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The Appointed Time of the Resurrection
Sermonette byThe time of Christ's return appears to be soon in the light of recent events. Watch for the gathering of armies around the future capital of the world.
The Sixth Century Axial Period (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Prophets, even though they may bring new messages, stay consistent with existing Scripture and doctrine as they speak on behalf of God.
Prophecy and the Sixth-Century Axial Period
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughProphecy has many purposes, but it is never intended to open the future to mere curiosity. Its higher purpose is to give guidance to the heirs of salvation.
Prophets and Prophecy (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn the Baptist fulfilled the prophecy of the 'Elijah to come.' We must apply duality of prophecy carefully and cautiously rather than indiscriminately.
The Cancerous Calendar Controversy
Article by John W. RitenbaughWhich calendar should be used to set God's holy days? No subject, unless it is church government, has divided more people for as long a period of time.
Four Views of Christ (Part 5)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLuke's gospel portrays Christ as the son of man, the high priest of man, and the savior of man, having all the feelings, compassions, and aspirations of man.
The Purpose of the Church
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe function of the church is like a teacher's college, preparing the firstfruits and providing them with the needed education and character development.
Government (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOur attitude toward government must be one of submission. The church cannot perform its function without the cooperation of the carnal civil governments.
'Unless Those Days Were Shortened . . .'
'Prophecy Watch' by David C. GrabbeIn Luke's account of Christ's Olivet Prophecy, Jerusalem is surrounded by armies, signaling that its desolation is near, after which those in Judea must flee while the city experiences great distress and wrath upon its people. They fall by the edge of the sword and are led away captive into all nations, with Jerusalem trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. This detail supplies the geographical setting of Jerusalem and Judea, identifies the troublers as Gentiles, and links the period directly to Jacob's Trouble through warfare, captivity of Jacob's offspring, and the cessation of worship of the God of Abraham as part of the abomination of desolation. The same passage parallels Revelation 11:2, where Gentiles tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months. These events form the epicenter of the prophesied great tribulation, described as the days of vengeance that fulfill all things written by the prophets, during which the overwhelming peril arises from divine vengeance against covenant unfaithfulness rather than human technology. The times of the Gentiles thus mark the interval when non-Israelite peoples exercise dominion over Jerusalem, after which the period concludes amid the broader outpouring of wrath that threatens all flesh unless those days are shortened for the elect's sake.