Category: Discussions

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Discussions Torah

Taming the tide of violence: The Flood as a call to return to the Righteous One (Genesis 8:1–14)

Adobe Stock image shows artwork of a dove holding an olive branch in its beak with Noah's ark in the background floating on a rather calm ocean. Writing says, "Taming the tide of violence: The Flood as a call to return to the Righteous One. Genesis 8:1-14."

The Flood narrative in Genesis 8:1–14 reveals profound insights into God’s plan for restoring creation. This study explores the historical context, Hebrew language and Messianic connections in a passage that highlights the ongoing battle against evil and the promise of ultimate triumph.

Through a special form of the Hebrew verb for “remember” in Genesis 8:1 and an important shift in the global calendar from the time of the Flood to the Exodus, we gain deeper understanding of what God is doing across time and the role of God’s people in preserving the heritage of the Creator. This rich biblical account inspires hope in the Messiah’s victory and the restoration of all things.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Torah

Was Noah really righteous?: Lessons from the Flood for today (Genesis 6–7)

"Was Noah really righteous?: Lessons from the Flood for today (Genesis 6-7)." Adobe Stock image of the ark under construction, showing workers around it.

Genesis 6–7 highlights Noah’s righteousness and blamelessness in a corrupt world. Unlike his generation, Noah “walked with God,” demonstrating faith and obedience. His righteousness was not situational but consistent, rooted in his willingness to listen to God’s correction and fulfill His commands. This trust and humility set Noah apart, making him a vessel of God’s mercy and a model of faithfulness. This was a shadow of the coming Agent of Heaven’s mercy: Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus).

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Prophets and Writings Torah

From sacred to sacrilege: ‘Sons of God,’ ‘daughters of men’ and erosion of God’s words in human traditions (Genesis 5–6; Isaiah 29–30; Matthew 23)

"From sacred to sacrilege Sons of God, 'daughters of men" & erosion of God's words In juman traditions (Genesis 5-6; Isaiah 29-30; Matthew 23)." Adobe Firefly generated palette-knife-style image showing two long-haired bearded men opposing each other, with one on the left with a warmer color tone and the one of the right showing cooler tones.

Unraveling the sacred numbers and differing genealogies in Genesis 5–6, Isaiah 29–30, and Matthew 23 reveals a timeless struggle between flesh and the Spirit. Just as the Messiah exposed the hypocrisy of religious leaders, we too are called to move beyond outward piety and cultivate a genuine relationship with God, aligning our actions with His teachings. This study challenges us to be true “sons of God” (Romans 8:14), walking in the Spirit and resisting the temptations that have ensnared humanity since the “days of Noah” (Isaiah 54:9; Matthew 24:37; Luke 17:26; 1Peter 3:20).

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Torah

Is religion ‘opium’ or empowerment? How Cain and Abel reveal a good God amid a world of suffering (Genesis 4; Romans 3)

"'Opium' or empowerment? How Cain and Abel reveal a good God amid a world of suffering (Genesis 4; Romans 3)."

This study of Genesis 4 focuses on the offerings of Cain and Abel, tracing the narrative of atonement and the messianic hope (Gen. 3:15, 4:1) throughout the Bible. Confronting the problem of evil, we find that suffering refines our character and deepens trust in a good God (Rom. 8:18-22, 2Cor. 4:13-18). Though some deride religion as opium (Karl Marx), we are empowered to maintain an eternal perspective, embracing the transformative power of the Suffering Servant Who crushes the serpent’s head (Isaiah 53; Romans 3). As watchmen, we navigate media narratives, discerning truth and standing firm in wisdom (James 1).

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Discussions

Discernment in a distorted world: Heaven’s guide for telling good from bad (Genesis 2–3; Ezekiel 28; Romans 5)

"Discernment an a Distorted World: Heaven's Guide for Telling Good From Bad (Genesis 2-3; Ezekiel 28; Romans 5)." Adobe Firefly AI layered-paper-style warm earth-tone image showing an open book as the ground out of which a garden is growing, hinting at the Torah as the foundation for truth and revelation of reality.

This study on Genesis 2-3, Ezekiel 28, and Romans 5 unpacks the significance of the Garden of Eden, the Trees of Life and Knowledge of Good and Bad, and how these ancient stories connect to the Messiah’s work of restoring the relationship between God and humanity. And it explores how using godly principles for selecting leadership helps avoid the toxic legacy of corruption for families, congregations and society.

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Discussions Torah

The Messianic fingerprint: Decoding the 7 days of creation

"The Messianic fingerprint: Decoding the 7 days of Creation." Adobe Stock image of two hands holding a globe.

The Hebrew text of Genesis 1:1–2:3 can be read with symbolic significance in each of the seven days of creation. For example, the first Hebrew word of the first sentence (Gen. 1:1) could be a prophecy about the Messiah, based on symbols of the letters. Each day of creation has been seen as paralleling 1,000-year “millennial days” of Earth’s history. And that can point to the Messiah’s return and the establishment of the millennial Sabbath in the seventh 1,000 years, like the Sabbath instituted on the seventh day of creation.

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Apostolic Writings Appointments With God Discussions The Eighth Day

Dwelling with God: Hold firm to your faith

"Lessons from the feasts: Dwelling with God: Hold firm to your faith." Adobe Firefly AI layered-paper-style image showing a city with chaos around it, hinting at the New Jerusalem at the time when forces of the Adversary surround it.

Dwelling with God in the New Jerusalem on the Day of the LORD demands unshakable faith, not just temporary obedience. This study explores one of the lessons from the biblical festival of Shemini Atzeret, the Convocation of the Eighth Day after the start of Sukkot, the feast of Tabernacles. The Messiah’s supreme authority (Hebrews 3-4) grants forgiveness to the repentant, while the unbelieving remain excluded (Revelation 21). Eternal life in God’s presence requires a lifetime of trusting His unseen purposes, not just outward compliance.

The choice is ours — to believe and enter His rest, or harden our hearts like those of our spiritual ancestors in Israel who refused to enter God’s “rest, the Promised Land (Psalm 95; Hebrews 3-4).