Search — Theology Explorer

Revelation 6:16-17 Revelation 11:15-18 kingdom of God eschatology Revelation 6:16-17

Revelation 6:16-17 and Revelation 11:15-18 show that the coming of God's kingdom involves wrath and judgment, not just signs and wonders

Mike cites specific Revelation texts to establish what Scripture means by 'the kingdom coming'

Matthew 28:19 Bill Johnson eschatology dominion theology

Q&A — Bethel's eschatology: they hold a dominion theology, believing the church should 'disciple the nations' — meaning transform entire nations, not just individuals

Q&A question from Don Schneider about end-times views

John MacArthur James White John MacArthur RC Sproul James White

Q&A — Recommended teachers for biblical thinking: James White, Michael Brown, RC Sproul, John MacArthur, Leighton Flowers, Greg Koukl

Q&A question from Judah Matthews

Matthew 21:21 James 4 1 John 5:14 prayer faith Matthew 21:21

Q&A — Matthew 21:21 ('if you have faith you can move mountains'): must be interpreted alongside other prayer scriptures — faith, right motives (James 4), and God's will (1 John 5:14)

Q&A question from Judah Matthews

Mike Winger idea 2018-02-21

Matthew 15:10-11: Jesus declares it is not what enters the mouth that defiles a person, abolishing food-based defilement categories.

Mike cites Jesus' direct teaching on defilement to undercut the Watchtower's food-law framework.

Matthew 15:10-11 Jesus food law abrogation Matthew 15:10-11

Mike Winger idea 2018-02-07

Public teaching warrants public accountability — Matthew 18's private confrontation model applies to private sins, not to public doctrinal errors published on the internet.

Justifying the public critique of Todd White.

Matthew 18:15 discernment ministry ethics Matthew 18:15

Mike Winger idea 2018-02-07

Q&A: The Bible supports both sides — go out and pray for healing confidently, AND Jesus warned that false healers will claim to have cast out demons and healed in his name while he never knew them.

Viewer question about whether fake healing is condemned in the Bible.

Matthew 7:21-23 discernment healing Matthew 7:21-23

Mike Winger idea 2018-04-18

Preview of next livestream: How long did Jesus expect it would be until his return? Examining parables and Second Coming teachings

Mike closes the main presentation and previews the follow-up topic.

Matthew 24 Mark 13 Second Coming eschatology Matthew 24

Mike Winger idea 2018-04-18

Q&A: How to deal with people in your church or fellowship making end-times predictions — Matthew 18 process

Question from Bethany Cole Baum on pastoral response.

Matthew 18 Matthew 18 false prophecy church discipline

Mike Winger idea 2018-04-18

Q&A: Partial and multiple fulfillment of prophecy — the Elijah/John the Baptist example

Question from William Toy about whether Mike sees prophecy as having partial and multiple fulfillment.

John the Baptist Matthew 11:14 Malachi 4:5 prophecy interpretation Elijah John the Baptist

Mike Winger idea 2017-12-27

Tip 1: Look back before you look forward — December as a 'hilltop' for perspective

First of seven tips. Mike uses a journey/landscape metaphor to describe the value of year-end reflection.

Matthew 7:14 spiritual disciplines self-examination perspective

Mike Winger idea 2017-12-27

Matthew 6:33 — 'Seek first the kingdom of God' as the foundation for prioritizing godliness above all else

Biblical grounding for making godliness the top priority in annual evaluation.

Matthew 6:33 godliness priorities Matthew 6:33

Mike Winger idea 2017-12-27

Q&A: Jesus's swords passage — 'have a sword but don't use it' and the principle of Christian self-defense

Live chat question from Ryan White about Luke 22:35-38 and Luke 22:49-51 / John 18:10-11.

Luke 22:36-38 Luke 22:49-51 John 18:10-11 Luke 22:36-38 Luke 22:49-51 John 18:10-11

Mike Winger idea 2018-03-14

Q&A: can someone have saving faith yet commit murder? — Mike argues sin is not binary; Jesus elevated even hatred and lust to the level of murder and adultery

Viewer question about faith, repentance, and serious sin

Matthew 5 repentance sanctification salvation and sin

Mike Winger idea 2018-03-14

Degrees of sin — some sins are worse than others; the Law has different consequences; Jesus said some will suffer greater judgment

Within the Q&A on murder and saving faith

Matthew degrees of sin Mosaic Law judgment

Mike Winger idea 2018-03-21

Q&A — Matthew 18:34 ('delivered to the torturers until he pays all') examined as a tertiary purgatory text

Viewer raises a third passage sometimes used for purgatory — the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

Matthew 18:34 Matthew 18:21-35 purgatory Matthew 18:34 Matthew 18:21-35

Mike Winger idea 2018-03-28

Which Gospel was written first — Mike defers to scholarly consensus and warns of the 'house of cards' nature of Gospel dating arguments

Q&A — Cam Spears's question about Gospel authorship dates

Markan priority New Testament Gospel origins Markan priority

Jonah 1:17 Matthew 12:40 Jonah 1:17 Matthew 12:40 Biblical Hebrew - dag

Objection: the Bible incorrectly classifies whales as fish (Jonah 1:17; Matthew 12:40)

Ra claims the Bible is scientifically wrong for calling the creature that swallowed Jonah a fish when whales are not fish

Matthew genealogy Luke genealogy Messianic prophecy Genealogy of Jesus Matthew genealogy

Aaron Ra's list of unmet messianic prophecies — Jesus was not Jewish? He was not of tribe of Judah?

