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[The text below represents an edited transcript of this Tomorrow’s World program.]

A Turbulent Future

What can you expect to happen in the year ahead? Will 2023 be better than last year? Or will it be another disappointing year with troubles on every side?

At the beginning of each year, one of us here at Tomorrow’s World, gives trends to look for in the coming year and beyond. Our predictions are not based on crystal balls, palm readings, or astrological signs—and forget Nostradamus. Our predictions come from prophecies found in the Bible. History has proven that Bible prophecy IS accurate. The Bible does not always give the exact timing of an event, but it gives us a framework of history in advance with remarkable details.

On today’s program I’ll briefly review whether our predictions for 2021 and 2022 were accurate; and then give you trends to expect in 2023 and beyond. So, if you want to know what’s ahead for your near future, stay tuned. I’ll be back in five seconds.

Reviewing Prophetic Trends from 2021

A warm welcome to all of you from all of us here at Tomorrow’s World, where we bring you good news of the coming Kingdom of God, reveal end-time prophecies, and explain the clear teachings of Jesus Christ.

Is it possible to know the future? And, if so, where should we look? Should we look to astrological signs in the sun, moon, and stars? Should we visit that small house on the edge of town where a psychic has set up? Should we try to decipher the writings of Nostradamus, Edgar Casey, Jeane Dixon, or other well-known psychics and astrologers?

We here at Tomorrow’s World look to the Bible. None of us are prophets, but we can read clear statements from the prophets and point you to what they wrote. But it’s reasonable for you to want to know how accurately we’ve understood their writings.

Here is the trend I said to watch for in 2021:

Before the break I told you that I would read from the Bible what God says is in your future. Today we reviewed predictions and trends proclaimed by Tomorrow’s World the last two years. Then I said I would give you a single trend to watch in 2021 and the immediate years following. We cannot know the exact timing, but the trend is certain:

[Trend]: There will be disaster upon disaster for America and the British descended peoples

Notice how the prophet Ezekiel describes what is ahead for the Anglosphere:

Destruction comes; they will seek peace, but there shall be none. Disaster will come upon disaster, and rumor will be upon rumor. Then they will seek a vision from a prophet; but the law will perish from the priest, and counsel from the elders. “The king will mourn, the prince will be clothed with desolation, and the hands of the common people will tremble. I will do to them according to their way, and according to what they deserve I will judge them; then they shall know that I am the LORD!” (Ezekiel 7:25–27).

How accurate was that single prediction of disaster coming upon disaster? A year later, I reviewed the major news of 2021, and as I mentioned at the time, in my more than 74 years of life, I couldn’t remember another year where there were so many stunning disasters stacked one upon another. But in case you forgot, let me briefly remind you of only a few that I recounted in that program:

The consequences of the war on fossil fuels

The historic winter storms that slammed Texas and the Central Plains states

The crisis at America’s southern border

The Delta variant and continuing COVID-19 pandemic

More died in 2021 than in the previous year.

The humiliating manner in which America left Afghanistan

The breakdown in the supply chain

Inflation

Worker shortages, and more…

The list was hardly exhaustive. There were many more MAJOR devastating events! 2021 truly was an extraordinary year of disaster upon disaster!

But what about our predictions for 2022? Let’s briefly look at those three predictions and see if they were on target.

1. When you think it cannot get any worse, it will!
2. Disaster upon disaster would continue
3. Rumor would be upon rumor

The last two are found in Ezekiel 7:25:

Destruction comes; they will seek peace, but there shall be none. Disaster will come upon disaster, and rumor will be upon rumor (Ezekiel 7:25–26).

Is that what we saw? Has there ever been a time when rumors were more prevalent and widespread than what we see in social media? Rumors have always abounded, but the Internet has put them on steroids.

But what about disaster upon disaster? Did historic disasters occur in 2022? And when we thought it couldn’t get any worse, did it.

Continuing Prophetic Trends from 2022

Note this headline from the BBC:

Permacrisis declared Collins Dictionary word of the year

The article then explained:

Permacrisis - a word describing the feeling of living through a period of war, inflation, and political instability - has been chosen as Collins Dictionary’s word of the year.

It “sums up just how truly awful 2022 has been for so many people”, said Alex Beecroft, head of Collins Learning (November 1, 2022).

High fuel prices and inflation plagued our world in 2022. The national average price for gasoline in the United States in October 2020 was $2.16 per gallon. This rose to $3.29 a year later. But prices went through the roof in 2022, rising to a never-before-seen crushing high of $4.93 in June. Prices moderated in July through September, but started rising again in October to a national average of $3.82—a price still well above any month the previous year. So yes, when we thought it couldn’t get any worse, 2022 proved us wrong, as the cost of virtually everything went up as a result (U.S. Regular All Formulations Retail Gasoline Prices (Dollars per Gallon) EIA.org, November 7, 2022).

Now, most countries would love to have what they view as America’s bargain prices. Inflation, high fuel prices, and empty shelves plagued the world—and all of it intensified by the black swan event of the year—Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. That man-made disaster made everything worse.

More than half of the eurozone countries recorded double-digit inflation rates in October, including Germany (11.6 per cent), Belgium (13.1 per cent) and the Netherlands (16.8 per cent). France showed the lowest rate, at 7.1 per cent (Record inflation: Which countries in Europe are being worst hit as energy and food prices soar?” Euronews.com, November 1, 2022).

Then there is this sobering report from Canada:

A Yahoo/Maru Public Opinion poll The poll also found that 53 per cent of respondents say they are “worried” because inflation is causing serious money issues for them, while 13 per cent say they are ‘genuinely panicked’ due to the drastic lifestyle changes they are having to make to deal with rising prices (“Inflation in Canada slows for third month in a row, rising 6.9% annually,” News.Yahoo.com, October 19, 2022).

But it gets worse. Prior to the war, Ukraine and Russia were the world’s number one and number two grain exporters. Countries, principally in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, rely on grain and cooking oil from these two warring countries. The effects of the war on the food chain have been seriously compromised. CNN reported on July 16, 2022:

Across Ukraine, in the shimmering heat, one sight is becoming familiar this summer: Combine harvesters sweeping across fields of grain in a race against fast-spreading fires.

The conflict’s front lines straddle some of Ukraine’s richest farmland. Whether caused by accident or intention, the fires darkening the summer sky are eating into a harvest that was always going to be tough to collect and even tougher to export….

But nearly half the land is now too dangerous to cultivate….

Again from CNN, this time on July 23, 2022:

Earlier this month, Ukraine’s grain traders’ union said it expected a grain and oilseed harvest of 69.4 million tons… far below the 106 million tons harvested last year (“Kyiv and Moscow agree deal to resume Ukraine grain exports from Black Sea ports,” CNN.com).

Then there are the effects of war on fertilizer, which also impacts the food chain. According to CNBC:

In 2021, Russia was the world’s top exporter of nitrogen fertilizers and the second-largest supplier of both potassic and phosphorous fertilizers….

Trade between Russia and the rest of the world has not stopped, but has been severely disrupted as importers and vessel charterers steer clear of the country in light of the invasion of Ukraine, CRU Head of Fertilizers Chris Lawson said on Tuesday.

Russia, which accounts for around 14% of global fertilizer exports, has temporarily suspended outgoing trade, which is expected to have a strong ripple effect across global food markets.

Is mass starvation in our future.

No Course Corrections for 2022 and Beyond

When we think of 2022, another disaster that only got worse was the weather. As of November 10:

According to the United States Drought Monitor, 47 percent of the land area of the contiguous 48 states is experiencing various degrees of drought, nearly all of it in the High Plains or from the Rocky Mountains westward. Drought affects the entirety of nine states, including California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Oregon and North and South Dakota (“Western Drought Will Last Into Fall or Longer,” NYTimes.com, August 19, 2021).

Major reservoirs such as Lake Meade and Lake Powell are at record lows, threatening agriculture and electric power generation.

Further east:

Water levels on the Mississippi River normally decline in the fall and winter, but not by nearly as much as they did in October 2022. Drought and Barge Backups on the Mississippi (“Drought and Barge Backups on the Mississippi,” EarthObservatory.NASA.gov, October 21, 2022).

The Mississippi river is critical to moving agricultural and construction supplies to the Gulf of Mexico for export, but as Fox News explained:

Critical ship and barge traffic for the agriculture industry has been disrupted.

