Bible Passages

05/26/2026

THANKFUL FOR DESTRUCTIVE FIRES. In the world of archaeology, a bulla (or bullae in the plural) is a small, hardened lump of clay used in antiquity to seal documents, written records, or packages. It was done by pressing a lump of wet clay around the knotted cord of a rolled papyrus or parchment, or around the opening of a storage jar. A personal or official seal was then stamped into the clay, signifying its owner.

If the document or container was opened, the clay seal would have to be broken, guaranteeing that the contents had not been tampered with or intercepted.

Only authorized individuals were permitted to break the seal and access the contents it secured (e.g., only Jesus could open the seven-sealed scroll in God’s hand, Revelation 5:1).

Once opened, a bulla was typically discarded, left to be discovered thousands of years later among the ruins of ancient homes and buildings.

Bullae become rock-like when hardened by a destructive fire, preserving them forever along with the precious information they contain.

In these instances, we should be thankful for a destructive fire because some bullae contained a name, a title, and unique iconography. With each seal impression, archaeologists and historians can learn about the past.

They are also invaluable for validating the reliability of scripture and the claims of its writers.

If biblical authors are indeed credible and reliable witnesses to the past, then evidence should be available to corroborate their testimony. If they were truly contemporaries of the period in which they are purported to have written their accounts, then the names, places, events, etc., they record should be consistent with the archaeological data. Indeed, this is the case.

For example, in the 1980s, Yigal Shiloh discovered some 51 bullae in his excavations near the famed “Area G” of the City of David (pictured above). One of the inscriptions read “Gemaryahu ben Shafan,” a man known as King Jehoiakim’s scribe mentioned in the Book of Jeremiah 36:10.

Years later, Eilat Mazar discovered other important bullae at another location near the City of David, revealing the names of two ministers of King Zedekiah mentioned in Jeremiah 38:1, “Yehuchal Ben Shelamayahu” and "Gedaliah Ben Pashchur.” These are two of four ministers who unsuccessfully plotted to kill the prophet Jeremiah (see The Palace of King David, 68, by Mazar).

Some of the most exciting bullae were discovered during the 2009-2013 excavations at Ophel (just south of the Temple Mount).

As reported in a 2015 press release and discussed in several issues of Biblical Archaeology Review (BAR), a bulla bearing Hezekiah’s name was found in an ancient garbage pit near the royal structure of the Ophel excavations. The bulla was among 34 bullae discovered and dated to the Iron Age (1200-586 B.C.).

Yet again, in 2018, another bulla was discovered and believed to be a seal impression of the prophet Isaiah. This additional bulla bears an inscription from the First Temple period that appears to spell the name Yesha’yah[u] (“belonging to Isaiah”).

On a line below, there is the partial Hebrew word “nvy”, which presumably spells “prophet.” This could be a seal impression made by the prophet Isaiah himself. (See Biblical Archaeology Review 2018 March/April, May/June double issue for a full discussion.)

The sheer number of artifacts, such as bullae, inscriptions on stone tablets and walls, potsherds, and silver, that relate to the Bible is very remarkable. In fact, epigrapher Peter Kyle McCarter selected only 140 from a vast storehouse of inscriptions for his well-known book, Ancient Inscriptions: Voices from the Biblical World, and could have included hundreds more.

His book includes information about the Merneptah Stele (a 13th Century B.C. Egyptian monument listing Israel among other nations), the Gezer Calendar (a 10th Century B.C. planting calendar written in an early Hebrew script that reveals the early development of an organized society), the Moabite Stone (a 9th century B.C. victory stela of Moabite King Mesha that confirms 2 Kings 3 and also makes reference to the House of David), and much, much more.

McCarter’s book, along with many others, was among the earliest I encountered when I first began my journey into the wonderful world of archaeology and the Bible.

With each passing year, I stand amazed at the sheer volume of evidence that emerges. It continues to demonstrate the reliability of the biblical record again and again.

By John W. Moore

05/20/2026

WHAT DOES APOLLO HAVE TO DO WITH THE BIBLE? This temple was unlike anything I had ever seen. It was one of the largest and most impressive in Anatolia.

As I made my way up its grand staircase of 15 beautifully cut limestone steps, I encountered the remains of what looked like a grove of sequoia trees, whose trunks had been severed. Only their large, stump-like bases remained. The columns, which once stood on these “stumps,” were 6 ½ feet in diameter and 65 feet tall.

