Answer:
This phrase appears in Deuteronomy 10:17, which says:
“For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe.” (Deuteronomy 10:17)
At first glance, it may seem like this verse is saying that God is above other “gods”—perhaps even idols. But when we read it carefully and in context with the rest of Scripture, we realize that it does not mean God is the God of idols. God consistently condemns idolatry (Exodus 20:3–5), and idols are repeatedly described in Scripture as powerless, man-made objects (Psalm 115:4–8).
So who are these “gods” that God is said to be above?
Jesus Himself gives us insight into this mystery in John 10:33–36, during a conversation with Jewish leaders who accused Him of blasphemy for calling Himself the Son of God:
“The Jews answered Him, saying, ‘For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.’ Jesus answered them, ‘Is it not written in your law, “I said, ‘You are gods’”? If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, “You are blaspheming,” because I said, “I am the Son of God”?’” (John 10:33–36)
Here, Jesus was quoting Psalm 82:6, where God says:
“I said, ‘You are gods, and all of you are children of the Most High.’” (Psalm 82:6)
From this, we learn that the term “gods” was used figuratively in Scripture to describe human beings who were entrusted with the Word of God—such as judges, prophets, or spiritual leaders who acted as God’s representatives on earth. In a broader sense, it applies to all true believers, those who have been born of God’s Spirit and now reflect His image and nature (Romans 8:14–17).
In Genesis 1:26–27, we learn that mankind was created in God’s image and likeness:
“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…’” (Genesis 1:26a)
This means that God designed us to mirror His nature and character. To be called “gods” in this biblical sense is not to be divine beings in ourselves, but to live as His image-bearers, empowered by His Word and Spirit.
That’s why Jesus said in John 14:12:
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also.” (John 14:12)
So, just as God created through His Word, He now works through us by His Spirit and Word. Those who live according to His Word are partakers of His divine nature (2 Peter 1:3–4), and therefore can be called “gods” in the sense of being His authorized representatives on earth.
When the Bible calls God the “God of gods,” it’s the same way it calls Him the “King of kings” (Revelation 19:16) and “Lord of lords.” This doesn’t mean He is king over idols or corrupt leaders. It means that all true kings, all true lords, and all who are called gods in the right sense, are under His supreme authority. He is the ultimate source of all authority, righteousness, and power.
To be called a “god” in this sense, you must be a child of God—born again, filled with His Spirit, and growing in His likeness. That means displaying His character:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Galatians 5:22–23)
If we don’t live like God, we cannot claim to be His true children. The name carries responsibility, not status. It’s not about pride, but about reflecting the nature of the One we belong to.
Final Encouragement:
Let us continue to grow in our knowledge of God, walk in His Spirit, and live out His Word, so that we may be worthy of the high calling to be called His children—and truly reflect His glory.
“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.” (Ephesians 5:1)
God bless you richly.
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This is a deeply important question that people have asked for generations—even during the time of Jesus. And today, the same question remains:
Will the number of people who are saved be many or few?
In Luke 13:23–24, someone asked Jesus:
“Lord, are there few who are saved?” And He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.”
Jesus didn’t answer with a simple “yes” or “no.” Instead, He gave a warning: entering the Kingdom of God is not automatic. It takes intentional effort and spiritual discipline. Many will want to enter, but only few will actually succeed, because the gate is narrow.
Later in the passage (Luke 13:25–27), Jesus described people who will try to enter after the door has been shut. Though they had some connection with Jesus—perhaps they heard His teachings or were part of religious activities—He will say to them:
“I do not know you… Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.”
This reveals a key theological truth: familiarity with Jesus is not enough. Salvation requires obedience, not just association.
In Matthew 7:13–14, Jesus said:
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
This points to two key realities:
Salvation is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9), but true saving faith produces a changed life—marked by repentance, holiness, and obedience to God’s Word (James 2:17, Hebrews 12:14).
Jesus says few will find the way to life. Why? Because the path is crowded—not with people, but with worldly distractions and sinful lifestyles:
False prophets have made it harder for people to recognize the true gospel because they blend truth with error. Many churches today emphasize prosperity and success instead of repentance and holiness.
2 Timothy 4:3–4 “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine… they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”
This explains why the narrow way is now harder to find and follow. Even Christianity is being reshaped into something that pleases people instead of glorifying God.
Jesus warned that the final days before His return would be just like the days of Noah and Lot.
Luke 17:26–30 “As it was in the days of Noah… and in the days of Lot… even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.”
