Advertise on podcast: Weird Stuff in the Bible

There’s a popular teaching in Christianity that there are only three named angels in the Bible. I’ve heard this a million times. I’ve probably even taught it before myself.  GotQuestions.org states: Only three angels are identified by name in the Bible: Gabriel (Daniel 8:16), Michael the archangel (Daniel 10:13), and Lucifer the fallen angel (Isaiah 14:12).  Unfortunately, this common belief is wrong. The Book of Revelation blows this idea apart. Especially if we’re including fallen angels.  Revelation 9 tells us about a swarm of freaky locusts that invade the earth in the end times, and it includes this detail: (Verse 11) They have as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit. His name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek he is called Apollyon. So who is this guy Apollyon? Why does he have two names? And what is the bottomless pit? I find this to be weird, and I’d like to explore why it’s in the Bible. And our study today will answer ALL those questions—who Apollyon is, where he’s from—and believe it or not, how learning about this location of the Abyss will bring you to a deeper understanding so many other passages in Scripture—and even the Gospel itself. If that sounds like a good time to you, turn with me to Revelation 9, and let’s get weird. —— Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/ Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 1:40 - Tartarus 4:55 - Apollyon 13:15 - Abaddon 17:45 - Abussos 22:45 - Antichrist 27:40 - Abyss Visit the Weird Stuff store! https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one. If you want to get in touch, my email is [email protected] Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

We’ve spent a lot of time the past few months talking about this spiritual region called The Underworld, also known as Sheol in the Bible.  Now, it’s actually part of something I would call my Underworld series, which started in July and will conclude in a few weeks. Only I didn’t call it that because I thought that saying we would do a 10-week Underworld series would scare a lot of people off.  And that’s because most Christians equate the Underworld with Hell. But that would be a gross oversimplification. That would be like saying that going to Texas means you’re going to Dallas. Dallas is a place within Texas, but Dallas is not the same thing as Texas.  Now, you might say that driving through Dallas is like going to hell, but that would mix our metaphors, so I’ll try to stay on track.  Texas is a big state, and it has a geography. There are different places within Texas beyond just Dallas. Likewise, Hell—as the fiery place of judgment—is actually just one compartment within Sheol. There are other compartments in Sheol that the Bible also tells us about.  And not just the Bible; the Book of Enoch also contains a pretty lengthy description of this realm. In fact, Enoch got to take a tour of this region, and he told us all about it in his book.  Which is pretty weird. And I’d like to read about that today and see how it lines up with the Bible.   And if you want to find out with me, turn to Revelation 20, and let’s get weird. —— Note: Enoch quotations are taken from the Modern Standard Version of the Book of Enoch, available on Amazon (and I highly recommend it if you choose to read Enoch's book!) Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/ Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 4:15 - A Cosmic Mountain 6:35 - The Abyss or Tartarus 12:45 - The Lake of Fire 14:50 - Abraham’s Bosom 21:00 - Hell 22:00 - Two More Compartments 24:25 - Recap Visit the Weird Stuff store! https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one. If you want to get in touch, my email is [email protected] Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

I got sick! Something like strep throat- and I was in bed all weekend. I could not record a new episode this week, unfortunately, as my voice was not strong enough to record yet as of Tuesday morning. Fortunately, I had already recorded an extra episode a few months ago, and it’s been sitting patiently on my hard drive until I needed it. So, here’s a reflection on the Book of Enoch study- which comes at a great time, since next week’s episode will also tie in with some insights from the Book of Enoch. —— You will often hear people claim that it’s “dangerous” for Christians to read the Book of Enoch.  And that’s literally the word that they’ll use. Dangerous. I’m not trying to pick on anyone so I won’t name names, but if you google it, you’ll find plenty of people telling you that the Book of Enoch should be avoided because it can be so dangerous to your faith. Now, I often find these fears a little silly and overblown. I mean, if I thought that the book of Enoch was dangerous to read, I wouldn’t have spent the first six months of this year studying it. However, now that I have, I would say I think there’s one—maybe two—maybe even three fair criticisms that someone could levy against the book of Enoch.  So I want to share my thoughts on those, and then give a few reasons why I actually believe all Christians should study the book of Enoch anyway. So it’s not so much a bible study today as it is a reflection or retrospective on this year’s study.  —— Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/ Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 2:40 - Enoch & Paul Harvey 6:00 - Three Dangers of the Book of Enoch 19:15 - Three Reasons to Read It Anyway 26:05 - The Rest of the Story Visit the Weird Stuff store! https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one. If you want to get in touch, my email is [email protected] Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

