“DO YOU ATTENED A CHRISTIAN BIBLE-BASED CHURCH”

(Is it really that complicated?)

You may have heard that it is always a good idea to attend a church that is Bible-based; in other words, attend a church that teaches the Bible and intends to live by the teachings, instructions and commands of the Bible. (Sounds simple enough. Right? Well, maybe you should think again.)

If you live in America, or an English-speaking country, you can have access to over 900 English translations to the Bible and along with that there are over 450 different versions of the Bible in English. (Versions of the Bible refer to different translations and adaptations of the biblical texts into various languages and styles, reflecting diverse theological beliefs, cultural contexts, and translation philosophies.) BibleGateway.com offers a closer look at the versions and how some examples differ. But many good sources suggest that the New American Standard version, the English Standard version and the New King James version are the closest to the Greek and Hebrew languages in which it was written.

Okay. We have over 900 translations, over 450 versions and we also have over 200 denominations identifying as Christian in America (and over 45,000 worldwide). This leads to a wide (and wild) variation of what different translations say, differing versions further say, and denominations are saying what they think, and all of this is man-made or man-influenced!

Let me give you a few simpler examples:

The Presbyterian Church of America (the conservative side, and as opposed to the Presbyterian Church USA known as the liberal side, or the ECO, a covenant order of Evangelical Presbyterians, or the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, among a few others) has an additional book named the Westminster Confession of Faith, along with the Larger and Shorter Catechisms. These documents summarize the system of doctrine taught in the Bible and are foundational to PCA beliefs. This denomination also has the Book of Church Order which is commonly referred to as BCO, is part of the constitution of the Presbyterian Church in America, which is subject to and subordinate to the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, the inerrant Word Of God. All of these additional helps explain how the fathers and leads of the Presbyterian Church PCA believe, live and govern.

The Southern Baptist Church, in addition to the Bible, use the Baptist Faith and Message, which is a statement of their beliefs and doctrines. They may also refer to various confessions of faith and other theological writings that align with their interpretations of Scripture, as opposed or compared to the other 26 Baptist denominations in America. These denominations encompass a wide range of beliefs and practices, reflecting the diversity within the Baptist tradition.

The Nazarene Church has The Manual of the Church of the Nazarene as its official sourcebook for church government, bylaws, history, doctrine, and policy. This manual is updated every four years during the General Assembly.

There are 24 different variations of Catholic Churches, which include the Roman Catholic Church and 23 other “sui iuris” churches that are governed separately but are in communion with Rome. These churches have their own traditions, history, and liturgical practices. The Catholic Church uses the Catechism of the Catholic Church as a key resource for its doctrines and teachings, alongside the Bible. This comprehensive manual outlines the faith, sacraments, and moral teachings of the Church.

And all of these ‘guiding documents’ which are meant to explain scriptures are man-made or man-inspired, which as we all know, make them suspect and explain the wide and wild variations.

Next, there are those calling themselves Christian but are generally identified as cults, such as Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Christian Science, which all have unique doctrines that differ significantly from traditional Christian teachings, but are luring hundreds, even thousands away from the true Gospel Message of Jesus Christ.

And finally, research studies show that someplace between 50 percent and 73 percent of mainline Christian pastors do not believe the Bible is totally accurate, so it begs the question ‘just what are they teaching’?

Now, who do you believe will accurately and rightly teach you the Bible? Who can you trust for the Gospel? And are you certain you are attending a Bible-based Christian Church? Believe me, it matters.

THE HISTORY:

First, let’s recognize that the Bible didn’t appear all at once—it’s the result of a long, layered process spanning many centuries. To understand how and why it came to exist, it helps to think of it in three stages: (1), events, (2), writings, (3), collection (canon).

Number 1. Why the Bible came to exist.

At its core, the Bible exists because people believed God was revealing Himself in history and wanted to preserve, explain, and pass on that revelation.

In the Old Testament:

• Ancient Israel believed God acted in real events—like the Exodus from Egypt.
• These events shaped their identity as God’s people.
• They wrote them down to:
  • Preserve their history,
  • Record God’s laws (like in Leviticus),
  • Call people back to faithfulness (through prophets like Isaiah),

In short: the Old Testament exists to document God’s covenant relationship with Israel.

In the New Testament:

• Early Christians believed God had acted decisively through Jesus Christ.
• After His life, death, and resurrection, His followers needed to:
  • Record what He said and did,
  • Teach new believers,
  • Defend against false teachings,

So the New Testament exists to preserve the message about Jesus and guide the early Church.

Number 2. How the Bible was written

The Bible was written over about 1,000 to 1,500 years by many different authors.

Old Testament writing

• Written roughly between 1400 B.C. and 400 B.C.
• In Hebrew (with some Aramaic).
• Includes:
  • Law (Torah),
  • History,
  • Poetry (like Psalms),
  • Prophecy.

Some material started as oral tradition before being written down.

New Testament writing:

• Written between A.D. 50 and 100,
• In Greek,
• Includes:
  • Gospels (accounts of Jesus’ life, Gospel of Matthew),
  • Letters (like those of Paul the Apostle),
  • Apocalyptic writing (like Book of Revelation).

Number 3. How the Bible was collected (the “canon”):

Not every religious writing was accepted as Scripture. Over time, communities recognized certain books as authoritative.

Old Testament canon.

• Gradually recognized by the Jewish people.
• Largely settled by around the time of Second Temple period.

New Testament canon.

• Early Christians used many writings, but only some were widely accepted.
• Criteria included:
  • Connection to apostles,
  • Consistency with known teaching,
  • Widespread use in churches

By the 4th century (councils like Council of Carthage), the 27-book New Testament list was formally recognized.

The Bottom Line:

From a Christian viewpoint, the Bible is not just human writing, it’s inspired by God. It is a good saying. Take for example that

the odds against – yes, AGAINST – Jesus Christ having fulfilled just 48 of the over 450 prophecies written about Him. But, facts show that the odds are 1 to 100, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, (or 1 to 10 to the 157th power), in favor of something coming to pass, would you bet against it?

In order to give you some perspective, electrons are very small objects. They’re smaller than atoms. It would take 2.5 TIMES 10 to the 15th power of them, laid side by side, to make one inch. Even if we counted 250 of these electrons each minute, and counted day and night, it would still take 19 million years just to count a line of electrons one-inch long.  19 MILLION YEARS!

Read that again, please.  Why is that significant? It is significant because it gives us evidence that the Bible is true and correct when it says that Christ Jesus came to earth and is the Savior of the world.

A key idea comes from Second Timothy 3:16: “All Scripture is God-breathed.” That means, that human authors wrote in their own styles, but believers hold that God guided the process

The Bible is the infallible, indestructible, inerrant Breathed Word of God; It has been breathed into the hearts, minds and souls of men which inspired them to report and record what they had seen, heard and thought over thousands of years, through trials, tribulations and even under the threats of death, as it came together as a concise and comprehensive Book revealing the Mind of God for all humankind and all of existence. Now we have the final and complete Bible which is prophetic, instructional, creative and causative in all matters pertaining to life, death, the present reality and all of eternity. It concerns you and it pertains specifically to your life presently, your death and your eternity.

HOW CAN I BE CERTAIN?

You cannot necessarily be absolutely certain that a church is actually Bible-based, but you can make a very strong, evidence-based judgment if the church you have chosen or would choose to attend is Bible-based by testing what they teach and how they operate against Scripture.

Here’s a grounded way to evaluate it.

1. Start with the message: What do they teach about the Gospel?

A truly Bible-based church will be clear and consistent on the core message:

• Salvation is by grace through faith (see Ephesians 2:8–9),
• Christ’s substitutionary death is central,
• Repentance and faith are necessary,
• Jesus is fully God and fully man (see John 1).

If a church minimizes sin, avoids repentance, or replaces the gospel with self-improvement or prosperity themes, that’s a red flag.

2. Examine how they use the Bible (this is huge).

It is not just that they quote Scripture—but how they handle it.

A healthy church will:

• Teach through passages in context (not cherry-picked verses),
• Explain meaning before application,
• Let Scripture shape the message—not the other way around.

A key model is Acts 17:11, where the Bereans examined the Scriptures daily to verify teaching.

If sermons feel like motivational talks with a few Bible verses attached, be cautious.

3. Look at their view of authority.

A Bible-based church treats Scripture as the final authority, not:

• A pastor’s personal revelations,
• Church traditions above Scripture,
• Cultural trends.

A guiding principle comes from Second Timothy 3:16–17: Scripture is sufficient for teaching, correction, and training.

4. Check their doctrine statement (don’t skip this).

Most churches publish a “statement of faith.” Read it carefully.

Look for clarity on:

• Salvation (grace vs works),
• The nature of Christ,
• The authority of Scripture,
• Eternal security vs apostasy.

If it’s vague or avoids specifics, that often signals compromise or internal disagreement.

5. Evaluate the leadership

Biblical churches take leadership seriously.

Compare their pastors/elders with qualifications in First Timothy 3 and Titus 1:

• Character over charisma,
• Integrity, self-control, faithfulness,
• Not domineering or money-driven,

A dynamic speaker is not the same as a qualified shepherd.

6. Observe the fruit (over time).

Jesus’ principle in Gospel of Matthew 7:16: “You will recognize them by their fruits.”

Look for:

• Spiritual growth in members,
• Seriousness about sin and holiness,
• Love that is more than surface-level,
• Commitment to truth, even when unpopular.
• Do people come to ‘get’ or do they balance that with what they can give or contribute to the life and mission of the church?

7. Watch for common warning signs

Be cautious if you see:

• Constant focus on money or “blessings”,
• Claims of exclusive truth (“we alone have it right”),
• Little emphasis on sin, judgment, or repentance,
• Leadership that is unaccountable,
• Be certain the church is not ‘pastor led’,
• Scripture used out of context to support agendas.

8. Test it personally

Don’t outsource discernment.

• Read Scripture yourself daily,
• Compare what you hear to the text,
• Ask questions—good churches welcome them.

This is exactly the Berean model again (Acts 17:11).

Bottom line:

You gain confidence a church is truly Bible-based when:

• The Gospel is clear and central,
• The Bible is taught in context and with authority,
• The leaders meet biblical qualifications,
• The fruit matches the message.

Some of what I have written is from my own words. Much of this is gleaned from other respected and thoroughly vetted resources. All of this is done out of respect and the desire to help us all find the base line and ‘true north’ in our desire to know God and to serve Him with the Holy Scriptures and pray as our compass.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

(If you have any questions or comments, please post them below).

