Pangaea or Pangea. The hypothesized single supercontinent created by God on the Third Day of Creation. The word derives, etymologically, from the Greek word pan, (a declension of pâs, 3956), meaning all, every, whole and the Greek mythological goddess Gaia, also spelled Gaea, a personification of the Earth, in Greek mythology the ancestral mother of all life. The term for "earth" found in the Greek NT is gē (1093). Pangaea, the concept that the earth once formed a contiguous land mass, was first proposed by the evolutionist Alfred Wegener, the originator of the theory of continental drift. WordExplain does not accept the validity of the theory of continental drift as explained by evolutionary scientists. WordExplain holds, rather, to the rapid hydroplate theory espoused by Walter Brown. The super-continent, or Pangea, appears to have split catastrophically, when the fountains of the great deep burst open (Gen. 7:11) in the Great Flood along either side of what became the Atlantic Mid-Oceanic Ridge. The land masses moved under water at warp speed, geologically, until they ran out of water underneath, and until they began to run into the Oceanic Ridge in the Pacific area. Land masses subducted downward at their leading edges, creating the ring of fire circumnavigating the Pacific Ocean. The land masses were forced upward by that momentum, at their weakest points rising into mountain ranges perpendicular to the movement of the new continents.

Paradise. The place of bliss modeled by the Garden of Eden and apparently equivalent to New Jerusalem. The Greek noun for Paradise is  parádeisos (3857), occurring but thrice in the NT (Luke 23:43; 2 Cor. 12:4; Rev. 2:7).
    According to Thayer, "among the Persians [this term referred to] a grand enclosure or preserve, hunting ground, park, shady and well watered, in which wild animals, were kept for the hunt; it was enclosed by walls and furnished with towers for the hunters." These three NT passages do not necessarily give the word that flavor, but the OT passages do. We shall examine them in a moment.
    Though these NT passages provide only limited clues as to the meaning of the word, something can be deduced from each. From Luke 23:43, we gather that Paradise is a place of bliss and comfort to which both Jesus and the believing, repentant thief on the cross were headed that very day after their deaths. From 2 Cor. 12:4, we gather that Paul was caught up into Paradise. So the direction to Paradise is upwards. By examining the context of that reference, we learn that Paul, in some sort of "vision" or "revelation" (2 Cor. 12:1) had been caught up into the "third heaven" (2 Cor. 12:2), perhaps in body or perhaps in spirit (2 Cor. 12:2, 3), a fact which only God knew (2 Cor. 12:3). While there he had heard "inexpressible words" which he was not permitted to rehearse (2 Cor. 12:4). From Rev. 2:7 we learn that believers in Christ who conquer difficulties and sins in this life will, in the next life, be granted the privilege of eating from the Tree of Life, which is located in the Paradise of God. Since we know that the Tree of Life is located on either side of the river of the water of life (Rev. 22:1-2), which is itself located within the confines of New Jerusalem (Rev. 3:12; 21:2, 10), which in turn comes down out of heaven from God and is situated either on or in orbit around New Earth (Isa. 65:17; 66:22; 2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:1, 24), we conclude that Paradise is equivalent to New Jerusalem.
    We learn more about Paradise from the Hebrew noun pardês (6508). According to BDB it is a Persian or Zend loan-word referring to a preserve or park that contains trees, including fruit trees and costly plants. It is used but three times in the OT: In Neh. 2:8 it refers to the king's forest. In Eccles. 2:5 it is translated as "parks," parallel to gardens; in these Solomon had planted all kinds of fruit trees. In Song of Solomon 4:13 it is translated as an "orchard" of pomegranates.
    We conclude, then, that the Garden of Eden was the initial prototypical "Paradise." But man defiled it with his sin, and man was barred from any further access. Subsequently, New Jerusalem is to be identified as the ultimate Paradise. New Jerusalem is enormous, measuring some 1400 miles wide, long, and high (Rev. 21:16). It is difficult to get any type of feeling for a typical city that can be expressed in those dimensions. For myself, one possibility is to liken New Jerusalem to a gigantic Embassy Suites Hotel, built around a center atrium, complete with plants and fountains and rivers and animals. I believe that New Jerusalem is certainly large enough to contain the heavenly Mount Zion. I can visualize it covered with mountains, parks, farms, villages, and communities, all situated around the "City Center." In the City Center is located the throne of God and of the Lamb (Rev. 22:1), the River of Water of Life streaming from the throne of God (Rev. 22:1), and the Tree of Life astride the River (Rev. 22:2). Paradise is, and will be through all eternity, a place of love and unity and fellowship and beauty and praise and worship and service of God and the Lamb (Rev. 22:3-5).


Parousia. Though the word parousia can mean either coming or presence, as used in Christological contexts, it refers to Christ's glorious return.



Participle. Greek Participle. A hybrid verb / noun or "verbal adjective." As such a participle can be parsed as a verb, that is it possesses Mood, Tense, Voice, and Person, as well as Number. But it can also be declined as a noun, possessing Case and Gender, as well as Number. Frequently participles are translated in English with an "ing" ending. For example, "going" in Matt. 28:19 is the Nominative Case, Plural Number, Masculine Gender, Participle Mood (with Imperatival force), Aorist Tense, Passive Deponent Voice, Second Person of poreúomai (4198); while "baptizing" in the same verse is the Nominative Case, Plural Number, Masculine Gender, Participial Mood (with Imperatival force), Present Tense, Active Voice, Second Person of baptídzō (907). Both words have a verbal action ("going," "baptizing") but they also name that activity.See Cory Keating's "Greek Verbs (Shorter Definition)." More technically, Participles can be used Adjectivally, Substantively, or Adverbially. Adverbially, they can be used as a Temporal, Causal, Instrumental, Telic, or Concessional Participle. See Cory Keating's longer section on "Greek Participles." See also Cory Keating's Chart on the Classification of Adverbial (Circumstantial) Participles.

Participle. Hebrew Participle. Participles also appear in the Hebrew language. The Hebrew participle is the aspect of a verbal rendering that exists as a verbal adjective or substantive. It has the idea of describing an ongoing action on the part of the subject. A participle possesses Gender and Number. It can appear in any one of the seven verb stems – Qal, Niphal (or Nifal), Piel, Pual, Hiphil (or Hifil), Hophal, Hithpael.


Passive Voice. In NT Greek, the grammatical voice that indicates the subject is the recipient of the action of the verb. If the subject is performing the action, the verb is said to be in the Active Voice. If the subject is being acted upon, the verb is said to be in the Passive Voice. At times the surrounding context indicates the identity of the agent acting upon the subject. At other times, the context does not reveal the identity of the agent, for that was not the purpose of the author. For example, in 1 Cor. 12:13 Paul writes that it was by one Spirit that all (of the Corinthians) were baptized (at a point of time) into one body -- the Body of Christ. "Were baptized" is the Aorist Tense, Passive Voice of baptídzō (907). Here the text explicitly reveals that it is the Holy Spirit who was the means by which the Corinthians were (passively) baptized into the one body of Christ. In Ephesians 2:22 Paul writes that the (largely Gentile) readers "also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit." The phrase "are being built together" translates the Present Tense, Passive Voice, Indicative Mood of sunoikodoméō (4925). In this instance it was not important to Paul to indicate the identity of the agent who was presently building these believers into a dwelling of God. We as readers can guess that it was God Himself, or, perhaps better, the Spirit of God who was the agent. But we cannot know for certain, for the text does not say.


Passover. In Hebrew the term is pesach (6453), a noun, "Passover" (Ex. 12:11). Its corresponding verb is pâsach (6452), "pass" coupled with the preposition ‛al (5921), "over" (Ex.12:23). In God's great deliverance of Israel from bondage to Egypt, He performed through Moses nine great plagues. The tenth plague, the death of the Egyptian firstborn, both man and cattle, was what finally persuaded Pharaoh to let the Israelis depart. God instructed Moses to tell the Hebrews to slaughter an umblemished male a year old, from either among the sheep or the goats (Ex. 12:5-6). They were to apply the blood from the lamb on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses in which they lived (Ex. 12:7). God would go through the land of Egypt and kill every firstborn of  man and beast (Ex. 12:12). This would be a judgment against the false gods of Egypt (Ex. 12:12). When God saw the blood on the houses of the Israelis, he would "pass over" them, not allowing the destroyer to enter their houses and strike them, killing the firstborn (Ex. 12:13, 23). I believe the "Destroyer" was The Angel of Yahweh, the preincarnate Christ. The Passover was the feast commemorating this stupendous event. It was to be eaten in conjunction with the seven-day "Feast of Unleavened Bread" (Ex. 12:14-20). This was to be a perpetual observance especially for the benefit of Israel’s sons (Ex. 12:24-27). This feast was emblematic of the death of
the perfect Lamb of God, who died to pay for the sins of Israel and the world (John 1:29). His blood had to be shed to purchase atonement and redemption. The application of the blood of Jesus is not automatic. Each individual must apply Jesus’ blood to his own life (John 3:15-18). Jesus termed this transaction "being born again" (John 3:1-8, 14-15).
    References to Passover in the NT use the noun páscha (3957). Examples include Matt. 26:2, 17, 18, 19. We learn that Christ is our Passover (1 Cor. 5:7).
    There were seven appointed feasts and holy assemblies in Israel: (1) The Sabbath (Lev. 23:1-3); (2) Passover and Unleavened Bread (Lev. 23:4-8); (3) Firstfruits (Lev. 23:9-14); (4) Feast of Weeks (Lev. 23:15-22); (5) Feast of Trumpets (Lev. 23:23-25); (6) Day of Atonement (Lev. 23:26-32); (7) Feast of Booths (Lev. 23:33-44). This entry updated October 30, 2024


Pastor. In the NT, someone who has been given the gift and the responsibility of shepherding, i.e. overseeing the spiritual well-being of believers in a local church. The noun is poimēn (4166).


Patach. The Hebrew vowel pointing represented by a straight horizontal line underneath the consonant and pronounced as the English letter a in hat. In the image below, the patach appears under the Hebrew letter aleph. For a further discussion of vowels "Basics of Biblical Hebrew" Chapter 2c.


