There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn’t true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true. —Soren Kierkegaard. "…truth is true even if nobody believes it, and falsehood is false even if everybody believes it. That is why truth does not yield to opinion, fashion, numbers, office, or sincerity–it is simply true and that is the end of it" – Os Guinness, Time for Truth, pg.39. “He that takes truth for his guide, and duty for his end, may safely trust to God’s providence to lead him aright.” – Blaise Pascal. "There is but one straight course, and that is to seek truth and pursue it steadily" – George Washington letter to Edmund Randolph — 1795. We live in a “post-truth” world. According to the dictionary, “post-truth” means, “relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.” Simply put, we now live in a culture that seems to value experience and emotion more than truth. Truth will never go away no matter how hard one might wish. Going beyond the MSM idealogical opinion/bias and their low information tabloid reality show news with a distractional superficial focus on entertainment, sensationalism, emotionalism and activist reporting – this blogs goal is to, in some small way, put a plug in the broken dam of truth and save as many as possible from the consequences—temporal and eternal. "The further a society drifts from truth, the more it will hate those who speak it." – George Orwell “There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn’t true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true.” ― Soren Kierkegaard
Before I became a Christian I worked hard to store up my treasure in the forms of a big bank account and the accumulation of creature comforts. While a big bank account is not bad in and of itself, after I became a Christian, at age 28, I soon began to realize that the accumulation of money was not what I was put on earth to do. Randy Alcorn gives us the real reason why we should work hard when he shared: “God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving.”1
And the more I started to share my finances with my church, worthwhile Christian ministries, and people in need, the more satisfaction and joy I received. Little did I understand as a young Christian that the more I used my treasure to bless others, the more I got blessed. And while I may have been depleting my earthly bank account, I was actually storing up my treasure in my heavenly bank account.
The Scriptures give us very wise advice when they say: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21).
Again, Randy Alcorn provides insight here when he stated: “Many Christians dread the thought of leaving this world. Why? Because so many have stored up their treasures on earth, not in heaven. Each day brings us closer to death. If your treasures are on earth, that means each day brings you closer to losing your treasures.”2 How much better to store up our treasure in heaven where it can’t be lost and in fact is accruing amazing dividends!
For you see when we share our resources with others we are in effect helping to build up the kingdom of God. And when we do this we line up our hearts with heaven and receive a host of blessings now as well as in eternity. For example, when your heart is set on things above, God blesses you with great joy, and promises to supply all your needs here below. However, if you are working to accumulate treasure on earth, your heart will become consumed with self and not only will you forfeit the joy of pleasing the Lord, but you will become trapped into experiencing temporary fleeting comfort, and you will also forfeit the eternal blessings that a heart set on heaven can look forward to.
In closing, material blessings are nice but they are so temporary and they simply cannot compare with the joy we receive when we give from the heart of our time, talent, and yes, our treasure.
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Jan Markell talks toPastor Jack Hibbsfor the hour. Our generation is saturated by deception and strong delusion, but it is prepping for the Antichrist, the ultimate deceiver. The world and the church cry for unity. What is the strong delusion that causes people to believe a lie? Find Hibbs’ book inour online store.
Rather than hiding from the meaningless void created by atheism, Friedrich Nietzsche sought to embrace the haunting emptiness that comes with denying God’s existence. Today, R.C. Sproul examines the father of modern nihilism.
This advice will improve your discernment GREATLY… In this video, Todd Friel is joined by Justin Peters to read a letter from John Newton about discernment and judging people publicly. Todd shares his perspective on the letter as a Bible-believing Christian.
10:11 The punishments that came upon the disobedient Israelites not only were an example to their fellow Hebrews but also to believers in every age since. More than that they were given for our instruction, for the benefit of Christians, those upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Instruction (nouthesia) is more than ordinary teaching. It means admonition and carries the connotation of warning. It is counsel given to persuade a person to change behavior in light of judgment. The ends of the ages refers to the time of Messiah, the time of redemption, the last days of world history before the messianic kingdom comes.
