John 12

There is much discussion about the end times. When and how it is going to be. This post will direct you to some of the main points in the Bible about end times.

1. Revelation 22:20-21 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.

These are the last two verses of the Bible. The Bible ends with a promise. Jesus is coming back. The first time Jesus came as a humble servant. He will return as King of kings and Lord of lords.

2. 2 Timothy 3:1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.

Before Jesus comes back there will be times of difficulty, of tribulation. The Bible warns that people will be led astray and Christians will face much persecution. There are also warnings about wars and natural disasters.

3. John 11:23-24 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.”

When Jesus comes back on the last day, the Bible speaks of the resurrection of the dead. Jesus showed that it is true by raising Lazarus from the dead after four days, just before going up to Jersualem for his death and resurrection. 

4. Matthew 12:36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak

We will all stand before Jesus and be judged. We are all guilty of sin, from which we must repent and ask for forgiveness. It is by God’s grace we are forgiven.

5. 2 Peter 3:13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

The heaven and earth will be set on fire and dissolved. The Bible gives us a promise of a new heaven and a new earth.

6. Revelation 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.

For those with their name in the book of life, the new Jerusalem will come down from heaven and will dwell with God forever. 

7. Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Although words of coming tribulation and judgement may worry you, do not worry about tomorrow. Christians are called to be lights in the world and share the Gospel today.

Unity is a fundamental principle deeply rooted in the Bible, emphasizing the strength, harmony, and spiritual growth that comes from being united in faith and purpose. Here are seven powerful Bible verses that highlight the importance of unity and the divine blessings that flow from it.

1. Psalm 133:1 

“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”

Unity among God’s people is seen as something good and pleasing, reflecting God’s desire for His followers to live in peace and mutual support.

2. John 17:22

I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one.

Jesus emphasizes the importance of unity among His followers. He prays for believers to be united just as He is with the Father.

3. Ephesians 4:3

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

We are all part of one body with one hope, one Lord, one faith, and one God. We should therefore preserve this unity.

4. 1 Corinthians 1:10 

“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.”

God does not like divisions. Unity is essential for presenting a cohesive and powerful witness to the world.

5. Colossians 3:14 

“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Love is identified as the ultimate virtue that holds everything together in perfect unity.

6. Romans 12:5

So in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”

Unity in diversity means each one is important in their own way and we need each other in every way.

7. Philippians 2:2 

Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.”

Unity brings joy and completeness. We are all encouraged to cultivate a peaceful and loving community.

Here are a couple of reminders for you about loving one another. Be inspired to go out and spread love to those around you.

1. 1 Corinthians 16:14 Let all that you do be done in love.

Love is at the very core of our faith. We shouldn’t love only at certain times. Everything we do should be done in love.

2. John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

Jesus sets the example for us. He loves us, despite our flaws and shortcomings. We are also called to love one another.

3. Romans 12:10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Christians are brothers and sisters as adopted children of God. Therefore, we are to love one another like we love our family.

4. Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works

You can set an example to people around you, by showing love. Inspire others to love and do good.

5. Matthew 5:43-44 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you

Jesus tells us that we should not limit our love to those who love us, but even those who persecute us. To love and pray for our enemy or persecutor is a challenge in loving one another.

6. Luke 6:31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

Don’t wait for others to do good and show love. Express your love by doing good first.

7. Matthew 22:39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

The greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. Jesus says that all the law and the prophets depend on these two.

How does the Bible view women? At face value, some of its messages and examples can seem oppressive or devaluing. But when you learn more about how Jesus responded to the Bible’s historical and cultural context, you may rethink your first impressions. Christ entered into a specific time and culture that had assumptions very different from ours. How can understanding the biblical context inform our reading? How can the context help us to better understand who Jesus is—what he values, loves, and expects of his followers? Take a look, traveling all the way back to the culture Jesus entered.

How the Greeks Viewed Women

Let’s begin with the philosophers. Writers and thinkers often infuse a culture with certain beliefs—and this was especially so in the Greco-Roman world. When examined closely, some of their ideas may seem surprisingly antiquated to the modern reader.

For example, the revered philosopher Plato believed that women should be confined to the home while men tended to the business of state and commerce. Aristotle went even further, teaching that women were inferior to men, incapable of abstract thought, and emotionally volatile. Thus husbands and fathers were to rule over their wives and daughters. This thinking reflects the basic attitude toward women during the classical period.