The river moves more than half of all U.S. grain exports, but industry estimates cited by the federal government show the drought has reduced the flow of goods by about 45%.

Barges have been stuck there, according to the U.S. Coast Guard, and ships have been advised to lighten their loads (“Mississippi River water levels plummet due to drought, exposing shipwreck,” FoxNews.com, November 3, 2022).

But it’s not in America alone. Note this further report from The Verge:

In August, officials noted that Europe was likely in the thick of its worst drought in 500 years. The same month, Southern China officially entered its longest drought in 60 years of record keeping. Perennially parched California has just had its three driest years on record (“Climate change made drought 20 times worse this year, and there’s no relief in sight,” TheVerge.com, October 6, 2022).

Anyone who thought it couldn’t get any worse than 2021, was sadly mistaken. How could a geopolitical blunder be worse than the disastrous manner in which the United States pulled out of Afghanistan? But that event likely played into the more disruptive invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Vladimir Putin’s miscalculation has now turned to threats of the unthinkable, and many informed people realize this is a war Putin cannot afford to lose:

“The whole world should be praying for Russia’s victory, because there are only two ways this can end: either Russia wins, or a nuclear apocalypse,” nationalist Russian tycoon Konstantin Malofeyev tells the Financial Times. “If we don’t win, we will have to use nuclear weapons, because we can’t lose,” he added. “Does anyone really think Russia will accept defeat and not use its nuclear arsenal?” (“Is Vladimir Putin’s ‘partial’ Ukraine War mobilization a step too far for Russians?” TheWeek.com, September 23, 2022).

Not all Western analysts agree with that assessment, but some do. Here’s a similar view from Robert Baer, a former CIA case officer who spoke to CNN regarding Putin’s options:

“I think the chances of his de-escalating are close to zero … [he] simply cannot give up so much ground and be seen to be losing and continue as leader of Russia…. The chances of his using nuclear weapons — at least tactical nuclear weapons — is going up by the day,” Baer added. (“Ex-CIA officer says Putin is ‘completely cornered’ and the chances of his using tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine are increasing ‘by the day’,” BusinessInsider.com, September 27, 2022)

But is this how the world will end? Not according to Bible prophecy. The Bible tells us more must first happen. While many view China and Russia as the greatest threats in the 21^st Century, Bible prophecy indicates otherwise.

While there is much bad news in our immediate future, the late Dr. Roderick C. Meredith explains in the forward to Prophecy Fulfilled: God’s Hand in World Affairs that there is good news ahead:

Humanity today is facing staggering crises of war, disease, pollution, drought and famine. Where will it all lead? Bible prophecy reveals that God is working through current events to bring about a future time when the whole world will be at peace. If you understand what God is doing now, and what He has planned for His creation, you can have hope—even in times of trouble!

More Troubles Ahead, and Increased Pressure on Europe to Unite

COVID and the effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have destabilized the world, especially Europe, and it is in times of crisis that strong leaders come to the fore. High inflation and unemployment in the early 1930s brought Adolf Hitler to power and we all know how that turned out. So, does the Bible have anything to say about the future of Europe?

The prophet Daniel interpreted an unusual dream that King Nebuchadnezzar had, explaining that the king saw an image of a man that represented four great empires, beginning with his own Chaldean empire. History shows that the next three were the Medo-Persian, the Greco-Macedonian, and the Roman Empires. Other scriptures describe these same four empires as wild beasts and the last one, the Roman Empire, would continue in one revival after another until the end of the age when God would intervene. The end of this Roman system is described in Daniel 2, beginning in verse 41:

Whereas you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter's clay and partly of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; yet the strength of the iron shall be in it, just as you saw the iron mixed with ceramic clay. And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile. As you saw iron mixed with ceramic clay, they will mingle with the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay. And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed….

Could there be any better description of Europe today? The dream of a United States of Europe, despite a continuing effort to bring such about, has never fully materialized. These nations do not mix any more than iron and clay. Yet, the prophecy indicates that ten nations or leaders will come together for a short time. Revelation 17 speaks of this final empire as a ten horned beast—the ten horns matching the ten toes of Nebuchadnezzar’s image.

The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour [meaning a short time] as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. (Revelation 17:12–13)

These nations do not naturally adhere to one another, but Bible prophecy shows that ten kings—that is kings of nations or leaders of nations—will give their power over to a strong leader. Both the leader, and the combine of European nations, are referred to as the Beast. But what is the glue that will hold them together? Bible prophecy tells us there is a second beast that masquerades as Christ, but is of the Devil.

Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed (Revelation 13:11–12).

We cannot know the exact timing, but the stage is even now being set by more than one crisis gripping Europe. Will these two beasts (one secular, the other religious) manifest themselves in 2023, or 2024, or will it be later? We cannot know, but watch for these trends going forward:

Trend #1: The crisis in Europe will continue until a strongman arises to bring ten kings together.

And just as there were two legs and feet in Nebuchadnezzar’s image, so there will be two legs in this combine of nations. So,

Trend #2: Watch for a geopolitical realignment in the next few years between eastern and western Europe.

Even though we cannot know the exact timing, the stage for these biblical prophecies is being set. But also, let’s not forget what is happening in the Middle East. Jerusalem is at the center of many Bible prophecies. So,

Trend #3: Expect greater tension in the Middle East between Israel and her neighbors.

But what about where most of you live who are watching this telecast?

Expect:

Trend #4: More chaos, confusion, division, and disasters (manmade and natural) for America and the British-descended peoples.

Yes, when you think it can’t get any worse, 2023 may once again prove that notion wrong. The United States, Britain, Australia, Canada, and other British-descended peoples are on a downward spiral, and unless we turn back to God—and we see no evidence of that—no elected leader will save us. We will have ups and downs, but the trend will continue down.

If you found this video helpful and want to learn more, be sure to get your free copy of our study guide Prophecy Fulfilled: God’s Hand in World Affairs. Just click the link in the description to order. It’s that easy.

And remember to like and subscribe to our channel so you can watch more videos on different Bible topics.

We here at Tomorrow’s World make these videos because we want to help you understand your world through the pages of the Bible. Thanks for watching!

[The text below represents an edited transcript of this Tomorrow’s World program.]

Is Armageddon Closing In?

Are we nearing Armageddon and the end of the world? What does your Bible reveal?

You probably own a Bible. I challenge you to read one of its most revealing books for the future, the book of Revelation. Of all the books ever written, this is one you must read.

How many books have been published?

PCWorld stated the following: “For those who have ever wondered how many different books are out there in the world, Google has an answer for you: 129,864,880, according to Leonid Taycher, a Google software engineer who works on the Google Books project” (“Google: 129 Million Different Books Have Been Published,” PCWorld.org, August 6, 2010).

Many spend a lifetime reading books and resource material for knowledge, education, training, and even for entertainment. But the Holy Bible is the one book in the world that reveals the great mysteries and purpose of life! And the book of Revelation reveals a soon-coming judgment day called the Day of the Lord. What is this mysterious Day of the Lord?

What are the major prophetic events that will soon shock the world? You need to know the prophecy of Revelation and the Day of the Lord.

Stay tuned!

SIGNS, SEALS, AND END-TIME PROPHECY

The book of Revelation in your Bible describes an awesome event that will shock the whole world. That event is revealed in more than 30 prophecies in your Bible. It’s called the Day of the Lord. The prophetic Day of the Lord will affect all nations and all peoples on earth. And it will affect you and your family if you are alive to see it.

Just what is the Day of the Lord?

Is it a day of the week? How long will it last? How will it affect every nation and person on earth? What significance will it have in the flow of Bible prophecy?

The book of Revelation introduces the Day of the Lord with dramatic cosmic disturbances. “The stars of heaven” fall to the earth. The sun becomes black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon becomes like blood. There is a great earthquake. And as it tells us in Revelation 6:14, “every mountain and island was moved out of its place.” The prophetic Day of the Lord will prepare all nations on earth for the greatest and most encouraging event in modern history, the return of the Savior, Jesus Christ.

My friends, you need to understand this dramatic and mysterious time period that will affect every human being on earth! Just what IS the Day of the Lord?

More than 30 prophecies in your Bible refer to the Day of the Lord, much more than we can cover on this short program. The Day of the Lord is a major prophetic event that looms on the horizon. Just what is it? And how does it fit into the framework of Bible Prophecy? If you have your Bible, turn to the Apocalypse, or the Book of Revelation, chapter one.