We are living in a greatly different age from that of the Hebrews in the wilderness under Moses, but we can learn a valuable lesson from their experience. Like them we can forfeit our blessing, reward, and effectiveness in the Lord’s service if, in overconfidence and presumption, we take our liberties too far and fall into disobedience and sin. We will not lose our salvation, but we can easily lose our virtue and usefulness, and become disqualified in the race of the Christian life.[1]
11 Paul is now ready to conclude this section and summarize his point. In v. 11 he repeats what he said in v. 6 about these OT incidents serving as “examples” (here he uses the adverb typikōs rather than the noun typos) to warn or admonish the Corinthians about not participating in idolatry of any sort, lest the Lord come against them with similar judgments. The OT is not simply interesting ancient history; it is God’s covenantal history, which is relevant to those “on whom the fulfillment [lit., ‘the ends’] of the ages has come.” It would take us too far afield here to describe in detail Paul’s doctrine of the two ages (aiōnia, GK 172; see comments at 2:6). Suffice it to say that in his view, ever since the resurrection and ascension of Christ, we are living in the end-times insofar as the coming age has already made its presence and power felt in the present age. We as believers ultimately, right now, are living with Christ in heaven and thus must manifest his victory over sin in our lives every day (cf. Col 2:20–3:4).[2]
11 Just as Paul had begun the preceding paragraph (v. 6) with an express statement that “these things” (= vv. 1–5) occurred so that they might function as examples for “us” (esp. the Corinthians), so now he concludes the four examples of judgment in the desert with a similar explicit application: “These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us.” Although the wording has changed from before, the point is the same in both instances, the wording here helping further to clarify what he had said earlier. As before, Israel does not serve as a “type” of the Corinthians;520 rather, “these things” that have just been narrated “happened to them by way of example.522” But they “were written down as warnings for us,”524 thus indicating their divinely ordained reason for being in Scripture. In this sentence one captures a sense of Paul’s view that both the historical events and the inscripturated narrative are not simply history or isolated texts in Scripture; rather, behind all these things lie the eternal purposes of the living God, who knows the end from the beginning, and who therefore has woven the prefigurement into these earlier texts for the sake of God’s final eschatological people.
With the final clause, “on whom the culmination of the ages has come,” Paul once again sets everything into his thoroughly eschatological perspective (see esp. on 4:1–5 and 6:1–5). If the precise nuance of the wording itself is not certain, there is little question about Paul’s present concern. Through his death and resurrection Jesus Christ marks the turning of the ages; the old is on its way out, the new has begun (2 Cor. 5:17). He has set the future irresistibly in motion; and the new people of God, whether Jew or Gentile, bond or free, male or female, who belong to God by grace alone, are the people of the End, “on whom the culmination of the ages has come” and “toward whom all history has had its goal.” That is what constitutes the typological element in these OT stories; ultimately the whole OT has been pointing toward its eschatological fulfillment in God’s new people. And that is why the OT is their book in particular—because it has Christ as its prime actor and final goal. This does not mean that Israel, or its history, was not important in its own right, but that they stand at the beginning of the promises of God that are now finding fulfillment at the end of the ages. Thus all of these now exist in written form for “our” sakes, to warn “us” not to be like them; for Christ’s people stand at the end of history, at the time when God is bringing all of the divine purposes into focus and fulfillment in Christ.[3]
10:11 / Paul explicitly details the application of the exodus story to the Corinthian situation. One should notice at least two significant elements of his explanation. First, Paul’s exegesis of the ot clearly shows that he understands the Scriptures to be typological as a result of the Christ-event. Second, Paul locates himself and the Corinthians at the juncture of the ages, as the nrsv recognizes with the correct translation, “they were written down to instruct us, on whom the ends of the ages have come.” The niv translation, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come, offers interpretation, not translation, although this imprecise rendering is not unique. This verse is generally mistranslated and misunderstood as a reference to either a general summary of all previous times or epochs (“end of the ages”) or a general summary of all previous nonepochal time (“end of the age”). “Fulfillment of the ages” seems to fit the first category of comprehension, not the second.
Nevertheless, both of these understandings fail to take seriously Paul’s apocalyptic-eschatological temporal dualism (see Introduction, pp. 12–15). From this particular perspective one sees that Paul himself understood that he and the Corinthians lived at the point where “the present evil age” (Gal. 1:4) and the “new creation” (2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15) were both already present and not yet present. Paul perceives that humanity is located at a time between the cross and the coming of Christ, when the old and new ages are mingled. In this interim the old is already dying and the new is already being born, though the old has not yet passed away and the new has not yet fully arrived.[4]
10:11happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us. For the significance of “examples” (typoi), see comments on 10:6. Paul’s then/now contrast stresses the significance of the Old Testament events as paradigmatic of God’s interaction with his people (happened to them … written for us). God’s wrath and God’s love are two sides of the same coin.
