My teaching again on the beholding joy of Jesus. Notes. Audio 1. Audio 2. Video Part 1. Video Part 2. 

Don’t go where it is all fine music and grand talk and beautiful architecture; those things will neither fill anybody’s stomach, nor feed his soul. Go where the gospel is preached, the gospel that really feeds your soul, and go often - Spurgeon

"O sweet exchange! O unsearchable operation! O benefits surpassing all expectation! That the wickedness of many should be hid in a single righteous One, and that the righteousness of One should justify many transgressors!"

Epistle to Diognetus, Ch 9, c AD 150

My teaching on the gospel from the gospel of Matthew. Audio 1. Audio 2.

He is returning for a church dressed in humility and sackcloth. A church that embodies his beatitudes. - TJ Sewob

The sad thing about replacement theology is that if you wash out the nation of Israel from the ongoing redemptive storyline, which requires you to insert the Church into every Old Testament prophecy through a spiritualized fulfillment scheme, you just miss out on so much of the glory and beauty of what Jesus will do when he returns. -Travis M. Snow

Among protestants who recite creeds in worship, it is most common to introduce them with the question, "Christians, what do you believe?" It would be more in keeping with the way the early church developed its creeds to begin, "Christians. In whom do you believe?" -Donald Fairbairn 

Early Christians used the other books, (what we call the Apocrypha) as aids to the interpretation of the true Old Testament without regarding these apocryphal books as part of the authoritative Old Testament. - Donald Fairbairn

In addition to these weekly and daily rhythms adapted from Judaism, Christians also inherited the Jewish focus on the goal toward which history was moving, the eschaton (Greek for the end). Because Christians believed that Jesus was the Jewish Messiah, the more general Jewish hope for the day of the Lord was refocused around the return of Christ. Indeed, in the earliest church, expectation of Christ return was so hot that some people apparently stopped their daily routines to wait for it. -Donald Fairbairn 

On the Day of the Lord, will we be found to have persevered in obedience to what Jesus taught?

Will we have loved our enemies, prayed for those who persecuted us, not retaliated against those who wronged us, and not given up when it got hard?

Help, Lord.- Joshua Hawkins

The phrase "the kingdom of god is at hand" is commonly but wrongly used by Kingdom Now advocates. The actual phrase is "repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand." It's the same as Isaiah saying "Weep, wail, for the Day of the Lord is at hand." It's simply a statement of urgency. - Joel Richardson

Of course, in highlighting the Messiah-centricity of Scripture, one must acknowledge both the first and the second coming of Jesus. Modern Christians most often major in the prophecies that point to the first coming of Jesus, and minor in the prophecies that speak of His second coming. The fact of the matter however is that the primary emphasis of Scripture is the second coming. Far more prophecies address the second coming than the first. - Joel Richardson

The best way to stand and fight is to sit before feet. - Aaron in Writing

Theology 101: Christians should no more desire the kingdoms of this world than did their Lord (Matthew 4:8-9). The closer we cozy up with the rulers of this world, the farther we stray from the Kingdom of the Son.- Dr. Michael Svigel

...it’s a very important point and the scriptures emphasize that the Spirit is now as the deposit and guarantee of the kingdom that is to come in the future. Every healing, miracle, and spiritual gift is a sign pointing to the coming kingdom. - Jeremy Jarvis

Theology 101: Too often I pray for “words to say” when I should be praying for “ears to hear.” - Dr. Michael Svigel

Theology 101: Do the math. Reacting to wickedness with wickedness does not bring righteousness but double wickedness. - Dr. Michael Svigel

The Ultimate Triumphal Entry

Why do I care so much about the question as to whether the kingdom of God is now or not yet? Beyond the fact that it is simply what the Bible teaches, the notion that the kingdom of God is now actually hurts people. It turns the gospel into a therapeutic self-help message.

The Bible becomes a mere manual on how to have a happy and prosperous life. Of course, it has plenty of principles that make life better. But that is not its primary thrust.

The driving emphasis of the Gospel has always been a message of hope for persecuted, hated, struggling minorities, the suffering, wounded, little ones. People like you and me. Someday, the One who made us loves us enough to actually come back to save us and fix this damn mess.

