The Bible is full of interesting topics which raise surprising questions. How many children did Adam and Eve have? How long did it take Noah to make the ark? While some questions take more time to answer than others, having an inquisitive faith is nothing to be ashamed of. We are assured that if we seek, then we will find (Matthew 7:7), though the answers may not be at all what we expect.
For this top 10 list, we're looking at some of the all-time questions that Christians have searched for on Christianity.com, the articles that have gotten the most views over the years.
Visiting graves was not uncommon in biblical times, but what makes it applicable today? My life began in a graveyard. While not physically birthed among the tombstones, it is a place God used to begin prying my eyes open for the need for salvation. I was 27 years old and soon to be divorced for the second time. Shame fit me like a custom-made coat. One afternoon, I felt an urge to walk through our local cemetery. Strange, I know. It was the first and last time it happened. As I meandered around the gravestones, I suddenly realized I was surrounded by names of those who were no more. It struck me that this too would be my destiny, something I’d given little thought to at the age of twenty-seven.
At that moment, two simple questions came to mind that changed everything: So, how do you want to live your life knowing this will one day await you? Do you want to continue living for yourself, or do you want your life to count for something? Less than a week later, I surrendered my old way of living to Christ.
Whether saying goodbye to a loved one or an old way of living, life can begin in a graveyard.
Reminiscent of the 10 plagues to fall on Egypt during the Exodus (Exodus 7-11), a series of catastrophic events will take place during the End Days to enact the judgment of God upon the earth.
Although Revelation does have more plagues than just the seven seals and seven trumpets (the seven bowls and the seven thunders—the latter of which John was not even allowed to write down their specific calamities: Revelation 10:4), this article will cover the seals and trumpets.
The article will discuss all 14 of these plagues, discuss the importance of the number seven in Scripture, and will cover why we should care about these events that will take place in Revelation.
These are the elements of God's armor as described in Ephesians 6:
The Armor of God
1. The Belt of truth
2. Breastplate of righteousness
3. Shoes with the readiness of the Gospel of peace
4. Shield of faith
5. Helmet of salvation
6. Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God.
The armor of God is an analogy in the Bible that reminds Christians about the reality of spiritual battle and describes the protection available to them. Each piece of armor has a distinct purpose and means of defense against temptation and evil.
"Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666." (Revelation 13:16-18)
The book of Revelation is an imagistic feast; a fantasy writer's treasure trove, full of beauty and horror. Some people would say that this beast in John’s vision has already come and gone — Hitler caused hundreds of thousands of Jews and countless others to be marked and murdered. But the prophecy found in Revelation has not been fulfilled. What is this mark and who is the Beast?
Unless you have been living under a rock for the past few weeks you have probably seen, heard, and read about the coronavirus that is disrupting life all over the globe. And it is quite likely that it has had a direct impact on you, even if you have not yet gotten sick from it.
Social distancing has become a new byword in the past few days. The banning of large gatherings, including churches, and the closing of many establishments where people gather are common. Empty shelves at the grocery store are a normal sight. And there is the expectation that things will get worse before they begin to improve.
Many people automatically look to connect any large-scale disaster to Revelation and see in it a sign of the end. But should we? This article will look at this virus and its relationship to Revelation. And then at how, as Christians, we should respond to it.
One of the more eerie parts of the book of Revelation includes four figures riding horses. Much intrigue has been built around these four characters featured in the book of Revelation that iconic art, books, and even movies (such as X-Men Apocalypse) have capitalized on these four horsemen of the apocalypse.
These four horsemen appear to symbolically portray four disastrous occurrences that will take place before the second coming of Jesus Christ. Historians have argued over whether these events have already happened or whether mankind has yet to experience them. But most evidence points to the fact these have yet to take place.
This article will endeavor to explain the characteristics of each one of the horsemen and how they all play an important role in the End Times.
Sin is deadly, as Romans 6:23 tells us, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." But why are particular sins known as the "Seven Deadly Sins"? Learn the meaning of each deadly sin and its counterpart of virtue. Also, discover the biblical references to the deadliness of sin.
The seven deadly sins, as identified by Pope Gregory 1 in the late sixth century, are considered categories of sin:
1. Pride
2. Envy
3. Wrath
4. Gluttony
5. Lust
6. Sloth
7. Greed
The definition of sin is "an offense against the religious or moral law" and a "transgression of the law of God." The biblical terminology suggests that sin has three aspects: disobedience to or breach of the law, violation of relationships with people, and rebellion against God, which is the most basic concept. "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law" (1 John 3:4 KJV). Sin can also be understood as "missing the mark" or turning away from God. Hence an understanding of repentance is to "reorient" yourself towards God and follow His commandments.
"Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit." (Matthew 12:33)
Christ said we are known by our fruit, so what are the good fruits we should aspire to? The Apostle Paul mentions the "fruits of the Spirit" that Christians should work to cultivate in their heart and mind.
In the book of Galatians, Paul lists nine specific behaviors – love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control – that result from the work of the Holy Spirit in a Christian’s life.
hekinah is a Hebrew name meaning “dwelling” or “one who dwells.” Shekinah Glory means “He caused to dwell,” referring to the divine presence of God.
In the classical Hebrew and Aramaic manuscripts of the Old and New Testaments, the word shekinah is actually not found. It was first introduced by Jewish rabbis through targums and literature in the period between the completion of the Old Testament and the onset of the New Testament.
The etymology of “Shekinah” is from the Hebrew word shākan, which means“to reside or permanently stay.”
The Bible is filled with the promises of God. From Genesis to Revelation we read of normal people that received the promises of God. These promises are sealed by the highest authority, God's word. In Hebrews 6:13 it says, "For when God made a promise to Abraham since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself."
When God makes a promise to his people, it will come to pass. What is a promise? A promise is a covenant or declaration that one will do exactly what they say or something will happen just as pledged.
For Further Reading:
Christianity.com's Top 10 Questions of Peace in 2021
Christianity.com's Top 10 Questions of Hope in 2020
Top 10 Questions of Faith in 2019
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