Pray more fervently.

Sing more loudly.

Repent more deeply.

Forgive more mercifully.

Run more quickly.

Love more genuinely.

-Gabe Cali

"By delay of repentance, sin strengthens, and the heart hardens. The longer ice freezeth, the harder it is to be broken." - Thomas Watson

The Sermon on the Mount (Mt. 5-7) is the great equalizer. We are all murderers. We are all adulterers. But embracing meekness, humility, mercy, peace-making, purity, starving for righteousness and living such that you are vulnerable to persecution submits your soul—your mind, will, and emotions—to the Potter’s hand as He conforms us into the image of the One slaughtered at the Place of the Skull, who “made Himself of no reputation” and served His enemies with costly access to a life we didn’t earn and don’t deserve.

“So you shall be perfect, as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

-Stephanie Quick

The myriads of Gentile narratives and theologies generated over the centuries have made the waters muddy, but Peter's sermon in Acts 2 is best understood within the framework of first-century Jewish apocalyptic eschatology. - Joshua Hawkins

The apostles didn't use Psalm 110 to say that Jesus ascended to heaven to reign as king.

They use it to say that he is at God's right hand *waiting* for the day of his wrath, when God will make his enemies his footstool and he fills the places with corpses (v5-6).

Terrifying.

-Joshua Hawkins. 

The only King who will ever rule the nations in perfect righteousness is the One who will wield the iron scepter with nail-scarred hands. - BA Purtle

Judas saw his association with Jesus as a means for self advancement and gaining significance. He was seeking his life. If you use Jesus as a means to find your significance in life, like Judas you’ll lose it. You must lose your life to find it.  - Bob Sorge

Ministry isn’t everything. Only Jesus is. I don’t think he cares about our ministries as much as we think he does. He’s walking among the lampstands and his eyes are like a flame of fire. He desires truth in our hidden, innermost parts. More than anything, I want to be conformed into his image. There’s no one like him. - Brian Kim

Let others be foolish enough to receive fame and acclaim. You should avoid it like the plague.

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

-Nick Uva

"It is good to have certain hours appointed for prayer, not because we’re tied to hours, but unless we would ever become unmindful of prayer." —Calvin

Theology 101: If your church's worship feels like a theatre, don't be surprised if members behave like spectators, actors, or critics. - Dr. Michael Svigel

Biblical hope is not wishful thinking or an optimistic outlook; rather...

it is a confident expectation based on the certainty of God's Word that as He has anchored us in the past, so He will in the future. - David Wilkerson

I hold to historic premillennialism. But I feel no need to give optimistic or pessimistic qualifiers.

The Bible teaches clearly that the church will be persecuted while the Gospel advances powerfully, ‘til Christ appears to judge the wicked, redeem Israel, and glorify the saints. - BA Purtle

2023 Summer

"It is the duty and privilege of the Christian Church to preach the gospel to the Jew...  [and] to remind the Jews of that splendid future which both the Old and New Testaments predict for Israel." - Spurgeon

There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ, but there is conviction. 

A truly believing people will be a deeply repenting people. 

No exceptions. - BA Purtle

This is the pattern: The only way to live is to die! And do you know what the problem is? We won’t die. - Leonard Ravenhill

His chastenings are overtures of mercy. - BA Purtle

God chose the crucifixion of the Messiah as the means of justification and the inheritance of eternal life because it humiliates human pride and self-justification. - John P. Harrigan

"Are Gentiles being conditioned and groomed to find joy and peace in believing the promises given to the patriarchs (Rom.15:13), or are their ears being tickled with Gentile myths that ease the difficulties raised by Jewish election and apocalyptic sobriety (2. Tim. 4:3)?" - John P. Harrigan

John Harrigan on the Messiah Podcast. Highly recommended! 

When you feel the piercing sting of the Spirit’s conviction, lean into the surgeon’s scalpel and ask him to cut deeper.  

Be of good cheer, surgeons don’t operate on dead men. - Aaron in Writing

The Father has fixed a time and season for the restoration of the Kingdom to Israel. Though it tarries, wait for it. It will come. Maranatha. - Bill Scofield

My teaching on the genealogy of Jesus in Luke 3. Notes. Audio 1. Audio 2. 

"Eschatology is not a distraction for discipleship. Instead, it is a driver for discipleship." - John P. Harrigan

"Like it or not, the Jewish question will be the ragged edge on which many will be tested and found deficient from a truly exegetical standpoint of the clear witness of Scripture." - Walter Kaiser Jr. 

God has bound himself to a specific people group and a specific land as his chosen means to bring about lasting peace and perpetual human flourishing. Until we come to grips with that, we'll miss what God is really doing in the world. - Joshua Hawkins

John’s declaration of the kingdom of God being at hand (Matt. 3:2) was also associated with apocalyptic realities, such as “the wrath to come” (v. 7), bad trees being axed and “thrown into the fire” (v. 10), and chaff being burned “with unquenchable fire” (v. 12). Both John and Jesus (cf. 4:17) were simply reiterating the heart of the prophetic and apocalyptic traditions: “The day of the Lord is at hand” (cf. Isa. 13:6; Joel 1:15; Zeph. 1:7; Mal. 4:5; 1 Enoch 1:1; 51:2; 96:8; 100:7; 4 Ezra 4:26; 6:18; 9:2; 2 Bar. 23:7; 31:5; 76:5; 82:2; 83:1). 

Because of the associated divine judgment, the proclamation of the kingdom of God had a negative edge designed to evoke repentance.  - John P. Harrigan

“Supporters of the view that Jesus thought of the kingdom as present as well as future point to Luke 16.16 but particularly to sayings like Matthew 11.5f. and to Luke 11.20 and 17.21b. Despite the fact that the consensus of New Testament scholarship accepts that Jesus believed that the kingdom of God had already in some sense arrived in Jesus’ words and deeds, the fact has to be faced that the evidence in support of such an assumption is not very substantial”  - Christopher Rowland

The messianic kingdom comes part and parcel with the day of the Lord, the judgment, and the resurrection. This pattern is also a narrative pattern. To change one part of the story would substantially change the whole story. If Jesus sought to change the meaning of the kingdom of God, then he would also be changing the overall apocalyptic narrative of redemptive history. If this were indeed the case, we would expect to see such a profound redefinition clearly articulated and expounded upon in the Gospels. In reality, however, the evidence is relatively scarce. - John P. Harrigan

We can distill from this mass of writings a general pattern of End-time events, themselves, amplifications of themes shaping the older prophetic paradigm of Exile and Return. Before the End comes, the righteous will suffer persecution at the hands of the wicked. Suddenly, though, things will begin to reverse. The Day of the Lord will arrive,when the world will be convulsed by celestial and terrestrial catastrophes: earthquakes, plagues, darkness at noon, falling stars… With the resurrection of the dead, the judgment of the wicked, and the vindication of the righteous, Israel will reassemble, all twelve tribes, and return to the Land. God’s spirit will pour out onto “all flesh” (Joel 2:28). The redeemed will gather in Jerusalem, at a rebuilt or renewed temple. Peace unalterably established, the entire world, human and divine, will acknowledge and worship the god of Israel. - Paula Fredriksen

Despite more than a century of contentious debate in the academy concerning Jesus’ understanding and proclamation of the kingdom of God, it is fairly clear what the majority of Jews at the time believed about it. No one questioned what Jesus or John the Baptist meant by the kingdom of God, because it was part of a commonly held “apocalyptic” narrative of history. 

