Q & A WITH A READER ON THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

 

Q & A WITH A READER ON THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 

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1.      If the gift of tongues ceased, how do you interpret 1 Corinthians 14, where Apostle Paul gives detailed instructions for regulating its use in the church rather than indicating its imminent cessation?

MY TAKE

My view is that 1 Corinthians 14 addressed the New Testament church context. The gift of tongues was actively in operation at the time. Under Evangelical theology, we hold that this gift ceased immediately thereafter. The Early Church writers never mentioned or reported on its presence. There is no evidence throughout the ages of church history that this gift was actively available in the church. Pentecostal scholars have not offered convincing explanations for this historical phenomenon from their theological standpoint.

 

2.      On what basis do we conclude that the events in Acts are descriptive but not normative, especially when similar manifestations of the Spirit appear in multiple chapters (Acts 2, 10, 19)?

MY TAKE

I believe this question has been addressed under Q.1 above. The events described in the Acts of the Apostles and 1 Corinthians exclusively relate to the New Testament church period. This the reason that Paul wrote extensively on the regulation of this gift in the context of the New Testament Gentile Christian communities.

 

3.      Is there any explicit New Testament passage that clearly states that the gift of tongues would cease at the close of the apostolic age?

MY TAKE

Evangelical scholars observe that there is a hint in 1 Corinthians 13 which has been identified as a telltale sign in support of the cessation view. Paul writes thus:

“Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part. ¹⁰ But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. (1 Corinthians 13:8-10, NKJV, emphasis mine).

 Here are some of the arguments in support of the cessation view.

i)                   In 1 Corinthians 13:8-10, Paul states that prophecies will cease, tongues will be stilled, and knowledge will pass away, noting that partial gifts will disappear when the "perfect" comes. Some Evangelical scholars have related this perfection to the sealing of the cannon of Scripture under the Council of Carthage in AD 397. The church thereafter departed from oral tradition and spoke from the authority of the written Scriptures rather than the prophetic foretelling.

ii)                 In 1 Corinthians 14:21-22, Paul cites Isaiah 28:11-12 to explain that tongues were a "sign to unbelieving Israel". With the establishment of the church and the gospel effort extending to the Gentiles, the need for this specific sign is believed to have ceased. This is consistent with the view that the gift of tongues was meant to serve a specific purpose during the New Testament church period.

iii)               Scholars consider 2 Corinthians 12:12 and Hebrews 2:3-4 as conveying an affirmation that miraculous gifts, including tongues, were "signs of an apostle" designed to validate apostolic authority and new revelation. Once the apostolic age concluded, so did the need for their unique validation.

iv)               The gift of tongues is not mentioned in later Pauline Epistles including Romans and Ephesians. It is also missing from the New Testament Pastoral and General Epistles, suggesting that the gift was not functioning in the wider church after the period coinciding with 1 Corinthians.

v)                  Bible scholars have also observed that there is a notable decline in the mention of miracles in Paul’s latter epistles. It is instructive that Paul was unable to heal two of his close coworkers, Epaphroditus and Trophimus, on two separate occasions, indicating that the apostolic gift of miracles had possibly declined at the close of his ministry (Philippians 2:25-30; 2 Timothy 4:20). In one of his final letters, Paul writes, "I left Trophimus sick at Miletus" (2 Timothy 4:20). Scholars often point to this statement as evidence that Paul's ability to heal "on demand" had changed, as he previously would have healed a fellow worker to keep them in active ministry. In a separate incident, Paul describes Trophimus, one of his companions as being "ill and almost died," but notes that "God had mercy on him" rather than attributing the recovery to an apostolic act of healing (Philippians 2:25-30). Paul's deep sorrow over the illness suggests he did not have the immediate power to remove it.

Conclusion

Pentecostal and Charismatic scholars disagree with the observations advanced by Evangelical scholars on cessation of tongues. They insist that the gift of tongues continues throughout all church ages. They are however unable to explain why the gift of tongues was not mentioned in early church writings right from the Patristic period through the Medieval, Reformation, and Enlightenment periods, only for it to purportedly reemerge in the 19^th Century during the Asuza Street revival of 1905. Does this incident imply that the previous generations of believers were not deserving of this gift? Did they fail to embrace the gift for nearly 2000 years? Did God withdraw the gift during these periods, and if so, why? How come Pentecostals today are unable to interpret the gift of tongues or specify which ethnic language it falls into whenever a believer is purportedly speaking in tongues?

