Swear Not! (June 2004)

June 2004
Volume 13, Number 5

People swear or take oaths for many reasons, feeling a need to involve a higher power to guarantee their words. Jesus, however, says, "Do not swear at all"! Our word should be so honest it needs nothing to back it up. (Corbis)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh
The Beast and Babylon (Part Three):
Who Is the Woman?

After showing that today's Europe is far from "Beastly," John Ritenbaugh speculates on the identity of the Woman depicted in Revelation 12. Is she, as the church has dogmatically taught in the past, the church itself—or is she another prophetic entity that we can see active in the world today?

Ready Answer
Swear Not!
by John O. Reid

Most people do not do much oath-taking these days, except perhaps when called to serve or testify in a court of law. John Reid shows that the New Testament strictly forbids oaths of any kind, as our word should always be honest and trustworthy.

Prophecy Watch
The Four Horsemen (Part Three):
The Red Horse
by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, the red horse may be the most easily interpreted. Richard Ritenbaugh shows, however, that while war is predominantly contemplated, the rider of the red horse is also responsible for the escalating violence on the homefront.

Will You Marry Me? (Part One)
by Staff

As Christians, we sometimes fail to appreciate our calling: We have been invited to participate in the very Marriage Supper of Jesus Christ—and not just as a guest, but as the Bride! The Bible is full of marriage symbolism, suggesting just how important marriage is to God.

Searching for Israel (Part Three):
The Old Covenant
by Charles Whitaker

Charles Whitaker continues the search for criteria to determine where the people of Israel are today. The covenant God made with Israel at Mount Sinai provides important clues to their whereabouts.

WorldWatch
All In the Family
by Charles Whitaker

News, events, and trends from a prophetic perspective for June 2004: "All in the Family"

Bible Study
Parables of Luke 15 (Part Three)
by Martin G. Collins

Martin Collins concludes his series on the three illustrations that comprise one long parable in Luke 15. In this part, he explains what is known as the Parable of the Prodigal (or Lost) Son.