In this way, the roiling disputes of modern New Testament studies seem far removed from actual pages of the New Testament. The simplest explanation for this lack of dispute (i.e., the law of parsimony) is that Jesus and the apostles simply assumed the various elements of their Jewish apocalyptic worldview (e.g., the day of the Lord, judgment of the wicked, resurrection of the dead, and messianic kingdom) to be a fact of reality. - John P. Harrigan

An obscure verse should not determine the meaning of unambiguous verses. Matthew 12:28 ‖ Luke 11:20 is an obscure, puzzling statement—Jesus’ rejoinder to hostile critics who were accusing him of working in league with Beelzebul. Should problematic Matthew 12:28 ‖ Luke 11:20 be the hermeneutical cornerstone for interpreting the Kingdom? 

This question becomes acute when one notes that there are more than a hundred statements concerning the Kingdom of God in the Synoptics. The majority of these statements present the Kingdom as a place, not an exorcistic power. The majority of these statements present the Kingdom as future hope, not a present reality… 

When this wider interpretive task is undertaken, when all the evidence is considered, hermeneutical weight would have to be assigned to the scores of synoptic statements portraying the Kingdom as a future realm, rather than to Matthew 12:28 ‖ Luke 11:20 (which—according to Dodd—portrays the Kingdom  as a curative power). 

Realized eschatologists reverse this procedure. They assign hermeneutical weight to problematic Matthew 12:28 ‖ Luke 11:20 and ignore the scores of statements portraying the Kingdom as a future realm. - Clayton Sullivan, Rethinking Realized Eschatology. 

I am bringing my deliverance near, it is not far away;

I am bringing my salvation near, it does not wait.

I will save Zion;

I will adorn Israel with my splendor.

-YHW in Isaiah 46

"I believe that God’s purpose regarding our world can only be understood by understanding God’s purpose as to Israel." Horatius Bonar

A Christian's justification and adoption constitute a change in STATUS before God.

A Christian's regeneration constitutes a change in NATURE.

Each is of grace, each is precious, but knowing their distinctions helps us stop the mouth of the accuser and thank God more meaningfully. - BA Purtle

For the first century Jewish apostles of Jesus the end times was not about having their chart lined up or even news watching.

It was about the resurrection of the body, the lake of fire, the Messianic Son of David defeating their enemies and restoring the kingdom to Israel…

-Tyler Luedke

The salvation of Israel (Rom. 11:26) means:

- Life from the dead for the whole world (Rom. 11:15; Acts 3:19-21)

- The return of Jesus Christ (Mt. 23:39)

- The imprisonment of Satan (Rev. 20:1-3)

Isaac Bennet 

To be Christocentric means to be utterly taken up with the Person, Work, and Teaching of Jesus the Messiah, as revealed in the whole of Scripture.

That means His pre-incarnate glory, 1st coming, heavenly reign, and all that is written re: His 2nd coming.

Are you Christ-centered? - BA Purtle

"I believe that it is not possible to enter God’s mind regarding the destiny of man without taking as our key or our guide His mind regarding that ancient nation [Israel], that nation whose history so far from being ended or nearly ended is only about to begin." Horatius Bonar

My teaching on from Luke 3 on the beginning of Jesus's public ministry and his baptism. Notes. Audio 1. Audio 2. 

My friend Brandon's teaching on the forward looking nature of faith. Audio 1. Audio 2. 

I personally believe that if 100 new Christians were locked in separate rooms alone with a Bible for 10 years, being able to read the original text fluently and with no outside influences, studying the Scriptures day and night, after 10 years, they would have some differences about the end times, about the meaning of election and predestination, about leadership structure, about Christians and the law, about the exact nature of God's triunity, about the relationship between the church and Israel, among some other issues -- but I do not believe that any of them would come out cessationists. - Dr. Michael Brown

"It is well known how Origen... opened the door to the Scriptures' distortion by seeking deeper meanings which he arrived at by allegorizing certain portions which he, because of his basic commitment to Platonism, regarded as unbecoming of God." - Dr. Daniel Fuller

Though I spearhead a theological movement and change the minds of thousands, even on a most vital matter, if I have not love, I am nothing.

-BA Purtle

Don’t let anyone tell you that your life’s circumstances will get better if you follow Jesus.

The good news is eternal life with a resurrected body in the age to come, not this life.

“It is necessary to go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” - Paul

-Tyler Luedke

From Zion, the perfection of beauty, God appears in radiance.

Our God is coming; he will not be silent! Devouring fire precedes him, and a storm rages around him.

- Psalm 50

The driving message of both Jesus and John the Baptist was “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 3:2; 4:17), echoing the prophets’ proclamation that “the day of the Lord is at hand” (Isa. 13:6, kjv; cf. Ezek. 30:3; Joel 1:15; 2:1; 3:14; Obad. 15; Zeph. 1:7, 14). 

Such phraseology was tremendously fearful, since the day of the Lord was understood to initiate the kingdom of God (cf. Matt. 10:14f.; Luke 10:11f.). Thus many came out to receive John’s “baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Luke 3:3). 

The question was never about the nature of the kingdom, but rather about who would be “considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead” (Luke 20:35). Such was the general tenor of Jesus’ preaching (cf. Matt. 5–7; 10:5–40; 11:7–30; 12:25–45; 15:3–20; 16:23–28; 18:3–35; 21:28–44; 23:1–39; 24:4—25:46). - John P. Harrigan

History and the scriptures confirm that life won't go on this way forever. And there are two possible responses to that:

1) Press on in obedience to Jesus and make other disciples who do the same.

2) Check out and live for this age.

Lots of people are choosing #2. Don't.

-Josh Hawkins

One of the dramatic threads of Genesis is conflict between brothers.

It starts when Cain kills his brother Abel. Ishmael mocks his half-brother Isaac, and is expelled from Abraham’s house.After Genesis 4, the question is: Can the righteous survive the violence of the wicked? Jacob's life answers Yes.

Esau intends to kill Jacob, but Jacob flees, flourishes, and returns. There are subtle hints of reconciliation between the brothers. Jacob is an Abel who survives to return to his Cain.

The theme comes to a head in the Joseph narrative. All Joseph’s brothers hate him, sell him to slavery, tell Jacob he’s dead. But their brother rises from the pit, from jail, from his virtual death.The subtle notes of reconciliation in the Jacob-Esau story come to a crescendo, as Joseph feeds and unveils himself to the brothers who “killed” him. Joseph doesn't just survive fraternal assault. He absorbs their attack, rises from the dead, and delivers his brothers from death. An Abel who saves his Cain.

The brother theme of Genesis isn’t static. It progresses toward a breathtaking anticipation of a Greater Joseph to come. - Peter Leithart

Paul says we "fight the good fight of faith" (1 Tim. 6:12).

He doesn't say we have no fight. He doesn't say everything is supposed to be perfect and that we will never struggle against our sin nature and doubts.

He says we fight. So as long as you're fighting you're alive. -Travis M. Snow

"Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When God restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad." (Psalm 53:6 ESV)

Rejecting realized eschatology means being freed from playing make believe with this age. - Joshua Reese

Theology 101: 

Our sin was truly imputed to Him in that He died; 

His righteousness is truly imputed to us in that we rise.

- Dr. Michael Svigel

My teaching on the preaching of John the Baptist in Luke 3 - Part 2. Notes. Audio 1. Audio 2. 

