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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

The Sword of the Lord: In Nineveh and Now (Nahum 1:9–2:13)

The Sword of the Lord: In Nineveh and Now (Nahum 1:9–2:13) What did Jesus mean when he said, “I have not come to bring peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34)? On Sunday, we considered that question from the book of Nahum. The connection between Matthew and Nahum is found in the fact that Nahum presents … Continue reading The Sword of the Lord: In Nineveh and Now (Nahum 1:9–2:13)

Justice, Mercy, and Wisdom: How the Cross Reveals and ‘Reconciles’ the Attributes of God

It has been said that on the cross God’s wrath and mercy meet. Indeed, on the cross the full revelation of God’s undivided attributes are manifested. As just and justifier, Jesus receives in his body the full outpouring of God’s wrath. Yet, as God Incarnate, he simultaneously displays the love of God, as 1 John … Continue reading Justice, Mercy, and Wisdom: How the Cross Reveals and ‘Reconciles’ the Attributes of God

Getting Into Nahum, or Finding Comfort in the Lord of Wrath (Nahum 1:1–8)

Getting Into Nahum, or Finding Comfort in the Lord of Wrath (Nahum 1:1–8) This week we began our second of three series out of the Minor Prophets, better known as the Book of the Twelve. After considering God’s grace in the book of Jonah, we began to consider the complementary aspect of his holy justice … Continue reading Getting Into Nahum, or Finding Comfort in the Lord of Wrath (Nahum 1:1–8)

Reading the Bible Better: Finding Unity in the Book of the Twelve

What are the Minor Prophets about? Should we read them together, as one unified book? Or should we read them as twelve discreet books, written (Nahum) or spoken (the other 11) by twelve different prophets? These are questions worth asking when we study the Book of the Twelve. And as our church has studied Jonah, … Continue reading Reading the Bible Better: Finding Unity in the Book of the Twelve

Where Grace and Justice Meet: A Canonical Reading of Exodus 34:6–7

The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, 7 keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children … Continue reading Where Grace and Justice Meet: A Canonical Reading of Exodus 34:6–7

The Good News of God’s Vengeance: Nahum’s History and Literary Style

Writing about the misguided disinterest many generations of Christians have had towards the Minor Prophets, Thomas McComiskey states, The corpus of biblical books we call the Minor Prophets has not enjoyed great prominence in the history of biblical interpretation. It is not difficult to understand why this is so. Where is the edification for.a modern … Continue reading The Good News of God’s Vengeance: Nahum’s History and Literary Style

Let Us Behold (Not Begrudge) Our Gracious God (Jonah 4:1–11)

Let Us Behold (Not Begrudge) Our Gracious God (Jonah 4:1–11) This Sunday we brought our study of Jonah to a close. After looking at the big picture of Jonah (Jonah 1–4), diving into his storm of disobedience (Jonah 1), going under the waters of Jonah’s baptism (Jonah 1:17; cf. Matthew 12:38–41), inspecting Jonah’s prayer (Jonah 2), and learning … Continue reading Let Us Behold (Not Begrudge) Our Gracious God (Jonah 4:1–11)

Fire in the Soul: A Few Reflections from Together for the Gospel 2018

For the last ten years, God has kindly provided me a season of refreshing every other April in the city of Louisville through a gathering known as Together for the Gospel. When I began going, I lived in that city as I studied at Southern Seminary. In 2010 our family moved fifty miles north to … Continue reading Fire in the Soul: A Few Reflections from Together for the Gospel 2018

A Repentant Prayer or a Faithless Fake? What Jonah 2 Teaches Us About Our Hearts

Earlier this week, I observed the way Jonah’s prayer of thanksgiving cited or alluded to many Psalms. Today, I want to consider what this may mean for Jonah and for us who read his book. To get a handle on the meaning of Jonah’s prayer, we must answer this question: Is Jonah’s prayer a genuine … Continue reading A Repentant Prayer or a Faithless Fake? What Jonah 2 Teaches Us About Our Hearts

An Evidence of Repentance or Hypocrisy: Why Does Jonah 2 Cite So Many Psalms?

It is striking the way Jonah 2 employs language from the Psalms. For those familiar with the Hebrew Psalter, it would be difficult to hear Jonah’s prayer of thanksgiving without reflecting on other inspired Psalms. Just as songs which recycle older lyrics or melodies remind us of previous songs, so Jonah’s prayer should bring to … Continue reading An Evidence of Repentance or Hypocrisy: Why Does Jonah 2 Cite So Many Psalms?

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