The Apostle John writes in Revelation 1:10,

“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet.”

John is not speaking of a day of the week, as some commentators believe. John is speaking of the major prophetic period of time described in the rest of the book as the prophetic Day of the Lord. John is not referring to Sunday as the Lord’s Day. If John were doing that, he would have referred to Sunday “as the first day” of the week as he did in the Gospel of John.

Jesus Himself said He was Lord of the Sabbath, as it tells us in Mark 2:28! And He was not speaking of Sunday. Listen carefully!

The expression “Lord’s Day” here in Revelation is plainly referring to the theme of the whole book, the prophetic Day of the Lord, culminating in the return of Jesus Christ as King of Kings and Lord of Lords! In chapter five, we read about a scroll sealed with seven seals. Jesus, the Revelator, opens the seals to the book. We read the description of those seals in Revelation the sixth chapter.

The first four seals are known as the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

The first horse, the white horse and its rider represent false religions, false Christs. Jesus Himself points out the sequence of these end-time events in the Olivet Prophecy in Matthew 24. We’ve explained this convergence in previous programs.

The second seal reveals a horseman riding a red horse with the power to take peace from the earth.

The third seal presents a rider on a black horse representing the scarcity of food and resulting famine.

The fourth seal shows a rider on a pale horse whose rider is named Death and Hades.

These four horsemen have a combined power over one fourth of the earth to kill major populations. Jesus also spoke of the pestilence that normally follows on the heels of famine. Then Christ opens the fifth seal in Revelation 6:9:

“When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.”

Here is described the martyrdom of saints, true Christians.

In the first century, the Emperor Nero violently persecuted Christians and put them to death. This fifth seal also predicts a major end-time persecution of saints. Then Jesus opens the sixth seal, revealing the heavenly signs that will shock people all over the earth. Revelation 6:12,

“I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place” (Revelation 6:12–14).

Almighty God will get the attention of rebellious humans through these earthquakes and heavenly signs. The Creator God tells us in Hebrews 12:26,

“Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.”

A TRUMPET FOR ZION—AND THE WORLD

The cosmic disturbances and earthquakes introduce the Day of Judgement on all nations. Jesus Christ will judge the nations during the Day of the Lord, a year that will be “the great day of His [Christ’s] wrath” (Revelation 6:17). The Day of the Lord is the time when Almighty God will intervene powerfully in world affairs. He will judge rebellious nations, and as we’ll see, He will even let the nations actively attempt to destroy one another in world conflict.

Your Bible reveals what will happen during the Day of the Lord.

Again, if you have your Bible, turn to the book of Joel. Joel is near the end of the Old Testament. It’s the second of the so-called Minor Prophets. Turn to Joel the second chapter. Here’s a prophecy for our generation. Joel 2:1,

“Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of the LORD is coming, for it is at hand: a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, like the morning clouds spread over the mountains. A people come, great and strong, the like of whom has never been; nor will there ever be any such after them, even for many successive generations.”

The trumpet is used to sound an alarm—to help people prepare for major battles, or as described here, an invading army! The prophet Joel warns of a unique time in all history. Again, Joel 2:2,

“… A people come, great and strong, the like of whom has never been; nor will there ever be any such after them, even for many successive generations.”

The following verses describe terrible destruction, a scorched earth policy—everything is left desolate. Joel 2:3,

“A fire devours before them, and behind them a flame burns; the land is like the Garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; surely nothing shall escape them.”

Humanity will also see incredible disruption of the heavens as well as total destruction on the land. Joel 2:10,

“The earth quakes before them, the heavens tremble; the sun and moon grow dark, and the stars diminish their brightness. The LORD gives voice before his army, for His camp is very great; for strong is the One who executes His word. For the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; who can endure it?”

And God continues to describe His judgment in Joel 3:12–16:

“Let the nations be wakened, and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; for there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations. Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, go down; for the winepress is full, The vats overflow—for their wickedness is great.” Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. The sun and moon will grow dark, and the stars will diminish their brightness. The LORD also will roar from Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem; the heavens and earth will shake; but the LORD will be a shelter for His people, and the strength of the children of Israel.

Almighty God will intervene in human affairs in a dramatic way. There will be major wars during the time God executes judgment on the nations. Simply stated, the Day of the Lord is the time of God’s intervention in world affairs.

Not only will there be destruction from military weapons, there will also be incredible ecological devastation. When God brings punishments upon rebellious nations in the future Day of the Lord, He’ll call upon the nations to humble themselves and repent! Of course, we don’t need to wait until then! As conditions worsen on the world scene, we all need to pray and cry out to God—and make sure we’re on God’s side.

FINAL PROPHETIC EVENTS BEFORE CHRIST’S RETURN

Where does the Day of the Lord fit in the scheme of end-time prophecy? Let’s notice the biblical framework and the prophetic sequence of events.

There are three major periods of time or events we need to look at. They are referred to as the Great Tribulation, heavenly signs, and the Day of the Lord. It’s important to understand the correct order.

Jesus spoke of the climax of the age in Matthew 24:21,

“For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.”

This unique time in all history, the Great Tribulation, is also the time of Jacob’s trouble as pointed out in Jeremiah 30:7,

“Alas! For that day is great, so that none is like it; and it is the time of Jacob’s trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.”

Notice the sequence of events as Jesus stated them in Matthew 24:29:

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.”

The first major event is the Great Tribulation, followed by Heavenly Signs. The Day of the Lord, the third event, leads to the Second Coming of Christ. The second chapter of Joel confirms that the Day of the Lord follows after the Heavenly signs. Joel 2:30,

“And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.”

So we see the sequence of events. #1 is the Great Tribulation; #2 is Heavenly Signs (or the 6th Seal of Revelation); and #3 is the Day of the Lord (or the 7th Seal of Revelation).

Just how long is this Day of the Lord?

As many students of Bible prophecy know, there is the year-for-a-day principle in prophecy. Remember when the twelve spies of ancient Israel under the leadership of Joshua searched out the Promised Land?

Turn to Numbers 14:34,

“According to the number of the days in which you spied out the land, forty days, for each day you shall bear your guilt one year, namely forty years, and you shall know My rejection.”

Notice also in Isaiah 34:8,

“For it is the day of the Lord’s vengeance, the year of recompense for the cause of Zion.”

Here again, God’s punishment, the day of the Lord’s vengeance is equated to one year. This is the year-long time pictured by the seventh seal. It consists of seven trumpet plagues. These trumpet plagues are described in the 8th and 9th chapters of Revelation.

Turn in your Bible to Revelation 8:1,

“When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets.”

How long is the Day of the Lord? The Day of the Lord in one sense, is the year preceding the return of Christ! It’s a significant part of God’s plan, something all Christians should know! The trumpets give us warning—they announce seven plagues or judgments!

As you read through chapter 8, you’ll notice that, as the first four angels sound their trumpets, there is great ecological devastation all over the earth. There are earthquakes; vast areas of vegetation are burned up; a third of all sea life dies; water sources are poisoned. The heavens are darkened.

The last three trumpet plagues are called woes. The word “woe” is an exclamation of grief! Revelation 8:13,

“And I looked, and I heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, ‘Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!’”

The first woe or the 5th trumpet plague is described in chapter nine. The 5th angel sounds a trumpet that begins a military action that lasts 5 months. The second woe, or the 6th trumpet plague is pictured with symbols of horses and horsemen. Here we see an intense military counter-attack. Revelation 9:12,

“One woe is past. Behold, still two more woes are coming after these things. Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, ‘Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.’”

An army of 200 million drives west across the Euphrates River and destroys one third of the earth’s population! This phase of World War III will kill billions of humans!

Yes, Jesus said that unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved—otherwise, all life on earth would be destroyed.

Next we hear the sound of the seventh trumpet. For Christians, the sounding of the seventh trumpet is good news because it announces the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth and the return of Jesus Christ. We all need to be preparing for that time! Revelation 11:15,

“Then the seventh angel sounded: and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!’”

AN EPIC CONFRONTATION

The seventh trumpet announces the good news of Christ’s takeover of world governments. But the seventh trumpet is also called the third woe!

Why? Because it also signals the seven last plagues! You can read the description of these plagues in the 16th chapter of Revelation. They include plagues of painful sores on those who have worshiped the Beast power and its image. They include even more poisonous rivers and seas to the extent that “every living creature in the sea died,” as it states in Revelation 16:3. The sun becomes hotter resulting in extreme heat waves that torment those who will not repent of their sins!