THE BOOK OF ROMANS

Chapter 1

Warning: The following text is of a graphic nature. It is uncompromising in its confrontation and condemnation of the sin that is rampant among us, even in the Church; and it is vigorous in its defense of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

There are many who were and will be deeply offended and angered by the words of the Apostle Paul (for which he was murdered). But don’t misunderstand the value and intention of his words. He is not being unnecessarily harsh. His words, in the end, are kind words of warning. He is warning the Gentile world (and anyone who is listening) of the consequences of sin and the coming wrath upon those who reject God and the Gospel message, and upon those who practice debauchery and wantonly pursue sins of the flesh. He is offering a way out of their condemnation into an eternal sanctuary of forgiveness and a purposeful life and peace.

The Gospel Exalted

Romans 1:1, Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, verse 2, which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, verse 3, concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, verse 4, who was declared the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, verse 5, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles in behalf of His name, verse 6, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; verse 7, to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

(Commentary Break): The opening verses of Romans chapter one are both a greeting and a synopsis of the prophetic coming of the Christ in Jesus and His glorious works of atonement, the scriptural calling of Paul’s ministry to the Gentile world. (I would suggest you re-read these verses in the Amplified version of the Bible for deeper clarity). (End Commentary Break).

Verse 8. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the world. Verse 9. For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you, verse 10, always in my prayers requesting if perhaps now, at last by the will of God, I will succeed in coming to you. Verse 11. For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; verse 12, that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine. Verse 13. I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that often I have planned to come to you (and have been prevented so far) so that I may obtain some fruit among you also just as among the rest of the Gentiles. Verse 14. I am under obligation both to Greeks and to the uncultured, both to the wise and to the foolish. Verse 15. So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

(Commentary Break): Paul’s delay in reaching Rome was for good reasons. Paul was unable to visit Rome before his arrest primarily due to his commitment to evangelize unreached areas first and fulfill his obligations in Jerusalem. His missionary work in other regions and the guidance of the Holy Spirit delayed his plans to travel to Rome. (see Bible Hub).

Reasons for Paul’s Delay in Visiting Rome

Commitment to Evangelism

• • • Paul prioritized preaching the gospel in areas where Christ was not known. His ambition was to reach unreached regions before visiting established churches like the one in Rome.
    • He focused on missionary work in regions from Jerusalem to Illyricum, which consumed much of his time and resources.

Obligations in Jerusalem

• • • Paul had a significant responsibility to deliver a charitable offering to the church in Jerusalem. This task was crucial for maintaining unity among the early Christian communities.
    • He did not want to pass through Rome on his way west until he had fulfilled this obligation.

Divine Guidance

• • • The Holy Spirit played a key role in directing Paul’s travels. He experienced several instances where he was prevented from entering certain regions, indicating that his itinerary was influenced by divine intervention.
    • Paul acknowledged that his plans were subject to God’s sovereignty, which often meant delays for broader kingdom purposes.

Summary of Paul’s Circumstances

These factors combined to prevent Paul from visiting Rome until after his arrest, when he ultimately arrived as a prisoner rather than as a missionary.

 One lesson to be taken from this explanation by Paul and his reasoning, is that his prioritization is what we, today in America, should consider. We, the Church in America, is spending hundreds of millions of dollars and an incalculable amount of time and human resources to reach far away lands while our own nation and its churches are drifting from our Christ-centered foundation and a majority are falling into apostasy.

Seventy-two percent of churches and senior pastors in the USA do not agree with the Bible and its teachings, indicating a significant trend towards apostasy within American Christianity. (livingeternal.net and themoorings.org).

Apostasy in American Churches – Current Trends

Recent research indicates that a significant percentage of American churches are experiencing a form of apostasy. Specifically, 72% of churches and senior pastors do not agree with the Bible and its teachings. This statistic highlights a troubling trend within the Christian community in the United States.

Implications of Apostasy

The implications of this trend are profound, as it suggests a departure from traditional biblical teachings and beliefs. The following points summarize the key aspects of this phenomenon:

• • • Disagreement with Biblical Teachings: A majority of church leaders are not aligned with the core tenets of Christianity as outlined in the Bible.
    • Impact on Congregations: This disconnect may lead to a decline in church attendance and engagement among congregants who seek a more biblically grounded faith.
    • Cultural Shift: The findings reflect a broader cultural shift away from traditional Christian values, contributing to a more secular society.

Conclusion

The statistic of 72% serves as a stark indicator of the challenges facing American Christianity today, suggesting a need for reflection and potential reform within many congregations. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Verse 17. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written: “BUT THE RIGHTEOUS ONE WILL LIVE BY FAITH.”

(Commentary Break): If only. If only each and every Christian could confirm these words of Paul for their own lives, one could only imagine the state of the world today. Of course that is not the case and there are as many reasons as there are people who call themselves Christian. The phrase “from faith to faith” could be stated as “from beginning to the end”. Thus, the righteousness of God is revealed in the Gospel message and through your faith, from beginning to the end. As I have said so many times, the Word of God is instructional, creative, causative and prophetic by its very nature, and so it is when It says “THE RIGHTEOUS ONE WILL LIVE BY FAITH”, for the fully surrender, fully devoted follower of Jesus, it is made possible and is the visible proof and fruit of a Christian. (End Commentary Break).

Unbelief and Its Consequences

Verse 18. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, verse 19, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. Verse 20. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made, so that they are without excuse. Verse 21. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their reasonings, and their senseless hearts were darkened. Verse 22. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, verse 23, and they exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible mankind, of birds, four-footed animals, and crawling creatures.

Verse 24. Therefore God gave them up to vile impurity in the lusts of their hearts, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. Verse 25. For they exchanged the truth of God for falsehood, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

Verse 26. For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged natural relations for that which is contrary to nature, verse 27, and likewise the men, too, abandoned natural relations with women and burned in their desire toward one another, males with males committing shameful acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. Verse 28. And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a depraved mind, to do those things that are not proper, verse 29, people having been filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, and evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice; they are gossips, verse 30, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, verse 31, without understanding, untrustworthy, unfeeling, and unmerciful; verse 32, and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them.

(Commentary Break): Rather than assigning specific peoples or people groups who are identified as described in these foregoing verses, I will leave that to the reader. You see them plainly and everywhere. Their end is judgment and the severest punishment leads to their destruction – at which they scoff. They, in fact, celebrate and demand more and more rights to parade their indecencies and vile hatred of all that is good.

Live your life as a testimony and a witness of the Gospel before them, but do no entangle yourself with them or their lifestyles – for the scriptures warn that “bad company corrupts good morals”. (End Commentary Break).

(End Romans chapter one).

If the Apostle Paul was running for a popularity contest he would likely fail. I also suspect that if Paul were to preach this way in the contemporary twenty-first century Church, he would not be invited back to very many churches. Yet this is the way and the pattern to which we must return and practice – in love, peace and reverence for all. This must be our testimony and witness to the world. We must not pander hoping we can attract people with false charity and entice them through entertaining methods that do not lead to repentance and holiness.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

PS: If you desire a deeper theological line-by-line commentary, I recommend BibleHub.com.

Next: The Book of Romans, Chapter 2, The Impartiality of God, The Jews Under the Law.

(Please bookmark this page or subscribe for future episodes)

WHAT ARE CHRISTIANS TO DO WHEN DOCTRINAL VIEWS COLLIDE?

My wife and I were hosting neighborhood Bible studies. One particular evening the neighbor across the street from us accepted our invitation to attend. They brought some food and the husband asked if he could play some gospel music on his guitar. (We are excited at their response, especially since the did not go to church and had stepped away from their Catholic beliefs – although they said they believed in God).

The evening was going very well. Great interaction between guests. We at a meal, chatted for a while then went into a time for songs and Bible study. The focus verses were from John 1:1-13. Things were going well and the discussion was lively until we reach verse 12 which reads, “But as many as received Him (Jesus), to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name”, whereupon the neighbor from across the street erupted in protest. “You Christians are all the same! Exclusive bigots”. All in the room were stunned by his sudden outburst. I politely asked him, “Why would you say that?” He angrily responded, “Because you have to believe your way or you can’t be a child of God!” One of the others explained to him that, first of all, it wasn’t our view, it is what the Bible says. And secondly, It is not an exclusive invitation. Everyone is invited to come to Christ Jesus, although you have to believe in Him to become a child of God. But this man was having nothing more to do with it. He grabbed his guitar and stormed out of our house. Wow!

The rest of us began a discussion about what had just occurred. We all agreed that this man got it! He understood, at least partially, that he would have to give up his current worldly views, and surrender his life to Jesus to become a Christian and a child of God. It seemed to enrage him. He apparently wanted the benefits of being a Christian but without the cost.

The discussion that ensued centered around the questions about the inclusiveness and the exclusivity of the Gospel and we ended the evening talking about the doctrines of Election and Predestination, (are some Elected and others not, and are some predestined and other not?)

So, I ask you to take a self-evaluation by review these questions:

Is the Church INCLUSIVE or EXCLUSIVE?

(Your answer goes here)                                                                                                     .

Why do you say that?                                                                                                           .

Should the Church be INCLUSIVE or EXCLUSIVE?

(Your answer goes here)                                                                                                     .

Why do you say that?                                                                                                           .

Based on your first two answers, Is God INCLUSIVE or EXCLUSIVE?

(Your answer goes here)                                                                                                     .

Why do you say that?                                                                                                           .

Based on your last answer, Do you still feel the Church is or should be INCLUSIVE OR EXCLUSIVE?

Why do you say that?                                                                                                           .

What do you believe is the reason that the Church is either INCLUSIVE or EXCLUSIVE?

Please explain                                                                                                                        .

DOCTRINES

Doctrines are official teachings or systems of beliefs established by religious traditions that guide the practices and beliefs of their followers. Each religious denomination has its own unique doctrines.

Doctrines are the codified beliefs or teachings of a religious denomination, outlining their principles and positions on various aspects of faith and practice. Each denomination may have unique doctrines that distinguish them from others, such as the nature of Jesus, salvation, and authority within the church.

Doctrines are theologian’s and Church leader’s codified views derived from the Bible’s teachings outlining their principles and positions on various aspect of faith and practice and the governance of the Church body. Religious (Church) doctrines are man’s interpretations of the Bible’s intent; hence there are approximately two hundred Christian denominations in America alone, and over forty-five thousand worldwide. I.e., there are as many denominations as there are opinions and interpretations of the Bible by men, which has led to schisms, divisions, disagreements and even hostilities within the Body of Christ, which in turn has led to a chaotic weakening and reduced effectiveness of the Word of God in people’s lives.

The most divisive of doctrines are about Election, Predestination, and Eschatology (the study of the End Times); followed by doctrines on baptism, hell, spiritual gifts, complementarianism (women in the pulpit and / or pastoring over men).

Now, to the question, “what should you do when doctrinal views collide”?

