Thematic Bible: Illustrative


Thematic Bible































It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it is grown it is the largest of plants; yea, it grows into a tree, so that the wild birds come and roost in its branches." Verse ConceptsGarden, NaturalSmall Things God UsesBig ThingsSmall ThingsPlants Growing UpHerbsBirdsPlanting SeedsChange And GrowthSeedssoaring

When anyone hears the message of the kingdom and does not understand it, the wicked one comes and carries off the seed that was sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. Verse ConceptsSatan, Titles ForSatan, As DeceiverSpiritual Warfare, Causes OfUnbelief, Nature And Effects OfNames And Titles For SatanSatan, Work OfSowing In VainUsing RoadsNot Understanding SayingsOther References To The HeartParables Of The KingdomTaking God's ThingsSeeds

and as he was sowing, some of the seed fell along the path, and the birds came and ate them up, Verse ConceptsSatan, Compared With AnimalsBirds EatingUsing RoadsAnimals EatingBirdsSeedsSowing Seedssowing










Because they have shed the blood of your people and prophets, you have given them blood to drink; they deserve it." Verse ConceptsBlood, Figurative UseSaintsPeople Consuming BloodBad WaterKilling ProphetsKilling DisciplesProphets KilledGod Makes Evil Rebound

























While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf and blessed it; then He broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take this and eat it; this is my body." Verse ConceptsPassover lambBody Of Christ, SymbolizedLord's SupperSacramentsThanksgiving Before MealsBreaking Of BreadAt The Same TimeOther References To The DisciplesThanking God For FoodThe Lord's SupperBreadcommunionJesus Eating

For the account that I passed on to you I myself received from the Lord Himself, that the Lord Jesus on the night He was betrayed took a loaf of bread and gave thanks for it and broke it and said, "This is my body which is given for you. Do this in memory of me."


Because there is only one loaf, so we, though many, are only one body, for we all partake of one loaf. Verse ConceptsBread, Figurative OfUnity, God's Goal OfChurch, Unity OfShowbreadOne ChurchOne Material ThingSharingThe Bodycommunion









for the bread that God gives is what comes down out of heaven and gives life to the world." Then they said to Him, "Give us that bread always, sir!" Jesus said to them, "I am the bread that gives life. Whoever comes to me will never get hungry, and whoever believes in me will never get thirsty.










so that by these two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to prove false, we who have taken refuge with Him may have encouragement strong enough to make us seize upon the hope that lies ahead of us. Verse ConceptsCertaintyGod Is TruthfulAfflictions, Consolation DuringTypes Of ChristImpossible For GodHow God Can't LieTwo Intangible ThingsGod EncouragingOthers Who FledThe Hope Of The GospelimpossibleFinding Comfort In God






















They are blots on your love feasts while they feast with you, daringly caring for no one but themselves; rainless clouds swept along by winds; leafless trees that bear no fruit, doubly dead, uprooted; Verse ConceptsClouds, Figurative UseRootsAgape LovePlucking OutThe Second DeathLove Exists Between PeopleLove Feast












It is not what goes into a man's mouth that makes him foul; no, it is what comes out of a man's mouth that makes him foul." Verse ConceptsPurity, Nature OfCursingEntering The MouthComing Out Of PeopleFood PermittedOther References To MouthsDefilementMarijuana

But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and they make the man foul. Verse ConceptsComing Out Of PeopleBeware Of Your SpeechOther References To MouthsDefilementThe Tonguemath

Are you not conscious that you are God's temple, and that the Spirit of God has His permanent home in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is sacred to Him, and you are that temple.




But about that day or hour not a single one knows -- not even the angels in heaven or the Son; not a single one but the Father alone. For just as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For just as in the days before the Flood people went on eating and drinking, marrying and being married, until the very day Noah entered the ark, read more.
and knew nothing about it until the Flood came and swept them all away, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.

And just as it was in the time of Noah, so it will be in the time of the Son of Man. People continued to eat, drink, marry, and be married, right up to the day when Noah went into the ark, and the Flood came and destroyed them all. It was so in the time of Lot; people continued to eat, drink, buy, sell, plant, and build; read more.
and the very day Lot went out of Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. It will be so on the day when the Son of Man appears

who had once been disobedient, while God's patience was awaiting in the days when Noah was preparing an ark, in which a few people-- eight, to be exact -- were brought safely through the water. Baptism, which corresponds to this figure, now saves you, too -- I do not mean the mere removal of physical stains, but the craving for a clear conscience toward God -- through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

"You must never give the things that are sacred to dogs, and you must never throw your pearls before hogs, for fear they might trample them under their feet and turn and tear you to pieces. Verse ConceptsContemptdogsJewelsPrudenceAskingUngodlinessWasteWicked Described AsDespisersName CallingSwinePeople Torn To PiecesPigsUnfitting ThingsPetsHurt And Betrayalpork




And a Canaanite woman of that district came out and pleaded, saying, "Do pity me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is suffering horrors from a demon." Verse ConceptsDemon PossessionMaternal LoveBeggarsMercy, Of Jesus ChristSonsSpiritsJesus As Son Of DavidDemons Harming IndividualsBe Merciful!Those DemonisedDemons Causing TormentBeing A Woman Of GodharassmentDemonic Influence

