Does a Religious Leader Have the Power to Forgive Sins?
Question: Is it right to go to a religious leader—such as a priest—kneel before him, and confess your sins? After all, Jesus said:
If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” (John 20:23, NKJV)
Answer: What Did Jesus Actually Teach?
Let’s look carefully at what Jesus taught about authority regarding sin. In Matthew 16:15-19, we read:
He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’
Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’
Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. (NKJV)
Here Jesus gave Peter “the keys of the kingdom of heaven”—that is, authority to open the way for people to enter the kingdom. This same authority (symbolized by the keys) was also given to the other apostles (see Matthew 18:18). But these keys did not mean they could pronounce forgiveness at their own will. Rather, the keys represent the gospel message—the revelation of how people can be saved and forgiven through Jesus Christ.
How Did the Apostles Use This Authority?
When Peter exercised this authority on the Day of Pentecost, notice what he said:
Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38, NKJV)
Peter didn’t simply declare, “Your sins are forgiven.” He called people to repentance and baptism as the conditions for forgiveness. The true key to forgiveness is the gospel itself:
Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel … by which also you are saved.” (1 Corinthians 15:1-2, NKJV)
What About Confessing to a Religious Leader?
The Bible does teach the value of confessing sins—but not to obtain forgiveness through the priest’s or leader’s power. Scripture says:
Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” (James 5:16, NKJV)
Confession can bring healing, accountability, and restoration within the body of Christ, but the forgiveness of sins comes from God alone, through faith in Jesus and obedience to His Word:
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9, NKJV)
The Error of Misusing the Authority
Unfortunately, many today—whether popes, priests, or other religious leaders—claim the right to pronounce forgiveness without requiring genuine repentance or scriptural baptism. This is a misapplication of Scriptures like John 20:23 and Matthew 16:19. Jesus never intended for His ministers to replace God’s role in forgiving sins. Instead, they are to point people to the cross, where forgiveness was purchased:
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” (Ephesians 1:7, NKJV)
True ministers preach the way of salvation, just as the apostles did. When leaders simply declare people forgiven without them repenting, they rob the gospel of its true power and lead people into false security.
Conclusion
If a religious leader tells you that your sins are forgiven, but you have not truly repented or been baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, do not be deceived. Only God can forgive sins through the finished work of Jesus Christ. The apostolic way is clear:
Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” (Acts 3:19, NKJV)
May God give you discernment to follow His Word.
Be blessed.
Do You Not Know That We Will Judge Angels? — What Does This Mean?
When Paul asks, “Do you not know that we shall judge angels?” (1 Corinthians 6:3), what is he referring to? And how will believers participate in judging angels?
Let’s first look at the passage in context:
1 Corinthians 6:2-3 (NKJV)
“Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?
Here Paul is rebuking the Corinthian believers for taking one another to secular courts over trivial disputes. He reminds them that as saints, their destiny is to share in Christ’s rule and judgment—including judgment over the world and over angels.
How Will the Saints Judge Angels?
This promise is rooted in our union with Christ. Jesus took on human nature—not the nature of angels—and was made “the firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:29). He came as the “Seed of Abraham” (Hebrews 2:16), identifying fully with humanity to redeem us.
Hebrews 2:16-17 (NKJV)
For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
Christ was given all authority in heaven and on earth:
Matthew 28:18 (NKJV)
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
John 5:22 (NKJV)
For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son.
Ephesians 1:20-22 (NKJV)
…when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named… And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church.
Since Christ will judge all beings—including fallen angels—we who will reign with Him will share in that judgment.
Which Angels Will Be Judged?
The angels Paul refers to are primarily the fallen angels—those who rebelled with Satan (see Revelation 12:7-9). These include Satan and his demons, who will ultimately be condemned:
2 Peter 2:4 (NKJV)
For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment…
Jude 1:6 (NKJV)
And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day…
At the final judgment, these rebellious angels will be sentenced to eternal punishment in the lake of fire:
Matthew 25:41 (NKJV)
“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
Faithful angels will not be condemned; their loyalty will be affirmed in the final judgment as they continue to serve God forever (see Revelation 5:11-12).
The Saints’ Role in Judgment
Believers who overcome sin and remain faithful will reign with Christ and participate in His judgment:
Revelation 3:21 (NKJV)
To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
Revelation 20:4 (NKJV)
And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them…
Paul’s point is profound: If we will one day share in judging angels and the world, how much more should we be able to resolve ordinary disputes among ourselves today?
