1 Peter 3:15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

We who are in Christ want to be able to earnestly answer any unbeliever’s questions.

IDK stands for “I don’t know.” It is better to say that than to make up an answer.

Matthew 19:28 English Standard Version

28 Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world,[a] when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Footnotes

1. Matthew 19:28 Greek in the regeneration

There are opportunities to ask questions in this verse where I don’t have a good answer.

“Is there a difference between judging tribes and judging individuals?” IDK

“Judas who betrayed Christ was one of the twelve when Jesus said that. Will Judas judge a tribe of Israel?” IDK

“Where is this new world Jesus is talking about?” IDK

“Well what do you know?” I know that God made Himself known to me in a way that I could not deny He is God.

“Will he make himself known to me?” IDK

What I hope for is based on faith. What I pray for is based on who I am. Those are just two of many elements in a life of faith that has been played out over four decades.

There are no instant answers for life’s struggle.

The word “Apocalypse” comes from the Greek word ἀποκάλυψις (apokálypsis).

It literally means “uncovering,” “revealing,” “disclosure,” or “revelation.”

In the Bible, it is not about destruction or the end of the world.

Today, when most people say “apocalypse” or “apocalyptic,” they usually mean: a catastrophic end of the world or total destruction of civilization. Something like: Nuclear war, climate collapse or asteroid impact

There is a vast difference between biblical meanings and secular usage.

This leads to confusion as to if the speaker is or is not a disciple of Christ. Dictionaries only reflect how the world uses language.

One thing churches could do but is not done in all churches is to have a discipleship program to get everyone on the same page. What that means to each church administration will vary because not all administrations are alike.

I had mentioned in a previous post that a non-denominational charismatic church focused primarily on the spiritual gifts. They did not have a discipleship program. Another church I attended focused on the teaching of the word and the practical impact the bible had throughout history and in our daily lives. They did not have a discipleship program.

Some churches have discipleship programs that indoctrinate rather than educate.

The biblical use of the word disciple is a student of their master. Before Christ students chose their Rabbi. That all changed when Jesus began His ministry.

John 12:26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

John 13:18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen….

While Jesus talks to everyone, He has not chosen everyone to be His disciple.

That is a hard lesson.