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This study considers the concept of “overcoming” in the revelation to the church at Ephesus (Rev 2:1-7).  A common Christian understanding perceives overcoming is a requirement to be saved.  However, this study suggests a different conclusion based on a strong relationship between overcoming in the Hebrew Scriptures and the passage in Revelation.  Only some of God’s children will overcome, which seems to point not to salvation but to a special role in God’s plan of redemption.

The conventional understanding of “fish” in John 21:1-14 views the symbol as representing the redemptive salvation of the Christian Church, a conclusion that is often based on a tendency to interpret the NT from the NT. However, the methodology of this study identifies particular passages, first in Genesis 1-4, which is the first mention of the symbol, then in the Torah, and finally in the prophets and writings. The study finds that “fish” is an allusion to the House of Israel, which has been hidden in the nations and protected by God, and will be fished out of the sea and brought back to her land in the future Messianic Kingdom.  The paper does not address the relationship of the Church to the symbolism of “fish”. 

This article proposes that the nature of the inheritance by the children of Israel is more than a distinction between eternal life and eternal death. We conclude that all the children of Israel were born to the birthright to which a firstborn son was entitled. The Hebrew narrative discloses that the birthright required a commitment to serve and obey God, apparently for a future prophetic service of leadership. The Hebrew text portrays individuals losing the inheritance of the birthright, suggesting that individual children of Israel could lose the inheritance of the firstborn son. When this loss occurred, the birthright would then pass on to another son who was worthy. Yet all the sons received an inheritance, although not all received the inheritance of the birthright.

It is common knowledge among Christians that the temple curtain was torn at the time Jesus died on the cross. What is not commonly known is that there were two curtains or veils in the temple. So which of the two was torn and what does this act signify? A search of Scripture explains that it was the first or outer curtain. But in order to fully appreciate the imagery of splitting this outer veil of the temple, as it applies to believers in Jesus today, we must first understand the tabernacle, which was a pattern for the temple at the time of Jesus. We will find that the death and resurrection of Jesus has allowed believers in Him to draw closer to God than had previously been possible.

When Yeshua said, "On this rock I will build my church," to what was he referring? The study concludes that Yeshua was referring to the Torah and to the many images that refer to God's plan of redemption. By the use of the word “rock”, God is showing His strength and permanence to be able to sustain and protect His people in every circumstance and from every enemy; nothing will be able to overcome Him.  So we are to stand, by faith, on that Rock. And with the Rock as our foundation we will be able to withstand every test and trial that comes our way, because He is our Rock and our Salvation.

God's people are often led astray in dangerous ways by false prophets. How can His sheep differentiate between true and false prophets?  This study searches the Scriptures for characteristics of both false prophets and true prophets. It also finds a powerful allusion of Balaam in the Hebrew Scriptures and the account of Elymus and Paul in the Book of Acts.