The Rich and their Pharmakeia
Many present-day developments are setting the stage for Daniel’s 70th week. Revelation 18:23 notes that during the Tribulation Period, Babylon will deceive all nations with witchcraft, or ‘pharmakeia’. Even today, developments are setting the stage for this deception.
Eight Predictions
An economic system whereby “you will own nothing” is of course a Marxist-Communist system. Property rights are denied and given to a “state”, but really, the spoils are stolen by an unelected elite.
The Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates
When a State (through a ruling party) attacks citizens’ God-given rights and freedoms, can something be done about it? More specifically, when human authority directly contravenes God’s laws and instructions, must citizens accept such a tyrannical abuse of authority? Concerning civil government, what is the doctrine of the lesser magistrates, and what is interposition? Perhaps you must stand in the gap during a time of crisis.
Civil Disobedience
We do not know the timing of end time events, but it seems clear that the global scene is slowly but surely being “greatly reset” for a one world government, out of which a global religious system and ten kings will arise—and out of which the Antichrist will come (cf. Dan 7:23-25; Rev 13; 17). Evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. An anti-nationalist process will gather steam in favour of one global government, ultimately falling under the man of lawlessness (cf. Dan 11:36-39; 2 Thes 2:3-9). The difficult topic of civil disobedience will become more and more relevant.
The Great Reset in 2021?
Since about June 2020, various unelected entities have been marketing a ‘Great Reset’ of the whole world. Spearheading this initiative is the World Economic Forum (‘WEF’), aided and abetted by the IMF, Prince Charles, politicians such as Justin Trudeau, John Kerry, etc. — and not a few super-wealthy people. In July 2020, the WEF published a book about the ‘Great Reset’, and its website is devoted to this topic. In November 2020, Time magazine pictured ‘The Great Reset’ on its cover. But does any of this possibly have Biblical and prophetic significance?
Mysteries of the kingdom — or a ‘mystery kingdom’?
About a century ago, some Americans postulated that Matthew 13 does not teach mysteries of, or about, the kingdom of heaven, but rather describes a ‘mystery kingdom’, or a ‘kingdom in mystery form’.
Physical Replacement Theology?
In 722-721 BC, the Assyrians took the northern kingdom of Israel captive. Are the ten tribes of the northern kingdom of Israel lost? Is Judah and Benjamin the only tribes of Israel that still exist?
The Day of Jesus Christ
What does it mean when the Bible refers to ‘the day of [Jesus] Christ’? Is this day different from the ‘day of the Lord’ and the ‘day of God’? Can it be said that ‘the day of Christ’ is a technical term, always meaning the same regardless of the context?
This Age and the Age to Come
The Bible refers to ‘this age’ and the ‘age to come’ (cf. Luk 20:34; Eph 1:21; Heb 6:5). For example, Jesus tells the religious leaders of Israel that the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in ‘this age or in the age to come’ (Mt 12:32). What is meant by ‘this age’, when did it start, and how will it end? What is meant by the ‘age to come’?
The Last Days and the End Times
Are we living in the ‘last days’? If so, can one say when the ‘last days’ started? Further, are we living in the ‘end times’? Old and New Testament references to these terms are considered, reconciled to each other and then we reach a conclusion.
The Star of the King of the Jews
From Jerusalem to Bethlehem, yes even into the village, the star guided us until it stood above the place where the Child was. The journey was long and wearisome, but worth it. In the house we saw the Child, fell down and worshipped Him. Gaspar opened our treasures. We gave Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Until the Day Dawns
Typology does not establish teaching but beautifies it. Christ’s second coming and the beginning of his kingdom can typologically be associated with “dawn”, “morning”, “light” and the sun.