To pursue a Torah-observant lifestyle is to re-erect the old social barriers – Galatians 3:26-4:7.
The final paragraph of the third chapter of Galatians is pivotal to Paul’s larger argument, for it stresses the oneness of the people of God established by Jesus. In this new order, the old social divisions are inappropriate, especially now that the promised “seed of Abraham” has arrived. To now return to the regulations of the Law would erect the old social barriers.
Continue readingIn Revelation, the church is the battlefield where the final battle is being waged between the Lamb and the “Ancient Serpent,” Satan.
The book of Revelation was sent to seven first-century churches in the province of Asia to address their real-life trials and tribulations. But in the process, it presents messages relevant to all churches throughout the present age. Their daily struggles were a microcosm of the cosmic battle that is being waged even now between Jesus and the “Dragon.”
Continue readingThe godly disciple who faithfully bears witness to the gospel of Jesus will endure “tribulation” and persecution for his sake.
Our human tendency is to avoid trouble and conflict. Understandably, we prefer our daily lives to be characterized by peace, acceptance, and prosperity, a life devoid of difficulty, affliction, and certainly persecution. And the New Testament does promise believers peace now and everlasting life later. Yet it also exhorts us to expect and prepare for afflictions in this life.
Continue readingDisciples reign with Jesus by fulfilling their role as “priestly kings” who mediate His light to the world.
At Mount Sinai, Yahweh summoned Israel to become a “kingdom of priests, a holy nation.” If she kept His covenant, the nation would become “my own possession… for all the earth is mine.” God never intended for His people to be a community isolated from the rest of humanity. Instead, Israel was to reflect His light in a world darkened by sin.
Continue readingSacrificial Lamb or “ROARING” lion? Of late, it has become popular to declare Jesus to be the “Lion of the Tribe of Judah.” Well and good! Amen! Beyond doubt, he is the Messiah of Israel who fulfills that role! However, popular preachers always cite with this declaration a particular passage from the book of Revelation, although the complete passage is almost never quoted, and herein is the problem.
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