Paul, the Apostle. Saul of Tarsus, whom Jesus personally chose to be an Apostle. Saul was a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, brought up in Jerusalem as a Pharisee under the tutelage of Gamaliel (Acts 22:3), a highly respected teacher of the Law (Acts 5:34). Saul was a man of great zeal. He was present at and approving of the assassination of Stephen, the Church's first martyr (Acts 7:57-8:1). Shortly thereafter he began ravaging the church, entering house after house, dragging off men and women and imprisoning them (Acts 8:3).

Paul's turn-around was nothing short of miraculous. En route to Damascus to imprison more Jewish believers in Christ, he was stopped dead in his tracks by the blinding appearance of Christ (Acts 9:1-6). The Lord Jesus commissioned a devout Christian named Ananias to instruct Saul concerning his mission as an Apostle of Christ (Acts 9:10-19). Paul regularly identified himself in his letters as an Apostle of Christ (Rom. 1:1; 1 Cor. 1:1; 2 Cor. 1:1; Gal. 1:1; Eph. 1:1; Col. 1:1; 1 Tim. 1:1; 2 Tim. 1:1. Jesus confirmed Paul's legitimacy as one of His apostles through miraculous signs (2 Cor. 12:11-12).

Ultimately, Paul changed from becoming the church's greatest adversary to becoming its greatest missionary. Though Peter was the Apostle most in view in Acts 1-12, Paul eclipsed him in Acts 13-28. Paul wrote more New Testament books (letters) than any other Apostle. He wrote Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. This amounts to 13 of the 26 NT documents. Paul's influence upon the progress and doctrine of the Church is arguably greater than Peter's, though the latter had an unmatched influence on the Church's founding.

There is a contrast between the ministries of the two Apostles. Though Paul was indeed commissioned to bear Jesus' name before the sons of Israel (Acts 9:15), he was primarily the Apostle of the Gentiles (Rom. 11:13; Gal. 1:16; Eph. 3:8). Peter, on the other hand, was especially the Apostle on behalf of the "circumcised" (Gal. 2:7-8).



PC Glossary. A Politically Incorrect Glossary of Politically Correct Terms. This Glossary is in progress. Much remains to be completed. I believe it is important to include this glossary. Cultural change and political dysfunction and animosity is increasing at lightning speed in America and throughout the world. Many Christians are bewildered by what is going on. To some degree, at least, this glossary explains what is happening. In the end, to bring peace to a dysfunctional and war-weary world and society, one can only long for the Second Coming of the Prince of Peace, the Great King. Only He can bring peace to a divided and war-like world. And He will!


Pentecost, Day of. The Greek name for a festival known in the OT as the "Feast of Weeks" (Lev. 23:15-22; Deut. 16:9-12). The Law provided for an interval of seven weeks plus a day after the sabbath following the beginning of harvest (Lev. 23:15-16). The Greek word pentêcostê (4005) means "fiftieth," and it refers to the fiftieth day (seven weeks plus a day) having elapsed since the Wave Offering of the Sheaf of the First fruits of the standing grain (Lev. 23:9-14; Deut. 16:9). The Day of Pentecost is referred to but three time in the NT (Acts 2:1; 20:16; 1 Cor. 16:8). The first occurrence, however (Acts 2:1),  holds great significance for the Church. It was on this day that the resurrected, ascended Messiah sent forth the promised Holy Spirit upon his waiting followers (Acts 2:1-4). His arrival was marked by the sound of a violent, rushing wind (Acts 2:2), by what appeared as flickering tongues of fire alighting on the heads of each of the believers (Acts 2:3), by the filling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4), and by the believers' sudden, miraculous ability to speak in diverse languages (Dative Plural of glōssa, 1100) and dialects (Dative Singular of diálektos, 1258) they had never before learned. Jesus had just begun building His Church (Matt. 16:18)! Peter explained the significance of the miraculous signs to a fascinated Jewish audience, and 3,000 stunned people of those in attendance changed their minds about who Jesus was and were baptized in His name (Acts 2:37-42). Jesus has been building His Church for almost 2,000 years now. When the last person is added, Jesus will return for His waiting bride (John 14:1-3; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 2 Thess. 2:1). We popularly call that event the Rapture. The Church begun on the Day of Pentecost and completed at the Rapture will, after her purification and marriage to the Lamb (Rev. 19:7-9), ultimately make her eternal home in New Jerusalem, as represented there by the Twelve Apostles (Rev. 21:14).


Pentecostal, Pentecostalism. The theologically conservative Holiness movement originating in the Methodist Church that believes all the gifts of the Spirit are operative today. A major focus of the Pentecostal movement is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit as evidenced by speaking in tongues. As of 2011, there were 279 million pentecostal Christians and 305 million charismatic Christians in the world.

According to GotQuestions:


There are three main divisions of Pentecostalism. The original group came out of the Methodist and Nazarene Churches. They believe in forgiveness through faith in Jesus. A second step is sanctification, or the second blessing, in which the believer achieves sinless perfection. A third step is the baptism of the Spirit, evidenced by speaking in tongues and other signs. The Church of God in Christ and the Church of God, Cleveland Tennessee, are two major denominations in this group.

The second division came out of a Baptist background. The Assemblies of God  denomination was founded in 1914 by Eudorus N. Bell, who had been a Southern Baptist Pastor. These believe that the baptism of the Spirit is available for anyone regardless of sanctification.

The third division is the Oneness Pentecostals. This group believed that baptism should be done in Jesus' name only. Moreover, they believed that speaking in tongues was a necessary evidence of salvation. This group is comprised of the United Pentecostal Church and the Apostolic Pentecostal Church, plus others.

The modern day Charismatic Movement is an off-shoot of Pentecostalism. The Charismatic movement is much broader than Pentecostalism, however. There are Charismatic Lutherans, Baptists, Episcopalians, Anglicans, Orthodox, and even Roman Catholics. There are also non-denomination affiliates such as the Vineyard Christian Fellowship based in California.

WordExplain does not question the sincerity of Charismatics or Pentecostals. But WordExplain believes that the miraculous sign gifts have ceased to exist. Why should we believe that modern day prophets exist when nothing has been added to Scripture for about 2000 years?



Perfect Tense in Greek. In Koine Greek, the Perfect Tense indicates that the progress of an action has been completed, and the results continue. Sometimes they continue on into the present. At other times the progress and results continue to a stated point in past time. For example, in Eph. 2:12, the Gentile readers, now Christian, are said to have been "formerly" (Eph. 2:11) and "at that time" (Eph. 2:12) "excluded" (Perfect Tense) from the commonwealth of Israel." Whether, at the present time of the writing of the letter the Gentile Christian readers remained in a state of exclusion from the commonwealth of Israel is a point open to theological debate to be decided on other grounds. But the use of the Perfect tense of "excluded" (Eph. 2:12) does not demand that they presently are excluded because of the "past" time indicators stated in the text. Unlike the English perfect, which indicates a completed past action, under normal circumstances, the Greek perfect tense indicates the continuation and present state of a completed past action" (NTGreek.org).

Perfect Tense in Hebrew. The Perfect Aspect of the verb indicates an action that is viewed as "whole and complete, without respect to the time of the action." It "conveys the totality of an action without dividing up its chronological processes." (Yahowah Beryth). The Hebrew Perfect is also referred to as the "suffixed" conjugation. Its counterpart, the Imperfect, is referred to as a "prefixed" conjugation.


Perseverance of the Saints. The doctrine taught by Calvinism that true believers, despite some forays into sin and even carnality (fleshliness) (1 Cor. 3:1-3), will inevitably, through the predetermined plan of God, ultimately persevere in their walk with God. Put another way, genuine believers cannot and will not lose their salvation. Perhaps one of the strongest passages that teach this truth is to be found in Romans 8:29-30. (1) There are a group of people that God foreknew as His own from eternity past (Rom. 8:29). (2) This same group of people God predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son (Rom. 8:29). (3) This same group of people God called to Himself (Rom. 8:30). (4) This same group of people God justified, or declared righteous (Rom. 8:30). (5) This same group of people God glorified (Rom. 8:30). Obviously the glorification will not occur until the resurrection, but from God's perspective all of these events that occur before time and in time in actual experience, are equally certain. Romans 8:31-39 describes the believer's certain hope of eternal victory because of God's love. If God is for us, who can be against us (Rom. 8:31)? Since God has justified us, who can bring charges against us (Rom. 8:33)? If Christ died for us, who can condemn us (Rom. 8:34)? In fact, there is nothing in all of creation that can possibly separate us from the love which God has for us in Christ (Rom. 8:35-39).  Another name given to the doctrine of Perseverance of the Saints is Eternal Security.

    There are some who object to this doctrine, even though it is clearly taught in Scripture. They rely heavily on passages like Heb. 6:1-8 and Heb. 10:26-31. To explore these sorts of objections, see the author's following articles: Can a Christian Lose His Salvation?; Does Hebrews 6:1-8 teach that Christians can lose their salvation?; Does Hebrews 10:26-31 teach that Christians can lose their salvation?; and What Does God Do With Christians Who Sin?.


Personal Sin. Acts of sin which humans commit. These are attitudes we convey or things that we do that are outside the will and the character of God. In the NT, the verb hamartánō (264), "I sin" or "I miss the mark" expresses the act of sinning against God. The devil sinned from the beginning, and the person who consistently practices sin (the noun hamartía, 266) is of the devil (1 John 3:8). The Scriptures assert, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). Acts of sin are committed ultimately against God (Luke 15:18, 21), but also against other people (Luke 17:3, 4). Sometimes sin is against ourselves (1 Cor. 6:18), as well as against others. When we sin against other Christians, we also sin against Christ (1 Cor. 8:12). John asserts that if we Christians say we have not committed acts of sin, we are liars, and God's Word is not in us (1 John 1:10). No one who is born of God, who is remaining in Christ, habitually sins (1 John 3:6, 9; 5:18). Other categories of sin of which all are guilty include Representative Sin (sometimes termed Imputed Sin) and Inherited Sin.