-Joel Richardson 

The wonderful thing about the Bible is that it tells the same story over and over again in numerous ways. Whenever a theme is important, it will be repeated multiple times throughout the Bible. When something is important from a prophetic perspective, the Bible will make that point abundantly clear by reiterating it dozens of times in numerous different passages. It is through taking note of the commonly repeated themes that one is able to grasp the “big-story” of Biblical prophecy. - Joel Richardson

One of the characteristics of Western thought is that we like to organize and classify things into neat categories. Westerners like to systematize everything including our theology. We may even attempt to dissect the living Word of God as if it is a frog in a high school science lab. As such, when attempting to interpret and understand the Bible, we often attempt to define each verse or passage as if it is speaking of either the historical or the future fulfillment, as if it must be one or the other. But we need to understand that the Bible is an Eastern book and is not necessarily written with a Western mindset. And so, almost as if to drive Westerners crazy, we frequently find in the Scriptures passages which simply intermingle the historical and the future into one seamless passage. Consider for example the following classic passage:

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. —Isaiah 9:6-7

This passage speaks as if the primary purpose of this child, this son, is to vindicate Israel over and against her enemies. Consider what the child brings about: Israel’s boundaries will be expanded, the yoke that burdens the Jewish people will be shattered, warriors’ boots and blood will be a thing of the past. This child will bring in everlasting Peace. Yet the child has come, but the remainder of the prophecy has not yet been fulfilled. Israel is still oppressed. Wars continue. Within this passage there is a two thousand year pause or gap. Yet a face value reading of this passage gives no real indication of this. In one seamless passage, we have both the historical (the child was born) and the future fulfillment (He will rule, and shatter the rod of oppression and bring in everlasting peace). As much as we in the West like to approach a passage and divide it up into neat categories of historical or future, oftentimes, both elements are intertwined. Sometimes a passage may be partially historical with shadows of futuristic prophecies. Other times a prophet may be speaking almost entirely of the future with only a slight shade of historical emphasis. Other times yet, a passage may be entirely futuristic or historical.

How then are we to understand such passages? The answer lies in understanding the big story that all of the prophets are telling and identifying the commonly repeated themes which make up this big story. - Joel Richardson

My teaching on the value of human beings. Notes. Audio 1. Audio 2. Video. 

The Bible is and always has been, a thoroughly Jerusalem, Israel and Middle Eastern-centric book. As we will see, Biblical prophecy tells a very Jerusalem centered story. Jerusalem is the city that the entire story of the return of Jesus revolves around. This is the city from which Jesus will literally rule the earth after His return. This fact must not be missed. - Joel Richardson

The Bible is an unfolding story. And if we seek to properly understand the story the Bible is telling, we must begin at the beginning of the book approaching the story as it was written, as it unfolds and expands. - Joel Richardson

The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. —1 Peter 4:7-8

Tell everyone about the mercy of the Cross of the Messiah in light of the Day of the Messiah. Maranatha! 

Taken in its first century Jewish apocalyptic context, the Sermon on the Mount shows the God of Israel's zeal for the covenant he made at Sinai with the people of Israel. The Torah was not done away with. God still intends to set Israel apart and make them a light to the nations. - Joshua Hawkins

“The desire to be first is a disqualification for Christian leadership.” - D.A. Carson

Kingdom now theology inevitably results in atrocities. Only Jesus has the right to judge. - Joel Richardson

Read and tremble.

“These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Matthew 25:46

And shall we think these brief four score are the main reason for being? - John Piper

“None of the prophets seems enamored with being a prophet or proud of his attainment. The prophet bears scorn and reproach (Jer 15:15). He is stigmatized as a madman by his contemporaries… (Am 5:10)” - Abraham Heschel

“God knew what we were before conversion – wicked, guilty, and defiled; yet He loved us. He knows what we will be after conversion – weak, erring, and frail; yet He loves us.”- J.C. Ryle

Our missiology must be grounded in a firm Israelology. -Gabe Cali

BibleArc-Bracket of Matthew 24

If you want to understand the rapture you need to become a good student of the resurrection! - Brandon Emch

The early apostolic Church was thoroughly futurist, and thoroughly premillennial, but they were also thoroughly engaged. - Joel Richardson

I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn. (Zech. 12:10)

BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen. (Rev. 1:7)

You who lie in the dust, awake and shout for joy. - Isaiah 

Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake these to everlasting life. - Angel in Daniel

Some argue that certain passages in the New Testament suggest Jesus redefined "the kingdom of God" to be something "within you" or something that "comes upon you".

