ARMAGEDDON
Armageddon will be the last and largest battle of the great tribulation period, which will be in the future (Zechariah 12:9–11; Revelation 16:14–16), in which Antichrist and his armies will fight against our Christ and His heavenly armies (Revelation 19:19–21). It is believed to be on the plain of Megiddo, which is northwest of Jerusalem (see END TIMES).
ARMINIANISM See PREDESTINATION.
ASCENSION
This refers to the ascension of Christ. This took place after His resurrection and 40 days of ministry, when he then ascended up into the heavens while the apostles beheld Him. And Jesus will return some day, visibly, as he went to heaven, “this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11; see also Matthew 24:26–27).
ASTROLOGY
Astrology (not astronomy) is condemned in the Bible. “Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee. Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame” (Isaiah 47:13–14). The real purpose of heavenly bodies was to reveal the glory of God (Psalm 19:1) and for times and seasons (Genesis 1:14), not to plan your life by. We do not trust the stars to guide our life, but the God Who made the stars, according to His will revealed in His Word.
I once heard a story about a man who, while at work, was asked by his fellow employee when he was born. The man gave him a date on the calendar, and then his fellow employee said, “I knew it. You are exactly what the Zodiac depicts of someone born during that time of year.” He went on to explain how he matched all the signs for someone born in that month, at that time.” But then the man interrupted him. “Sir, the date I gave you was not when I was born physically but when I was spiritually born again by God.” Then the fellow employee’s theory fell apart, as the man’s birthday was several months earlier and he therefore was supposed to have different set of traits (see OCCULT).
ATHEISM
Atheists deny the existence of God. The Bible does not try and prove that God is, but begins with the declaration “In the beginning God…” (Genesis 1:1) Witnesses to the existence of God include the Bible, creations, fulfilled prophecy, conscience, and the like.
A man said to me, “What if there is no hell?” My response was, “What if there is?” He told me I did not sound very sure, but I reminded him that he had used the word “if” first and I was only repeating it. I know He is real, but I won’t go there, and instead I say, “What if I am wrong?” But I warn you, this will be a two-way street. I am far happier than before I knew God. He has blessed me and corrected me and given me a purpose: I can live for Him. No, I am not talking about a leap in the dark; if you want to know if God is real, go to His book and verify for yourself. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17; see FAITH). God is not afraid if you are trying to find out if He is real, but be honest with yourself: “Seek, and ye shall find.” The day is coming when you and I will stand before God Himself. He will not ask what church we go to, and He will know who has or has not trusted His Son, Jesus Christ, for heaven. Now, because we are talking about what-ifs, let’s flip the coin over. What if you are wrong? If you will not trust Jesus Christ, then you have lost your soul.
AWAKENING
As used in a religious context, this refers to a spiritual turning to the light of the gospel and to Christ. There were at least two major awakenings in America in the 1700s. On a smaller scale, it would be as when a church has a revival—not just a revival meeting, but when backslidden members get right with God, which may lead to people in the community being saved.
Armageddon will be the last and largest battle of the great tribulation period, which will be in the future (Zechariah 12:9–11; Revelation 16:14–16), in which Antichrist and his armies will fight against our Christ and His heavenly armies (Revelation 19:19–21). It is believed to be on the plain of Megiddo, which is northwest of Jerusalem (see END TIMES).
ARMINIANISM See PREDESTINATION.
ASCENSION
This refers to the ascension of Christ. This took place after His resurrection and 40 days of ministry, when he then ascended up into the heavens while the apostles beheld Him. And Jesus will return some day, visibly, as he went to heaven, “this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11; see also Matthew 24:26–27).
ASTROLOGY
Astrology (not astronomy) is condemned in the Bible. “Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee. Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame” (Isaiah 47:13–14). The real purpose of heavenly bodies was to reveal the glory of God (Psalm 19:1) and for times and seasons (Genesis 1:14), not to plan your life by. We do not trust the stars to guide our life, but the God Who made the stars, according to His will revealed in His Word.
I once heard a story about a man who, while at work, was asked by his fellow employee when he was born. The man gave him a date on the calendar, and then his fellow employee said, “I knew it. You are exactly what the Zodiac depicts of someone born during that time of year.” He went on to explain how he matched all the signs for someone born in that month, at that time.” But then the man interrupted him. “Sir, the date I gave you was not when I was born physically but when I was spiritually born again by God.” Then the fellow employee’s theory fell apart, as the man’s birthday was several months earlier and he therefore was supposed to have different set of traits (see OCCULT).
ATHEISM
Atheists deny the existence of God. The Bible does not try and prove that God is, but begins with the declaration “In the beginning God…” (Genesis 1:1) Witnesses to the existence of God include the Bible, creations, fulfilled prophecy, conscience, and the like.
A man said to me, “What if there is no hell?” My response was, “What if there is?” He told me I did not sound very sure, but I reminded him that he had used the word “if” first and I was only repeating it. I know He is real, but I won’t go there, and instead I say, “What if I am wrong?” But I warn you, this will be a two-way street. I am far happier than before I knew God. He has blessed me and corrected me and given me a purpose: I can live for Him. No, I am not talking about a leap in the dark; if you want to know if God is real, go to His book and verify for yourself. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17; see FAITH). God is not afraid if you are trying to find out if He is real, but be honest with yourself: “Seek, and ye shall find.” The day is coming when you and I will stand before God Himself. He will not ask what church we go to, and He will know who has or has not trusted His Son, Jesus Christ, for heaven. Now, because we are talking about what-ifs, let’s flip the coin over. What if you are wrong? If you will not trust Jesus Christ, then you have lost your soul.
AWAKENING
As used in a religious context, this refers to a spiritual turning to the light of the gospel and to Christ. There were at least two major awakenings in America in the 1700s. On a smaller scale, it would be as when a church has a revival—not just a revival meeting, but when backslidden members get right with God, which may lead to people in the community being saved.