Peter. The leading Apostle during the ministry of Jesus. The author of two letters, 1 Peter and 2 Peter. His fuller name was Simon Peter, brother of Andrew. He was a fisherman (Matt. 4:18). He was one of the original twelve apostles (Matt. 10:2). Peter was a natural leader, and sometimes more than a bit impetuous (Matt. 14:28-29; 16:22-23; 17:4; 26:35). He and James and John were Jesus' three favorite disciples (Matt. 17:1-3). At one point in Jesus' ministry He asked His disciples who people were saying that He, the Son of Man was (Matt. 16:13). The answers came back, "John the Baptist," "Elijah," "Jeremiah," or "one of the prophets" (Matt. 16:14). But who did they think He was (Matt. 16:15)? Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matt. 16:16). To which Jesus replied, ¹⁷ "...Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. ¹⁸ I also say to you that you are Peter (Pétros, 4074, a stone, or boulder), and upon this rock (pétra, 4073, large rock; bed-rock) I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. ¹⁹ I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven" (Matt. 16:17-19). By this statement, Jesus certainly gave Peter an important role. But He certainly did not say He would build His church on Pétros, but rather upon pétra, by which I believe Jesus meant Himself (Rom. 9:33; 1 Cor. 10:4; 1 Pet. 2:8). Keys are for locking and unlocking. Peter unlocked the door to "The Kingdom of the Heavens" (Matt. 16:19) for the sons of Israel when He preached to the nation and 3,000 entered on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:14-42). He unlocked the door for the half-breed Samaritans after Stephen's evangelistic ministry there (Acts 8:14-17). And he unlocked the door for the full-blooded Gentiles who had gathered at the home of Cornelius (Acts 10:34-48). Whether Jesus' prophecy about Peter finds a yet fuller fulfillment when the King actually begins His Kingdom here on earth remains to be seen. Doubtless, all twelve apostles await a future significant role in that kingdom (Matt. 19:27-28).

So how do we assess Peter? Without a doubt, Peter was a major player in Acts 1-12. In my opinion, and it is only an opinion, his engineering of the selection of Matthias (Acts 1:12-26) was ill-advised. Matthias was the human choice of Peter and the others, but not the choice of Jesus. Jesus personally picked Saul, who became Paul (Acts 9:1-19). I believe the twelve foundations of New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:14) will include the name of Paul, not that of Matthias. And the results bear out my opinion. We never hear of Matthias again in the entire NT. We hear repeatedly of Peter in Acts 1-12, but after that, he virtually fades off the scene. The dominant figure in Acts 13-28 is Paul. Paul wrote thirteen New Testament Epistles, Peter, but two. So, though Peter started out being the greatest apostle of the NT Church, he did not end up being the greatest apostle. Paul did.

The treatment of Peter by the Vatican Church is nothing short of scandalous. The Vatican has made a fetish of both Peter and Mary. The narrative of Rome is that Jesus said He would build His church upon Peter. That is blasphemous. Jesus, not Peter, is the Head of the Church (Eph. 1:22; Col. 1:18). The Vatican's fiction continues, insisting that Peter became the Bishop of Rome, and that those who succeed him succeed "in the supreme headship." The Vatican assumes the "Primacy of the Roman See." And the Vatican continues to justify the office of pope. All these are a fiction of Vatican tradition. Not one of them is to be found in Scripture, which is the only standard of truth.

We cannot prove from Scripture that Peter ever made it to Rome. We cannot prove from Scripture that Peter became bishop of Rome. We cannot prove from Scripture the existence of a monarchical bishop. We cannot prove from Scripture the primacy of the local church at Rome. And the office of a pope is never once mentioned in Scripture. Consequently we reject all these out of hand. The Scripture is inspired (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:20-21). Church tradition is not. It is merely the tradition of man. Jesus warned us about people who invalidate the Word of God by their tradition and who teach as doctrines the precepts of men (Matt. 15:1-9). Let the Word of God be found true, and every man a liar (Rom. 3:4)! The narrative of Rome about Peter and the Papacy is to be rejected out of hand. It has no Biblical support.


Pharaoh: The generic title of the King of Egypt, at least until the time of the Persian invasion. The Hebrew term Pharaoh (6547), is most often used as a Proper Name. It is used 274 times in the Hebrew text: 94X in Genesis, 115X in Exodus, and 65X in the rest of the OT combined. There is a two-way tie for third place in Biblical usage: both 1 Kings and Ezekiel use the word 13X. Here is a list of significant Pharaohs in Biblical history. Pertinent to our discussion are Thutmose I, who commanded the killing of Hebrew male babies (Exod. 1:15-22); Hatshepsut, the daughter of Thutmose I, who drew Moses out of the Nile and later ruled as Queen (Exod. 2:5); Thutmose III, who tried to kill Moses, and from whom Moses fled to Midian (Exod. 2:15); and Amenhotep II, Pharaoh of the Ten Plagues and the Exodus (Exod. 3:10-15:19). Several passages of Scripture pronounce judgment upon Pharaoh and Egypt. Included among these are Exod. 11:1-12:32; 14:1-31; Jeremiah 46:1-26; Ezekiel 29:1-32:32.


Pharisee, Pharisees. A strict, conservative religious sect of Judaism at the time of the New Testament, often allied with the scribes. They were often at odds with the Sadducees, a more liberal wing of Judaism, and who were strongly allied with the High Priest. The Pharisees had strong traditions, which were frequently at odds with the Scriptures. Their traditions included fasting (Matt. 9:14), washing of hands (Matt. 15:1-9), emphasizing the use of phylacteries (leather Scripture boxes worn on the forehead and arm) and fringes for show (Matt. 23:5), nit-picky oaths (Matt. 23:16); and tithing (Luke 11:42). Jesus excoriated the Pharisees and scribes for equating their traditions with the Word of God, often invalidating God's commands (Mark 7:1-13). The Pharisees, unlike the Sadducees, believed in the resurrection of the dead (Acts 23:6) and also in the existence of angels and spirits (Acts 23:8). The Pharisees, as a whole, united with the Sadducees to convict falsely and sentence to death Jesus, whom they believed was not the Messiah, but an impostor (Mark 14:1, 53; 15:1; John 11:48-53). Not all Pharisees were against Jesus. Nicodemus came to Jesus by night, convinced that He was from God because of His miracles (John 3:1-15). He later defended Jesus before the Ruling Council (John 7:50-51), and helped bury Jesus' body (John 19:39). Some early believers were Pharisees (Acts 15:5). The Apostle Paul, originally an adamant opponent of Jesus who later became an ardent evangelist, was trained as a strict Pharisee (Acts 26:5; Philippians 3:5-6).


Philip (the Apostle).


Philip (one of the Seven "Proto-Deacons"). In the early church, the Hellenistic widows felt they were being discriminated against in the church's daily serving (diakonia, 1248) of food to the widows in the church (Acts 6:1). Having been given a clear example by Jesus, the Apostles concluded it would not be in order for them to neglect the Word of God in order to serve (diakoneo, 1247) tables instead (Acts 6:2). They asked the brothers to select from among themselves seven men of good reputation who were full of the Spirit and wisdom to look after this task (Acts 6:3). The Apostles determined to devote themselves to prayer and to the service (diakonia, 1248) of the Word (Acts 6:4). The statement met the approval of the entire congregation (plethos, 4128). They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch (Acts 6:5). They brought these seven before the Apostles, and after praying, they laid their hands upon them (Acts 6:6). The result was that the Word of God kept on spreading, and the number of the disciples kept increasing in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith (Acts 6:7). Thus the Church was introduced to what I call Proto-Deacons. They had the function of serving, but the official office would develop later (see Philippians 1:1).

When a great persecution of the Church began, commencing with the martyrdom of Stephen, the church was scattered all over Judea and Samaria (Acts 8:1). Philip was one of those scattered, and he fled to Samaria, where he began proclaiming Christ to them (Acts 8:4-5). The crowds paid close attention to Philip as they witnessed the miraculous signs he was performing (Acts 8:6-8). Even Simon the magician became a believer (Acts 8:9-13). The Apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the Word of God, so they sent Peter and John. These two prayed that these new disciples might receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:14-17).

After this an angel of the Lord directed Philip to travel south on the road that led from Jerusalem to Gaza. He obeyed, and found an Ethiopian eunuch returning home after having worshiped in Jerusalem. He was sitting in his chariot reading from Isaiah the prophet. The Holy Spirit instructed Philip to join the chariot. He did so and asked the eunuch if he was understanding what he was reading. He replied, "How can I unless someone guides me?" (Acts 8:26-31). He was reading from Isa. 53:7,8. He asked Philip if the prophet were writing this about himself or about someone else (Acts 8:32-34). Philip proceded to explain Jesus to him from this Scripture (Acts 8:35). The eunuch spotted some water and requested baptism. They both descended into the water, and Philip baptized him (Acts 8:38). When they ascended up from the water, the Holy Spirit snatched up Philip and deposited him at Azotus. The eunuch went on his way rejoicing (Acts 8:39-40). Philip proclaimed the Good News to all the cities until he came to Caesarea, which evidently became his new home. Twenty years later, Paul and Luke and others were traveling to Jerusalem and they stopped at Philip's home in Caesarea. Philip had four daughters who were prophetesses. The travelers stayed with Philip for a few days (Acts 21:8-9). This is the last we hear of Philip.


Philistines. Inhabitants of the Mediterranean seacoast along Israel's SW border during OT times. The English word "Philistines" is the plural of the proper noun Pelishti (6430). Philistia was a relatively small country, about 25-30 miles in length along the Mediterranean, and about half that wide. According to BDB, Pelishti are inhabitants of Philistia. They are descendants of Mizraim (4714) who immigrated from Caphtor (Crete?) to the western seacoast of Canaan. However, the Biblical text states that the Philistines descended from Casluh (Kasluchim, 3695), not Caphtor (Kaphtori, 3732) (Gen. 10:14; 1 Chron. 1:11-12). Yet, we are also told that the Caphtorim who came from Caphtor destroyed the Avvim, “who lived in villages as far as Gaza”. The Caphtorim then lived in the place which the Avvim had previously inhabited (Deut. 2:23). Evidently both are true.

    Modern day “Palestinians” are unrelated ethnically to the Philistines who once inhabited the region. Modern-day “Palestinians” are expatriates from Egypt and from Jordan that were not permitted by their respective countries to return following Israel’s successful war for independence in 1948. The chief similarity between the ancient Philistines and the modern-day “Palestinians” is that both remained inveterate enemies of Israel. One day Israel will control the entire Mediterranean seacoast (Zeph. 2:6-7), as was long ago promised by God (Gen. 15:18; Josh. 1:4).


