We are now coming to the end of the first part of the book. Isaiah 35 is like the big song at the end of the first half. There will be a kind of interlude, an interruption to tell some of the story of what is going on in Isaiah’s day through the next few… Continue reading When the desert blooms
Tag: Eschatology
Millenium?
There are three main views about how things will unfold towards the end of time. Pre-millennialism This is the belief that Christ will return and reign on earth for a thousand years prior to the final battle against evil and judgement day. There are a few variations on the theme. First, we might distinguish historic-pre-millennialism,… Continue reading Millenium?
It’s the future not the past: The problem with Preterism
In a previous article I argued that eschatology does matter because it can affect other aspects of belief and practice in the church. In so doing, I mentioned a few specific examples of eschatological positions. One I mentioned was Preterism. This is the view that most, if not all prophecies concerning the Parousia or appearing/second… Continue reading It’s the future not the past: The problem with Preterism
Getting the ending right?
Would you leave a church if you disagreed with its position on eschatology, or would you be happy to stay? Is it okay for a church not even to have an agreed position on eschatology and to allow elders to come to different conclusions? Eschatology is concerned with “the last things” and so doctrinally it’s… Continue reading Getting the ending right?
Homeward bound: More on a Biblical Theology of death as exile
Yesterday I wrote about the theme of death as exile. In the Old Testament, it is that theme of banishment and exile that most visibly shows the consequences of death for humanity. However, it is important that we remember that this is about how death is the post-fall penalty for sin. Christ’s death on the… Continue reading Homeward bound: More on a Biblical Theology of death as exile
What do you do with difficult Bible passages?
Our church have been working through Mark’s Gospel both in our Sunday morning services and at our midweek life group. Most of Mark feels like plain sailing (well, there is the occasional storm). However, there are a couple of more challenging texts. I suspect that the ones that stand out are Mark 10 which raises… Continue reading What do you do with difficult Bible passages?
Are you ready?
Mark 13 takes us to two questions. There’s the immediate question from the disciples is simple enough “when will the destruction of the Temple happen?” The second arises out of it and moves beyond one “mini-world-end” to the greater end of the world event when Jesus will return. Jesus addresses this too. Read Mark 13:24-37… Continue reading Are you ready?
The Generation that will not pass away
Mark 13:30 has provoked plenty of debate. What does Jesus mean when he says that “This generation will not pass away?” It appears at first sight that he has been asked about when the world will end and he’s answered that “this generation”, those standing in front of him will be alive to see the… Continue reading The Generation that will not pass away
What Was The Abomination of Desolation?
In Mark 13:14, Jesus warns his followers that when they see “the abomination of desolation” then they should get far away from Jerusalem. They were to make a run for it. What was that “abomination”. The phrase conveys the idea of something or someone doing something that is so terrible, so appalling that it causes… Continue reading What Was The Abomination of Desolation?
Will all Israel be saved?
Romans 11:25-26 says: 25 I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters,[g] so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ. 26 And so all Israel will be saved. What does it mean… Continue reading Will all Israel be saved?
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