He answered, "It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the house dogs." Verse ConceptsFood Is FittingBreadGood ChildrenKidsPetshumor







In them is verified the truth of the proverb, "A dog turns back to what he has vomited"; and of that other proverb, "A sow that has washed herself goes back to wallow in the mire." Verse ConceptsdogsWicked Described AsDegradationSwinePigsUnclean SpiritsOld SayingsUnclean AnimalsBacksliderspork












The wild beast which I saw was like a leopard, but his feet were like a bear's, and his mouth was like a lion's mouth. To him the dragon gave his own power and throne with great authority. Verse ConceptsLeopardThroneLions, Figurative Use OfAnimals, Types OfBearsCreatures Like LionsLike CreaturesOther References To Mouths














The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man's, and the fourth was like an eagle flying. Verse ConceptsFractions, One FourthEaglesCreatures Like LionsFirst ThingsLike CreaturesSecond BeingThird PersonFourthLike MenThose FlyingRainbowflying





But the two wings of a great eagle were given to the woman, so that she could fly to her place in the desert, where she could be taken care of for a time, times, and a half-time, safe from the presence of the serpent. Verse ConceptsWingsThree And A Half YearsWings Of BirdsEaglesTwo Of Body PartsThose FlyingBeing A Woman Of GodRainbowTaking Care Of The Earthflying









"The eye is the very lamp of the body. If then your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is unsound, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the very source of light in you is darkness, how dense is that darkness!












As He saw a fig tree by the roadside, He came to it but found on it nothing but leaves, and said to it, "Never again shall a fig grow on you!" And the fig tree at once withered up. Verse ConceptsBearing Bad FruitGod, Power OfUnfruitfulnessMiracles Of ChristFigsDivine Power Over NatureFoliage

Then He told them this story: "A man had a fig tree planted by his vineyard, and he kept going and looking for figs on it, but did not find any. So he said to the vine-dresser, 'Look here! for three years I have been coming to look for figs on this fig tree, and have not found any. Cut it down. Why waste the ground with it?'




which, when it was full, the fishermen drew up on the shore, and sat down and picked out the good fish for their baskets and threw the bad away. So it will be at the close of the age; the angels will go out and separate the wicked from the upright,

which, when it was full, the fishermen drew up on the shore, and sat down and picked out the good fish for their baskets and threw the bad away. So it will be at the close of the age; the angels will go out and separate the wicked from the upright,



which, when it was full, the fishermen drew up on the shore, and sat down and picked out the good fish for their baskets and threw the bad away. Verse ConceptsBaskets, Uses OfOccupationsThrowing AwayWicked Described AsBeachesFullness Of The KingdomPulling ThingsPeople Sitting DownDistinguishingGood Or BadFish











A fountain cannot pour from the same opening fresh and brackish water, can it? Verse ConceptsBitter WaterBad WaterSweetnessBitterness

But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and they make the man foul. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, immorality, stealing, false witnessing, irreverent speech.


but whoever drinks the water that I will give him will never, no never, be thirsty again, for the water that I will give him will become a spring of water that keeps on bubbling up within him for eternal life." Verse Conceptseternal life, nature ofThe New NatureWellsHoly Spirit, Types OfThe Water Of LifeThe Holy Spirit Described As WaterNeverDrinking WaterMetaphorical SpringsPlenty Through ChristGod Giving His SpiritLiving WaterWater, As A Symbol Of LifeWells, Figurative UseEternal lifeEverlastingeternity












Whoever continues to believe in me will have, as the Scripture says, rivers of living water continuously flowing from within him." By this He referred to the Spirit that those believing in Him were going to receive -- for the Spirit had not yet come, because Jesus had not yet been glorified.






"You must either make the tree healthy and its fruits healthy or make the tree sickly and its fruits sickly, for a tree is judged by its fruit. Verse ConceptsBearing Bad FruitFruit, SpiritualFruitFruit Of The SpiritWork, And RedemptionDistinguishingGood PeopleBad ItemsBeauty Of NatureBeing PositiveThe Beauty Of NatureScripturecorruption



Now the reaper is already getting pay, for he is gathering a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may rejoice together. Verse ConceptsCropsServants, Working Conditions OfThe Soul Winners JoyEntering LifeReaperseternity


But the product of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. There is no law against such things.


So any healthy tree bears good fruit and a sickly tree bears poor fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear poor fruit, and a sickly tree cannot bear good fruit.



Produce, then, fruit that is consistent with the repentance you profess, Verse ConceptsFruit, SpiritualRepentance, Nature OfRepentancePotential Of FruitSigns Of Repentance
















"Go in by the narrow gate, for broad and roomy is the road that leads to destruction, and many are going in by it. Verse ConceptsDestructionGehennaPathways Of SinDamnationMany Seeking SalvationBroadnessNarrow ThingsEasy For PeopleHellGoing To Heavendistractions




and all the nations will be gathered before him, and He will separate them from one another, just as a shepherd separates his sheep from his goats, and He will put the sheep at His right hand and the goats at his left.


