on whom the culmination of the ages has come. The geographical term “has come” (katantaō) speaks of destination (“arrive,” “reach”). The destination point toward which all of time has moved is the event of Jesus Christ (Gal. 4:4; 1 Pet. 1:20). This event has now arrived and is the very event that called the Christ community in Corinth into being. The typological event Paul just referenced from Hebrew Scriptures is therefore particularly relevant for the church.[5]
11. Paul sums up by saying that these things are examples, recorded as warnings. The fulfilment of the ages is a curious expression (which many oversimplify, as jb, ‘at the end of the age’, or gnb, ‘when the end is about to come’). It appears to mean that the culmination of all past ages has arrived. The coming of Christ has decisive significance. All previous ages come to their appointed end in him. Those ages are now completed and the lessons they teach are open to us. We should then reap the fruits of the experience of those ages.[6]
11. The incidents noted in verses 6–10 are now explained as to their significance. Israel’s experiences were never meant for Israel alone but had an exemplary purpose from the outset, that is, God designed salvation history so that the life of Israel would function typologically (typikōs, rendered here as examples). The experience of the church of Jesus Christ corresponds to and replicates to a remarkable degree the experience of Israel (cf. 1 Cor. 9:10). It is not that the events are only recognized to be typological retrospectively; rather, they were intended by God as types from the outset. This is not to say that the parallels are similar in every respect, since a common feature of typology is escalation, that is, the antitype is greater than the type. For instance, the sacrifice of Christ is the antitype to the sacrifice of animals, but the fulfilment is clearly greater than the type. So, too, the church of Jesus Christ, as the recipient of new covenant promises, enjoys greater access to God and superior blessings than did ancient Israel. Still, the history of Israel is not cut off from the life of the church. In this case, the fall of Israel in the wilderness constitutes a warning for the church. The church cannot claim that the failure of Israel is irrelevant by clinging to promises of divine preservation. Rather, the warnings are one of the means by which the promises of divine protection are secured.
The understanding of typology offered here fits with the claim that the culmination of the ages has come for believers in Jesus Christ. The notion that the last days, the end of history, have arrived in Jesus Christ is common in the New Testament. John announces that it is ‘the last hour’ (1 John 2:18) and Peter proclaims that ‘the end of all things is near’ (1 Pet. 4:7). God has ‘spoken’ to his people ‘in these last days’ through his Son (Heb. 1:2) and he has poured out his Spirit ‘in the last days’ (Acts 2:17–18). All of history and God’s covenants find their fulfilment in Jesus Christ. The last days have been inaugurated but not consummated in Jesus Christ. The history of Israel, then, is for the sake of believers in Jesus Christ and for the Corinthians in particular. They see from Israel’s response to God in the wilderness how fatal it is to disbelieve in and disobey God.[7]
11. Now these things happened to them as a warning and were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
a. “Now these things happened to them as a warning.” Numerous translations give a slightly different reading by inserting the adjective all, that is, “Now all these things.” The adjective, however, may have been added to emphasize the historical incidents mentioned in the preceding verses (vv. 6–10). Verse 11 echoes verse 6, “Now these things became examples for us.”
The historical examples of idolaters, fornicators, rebels, and grumblers are pertinent reminders of God’s anger toward sinners who willfully put him to the test. With the imperfect tense of the verb to happen, Paul depicts the recurrence of these incidents; with the phrase to them he clearly alludes to the Israelites on their forty-year journey through the Sinai Peninsula. God has seen fit to record these events as instructive lessons to warn his people in successive generations and in other cultures. God is a God of history who expects his people to take note of biblical history.
b. “And [these] were written for our admonition.” God’s Word has lasting authority for believers in every generation. Indeed, God has given us both the Old and New Testaments to admonish us to live in harmony with his precepts (see 9:10). The term admonition appears in another letter of Paul, where he instructs fathers to bring up their children “in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4)—that is, they should teach their children the truths of Scripture. Likewise, God diligently admonishes his people to adhere to his written Word, and he warns that failure to obey him results in dire consequences (compare Heb. 10:31).
Let no one think that God presents himself in the Old Testament only as an avenger of evil (Ps. 139:19) and in the New Testament only as a God of love (1 John 4:16). God both hates sin and loves the sinner who repents. He never changes. He loves his people; both the patriarch of Bible times and the recent convert experience the joy of God’s forgiving grace. With unwavering steadfastness God fulfills his promises in the lives of the saints—every sincere believer can testify to this truth.
c. “Upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” What does Paul mean when he writes “the ends of the ages”? He is not saying that God’s people have come to the consummation, but instead that the end times have now begun. Other New Testament writers similarly affirm that we are now living in the last period of history (see Heb. 9:26; 1 John 2:18). Within the end time, which arrived with the coming of Christ, some periods in history have been completed. For example, the Old Testament era ended with the fulfillment of the messianic promises; Greek and Roman culture encountered Christ’s gospel and subsequently disappeared. Writes F. W. Grosheide, “As often as a nation comes in contact with the gospel, an age finds its end.”