Before we were arguing over flat earth vs round earth, before we were arguing over creation vs evolution, before were were arguing over whether Tom Holland has surpassed Tobey Maguire as the best portrayal of Spider-Man, there was another debate within the church: did God create the earth with a canopy around it like a dome or protective shield? Now, perhaps you’ve never heard of this, but it centers around this mysterious firmament that comes up in Genesis 1:6 and 7.  The NKJV says 6 Then God said, “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.” 7 Thus God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so. What even is a firmament? The American dictionary says a firmament is “the vault of heaven.” The British dictionary says it’s “the expanse of the sky.” I don’t quite know what that means, and to be honest, I find it to be weird, and all I really care about is what the Bible says it is. If you want to find out, too, turn to Genesis 1, and let’s get weird. —— Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/ Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 2:00 - Grossly Normal 4:30 - The Waters and the Firmament 7:25 - Theories on the Firmament 9:20 - The Firmament in the Scriptures 13:05 - The Firmament in Ezekiel 18:45 - The Sea of Glass 23:00 - The Living Creatures 27:50 - Closing Thoughts Visit the Weird Stuff store! https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one. If you want to get in touch, my email is [email protected] Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

Everyone’s heard of the Mount of Olives from the Scriptures.  This is where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. It’s where He gave the Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24.It’s where He went to pray on the night He was crucified.It’s where He ascended to the heavens after His resurrection.And—it’s where prophecy says He will return at the Second Coming of Christ. Obviously a pretty significant mountain. It must be pretty sacred and special to Jesus if He does all these important things there. This must be one of the holiest locations in the Bible, right? Well actually, this was one of the most unholy mountains of the Old Testament. This was actually a demonic place of human sacrifice in ancient Israel, and a location known as the Mount of Corruption during the later kings; a spiritual abomination where pagans tried to access the Underworld.  We might even call it a cosmic mountain.  So just as two weeks ago I had you rethinking Eden, and last week I had you rethinking gardens, this week will have you rethinking the Mount of Olives. Because I’m wondering: what were Jesus’ purposes for spending so much time there? I find it to be weird, and I’d like to explore why it’s in the Bible.  Turn to Matthew 21, and let’s get weird. —— Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/ Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 2:00 - Olives in the Time of Jesus 5:20 - Olives in the Old Testament 16:00 - Olives in the Future 19:00 - Next Time & Mailbag 22:15 - This Mountain (Again) Visit the Weird Stuff store! https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one. If you want to get in touch, my email is [email protected] Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

Alright guys, I’ve got an extra-weird one for you this time: does the Bible demonstrate some kind of connection between gardens and the Underworld? Uh, what? When I first heard that, I thought it was one of the most bizarre ideas I’d ever read. While we might use a garden to grow our carrots and cucumbers, the ancient people of the Old Testament era thought of gardens as gateways to the spiritual realm. A place where one could make contact with the dead.  And as we explore various gardens of the Bible today, this concept will start to become very clear even in Scripture itself. And it goes all the way back to the very first one: the garden mountain of Eden.  I find this to be weird, and I’d like to explore why it’s in the Bible.  Turn to I Kings 2, and let’s get weird. —— Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/ Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 2:00 - Gardens on Cosmic Mountains 6:20 - Kings and Gardens 15:15 - The Last Adam and the Last Garden 21:50 - I’m Going In Visit the Weird Stuff store! https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one. If you want to get in touch, my email is [email protected] Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

