From the second to the third Passover festival 3 studies
From the 3rd Passover to the start of the final week 1 study
Jesus’ ministry: callings, miracles and teachings 2 studies
Reliability of the Scriptures and other doctrinal topics 4 studies
Peter's ministry 1 study
Historical notes 1 study
From the second to the third Passover festival
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PER141
The parable of the weeds and the wheat
The parable of the weeds and the wheat (Matthew 13.24-30), unique to Matthew, teaches that good and evil coexist in the world until the final judgment. In it, Jesus illustrates God's patience in delaying the separation of the righteous and the wicked until the eschatological harvest, entrusted to the angels. This parable forms part of a profound biblical reflection on the apparent prosperity of the wicked, shared by Habakkuk, Asaph, Jeremiah, and Job.
Matthew 13.47-50 (King James Version) :Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER146
Evening explanation of various parables (the weeds)
PER146 reports the explanation Jesus gave to his disciples concerning the parable of the weeds (Mt 13.36-43), a testimony found only in Matthew. Jesus reveals a method of interpretation along three lines: symbolic identification of the elements, the eschatological dimension, and practical application. This passage belongs to the discourse of the seven parables of the Kingdom of God gathered by Matthew in chapter 13.
Matthew 13.24-30 (King James Version) :Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER149
The parable of the net cast into the sea
The parable of the net (Mt 13,47-50), unique to Matthew, compares the Kingdom of heaven to a net gathering fish of every kind. At the final sorting, the good are kept and the bad thrown away, illustrating eschatological judgment. It teaches the universality of the Gospel, the reality of the final judgment carried out by the angels, and the urgency for believers to live in accordance with the teachings of Jesus.
Matthew 13.47-50 (King James Version) :Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
From the 3rd Passover to the start of the final week
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PER237
Parable of the Presumptuous Guest
The Parable of the Presumptuous Guest (Luke 14.7-14), related only by Luke, takes place in the house of a leader of the Pharisees in Jerusalem. There Jesus teaches humility by urging us to choose the last place rather than the first, and selfless generosity by encouraging us to invite the poor and the outcasts rather than those who can repay. These two teachings illustrate the fundamental values of the Kingdom of God: honor comes from God, not from oneself, and true giving will be rewarded at the resurrection of the righteous.
Luke 14.7-14 (King James Version) :And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them,When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
Jesus’ ministry: callings, miracles and teachings
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PAR016
The Faithful Servant
The parable of the budding fig tree, recounted by Matthew, Mark and Luke in their eschatological discourse, invites the disciples to discern the signs heralding the Messiah's return. Just as buds announce summer, world events announce the nearness of the Kingdom of God. Christ's word is eternal and sure: heaven and earth will pass away, but it remains.
Luke 21.29-33 (King James Version) :And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PAR017
The Ten Young Girls
The parable of the budding fig tree, recorded in Matthew, Mark and Luke, invites the disciples to read the signs of the times with watchfulness and hope. Just as buds herald summer, events in the world herald the Messiah's return. Jesus' sure and eternal word guarantees the fulfilment of all his promises concerning the Kingdom of God.
Luke 21.29-33 (King James Version) :And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
Reliability of the Scriptures and other doctrinal topics
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APO000
The Book of Revelation
A general introduction to the book of Revelation, written by John of Patmos in the 1st century. The article explains the title, the apocalyptic genre, the structure in symbolic cycles (seals, trumpets, bowls) and the purpose of the text: not a calendar of catastrophes, but a book of hope proclaiming the victory of the Lamb. Parallels with Daniel are announced for a verse-by-verse study of the 22 chapters.
Revelation 22 (King James Version) :And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
APO006
The Lamb and the Sealed Book
An exegetical study of Revelation 5, centered on the book sealed with seven seals that God holds in his hand and that only the Lamb — a figure of Christ — is worthy to open. The verse-by-verse analysis reveals a dramatic progression: from universal impossibility to the victory of the Lamb, inaugurating a mission of universal redemption and cosmic praise. The article continues from chapter 4 on the heavenly throne.
Exodus 33.20 (King James Version) :And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
APO010
The Second Seal, the Second Horseman
The article APO010 analyzes the second seal of Revelation (Rev 6.3-4): a red horse whose rider receives a great sword and the power to take peace from the earth. Through four symbols — the red horse, the rider, the sword and the peace taken away — the study explores the reality of war as divine judgment and human responsibility, stressing that only Christ can bring true and lasting peace.
Daniel 9.24-27 (King James Version) :Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
APO012
The Fourth Seal, the Fourth Horseman
The article APO012 studies the fourth seal of Revelation (Rev 6.7-8) and the appearance of the pale horse ridden by Death. As the culmination of the three previous horsemen, this rider is given power to kill a quarter of humanity by war, famine, plagues and wild beasts. The article stresses the divine sovereignty that frames this terrible judgment, and places this event within the prophetic unfolding of the end times.
Revelation 6.1-8 (King James Version) :And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
Peter's ministry
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ADA003
The ascension of Jesus
The ascension of Jesus, which took place on May 12, 33, on the Mount of Olives, concludes his earthly ministry. Lifted up in a cloud, he is received into the presence of the Father while two angels announce his glorious return. This event, recorded only by Luke, marks the passage to Christ's heavenly ministry and grounds the eschatological hope of the early Church as it awaits the parousia.
2 Thessalonians 2.1-12 (King James Version) :Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
Historical notes
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INF063
The Jewish Prophetic Tradition
The Jewish prophetic tradition rests on the writings and teachings of the prophets, messengers of God chosen to guide the people of Israel. It is characterized by social criticism, the call for justice, the denunciation of idolatry and messages of eschatological hope. The great prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel profoundly influenced Jewish theology, biblical literature and universal ethical values.
Jeremiah 1.1 (King James Version) :The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin:King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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ANN102
The signs heralding the return of Jesus the Messiah
The article "ANN102 - The signs heralding the return of Jesus the Messiah" explores biblical prophecies about Christ's return, without setting the…