Video of Antichrist
Video of Antichrist
Video of Antichrist
There’s no one Antichrist coming to take over the world, as far as the Bible reports. Instead, there’s a bunch of them “crawling all over the place” (1 John 2:18 Casual English Bible). It’s not hard for us to tell if we’re one of them. There’s probably enough in this seven-minute video to offend everyone a time or two. That’s not the intention. What I’ve tried to do is help folks understand what the Bible teaches about the idea of an antichrist. I give examples to illustrate what Bible writers might call antichrist behavior today. Emphasis on “might.” I’m not speaking for those writers or judging the eternal destiny of people today. I’m not the judge. But, like all of us, I’m sitting in the gallery taking note of what I see and hear. And I try to measure it all against the teachings of Jesus. Peace to you.
Video Antichrist
Map John in Ephesus
Map John in Ephesus
Map John in Ephesus. Map John in Ephesus. Church tradition says John fled Jerusalem during persecution and moved to Ephesus.
John allegedly moved to Ephesus
Peter writes to Paul’s churches
Peter writes to Paul's churches
Why did Peter write to Paul's churches
When the apostle Peter wrote to church Paul had started throughout Paul's own homeland territory, in what is now Turkey, it might have come across as awkward. Maybe even inappropriate. What does another preacher think he's doing by writing his advice to another preacher's congregation. Or in this case, congregations. Peter's letter targets troubles in the general church. Christians are facing frauds passing themselves off as church leaders. And they’re facing persecution from people outside their community of faith. That may have included some former relatives and friends who didn't like changes Christianity was making in these new believers.Risk-taker
Peter always seemed a little out there, ready to stick his neck out. He started defending Jesus when Jewish police arrested him. Peter took a sword and cut off an ear from a servant of the high priest. He led the disciples of Jesus. Look at the list of names. Bible writers always put him first. And he is the star of the disciples in the Bible stories. Here, he addresses Christians scattered throughout what is now Turkey. That was Paul’s turf. Paul was born and raised there, and that’s where Paul started planting churches among non-Jews. There’s no record of Peter ever having gone there. He’s best known for ministering to Jews in what is now Israel and Palestinian Territories.A guess about why Peter wrote
One guess about why he wrote is that he was on trial in Rome, just before his crucifixion, when he got word that churches throughout Turkey were facing some kind of persecution, which Peter never identified.Nero may have ordered his execution
Emperor Nero, credited with executing Peter and Paul, launched the first persecution of Christians after accusing them of starting the July AD 64 fire that burned much of Rome. That might explain why Peter, on trial in Rome, wouldn’t specifically identify Nero as the source of the trouble. But there are other theories too. Jews might have caused the trouble for these churches, as they had done for Turkey’s premiere church planter, Paul. 1 Peter 2 Peter For other Bible versions, see Bible GatewayMap Roman Empire – Letter to all Christians
Map Roman Empire - Letter to all Christians
Map Roman Empire - Letter to all Christians. Rome controlled much of the land along the Mediterranean Sea coast, including what is now Israel.
Letter to all Christians
Lay of the land
Civilization starts here
Civilization starts here
Civilization began here
Hebrews 4:1-11, Casual English Bible
Civilization began with communities and cities forming along the banks of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, in Iraq and Iran. That's what scholars theorize today. The expanding region grew to become known as the Fertile Crescent. It extends from the eastern Mediterranean coast to the Persian Gulf in the Middle East. This region encompasses modern-day countries like Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Turkey. The Fertile Crescent is called so because of its rich soil, which enabled early humans to settle and cultivate crops. Some of the earliest known civilizations in this area include Sumer, Babylon, and Assyria. These civilizations emerged around 4000-3000 BCE and are known for their advancements in agriculture, writing, art, and architecture.
RESTING IN GOD'S PEACE
1God promised to welcome his people, our ancestors, into a place of rest. God stands by that promise yet today. So, don’t miss out on it. 2We heard the good news from God. So did they, but it didn’t do them any good. They didn’t put any faith in what they heard. 3Those of us who believe get to go into God’s place of rest. Unbelievers won’t. As he once said, “I became angry. So, I made a promise. ‘They’ll not rest in peace at my house.’” God finished his work long ago, when he created the world. 4Somewhere God once said this about the seventh day of creation: “By dawn of Day Seven, God finished his work. He rested. No work that day.” 5But he also said, “They’ll not rest in peace at my house.”People need to trust God
64:6. There are people who need the rest God offers. Some who heard God’s messages in the past decided not to do what he wanted. They didn’t make it into God’s resting place. 7So God selected another time. That time is now. Through the ancient words of David, he says to us what he said to our ancestors long ago. “If today you hear his voice, don’t stubbornly ignore it.” 8Joshua couldn’t manage to lead our ancestors into a peaceful place of rest. God picked another time to make the offer. 9That means there’s a resting place yet to come—with a complete, Sabbath day kind of rest. 10Anyone who makes it there can stop working, just as God did when he finished creation. 11People, let’s do everything we can to make it into that rest.To compare other Bible versions: Bible Gateway
Jerusalem
Jerusalem
Model of Jerusalem
Model of Jerusalem in the time of Jesus Christ, with the Temple, Fortress of Antonia, Sheep Gate, Pools of Bethesda, Pool of Siloam.Temple
The Jewish Temple in Jerusalem during the time of Jesus was built by King Herod, beginning between 20-18 BCE. The Temple was a major cultural, religious, and political center of the Jewish people. It was located on the Temple Mount, a large platform of stone that covered an area of about 36 acres.
The Temple was made up of various components. This included the Courtyard of the Gentiles, the Women's Courtyard, the Court of Israel, and the Holy of Holies, which housed the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark had been lost to invaders by the time of Jesus. The Temple was also the location for sacrifices and offerings to God.
During Jesus' time, the Temple was a bustling religious center, and Jews and pilgrims from all over the world traveled to Jerusalem to worship there. The Temple was where Jesus overturned the tables of the money-changers and the dove-sellers. It was also where he encountered the teachers of the law and had several notable debates with them.
Sacred city
Jerusalem itself was a city of great significance and sacredness to the Jewish people. The city was first established as the capital of Israel by King David and was the site of the First Temple, which was destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 BCE. After the Jews returned from Babylonian exile, they rebuilt the Temple and the city.
During Jesus' time, Jerusalem was under Roman rule and was a bustling cosmopolitan city. It was home to several parties and sects, including the Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, and Zealots. The city was also an important trading hub, with traders and merchants coming from all over the Roman Empire to do business there.
Tense town
Despite its importance and significance, Jerusalem was also a city that experienced conflict and tension during the time of Jesus. The Jewish people longed for independence and freedom from Roman rule, and there were several revolts that took place both during and after Jesus' lifetime.
So, the Jewish Temple and Jerusalem in the time of Jesus were central to Jewish culture, religion, and politics. The Temple was a significant religious center, and Jerusalem was a bustling city that was at the heart of many historical events. Together, these two places provide important context and insights into the life and teachings of Jesus.