As significant current events unfold all around us and voices are heard everywhere, saying "look here" and "look there," it is important that we keep our feet firmly grounded on the Word of God. Outside God''s Word there is no stability and it is easy to be alarmed or sidetracked by spectacular forecasts that have very little substance to them. Our primary task as Christians is to know what God''s Word says about the last days and to refuse any information that may be hearsay and which cannot be reconciled with the Scriptures. Anyone could write a book about last things, and many do, but it''s wise to take much of what is written with a pinch of salt. However, when, as in the case of Revelation, the author is God Himself, it is necessary that the facts be well affirmed. And in the opening verses John takes pains to impress upon his readers the accuracy and reliability of what he is about to write. The information did not originate with him. It came from God the Father to God the Son and was then communicated to John by an angel. Although our English Bibles record the title of this book as "The Revelation of John," it is not about John, nor his revelation. It is about Jesus Christ in His role as ruler, conqueror and controller of all things, spiritual and temporal. When Jesus said to His disciples, ''''All power is given unto me in Heaven and on earth" that is precisely what He meant, namely, ALL power, total control over all things. My prayer is that this commentary will help to clarify the immense scope of this book of Revelation to the minds of those who read it.

In the year AD 62, the Apostle Paul was a prisoner in Rome. He had been arrested in Jerusalem on a false charge of taking Greeks into the temple. Knowing he would not receive a fair trial in Jerusalem, he had exercised his right as a Roman citizen and appealed to Caesar. Eventually, after many adventures, he arrived in Rome and awaited his hearing before Nero. During this waiting period he wrote four marvelous letters, letters which have enriched the lives of countless people down through the centuries. All four letters were recognized by the Fathers as inspired by God and were incorporated in the Scriptures. This book concentrates on Paul's letter to the Ephesians. The original recipients have long since left this world, but God's Word is still alive and we shall examine the letter verse-by-verse, with a view to understanding what God is saying to us today.

Paul wrote his letter to the Colossians with the purpose of strengthening the Christians against the false teaching that was infiltrating their church. The precise nature of the problem in Colossae is not known for certain, but the letter itself makes it clear that there were two main influences at work, namely: religious legalism and human philosophy. By their very nature, they threatened to undermine the faith of the believers by substituting human effort or human wisdom for the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Legalism in the church is a system whereby an attempt is made to please God by adherence to rules and regulations. This appeals to the fallen nature of man as being more reasonable, more appealing, than the acceptance of God's grace. Philosophy, on the other hand, amounts to human wisdom which disregards the divine will and gives human logic higher importance than God's Word. Both systems glorify man and place the focus of attention on human sufficiency. The truth is that any system which teaches independence from God, however good or intelligent it may appear to be, is counterfeit. "Exploring Colossians" is a verse-by-verse commentary on this famous letter. It seeks to explain Paul's teaching in a way that anyone can understand. It avoids technical or obscure arguments and focuses on the devotional nature of the book, with the purpose of encouraging and strengthening readers in their faith. Colossians, more than most New Testament letters, reveals the sovereignty of Christ, and readers of the commentary are gently led to see the importance of this in their daily lives.

The thing that sets the Christian faith apart from all other religions is that instead of stipulating a system of obligations man must fulfill in order to please God, it offers redemption as a free gift. The question is not what we do for God but what we allow God to do for us. Paul's letter to the Galatians sets out with crystal clarity the futility of works as a means of gaining God's favor. It addresses the claims of false teachers, who were infiltrating the churches in the Roman province of Galatia, and effectively silences them. As no other New Testament letter, Galatians explains the great doctrines of Justification by Faith, Christian liberty, The Believer's inheritance, the Exchanged Life and the Power of the Spirit. Exploring Galatians is a devotional commentary, which explains, verse by verse, the treasures of Paul's letter. It is written for the layman, in simple, non-technical language, but nevertheless succeeds in capturing the letter's great truths and bringing them under the spotlight. The author's prayer is that his readers will gain a new appreciation of their inheritance in Christ and be encouraged to walk a life of faith and fulfillment.

"Exploring Romans," is an attempt to explain the profound truths of Paul's letter in everyday language. Somewhere between AD 55 and AD 57, an itinerant preacher named Paul wrote a letter to the Christians in Rome. Working his way across Asia Minor and into Europe, he preached the Gospel tirelessly. Many churches were founded but fearful opposition was also generated. Paul was stoned, beaten, shipwrecked, and imprisoned but nothing dampened his enthusiasm. His letter to the Romans is a masterpiece. It sets out the basic tenets of the Christian faith but also explores eternal mysteries in greater depth than any other work. We hope it will help the reader gain a better understanding of the marvels of God's inspired Word.

