In the Jewish faith, God's name was too holy to write or speak. "Yahweh" is the pronunciation of YHWH, the Herbrew written version of "I am", from Moses' meeting of God in Exodus 3:14
And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you.The story of Moses and the Burning Bush is about God revealing himself to Moses, by speaking to Moses from a burning bush:
Following the White Throne Judgement, God brings a Holy city down to the new earth, from which he and Jesus Christ will reign for all of eternity;
And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
Also called Judgement Day, this final judgement of the unsaved taked place after the Millennial Kingdom and Second Resurrection:
(Revelation 20:11-12)
And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
While not specifically called the "second resurrection", this takes place sometime after Revelation 20:5's "first resurrection".
But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
The rapture includes the first resurrection, where dead saints (followers of Christ), brought back to life and, with living saints, are gathered from the earth.
At the end of the Great Tribulation, Christ returns and rules the earth for 1000 years. Following this millennial reign, Satan is released from the pit and again rebels against God. After he is defeated everyone who has ever lived, not part of the first resurrection, is brought back to life to be judged:
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
As it is most commonly used, the term Heaven refers to where God dwells. Biblically, it can mean one of three places, depending on how it was used in scripture:
The Bottomless Pit (or Abyss) is described in the Book of Revelation as the temporary dwelling place for fallen angels that will be unleashed after the sounding of the Fifth Angel's trumpet, during the Great Tribulation (Rev. 9:1-7).
Where the souls of the righteous went after their death, before Christ's death on the cross. Also known as "Abraham's Bosom" it is often confused for Heaven (where God resides). However, reviewing the Greek the New Testament was originally written in reveals these are two different places:
Jesus told the thief on the cross that the thief would be with him in "paradise", or paradeiso in Greek (Luke 23:43).
In John 3:13, Jesus told Nicodemus, the Pharisee, "And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven (ouranou in Greek; the abode of God).
Place of the dead. Also referred to as Hades or Hell.
Some Christians teach that Sheol is divided into two areas or compartments, with one reserved for the unrepentant sinner and the other (Abraham's Bosom) reserved the righteous.
See Luke 16
Also referred to as the Millenium or the Kingdom, the period of time, after Christ's Second Coming, when Jesus will reign as King over all the Earth, as described in the Book of Revelation, Chapter 20:
2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
The return of Jesus Christ, after his resurrection and ascension, when he will defeat Satan and rule over the Earth for a thousand years:
(Matthew 25:31) When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory
This takes place after the Great Tribulation.
(Revelation 1:7) Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen
(Revelation 19:11) And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war
The exact date of Christ's return is not known:
(Matthew 24:36) But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only
As simple as it sounds, the wrath of God is when our heavenly father delivers punishment on man. Past examples include the Great Flood, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, or the plagues on Egypt described in the book of Exodus.
In end time terms, the Wrath of God refers to events of the Great Tribulation, as describe in Revelation 16.
The wrath of God follows the appearance of the anti-christ, and ends with before Christ's Second Coming.
The snatching away of Christians, living and dead, from the world, before the wrath of God is unleashed on the world.
Thessalonians 4:16-17;
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:52;
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Revelation 3:10;
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
It should be noted the word "rapture" was not used by the Apostles, just as they never wrote "trinity" as a description of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Many modern theologists describe "rapture" as a translation of the Greek Harpazo, which means to seize, catch, pluck, pull, or take (by force).
While most modern Christians believe in a Rapture of the Church, they do not agree when this will take place, with some claiming it will be pre-Tribulation, some mid-Tribulation, and some post-Tribulation.
The period of time beginning immediately prior to the events foretold by Daniel, Isaiah, and the Apostle John, and continuing on through the events John was shown in his Revelation.
The end times are generally believed to start with the birth pangs Jesus alluded to in Matthew 24:8, also known as the beginning of sorrows.
Study of events predicted or prophesized in religion, focused on the final events of mankind and the world.
In Christianity, this includes study of the Bible books of Daniel, Isaiah, Corinthians, Thessalonians, and Revelation, as well as verses from the four Gospels.
Christian eschatology includes study of end time events, final judgement of mankind, the resurrection of the dead, and the return of Jesus.
In simplest terms, as used in the Bible, the elect are those selected or chosen by God and/or Jesus--followers of Christ.
Used in multiple verses, the term also signifies those (Christians) who will be raptured to heaven during the end times;
And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Matthew 24:31)
Being one of the elect doesn't just mean you believe, but that you are wise for doing so, as implied by Jesus in Matthew 24:24:
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
The elect also don't just have salvation and a future with God and Christ to look forward to. After Christ's Second Coming, the elect will serve in his earthly kingdom:
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (Revelation 20:6)
Leader of a Christian group who ministers to the needs of the group, acting as counselor, teacher, and leader. Pastors are attached to a specific church/congregation.