Our Current Position and Future Hope
For now, in this earthly life, we are still “a little lower than the angels”:
Hebrews 2:9 (NKJV)
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor…
But in the age to come, when we are glorified with Christ, we will share in His authority and judgment (see Romans 8:17).
That is why we are urged:
Revelation 3:19-22 (NKJV)
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock… To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne…
Final Thought
Yes, the saints will judge angels. This should fill us with holy awe and motivate us to live faithfully, so that we may share in Christ’s glory and reign. May we overcome, so that we can take our place with Him at His throne when that great day comes.
Be blessed, and may God give you grace to stand firm until the end. Amen.
Were all the apostles, prophets, and popes of the past white people? Was black skin ever cursed?
Answer: No skin color has ever been cursed by God. All people are equal in His sight, and He shows no partiality based on race or ethnicity. As Acts 10:34-35 (ESV) declares:
So Peter opened his mouth and said: ‘Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.
It’s important to understand God’s plan as it unfolded through history. God chose Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3) and blessed him and his descendants, not because of their appearance, but to accomplish His redemptive purpose. From Abraham came the nation of Israel, the people God worked through in the Old Covenant to reveal Himself and prepare the way for the Messiah.
The Israelites were not “white” in the sense of having very light skin like people from northern Europe. They were a Semitic people, with an appearance similar to that of modern Middle Eastern or Arab populations — as is still seen today. Their skin was certainly not as pale as Greeks or Romans, who lived near them. God’s choice of Israel was never about skin color, but about fulfilling His sovereign plan, as stated in Deuteronomy 7:7-8 (ESV):
It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers.
Nowhere in Scripture do we find skin color — whether black or white — used as a reason for someone being chosen or rejected by God. Similarly, the idea that black skin was cursed is a distortion of Scripture. Some have wrongly pointed to the curse of Ham or Canaan in Genesis 9:25-27, but the curse was on Canaan’s descendants — not on any race or skin color. The Bible never links that curse to black people or Africa.
During the Old Testament period, God’s work was centered on Israel. That’s why you won’t find prophets from other nations — not because other people weren’t valuable to God, but because at that time His covenant and revelation were entrusted to Israel alone (see Psalm 147:19-20):
He declares his word to Jacob, his statutes and rules to Israel. He has not dealt thus with any other nation; they do not know his rules. Praise the Lord!
However, through Jesus Christ, God’s grace has been revealed to all nations. The dividing wall that once separated Jews and Gentiles has been broken down. Ephesians 2:13-16 (ESV) says:
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility … that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.
Today, God calls people from every nation, tribe, and language to serve Him (see Revelation 7:9):
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.
Regarding the pope, we cannot place him in the same category as the apostles or prophets of Scripture. The office of the pope, as it exists today, is based on traditions and teachings that often do not align with the authority of Scripture. The true foundation of the Church is Jesus Christ Himself, as Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 3:11 (ESV):
For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
The apostles and prophets of old were directly appointed and inspired by God to reveal His Word. The role of leadership in the Church today is to remain faithful to that Word, not to create new doctrines.
In conclusion:
There is no curse tied to skin color. God’s plan of salvation includes all people, and in Christ, all barriers have been removed. We are called to love one another as brothers and sisters in the Lord, without regard to race or ethnicity. As Galatians 3:28 (ESV) beautifully states:
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
May the Lord bless you richly as you grow in His truth.
What Is the True Sabbath? Is It Saturday or Sunday? Which Day Should We Worship?
Question:
Is the true Sabbath on Saturday or Sunday? Are Christians required to observe a specific day of worship? What does the Bible really say?
1. The Meaning of Sabbath: A Shadow of Spiritual Rest
The word “Sabbath” comes from the Hebrew word Shabbat, meaning “rest” or “cease.” In the Old Testament, the Sabbath was the seventh day of the week (Saturday), set apart as a holy day of rest and worship for the people of Israel (see Exodus 20:8–11).
However, the Sabbath command was a shadow—a symbolic pointer to something greater that would come through Christ.
Colossians 2:16–17 (NKJV)
“So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.”