Nobody knows for certain who wrote the letter to the Hebrews. Many scholars (such as Arthur Pink and the early Catholics) believe Paul was the author. Others claim it was written by Timothy or Barnabas. Some even suggest that the writers were Aquila and Priscilla. Still others (such as Martin Luther and R.C. Lenski) believe that Apollos wrote it. But despite the learned theories, which claim to "prove" the author's identity, none succeeds, and the fact remains that despite two thousand years of scholarship, nobody knows who actually penned these immortal words. Even if we knew the author's identity, the knowledge would not help us very much. It would not change one word of the letter, nor make it more effective. "Exploring Hebrews" does not waste time following rabbit trails, but instead concentrates on what the letter itself has to say. Every verse is covered and carefully explained. Our goal is to learn, bearing in mind that although God has not revealed the identity of the human author of Hebrews, the letter was clearly written under divine inspiration. "All Scripture is God-breathed" (2 Timothy 3:16) and "The prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (2 Peter 1:21).

This book follows the fascinating story of four great men whom God used to begin a process that would eventually culminate in the Messiah, Jesus Christ. God's great covenant was first given to Abraham and then passed down to his son, Isaac, his grandson, Jacob and ultimately to his great grandson, Joseph. These men were not supersaints. They made mistakes and exhibited many of the weaknesses that characterized us all. There is therefore much to learn from their lives as, by faith, they overcame the obstacles that confronted them along the road of life.

The book of Daniel is one of the most important prophetic texts in the Bible. It sets out, more clearly than any other book, God's plan for the ages, thus giving us a road map which enables us to understand future worldwide developments. After the deaths of David and Solomon, the kingdom of Israel split into two parts and rapidly slipped into decline. A succession of godless kings led the people into idolatry and brought them down to humiliation and defeat at the hands of their enemies. By the year 721 BC, the northern ten tribes had disappeared, having been carried off into slavery by the kings of Assyria. The remaining two tribes (Judah and Benjamin) continued for another hundred years but eventually, due to their continued disregard of God's will, they came to a similar fate. Daniel, a young man of high birth, was carried off to Babylon and his book is a graphic account of his incredible experiences there. "Exploring Daniel" examines every verse of Daniel's writing and seeks to explain the meaning and significance of the text. An understanding of the book of Daniel is essential to gaining insight into Bible prophecy in general.

The story in this book contains nothing spectacular. It is a simple account of two people who lived, laughed, loved and served in the second half of the twentieth century. They were not famous and did not associate with famous people. They are representative of thousands of others who quietly live their lives in a changing world. However, running beneath this everyday story is a second account which is not commonplace. It describes the way God took two ordinary people and without formal theological training placed them in a ministry that over a period of forty-five years impacted thousands of lives. It is a demonstration of what God can do if we are willing to step out in faith. The narrative takes us from a handful of folk in a country chapel to a sizable congregation in a multi-million dollar sanctuary; from a five-minute devotional on a local radio station to a Bible teaching ministry that covers much of the world. This was God's doing and it is marvelous in our eyes. As you read these pages, think back over your own life. Will you record it for the encouragement and inspiration of the generations to follow, or will your testimony fade from history and be lost for ever? The hymn-writer wrote these words: "Time, like an ever-rolling stream, Bears all its sons away. They fly, forgotten as a dream Dies as the opening day." One way to avoid this tragic loss is to record your experiences on paper. Others will read them and be inspired to do likewise.

"Exploring Romans," is an attempt to explain the profound truths of Paul's letter in everyday language. Somewhere between AD 55 and AD 57, an itinerant preacher named Paul wrote a letter to the Christians in Rome. Working his way across Asia Minor and into Europe, he preached the Gospel tirelessly. Many churches were founded but fearful opposition was also generated. Paul was stoned, beaten, shipwrecked, and imprisoned but nothing dampened his enthusiasm. His letter to the Romans is a masterpiece. It sets out the basic tenets of the Christian faith but also explores eternal mysteries in greater depth than any other work. We hope it will help the reader gain a better understanding of the marvels of God's inspired Word.