In northern Israel, on the plain of Jezreel, will be gathered massive military power and might! These armies will actually fight against the commander of Heaven’s armies, Jesus Christ. Turn to Revelation 19 in your Bible. Revelation 19:11, the apostle John writes,

“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

KING OF KINGS
AND LORD OF LORDS.”

When Christ returns to this earth, He will conquer all his enemies. He will conquer the nations and their powerful armies that fight against Him at His coming. The Day of the Lord will bring God’s judgment on the nations.

As we’ve seen, in one sense the Day of the Lord is the year preceding the return of Christ. In another sense, it continues on through the millennium and on out to eternity. And the Apostle Peter exhorts us to be in a spiritual state of readiness. God in His great love for us has revealed the future to His servants. The Apostle John writes in Revelation chapter 22, the last chapter in the Bible,

“Then he said to me, ‘these words are faithful and true.’ And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place. ‘Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book’” (Revelation 22:6–7).

We must be alert to the Day of the Lord, a sobering period of judgment on the nations. Beyond that lies tomorrow’s world, a wonderful time with beauty, prosperity, and restoration under the rulership of Christ.

May God speed that day!

Thank you for watching!

We here at Tomorrow’s World want to help you understand your world through the pages of the Bible. And we encourage you not just to believe us, but look up these verses in your own Bible. If you would like to learn more, just click the link in the description for a free Bible study CD titled, THE DAY OF THE LORD. This inspiring audio CD will give you much more vital information than we’ve had time for on this program.

And remember to subscribe to our channel so you don’t miss another Tomorrow’s World video. See you next time!

[The text below represents an edited transcript of this Tomorrow’s World program.]

Introduction: One of the Most Well-Known Scriptures—Misunderstood!

One of the best-known verses in the Bible is John 3:16! Zealous professing Christians have tried to publicize this scripture with large banners at nationally televised football games, and even on large boulders and billboards along the highway.

This famous verse holds out awesome hope to all human beings whom God is calling. But few, even professing Christians, really understand the depth of truth enclosed in this profound statement. Jesus Himself stated this truth in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Hidden in this famous verse are eight vital spiritual truths. But for most people, they are eight hidden mysteries.

Why?

Because they read this verse based on human traditions rather than Christian doctrines based on the Bible! You can learn more about the eight hidden mysteries of John 3:16, in our free study resource: John 3:16, Hidden Truths of the Golden Verse. Be sure to write down the contact information to order your free copy.

Would a God who loved the world condemn His creations to eternal suffering in hell-fire? How could that be fair?

And if God let Jesus die so believers would not perish, where did we get the idea that the wicked would not perish but instead would live in eternal pain? And, most importantly, what does it mean to have everlasting life as a born-again follower of Jesus Christ?

On today’s program you need to understand four mysteries of John 3:16.

Stay tuned!

Who Is the God of the Bible?

One of the most profound truths of your Bible is stated in John 3:16. It’s called “The Golden Verse” of the Bible.

We need to seek its truth. But there are so many different interpretations and beliefs, even among professing Christians. Listen to this amazing fact: The World Christian Encyclopedia identifies at least 33,000 Christian denominations, with 9,000 of them classified as “Protestant” and 22,000 as “Independents.” These thousands of denominations disagree among themselves in many of their doctrines, teachings, and beliefs.

Yet they can’t all be right!

Could it even be that many believe in a false Jesus Christ who is not the Jesus of the Bible? Jesus Himself warned us in Matthew 24:24 that “false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” Since these thousands of denominations teach varying doctrines, could it be that many believe in a counterfeit Christianity?

There are many differing beliefs concerning the nature and existence of God. So, let’s consider the first hidden mystery of John 3:16,

Who is the God who loved the world?

How is He described in the Bible? If you have your Bible, turn to Genesis 1:1. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

Evangelist Gerald Weston, author of the free study resource we’re offering today, states this:

The first place the term “God” is used in scripture (Genesis 1:1), it comes from the Hebrew Elohim, a plural word. The plurality of God is affirmed in verse 26: “Then God [Elohim] said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…’” (p. 4).

Notice “Us”—that’s plural. But God is also one. What does your Bible reveal about the relationship of Jesus Christ and God the Father? We read in Deuteronomy 6:4, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!” And Jesus stated, “I and My Father are one” (John 10:30).

So, we need to answer the question, “In what way is God ‘one’?” Mr. Weston answers that question:

On the night in which He was betrayed, Jesus was on earth, and He prayed to His Father in heaven. Note these clear words about oneness found in this prayer: “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one” (John 17:20–21). So we see that He wants us all to be one, but in what way? So “that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one; I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one” (vv. 21–23) (John 3:16, Hidden Truths of the Golden Verse, pp. 5–6).

As we’ll see later in the program, God is preparing a Family. Born-again Christians will become part of that Family at the First Resurrection. Even now, Christians after baptism receive the laying on of hands to receive the Holy Spirit.

We all need the gift of the Holy Spirit of God, the power of God, as Jesus stated in Acts 1:7–8 and as the Apostle Peter exhorted in Acts 2:38. We thank God that He will give repentant sinners the gift of the Holy Spirit, the spirit of “power and of love and of a sound mind” as it tells us in 2 Timothy 1:7.

Yes, God is the father “from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named” (Ephesians 3:15).

My friends, pray that you also can have God as your Father. Jesus taught us to pray to the Father in Matthew 6:9.

We’ve seen that God the Father and Jesus Christ are one. They are the two beings right now in the One God Family. In fact, God the Father is the father “from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named” (Ephesians 3:15). And faithful Christians will join them when they are born again, as we’ll see later in this program.

God Is Building a Family—Not Burning It!

Now turn to John chapter 11. We saw that the Father and Jesus Christ are now members of that one family. As the Apostle John taught us in John 1:14,

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”

And it was that Jesus, the Son of God, who poured out the Holy Spirit on the disciples in Acts 2:32.

“This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.”

My friends, you need the Holy Spirit, as we’ll discuss later in this program.

Another hidden truth and mystery of John 3:16 is the answer to the question: Is God fair? Hidden Mystery Number Two: “Is God fair?”

When you come to really understand the awesome unconditional eternal love that the Creator God has for human beings, you’ll understand that every human being will have a genuine opportunity for salvation. And this introduces this second hidden truth.

Many professing Christians have a wrong idea that God will burn billions of people in hellfire forever, simply because He arranged for them to be born and die without ever hearing the name of Christ or the gospel of Christ.

Is that fair?

In Chapter Three of today’s free booklet, Evangelist Gerald Weston writes,

The Apostle John taught plainly that “God so loved the world” (John 3:16). Here, “the world” is not a reference to planet Earth, but rather to the people who dwell here. And, no matter how you count it, by any reckoning there have always been far more “unsaved” than “saved.” So, if God “loved the world,” how can this be? Is He so weak that He cannot save the majority of His creation? This leads to the question, “Is God fair? Is He a respecter of persons? Has everyone—or will everyone—have a genuine and fair opportunity for salvation?” (pp. 17–18).

Bible students know that salvation comes only through the name of the Savior of the World, Jesus Christ. As it tells us in Acts 4:12,

“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

My friends, God has a plan for those who never heard the name of Jesus Christ.

Hidden Mystery Number Two is: “Is God fair?”

God will not condemn those who never heard the name of Christ as many in traditional Christianity believe. Ask your minister or priest this question: If a tribe of people in a remote jungle never heard the name of Jesus Christ, never accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior, will they be condemned to hellfire when they die? You may be shocked by the answer.

Your Bible reveals that God will give such people an opportunity for salvation in the Second Resurrection to judgment. That’s described in Revelation 20:11–13. Turn in your Bible to Revelation 20:11. God reveals to us the Great White Throne Judgment. This judgment takes place after the thousand-year reign of Christ on earth. These are the “rest of the dead” mentioned in verse 5. This is the second general resurrection from the dead. Revelation 20:11,

“Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God….”

If the dead are now standing before God, they have been resurrected. You find a description of this resurrection to physical life in Ezekiel 37—the valley of dry bones comes to life.

Now, continuing in Revelation 20:12,

“… and books were opened.”

The original Greek word for books is biblia, from which we derive the word Bible. Let’s continue,

“And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works.”