Let them both grow together until harvest time, and at the harvest time I will order the reapers, "Gather first the wild wheat plants and tie them into bundles to be burned up, but get the wheat into my barn."'" Verse ConceptsBinding cornHarvestSicklesBindingEternal JudgmentMixed MultitudeJoining ThingsGathering FoodBurning PlantsGod's StorehousesPlants Growing UpGrowing



Then another angel came out of the temple and cried in a loud voice to Him who was seated on the cloud, "Put forth your sickle and reap, for the time to reap has come, because the earth's harvest is ripe." Verse ConceptsAngels as agents of judgmentMaturity, PhysicalThe Day Of JudgementAngels Doing God's WorkThe Temple In HeavenAngels Activities In The End Times



Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the reapers are scarce. So pray the Lord of the harvest to send out reapers to His harvest field."












and any woman who prays or prophesies bareheaded dishonors her head, for it is one and the same thing with having her head shaved. Verse ConceptsWomenCovering HeadsBare HeadsWoman's PlaceWomen's Roles









When these things begin to take place, look up and lift your heads, for your deliverance is drawing near." Verse ConceptsGod, As RedeemerBeginningRedemption, In NtStandingBeginning Of SalvationLifting HeadsNear The Time GenerallyImminenceRedemptiondeliverancerelentless








"Listen to another story. There was once an owner of an estate who planted a vineyard and built a fence around it, and hewed out a wine-vat in it, and built a tower, and rented it to tenant farmers, and then went abroad. Verse ConceptsJourneyOccupationsTowersVineyardWallsFortsExcavationTreading GrapesLeasinglent















"Go in by the narrow gate, for broad and roomy is the road that leads to destruction, and many are going in by it. Verse ConceptsDestructionGehennaPathways Of SinDamnationMany Seeking SalvationBroadnessNarrow ThingsEasy For PeopleHellGoing To Heavendistractions




but the angel said to me: "Why are you astonished? I will tell you the symbolical meaning of the woman, and the wild beast with seven heads and ten horns, that carries her. Verse ConceptsSeven Body PartsTen ThingsHorns In AllegoryCosmic CreaturesWomen In Prophecy

Then I stood on the sand of the seashore, and I saw a wild beast coming up out of the sea with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on his horns, and blasphemous titles on his heads. Verse ConceptsCreaturesBlasphemy, Examples OfThe BeastSeaSevenSeven Body PartsTen ThingsSeashoresHorns In AllegoryBlasphemyCrowns On CreaturesSand And GravelThe World Ruler

So he carried me away in spiritual rapture to a desert, and I saw a woman seated on a scarlet wild beast, covered with blasphemous titles; he had seven heads and ten horns. Verse ConceptsCreaturesecstasyThe BeastTranceColors, ScarletSeven Body PartsTen ThingsHorns In AllegoryGod Carrying PeopleCosmic CreaturesWomen In ProphecyRed AnimalsBlasphemyLed By The SpiritColor
















Then I saw, midway between the throne and the four living creatures, standing among the elders, a Lamb that looked as though He had been slaughtered. He had seven horns and seven eyes; the latter are the seven spirits of God which are sent on duty to every portion of the earth. Verse ConceptsAtonement, in NTHornsSpiritsSymbolsCherubim, At God's ThroneAnimal Sacrifices, As A Type Of ChristFour CreaturesSeven SpiritsSeven Body PartsHorns In AllegoryChrist Was KilledElders In HeavenGod Sending ProphetsHeavenLeadership Qualities










he will govern them with a scepter of iron and shatter them like earthen jars -- just such authority as I have received from my Father -- Verse ConceptsGovernmentIronSceptreSymbolsRodsIron ObjectsAuthority Of DisciplesRelationship Of Father And SonThe Father's Activity Regarding Christ








I will make him who conquers a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall never again go out of it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God, and my own new name. Verse ConceptsNewnessPillarsRenewal, Of People Of GodThe Prophecy Towards JerusalemOvercomersMetaphorical PillarsGoing OutsideWriting On PeopleOthers Going DownOvercoming Through ChristTaken To HeavenA New NameCalled By God's NameCitizensOvercomingreuniting

So he carried me off under the power of the Spirit to a great, high mountain and showed me Jerusalem, the holy city, coming down out of heaven from God; Verse ConceptsecstasyTranceGod Carrying PeopleLed By The SpiritOthers Going DownTaken To HeavenHoly City

that is, Hagar (and Hagar means Mount Sinai, in Arabia) and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for Jerusalem is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother.