What exactly was Eden? I mean, we do know it was a garden, right?  Genesis 2:8 tells us And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed. So it was a place of lush growth. Trees. Fruit. Vegetation. Water. Life. We all get these visuals of a green paradise in our heads as we read the opening chapters of Genesis. I mean, other than the devil showing up later, this sounds like a place of absolute tranquility. But then we get another vital piece of the puzzle when God is later condemning this devil in Ezekiel 28:14 You were an anointed guardian cherub.    I placed you; you were on the holy mountain of God;    in the midst of the stones of fire you walked. Wait, Eden was a mountain? What are these stones of fire? And what was Eden’s purpose? I find all this to be weird, and I’d like to explore why it’s in the Bible.  Turn to Ezekiel 28, and let’s get weird. —— Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/ Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 2:00 - Mountain Gardens 8:55 - Eden’s Address 12:55 - The Cosmic Mountain 16:50 - The Axis Mundi 21:45 - Next Time & Mailbag 23:55 - Closing Thoughts Visit the Weird Stuff store! https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one. If you want to get in touch, my email is [email protected] Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

Hang around Christians long enough, listen to sermons long enough, or pick up just about any prophecy book sitting on the bookstore shelves, and you’re gonna hear about this dude called The Antichrist- an end-times world ruler who takes control in the last days.  And he’s referenced all throughout the Bible. The Old Testament has 33 names for him; the New Testament has at least 13. Daniel calls him the little horn. Revelation calls him the Beast. And I and II John call him the Antichrist. This guy carries more ID cards than Jason Bourne.  I John 2:18 tells us (NKJV) Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming… In the end times, in the apocalypse, this man will appear and dominate the world. But wait, there’s more to that verse. It continues: …even now many antichrists have come… Well what is that talking about? It gets even more confusing when you throw in I John 4:3 every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. OK, so wait: is the Antichrist a man or a spirit? Is he coming, or is he already here? And if he is here- what do we do about him? I find this to be weird, and I’d like to explore why it’s in the Bible.  Turn to I John 2, and let’s get weird. —— If you do want to know more about hell, check out my interview with Megan Medick on Uncommon Sense right here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uncommon-sense-with-meagan-medick/id1884935580?i=1000777122024 Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/ Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 1:55 - Who is the Antichrist? 4:55 - The Spirit of the Antichrist 11:25 - The Beast out of the Sea 15:50 - Leviathan the Twisting Serpent 19:00 - A Spirit of Chaos 22:30 - Defeating the Antichrist Today 24:45 - Next Time & Closing Thoughts Visit the Weird Stuff store! https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one. If you want to get in touch, my email is [email protected] Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

We hear it all the time- the claim that Satan is the god of the Underworld. That he runs and rules hell. That he has a throne down there and goes around jabbing people with a pitchfork.  But did you know that the Bible says nothing like that? Those ideas are assumptions, superstitions, myths and even lies.  The good news is: The Bible is abundantly clear about where Satan’s dominion lies—and the limits of his power.  The bad news is: Satan’s dominion is right here with you, in the earthly realm.  I’ll show you today, and it goes back to the curse pronounced upon the serpent in Genesis 3. God said (Genesis 3:14) cursed are you above all livestock    and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go,    and dust you shall eat    all the days of your life. Now, what did God mean by that, casting him into the dust? Is that something spiritual or literal? Is this why snakes don’t have arms and legs, or is that just another superstition? I find this to be weird, and I’d like to explore why it’s in the Bible.  Turn to Genesis 3, and let’s get weird. —— If you do want to know more about hell, check out my interview with Megan Medick on Uncommon Sense right here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uncommon-sense-with-meagan-medick/id1884935580?i=1000777122024 Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/ Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 1:30 - The Curse on the Serpent 13:05 - The Ruler of This World 17:10 - Satan and Hell 20:45 - Gatekeeper Spirits 23:50 - Demons in Ephesians 6 Visit the Weird Stuff store! https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one. If you want to get in touch, my email is [email protected] Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

