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Even though there'll be no peace in this world until Jesus returns, as believers we can have peace in our hearts when we allow Jesus to be our Lord and Savior. That's one of the important things we'll hear in this study of Zechariah's first vision.

The book of Zechariah contains more messianic prophecies than any of the other minor prophets. In the dark day of discouragement which blanketed the remnant, Zechariah saw the glory in all of the rapture and vision of hope. Be encouraged by this Old Testament prophet and priest.

“Let's be faithful and then let's work.” That's the wisdom our teacher, Dr. J. Vernon McGee leaves us with as we learn from the life of Zerubbabel and realize we may never know how important our work is for God.

Our study of important life lessons continues as we learn from Haggai how we today can make our hearts right with God and receive His blessings.

If you're standing between a rock and a hard place today, you aren't alone. Learn from Haggai that even in the hard places, we stand in the love of God. As Dr. McGee says, “Although His love may include a lot of hammering and chiseling—it's all intended to make us more like Jesus.”

Some day in heaven when God is passing out rewards, who do you think might be one of the most honored persons? Paul? Peter? Maybe it's someone you've never heard of and whose story has never been told. Dr. J. Vernon McGee gives us surprising insight to that future scene.

The writer of Proverbs says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” That's the same important message we receive in this study from the Old Testament prophet Haggai who reminds us to obey and fear God in all we do.

God may be speaking to us today through our difficult circumstances, even as He spoke to the people through Haggai. That's what we see as we study the people's response to Haggai's message from the Lord.

“Where are you headed? What are your goals in life?” These are some of the important questions we'll ponder as the prophet, Haggai, reminds the people to work hard, avoid laziness, and obey God's commands to put Him first.

What happens when God's people become complacent and lazy? Dr. McGee shares the answer to this question as we hear Haggai speak some uncomfortable truth to religious and civil leaders that can be applied to our lives today.

Pragmatic. A man of action. Preacher and practicer. That's how one might describe the prophet Haggai. As our teacher Dr. McGee says, “Haggai doesn't have his head in the clouds, he gets right down to the nitty gritty, where the rubber meets the road.” Learn more about Haggai and his relationship to Zechariah and Malachi.

How can believers stand for God in difficult days? Dr. McGee says the answer is really very simple: “He should be Lord of our lives. We should give Him glory. We should tell how wonderful He is, of his might and power. We need to hold Him up to the world.”

In this study, Jude provides an overview of man's threefold nature and reminds us that our best protection against apostates is studying the Word and praying in the Spirit.

“We cannot please God in the flesh. Only when we yield to Him can we come to the place where He can use us,” advises Dr. McGee. Learn to follow the example of the apostles, NOT apostates, as Jude warns us to stay away from those who cause divisions in the church and turn from the Word of God, calling it foolishness.

Complainers, those who murmer, lust, and use “swelling words.” Jude continues with these descriptions of apostates and tells us more about hell as a “blackness of darkness.”

Who can we trust today? That's the question Dr. McGee helps us answer as we look at the apostates Cain, Balaam, and Korah and the eternity of darkness waiting for those who follow the same path.

God, our Creator, never makes mistakes, but we often question His wisdom. We need to trust that He knows what He's doing. That's the lesson we learn from Jude as we look to the archangel Michael as an example of those who trust God completely and to Cain, Balaam, and Korah as examples of apostates who chose differently.

We've taken a look at apostates in Israel, and in this study Dr. McGee gives modern day examples and reminds us that Jesus warned His disciples to be prepared to face a bad world—and so should we.

Dr. McGee continues the discussion on angels as he tells us more about Satan's purpose on earth and how God will ultimately defeat him.

Can angels rebel against God? If so, does God judge them? Dr. McGee answers these important questions and tells more about how we can be on the lookout for apostates in our churches and lives today.

Jude reminds believers of God's protection, warns us of false preachers, and tells us that every movement God blesses is also in danger of being subverted by Satan.

Full of dark warnings against the false teaching that swallowed the first century church, Jude shares some amazing truths for believers today including: God loves us, He keeps us, and He preserves our salvation—even in the darkest days.

In his letter to the church, Jude warns that false teaching was creeping in—as well as a general “falling away” from the truth. Hear from the half-brother of Jesus in what Dr. McGee calls a fitting introduction to the Book of Revelation.

Witness the end of Israel's dark night of judgment and hear about the light of a new day. We too will see a day when our long journey will be over and we'll enter into an eternity in the glorious presence of our Lord.

God continues to spell out Jerusalem's sin and Zephaniah gives them a picture of the great Tribulation. Follow along as the world moves towards judgment and people clearly ignore the warning signs.

Judah's insensitivity to sin continues, as does God's call for them to repent. Learn how the prophesies against the Philistines, Moab, and Ammon have been fulfilled and how that judgment will also extend to Ethiopia, Assyria, and nations of today.

Danger ahead! That's the warning Zephaniah has for the people of Judah. Hear the prophet's desperate and final call to prayer and repentance, and see how the people respond.

Judah and Jerusalem are singled out for judgment because of their idolatry. Dr. J. Vernon McGee tells us there is great lack of reverence for God today, and our judgment day is coming as well.

Discover a new way of looking at pain and suffering and, ultimately, how God plans to save us all.

