Various issues.

1. A look at the "end of the world" signs. PDF / JPEG

The signs are happening; but not necessarily to a greater degree than in past years. However, the way world events are occurring, all of this could change at any moment.

2. The need to get ready (1). PDF / JPEG

A look at what Scripture tells us to do, and the reason for it. (Part 1.)

3. The need to get ready (2). PDF / JPEG

A look at what Scripture tells us to do, and the reason for it. (Part 2.)

4. How to "speed up" Jesus' coming (1). PDF / JPEG

2 Peter 3:12 mentions "speeding up" the day of God - i.e., the day of Jesus' return. Here, we focus on the first two ways: (1) praying for it, and (2) living a holy and righteous life.

5. How to "speed up" Jesus' coming (2). PDF / JPEG

Here we finish what we started last time, with: (3) sharing the Good News. In doing so, we help others to prepare for Jesus' coming, as well as "speed it up."

6. Israel's blessings - inherited by the church. PDF / JPEG

We will be looking at a few issues related to Israel and the church. Today, our focus is on blessings we have (as followers of Jesus), which the Old Testament says belong to Israel.

7. The Bible's concept of "church." PDF / JPEG

To us, the word "church" has many meanings that it did not have in the New Testament era. Knowing this fact can help us to have a clearer understanding of what the Bible says.

8. Our identity in Christ - not the word "church." PDF / JPEG

Since the New Testament word for "church" could be used of anyone, even unsaved people, the early Christians did not use that word to "define" themselves (unless the context indicated that it was referring to saved people). They had other terms that identified them - such as "holy ones" or "brothers/sisters (in Christ)" - and these terms teach us a lot about how we should live.

9. Why Israel exists... and for how long? PDF / JPEG

God did not promise Israel that they would exist; rather, he promised Israel's ancestors. Because of that, nothing in Israel's conduct could change the promise - not even ongoing rebellion. Even when exiled from the land, because of their sin, there were promises of a future restoration. Why? Because the promise that they would always exist had been made to others... and it was unconditional.

10. The nature of "gifts." PDF / JPEG

This issue actually relates to Israel, since Scripture says that God "gave" them the land of Canaan. There is much we can learn about "gifts" that applies - including one's accountability to God for what we do with the gifts. (This was written during the time of year that most people celebrate the birth of Jesus - the ultimate gift to the world.)

11. God judges nations. PDF / JPEG

God owns the world, and holds nations accountable for what they do. He destroys nations who's wickedness becomes totally intolerable. (He also blesses nations; but our focus here is on the issue that most people want to ignore or deny.)

12. Did Israel commit "genocide"? PDF / JPEG

In recent years, an increasing number of people have claimed that Old Testament Israel committed "genocide," when they took over the land of Canaan. When we look in Scripture, we discover that it would have been impossible for Israel to do this! For them to take over the land, God had to do most of the fighting!

13. Israel exists only by God's grace. PDF / JPEG

The fact that Israel came into existence is a display of God's grace. Without it, they had a ZERO percent chance of coming into existence as a nation in the land of Canaan. It's only the "God factor" that made it happen.

14. Modern Israel and prophecy (1). PDF / JPEG

Is modern Israel a fulfillment of prophecy? Here, we look at a number of Old Testament passages related to this issue. (To be completed next time.)

15. Modern Israel and prophecy (2). PDF / JPEG

Here, we finish answering the question we introduced last time, by looking at a few more Old Testament passages, and then some New Testament passages.

16. Covenants - Introduction and some examples. PDF / JPEG

We saw that Israel's past, present and future have a direct connection to covenants. For that matter, Scripture connects covenants to how God interacts with all of us. So we are going to look at this issue - first learning what covenants are, and seeing some examples of covenants between individuals.

17. Covenants made by Israel. PDF / JPEG

Most of the covenants (treaties, alliances, etc.) made between Israel and other nations were not good. Sometimes their responses to covenants already made were not good. Either way, we (people and nations) should learn from their example - normally by doing the opposite!

18. Covenants made with God; eternal redemption. PDF / JPEG

Our focus is now on covenants made with God. We start with: (1) covenants that people initiated, and what they teach us. We finish with: (2) the first of three situations that some people view as "covenants" (though the Bible doesn't use the word "covenant" to describe them). This has to do with God's plan for our salvation - a plan he made before creation came into existence. (This plan is wonderful, whether or not we think it is a "covenant"!)

19. The "Creation Mandate." (Many call this a "covenant.") PDF / JPEG

Here, we look at the original instructions that God gave to the human race. These instructions have never been cancelled - though our sin has destroyed our ability to completely obey them.

20. God's grace at the time of the "Fall." (Many call this a "covenant.") PDF / JPEG

When our ancestors chose to sin, judgment had to come. This sin affected every aspect of the "Creation Mandate" (which we looked at last time). But in the midst of this judgment, God offered grace - hope for the future.

21. The Flood and God's covenant with Noah. PDF / JPEG

A look at the Flood that occurred in the days of Noah, why it was necessary (what the people were like - two viewpoints), and the covenant that God made with people (and with the whole world) after the Flood was over. This covenant is still in effect today.

22. The Abrahamic Covenant: Its context. PDF / JPEG

This covenant is related to every major covenant that followed it. Here, we look at the context in which it came into existence: the situation in the world, as well as the faith of Abraham (who was originally named "Abram").

23. The Abrahamic Covenant: Trusting God. PDF / JPEG

God made some "impossible" promises to Abraham. Abraham trusted God... God kept his promises. Abraham's trust in God is the foundation that made this covenant possible. It also provides an example for us to learn from.

24. The Abrahamic Covenant: Land issues. PDF / JPEG

God promised Abraham the land of Canaan. But the promise grew into something even greater than that. In the end, it includes the whole earth - and the New Jerusalem on the future new earth!

25. The Abrahamic Covenant: Offspring and blessings (1). PDF / JPEG

Here is our first look at the "people promises" - the parts of the covenant that involve people and blessings. As Abraham's trust in God grew stronger, the promises of the covenant kept growing greater... until they encompassed the entire world and all the people in it. (This final outcome is still future... yet guaranteed to happen.)

#. [More in the future] PDF / JPEG

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