In the White Throne Judgment, billions of people who never heard the name of Christ will have their first genuine opportunity for salvation. That resurrection to judgment may include friends and relatives you may have thought were lost forever.

What Does It Mean to Perish—And to Be “Born Again”?

Hidden Mystery Number One we’ve discussed is, “Who is the God who loved the world?” Our Hidden Mystery Number Two is, “Is God fair?” Our Hidden Mystery Number Three is very important for understanding God’s truth: “What is the biblical meaning of ‘perish’?”

My friends, God is the Giver of life, the Creator of all things—He is the Life-giver. Turn to Acts 17. In verse 26, the Apostle Paul reveals God’s desired relationship with all of us.

“And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring’” (Acts 17:26–28).

Since God is the giver of life, what does it mean to “perish”? Many assume that they will never perish! They believe the pagan doctrine of the immortal soul. They believe that their so-called immortal soul will not perish at death. But Gerald Weston writes in his informative free booklet on John 3:16,

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary defines perish as “To be destroyed; to pass away; to become nothing… to die” (“Perish,” Websters1913.com). We know what it means when food perishes. We speak of people perishing in a plane crash. So, when it comes to the biblical matters, why do people push other, incorrect meanings onto perish?

The Bible consistently and unambiguously agrees with the standard dictionary definition of “perish”! It clearly teaches that life and death are opposites! Nowhere does Scripture ever describe human life as being inherently immortal. As we have already seen, even the soul—whatever one may think it is—can die (Ezekiel 18:4, 20).

God’s word reveals that immortality is not something we already have, but rather that it is something we must seek (Romans 2:6–7) and “must put on” (1 Corinthians 15:53–54) (p. 50).

The Bible plainly reveals that only God has immortality (1 Timothy 6:16) and that immortality is something we must put on in the future (1 Corinthians 15:53).

God’s purpose is to save us from eternal death, to save us from perishing. But Scripture tells us that those who seal their character with evil will perish in the lake of fire. Read that in Revelation 21:7,

“He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

The incorrigibly wicked will perish in the lake of fire. They will be punished with the second death from which there is no resurrection. That’s the punishment of eternal death. As it states in Romans 6:23,

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

We don’t already have immortality. Eternal life is a gift of God. Thus we see the contrast between traditional Christianity and biblical Christianity. Traditional Christianity teaches that we have an immortal soul that will always live and never perish or never cease to exist. Biblical Christianity teaches that unrepentant sinners will perish in a lake of fire, experience the second death—eternal death—and cease to exist.

But the good news is that those who truly believe in the Jesus Christ of the Bible, who repent and are baptized as it states in Acts 2:38, and remain faithful, will not perish, they will be given the gift of eternal life. The Third Hidden Mystery we’ve discussed today is: “What is the biblical meaning of ‘perish’?” My friends, will you personally perish?

Our Savior revealed that those who genuinely live by John 3:16, shall “not perish, but have everlasting life.”

We’ve briefly discussed three hidden mysteries of John 3:16. Our Hidden Mystery Number Four is: “You Must Be Born Again.” In fact, chapter five of our free study resource today is titled, “You Must Be Born Again.” Most professing Christians are familiar with the story of Nicodemus the Pharisee, who came to Jesus by night and admitted that Jesus was sent from God. Jesus told him,

“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).

The common belief is that if you accept Jesus in your heart as your Savior, you are at that moment “born again.” But what did Jesus tell the dumbfounded Pharisee?

“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (vv. 5–6).

Conclusion: Begotten of God—Baptism and Repentance Are Only the Beginning

One simply needs to ask the question, “Am I spirit or am I flesh?” Physical Christians will be changed into spirit at the resurrection. Read about the miraculous change at the first general resurrection: 1 Corinthians 15:50,

“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory’” (vv. 50–54).

That is the time Jesus referred to when He said, “that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” Mr. Weston explains the context of Jesus’ statement in chapter five of the study resource we’re offering today, John 3:16: Hidden Truths of the Golden Verse. We must understand, as in the human begettal and birth process, the difference between the words “begotten” and “born.”

Mr. Weston writes on page 34,

Why does this matter generate such confusion? In this passage of Scripture, the word translated as “born” is the Greek word gennao. Translators, knowing Greek but not understanding the doctrinal implications, variously render this unusual word into English as “born,” “beget,” “begot,” or “conceive.” This seemingly small detail can lead to confusion and result in significant misunderstandings, especially about the concept of being “born again.”

When we receive God’s Holy Spirit at baptism, we become God’s begotten child. In spite of the translators’ bias, the word gennao is correctly translated in 1 Peter 1:3,

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you….”

Our Father in heaven begets us as His children, and as such we love all of God’s begotten children.

Yes, to be born again, you must first be begotten at baptism.

My friends, I pray that you will consider repentance and baptism and begin your spiritual life as a begotten son or daughter of God Almighty and as a brother or sister of [Jesus] Christ as He referred to us in Matthew 12:50 and Hebrews 2:11.

If you are considering repentance and biblical baptism, contact one of our representatives at the Regional Office nearest you. You can find them on our website, TomorrowsWorld.org.

Hidden Mystery Number Four is: “You must be born again.”

On today’s program, we’ve discussed four hidden mysteries of John 3:16. But we’ve only scratched the surface.

May God bless you as you seek His truth in the pages of your Bible.

Thank you for watching!

My friends, there are more hidden truths in John 3:16 that billions of human beings around the world do not understand. If you would like to discover them for yourself, just click the link in the description to order a free copy of our study guide John 3:16: Hidden Truths of the Golden Verse. And remember to subscribe to our channel so you don’t miss another Tomorrow’s World video.

See you next time!

[The text below represents an edited transcript of this Tomorrow’s World program.]

Introduction: A Less-Known Holy Day

Trumpets figure prominently in the prophetic language of the Bible. Most people have heard of the seven trumpets of Revelation. These trumpets will signal seven powerful plagues unleashed on the earth during the Day of the Lord. The seventh of these trumpets will signal the beginning of Christ’s reign over the kingdoms of this world. And this trumpet will also announce the resurrection of the saints to glory.

But who has ever heard of the “Feast of Trumpets”? Just what is the “Feast of Trumpets”?

The Feast of Trumpets is one of the seven biblical Feasts that are outlined in Scripture. These are holy days observed annually by a growing number of Christians around the world. These holy days are not just empty rituals, but deeply, meaningful holy days that provide a framework for the plan of salvation. They teach us how God is bringing many sons to glory, as it says in Hebrews 2:10.

If you haven’t heard of the Feast of Trumpets, why not?

Maybe it’s time you did. Because your Bible shows this feast day is a significant day of worship to God. And keeping it can give us a depth of understanding about where we are in prophecy, and where we’re headed.

On today’s program, we’re going to ask the question, “What is the Feast of Trumpets”? We’ll examine how it fits into the overall outline of biblical holy days. And we’ll discover the special significance it has for Christians living in the last days.

Trumpets: A Vital Biblical Symbol

Welcome to Tomorrow’s World, where we bring an understanding of today’s world, through the prophecies of the Bible.

When we speak of trumpets in the Bible, what comes to mind? You might recall that there will be seven trumpets blown during the Day of the Lord, announcing seven powerful plagues. You may also recall that there is a mighty trumpet blown at the resurrection of the saints.

Why do we have these uses of trumpets in prophecy, and what do they mean for us? To answer this question, we must understand that the Bible reveals there are seven biblical holy days. They are annual holy days and occur as regular, annual feasts. One is called “a memorial of blowing of trumpets.” Or, just “the Feast of Trumpets.” But what is it all about?

Perhaps the best way to introduce the Feast of Trumpets is to first take a step back, and outline all of the seven annual feasts. Now, some think the feast days, originally found in the Old Testament, were just for the ancient Israelites, or just for the Jews. But actually, the New Testament church kept the biblical holy days, too. This might be a shock to some. But if you want to see for yourself, be sure to get the study guide we are offering today, The Holy Days: God’s Master Plan.

We find the biblical holy days listed in the book of Leviticus. I’ll briefly review them, and explain what they symbolize for Christians.

Let’s turn to Leviticus 23 and we’ll read in verse 1.

“And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘The feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts.