You can breathe huge sigh of relief once you get to Revelation 21. Because not only are you almost done reading the whole Bible, but you’re also past all the bad stuff. The devil, the antichrist and false prophet have been taken care of. Judgement day is over. Sin and the corrupted world are wadded up and thrown away. And Revelation 21 and 22 speak of eternity: the place we will spend the rest of our existence once this current world is done. Revelation 21:1 says Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. Holllld up. The sea was no more? Like, the oceans and rivers are gone? Does that mean there will be no swimming, no visits to the beach, and no more Avatar sequels in the eternal state? Now, before you freak out, let me just say up front: this is code language. This is what Revelation does often: it uses symbols to speak of a deeper reality. It’s not saying there’s no oceans or no dolphins or no Hawaii in the new heavens and new earth. It’s using biblical code words to speak of something else. In fact, if you’ve looked into it, you’ve probably heard it explained this way: that the sea is a word that represents chaos, and so by saying there was no more sea, that’s actually the Bible saying that there was no more chaos.  And that’s technically not wrong…but there’s actually something much deeper going on here beneath the surface. And by the end of today’s episode, you’ll know all about it. I find Revelation 21:1 to be weird, and I’d like to explore why it’s in the Bible.  But to start, turn to Revelation 5, and let’s get weird. —— Check out my interview with Megan Medick on Uncommon Sense right here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uncommon-sense-with-meagan-medick/id1884935580?i=1000777122024 Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/ Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 3:25 - God Slays the Chaos Dragon 9:20 - The Three Realms of Revelation 16:05 - The Antichrist Emerges 18:40 - The Sea Gave Up the Dead 22:00 - No More Sea Visit the Weird Stuff store! https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one. If you want to get in touch, my email is [email protected] Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

On this podcast, we like to explore the strange things tucked away in Scripture. There are so many obscure and unfamiliar passages in your Bible that don’t often get studied, so that’s what we like to shine a light on with this show. But there’s actually something pretty weird stuff that isn’t tucked away; it’s right there in the opening verses of Genesis. I mean we all know the first two verses of the Bible: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Right. Everybody knows that. Before there was light, before there was land, before there were dinosaurs, before there was anything else—apparently there was Kevin Costner because we had a Waterworld. It said the planet was totally covered with water. And from there, the Lord started working on creating the attributes of the earth, the beings who would populate that earth, and the astronomical features of our entire universe.  At least, that’s what it sounds like God is doing. But then you also have verses like these: (Verses 6-7) 6 And God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” 7 And God made the expanse and separated the waters that were under the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse. And it was so. Well, hold on a second? What is the expanse? What are the waters? Why did some waters stay down here on earth while other waters went up to heaven? I find this to be weird, and I’d like to explore why it’s in the Bible.  Turn to Genesis 1, and let’s get weird. Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/ Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 1:40 - A Hint of Something Deeper 7:45 - Code Words in Genesis 13:20 - Order Out of Chaos 17:00 - The Watery Underworld 26:55 - Next Time & Closing Thoughts Visit the Weird Stuff store! https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one. If you want to get in touch, my email is [email protected] Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

This year, we’ve talked typology. We’ve talked about what happens when you see the glory of God. We’ve talked about Mount Hermon. Today, I’m gonna put these pieces together. Today’s episode ties up a lot of things we’ve been learning about this mysterious mountain, because it’s the place where the Watchers came down to the earth in Genesis 6. And throughout the Old Testament, this mountain and the whole Bashan region was the epicenter of evil, a stronghold of fallen angels, a bastion of giants and their ghosts! But not only that, it’s the exact place where Jesus declared His intention to build his church in Matthew 16, and the mountain where He transfigured in Matthew 17.  And perhaps that’s the most mysterious thing about it of all. Because of all the places for Jesus to go and make these declarations—why there? Why not pick one of the holy mountains like Sinai or Zion?  Going to Hermon to start your church is kinda like going to Dairy Queen to start your diet. But Jesus didn’t look at things the way we do in the natural. Jesus was supernatural. In other words, some of the things Jesus did…were weird. And I’d like to explore why He chooses this spot for the Transfiguration in the Bible.  Turn with me to Isaiah 14, and let’s get weird. Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/ Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 5:15 - Part 4- The Mountain of El 13:20 - Part 5- Parallels with Psalm 89 23:15 - Part 6- This Mountain Visit the Weird Stuff store! https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one. If you want to get in touch, my email is [email protected] Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

