National Capital Bible Church

Psalm 148:1-6: Call to all of creation to praise the Lord. These verses help us to understand the importance of Christmas. Taking a supernatural perspective of exultation, we take a look at the angels (God's fiery messengers) and their role in announcing the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. This includes: Gabriel to Zacharias (Luke 1:5-20), Gabriel to Mary (Luke 1:26-38), Gabriel to Joseph (Matt 1:...

(Rom 1:16-17) Study of Protestant Reformation concluded. Earle Cairns' "Christianity Through the Centuries" defines Reformation as movement of religious reform that resulted in creation of national Protestant churches between 1517 and 1545. Causes of Reformation understood as 1) Church's refusal to reform and 2) creative personalities such as Martin Luther, Huldrych Zwingli, John Calvin, Menno Sim...

Reading from Bill Bennett's American's Patriotic Almanac: "The Background of Halloween" and "The First Tuesday After the First Monday" (first Election Day established in 1848). Study of Protestant Reformation continued. (Rom 3:21-26) As Martin Luther translated the Bible from Latin to Greek, he became convinced that the basis of salvation is found in Scripture and not designated by the Church. Stu...

Earle Cairns' "Christianity Through the Centuries," and Dr. Jim West's "The Other Holiday on October 31," address early Church history and Reformation Day. On October 31, 1517, Professor Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenburg Castle Church, challenging, among other things, indulgences. This traditionally marks the day that begins the Protestant Reformation, which had been...

Motherhood is God's plan and an essential part of happiness. But today's society, at its own peril, belittles the divinely designed roles of men and women, marriage and family. Mothers, critical to our lives and a bedrock to our nation, should be honored. Timothy's grandmother and mother are two examples of godly mothers whose impact helped lay the foundation for this great communicator of the gos...

Mt 21:1-11; Jn 12:12-19. The Triumphal Entry marked the beginning of the Lord's final week of earthly ministry. In fulfillment of Zec 9:9 and as symbol of peace, Jesus entered on a donkey. Though the crowd responded euphorically, they did not recognize Him as the Son of God, who would deliver them spiritually, but considered Him a prophet, who would provide physical deliverance. Will we be like ma...

Communion. The Master's Touch. Not quite comprehending that it was God's plan for Jesus, though innocent, to be arrested, Peter struck the high priest's servant cutting off his ear. In an act of rectitude and compassion for His enemy, Jesus not only healed Malchus' ear, but His healing touch extended to the servant's soul. (Mt 26:51; Mk 14:47; Lk 22:47; Jn 18:10).

Summary review of Zec chs 1-14. Greatly discouraged following their return to a Judah laid waste, the post-exilic Jews were ministered to by Zechariah who encouraged and comforted them with 8 prophetic visions. Although the nation was rebuked for her disobedience and urged to repent, the Lord promised future restoration and rejoicing in the Millennium when He will reign as King and Priest. Because...

Zec 14:16-21. During the Millennium both Jew and Gentile alike will celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles (a.k.a. Succoth or Ingathering). Originally celebrated to commemorate the Lord's care of the Israelites during the wilderness years, the feast also has a prophetic aspect. Peter's suggestion to build shelters at the Transfiguration (Mk 9:5) reflects this. Although some nations will fail to keep t...

Zec 14:16. Although there will be a tremendous blow to the earth's populace during the Tribulation, surviving Gentile believers will enter into the Millennial Kingdom. These remaining "sheep," from the sheep and goat judgment (Mat 25:31ff), will partake in the annual celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles (Lev 23:33ff) to worship the King, the LJC. At the end of the Tribulation the Jews will have...

God's Protection and Provision for His People: Zec 14:12-15. With the ban lifted from Israel (at the end of the Armageddon Campaign), the Lord will turn the tables on the enemy and unleash His fury. He will severely strike both man and beast with a debilitating plague, and cause panic and mass intramural confusion. Judah's forces will attack the Gentile armies in Jerusalem and take their plunder.

Communion. Mt 1:18-25; Lk 2:1-7. Gabriel reveals to Joseph that, in fulfillment of OT prophecy, Mary's pregnancy has been provided by G/HS, and he is to take her as wife—the precise information he needs to solve his dilemma. Joseph loves Mary sacrificially and acts in obedience to God, trusting His sovereign wisdom and provision. In the line of David and the son of God, Jesus' qualifications are e...

