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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

Via Emmaus Bible Reading Plan: A Few Resources on Joel

This month our Bible reading plan takes us to the Minor Prophets. To help us assemble these books and understand their message, here are a number of resources to Joel, the first book of The Twelve. You can find more information about the Minor Prophets here. The Historical Context of Joel While no definitive date … Continue reading Via Emmaus Bible Reading Plan: A Few Resources on Joel

Via Emmaus Bible Reading Plan: A Few Resources on Hosea

This month our Bible reading plan takes us to the Minor Prophets. To help us assemble these books and understand their message, here are a number of resources to Hosea, the first book of The Twelve. You can find more information about the Minor Prophets here.

Be Slow to Judge and Quick to Make Peace: What Pastors Can Learn from Doubting Thomas

19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. — James 1:19–20 — In the Bible Thomas gets a bad rap. In the face of seeing Christ’s death on the cross and … Continue reading Be Slow to Judge and Quick to Make Peace: What Pastors Can Learn from Doubting Thomas

The Theological Message of the Twelve

In his book The Unity of the Twelve, Paul House argues that sin, judgment, and restoration are three themes extant in each prophet. He argues these themes also organize the Twelve (i.e., the Minor Prophets), where the first six books stress sin, the next three judgment, and the last three judgment. For him, this is the plot … Continue reading The Theological Message of the Twelve

Putting the Prophets in Their Place: An Introduction to the Historical Background of the Minor Prophets

There are four “major prophets” in the Old Testament—Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the Twelve. While the first three major prophets are each associated with one prophet, the Minor Prophets (i.e., the Twelve) is a collection of twelve different prophets. Together, the twelve Minor Prophets compose a book of prophecy approximately the same size as the … Continue reading Putting the Prophets in Their Place: An Introduction to the Historical Background of the Minor Prophets

Woman, Behold Your Son . . . : A Good Friday Meditation on Jesus’s Third Saying from the Cross (John 19:26–27)

26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. — John 19:26–27 — This week our church did a … Continue reading Woman, Behold Your Son . . . : A Good Friday Meditation on Jesus’s Third Saying from the Cross (John 19:26–27)

Seeing the Bigger Picture by Seeking the Most High God: Three Meditations on Psalms 90–92

In these strange days of social distancing, sheltering at home, and seeking the Lord without the gathered assembly of God’s people, I have been led to meditate on the eternal perspective that Psalms 90–92 provide. These three psalms should be read together, and together they provide a ladder to climb out of current crisis to … Continue reading Seeing the Bigger Picture by Seeking the Most High God: Three Meditations on Psalms 90–92

Eternal Perspective in a Time of Isolation: A Meditation on Psalm 90 (with Sermon Video)

[This is the first message in a series, Steadfast Psalms for a Scattered People] This week our church was “cancelled.” Praise around the throne of God went on unceasing, but our church didn’t gather because of the now-infamous and still-dangerous Coronavirus. With this unwanted hiatus, our elders decided to offer a devotional meditation for our … Continue reading Eternal Perspective in a Time of Isolation: A Meditation on Psalm 90 (with Sermon Video)

The Light is Dawning on Those Whom God is Saving: 10 Things about John 3:1–21

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. — John 3:16 — John 3:16 is a glorious diamond, but it only one jewel in the crown of John 3. Many times we quote, hear, and share John 3:16 … Continue reading The Light is Dawning on Those Whom God is Saving: 10 Things about John 3:1–21

Do You See Jesus? Does Jesus See You? 10 Things about John 1:35–51

In John 1:35–51 we move from John the Baptist’s testimony about Jesus to Jesus’s own testimony. Here are ten things we find about Jesus in those verses. 1. John’s introduction (1:19–51) culminates in Christ’s testimony about himself. Last week we observed that John 1:19–51 is organized around four days. Each of these days serves as … Continue reading Do You See Jesus? Does Jesus See You? 10 Things about John 1:35–51

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