Forerunner

Year


Why Worship God?
Why Worship God? (March 13, 2024)
Worship is ingrained into human beings; it is almost as if we must worship something. So, why should we worship the God of the Bible rather than some other person or thing? What benefits does worship of the true God of Creation bring to those who worship Him? John Ritenbaugh provides three fundamental reasons why worship of the God of heaven and earth is necessary and beneficial to those who seek Him.

The Days of Our Lives
The Days of Our Lives (March 6, 2024)
Over the past several decades, people have been living longer lives. It appears, however, that longer lifespans correlate with more incidences of diminished mental capacity issues like dementia. This year, the American electorate will be choosing between two elderly candidates, one of whom already shows signs of mental lapses. Richard Ritenbaugh shows that God warns against old, foolish leaders who refuse to take counsel.

The Seven Churches (Part Six): Thyatira
The Seven Churches (Part Six): Thyatira (February 28, 2024)
Thyatira, the middle of the seven churches of Asia to whom Jesus Christ writes a letter, receives both praise and rebuke from our Savior. On the positive side, He commends them for significant works, love, service, faith, and patience. However, He also points out their sins: particularly sexual immorality and its spiritual counterpart, idolatry. Richard Ritenbaugh examines this detailed epistle to a church that seems half-in, half-out of the world.

The Prophesied Creation of Light
The Prophesied Creation of Light (February 21, 2024)
Most Bible students consider God's Words to the Serpent in Genesis 3:15 to be Scripture's first prophecy, but the apostle Paul found one far earlier - in Genesis 1:3! "Let there be light," he asserts, looks forward to the creation of spiritual light in God's future children. Charles Whitaker dissects this idea, concluding that God's creation of light is ongoing in His elect, with the goal of their becoming light as He is light.

Be My Valentine?
Be My Valentine? (February 14, 2024)
February 14, Valentine's Day, may seem harmless enough — a day to celebrate romantic love — until the holiday's origins come to light. Not only is it a glorification of sex, but it also has its source in pagan fertility rites and the worship of the gods of many ancient nations. Mike Ford peels back the curtain that has shrouded the origins of this pagan holiday.

Unsheathe Your Sword! (Part One)
Unsheathe Your Sword! (Part One) (February 7, 2024)
The New Testament describes Christians as soldiers at war against the adversary, Satan, the surrounding culture, and their carnal natures. The last battleground, human nature, is the primary one, on which we fight daily to overcome ingrained, sinful habits. The weapon of our warfare is the Word of God, "the sword of the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:17). Pat Higgins shows how we can deploy our sword in the many battles we face during our converted lives.

Little Things Count!
Little Things Count! (January 25, 2024)
When we look at ourselves against the backdrop of humanity, we can feel that we do not matter. We are just a number among billions. Yet, no one and no act is truly insignificant because of two natural principles: the natural tendency is to increase, and we reap what we sow. John Ritenbaugh shows that, concerning sin and righteousness, these principles play major roles in our personal lives and in the Body of Christ.

Death by Debt
Death by Debt (January 17, 2024)
Not long ago, America's economy stood as the envy of the world, and the nation spread its wealth all around the globe. It still leads the world in economic strength, but huge cracks of debt - now over $34 trillion - undermine its foundation. And government spending shows no sign of slowing anytime soon. Joseph Baity suggests that, though the United States has so far avoided economic catastrophe, the outlook is grim indeed.

The Seven Churches (Part Five): Pergamos
The Seven Churches (Part Five): Pergamos (January 10, 2024)
The church members in Pergamos stood under Christ's judgment. While He commends them for holding fast to His name and not denying the faith, He finds fault with them for a few things: Some of them held to the doctrine of Balaam, and others followed the teachings of the Nicolaitans, both of which He hates. Richard Ritenbaugh examines the third letter to the seven churches, showing that we must also heed Christ's warning in it.

1335 (Part Two)
1335 (Part Two) (January 4, 2024)
What prophetic principle should we be most concerned about? Is it knowing the timing of the fulfillment of certain prophecies? Is it putting prophetic events in the right order? The apostle Paul, writing to his protege, Timothy, suggests something far different: that we love Christ's appearing. Charles Whitaker takes a unique, spiritual perspective on the enigmatic 1,335 days mentioned in Daniel 12:12.