Even though Paul states that the ends of the ages have arrived, we are unable to discern the end of the period in which we live. Jesus tells us that the end comes when the gospel has been preached as a testimony to all nations (Matt. 24:14). In these end times, therefore, we must hasten the day of Christ’s return by living holy and godly lives (2 Peter 3:11–12) and by advancing the spread of Christ’s gospel to every part of the world and every sector of society. When that task has been accomplished, the consummation of all things will come about. Together with the Corinthians, every believer must heed God’s admonitions in the days that are known as the end time. The events recorded in the Old Testament Scriptures are there for the express purpose of telling Christians to avoid the pitfalls of sin and to hasten the day of the Lord.[8]
[1] MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1984). 1 Corinthians (pp. 225–226). Moody Press.
[2] Verbrugge, V. D. (2008). 1 Corinthians. In T. Longman III &. Garland, David E. (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Romans–Galatians (Revised Edition) (Vol. 11, pp. 343–344). Zondervan.
[3] Fee, G. D. (2014). The First Epistle to the Corinthians (N. B. Stonehouse, F. F. Bruce, G. D. Fee, & J. B. Green, Eds.; Revised Edition, pp. 506–507). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
[4] Soards, M. L. (2011). 1 Corinthians (pp. 203–204). Baker Books.
[5] Vang, P. (2014). 1 Corinthians (M. L. Strauss, Ed.; pp. 136–137). Baker Books.
Leviticus 16:29-31 — An interesting challenge to the workaholic culture – “afflict your souls” by doing “no work at all.”
Leviticus 18:6 — In contrast to our minimalist clothing culture, God expects us to respect others with specific instructions.
Leviticus 18:22 — God’s standards may not be popular, but you cannot say they are not clear.
Leviticus 18:29 — What sins lead to the phrase “shall be cut off”? Rejecting circumcision is literally rejecting identification with Israel (Gen 17:14), eating leavened bread during Passover (Exodus 12:15 and 19), working on the Sabbath (Exodus 31:14), eating the Lord’s portion of the sacrifice (Leviticus 7:20 and 25), defiled eating of the peace offering (Leviticus 7:21), eating the blood (Leviticus 7:27), offering sacrifices independently (Leviticus 17:4, 9, and 14), committing sexual sins (Leviticus 18:29), profaning the sacrifice (Leviticus 19:8), incest (Leviticus 20:17), defiling the holy things (Leviticus 22:3), breaking Sabbath (Leviticus 23:29), skipping Passover (Numbers 9:13), and many more.
Mark 8:4 — The disciples saw Jesus feed 5,000 yesterday but struggled to see how He could feed 4,000 today.
Psalm 41:4 — Those who confess their sin and request mercy will see God answer (2 Chronicles 7:14, Psalm 25:16-18).
Proverbs 10:15 — Interesting the correlation to Proverbs 14:20.
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And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shalt come to pass, that everyone that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. (Numbers 21:8)
This is a glorious gospel type. Jesus, numbered with the transgressors, hangs before us on the cross. A look to Him will heal us of the serpent-bite of sin; will heal us at once—”When he looketh upon it, he shall live.” Let the reader who is mourning his sinfulness note the words—”Everyone that looketh upon it shall live.” Every looker will find this true. I have found it so. I looked to Jesus and lived at once, I know I did. Reader, if you look to Jesus you will live, too. True, you are swelling with the venom, and you see no hope, True, also there is no hope but this one. But this is no doubtful cure—”Everyone that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.”
The brazen serpent was not lifted up as a curiosity to be gazed upon by the healthy; but its special purpose was for those who were “bitten.” Jesus died as a real Savior for real sinners. Whether the bite has made you a drunkard, or a thief, or an unchaste or a profane person, a look at the great Savior will heal you of these diseases and make you live in holiness and communion with God. Look and live.
There is nothing wrong with having two positive and uplifting devotionals in a row! We need the encouragement which God graciously provides us in His Word. But Josiah burned priests’ bones on an altar and that’s supposed to encourage us? Oh Yes!!
To understand why this act should encourage us, we need to look back at1 Kings 13:1,2. After Solomon’s death, the kingdom split into northern and southern kingdoms, Israel and Judah. In the north, Jeroboam decided to make worship convenient and set up altars in Bethel and Dan. These altars were manned by “priests” not from Levi, who allowed for false worship. Once those priests died, their bones were preserved. So Josiah, at age 20, began to purge idolatry from the lives of God’s covenant people. That purification by purging included burning the bones of those false priests who conducted unlawful worship beginning in the days of Jeroboam. God employed the grace of scorching heat to cleanse His people!
How has God worked to cleanse you of your sins? We rejoice to the highest heavens that He sent His Son to cleanse us of all our sins, making the impure (us) pure in Him! God still uses fire to cleanse us. This is why Paul tells us –1 Thessalonians 5:19– “Do not quench the Spirit.” Don’t put out His purifying fire by sins. So, by grace, God still purifies us. Praise the Lord!
Suggestions for prayer
Thank God for the purifying fires of His grace.