 

4.      If tongues were solely for authenticating the gospel to unbelievers, how do we understand Apostle Paul's statement that one who speaks in tongues edifies himself (1 Corinthians 14:4)?

MY TAKE.

This question is closely related to No.3 above.

1 Corinthians 14:1-5 says “Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. ² For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. ³ But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. ⁴ He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. ⁵ I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.”

(NKJV).

Paul was addressing some confusion among the Corinthian believers where some liberally spoke in tongues in congregational gatherings without the benefit of an interpreter. This is the reason he adjudged such believers as edifying themselves in v.4. This suggests that where tongues could not be interpreted, it served no useful purposes in the Body of Christ. Paul supplies a hint in his statement in v.5, suggesting that not all believers spoke in tongues. This strongly suggests that the gift of tongues was not a universal endowment on all New Testament church believers.  

 

5.      If some spiritual gifts (like tongues) ceased after the apostolic era, what biblical principle helps us determine which gifts continue and which do not?

MY TAKE

1 Corinthians 12:4-10 says “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵ There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. ⁶ And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. ⁷ But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: ⁸ for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, ⁹ to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, ¹⁰ to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. ¹¹ But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” (NKJV, Emphasis mine)

 

There are nine gifts listed in the above passage.

As stated earlier, Evangelical theology holds that the gift of tongues ceased after the New Testament church age. The gift of interpreting tongues therefore also ceased. Some scholars believe the gifts of miracles and healings have been extensively modified by God from their New Testament period contexts to conform to the post New Testament realities. Accordingly therefore, we do not have miracle workers or faith healers in the church today. Scripture reveals that God responds to the prayers of His people in accordance with His divine will. James 5:14-15 says “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵ And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.” (NKJV).

Notice that James does not make reference to a miracle worker or a faith healer in his exhortation. Instead, he recommends corporate prayers by church elders!

The gift of prophecy was also modified to align with the sealed cannon of Scripture which became available following its compilation under the Council of Carthage in 397 AD. Prophecy is now theologically understood as the act of forth-telling or proclaiming the mind of God for a particular context based on the revelation and authority of Scripture. Evangelical tradition affirms that the future of the church has been sealed in the writings of Scripture and no prophet can speak the mind of God outside the revelation of Scripture. This implies that the office of prophet is no longer available to the church! Jesus is our final prophet through whom God speaks to the church (Hebrews 1:1-2). His voice is indelibly inscribed in the written Scriptures. He is our Saviour, our Prophet, our Healer, our High Priest, and our Teacher.

The gifts of wisdom and knowledge are however available to the church and so are the gifts of faith and discernment. God reveals His mind to His servants when they proclaim Christ in truth and in accordance with the authority of Scripture. Christ is our source of eternal wisdom which He has conveyed to us through His eternal word. 

 

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2026

Is Speaking in Tongues Evidence that a Believer Has the Holy Spirit?

IS SPEAKING IN TONGUES EVIDENCE THAT THE BELIEVER HAS THE HOLY SPIRIT?

My view is that speaking in tongues today is not evidence that a person is infilled or controlled by the Holy Spirit. I am persuaded from my study of Scripture that the coming of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2 was intended to authenticate the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ during the New Testament church period. The incident recorded in Acts 2:1-13 was therefore a peculiar event that God permitted in the Jerusalem church to facilitate the spreading of the gospel among Gentile people. 

It is instructive that this incident coincided with the Jewish festival of Pentecost, also known as Shavuot. This was the Feast of Weeks, a pilgrimage festival celebrated 50 days after the Passover. It marked the end of the grain harvest and a thanksgiving for the wheat harvest and the first fruits. 

God used the Day of Pentecost to reach out to the Gentile people who attended the feast so that the participants heard the gospel in their own ethnic languages. This incident had been predicted by Jesus when He commanded the disciples not to leave Jerusalem until they received the gift of the Holy Spirit which Jesus describes as "the Promise of the Father" (Acts 1:4). 

There are a few other occasions in the Book of Acts where some Gentile believers spoke in tongues (Acts 10:44-47). Besides the Book of Acts, there is no record in the New Testament Scriptures of an incident or occasion when believers spoke in tongues other than perhaps Paul's mention of the gift in 1 Corinthians (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:10, 28-30, 14:1-28). 

Paul rebuked the Corinthians for their spiritual immaturity in handling the gift of tongues and prescribed for them some practical etiquette and decorum (1 Corinthians 14:6-18).

Yes, speaking in tongues under the New Testament church context was evidence that the believer was filled with the Holy Spirit. However, there is considerable debate as to whether this gift continued to be available to the church after the New Testament church period. 