Jesus Christ: Our True Sabbath Rest
Jesus fulfilled the law, including the Sabbath law (see Matthew 5:17). In Him, we find our ultimate spiritual rest—freedom from sin, legalism, and striving for salvation through works.
Matthew 11:28–30 (ESV)
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest… and you will find rest for your souls.”
Hebrews 4:9–10 (NIV)
“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.”
True Sabbath for the believer is not merely resting one day a week—it is resting in the finished work of Christ.
Worshiping God Is Not Limited to a Specific Day
In the New Covenant, worship is no longer tied to a specific day or place. Worship is now a matter of spirit and truth—daily, heartfelt devotion to God.
John 4:23–24 (NIV)
“A time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth…”
The Apostle Paul warned against elevating special days or seasons as requirements for righteousness.
Galatians 4:9–11 (ESV)
“…How can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles… You observe days and months and seasons and years! I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain.”
The Example of the Early Church: Worship on the First Day
While Saturday was the Sabbath under the Law, the early Christians began meeting on Sunday, the first day of the week, in remembrance of Christ’s resurrection (see Mark 16:9). It became known as “the Lord’s Day”.
Acts 20:7 (NIV)
“On the first day of the week we came together to break bread…”
1 Corinthians 16:2 (NIV)
“On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income…”
This shift shows that the day itself was not the focus—what mattered was gathering in the name of Jesus.
Do All Days Belong to the Lord? Yes.
Every day belongs to the Lord. Christians are not bound to the Old Covenant Sabbath laws.
Romans 14:5–6 (NIV)
“One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord…”
The point is this: worship must come from the heart, not from the calendar.
Should We Still Gather Weekly?
Yes, regular fellowship is important. While we are free in Christ, we are encouraged not to neglect meeting together with other believers.
Hebrews 10:24–25 (NIV)
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together… but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Whether that gathering happens on Saturday, Sunday, or another day, it is the spirit and purpose of the gathering that matters most.
In conclusion
So, when is the “real” Sabbath?
- In the Old Covenant: It was Saturday (Exodus 20:8–11).
- In the New Covenant: It is Jesus Christ Himself, in whom we rest daily.
- In practical terms: Christians may gather to worship on any day, but many gather on Sunday in honor of the resurrection.
What matters most is that we worship God sincerely, not which day we do it.
1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
Conclusion:
You are not more righteous for worshiping on Saturday, nor are you wrong for worshiping on Sunday. Let your worship be constant, your faith be rooted in Christ, and your rest be found in His finished work.
May the Lord bless you as you walk in His freedom and truth.
With whom was God speaking when He said, “Let Us make man in Our image” (Genesis 1:26)?
Question: With whom was God speaking when He said, “Let Us make man in Our image” (Genesis 1:26)?
Genesis 1:26 (NKJV) — Then God said,
Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.
Answer:
When God said “Let Us make man in Our image”, He was not suggesting that multiple beings created mankind. Scripture is clear that God alone is the Creator. For example, Isaiah 44:24 (ESV) declares, “I am the Lord, who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself.”
The plural expression “Let Us” has been understood in different ways. Some Christian traditions see this as the first hint of the Trinity — God the Father speaking with the Son and the Holy Spirit. Indeed, the New Testament affirms that Jesus was involved in creation:
John 1:3 (NKJV)
All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
Colossians 1:16 (NASB) — “For by Him [Christ] all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or rulers, or authorities — all things have been created through Him and for Him.”
However, another view — especially common among some interpreters — is that God was addressing His heavenly court, that is, the angelic hosts who stood in His presence (cf. Job 38:7, “When the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy”). This idea fits with scenes elsewhere in Scripture where God is pictured consulting His angels:
Genesis 3:22 (NKJV)
Then the Lord God said, ‘Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil.
Genesis 11:7 (NKJV)
Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.
1 Kings 22:19 (NKJV)
I saw the Lord sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by, on His right hand and on His left.
Importantly, the angels did not participate in creating mankind. God alone shaped humanity in His image and likeness. The phrase “in Our image” speaks of man’s unique capacity for reason, morality, relationship, and dominion — qualities that reflect God’s nature, not that of angels (cf. Psalm 8:5, “You have made him a little lower than the angels, and crowned him with glory and honor.”).