Nobody knows for certain who wrote the letter to the Hebrews. Many scholars (such as Arthur Pink and the early Catholics) believe Paul was the author. Others claim it was written by Timothy or Barnabas. Some even suggest that the writers were Aquila and Priscilla. Still others (such as Martin Luther and R.C. Lenski) believe that Apollos wrote it. But despite the learned theories, which claim to "prove" the author's identity, none succeeds, and the fact remains that despite two thousand years of scholarship, nobody knows who actually penned these immortal words. Even if we knew the author's identity, the knowledge would not help us very much. It would not change one word of the letter, nor make it more effective. "Exploring Hebrews" does not waste time following rabbit trails, but instead concentrates on what the letter itself has to say. Every verse is covered and carefully explained. Our goal is to learn, bearing in mind that although God has not revealed the identity of the human author of Hebrews, the letter was clearly written under divine inspiration. "All Scripture is God-breathed" (2 Timothy 3:16) and "The prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (2 Peter 1:21).

In the year AD 62, the Apostle Paul was a prisoner in Rome. He had been arrested in Jerusalem on a false charge of taking Greeks into the temple. Knowing he would not receive a fair trial in Jerusalem, he had exercised his right as a Roman citizen and appealed to Caesar. Eventually, after many adventures, he arrived in Rome and awaited his hearing before Nero. During this waiting period he wrote four marvelous letters, letters which have enriched the lives of countless people down through the centuries. All four letters were recognized by the Fathers as inspired by God and were incorporated in the Scriptures. This book concentrates on Paul's letter to the Ephesians. The original recipients have long since left this world, but God's Word is still alive and we shall examine the letter verse-by-verse, with a view to understanding what God is saying to us today.

This book follows the fascinating story of four great men whom God used to begin a process that would eventually culminate in the Messiah, Jesus Christ. God's great covenant was first given to Abraham and then passed down to his son, Isaac, his grandson, Jacob and ultimately to his great grandson, Joseph. These men were not supersaints. They made mistakes and exhibited many of the weaknesses that characterized us all. There is therefore much to learn from their lives as, by faith, they overcame the obstacles that confronted them along the road of life.

The book of Daniel is one of the most important prophetic texts in the Bible. It sets out, more clearly than any other book, God's plan for the ages, thus giving us a road map which enables us to understand future worldwide developments. After the deaths of David and Solomon, the kingdom of Israel split into two parts and rapidly slipped into decline. A succession of godless kings led the people into idolatry and brought them down to humiliation and defeat at the hands of their enemies. By the year 721 BC, the northern ten tribes had disappeared, having been carried off into slavery by the kings of Assyria. The remaining two tribes (Judah and Benjamin) continued for another hundred years but eventually, due to their continued disregard of God's will, they came to a similar fate. Daniel, a young man of high birth, was carried off to Babylon and his book is a graphic account of his incredible experiences there. "Exploring Daniel" examines every verse of Daniel's writing and seeks to explain the meaning and significance of the text. An understanding of the book of Daniel is essential to gaining insight into Bible prophecy in general.

Paul wrote his letter to the Colossians with the purpose of strengthening the Christians against the false teaching that was infiltrating their church. The precise nature of the problem in Colossae is not known for certain, but the letter itself makes it clear that there were two main influences at work, namely: religious legalism and human philosophy. By their very nature, they threatened to undermine the faith of the believers by substituting human effort or human wisdom for the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Legalism in the church is a system whereby an attempt is made to please God by adherence to rules and regulations. This appeals to the fallen nature of man as being more reasonable, more appealing, than the acceptance of God's grace. Philosophy, on the other hand, amounts to human wisdom which disregards the divine will and gives human logic higher importance than God's Word. Both systems glorify man and place the focus of attention on human sufficiency. The truth is that any system which teaches independence from God, however good or intelligent it may appear to be, is counterfeit. "Exploring Colossians" is a verse-by-verse commentary on this famous letter. It seeks to explain Paul's teaching in a way that anyone can understand. It avoids technical or obscure arguments and focuses on the devotional nature of the book, with the purpose of encouraging and strengthening readers in their faith. Colossians, more than most New Testament letters, reveals the sovereignty of Christ, and readers of the commentary are gently led to see the importance of this in their daily lives.