In this way realized eschatology drives an unnecessary and detrimental wedge between Judaism and Christianity, as Jewish theologian David Ariel articulates:

What is it, after all, that marks the difference between Christians and Jews? . . . Jews believe in the eventual fulfillment of an elusive dream of a perfect world. Christians believe that the world has already been saved by the crucifixion and resurrection of the Messiah Jesus. The difference between the belief in future redemption and realized redemption is the chasm that separates Jewish from Christian thinking.

Indeed, “realized redemption” does create a chasm of thought between us and the Scriptures, yet the apostles knew nothing of the sort. Their hope remained thoroughly Jewish apocalyptic, as Acts 1:3–11 plainly reveals. The division between Jews and the Jesus-following “sect” (Acts 24:5, 14; 28:22) of the New Testament simply concerned the sacrificial interpretation of the cross, not a spiritual realization of Jewish eschatology. -John P. Harrigan

Extending Mercy to the Gentiles

 

I can't recommend John Harrigan's book on Paul's discipleship of the Gentiles enough. 

The biblical prophets state numerous times that the Messiah will part the Red Sea a second time when he returns (Isa. 10:26-27; 11:15-16; Zech. 10:10-11).

This will take place before he enters the Land of Israel and establishes his kingdom. Moreover, there are different practical and theological reasons why this will be the case, three of which are as follows:

1) During the final tribulation (aka. Daniel's 70th Week), a large portion of the Israelite nation will be sent into exile, and will survive in Egypt, North Africa, and other Middle Eastern locales (Isa. 27:12-13). Thus, when Jesus returns, he will first journey into these nations to save his Jewish kin, and then lead them in a Second Exodus, through the Red Sea, and up to Jerusalem.

2) The Messiah is often presented as a New Moses or Greater Moses in both the Old and New Testaments (Deut. 18:18; Matt. 2:13-18). As a result, to fulfill his Mosaic mandate, Jesus will have to do essentially everything Moses did during his own ministry. There are already many parallels between the life of Moses and Jesus highlighted in the Gospel of Matthew, but there are many more that will become a reality after the Second Coming, including the parting of the Red Sea.

3) In the Bible, God's new creation always emerges out of water, because water symbolizes both chaos and new life. In Genesis 1 the cosmos emerges out of water. After the Flood in the time of Noah, the new world emerges out of water as well. Similarly, when Israel came out of the darkness of Egypt, they had to go through the waters before they could begin their new life with God. And of course, in Christian baptism, we experience the same.  

All of this is pointing to how, when Jesus returns, he will once again take his people through the waters of the Red Sea to symbolize the new life of the Messianic Age that will emerge out of the chaos and darkness of the Tribulation.

Most people have never heard of this aspect of the Second Coming, but rest assured, if you trust in the Messiah and endure the hardships of this world with him, you will one day see him part the Red Sea, and then he will bring you into the Land of Paradise. - Travis M. Snow

Daniel 1... If you fast in Babylon, you'll feast in Zion. - Joshua Reese

A Hebrew Surprise in Psalm 147

In Psalm 147, there is a Hebrew surprise that is not obvious in translation. Notice these two verses (4&5):

“He determines the number of the stars;

he gives to all of them their names.

Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;

his understanding is beyond measure.”

The words “number” and “measure” are the same Hebrew word: mispar (מִסְפָּר). We might render it more literally, “He counts the stars, but his understanding cannot be counted.”

When we stare into the night sky, we cannot number the stars. They are too vast for our minds to comprehend. If we cannot fathom a visible element of creation, how could we ever fathom the mind of God? - Chad Bird

It's always a delight for Hebrew to wink at a subtle meaning in a biblical story.

It is a "little girl" who sends the great and mighty Naaman to see the prophet and be washed in the Jordan. He comes forth from the waters with skin restored like the "flesh of a little child."

In Hebrew, the pun is clear. The “little girl” (na’arah qetanah) leads to the great man having skin like a “little child” (na’ar qaton).

The greatest becomes like the least, the first like the last, in these cleansing waters.- Chad Bird

Every year in the Millennium, after Jesus returns, we will hear the trumpet blast on the first day of the seventh month and celebrate the Feast of Trumpets.

Why?

Because the Feast of Trumpets, above all other biblical feast days, is the appointed time that celebrates the Kingship of the Messiah and His reign. Originally, the Feast of Trumpets was a memorial of the events at Mount Sinai (Lev. 23:24), which represented the first time Israel heard the trumpet blast and enthroned God as their King (Ex. 19:16-19).

Many of the Hebrew prophets, however, also reveal that believers will encounter the Messiah on Mount Zion in the Millennium, and will at that time hear the trumpet blast, enthrone Him as the King of Kings, and receive His law (Isa. 2:1-5; 27:13, 18:3-7; Ps. 47:5-9).

Ever seen in a movie how the coronation or enthronement of a King is announced with trumpet blasts? That is what's happening every year during the Feast of Trumpets, and it is what we will celebrate every year in the Millennium in the seventh month.

We blow the trumpet (shofar) to announce the reign of the King, knowing that we will hear the trumpet year after year in the Messianic Age as we worship the Lord on Mount Zion.Take heart, beloved, the corrupt governments of this world will soon fall, and in that day there will only be one King and Sovereign of the earth. -Travis M. Snow

God forbid that we should stand before Him at the end of our lives only to find that we loved ministry accomplishments rather than the One by whom and for whom Christian ministry exists.- BA Purtle

Before the foundation of the world our names were written in the Lamb's book of life. Isn't that staggering? - Martin Lloyd Jones 

"Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! 

When God restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad." 

(Psalm 53:6 ESV)

My teaching on the gospel from Luke 3 and Isaiah: Part 1.  Notes. Audio 1. Audio 2. 

...the ruler of the evil empire shall 'come to his end' and God's people will be delivered...

Yahweh's eschatological kingdom radiates out from the mountain of the house of the Lord, the highest of the mountains. - Dr. Jim Hamilton

“Come, and see the victories of the cross. Christ’s wounds are thy healings, His agonies thy repose, His conflicts thy conquests, His groans thy songs, His pains thine ease, His shame thy glory, His death thy life, His sufferings thy salvation.” —Matthew Henry

My teaching on Isaiah 46. Audio 1. Audio 2. 

The anemia of evangelical worship is directly attributable to the abdication of genuine expository preaching.- Albert Mohler 

Salvation is found in Jesus’ name alone; therefore, eternal life is found in knowing the person of Jesus Christ as laid out in the Scriptures. Every person’s decision concerning the person and work of Jesus of Nazareth has eternal consequences.-Allen Hood

Disciples: Eye on the Prize

My friend Grant teaching on hope. 

For on my holy mountain, Israel’s high mountain - there the entire house of Israel, all of them, will serve me in the land. There I will accept them and will require your contributions and choicest gifts, all your holy offerings.

-Ezekiel

The observer of beauty always gets a passion to share that beauty with others. You always talk about what you love.- Timothy Keller

If someone places his faith in the Son, he will share in the life of the coming age. 

If someone refuses to obey the Son, however, he will not experience life; indeed, upon him remains the wrath of God.