The plural form “Let Us” does not require us to conclude that God is more than one being. The Hebrew word for God, Elohim, is grammatically plural but often functions with singular verbs and adjectives, emphasizing God’s majesty and greatness rather than suggesting multiple gods (cf. Deuteronomy 6:4, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!”).
Thus, while some see in Genesis 1:26 an early glimpse of the Trinity, others understand it as God expressing His sovereign will before His angelic council. Regardless of interpretation, what remains clear is this: “The Lord, He is God; there is no other besides Him” (Deuteronomy 4:35, ESV).
Conclusion:
In Genesis 1:26, God was not speaking to Jesus or the Holy Spirit as distinct persons (according to those who reject the Trinity in this verse), nor was He speaking to angels as co-creators. God alone created mankind, though He may have included His angels in the announcement of His plan. The angels had no role in the act of creation itself. As Nehemiah 9:6 (NKJV) says, “You alone are the Lord; You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and everything on it.”
May the Lord bless you with understanding and wisdom as you study His Word.
How Many Types of Resurrection Are There?
Answer: The Bible clearly teaches that there are two distinct resurrections, each with its own significance in God’s redemptive plan.
The First Resurrection
The first resurrection primarily concerns the redeemed—the saints—who are raised to eternal life. This resurrection is mentioned in several key places:
At Jesus’ resurrection, Matthew 27:52-53 (ESV) says:
The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.
This event foreshadows the power of Christ over death and His promise of resurrection for all believers.
The first resurrection also includes the saints who will be caught up to meet Christ at His second coming (often referred to as the rapture). Though not explicitly called a resurrection in some texts, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 clarifies that the dead in Christ will be raised first:
For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command… and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.
Additionally, Revelation 20:4-6 (ESV) describes those who reign with Christ during His millennial kingdom, indicating they have part in the first resurrection:
Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power…
Theologically, the first resurrection signifies victory over the “second death” (eternal separation from God) and ushers believers into their reign with Christ in the millennial kingdom. It highlights the already-but-not-yet tension of Christian eschatology—the believer’s resurrection is certain but fully realized at Christ’s return.
The Second Resurrection
The second resurrection occurs after the 1,000-year reign, marking the resurrection of all who did not partake in the first. These are the unsaved dead who face judgment:
Revelation 20:11-15 (ESV) describes this great white throne judgment:
Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it… The dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done… And Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
This resurrection leads to eternal condemnation for those whose names are not found in the Book of Life. It demonstrates God’s righteous judgment and the final defeat of death and evil.
Theological Implications
Blessedness of the First Resurrection: Those who participate in the first resurrection are described as “blessed and holy,” for they are spared the second death (Revelation 20:6). This is a promise of eternal security for the redeemed.
The Second Death: The “second death” refers to eternal separation from God in the lake of fire, underscoring the eternal consequences of rejecting Christ’s salvation (Revelation 21:8).
Hope and Urgency: Believers are exhorted to remain faithful and vigilant so that they may be found worthy of this first resurrection (Luke 21:36). The resurrection assures Christians that death is not the end, but a gateway to eternal life or judgment.
In summary, the two resurrections mark God’s ultimate plan for humanity:
1. The first resurrection brings eternal life and reign with Christ for the saved.
2. The second resurrection brings judgment and eternal separation from God for the unsaved.
May this truth encourage you to live in the hope of the resurrection and the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
God bless you richly.
MIRIAM
Miriam was the sister of Moses and Aaron by birth (Numbers 26:59, ESV). She was the youngest child of Jochebed and Amram. Scripture also describes her as a prophetess—a rare and honored position for a woman in ancient Israel. Together, Moses, Aaron, and Miriam were uniquely chosen by God to guide His people out of Egypt and through the wilderness (Micah 6:4, ESV: “For I brought you up from the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery, and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.”). This shows God’s purpose in raising both men and women for His work.
Miriam’s leadership was especially significant for women in Israel. After the Lord overthrew Pharaoh’s army in the Red Sea, she led the women in worship. The Bible says, “Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and dancing. And Miriam sang to them: ‘Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea’” (Exodus 15:20–21, ESV). This act of praise highlights her role in encouraging corporate worship and thanksgiving.
