Month: March 2026

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Heaven (Part 1) – The Thief on the Cross

In this episode, we begin a two‑part conversation around five well‑known Bible passages that many Christians understandably read as teaching that we go to heaven when we die. These verses can seem clear at first glance, and it’s easy to see why they have shaped popular beliefs over time. Together, we slow down and carefully explore their context, language, and place within the wider teaching of Scripture. Starting with Jesus’ words to the thief on the cross, we consider questions of timing, punctuation, and the hope of the coming Kingdom. We then turn to Paul’s statements about “departing to be with Christ” and being “away from the body,” asking whether these passages truly teach instant heavenly reward or instead point forward to the day of Christ’s return. Our aim is to invite a deeper understanding and renewed confidence in the biblical hope of resurrection and eternal life in God’s Kingdom on earth.

Key Verse:

“[the thief] said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he [Jesus] said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”” (Luke 23:42-43)

Outline:

Introduction

  • Popular ideas about life after death vs. what we’ve been finding in our Bible studies from past podcasts about death, the resurrection and eternal life
  • Soul sleep is not correct
  • Greek ideas of the immortality of the soul

#1 – The Thief on the Cross (Luke 23:43)

  • The passage does not mention souls or heaven
  • The thief is asking to be in the Kingdom of Christ which will be at his return (2 Tim. 4:1). Judgement is at his coming.
  • Where to put the comma? That day Jesus was in the heart of the earth (Matt. 12:40 cp. John 20:17)
  • Paradise is a place on earth, the garden of Eden restored (Rev. 2:7)

#2 – A desire to depart and be with Christ (Phil. 1:23)

  • The assumption here is that to “depart” means he would immediately be with Christ. Paul talked about death as sleep in which his next waking moment would be with Christ on “that Day” (2 Tim. 4:6-9).
  • This is Paul’s hope in other places of this epistle (Phil. 1:6,10; 2:16; 3:11, 20-21)

Conclusion

Prerequisite Listening:

The Creation of Man
We Shall Not All Sleep
The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
The Coming of the King (Part 1)
The Coming of the King (Part 2)
Eternal Judgment
Equal to the Angels
Hell (Part 1) – Not Abandoned to Hades
Hell (Part 2) – The Unquenchable Fire
The Spirit of Man
Thy Kingdom Come

 

 

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Visions of the Kingdom (Part 2) – Eden Restored

In this episode, we continue our journey through Scripture’s prophetic picture of God’s coming kingdom on earth. The Spirit in the prophets weave a powerful vision—a world renewed, a curse undone, and peace extending across creation itself. The Word describe deserts blooming like Eden, harmony replacing violence, and the knowledge of the Lord filling the earth as surely as the waters cover the sea. These images are not distant dreams. They point us toward the climax of God’s plan, when every authority is brought low and God becomes all in all. 

Key Verse:

“For the LORD comforts Zion; he comforts all her waste places and makes her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song.” (Isa 51:3)

Outline:

Intro – Peace on earth

  • Isa. 2:2-4 – Nations coming to worship in Jerusalem – Ezekiel’s temple (43:5,7,10,12)
  • Isa. 51:2-3 – Eden restored (also Ezek. 36:28-36; Isa. 35:1-2; Psa. 72:16), the curse reversed
  • Isa. 11:6-8 – The animals tamed (cp. 65:17-25)
  • Isa. 11:9 w/ Num 14:21 – his glory fills the earth

Conclusion (1 Cor. 15:24-28 the end – God all in all)

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Visions of the Kingdom (Part 1) – Reigning with Christ

In this episode Tim Young and Jay Mayock start with unpacking Jesus’ familiar words “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” What does it really mean to inherit the earth—and who will receive that inheritance? Drawing together the words of Jesus, the Psalms, and the prophets, we’ll examine God’s purpose for the earth and humanity’s place within it. We’ll look at the future reign of Christ, the role of immortal rulers, and the mortal population among the nations who will come to worship in a restored world centered on Jerusalem. Far from being a vague spiritual hope, the Kingdom of God is presented in the Bible as a real, tangible future, rooted in God’s promises and blessings. Join us as we trace these themes and begin to uncover a clear and compelling vision of the coming Kingdom.

Key Verse:

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5)

Outline:

Inheritance of the earth

  • Matt. 5:5 – what does it mean the meek shall inherit the earth. Compare with Psalm 37:9-11 meek, v22 blessed, v29 righteous forever, (v. 34)
  • Psalm 115:15-18 – The heavens are the Lord’s, the earth he has given to man. Notice the “blessing” in other verses.