Let me give you a prime example: ELECTION. According to the Reformed or Calvinist view (Presbyterians, Congregationalists, some Baptists), the Bible teaches that God chooses some people, that is those who He will save, and will not choose others, based on His own purposes and His desire to show grace to undeserving sinners. Ephesians 1:4–6 says, “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” He chose in love, in accordance with His pleasure and will, so that He would be glorified. God’s election has nothing to do with what the elect would or would not do. According to this view, God’s grace is irresistible to the chosen. (I.e., an individual cannot choose, on their own volition, to be saved. This says that even if I wanted to be saved, unless I have been Elected by God to be saved, I would have no choice in the matter of salvation. I would be sentenced to Hell.)

Overview of the Calvinist acronym, T.U.L.I.P.

TULIP is an acronym that represents the five key points of Calvinism, a theological framework within Reformed Christianity. Each letter stands for a specific doctrine related to salvation and God’s sovereignty.

The Five Points of TULIP

Historical Context

The TULIP acronym emerged in the early 20th century but is rooted in the theological debates of the 17th century, particularly the Synod of Dort (1618-1619). This synod was convened to address the challenges posed by Arminian theology, which presented alternative views on predestination and grace. The five points of TULIP serve to contrast Reformed theology with these Arminian perspectives.

Significance

Understanding TULIP is essential for grasping the core beliefs of Calvinism, particularly regarding the nature of salvation and God’s sovereignty. These doctrines emphasize that salvation is entirely the work of God, highlighting His grace and the assurance of salvation for the elect.

God did not choose everyone. If He had, then everyone would come to faith in Christ. He chose some, and He left others to their own desires. Left to ourselves, all of us would continue in our rebellion and reject Christ. God chose to pursue some, convict them of their need, and lead them to faith. It is because of God’s choice that anyone comes to faith in Christ. Jesus said, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day” (John 6:44).

Conversely, the Armenian view, (Methodist, Nazarene, Wesleyan, Free Will Baptist), believe in an interplay between divine grace and human choice, asserting that God desires all to be saved while allowing individuals the freedom to accept or reject His offer of salvation. This theological framework stands in contrast to Calvinism, which emphasizes God’s sovereign choice in electing individuals to salvation.

Key Tenets of Arminian Salvation

Conditional Election

• Definition: Arminianism posits that God’s election is conditional upon an individual’s faith in Jesus Christ.
• Implication: This means that while God’s grace is universally available, individuals must choose to accept it to be saved.

Universal Grace

• Prevenient Grace: Arminians believe that God’s grace precedes human action, enabling individuals to respond to the gospel.
• Resistible Grace: Unlike Calvinism, which teaches that God’s grace is irresistible, Arminianism holds that individuals can resist God’s grace.

Atonement for All

• Scope of Atonement: Arminian theology asserts that Christ’s atonement is available to all people, not just the elect.
• Faith Requirement: Salvation is contingent upon faith in Jesus, meaning that individuals must actively choose to believe.

And finally, Provisionism, a more recent development, asserts that God’s grace is available to all, allowing anyone to respond to His call for salvation. This view holds a generally Arminian view of free will and salvation, with notable differences such as positive belief in eternal security. The main gist of Provisionism is the idea that the gospel is the Word of God, which is sufficient in itself, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to enable a response in all who hear God’s appeal to be reconciled to Him (John 6:63; Hebrews 4:12).

The main use of the term Provisionism comes from the writings of theologian Leighton Flowers. The term is also meant to describe the general approach to salvation held by most Southern and Independent Baptists. So far as Reformed doctrine is concerned, this means narrow disagreement on the subjects of total depravity and limited atonement, as well as the exact meaning of words like predestined and elect.

Christians have often debated (and sometime vehemently) the finer points of how human will and God’s sovereignty interact when it comes to salvation. Though the nuances of Provisionism may not be accepted by particular believers, its tenets are well within the realm of orthodox Christian theology.

Similar to the TULIP in Calvinism, Provisionism can be summarized with the acrostic P.R.O.V.I.D.E. (see Statement-of-faith for more information):
People sin: Which separated all from fellowship with God.
Responsible: Able-to-respond to God’s appeals for reconciliation.
Open door: For anyone to enter by faith. Whosoever will may come to His open arms.
Vicarious atonement: Provides a way for anyone to be saved by Christ’s blood.
Illuminating grace: Provides clearly revealed truth so that all can know and respond in faith.
Destroyed: For unbelief and resisting the Holy Spirit.
Eternal security: For all true believers.

CONCLUSION:

Comparison Table

These theological frameworks shape the beliefs and practices of various Christian denominations, influencing how they understand salvation and God’s role in the lives of believers.

So, why all the debating and all the rhetorical heat between belief system? After all, we are all considered Christians. Right? It is all due to man-devised views of Biblical teachings, their meanings and intents.

What can you do (at least for now) to avoid doctrinal divisiveness within the Body of Christ?

• Draw near to God in prayer and Bible reading and study.
• Follow the core teachings of Jesus – the ones that are the easiest to understand (even though some may be hard to do because of the sin nature present in all people).
• Treat all people, most particularly, other Christians, as you would like to be treated.

The Apostle John explained how to be saved this way: “For God so loved the world (you), that He gave His only Son, so that anyone who would believe on Him would be saved”.

The Apostle Paul said it this way, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”

Jesus clearly taught how to be saved and demonstrated what it means to follow Him and to be His disciple. Sometime, we as humans, just have differing highly educated albeit personal interpreative opinions.

Just do what Jesus says and does and leave all the difficult and divisive ‘other things’ to the theologians to debate for now. You and I must just follow Him obediently.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Peter’s statement comes from Second Epistle of Peter 3:2, and it’s a compact but powerful summary of two streams of divine authority that believers were to hold onto.

Let’s break it down (collected from ChatGpt):

1. “The words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets”

This refers to the Old Testament prophetic Scriptures.

Peter is pointing back to:

• The writings of prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel
• Their predictions about:
  • The coming Day of the Lord
  • Judgment on the ungodly
  • The promise of God’s intervention in history

👉 In context (2 Peter 3), Peter is warning about scoffers denying Christ’s return, so he reminds them:
“This isn’t new—the prophets already spoke about these things.”

2. “The commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles”

This refers to the teachings of Jesus, passed on through the apostles.

• The “Lord and Savior” is Jesus Christ
• The “apostles” include figures like Peter the Apostle, John the Apostle, and Paul the Apostle

This includes teachings such as:

• Christ’s promise to return (e.g., Matthew 24)
• Calls to holy living and readiness
• Warnings about judgment

👉 Peter is emphasizing that:

• The apostles are not inventing new doctrine
• They are faithfully transmitting Christ’s own commands

3. The Big Idea: A Unified Authority

Peter is putting Old Testament prophecy and apostolic teaching side by side.

He’s essentially saying:

“Remember what God said before (through the prophets) and what Christ has now said (through His apostles).”

This shows:

• Continuity between Old and New Testament revelation
• That apostolic teaching carries divine authority, not just human opinion

4. Why Peter Says This (Context)

In the surrounding passage, Peter warns about:

• False teachers
• Scoffers denying the Second Coming

So this verse is a call to:

• Anchor yourself in revealed truth
• Not be shaken by new, skeptical ideas

Bottom Line

Peter is urging believers to hold fast to:

• The prophetic Scriptures (Old Testament)
• The teachings of Christ delivered by the apostles (New Testament)

Together, these form a complete, trustworthy witness about God’s plan—especially concerning Christ’s return and final judgment.

Great question—this verse opens the door to both specific prophetic texts and a broader doctrine of how God speaks authoritatively.

1) Old Testament passages Peter likely has in mind

In Second Epistle of Peter 3, Peter is addressing scoffers who deny the future judgment and return of Christ. So the “holy prophets” he refers to are especially those who spoke about:

A. The Day of the Lord (judgment + cosmic upheaval)

Book of Isaiah

• Isaiah 13:9–11
• Isaiah 34:4

These passages describe:

• The heavens dissolving
• Stars falling
• God judging the world

👉 This closely parallels 2 Peter 3:10 (“the heavens will pass away with a roar…”).

Book of Joel

• Joel 2:30–31
• Joel 3:14

Themes:

• Cosmic signs (sun darkened, moon turned to blood)
• “The great and terrible Day of the Lord”

Book of Zephaniah

• Zephaniah 1:14–18

Themes:

• A day of wrath, distress, and destruction
• Universal judgment—not just Israel

B. The destruction of the ungodly

Book of Malachi

• Malachi 4:1

“The day is coming, burning like an oven…”

This matches Peter’s imagery of fire consuming the present world (2 Peter 3:7).

C. Creation, Flood, and God’s past judgments

Peter explicitly mentions the Flood (2 Peter 3:5–6), pointing back to:

Book of Genesis

• Genesis 1 (creation by God’s word)
• Genesis 6–9 (the Flood)

👉 His argument:

• God judged the world once (by water)
• He will judge it again (by fire)

D. Promise of a new heavens and new earth

Book of Isaiah

• Isaiah 65:17
• Isaiah 66:22

“New heavens and a new earth”

Peter directly echoes this in 2 Peter 3:13.

Summary of OT themes Peter is invoking

Peter isn’t quoting just one passage—he’s drawing from a well-known prophetic framework:

• God created the world by His word
• God judged it in the past (Flood)
• God will judge it again (Day of the Lord, fire)
• God will renew it (new creation)

2) How this relates to apostolic authority and inspiration

Now to the second half of the verse:

“the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles”

This is theologically very important.

A. Apostles as authorized representatives of Christ

Peter places:

• “holy prophets” (OT)
  alongside
• “your apostles” (NT)

This implies equal divine authority in their message.

The apostles speak not independently, but as commissioned by:

• Jesus Christ

Compare:

• John 14:26 — the Spirit will bring Christ’s words to remembrance
• Matthew 28:20 — teach “all that I commanded you”

👉 So their teaching = Christ’s commandment

B. Apostolic teaching is already viewed as Scripture

Later in the same chapter:

• 2 Peter 3:15–16 refers to the writings of Paul the Apostle
• Peter says they are counted among “the Scriptures”

This is huge:

• Within the New Testament itself
• Apostolic writings are already being recognized as inspired Scripture

C. Continuity of revelation (not contradiction)

Peter’s structure shows:

👉 This supports the doctrine that:

• The New Testament doesn’t replace the Old
• It fulfills and completes it

D. Inspiration: God speaks through both

Earlier in the letter, Peter defines prophecy:

• 2 Peter 1:21

“Men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit”

This applies to:

• OT prophets
• And, by extension, apostolic teaching

3) The Big Theological Takeaway

Peter is making a bold claim:

👉 To reject apostolic teaching is to reject Christ
👉 To ignore the prophets is to ignore God’s prior revelation

So he anchors believers in a twofold authority:

1. Prophetic Scripture (Old Testament)
2. Apostolic teaching (New Testament)

Together, they form the foundation of what we now recognize as the Bible.

