A man does not yield when the mere universe has turned against him; he yields when his own heart has turned against him. We surrender, not when circumstances are miserable, but when we are miserable.

-GK Chesterton

Eschatology (and more specifically, 1st century Jewish apocalyptic eschatology) is increasingly rejected among Westerners because of how seemingly irrelevant it is to the 'gospel' that is popularly proclaimed: "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life". With that 'gospel' message and a portrait of God whose highest purpose is to make someone feel free of the shame of their past and make them comfortable, prosperous, and generally happy before they die, there is little room to hear what the Bible truly says about the future.

Even if the common Western 'gospel' involves repentance (a change of behavior, a turning from one way of living to another), it is often analogous to procuring fire insurance. In this way, repentance lacks the "bite" that first century Jewish apocalyptic eschatology gives it. Atonement is beautiful, but unto what? Jesus died and rose again and forgives the repentant and faithful, but unto what?

A 1st century disciple would answer that question very differently than the average Western Christian. A modern answer: "so I can go to heaven when I die." A 1st century disciple's answer: "Jesus of Nazareth, the Jewish messiah, will descend from the sky with fire and angels. He will render to each one according to their deeds. He died and rose so that I could inherit the Davidic kingdom and the resurrection of the dead." A lack of a real day of justice and a tangible hope beyond the grave has blunted our witness. To turn from sin merely because "we've experienced God's love and just want to love him back" is noble and good, but does not engender perseverance when trouble or persecution comes. How we live, speak, spend time, and use resources in this age is of utmost importance not just because "we want to love God" but because a real day of judgment and justice is coming. The night is far gone, the day is at hand. Therefore, we walk properly as in the daytime. We long for and eagerly await the day when the nations beat their swords into plowshares, people from every tribe and tongue stream to Jerusalem to hear the God of Israel's instruction, all sorrow and sighing flee away, and the earth is restored to its original glory. Eschatology (and more specifically, 1st century Jewish apocalyptic eschatology) must inform discipleship. The Day of the Lord and the age to come ought to be the subject of our conversation and meditation, our primary source of joy and peace through the sojourn of this age. Clinging to the promise of Jerusalem's restoration, the salvation of Israel, and the subsequent blessing to the rest of the nations as promised to Abraham is like walking a narrow path. But wisdom will be justified when the Jewish messiah splits the sky.

May Jewish apocalyptic eschatology and "the gospel of the kingdom" - the Jewish messianic kingdom established in Jerusalem in the age to come - be our anchor and the message we proclaim with certainty and boldness. Maranatha! -Josh Hawkins

Full article here.

Jesus is our:

*Wonderful Counselor *Mighty God *Eternal Father *Prince of Peace Isaiah 9:6 -Ronnie Floyd

 My teaching on Psalm 37. Notes. Audio. Audio 2.

We want evasion from death, 

God wants resurrection from death. -Allen Hood

If you say: I believed in God, I trusted God, and He didn't come through-You only trusted God to meet your agenda, not a God who could set your agenda. - Timothy Keller

The Bible begins and ends with a wedding. - Timothy Keller

Nothing speaks to us of the love of God like the cross of Christ. - DL Moody

Jesus' first miracle of water to wine invites us to join His feast. -Timothy Keller

“The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:44–45 

As he comes to you, everything hangs on whether you will acknowledge that you are being held hostage, in need of ransom. -John Piper

A few broken sentences from a broken and contrite heart are more desirable than to pray for hours without spiritual feeling. -Newton

“Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear. . . . One thing have I asked of the Lord: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord.” Psalm 27:3–4 

Leave to God the enemies. Focus on the beauty. -John Piper

"For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His seat. This is my resting-place for all time; here I will dwell, for I desire it... There I will make a horn sprout for David; I have prepared a lamp for My anointed one." (Psalm 132:13-17)

Jesus will dwell in Jerusalem forever. 

“If you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say ‘Amen’ when he does not know what you are saying?” 1 Corinthians 14:16 

This is a clear evidence that corporate prayer matters. Public prayer is meant to carry other hearts with it to God. -John Piper

We have in the Beatitudes not commonsense wisdom born of experience but eschatological promise which foresees the unprecedented: the evils of the present will be undone and the righteous will be confirmed with reward.

- Dale Allison Jr.

“Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.“ 1 Peter 1:13

It’s going to be quite the event no one will forget. -TJ Sewob

"Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.'" // David 

"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, that you may see the hope to which He has called you, the glorious riches of his inheritance in the saints..." // Paul 

The heart has eyes. -Gabe Cali

Don’t fear the storm that’s trying to take you out, but fear the One who has authority over your storm. (Mark 4:41) - Bob Sorge

“We will live through so many Genesis 3 ‘but did God really say?’ moments in this age, and we will die (like our ancestors in Eden) if we cannot answer with clear minds and confident hearts: ‘It is written.’” -Stephanie Quick from "To Trace a Rising Sun."

 My teaching on Psalm 27. Audio. Notes. Audio 2.

Amazing, breathtaking, and exhilarating days are ahead for those who overcome sin by His power and press on to lay hold of everything the love of Jesus offers the human heart. A genuine and deep love for Jesus forged in the fire of testing can stand and thrive in the face of everything the world can and will hurl at the Church. There is a greater grace for perseverance and a burning heart that cannot be quenched. - Dave Sliker

King Saul discovered that it’s easier to get a demon to talk to us than God. Will we pursue the voice that’s easy, or hold out for a word from God? - Bob Sorge

“Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.” 1 Corinthians 14:20 

It is good to be inexperienced and ineffective in evil. It is not good to be inexperienced or ineffective in penetrating the fog of shoddy thinking. -John Piper

Eli’s sin (per 1 Samuel 3) was that he “did not restrain” his sons as they “made themselves vile.” A good father restrains his sons from making themselves vile. -Stephanie Quick

“Jesus didn’t suffer and die on the cross so that we wouldn’t have to.

No, He bore the cross to show us how to bear our own.” -Dalton Thomas

Don’t confuse boldness with arrogance. To be Christlike is to be both bold and humble. - Bob Sorge

“Do you not know that we are to judge angels?” 1 Corinthians 6:3 

“Do you not know?” So, evidently during an 18-month crash course in basic Christianity (Acts 18:11) Paul had taught these new believers that they would judge angels. - John Piper

The New Testament is essentially an inspired commentary on the Old Testament. - Micheal Heiser

Our Winter Video Winter 2021

 

When asked with how to combat apathy and cynicism:

“Go to the Word. And let Jesus tell you who He is again.”

- Darrell Johnson