As I reached the top of the grand entrance and made my way onto the original raised viewing area, I was shocked to find that the sacred precinct wasn’t elevated, as in most Greco-Roman temples. The central focus lay below, an open-air, sunlit inner sanctum that once housed a small temple containing the bronze cult statue of Apollo.

To access this space, I had to descend a long, narrow, vaulted tunnel built within the temple walls. Arriving at the sanctum and seeing the perimeter of the massive walls was striking.

I can only imagine what ancient worshippers must have experienced as they emerged into a lush landscape of greenery, laurel trees, and an alleged sacred spring. It took centuries to build (in fact, it was never completely finished) and was in existence and fully operational during the New Testament era.

The entire 60,000-square-foot temple complex, dedicated to Apollo, is located in the ancient city of Didyma, about 10 miles south of biblical Miletus.

Apollo was considered the Greek god of light, music, poetry, healing, and the Lord of oracles (most notably the Delphic Oracle). He was believed to be a messenger to mortals on behalf of Zeus, grant the gift of prophecy, and predict the future.

It was also believed that at Didyma, priestesses could commune with Apollo to deliver his prophecies. Thus, this place became an important destination for anyone seeking to predict the future or needing help with an important decision.

I did not consider its significance on my first visit to Greece and Turkey. It was only after subsequent visits to several historic sites connected to the Bible that I began to realize more fully the role of Apollo in the ancient world. His worship was widespread, and dozens of temples and shrines dedicated to his honor have been known or discovered by archaeologists, including one of the oldest extant located at Corinth.

The gift of prophecy and the ability to divine the future were highly prized in the Roman-Greco world. Divination had also become a lucrative business, as seen in the example of those who were angered at Paul for casting out the spirit of divination from the girl at Philippi.

The text says, “when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers” (Acts 16:19).

Imagine being able to anticipate an opponent’s military objectives, decide whom to marry, and determine which business partners to pursue, etc. Knowledge of the future could be life-changing, and so the worship of Apollos was popular and even considered valuable to the emperor of Rome. Consider the following observation from Gordon Franz:

“Emperor Domitian, the self-proclaimed “Lord and God” and ruthless dictator, reigned from AD 81 to 96. He was the son of Emperor Vespasian and the brother of Titus, the conquerors of Jerusalem in AD 70. Late in life, Domitian become very superstitious. In fact, on the day before he was murdered, he consulted an astrologer. During this time he also consulted Apollo, the god of music and poetry, as well as light, truth and prophecy! Commemorating his superstition, the emperor minted coins depicting Apollo on one side and a raven, associated with prophecy, on the other" (Associates for Biblical Research, The King and I: The Apostle John and Emperor Domitian, January 18, 2010).

It was in the context of the Apollon world, so enamored with prophecy and priestesses, that the true messengers of God emerged with prophetic utterances concerning future events and eschatological themes. At the port city of Miletus, only 10 miles from Didyma, the apostle Paul himself prophesied by the Holy Spirit of God and did so without coveting “one’s silver or gold or apparel” (Acts 20:17-38).

Paul’s free, unconditional message had been refreshing. It showed that someone truly was capable of speaking about the future in a way that both made sense and gave hope, and did so without taking advantage of others (see also 1 Corinthians 9:18; Revelation 22:17).

It was also within this world that the problem of false prophets began to emerge within the church, along with those who were misled into thinking they possessed a gift of prophecy that had come from God (1 Corinthians 12-14).

In addition to the world of prophecy and its connection to Apollo, the temple at Didyma should also remind us of the book of Revelation. It is the only place in the Bible where this Greek god may be referenced (Revelation 9:11; though debated). The word “Apollyon” appears as the fifth trumpet is blown and as judgments are pronounced upon the earth.

As an answer to the prayers of martyred saints (8:1; c.f. 6:9), the trumpets are blown one by one, and the forces of punishment are unleashed against the earth and its inhabitants. They are administered as the plagues were against Egypt when Pharaoh held God’s people in cruel slavery.

In the imagery of the revelation observed by the apostle John, who had been exiled to the island of Patmos, God unleashed His wrath on those who, in the first century, were acting as evil taskmasters over the people of God.

