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The Latter Days in the Old Testament

Eschatology precedes soteriology. Find out why in this essay.

Two Ages: Evaluating a Biblical concept

If the cosmos has changed over time, as redemptive history has moved from through “five worlds” from creation (Genesis 1–2) to the new creation (Revelation 21–22), then there have also been covenantal changes, too. In the beginning, God made a covenant with Adam (Gen. 2:15–17; cf. Hos. 6:7), which is often called the “covenant of works.” Then, after the flood, God re-established a covenant with Noah and all creation. As Genesis 9:8–17 reports, God hung his bow in the sky as

Getting Into Macro-Eschatology: Seeing The Five Worlds God Has Made

Last Sunday I introduced something I called “macro-eschatology.” Macro-eschatology is an approach to redemptive history that sees the end of things (eschatology) as fulfilling, restoring, and superseding the beginning of things (protology). At the center of this approach to reading the Bible is the person and the work of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who stands at the center of God’s plan to unite all things in creation. As Ephesians 1:9–10 tell us, Christ is the one who will

The ABCs of Eschatology (Pt 2): 14 More Key words

Last time, I introduced fourteen key words for understanding some basic concepts in the study of last things (eschatology). Today, I will complete my basic glossary with fourteen more terms, in hopes that these definitions will help improve present and future discussions about eschatology. You can also listen to the Sunday School that explains many of these terms. And if you would like a handout of the glossary, scroll to the bottom. (15) The Intermediate and Final States. W

The ABC’s of Eschatology (Pt. 1): Key Words to understanding end times

Eschatology is a word that means the study (-ology) of last things (eschatos). And in that study there are lots of words that are familiar (*resurrection), unfamiliar (*preterist), and debated (*rapture). Likewise, terms like millennium and tribulation are ones that have multiple definitions, and figures like the *antichrist, whose common description may or may not match John’s use of the word. Knowing that sound doctrine and fruitful discussions require clear definitions,

Twelve Books to Read Before the End of the World

When I teach Systematic Theology to seminarians, I make students read two books on eschatology and I recommend about twenty. Since I recently began a Sunday School series on the subject of eschatology, I wanted to share that list with you. You can also listen to the classes here. The Two Most Important Books on Eschatology Benjamin Gladd and Matthew Harmon, Making All Things New: Inaugurated Eschatology for the Life of the Church (2016). This is my go-to book for eschatolog

Read the Bible with the Church: A Wise Word from Charles Hodge

Protestant Christians have always believed in Sola Scriptura, but they have also read the Bible with the Church. Until recently (since the American Revolution and the Enlightenment), the idea of “Me and My Bible” Christianity, or Solo Scriptura, has not been advocated. Like the Jews who plugged their ears and stoned Stephen, when we read the … Continue reading Read the Bible with the Church: A Wise Word from Charles Hodge

Christ’s Consecration is Our Confidence (OT)

TEST CASE # 1 :: Exodus 29: Consecration of the Priests Following the five-fold model (Law, Prophets 1 &2, Christ, Gospel, Christian Application) presented in the last few days, I will today try to give a “test case” for getting from the consecration of the high priest in Exodus 29 to Christ to Christians today. … Continue reading Sermon Notes: Christ’s Consecration is Our Confidence (OT)

How to Avoid Getting Lost on the Way from Leviticus 15 to Luke 15

On Monday, I suggested a five-fold system, a Gospel-Positioning System (GPS), to get you from obscure passages in the Law through the Prophets to Christ and the Gospel. These five-steps are listed again. 1. Law 2A. Prophets: Judgment 2B: Prophets: Salvation 3: Christ 4: Gospel Response 5: Spirit-Empowered Action Today, I want to suggest four … Continue reading Sermon Notes: How to Avoid Getting Lost on the Way from Leviticus 15 to Luke 15

What Does the Tabernacle Symbolize?

Justin Taylor has a helpful post on the meaning of the tabernacle on his blog today. As we have seen in our study of Exodus, the tabernacle is filled with imagery that helps us better understand our own relationship with God. Here is the ESV Study Bible note that he begins with on Exodus 25:1-31:17: First, the … Continue reading What Does the Tabernacle Symbolize?

Redemptive Roadmap: A Gospel Positioning System

When Having a GPS Makes All the Difference A few months ago, our family traveled to Chicago. Somewhere near Indianapolis, we learned that there was a major accident on the highway in front of us. Fortunately, we had the information ahead of time and were able to get off the interstate in time to miss … Continue reading Redemptive Roadmap: A Gospel Positioning System

Holy to the Lord

Aaron’s priestly work brings holiness Israel In our last reflection on Exodus 28, we see that verses 36-39 describe the priest’s turban. Front and center in this brief description, and on the priest’s head, is a the mention of a golden plate. Engraved in this golden crown is the inscription, “Holy is the Lord.” From … Continue reading Sermon Notes: Holy to the Lord

How Should We Talk About God?

A few weeks back I read Psalm 78, and came across this strange verse. Then the Lord awoke as from sleep, like a strong man shouting because of wine. And he put his adversaries to rout; he put them to everlasting shame (Ps 78:65-66). What does that mean? And what does that say about God? … Continue reading How Should We Talk About God?

The Priest’s Particular Work (NT)

Moving from Old Testament to New, the particularity of the priestly office continues. In fact, just as the high priest represents the 12 tribes whose names are engraved on his heart; Christ lays down his life for his church, the New Israel, those who are made new in Christ (cf. Gal 6:16; 1 Pet 2:5, … Continue reading Sermon Notes: The Priest’s Particular Work (NT)

The Priest’s Particular Work (OT)

In typological fashion, the names of Israel engraved on the breastpiece & ephod show how the priest represents God’s people before YHWH. In other words, in Exodus 28 we learn that the priestly duty was to represent Israel before God in the holy of holies (cf Heb 5:1). Specifically, verses 12 and 29 say that … Continue reading Sermon Notes: The Priest’s Particular Work (OT)

What You Wear Matters More Than You Think

Beware of Externalism Too often, religious talk about clothing crashes on the rocks of legalism or drowns in the sea of irrelevance. On one side of the aisle are Christians who measure their holiness by the length of their dress or the style of their hair; and on the other side are those who reject … Continue reading Sermon Notes: What You Wear Matters More Than You Think

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