Although by no means a wild man, John the Baptist experienced alienation from people, especially the entrenched religious and political leaders.

False prophets promote the broad way, giving people what they want to hear. They replace God's truth with human tradition. They are identified by their fruit.

Persecution is a fact of life for a Christian. Jesus Christ says we are blessed if we are persecuted for righteousness' sake — here's why.

False prophets—including the great False Prophet of Revelation—claim to speak for God, yet reveal themselves in predictable ways. Here is what to look for.

Persecution is already here, part and parcel in the lives of followers of Christ. If we are persecuted for following God's instructions, we will be blessed.

Persecution and martyrdom are not popular topics among Christians, but they are facts. The fifth seal shows the cry of the martyrs and God's response.

Jesus uses the parable of the wicked vinedressers to proclaim God's plan to take His message to others, the church, who would accept it.

Prophets, even though they may bring new messages, stay consistent with existing Scripture and doctrine as they speak on behalf of God.

Jesus exposes the Jews' rejection of the gospel using the illustration of a king sending invitations to a wedding celebration.

On 9/11, the political and spiritual leadership of America absolved itself from any culpability, refusing to acknowledge our national collective sins.

A prophet is one who carries a message from another. A true prophet's message will derive from existing Scripture, even if he is breaking new, unexplored ground.

God is always working for salvation. He creates situations and events—from smitten consciences to large-scale calamities—to lead us to the right path.

Though God worked through Elijah in ways that are almost without comparison, God also left a record of a low point in the prophet's life as a lesson for us.

Though she transgressed every commandment in multiple ways, the sin through which Israel's unfaithfulness is most frequently demonstrated is gross idolatry.

We often spend so much time engaged in our present-day trials that we fail to understand and learn from the experiences of Christians of the past.

The current persecution of nominal Christians in the Middle East will crescendo until God's called-out ones will receive intense persecution as well.

Stephen points out that historically, God has dealt with His people without land or temple, but instead through deliverers, initially rejected by their own.

The Pharisees were missing a sense of proportion, avoiding sin, but not lightening the burdens of their flocks by applying justice, mercy, and faith.

Matthew 11 focuses upon the ruminations of John the Baptist, who, even though he was close to Christ, may have misunderstood the nature of Christ's mission.

Today, as in Solomon's time, we can become discouraged and weary about the corruption in government, especially the evil corruption of the courts.

The people suffering under the Babylonians had basked in the privilege of being God's chosen people while also trashing the terms of the Covenant.

Those who are meek are capable of anger but keep it under control. They are humble, open-minded, willing to listen, don't jump to conclusions, and aren't defensive.