Pentecostal and charismatic groups insist that the gift of tongues has been available to believers in all church ages. They consider the Azusa Street revival of 1905 as evidence of its continuity. They assert that a believer is incomplete in Christ until they experience the infilling of the Holy Spirit and speak in strange tongues. 

Conservative Evangelical traditions believe that the gift of tongues ceased after it served God's divine purposes for the church in the New Testament era. They teach that every born again Christian is under the control and the leading of the Holy Spirit from the moment they turn to Christ and does not require to speak in tongues to authenticate his faith (John 14:15-31). They insist that every believer is firmly indwelt by the Holy Spirit who guides them and reveals the truths of God's word to them (John 14:15-31). 

Evangelicals observe that the sealed cannon of Scripture conveys the mind of God under the exhortation of believers and the preaching of the gospel. They affirm that Scripture is sufficient, authoritative, and final on all matters touching on the Christian faith and practice. 

My concluding view is that every true follower of Jesus Christ is a child of God whose name is written in the Lamb's book of life (Revelation 20:11-15). They are complete in Christ. The believer daily feeds on the exhortation of the Holy Scriptures and is indwelt and guided by the Holy Spirit in his journey of faith. The believer's body is the temple of the Holy Spirit Holy (1 Corinthians 6:19). He walks in true fellowship with the heavenly Father and is a witness of God's saving grace in Christ Jesus. 

I am further persuaded that the gift of tongues ceased after the New Testament church period. It served God's purposes for the New Testament church as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles and in 1 Corinthians. Believers do not require the gift of tongues to live for Christ and proclaim Christ crucified. Instead, they require the holy Scriptures and the illumination of the Holy Spirit who dwells in them. He is the divine superintendent who preserves and illuminates the truths of God that Christ has revealed to us in the Scriptures (2 Timothy 1:14). 

The burden of proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ today does not depend on whether a believer speaks in strange tongues. It is anchored on their passion for the Macedonian call - the mission for rescuing souls from the sinful world and bringing them to Christ (Matthew 28:19-20). Besides, believers should contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3).

Shalom 

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2026

Q & A with A Reader on Christian Giving

Q & A WITH A READER ON CHRISTIAN GIVING 

Q1 - Does the Tithing Command in Malachi 3 apply to New Testament Believers? 

MY ATTEMPT 

The Malachi context was a totally different scenario from the New Testament context. The Jews were legally obligated to tithe under Levitical laws (Leviticus 27:30-32). These laws are however not binding on New Testament believers. The church only borrows the moral on principle of tithing for godly giving since we believe this practise preceded the law. New Testament believers do not share in the curses contemplated in Malachi 3!

Q2. It has been argued that Abraham and Jacob were the first set of patriarchs to tithe. Is there evidence in Scripture that the two men consistently tithed? 

MY ATTEMPT 

The mention of tithing relating to Abraham and Jacob has been generally understood as a theological justification for the view that tithing preceded the law (Genesis 14:20, 28:20-22)

We believe the two patriarchs and several others not mentioned in Scripture faithfully and consistently gave to God a tithe of their increase. Scripture does not have to capture every detail to authenticate the validity of tithing as a godly practise. In any case, we are not given the details of all givers in the Torah texts. 

Secondly, the New Testament believers are not legally compelled to tithe or to give offerings. We give God freely out of our personal convictions in honour of Christ and to support His mission on earth. Tithing is one of the means for achieving that purpose. There is nothing ungodly in teaching about tithes provided that we teach the full counsel of God on Christian giving and Christian liberty. 

I am aware that some Evangelical and Pentecostal traditions will disagree with this statement because they do not permit Christian liberty in giving. Besides, some charismatic teachers manipulate their followers into giving beyond what is contemplated in Scripture.   

Thirdly, a believer is at liberty to give as he pleases. Some give 20% or more. Others prefer the traditional 10% tithing. Others give less. Some traditions insist that offerings are sufficient for Christian giving. If Christian giving is done in good faith and to the glory of God, well and good. 

Q. 3 - Some preachers have argued that the best way to teach a New Testament believer to give is by teaching about the love of God through Christ Jesus. If a Christian understood the magnitude of God's love and grace, they would withhold nothing from Him. Do you agree with this view?

MY ATTEMPT 

I concur with you on the significance of teaching about the love of God. However we also need to teach believers about Christian giving within the New Testament context. Believers should be taught the truths of God's word on a regular basis in order to build their convictions on the authority of God's word in guiding our practical Christian living. 