- John 3 - Blessed Hope Version

"Riches and the desire of wealth is a drunkenness of the soul." (Chrysostom)

“Stupidity is a more dangerous enemy of the good than malice. One may protest against evil; it can be exposed and, if need be, prevented by use of force. Evil always carries within itself the germ of its own subversion in that it leaves behind in human beings at least a sense of unease. Against stupidity we are defenseless. Neither protests nor the use of force accomplish anything here; reasons fall on deaf ears; facts that contradict one’s prejudgment simply need not be believed – in such moments the stupid person even becomes critical – and when facts are irrefutable they are just pushed aside as inconsequential, as incidental. In all this the stupid person, in contrast to the malicious one, is utterly self satisfied and, being easily irritated, becomes dangerous by going on the attack. For that reason, greater caution is called for when dealing with a stupid person than with a malicious one. Never again will we try to persuade the stupid person with reasons, for it is senseless and dangerous.”

― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers from Prison

At the time the tiny Jewish state called Israel is trying to make an everlasting peace with its neighbors, both the secular world and Christian world grow with its disdain towards them.

Many do not understand the God of Israel, but it is all written.

It’s a dividing line coming. - TJ Sewob

What About Gaza? // Excerpts from "The City of the Great King"

Drunk Rage & Deluded Narratives // Excerpts from "The Great Rage"

"He comes and shall not tarry, in whom is our comfort and final felicity. What were this else, but to reform the face of the whole earth, which never was, nor yet shall be, till that righteous King and Judge appear for the restoration of all things." -John Knox

...evangelism becomes ineffective without the message of the apocalyptic books. - Joyce Baldwin

Sound doctrine is unto wholehearted love. Understanding Jesus correctly allows you to love Him sincerely and fully.- Allen Hood

Like the Servant of the Lord [in Isaiah] and the enigmatic shepherd figure of Zechariah, the saints of the Most High, associated with the one like a son of man, must suffer. - Joyce Baldwin, Daniel

"The natural branches shall again be engrafted into the olive tree together with the wild olive graftings from among the Gentiles. In the Jew, first and chiefly, shall grace triumph through the King of the Jews. O time, fly thou with rapid wing and bring the auspicious Day." - Spurgeon

...in those days the Israelites and Judeans, weeping as they come, will seek the Lord their God.

They will ask about Zion, turning their faces to this road. They will come and join themselves to the Lord in a permanent covenant that will never be forgotten.

- Jeremiah

Jesus created the earth. There is no end to the earth. There is a renewing of what He created beyond our imagination. 

Don’t follow the Doomsday folks. Great cataclysmic events will come, but if you follow our Great God and Savior Jesus, you will not lose, you will be glorified. - TJ Sewob

I’ve got an old printed sermon by Spurgeon entitled: “Jesus.”

Preacher, when was the last time your message was simply Jesus? If it’s been long or infrequent, why? We must lead our people to every biblical tributary, but He is the wellspring.

Bring them to the wellspring. - BA Purtle

Only a Holy God Jewish Apocalyptic Verse

Who else will come with angels and fire?

Who else will raise up the dead from their graves?

Who else will sing over new creation?

Jesus the Holy God! 

My teaching on the book of Joel within a Jewish apocalyptic framework. Notes. Audio 1. Audio 2. 

“In the beginning the church was a fellowship of men and women centering on the living Christ. Then the church moved to Greece, where it became a philosophy. Then it moved to Rome, where it became an institution. Next, it moved to Europe, where it became a culture. And, finally, it moved to America, where it became an enterprise.” - Richard Halverson

Harrigan in Peoria Website

Here is a website I created with all the teachings and notes from John Harrigan's weekend in Peoria. 

"He comes and shall not tarry, in whom is our comfort and final felicity. What were this else, but to reform the face of the whole earth, which never was, nor yet shall be, till that righteous King and Judge appear for the restoration of all things." - John Knox

"It may be some professors [of the faith] think in these days to get a crown, kingdom, and throne; I know not if ever that shall be, but I think it will not be till the Jews be brought in." - John Livingstone 1659

"Sigh and long for the dawning of that morning, and the breaking of that day of the Coming of the Son of Man when the shadows shall flee away. Persuade yourself the King is coming. Wait with the wearied night watch for the breaking of the eastern sky." - Samuel Rutherford

Each of us has the most important appointment of our lives ahead of us.

It’s the day when we stand before the Lord Jesus the Messiah

His evaluation of us on that Day will be the only thing that matters forever.

Align your life accordingly.

-Tyler Luedke

The mark of those who wear the crown.

“There is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:8

Do you love his appearing?

-John Piper

I will bring you to Zion. I will give you shepherds who are loyal to me, and they will shepherd you with knowledge and skill. At that time Jerusalem will be called The Lord’s Throne, and all the nations will be gathered to it, to the name of the Lord in Jerusalem. - Jeremiah

Theology 101: Without Genesis 1–3 and Revelation 20–22, this world makes no sense. - Dr. Michael Svigel

Theology 101: God's plan for redemption is not merely to restore the Edenic condition but to infinitely surpass it. In fact, this was his plan from the start. - Dr. Michael Svigel

My teaching on the Maccabean background to the teaching of John the Baptist and Jesus. Notes. Audio 1. Audio 2.

Tomorrow!

Dates: Friday and Saturday, Sept. 22-23, 2023

Schedule: 9am-Noon, 2-5pm, with dinner to follow (both days)

Location: Sessions will be hosted at Bradley Epworth Church, Peoria IL. Dinner locations will be announced each day.

Contact Chad Brewer with any questions

"No aspect of God's grace more powerfully transforms our emotions or satisfies our heart than when the Spirit reveals Jesus to us."

—Mike Bickle

“Riches do not profit in the day of wrath.” Proverbs 11:4

What does?

The blood of Jesus.

“Having been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.” Romans 5:9

-John Piper

The things God asks of us are impossible but the rewards He promises us are unfathomable. - Travis M. Snow

The bias against Jewish apocalypticism in the mainstream and conservative academies seem to stem from the basic fact that they do not want God or Jesus to be (1) Jewish and (2) apocalyptic. 

Both aspects are widely considered to be offensive and/or embarrassing, especially given modern sectarian and geo-political realities. But at some point we need to drop the baggage and come to terms with the fact that Jesus and the apostles were in fact first-century Jews. If such a mountain can indeed be moved, we might just find a glorious and incomparable hope awaiting us on the other side. - John P. Harrigan

Understanding Paul’s faith thus gives us insight and understanding concerning his practices. Those who work among Gentiles may imitate his methods, but do they orient their discipleship in the same theological direction and trajectory as Paul? Are Gentiles being conditioned and groomed to find joy and peace in believing the promises given to the patriarchs (cf. Rom. 15:13), or are their ears being tickled with Gentile myths that ease the difficulties raised by Jewish election and apocalyptic sobriety (cf. 2 Tim. 4:3)? -John P. Harrigan

Paul’s apocalyptic ethics rested upon the simple logic that eschatology informs and patterns present discipleship. An illustrative example of this is seen in 1 Corinthians 6. In light of lawsuits happening between believers, Paul decries, 

When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge theworld? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matterspertaining to this life! (vv. 1–3) 

The judgment of the world and of the angels accords with Paul’s Jewish apocalyptic expectations (cf. Dan. 7:22; 1 Enoch 51:1ff.; 55:4; 61:8; 93:95:3; 4 Ezra 7:32ff.). In line with the prophetic tradition—e.g., “In that day the LORD will punish the powers in the heavens above and the kings on the earth below” (Isa. 24:21, NIV; cf. Ps. 82:1; Isa. 34:5; Zech. 14:9)—the Messiah is given authority over the heavens and earth as the agent of God to execute such judgment. The saints in turn will be “co-heirs with the Messiah” (Rom. 8:17, ISV), and thus they will cooperate in governance and administration of the new heavens and new earth. 

