99. What the Bible Says About The Exiles

101. What the Bible Says About Life After Death (pt1)

What The Bible Says. Fortnightly bible study. Episode 100 - 22/05/25 Led by Akin George What does the Bible actually say about life after death? In this first part of our study, we look honestly at the subject many people avoid: death. For the Christian, death is not the end, nor is it meant to be faced without hope. Scripture teaches that death entered through sin, but through Jesus Christ we have the promise of resurrection, eternal life, and being with the Lord. Beginning in Genesis, we trace the origin of death and the separation caused by sin, before considering the hope given to believers through Christ. We discuss passages including Hebrews 9, 1 Thessalonians 4, John 11, Luke 23, John 14, and 2 Corinthians 4, exploring questions such as: - What happens when a Christian dies? - Is death really described as sleep in the Bible? - Is there such a thing as reincarnation or a second chance after death? - What did Jesus mean when He told the thief on the cross, “Today you will be with Me in Paradise”? - How should the hope of resurrection shape the way we live now? This study is both comforting and challenging. Comforting, because those who belong to Christ have a certain hope beyond the grave. Challenging, because Scripture reminds us that “it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). For the believer, death is not defeat. Because Jesus died and rose again, those who trust in Him will live, even though they die. #WhatTheBibleSays #LifeAfterDeath #DeathAndResurrection #ChristianHope #JesusChrist #BibleStudy #Resurrection #EternalLife #Heaven #Gospel

100. What the Bible Says - Quiz 2026

What The Bible Says. Fortnightly bible study. Episode 100 - 08/05/25 Led by Tim Clark To mark our 100th What the Bible Says Bible study, we did something a little different: a full WTBS Quiz Night 2026. From questions about the study itself, to surprising Bible details, to a final round of “Bible or AI?”, this was a joyful, funny, and sometimes very humbling evening together. Along the way, we looked at some wonderfully unexpected parts of Scripture, reflected on how carefully we need to read our Bibles, and were reminded that in an age of confusion, imitation, and noise, the Word of God remains trustworthy, living, and true. The evening also included a look back over the journey so far, including the remarkable number of people who have attended WTBS over time. No answers in the description this time — you’ll have to play along properly and see how many you can get before the group does. If you enjoy Bible study that goes beyond the surface, and you want to grow in confidence in what Scripture really says, this quiz is a great reminder that knowing the Bible well matters. #WhatTheBibleSays #BibleQuiz #BibleStudy #ChristianTeaching #Scripture #ChurchBibleStudy #QuizNight #BibleTrivia #WordOfGod #ChristianYouTube

99. What the Bible Says About The Exiles

What The Bible Says. Fortnightly bible study. Episode 99 - 24/04/25 Led by Tim Clark Israel’s story is marked by exile, judgement, mercy, and restoration. In this WTBS study, we trace the major exiles of Israel through Scripture — from Egypt, to the wilderness, to Assyria, Babylon, and the later Roman dispersion — and explore how each one reveals both the seriousness of sin and the faithfulness of God. We examine why these exiles happened, how they were foretold generations in advance, and how God continually preserved a remnant for Himself. From the Exodus to the Babylonian captivity, the Bible shows that God is never out of control, even in judgement. Every exile carried both warning and promise. The study explores the exile of the Northern Kingdom under Assyria, the destruction of Jerusalem under Babylon, and the later worldwide scattering of the Jewish people after the rejection of the Messiah. Along the way, we look at passages from Genesis, Kings, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Luke, Romans and Amos to see how exile and restoration form a major thread running through the whole Bible. We also consider the deeper spiritual meaning behind exile in Scripture. Egypt becomes a picture of salvation and deliverance. The wilderness becomes a picture of unbelief and testing. The return from exile becomes a picture of restoration, mercy, covenant faithfulness, and ultimately the kingdom of God itself. Special attention is given to the prophetic promises concerning Israel’s future restoration, the rebuilding of the “tabernacle of David,” the inclusion of the Gentiles, and the relationship between Israel, the Church, and the return of Christ. Romans 9–11 and Acts 15 are especially important in understanding how these themes fit together. This study also reflects on God’s sovereignty in history. Nations rise and fall, empires come and go, but the Lord remains faithful to His covenant purposes. The exiles of Israel were never random events — they were foretold, governed by God, and used to point ultimately toward Jesus Christ and His kingdom. As always, this is an open Bible study discussion with questions, interaction, Scripture reading, and practical application throughout. *Key passages include:* Genesis 15:13–16, Exodus 6:5–8, Numbers 14:26–35, 2 Kings 17, 2 Kings 24, Isaiah 11, Jeremiah 25, Jeremiah 29, Ezekiel 37, Luke 19:41–44, Luke 21:20–24, Acts 15:13–18, Romans 11:25–32, Amos 9:11–15 #BibleStudy #Israel #Exile #Prophecy #JesusChrist #Romans11 #Babylon #Assyria #EndTimes #KingdomOfGod #WTBS #Christianity #OldTestament #NewTestament #Messiah #Restoration #BibleProphecy

