the kingdom gospelA gracEmail subscriber asks: "Jesus came preaching that the kingdom (rule) of God was at hand, apparently in contrast to the power of Caesar and of Rome. How would you respond to the claim that Jesus preached a political message and call to living under God's rule rather than the traditional Christian message of avoiding hell in eternity by trusting Christ now?"
the kingdom of God (three gracEmails)A gracEmail subscriber from Hawaii asks what the Bible means when it speaks of the kingdom of God.
the antichristGracEmail subscribers from several states ask about the Antichrist or the Abomination of Desolation in biblical prophecy. Will there yet arise such a specific individual on the stage of world history? Need we fear such a one?
mark of the beast (two gracEmails)A gracEmail subscriber asks: "What is the mark of the beast mentioned in Revelation 13:16-18? Is it a RFID ('radio frequency identification') chip that will be implanted in the hand or forehead of those who follow the great adversary of Jesus Christ in the last days?"
millenniumA brother in England and a sister in America, from different parts of the universal Church, inquire about the meaning of "the millennium."
healing a premillennial breachDuring the 1930's and 1940's, a group of congregations were pushed out of the mainstream of the Churches of Christ because they believed that when Jesus returns, he will reign for 1,000 years on the earth. Most Churches of Christ interpret the "millennium" in Revelation 20 figuratively rather than literally. A gracEmail subscriber in Tennessee asks how this church division might now be set right.
Robert Shank (1918-2006)I have just learned of the passing of Robert Shank, 88, who died peacefully at his home in Mount Vernon, Missouri on October 16, 2006, ten days after suffering a debilitating stroke. His death concluded an earthly pilgrimage of humble conviction and quiet scholarship, bringing to an end more than 60 years of faithful ministry as a Christian pastor, preacher, author, lecturer and teacher.... Shank's progeny also included six books, three of which attracted considerable attention because they crossed the grain of his current denominational tradition.
Jews and salvation"Judaism has lost favor with God," someone writes. "To say that it is still a path to God makes a liar of Jesus and therefore of God."