Then I saw, midway between the throne and the four living creatures, standing among the elders, a Lamb that looked as though He had been slaughtered. He had seven horns and seven eyes; the latter are the seven spirits of God which are sent on duty to every portion of the earth. Verse ConceptsAtonement, in NTHornsSpiritsSymbolsCherubim, At God's ThroneAnimal Sacrifices, As A Type Of ChristFour CreaturesSeven SpiritsSeven Body PartsHorns In AllegoryChrist Was KilledElders In HeavenGod Sending ProphetsHeavenLeadership Qualities



After they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, are you more devoted to me than you are to these things?" Peter answered Him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I tenderly love you." Jesus said to him, "Then feed my lambs." Verse ConceptsCommitment, to GodLambsLove, Nature OfShepherds, As Church LeaderNames And Titles For The ChristianBreakfastFeeding AnimalsChrist Knowing About PeopleThe Need To Love Christvulnerability



Now this was the passage of Scripture that he was reading: "Like a sheep He was led away to be slaughtered, and just as a lamb is dumb before its shearer, so He does not open His mouth. Verse ConceptsLambsMutenessSilenceJesus Christ, Meekness OfSheep ShearingHumility Of ChristPatience, The Nature OfChrist Being SilentChrist Was KilledUse Of The Scriptures





Go on. Listen! I am sending you out as lambs surrounded by wolves. Verse ConceptsLambsWolvesChrist Sending














Then the third angel blew his trumpet, and there fell from the sky a great star blazing like a torch, and it fell upon one-third of the rivers and the springs of water. Verse ConceptsSkyFalling From HeavenSeven TrumpetsThird PersonFailing Riverswaterfalls


Out from the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder, while in front of it seven flaming lamps were burning; they were the seven spirits of God. Verse ConceptsLightningSpiritsSymbolsThunderSeven SpiritsSeven LightsFire Of The SpiritRumblingThe RainbowThunder Showing God's Presence




John was the lamp that kept on burning and shining, and you decided for a time to delight yourselves in his light. Verse ConceptsRadiancyRadiant LivesLight Of God's PeopleSeasons Changing













The wild beast which I saw was like a leopard, but his feet were like a bear's, and his mouth was like a lion's mouth. To him the dragon gave his own power and throne with great authority. Verse ConceptsLeopardThroneLions, Figurative Use OfAnimals, Types OfBearsCreatures Like LionsLike CreaturesOther References To Mouths

















But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that the message preached by me might have its full effect and all the heathen might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's jaws. Verse ConceptsGentiles, In NtAfflicted SaintsBitingLionsMouthsOutsidersSelf RespectStrength, SpiritualDivine Assistance, OfferedGod Strengthening PeopleDeliverance From LionsGod Has Been With YouStrengthened Through ChristempowermentGod Calling Jew And Gentile





But one of the elders said to me, "Stop weeping! See! The Lion who sprang from the tribe of Judah, who belongs to the line of David, has conquered, so that He can open the book and break its seven seals." Verse ConceptsdefeatLions, Figurative Use OfLionsRootsSealsNames And Titles For ChristJesus As Son Of DavidPromised VictorySeven ThingsThe Act Of OpeningOpening DocumentsChrist OvercomingDo Not MournPeople Of JudahLion Of The Tribe Of Judah








Out of the smoke came locusts upon the earth, but the power that was given to them was like the power of earthly scorpions. Verse ConceptsLocustsSymbolsAltar Of IncenseScorpionsbugs













The sound of harpists, musicians, flute-players, and trumpeters will never be heard in you again. No craftsmen of any kind will ever be found in you again, and the sound of the grinding mill will never be heard in you again; Verse ConceptsBabylonFlutesHarpsMillstonesGrinding FoodNo MusicInstrumentalistsartistscraftsmanship








Then a great symbol was seen in heaven -- a woman clothed in the sun with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. Verse ConceptsAstrologyThe Number TwelveLight, NaturalMoonClothed With Good ThingsWomen In ProphecySigns In The SkyTwelve BeingsTwelve ThingsCrowns For God's PeopleSpiritual crownsSunThe Mooncrownsautonomy























Then the second angel blew his trumpet, and what seemed to be a great mountain, all ablaze with fire, hurled itself into the sea, and one-third of the sea was turned into blood, Verse ConceptsOne ThirdTurned To BloodBad WaterSeven TrumpetsSecond BeingTrumpet Judgments













When He took it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each with a harp, and golden bowls that were full of incense, which represent the prayers of God's people. Then they sang a new song: "You deserve to take the book and break its seals, because you have been slaughtered, and with your blood have bought men from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation,







For if you were cut off from an olive wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted on to a fine olive stock, how much easier will it be for the natural branches to be grafted on to their own olive stock? Verse ConceptsOlivesParticipation, In ChristTreesCutting Off BranchesJoined To The ChurchOlive Treescutting

If some of the branches have been broken off, and yet you, although you were wild olive suckers, have been grafted in among the native branches, and been made to share the rich sap of the native olive's root, Verse ConceptsFellowship With ChristFellowship, In The GospelParticipation, In ChristSeparation From GodJoined To The ChurchGentilesOlive TreesJews

For if you were cut off from an olive wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted on to a fine olive stock, how much easier will it be for the natural branches to be grafted on to their own olive stock? Verse ConceptsOlivesParticipation, In ChristTreesCutting Off BranchesJoined To The ChurchOlive Treescutting

If some of the branches have been broken off, and yet you, although you were wild olive suckers, have been grafted in among the native branches, and been made to share the rich sap of the native olive's root, Verse ConceptsFellowship With ChristFellowship, In The GospelParticipation, In ChristSeparation From GodJoined To The ChurchGentilesOlive TreesJews





And I will permit my two witnesses, clothed in sackcloth, to prophesy for one thousand, two hundred and sixty days." They are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.