The thing that sets the Christian faith apart from all other religions is that instead of stipulating a system of obligations man must fulfill in order to please God, it offers redemption as a free gift. The question is not what we do for God but what we allow God to do for us. Paul's letter to the Galatians sets out with crystal clarity the futility of works as a means of gaining God's favor. It addresses the claims of false teachers, who were infiltrating the churches in the Roman province of Galatia, and effectively silences them. As no other New Testament letter, Galatians explains the great doctrines of Justification by Faith, Christian liberty, The Believer's inheritance, the Exchanged Life and the Power of the Spirit. Exploring Galatians is a devotional commentary, which explains, verse by verse, the treasures of Paul's letter. It is written for the layman, in simple, non-technical language, but nevertheless succeeds in capturing the letter's great truths and bringing them under the spotlight. The author's prayer is that his readers will gain a new appreciation of their inheritance in Christ and be encouraged to walk a life of faith and fulfillment.

The Apostle Paul wrote his first letter to the Christians in Corinth after receiving news of problems within the church there. He had previously ministered in the city for nearly two years and therefore knew the people intimately. We tend to imagine that people who lived two thousand years ago were somehow different from us. They seem distant, imaginary, vapid. Yet human nature has not changed with the passage of time. Customs have changed, fashions have changed, daily living experiences have undergone radical transformations, but the human psyche today is no different from what it was in the time of the Apostle Paul. Hope, fear, lust, desire, love, hate, spirituality and sin are all identical to those affecting society in the first century. Paul''s first letter to the Corinthians was written to real people with real problems. He wrote against the backdrop of first century Grecian life and therefore the actual circumstances he addressed may not apply to us in our twenty-first century western sophistication. However, behind the details lie the same old problems, just as up-to-date as they were when the letter was written. The teaching of 1 Corinthians is very practical and extremely powerful. It deals with subjects that are at the root of many problems in both the church and personal experience today. This book covers every verse of the letter and attempts to explain, in easy to understand language, its deep themes and significance. It is a devotional commentary, in the sense that its purpose is to apply the spiritual principles contained in the letter to the Christian''s daily life.

As significant current events unfold all around us and voices are heard everywhere, saying "look here" and "look there," it is important that we keep our feet firmly grounded on the Word of God. Outside God''s Word there is no stability and it is easy to be alarmed or sidetracked by spectacular forecasts that have very little substance to them. Our primary task as Christians is to know what God''s Word says about the last days and to refuse any information that may be hearsay and which cannot be reconciled with the Scriptures. Anyone could write a book about last things, and many do, but it''s wise to take much of what is written with a pinch of salt. However, when, as in the case of Revelation, the author is God Himself, it is necessary that the facts be well affirmed. And in the opening verses John takes pains to impress upon his readers the accuracy and reliability of what he is about to write. The information did not originate with him. It came from God the Father to God the Son and was then communicated to John by an angel. Although our English Bibles record the title of this book as "The Revelation of John," it is not about John, nor his revelation. It is about Jesus Christ in His role as ruler, conqueror and controller of all things, spiritual and temporal. When Jesus said to His disciples, ''''All power is given unto me in Heaven and on earth" that is precisely what He meant, namely, ALL power, total control over all things. My prayer is that this commentary will help to clarify the immense scope of this book of Revelation to the minds of those who read it.

The Apostle Paul wrote his first letter to the Christians in Corinth after receiving news of problems within the church there. He had previously ministered in the city for nearly two years and therefore knew the people intimately. We tend to imagine that people who lived two thousand years ago were somehow different from us. They seem distant, imaginary, vapid. Yet human nature has not changed with the passage of time. Customs have changed, fashions have changed, daily living experiences have undergone radical transformations, but the human psyche today is no different from what it was in the time of the Apostle Paul. Hope, fear, lust, desire, love, hate, spirituality and sin are all identical to those affecting society in the first century. Paul''s first letter to the Corinthians was written to real people with real problems. He wrote against the backdrop of first century Grecian life and therefore the actual circumstances he addressed may not apply to us in our twenty-first century western sophistication. However, behind the details lie the same old problems, just as up-to-date as they were when the letter was written. The teaching of 1 Corinthians is very practical and extremely powerful. It deals with subjects that are at the root of many problems in both the church and personal experience today. This book covers every verse of the letter and attempts to explain, in easy to understand language, its deep themes and significance. It is a devotional commentary, in the sense that its purpose is to apply the spiritual principles contained in the letter to the Christian''s daily life.