Zec 14:8-11. Zechariah encourages his listeners with a description of the Millennium. Representing God's refreshment, living waters will flow from Jerusalem providing year-round fertility. The Messiah's reign will extend beyond Israel to cover all the earth, and He alone will be worshipped. The surrounding land will be leveled but Jerusalem elevated, and no longer under the ban (doomed to destruct...

Mt 1:18-25. A righteous man, Joseph is caught between the desire to protect the one to whom he is betrothed, and his devotion to the law. Divorcing Mary publicly, for what appeared to be an act of betrayal and immorality, would lead to her disgrace, if not stoning. A proposed chronology helps unfold the events surrounding Joseph's decision. Would anyone but he have known that Mary became pregnant...

Lk 1:26-39. Gabriel's message to Mary. This young, Jewish woman would give birth to the coming Messiah, who would not be the son of Joseph, but the Son of God. Humble, devout and submissive, she was an instrument God could use. When given an opportunity, we need to trust in God's equipping hand of provision instead of looking at our own abilities or past experience. Faith in the LJC can change a l...

Story of Zacharias & Elizabeth continued (Lk 1:57-66). With the miraculous ability to bear children, Elizabeth's scorn and contempt has ended; and turning from skeptic to believer, Zach's ability to speak returns. Perspective of Obedience: Joseph & Mary (1:26-29). What was involved with a couple's betrothal? Like the characters in these stories, we need to be patient on God's plan for our...

Zec 14:5-7. At the Lord's return He will bewilder the enemy with supernatural darkness, revealing He is master over nature. Cosmic upheaval and dark days of judgment will precede His coming which will be accompanied by angels and Church Age believers. The Resurrections: a look at passages that piece together when believers and unbelievers across different dispensations will be resurrected.

Luke 1:5-25. A Story of Hope and of a God who Loves Us. Elizabeth and Zacharias were a righteous couple, but without child and advanced in years. The stage was set for God to intervene and make the impossible possible. While Zach was in the temple offering incense, an angel appeared to him, giving good news that his prayer for a child will be answered. Zach doubted, but God was faithful and change...

Zec 14:1-2 reviewed: in the future day of the LORD, Jerusalem will be captured and plundered by Gentile armies of the Antichrist, but God will protect and preserve the faithful remnant. 14:3-5. Not unlike the Exodus generation trapped by the Red Sea, the LORD will create a supernatural escape (valley at Mt. of Olives) for the remnant. The LORD is a warrior and He will turn their defeat into a glor...

"In the Land" controversy (Zec 13:8). Are the two-thirds and one-third referring to Jews within Judah or the entire world, and how does this relate to the timing of the regathering? Parable of the virgins (Mt 25). Zec 14:1-2 and parallel passages depicting the end of the Tribulation. The Gentile armies, under the leadership of the Antichrist, will destroy Jerusalem. But even during this future tim...

Despite the extreme hardships they endured nearly four centuries ago, the pilgrims recognized God's hand of blessing and thanked Him. Verses demonstrating the Biblical approach to Thanksgiving. Reasons to give thanks for who God is, and for all He has given and done for us.

Zec 13:7-9. Beginning with the death of the Messiah, Zec prophesies discipline for Shepherdless Israel. During the Tribulation there will be persecution from the Antichrist and divine judgment that will kill two-thirds of the Jews. One-third of the believing remnant will call on the Messiah to be delivered. What does "in all the land" mean? Should it be understood as "all the earth"?

Zec 13:4-7. Second Advent Prophecy continued. False prophets will be purged from the land prior to the Messianic Kingdom. Operating covertly, they will deny they are prophets but will be unable to conceal their true identity. A non-chronological future detail is then inserted: God the Father will orchestrate events surrounding the Messiah's crucifixion and subsequent scattering of Israel.

Zec 12:12-13:3. Jeconiah's curse and the line of the Messiah (Jer 22:24-30). 2nd Advent Prophecy: Cleansing for Israel & Woe on False Prophets. Once the nation has looked on the Messiah with faith, the Lord will open a "fountain" and cleanse her of impurity—a spiritual cleansing using New Covenant language (Jer 31:31-34; Ezk 36:25-27). Idols and false prophets will cease to exist and loyalty t...

On Oct 31st, 1517 Martin Luther challenged the bishop with 95 Theses centering on the problem of indulgences. Questioning the over emphasis on church tradition and under emphasis on God's Word, Luther broke from the norm and studied the Bible for himself. Monk, priest, and professor Luther argued for sola scriptura and sola fide. This influential Protestant Reformer translated the Bible into Germa...