Believers ought to evaluate everything and live out their lives in such light. To unbelievers wealth and position are of utmost importance in this age. To believers they should be “trivial” (Gk.elachistos), “to being considered of very little importance,” in light of the coming glory. Our eschatological destiny ought to form and pattern our thinking and behavior in this age. If we will govern the world to come, “how much more, then, matters pertaining to this life!” Thus Paul concludes, “To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?” (1 Cor. 6:7). Paul urges self-restraint (even self-sacrificial injustice!) in light of the exceeding glory of the future reward. The clamorings of thisage are insignificant relative to the glories of the age to come. - John P. Harrigan

It’s a historical and scriptural fact that the first century believers had a strong emphasis on the return of Jesus (eschatology).

This focus needs to be restored.

What I’m not talking about: predicting dates, end time charts, guessing the Antichrist, etc. - Tyler Luedke

"When God at long last appears in resplendent majesty, when the heavens open wide with cleansing fire and warring hosts, then will creation be restored to its primal paradisal glory—on earth as it is in heaven, in the end as it was in the beginning." - John P. Harrigan

Prophets are formed in desert fasts, not dessert feasts. - Lou Engle

The danger of speaking of what Jesus has done in terms of creating a “new humanity” is that it almost always marginalizes the importance of ongoing national, cultural, and ethnic identities in the Body of Messiah, among both Jews and Gentiles, whereas when Paul spoke of the “One New Man” (Eph. 5:15) he simply meant that Jesus believing Jews and Gentiles would no longer experience the same levels of hostility and strife that they commonly did in the first century Greco-Roman world.

In no way does Paul mean that a Jewish person is no longer Jewish or that one’s national background is irrelevant in Christ. In fact, it is the maintenance of one’s national and cultural identity, in submission to Christ of course, that brings Jesus the most glory as King of Israel and the Nations. - Travis M. Snow

"The results of liberal theology are its own destruction." -Bonhoeffer

Fear God and you’ll preach to transform people; fear people and you’ll preach to transform God. - Dustin Messer

Theology 101: I believe later doctrinal revisions that differ from those of the earliest church fathers may be right and the views of the fathers wrong; but I also believe the later doctrinal developments bear the burden of proof, not the earliest views of the fathers. - Dr. Michael Svigel

"Why cannot men find time for prayer?

The only answer is because they do not love it."

— Charles Spurgeon

My teaching on an introduction to John the Baptizer from Luke 3. Notes. Audio 1. Audio 2. 

Throughout Paul’s letters, ethical exhortations are tied directly to eschatology, both positively and negatively. Nowhere in his letters does Paul call people to virtuous behavior apart from eschatological expectations. 

What is most notable about this reality is that Paul never redefines those expectations. There is a complete lack of explicit reasoning along the lines of realized eschatology. Paul simply declares his apocalyptic hopes (i.e., Parousia, kingdom, resurrection, judgment, etc.) and builds upon them ethically (e.g., therefore, so then, accordingly, etc.). Or sometimes the logic runs in reverse: ethical exhortations are followed by eschatological justifications. 

If Paul’s theological agenda really did revolve around realized eschatology, as so many modern commentators assert, then it seems Paul would justify his ethical exhortations with such reasoning in a straightforward manner somewhere. Since he does not, it seems more likely that he simply associates his apocalyptic expectations with his ethical engagement in a direct manner without redefinition. - John P. Harrigan

Divine attributes cannot be disassociated from covenantal redemptive history. 

Throughout the Scriptures, God makes himself known through both relationships and divine acts, all of which culminate eschatologically. Thus, the fullness of the knowledge of God is expressed in an apocalyptic approach to history, which centers on the day of YHWH. The emphasis on divine attributes disconnected from redemptive history during the Constantinian era of church history seems to be the result of Hellenistic encroachment. -John P. Harrigan

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Col 3:1–4)

The things of the earth correspond to this age, while the things above correspond to the Messiah who will administrate the judgment, resurrection, and glory of the age to come. We “will certainly be raised” with the Messiah (v. 1). Therefore, we ought to live during this age with a singular focus on the Messiah, who is at the right hand of God patiently waiting to make his enemies his footstool on the day of YHWH (cf. Ps. 110:1; Acts 2:33–35; Heb. 10:12–13). In line with the apocalyptic framework of history, we identify with the Messiah by lives of selfsacrifice—even embracing death in this age (cf. Rom. 8:17; 1 Cor. 15:31; 2 Cor. 4:11; Phil. 3:10; Col. 1:24)—so that we can identify with the Messiah in glory and resurrection at his appearing. -John P. Harrigan

The eschatological wrath of God, in conjunction with the messianic glory, sets the ethical parameters for Paul. That which is earthly is also temporal, destined to be eradicated by divine wrath. That which is heavenly is eternal, destined to endure with the Creator for unending ages. 

Thus, Paul continues, “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another” (v. 12–13). The putting on of “the new self” (v. 10) is contingent upon the knowledge of God and his apocalyptic plan (v. 4). Living according to “the old self” (v. 9) is associated with prior ignorance of God, his Scriptures, and his Day. Echoing Romans 12:2, we are to reject conformity with this age, while embracing righteousness and the renewal of our minds in light of the age to come. -John P. Harrigan

The same logic of apocalyptic ethics undergirds Paul’s letter to the Colossians. As in other letters, he concludes his introductory remarks with a prayer:

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. (Col 1:9–10)

As in previous examples, this prayer, “to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord,” is in context to the eschatological hope of “the inheritance of the saints in light” (v. 12) and “the kingdom of his beloved Son” (v. 13). With this end in mind, Paul finishes his prayer along the lines of perseverance: “being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy” (v. 11). This prayer fits most comfortably within a Jewish apocalyptic framework. We need the Spirit’s help and empowerment to endure faithfully to the end of this age, increasing in the knowledge of God and walking in a manner that accords with our destiny. - John P. Harrigan

2023 Primavera

When the oppressor has gone, destruction has ended, and marauders have vanished from the land, a throne will be established in love, and one will sit on it faithfully in the tent of David, judging and pursuing what is right, quick to execute justice.

- Isaiah 16

Maranatha

The best of men are men at best, except for One. -BA Purtle

...history is not an ever turning wheel getting nowhere, but is more like a spiral working to a climax, or rather a nadir, an all time low, at which point God will intervene to make all things new. Here the prophets and the apocalyptic writers are at one. - Joyce Baldwin, Daniel

The gospel of the kingdom broke the back of every prophet and apostle who carried it. - Stephanie Quick

On that Day...

The moon will be put to shame and the sun disgraced, because the Lord of Armies will reign as king on Mount Zion in Jerusalem, and he will display his glory in the presence of his elders.

- Isaiah 24

Reigning as King.

On Mt. Zion.

In Jerusalem.

Maranatha!

-Joshua Reese

My teaching on Beholding the Joy of Jesus. Notes. Audio 1. Audio 2. 

Unless you're willing to admit you're at war with God, you will never know how to surrender. - Tim Keller

📚 3 Misconceptions Many Christians Have About Bible Prophecy & the End Times:

❌ These are fringe topics emphasized by snake oil salesmen & rapture prognosticators. They are not relevant in the everyday life of the Church.

✅ The Bible is roughly 27% prophecy, & many of these relate to the future. It’s impossible to be a biblical church without any emphasis on eschatology (I.e., study of the end times) & future prophetic events.