Pastors are often ordained, earning the title "Reverend" to reflect the recognition of their official role. Not all pastors use the Reverend title, nor are all pastors graduates of a formal theology school. Not all Reverends are pastors, with many who have earned religious study degrees not working for any one specific church.
A Christian who travels to a location away from their own church, to either share the gospel or provide aid and assistance to those in need. Missionaries can be priests, pastors, deacons, elders, or church members without formal education or traing in theology.
A member of a church who assists the pastor. In some churches, a deacon performs administrative functions, such as maintaing the building. In others, a deacon assists in spiritual matters, such as counseling church members. Some deacons give sermons during church services.
Elders in many churches act like a board of directors, hiring or firing the pastor and controlling the church's money and assets. In others, elders act strictly as advisors to the pastor or church members.
In some churches a deacon is an elder, the two roles merged. Other churches have only elders, with no title of deacon given to anyone.
A person who proclaims scripture in a public setting, such as in a church, or even on a street corner. Anyone can preach, without any degree or special education.
In the Catholic faith, a saint is a godly person, recognized for their devotion to God and Christ.
In protestant denominations, as well as in the King James bible, a saint is a follower of Christ, as in Romans 1:7, "To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ."
The word comes from the Latin sanctus, meaning holy or consecrated. By accepting Jesus as the Christ (messiah), Christians become saints.
A building where Christians worship God. Derives from the German "Kirche" and Greek kyriakon doma, meaning "the Lord's House".
In modern Christianity, "church" can also mean the body of Christian worshippers, or a group of Christians. This is used the same as "congregation".
In the new Testament, the body of believers is called the "ecclesia" in the original Greek, meaning assembly or group.
Modern Christians often claim that a Church is not a building, despite the origins of the word and the insistence to "go to church".
Action or something created by an action; for example, a road might be constructed by the department of works.
In Christian terms, often means a deed or act of charity as in Ephesians 2:8 & 9 which states we are saved by the grace of God, not by our works.
Some Christian denominations make performing works, such as helping someone in need a condition of salvation, rather than something you do because you are already saved.
Other denominations claim anything we do, even making a choice, is a work. However, scripture clearly states we must repent (turn away from sin) to be saved (Luke 13:5).
Sometimes used in place of blessing; as in "saying grace" before a meal, giving thanks for the food God has provided.
Dictionaries define grace as "courteous goodwill". Biblically, grace is extended by God. Because his son, Jesus, paid the penalty for our sins (by dying on the cross), God forgives us for our sins. Our salvation is a gift from God:
Ephesians 2:8;
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:"
A Christian expression related to being saved. Jesus shed his blood, dying on the cross to serve as a sacrifice to atone for the sins of mankind.
Some Christians express this act of sacrifice by Jesus as having their sins washed away by his blood--they are washed in the blood of Christ.
To make amends for a wrongdoing, specifically to God.
Before Jesus, the Jewish people would seek to atone for their sins. This was done by making an offering to God or a sacrifice.
In Christian terms, Jesus died on the cross as a sacrifice to atone for mankind's sins.
As a veteran, one thing we can count on in life is for the Department of Veteran Affairs to fail us. A quick Google search will pull up multiple stories of our brothers- or sisters-in-arms dying in waiting rooms, waiting for the VA to help them. https://www.
A statement, request, or praise directed toward God. The act of praying is an offer of thanks, request for assistance, or exclamation of praise.
To pray, Christians often bow their heads, clasp their hands together, or close their eyes. Prayers can be made while sitting, kneeling, or standing
Jesus directed in Matthew 6 that prayers be directed to the Father and even gave an example of how to pray--including a direction that prayers should not be empty recitations of memorized verse. This example Jesus gave is referred to as "The Lord's Prayer" and is memorized and recited by many modern Christians.
Prayer before a meal is a common practice, thanking God for the food about to be consumed, and is known as "Saying Grace" or saying the "Blessing".
A group of Christians that share a particular belief, or beliefs, different from other Christians, such as Catholics, Lutherans, or Baptists. For example, Baptists believe baptism requires full immersion in water, whereas Catholics believe pouring water over the head is sufficient.
Most Christian denominations share belief that Jesus is the son of God, who died to pay the penalty for mankind's sins, and was resurrected three days later.
Some Christians consider themselves "non-denominational" and do not believe in separating from other Christians with different interpretations of what scripture means.