One of the most mysterious statements Jesus ever said was this claim that He made in three of the Gospels: (Matthew 16:28) “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.” He says this in Matthew 16:28, Luke 9:27 and Mark 9:1. And it’s caused a lot of Christians to wonder: what could Jesus have meant by this when 2,000 years have passed since then and Jesus still hasn’t returned? Well, it gets a lot less mysterious when you look at what immediately happened after He said those words. In all three accounts, the next thing to take place after that was an event called the Transfiguration. Jesus went up on a mountain with three of His disciples and lit up brighter than the Fourth of July. So, OK. Jesus was talking about the Transfiguration there, not His Second Coming. It all makes sense now. But I always wondered: what is the Transfiguration all about? I mean, it seems really significant. Only three disciples were even allowed to go. Elijah and Moses also make a cameo. Then Peter starts talking about building a tabernacle or tent for them, and I’m like, where did that idea even come from? And then they all just move on afterwards like it didn’t even happen. There are so many strange things going on in this story. I mean, no offense to Jesus, but I find the Transfiguration account to be really really weird, and I’d like to explore why it’s in the Bible.  Turn with me to Matthew 16, and let’s get weird. Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/ Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 2:20 - Part 1- The Mountain 8:20 - Part 2- The Old Testament Transfiguration 17:25 - Part 3- The Covenant at Hermon 25:10 - Next Time & Newsletter 27:25 - Closing Thought Visit the Weird Stuff store! https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one. If you want to get in touch, my email is [email protected] Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

There is a parable which I believe is not technically a parable- I believe it’s a true story- called The Rich Man and Lazarus. Jesus tells this story in Luke 16. And there’s a lot of strange things you could point out about this story, but what always sticks out to me is where Lazarus goes when he dies in this story. Luke 16:22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. And as you read the story, you find that a rich man died and went to a fiery place of torment called hades, but the beggar named Lazarus went to a better place called Abraham’s Bosom.  Now, we’ve all heard of going to heaven and hell when we die. And I don’t believe in purgatory. But what is Abraham’s Bosom? And I’ll do you one better, where is Abraham’s Bosom? And I’ll do you one better, why is Abraham’s Bosom in the Bible? We’ll answer all these questions today, because I find this to be weird, and I’d like to explore why it’s in the Bible. Turn to Isaiah 14, and let’s get weird. 0:00 - Intro 3:20 - Sheol 8:50 - Abraham’s Bosom 12:45 - Luke 16, The Rich Man and Lazarus 19:40 - Closing Thoughts If you want to get in touch, my email is [email protected] Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

Last week, we talked about where demons come from. This week, I want to talk about why they’re still here.  So demons are the spirits of the giants in the Old Testament. Most of them probably lived prior to the flood. But they all died, and when they did, their spirits didn’t leave this planet. God left them right here on the earth to act as spirits of affliction against mankind.  These are demons. The ghosts of giants. God literally says in Enoch 16, “thus shall they destroy until the day of the consummation, the great ⌈judgement⌉.” And by the way- I’ll show you today that the Bible backs this up 100%. But hold up. Why do we have to deal with them? The giants and their spirits are irredeemably evil. They do nothing but cause problems. The flood was supposed to give us a fresh start. Why not just send them on down to h-e-double-hockey-sticks and we can be done with them? I find this to be weird, and I’d like to explore why the demons got left behind in the book of Enoch, as well as in our Bibles.  And not only that, it’s going to conclude our week-by-week journey through the Book of Enoch that we started in January.  So if you’re ready for that, turn to Matthew 18, and let’s get weird. Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/ Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 3:25 - Basanizo  8:08 - Persons Without Bodies 16:45 - Enoch 16 22:20 - Types of Spirits 26:50 - Next Time 27:50 - Closing Thoughts Visit the Weird Stuff store! https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one. If you want to get in touch, my email is [email protected] Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!