Bill Watson – Church of God Independent Ministries, Medina, Ohio

EVIDENCE OF THE ENDTIMES

Speaking of the end times, Jesus said, “Learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet
tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh; So likewise ye, when ye shall see
all these things [signs of the end of the age], know that He [Jesus] is near, even at the doors”.
Are we seeing the “fig tree” beginning to bud? Have we finally entered the “season” of the end
times? Is the return of Christ “near, even at the doors”?

Salome: The Mother of Boanerges – BLOG 56

We are introduced to the Zebedee family in Mark 1:19-20. They are in the fishing business and are in their boat, mending their nets. Jesus comes walking by after calling both Peter and his brother Andrew to follow Him, and says to James and his brother John to follow Him as well.

Apparently, we are told they left their dad immediately, who was in the boat with the hired servants, and followed Jesus. This appears to be an odd situation. Clearly, who just leaves their family business (which was large enough to have hired help) when asked by what appears to be a stranger, and to follow Him (Matt. 4:21-22)? It doesn’t seem to make sense unless, perhaps, Jesus wasn’t a stranger? This will become clearer as we proceed.

HAPPY 250TH BIRTHDAY AMERICA – BLOG 55

Many have called this nation the “American Experiment!“ Considering the many challenges this nation has faced in its journey, it’s a miracle that it survived the obstacles that tested its resolve and determination. Frankly, when considering the odds against winning its independence from the world’s greatest military at the time, with a ragtag militia, you would suspect there is more here than meets the eye.

THE CHRISTIAN BATTLE: ENDURANCE

There is a warning for Christians in the latter days that, if ignored, could cause them to fail. It’s simply known as “burnout.” Christians are admonished to beware, “the love of many will wax cold.” We are also advised that some will allow themselves to grow “lukewarm.” The alarm has sounded; Christians must be cautious not to abandon God’s ways and “become weary in well doing.”

HUMAN WOMEN, ANGELS AND SEX! – BLOG 53

I think it’s fair to say that most of us have been exposed to the idea that many people believe that angels have been sexually involved with human females before the Noachian Deluge, and produced hybrid creatures from these sexual encounters. The Book of Enoch claims this to be true and labels these creatures as “Nephilim.”

WAVE SHEAF SUNDAY – WHY IT’S IMPORTANT

It is commonly known within God’s Church that the waiving of the sheaf of firstfruits before the Lord on “the morrow after the Sabbath” (Lev 23:9-11) was a portrayal of Christ presenting Himself to His Father following His resurrection (John 20:17). This connection to Jesus Christ’s resurrection should erase any questions about which Sabbath Leviticus 23:11 is referencing. Christ fulfilled this ritual’s portrayal of first fruits because He is the “first of the first fruits” (1 Cor. 15:23).

SO WHAT ABOUT 1JOHN 5:7 – BLOG 52

There is a lot of debate about the authenticity of the Bible, specifically the King James Bible, which comprises 66 books in both the Old and New Testaments. Currently, there is a surge of interest in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Bible and its 81 canonized books. Questions emerge about why and how did this happened? People want to know whether we are using the complete Bible or whether additional books should be included.

RAPTURE – IS IT REALLY GOD’S PROMISE?

Since the 1917 publication of the Scofield Bible, which included study notes about the rapture—the notion that a select group of Christians in the end times would waft off to heaven before the tribulation—this notion has been gaining popularity within the Christian Protestant community. What’s astonishing about this teaching is how widely it has been accepted and embraced by such a large group of Christians today—it really is stunning!

GOD’S ULTIMATE GOAL – BLOG 51

Those of us in God’s Church who observe the Sabbath and Holy Days as required just completed the Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread. These Holy Days have deep and rich meaning for our understanding of God’s “Plan of Salvation” and the key components that form its foundation.

IS THE UNITED STATES SECURE? BLOG – 50

From the beginning, God separated mankind, as described in Genesis 10, after the flood (Gen. 10:32; Deut. 32:8; Acts 17:26). The sons of Noah, who are mentioned, started the post-flood development and establishment of nations. Then, commencing at the Tower of Babel, after the languages were confused, God scattered mankind to the four winds of the earth. Each took their place in particularly suited geographic locations that defined their nation.