Some scholars argue that the book of Revelation is a polemic against the Roman world and Emperor Domitian. As a tyrant and megalomaniac, Domitian sought to legitimize his reign through various means, including associating himself with the god Apollo, as Octavian had done many years before.

This connection, along with Rome’s overall fascination with paganism and prophecy and the rule it had over their lives, may be depicted in Revelation 9:11.

Apollyon, the king over the grotesque creatures from the bottomless pit, could very well be an image of Domitian. If the King, Apollyon, is a reference to Domitian, the irony is that Rome is destroyed by her king.

Just as God used the rulers of Babylon to discipline others, this new Babylon would implode. It would, in effect, destroy itself from within, and Idolaters, murderers, sorcerers, fornicators, and thieves (Revelation 9:20f), all of which were prevalent in the Roman-Greco world, would be the recipients of God’s punishment.

I cannot help but think that when Rome began to decline because of various calamities, wars, civil upheavals, moral decay, etc., it was in reality experiencing the partial judgments detailed in chapters eight and nine of Revelation.

Could it be that God brought this mighty empire to its knees because of what it had done to Christians? Was it being destroyed because of its moral decadence, depravity, avarice, and reliance on false religion and false prophets who allegedly could divine the future?

Gordon Franz, mentioned above, said it best when referencing Revelation 1:9: “While Domitian looked to Apollo to foretell the immediate future, the omniscient Lord Jesus Christ, infinitely greater than Domitian, revealed the future of the world in this book. He instructed John to: ‘write the things which you have seen [the vision of the glorified Son of Man—chapter 1], and the things which are [the situation of the seven churches in Asia Minor at the end of the first century AD—chapters 2–3], and the things which will take place after this [all the future events recorded in chapters 4–22].”

In my opinion, most of “the things which will take place after this” was a reference to the ultimate demise and fall of the Roman Empire. When describing the fall of Rome in Revelation 18 (symbolically identified as Babylon), John said the great city that had been deceived by sorcery would “be thrown down with violence.”

He also prophesied that the sounds of an active, vibrant city would completely vanish. This would naturally include the worship and influence of Apollo, who had been so revered by the Romans. Today, a casual walk through the ancient cities of Corinth, Delphi, and Didyma (and many other places) confirms it.

At the Temple of Apollo in particular, you can see how violently this place was destroyed. The massive columns I described above have fallen. The once-beautiful pediments and architraves lie strewn across the site, and the emblems and icons of worship have vanished. Apollo's Temple has been desecrated, and its place of worship destroyed. Its prophets and priestesses are no more, but the prophetic utterances of the true prophets found in the Bible live on.

John W. Moore

05/12/2026

HUMBLING STEPS IN JERUSALEM. SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT, SOMETHING TO CHANGE. The Jerusalem Temple mentioned in the New Testament included several beautiful entry and exit points.

At the southwestern corner stood a monumental staircase. It was supported by a massive 50-foot-wide stone arch, leading to the Royal Stoa perched high above the southern entrance.

Along the southern wall, there were double- and triple-gate entrances. Each gate was approached by a series of beautiful stone steps carved from the bedrock on which the Temple foundation had been laid.

Some call these the “Teaching Steps” because of the broad 210-foot-wide theater-like staircase leading up to the familiar double-gate entrance. It is argued that rabbis and teachers used these steps as a convenient and appropriate place to stand while providing instruction in the law or on proper decorum for entering God’s sacred house.

The steps appear to serve another function as well. Designed with alternating, uneven widths, they featured a pattern of narrow, wide, narrow, and wide steps.

This alternating pattern required pilgrims to look down as they approached the Temple, apparently to encourage worshippers to walk slowly, deliberately, and prayerfully. Rather than rushing and being inattentive, the steps seem likely to have been designed to foster contemplation, humility, and reverence in approaching God’s holy house.

After visiting these historic steps, I grew increasingly intrigued by the apparent intent behind their design. Approaching God in humility and reverence was not only required by the Law but also seemed to be a concern of the Temple’s architect.

This caught my attention and piqued my curiosity. Was this the setting for the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector who “went UP into the Temple to pray” (emphasis mine; Luke 18:10)? Jesus said the Pharisee exalted himself, but the tax collector was unwilling even to look up. He humbled himself before the Lord and said, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!”

