This phrase has roots in the Old Testament. The book of Daniel alludes to “the abomination that makes desolate” (cf. 9:27, 11:31, 12:11). 

It is generally believed that 11:31 is a reference to the...

The doctrine of the virgin birth of Jesus is one of the lines of evidence establishing the Lord’s identity as the Son of God. 

The angel Gabriel said to Mary, a “virgin” (Lk. 1:27): "The holy thin...

The word “kingdom” (basileia) is a noun that generally refers to a territory over which a king rules. Three senses are prominent in the theology of the N.T. 
• Jesus uses the term to denote the rei...

The name of the second book of the Old Testament means “departure” or “going out.” It contains Moses’ record of Israel’s departure from Egyptian bondage and the nation’s separation unto God as a ho...

The Greek word oikonomia is rendered “dispensation” several times in the New Testament (see 1 Cor. 9:17; Eph. 1:10; 3:2, 9; Col. 1:25). Sometimes the word suggests the idea of managing a household ...

Three different Greek words are rendered “hell” in the King James translation of the Bible. (a) Hades is found ten times in the Greek N.T.; nine times it is rendered “hell,” once “grave” in the KJV...

The New Testament was originally written in Koine Greek. Koine is to be distinguished from Attic Greek, the latter being predominantly the language of the ancient classics (e.g., Aristotle, Herodot...

This book surveys some 424 years, from the beginning of Solomon’s reign to the edict from the Persian king, Cyrus, to free the Jews. 

Cyrus commissioned the Jews to return from the Babylonian capt...

The book of Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Pentateuch. The title signifies “second law.” 

Moses penned this document near the end of the era of wilderness wandering. Its design is to rehears...

The opening book of the Bible is a document of “beginnings.” It consists of 50 chapters in our modern translations. 

Written by Moses some 1,500 years before Christ, it introduces the beginning of...

In the Old Testament, this term denoted the firstborn offspring of humans or animals. The firstborn was accorded a place of special prominence (cf. Gen. 48:13-18; Dt. 21:15-17; 2 Chron. 21:3). 

Th...

Certain religionists, especially those who subscribe to the dogma of DISPENSATIONALISM (see), maintain that the “signs” of Matthew 24:1-34 indicate that the return of Christ is very near; they cons...

The Greek term palingenesia consists of two components. Palin means “again, back,” and genesis, denotes “to become, come about, birth.” The word thus signifies a rebirth or a renewal. The actual wo...

Near the end of that historical period known as the Babylonian captivity, the prophet Daniel received a marvelous revelation that involved the unveiling of future events relative to the coming of C...

The creation was the act of an omnipotent God, speaking into existence, from no previous materials, the entire Universe and everything within it. This concept is unique to Judeo-Christian theology....

This word signifies “change in substance,” and it reflects the Roman Catholic doctrine that in the communion service, when the priest pronounces the words, “this is my body” and “this is my blood,”...

Logos is the term used in the Gospel of John to describe the preincarnate Christ. “In the beginning was the Word [logos] and the Word [logos] became flesh” (Jn. 1:1, 14). Though the term logos was...

Apocalyptic language is a highly symbolic form of expression. Vivid figures of speech convey the ideas. When the figures are interpreted, the meaning of the message is uncovered. The word derives f...

The Septuagint is a Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament. It dates from the third century before Christ. The “Letter of Aristeas” (cir. 100 B.C.) suggests that this version was translated ...

Zechariah was a companion prophet with Haggai. The latter sternly admonished the Hebrews to rid themselves of self-interest and to complete the work on the temple during the post-Babylonian captivi...