However, there is strong evidence to *not* read these few texts in that manner.

Jesus didn't redefine anything. - Josh Hawkins

The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime... But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh... (Romans 13:12-13)

“It can be difficult for Christians to accept that Jesus was not a Christian like them but, unlike them, was Jewish and deeply absorbed in a set of beliefs and practices that are unfamiliar to contemporary Christians. 

Christianity as we know it today did not exist at the time of the New Testament. There were those who had come to believe that Jesus was the Messiah of Israel, but Christianity as a religion distinct from Judaism only emerged centuries later.”  - Matthias Henze

Peter the apostle: “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

"God cannot deal with Israel and omit the nations. By necessity the one is contingent upon the other. Therefore, no nation is exempt from inclusion, and must consider its course relative to Israel especially in that final sifting of Israel through the nations." - Art Katz

Christian, whatever befalls you, whoever abandons you, do not lose heart. Your Mediator and Saviour will love you to the end, He will not waver, and His reign is certain. It will be well for those who persevere in faith. In a short time you will see Him, and your joy will be full. - BA Purtle

Movements, fads, and methodologies will flash and plummet like shooting stars. 

Let us stick to believing and preaching the whole counsel of God, especially focused on the Person and Work of Jesus Christ the righteous.

So shall we be immovable in every age, unto the very end. - BA Purtle

Don't let your Bible collect dust on the shelf

To understand biblical eschatology, we need to move beyond the categories of modern Christian thought and think in terms of the motifs, symbols, and narratives that informed the eschatological worldview of Jesus himself, as a first-century Jewish man living in the Land of Israel.  

And like many Jewish people in his day, when Jesus was thinking of the end of this age and the establishment of God's kingdom, at the forefront of his mind was the original Passover story.

-Travis M. Snow

Many of us have our own pet sins, but if you indulge them long enough you'll be the one being walked, not the one holding the leash. - Nick Uva

Jesus says,

"Ask…seek…knock."

The Greek verbs could be translated as

"keep on asking, keep on seeking, keep on knocking."

Christ is wanting an ongoing conversation,

not just a one-time request. - Chad Bird

...the dead were still dead in Luke’s day, just as much as Israel remained dispersed and exiled. 

Luke, however, holds on to the joint hope in the revival of the dead and the rebirth of Israel...

Hope remains. God will have the final word.  - Isaac Woliver

"If one must have the NT to tell us how to interpret the OT, then it stands to reason that no godly Jew before Jesus and the Apostles could rightly understand their own Scriptures, and the covenant oaths should not have formed the basis of their faith". -Paul Martin Henebury

Theology 101: In two centuries, the church grew from a single room in Jerusalem to countless congregations in Africa, Europe, and Asia without any government aid or acts of terror. - Dr. Michael Svigel

Christ came (sacrificially), and he will come again (apocalyptically). This is what Paul meant when he proclaimed to Jew and Gentile alike, “ Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age” (Gal 1:4).

From “ Extending Mercy to the Gentiles” - John P. Harrigan

All people serve their ambition. In that matter, there are no atheists. There are only people who know, and don’t know, what God they serve. - Jordan B Peterson

There is no getting around the necessity of the local church or the necessity of leadership in the local church. The Bible itself prescribes them. But it also defines them, and not everything that calls itself Christian leadership in the church is the genuine article.

Therefore, do not follow a man (or a team of leaders) merely because he has gifting, zeal, charisma, or vision-casting abilities.

The rubric for knowing if a man should be shepherding the flock is simple: sound doctrine and a godly life. These are not ambiguous, ethereal or subjective things. They are what 1 Tim. 3 and Titus 1 (among other texts) spell out. If a church is healthy, there will be ample opportunities for these characteristics to be seen in the life of a prospective or appointed leader. 

