Deeper Bible & Theology

Saturday Watchdog: Are Demons Possessing ‘Disclosure Day’?

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No, devil spirits or demons are not hanging out in the lobby of your local movie theater, grabbing some popcorn and scoping out which viewers of Steven Spielberg’s new film, Disclosure Day, are Christians so they can make sure their faith is “shaken” after watching the movie.

Apparently, it’s not a very good movie — in fact, a lot of reviews I’ve seen say it’s just dumb and not very entertaining — but that doesn’t mean it’s somehow inhabited by demons that travel with it to movie theaters.

Every few years a new film releases and Christians warn that “demons are attached to it” and will jump out of the screen on folks. But before we accept that kind of claim, it’s worth asking a simple question: Is that how Scripture describes demonic activity?

In the Bible, demons target people, not objects. They influence hearts, tempt minds, and oppose God’s work — but we never see them “inhabiting” scrolls, songs, artwork, or cultural artifacts. Paul confronted idols in Corinth, yet he didn’t warn believers that demons were hiding inside the statues. Instead, he emphasized the danger of participating in idolatry, not the objects themselves.

Jesus and the apostles cast demons out of individuals, not items. The spiritual battle is real, but Scripture consistently places the battleground in the human heart, not in movie reels or sound waves.

Because, sure, the god of this world, Satan, inspires art of all kinds, but it’s unbiblical to claim that demons “possess” celluloid or digital content.

So when someone claims a film carries demons waiting to attack Christians, we should pause. Fear-based superstition isn’t the same as biblical discernment. The real question isn’t “Is this movie possessed?” but “Does this content shape my mind and affections toward Christ or away from Him?”

That’s the kind of spiritual vigilance the Bible actually teaches.

Armchair Apocalypse: The Most Misunderstood Book in the Bible?

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Last week I listed a bunch of questions that a lot of folks ask about the Book of Revelation. This week we start looking at some answers.

Before we dive in though, let’s clear up something that always comes up – the last book of the Bible is NOT “Revelations,” plural; it’s “Revelation,” singular.

What Does “Revelation” Mean?

The Greek word translated as “Revelation” is apokalypsis, from which we get the English word “apocalypse.”

Apokalypsis doesn’t mean destruction or “the end of the world”. It literally and simply means “an unveiling,” “a revealing,” or “a disclosure.” Like pulling a curtain back so you can finally see what’s really going on.

The first verse says: “The Revelation of Jesus Christ…” (Revelation 1:1)

It’s important to understand that the book isn’t mainly about the Antichrist, beasts, dragons, 666, or end-times speculation. It’s about Jesus Christ being revealed.

When most people hear “Revelation,” they think zombies, world war, meteors, and that one weird guy on the internet with 47 prophecy charts. Nope. Forget about the movies, novels, and heavy metal imagery as we start answering the basic questions.

Who Wrote Revelation?

The author identifies himself simply as John (Revelation 1:1, 1:4, 1:9). Most early Christians believed this was John the Apostle—one of Jesus’ closest friends and the same John connected with the Gospel of John. But it may have been someone else writing as “John”, so I call the author of Revelation “John the Revelator.” Either way, the source is the same — a vision from God through Jesus Christ.

At the time, John the Revelator had been exiled to a small rocky island called Patmos for his faith in Christ. Not exactly a luxury vacation destination for sure. While there, he received a series of visions and wrote them down.

When Was Revelation Written?

Most scholars place the writing of Revelation around A.D. 95–96 during the reign of the Roman Emperor Domitian. That means the book was written nearly 2,000 years ago when believers were facing pressure, persecution, and uncertainty about the future.

They wondered about some of the same things many believers all over the world wonder about in our own time:

  • Is evil winning?
  • Does God care?
  • How does this story end?

Revelation was written to answer those questions.

So What?

Revelation isn’t a horror movie script or a puzzle designed to confuse people. It’s a book written by John the Revelator around A.D. 95 that unveils who Jesus is, who ultimately wins, and how human history repeats itself, pitting empires and tyrants against God’s people.

So, read Revelation chapter 1 for yourself. You might discover the book is far less weird—and far more hopeful—than you’ve been told.

Wednesday Armchair Apocalypse Series: Questions And Topics

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This is the second installment of the Armchair Apocalypse series.

Once again, my goal in this series is not to do a verse-by-verse commentary or a scholarly study of Revelation, but rather to try to answer the common questions that come up about Revelation, the Apocalypse. I will try to answer those questions in simple, plain language that makes sense to everyday folks.

