Why Study the Bible?

King Solomon wrote, “Of making many books there is no end” (Ecclesiastes 12:12). But of all the countless books that have been written, is there any that reliably answers the most fundamental and important questions of life? Why do we exist? What is our nature? Is there a God, and if so, what is God like? What does God expect of us? Can we know the true God? Does God love us? Is there a path that can put an end to violence, unnecessary suffering and sorrow? What happens when we die? Is there a way to eternal life, and if so, what is it?

Believe it or not, there is such a book, a book that has the answers to these questions, and other questions vital to the life of every human. That book is called the Bible. The Bible is unlike any other, and has no equal, because it is God’s revelation to mankind of knowledge that can be found in no other source.

Do you know what the Bible says? Have you read it? Have you studied the Bible diligently to learn what God wants you to know? Why study the Bible? In this article you will find answers to this question of vital importance to every human being.

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Peace Offering Symbolism

Although under the New Covenant animal sacrifices are no longer required, we can learn much from certain spiritual principles underlying the sacrifices offered under the Old Covenant Levitical system. Spiritual principles related to the peace offerings can be profitably applied to the worship of the true God now and into the future.

“Peace Offering Symbolism,” audio recording by Rod Reynolds, COGMessenger is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Sin Causes Division

We live in a world marked by dissension, division, strife, hatred, war and other
manifestations of violence and bloodshed. To a large extent, humans are cut off from God as well.

At the root of division, between God and mankind, and among human beings, is sin. If we can understand the root cause of division and strife, perhaps we can understand more clearly the path we should walk in, and eventually the way to peace with God and among human beings.

“Sin Causes Division,” audio recording by Rod Reynolds, COGMessenger is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Man’s Greatest Challenge

Perhaps the greatest challenge mankind has faced down through history is that of living together in godly love — with peace, harmony and good will. Failing that challenge has produced conflict, slaughter, mayhem, wars, death and misery on a massive and near universal scale down through history from the first man and woman to the present day.

God has provided in his Word the instructions for meeting that challenge. Those who desire to be in the Kingdom of God will have to learn how to apply the principles found in God’s Word that show us how to live in peace, as much as it’s up to us as individuals.

“Man’s Greatest Challenge,” audio recording by Rod Reynolds, COGMessenger is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How Will the World be Different When Christ Returns? (Part 1)

The world’s history has been one of oppression, warfare, famines, disease, and other evils that have plagued mankind. What the world needs is a new kind of government, a government not of Satan, nor of men, but of God, the benevolent Creator, and author of every blessing, including life itself (James 1:17-25; Acts 17:24-25). The time when that happens may not be far off, although no one on earth knows for certain the exact time when it will happen (Matthew 24:30-36).

How that future world will be different is the exciting and profoundly encouraging subject of a series of sermons, of which this is the first.

“How Will the World be Different When Christ Returns (Part 1),” by Rod Reynolds, COGMessenger is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.