Physical Death. The separation of the immaterial part of man from his material part, his body. In Biblical terms, "death" rarely means the cessation of existence. It has the idea of "separation." There is no such thing as "soul sleep." Nor, at physical death, does the immaterial part of man simply cease to exist. People are of a higher order than animals. To be sure, man's physical body, at the point of death, rapidly begins to decay. Humans artificially maintain a facade of temporary non-decay by the process of embalming or mummification. But the immaterial part of man continues to exist. Jesus taught that both the "rich man" and Lazarus continued to exist after their deaths (Luke 16:19-31). Moreover, both the OT (Dan. 12:2) and the NT (John 5:25-29; Rev. 20:4-5, 11-13) teach of a resurrection of the dead.
    Physical death is caused by human sin (Rev. 6:23), of which all are guilty (Rev. 3:23). God created our first parents, Adam and Eve, to live forever. But He warned them that violation of His command not to eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil would result in death (Gen. 2:16-17). Man violated God's command (Gen. 3:1-6), and instantly died. That was not readily apparent, because physical death, in the case of Adam, would not come for another 930 years (Gen. 5:5). But there is more than one kind of death. Adam and Eve's greatest death was instantaneous Spiritual Death, separation of man from God (Gen. 3:8). If Spiritual Death is not remedied before Physical Death sets in, the horrifying and eternal consequence is Second Death. Second Death is defined as eternal separation of man from God in the Lake of Fire and Brimstone.
    The remedy for all three aspects of death is forgiveness and being made spiritually alive. We must admit we are sinners against God (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10). We must trust in Jesus the Messiah as God's only way of forgiveness, reconciliation with Him, and eternal life (John 3:16-18, 36; 5:24; 14:6; Acts 13:38-39; 1 Pet. 1:18-19).
    For further reading on the three aspects of death, see "The Three Different Kinds of Death."


Piel. The Piel Stem of a Hebrew verb is used to intensify the action of the verb. For example, in the case of shabar (7665), the Qal stem means "he broke" (Jer. 28:10), while the Piel Stem means "he shattered" (Psa. 107:16). Piel Stem action is expressed in the active voice ("he shattered"), not the passive voice ("he was shattered").


Pilate. Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea from AD 26-36, serving under Emperor Tiberius (Luke 3:1). Luke carefully dates the beginning of the ministry of John the Baptist (Luke 3:1-2). It began in the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar, when Pilate was governor of Judea, when Herod Antipas was tetrarch of Judea, when his brother Philip was tetrarch of Ituraea and Trachonitis, when Lysanias was tetrach of Abilene, and when Annas and Caiaphas were high priests of Israel. The events of Pilate's career are, with the exception of Luke 13:1, mostly confined to the trial, crucifixion, burial, and contemplated resurrection of Christ in the Four Gospels. There are additional references to him in Acts 3:13; 4:27; 13:28; 1 Tim. 6:13. The Apostle John refers to Pilate 20 times, more than any other gospel writer. Matthew, Mark, and Luke refer to  him, on the average, ten times each.
    From the gospels we learn more about Pilate. On one occasion, evidently some would-be Galilean revolutionaries against Rome were offering sacrifices in the temple during Passover. Pilate seized the opportunity to quell a potential threat to the empire in Judea by sending soldiers into the temple and killing the revolutionaries (Luke 13:1). There were some who reported this to Jesus, perhaps hoping to trap him into taking sides in such a way that would endanger him. Jesus defused their attempt, turning it into a warning to His listeners that they all needed to repent. Jesus announced that the death of these Galileans was no proof that they were greater sinners than any other Galileans. In reality, they would all perish, unless they repented (Luke 13:2). For our purposes, the point is that Pilate was unafraid to use military force to quell a revolution against Rome.
    After Judas Iscariot had betrayed Jesus to the chief priests and elders of Israel (Matt. 27:14-16, 47-50; John 18:1-11), Jesus was led away to successive trials, first before Annas (John 18:12-13, 19-23), and then before Caiaphas (John 18:24; Matt. 26:57-68). Not being the official high priest, Annas could bring no formal charges against Jesus before Pilate. But Caiaphas could, and they did so when morning had arrived, determined to ask for a death sentence because Jesus claimed to be the Christ, a King (Matt. 27:1-2; Mark 15:1; Luke 23:1-2).
    Jesus before Pilate: Pilate first asked Jesus if He were the King of the Jews. Jesus answered in the affirmative (Matt. 27:11; Mark 15:2; Luke 23:3). But against the other charges brought by the chief priests and elders, Jesus, to Pilate's amazement, answered nothing (Matt. 27:12-14; Mark 15:3-5). Pilate declared that he found no guilt in Jesus (Luke 23:4). But they accused Him of stirring up the people all over Judea, starting in Galilee (Luke 23:5).
    Jesus before Herod Antipas: Hearing this, Pilate determined to send Jesus to be tried before Herod Antipas, who happened to be in Jerusalem at the time (Luke 23:6-7). Herod Antipas could get no answer from Jesus, so he treated Jesus with contempt, dressing Jesus in a gorgeous robe and sending Him back to Pilate (Luke 23:8 -11). This cemented a friendship between Herod Antipas and Pilate (Luke 23:12).
    Jesus before Pilate again: Pilate reported to the chief priests and rulers of the people that he had not found Jesus guilty of inciting rebellion, and that he had found no fault in Him (Luke 23:13-14). Nor had Herod (Luke 23:15). Therefore he would punish Jesus and release Him (Luke 23:16). But the people asked that Barabbas be released to them and that Jesus be crucified (Luke 23:17-21). While Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message. She said, "Have nothing to do with that righteous Man; for last  night I suffered in a dream because of Him" (Matt. 27:19). Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, answered them a third time, "Why? What evil has He done? I will punish Him and release Him (Luke 23:22). But they kept insisting that Jesus be crucified. Finally, the mob prevailed, and Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified, and released to them the insurrectionist, robber, and murderer (Luke 23:23-25).
    John adds some details of Jesus' encounter with Pilate. Inside the Praetorium (the hypocritical Jews would not enter, lest they defiled themselves when asking for the death of their Messiah), Pilate asked Jesus if He were the King of the Jews (John 18:33). Jesus replied, "Are you saying this on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?" (John 18:34). Pilate answered, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered you to me; what have you done?" (John 18:35). Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36).  To which Pilate replied, "So You are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify of the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice" (John 18:37). Pilate replied cynically, "What is truth?" (John 18:38). Pilate continued to placate the Jews. He had Jesus scourged to play upon their sympathies (John 19:1). He presented Jesus before them wearing a crown of thorns and a purple robe. He said, "Behold the Man!" (John 19:4-5). When the chief priests and officers saw Jesus, they cried out, "Crucify Him!" (John 19:6). But they parried, saying, "We have a law, and by that law He ought to die because He made Himself out to be the Son of God" (John 19:7). Fearful, Pilate returned to question Jesus, "Where are You from?" But Jesus did not reply (John 19:8-9). Jesus remained silent, so, to jar Him, Pilate said, "You do not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority, and I have authority to crucify You?" (John 19:10). To which Jesus replied, "You would have no authority over Me unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin" (John 19:11). As a result, Pilate once again made an effort to release Jesus, but the Jews cried out, "If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar; everyone who makes himself out to be a king opposes Caesar!" (John 19:12). That did it. When Pilate saw he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed  his hand in front of the crowd. He said, "I am innocent of this man's blood; see to that yourselves!" (Matt. 27:24). All the people called down on themselves a horrible curse, "His blood shall be on us and on our children!" (Matt. 27:25). Finally, Pilate surrendered Jesus over to the bloodthirsty mob to let them have their way (Matt. 27:26; Mark 15:15; Luke 23:24-25; John 19:16). Pilate had one final dig at the Jews. He wrote an inscription to place on the cross, "Jesus the Nazarene, the King of the Jews" (John 19:19). The chief priests were saying to Pilate, "Write down that he said he was King of the Jews (John 19:21). Pilate replied curtly, "What I  have written, I have written" (John 19:22).
    After Jesus' death, Joseph of Arimathea, a wealth, but secret disciple of Jesus for fear of the Jews, and a prominent member of the Council, braced himself and approached Pilate, asking for permission to bury Jesus' body. Pilate granted Joseph the authority to do so. Joseph took possession of the body, and, aided by Nicodemus, laid it in his own new tomb (Matt. 27:57-60; Mark 15:42-46; Luke 23:50-53; John 19:38-41).
    The next day (probably on the Sabbath day), the chief priests and the Pharisees approached Pilate. They reported to him Jesus' prediction that He would rise again after three days. They asked for Pilate to give orders to secure the grave to prevent Jesus' disciples from stealing the body and claiming He had been resurrected. Pilate gave the leaders permission to post their own temple guards to secure the site with everything at their disposal. They did so and set a seal on the large stone covering the entrance (Matt. 27:62-66).
    After Jesus' resurrection, the stunned guards reported to the chief priests what had happened. The chief priests assembled with the elders, then bribed the soldiers to report that the disciples had stolen the body at night while they had slept. They assured the soldiers that if the matter came to the attention of the governor (Pilate), they would keep the guards out of trouble. This fabrication was widely spread among the Jewish people (Matt. 28:11-15).

Got Questions Ministries closes its article on Pontius Pilate with an excellent summary:


Polel. A rare Hebrew verb stem formation that is similar to the Piel and expresses the same range of verbal action. It is formed from the Piel stem by dropping the second radical and repeating the third radical (with a vowel change). (This definition was taken almost verbatim from the article, "Stem Polel.")


Postmodernism. A time era and a movement involving a skepticism toward Enlightenment values, Western Civilization, objective reality and absolute truth. According to Brian Duignan,


Practitioners of postmodernism deny that there is any objective reality in a document, and approve of "deconstructing" the original intent of the author or authors and imposing their own interpretation. Thus, in politics, they are justified in interpreting the US Constitution in such a way that benefits their agenda. And in theology, postmodernists are justified in making the Bible say anything they want it to say, regardless of the intent of the original authors.

Since it denies objective reality, postmodernism is relativistic and irrational. (There are no objective realities except what postmodernists believe, and they are absolutely certain about that.) Postmodernism, with its tolerance of (almost) all viewpoints, suffers under the illusion that Islam is just as viable as astrology or witchcraft or the Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual-Transgender (LGBT) movement. In the view of postmodernists it is a high crime of educated society to critique any movement (except, of course Biblical Christianity, which believes in absolute truth). Consequently, when a Muslim male slaughters 50 patrons in an Orlando Gay Bar, postmoderns are strangely silent. What can they say? They are not allowed to criticize anyone. Except Christians. Postmoderns are highly intolerant of conservative, Bible-believing Christians.