❌ Even if end-times prophecy matters, the main thing we are supposed to gather from the prophetic texts is a general message concerning hope, God’s final victory, the resurrection, & the defeat of evil. Delving into minutiae on the Rapture, the Antichrist, future events in Israel etc. is a distraction and biblically unjustifiable.

✅ While the big picture is important, there is a lot of detail in the prophetic corpus as well. These details are there because they validate the extent to which God can predict the future, & understanding the details will lead to the salvation of many souls in the last days. We need a both/and approach here: always coming back to the larger macro-redemptive & messianic themes, while simultaneously  respecting God’s propensity for detail & specificity.

❌ Bible prophecy & the end times are only relevant for the final generation. Since Jesus may not come in my lifetime, I don’t need to worry about it.

✅ Peter tells us that every Christian should fix their hope “completely” on the Second Coming of Christ (1:13), regardless of timing. The return of Jesus is supposed to be the driver of biblical discipleship. Furthermore, even if we do not live through the end of the end, it is still the responsibility of every generation to disciple the next in the truth of God’s word. What we teach about prophecy & the end times today will impact the final generation in a positive way, & bc we do not know the “times or the seasons” or the “day or the hour,” we should all be prepared as if we are the final generation.

👍 Many people have shunned prophecy because of the abuses and sensational madness associated with this field of study. Others are put off by the alleged complexities. But “abuse does not take away use,” as the saying goes, & complexity does not excuse total neglect. To be a biblical Christian is to take an interest in prophecy & the end times.

🔥 As the Apostle John says, “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” (Rev. 19:10) 

-Travis M. Snow

My teaching on the hidden years of Jesus. Notes. Audio 1. Audio 2. 

"We must after all this turn our attention to those scriptures also which forbid our belief in such a resurrection as is held by your Animalists (for I will not call them Spiritualists), that it is either to be assumed as taking place now, as soon as men come to the knowledge of the truth, or else that it is accomplished immediately after their departure from this life." -Tertullian

“A true realist, if he is not a believer, will always find in himself the strength and ability not to believe in miracles as well, and if a miracle stands before him as an irrefutable fact, he will sooner doubt his own senses than admit the fact.” - Dostoevsky

“Jesus will come in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” Luke 9:26

He comes in three manifestations of glory:

His own glory.

His Father’s glory.

The glory of the holy angels.

The sun—a million earths, and pure fire—will be but a candle flame.

-John Piper

The apostle Paul: “Remember my bonds.” Colossians 4:18

We know there are missionaries and local Christians in prison simply for being faithful.

Remember them:

in empathy,

in prayer,

in inspiration,

in imitation.

-John Piper

One’s gospel determines one’s ethics, which is one of the reasons Paul views variant gospels as so destructive. Both Jewish distortions of the death of the Messiah (cf. Gal. 1:7; Eph. 2:11; Phil. 3:2) and Hellenistic distortions of the Parousia of the Messiah (cf. 1 Cor. 15:12; 2 Thess. 2:2; 2 Tim. 2:18) incur severe condemnations from Paul because both distort the hope of eternal life and the associated response in this age. - John P. Harrigan

Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:1–2, CSB).

This ethical exhortation hinges on “therefore,” which connects it to the preceding discussion of Jewish eschatology in chapter 11. “The mercies of God” (12:1) are in reference to God’s dealings with both Jew and Gentile in this age (cf. 11:30–32). In light of such mercies, and according to such eschatology, we should not be “conformed to this age” (12:2), but rather our minds should be renewed by the Spirit according to the hope of the age to come. This eschatological approach then defines the subsequent ethical practicalities: “that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (v. 3).

The entirety of Paul’s ethical monologue in 12:3—13:10 makes much more sense in this light, particularly his exhortation to submit to authorities in this age (13:1–7; cf. Titus 3:1). If eschatology is indeed being realized in this age, then liberation theology and political insurrection against tyranny are logical consequences.  -John P. Harrigan

Theology 101: Apostolic tradition is always and only received. It is never, ever created. - Dr. Michael Svigel

Theology 101: Fact—Old Testament saints could also go straight to God in prayer and worship. They didn’t need a priest to intercede for them. This is clear in the narratives and obvious when reading the psalms. - Dr. Michael Svigel

"Preaching does not come by nature, but by study." (Chrysostom)

Theology 101: Christian ethics must always be taught with Christian beliefs, values, and priorities. Just dos and don’ts without the story collapses into heartless moralism.  - Dr. Michael Svigel

“Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?” Luke 8:25 The answer Luke expects in recording the disciples’ question is not: A mere man who taps into divine power. - John Piper

History shows us that when we crazy Gentiles claim Israel's covenant and eschatology as our own (spiritually or otherwise), it has led to theological disaster and, most importantly, a distorted discipleship response. Moses was right to call us a "foolish" people. (Deut. 32:21) -Josh Hawkins

Multitudes of non-Jews becoming worshippers of YHVH is an integral component of the restoration of the royal Jewish monarchy (Amos 9:9-15). That’s pretty mind-blowing. - Joel Richardson

Completely. 

My teaching on the boyhood of Jesus and his temple visit. Notes. Audio 1. Audio 2. 

God does not tolerate mercy. He delights in it. - Allen Hood

The God of modern preaching, though He may perhaps be very good, is rather uninteresting.  - J. Gresham Machen 

Theology 101: “I know exercise is good for my health. But I want to keep it special, so I only exercise once a quarter.” Let the reader understand. - Dr. Michael Svigel

John Harrigan in Peoria

My favorite Bible teacher John P. Harrigan will be in Peoria, IL on September 22nd and 23rd for a two day conference at Bradley Epworth church. 

Sign up on the Facebook page or email Chad Brewer directly. I can't recommed this short conference enough! 

From the Facebook page: Join us for a free two-day conference that will lay out the overarching storyline of the Gospel, from Genesis to Revelation, from a first-century Jewish perspective.

Guest Speaker: John Harrigan is a church planter and missions trainer. He and his family work for an evangelical organization in the Middle East. They have a passion for the cross, the return of Jesus, and the Great Commission.

Dates: Friday and Saturday, Sept. 22-23, 2023

Schedule: 9am-Noon, 2-5pm, with dinner to follow (both days)

Location: Sessions will be hosted at Bradley Epworth Church, Peoria IL. Dinner locations will be announced each day.

Contact Chad Brewer with any questions

That same Man - Songs of the God Man: Volume 1

MP3

1 – 2 – 4 – 1 

That same Man, born in a barn and then

lays in a feed trough, He is the LORD

That same Man, working those silent years

knowing all things are His, He stays so low

That same Man, always misunderstood

showing the Father’s good and knows our pain

That same Man, bound and then taken

completely forsaken, He takes our pain

    5                              4                  1                         5

Hallelujah by the word of this Man we were made

Hallelujah by the blood of the Man we are saved

Hallelujah by the word of this Man we will raise

                4

we will raise

1 – 2 – 4 – 1 

That same Man, silent he stands accused 

willing to be abused, condemned to die

That same Man, unrecognizable,

struggles to climb the hill, he brings us life

That same Man, nailed to a broken tree

suffers to even breathe, makes us right

That same Man, sealed in the silent tomb

but death can hold Him, He’s raised to life!

That same Man, rules over everything

YAHWEH the only King, Jesus the Man

That same Man, waiting in mercy

but will come with jealousy and be revealed!

Written by me.