Now stop just for a moment, and think about this. Who is “the Lord” speaking? Well, that’s the preincarnate Jesus Christ and He says these are His feasts. These feasts He’s going to be talking about. There not the feasts of the Jews, There not the feasts of the Isrealites, they are the Lord’s feasts. And if we understand that this is the preincarnate Jesus Christ talking should we not take notice and think about what does our Lord want us to learn about His feasts?

Going on:

“Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work on it; it is the Sabbath of the Lord in all your dwellings.” [v. 3]

So, this is interesting because what we find here is there is a weekly Sabbath, and there are annual Sabbaths. The seventh day, Saturday, is the weekly Sabbath, and the feasts we are going to be talking about here in a moment are the annual Sabbaths. And they are all feasts of the Lord.

Going on in verse 4…

“These are the feasts of the LORD, holy convocations which you shall proclaim at their appointed times….”

So this is interesting. In the introduction to a discussion about the feast days, we’re told these are the feasts of the Lord. Who is the Lord? The preincarnate Jesus Christ. And they’re connected to the seventh day Sabbath, and they are to be proclaimed at their appointed times. Now let’s go through a step by step discussion of what these feast days are.

1. First, comes the Passover. This is found in Leviticus 23:4 and 5.

For Christians, Passover is a memorial of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our sins. It signifies the fact that if we have repented of our sins, we can be “passed over” and we can be justified before God through the death of Jesus Christ. We can be freed from the death penalty, which we earned through sin. This is the first and pivotal step in the awesome plan of salvation of Almighty God.

2. The second feast is the Feast of Unleavened Bread, found in Leviticus 23:6–8.

The Feast of Unleavened Bread follows Passover. This feast is a time when Christians remove leaven from their homes and sin from their hearts. It’s a seven-day period where we are admonished to examine ourselves and determine: Are we living up to the sacrifice that Christ made for us? Leavening symbolizes sin, and the Feast of Unleavened Bread symbolizes coming out of sin, through the help of our Savior Jesus Christ.

3. The third feast in the biblical list of holy days is the day of Pentecost. In Leviticus 23:15–21 it is introduced as the “feast of weeks” or the “feast of firstfruits.”

This one you might be more familiar with. You may remember that it was called the Day of Pentecost in the New Testament. That’s just a Greek word for “fiftieth,” as they were to count fifty days in order to calculate the timing of this day. Pentecost was the day the Holy Spirit was poured out on the fledgling New Testament church. Pentecost, or the “Feast of Firstfruits” teaches us that God is calling just a small number of people today, as firstfruits. He’s simply not calling the whole world now. Have you ever wondered why there is so much sin in the world? Why is it such a violent and dangerous place to be, and getting worse? If God really was trying to call all of humanity at this time, don’t you think He’d be more successful? No, God is not calling everyone now. And this is explained in the Day of Pentecost, or Feast of Firstfruits.

4. The next feast often occurs in September and is called a “memorial of blowing of trumpets,” in Leviticus 23:23–25. In short, it’s called the Feast of Trumpets.

But what is the Feast of Trumpets for? Well, this feast teaches us that Jesus Christ’s return will be in a time of great warfare and violence. It also symbolizes Him coming as a warrior, as a conquering king, no longer as a suffering Lamb. We’ll come back to this a little later.

5. Following short on the heels of the Feast of Trumpets is another day called The Day of Atonement. This is found in Leviticus 23:26–32.

The Day of Atonement is a very sobering day because it’s a day of fasting and humbling ourselves. It’s a day when we recognize that Satan the Devil has been given temporary rulership over this world. But he will be removed when Jesus comes back to this earth. And for that reason, it’s a day of great hope and promise for all mankind.

6. The next feast is called the Feast of Tabernacles. That’s found in Leviticus 23:33 through 36.

The Feast of Tabernacles signifies the big harvest which will take place during Christ’s 1,000-year reign on earth. It’s also called the “Feast of Ingathering.” And during the millennial reign of Jesus Christ, God’s Spirit will be open to everyone and all will know the truth. Everyone in every nation around the globe will be taught to worship Him and learn His ways. The Feast of Tabernacles is a seven-day, joyous celebration that reminds us of this coming age of peace and prosperity.

7. The last feast is called the “eighth day” in Leviticus 23:36. It’s also called “the last day, that great day of the feast” in John 7:37.

This Last Great Day comes immediately after the Feast of Tabernacles. It’s a one-day feast that teaches us just how just and fair God really is. The Last Great Day teaches us that there will come a time after the millennium when every human being will have a chance at salvation. Those who have lived and died but never even heard the name of Jesus Christ will have an opportunity and God will not consign them to punishment without really giving them a chance. This feast pictures that day when they’ll be given their chance. And what a wonderful picture of a fair and loving God it is.

What we’ve just reviewed is God’s master plan of salvation. In other words, God has a step-by-step plan by which He will give every man and woman a chance at salvation.

So, what does this have to do with you? And why are we talking about the Feast of Trumpets.

True Christians Kept God’s Feasts

In the last segment, we briefly outlined the seven feasts of God that He reveals in the Bible. These are feast days that the early New Testament Church kept in the first century. But don’t take our word for it; do your own research. Check it out for yourself. You’ll find that first-century Christians never kept Christmas, Easter, or Halloween. What they did keep is Pentecost, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Passover, and others. How do we know? Well, we can look at the record of the Bible itself.

Take a look at Acts 2:1:

“When the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.” (Acts 2:1)

Isn’t it interesting that the Holy Spirit was given, initiating the New Testament church, on what most people think of as an Old Testament holy day? This is after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Shouldn’t it give us pause before casting aside these holy days?

Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church was written in the 50s AD, well over two decades after the New Testament church was founded. And yet, Paul refers to this church as keeping Feast of Unleavened Bread, another of the biblical holy days. We can read it in 1 Corinthians 5:6:

“Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened.” (1 Corinthians 5:6–7)

Leaven was compared to sin. Just like leaven spreads throughout a whole loaf of bread in the leavening process, even so, sin spreads and multiplies in us and has a corrosive effect in our lives. During the feast of Unleavened Bread, we are to eliminate any leavened products from our homes and any of our meals. Paul acknowledges the fact that these members of the Church in Corinth were in fact keeping these days, because he said, “you truly are unleavened.”

The next statement should make it even more clear. In 1 Corinthians 5:8 Paul wrote:

“Therefore let us keep the feast…” (1 Corinthians 5:8)

So, we find the church of God keeping this so-called Old Testament holy day well into the New Testament era. As one step further, Paul explains that we should observe the New Testament Passover in honor of our Lord’s death. Notice in verse 7 of 1 Corinthians 5:

“For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.” (1 Corinthians 5:7)

In chapter 11 he gives instruction on how to observe the New Testament Passover:

“For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ … For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:23–24, 26)

Now, why does this matter? Why go through examples of the New Testament writers explaining how the early church kept the biblical holy days? Because as Christians, we are to follow in the footsteps of Christ and the disciples. And certainly, it’s even more important to be diligent to follow the example of Jesus Christ, as we see the day of His return approaching.

As we mentioned in the last segment, the Feast of Trumpets is the fourth feast in the sequence of annual holy days. But to understand the Feast of Trumpets, we have to understand how trumpets were used in ancient times. Thousands of years ago, before the advent of radio or satellite communication, there had to be a way to convey signals to people separated by great distances. Whether an army in formation, or citizens scattered throughout a walled city, their lives depended on having sentries who could blast a trumpet call to everyone, if danger was approaching.

So, what does this mean for us today? What should we learn from the Feast of Trumpets? This Feast focuses on the return of Christ. But not only that, it warns us that Jesus’ return will occur during a time of great calamity and war. That’s what trumpets were used for in ancient times. To announce danger or an approaching army. So, this holy day, to be kept annually, is designed to teach us about how to be ready in a dangerous and violent world leading up to Christ’s return.