Politically, postmoderns are utopians who favor global Marxism. They repudiate nationalism. They are arrogant elitists who favor nations without borders. Of course, if nations have no borders, there can be no nations. There will be global anarchy unless the postmodern political class takes charge. They, of course will be among the elites who rule the world. And they, of course, will be very well paid. They are but precursors to a godless world dictator who will one day control every facet of postmodern society (Rev. 13:1-18).


Post-Tribulationism. The belief that Christ will return for His Church (the Rapture) after the Tribulation. This presupposes, indeed requires, that the Church will go through the Tribulation. I believe that a belief in a Post-Tribulation Rapture is not Biblically credible for the following reasons: (1) There are hermeneutical flaws with a post-tribulation rapture. (2) The doctrine of imminence is denied with a Post-Tribulation Rapture. (3) A Post-Tribulation Rapture confuses God's program for Israel with His program for the Church. (4) Vocabulary used to prove a post-tribulation rapture is inconclusive. (5) A post-tribulation rapture fails to account for the differences between Rapture passages and Second-Coming passages. (6) A post-tribulation rapture exposes the Church to the Wrath of God, contrary to Scripture. (7) A post-tribulation raptures confuses the "Day of the Lord" with Christ's "Parousia." (8) A Post-Tribulation rapture does not adequately explain the confusion of the Thessalonian Christians. (9) A Post-Tribulation Rapture makes impossible the fulfillment of certain OT and NT prophecies.

It is the view of WordExplain that a Pre-Tribulation Rapture does the best job of explaining the eschatological details of the New Testament. A Post-Tribulation Rapture does not.


Prayer, Praying. Human communication with God. The primary Greek noun is proseuchē (4335), (appearing 36 X in 10 unique forms); the primary Greek verb is proseúchomai (4336) (appearing 85 X in 27 unique forms).

The following observations can be made with regard to the noun "Prayer," proseuchē (4335).

    Prayer is addressed to God (Luke 6:12); the temple was to be a "house of prayer" (Matt. 21:13; Mark 11:17; Luke 19:46); prayer is necessarily accompanied by faith (Matt. 21:22); prayer can be a solitary (Luke 6:12) or a corporate event (Acts 1:14; 2:42; 3:1); prayer can be outside (Acts 16:13); prayer can be a means of asking God for guidance and direction in future plans (Rom. 1:10); prayer requires tenacity (Rom. 12:12; Col. 4:2) and striving (Rom. 15:30); prayer includes praying for other Christians (Eph. 1:16) and, indeed, for all the saints (Eph. 6:18); prayer is a means of defense against the Devil and his allies (Eph. 6:18; cf. Eph. 6:10-18); prayer, coupled with petition and thanksgiving, is a means of counteracting anxiety (Php. 4:6); prayer should be accompanied by thanksgiving (Col. 4:2); prayer should encompass all men (1 Tim. 2:1), and especially for kings and others in authority (1 Tim. 2:1-2); Elijah serves as an example of fervent prayer (James 5:17); married couples should live in such a way that their prayers are not hindered (1 Pet. 3:7); the end of all things is an incentive for sound judgment and sober prayer (1 Pet. 4:7); the prayers of us saints are collected and noticed in heaven (Rev. 5:8; 8:3, 4).

The following observations can be made with regard to the verb "Pray," proseúchomai (4336).

    We are to pray even for our enemies and those who persecute us (Matt. 5:44); we are not to pray to impress others – otherwise we already have our reward (Matt. 6:5); rather, we are to pray privately to our Father in heaven, and He will reward us (Matt. 6:6); when we pray we are not to use meaningless repetition as do unbelieving Gentiles – for they think wrongly that they will be heard for their many words (Matt. 6:7); we should practice praying to God, our Father, alone (Matt. 14:23); we should pray for children (Matt. 19:13); we should pray for protection (Matt. 24:20); we should support others in their arduous efforts at praying (Matt. 26:36); we should pray that God will spare us from difficult ministry – but only if is God's will (Matt. 26:39, 42); we must watch and pray, lest we enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak (Matt. 26:41); we must work hard at praying in seclusion (Mark 1:35; 6:46; Luke 5:16; 6:12); we must believe that God will answer our prayers (Mark 11:24); when we pray, we must forgive others, in order that our Father in heaven will forgive us (Mark 11:25); we must not pray long prayers for the purpose of impressing others (Mark 12:40); we must pray for those who mistreat us (Luke 6:28); we ought to pray rather than lose heart (Luke 18:1); we ought to pray when we officially appoint others to ministry and office (Acts 6:6; 13:3; 14:23); great men of God are found praying (Acts 9:11; 10:9); sincere men of God pray (Acts 10:30); there are emergency times when church adherents gather to pray (Acts 12:12); there are times of emergency when it is fitting to pray (Acts 16:25); there are unstructured times when it is appropriate for God's people to gather to pray (Acts 20:36; 21:5); there are times when we Christians have no idea how to pray, yet God's Spirit intercedes for us perfectly (Rom. 8:26); in public worship men ought not to pray with their heads covered (1 Cor. 11:4); those who  have the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues should pray for the gift of interpreting those unlearned languages (1 Cor. 14:13); the better outcome is to pray with one's human spirit and to pray with one's mind (1 Cor. 14:15); we are to be praying with all prayer and petition at all times in the Holy Spirit, accordingly, being watchful with all petition concerning all the saints (Eph. 6:18); Paul prayed that  the Philippians' love might abound yet more and more in full knowledge and in all discernment (Phil. 1:9); Paul was continually praying for the Colossians (Col. 1:3), ceaselessly praying and requesting that they might be filled with the full knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding (Col. 1:9); Paul wished the Colossians might be praying for him and his company that God might open a door for the message so they might speak the mystery of the Christ, for which also he has been imprisoned (Col. 4:3); Paul commanded the Thessalonians to be praying without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17); and he commanded them to keep praying for him and his company (1 Thess. 5:25); again, Paul was praying always for the Thessalonians, that God might count them worthy of their calling and might fill them with all desire of goodness and work of faith with power (2 Thess. 1:11); Paul urged the Thessalonian brothers to keep praying for him and his team in order that the message of the Lord might spread freely and be glorified, just as it did with them (2 Thess. 3:1); Paul told Timothy he wanted men everywhere to keep praying, lifting up holy hands without wrath and argumentation (1 Tim. 2:8); the writer of Hebrews asked his readers to keep praying for him and his associates, for they were persuaded that they had a good conscience, desiring as they did, to conduct themselves honorably in all matters (Heb. 13:18); James exhorted those who were suffering to keep praying (James 5:13); if anyone were sick, he was to call for the elders of the church, who were to pray for him, anointing him with olive oil in the name of the Lord (James 5:14); Elijah was a great example of a man like us who prayed earnestly and was rewarded with tremendous answers to prayer (James 5:17, 18); we are beloved by God are to be building ourselves up in our most holy faith, continually praying in the Holy Spirit (Jude 1:20). Prayers are made to God and to Christ. There is no record anywhere in the New Testament that Christians should pray to other Christians. The theology of and practice of the Roman Catholic Church in praying to Mary, as in the Rosary, is profoundly unbiblical and, frankly, idolatrous.


Predestination. The activity of God to determine in advance certain events or people to accomplish His will. The Biblical verb "to predestine" is prooridzō (4309). It is used but six times in the NT, in Acts 4:28; Rom. 8:29, 30; 1 Cor. 2:7; and Eph. 1:5, 11.



Predicate Nominative (Greek). A noun in the Nominative Case that is linked with or further identifies the subject by means of a verb of equation, whether stated or implied. Verbs of equation include, most frequently, eìmí (1510), gínomai (1096), and hupárchō (5225). Three examples include John's statements about who God is: God is spirit (John 4:24); God is light (1 John 1:5); and God is love (1 John 4:8). In each of these instances, the subject, God, is prefixed with an article ("the"). That means that the equation cannot be reversed. It is inaccurate to conclude, for example, that "spirit is God," that "light is God," or that "love is God." Furthermore, in these instances, "spirit," "light," and "love" are only three of a number of attributes that identify God. These attributes, even though they are Predicate Nominatives, are not exhaustive. God, after all, is infinite.


Pre-Incarnate Christ. The pre-existence of the Second Person of the Godhead before He became man permanently. The Scriptures teach us that, the Second Person of the Godhead existed from eternity past (John 1:1-2; 17:5; Php. 2:6; Col. 1:17; Heb. 13:8; 1 John 1:1,2). Moreover, He created all things (John 1:3, 10; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:2). It is my belief that Jesus, in His Pre-Incarnate state, appeared as the Angel of the LORD, or Messenger of the LORD (also known as the Angel of Yahweh) (see, for example, Gen. 16:7-14; 22:11-18). There were also other OT appearances of Christ. Though it is true these were Theophanies (manifestations of God), they were also, I believe, Christophanies (manifestations of the Pre-Incarnate Christ). A few samples would include the man with whom Jacob wrestled all night (Gen. 32:24-32); the Angel of the LORD appearing in the midst of a burning bush that caught Moses' attention (Exod. 3:2-6); the man with a drawn sword who appeared to Joshua by Jericho, announcing he was captain of the LORD's army (Josh. 5:13-15). At a point in time, the eternal Word of God (John 1:1-3) became flesh and lived among us. John and the other Apostles beheld His glory, glory as of the only-born of the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). As a human of the royal line of David, Jesus became "the Christ," "the Anointed One," when God the Father anointed Him with His Holy Spirit immediately after His baptism (Matt. 3:16-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:29-34).