Rev. Harold Miller graduated from Mid-America Reformed Seminary in 2001 and has served churches in Wellsburg, Iowa and Kansas City, Missouri before arriving at Oak Lawn, Illinois in 2020. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, atNTGDevotional.com.
It is exciting to get to know the One who fathered us before we were born (Psalm 139:13-16). With an open Bible, meditate on your awesome Father. This is the ultimate revelation of His heart. Let the One who is Holy Love re-parent you in His love, so that you see all that He does in your life through the filter of His love (1 John 4:16). This is greatly abbreviated from Prayer Portions. Your Father wants you to know Him, love Him, and enjoy Him!
A – My Father is my Abba, Papa-God. I am His beloved child. (Romans 8:15, Gal. 4:4-7, John 1:12, James 1:18)
B – My Father blesses me with every heavenly gift. (Ephesians 1:3)
C – My Father gathers me in His arms and carries me all my life. (Isaiah 40:11, 46:3-4; Deuteronomy 1:31). My Father chose me from the foundation of the world. (Ephesians 1:4-6)
D – My Father disciplines me with love and justice. (Hebrews 12:6-11, Deuteronomy 32:4, John 5:30)
E – My Father exults over me with joy. (Zephaniah 3:17)
F – My Father is father of the fatherless (Psalm 68:5).
G – My Father has given me an inheritance, making me a fellow heir with His Son. (Romans 8:16-17, Galatians 3:29, Ephesians 1:11-14, Colossians 1:12-14)
K – My Father knows all my needs (Matthew 6:8).
L – My Father loves me with the same love with which He loves His Son. (John 17:23, Ephesians 2:4-5). He lavishes me with His grace. (Ephesians 1:7-8)
M – My Father meets all of my needs according to His riches in Christ. (Psalm 23, 36:8; Philippians 4:19, Proverbs 3:9-10)
N – My Father will not abandon me. He will never, no never, leave me or forsake me. (Hebrews 13:5, Deuteronomy 4:31, 31:6, 8; Joshua 1:5) No one can pluck me out of my Father’s hand. (John 10:27-29)
P – I am precious in My Father’s sight. (Isaiah 43:3) My Father was pleased to make me His own. (1 Samuel 12:22)
R – He redeems my life from all my past. (Isaiah 63:16) My Father rejoices over me with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)
S – My Father is absolutely stable. He never changes. (Malachi 3:6, James 1:17)
T – When I am afraid, I can trust my Father. (Psalm 56:3-4, 11) My Father is absolutely trustworthy. (Psalm 9:10, 30:20-22; Isaiah. 12:2, Jeremiah 17:5-8, Matthew 12:17-21)
V – My Father will vindicate me. (Deuteronomy 32:36, Psalm 7:8)
W – My Father only wants the highest good for me. (Romans 2:4, 2 Thessalonians 1:11) My Father is always with me. (Matthew 18:20, 1 Chronicles 28:20)
My Abba is a GRACIOUS AND LOVING Father! Exodus 22:27, Psalm 103:11-14, Isaiah 9:6, 1 Corinthians. 6:16-18.
Israeli Navy Conducts Exercises Amid Rising Tensions in The North The Israeli Navy’s fleet of missile boats has recently undertaken extensive exercises, as confirmed by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) on Friday. The maneuvers come in the wake of mounting tensions in the northern region, where the IDF is gearing up for potential conflict while emphasizing its commitment to exhausting diplomatic solutions.
Russian plane has ‘flown it’s last’: Ukraine downs surveillance craft – air force commander Ukraine’s military on Friday destroyed a Russian A-50 surveillance aircraft, Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk said, the second time in a little more than a month that Ukraine has reported downing the sophisticated plane. “The A-50 with the call sign ‘Bayan’ has flown its last!” Oleshchuk wrote on the Telegram messaging app.
Senior Hezbollah terrorist dies, days after being struck by Israeli UAV Hezbollah on Friday evening confirmed reports in the Lebanese media that one of its terrorists, Mohammed Alawiya, succumbed to injuries sustained in an Israeli UAV strike 11 days ago. According to the reports, he was in charge of the Maroun al-Ras region of Lebanon on behalf of Hezbollah.
Science Finds More Evidence of “Genetic Reset” scientists involved in DNA research have discovered that they can trace generations back toward what they call the “primordial pair.” And it seems to point to an origin somewhere in the Near East. Two research associates at the University of Basel, Switzerland, surveyed the DNA of 5 million animals and humans. Researcher David Thaler said he fought as hard as he could against the conclusion that: “…we sprang from a single pair of adults after a catastrophic event almost wiped out the human race.”