Bottom line

Peter likely has in mind a network of prophetic passages—especially from Isaiah, Joel, Zephaniah, Malachi, and Genesis—that describe:

• The Day of the Lord
• Final judgment
• Cosmic renewal

And he uses them to affirm that:

The message of the apostles is not new—it is the divinely authorized continuation and fulfillment of everything God already revealed.

PROPHECY

PROPHECY. REVELATION CHAPTERS 12 AND 13

as it relates to us today!

This is where the Devil / Satan began his rage on earth. This is when his raging and final days of destructive efforts are made manifest on the earth; this is where and how Satan is at work now, and where we are now in this cosmic End of Days Battle with him; and this is where we are headed in the very near future.

(First, it is important to note the uses of the past tense in conjunction with the present tense and future tenses, in these prophetic scriptures, all in these same paragraphs in verses, particularly in chapter 11, verse 15 through 17. Why?Because this is a picture of how God exists in the dimension we call ‘time’. He was, He is, and He always shall be. God is pre-existent, currently present and eternal, and this is the correct view of time-related events from God’s perspective in prophecy.

Importantly we must ask how this affects us, our views and our response to  scriptures and God’s commands? We are seeing, in our day, what has happened (past) is still happening (present) and will continue to occur (future) until all is fulfilled. I.e., “you are already experiencing prophetic matters that you may have thought were yet to come”. Are you prepared?

The Seventh Trumpet: Christ’s Reign Foreseen – A Past, Present or Future event?

Revelation 11:15, Then the seventh angel sounded; (past tense), and there were loud voices in heaven, saying,

“The kingdom of the world has become (present tense) the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign (future tense) forever and ever.” Verse 16. And the twenty-four elders, who sit (present tense) on their thrones before God, fell on their faces (past tense) and worshiped (past tense) God, verse 17, saying,

“We give (present tense) You thanks, Lord God, the Almighty, the One who is and who was, (past tense), because You have taken (past tense), Your great power and have begun (present tense) to reign.

(Past tense – Present tense – Future tense.)

Verse 18. And the nations were enraged, (past tense) and Your wrath came, (past tense), and the time came (past tense), for the dead to be judged, and the time to reward Your bond-servants the prophets and the saints and those who fear Your name, the small and the great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth.”

Verse 19. And the temple of God which is in heaven (present tense) was opened (past tense); and the ark of His covenant appeared (past tense) in His temple, and there were (past tense) flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder, and an earthquake, and a great hailstorm.

(Past tense – Present tense – Future tense.)

The Woman, Israel.

Revelation 12:1, A great sign appeared (past tense) in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars (past tense); verse 2, and she was pregnant, and she cried out, (past tense) being in labor and in pain to give birth.

The Red Dragon, Satan.

Verse 3. Then another sign appeared (past tense) in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were seven crowns. Verse 4. And his tail swept away (past tense) a third of the stars of heaven and hurled (past tense) them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth, he might devour her Child (past tense).

(Past tense – Present tense – Future tense.)

The Male Child, Christ.

Verse 5. And she gave birth (past tense) to a Son, a male, who is going to rule (future tense) all the nations with a rod of iron; and her Child was caught up to God (past tense) and to His throne. Verse 6. Then the woman fled (past tense) into the wilderness where she had a place prepared by God, so that there she would be nourished (future tense) for 1,260 days.

The Angel, Michael.

Verse 7. And there was war in heaven, (past tense) Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war, (past tense) verse 8, and they did not prevail, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven (past tense). Verse 9. And the great dragon was thrown down, (past tense) the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down (past tense)to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. Verse 10. Then I heard (past tense) a loud voice in heaven, saying,

(Past tense – Present tense – Future tense.)

“Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, (present tense) for the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down, (present tense) the one who accuses (present tense) them before our God, day and night. Verse 11. And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death. Verse 12. For this reason, rejoice, (present tense) you heavens and you who dwell in them (present tense) . Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down (present tense) to you with great wrath, knowing (present tense) that he has (future tense) only a short time.”

(Past tense – Present tense – Future tense.)

Verse 13. And when the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. Verse 14. But the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, so that she could fly (future tense)  into the wilderness to her place, where she was nourished for a time, times, and half a time, away from the presence of the serpent. Verse 15. And the serpent hurled water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, so that he might cause her to be swept away with the flood. (future tense). Verse 16. But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and drank up the river which the dragon had hurled out of his mouth. Verse 17. So the dragon was enraged with the woman, and went off to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments (present tense) of God and hold to (present tense) the testimony of Jesus.

Past tense – Present tense – Future tense.

The point to be made here is that the (heathen) nations and Satan have been raging, are raging and will rage into the near future; and since Satan knows his time is short, he is in his death throes. And like the mortally wounded beast he is, he will wreak as much havoc, destruction and death as possible as far as God will allow.

Revelation chapters eleven and twelve give us a peek into the past, present and future, from God’s perspective and for our instruction in our current and future days, of what is upon us, what is yet to come and how we are to prepare and respond.

(Note: watching for the signs of these days will do little more than cause your distress and will change nothing – except perhaps to deceive you and to cause you to stand idle. God has given and is giving us clear instructions as to what we are to be doing in these days – “going in His name, making disciples; teaching all that He has commanded us; and baptizing them in the Name of the Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit – and loving one another the same way He has loved us).

For background, here is the lead up to the above verses please read:

THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION – Chapter 11 – The Two Witnesses –

THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION – Chapter 11 – The Two Witnesses –

Episode 13

 (These Episodes are meant to not only ask and answer the questions, “When, Why, How and What?”, but also the question, “SO WHAT?”)

We are between the SIXTH Trumpet Judgement and the coming SEVENTH Trumpet Judgement of God. This is the point where no one will any longer repent of their murders nor of their sorceries, drugs, intoxications, nor of their sexual immorality nor of their thefts. It is now that God’s mercy to salvation is withdrawn, and He orders the release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates which is a great army of two hundred million soldiers who will now kill a third of mankind. We are entering the final three and one half years of the Great Tribulation, The Great and Terrible Day of The Lord and The final judgments, The Wrath of The Lamb are now at hand.

The Two Witnesses

Revelation 11:1, Then there was given to me a [footnote ‘a’] measuring rod like a staff; and someone said, “[footnote ‘b’] Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar [of incense], and [count] those who worship in it. Verse 2. But leave out the court [of the Gentiles] which is outside the temple and do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles (the nations); and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months (which is three and one-half years). Verse 3. And I will grant authority to My two witnesses, and they will prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days, (which is forty-two months, or, three and one-half years), dressed in [footnote ‘c’] sackcloth.”

(Commentary Break: We are now at the mid-point of the Great Tribulation, The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord. There are three and one half years of God’s Judgements, remaining, The Wrath of The Lamb.

John is given a measuring rod like a staff, an implement used to make measurements. In this case, to measure (number 1), the temple of God and (number 2), the altar, and (number 3), to count those who worship in it’. This will inventory, confirm, validate and verify that which has been established by God. The Hebrew language here, tells us that John is, in essence, to lay  the facts of this matter to rest; i.e., to bring this message to closure, and to move to a conclusion. A more colloquial way of saying it would be, “we are taking inventory and closing up shop and moving on to bigger and better things”. The end has come and this is the first of the final acts.

The conclusion of ‘these things’ first of all, is that all of the saints of all the ages have now been Raptured, are standing before His Throne, and are eternally with God. (See Revelation chapter 7, Verses 9 and 10, “After these things I looked, and this is what I saw: a vast multitude which no one could count, [gathered] from every nation and from all the tribes and peoples and languages [of the earth], standing before the throne and before the Lamb (Christ), dressed in white robes, with, palm branches in their hands; and in a loud voice they cried out, saying, “Salvation [belongs] to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb [our salvation is the Trinity’s to give, and to God the Trinity we owe our deliverance].” – These are the Raptured Elect of God.)

Secondly, and conversely, John is told NOT to measure the outer court of the Gentiles because they are the ones bearing The Mark of The Beast and will join the Beast ‘to trample the holy city for forty-two months’, which is the remaining three and one half years of the Great Tribulation. All those who now remain on the earth are doomed to suffer the 7^th Trumpet Judgement and the 7 Bowl Judgements of Tribulation, the Wrath of the Lamb and will be sentenced to the eternal lake of fire.

Additionally, God has given authority to His two witnesses to prophesy for three and one-half years. They are dressed in sackcloth which symbolizes a time of mourning. (End Commentary break).

Verse 4. These [witnesses] are the two olive trees and the two lampstands which stand before the Lord of the earth. Verse 5. And if anyone wants to harm them, fire comes out of their mouth and devours their enemies; so if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this way. Verse 6. These [two witnesses] have the power [from God] to shut up the sky, so that no rain will fall during the days of their prophesying [regarding judgment and salvation]; and they have power over the waters (seas, rivers) to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every [kind of] plague, as often as they wish.

Verse 7. When they have finished their testimony and given their evidence, the beast that comes up out of the abyss, (the bottomless pit), will wage war with them, and overcome them and kill them.

Verse 8. And their dead bodies will lie exposed in the open street of the great city (Jerusalem), which in a spiritual sense is called [by the symbolic and allegorical names of] Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified.

Verse 9. Those from the peoples and tribes and languages and nations [footnote ‘d’] look at their dead bodies for three and a half days, and will not allow their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb. Verse 10. And those who live on the earth will gloat over them and rejoice; and they will send gifts [in celebration] to one another, because these two prophets tormented and troubled those who live on the earth.

(Commentary Break: Verses four through nine are pretty much self-evident, with the exception of the metaphors of the two olive trees and the two lampstands to describe the two Witnesses. The olive tree as used here, represents the people of God, indwelt by the Holy Spirit; The two lampstands represent the eminent prophets who will precede Christ’s appearing with His armies in heaven. His robe has been dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. His armies, which are also in heaven, are clothed in fine linen, following Him on white horses (see Revelation 19, verses 13 through 16).

Please Note: Many theologians and bible teachers say that this appearing of Jesus on a white horse, is His 2^nd advent, whereupon He comes to the earth to wage this battle. THIS IS NOWHERE TO BE FOUND IN SCRIPTURES. (Only an Angel descends to the earth.)

It important to note that there is a 10 Nation Confederation identified in Ezekiel 38, also in Daniel chapters 7 and 9 and again in Revelation chapter 17, as the armies of Armageddon are from the nations of:

Gog, also known as Rosh, (which is Russia), and Rosh, (also known as Russia), Magog, also known as a region in Russia, Gomer, identified as an Eastern European and Southern area of Russia, Put, now named Libya, Cush, also known as Ethiopia, Persia, also known as Iran, Meshech, also known as Modern Day Turkey, and Tubal, also known as an area in central Turkey.