Such was the case with Paul: "You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake." (1 Thess. 1.5b)

If a man can't be known in these ways, if he's a "green room personality," if no one knows him apart from an inner-circle of yes-men; if you cannot see that his doctrine is sound, and that, imperfect as he is, he is trustworthy and godly, he should not be leading the church/ministry, nor should you partner with, affirm, or regard him a leader. 

If he and his ministry are so large and move so quickly that none of his co-leaders or congregants have a finger on the pulse of his marriage, his parenting, his personal holiness, his encouragement/discouragement levels, his interactions with the saints, and he cannot be known as a brother, he is already in the danger zone. If he himself is not "a man under authority," (e.g. the authority of the Word, the authority of the local church), then he bears no authority from God himself. Period.

An elder/pastor must remain a brother amongst brothers, though he be a father to many. He must remain a sheep amongst the sheep, though he be a shepherd. The want of this reality has been the seedbed of many a scandal and the cause of a host of moral maladies which belittle the name of God in our cities. Lord, help us! We must return to the main and plain of Scripture when it comes to the fellowship of the saints, and the way in which churches are to be led.

This is fundamental and clear, but the excitement produced (and the selfish-ambition that is titillated) by certain men and their churches/organizations often dupes sincere believers into following them, even to tragic ends. 

These matters are not just ecclesiological preferences, saints. They are matters of life and death for many, matters that pertain to God's very glory, and matters that affect the Church, "which He purchased with His own blood." 

As always, brothers and sisters, let holy Scripture (and all of holy Scripture) be your authority and guide. The Good Shepherd speaks clearly, kindly, and commandingly in its pages. - BA Purtle

Try not to conduct yourself in such a manner that people don’t care if you’re treated poorly. - Nick Uva

Within their native apocalyptic framework, Jews, like Paul, anticipated the messianic age with a restored Temple. He didn't see the body or the church as a *replacement* of the Temple, but uses it to describe individuals and the assembly precisely because of its ongoing sacredness. - Joshua Hawkins

My teaching on Jesus's rejection at Nazareth from Luke 4. Notes. Audio 1. Audio 2. 

“Paul departed and went from one place to the next, strengthening all the disciples.” Acts 18:23

Whom will you make strong today?

Take some strengthening word of Scripture with you and at the right moment speak it. - John Piper

Biblical hope: The world will NOT be this way forever

Apocalyptic Evangelism | Joel Richardson

Remember the game "telephone" kids like to play? The word "orange" might go around the circle and come out as "elephant" at the end.

For 1st century Jews, "the kingdom of God" meant something very specific. Today, the meaning comes out as something almost unrecognizable to them. -Joshua Hawkins

...rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ... (1 Peter 1:13b)

Read without prejudice, a single verse can take apart today's twin false hopes of (a) avoiding end-time persecution and (b) birthing His kingdom without Him. - Nick Uva

A church that has forgotten its transient status in the world

…will inevitably become friends with it.

“ʏᴏᴜ ᴀᴅᴜʟᴛᴇʀᴇꜱꜱᴇꜱ, ᴅᴏ ʏᴏᴜ ɴᴏᴛ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅꜱʜɪᴘ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ ɪꜱ ʜᴏꜱᴛɪʟɪᴛʏ ᴛᴏᴡᴀʀᴅ ɢᴏᴅ? ᴛʜᴇʀᴇꜰᴏʀᴇ ᴡʜᴏᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴡɪꜱʜᴇꜱ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴀ ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ ᴍᴀᴋᴇꜱ ʜɪᴍꜱᴇʟꜰ ᴀɴ ᴇɴᴇᴍʏ ᴏꜰ ɢᴏᴅ.”

— ᴊᴀᴍᴇꜱ 4:4

-Aaron in Writing

Jewish eschatology in the Second Temple Period was largely what we would call "premillennial" and Jesus fit within that Jewish stream.

Also, the earliest church fathers who spoke to the issue were premillennial, so that tells you most of what you need to know. - Travis M. Snow

Fellowship in…

Submit to…

Worship with…

Build up…

Make disciples in and through…

…a local church.

The local church is one of the chief means by which God keeps and sanctifies His children.

Don’t do Christianity without it.

-BA Purtle

If it wasn’t obvious, in the days ahead the Lord will bring the Church to the full embodiment of his beatitudes. A Church in sackcloth.

“Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.”

Psalm 147:5

-TJ Sewob

Paul: "To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you."

Peter: "I think it right... to stir you up by way of reminder..."

Pastors, don't aim for novelty. Not all broken records are ills. Some play glorious songs that fortify faith and redound to eternity. - BA Purtle

“Jesus answered them, ‘An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign.’” Matthew 12:39

Why adulterous?

Jesus is the Bridegroom come for his bride.

But she has a preferred boyfriend.

And so pretends to need extra proof that Jesus is her betrothed. - John Piper

Daniel petitions God to act righteously by showing mercy to Israel and delivering them from their enemies...

God’s glory is at stake in Jerusalem, and Daniel wants Jerusalem restored because he loves God’s glory.

-Dr. Jim Hamilton

A Tale of Two Messiahs

The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament

There was a time in my life when I pictured Pentecost as the breakthrough moment for the Holy Spirit in the life of God’s people. Pre-Pentecost, the Spirit was in heaven. Post-Pentecost, the Spirit finally began his work on earth.

I was wrong. Dead wrong. The Holy Spirit has been active in the world since the beginning.

As in, literally, The Beginning. Genesis 1:2, “The Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” In Hebrew, the word ru’ach (רוּחַ) can mean wind, breath, spirit, or Spirit, depending upon the context. Sometimes, as at the Red Sea, I suspect a double meaning is intended, for God sent a strong east ru’ach (wind? Spirit?) and made the sea dry land (Exod. 14:21). And “at the ru’ach [breath? wind? Spirit?] of your nostrils the waters piled up” (15:8).

The Spirit is all over the Old Testament, equipping the builders of the tabernacle (Exod. 31:3), coming upon prophets (Num. 24:2), giving strength to judges (Judg. 6:34), clothing a priest with courage (2 Chron. 24:20), giving visions to Ezekiel (11:24), rushing upon David (1 Sam. 16:13). David prays that God will not take his Holy Spirit from him (Ps. 51:11) and that this same Spirit will lead him (143:10). If you are reading Bible in One Year with me, in one of today’s chapters, Isaiah speaks of the Spirit being poured out from on high (Isa. 32:15).

When we read in the NT that “the Spirit had not [yet] been given” (John 7:39), this is talking about the spectacular miracle of Pentecost, not that the Spirit was somehow trapped in heaven until then.

By his Spirit, God the Father has always been active in this world: creating, guiding, comforting, inspiring, and leading. Fill our hearts with your Spirit, dear Father, that he may lead us into the life of Jesus, that there we may find peace and joy that know no end. -Chad Bird

The fact that [while Daniel was praying] Jerusalem was in ruins called forth faith that it would again be restored because the God who had set His name on the city was the continuing, unchanging God, in control of history. - Joyce Baldwin, Daniel

My teaching on Jesus's preaching in Nazareth from Luke 4. Notes. Audio 1. Audio 2. 

If we don't love Christ's "first appearing," His life, death, and resurrection, and if we do not love His "appearing" to us today in the Gospel, in the Scriptures, in prayer, and in the Church; our love for His future appearing can be little more than eschatological curiosity. -BA Purtle

Paul describes life lived by faith in Christ’s sacrifice as being analogous to a “race” (cf. 1 Cor. 9:24; Gal. 5:7; 2 Tim. 4:7), wherein conversion is the starting line and the day of the Lord is the finish line. How you start is not as important as how you finish, though obviously you cannot finish without starting. Who puts blood on their door at dusk, but then goes down to frolic in the Nile before midnight? Who looks at the snake on the pole once, but then goes about tending to his wounds? The dead man does. The atonement only applies if faith is held unto the time of judgment. The Scriptures leave no room for the popular notion of “once saved, always saved." - John P. Harrigan

"Without doubt, they [the Jews] will return to their own land; because when their unbelief ceases, their dispersion, the dreadful and signal punishment of their unbelief, will cease too. . . . And as they have hitherto continued a distinct nation that they might continue a visible monument to His displeasure, for their rejecting and crucifying their Messiah, so after their conversion will they still be a distinct nation, that they may be a visible monument of God's wonderful grace and power in their calling and conversion.