98. What the Bible Says About the Tabernacle.

What The Bible Says. Fortnightly bible study. Episode 98 - 10/04/25 Led by Graeme McPherson This study takes up the tabernacle as a deliberate picture of the gospel and of Jesus Christ. Right at the outset the group is careful not to run wild with symbolism, but to let Scripture itself govern the links that are made. The aim is not to invent meanings, but to see how Exodus 25–26, read in the light of the New Testament, shows God’s redemptive purpose and His desire to dwell among His people. A major theme is that the tabernacle reveals the heart of God: “that I may dwell among them.” The discussion repeatedly connects this with Eden, with John 1 where the Word “tabernacled” among us, and with the final fulfilment in Revelation where the dwelling place of God is with men. The tabernacle is therefore treated not merely as ancient furniture for worship, but as part of the Bible’s great storyline of God coming to dwell with His people through Christ. The group also gives significant attention to the willing offerings used to build the tabernacle. This becomes an exhortation about worship, gratitude, and stewardship. Israel had been rescued from Egypt entirely by God’s power, and so their giving is read as the grateful response of a redeemed people. From there the study presses into application: what we do with our resources shows what we worship, and what is not yielded to God can easily be turned toward idols. The ark and mercy seat form the theological centre of the discussion. The mercy seat is seen as the meeting place between God and man, the place of atonement, and a powerful picture of mercy standing over law. The group reflects on the cherubim guarding the way to God, the law inside the ark condemning sinners, and the mercy seat above it all, covered by sacrificial blood. From this they move naturally to Christ: the better sacrifice, the true meeting place with God, and the reason believers can now approach boldly. The table of bread is read as a picture of fellowship, provision, and communion. Bread, wine, and the setting of a table point the group toward the Lord’s Supper, the Emmaus road, and Jesus as the bread of life. At the same time, the discussion keeps pressing into discipleship: believers are not only recipients of grace, but vessels through whom the bread is served. The tabernacle therefore becomes a pattern for ongoing communion with Christ and for a life that ministers His provision to others. The lampstand then opens up the theme of light, holiness, and the work of the Spirit. Its beauty, purity, and hammered construction lead into reflection on how God forms His people through suffering and shapes each one distinctly for service. The oil is understood as pointing to the Holy Spirit, so that shining for God is never a matter of natural strength or outward impressiveness, but of divine life within. The wider discussion reinforces this by insisting that God’s presence does not rest on equipment, atmosphere, or externals, but upon consecrated people. Overall, the study presents the tabernacle as both Christological and pastoral. Christ is shown as the true tabernacle, the fulfiller of the law, the mercy seat, the bread, and the meeting place with God. Yet the study does not stop there: because believers are united to Christ, the church itself is spoken of as God’s dwelling place, a royal priesthood called to holiness, worship, service, and witness. The result is a study that is rich in biblical theology, but also full of practical exhortation toward reverence, gratitude, godly character, and Spirit-filled ministry.

97. What the Bible Says About the Salvation of Israel (pt2)

What The Bible Says. Fortnightly bible study. Episode 96 - 27/02/25 Led by Martin Rogers In this second, conclusion of the study, we returned to Romans 11 and centred again on the great question: what does it mean that “all Israel will be saved”? The discussion began by reaffirming that Israel has experienced a partial hardening, not a total rejection, and that this hardening is bound up with God’s wider redemptive purpose in bringing salvation to the Gentiles. At the same time, the study firmly held that there is only one way of salvation for Jew and Gentile alike: through faith in Jesus Christ. We then worked through Paul’s olive tree picture in Romans 11. Israel’s stumbling opened the door for the Gentiles, yet Gentile believers are not to boast, because they do not support the root; the root supports them. The grafting-in of the Gentiles was described as something “contrary to nature,” highlighting that our inclusion brings no merit of our own, but rests entirely on the grace of God. If God can graft in wild branches, then he is certainly able to graft the natural branches back in again. From there, the study pushed back against the idea that God’s promises to Israel have been cancelled or absorbed away. Romans 11 was read as teaching that, though many in Israel are presently enemies with respect to the gospel, they remain beloved because of the patriarchs, and the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable. The discussion stressed that this does not place Jews above Gentiles in salvation, nor create two peoples of God, but it does mean that God’s covenant faithfulness to ethnic Israel still matters within his purposes in history. The prophetic foundation for this was then laid from Jeremiah 31 and Ezekiel 36. Jeremiah speaks of a new covenant made with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, in which God writes his law on their hearts, forgives their sin, and maintains Israel as a nation before him. Ezekiel adds that this restoration is not for Israel’s sake, but for the sake of God’s holy name: he will gather them from the nations, bring them back into their own land, cleanse them, give them a new heart, and put his Spirit within them. Ezekiel 37 then sharpened the picture through the valley of dry bones. The bones were understood as the house of Israel: scattered, cut off, and apparently without hope. Yet God promises both a physical return to the land and a spiritual renewal by his Spirit. The study noted that there appears to be a distinction between the bones coming together and the breath entering them. In other words, the regathering of Israel to the land may be visible already, while the full spiritual awakening still lies ahead. That future awakening was tied especially to Hosea 3 and Zechariah 12. Hosea speaks of Israel abiding many days without king, sacrifice, or temple, and afterwards returning to seek the Lord and “David their king” in the latter days. Zechariah then gives the climactic moment: God pours out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication, and they look upon the one they have pierced and mourn for him. The study understood this as the national repentance of Israel and their recognition of Jesus as Messiah at the end. So the conclusion reached was that “all Israel will be saved” does not mean every Jew who has ever lived, nor does it establish a separate way of salvation. Rather, it points to the future salvation of Israel as a people at the time appointed by God, when the remnant that remains will repent and believe in their Messiah. The whole thing is grounded not in human worthiness, but in divine mercy, covenant faithfulness, and God’s zeal for his own name. The study closed where Romans 11 closes: with wonder, humility, and worship before the wisdom of God, from whom and through whom and to whom are all things.