If you’re a long-time viewer of Tomorrow’s World, you know that the prophesied Day of the Lord is a one-year period leading up to the return of Jesus Christ. During that one-year period, seven trumpets will be blown by seven powerful angels. These seven trumpets will announce seven plagues poured out on mankind. These seven plagues are outlined in Revelation 8, 9, and 11. The description in these chapters shows that this will be a time of great devastation and distress on earth. This final year, the Day of the Lord, will be the year of God’s wrath on rebellious mankind. At the end of that period, Jesus Christ will intervene to save humanity from itself. We read of the seventh trumpet blowing and a profound announcement taking place. This is in Revelation 11:15,

“Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!’” (Revelation 11:15)

Think about it! What a momentous event that will be. The announcement of our Savior directly taking control of the governments of this world. Can you imagine what a profound shift this will be? In response, Zechariah shows us that the leaders of this world will actually fight against Him. In Zechariah 14:1–2, we read:

“Behold, the day of the LORD is coming, and your spoil will be divided in your midst. For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem…. [v. 3] Then the LORD will go forth and fight against those nations, as He fights in the day of battle. And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives.” (Zechariah 14:1–4)

Why does Jesus Christ have to take over the kingdoms of this earth when He returns? Have you ever asked yourself that question? The answer is simple. He is NOT the ruler of this world today. Satan the devil is. 2 Corinthians 4:4 says Satan is “the god of this age.” Ephesians 2:2 shows Satan is the “prince of the power of the air.” He rules over this age, with chaos and violence. Is it any wonder why we have so much mayhem and destruction in our world today? It’s because Satan is currently ruling over this earth. But he will be replaced by Jesus Christ, and the Feast of Trumpets teaches us that.

God’s Plan of Salvation—Step by Step

We’re living in very uncertain times. The news is frightening. The trends in society are discouraging. And it’s easy to worry about what’s going to happen next. But we don’t have to wonder or worry, because we’ve been given an outline of the plan.

The holy days reveal the plan of salvation of our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ. The biblical holy days outline that plan and they show us where we are in history.

They also show us that when Christ returns, in a time of war, another event will happen. This is something God’s servants have waited for, for thousands of years. That is, the resurrection of the saints. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 explains this:

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16–18)

And it is a comfort, isn’t it? To know our Savior is coming back, and when that trumpet blows, those who have died in the faith, as disciples of Christ, will be awakened and given life, spirit life. And we, too, can be part of that group that enters God’s glorious kingdom in that day. A life without pain, without suffering, without death, forever. That’s hard even to imagine, but that is what will happen when that trumpet blows.

But which trumpet is it? 1 Corinthians 15:51 gets more specific:

“Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” (1 Corinthians 15:51–52)

Just as Christ will take over the kingdoms of this world at the announcement of the last trumpet, so will the resurrection occur. At the last trumpet. The seventh trumpet of Revelation. The time when saints will enter glory, eternal life with God the Father and Jesus Christ. To live forever and never die. This is what the Feast of Trumpets teaches us—that we can be changed into immortal spirit beings, at the blast of that last, seventh trumpet. What an encouraging and powerful hope we have!

Frankly, we are nearing that time now. We are living in the time leading up to the events symbolized by the Feast of Trumpets. Wouldn’t you want to know more about the Feast of Trumpets if it reveals understanding about the time we’re living in? Wouldn’t you want to keep the Feast of Trumpets if it gives comfort and encouragement in a time of violence and war? This profound observance teaches us about preparing for and being ready for the tumultuous times ahead of us.

Conclusion: The True Gospel

On Tomorrow’s World, we bring you the truth. And truth is so rare, today. We are committed to preaching this message, to accomplish our mission and goal, and that is, of publishing the Good News of the coming Kingdom of God on earth—the same Gospel message Christ preached.

Isaiah 58:1 tells God’s servants:

“Cry aloud, spare not; lift up your voice like a trumpet.” (Isaiah 58:1)

And that’s what we want to do, with each episode of Tomorrow’s World. Not just perpetuating the world’s traditions and customs, but actually teaching how you can have a relationship with God based on obedience to His laws. Jesus Christ came to die for our sins, and we can have forgiveness through Him. But there is so much more to His message, including the advance warning of how to prepare for the times just ahead.

So, what is the Feast of Trumpets? It’s an annual holy day, among the biblical Holy days of God, which prepares us to be ready for the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And what could be more important than that?

Thank you for watching! Remember to subscribe so you don’t miss another Tomorrow’s World video, and if you would like a copy of our free study guide The Holy Days: God’s Master Plan, go to TWTV.org/Plan or click the link in the description. See you next time.

[The text below represents an edited transcript of this Tomorrow’s World program.]

Introduction: More Answers from the Bible

The Bible is God’s word—His mind in print. The truth found within its pages is simple and beautiful. But that doesn’t mean some passages aren’t hard to understand.

On today’s program we’re going to look at three common Bible questions we receive at Tomorrow’s World, and we’re going to teach you how to answer those questions yourself, straight out of God’s word.

So, join us for a new installment of “Your Questions, the Bible’s Answers!”

Interpreting the Bible: Was Jesus Created?

Greetings, and welcome to Tomorrow’s World!

If you’re a new viewer, welcome! You’ll soon find we’re not like most religious programs you see on television or the Internet. And, as our regular viewers know well, we don’t ask you to simply take our word for the things we say. We ask you to believe your Bible, and to measure everything we tell you against the truth of God’s eternal word.

As King David says of God in Psalm 119 and verse 160, “The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.” But that doesn’t mean that we can’t misunderstand the Bible from time to time. As we’ll see, even the Bible testifies of itself that sometimes its meaning is misunderstood or, frankly, twisted by others. In such cases, the student of the Bible needs to strive to rise to the challenge!

In 2 Timothy 2:15, the Apostle Paul encouraged his young protégé to do just that, telling him,

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

THAT’S what we want to do. To RIGHTLY divide the word of truth.

We enjoyed doing our first “question and answer” program so much, we couldn’t help but do another one! And as we answer the questions, we’ll illustrate the principles you can use in the future to answer Bible questions for yourself.

Our three questions today are:

1. Was Jesus created?
2. Did Paul teach that all creatures are good for food?

and

3. Is the Kingdom of God in your heart?

Let’s jump right in!

Our first question is a common misunderstanding. Some teach that Jesus is divine, but is not actually God, just as His Father is God. They say Jesus is a created being, just like the angels. And one verse that is commonly pointed to for such claims is Revelation 3:14. There, in vision, the Apostle John sees the glorified Christ, who reveals messages to the Church of God, intended to span the centuries that would follow. John writes in Revelation 3:14,

“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God….’”

Those words, “the Beginning of the creation of God,” seem to suggest to some that Jesus—even in His divine existence before His life on earth—was created by God.

So, “Was Jesus created?”

One of the principles we’ll use on today’s program to help us answer these questions is a vital tool for biblical understanding. When trying to find out what the Bible really says about something—in this case, the nature of Christ—it is important to “Examine other scriptures on the same topic.” After all, the Bible—every word of it—is inspired by the same God, through the same Spirit. It does not contradict itself.

The Son of God, Himself, Jesus Christ, tells us this in John 10:35, where He says “the Scripture cannot be broken.”

When we want to understand the fullness of God’s mind on a subject, we want to rightly divide His word and look at the whole of that word and what it has to say about that subject. In this case, what does the Bible have to say in other places about Jesus Christ’s existence with God before His incarnation in the flesh?

Was He created by God?

Or did He exist eternally with God, with NO beginning?

There are many places in Scripture where we could turn, but since Revelation is Jesus’ revelation to His servant John, let’s turn to John’s own gospel to see how he understood Jesus’ pre-incarnate nature. Look at the very beginning of the book of John, starting with the very first verse:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.”

John here refers to Jesus Christ—or, in Greek, the “Logos,” translated “Word” in the New King James Version. He makes this plain in the rest of the chapter, such as in verses 14–18.

And here John plainly says: the Word was with God—and was God—and They were together from the very beginning. More explicitly, John says,

“All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.”

How plain! All created things were made through him. This could not be true if Jesus, Himself, were one of the created things! This understanding of Christ as the Creator is taught plainly in many other passages as well, such as Colossians 1:16–17, Ephesians 3:9, Hebrews 1:2, and others.

These and other scriptures in the Bible make it plain that all things were made through, by, and for Jesus Christ. This is why some other English Bibles translate Revelation 3:14 differently, saying Christ is the “origin of God’s creation” like the New Revised Standard Version, or the “source of God’s creation” like the New American Bible.

So, the answer to our question is, No, Jesus was not created. In the beginning He was with God, and He was God—one of the two members of the God family Whom we now call the Father and the Son.

Wisdom About Clean and Unclean Foods NOT Abolished!

Many viewers of Tomorrow’s World and readers of our magazine—our free magazine you will receive in addition to today’s Bible Study Course—have heard us explain the Bible’s teaching in Leviticus 23 concerning clean and unclean animals—clean animals, being those God’s word says it is lawful to eat, and unclean animals, being those we’re told are not lawful to eat. God’s law is plain: Some animals are NOT to be eaten.