IDF reservist who served in Gaza eliminated terrorist in Ma’ale Adumim shooting A reservist who had just been discharged from serving in Gaza fired a pistol and neutralized one of the three terrorists who attacked motorists outside of Ma’ale Adumim on Thursday morning. Hananya Ben Shimon, 23, was sitting in a car with his mother after having been discharged a week and a half ago
Netanyahu reveals comprehensive plan for a post-war Gaza Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday night formally presented for the first time his “day after” Hamas plan, which reiterates his oft-stated goal of completely eradicating the Palestinian terror group and emphasizes ongoing Israeli security control west of the Jordan River, including in Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip. In the short term, the plan emphasizes the need to completely eliminate the military and governing capabilities of both Hamas and Islamic Jihad,
Survivors, Oct 7 victims’ families sue AP for supporting terrorism Survivors of the October 7th massacre and victims’ families have filed a suit against the Associated Press for publishing the work of freelance journalists who were allegedly embedded with Hamas. In November, an investigative report by Honest Reporting uncovered possible ties between journalists working with AP, Reuters, CNN and The New York Times and Hamas and raised questions about advanced knowledge the news agencies might have had of the terrorist attack.
Soldiers, protesters brawl at Kerem Shalom entrance to Gaza Clashes broke out between Israeli security personnel and protesters at the Kerem Shalom crossing to Gaza on Thursday morning. Dozens of demonstrators arrived there to protest against the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip while Israeli hostages are still being held by Hamas. The activists say that the war effort is being harmed because the terrorist group steals the aid.
Israel to advance plans for 3,000 housing units in Judea Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday night agreed to convene the Defense Ministry body that authorizes construction in Judea and Samaria, to approve plans for over 3,000 new housing units in response to the deadly terror attack near Ma’ale Adumim.
Shallow M6.3 earthquake hits southern East Pacific Rise – The Watchers A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.3 hit the southern East Pacific Rise at 01:51 UTC on February 23, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 2 km (1.2 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
NATO Ally Pledges All Its Artillery to Ukraine in Boost for Kyiv …Denmark has pledged its “entire artillery” stocks to Ukraine, the country’s leader has said, as Kyiv issued renewed pleas for all-important military aid in the face of Russian gains in the east of the country.
Techno-Hell: Germany Announces ‘Pre-Crime’ Police Unit to Target ‘Far-Right’ In a classic case of “life imitating dystopian sci-fi pulp fiction,” the German Fourth Reich has announced big plans for so-called “far-right extremist” (which now means “anyone not blindly obedient to government”) elements of the population it oversees.
Sexualization of Children Has Replaced Education In New Hampshire a state representative read to the House sexually explicit passages from school materials for middle school kids. Clearly these materials are part of the sexually grooming of kids for pedophiles. Democrats objected to the reading but were voted down.
Terror Victims Sue Associated Press over Alleged Link to October 7 Attack Victims of the Hamas terror attack in Israel on October 7 announced Thursday that they have filed a federal lawsuit against the Associated Press (AP) for allegedly paying members of Hamas who also functioned as “stringer” photographers for the company.
The Holocaust ‘Exaggerated’? — Our Young People Desperately Need An Education …A study that was recently published showed that 20% of our population between the ages of 18 and 29 believe that the Holocaust never happened and that it’s all mythology. Another roughly 23% of that same demographic believe it’s “exaggerated.” Friends, it’s not exaggerated. Satan wants us to believe it never happened.
Geert Wilder Praises Arrested Islam Critic As ‘Hero’ Turkish lawyer Feyza Altun was arrested in Beykoz on Monday for allegedly inciting hatred and hostility. In recent days, she shared tweets critical of Islam, which were not appreciated by the Turkish authorities. She is now free but remains under judicial supervision. Dutch PVV leader Geert Wilders expressed his admiration for Altun, calling her a “hero.”
Vaccinated are susceptible to viral infections and “covid vaccine heart syndrome” A recent paper examined the mechanisms that cause “covid vaccine heart syndrome.” It raised the possibility of many mechanisms explaining the broad array of cardiac complications and the varying times from injection to presentation. While they consider several causative factors, the researchers also speculate the known cardiotoxicity of adjuvants is involved.
THOMAS GALLATIN The Leftmedia continues to fearmonger over a possible Trump win in 2024, erroneously warning that his election would be a threat to democracy.
DOUGLAS ANDREWS In a recent interview with Tucker Carlson, former State Department official and censorship expert Mike Benz tells an alarming and infuriating tale.
DOUGLAS ANDREWS A new “analysis” by ABC News suggests that the business-friendly policies of Republican governance have little to do with the economic success of the red states.
