of Christ on earth.Continue Reading

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May 9, 2017

Intending to Make Jesus King (Season 6, Episode 3)

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Intending to Make Jesus King (Season 6, Episode 3)

Many religious people are looking forward to the time when Christ returns and establishes His kingdom here on the earth. The alleged reason why Jesus did not do this when He came the first time was because the people rejected Him and would not make Him their king. Therefore, since Jesus was rejected by His people, He ascended back to heaven, the church was established instead, and believers now look forward to the coming kingdom.

The problem with this the above theory is that it is not taught in the Bible. The following verse debunks the claim that Jesus could not establish His kingdom because the people rejected Him.

“So Jesus, perceiving that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself alone” (John 6:15).

This episode discusses this passage and the nature of Christ’s kingdom.

Article: Intending to Make Jesus King

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May 8, 2012

The Fall of Sidney Rigdon

Sidney Rigdon (1793-1876) was once a gospel preacher early in the Restoration Movement. Yet he is better known for his role in the history of the Mormon church. This man, who at one time was striving to preach the gospel according to the New Testament pattern, departed from the truth and became a prominent figure among the Mormons. How could such a thing happen?

Amos S. Hayden, author of Early History of the Disciples in the Western Reserve, provides some insight into the fall of Sidney Rigdon.
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December 4, 2010

Another Judgment Day Prediction

Man has repeatedly tried to predict the date of the Day of Judgment. Predicted dates have come and gone and been replaced with future dates. These predictions are made by those who twist the Scriptures any way they can to come up with a date that suits them.
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November 3, 2009

Keywords in the Prophecy of the Coming Kingdom

Matterhorn mountain

Isaiah prophesied of a kingdom that was to come “in the last days” – the age that was ushered in following the coming of Christ into the world (cf. Hebrews 1:2). There are several keywords in this prophecy that we must understand if we are to appreciate what the passage teaches.

“Now it will come about that in the last days the mountain of the house of the Lord will be established as the chief of the mountains, and will be raised above the hills; and all nations will stream to it.

“And many peoples will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that He may teach us concerning His ways and that we may walk in His paths.’ For the law will go forth from Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

“And He will judge between the nations, and will render decisions for many peoples; and they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, and never again will they learn war” (Isaiah 2:2-4).

Let us briefly consider each of these key terms:
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