Last month, we began a series on “the Boundaries of Our Reality” and explored some of the relevant discoveries of modern science and how they impact our Biblical perspectives. We discussed the Finite Universe, the Microcosm, the Nature of Time, and Hyperspaces.

1 and 2 Thessalonians are doctrinal epistles that deal primarily with eschatology. They were actually the first of Paul’s epistles, written from Corinth in about 52 or 53 A.D., and were written to deal with concerns of the Thessalonians.

This is the first of a series on “the Boundaries of Our Reality”: an exploration of some of the most relevant discoveries of modern science and how they impact our Biblical perspectives, as we continue on our adventure within this interval between the miracle of our origin and the mystery of our destiny.

As we celebrate the Fourth of July this year, let us take a good, honest look at our once-great country. My parents came to this country from a troubled Europe. My dad came from Poland/Austria at the turn of the century, my mother from Germany. They met over here, and I can remember them preparing to get their citizenship papers during my preschool years.

“Finishing Well” is the name of the game. Here was a rich, young ruler—a 1st century “yuppie” if you will—who, although getting off to a rather problematic beginning, finished well, indeed.

There are more Bible passages pronouncing judgment on the Edomites than on any other nation.1 But who are they? What relevance do they have for us today? As diligent students of the Word of God, it is essential for us to understand who they are and what eschatological implications they may have on our present geopolitical horizon.

John wrote five books in the New Testament: the Gospel, these three letters, and the Book of Revelation. These letters include a sermon and two personal letters, one of which may have been written to Mary, the mother of our Lord.

For many years we have been following the conventional view of Ezekiel 38 and 39, the ill-fated invasion attempt of Magog and its allies, notably Iran. With the growing tensions between Iran—as an ostensible nuclear power—and Israel, these passages are the subject of much current discussion and debate.

Each Easter season we celebrate the series of injustices that led to the conviction of the innocent and the acquittal of the guilty. There were six trials that fateful night: three Jewish trials— before Annas, before Caiaphas, and before the Sanhedrin; and three Roman trials—before Pilate, before Herod, and then again before Pilate.

In the Jewish Bible, Chronicles is counted as one book and is called in Hebrew, dibhere hayamim: “The words concerning the days.” (The Jewish Bible regards the Old Testament as 22 books.) The Septuagint labels it: Paraleipomena, “Supplements” (to 1 and 2 Kings).

The ancient Jewish wedding is a model of the Rapture. At the Rapture, living believers will be “caught up,” translated into the clouds, in a moment in time, to join the Lord in the air. One of several reasons we favor a “pretribulation” view of the Rapture is the model, or type, of the Jewish wedding.

Paul’s Epistle to the Colossians has several unique and compelling characteristics. It is regarded as including the most elevated view of Christ to be found in the Bible, and it also focuses on the most relevant insights and counsel for Believers in our present day.

In Part 2 of this series, we will continue to examine a 63-year-old military intelligence review from the War Department (now the Department of Defense) archives entitled “Islam: A Threat to World Stability.”

Our Lord repeatedly instructed us: “Be not deceived.” That is an imperative: a command, not simply a suggestion. But how? What are the tools to prevent our being deceived or misled?

From the War Department (now the Department of Defense) archives comes a 63-year-old military intelligence review, entitled “Islam: a Threat to World Stability,” that inadvertently provides incredible insight into the challenges faced by Christians in today’s world.

It is disturbing to discover how much we are all victims of our own presuppositions.

In many respects Ruth is the ultimate love story. It’s a love story because Ruth falls in love with Boaz—that’s the main plot line. But overlaying that is the ultimate love story, a love story written in blood on a wooden cross, erected in Judea two thousand years ago.

Hosea, a contemporary of Isaiah (for most of his ministry) and Amos (in his earlier years) was the “Jeremiah” of the Northern Kingdom. His main target was the Northern Kingdom, yet his message was for the people of God.

The New Testament books of Hebrews, James, 1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2, and 3 John, and Jude are known as the Hebrew Epistles because they were, in large measure, written to the Jews, and yet they have important lessons for all of us.

There is a figure of merit in optics regarding “resolving power.” If you look at a star with a cheap telescope, you will see a bright spot. If you look at that same star with very high-quality optics, you may discover that that ostensible spot is actually a double star.

On May 29th (the 6th of Sivan on the Hebrew calendar) the Jews will celebrate Hag HaShavuot, the Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost. This comes from Leviticus 23:16, which points to “the morrow after the seventh sabbath” after the Feast of First Fruits (thus, 50 days—in Greek, pentecost.)

Dame Isabel Piczek—a Hungarian trained particle physicist and internationally renowned monumental artist—has apparently uncovered hard, scientific evidence that Jesus Christ did, in fact, rise from the dead.

The Book of Ephesians is the first of Paul’s “prison epistles” and is considered by many scholars to be the most majestic of all the epistles. Ephesians teaches the doctrine of Ecclesiology.

For the past seven years, a German experiment just south of Hanover—the GEO600—has been searching for gravitational waves: ripples in space-time thrown off by super-dense astronomical objects such as neutron stars and black holes. GEO600 has not detected any gravitational waves so far, but it might have inadvertently made the most important discovery in physics for half a century.

In only a matter of months, tens of millions of Americans have seen their investments, retirements, life savings, home values, and employment decimated, or even evaporate completely before their eyes. Some are expecting that the worst is yet to come.

Recent fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas in the Gaza Strip has prompted much speculation about the future of the “peace process.” How will it affect U.S.-Israeli relations? Will it be a repeat of the disastrous month-long war with Hezbollah? Is it motivated by security concerns or political motives?

The financial debacle we’ve all been plunged into was brought about by two bubbles: the real estate bubble and the associated credit bubble. A choreography of fiscal lunacy is well summarized in a New York Times article by Michael Lewis and David Einhorn:

This month many of us may avail ourselves of the opportunity to celebrate our loved ones with a traditional remembrance. It is also an appropriate time to remind ourselves that you and I are the recipients of the ultimate “valentine.” It was written in blood on a wooden cross that was erected in Judea almost 2,000 years ago. And yet it was interlaced throughout the history of mankind with a scarlet thread of promises.

Ezekiel was one of the most fascinating and mystical prophets of the Old Testament. He was held captive with King Jehoiachin in the second of three deportations under Nebuchadnezzar, years before Jerusalem was overthrown. Daniel, who had been in Babylon years before Ezekiel arrived, is mentioned three times.

2008 has been one of the most gratifying years for the Koinonia Institute. It has continued to grow in depth as well as reach. Our diverse Membership of over 2,000 now spans over 30 countries: