Forerunner: Preparing Christians for the Kingdom of God



Baby Seven Billion? (September-October 2011)

September-October 2011
Volume 20, Number 5


According to demographers, the seven billionth human being was born somewhere on earth in the previous few months. Alarmed by what they consider to be frightening overpopulation, many progressive agencies like the United Nations are calling for stepped-up population-reduction plans. But is that really true? And, of course, they have once again left God out of their calculations. (iStockphoto)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh
Living By Faith and Human Pride

II Corinthians 5:7 is clear that God wants us to walk—live our lives—by faith, but our pride and vanity, mirroring the attitude of Satan the Devil, frequently get in the way. John Ritenbaugh delves into the depths of pride and its tragic results for the individual and for all mankind, most of all because it causes us to reject God and His Word.

Ready Answer
The Cursed Tree

by Dan Elmore

Jesus' cursing of the fig tree just days before His crucifixion has puzzled and even disturbed Bible readers for centuries, as it just does not seem to be something our Savior would do. However, Dan Elmore resolves this seeming contradiction by framing Christ's actions as a pointed object lesson that we would do well to take to heart.

Prophecy Watch
Finishing the Week

by David C. Grabbe

The Seventy Weeks Prophecy in Daniel 9:24-27 is best known for its prediction of the timing of the coming of the Messiah. David Grabbe explains how its detail about "confirm[ing] a covenant with many" points to Jesus and His making of the New Covenant with His elect—and hints at a future confirmation of the covenant to complete the seventieth week.

WorldWatch
Seven Billion and Counting

by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Over the last several decades, while the number of people on earth has been rising to its present seven-billion mark, population-control advocates have been demanding an immediate reduction in human population. Richard Ritenbaugh argues that birthrates have been falling for years all over the world, and in the not-too-distant future, many nations will be facing crises that can be directly linked to extremely low birthrates.

Bible Study
The Miracles of Jesus Christ:
Exorcising a Syro-Phoenician (Part Two)

by Martin G. Collins

During His earthly ministry, Jesus did not often teach or heal Gentiles, as His work concentrated on His own people, the Jews of Judea and Galilee. However, He made an exception for the Phoenician woman's daughter due to the boldness of the elder woman's faith. Martin Collins shows how Jesus tested her faith—a test she passed with flying colors.