THE PARABLE of the Sheep and Goats in Matthew 25:31-46 is, I think, one of the most misunderstood passages in the Bible. Like other people, I spent years misunderstanding it and worrying about what it meant. But once you find the key, it makes perfect sense.
Bible Meditations
Why Are There Fifteen Psalms of Ascents?
WHY ARE THERE FIFTEEN PSALMS OF ASCENTS?
There are fifteen Psalms of Ascents. And there are several very good reasons why there are fifteen of them. Here’s fifteen fun facts about the Psalms of Ascents.
The Lord’s Prayer in Aramaic
THE LORD’S PRAYER IN ARAMAIC
JESUS originally taught the Lord’s prayer in Aramaic. But how did that sound? Can we learn to say it in Aramaic too? Or sing it according to its melody sung in the churches of the east? You can read all about it here…
Whose Son is Messiah ben Joseph?
Whose son is Messiah ben Joseph? If you’ve read my earlier posts, you’ll know that Messiah ben Joseph is the slain messiah of the rabbis. But where does he come from? Or, to put it another way, whose son is Messiah ben Joseph?
Where is the Ark of the Covenant? (No, Really!)
Some people will tell you that the Ark of the Covenant is lost and gone for ever. And, to be sure, over the last two thousand years, many have sought it in vain. Some even claim that it will never be found. Yet it is not so much lost as well hidden. And the place where it lies is not beyond our power to deduce. Want to know more? It’s all here. (But don’t imagine you’ll be able to turn up and see it any time soon.)
What Happened to the Ark of the Covenant?
We’ve answered the question, “What was the ark of the covenant?” The next question we must ask is “What happened to the ark of the covenant?” Specifically, what happened to it from the time it was made until the time it disappeared.
What was the Ark of the Covenant?
What was the ark of the covenant? You’ve heard of it. You’ve read of it. Maybe you even saw it in Raiders of the Lost Ark. But what was it really? What did it look like? And why was it so important?
What Is The Ineffable Name of God?
In the Bible, the Ineffable Name of God is spelled with the letters YHVH. But in biblical times, Hebrew had no written vowels. So how was the name actually spoken? Some folk think it was pronounced Yahweh (or Yahveh). But the evidence for this is so small that it doesn’t hold up at all. In fact, the evidence suggests they pronounced it Yehovah or Y’hovah, with the accent on the final syllable. Don’t believe me? Follow it with me here.
Messiah ben Joseph: A Sacrifice of Atonement for Israel
Does Messiah ben Joseph die as a sacrifice of atonement? Scholars say no. But I believe that is a misconception which we should challenge.
I have recently addressed common misunderstandings about Messiah ben Ephraim ben Joseph, the eschatological Ephraimite king who is slain before the coming of Messiah ben David.[1] In particular, I have proposed, contrary to current opinion, that his essential characteristics derive from Deut. 33:17 and so predate the turn of the era.[2]
I would now like to challenge another popular misconception: that is, the widespread claim that Messiah ben Joseph’s death has no atoning power.