Following the final judgment, John saw the “holy city, New Jerusalem” descending from heaven to the earth – Revelation 21:1-8.
The next paragraph presents “New Jerusalem” to the reader and concludes the third literary division of the book. Having witnessed the destruction of “Babylon,” the “False Prophet,” the “beast,” and the “Dragon,” John received the vision of what awaits the faithful at the end of the age – “New Jerusalem descending from heaven to the earth.”
Continue readingThe church at Laodicea receives no commendation, only corrections, and ominous warnings – Revelation 3:14-22.
Laodicea was founded in approximately 260 B.C. on the site of an older village named Diospolis, meaning the “city of Zeus.” It was sixty-five kilometers southeast of Philadelphia and one hundred and sixty kilometers east of Ephesus. Because of its location at the confluence of three major trade routes, the city depended heavily on regional trade.
Continue readingThe arrival of Jesus in glory will usher in the Day of the Lord, the final judgment, and the New Creation.
In his second epistle, Peter addressed the growing weariness and discouragement of some Christians due to the apparent “delay” in the promised “coming” of Jesus, an open door that false teachers and critics were exploiting. Instead of all the predicted terrestrial and cosmic upheaval, daily life was continuing as it always had.
Continue readingSYNOPSIS – The conduct of the church may “hasten the Day of the Lord.” In the interim, God has granted humanity the opportunity to repent before that day inevitably arrives – 2 Peter 3:3-14.
In his second epistle, Peter explained the apparent “delay” in the arrival of Jesus and the “Day of the Lord.” In doing so, he linked that day with the final judgment and the new creation. Moreover, the Apostle argued that the conduct of the church could, in fact, “hasten” the day’s arrival. According to his letter, God is characterized by mercy and responds positively to repentance – Peter was no fatalist. The relationship of men and women with the Father is dynamic, not static.
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