Third Consolation: Perceive What Jesus Did for You “I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). This is Jesus’ explanation for leaving the disciples. He’s going to prepare a place for them. We read, “In my Father’s house are many rooms” (John 14:2a). Therefore, the phrase “to prepare a place” must mean something else, since the rooms are already there. The word “prepare” doesn’t necessarily mean to construct a building. This verb often refers to making preparations for some

John G. Paton was a pioneer missionary in the New Hebrides Islands (now Vanuatu) of the South Pacific Ocean. One night, hostile natives surrounded his mission headquarters. The natives intended to set the building ablaze and to kill the Patons as they exited. Paton and his wife prayed all night for God’s protection. When morning came, they were amazed to see none of the hostile tribesmen remained, and had no idea what led to their departure. Years later, the chief of the trib

God’s coming kingdom: the biblical evidence for the Millennial kingdom on earth. The expectation of heaven is an essential hope of the Christian faith. It is the goal toward which we strive, the promise that strengthens and comforts us. So, why does the Bible also speak of an earthly kingdom of God? Isn’t the promise of heaven enough? Yet the early Christians were convinced that the earthly kingdom is just as important as the heavenly one. Why? Because it will complete God’s

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost” (Rom 15:13). An interpretation and application for everyday life. Hinduism requires about 6,000 gods to convey a little hope, which then comes to nothing. In the best-case scenario, Buddhism’s highest hope ends in Nirvana; that is, total dissolution or non-existence. Muslims place their hope in an unpredictable god who provides no certainty, and

On the consolation that truly comforts, which the Lord Jesus gave to His disciples in His farewell discourse. When we suddenly find ourselves faced with unexpected, threatening situations in our lives, families, or at work, we wonder how we should live going forward. Where can we find direction? In the Bible. And John 14:1-3 concretely provides an answer in the form of a very personal invitation. The Lord extended it to His disciples when explaining how they should behave in

“The just shall live by faith.” Some call the Epistle to the Romans, “Paul’s Masterpiece on Grace.” An overview and introduction. The Apostle Paul (Rom 1:1) wrote the letter to the believers in Rome around 56 AD. The city was the center of a world empire, and is believed to have had over a million inhabitants. Paul had never been to Rome up to this point, but had a strong desire to visit the believers there on His way to Spain (Rom 1:13-15; cf. 15:24, 28). Although they had a

Fresh fruit can be expensive, especially when organic or not in season. While the average price of fruit at the local grocery store may only cost a few dollars, some fruits can sell for thousands. The most expensive fruit is the rare Kanyao Durian, which costs nearly $50,000. Most of the world’s costliest fruits are grown in Japan, but the greenish-yellow Durian is found in Thailand. Durian is slightly controversial because of its pungent scent, which is compared to rotten me

How Nehemiah’s reaction to the plight of his people in Jerusalem is an example for us today. Nehemiah, who was part of the Jewish exile, served as a cupbearer to the Persian king. He selected the appropriate wine for each food and sampled each meal. He was a confidant of the king, and most likely discussed problems with him. The cupbearer would have informed the king of opinions and rumors from the court. One day, Nehemiah received news that his fellow countrymen in Jerusalem

Massillon was born at Hyères in Provence where his father was a royal notary. At the age of eighteen he joined the French Oratory and taught for a time in the colleges of his congregation at Pézenas, and Montbrison and at the Seminary of Vienne. Massillon soon gained a wide reputation as a preacher and was selected to be the Advent preacher at the court of Versailles in 1699. He was made Bishop of Clermont in 1717, and two years later was elected a member of the Académie fran

We should always bear this in mind: We live set apart to the Lord, so we don’t let ourselves get carried away with each new development. But we are always concerned for people, that they may come to know Jesus and be saved. In 2 Peter 3:14, Peter addresses Jesus’ followers as “beloved.” What warmth and care radiate from his words! Then he calls for diligence (making a real effort and giving our all) in light of the coming judgment and Jesus’ return, so that we can be found “w

The Thunderbird application has five default tags for messages: important, work, personal, to do, and later. The tags serve as reminders to maintain a proper perspective each day, to identify which tasks are the priority. John 11 reveals how Jesus’ sense of urgency is fundamentally different from the average person. “Now a certain main was sick, Lazarus of Bethany” (v. 1a). His two sisters, Mary and Martha, sent word of the illness to Jesus. Next are what seem to be irreconci

In his second letter, Peter speaks of the final developments that take place before Jesus returns. He states how deception will begin to unfold, and how all moral barriers eventually crumble. One sign of these end-time developments is mentally putting off Jesus’ return to a day that never comes. Peter warns of the danger of end-time deception, and shows how we can resist it: 1. We remain steadfast by orienting ourselves toward the Lord’s return. 2. We remain steadfast by sett

(The “I Am” Sayings) To destroy something is generally easier than the act of creation, for the latter necessitates careful arrangement and effort to achieve a specific outcome. The scientific concept of entropy—or the Second Law of Thermodynamics, which states that natural processes tend to progress toward a greater degree of disorder or randomness over time—is one of the most observable facts of life. From physical structures to personal relationships, building something re

“Come, Lord Jesus,” the last prayer in the Bible (Rev 22:20), has been the great desire of believers since the Ascension. A hopeful view of the Rapture. On the island of Herrenchiemsee, there is a magnificent castle belonging to Ludwig II, known as “the fairy tale king.” He constructed numerous castles, spending immense sums of money on them. When you’re guided through this castle, you can see the splendor and magnificence, as well as the extravagant liberality that was emplo

Paul has a special commission for the Gentile world (Gal 2:7ff.; Acts 13:45-47; 18:5-6; 28:28). He is entrusted with the Gospel for the...

A report from Poland about the distribution of the free book Why It Pays to Be a Christian both in Polish (15,000 copies) and Ukrainian (7,000 copies). Eleven thousand copies of Why It Pays to Be a Christian (out of print in English) hot off the presses were sent to Gdansk, Lublin, Szczecinek, Wroclaw, Warsaw, Mława, and Piasek. Each of these cities served as a distribution center for their region. An additional 4,000 copies were transported to our hub in Pszczyna. From the

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim...

Charles Perrault’s tale “The Three Wishes” begins with a woodcutter who is preparing to chop down a tree. However, the tree is home to an...

Nebuchadnezzar’s second dream points prophetically to God’s plan for the nations in the end times. It shows that the nations’ arrogance...

How the lion and its conqueror in the Old Testament point in an impressive way to the Bible’s one true hero, Jesus Christ. As Israel was...