However, Miriam’s story also serves as a sobering lesson about pride and speaking against God’s chosen servant. In Numbers 12:1–10 (ESV), Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because of his Cushite wife. Yet the Lord rebuked them, affirming Moses’ unique relationship with Him: “He is faithful in all my house. With him I speak mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in riddles, and he beholds the form of the Lord” (Numbers 12:7–8, ESV). As a consequence of her rebellion, “when the cloud removed from over the tent, behold, Miriam was leprous, like snow” (Numbers 12:10, ESV). This judgment shows God’s seriousness about respecting His appointed leaders.
Moses interceded on Miriam’s behalf, demonstrating his humility and compassion, and the Lord restored her after seven days of isolation (Numbers 12:13–15, ESV).
Sadly, Miriam did not enter the Promised Land. She died at Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin, and was buried there (Numbers 20:1, ESV). Her death reminds us that even those greatly used by God are still subject to His discipline and judgment.
Miriam’s life leaves us with a rich example: she was a worship leader, a prophetess, and a servant of God, but also a reminder of the danger of pride and the importance of honoring God’s ways.
Who Was Jezebel?
1. Jezebel’s Background
Jezebel was the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians (1 Kings 16:31, NIV). The Sidonians, located in what is now modern-day Lebanon, were known for their idolatry and devotion to Baal, a Canaanite storm and fertility god. Ethbaal himself was not only a king but also a priest of Baal, which explains Jezebel’s strong religious convictions and her later influence over Israel’s spiritual decline.
“He not only considered it trivial to commit the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, but he also married Jezebel daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal and worship him.” – 1 Kings 16:31 (NIV)
2. Jezebel’s Marriage to Ahab
When she married King Ahab of Israel, Jezebel brought her pagan religious practices with her, leading Ahab into Baal worship. Under her influence, temples and altars for Baal were built in Israel (1 Kings 16:32-33). This was a direct violation of the First Commandment, which forbids the worship of other gods (Exodus 20:3-5).
3. Persecution of God’s Prophets
Jezebel wasn’t content with simply introducing Baal worship—she sought to eliminate the worship of Yahweh altogether. She ordered the execution of many of the Lord’s prophets (1 Kings 18:4), while promoting hundreds of prophets of Baal and Asherah (1 Kings 18:19). This led to a spiritual crisis in Israel, culminating in the dramatic confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:20-40).
“While Jezebel was killing off the Lord’s prophets, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them in two caves, fifty in each, and had supplied them with food and water.” – 1 Kings 18:4 (NIV)
4. Jezebel’s Character and Sorcery
Jezebel is also associated with witchcraft and immorality. Her influence extended beyond politics into the realm of spiritual corruption. In 2 Kings 9:22, Jehu confronts King Joram and accuses Jezebel of idolatry and witchcraft:
“When Joram saw Jehu he asked, ‘Have you come in peace, Jehu?’ ‘How can there be peace,’ Jehu replied, ‘as long as all the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abound?’” – 2 Kings 9:22 (NIV)
She even manipulated legal systems to have Naboth unjustly executed so Ahab could seize his vineyard (1 Kings 21), showing a ruthless and manipulative character.
5. Jezebel in the New Testament
In the Book of Revelation, Jezebel is used as a symbol of a corrupting influence within the church. Jesus, speaking to the church in Thyatira, rebukes them for tolerating a false prophetess likened to Jezebel:
“Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.” – Revelation 2:20 (NIV)
This shows that Jezebel became an archetype of spiritual adultery, manipulation, and false teaching.
6. Jezebel’s Death and Divine Judgment
Jezebel’s death came as prophesied by the prophet Elijah. She was thrown from a window by her own servants at the command of Jehu, trampled by horses, and eaten by dogs—fulfilling Elijah’s prophecy (1 Kings 21:23-24; 2 Kings 9:30-37).
“They went out to bury her, but they found nothing except her skull, her feet and her hands. They went back and told Jehu, who said, ‘This is the word of the Lord that he spoke through his servant Elijah the Tishbite: On the plot of ground at Jezreel dogs will devour Jezebel’s flesh.’” – 2 Kings 9:35-36 (NIV)
7. Jezebel’s Legacy
Jezebel’s daughter, Athaliah, followed her mother’s footsteps in wickedness. She usurped the throne of Judah, murdered members of the royal family, and promoted Baal worship (2 Kings 11:1-3). Jezebel’s legacy was one of spiritual corruption, violence, and rebellion against God, making her one of the most infamous women in biblical history.