On Romans 11: "Orientation and destiny define identity. It is one thing to say, “I am a worshipper of God, and he has a wonderful plan for my life.” It is quite another to say, “I am an Irish worshipper of the God of Israel, and I will bring my resurrected glory into the glorified Jerusalem.” 

In this way, Paul sought to reorient (and thus humble) Gentile believers in relation to the Jewish hope of salvation." - John P. Harrigan

Of course, apocalyptic thought understood eschatology as a restoration of protology (cf. 1 Enoch 45:4; 72:1; 4 Ezra 7:123; 8:52; 2 Bar. 21:17; 56:2), so the logic works in both directions. We are to live in this age according to our protological design, which ultimately will be restored in our eschatological destiny. 

We were both created for godliness, and we are destined for it. 

Therefore, “put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires” (Rom. 13:14). “The flesh” here presumably refers to our bodies in this age before the resurrection (cf. Rom. 1:3; 8:3ff.; 1 Cor. 5:5; 15:50; Gal. 2:20; 6:8). Putting on Jesus Christ involves living according to our eschatological hope rather than the desires of our corrupt flesh in this age. - John P. Harrigan 

4 Ezra 16:40-44 “Hear my words, O my people; prepare for battle, and in the midst of the calamities be like strangers on the earth. Let him that sells be like one who will flee; let him that buys be like one who will lose; let him that does business be like one who will not make a profit; and let him that builds a house be like one who will not live in it; let him that sows be like one who will not reap; so also him that prunes the vines, like one who will not gather the grapes; them that marry, like those who will have no children; and them that do not marry, like those that are widowed.”  

1 Corinthians 7:29-31 But this I say, brothers, the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none; 30 and those who weep, as though they did not weep; and those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice; and those who buy, as though they did not possess; 31 and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it; for the present form of this world is passing away.

Since the conclusion of 4 Ezra is a late addition, most commentators believe 4 Ezra 16:40–44 is actually informed by Paul, which seems to me to further evidence an early apocalyptic reading of 1 Cor. 7:29–31. -John P. Harrigan

Theology 101: If you think you can destroy either Calvinism or Arminianism by quoting one or two verses, you understand neither. - Dr. Michael Svigel

images from Joel Richardson's website

Here are the hosts of the Apocalyptic Gospel Podcast as guests on the Messiah Podcast. I highly recommend both episodes. Part 1. Part 2. 

Above all else, authentic eschatological hope will produce perseverance among the saints, both Jew and Gentile. The sacrificial death of the Messiah secures this eschatological hope, and the Spirit of the Messiah guarantees it: “Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Rom. 5:2) - John P. Harrigan

2 Cor 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

"‘What is seen,’ therefore, relates to our anthropological existence in the present age, in which we—along with Paul—inhabit an earthly tent-house and in which we—again with Paul—aresubject to ‘suffering.’ By contrast, ‘what is not seen’ is the yet-to-be-revealed ‘building from God’ that will belong to the coming age, the incomparable, weighty, and eternal glory of God. Thus, we do not focus on the present time,including its suffering and disappointment. Rather, we fix our gaze—metaphorically speaking—on the glorious hopethat will be realized in the age to come. As we do so, God will re-create our ‘inner person,’ even though our ‘outerperson’ is decaying” - Paul Barnett

Different eschatologies, however, produce different responses to mortality. Ideas and worldviews have changed over time, but everyone—both in Paul’s day and in our own day—is dealing with the same basic problem. 

We are dying. 

And we are stuck with corrupt bodies inclined toward selfishness and evil. Paul’s answer to the problem is the hope of the resurrection of the body. And the means of perseverance to that end is Spirit infused faith in the death of the Messiah (cf. Rom. 5:9; Gal. 2:20; Phil. 3:9). Of course, the negative aspects of Jewish apocalypticism are also part of Paul’s discipleship—the judgment is coming, so wake up (cf. 1 Cor. 5:5; Gal. 5:21; Eph. 5:5; 1 Thess. 5:6). But generally speaking it is the positive aspects of Jewish eschatology that Paul emphasizes, because as seen in the passage above from Romans 8, we are saved into hope. - John P. Harrigan

The orientation and locus of Paul’s eschatology is important because all discipleship is driven by eschatology. All human beings live toward their desired end. If your eschatology is to run a Fortune 500 company, then you will discipline your life in accordance with that end. If  your eschatology is athletic superiority, then you will discipline your body toward that end. If your eschatology is the transcendence of human consciousness, then you will discipline yourself to attain that end. Some people even discipline their lives toward completely inane ends. 

In terms of Christian history, if your eschatology is the divine subjugation of infidels by means of the church militant, then you will discipline your life toward that crusader end. Conversely, if your eschatology is the escape of the material world and its correlated “tomb of the body” (Gk. sōma sēma), then you will disciple your life toward that monastic end. 

This basic principle of discipleship is why eschatology is so prominent in Paul’s letters. His eschatology, however, is not just any kind of eschatology. ...it is specifically Jewish and apocalyptic" - John P. Harrigan

On Romans 11: "It also is significant that Paul never articulates his mission as a realization of Jewish eschatology. The apocalyptic, two-age framework of history is everywhere assumed, and though Paul could have easily described his ministry in terms of realized eschatology, he simply does not. If we would find such a thing anywhere in Paul’s writings, then we should find it in Romans 11. Rather, Paul seems to simply understand his mission to be part of a divine novelty of mercy within an unchanged Jewish apocalyptic framework." -John P. Harrigan

My teaching on the prophecies of Simeon and Anna in Luke 2. Notes. Audio 1. Audio 2. 

“Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!” (vv. 11–12).   

Jewish “full inclusion” presumably is associated with the resurrection of the dead (v. 15) and the salvation of Israel (v. 26)—that is, traditional Jewish eschatology. Here Paul frames God’s extension of salvation (from the wrath and judgment to come, cf. 2:5, 16; 3:6; 5:9; 13:12; 14:10; 16:20) as a sub-narrative within an unchanged Jewish apocalyptic narrative. Sub-plots may often, in the moment, seem to override the main plotline of a story, but Paul is correcting this error of perspective by giving the grander Jewish context of God’s mission to the Gentiles.- John P. Harrigan

The Jewish people are currently celebrating Shavuot, also known as the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost. Shavuot is one of the three main feasts God commands the people of Israel to celebrate every year. On Shavuot, the Jewish people brought the first fruits of their wheat harvest and all their crops to the Temple in Jerusalem. This offering to the Lord was an expression of gratitude for what God had already given and an anticipation of a full harvest at the end of the season.

Shavuot has also been traditionally understood by the Jewish rabbis and sages as a commemoration of the day when God gave Israel the Torah at Mount Sinai, 50 days after their exodus from Egypt. As Exodus 19 and 20 recounts, God descended on Sinai with fire, smoke, wind, and loud thunderings, speaking to the people of Israel out of the midst of the fire, giving the terms of his covenant to the people on two tablets of stone. In English, the story of the giving of the 10 commandments reads like the people are experiencing a severe thunderstorm. But in Hebrew, Exodus 20:18 literally reads “the people saw the voices (קֹל) and the torches (לַפִּיד)”. God spoke “out of the midst of the fire” (Deut 5:26).

God had also appeared to Abraham as a “flaming torch” (לַפִּיד) when he made a covenant with him in Genesis 15:17. But this time at Sinai, the entire family of Abraham witnesses God’s appearance at the giving of the Torah. Rabbinical sources (particularly Shemot Rabbah 5:9) indicate that the “voices” at Sinai were the languages of the nations - the Torah would be heard by “each and every nation”. Israel chose to accept and live.

