Answers | To Your Questions About the Bible, Theology and Christian Living

Doesn’t Jeremiah 10:3-4 forbid the use of a Christmas tree as a pagan practice?: “For the customs of the peoples are futile; For one cuts a tree from the forest, The work of the hands of the workman, with the ax. They decorate it with silver and gold; They fasten it with nails and hammers so that it will not topple” (NKJV).

On the surface, it sounds like that’s what this is saying. But one of the most common errors in Bible study is made on this passage… not reading the context. Simply reading the surrounding verses of a problem passage will usually solve the problem.

Jeremiah 10 has been taken out of context for years. It does not refer to a Christmas tree but to the making of an idol. Verse 5 says he can’t speak … that’s because he has a mouth that has been carved in wood. The Christmas tree has a much later … and valid … tradition for use by Christians in the season celebrating the birth of Christ.

Ken Horn

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Both the dead and living believers will be caught up together to meet Jesus in the air at His appearing (1 Thessalonians 4:17). All without exception will then be brought before the judgment seat of Christ where each will receive “what is due him [or her] for the things done while in the body” (2 Corinthians 5:10, NIV; see also Romans 14:10-12; 1 Corinthians 3:12-15).

At the end of the Tribulation the Bible shows the believers following Jesus, coming from heaven, riding triumphantly on white horses, “and dressed in fine linen, white and clean” (Revelation 19:14). The fine linen identifies them as the Lamb’s bride (the Church) who are fully clothed with “the righteous acts of the saints” and have already taken part in the wedding supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7-9). Thus, they are ready to reign with Jesus during the Millennium.

Stanley M. Horton

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