Watch What? (September-October 2014)

September-October 2014
Volume 23, Number 5

One of the consistent commands of our Savior Jesus Christ is for His disciples to watch. The word "watch" prompts images of a sentry assigned to guard duty as a first line of defense against attack by the enemy. But what are Christians to watch for? Are we looking for heresy? Signs of the times? Demonic activity? The return of Christ? Or are we to watch for something closer to home?  (iStockphoto)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh
Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part Nine):
Wisdom as a Defense

Ecclesiastes is a book of wisdom. The kind of wisdom that it teaches, however, is not of the purely philosophical variety, but is a spiritual sagacity combined with practical skill in living. John Ritenbaugh explains that this kind of godly wisdom, if applied, will protect a Christian as he experiences the trials and tribulations of life in this world.

Ready Answer
What Is the Holy Spirit?
by David C. Grabbe

Every Christian understands what the Holy Spirit is, right? Wrong! Even long-time theologians admit in their commentaries that, in the end, the Spirit is an incomprehensible mystery to them. David Grabbe lays out some of the reasons for their confusion, showing that, if they would only believe the Bible, they could learn the truth about God's Spirit.

Prophecy Watch
Watch What?
by Pat Higgins

As He was finishing His Olivet Prophecy, Jesus charged His disciples, "And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!" (Mark 13:37). It is an intriguing command because He does not specify in so many words what we are to watch. Pat Higgins argues that the evidence points to the fact that watching has everything to do with spiritual preparation.

WorldWatch
Ginning Up Racial Strife
by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

As summer ended, the tragic events in Ferguson, Missouri, transfixed the nation. The officer-involved shooting of a young black man touched off demonstrations and rioting, not just in the St. Louis area, but all across the nation. Richard Ritenbaugh proposes that racial animosities are being stoked for political reasons.

Bible Study
What Is an Abomination?
by Martin G. Collins

"Abomination" is a word that is quickly becoming archaic in modern usage because so few things are considered abominable anymore. Martin Collins provides both secular and religious meanings for the term, as well as a survey of biblical Hebrew and Greek words that convey a similar idea.