Let’s look at the questions and topics we will be answering and discussing in this ongoing Armchair Apocalypse series, which will appear every Wednesday here on Bible Rebel.

  • What Is Revelation Really About?
  • Who Wrote Revelation, and When Was it Written?
  • Can We Understand Revelation?
  • Literal or Symbolic?
  • Is Revelation Being Fulfilled Right Now?
  • Does Modern Israel Play a Role in Prophecy?
  • What do the Seven Churches Represent?
  • Why Does God Allow Such Terrible Judgments?
  • The Seven Seals
  • The Seven Trumpets
  • The Seven Bowls
  • The Four Horsemen
  • The Antichrist
  • The Mark of the Beast
  • The Great Tribulation
  • The Rapture Debate
  • The 144,000
  • The Two Witnesses
  • Armageddon
  • The Millennium
  • The Final Judgment
  • The New Heaven and New Earth
  • Why Revelation Is Ultimately a Book of Hope

We have a lot to get to, so plan on joining me every Wednesday for this exciting ride.

Tuesday Watchdog Alert: Young Men Are Showing Up

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For years, we’ve been told the story was simple: Christianity is declining, churches are emptying, and faith is becoming irrelevant. All certainly true enough.

But maybe there’s some light starting to show at the end of this tunnel.

A recent Gallup poll found that young men are becoming more interested in religion, with significantly more men ages 18–29 saying faith is important in their lives and attending religious services than just a few years ago. At the same time, reports from churches around the country describe growing numbers of Gen Z men looking for community, purpose, and meaning.

Why?

Because endless scrolling isn’t a substitute for purpose, online influencers can’t answer life’s toughest questions, and because human beings were created for something bigger than themselves.

And maybe some folks are starting to get a better understanding of priorities.

“Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness…” (Matthew 6:33)

Notice what these young men aren’t looking for: more entertainment, more apps, or more self-help slogans. They’re looking for meaning, purpose, and the Big Picture

So What?

Try this: Read Matthew 5–7 and ask God to show you where you’re seeking meaning in the wrong places. The answer may be closer than you think.

Wednesday Focus: Our Armchair Apocalypse Series

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There are lots of novels and movies about the end of the world, and some of those stories use the images and words from the Bible’s Book of Revelation.

But let’s not get all worked up and frightened by novels, movies, or other forms of apocalypse fiction. Instead, let’s look at what Revelation actually says — and doesn’t say — rather than what others say about it.

That is what this new series, “Armchair Apocalypse,” which will appear every Wednesday on the Bible Rebel blog, is all about.

My goal in this series is not to do a verse-by-verse commentary or a scholarly study of Revelation, but rather to try to answer the common questions that come up when the last book of the Bible is considered. I will try to answer those questions in simple, plain language that makes sense to everyday folks.

I look forward to having you along for the journey.

Saturday Watchdog Alert: Something’s Broken

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One recent headline reported that AI companion apps are exploding in popularity because people are lonely, anxious, and emotionally disconnected. Another explored how some users are now treating AI chatbots almost like spiritual guides or romantic partners.

Think about that for a second.

God created human beings for real relationship — with Him and with each other. Now people are asking algorithms for emotional comfort, life advice, and fake intimacy. We built machines to answer questions, and now some people are asking them to fill the hole in their soul.

But spiritual hunger can’t be sated by wearing a Bluetooth headset and chatting with digital algorithms.

The culture keeps promising salvation through screens:
More apps and followers. More digital therapy from a robot that learned empathy from the internet. What could possibly go wrong?

Meanwhile, depression, loneliness, and confusion keep climbing. Because the human soul was never designed to run on artificial connection.

“And my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit.” — Jeremiah 2:11 (KJV)

Here’s the truth: we do not need a synthetic god, a chatbot therapist, or a digital soulmate. We need truth and purpose. We need a relationship with our heavenly Father through His son, Jesus Christ — the only relationship that is fully real, fully loving, and fully eternal.

Today, replace 20 minutes of scrolling with 20 minutes of actual human connection. Call someone. Pray with someone. Read Psalm 139 out loud. The cure for isolation isn’t better technology. It’s restored relationship with God and people.

Is That Thief In Heaven?

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Most of us are familiar with this passage in Luke about the others crucified with Jesus:

Luke 23:40–43 (KJV)
But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Many use this as a proof text that believers go immediately to heaven—or somewhere—when they die.

But is that really what this passage is about? Or is there something else going on here?