It is clearly stated in Revelation 19, verses 13 through 21, and Revelation 20 verses 1 through 3, that Jesus and His armies appear in the heavens. He does not come to earth and engage in a physical battle. Jesus supernaturally defeats the forces of the antichrist and of the Beast, then an angel is sent to the earth to complete the work of binding Satan. There are some theologians and bible teachers who suggest the angel may have been Jesus, but if the Bible is nothing else, IT IS ACCURATE AND COMPLETE IN ITS WORDING. It was an angel doing the bidding of The Lord.

Next, there is mention of Sodom and Egypt as a symbolism or an allegory for Jerusalem. See this link for a probable explanation.

Finally, the stage is set to lead the people on earth, who bear the Mark of the Beast, to believe they have been triumphant in the defeat of the two Witnesses. But this is merely a method to amplify their dismay, surprise and terror as the Witnesses to come back to life. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 11. But after three and a half days, the breath of life from God came into them, and they stood on their feet; and great fear and panic fell on those who were watching them. Verse 12. And the two witnesses heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” Then they ascended into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies watched them. Verse 13. And in that [very] hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell and was destroyed; seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest [who survived] were overcome with terror, and they glorified the God of heaven [as they recognized His awesome power].

Verse 14. The second woe is past; behold, the third woe is coming quickly.

The Seventh Trumpet – Christ’s Reign Foreseen

Verse 15. Then the seventh angel sounded [his trumpet]; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom (dominion, rule) of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.” Verse 16. And the twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God, fell face downward and worshiped God, verse 17, saying, “To You we give thanks, O Lord God Almighty [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all], Who are and Who were, because You have taken Your great power and the sovereignty [which is rightly Yours] and have [now] begun to reign. Verse 18. And the nations (Gentiles) became enraged, and Your wrath and indignation came, and the time came for the dead to be judged, and [the time came] to reward Your bond-servants the prophets and the saints (God’s people) and those who fear Your name, the small and the great, and [the time came] to destroy the destroyers of the earth.”

Verse 19. And the temple of God which is in heaven was opened; and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple, and there were flashes of lightning, loud rumblings and peals of thunder and an earthquake and a great hailstorm. (End of chapter 11).

One might wonder, since the elect of God have been removed from earth, and these events will not affect them, why God is revealing these judgements and those yet to come. Perhaps this can be a deterrent for those who read these words and heed them, before this days comes.

Next, we will read in Revelation chapters 12 through 14 a recapitulation of events past and events yet to come, but this is more akin to a ‘backstory’ of sorts, given with great detail and symbolisms explained.

At any rate, those with wisdom and insight should prepare while there is time.

Now to the main event:

THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION – Chapter 12 – The Woman Israel, The Dragon, The Male Child, The Angel Michael

Episode 14

 (These Episodes are meant to not only ask and answer the questions, “When, Why, How and What?”, but also the question, “AND, WHAT? DOES THIS MEAN TO ME”)

We will now get a deeper spiritual perspective of the unfolding events of the Last Days. Chapter 12 gives us a review and an overview from above, of what was, what is and what is to come.

 Please remember and try to understand that “while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” This is the perspective of this Chapter twelve.

 (And, because of the extensive use of symbolism, metaphors and similes, I will comment more than usual, hopefully to give useful insights.)

The Woman, Israel

Revelation 12:1 And a great sign [warning of an ominous and frightening future event] appeared in heaven: a [footnote ‘a’] woman clothed with the sun, with the moon beneath her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. Verse 2. She was with child (the Messiah) and she cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth.

(Commentary Break: It can be quite obvious that the woman clothed with the sun is Israel. The sun refers to Jacob, (who was also called Israel), and the moon is open to many interpretations, but one is that it possibly refers to Rachel, who is  the younger daughter of Laban and wife of Jacob, and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin, who become two of the twelve tribes of Israel. The crown of 12 stars upon the woman’s head refers to the twelve tribes of Israel, originating with the sons of Jacob and Rachel.

 Verse 2 is, of course, referring to the birth of Jesus, which is very descriptive as “she, the woman Israel, cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth”. This is but another important time marker of the beginning to the Tribulation Period, known as the BIRTH PAINS, as spoken of by Jesus in Matthew 24, verse 8.

 I am providing a reprint of Matthew 24 verses 3 through 14, below here, to give the full context of (#1), Jesus’ remarks on this matter, and (#2), to show the specific time of the beginning of the BIRTH PAINS segment of The Tribulation, which include the first 5 tribulations, broken at the time of the birth of Christ Jesus! The 6^th Tribulation Seal is not mentioned here, as it is the beginning of Daniel’s 70^th Week, also known as The Great Tribulation and the beginning of the FINAL SEVEN YEARS of the Tribulation!

Matthew 24:3, And as He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” 

And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will mislead many people. And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars, (Tribulation Seals 1 through 2 as described by Jesus in Matthew chapter 24 and Revelation chapter 6). See that you are not alarmed, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom,(Tribulation Seals  and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pains.

“Then they will hand you over to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name (Third and fourth Tribulation Seals). And at that time many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will rise up and mislead many people. And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will become cold. (The Fifth Tribulation Seal). But the one who endures to the end is the one who will be saved. This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.”

To repeat: this is to give the full context of (#1), Jesus’ remarks on this matter, and (#2), to show the specific time of the beginning of the BIRTH PAINS segment of The Tribulation, which include the first 5 tribulations, broken at the time of the birth of Christ Jesus! The 6^th Tribulation Seal is not mentioned here, as it is the beginning of Daniel’s 70^th Week, also known as The Great Tribulation and the beginning of the FINAL SEVEN YEARS of the Tribulation! (End Commentary Break).

The Red Dragon, Satan

Verse 3. Then another sign [of warning] was seen in heaven: behold, a great fiery red dragon (Satan) with [footnote ‘b’] seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were seven royal crowns (diadems). Verse 4. And his tail swept [across the sky] and dragged away a third of the stars of heaven and flung them to the earth. And the dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child.

(Commentary Break: The seven heads and ten horns correspond to the heads and horns of the beast in Revelation chapter 17, verse 3 through verse 17, and to those of the beast in Daniel chapter 7, verse 7 through verse 8 and following verses as well. Daniel’s description reveals that the ten horns are ten kings who temporarily reign with the Antichrist during the Great Tribulation. These ten kings, or nations, as found in Ezekiel 38, in Daniel chapter 7 and 9 and again in Revelation chapter 17, as the armies of Armageddon are from the nations of:

1. 1. 1. Gog, also known as Rosh, (Russia) and,
      2. Rosh, (Russia),
      3. Magog, also known as (Russia),
      4. Gomer, also known as (Eastern Europe-Southern Russia),
      5. Put, also known as (Libya),
      6. Cush, also known as (Ethiopia),
      7. Persia, also known as (Iran),
      8. Meshech, also known as (Modern Day Turkey),
      9. Tubal, also known as (an area in central Turkey),
      10. Beth-Togarmah, also known as (Georgia, Chechnya, Turkey/Armenia).

 Next, John sees a sign in heaven: “An enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on its heads. Its tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth.” John then relates that the dragon was hurled down to the earth and positively identifies it as “that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray” (Revelation 12 verse 9). The dragon is not thrown to earth alone, however: “His angels were cast out with him” (verse 9). The angels that are ejected from heaven with Satan we associate with the “third of the stars” that the dragon’s tail swept from heaven to earth in verse 4. If the “stars” of Revelation 12 verse 4 are indeed a symbolic reference to Satan’s “angels” from verse 9, then what we have is a reference to the fall of a portion of the angels, (the heavenly hosts), who followed Satan in his rebellion. Two thirds of the angels remained loyal to God and are called the “holy angels” in Scripture (for example, Mark 8 verse 38); one third of the original angels joined Satan and are called “unclean spirits” or “demons” today (for example, Mark 9:25).

 This section closes with the obvious reference to Satan’s attempts to destroy the Christ Child. (see King Herod’s attempt to kill Jesus in Matthew 2, verses 1 through 18; and the crucifixion of Jesus in Matthew 27, and chapter 28, verses 1 through 15.) (End Commentary Break).

The Male Child, Christ

Verse 5. And she gave birth to a Son, a male Child, who is destined to rule (shepherd) all the nations with a rod of iron; and her Child was [footnote ‘c’] caught up to God and to His throne. Verse 6. Then the woman fled into the wilderness where she had a place prepared by God, so that she would be nourished there for a thousand two hundred and sixty days (forty-two months; which is three and one-half years).

(Commentary Break:  Jesus is born and “was caught up to God and to His throne” is telling us of the ascension of Christ to heaven following His death and resurrection.

 Verse 6 continues by telling us that the woman, (which is Israel), flees to the wilderness where she had a place to nourished for one thousand two hundred and sixty days, which is 42 months or 3 and one half years. This is a difficult passage, but the woman’s flight into the wilderness for one thousand two hundred and sixty days refers to the future time called the Great Tribulation. Twelve hundred, sixty days is 42 months (of 30 days each), which is the same as 3 and one half years. Halfway through the Tribulation period, the Beast (the Antichrist) will set an image of himself up in the temple that will be built in Jerusalem. This is the abomination that Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24 verse 15 and Mark 13 verse 14. When the Beast does this, he breaks the peace pact he had made with Israel, and the nation has to flee for safety, possibly to Petra (also see Matthew 24 and Daniel 9 verse 27). This escape of the Jews is pictured as the woman fleeing into the wilderness.

 More likely however, rather than a literal place, this is ‘a time of relative peace’ for Israel during the first half of the seven year Great Tribulation period, which begins at the breaking of the 6^th Tribulation Seal and will last until the Sounding of the 6^th Tribulation Trumpet.. This is the time that they make the peace treaty as referred to in Daniel 9 verse 27. (End Commentary Break).

The Angel, Michael

Verse 7. And war broke out in heaven, Michael [the archangel] and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought, verse 8, but they were not strong enough and did not prevail, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. Verse 9. And the great dragon was thrown down, the age-old serpent who is called the [footnote ‘d’] devil and Satan, he who continually deceives and seduces the entire inhabited world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. Verse 10. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom (dominion, reign) of our God, and the authority of His Christ have come; for the [footnote ‘e’] accuser of our [believing] brothers and sisters has been thrown down [at last], he who accuses them and keeps bringing charges [of sinful behavior] against them before our God day and night. Verse 11. And they overcame and conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, for they did not love their life and renounce their faith even when faced with death. Verse 12. Therefore rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them [in the presence of God]. Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you in great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time [remaining]!”