Premillennialism. The position that Jesus Christ will physically return to earth to dispose of His enemies (Zech. 14:1-4, 12-15; Isa. 63:1-6; Luke 19:12-15, 27; 2 Thess. 1:6-10; Rev. 19:11-21) and judge all survivors of the Tribulation prior to establishing His Kingdom here on earth (Isa. 2:1-4; 9:6-7; 59:19-20; 60:1 - 62:12; 65:20-25; 66:12-13, 18-24; Zech. 14:9-11, 16-21; Amos 9:11-15). This kingdom will last a thousand years (a millennium) (Rev. 20:1-6). (It should here be noted that some Premillennialists do not believe the reference to a thousand years is to be taken literally. See below.) The term Premillennialism signifies that Christ returns to earth prior to His Millennial Kingdom. The prefix pre means before; the word millennium is a Latin word meaning "one thousand years." Thus, Premillennialists believe Christ comes to earth before He reigns over the earth for a thousand years. All Premillennialists share in common the following beliefs: 1) There is coming upon the earth a time of terrible trouble called the Tribulation. 2) Jesus Christ will return visibly and bodily to establish His Millennial Kingdom upon earth. 3) Believers from past ages will be resurrected at Christ's return. Both they and believers who survive the Tribulation will participate with Christ in His Millennial Kingdom. 4) Satan will be bound during this Kingdom, but at its end, He will be released, and will deceive many into rebelling against God and Jesus, God's anointed King. 5) Satan will be defeated and cast into the Lake of Fire.  6) God will destroy the existing universe and will create New Heaven and New Earth, on which He will establish His Eternal Kingdom with the redeemed of all ages.

Two significant differences exist between Premillennialism on the one hand, and both Amillennialism and Postmillennialism on the other. Those differences are these: First, Premillenialism sees Christ's Millennial Kingdom in connection with the present Earth as being future, whereas both Amillennialism and Postmillennialism view it as somehow taking place in the present between Christ's First and Second Advents. Second, Premillennialism interprets Old and New Testament prophecies as meaning that Christ's Millennial Kingdom will consist of a kingdom on earth that is both spiritual and political. Amillennialism and Postmillennialism believe that Christ's Kingdom in connection with the present earth is only spiritual. That being the case, advocates of these latter two views do not typically use the word Millennium in connection with Christ's Kingdom, inasmuch as they do not believe it will last a literal one thousand years despite John's statement in Revelation 20:1-7 that it will.

There are, however, two subdivisions within Premillennialism. These are Historical Premillennialism and Dispensational Premillennialism.

1) A willingness to take statements at face value in both the Old and New Testaments (without denying the validity of symbolism and figures of speech). 

2) The principle of Testamental parity. While both Old and New Testament reveal contrasting ways (dispensations) in which God administers his  kingdom with regard to the earth throughout the ages, each Testament must stand on its own two feet. The New Testament can add understanding to the Old, but it cannot and does not alter or abrogate it. Specifically, the arrival of the Church in the New Testament added light to God's promises to the patriarchs to bless all the families of the world through them, but it did not alter God's everlasting covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to plant their physical descendants in a specific piece of real estate as an everlasting possession.

3) A distinction between Israel and the Church. The Church is not spiritual Israel, and it does not inherit the promises made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the same way that believing Jewish people inherit them. Furthermore, I as a Dispensational Premillennialist believe that, not only is Israel to be distinguished from the Church, but that the distinction is an eternal one. Israel throughout eternity will exist as God's special nation with beneficent effect upon the other nations of the world.

4) An understanding that Christ's return to earth will come in two stages. Jesus will first return for His Bride, the Church, in the event known as the Rapture. Subsequently He will return in power and glory to establish His Kingdom upon earth.

5) An acknowledgment that, although Jesus is presently enthroned as Messiah in heaven, His present status leaves unfulfilled many OT prophecies regarding His future reign as Messiah upon this present earth as well as upon the future New Earth.

6) An understanding that the term Messiah fundamentally necessitates a reign upon earth over the nation of Israel, not merely a spiritualized rule in absentia up in heaven. 

7) An understanding that ruling as King has, historically, always included the consent of the governed. Faith has always been the necessary coin for a relationship with God (Gen. 15:5-6; Heb. 11:6). How can the King of the Jews be said to ruling when the vast majority of Jewish people deny His legitimacy? And how can Jesus be said to be ruling over the nations of the earth when the vast majority are in rebellion against Him?

Proponents of Dispensational Premillennialism include: the late Lewis Sperry Chafer, the late C. I. Scofield, the late Alva J. McClain (see more on McClain), the late John Walvoord, J. Dwight Pentecost, Charles Ryrie, John S. Feinberg, and Michael J. Vlach. Dallas Theological Seminary is the best-known institutional proponent of Dispensational Premillennialism. (See also Dallas Theological Seminary.)

For a much fuller discussion of these issues, go to Dispensational Premillennialism.

Present Tense (Greek). Portraying action that is linear or durative. This tense is to be distinguished from the Greek Aorist Tense, which typically portrays action that is punctiliar, action at a point in time. For example, when the author of Hebrews states, in Heb. 12:6, "For those whom the Lord loves, He disciplines, both the verbs translated "loves" and "disciplines" appear in the present tense. Thus there exists a group of people whom the Lord continually or constantly loves. These same people He continually or constantly disciplines. By way of contrast, according to John 3:16, there was a point of time at which God loved (Aorist tense) the world – the point of time at which He offered up His Son Jesus upon the cross to pay for the sins of the entire world of men.


Preterism. The postmillennial view that, either fully or partially, Christ has already returned as He said He would in Matthew 24:27-51. According to preterists, the coming to which Jesus referred, particularly in Matthew 24:29-31 took place historically in A.D. 70, when Jesus supposedly returned in judgment upon the nation of Israel. Sam Storms is a partial preterist. By this is meant that he believes all of Matthew 24:1-51 was fulfilled at the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Yet he acknowledges that Christ will also return as predicted in Revelation 19:11-21.  In the following quotation he explains his view in his article entitled "Matthew 24 and the Olivet Discourse - Part III." Notice that Storms is compelled to use a non-literal hermeneutic to defend his view.


R. C. Sproul in his book, The Last Days According to Jesus, describes himself as a postmillennialist. Of the two types of post-millennialists - full preterists and partial preterists, he, like Storms, identifies himself as a partial preterist. See my critique of his book. Partial preterists believe that all of Matthew 24:1-51 and most of the book of Revelation fall within the time period prior to A.D. 70. Yet they believe in another coming of Christ at the end of history. (See, for example, Storms' article, "A Study of Revelation 19:1-21 - Part II.") Full preterists believe in no future coming of Christ.

 It is my conclusion that the proponents of Preterism, or Post-Millennialism, though genuine Christians and sincere in their beliefs, hold to interpretations in the area of eschatology that are simply implausible. They can only maintain their views through an inconsistent, non-literal hermeneutic (method of interpreting Scripture) that refuses to take prophetic passages of Scripture at face value. Then, to support their views, they are forced to take exegetical leaps (interpretational decisions) that simply do not square with the rest of Scripture or with the context of the passage they are discussing.


Priest. An individual who serves as a mediator between God and man. The first priest mentioned in the Bible was Melchizedek. He served as both King and Priest of Jerusalem, a portent of things to come (Gen. 14:18). God chose Moses' brother Aaron and his sons as priests to serve Him by representing the nation (Exod. 28:1-29:46). Later, God revealed that the Messiah would serve Him as a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek (Psalm 110:4). When Jesus appeared on earth, God anointed Him with His Spirit at His baptism to be Prophet, Priest, and King. He served primarily as Prophet during His earthly ministry. He was offered as the perfect sacrifice, the Lamb of God at His crucifixion. After His resurrection Jesus ascended to heaven, where He presently sits at God's right hand, waiting until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet (Psalm 110:1; Eph. 1:20; Col. 3:1; Heb. 1:3; 12:2). Presently Jesus' primary ministry is serving as Priest after the order of Melchizedek (Heb. 5:6, 10; 6:20; 7:11-28; 8:1-3, 6; 9:11-14, 24-28; 10:11-14, 19-22). When He returns to earth to set up His Kingdom, Jesus' primary ministry will be that of King (Isa. 2:1-4; 9:6-7; 11:1-10; Zech. 14:9; Matt. 25:31; Luke 1:31-33; 2 Thess. 1:6-10; Rev. 19:11-20:6). Meanwhile we believers in Jesus have been appointed as His royal priesthood (1 Pet. 2:5, 9; cf. Matt. 28:16-20; Acts 1:8). In the NT, the term priest, hiereús (2409), appears 31X in 7 unique forms. There are almost no negative references to priests, the lone exceptions being (1) Jesus' reference to the priest who passed by the wounded man, ignoring him (Luke 10:31); (2) the cooperation of the priests with the captain of the temple guard and the Saducees to arrest Peter and John (Acts 4:1); and (3) the reference to the priest of Zeus in the city of Lystra (Acts 14:13). The NT book with the most references to priests is Hebrews, where the term appears 14X, most of them referring to Jesus being a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek (Heb. 5:6; 7:1, 3, 11, 14, 15, 17, 21; 8:4).


Priesthood. An order of priests or collection of people who individually, yet corporately serve as a mediator between God and man. The primary priesthood of the sons of Israel during the Old Testament and through the Gospels in the New Testament was the Levitical Priesthood. Aaron, of the tribe of Levi, was the first priest and was designated as the High Priest. His sons were priests under him. From that point on sons of Aaron served as priests. There was always a High Priest. The Levites, who were descendants of Levi, but not of Aaron, served as assistants to the priests.

But there was another priesthood, glimpsed just briefly in the OT. When Abraham returned back to his land after having rescued Lot and the people of Sodom from a four-king Persian confederation, he was met by Melchizedek (whose name means "King of Righteousness"). Melchizedek was King of Salem (an early name for Jerusalem). Melchizedek was a priest of God Most High (Gen. 14:18). In one of the most intriguing psalms, Yahweh swore to the Messiah, "You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek (Psalm 110:4).

In the book of Hebrews we learn that Jesus the Messiah, whom God had anointed with His Spirit at His baptism to be King of Israel, was unqualified to serve as Priest of Israel because, though He was a descendant of the tribe of Judah, He was not a descendant of Levi, and certainly not of Aaron (Heb. 7:14). However, God appointed Jesus to be a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek, the prototypical King-Priest (Heb. 5:6; 6:20; 7:17-22). Jesus' Priesthood after the order of Melchizedek is an eternal priesthood with a superior sacrifice and a superior covenant, the New Covenant.

God's plan was for the sons of Israel to be a "kingdom of priests" (Exod. 19:1-6). Over-all, the nation did not succeed, and God temporarily took away Israel's priesthood. God has turned to the Church to be His "holy, royal priesthood" (1 Pet. 2:5, 9; Rev. 1:6).

