Greetings, Remnant Fam! Here’s what you’ll find in this issue:

• Shows This Week:
  8/12 - Patterns, Parallels & Promises in the Bible: Interview with James Hamilton
  8/14 - Is There Power in Demonic Forces?

• Word & Spirit School of Ministry: Registration Open!

• Patreon: Promo Codes!

• Your Questions Answered

• Last Week’s Shows:
  What is Heaven Like? Interview with Randy Alcorn
  What was the Old Testament School of the Prophets?

• Extra: Why Do Christians Believe in Spiritual Gifts? Josh Lewis speaks on The Bridge Podcast Network

• Partner with Remnant

• Refer Remnant & Earn Quick Rewards

SHOWS THIS WEEK:

Tune in to The Remnant Radio this week on Monday and Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. CDT / UTC-5 and connect with fellow fans in the chat!

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Is There Power in Demonic Forces?

In this episode, we'll examine what the Bible says about demonic power and examine key biblical stories that reveal the reality and influence of dark supernatural forces. We'll cover:

• The Witch of Endor: Unpacking the story from 1 Samuel 28, where King Saul seeks out a medium and encounters the spirit of Samuel. What does this event tell us about the reality of the demonic behind mediums?

• Balaam: Exploring Numbers 22-24, where Balaam, a prophet entangled with divination, is confronted by an angel of the Lord. How does Balaam's story illustrate the clash between divine and demonic powers?

• Simon the Sorcerer: Analyzing Acts 8, where Simon, a magician who astonished people with his sorcery, seeks to buy the Holy Spirit's power from the apostles. What can we learn from his misguided pursuit of spiritual power?

• The Python Spirit in Acts 16: Discussing the account of the slave girl possessed by a spirit of divination and how Paul confronts this demonic presence. What does this encounter teach us about the real power and influence of demonic forces?

Through these biblical narratives, we'll highlight the reality of the supernatural realm and acknowledge that negative forces are indeed real and potent. We'll also explore the implications for Christians today, offering insights on how to recognize and respond to these spiritual threats.

Join us in the Live Chat on Wednesday, August 14 at 4:00 p.m. CDT/UTC-5.

WSSM FALL REGISTRATION OPEN!

John 10:27 states, “My sheep hear my voice.” Are you able to discern God’s voice from the noise of everyday life? Do you know when the Holy Spirit is nudging you to pray for healing? Move from hearing about spiritual gifts to doing them! Join our supportive and safe training community led by experienced mentors. Here's what you can expect:

• 13 week, interactive discipleship program

• 117 organized, bite-sized videos

• Theologically-sound and biblically-grounded teachings

• No hype or performance

• Weekly live Q&A sessions with our course instructors

• Safe space to practice in community with a small group coach

• Connect with like-minded believers on the same journey as you

• The first module releases August 31

One of our recent student graduates shares her thoughts:

PATREON:

Promo Codes for Patreon Subscribers

Did you miss the Early Bird discounts to either the Word & Spirit School of Ministry or the Remnant Conference? We’ll spill a little secret . . . you can still get those discounts over on Patreon! For as little as $5/month, you can subscribe and save!

Click here to subscribe.

ASK YOUR QUESTIONS:

Have a theology question? Drop it here. While we can't guarantee we'll tackle every question, we'll dive into one or two each week. So, fire away and let's explore together!

Question from Therayn on Patreon & Joe in Alabama (paraphrased): What does Jesus mean when he says “this generation” in Matthew 24?

Answer from Michael Rowntree: There are two main interpretations of the phrase "this generation" in the context of biblical prophecy. The futurist interpretation suggests that "this generation" refers not to the people living at the time of Jesus but to the generation at the end of times. According to this view, which you might be familiar with if you've read the Left Behind books or seen the Kirk Cameron movies, the events described are still in the future.

On the other hand, the preterist interpretation understands "this generation" as referring to Jesus's own generation. Now, it's important to note that a full preterist view, which claims that Jesus has already returned, is considered heretical because we believe in the future bodily return of Jesus. However, a partial preterist view, which is a more accepted stance, holds that many of the prophecies were fulfilled in the first century, particularly with the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. I find this interpretation to be the most natural understanding of the text in passages like Matthew 24, Luke 21, and Mark 13.

In Matthew's Gospel, when Jesus speaks of "this generation," he seems to be talking directly to the people of his time. There's also some intertextual evidence for this, such as the reference to the "abomination of desolation" in Daniel. In Luke's account, this is described as Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, which actually happened in A.D. 70. Christians of that generation understood Jesus's words to apply to them, and that's why, when the Romans laid siege to Jerusalem and 1.1 million Jews were killed, there were no Christians left in the city—they had heeded Jesus's warning and fled.

My view is that while Jesus was directly addressing his own generation, the events of A.D. 70 also serve as a sort of "dress rehearsal" for what will happen at the very end. This idea is supported by scholars like C.E.B. Cranfield, who suggest that there was a concentration of significant events—wars, famines, and other signs—around A.D. 70, which partially fulfilled Jesus's prophecies, but not his great and glorious return.

In biblical prophecy, it's common to see repeated fulfillment in cycles of increasing intensity. I believe that these cycles will continue until the end of time, culminating in the final years of human history, which will be the most intense until Jesus returns to make everything right. So, in essence, I view the Olivet Discourse and Revelation through a sort of "bifocal lens," recognizing both near-term and far-term fulfillments.

SHOWS LAST WEEK:

If you missed joining us for the Live Chat, you can still catch the episodes:

What is Heaven Like? Interview with Randy Alcorn

We are excited to welcome esteemed author and theologian Randy Alcorn to discuss what Heaven will be like. Randy Alcorn has extensively explored the afterlife in his writings, offering thoughtful and biblically grounded perspectives. He will share his views on Heaven, addressing what the Bible says about the experiences of believers and non-believers after death. We'll explore concepts like the intermediate state, heaven, and hell, and what Scripture reveals about our eternal destinies.

Join us in the Live Chat on Monday, August 5 at 4:00 p.m. CDT/UTC-5.

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What was the Old Testament School of the Prophets?

Modern-day cessationists argue that spiritual gifts can't be trained. And yet, in the Old Testament, we find the company (or school) of the prophets. What was this institution, and what role did it play in ancient Israel? Join us as we explore the historical and biblical context of the School of the Prophets and uncover its significance.

We'll examine key passages from the Old Testament, particularly in the books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles, where these prophetic communities are mentioned. Who were the prophets associated with these schools, and what was their mission? How did they contribute to the spiritual and social life of Israel?

We'll also discuss the teachings and practices that were likely emphasized in the School of the Prophets. What kind of training did the prophets undergo, and what was the nature of their prophetic ministry? We'll consider the relationship between these schools and notable prophets like Samuel, Elijah, and Elisha.

Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the School of the Prophets and its role in shaping the prophetic tradition in Israel. Discover how these ancient institutions can offer insights into the prophetic ministry today.

Don’t miss this discussion on the origins, purpose, and impact of the School of the Prophets.

Join us in the Live Chat on Wednesday, August 7 at 4:00 p.m. CDT/UTC-5.

EXTRA:

Josh Lewis spoke as a guest on The Bridge Podcast Network.

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