Verse 13. And when the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman who had given birth to the male Child. Verse 14. But the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, so that she could fly into the wilderness to her place, where she was nourished for a time and times and half a time (three and one-half years), away from the presence of the serpent (Satan). Verse 15. And the serpent hurled water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, so that he might cause her to be swept away with the flood. Verse 16. But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the river which the dragon had hurled out of his mouth. Verse 17. So the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went off to wage war on the rest of her children (seed), those who keep and obey the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus [holding firmly to it and bearing witness to Him].

(Commentary Break: Although knowing these things, changes nothing in your life nor in your existence if you have already been Raptured from earth. Nor is there any way you can respond, or need to. But if you have not been saved by faith in Christ Jesus, and do not bear the protective Seal of the Lord, perhaps this is useful. Either way, for your information, Michael the Archangel is described in the Bible, in the books of Daniel, Jude, and Revelation, as a warrior angel who engages in spiritual combat. The word archangel means “angel of the highest rank.” Most angels in the Bible are portrayed as messengers, but Michael is described in all three books as contending, fighting, or standing against evil spirits and principalities (Daniel 10 verses 13 and 21; Jude 1 verses 9; and Revelation 12 verse 7). We do not have a full picture of any angel, and only two are named in the Bible. (Gabriel is the other). Scripture only gives us hints of their movements during human events, but it is safe to say that Michael the archangel is a powerful being (see Got Questions.Org).

 We see here that the Dragon and his angels are thrown down but they continue to deceive the whole world for a time. Knowing his time is short he persecutes Israel and the Christ with increasing ferocity, but is overcome and defeated by Christ Jesus and His armies, “by the Blood of the Lamb and because of the Word of their testimony”, and by the fact that they did not love their life and renounce their faith even when faced with death. This is our example and our response in the days leading up to these events.

 Once again we read that the woman (Israel) goes to the wilderness for safety, this time flown away on the two wings of an eagle, These two wings of an eagle are symbolic and used a metaphor of God’s strength and provision to a way of escape. We can see an example of this, which is found in Psalms 34. The Psalmist says, “The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous, And His ears are toward their cry for help. The face of the LORD is against evildoers to eliminate the memory of them from the earth. The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears and rescues them from all their troubles. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The afflictions of the righteous are many, But the LORD rescues him from them all.”

It is also interesting to see that ”the Serpent spews or hurls out water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, so that he might cause her to be swept away with the flood”. Three significant floods are mentioned in the Bible.

 The first instance of a flood is found in Genesis 6, verse 17, “Behold, I, even I am bringing the flood of water upon the earth, to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life, from under heaven; everything that is on the earth shall perish”, in Noah’s day.

 The second instance is found in Daniel 9 verse 26, “Verse 26.  “Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing (see this article on “The Flood in Daniel 9” for details of the 62 weeks), and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. And its end will come with a flood (this flood is a flood of people, of armies); even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined.

The third instance is found in Matthew 24 verses 38 and 39, “For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.”

Each instance refers to a catastrophic judgement instituted by God to bring an end to wickedness and to bring His Chosen Elect to Himself, making and forging us, more into the image of Christ, through tribulation. This changes everything for the earth and the people upon the earth. Take heed. Be prepared.

 This section ends with the serpent becoming enraged with the woman, who is Israel, and goes on to make war with her children, (her seed), which are those who keep and obey the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus, holding firmly to it and bearing witness to Him. This is saying not only the Jew, but now includes those who have been grafted into the Olive Tree of Israel – all Christians who carry the Name of Christ.  (End Commentary Break).

There we have it. Chapter 12. An abbreviated but a complete overview of God’s Plan for His creation, from beginning to end, run in a ‘fast forward speed’ so to speak.

God placed this in His Word, not just for your reading entertainment nor just for information, but it is important for our preparation for what is coming and for our understanding as ministers and witnesses of His Plan to this lost world.

Next, in Revelation chapter 13, we learn about the Beast from the Sea and the Beast from the Earth.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

WHAT IS DRIVING THIS SPREADING MENTAL ILLNESS PANDEMIC IN AMERICA?

Media headlines report daily on the insane criminal behavior spreading across America, penetrating all social spectrums. (see FBI and other recent crime reports here). I would ask why, and what is going on here?

I asked Chatgpt and Google Search this question, and they similarly reported:

The primary drivers of the mental health crisis and crime in America heading into 2026 are a combination of long-standing socioeconomic stressors and evolving modern pressures. While crime rates actually showed a significant decline in 2025—with homicides down roughly 21% from the previous year—experts remain concerned about underlying factors like economic instability and inadequate access to mental health care. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Key Drivers of the Mental Health Crisis

 The United States is currently experiencing a mental health crisis affecting all ages, but particularly youth. [1]

• Economic Distress: Personal finances are the top source of anxiety for Americans in 2026, with 59% reporting significant stress over their financial situation.
• Technological Pressures: Rapid AI integration is causing job-related anxiety for 47% of adults, while the “always-on” nature of digital communication contributes to chronic burnout.
• Systemic Gaps in Care: Despite record demand, over 122 million Americans live in areas with severe shortages of mental health providers. High costs and insurance barriers prevent nearly half of those with mental illness from receiving treatment.
• Social Isolation: The erosion of in-person social connections, often replaced by algorithm-driven digital interactions, has increased feelings of loneliness and “dread,” especially among younger generations. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]

Factors Influencing Crime Rates

 Although overall violent crime decreased in 2025, several structural issues remain highly correlated with criminal activity and community safety. [1, 2]

• Socioeconomic Disadvantage: Poverty, unemployment, and housing instability remain the strongest predictors of crime. Communities with high rates of housing instability also report the highest mental health crisis rates (9%).
• The “Handcuffs Instead of Help” Cycle: Jails have become de facto mental health facilities. Approximately two in five incarcerated individuals have a history of mental illness, often arrested for non-violent offenses related to untreated symptoms.
• Substance Abuse: The ongoing opioid epidemic continues to fuel both public health and public safety challenges, though many states increased investments in 2025 to combat drug trafficking and expand recovery services.
• Youth Vulnerability: Disruption in education and limited entry-level career pathways due to automation have increased the risk of youth involvement in crime. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]

NPR, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Pyschiatry.Org, the Bureau of Health Workforce, CSG Justice Center, and the Behavioral Health News all report on and blame the symptoms of and the sad to disastrous results of mental illness on people and society, but completely fail – or refuse – to address the cause: The absence of traditional standards of morality and ethics. (And by ‘traditional standards’, I am referring to the long-held and thoroughly tested Christian Biblical standards).

I am speaking of a “Traditional Christian ethos” which refers to a set of moral values, habits, and ways of living that developed from the teachings of Jesus Christ and the long history of the Christianity. While it varies across denominations, there are some widely shared core elements:

(From ChatGPT)

1. Love as the Central Command

At the heart is the idea of love:

• Love of God
• Love of neighbor

This comes from teachings like “love your neighbor as yourself,” which shape how believers are expected to treat others—with compassion, forgiveness, and goodwill.

2. Moral Responsibility & Sin

Traditional Christianity teaches that:

• Humans are morally accountable for their actions
• Sin (wrongdoing) separates people from God

Ethical life involves recognizing faults, seeking forgiveness, and striving to live rightly.

3. Humility & Self-Denial

Humility is a major virtue:

• Avoid pride and arrogance
• Put others before yourself
• Practice self-control and restraint

This often includes the idea of sacrificing short-term desires for higher moral or spiritual goals.

4. Charity & Service

Helping others—especially the poor and vulnerable—is essential:

• Giving (charity, almsgiving)
• Acts of service
• Hospitality

This reflects the belief that serving others is a way of serving God.

5. Sanctity of Life & Human Dignity

Human life is seen as sacred because it is created by God:

• Emphasis on the inherent worth of every person
• Moral concern for issues involving life, suffering, and justice

6. Family, Sexual Ethics, and Order

Traditionally:

• Marriage is viewed as a lifelong union
• Sexual activity is expected within marriage
• Family is a central unit of moral and social life

Different denominations interpret these principles with varying strictness today.

7. Faith, Obedience, and Authority

Believers are encouraged to:

• Have faith in God
• Follow divine commandments
• Respect religious teachings and traditions (such as those found in the Bible)

8. Redemption & Grace

A key idea is that people are not expected to be perfect:

• Forgiveness is always possible
• Salvation comes through God’s grace, not just moral effort

9. Eternal Perspective

Life is viewed in light of eternity:

• Earthly life is temporary
• Actions have spiritual consequences
• Hope in eternal life shapes moral priorities

Big Picture

Traditional Christian ethos emphasizes:

• Love balanced with moral discipline
• Personal responsibility alongside forgiveness
• Individual conduct tied to a larger spiritual purpose

(From Google Search ai)

The phrase “traditional Christian ethos” generally refers to a set of core values and a “way of being” rooted in the teachings of Jesus and historical church doctrine. It’s less about a specific political stance and more about a foundational moral framework. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Key Pillars of the Christian Ethos

• Sacrificial Love (Agape): The central idea is putting others before oneself. This isn’t just “liking” people, but a commitment to their well-being, even at a personal cost.
• Human Dignity (Imago Dei): The belief that every person is created in the “image of God.” This creates an ethical baseline that every life—regardless of status, age, or ability—has inherent, infinite value.
• The “Golden Rule”: A proactive commitment to treating others as you would want to be treated, which traditionally translates into charity, hospitality, and service to the marginalized.
• Humility and Repentance: A recognition of human imperfection (sin) and the need for grace. This often manifests as a “spirit of meekness”—not weakness, but power under control.
• Stewardship: The view that talents, time, and the earth itself are not “owned” but are gifts on loan from God, to be used responsibly for the common good. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

The Internal “Moral Compass”

In a traditional sense, this ethos emphasizes virtue over autonomy. While modern culture often prioritizes “living your truth,” the Christian ethos prioritizes aligning your life with a higher, objective Truth through discipline and faith.

Would you like to explore how these values contrast with modern secular ethics, or perhaps how they apply to specific social issues?

In a June 2006 speech at the Call to Renewal conference, then president Barak Obama said, “Whatever we once were, we are no longer just a Christian nation; we are also a Jewish nation, a Muslim nation, a Buddhist nation, and a Hindu nation, and a nation of nonbelievers.”

He did not declare that Christianity was dead in America but that America would no longer be known solely as a Christian Nation – as she had long been known. It was at that defining moment that Barak Obama gleefully announced that the syncretizing (reconciliation or fusion of differing systems of belief, as in philosophy or religion, especially when success is partial or the result is heterogeneous) of America was now complete.

And the American psyche was shattered. As described in Isaiah 5:20, Good became evil and evil became what is good. Read what the the Bible says is the outcome of this defiance of God:

^{Isaiah 5:20,} 
Woe (judgment is coming) to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness;
Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!
^{Verse 21.}
Woe (judgment is coming) to those who are wise in their own eyes
And clever and shrewd in their own sight!
^{Verse 22.} 
Woe (judgment is coming) to those who are heroes at drinking wine
And men of strength in mixing intoxicating drinks,
^{Verse 23.} 
Who justify the wicked and acquit the guilty for a bribe,
And take away the rights of those who are in the right!

