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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

Behold, the Lamb of God: 10 Things about John 1:19–34

John 1:19–51 begins the multi-faceted book of signs (John 1:19–12:50). In the first chapter, we find the testimony of John (v. 19) and wide variety of titles that are assigned to Jesus. These titles give us a panorama of who Jesus is and help us to know the Son of God who is presented in … Continue reading Behold, the Lamb of God: 10 Things about John 1:19–34

The First Word about the Eternal Word (John 1:1–18)

The First Word about the Eternal Word This Sunday we began a new series in the Gospel of John with a look at the first 18 verses. These verses are known as John’s Prologue, and they serve as an introduction to the whole book. In this sermon, I showed the shape and substance of John’s … Continue reading The First Word about the Eternal Word (John 1:1–18)

That You May Believe That Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God: 10 Things about John’s Gospel

This Sunday we begin a new sermon series on the Gospel of John. As we prepare for that series here are ten things to keep in mind as we enter this incredible book. 1. John has a simple four-part arrangement. If you want to understand a book’s message, begin with its structure. And in John, … Continue reading That You May Believe That Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God: 10 Things about John’s Gospel

Judgment Then Salvation: Seeing the Good News in Isaiah 13–27

Isaiah 13–27 is perhaps the most challenging portion of Isaiah to read and understand. Yet, it plays a significant role in impressing the weight of God’s glory on the reader. Jim Hamilton has rightly argued that God’s glory is found salvation and judgment, and no book confirms that argument better than Isaiah. Indeed, to feel … Continue reading Judgment Then Salvation: Seeing the Good News in Isaiah 13–27

The Gospel of Peace: Hearing the Message of ‘Shalom’ in the Book of Isaiah

Isaiah has sometimes been called ‘the fifth gospel,’ and for good reason. It is filled with good news about the salvation God will bring in Christ. And the more time we spend in the book, the more we discover themes of salvation, justice, righteousness, and peace. On this note, we can learn much about the … Continue reading The Gospel of Peace: Hearing the Message of ‘Shalom’ in the Book of Isaiah

Ten Truths about God’s Incommunicable and Communicable Attributes

In his theological summary of Christian doctrine, Our Reasonable Faith, Herman Bavinck provides a number of illuminating points about the attributes of God—namely, their incommunicable and communicable attributes. Here are some of Bavinck’s observations listed under ten points. 1. The Language of incommunicable and communicable is most effective in holding together God’s transcendence and immanence. The … Continue reading Ten Truths about God’s Incommunicable and Communicable Attributes

Rescue Those Who Are Being Taken Away to Death: Remembering What is At Stake in the Abortion Debate

Exchanging Darkness for Light and Speaking Light to the Darkness (Sermon Audio) Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! — Isaiah 5:20 — This Sunday is Sanctity of Life Sunday and with it, we … Continue reading Rescue Those Who Are Being Taken Away to Death: Remembering What is At Stake in the Abortion Debate

What’s in a Name? How Names in the Bible Reveal Meaning and Lead Us to Trust in the Name above All Names

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. — Isaiah 9:6 — What’s in a name? In the Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, we find a helpful introduction to … Continue reading What’s in a Name? How Names in the Bible Reveal Meaning and Lead Us to Trust in the Name above All Names

Sinai and Zion: How Learning the Terrain of God’s Holy Hill Helps Us Read Isaiah

[This blogpost is one of many on Isaiah, this month’s focus book in the Via Emmaus Bible Reading Plan. For more resources on Isaiah, see here]. In the book of Isaiah, the word “Zion” and the concept of the Lord’s holy mountain is prominent. Yet, Zion is not something that only appears in Isaiah, it … Continue reading Sinai and Zion: How Learning the Terrain of God’s Holy Hill Helps Us Read Isaiah

The Literary Structure of Isaiah: Five Tour Guides to Help You Stay the Course

The book of Isaiah is sixty-six books, just like the Bible. And it is divided into 39 chapters and 27 chapters, just like the two Testaments–old and new. Therefore, we should organize Isaiah around this bipartite division, right? Well, maybe . . . not. Somewhere along the line, I’ve heard this line of thinking. And … Continue reading The Literary Structure of Isaiah: Five Tour Guides to Help You Stay the Course

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