Ancient prognostications about the future of the world splash across the news from time to time. Are any of them worthy of our attention? Listen to the Apostle Paul as he reminds the Jews of their remarkable prophets who laid out the steps they must take to call on the Name of the Lord. Find out how they promised physical deliverance from the wrath of God during the explosive end times and how this applies to both Jews and Gentiles. Gain assurance that what God promises, He will always fulfill.

Do you picture disciples as somehow being bathed in a holy glow? Listen to this lesson to learn what being a disciple actually means and how it's a possibility for all believers. Analyze the difference between being a casually curious student of the Bible or becoming profoundly committed to studying and applying the Word of God. Realize that while salvation is a free gift, discipleship always involves a cost that can't be sugar-coated. If you're ready to come on-board, accept that a disciple's life isn't always going to be smooth sailing but that it's ultimately a life of great gain.

2013 Christmas Special - Reflection on the Birth of Christ. Various Scriptures

The distinction between Israel and the church is the theological sine qua non of Dispensationalism. Yet in recent Progressive Dispensational writings, this distinction has become less clear. This is because they claim that the church is fulfilling promises made to Israel or at least they have argued for partial fulfillment. This claim is problematic for two reasons. First, the claim is not clear. Does it mean that a promise is fulfilled in part? The Davidic covenant is fulfilled in part since Jesus was born and anointed the Davidic heir. But neither the leaders accepted Jesus’ claim to be king at the triumphal entry nor was he enthroned on the Davidic throne by Israel (Deut. 17:15). Thus the promised Davidic heir came but neither the kingdom nor the throne appeared. The other possibility is that there is partial fulfillment. But was Jesus partially the Davidic heir? Was Jesus partially enthroned? This seems unlikely. So neither option is a valid alternative of fulfillment.

Second Corinthians 13:5, one of the most hotly contested verses in the entire Bible says, "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" Most understand this verse as exhorting the idea of perpetual self introspective spiritual analysis in order to ascertain if one is truly a Christian. This point of view emanates from interpreters who adhere to Reformed Theology, Lordship Salvation, or Hyper Calvinism. These systems place a high premium on perseverance in good works as the authenticating sign of being a genuine believer. In other words, they teach that all true believers will inevitably persevere in good works. Thus, ever increasing good works demonstrate the genuineness or authenticity of an individual's spiritual status as a true child of God. If the good works are not plentiful in someone's life, then perhaps they are not a true child of God. Perhaps they are a mere professor of Christ rather than an actual possessor of Him. Thus, in this system, 2 Corinthians 13:5 means that we should engage in chronic spiritual inventory in order to ascertain the abundance of a changed life and good works. If they are not present, then perhaps we were never saved in the first place.

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