Forerunner: Preparing Christians for the Kingdom of God



The Awesome Cost of Love (January-February 2010)

January-February 2010
Volume 19, Number 1


Hundreds of sheep mill about, waiting to be examined by agricultural officials. Such a large flock, however, pales in number compared to the countless animals sacrificed down through the centuries to picture the ultimate Sacrifice, that of our Savior, Jesus Christ. This is only one of the heavy costs in lives that were given to help us understand and appreciate God's mercy and love for us, significant points to contemplate during the Passover season. (Reuters)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh
The Awesome Cost of Love

We assess costs and values all the time in our daily lives: Is it better to buy used or new? Should we prefer traditional or contemporary? Paper or plastic? John Ritenbaugh employs the same process to God's love for us in giving His Son as the sacrifice for sin. What costs have been paid for our redemption?

Ready Answer
Mercy:
The Better Option

by John O. Reid

In our interactions with others, it is easy to fall into the traps of judgmentalism, gossip, and unforgiveness. John Reid explores a better, more Christian option: mercy. It is time for us to overcome our natural, carnal reactions and implement patience and forbearance in our relationships.

Prophecy Watch
The Torment of the Godly (Part One)

by Charles Whitaker

God's prophets have a difficult job. They see the world around them through God's eyes, and they are tormented by the rising tide of sin and the coming destruction it will bring. Charles Whitaker focuses on a few of Ezekiel's visions to reveal what is really happening behind the scenes and how God's people should respond to it.

WorldWatch
An Islamist Vision

by David C. Grabbe

The Republic of Turkey finds itself in the midst of an identity crisis. Its citizens are overwhelmingly of the Islamic faith, but its government since the mid-1920s has been secular. David Grabbe exposes the Gulen Movement, a shadowy Islamic sect and political organization whose aim is to return Turkey to its Islamic roots.

Bible Study
The Miracles of Jesus Christ:
Two Demon-Possessed Men Healed (Part Three)

by Martin G. Collins

Jesus Christ performed many miracles, including exorcisms of demons like the evil spirits He cast out of the men near Gadara. Martin Collins explains the significant changes that occurred in the men once the demons were gone.