But yet, we are not to imagine that the old walls of separation will be set up again. But all nations will be as free to come to Judea, or to dwell in Jerusalem, as into any other city or country, and may have the same privilege there as they themselves. For they [the Jewish people] shall look upon all the world to be their brethren, as much as the Christians in Boston and the Christians in other parts of New England look on each other as brethren." 

"Nothing is more certainly foretold than this national conversion of the Jews is in the eleventh chapter of Romans. And there are also many passages of the Old Testament that can't be interpreted in any other sense, that I can't now stand to mention. . . . The world affords nothing else like it- a remarkable hand of providence. When they shall be called, then shall that ancient people that were alone God's people for so long a time be God's people again, never to be rejected more, one fold with the Gentiles, and then also shall the remains of the ten tribes, wherever they are, be brought in together, and shall be united as one people as they formerly were under David and Solomon (Hos. 1.11), and so in the last chapter of Hosea, and other parts of his prophecy."

"And it is the more evident, that the Jews will return to their own land again, because they never have yet possessed one quarter of that land, which was so often promised them, from the Red Sea to the river Euphrates (Ex. 23.31; Gen. 15.18; Deut. 11.24; Josh. 1.4). Indeed, it was partly fulfilled in Solomon's time, when he governed all within those bounds for a short time; but so short, that it is not to be thought that this is all the fulfillment of the promise that is to be. And besides, that was not a fulfillment of the promise, because they did not possess it." 

(The Works of Jonathan Edwards: Apocalyptic Writings, ed. Stephen J. Stein; New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1977-- 5:135., etc.)

The cure for Christendom is a return to the Cross in context to first-century Jewish apocalypticism. - John P. Harrigan

The Christian culture I grew up in made God out to be a Divine Butler and Cosmic Therapist, ready to solve my problems and make me happy.

But as I got older and experienced life in this present evil age, I realized that version of God had zero power to sustain joy in trials.But I was left asking myself "does following Jesus mean I must live a joyless, painful, dull life, obeying because I know it's just the right thing to do?" The more I read the scriptures, the more I realized the answer to that question was a resounding "no".

Over and over again, the scriptures connect *obedience* with *delight*.

Yes, maybe for some new believers, there is an initial joy of knowing that their sins are forgiven. But modern Christianity has often neglected to emphasize the joy and delight that comes from obedience. 

How does this even work? How is it possible to have joy through trials and delight in obedience to Jesus' teachings?

I offer a humble explanation with some passages of scripture in this short video:

-Joshua Hawkins

Theology 101: Someday, the God to whom you owe everything will hand you a bill you can't pay. On that day, you’ll need somebody rich in mercy and merit to cover you. - Dr. Michael Svigel

Lo! He comes, with clouds descending,

once for our salvation slain;

thousand thousand saints attending

swell the triumph of His train.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

God appears on earth to reign.

Ev’ry eye shall now behold Him,

robed in dreadful majesty;

those who set at naught and sold Him,

pierced, and nailed Him to the tree,

deeply wailing, deeply wailing,

shall the true Messiah see.

Every island, sea, and mountain,

heav’n and earth, shall flee away;

all who hate Him must, confounded,

hear the trump proclaim the day:

Come to judgment! Come to judgment!

Come to judgment, come away!

Now redemption, long expected,

see in solemn pomp appear!

And His saints, by men rejected,

coming with Him in the air.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

See the day of God appear!

Yea, amen! Let all adore Thee,

high on Thine eternal throne;

Savior, take the pow’r and glory,

claim the kingdom for Thine own:

O come quickly, O come quickly,

Alleluia! Come, Lord, come!

(Cennick/Wesley, 18th cent.)

You can know some things about God by studying his creation, but the supreme way we can know God is by knowing Jesus from the words in the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God is telling us the story of his Son and he invites us into that story by reading and studying and relating to this Perfect Man.

The deepest longing in the human heart is to know and be known. The One Creator God also longs to be known and his primary means of being known is in the Person of Jesus of Nazareth.

Wherever it is that those who are “taken” go, we don’t want to go there. - D. Thomas Lancaster. 