^{Verse 24.} 
Therefore, as the tongue of fire consumes the stubble [from straw]
And the dry grass collapses into the flame,
So their root will become like rot and their blossom blow away like fine dust;
Because they have rejected the law of the Lord of hosts
And despised and discarded the word of the Holy One of Israel.
^{Verse 25.} 
Therefore the anger of the Lord has burned against His people,
And He has stretched out His hand against them and has struck them down.
And the mountains trembled, and their dead bodies lay like rubbish in the middle of the streets.
In spite of all this God’s anger is not turned away,
But His hand is still stretched out [in judgment].

^{Verse 26.} 
He will lift up a flag to [call] the distant nations [to bring His judgment on Judah],
And will whistle for them from the ends of the earth;
And indeed, they will come with great speed swiftly.
^{Verse 27.} 
No one among them is weary or stumbles,
No one slumbers or sleeps;
Nor is the belt at their waist undone [as if unprepared for action],
Nor is the strap of their sandal broken.
^{Verse 28.} 
Their arrows are sharp and all their bows are strung and bent;
Their horses’ hoofs seem like flint and their chariot wheels like a whirlwind.
^{Verse 29.} 
Their roaring is like a lioness, they roar like young lions;
They growl and seize their prey
And carry it off and there is no one to save it.
^{Verse 30.} 
And in that day they will roar against them like the roaring of the sea.
And if one looks to the land, in fact, there is darkness and distress;
Even the light will be darkened by its clouds.

And finally, here is a prime example of allowing false gods taint and influence our belief in and obedience of the One True Living God:

In the Bible, King Nebuchadnezzar and King Saul are the most prominent examples of leaders who experienced significant mental instability or “madness” following their drift from God.

1. King Nebuchadnezzar: The King Who Became a Beast [1, 2]

Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon is the clearest example of a powerful leader being struck with a specific form of insanity as a direct consequence of pride and turning away from God’s authority. [1]

• The Drift: Despite witnessing God’s power through Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar’s pride grew until he boasted, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built… by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?”.
• The Insanity: Immediately, a voice from heaven declared his authority was taken. He was driven from human society and lived like a wild animal for seven years (often referred to as “seven times”).
• The Condition: Biblical descriptions say he ate grass like an ox, his hair grew like eagles’ feathers, and his nails became like birds’ claws. Modern scholars sometimes link this to boanthropy, a rare psychological disorder where a person believes they are a bovine.
• Restoration: His sanity was restored only when he humbled himself and acknowledged that the “Most High” rules over all earthly kingdoms. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

2. King Saul: The Tormented First King of Israel [King Nebuchadnezzar]

Saul, the first king of Israel, suffered from a gradual mental decline characterized by paranoia and deep depression after he repeatedly disobeyed God’s commands. [1]

• The Drift: Saul drifted from God through several acts of direct disobedience, including offering an unauthorized sacrifice and failing to follow divine instructions during battle.
• The Insanity: The Bible states that the “Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul,” and he was subsequently tormented by an “evil spirit”.
• The Symptoms: Saul experienced extreme paranoia—convinced that David was a threat to his throne—which led to violent outbursts, including multiple attempts to kill David with a javelin. Modern psychiatric analyses often suggest his behavior fits the profile of Bipolar I disorder or severe clinical depression with psychotic features.
• The Outcome: Unlike Nebuchadnezzar, Saul never fully repented or regained his mental and spiritual peace, ultimately leading to his tragic death in battle. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]

Modern psychiatric analyses often interpret these biblical accounts as early descriptions of severe mental health conditions, using the “medical file” of scripture to apply contemporary diagnostic criteria.

1. King Nebuchadnezzar: Boanthropy and Clinical Lycanthropy [1]

The transformation of Nebuchadnezzar into an animal-like state is frequently cited as a case of Boanthropy, a rare form of monomania or clinical zoanthropy where the sufferer believes they are a bovine (cow or ox). [1, 2]

• Clinical Lycanthropy: Modern psychiatrists often classify boanthropy under the broader umbrella of clinical lycanthropy—a rare subtype of schizophrenia or a psychotic manifestation of a mood disorder where an individual believes they are transforming into an animal.
• Alternative Medical Theories: Some researchers suggest the symptoms could also align with Porphyria, a group of metabolic disorders that can cause acute neurological symptoms, including hallucinations, anxiety, and paranoia. Others have proposed paralytic dementia caused by late-stage syphilis, which can lead to severe behavioral changes. [1, 2, 3, 4]

2. King Saul: Bipolar I and Combat Trauma [1]

Saul’s erratic behavior, shifting between deep affection for David and murderous rages, is often viewed through the lens of mood and personality disorders. [1]

• Bipolar I Disorder: Many psychiatric studies conclude that Bipolar I Disorder is the most likely diagnosis. Saul exhibited clear cycles: manic-like “hyperactive and aggressive” interpersonal reactions followed by periods of “morbid melancholy” and withdrawal.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Recent interpretations emphasize the “combat trauma” Saul would have experienced as a lifelong warrior-king. His paranoia and violent outbursts are analyzed as symptoms of chronic anxiety or PTSD, exacerbated by the extreme moral stress of ancient warfare.
• Neurological Theories: Some scholars speculate that Saul may have suffered from epileptic-like fits or even a brain tumor. The description of him falling down and lying naked for a day and night (1 Samuel 19:24) is sometimes interpreted as a “postictal state”—the recovery period following a major seizure. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]

3. The Theological vs. Medical Lens

Modern scholarship also notes a “two-way street” in how these stories are interpreted. [1]

• Ancient Context: In the ancient Near East, behaviors like Saul’s were sometimes diagnosed as ghost-induced illnesses or “evil winds,” often treated with musical therapy.
• Socio-Cultural Factors: Some argue that medicalizing these accounts removes the cultural and ethical nuances of the original text. For example, Saul’s “paranoia” toward David could be viewed as a rational response to a genuine political threat (a successor already anointed to take his throne) rather than a purely clinical delusion. [1, 2, 3, 4]

(Sadly and alarmingly, we are seeing these same afflictions and maladies in our soceity today – and they are a growing problem).

There is truly only way back from this abyss and that is by way of The One True and Living God. Turn to (or turn back to) Jesus and obediently put yourself under His care. Follow Him, obey Him, serve Him and live.

Your Brother and Friend in Christ Jesus,

Mike Young.

“God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind”

2 Timothy 1:7.

The Apostle Paul – vs – pastor John Hagee

“Women pastoring over men in the Church”

     VS 

1 Corinthians 14:33(b), As in all the churches of the saints, verse 34, the women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. Verse 35. If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church. Verse 36. Or was it from you that the word of God first went out? Or has it come to you only?

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1281694657193540

Pastor John Hagee excuses and dismisses these plain teachings in scriptures when they do not fit his religious-secular worldview. Let me say that it would appear that John Hagee is now teaching heresy. He understands scriptures, but has decided to go his own way. He has now shown himself to be an arrogant blasphemer and sadly looks the fool. But, sadly, most of Pentecostalism and The Assemblies of God have gone this way – choosing man’s ways over the clear teaching of God. (Hagee says the sanctuary was divided by a curtain was by CUSTOM and TRADTITION, is a lie. Women were segregated to maintain purity, safety and order).

Read 1 Corinthians 14:33-26 again: As in all the churches of the saints, verse 34, the women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. Verse 35. If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church. Verse 36. Or was it from you (John Hagee) that the word of God first went out? Or has it come to you only, (John Hagee)?

If Hagee denies and twists these particular scriptures for no good reason except to express and impose his own opinions, then how much more of God’s Word has he distorted?

This edict or teaching about women pastor and women being pastors over men actually begins with “subjection”, one to another in the Body of Christ and specifically about women wives being subject to their own husbands. (see Ephesians 5:21).

1. Part One – Here what and why the Bible says what it says about women pastoring over men:

Come, Let us Reason

“TIP OF THE SPEAR”

What does that phrase mean to you?

The “Urban Dictionary” puts it this way: “An American idiom commonly used in military operations to mean the first soldiers to go into a war zone. In common usage, it means the first to venture into a new endeavor. A trailblazer.”

The Bible uses a similar term to describe relationships between Christians in general and between husbands and wives in particular. The word is “Hupotasso“.

You will never find that word spelled, as such, in your Bible, though. It is the Greek word ‘hupotasso’ used for “Submit to” or “be subject to”.

The King James uses the word “submit” but, it reads this way in the New American Standard version of the Bible:

Ephesians 5:21, “and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.”

Verse 22. Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. Verse 23. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. Verse 24. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.

The word “Hupotasso” literally means:

1) to arrange under, to subordinate;

2) to subject, put in subjection

3) to subject one’s self, obey

4) to submit to one’s control

5) to yield to one’s admonition or advice

6) to obey, be subject.

HUPO – arrange under; TASSO – mutually agree upon

The intention of “submission or subjection” is found in the CONTEXT of the words in this chapter of Ephesians, which encourages us to be wise and moral, kind and pure, gentle and forgiving.

The context is also found in the meaning of the words in these verses.

Specifically, “Hupotasso” comes from a Greek military term meaning “to arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a leader”.

These troop formations were called a Phalanx. The Phalanx was the formation, usually in triangular form, in which The hoplite phalanx of the Archaic and Classical periods in Greece (c. 800–350 BC) was the formation in which the hoplites would line up in ranks in close order.

Hoplites were citizen-soldiers of Ancient Greek city-states who were primarily armed with spears and shields. Hoplite soldiers utilized the phalanx formation in order to be effective in war with fewer soldiers. The formation discouraged the soldiers from acting alone, for this would compromise the formation and minimize its strengths.

The hoplites would lock their shields together, and the first few ranks of soldiers would project their spears out over the first rank of shields.

Those at the front were, what we would call today, THE TIP OF THE SPEAR or the POINT MAN. They presented the first defense against the enemy and were the first to engage the enemy and the first to take casualties.

The phalanx therefore presented a shield wall and a mass of spear points to the enemy. Making frontal assaults against it very difficult.

It also allowed a higher proportion of the soldiers to be actively engaged in combat at a given time, rather than just those in the front rank.

This word, “Hupotasso”, in non-military use, is “a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden”.

The Bible gives this as an example for husbands and wives to cooperate and to successfully navigate life and in waging wars against ‘their common enemy’, Satan.

The wife is fully engaged in the marriage relationship, but, God says the husband is to be the Tip of the Spear in order to protect and preserve and, if necessary, the first to fall.