Who is Satan?
Understanding His Origin, Nature, and Role in the Biblical Narrative
The name “Satan” means accuser or adversary. In Scripture, he is described as the one who accuses God’s people before Him day and night (Revelation 12:10, NKJV). His mission is to oppose God’s work and lead humanity away from truth and righteousness.
The Origin of Satan: Lucifer Before the Fall
Before his rebellion, Satan was known as Lucifer, which means “morning star” or “light-bringer”.
“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations!”
— Isaiah 14:12 (NKJV)
Lucifer was created as a glorious angelic being, a cherub with great beauty, wisdom, and authority in heaven. He held a high rank among angels and served in the very presence of God.
“You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you.”
— Ezekiel 28:14–15 (NKJV)
These passages are often seen as dual references: while they address earthly kings (Babylon and Tyre), many theologians understand them as symbolic descriptions of Satan’s original state and fall.
The Rebellion in Heaven
Lucifer’s heart became proud because of his beauty and wisdom. He desired to exalt himself above God and sought to be worshiped.
“For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God… I will be like the Most High.’”
— Isaiah 14:13–14 (NKJV)
Through his deception, Lucifer led a rebellion, drawing a third of the angels in heaven to join him.
“His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth.”
— Revelation 12:4a (NKJV)
This resulted in a spiritual war in heaven.
“And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan… he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”
— Revelation 12:7–9 (NKJV)
Satan’s Role on Earth and the Ongoing Battle
After being cast out of heaven, Satan’s activity shifted to earth. He became the deceiver of the world and the tempter of mankind. The spiritual war that began in heaven continues here on earth.
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
— 1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV)
While Satan was defeated in heaven, he still influences the world until the final judgment. This ongoing battle is not just cosmic; it involves every believer. Our spiritual struggle is described clearly in the New Testament:
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers… against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
— Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)
The Final Defeat of Satan
Satan’s end is certain. Scripture assures us that he will ultimately be judged and cast into the lake of fire for eternity.
“The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”
— Revelation 20:10 (NKJV)
Conclusion:
Satan was once a glorious angel named Lucifer, but pride led to his fall. He now stands as the adversary of God and humanity. However, believers have victory through Jesus Christ, and the Bible assures us that Satan’s time is limited. The war may still be ongoing, but the outcome has already been written—God will triumph.
How Did John the Baptist Turn the Hearts of the Fathers Toward the Children?
In Malachi 4:5-6 (ESV), God declares:
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.
This was a prophecy concerning a messenger who would come to prepare the way for the Lord. Jesus Himself confirmed that John the Baptist fulfilled this role of Elijah. In Matthew 11:14 (ESV), Jesus said, “and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come.” Likewise, Luke 1:17 (ESV), speaking of John’s mission, says:
and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.
What does it mean that John turned the hearts of fathers to their children?
John’s ministry was one of repentance (Matthew 3:1-2). He preached to both the religious leaders (the “fathers” — those entrusted with the Law, such as the scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees) and to the common people (the “children” — the followers and future generations). His message called these fathers of the Law to humility, repentance, and faith, so that they could lead their spiritual descendants to righteousness rather than hypocrisy.
By calling the leaders back to true godliness, John sought to restore right relationships — both between generations and between God’s people and the Lord Himself. His ministry was meant to break the cycle of rebellion and judgment, to prepare Israel for the coming of Christ.
How was this fulfilled?
We see this fulfilled in how some of John’s own followers recognized Jesus as the Messiah. For instance, Andrew and another disciple (likely John the Apostle) were first disciples of John the Baptist before they followed Jesus (John 1:35-37 ESV). John pointed them to Jesus, saying, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” (John 1:36).
These early followers became foundational leaders in the Church — spiritual “fathers” of our Christian faith today. John’s ministry turned the fathers of the Old Covenant (those tied to the Law) toward the New Covenant in Christ, while drawing the hearts of the children — the new believers — toward these fathers of faith.
Why was this important?
Without such repentance and reconciliation, God warned that He would strike the land with a curse (Malachi 4:6). But John’s mission was to call Israel back to covenant faithfulness, to avert judgment, and to prepare a people ready to receive the Messiah.
As Acts 13:24 (ESV) summarizes:
Before his coming, John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