The loss of eschatological faith leads to ethical weariness. -John P. Harrigan

The Day of the Lord, the kingdom of God, the resurrection, and the judgment were all part of the apostles' unified eschatological expectation. Gentiles turning to the God of Israel in advance of that Day accords with the prophets and confirms (not redefines) that expectation. - Josh Hawkins

A lot of folks proclaim the name of Jesus as their Lord and Savior without much thought about the history and understanding that accompanies it. That’s okay.

Learning about 2nd temple, 1st century Judaism has only solidified my faith and ever more hungry for His glorious appearing. -TJ Sewob

I want men to fill their minds with passages of Scripture while they are well and strong, that they may have sure help in the day of need. I want them to be diligent in studying the Bible, in order that the grand old Book may stand by them and talk with them when earthly friends fail. - JC Ryle

My message on filling in Luke 4 through the gospel of John 1b to 4. Notes. Audio 1. Audio 2. 

Thus the “double portion,” so often associated with primogeniture (cf. Deut. 21:17; Isa. 61:7), is given to assist the older son in performing his responsibility of leadership for the welfare of the whole. In such a light, Israel will receive “the wealth of the nations” (Isa. 60:5, 11; 61:6) in the age to come.  - John P. Harrigan

Deep within every human being is a longing that our Creator, in whose image we are made, would be pleased with us. He is pleased, however, with only one man— Jesus of Nazareth (cf. Matt. 3:17; 17:5)—and God has shown this to be so by raising him, and only him, from the dead (cf. Acts 17:31; Rom. 1:4). The fact that all human beings remain in the grave proves the divine disapproval of their lives. This is a depressing fact only for those who refuse to acknowledge their condition, turn, and bind themselves by faith to Christ crucified. For God has answered our cry for divine approval by putting forward his Son “as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith” (Rom. 3:25).  - John P. Harrigan

To most Gentiles, the binding of salvation to Jewish ethnicity is incredibly offensive, since we Irish (as a personal example) fancy ourselves as the “saviors of civilization.” But so also do the Koreans, the Arabs, and the French—and likewise historically the Romans, Mongols, and Germans. Indeed, it is the divine choice concerning one ethnos that offends every other ethnos. Furthermore, it is the divine choice concerning one man, Jesus of Nazareth, that offends every other human being. Why not me? Why not you? Why not the Irish? Why not the Chinese? Because God chose. The sovereignty of God simply cannot be overruled on this point.  -John P. Harrigan

As God did not at first choose you because you were high, 

He will not now forsake you because you are low. — John Flavel

God is a righteous judge and

a God who shows his wrath every day.

If anyone does not repent,

he will sharpen his sword;

He has strung his bow and made it ready.

- Psalm 7

Theology 101: One of your leadership priorities in ministry is to gradually divest yourself of authority and responsibility and to gradually invest authority and responsibility in the next generation. Nobody is called to die with the baton. - Dr. Micheal Svigel

“He that is busy is tempted by but one devil; he that is idle, by a legion." - Thomas Fuller

This is my success: to love you and be loved by you. 

-Prayer room chorus

The Gift of the Holy Spirit is not a realization of Jewish eschatology. 

The Gift of the Holy Spirit confirms Jewish eschatology! 

-Adam Castro

Theology 101: In your Bible reading this year, mark all passages about the hope of dying and going to heaven one color; then mark all passages on the hope of bodily resurrection another color. Then adjust your evangelism, teaching, and preaching accordingly. - Dr. Michael Svigel

"It is most needful in times of religious excitement, to remind men that godliness does not consist in profession, but must be proved by inward vitality and outward holiness." – Spurgeon

“Ambition is a gilded misery, a secret poison, a hidden plague, the engineer of deceit, the mother of hypocrisy, the parent of envy, the original of vices, the moth of holiness, the blinder of hearts, turning medicines into maladies, and remedies into diseases.” - Thomas Brooks

The bridegroom God of Sinai is the same God who took on flesh and was crucified and rose from the dead. It’s the same God who included the gentiles. It’s the same God that comes back to Jerusalem to rule the earth.