Ra presents a list of six messianic prophecies he claims Jesus failed to fulfill

Matthew 26:23 John 13:26 Matthew 26:23 John 13:26 Last Supper

Q&A: Matthew 26:23 vs. John 13:26 — apparent contradiction at the Last Supper

Viewer question about differences between Matthew 26:23 and John 13:26 in identifying the betrayer

Hosea 11:1 Matthew 2:15 Typology Hosea 11:1 Matthew 2:15

Hosea 11:1 used in Matthew 2:15 — typological fulfillment vs. direct prophecy

Viewer question: how can Hosea 11:1 ('out of Egypt I called my son') be messianic when it is clearly about Israel in context?

Jesus in the Old Testament Ancient rabbinical interpretation Typology

Ancient rabbinical tradition: entire Old Testament is about the Messiah

Continuing discussion of Matthew's typological use of Hosea

Song of Solomon Psalms Proverbs Sermon on the Mount biblical organization anachronism

Reason 1 refuted: Bible organization is not a valid test for inspiration

The skeptic argues the Bible is a 'hopeless mess' that is not well organized and should be arranged by topic (creation, relationships, parenting, prayer, etc.).

Ezekiel Matthew 24 fulfilled prophecy Ezekiel Matthew 24

Reason 5 affirmed and answered: Fulfilled prophecy is the correct test for biblical inspiration, and the Bible passes it

The skeptic argues that an inspired Bible would contain specific, verifiable prophecies — but calls biblical prophecies 'feeble in the extreme.'

Genesis 1 Isaiah 53 Song of Solomon Genesis 1 Isaiah 53 Song of Solomon

Reason 7 (the 'half reason') addressed: The Bible does contain beautiful poetry; the Judges 19 example is a misrepresentation

The skeptic argues the Bible lacks beautiful, heart-rending poetry and cites Judges 19 (the Levite's concubine) as a counterexample of ugliness.

Isaiah Matthew 2:23 fulfilled prophecy Isaiah Matthew 2:23

Q&A: Matthew 2:23 — which prophet foretold Jesus would be called a Nazarene?

Viewer question about a fulfilled prophecy citation in Matthew that has no clear Old Testament source.

eschatology failed apocalyptic prophet charge Bertrand Russell

Introduction: the topic is eschatology and the 'failed apocalyptic prophet' charge against Jesus

Mike opens the livestream, signals the depth of preparation, and identifies the central question driving the stream.

Mark 13:30 Luke 21:32 Matthew 10:23 Mark 13:30 Luke 21:32 Matthew 10:23

Five key Jesus sayings that appear to predict an imminent second coming

Mike quotes the specific texts that drive the 'failed prophet' accusation before addressing them.

Luke 21:20-24 Romans 11 fullness of Gentiles Matthew 3:15 Luke 21:20-24 armies surrounding Jerusalem AD 70 partial fulfillment

Luke 21:20-24 — Jerusalem surrounded by armies: partial fulfillment in AD 70, not the abomination of desolation

Key difference between Mark and Luke: Luke gives a different 'sign' — armies surrounding Jerusalem, which Mike connects to AD 70, not the final abomination.

Matthew 24:1-3 Matthew 24:1-3 end of the age disciples' question in Matthew

Matthew 24:1-3 — disciples explicitly ask about the end of the age, confirming the larger scope

Mike turns to Matthew 24 and highlights what Matthew adds to the parallel accounts.

Matthew 24:45-51 Matthew 25:1-13 Matthew 25:14-30 Matthew 24:45-51 Matthew 25:1-13 Matthew 25:14-30

Matthew 24-25 parables all emphasize a long delay before the master returns

Mike identifies a pattern in the four consecutive parables following the Olivet Discourse proper.

Matthew 10:23 Matthew 11:1 Matthew 10:5 contextual interpretation Matthew 10:23 R.C. Sproul

Matthew 10:23 — 'Son of Man coming' refers to Jesus arriving in the towns during the limited sending mission, not the second coming

Mike addresses the specific verse R.C. Sproul cites as evidence for an expected first-century return.

Matthew 16:28 Mark 9:1 Matthew 17 Matthew 16:28 Mark 9:1 Transfiguration

Matthew 16:28 — 'some will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom' fulfilled at the Transfiguration

Mike addresses the final major verse used to support an imminent second-coming expectation.