That brings us to our second question today: “Does Paul tell Timothy that every animal is good for food?”

Let’s look at 1 Timothy 4:4 and make sure we understand what is being asked.

We read there that Paul wrote to Timothy,

“For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving….”

So, at first glance, you might think Paul is saying we should throw out God’s laws about what animals are clean or unclean, and many try to use this verse to make that very point—even though Paul said elsewhere that God’s laws and commands in the Old Testament are holy, just, and good Romans 7:12.

Any time someone wants to use the Apostle Paul to make the Bible seem to say God’s laws should be ignored, you should take warning—and not because we are warning you, but because the Bible itself warns you.

We see that warning, written by the Apostle Peter, in 2 Peter 3:15–16:

“… and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.”

So, Peter encourages us to be careful, lest we fall into the trap of those who twist the Apostle Paul’s comments—which are sometimes hard to understand—to say something lawless they were not meant to say.

And, we have to admit, there are clearly many, many creatures that are not good for food! Animals such as the comb star—an intensely poisonous starfish, whose flesh contains tetrodotoxin [tet-'RO-duh-"TOX-in], a deadly neurotoxin for which there is no known antidote. So, is Paul literally saying here to Timothy that God intended every creature He created to be edible? After all, eating a comb star sandwich may kill you, but the starfish is a “creature of God.”

Let’s read more carefully by “Examin[ing] the context around the verse [or passage]”—another key to understanding the Bible. Here, let’s go up a few verses and begin reading again in 1 Timothy 4:1:

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.” [vv. 1–3.]

Already, we’ve learned several important facts!

First, Paul isn’t speaking about God’s law, at all, but about “doctrines of demons.” It would be blasphemous to imply God’s own laws originated in the demon world! Interestingly, Paul mentions examples: man-made regulations forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from foods created by God to be eaten.

Using the first tool we’ve discussed, looking at other verses that speak on the same topic, we see that Paul addressed the same problem in Colossians, calling such man-made restrictions the “commandments and doctrines of men” [Colossians 2:22] not commands of God, and “self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body.” [v. 23]

Are there false versions of Christianity that do impose man-made dogmas and doctrines, such as forbidding some to marry and abstaining eating animals God created to be eaten, such as beef from cattle? Yes, there are! (“Fish on Fridays” and so-called “Christian vegetarianism,” I’m looking at you!) Paul is addressing these false beliefs. These are doctrines and restrictions that do not come out of the Bible, but from the traditions of men, and Paul calls them “doctrines of demons”! He is clearly not talking about the instructions of the Bible, where God teaches exactly which animals He created—as it says in verse 3 of 1 Timothy 4—to be received as food.

But let’s get even more context and look at the verse that follows 1 Timothy 4:4.

“For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; [Why? Verse 5:] for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.”

To be sanctified is to be set apart by God, and Paul here says he is speaking of food from creatures that have been set apart by the word of God, which, for Paul, was the Old Testament.

Well, what animals have been set apart by the “word of God” as created to be animals we can eat? The clean animals of Leviticus 11!

Animals like the cow or bull, that have cloven hooves and chew the cud, for instance. The word of God sets them apart, as created to be good for food. In fact, no other animals in the world have been set apart by the word of God, other than the animals the Bible declares clean and available for meat. Certainly not our poisonous starfish friend.

Reading the verses around verse 4 helps make Paul’s meaning clear. The answer to our question “Does Paul tell Timothy that every animal you could choose to consume is good for food?” is no, the context and other passages indicate he does not. Paul was fighting against doctrines of demons and self-imposed, man-made restrictions, explaining that all of the creatures God set apart in His word are acceptable, not those animals God did not create to be eaten in the first place.

What Does the Bible Teach About the Kingdom of God?

For our third question, let’s look at Luke 17. There, in verses 20 and 21, we read,

“Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, ‘The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”

Some take note of those last few words and ask the following: “Is the Kingdom of God in your heart?”

The question is whether Jesus meant that the Kingdom of God is something only set up in the hearts of Christians—now—and not a literal, world-ruling Kingdom that is yet to come in the future.

Now, this idea is explicitly reflected in some Bible translations, such as the Contemporary English Version, which translates Jesus’ words of verse 20 as “God’s kingdom isn’t something you can see.” But is this interpretation correct? Is the Kingdom just in your heart?

Well, let’s use the two tools we’ve already discussed. First, let’s consider other verses. Passages such as 1 Corinthians chapter 6, verses 9 and 10, chapter 15, verse 50, and Galatians 5:21 plainly describe the Kingdom of God as something Christians will inherit in the future and do not yet have, and that it is something flesh and blood, like we are now, cannot inherit.

In many passages, such as Matthew 25:31 to 34 and Mark 14:25, Jesus clearly describes the Kingdom as something Christians will inherit with His future Second Coming, not before. And Revelation 11:15 describes the inauguration of God’s Kingdom as coinciding with Christ’s return, as well, with other verses saying explicitly that Christ will rule over the world alongside His saints.

And the Old Testament is filled with prophetic descriptions of that future world!

Frankly, there are too many verses to refer to them all! But they plainly depict the Kingdom of God as being a very real Kingdom that will rule the world in the age to come.

And let’s use our second tool and look at the context by reading the larger passage in Luke 17, beginning again in verse 20:

“Then He said to the disciples, ‘The days will come when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. And they will say to you, “Look here!” or “Look there!” Do not go after them or follow them. For as the lightning that flashes out of one part under heaven shines to the other part under heaven, so also the Son of Man will be in His day.’” [vv. 20–24]

Notice that last part: the coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of Man, will be as when lightning flashes, which fills the entire sky! That’s something very visible—in fact, accompanied by thunder, it can be impossible to miss!

This does not sound like something invisible that exists only within your heart!

Finally, let’s use a third tool for understanding the Bible: “Remember the additive nature of biblical witnesses.”

Luke is not the only biblical writer to describe Jesus’ comments about the Kingdom and its visibility. Look at a related passage as recorded by a different gospel writer, this time Matthew. Let’s read Matthew 24, beginning at verse 23, and see what he adds:

“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.”

This additional witness records additional elements in Jesus’ description. First, He isn’t talking about something that cannot be seen at all, but rather He is warning that He will not return and establish His Kingdom in some secret location somewhere—some location that has to be figured out or hunted down. In fact, the Greek word translated “observation” in Luke 17:20 can mean just that—a close and careful inspection, picking over minute details.

The Weymouth New Testament translates Jesus’ words of verse 20, “The Kingdom of God does not so come that you can stealthily watch for it.” That matches better Jesus’ warnings to avoid those who say, “Hey, Jesus is in this hidden group or that secret place—you just haven’t seen Him!”

He is saying the coming of His Kingdom will be very public and impossible to miss—like lightning filling the entire sky, or, as this passage adds, like a flock of eagles swarming around their dinner. Not secret at all, and extremely visible!

So, what does He mean when He says “the Kingdom is within you”? Many other Bible translations get this verse more accurately than the King James Version and New King James Version—as much as I love them—by translating that phrase more clearly as “the Kingdom is among you” or “the Kingdom is in your midst.”

And that makes far more sense!

Wherever Jesus went in His ministry, the people experienced a foretaste of the great Kingdom to come in tomorrow’s world.

Conclusion: Three Principles for Answering Questions About the Bible

In addressing these common Bible questions, we’ve seen that Jesus was NOT created by God but, instead, existed in eternity past with Him. And that all created things were, in fact made through Him. We’ve seen that the Apostle Paul was not trying to say that you should be willing to eat any and every animal on earth, but those God created to be eaten are fair game. And we’ve seen that the Kingdom of God is not just something set up in your heart, but truly is a world-ruling Kingdom to be brought by Jesus Christ at His return.

And we’ve answered those questions by employing three solid principles that you should always keep in mind when trying to understand a particular verse or passage of the Bible:

1. Examine other scriptures on the same topic.
2. Examine the context around the verse or passage.
3. Remember the additive nature of biblical witnesses.

With these principles in mind, you’ll be well on your way to fulfilling that charge the Apostle Paul laid upon Timothy—and which, centuries later, he lays on all of us:

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” [2 Timothy 2:15]

Thanks for watching our program today!

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