A second time he sent other slaves, and said to them, 'Tell the invited guests that I have my reception all ready, my bullocks and fatlings are butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding reception!' Verse ConceptsBanquets, ActivitiesReadinessKilling Domesticated AnimalsGod Sends ProphetsPreparing Food




For in the law of Moses it is written, "You must not muzzle an ox that is treading out your grain." Is it that God is concerned about oxen only? Is He not really speaking on our behalf? Yes, indeed, this law was written on our behalf, because the plowman ought to plow and the thresher ought to thresh, in the hope of sharing in the crop.








Is He not really speaking on our behalf? Yes, indeed, this law was written on our behalf, because the plowman ought to plow and the thresher ought to thresh, in the hope of sharing in the crop. Verse ConceptsAgriculture, Qualities NeededHope, Nature OfPloughingCultivationPloughmenOther Scriptures FulfilledSharing Material ThingsFor The Sake Of God's People


























But his father said to his slaves, 'Bring out at once a robe, yes, the finest one, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet; Verse ConceptsBarefeetFingersClothingOrnamentsRingsRobesSandalsCosmeticsShoesClothing OthersFine Clothes



























"You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its strength, what can make it salt again? It is good for nothing but to be thrown away and trodden under foot. Verse ConceptsBeing A Lightdisciples, characteristics ofDecayResponsibility, For God's WorldSaltSanctification, Means And ResultsTastePersonal ContactSending Things AwayTastelessnessRestoring ThingsTastelessSournessMoral Decay




"You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its strength, what can make it salt again? It is good for nothing but to be thrown away and trodden under foot. Verse ConceptsBeing A Lightdisciples, characteristics ofDecayResponsibility, For God's WorldSaltSanctification, Means And ResultsTastePersonal ContactSending Things AwayTastelessnessRestoring ThingsTastelessSournessMoral Decay


Everyone must be seasoned with fire. Salt is a good thing, but if salt loses its strength, how can you season it again? Verse ConceptsSaltBurning PeopleSournessSacrifice

Out of the smoke came locusts upon the earth, but the power that was given to them was like the power of earthly scorpions. Verse ConceptsLocustsSymbolsAltar Of IncenseScorpionsbugs

They were not permitted to kill them, but only to torture them for five months, and the torture they inflicted was like the torture of a scorpion when it stings a man. Verse ConceptsAgony, Of BodyPoisonTortureFive Months And MoreScorpionsSnakebitesTroubling Groups Of Peoplebugs

they had tails like scorpions with stings in them, so in their tails their power lay to injure men for five months. Verse ConceptsFive Months And MoreTailsScorpionsSnakebitesPeople Possibly Doing EvilHurtEnd TimesThe Rapturebugshurtingwomanhood



Then I saw something that looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and standing upon the sea of glass were those who had conquered the wild beast, his statue, and the number representing his name; and they had harps that God had given them. Verse ConceptsGlassequipping, physicaldefeatSeaPromised VictoryBeastsSea Of GlassGod Appearing In FireHarpsTransparencyOvercoming Through Christ

Also in front of the throne there was something like a sea of glass as clear as crystal. Around the throne, at the middle of each side were four living creatures dotted with eyes in front and behind, Verse ConceptsCrystalsMineralsSeaCherubim, At God's ThroneFour CreaturesSea Of GlassTransparencyEyes In ProphecyIn FrontFront And BackExpanse Of The SeaThe OceanThe Sea











Now this is the way it is: Whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly too, but whoever sows bountifully will reap bountifully too. Verse ConceptsAgriculture, Qualities NeededCollectionsHeavenly RewardsReward, DivineSeedThriftCultivationReapingStingy PeopleReaping What You Sowsoaringsowing



Do not be deceived anymore; God is not to be scoffed at. A person will reap just what he sows, whatever it is. The person who sows to gratify his lower nature will reap destruction from that lower nature, and the person who sows to gratify his higher nature will reap eternal life from the Spirit.


















Jesus again said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John, are you really devoted to me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I tenderly love you." Jesus said to him, "Then be a shepherd to my sheep." For the third time Jesus asked him, "Simon, son of John, do you really tenderly love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus the third time asked him, "Do you really tenderly love me?" So he answered Him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I do tenderly love you." Jesus said to him, "Then feed my sheep.

So Jesus said to them again: "I most solemnly say to you, I am the door to the sheepfold myself. All who came as such before me are thieves and robbers, but the true sheep would not listen to them. I am the door myself. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. read more.
A thief does not come for any purpose but to steal and kill and destroy; I have come for people to have life and have it till it overflows. I am the good shepherd myself. The good shepherd gives his own life for his sheep. The hired man, who is not a shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf carries off some of the sheep and scatters the flock. This is because he is a hired man and does not care a straw for the sheep. I am the good shepherd myself. I know my sheep and my sheep know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father, and I am giving my own life for my sheep. I have other sheep too that do not belong to this fold. I must lead them too, and they will listen to my voice, and all my sheep will become one flock with one shepherd. This is why the Father loves me, because I am giving my own life to take it back again. No one has taken it from me, but I am giving it as a free gift. I have the right to give it and I have the right to take it back. I have gotten this order from my Father." These words again led to a difference of opinion among the Jews. Many of them said, "He is under the power of a demon and is going crazy. Why are you listening to Him?" Others said, "These are not the words of a man who is under the power of a demon. A demon cannot make the eyes of the blind see, can he?" At that time came the Feast of Rededication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in Solomon's portico. So the Jews surrounded Him and kept asking Him, "How much longer are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are really the Christ, tell us so plainly." Jesus answered them, "I have already told you so, but you do not believe me. The works which I am doing on my Father's authority are my credentials, but still you do not believe in me, for you do not belong to my sheep.