Q. 4 - Should Christians Tithe their Time to God? 

MY ATTEMPT: 

I have not come across any teaching of Scripture that compels believers to tithe their time to God. I believe sacrificing time to serve God is a godly practise for believers. However, we may not specifically align ministry time sacrifice to tithing. Believers are gifted differently with diverse skills talents and abilities and God expects us to apply these skills in a manner that advances His Kingdom. 

Some ministry commitments such as missionary work may require full time service from believers. Others ministry skills and talents are applied during the corporate gathering of the church in worship. Some skills are occasionally required. All these ministry skills are valuable to the kingdom of God. 

Each line of ministry calling and gifting should therefore be understood within its context. What is significant is that our Christian witness is a 24/7 calling. We should be prepared to contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3). We are ambassadors of Christ wherever God has placed us in this world (2 Corinthians 5:20). We should therefore put on Christ and glorify God in our walk of faith.

Q. 5. Is the First fruits giving binding on New Testament Believers? 

MY ATTEMPT 

The Levitical priesthood first fruit giving is not binding on New Testament believers. To my knowledge, no text or passage of New Testament Scriptures  teaches or implies that believers should submit to the demands of the Levitical priesthood ritual offerings. We can however give a thanksgiving offering to God from our increase or blessings that God extended to us . 

Some Christian traditions have retained some of the Levitical priesthood ritual regulations without any theological justification from the New Testament Scriptures. This does not imply that believers should blindly follow such teachings. 

Q. 6 - Should Believers Surrender their First Salary to God? 

There is no command from Scripture that compels New Testament believers to sacrifice their first salary or entire earnings to God. The illustration of the parable of the poor widow in Mark 12:41-44 does not suggest that believers should give everything at their disposal. The widow sacrificed more than the rich men who gave out their abundance. 

The argument in favour of giving the entire pay to God as a special offering has been misapplied by some Bible teachers to cash in on unsuspecting Christians. My view is that the teaching on the giving of the first salary to God is a false teaching meant to defraud believers. 

How will this believer pay his rent and meet his family upkeep after surrendering his entire salary to the so called MOG? If the believer tithes out of that salary or gives an offering or thanksgiving from it, that should suffice. 

Q. 7 - Will a Believer miss Heaven if they don't give to God?

MY ATTEMPT 

Our relationship with God is founded on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. Believers have received redemption from sinful condemnation. There is nothing to add to what Christ has accomplished for us in His atoning death. He purchased our souls through His shed blood and we received the guarantee of eternal life. 

Having said as much, I am persuaded that a mature believer would lovingly serve God with their resources, talents, and abilities including giving tithes and offerings. They will cheerfully give to God on a free will basis rather than by coercion or compulsion. 

Whereas no believer will be denied entry to heaven merely because they did not offer a tithe or offering to God, a true follower of Jesus Christ cannot withhold his resources from the gospel effort. It would therefore be unusual to find a believer in heaven who had no passion for God's kingdom. 

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2026.

Is it Biblical to Describe Believers as Covenant People?

IS IT BIBLICAL TO DESCRIBE BELIEVERS AS COVENANT PEOPLE?

By Ezekiel Kimosop 

Someone addressed this question to me. He insisted that the title is inappropriate because, in his considered view, only Old Testament believers were under a covenant relationship with God. He also claimed that none of the New Testament writers assigned this title to believers. 

Here's my take.

My view is that one is at liberty to choose any name tags that they consider appropriate in describing believers provided that they align with Scripture. The writers of Scripture have not provided exhaustive descriptions for the Christian community. Reading through the New Testament Scriptures, one discovers that several imagery and metaphors and allegories are employed in describing believers on different occasions. Most of these metaphors are attributed to Apostle Paul, Apostle Peter, and Apostle John.

Scripture describes believers as Pilgrims (1 Peter 1:1), Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-27), Temple (1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Peter 2:5), Flock/Sheep (John 10:1-18), Bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:25-32; Rev. 12:2); and Soldiers (2 Timothy 2:3-4). 

It is instructive that the writings of Scripture are aligned to two covenants which we refer to as the Old Testament and the New Testament, respectively. A covenant is a contractual relationship that contemplates two parties - the giver and the recipients. It conveys clear terms and conditions that mutually bind the parties in agreement.