Mike Winger idea 2018-08-22

Kim redefines the Sabbath as a list of behavioral rules for church attendance — show up on time, keep kids quiet, keep church clean, smile — rather than the biblical concept of rest

End of Kim's Sabbath chapter. He gives specific Sabbath rules that are entirely about corporate presentation.

information control Joo-Cheol Kim Sabbath

Mike Winger idea 2018-08-22

CoG uses the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service as propaganda to signal divine legitimacy — Jesus explicitly condemned this kind of public righteousness display

CoG prominently features the Queen's Award on its website and presents it to members as evidence they are the true Church of God.

Matthew 6:1-4 World Mission Society Church of God Matthew 6:1-4 public righteousness display

Mike Winger idea 2018-09-05

Matthew 16 / Mark 9 / Luke 9 — 'Some standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom' refers to the Transfiguration, not the Second Coming.

Ra claims Jesus predicted his imminent return and was proven a false prophet because all disciples are now dead.

Luke 9 Matthew 16 Mark 9 Jesus Luke 9 Matthew 16

Mike Winger idea 2018-09-05

Matthew 24 — Jesus lists wars, earthquakes, and famines as signs that should NOT alarm believers about the Second Coming, not as signs that it is near.

Ra argues Matthew 24's signs are always being fulfilled, therefore the prophecy is meaningless. Winger argues Ra misreads the passage's intent.

Matthew 24 Daniel Second Coming eschatology Matthew 24

Mike Winger idea 2018-08-16

The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20): Sye argues it starts with 'all authority has been given to me' — the mandate is to start with Christ's authority, not argue to it

Sye's argument from the Great Commission

Matthew 28:18-20 Great Commission presuppositional apologetics evangelism method

Mike Winger idea 2018-08-16

Sheep and goats: Sye challenges Winger to find one verse that says goats become sheep; argues the analogy is consistent with Calvinist election — goats are always goats from God's perspective

Audience question from a viewer challenging Calvinist sheep/goats distinction

Matthew 25 Calvinism sheep and goats divine election

Matthew 11:20-22 judgment hierarchy of sin Jesus

Matthew 11:20-22 — Jesus declares that judgment will be 'more bearable' for Tyre and Sidon than for Chorazin and Bethsaida, indicating degrees of future condemnation.

Mike looks at Jesus' words about future judgment to show that not only are some sins worse, but the punishments in final judgment are also graduated.

Matthew 5:27-28 adultery Christian living hierarchy of sin

Matthew 5:27 — Lusting in the heart is adultery in the heart, but it is not the same act as physical adultery; using 'all sin is the same' to justify the full act is logically incoherent.

Mike examines Jesus' teaching on lust to show how the 'all sin is the same' doctrine can be weaponized to rationalize escalating sin.

Matthew 12 hermeneutics Q&A unforgivable sin

The unforgivable sin (blasphemy against the Holy Spirit) — Mike is not fully settled on the interpretation but identifies the key exegetical questions: is it calling the work of the Holy Spirit the work of Satan, a continuous act of resistance, or any negative speech about the Spirit?

Q&A section: a viewer asks about the unforgivable sin.

judgment hell eschatology

Hell likely involves graded punishment — Jesus' teaching about more or less tolerable judgment supports the idea that individual experience in final condemnation varies.

Q&A section: a viewer asks whether hell's punishment bends to the severity of the sin.

Matthew 6:19-21 Revelation 4:10 eschatology Q&A treasures in heaven

Treasures in heaven are eternal, imperishable blessings — not necessities but blessings, possibly including crowns cast before God — as opposed to the temporary, corruptible treasures of earthly life.

Q&A section: a viewer asks what 'treasures in heaven' means and why they would be needed when all needs are met.

mark of the beast Matthew 24:36 mark of the beast rapture eschatology

It is unwise to predict the timing of the rapture; history of failed predictions demonstrates that 'no man knows the day or the hour' is to be taken seriously — Christians should live ready rather than speculate.

Q&A section: a viewer asks how close we are to the rapture given current events.

Mike Winger idea 2018-11-14

The remedy for malice is praying for your enemies (Matthew 5:44) — specifically blessing them, not praying 'about' them asking God to deal with them.

Practical counsel for those who recognize malice toward someone.

Colossians 3:8 Matthew 5:44 practical application forgiveness Colossians 3:8

Matthew 2 apologetics historicity Herod the Great

Jim's claim about Herod: Herod the Great wouldn't have cared about killing infant Jesus because life expectancy was ~35 years and he was already old and near death

Second major claim Mike refutes — the plausibility of the Massacre of the Innocents

Matthew 2 apologetics historicity Herod the Great

Historical evidence that Herod the Great was extremely paranoid and murderous — he killed three of his own sons and executed hundreds on suspicion alone, making the Massacre of the Innocents entirely consistent with his character

Mike builds a positive case that Herod killing children in Bethlehem is historically plausible

Mark 16 biblical authority textual criticism scribes

Refutation: early manuscripts from well before the 13th century already contain the longer ending of Mark; the addition was likely scribal, not conciliar — probably constructed from Luke, Acts, and Matthew to give public readings a more complete feel

Mike explains the actual textual history of Mark's longer ending