And when he finds it, with joy he puts it on his shoulders, Verse ConceptsShouldersGood FriendsCarrying Other LoadsRejoicing In Success

and all the nations will be gathered before him, and He will separate them from one another, just as a shepherd separates his sheep from his goats, and He will put the sheep at His right hand and the goats at his left.

but rather to the lost sheep of Israel's house. Verse ConceptsSheep, FigurativeMore ThanIsrael HardenedLost People









May God, who gives us peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, who through the blood by which He ratified the everlasting covenant, is now the Great Shepherd of the sheep, Verse ConceptsBlood, of Jesus ChristCovenant, the newGod our ShepherdSheepPerfectionChrist, The ShepherdSpiritual PeaceChrist, Names ForThe New CovenantThe Eternal CovenantGod Raising ChristBlood Of The CovenantGod Of PeaceShepherdsThe Blood Of Jesus









And so the Pharisees and scribes continually grumbled, and said, "This fellow is welcoming notorious sinners, and even eating with them." So He told them the following story: "What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep, and if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and continue to look for the lost one until he finds it? read more.
And when he finds it, with joy he puts it on his shoulders, and when he reaches home he calls in his friends and neighbors, and says to them, 'Rejoice with me, because I have found my lost sheep!' Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinful person who repents than over ninety-nine upright people who do not need any repentance.






But his father said to his slaves, 'Bring out at once a robe, yes, the finest one, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet; Verse ConceptsBarefeetFingersClothingOrnamentsRingsRobesSandalsCosmeticsShoesClothing OthersFine Clothes























"To the messenger of the church in Ephesus write: 'The One who is holding the seven stars in His right hand and is walking among the golden lampstands speaks as follows: Verse ConceptsChurchLettersRight Hand Of GodChrist's HandsSeven LightsWriting Letters


Then the fourth angel blew his trumpet, and one-third of the sun was cursed with a plague, and one-third of the moon, and one-third of the stars, so that one-third of them were darkened, and there was no light for one-third of the day and for one-third of the night. Verse ConceptsAstronomyEclipsesOne ThirdFractions, One FourthSeven TrumpetsFourthAffecting Sun Moon And StarsDarkness At The EndCosmic DisturbancesEclipseSolar EclipseThe Moon







wild waves of the sea foaming up their own shame; wandering stars that are forever doomed to utter darkness. Verse ConceptsBlackAstronomyRageColors, BlackHopelessnessThe Fate Of The WickedWanderersWavesEternal JudgementFoamsGod KeepsOuter DarknessShame Has Comewandering



Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was clothed in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head; his face was like the sun, his legs were like pillars of fire, Verse ConceptsLegsPillarsRainbowsStrength Of AngelsObelisksHeavenly FacesTypes Of FeetAngels Doing God's WorkOthers Going DownDistinctive ClothingThe RainbowRainbow




































"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace but a sword. Verse ConceptsSwordsTeachersProphecies Said By JesusThinking ArightPeace Made Through ChristNo PeacePeaceConflictFamily ConflictTaking Care Of The Earthdivision



For the civil authorities are God's servants to do you good. But if you practice doing wrong, you should dread them, for they do not wield the sword for nothing. Indeed, they are God's servants to inflict punishment upon people who do wrong. Verse ConceptsBad InfluenceCivil authoritiesHuman Authority, Instituted By GodAuthority, of human institutionsGovernmentMinistry, Nature OfPunishment, Nature OfRetributionServants Of The LordMagistratesCivil GovernmentCorrecting A BrotherJudicial PunishmentNature Of KingsPeople Possibly Doing EvilPunishmentRespecting Authoritywrath


yea, a sword will pierce your heart -- so that the secret purposes of many hearts will be revealed." Verse ConceptsMaryMan's ThoughtsThings Revealedwomanhood


as officiating Priest in that sanctuary, which is also the true tent of worship, which the Lord and not man set up. Verse ConceptsSanctuaryThe Temple In HeavenThe Tabernacle



And I saw the new Jerusalem, the holy city, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready like a bride to join her husband. Then I heard a loud voice from the throne say: "See! God's dwelling place is with men, and He will live with them,


But when Christ came as the High Priest of good things that have already taken place, He went by way of that greater and more perfect tent of worship, not made by human hands, that is, not belonging to this material creation, Verse ConceptsAtonementGod, Goodness OfTypes Of ChristThe Future AgeLiving Not For The MaterialThe Temple In Heaven


By this the Holy Spirit was showing that there was as yet no access to the real sanctuary while the outer tent was still in existence, for it is merely a symbol of the present time in connection with which gifts and sacrifices are repeatedly offered though they cannot make the conscience of the worshiper perfect,





