From: December 17, 2014
Believers can trust the reliability of the Bible. Regardless of the opinions of its detractors, it continues to be supported by archeology and the facts of history. In this first verse from the prophet Nahum, we see reference to two places, “Nineveh” and “Elkosh.” Elkosh was the home of Nahum and was located in the Northern part of Israel close to today’s Lebanon border. Its name means “God, my bow.” Nineveh was the capital city of ancient Assyria. At the time of Nahum it may have been the largest city in the ancient world. Yet, God gave Nahum a vision that it would be totally destroyed and never rebuilt. Both predictions came true. Today, the ancient ruins of Nineveh, which lie near the city of Mosul in Iraq, have been the site of numerous archeological digs since the mid 1800s. Evidence of Assyrian kings named in the Bible have been uncovered. For instance, the palace of Sennacherib with its 71 rooms and colossal bas-reliefs was discovered in 1849. Over 22,000 cuneiform clay tablets were discovered in the ruins of an ancient library that revealed the wealth of kings like Esarhaddon and Ashurbanipal. These names and the wealth of Nineveh was recorded in the Bible, long before these discoveries were made. The Bible is the archeologist’s best friend when digging in the Middle East. Why? Because it is reliable. We can depend on God’s Word.
From: December 17, 2013
John saw Christ open the 7th and final seal and as the scroll unfolded, silence fell over heaven. Was this the silence of expectation, awaiting the reading of the scroll’s content? Or was the silence part of the message? Perhaps it was a kind of intermission between scenes? Or a time of prayerful meditation awaiting the final unfolding of God’s revelation? Regardless, there was silence… made more profound by its suddenness and length. Even John held his tongue and did not interrupt with questions. All was silent. Perhaps this is the silence that will precede the creation of the new heaven and the new earth. Just like the silence that preceded the original creation. And the silent night that fell before our Savior’s birth.
From: December 17, 2012
Nahum prophesied against Nineveh, the city that repented under Jonah’s preaching but soon returned to its idolatry. Located East of the Tigris and the modern city of Mosul, this capital city of Assyria fell, never to be rebuilt in 612 BC. In this the Lord’s attributes are illustrated. He is infinitely patient, giving second and third chances to repent. But He is also omnipotent and just, not only able, but willing to correct wrongs. Like Jonah, we wonder if God will ever act to address the injustice of this world. But don’t mistake His patience for inaction. He offers many warnings for repentance before dispensing justice.
From: December 17, 2011
What did John see? It sounds like a volcano doesn’t it? John used the word pictures he knew to describe what he saw. He prophesies a day when volcanoes erupt and meteors (see “Wormwood”) fall from the sky. This is not sci-fi. It’s the end times.