Presently the Levitical Priesthood is inactive, there being no temple and no sacrifices in Jerusalem. But that will change. There will be a temple with a priesthood briefly during the Tribulation period. When Christ returns, the Millennial Temple will be built and the Levitical Priesthood will offer memorial sacrifices upon the altar (Ezek. 40:5-46:24).


Priscilla and Aquila. A Jewish couple who became Christians and assisted the Apostle Paul in ministry. When we first meet this couple they had just been evicted from Rome by Emperor Claudius because they were Jewish. Aquila was originally from Pontus, but had moved to Rome until the Emperor's edict (Acts 18:1-2). That forced them to relocate elsewhere, and they found themselves in Corinth. They were tent-makers by trade, and happened to meet the Apostle Paul on his Second Missionary Journey. He also was a tent-maker, and the threesome formed a working partnership (Acts 18:3). In the process Paul evidently led the couple to faith in Christ (Acts 18:4). Paul stayed in Corinth about eighteen months (Acts 18:11), then left for Syria. With him were Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:18). En route to Syria, Paul left Aquila and Priscilla in Ephesus, and sailed onward (Acts 18:19).
    Aquila and Priscilla kept busy serving the Lord. They hosted a church in their own home, and they sent their greetings to the church in Corinth when Paul wrote 1 Corinthians to the church there (1 Cor. 16:19).
    At some point, Apollos, a native of Alexandria, moved to Ephesus. He was eloquent, and taught accurately in the synagogue concerning Jesus, even though he knew only the truths taught by John the Immerser. Priscilla and Aquila took him aside and filled in the missing gaps in his theology so he could communicate the way of God more accurately (Acts 18:24-26).
    Evidently Prisca (Priscilla is the diminutive form of her name) and Aquila had moved back to Rome by the time Paul wrote his letter to the Romans (AD 57-58). Consequently, when Paul sent greetings to people in the church he knew, he included Prisca and Aquila (Rom. 16:3-5). Paul states that the couple had risked their own lives to save his own life. They continued their church hosting ministry, offering up their own home to house a portion of the church in Rome (Rom. 16:5).
    By AD 67, the couple had evidently returned to Ephesus. In Paul's final letter of which we have a record, he asked Timothy to greet the couple (2 Tim. 4:19). May God help each of us, like Aquila and Priscilla, to continue to serve the Lord all of our lives!


Progressive Dispensationalism. A relatively recent development in dispensationalism that is, in my view, a compromise arising out of a dialogue between Covenant Theologians (Amillennialists), Historical Premillennialists, and Dispensational Premillennialists. Progressive Dispensationalists (PDs) have adopted, to a large degree, the realized eschatology ("already / not yet") of George E. Ladd, a covenant premillennialist, though they seek to distance themselves from him. ¹Chief spokesmen for Progressive Dispensationalism are Craig Blaising, Darrell Bock, and the late Robert L. Saucy.
    Although PDs agree that there is a future Millennial Kingdom in which Christ reigns, they assert that Jesus is presently sitting on David's throne in heaven. (See Craig A. Blaising and Darrell L. Bock, Progressive Dispensationalism, Baker Books, Grand Rapids, paperback edition, 2000, pp. 181-187.) This assertion blurs the distinction between Israel and the Church, and it relegates to heaven, albeit temporarily, the eternal kingdom that can only be consummated on the earth in connection with Jerusalem, whether on the present earth (during the Millennium) or in New Jerusalem (in connection with New Earth). 
    "One of the striking differences between progressive and earlier dispensationalists, is that progressives do not view the church as an anthropological category in the same class as terms like Israel, Gentile Nations, Jews, and Gentile people" (Blaising and Bock, p. 49). According to Michael Vlach, What Is Dispensationalism, "Progressive dispensationalists see more continuity between Israel  and the church than the other two variations within dispensationalism. They stress that both Israel  and the church compose the 'people of God' and both are related to the blessings of the New Covenant."  
    Dr. Charles C. Ryrie, in his book Dispensationalism (Chicago: Moody Press, 1995), 164, characterizes PD as follows: It “(1) teaches that Christ is already reigning in heaven on the throne of David, thus merging the church with a present phase of the already inaugurated Davidic covenant and kingdom; (2) this is based on a complementary hermeneutic that allows the New Testament to introduce changes and additions to Old Testament revelation; and (3) the overall purpose of God is Christological, holistic redemption being the focus and goal of history."
    WordExplain acknowledges that Jesus, as Messiah, is presently seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven, but disputes that he is seated there as King, and certainly not on David's throne. A primary conclusion of the author of  the letter to the Hebrews is that Jesus is seated in the Temple in Heaven at the right hand of the Father as High Priest (Heb. 8:1-2) after the order of Melchizedek (Ps. 110:4; Heb. 5:6; 6:20). If Jesus is presently seated on the throne of David, why is the nation of Israel almost completely oblivious of the fact? If Jesus is presently seated as King, why is the world largely still in rebellion against Him (Psa. 2:1-3)? When Jesus appeared on earth the first time, He certainly presented Himself as the Messiah (Christ). But His primary office during His three-year ministry was that of Prophet. When He died, He functioned primarily as Priest. When He arose and ascended to heaven, He, as High Priest after the order of Melchizedek, offered Himself as the complete and ultimate sacrifice for sins (Heb. 9:11-12). He is now seated at the right hand of the Father as High Priest after the order of Melchizedek. There he constantly makes intercession for His people (Heb. 7:23-28).  Jesus' ministries as Prophet and as Priest have been inaugurated. His ministry as King has not. That awaits His return to earth, a fact which is made abundantly clear in Scripture (Ps. 2:1-12; 110:1-7; Zech. 14:1-9; Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43; 25:1-46; Luke 19:11-27; Rev. 19:11-20:6).
    WordExplain also does not agree with PD's complementary hermeneutic in that it opens the door for sensus plenior (the hermeneutical principle that there is a deeper meaning of Scripture that God knows that alters what the human author originally meant) and layered meanings. Furthermore, WordExplain holds that, though Christ is certainly the focus of the Bible, the whole of the Biblical narrative is more aptly described as the Kingdom of God and the glory that accrues to Him through His Kingdom.
    For an excellent critique of PD, see Problems with Progressive Dispensationalism by Ron Bigalke, Jr. See also the book Progressive Dispensationalism, edited by Ron Bigalke, Jr. See also the author's article, Not Already, Not Yet.

    Prophecy. That which a prophet states or writes under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Greek noun for "prophecy" is prophêteía (4394). For example, Matthew identified Isaiah's statement as a "prophecy" (Matt. 13:14). Paul identified "prophecy" as a spiritual gift (Rom. 12:6; 1 Cor. 12:10; 13:2, 8; 14:6, 22). He exhorted the Thessalonians not to despise "prophecies" (1 Thess. 5:20). There were evidently prophecies made concerning Timothy's ministry (1 Tim. 1:18; 4:14). Peter indicated that no "prophecy" of Scripture was a matter of one's own personal explanation (2 Pet. 1:20), for no "prophecy" was ever "borne along" by the will of man, but men spoke from God, being "borne along" by the Holy Spirit (2 Pet. 1:21) (author's translation). The contents of the Book of Revelation are termed "prophecy" (Rev. 1:3; 19:10; 22:7, 10, 18, 22). During the Tribulation, the "two witnesses" will have authority to withhold rain during "the days of their prophecy" (Rev. 11:6) (author's literal translation).


Prophet. Someone who receives messages directly from God and communicates them to people. In the NT, the noun is prophḗtês (4396). In the OT, a prophet was called a nâbı̂y' (5030) because he was a spokesman on behalf of God, or rarely, on behalf of another. God called Abraham a prophet because He communicated directly with the patriarch from time to time (Gen. 20:7). God called Aaron to be Moses' prophet (Exod. 7:1). Others who were identified as a prophet, nâbı̂y' (5030), were Samuel (1 Sam. 3:19-21; 2 Chron. 35:18), Gad (1 Sam. 22:5; 2 Sam. 24:11), Nathan (2 Sam. 7:2; 12:25; 1 Kings 1:8, 10, 22, 23, 32, 34, 38, 44, 45; 1 Chron. 17:1; 29:29; 2 Chron. 9:29; 29:25), Ahijah the Shilonite (1 Kings 11:29; 14:2, 18), Jehu, son of Hanani (1 Kings 16:7, 12), Elijah (1 Kings 18:22, 36; 2 Chron. 21:12; Mal. 4:5), Elisha, son of Shaphat (1 Kings 19:16; 2 Kings 3:11; 5:8; 6:12; 9:1), Micaiah, son of Imlah (1 Kings 22:7-8), Jonah, son of Amittai (2 Kings 14:25), Isaiah, son of Amoz (2 Kings 19:2; 20:1, 11, 14; 2 Chron. 26:22; 32:20, 32; Isa. 37:2; 38:1; 39:3), Shemaiah (2 Chron. 12:5, 15), Iddo (2 Chron. 13:22), Azariah, son of Oded (2 Chron. 15:8), Oded (2 Chron. 28:9), Jeremiah, son of Hilkiah (2 Chron. 36:12; Jer. 1:1-5; 20:2; 25:2; 28:5, 6, 11, 12, 15; 29:1, 29; 32:2; 34:6; 36:8, 26; 37:2, 3; 37:6, 13; 38:9, 10, 14; 42:2, 4; 43:6; 45:1; 46:1, 13; 47:1; 49:34; 50:1; 51:59; Dan. 9:2), Hananiah, son of Azzur. Hananiah was a false prophet (Jer. 28:1, 5, 10, 12, 15, 17), Ezekiel (Ezek. 1:3; 2:1-5), Ephraim (Hos. 9:8), Amos, who denied being a prophet (Amos 7:14), Habakkuk (Hab. 1:1; 3:1), Haggai (Hag. 1:1, 3, 12; 2:1, 10), Zechariah, son of Berechiah (Zech. 1:1, 7).

He was also called a "seer" (rô'eh, 7203), possibly because he was shown visions from God, which he could see. Another word usually translated "seer" is chôzeh (2374).

    Prophets in the Old Testament include both non-writing prophets, such as Elijah and Elisha, and writing prophets, such as Moses, Samuel, David, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, and Ezekiel. There are certain phrases that often characterize a prophet’s writings. Frequently we read, “The word of the LORD came to” the prophet (1 Kings 18:1; Isa. 38:4; Jer. 1:1-4; Ezek. 1:3; Jonah 1:1; Hag. 1:1), or “Thus says the LORD” (Ex. 4:22; Josh. 24:2; 2 Sam. 12:7; Isa. 37:6; Jer. 2:1-2; Ezek. 2:1-4; Amos 1:1-3).