Yet I think it right, as long as I live in this bodily tent, to arouse you by a reminder, Verse ConceptsFervourZealMemoriesReminders Of The Gospelremembrance


since they deal only with food and drink and various washings, that is, with mere material regulations which are in force only until the time of setting things straight. Verse ConceptsRitualLimitations Of The Bodyorder

the new and living way which He opened for us, through the curtain, that is, His physical nature, Verse ConceptsNewnessConsecrationChrist The DoorDedicationNew








For in the law of Moses it is written, "You must not muzzle an ox that is treading out your grain." Is it that God is concerned about oxen only? Is He not really speaking on our behalf? Yes, indeed, this law was written on our behalf, because the plowman ought to plow and the thresher ought to thresh, in the hope of sharing in the crop.






So any healthy tree bears good fruit and a sickly tree bears poor fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear poor fruit, and a sickly tree cannot bear good fruit.



For if you were cut off from an olive wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted on to a fine olive stock, how much easier will it be for the natural branches to be grafted on to their own olive stock? Verse ConceptsOlivesParticipation, In ChristTreesCutting Off BranchesJoined To The ChurchOlive Treescutting



down the middle of the city's Broadway. On both sides of the river grew the tree of life, which bore twelve kinds of fruit, yielding a different kind each month, and its leaves contained the remedy to cure the nations. Verse ConceptsThe Number TwelveHealingMedicineWorldlinessYearsAbundance, MaterialUnceasingContinual GoodIncreasing FruitFoliageMetaphorical TreesTwelve ThingsGod HealsHealing Of NationsBenefits Of HeavenRiver Of LifeTree Of LifeRiversHerbsMonthsGod Healing Our LandGod's Healing Love







So any healthy tree bears good fruit and a sickly tree bears poor fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear poor fruit, and a sickly tree cannot bear good fruit. Any tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and burned up.







For if they do this when the wood is green, what will they do when it is dry?" Verse ConceptsTreesGreenFreshChristmas TreeEverything Happening For A Reasonluck

For if they do this when the wood is green, what will they do when it is dry?" Verse ConceptsTreesGreenFreshChristmas TreeEverything Happening For A Reasonluck









Every ravine must be filled up, and every mountain and hill leveled down; the crooked places must become straight roads, and the rough roads must be made smooth, Verse ConceptsFilling PlacesMountains RemovedTwisted WaysStraighteningSmoothnessPutting Things DownSmoothPaths




Besides, their minds were made dull; for to this day that same veil remains unlifted, whenever they read the Old Covenant; because it is only through union with Christ that it is removed. Indeed, to this very day, whenever Moses is read, a veil hangs over their hearts, but whenever anybody turns to the Lord, the veil is removed,



the new and living way which He opened for us, through the curtain, that is, His physical nature, Verse ConceptsNewnessConsecrationChrist The DoorDedicationNew

Since then, my brothers, we have free access to the real sanctuary through the blood of Jesus, the new and living way which He opened for us, through the curtain, that is, His physical nature,









If anyone does not remain in union with me, he is thrown away as a mere branch and is dried up; then it is picked up and thrown into the fire and burned up. Verse ConceptsFailureWarnings Against ApostasyCastawaysHell, As Incentive To ActionPrayerlessnessThrowing AwaySanctification, Means And ResultsUnfruitfulnessAbiding With GodPeople WitheredBurning PlantsBranches Of ChristUnconditional Love



"I am the real vine, and my Father is the cultivator. He cuts away any branch on me that stops bearing fruit, and He repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more.






And when He had come into the temple, the high priests and elders of the people came up to Him while He was teaching, and asked, "What sort of authority have you for doing these things, and who gave you this authority?" Verse ConceptsChief priestsLeaders, SpiritualEntering The TempleChrist TeachingChrist In The TempleGod Appointing His SonResolving Conflict
















For He Himself is our peace, He is the one who has made us both into one body and has broken down the barrier that kept us apart; Verse ConceptsAnxietyPeace, From GodRacial EqualityPeace Of MindWallsChurch, Unity OfSpiritual PeaceTypes Of ChristBarriersPeace Made Through ChristPeaceGentilesJewsAccess to GodReconciliationgroups



Then Paul said to him, "You white-washed wall, God will strike you! Do you sit as a judge to try me in accordance with the law and yet in violation of the law you order them to strike me?" Verse ConceptsHigh Priest, In NtInjustice, Nature And Source OfJudgment SeatSittingWallsWhiteDenunciationsFigurative WallsGod Beating PeopleWhitewashingBreaking God's Law










Whoever continues to believe in me will have, as the Scripture says, rivers of living water continuously flowing from within him." By this He referred to the Spirit that those believing in Him were going to receive -- for the Spirit had not yet come, because Jesus had not yet been glorified.