QUOTES Race Bait “I’ve served with real racists. I’ve served with Strom Thurmond. I’ve served with all these guys that have set terrible records on race. But guess what? These guys [today’s Republicans] are worse. These guys do not believe in basic democratic principles.” —Joe Biden “This campaign this year will be the most consequential election since 1876. … That election ushered in Jim Crow.” —Congressman Jim Clyburn (D-SC) Leftmedia Lobs “Why the Case Against Fani Willis Feels Familiar to Black Women.” —The New York Times “Trump allies prepare to infuse ‘Christian nationalism’ in second administration.” —Politico “Mr. President, would you go so far as to say that Alexei Navalny’s blood is on the hands of House Republicans right now?” —CNN’s M.J. Lee Theater of the Absurd “Why did [Alexei] Navalny all of a sudden die at this point in time? … What happened a few days leading up to his death? Well, we had former President Donald Trump essentially say that Russia should attack European countries. … Russia certainly was listening and I think they thought, ‘Hey, we now have a green light to do all sorts of crazy stuff.'” —Congressman Ted Lieu (D-CA) Shameless “Tens of millions of people in debt were literally about to be canceled — their debts. But my MAGA Republican friends in the Congress, elected officials, and special interests stepped in and sued us. And the Supreme Court blocked it. They blocked it. But that didn’t stop me.” —Joe Biden on going on to transfer more than $130 billion in student loans from borrowers to taxpayers “President @JoeBiden and I canceled nearly $138 billion in student loan debt for almost 3.9 million Americans. Republicans in Congress refuse to work with us to cancel more debt — but we will not be deterred.” —Kamala Harris The BIG Lies “Going forward, every two months for the next four years, another 75,000 people will become eligible for [student debt] forgiveness. … This is not giving anybody’s money away.” —Jim Clyburn “[Biden] actually has the proof points of working on bringing costs down.” —Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) “This whole Burisma thing was debunked during the first impeachment investigation in 2019.” —Congressman Dan Goldman (D-NY) “President Biden and I have demonstrated there is a smarter way when it comes to America’s national security.” —Kamala Harris “Iran became more dangerous during Donald Trump’s presidency. They came closer to a nuclear weapon … than they ever did during Barack Obama’s presidency.” —Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) Say That Again … Slowly “Our assessment is that Iran doesn’t seek a wider regional conflict. … But they do support these militia groups that attack our forces.” —Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh Can’t Fix Stupid “Would I have preferred that correctness had prevailed? Of course so. The fact that it did not does not slow me down in doing the work that I’m tasked to do by the president of the United States.” —DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas regarding impeachment “It now appears as if the House Republican majority is being used by Russia to interfere in the 2024 election on behalf of Donald Trump.” —Dan Goldman “The Republicans are willing to be used as assets of Russian intelligence, just like Donald Trump was in 2016 and throughout his presidency.” —Dan Goldman “House Republicans have been acting as an agent or an asset of Russian intelligence for Vladimir Putin.” —Dan Goldman “Every election, it seems, the Republicans fall in favor with the Russians.” —Dan Goldman “Our colleagues just start chanting: ‘Russia hoax! Russia hoax!’ Well, what’s the hoax? … What exactly is the hoax they’re talking about?” —Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD) Projection “The thing that keeps me wide awake are the misinformation efforts that are underway.” —Jim Clyburn Grand Delusions “I think [Biden] is going to be able to run … on the domestic accomplishments that he’s had and an economy that’s getting better every day.” —Michael Bennet “In terms of President Biden, he’s got an incredible track record of success. And we just have to connect that track record of success with his vision for the next four years and make it clear that the things that he has presided over have been extraordinary.” —House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) “Joe Biden is definitely the strongest candidate to defeat Donald Trump.” —Hakeem Jeffries “The president has done an incredible job of bringing this country back from the brink and then protecting us on the national and international stage as well.” —Biden senior adviser Mitch Landrieu “I was with the president for over an hour. … He was focused. His recall was good.” —Amy Klobuchar “I’m a believer in President Biden because I believe he is a good, moral person that has the backs of the people of this country.” —Amy Klobuchar Useful Idiots “[Biden] is not going to be public with everything he says to Netanyahu. But I know this: He feels about the way I feel when it comes to Netanyahu. [H]is leadership has not been good for Israel.” —Jim Clyburn “There cannot be, in my opinion, peace and security for that region — for the people of Israel or the Palestinians and the people of Gaza — without a two-state solution.” —Kamala Harris “Netanyahu’s government is unfit to lead anything and cannot receive support.” —Congressman Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) “What’s happening in the Gaza Strip isn’t a war, it’s a genocide. It’s not a war of soldiers against soldiers. It’s a war between a highly prepared army and women and children. What’s happening in the Gaza Strip with the Palestinian people hasn’t happened at any other moment in history. Actually, it has happened: when Hitler decided to kill the Jews.” —Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva Non Compos Mentis “They come up with things to profile us for. I believe this with everything in my heart — we can get rid of all the crime in America overnight, just like that, and people ask, ‘How, Attorney Crump?’ Change the definition of ‘crime.’ … They made the laws to criminalize our culture, black culture.” —civil rights attorney Ben Crump “Now it’s time to organize formally and bring into the halls of Congress the power and the transformative nature of hip-hop culture. … Our goal is to make sure the hip-hop community has a seat at the table as we work on federal policy.” —Jamaal Bowman “No one ever doubts anything I say. Sometimes I say all that I mean. I get in trouble.” —Joe Biden Hot Air “Climate change is having a disproportionate effect on the physical and mental health of black communities.” —Assistant Secretary for Health Rachel Levine
The Bible stands as one of the most influential, debated, and revered books in human history. Its teachings have shaped civilizations, inspired movements, and transformed countless lives. Yet, in an age marked by skepticism and a demand for empirical evidence, many people find themselves asking, “Can I trust the Bible?” This question is not just academic—it’s deeply personal for those seeking truth, guidance, and a reliable foundation for their faith. In this comprehensive exploration, we’ll look at the aspects that contribute to the Bible’s trustworthiness, including its historical reliability, fulfilled prophecies, transformative power, internal consistency, and spiritual experience.