The Old Testament was made between God and the Jewish people at Mt Sinai. God sought to draw the Jewish people to Himself in covenant obedience. Unfortunately, His people repeatedly violated their covenant terms and God was compelled to hand them over to the heathen nations. The Book of Judges describes the cyclic pattern of the apostasy of God's covenant people. 

There are several other covenants described in the Bible including God's covenants with Abraham, Jacob, and David. 

God is the author of the New Testament covenant which was sealed by Christ's shed blood at Calvary (Hebrews 9:15-28). This covenant is anchored on God's offer of redemption and eternal life for any sinner that freely signs up with Christ. Whosoever therefore repents of sin and turns to Christ is immediately admitted into God's family or household of faith and is therefore understood as a covenant believer in Christ Jesus in that context (John 1:12, 3:16-17; Romans 8:1-2; 1 Corinthians 5:17).

I am persuaded that the use of the title "covenant people" to refer to the church or the Christian community is consistent with the revelation and authority of Scripture.

A covenant believer is a person who has turned from sinful disobedience to Christ; from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. He is committed to walking with Christ in fellowship and submits to the revelation and authority of Scripture and the leading of the Holy Spirit. 

This covenant believer earnestly looks forward to Christ's soon coming.

Are you a covenant believer?

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2026

Confidence in His Presence - Approaching God with Boldness - 1 John 5:13-15

CONFIDENCE IN HIS PRESENCE - APPROACHING GOD WITH BOLDNESS - 1 JOHN 5:13-15

By Ezekiel Kimosop 

1 John 5:13 says "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God." (NKJV). 

This text of Scripture affirms that believers are assured of eternal life in Christ Jesus even as they grow in the knowledge of Him. The writer takes pride in this truth as he encourages his recipients to stand firm in the faith. 

Our journey of faith in this world takes us through the mountains and valleys of life. The mountain season is a moment of celebration of God's faithfulness in the particular circumstances of context. The valley experience represents the trying moments of life when our faith is tried and tested by God (Psalm 34:19; James 1:2-4). This is the moment that messages of comfort and encouragement from Scripture are profound to the suffering believer. 

Job went through the valley experience in Job 1-2. The visit by his three friends did not help matters. They took him through a fault-finding contour rather than praying and comforting him! Thankfully, God came out for Job in the end. God has the final say. 

1 John 5:14-15 says "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him." (NKJV).

This scripture assures us of God's immeasurable grace whenever we approach Him in prayer. It inspires our confidence in Christ. It also underscores God's divine discretion on our petitions. In the exercise of His divine discretion, God will answer us in accordance with His will. God truly hears His covenant people whenever they approach His divine presence in prayer. 

This assurance is significant because our relationship with God is founded on our covenant with Him through Christ. Whether are prayers are granted, modified, differed, or declined, we have peace in our hearts that God's purposes for us will be served.

How does the assurance of eternal life (1 John 5:13) relate to our confidence in prayer (1 John 5:14-15)?

Our assurance of eternal is the anchor and pillar of hope that stands out whenever we appear before the presence of God. We are conscious of our special relationship with God as His redeemed in Christ. We are members of God's household of faith, His royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). 

We therefore have our solid standing before the presence of God as His covenant children (John 1:12); His ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:19-20); His royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9); His precious saints that He has purchased through Christ's shed blood (John 1:29). He hears us when we pray and cherishes our special relationship with Him. We can therefore walk into His holy presence unannounced and petition Him in confidence because of the righteousness of Christ in us. We have put on Christ. 

This privileged standing in the presence of God should always lift our hearts as we call on our heavenly Father. If however there's any condemnation in our hearts, we ought to seeking forgiveness and reconciliation as we approach His presence so that our prayers are not hindered. 

Shalom 

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2026

Has the Battle of Armageddon Started?

HAS THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON STARTED? 

By Ezekiel Kimosop 

The current situation in the Middle East is deeply worrying. America and Israel expected a quick fix in sinking the Iranian autocratic regime but this has not happened so far. The war is now ballooning into a regional conflict pitting America and Israel against Iran. It has also sucked in American Middle East allies such as UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. 

Some European countries have distanced themselves from the war, fearing for huge military casualties and the economic costs involved. America and Israel have meanwhile been isolated on the battleground. Will Europe join their old ally later in this war?

Military experts reckon that the Iranian regime has built deep underground secret chambers and tunnels where thousands of missiles, drones, and cluster bombs have been hidden. It is also feared that the Iranian nuclear enrichment program could be going on in the secrecy of  these deep bunkers. 

Analysts believe this war may take decades to conclude unless peace negotiations are successfully undertaken at the earliest opportunity. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of military personnel may sacrifice their lives on both sides.