    In the New Testament, there were prophets such as Agabus (Acts 11:27-28; 21:10-11). Men like Matthew, John, Paul, and Peter were apostles of Christ as well as prophets (Eph. 2:20), and each of them wrote documents that are part of the New Testament. Luke wrote his gospel and his history under the tutelage of the Apostle Paul. Mark was associated with the Apostle Peter. Jesus, of course, was anointed as the greatest prophet as well as the greatest priest and the greatest king.

    Some mistakenly believe that being able to predict the future is the distinguishing characteristic of a prophet. That is not really true. What makes a prophet a prophet is that he speaks on behalf of God messages which he receives directly from God. On the other hand, prophets frequently did predict the future because God wanted to communicate future events to readers of the Bible. But there was also a sign value to predictions. A prophet who could predict something in the future could be validated as a genuine prophet of God (Isa. 7:10-17; Matt. 1:18-23; Micah 5:2; Matt. 2:4-6).

    Teachers, as opposed to prophets, expound on prophecies given by prophets. In other words, teachers receive messages from God indirectly through prophets who have written Scripture.

    Prophets have zero margin for error. There can be no mistakes or inaccuracies in a Biblical prophet. To err in a statement or a prediction is to invalidate oneself as a prophet and be liable to be put to death (Deut. 18:20-22). Prophets have a sacred trust to convey accurately the words God has spoken. No Biblical prophet has ever spoken as an act of his own will. These holy men were moved by the Spirit of God and spoke from God (2 Pet. 1:20-21).

    It is misleading, in my opinion, to say that a preacher has a "prophetic" ministry. That could be taken to mean that he has the genuine gift of Biblical prophecy, which, again, in my opinion, he does not. I believe that, in the Church Age, prophets were given by God to the early Church before the canon of Scripture was completed. The canon of Scripture has been completed for hundreds of years. If there were Biblical prophets today, surely, some of their writings would be incorporated into Scripture. Paul predicted that gifts of prophecy would be terminated (1 Cor. 13:8). That prediction has been fulfilled. However, we also know that during the Tribulation period, God's two witnesses will prophesy (prophêteúō, 4395) (Rev. 11:3) during the days of their prophecy (prophêteía, 4394) (Rev. 11:6). For further study, see "Do Prophets Exist Today?"


Prophetess. A female prophet.  The Hebrew noun is nebiyáh (5031). It means "a woman who receives messages directly from God and passes the message on to people" (JTB). Perhaps the clearest OT example is that of Huldah, the prophetess (2 Kings 22:14). Hilkiah the high priest, at the behest of King Josiah (2 Kings 22:1-13), went to Huldah the prophetess to inquire of the LORD. The book of the Law had been discovered in the newly repaired temple, and Josiah was horrified at how badly Israel had been disobeying the Law. In response, she said to him, "Thus says the LORD," and began to recite how God's wrath burned against Israel (2 Kings 22:14-20). Other examples include Miriam (Exod. 15:20), whose brief response in song appears as a part of Scripture (Exod. 15:20-21); Deborah, who was judging Israel (Judges 4:4); the afore-mentioned Huldah (2 Kings 22:14; 2 Chron. 34:22); Noadiah, who appears to be a false prophetess (Neh. 6:14); and the wife of Isaiah (Isa. 8:3). Some lexicographers speculate that she was not really a prophetess, but was given the title merely because she was Isaiah's wife. I would assume that she was a prophetess, because surely Isaiah would know the difference (Isaiah 6:1-13), and he labeled her a prophetess. He could have called her merely his wife.
    There are fewer instances in the NT. The Greek noun is prophētis (4398), which appears only twice. Anna was a prophetess who lived in the temple in Jerusalem (Luke 2:36-37) and, upon, seeing the infant Jesus, thanked God and continued to speak of Him to all those awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem (Luke 2:38). There was an immoral woman named Jezebel who attended the church of Thyatira (Rev. 2:20), and called herself a prophetess. It appears she was, at best, a false prophetess (Rev. 2:18-23). Elsewhere, Philip the evangelist had four virgin daughters who prophesied, the Present Active Participle Nominative Feminine Plural of the verb prophēteúō (4395), "to receive messages directly from God and pass them on to people" (JTB).


    Prophesy. The act of uttering a revelation from God. In the OT the verb is nâbâ' (5012). It means to utter words on behalf of and empowered by a spirit, whether the Holy Spirit or an evil spirit. Saul is an interesting case. Initially he was empowered mightily by the Spirit of the LORD, and he prophesied (1 Sam. 10:6, 10, 11, 13). After God had rejected him from being king (1 Sam. 16:13, 14), an evil spirit from God came upon him mightily, and he prophesied (1 Sam. 18:10) [NASB translates the verb here, "raved."] There were, in Israel, prophets who prophesied falsely in the name of the LORD (Jer. 14:14, 15). Repeatedly, Yahweh instructed Ezekiel, a true prophet, to prophesy messages to the people of Israel (Ezek. 4:7; 6:2; 11:4) and against other nations (Ezek. 25:2; 28:21; 29:2; 35:2). When Biblical prophets prophesy, their messages inevitably come true (Ezek. 11:13; 37:4, 7, 9, 10, 12). This verb appears in Jeremiah and Ezekiel far and away more often than in any other books of the OT.
    In the NT, the verb is prophêteúō (4395). The NT opens, interestingly, with individuals protesting, on the Day of Judgment, that they had prophesied in Jesus' name, cast out demons, and performed many miracles, yet were being excluded from the kingdom (Matt. 7:22). Members of the Sanhedrin mocked Jesus, blindfolding Him, slapping Him in the face, and asking Him to prophesy which of them had hit Him (Matt. 26:67-68; Mark 14:65; Luke 22:64). Jesus spoke of the authors of OT Scripture as prophesying (Matt. 11:13; 15:7; Mark 7:6). Zacharias the priest prophesied concerning the Messiah and his own son (Luke 1:67-79). Even the Godless high priest prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation of Israel (John 11:51). In his Pentecost sermon Peter quoted Joel's prediction that Israel's sons and daughter would prophesy (Acts 2:17, 18). When John's disciples became Christians under the tutelage of Paul, they were prophesying (Acts 19:6). Philip the evangelist had four virgin daughters who were prophesying (Acts 21:8-9). The most extensive uses of the verb occur in Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. References include 1 Cor. 11:4, 5; 13:9; 14:1, 3, 4, 5, 24, 31, 39. Peter spoke of he prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to his readers (1 Pet. 1:10). Jude reported that Enoch prophesied (Jude 1:14). John was told that he must continue to prophesy about peoples, nations, languages, and kings (Rev. 10:11). Later, John was told of God's two witnesses who would prophesy for 1260 days (Rev. 11:3). Of particular interest is Paul's statement that, in this life, we know only a portion of what there is to know, and we prophesy only a portion of what there is to know (1 Cor. 13:9). God tells us what we need to know, but He does not tell us more than we need to know at any given time.


Propitiation. Legal satisfaction for sin. The act of God in which, through the death of His Son, Jesus the Messiah, He paid the full price necessary to satisfy the demands of law for the payment of sin. From the very beginning of man's time upon earth, God warned him,


God further declared that without the shedding of blood, no atonement could be obtained (Lev. 17:11), no forgiveness could be granted (Heb. 9:22). Through the death of Jesus, the Messiah, the perfect Lamb (amnos, 286) of God (John 1:29, 34; Rom. 8:32; 1 Pet. 1:19), God secured the full payment for all the sins of all the people of the world (1 John 2:2). Jesus, through His death is the legal satisfaction for man's sin, that which bars him from fellowship with God. Note also the many references to Jesus as the Lamb (arnion, diminutive for lamb, 721) in the book of Revelation.

There are two related Greek words used in the NT to convey the idea of propitiation: The first is hilastêrion (2435), translated "propitiation" in Romans 3:25 and "mercy seat" in Hebrews 9:5. The second is hilasmos (2434), translated "propitiation" both in 1 John 2:2 and 1 John 4:10.


Prostitute, Great. The Great Prostitute or Harlot spoken of in Revelation 17:1-19:4. The vision of the Great Prostitute or Harlot that John was shown stands for a city, Babylon the Great (Rev. 17:5), which stands for a false religion (thus the image of the Prostitute (Rev. 17:1-2, 4-5; 18:1-3; 19:1-2), a religion that has and will have enormous political power (she will sit astride the Beast that represents a 10-nation World Power - Rev. 17:3). She represents a world-wide religion (Rev. 17:1, 15). She is anti-God and anti-Christ, and will cause the deaths of saints all around the world (Rev. 17:6;  18:24; 19:1-2). She will be enormously wealthy, conducting business with the kings and the merchants of the earth. To do business with her, they will adopt her false religion. All this will happen particularly during the Tribulation period. At some time the World Ruler and his ten associates will despise her religion and will burn her with fire (Rev. 17:16-17). The kings of the earth will mourn the loss of revenue (Rev. 18:9-10), as will the merchants of the earth (Rev. 18:11-16), and as will the captains of ocean-going ships (Rev. 18:17-19). In summary, I believe that Babylon the Great represents a wealthy, world-wide false religion that will wield enormous political and economic power in the first part of the Tribulation. At some point the leader of the Revived Roman Empire (the Antichrist) and his associates will despise her religion and burn her. I believe the Antichrist will thus end his association with this false religion and assert himself as being God and Messiah (Matt. 24:15; 2 Thess. 2:3-4; Rev. 13:8, 15). See also the article, "What is the Identity of Babylon, the Great Prostitute in Rev. 17:1-19:6?"


Protestant(s); Protestantism. The wing of Christianity that saw great abuses in the teaching and practice of the Roman Catholic Church and sought to establish the Bible as the sole authority of the Church. Early leaders in Protestantism were Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli, John Calvin, and John Knox. The precipitous event was Martin Luther's posting of his 95 Theses on the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church in 1517.

Pual. The Pual Stem is the passive counterpart of the Piel Stem in Hebrew verbs. It used to intensify the action of a passive voice. See the University of Iowa's paradigm. See the paradigm of Becoming Jewish.

Scripture used is the New American Standard Bible 1995.

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