Truth Be Told: A Blog by Pastor Bill Alderson

The disciples of the apostles would be a good place to start in determining an accurate eschatology (events concerning the end of the world). These early church fathers taught premillennialism that the Church's Rapture would occur before a literal 1,000-year reign of Christ known as the Kingdom Age or Millennium. Christ will reign from the city of Jerusalem, preceded by a seven-year period during which the Antichrist will rule the earth. During these last days, the Jews will rebuild their temple in Jerusalem.   A movement occurred during the third century (200-300 AD) arguing that much of the end times teachings were symbolic, brought on by the Schism of Nepos and causing the whole Church to become amillennial. This period was in the middle of the Church determining the canon of the New Testament, namely which writings would be considered inspired by God. This schism centered on questioning the literal interpretation of the book of Revelation, particularly the 1,000 years of Reve...

  But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.             Galatians 5:16-18 Galatians 5 has become a treatise on the spiritual life. Paul identifies the Holy Spirit as the source of spiritual life and character. Jesus said in John 3:6, That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit . He was teaching that no matter how hard the flesh tries to be spiritual, he will always fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). It then becomes necessary for the believer to develop a living relationship with the Holy Spirit to find the quality of life purchased for each believer by Jesus Christ at Calvary. To walk by the Spirit means to live ...

  “Behold, as for the proud one, his soul is not right within him; but the righteous will live by his faith .”           Habakkuk 2:4 In Habakkuk 1, the prophet asks God to explain why the Lord would use such a wicked nation, Babylon, as His instrument of justice toward His people. This does not compute! Yahweh's answer only came after Habakkuk waited a season. God's answer to the believer often comes after a season of waiting (Isaiah 40:31). He contrasts the utter wickedness of the Babylonians to the man who walks by his faith. A more accurate translation may be, The just man, or the righteous man, shall live by his confidence in God . The Lord would eventually restore the Jewish people to their land. The Bible Knowledge Commentary captures the essence of God’s answer: Yahweh then declared that a righteous person, by stark contrast, will live by his faith (emûnah, "steadfastness or faithfulness"). A righteous Israelite who remained loy...

  Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns; indeed, the world is firmly established [ kun – fixed, steadfast] , it will not be moved; He will judge the peoples with equity [righteously].”    Psalm 96:10 Scripture is clear that creation is the work of God, but what role does He play after creation is complete? Does He play an active role in the events of man or does He stand back and watch, with little to do with day-to-day details? The answer to these questions can determine the quality of the relationship man can have with his God. According to the psalmist above, Yahweh reigns or rules over a world that He firmly established by judging the people righteously. Colossians 1:17 tells us He is before all things [preexistent] , and in Him, all things hold together [ sunistemi – join together parts into a whole, keep in order]. In Hebrews 1:3, He upholds [ pheroe – governs] all things by the word of His power. These verses are a testimony to the active role God plays...

  "A little while, and you will no longer see Me ; and again, a little while, and you will see Me."  Some of His disciples then said to one another, "What is this thing He is telling us, 'A little while, and you will not see Me; and again, a little while, and you will see Me'; and 'because I go to the Father'?" So, they were saying, "What is this that He says, 'A little while'? We do not know what He is talking about." Jesus knew that they wished to question Him, and He said to them, "Are you deliberating together about this, that I said, 'A little while, and you will not see Me, and again a little while, and you will see Me'?  "Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice ; you will grieve, but your grief will be turned into joy.  "Whenever a woman is in labor, she has pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the a...