From the upcoming book ‘The Words of the Covenant: Volume Two, New Testament Continuation’ I think that one of the very first things we need to note about the book of Revelation is its decidedly Jewish tone. The book speaks of David, the throne, Jerusalem, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the twelve tribes of Israel, the two witnesses, the ark of the testimony, the commandments of Moses, and among things. References to Israel and hints at its promises …
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From the forthcoming book The Words of the Covenant, Volume Two, New Testament Continuation As he begins his prophecy, John says that he is a fellow brother in the “tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ” (Rev. 1:9). I think it is important to notice the word “kingdom” and ask whether it speaks of a kingdom that was present already in the first century A.D. or whether it refers to the future messianic Kingdom. It will not come as …
Part One The dragon of Revelation 12 is also seen in chapter 13 where gives his power to the beast (Rev. 13:2), who is himself “a man” (Rev. 13:18). Likewise, the second beast of Revelation 13, who assists the first beast is identified later in the book as “the false prophet” (Rev. 16:13; 19:20; 20:10). Not all of our questions are answered, and sometimes those that are leave us with more questions for which definitive answers elude us, but Scripture …
This is part of the new book that I did not use (or most of it). I thought I might as well use it here as discard it altogether. Trying to get one’s head around the mixture of symbols in the book of Revelation is not an easy matter. The symbols create a visual picture in the mind of the reader. The question is, when are the symbols literal and when are they not? Let us inquire further into this …
I still have quite a lot to do to finish The Words of the Covenant, Volume 2: New Testament Continuation, but it’s getting there. When complete I estimate the book will be close to 600 large pages long. I have increased the font size for easier reading. I’m confident enough to post this not-quite-finalized Table of Contents to give potential readers an idea of what to expect: The Words of the Covenant, Volume 2: New Testament Continuation Table of Contents …
A review of God’s Israel and the Israel of God: Paul and Supersessionism, edited by Michael F. Bird & Scot McKnight, Bellingham, WA, 2023, 188 pages, pbk. Any book that tries to tackle the issue of supersessionism or replacement theology should expect a welcome. Of course, exactly what one means by “supersessionism” has to be addressed, and good representatives of the discussion must be chosen. Sadly, this book fails on both counts. Since the subject of supersessionism has been a …
In 2 Peter 3 the Day of the Lord refers to the utter destruction of the present created order, either by annihilation or through renovation. As Revelation 20 puts this destruction a thousand years after the setting up of Christ’s earthly Kingdom[1] it means in 2 Peter 3:10-12 the Day of the Lord is confined to that final conflagration. The NT does not employ the phrase “Day of the Lord” to refer to historical visitations of divine wrath …
Biblical Covenantalism and First Peter Turning now to 2 Peter, I will assume that the author is the apostle who wrote 1 Peter. As with the first chapter of 1 Peter, 2 Peter 1 is a wonderful summary of Christian discipleship goals. This letter is shorter than 1 Peter and the themes are different; they deal with false teachers and the dissolution of the present order in terms of judgment. This makes it much closer in content to Jude, …
The book of 1 Peter is also marked by a Jewish flavor. This comes across pointedly in 1 Peter 1:18[1] which talks about “the tradition of your fathers.” The book certainly possesses strong Jewish overtones.[2] Jim Sibley writes, The available textual data most often cited that bears on the nature of the recipients are found in 1:1, 14, 18; 2:10; and 4:3–5. Most commentators decide that the audience must have been Gentile on the basis of 1:14 and 18, and …
The Epistle of James begins with a sentence that again may rattle the cages: James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings. – James 1:1. The principal addressees of this epistle then are Jews. To state the contrary is in my opinion to indulge in flagrant misinterpretation. Why would the leader of the Church in Jerusalem address Gentiles in such a way? This is especially true …