Analysts also consider the growing influence and support of the Iranian regime by Russia and China as a worrying trend. These two powerful Iranian allies are believed to covertly offer military hardware and intelligence to Iran. China is understood as major commercial destination for Iranian oil. Russia is meanwhile benefiting from the war, thanks to the exponential rise in crude oil prices and the lifting of American sanctions against their oil trade. 

The Iranian backed militia groups such as the Yemeni Houthis, the Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Hamas in Gaza are classified as an auxiliary axis for the Iranian regime. They all target Israel and its allies in the Middle East, thanks to Iranian funding.

Global crude oil prices are expected to skyrocket if the Straight of Hormuz remains blocked, keeping hundreds of crude oil vessels stuck in the high seas on either side. This will have catastrophic implications on the global economy and many vulnerable countries are likely to pile pressure on America to accept cease-fire negotiations. 

Will Donald Trump yield to his critics and back down? What happens if he suddenly pulls back claiming America's military objectives have been met? Will Israel survive the Iranian onslaught without American support in the Middle East? Will the Arab nations unite against Israel?

Some observers consider a ground invasion option as the new Vietnam war which mirrors the American experience in Vietnam in the 1970s during which tens of thousands of America military personnel were killed and others trapped in the deep Vietnamese jungles. This led to the coining of the American slogan: "can't win, can't get out". 

It is instructive that Americans are sharply divided over their involvement in the Iran war which is thousands of miles away from American territories.

Theologically speaking, some Bible scholars have speculated that the conflict might precipitate into the battle of Armageddon which will usher in the end times mentioned in Scripture (Revelation 16:12-16). These speculations are now at the centre of global theological discourse. 

Could this war herald the end times? Is it setting the pace for the unveiling of the Antichrist system taught in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12? Is the church staring at the final apocalypse contemplated in Scripture? 

We cannot precisely tell at this point what God has in store concerning the developments in the Middle East. God is sovereign over global human affairs and will assert His divine authority at His pleasure.

This conflict perhaps serves to remind us that this world is under a divine lease which will expire at God's appointed time when Christ returns to take His saints and later reign at Jerusalem for 1000 years (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; Revelation 20:4-6). 

As God's covenant people, we should earnestly pray for God's intervention in bringing a lasting solution to the Middle East crisis. Let us also watch and pray so that we are not caught unawares when God's divine clock synchronises with human history. 

Luke 21:28 says "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” (NKJV). 

Shalom 

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2026

What are The True Marks of a Child of God?

WHAT ARE THE MARKS OF A TRUE CHILD OF GOD?

By Ezekiel Kimosop 

1 John 5:1 says "Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him."

The true marks of a child of God are outlined in Scripture. A child of God is a person who has turned from sinful disobedience to Christ. They have been transformed from a sinful vessel. 2 Timothy 2:21 says "Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work" (NKJV). 

The child of God has been transformed by God so that the old sinful nature has been replaced by a new life of obedience and submission to God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). 

The believer has also been adopted into God's family of faith and therefore numbered among God's holy people.

John 1:12-13 says "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (NKJV). 

1 Peter 2:9 says "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." (NKJV). 

This text of Scripture affirms that believers have been sanctified by God and set apart as a royal priesthood in God's kingdom. They minister before God and lead men to God. They should therefore glorify God by their manner of living. 

There is a clear demarcation between God's covenant people and the people of this sinful world. That distinction should always be maintained by God's children. 2 Corinthians 6:14-16 says, "Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God..." (NKJV). 

God desires that as His children continue to grow in Christ, their discernment of their spiritual identity and destiny continues to manifest in their lives. 

A true child of God is therefore marked out by what Scripture teaches concerning them. They have put on Christ. 

This is not to suggest or imply that believers can attain sinless perfection on earth. They will fail God's divine standards from time to time because they live in a sinful world. However, by the leading of the Holy Spirit and the revelation of Scripture, believers can discern when they cross the red line and would readily repent of sin and turn to the Lord with sincere hearts. 

The people of this sinful world are described as "sons of disobedience" because they are trapped in sinful rebellion and have no capacity to submit to God until they repent of sin and turn to Christ. 

Ephesians 2:2 says, "And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience." (NKJV)

Colossians 3:5-7 says "Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them." (NKJV). 

Finally, every child of God earnestly looks forward to the soon coming of Jesus Christ when they will be united in glory with Christ and with God forever (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17). 

Keep it Christ. 

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2026