Interestingly, Ephesians 5:22, “be subject to your own” uses the word “idios” which means, uniquely one’s own, peculiar to the individual. It is “stronger than the simple possessive pronoun (‘own’). This emphatic adjective means ‘private, personal’ “.

God gives each husband a wife, designed by God, Himself, to fulfill a role specifically for that husband. God gives the wife gifts, talents, abilities and a calling uniquely designed to serve God and to compliment and to complete the husband.

This is why the Bible says “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.

“So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself”.

It is also why God says “Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord”.

Neither, the husband nor the wife, can be made complete as persons when finding refuge, protection and provision. But as a God given ability, you can mature and sustain one another, until you understand this Spiritual principal and follow it.

Marriage has mutual strength through commitment and cooperation with one another under God’s Steady Hand.

Please take this to heart, dear ones. This message is so important.

The world and the Devil are deceiving the family in to thinking ‘what works for you is OK”. It is NOT OK. God’s design, His plan and His Word is what gives life, and life more abundant. Stop following the world and REASON through God’s Word. Understand it and live!

So, how does this apply to women in the church, and specifically women as pastors in a church? In this instance, it is much simpler to explain from Scriptures and even easier to understand than the first half of this article. Allow me to lay the groundwork:

First, all Scripture is the Breathed-out Word of God, according to 2 Timothy 3:16-17. The Bible tells us that the Word of God is without any error, is dependable, revealing, powerful, piercing, and eternal. It is the lamp unto our feet and the light upon our path. John 14:14-18 tells us that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and that Jesus is the Word! Additionally, Jesus tells us that He came to tell the truth (John 18:37), and that He in fact is The Truth (John 14:6). So, it is safe and wise to believe and to do whatever the Bible says – especially the plain things!

Therefore, when the Bible says, “As in all the churches of the saints, the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.”

I have read the numerous opinions and commentaries on this matter of women being ordained as a pastor. Reading the pros and cons doesn’t take one long to determine what the varying authors believed before they wrote their opinion. One such opinion, found on Bible.Org, written by a Sandra Glahn, who holds a Master of Theology degree from Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS) and a PhD in The Humanities, Aesthetic Studies from the University of Texas at Dallas, tries to frame the Apostle Paul’s words in the context of spiritual gifts, specifically prophecy and speaking in tongues. I find her attempt clumsy and severely biased at best, and the use of eisegesis, a deliberate distortion of scriptures, at worst, connecting dots that don’t align, so to speak.

The context of Paul’s remarks are about orderly worship but come under the heading of submission to authority as a protective covering as described throughout the Bible

1 Corinithians 11:2-3, “Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.”

The rebellious and feeble attempts to change the meaning and the context of this matter and these verses, should cause the rebel to remember these words: “Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say…?

His Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. God sent His Son to seek and to save – to make safe, to make whole, to make healthy and sound, with a great purpose and direction in life! And to as many as received Him by faith, He has given them the right to be the children of God.

For your own sake and safety, don’t change even one letter or iota of His Word! Believe and Live!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

https://whitestone2020.com/2024/11/18/about-submission-and-women-pastors/

PART 2

1. Now for part 2 – Submission and Women as pastors – It isn’t what you think

(This is an addendum to the original article “About Submission and Women Pastors”)

I have recently been challenged by someone suggesting that “since the Bible cites women who prophesied in the Bible, and since prophecy can be defined as both ‘forth telling’ and as ‘foretelling’, and since ‘forth telling’ is the same as preaching, the women can be pastors.”

Wow! Wow, wow, wow. Okay. Since A equals B and B equals C and C equals D, there really is no A because it is really a D; or a B or a C?

Seriously, let’s begin by being reminded that Jesus fulfilled the old covenant and thereby has established the New Covenant in His Blood. For one (big) example, there is no longer any need for repeated animal sacrifices to atone for sin. Jesus, the Lamb of God, was and is the final sacrifice for atonement (made “at one”, reconciled) with God.

Next, the Apostle Paul explains that the law (the Torah, also known as the “Halakha” which translates as “the path that one walks”, also referred to as the “Mitzvot”, “Mishna” and the “Talmud”, was codified into what we call the Old Testament around 400 to 200 B.C.). Paul was clear when He said, “Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.”

This is important to remember when it comes to properly interpreting, reading and understanding Scriptures. We are to consider Scriptures in their original text and context, with the Old Testament as background and the New Testament as its fulfillment.

(Another example is found in Matthew 5: 21-26, “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not murder,’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be answerable to the court.’ But I (Jesus) say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be answerable to the court; and whoever says to his brother, ^‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be answerable to the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. Come to good terms with your accuser quickly, while you are with him on the way to court, so that your accuser will not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you will not be thrown into prison. Truly, I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up every last cent.”

The New Testament (the New Covenant) is built upon the Old Testament (the Law and the Old Covenants), and the New Covenant has fulfilled the Law. That Law is now written upon our hearts and minds (see Jeremiah 31:33 and Hebrews 10:16), and we have the Holy Spirit as our guide.

This should lead us to consider some misconceptions held by some who would co-mingle or syncretize the old and the new Covenants. Remembering that Jesus warned,“neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled, and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.”

Some say it is okay for a woman to hold the office of pastor and to preach in a general assembly of believers, over both men and women. They say the Old Testament says that women prophesied, and since prophesying is a form of preaching, they can be pastors. I am not certain how a person could or even would link those two thoughts, but let me be clear. Number one, the role of a prophet or prophesying has absolutely no direct tie or effect upon the role of a pastor. A pastor might prophesy, whether preaching or foretelling, and a prophet might preach, but the roles are distinctively separate.

FACTS:

1. Nowhere in the Old Testament do we find a woman as a pastor (although she may have been a teacher. Some say men in leadership was just a cultural norm, and that custom has changed in the modern world. That  allegation is never mentioned in scriptures. What is mentioned is that God (and His Word) are the same yesterday, today and forever.
2. As mentioned above, we live under the New Covenant.
3. The Apostle Paul and the New Testament teaches that The Spiritual Gifts of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers are offices but only the office / gift of pastor is restricted to men.

1. 1. Jesus and the Apostle Paul taught on differences between the role and office of prophet and gift of prophecy.
   2. The word Pastor is a term derived from a Greek word for “shepherd”, and is reserved for the male in the Bible – a role for men. Pastoral Gifts include integrity and compassion. A shepherd (i.e., a pastor), is the feeder, protector, and ruler of a flock of men. Figuratively, a pastor is someone who the Lord raises up to care for the total well-being of His flock (the people of the Lord).  (Strong’s Concordance). Pastor:   This term derives from a Greek word for “shepherd”.  Pastoral Gifts include integrity and compassion.

The term “poimén” primarily refers to a shepherd, one who tends, leads, and cares for a flock of sheep. In the New Testament, it is used both literally and metaphorically. Literally, it describes those who care for sheep, while metaphorically, it refers to leaders or pastors who guide and nurture a community of believers, akin to a shepherd with his flock.

The image of a shepherd was deeply embedded in the cultural and religious consciousness of the Israelites, often symbolizing leadership, provision, and protection. This imagery is prevalent throughout the Bible, where God is depicted as the ultimate Shepherd of His people, and leaders are often called to emulate this role.

(The tasks of a Near Eastern shepherd were to watch for enemies trying to attack the sheep to defend the sheep from attackers to heal the wounded and sick sheep to find and save lost or trapped sheep to love them, sharing their lives and so earning their trust.

​During World War II, a shepherd was a pilot who guided another pilot whose plane was partially disabled back to the base or carrier by flying alongside him to maintain visual contact.)

4. In the New Testament, the office of prophet is to equip the saints for the work of service through exhortation, edification, and consolation (1 Corinthians 12:28; 1 Corinthians 14:3 Ephesians 4:11).  The prophet’s corresponding gift is prophecy. Prophecy is “reporting something from God’s Word that God brings to your mind”. Prophecy is addressed to the human understanding “he who prophesies speaks to men,” Corinthians 14:1-25. The prophet “edifies the church” (14:4).

5. Preaching is a role of an Apostle, Apostle: The title apostle comes from the Greek word apostolos which means “a messenger, one sent forth with orders”.  It refers to one who has been delegated authority by another in a foreign land.  Apostles were the first leaders of the Church; they were commissioned by Jesus to initiate and direct the preaching of the gospel , andthey were all men. No woman has even been assigned as an Apostle in the Bible. And although the OFFICE of Apostle is closed, the gift of bringing the message of the Gospel is still active.

7. Preaching is a role of an Evangelist. Evangelist:   An evangelist is one who devotes himself to preaching the gospel. In the New Testament, evangelists preached from city to city, church to church.

8. Preaching is a role of a Teacher:  Someone who devotes his or her life to preaching and teaching the Christian faith. When teaching is provided for the Church by God, two gifts are actually given—to the Church is given a teacher and along with the teacher comes a divine capacity to teach.

9. Finally, the Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 14:33- 38, speaks to the matter of women speaking in Churches. “As in all the churches of the saints, verse 34, the women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. Verse 35. If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church. Verse 36. Or was it from you that the word of God first went out? Or has it come to you only?“

“Verse 37. If anyone thinks that he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment. Verse 38. But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.”

This is a matter of authority-covering, protection and authority over God’s Church. There are so many roles and only one is absolutely, by scriptural authority, reserved for men – that of the office of Pastor, his roles, duties and responsibilities.

If someone knowingly links or lumps these offices together, it is both a misrepresentation of scriptures and a claim that the Word of God in incomplete and is malleable, open to personal interpretation. (However, 2 Peter 1:20 clearly mandates, But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture becomes a matter of someone’s own interpretation.)

Next, this is also using the method of Eisegesis to make a personal interpretation of scriptures, an interpretation of a text, especially a biblical text, by reading one’s own ideas or biases into it, rather than drawing out its original meaning. This approach is often subjective and can distort the intended message of the text. And although eisegesis itself is not classified as a heresy, it can lead to heretical interpretations of Scripture by imposing personal biases rather than drawing out the text’s original meaning. This practice is often criticized in theological discussions for distorting the intended message of the Bible.

When a church or a pastor decides to do these things, he (and she?) are operating “in the flesh” and outside the boundaries of clearly defined Scriptural mandates. And there really is no need nor a good reason to add one’s opinion to scriptures to achieve a personal result or to suit a personal view – and besides, there would be consequences in the Body.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

https://whitestone2020.com/2025/10/28/submission-and-women-as-pastors-it-isnt-what-you-think-an-addendum/

“The serpent said to the woman, “You certainly will not die!” Yet they died – all of them and trillions more.

Scriptures, from the beginning, have said to wives, “Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.” Yet, like Eve and like Sarah, when things did not go their way quickly enough, the acted on their own impulses. And the curse and consequences of sin ensued. And we suffer those consequences to this day.

“And men, you are to love you wives as Christ loves the Church”.