Let’s start by asking what should be some obvious questions if we are to assume the traditional theological narrative about Luke 23:40–43.

Is saying a few words, sticking up for Jesus, and asking to be remembered by him all that is required for thieves and malefactors to get into “heaven”?

Is being in “paradise” the same thing as “going to heaven”?

Did Jesus come into his kingdom on the day of the crucifixion?

Did the malefactor go immediately to “heaven” with Jesus after they died?

Did the malefactor miss Jesus for the 40 days or so that Jesus was carrying out his post‑resurrection ministry on earth?

Is the malefactor in heaven right now with Jesus?

What was the point of Jesus being raised from the dead after three days if he and the malefactor crucified with him were already alive together in paradise or heaven on the very same day they died on crosses?

We should all be asking questions like this, and many of the other things we’ve been taught from religion and churchianity, to see if they make sense and if they are actually biblical.

Stay tuned as we start examining the questions raised here in detail.

Saturday Watchdog Alert: The Soul of America Is Still Searching

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America is weird right now.

One headline says more Americans are becoming “spiritual” again. Another says traditional faith keeps declining while younger generations experiment with everything from astrology to paganism to “manifesting the universe.” Translation? People are starving for meaning but trying to fill the God-shaped hole with crystals, TikTok gurus, and “energy cleansing.” That’s like trying to fix a flat tire with whipped cream.

Meanwhile, Pew data shows religious “nones” remain historically high, even while some Gen Z young adults are suddenly curious about faith again after years of nihilism and anxiety. Turns out endless scrolling, hookup culture, and worshiping yourself doesn’t actually heal the human soul. Shocking. – FAITHWIRE

The Bible already explained this thousands of years ago:

“They exchanged the truth of God for a lie…” — Romans 1:25

When a culture removes God, something else always rushes in to take His place. Politics. Pleasure. Identity. Occult spirituality. Rage. Self-worship. But none of them can carry the weight of eternity.

Here’s the good news: people searching for meaning are closer to the truth than people pretending life has no meaning at all. The hunger itself points to God.

Take 20 minutes and read from the Book of Matthew today. Look specifically for what it says about God’s mission statement for His people and His Creation.

I dare you.

Why Did God Permit The Holocaust? Rabbi Sacks Answers

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As I’ve said before, question everything. Faith requires a healthy dose of skepticism about everything we think we know.

One of the most often asked about and pondered upon questions is a simple one: why does God allow evil to thrive?

And to narrow it down to a more concrete example: why did God permit the unspeakable horror of the Holocaust to occur?

I recently came across some of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks videos and writings. Rabbi Sacks, who has passed away, articulated the answer very well. Here are four of his quotes.

“The Holocaust was not God’s will. It was the result of human beings choosing evil and refusing to see the divine image in others.”

“God did not permit the Holocaust. God does not will evil. What happened was what happens when humanity walks away from God.”

“The question is not ‘Where was God?’ but ‘Where was man?’ God calls us to be His partners in defending life, dignity, and justice.”

“The Holocaust teaches not that God abandoned humanity, but that humanity abandoned God’s command to honor every life as sacred.”

Faith Requires Skepticism

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Question everything. Faith requires a healthy dose of skepticism about everything we think we know.

Wait, faith requires skepticism?

Of course it does. Our Heavenly Father commands us to love Him with all of our hearts, souls, and minds. Did you get that last one? Minds.

God wants us to ask questions, examine His wonders, and search the Scriptures seeking truth. That requires an inquisitive mind.

The most dangerous aspect of the doctrines of men is that they are usually close enough to biblical truth that they fool even the most sincere and honest among the faithful.

Some of those doctrines of men are so convoluted and confusing that they present stumbling blocks to those outside the faith and sometimes cause the faithful to abandon the faith.

We should faithfully seek to understand God’s truths about His nature, His creation, and His will for His people, even if that means challenging long‑held doctrines and theologies that were devised and propagated by religious folks for their own benefit — or for the purposes of the principalities and powers behind them.

Remember who the enemies of our Lord were? The religious leaders of his time and culture who had perverted and changed the Word of God into the doctrines of men.

Remember the lesson of the Reformation? Churchianity was challenged, and the centuries‑old religious status quo was called to task — salvation by grace, not ceremonies and dead works.

Bible Rebel will be asking questions and challenging assumptions here. We believe it’s high time for a New Reformation, or at least a fresh look at the old wine in the old wineskins.

Every Wednesday we will be raising some important questions about commonly held doctrines and assumptions within modern Churchianity.

Stay tuned.