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Cleansing the Temple and Economics
CGG Weekly by Charles WhitakerNear the start of His ministry, as recorded by the apostle John, Christ cleansed the Temple during the Passover season, when thousands of visitors crowded the precincts. The Jewish leaders, in collaboration with their Roman overlords, had transformed the Temple into a lucrative business, exploiting pilgrims with high-priced offerings and currency exchange for the Temple tax. With righteous indignation, Christ violently overturned tables and drove out people and animals, reacting to this corrupt, moneymaking establishment. This act of cleansing occurred twice during His ministry, highlighting the persistence of the economic system rooted in human greed and self-interest. Despite His actions, the system quickly resumed, demonstrating its resilience and adaptability to maintain the wealth and status of the elite. Even after His resurrection, the Temple system endured until its destruction by the Romans in AD 70. Only at His return will Christ finally uproot these entrenched economic, military, and educational systems of the world, establishing the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ. Yet, He recognizes that without changing the heart of mankind and the way people think, these systems will resurface, a task He will undertake in due time.
Are You Zealous? (Part Three)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughZeal is not just an emotion about God and godliness; it must work with understanding and motivation to take action. By itself, feeling is just not enough.
A Blessing in Winter?
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeHaggai's last two prophecies are given on, and revolve around, Kislev (or Chislev) 24. Historically, this date has been highly significant, and it will be again.
John (Part Five)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJohn and James were related, but still had to have the Messiah revealed to them. God is involved in the details of our lives as well as the great events in history.
Matthew (Part Twenty-Six)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughTrue greatness does not come from dominance but from serving with the attitude of a slave. Willingness to sacrifice self is the secret to success.
John (Part One)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJohn presents Jesus, not as a phantom emanation, but as the reality, transcending the shadows represented by the temporal physical life.
Christian Zeal
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughZeal has been discredited as the tool of the charlatan, but Christians must develop passion and zeal for the Christian way of life and the Kingdom of God.
A Day Without Work
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRefraining from work on the Day of Atonement symbolizes our inability to atone for our sins. We, humble and poor in spirit, depend upon God for everything.
The Book of Daniel (Part Eight)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsSeveral types of the abomination of desolation have occurred in history, including the desecration of the temple by Antiochus Epiphanes and the Roman legions.
Passover (Part Eight)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe temple Passover commanded by Hezekiah was a very unusual circumstance in which the king centralized worship to keep Baalism from defiling the Passover.
Chronic Difficulties
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughHuman tradition and Bible truth regarding the timing of Christ's crucifixion and resurrection do not square. Here is the overwhelming chronological evidence.