"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