The immortal rulers

  • Matt. 25:31-34 – The blessed are given the inheritance of the kingdom at the judgment seat
  • Rev. 20:4-6 – Reigning with Christ for a thousand years. How do we know this is literal? (Rev. 5:10; 2 Tim. 2:12; Luke 22:29-30)

The mortal subjects

  • Zech. 14:16-19 – Mortals are those left
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Citizenship

How should a Christian view politics? Should believers participate or not? Joel Hynes joins Tim Young on this episode to explore what the Bible has to say on this subject of citizenship by breaking down one answer at the Got Questions website. Can we mix our religion and politics? The answer may surprise you.

Key Verse:

“Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.” (1 Peter 2:11)

Video Presentation:

https://bookroadchristadelphians.ca/media/video/1079204007

Outline:

Introduction

  • The current political climate and the mix of Christianity and politics
  • Got Questions web site

God’s Will and Sovereignty

  • Got Questions web site first point about God’s will
  • What is God’s will (Matt. 6:10)? The context of the Daniel passages ( 2:20-21; 4:17,25,32,34-35; 5:21) concerning God’s Kingdom to come.
  • What is God’s will for leaders? God sets up evil men – Pharaoh (Ex. 9:16), Nebuchadnezzar (Jer. 27:4-6), Cyrus (Isa. 45:1), Alexander (Dan. 5:5-8,21), Pilate (John 19:10-11). So what about Constantine, Napoleon, and Hitler (Prov. 16:4)?

The Teaching of Jesus

  • Got Questions second point about the absence of Bible teaching on voting
  • Jesus and the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:38-42; Matt. 5:43-45 cp. Rom. 12:19-20)

The teaching of the Apostles

  • Got Questions third point about being a good citizen
  • A royal priesthood, a holy nation (1 Peter 2:9-10)
  • Strangers (foreigners) and pilgrims (resident aliens) (1 Peter 2:11-12)
  • Our duty to magistrates now (1 Peter 2:13-17; Rom. 13:1-7)

Citizen vs non-citizen status

  • What is missing from the Got Questions video? What about God’s kingdom to come? We are citizens of our nation by natural birth but citizens of God’s kingdom by choice and spiritual rebirth.
  • Non-Citizen Restrictions. You have to be a citizen to vote (or hold political office), serve in the military (including police) or on a jury (or be a judge or certain types of lawyer). This is the wisdom of the world!
  • Non-Citizen Obligation. Obey the laws of the land and pay your taxes (Rom. 13:6-7; Matt. 22:21). Also, pray for and respect the leaders (1 Tim. 2:1-3; Tit. 3:1-2)

Conclusion – Seeking first the kingdom of God (Matt. 6:33)

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A King’s Dream of the Latter Days

The editor of The Bible Magazine, John Billington, likes to talk about Bible prophecy so we thought we’d have him join us to talk about where to start. There’s no better place then Daniel 2, where King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a frightening metal image is revealed to be what God is planning to do in the latter days.

Listen to The Bible in the News Podcast or the Bible Magazine YouTube channel.

Key Verse:

“…there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days.” (Daniel 2:28)

Study Guide:

Like our cover art? Download the study guide it came from at Words in Season Etsy Shop.

Outline:

Introduction

  • Where to start when it comes to prophecy? Daniel 2 is foundational.
  • Overview of Daniel and his times

The King’s Dream

  • King Nebuchadnezzar dreams something troubling and he challenges wise men to reveal the dream and the interpretation under penalty of death
  • God reveals the dream and its interpretation to Daniel (v. 19-22)
  • The dream is about the latter days (v. 26-28)
  • The dream revealed (v. 31-35)

The Interpretation of the Dream

  • The head of Gold = Babylon (v. 36-38) – The importance of Babylon in prophecy (Gen. 10:9-10; Rev. 18:21)
  • Breast and arms of Silver = Medo Persians (v. 39)
  • Belly and thighs of Brass = Greece (v. 39)
  • The Legs of Iron = Rome (v. 40)
  • The feet mixed with iron and clay (v. 41-43) – Each metal is successively inferior (v. 39) until mixed with clay = democracy

The Kingdom of God

  • God’s kingdom to overcome all these kingdoms of men (v. 44, 35)
  • What is the stone cut without hands? (v. 45; Matt. 21:42-44)
  • Kingdom to fill the earth (v. 35)

Conclusion

  • God is at work among the nations
  • The fulfilled portion of this prophecy proves what is still to come is trustworthy
  • We are living in the latter days
  • God’s kingdom will be on the earth