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The Heifer and The Messiah

Yesterday, I was studying Numbers 19. In that chapter, God spoke about the cleansing of Israelites who touched dead bodies or in an enclosed room with corpse. In order to cleanse them, they need to put the ashes of a red heifer into the water, and sprinkle on the unclean person. What amazes me in this chapter foreshadows what Christ had done for us. Here is the list of similarities:  1. The heifer was sacrificed outside the camp (v3). Jesus was crucified outside the city (Heb 13:12) 2. The heifer must be perfect, without a single blemish (v2). Jesus is without sin, a perfect sacrifice (1 Pet 1:19) 3. Heifer’s blood sprinkled in the sanctuary; Jesus blood cleanses us from sin (Heb 9:13-14) 4. Heifer’s ashes mixed with water for purification; Water represents the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, who sanctifies us. (Isa 44:3; Rom 8:9-11) 5. Heifer purifies from corpse (physical death) defilement (v11-13); Jesus cleanses us from sin and death. (Rom 6:23; 2Tim 1:10) 6. The “clean...
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The Mercy Seat

The Ark of the Covenant has a covering called "the mercy seat." It is a lid that has 2 cherubim facing each other on top of it. In Exodus 25:22 , God said “ There I will meet with you , and from above the mercy seat , from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the testimony, I will speak with you about all that I will give you in commandment for the people of Israel.” In 1 Sam 6:19 , seventy Bethshemesh people (most likely Levites) died, as they looked into the Ark Covenant. "And he smote the men of Bethshemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the LORD" (KJV). Why did God smite the men? It's because they open the seat of mercy and looked inside the ark, where the tablets of the ten commandments are.  God told them that he will meet them on top of the mercy seat; but instead, they remove the mercy seat and looked inside, and they were judged and died according to the law.   If God had said we meet at the law tablets, then all of us would have d...
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Names Of God In The Hebrew Scripture

Introduction There are many different names in both the Old and New Testament rendered to God. Recognizing these distinctions helps us read Scripture with greater sensitivity to its rhetorical and theological layers. For example, when Hosea says “they have forgotten their Maker” (Hos 8:14), the emphasis is on Elohim as Creator, contrasting with their rejection of YHWH as covenant Lord. Each name is not just a label but a theological statement: Elohim → power and majesty. YHWH → covenant faithfulness. Adonai → authority. Father/Abba → intimacy and relationship. Immanuel → presence with His people. Common Names and Titles in Hebrew Scripture Elohim – “God” (Gen 1:1). Emphasizes His power as Creator and supreme deity. YHWH – "LORD". God's personal c ovenant name revealed to Moses (Exod 3:14). “I AM WHO I AM”.  Stresses His eternal, self-existent nature.  Used to stress God’s personal relationship with Israel. YHWH Elohim  -  " LORD God" - Combines ...
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Covenants In Reformed Theology and Dispensational Theology

  Introduction There are two views of the types or numbers of Covenants between God and man. Reformed (Covenant Theology) sees Scripture structured around three overarching covenants (Redemption, Works, Grace), emphasizing God’s unified plan of salvation. Dispensational Theology sees multiple biblical covenants tied to distinct dispensations (periods of God’s administration), such as Edenic, Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, and New Covenants, often distinguishing between Israel and the Church.  The difference between the Reformed (Covenant Theology) and Dispensational Theology 1. Core Idea: One unified redemptive plan vs Multiple distinct administration 2. Key Questions: How does God save? vs How does God govern history?  3. Israel & Church: One people of God (continuity) vs Distinct Peoples (discontinuity)  4. Eternal Focus: Very Explicit vs. Implicit but less systematized.  Reformed (Covenant Theology) Definition: Reformed theology interprets ...
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Arks Of The Covenant

The ark of the covenant in the Old Testament symbolizes God's presence and his dwelling with His people. In Exodus 25:22, God says, “I will meet with you there above the mercy seat.”  It contained the Tablets of the Law (Ten Commandments), a pot of manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded.   The Ark was placed in the Holy of Holies within the Tabernacle and later the Temple. Only the high priest could approach it, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement. The golden cover of the Ark, called the mercy seat , was where the blood of sacrifices was sprinkled, symbolizing atonement and God’s forgiveness. The Ark often went before Israel in battle or travel, signifying God’s leadership and protection. The Ark was lost after the destruction of Solomon's temple by the Babylonians in 587/586 BCE. Some say that the Ark was looted and carried to Babylon with other temple treasures. Others say that Jeremiah hid the Ark in a cave before the destruction. (2 Maccabees 2:4–8) ....
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Chronology of Jesus' Trial, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension

  Was there enough time for Jesus to be captured, brought to Sanhedrin for trial, then brought to Pilate for trial, then brought to Herod, bring Him back to Pilate, then carrying his cross to Calvary, and to be nailed at 9am? Yes, remarkably, the sequence of events from Jesus’ arrest to His crucifixion at 9 a.m. (the third hour, Mark 15:25 ) fits within the early morning hours—though it was a compressed and intense timeline. Here’s how it likely unfolded: 1. Early Morning (around 4:30–5:00 a.m.) Jesus is brought before the Sanhedrin at dawn ( Luke 22:66 ). They quickly condemn Him and send Him to Pilate ( Luke 23:1 ). 2. First Appearance Before Pilate (around 5:00–5:30 a.m.) Pilate questions Jesus but finds no fault. On learning Jesus is a Galilean, he sends Him to Herod ( Luke 23:6–7 ). 3. Before Herod Antipas (around 5:30–6:00 a.m.) Herod mocks Jesus but doesn’t pass judgment. Jesus is sent back to Pilate ( Luke 23:11 ). 4. Second Appearance Before Pilate (around 6:00–6:30 a.m.) ...
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The Divine Exchange

There were two women who went to Jesus tomb to look at the tomb. They don't know if they can roll away the stone or will the guards allow them to go close. Seismic Shifts  1. Fear to Peace (Matthew 28:5-9). The peace will be the presence of God. The presence of Jesus in the storm. 2. Disciples to Brothers (Matt 28:7,10) One can be many years in church but still behave like an apprentice. Family will not leave the church due to conflicts. The Church is not perfect but it bond us together. The family brings us accountability. 3. Worship to Mission (Matt 28:9-10; 17-20) God may tell us not to do what our plans or prevent us from executing our plans.  God has a better plan for our lives.  4. Grief to Joy (Matt 28:8) Joy should come to you when we worship and praising God. Sometimes God ask us to give everything, and we may have grief or pain to give, but when we do it, God will give us joy. 
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