Forerunner: Preparing Christians for the Kingdom of God



Heavenly Signs (December 2004)

December 2004
Volume 13, Number 10


"Stars" fall during a meteor shower over Jordan this past summer. Heavenly signs of far greater magnitude are predicted by the sixth seal of Revelation 6:12-17, announcing the beginning of the Day of the Lord. (Reuters)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh
The Beast and Babylon (Part Eight):
God, Israel, and the Bible

Though she transgressed every commandment in multiple ways, the spiritual sin through which Israel's unfaithfulness is most frequently demonstrated is gross idolatry. John Ritenbaugh explains that this and other identifying marks—even her persecution of the saints—prove that Israel is the Great Harlot of Revelation 17 and 18.

Ready Answer
The Rich Young Ruler and the Needle's Eye

by Mike Ford

In the rich young ruler, we see a very polite, respectful, and eager young man who leaves Christ and goes away sorrowful. Why? Mike Ford explores this encounter, pondering the lessons God wants us to learn from it.

Prophecy Watch
The Sixth Seal

by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Sometime in the not-too-distant future, the sixth seal foretells of the sun turning black and the moon turning red, stars falling, the sky rolling back, and a terrible earthquake moving mountains and islands. Richard Ritenbaugh examines this final judgment that announces the imminent Day of the Lord.

Cogitations on Christmas
by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Three brief essays, two by Richard Ritenbaugh and one by David Grabbe, contemplate the contradictions in Christmas, the modern debate over Christmas in an increasingly secular society, and the Christmas season as a time true Christians can make a godly witness.

Searching for Israel (Part Eight):
The Scattering of Ten-Tribed Israel

by Charles Whitaker

What happened to the Israelites after their captivity by Assyria? Charles Whitaker provides biblical evidence to show where they were driven and from where they will return. Includes the sidebar, "Deferred Promises are Not Forgotten Ones."

WorldWatch
Procreative Madness:
The Price Our Offspring Pay for Lawlessness

by Charles Whitaker

New technologies may potentially change the very definition of motherhood, as a typically American form of "consumer-driven . . . eugenics" develops. Building "designer babies" could become big business. Yet, warns Charles Whitaker, bioethicists offer little guidance as to what is right and wrong in the process.

Bible Study
Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

by Martin G. Collins

The two men who go to the Temple to pray contrast in character, belief, and self-examination. Martin Collins shows that, although this parable involves prayer, it is not as much about how to pray as it is about how to be justified before God.