As a gentile, understand the greatest display of grace is coming. -TJ Sewob

As someone who is often referred to as an end times teacher, the great damage these scandals will cause absolutely breaks my heart. The beautiful message of Christ's return and the renewal of all things has always been the focal point of all biblical hope. Does the Bible call us to die to ourselves and even embrace martyrdom if necessary? 100%. Will persecution drastically increase against the faithful in the last days? Yep. Things like the tribulation and the mark of the beast however, these are not the focus of the Gospel.

The primary focus of the Good News is the hope of a new world, one in which corrupt political leaders and spiritual principalities both cease. Instead the meek—humble servant leaders govern the earth under the leadership of the King of justice. It is a message about a time when things like addiction, premature death, and overdoses will no longer exist. No more sickness, no more death. No more mental health issues, body dysphoria, gender confusion, or suicide. No more election seasons. No political ads or even political parties.

The Bible does not teach the end of the world. It teaches the end of this current broken, corrupt world system. It promises a renewed earth, a restored, amplified Eden. Combine the Garden Paradise of Eden with something similar to the Kingdom of David or Solomon at the time of its greatest glory. This is how the biblical prophets envision the age to come. Peace among the nations. No more wars. Neighbors inviting neighbors over to "sit under their own vine or fig tree." No more anxiety or depression. Instead "gladness and joy will overtake them." 

Whether one believes any of these things or not, it is the most beautiful message that has ever been proclaimed. It meets the deepest needs of every man, woman, and child who has ever lived. Churches and ministries may collapse. Leaders may fall. Heroes may utterly fail us. Kingdoms and nations may wither and decay into irrelevance. This message of hope however, will remain. Down through the ages, the light will continue to shine and the truth will go forth.

"The Church" will look drastically different than what many of us expected. It will be far more real and humble than what many of us have grown accustomed to.

Celebrity Christianity is dead. 

What remains is withering on the vine and will soon fall to the ground. Many wrongly see the fall of great ministers and the collapse of ministries as the end of something. I believe it is the beginning of something far more beautiful. Come what may, let the Maranatha cry pour forth from our broken hearts. Until He splits the sky... -Joel Richardson

The events of the last days are not coming in verses you can apply when it is applicable, but as a culminating tsunami. - TJ Sewob

Nothing is more brutally offensive to the heart of prideful man than the completely unmerited favor of God. - Aaron in Writing

In all of our family celebrations, carols, and gift giving, let's not forget: Christmas doesn't end joyfully for everyone.

The little baby we adore today will one day descend with fire and angels to terrify his enemies. - Josh Hawkins

"I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star." -Rev. 22.16

“…for the churches.”

Do not overlook the sacred and undying love of the risen Lord for local churches. - BA Purtle

For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. (Romans 15:8-9)

To confirm, not redefine. - Josh Hawkins

"If our hopes are being disappointed just now, it means that they are being purified." - Oswald Chambers

My teaching on the testing of Jesus in the wilderness from Luke 4. Notes. Audio 1. Audio 2. 

There’s vast beauty and profound sweetness to be enjoyed even in this fallen world. Common grace is real.

Think of what the age to come will be like, when creation is perfected.

Read about it in Scripture and let your imagination soar in accordance with the promises.

Splendid.

-BA Purtle

The present age and all human institutions are fundamentally incapable of bringing the lasting peace and joy to the world envisioned in the prophets. God must act to accomplish these things from heaven. - Bill Scofield

“To grasp supersessionism as a structural problem, consider the following. The standard canonical narrative turns on four key episodes: God’s intention to consummate the first parents whom God has created, the fall, Christ’s incarnation and the inauguration of the church, and final consummation. These four episodes play a uniquely important role in the standard model because together they constitute the model’s basic plot or story line.” - R. Kendall Soulen

“If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” John 18:36

“Thy kingdom come” = “Come, Lord Jesus.”

-John Piper

Brothers and sisters, we are one day closer to the resurrection, which among other glories, will mean perfect and permanent freedom from:

1) indwelling sin

2) temptation

3) our proneness to wander and leave the God we love

Hasten it, Lord. We want to see the King in His beauty.

-BA Purtle

My friend David Thompson's message on recapitulation of Jesus in Matthew 2. 

My teaching on the Sermon on the Mount within Jewish apocalypticism. Notes. Audio 1. Audio 2. 

Love Jesus, Preach The Gospel, Die, And Be Forgotten | Dick Brogden | Th...