This brings us to Acts 2, when thousands of Jewish pilgrims from the Diaspora were in Jerusalem, celebrating Shavuot. Luke records that Peter and 120 Jewish disciples of Jesus were gathered in a room when “tongues (γλῶσσα) as of fire” (Acts 2:3) appeared to each of them. Verse 4 goes on to say that they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues (γλῶσσα) or languages. The Jewish pilgrims in town for Shavuot would recognize these languages as their own (Acts 2:8).

These unique events in Jerusalem 50 days after Jesus’ crucifixion on Passover would not have been incongruous with the traditions surrounding the giving of the Torah at Sinai on Shavuot. Thousands of Jews understood this and repented at Peter’s preaching (Acts 2:41). God was not done with his plan to redeem the world through the family of Abraham.

Unfortunately Christian history has often read Acts 2 as “the birth of the church”, completely devoid of any connection with Shavuot, the Jewish people, and the covenant God made with them at Sinai. The torches/tongues of fire, the voices/languages, and the giving of the Spirit on Shavuot was seen by the apostles as the confirmation of God’s enduring covenant with Israel made at Sinai, not as an abrogation or redefinition of the covenant or the people of that covenant. Through the ministry of John and Jesus and now through the apostles and repentant remnant of Israel, God was calling the larger nation back to covenant faithfulness. He still had full intention to use them as a “kingdom of priests” (Ex 19:6) & be a light to the nations (Isa 60:3) They were to be his “witnesses” (Isa 43:10, Acts 1:8), walking as a holy people and calling the nations to turn to God. They were to take up their role to “proclaim the excellencies of him who called [them] out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9)

This apocalyptic message of a soon coming day of judgment and the restoration of Israel’s kingdom to rule over the world is what the other apostles & especially Paul, a Jewish Pharisee, brought to the Gentiles. But, Paul was often met with resistance from his own Jewish brethren. Throughout Acts, Paul’s trips to various cities around the Roman Empire begin with a visit to the synagogue (Acts 9:20, 13:5, 13:14, 14:1, 17:1, 17:10, 17:17, 18:4, 18:19, 18:26, 19:8). Why? Paul wanted to get his Jewish brethren walking in the role God had chosen them for. In many of these cities, Gentiles hear about the God of Israel from Paul and turn from their idols and evil deeds.

As a result of their faith and obedience to God’s ways, the Spirit was given to them as the sign of God’s acceptance of their faith and of their future resurrection.  But this wasn't the only reason. Let’s not forget about Sinai & Shavuout. The giving of the Spirit & the gift of speaking of other languages was given to the Gentiles as a provocation to the people of Israel (Deut 32:21, Rom 11:11-12), calling them back to covenant faithfulness. The prophets, the Messiah, and the Jewish apostles boldly declare that a day is coming when the entire nation of Israel will return to their land, receive the Spirit, and fervently walk in all of the ways God instructed them in the Torah (Ezek 37:12-14, Jer 31:31-34, Rom 11:26). God has confirmed the promises he gave to Abraham and the patriarchs (Rom 15:8). This is our hope - that one day the whole nation of Israel, ruled by Messiah Jesus, will step into their role to disciple the nations. Global peace will result (Isaiah 2:2-4).

Until then, we wait with hope, joy, and peace (Rom 15:13). God will truly be faithful to everything he spoke, as he spoke it. - Joshua Hawkins

The nations have a controversy with Jerusalem.

Satan has a controversy with Jerusalem.

The Church has a controversy with Jerusalem.

God Himself has a controversy with Jerusalem.  

And He will settle it in the Day of the Lord.

This story isn’t over yet.  - FAI Mission

Theology 101: Citing earliest fathers (first-to-second century) rather than later fathers (third-to-sixth century) on a topic is not “cherry picking.” It’s a method of discerning the historical-theological context of the apostolic faith to arbitrate between competing interpretations. - Dr. Michael Svigel

Theology 101: Scripture is not the keys of a piano on which we may play whatever we want. Scripture is the score on the music rack composed by the Master, whom we are to honor with a faithful rendition.  - Dr. Michael Svigel

Theology 101: It's not simply how or how many you lead, but to Whom you lead them, that makes a great leader. - Dr. Michael Svigel

If Paul wanted to say that the age to come was being realized now through the Spirit, he would have—clearly, explicitly, and repetitively.

If Paul’s fundamental gospel revolved around the present realization of Jewish eschatology, then why do we not find in his letters long monologues about this idea, as in modern writings? Why the dissonance of language between the two? It is not as though Paul lacked the words to say such things. On a number of occasions he explicitly condemns the realization of Jewish eschatological realities (cf. 1 Cor. 15:12; 2 Thess. 2:2; 1 Tim. 6:20; 2 Tim. 2:18). In those condemnations, why did he not make qualifying statements concerning the  realized eschatology of the apostles versus the “over-realized” eschatology of his opponents (as modern scholars do so consistently)? Paul had the Greek words at his disposal to communicate “partial” fulfillment, but he never used them in relation to Jewish eschatology. - John P. Harrigan

...Paul theologized about the Spirit of God in light of his preconceived Jewish eschatology. The Spirit is given by God (1) as an assurance of the resurrection of the body, (2) as an attestation of Jesus’ messiahship, and (3) as a confirmation of God’s preordination of the Messiah’s sacrificial death. 

These points are dynamically interrelated and articulated in context to the major eschatological realities of Jewish apocalypticism (i.e., the day of YHWH, the resurrection of the dead, the judgment, and the Parousia of the Messiah), which are generally referenced without definition. Without any explicit statements concerning the redefinition or realization of these events by the Spirit in this age, it seems most plausible that the Spirit simply confirmed for Paul that Jesus was indeed the Jewish Messiah, and his Parousia would indeed actualize Paul’s apocalyptic hopes. In this way, Paul sought to disciple his Gentile hearers into the first-century Jewish narrative—“you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in” (Rom. 11:17)—by means of the Spirit.  - John P. Harrigan

1 Corinthians 1:8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless (ἀνεγκλήτους) in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

“Paul assures the readers that at the last day they will be free from any charge, ἀνεγκλήτους. The Greek carries a range of meanings: blameless, irreproachable, and unimpeachable. . . . This applies to the time which leads up to the day of the Lord as well as to being presented free from any charge on the day itself. Hence the word here belongs to the semantic domain of accusation and declarative verdict. . . . Justification is an anticipation in advance of the verdict pronounced on the day of the Lord, in the faith-understanding that God keeps them firm and free from any charge up to and on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ” - Thiselton

“Weakness and mortality, which were not sin, but the penalty of sin, were undergone by the Redeemer of the World in the way of punishment, that they might be reckoned as the price of redemption. What therefore in all of us is the heritage of condemnation, is in Christ ‘the mystery of godliness.’ For being free from debt, He gave Himself up to that most cruel creditor.” (Leo the Great, Sermons 72.2)

Moses’s ministry came with glory, but Paul’s ministry in the new covenant comes with greater glory: “For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will  what is permanent have glory” (v. 11). For Paul the “new” (Gk. kainos) covenant did not mean a radical restructuring of redemptive history, but rather a superior means of atonement and renewal. - John P. Harrigan

Theology 101: I fear many who thought they were “fighting the good fight” will discover at the judgment seat of Christ that they were just “fighting.” - Dr. Michael Svigel