According2Sam Podcast

In the book of Matthew, there is a passage where Jesus is asked by His disciples what the signs of His second coming and the end of the age will be. Jesus begins His answer with a solemn warning. He tells them to beware that no one deceives you. This implies that the topic of His return and the end of the age will be surrounded by deception. Throughout His response, Jesus repeats this warning several times. He says, “Many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.” This suggests that the deception He refers to will involve false prophecies. He further explains that these false prophets will perform great signs and wonders in order to mislead people. What are some widely taught and commonly believed prophecies today that might be examples of the kind of deception Jesus was warning about? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #359.

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The 2016 Republican primary was a battle over whether the Republican Party would stay the same or take a new direction. Representing continuity were candidates such as Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, and Ted Cruz, while Donald Trump represented a sharp departure from the party’s past, especially regarding foreign policy. After sixteen years of Bush and Obama, and Mitt Romney’s failure to win in 2012, Republican voters chose a new path— for the party and untimely for the nation. Many Republicans who had supported the other candidates reluctantly rallied behind Trump, while others vowed to NEVER support him, creating a lasting fracture within the party. How is that fracture manifesting itself today, nearly a year into Trump’s second term? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #358.

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Christopher Rufo, a conservative author, wrote in a piece published on October 8: “Many supporters of Israel, including prominent Republican politicians, argue that America has a theological duty to support the Jewish state. Their view is based on a complex interpretation of biblical prophecy. As a Catholic, I find it mystifying; as a political analyst, I find it unconvincing.” He goes on to say: “These moves might have been effective in the past, but not so much anymore. Instead of theological or shame-based approaches, friends of Israel must frame their arguments in terms of America’s national interest.” Why are theological arguments for American support of Israel no longer effective, and how is this shift affecting overall support for Israel in the United States? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #357.

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There are many Jewish communities around the world that have stories and customs they claim originate from the Lost Tribes of Israel. For example, the Bnei Menashe are a community of Jews in India who trace their ancestry to the Tribe of Manasseh. The Bukharian Jews of Central Asia are believed to be one of the oldest Jewish groups, dating back to the Babylonian exile. In China, the Kaifeng Jews have preserved Jewish traditions and customs for centuries, and they too maintain that their practices stem from the Lost Tribes. In Africa, the Lemba Jews of Southern Africa and the Beta Israel community of Ethiopia both claim descent from the Lost Tribes of Israel. However, are all these Jewish communities truly descendants of the Lost Tribes of Israel? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #356.

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Cornerstone Church in San Antonio held its 45th Annual ‘Night to Honor Israel’ this week. Pastor John Hagee and his congregation have long been among the strongest supporters of the State of Israel in the United States. However, they are just one of many Christian churches in America that express such support. The term is being used to describe these Christians is “Christian Zionists.” This label, however, has become a source of division among American Christians. Christian Zionists believe that the Bible commands Christians to support Israel, while opponents argue that no such commandment exists. Since the October 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas and the ensuing war, this divide among American Christians has deepened, with a growing number now opposing Christian Zionism. What factors are contributing to this widening rift? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #355.

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Numbers 19 outlines the ordinance of the Red Heifer, a purification ritual for those who become ritually unclean through contact with a dead body. According to the law, a blemish-free red heifer must be sacrificed outside the camp, and its ashes collected and mixed with fresh water to create the “water of purification.” A ritually clean person then sprinkles this water on the unclean individual on the third and seventh days, restoring their ritual purity. According to Jewish law, these ordinances must be performed on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem before construction of a new temple can begin. Are plans currently underway to carry out this ritual? If so, how far along are they, and how are these plans contributing to tensions between Israel and its Arab neighbors? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #354.

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Eschatology is the study of events that are believed to bring about the end of human history, the world, or even the universe. There are many different interpretations of eschatology, and often multiple views exist within the same religious tradition. For example, Hinduism and Buddhism each have several different End Time narratives. In Islam, Shiite eschatology differs significantly from that of their Sunni counterparts. Even within Christianity, beliefs about the End Times vary widely—not just between Protestants and Catholics, but among different denominations and theological schools. A particularly divisive topic in Christian eschatology is the role of the modern State of Israel. Many Christians view it as a key component of prophetic fulfillment, while others see it as having no eschatological significance at all. Why is the modern State of Israel so controversial? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #353.

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Just seven weeks after the October 7th attack, ‘The New York Times’ published an article titled, “Israel Knew Hamas’s Attack Plan More Than a Year Ago.” At the time, Israel was launching its ground invasion of Gaza, and the emotional weight of the attack was still fresh. The article revealed that the Israeli government had obtained a 40-page blueprint detailing Hamas’s attack strategy over a year in advance, but many argued it wasn’t the right moment to question the leadership, and that doing so could distract from the mission to eliminate Hamas and rescue the hostages. However, now that the war is over and all hostages have been released, those difficult questions can no longer be avoided. What exactly did the Israeli government know beforehand, and could the attack have been prevented? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #352.

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The Abrahamic faiths are monotheistic, meaning they involve the worship of only one deity. This sets them apart from the many polytheistic belief systems that have existed throughout history, going back to the ancient Sumerians, who worshipped a pantheon of gods known as the Anunnaki. For most ancient cultures, the idea of worshipping only one god was foreign—it simply didn’t make sense to limit themselves to a single deity. However, the God of Abraham commanded him, and his descendants, not to worship any other gods. The very first of the Ten Commandments is: “You shall have no other gods before Me.” Despite this clear directive, the descendants of Abraham eventually turned to idol worship during the time of the Kingdom of Israel. What were the consequences of their idolatry? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #351.

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It appears that a new peace agreement may be on the horizon in the ongoing conflict between the Palestinians and the State of Israel. The deal would bring an end to Israel’s military operations in Gaza, which began two years ago following the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023. Hamas has reportedly agreed to release all remaining hostages and return the remains of those killed. Additionally, the group has consented to transfer governing authority in Gaza to another body. The specifics of that transition—including which entity will assume control—are currently being negotiated in Cairo, where delegates from both sides are meeting to finalize the terms. Representatives from the Trump administration are also present, acting as mediators. Can they reach a deal that brings lasting peace, or will this be like all of the other peace agreements? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #350.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com