Whether or not the setting for this parable was here or elsewhere at the Temple, the southern steps became the perfect place to consider my own attitude toward others and how I approach God in worship.

Do I approach Him in humility and love? Am I deliberate and serious about worship? Am I always reverent and thoughtful? Or do I hurriedly run to worship, taking little thought of my attitude and demeanor?

Am I high-minded and prideful about my appearance at worship, all the while judging others for theirs? Do I condemn others for their faults while overlooking my own?

I am ashamed to say that at times I have acted more like the Pharisee than the tax collector. Jesus strongly condemns this behavior not only in this parable but also in the strong language of passages like Mark 7:20-23 and Luke 14:7-11.

He also warns against vain worship and our focus on outward appearance to the neglect of the weightier matters of the law, such as justice, faith, and mercy (Matthew 23:23-28).

Praise be to God, however, for His mercy when we acknowledge these sins and turn to Him for forgiveness.

Something to think about, and something to change.

By John W. Moore

05/08/2026

It happened here! The Bible describes Hezekiah’s fortifications as he prepares for the Assyrian invasion. Just as the Bible said, Archaeologists found a portion of what is today called the “broad wall” in Jerusalem’s Jewish quarter.

05/05/2026

Have you seen any of these thumbnails already? April was a great month, and we're excited to share all of this great content with you. Want to check out everything we have been up to? Read our latest email update here: https://mailchi.mp/a672f3d393ef/bp-may-2026-update

05/04/2026

John and I are really excited about this one! We got the opportunity to sit down with our brother and Nazareth resident Sandro Jadon to talk about the current issues with Iran and Israel in the Middle East. We hope you find it faith building!

Discussing the War in Iran with Arab Christian Sandro Jadon

04/27/2026

Bible Passages enjoyed a wonderful few days at the Cumberland Trace Church of Christ in Bowling Green. Great lessons and an excellent program organized by Hiram Kemp and Neal Pollard. 

04/25/2026

Is there a connection between the Bible and the Colosseum at Rome? Were Christians murdered here? It is certainly possible.

However, historical accounts and researchers, including the Roman historian Tacitus, indicate that most persecutions transpired elsewhere. Christian martyrdom, particularly under Nero (A.D. 64), occurred at private imperial venues like the Circus of Nero or the Circus Maximus, rather than the Colosseum.

Nevertheless, the Roman Colosseum still has an important connection to the Bible. According to an inscription found inside the Colosseum, the spoils of the A.D. 70 destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple were used to finance this enormous complex showcasing a direct link between Roman triumph and Jewish tragedy.

It, along with the Arch of Titus at the Forum, corroborate the Bible’s testimony of the destruction of Jerusalem’s temple as prophesied by Jesus (Luke 21:20).

Built in A.D. 80 the Colosseum was initially referred to as the Flavian amphitheater and was the largest ancient amphitheater ever built.

An elliptical masterpiece measuring approximately 620 feet long, 511 feet wide, and 164 feet high (roughly a 12-story building) the entire complex was constructed of travertine limestone, concrete, and covered in marvel.

This "engineering marvel" accommodated 50,000–80,000 spectators and featured 80 entrances. It had a sophisticated underground complex known as a hypogeum, and the entire cost by today’s standards would have been approximately $700 million dollars.

JWM

04/21/2026

SAMSON WALKED HERE. View from the Tel Beth-shemesh archaeological site looking west over the fertile Sorek Valley toward the Philistine plain. This crucial borderland served as the setting for Samson’s exploits and the route for the return of the Ark of the Covenant, which was brought along this valley on a cart from Ekron (1 Samuel 6).

04/17/2026

Explore with Dr. Jonathan Moore the Biblical stories connected with two of Israel's most important sites, Mount Gilboa and the spring of Harod. We are indebted to Jonathan and Kim Moore for their love and support and excited about the great work they are doing through the ministry of Seeing His World and at Freed Hardeman University.

Kings and Springs | Uncovering Mount Gilboa

04/16/2026

Leaders Beware! Hear Samuel's Divine history lesson about Baals, Asherahs, and God's deliverance. Learn important lessons from the land of the Bible about what every leaders and king should know.

1 like. "Israel's Failed Leadership - 1 Samuel 12"