How Do I Know That I Can Trust the Bible?
The Bible’s historical accuracy is a foundational aspect of its trustworthiness. Unlike many ancient texts, the Bible does not exist in a vacuum; it intersects with and is corroborated by historical events, figures, and archaeological findings. Manuscript evidence is a strong testament to its reliability. The Dead Sea Scrolls, for instance, contain parts of the Old Testament that predate Jesus Christ by centuries, demonstrating that the text has remained unchanged over millennia. Additionally,archaeological discoveriescontinue to affirm the existence of people, places, and events described in the Bible, from the ruins of Jericho to the Pool of Bethesda. These findings offer tangible evidence that the Bible’s historical accounts are grounded in reality.
Fulfilled Prophecies
Prophecy is another compelling reason to trust the Bible. Approximately 25% of the Bible was prophetic at the time of its writing, providing specific predictions about nations, peoples, and events. The accuracy with which these prophecies have been fulfilled is staggering. For example, the Old Testament contains numerous prophecies about the coming of the Messiah—Jesus Christ—that were fulfilled centuries later, including His birthplace (Micah 5:2), method of execution (Psalm 22:16-18), and resurrection (Psalm 16:10). The fulfillment of these and many other prophecies supports the Bible’s claim of divine inspiration.
The Bible’s ability to transform lives is perhaps the most personal aspect of its trustworthiness. Across cultures and centuries, countless individuals have testified to the profound impact the Bible has had on their lives, leading to conversions, healings, and radical changes in behavior and outlook. This transformative power is not merely the result of reading ancient wisdom literature; it is attributed to encountering the living God through His Word. TheBible’s teachings on love, forgiveness, justice, and redemption have not only changed individual lives but have also been the foundation for societal reforms and humanitarian efforts.
Internal Consistency
Considering the Bible was written over approximately 1,500 years by more than 40 authors from diverse backgrounds, its internal consistency is remarkable. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible presents a cohesive narrative of God’s relationship with humanity, His plan for redemption, and the establishment of His Kingdom. This harmony is evidence of the Bible’s divine orchestration, as human authors, separated by time and culture, contribute to a unified message without contradiction. This consistency reinforces the Bible’s reliability, suggesting that its teachings and claims are not the product of human invention but of divine inspiration.
Spiritual Experience
Finally, the spiritual experience of engaging with the Bible is a profound reason many trust it. Individuals across the globe and throughout history have reported encounteringGod’s truthand presence through the pages of the Bible. This experience is often described as a deep sense of conviction, comfort, or understanding that transcends intellectual knowledge. For believers, the Bible is not just a historical document or a collection of moral teachings; it is the living Word of God that speaks directly to hearts and minds, guiding, correcting, and inspiring.
The question of whether one can trust the Bible is multifaceted, touching on historical, prophetic, personal, and spiritual grounds. The Bible’s historical accuracy, the fulfillment of its prophecies, its transformative power in individuals’ lives, its internal consistency, and the spiritual experiences it fosters provide compelling evidence of its trustworthiness. For those exploring the depths of faith, the Bible offers not just answers but an invitation into a relationship with the God who reveals Himself through its pages. As such, the Bible stands as a reliable source of truth, wisdom, and guidance for life’s most pressing questions.
Former President Donald Trump delivered a call to action to Christian voters in a speech at the National Religious Broadcasters Convention in Nashville on Thursday, calling them the “soul of our country” and vowing to defend them against political persecution.
Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, joins ‘America Reports’ to discuss President Biden’s brother’s closed-door interview with Republicans in their impeachment inquiry. …
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