How did these attitudes affect a woman’s life? The picture is not a pretty one.  A young Greek girl is routinely married off to an older man. Her husband is free to take a concubine, and romantic love is not expected within marriage. Her role is to bear and raise children and run the household. She will rarely leave the house. Her education is limited to learning domestic tasks. She is not permitted to vote or hold property. Why would she be? As Euripides the playwright notes, “A woman is handicapped by intellect.” Thucydides helps him along by writing, “The name of a decent woman, like her person, should be shut up in the house.”

How the Jews Viewed Women

By Jesus’s time Greek ideas—including these ideas about women—had gradually crept into Jewish culture, despite Old Testament writings to the contrary. In the creation account in Genesis, God creates human beings as both male and female, giving them co-equal stewardship over the earth (Genesis 1:26-30). Throughout the Old Testament, women are given equal access to God’s law and held equally responsible to keep it.

The Old Testament record is replete with women whose great courage often surpasses that of the men around them. The stories of Miriam, Rahab, Ruth, Deborah, Hannah, Abigail, and Esther are prime examples of women whose insight and fortitude greatly influence the biblical narrative and the way God’s people understood themselves.

The Jewish understanding of women was so affected by exile, conquest, and trade that by Jesus’s time women were discouraged from studying Torah, God’s law, and encouraged to stay home to fulfill household duties. They attended synagogue assemblies seated separately from the men. The Greek-educated Jewish philosopher Philo, a contemporary of Jesus, saw women as having weak judgment and considered them unfit to learn the law. Some rabbis even went so far as to encourage men to limit their conversations with their own wives. What was the point of talking to someone with little knowledge of the law?

How Jesus Viewed Women

Into this distortion of God’s original intent for women comes a new teacher, the rabbi called Jesus of Nazareth. What do we know about Jesus’s relationships with women? Did he hold the same opinions as his culture? Let’s take a look at a few of his encounters with women.

Jesus speaks to a Samaritan woman in public (John 4:4-30)

Jesus shocks the woman at the well by asking her for a drink. Thus he steamrolls over cultural taboos against men speaking to women as well as Jewish prejudice against Samaritans. “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?”

Jesus then reveals himself to her as the Messiah and the giver of the living water for which she longs.

Jesus teaches a woman one-on-one (Luke 10:38-42)

Women were not expected to study Torah, yet this renegade rabbi singles out one woman and opens Scripture to her. Mary “sat down at the feet of the Lord and listened to his teaching.” This position was that of the traditional rabbinic student.

When her sister complains about needing help, Jesus tells her that “Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Jesus comforts a widow and confronts death (Luke 7:11-17)

“Don’t cry,” Jesus says to a grieving widow whose son lies dead in his coffin. He touches the coffin, defying ceremonial law. Jaws drop in amazement as the young man sits up and begins to speak. Jesus gives the widow’s son back to her, alive and well.

Jesus touches an “unclean” woman (Luke 8:43-48)

Ceremonially unclean due to a chronic hemorrhage, a woman touches the hem of Jesus’ cloak. “Daughter,” Jesus speaks tenderly. “Your faith has healed you. Shalom.”

Jesus touches an infirm woman (Luke 13:10-16)

The religious leaders object to Jesus’s laying his healing hands on a crippled woman on the Sabbath.

“You hypocrites!” Jesus does not mince words. “Any one of you would untie your ox or your donkey from the stall and take it out to give it water on the Sabbath.Now here is this descendant of Abraham whom Satan has kept in bonds for eighteen years; should she not be released on the Sabbath?”

Jesus deals with a woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11)

The woman’s accusers are silenced by Jesus’s words, “Whichever one of you has committed no sin may throw the first stone at her.” But he is gentle in his conversation with her.

Jesus allows Mary to anoint him (John 12:1-8)

When people are horrified at Mary’s extravagant outpouring of love, Jesus silences them all. Rather than rebuking her for touching him in this intimate way, he lavishes high praise on her. “Leave her alone; she’s anointing me for burial. This story will be told wherever the Gospel is preached.”

Jesus appears first to a woman after his Resurrection (John 20:11-18)

Although women were considered to be unreliable witnesses in court, Jesus assigns Mary Magdalene the task of being the first witness to the Resurrection.

Scripture’s Good News for Women

So what did Jesus really think of women? Did he touch them? Did he talk with them? Did he teach them? Did he give equal moral standing with men? Did he value them?

The record speaks for itself. First-century women in Palestine were second-class citizens. Sadly, some church leaders have still viewed and treated women in this way. But Jesus turned the tables on his culture, and his example calls us to do the same. Again and again, Jesus affirmed women’s value and dignity.

As the apostle Paul affirms in Galatians 3:26-28 (NIV): “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”