Then one of the seven angels with the seven bowls came and spoke to me, saying: "Come, I will show you the doom of the noted prostitute who is seated on many waters, Verse ConceptsBabylonAngels as God's servantsSeven SpiritsSeven ThingsAngels Doing God's WorkThe Great ProstituteVoice Of The ArchangelThe judgment of babylonwhores

He also said to me: "The waters that you saw, on which the prostitute was seated, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages. Verse ConceptsCrowdsLanguagesAll LanguagesAmericaFalse Religious SystemThe World Rulerwhores









His feet were like bronze refined to white heat in a furnace, and His voice was like the roar of many waters. Verse ConceptsBronzeBrassThings Like WaterFurnacesGod's VoiceThings Like BronzeTypes Of FeetLike WaterColorRainbowwaterfallscats

















but whoever drinks the water that I will give him will never, no never, be thirsty again, for the water that I will give him will become a spring of water that keeps on bubbling up within him for eternal life." Verse Conceptseternal life, nature ofThe New NatureWellsHoly Spirit, Types OfThe Water Of LifeThe Holy Spirit Described As WaterNeverDrinking WaterMetaphorical SpringsPlenty Through ChristGod Giving His SpiritLiving WaterWater, As A Symbol Of LifeWells, Figurative UseEternal lifeEverlastingeternity













The wind blows where it pleases, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. That is just the way it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." Verse ConceptsThe Holy SpiritMetaphysicsBeing Born AgainMetaphorsSymbolsWeather, God's Sovereignty OverWindAbraham, New Testament ReferencesHoly Spirit, Types OfThe Holy Spirit Described As The WindGod In The WindNot Knowing WhereLack Of ExpectationWhere From?Where To?muscles

when suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a terrific blast of wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting, Verse ConceptsSymbolsHoly Spirit, Types OfSudden EventsThe Holy Spirit Described As The WindFilling HousesSitting In FellowshipGod In The WindSoundSymbols of the Holy Spirit

















because all the nations have fallen by drinking the raging wine of her immorality; the kings of the earth have joined her in her immorality, and the businessmen of the earth have grown rich from the wealth of her luxury." Verse ConceptsBabylonExcessdrinkingWineCommerceDelicaciesMetaphorical WineAll NationsThey Committed Immorality

in whose prostitution the kings of the earth have joined, and with the wine of whose prostitution the inhabitants of the earth have been intoxicated." Verse ConceptsBabylonMetaphorical WineThey Committed ImmoralityAdultery In The Church



He also took the cup of wine and gave thanks; then He gave it to them, saying, "All of you drink some of it, for this is my blood which ratifies the covenant, the blood which is to be poured out for many for the forgiveness of their sins. I tell you, I will never again drink the product of the vine till the day when I drink the new wine with you in my Father's kingdom."









Because I know that after I have gone violent wolves will break in among you and will not spare the flock. Verse ConceptsShepherds, As Church LeaderWatchfulness, Of LeadersApostasy, CauseWolvesFierce MenNot Sparing


Go on. Listen! I am sending you out as lambs surrounded by wolves. Verse ConceptsLambsWolvesChrist Sending


The hired man, who is not a shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf carries off some of the sheep and scatters the flock. Verse ConceptsSatan, Compared With AnimalsUnfaithful MinistersScattered Like SheepMen Similar To AnimalsWolvesPeople Abandoning People


These are the men who have not been defiled by relations with women, for they are as pure as virgins, These are the men who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been redeemed from among men as the first fruits for God and the Lamb, Verse ConceptsFollowing Jesus Christdiscipleship, nature ofDefilement, By SinCommitment, to Jesus ChristAsceticism, TypesMarketsCelibacyMetaphorical Firstfruits144,000UniversalismDefilementFirst fruitsSexual PurityThe Rapturerevelationredeemedvirginity




Then a great symbol was seen in heaven -- a woman clothed in the sun with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. Verse ConceptsAstrologyThe Number TwelveLight, NaturalMoonClothed With Good ThingsWomen In ProphecySigns In The SkyTwelve BeingsTwelve ThingsCrowns For God's PeopleSpiritual crownsSunThe Mooncrownsautonomy

And the woman whom you saw is the great city that has dominion over the kings of the earth." Verse ConceptsBabylonCondemnation Of Babylon

The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, decorated in gold and precious stones and pearls, and she had in her hand a cup of gold, full of abominations and the impurities of her immorality. Verse ConceptsCups, Figurative UsedirtGoldJewelsMetalsColors, PurplePearlsRed ClothesPurple ClothesGold OrnamentsThey Committed ImmoralityWearing JewelleryUnclean ThingsFalse Religious SystemColor

But the thoughtful ones not only took their lamps but also extra oil in their oil cans. Verse ConceptsOil For LampsPreparing For Action

"Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were thoughtless and five were thoughtful,



"Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were thoughtless and five were thoughtful, for the thoughtless ones took their lamps but took no oil with them.






to announce the year of favor from the Lord." Verse ConceptsA Time Of SalvationChrist PreachingAcceptanceRecoveryFavor

By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as a son of Pharaoh's daughter, Verse ConceptsExamples Of FaithUnworldlinessExploits Of FaithAdoptionNot Giving UpIdentityGrowingmanhoodrecognitionroyalty





And they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both of them were far advanced in years. Verse ConceptsBarrenness, Examples OfChildren, responsibilities to parentsChildlessnessInfertilityHaving A Babyluck