To many, the message of Zephaniah seems harsh and cruel. Dr. McGee turns this thinking upside down as he explains “the dark side of God's love.”

“God is the answer to your questions. God is the answer to your problems.” That's the good news Dr. J. Vernon McGee shares in our final study Habakkuk. Travel along as the prophet ultimately decides that regardless of the circumstances in which he finds himself, he will rejoice in God.

Habakkuk's conversation with God moves from discouragement to songs of praise. How does the prophet shift from doom and gloom to a place of worship? Join Habakkuk as he recalls Israel's history and ultimately finds deep and abiding faith as he puts his trust in God.

According to Dr. J. Vernon McGee, there are three steps in the downfall of any nation: religious apostasy, moral decay, and political anarchy. Find out what happens when nations reject God and turn to idols (money, sex, fame, etc.).

What other people think when God allows difficult things to happen to His people, Habakkuk actually said. And God didn't strike Him down. In fact, He bent down and listened! Take an in-depth look at the consequences of pride and learn what it means to trust God—even when it doesn't make sense.

When God looks at us, He sees only two groups. What are they? Learn the answer and see how this key passage of Old Testament Scripture unlocks our understanding of important sections in the New Testament books of Romans, Galatians, and Hebrews.

How can you be a person of faith when your world is about to blow up? Habakkuk has the answer. Trace Habakkuk's footsteps and learn from the prophet as He warns God's people and then waits for answers in difficult circumstances.

“How can a holy God use a sinful nation to accomplish His purposes?” That's the question the prophet Habakkuk struggles with in this section of God's Word. Discover there is no sin in questioning God and also learn why God permitted evil in Habakkuk's day and ours, too.

As Habakkuk's complaints and questions continue, God answers on a grander scale than the prophet can imagine, and in ways that likely won't please him. Watch the rise of Babylon as we learn more about the unfortunate consequences ahead if God's people continue with their wicked ways.

“What are you doing about evil?” In our last study, God's response to this question wasn't what Habakkuk was hoping for. So, instead of giving up, the prophet asks Him new and bigger questions. How will God respond? Will Habakkuk be satisfied? What do the answers mean to us today?

“Why doesn't God do something about evil?” That's the question Habakkuk asks God in this poetic Old Testament book. Discover God's answer as Israel's burden unfolds and the prophet's faith is deepened.

We don't have to look beyond our own community to see the suffering in this world. But God sees it, too—and He is doing something about it. When we say God is sovereign, it means these issues are safe in His hands. That's the message we learn from the prophet Nahum. As we study the sins and destruction of Nineveh, we'll realize even now how God is moving against evil in our world today.

Is our nation like Assyria? In Nahum, chapter 3, we'll examine the indicators like a deceitful government and news media, a false sense of security among people, and a growing interest in witchcraft and the occult. While the indicators may not be in our favor, Dr. McGee encourages us to intercede for our nation before the Father.

Trace it through history—people who turn their backs on God are eventually brought to their knees. As we follow the destruction of Assyria, we'll learn how a once great and cruel nation was brought to judgment and simply wiped from the face of the earth. It's a solemn lesson we would be wise to heed.

Correctly understanding and interpreting the Bible adds depth and beauty to our understanding—and to do it incorrectly leads to wrong assumptions and false doctrine. Learn more about the judgment of the Assyrians and the important connection between the books of Nahum and Jonah.

How can you refute those who say the Bible is full of errors? Nahum has the answers. Discover striking evidence that will boost our assurance that God's Word can be trusted and help us understand how the book of Nahum holds a key to interpreting the entire Word of God.

Although the people of Nineveh ultimately repented and God did not destroy them as Jonah had warned, it's now 100 years later. The people of Nineveh have forgotten the mercy of God and are back to their treacherous ways. How will Nahum handle them? Will he destroy their idols? Will they repent? Will God save and restore them? Will He save us when we sin?

Jonah's message to Nineveh revealed the love of God, and Nahum's message reveals his justice. As we learn that God is patient and slow to anger, we'll also learn that when He punishes countries and evil doers, it's really out of love.

When reading the Bible, a good rule to keep in mind is, “Not all of it is to us, but no matter where you turn in the Word of God, it is all for us.” That's what we hear in the prophetic Old Testament book of Nahum. Nahum means “comfort.” While he prophesies judgment, it can also be a comfort to the enemies of the one being judged.

In this conclusion to 3 John, we're reminded of the importance of encouraging and supporting the work of those who preach the Word of God. Learn more about Demetrius, an itinerant preacher who carried the gospel throughout the Roman Empire and whom John calls a faithful, dependable brother and a man of God. We'll also hear more of John's praise for Gaius and be reminded that to be of God we are not to imitate evil, but only what is good—like these faithful men.

Who is Diotrephes? And, what can we learn from him? That's what we'll learn as the Apostle Paul introduces us to a man Dr. McGee calls “a rascal in the early church.” Travel back to the first century as we study Diotrephes' malicious statements against the apostles, his refusal to entertain missionaries, and how he excommunicated those who did entertain missionaries.

In his letter to Gaius, John expresses his joy over believers who are sharing God's Word and walking in truth. He also commends him on receiving and entertaining the true teachers of the Word. Learn more about how to identify true teachers and support those who give out the Word of God and walk in love.Hide