Matthew 10 :34 includes some rather strange sounding words by Jesus: “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.” (Matt 10:34) Is it really Jesus’ desire to send a sword – strife, bloodshed and death? Doesn’t that seem contradictory? We all know what […]
Revelation 22:11 is often understood to be a reference to the close of human probation. That is the time when there is no longer an opportunity to make a decision for salvation. That verse says: “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and […]
What Does Probation Mean? Here are definitions according to each model of the gospel. Traditional Legal Model – A period of time allotted by God at the end of which He will examine our life record and determine whether to save us or not. Biblical Healing Model – The opportunity given by God for us […]
Romans 5:8-10 is an important reconciliation passage: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the […]
The meaning of reconciliation is similar in the two models; the real difference is in how reconciliation between God and man is achieved and whether it is a one-way or two-way change in relationship. Traditional Legal Model – Reconciliation happens with the death of Christ allowing God to again favor man (God reconciled to man) […]
Traditional Legal Model – The intercessor, Christ, works on our behalf because we are not capable of dealing directly with the Father, the Divine Judge. Being both man and God, Jesus can bridge the gap and plead our case. Biblical Healing Model – Christ functions as Intercessor for our benefit in a number of ways […]
Traditional Legal Model – Mark as in “the mark of the beast” is often connected with Sunday worship. Sometimes (incorrectly) it is seen as an outward symbol on the forehead. Biblical Healing Model – There is the day of worship connection but mark, in this context, is also connected to character. Those who have the […]
“Glory” has two primary meanings. One is the physical aspect – brightness, beauty, shining etc and is common to both models. The other, more related to character and also common to both, has a different emphasis between models as described below. Traditional Legal Model – the emphasis is often on God’s majesty, holiness, honor, fame […]
Note this is a supplementary page to the Character of God and the Gospel Glossary definition for vengeance and illustrates John’s misunderstanding of God’s vengeance. Let’s look at a Biblical case of misunderstanding the vengeance of God. Did John the Baptist have a problem with his understanding? Might he have been influenced by passages about […]
Note: this definition focuses on the vengeance of God towards sinners. Traditional Legal Model – God inflicting punishment on the sinner in order to satisfy justice. Biblical Healing Model – God allowing the sinner to experience the natural consequences of his choice to break the law in order to help him change his ways. From […]