How many were saved in those days?
This shows that even when God warns, very few people respond. The majority are distracted, deceived, or indifferent.
Jesus compared our generation to theirs. If only a few were saved then, we must not assume the situation is different now. His warnings were not symbolic—they were serious.
Matthew 24:37–39 “As the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be…”
It means that salvation is available to all, but only a few will take it seriously enough to walk the narrow path.
It’s time to ask ourselves:
Hebrews 12:14 “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.”
Mark 8:36 “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?”
We are living in the final hours of this age. Jesus is at the door. The time to repent and follow Him is now.
True Christianity is not about appearance, fashion, or wealth. It is about a life fully surrendered to Christ.
Let’s return to the original gospel—the faith of the apostles, which focused on truth, repentance, and holiness, not modern popularity or comfort.
Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock…”
Let us be among the few who respond. The world may mock the narrow way, but eternal life awaits those who walk in it.
Jesus clearly taught that few will be saved—not because salvation is limited, but because many reject the cost of following Him.
Let us not be deceived by the crowd or modern trends. Instead, let us:
Matthew 24:44 “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
May God give us grace to walk the narrow road and be among the few who are saved. Amen.
Be blessed.
1️⃣ Is it permissible for a true Christian to eat pork?
When we study the Scriptures carefully, we see that under the New Covenant, there is no prohibition against eating pork or any other kind of food, provided it is received with thanksgiving and eaten in faith. The distinction between clean and unclean animals in the Old Testament served as a teaching tool to point to deeper spiritual truths, but in Christ those ceremonial restrictions have been fulfilled.
Consider 1 Timothy 4:1-5 (KJV):
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
This passage clearly teaches that all foods, including pork, are made clean through the word of God and prayer.
In the vision given to Peter in Acts 10:9-16, God taught Peter not to call unclean what God had cleansed — referring ultimately to the Gentiles, but also symbolically to all creation:
What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common” (Acts 10:15, KJV).
Jesus Himself declared in Mark 7:18-19 (ESV):
Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?”(Thus he declared all foods clean.)
However, while all foods are lawful, the Bible also calls us to walk in love and wisdom, so that our freedom does not cause another to stumble.
Romans 14:14-15 (KJV) teaches:
I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
And 1 Corinthians 8:9,13 (KJV):
But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
🌿 Summary:
A true Christian is free to eat pork, but should always exercise love, consideration, and sensitivity toward others, so as not to cause unnecessary offense or lead others into sin.
2️⃣ Is a true Christian allowed to drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes?
While Scripture does not outright forbid the consumption of alcohol, it strongly warns against drunkenness, addiction, and anything that defiles the body. Smoking and harmful substances fall into this category, as they harm the body, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 5:18 (KJV) commands.
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
Proverbs 20:1 (KJV) warns:
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
Regarding the body, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (KJV) teaches:
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
And 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (KJV):
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
Since smoking and excessive drinking damage the body, they are inconsistent with honoring God with our bodies. Furthermore, they can enslave a person, and Galatians 5:1 (KJV) reminds us:
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
3️⃣ What is the proper form of baptism for a true Christian?
Biblical baptism is by full immersion in water, symbolizing the believer’s death, burial, and resurrection with Christ (see Romans 6:3-4, KJV):
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
In the New Testament, baptism was consistently performed in the name of Jesus Christ:
✅ Acts 2:38 (KJV):
Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
✅ Acts 10:48 (KJV):
And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.
✅ Acts 19:5 (KJV):
When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Though Jesus commanded baptism “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19), the apostles understood this as a reference to the name that embodies the fullness of God: Jesus Christ (see Colossians 2:9).
✅ Baptism should be by immersion in water.
✅ It should be done in the name of Jesus Christ, as practiced by the apostles.
Conclusion
✅ A true Christian is free to eat any food, including pork, as long as it is received with thanksgiving and does not cause others to stumble.
✅ A true Christian should not drink to excess, smoke, or engage in practices that defile the body, which is God’s holy temple.
✅ A true Christian should be baptized by immersion, in the name of Jesus Christ, following the pattern given in the New Testament.
May the Lord give you wisdom and grace to walk in His truth.
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)
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
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…
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.
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 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…
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…
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…
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.
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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.
Is the true Sabbath on Saturday or Sunday? Are Christians required to observe a specific day of worship? What does the Bible really say?
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 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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
So, when is the “real” Sabbath?
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.