Topical Studies
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Moabites, Edomites, and Israel: Ancient Enemies and Prophetic Lessons
The Moabites and Edomites were two of Israel’s closest neighbors, both geographically and genealogically. Descended from Lot and Esau, these peoples shared kinship with Israel yet often lived in hostility toward them. Throughout the Old Testament, Moab and Edom appear in stories of conflict, uneasy alliances, and prophetic warnings. Their history with Israel sheds light…
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First and Last Prophecies of the Bible
The Bible begins with prophecy and ends with prophecy, forming bookends to the grand story of redemption. The first prophecy, given in Genesis 3:15, promises conflict between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent, culminating in ultimate victory. The last prophecy, found in Revelation 22:12–20, promises Christ’s return, judgment, and reward.…
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Messiah Ben Joseph vs. Messiah Ben David: One Messiah, Two Missions
Jewish tradition sometimes distinguishes between two Messianic figures: Messiah ben Joseph (the suffering servant from Joseph’s line) and Messiah ben David (the conquering king from David’s line). This attempt arises from the tension in the Hebrew Scriptures, where some prophecies speak of a suffering, rejected deliverer, while others describe a glorious, reigning king. Scripture itself,…
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Marriage of the Lamb: Ceremony and Feast in a Prophetic Context
The “Marriage of the Lamb” in Revelation 19:7–9 is one of the most vivid prophetic images in Scripture. It portrays the consummation of the covenant relationship between Christ and His people. The imagery draws deeply from ancient Jewish wedding customs, which highlight betrothal, covenant, ceremony, and feast. To understand this prophecy, we must examine the…
