The Nations

REDEMPTION OF THE NATIONS

/ David R Maas / 2 Comments

The “nations” and the “kings of the earth” are found in “New Jerusalem” because of the work of the sacrificial Lamb and his saints.

The Book of Revelation presents images that are jarring and paradoxical, visions that do not conform to our expectations about how God works. His plans to subjugate His enemies and “judge” the nations differ radically from popular ideas. Just as his contemporaries did not understand him, so, too often, we fail to comprehend the “slain Lamb” who reigns from God’s throne.

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CONTROVERSY AT GALATIA

/ David R Maas / 4 Comments

SYNOPSIS – The key dispute at Galatia was whether Gentile converts must be circumcised and keep some, at least, of the required deeds of the Torah. 

The Letter to the Galatians is often read as a broadside by the Apostle Paul against “legalism,” the belief that right standing with God is “earned” through good works and human effort.  This reading stems from the influence of Reformation theology, which tends to see Divine grace and human obedience in constant tension, if not inherently incompatible with each other.

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PAUL’S MAIN DISPUTE AT GALATIA

/ David R Maas / Leave a comment

SYNOPSIS – Paul presents the points of agreement and disagreement with his opponents at Galatia – Galatians 2:15-21.

In the first two chapters of his letter to the Galatians, the Apostle Paul explains how he received his gospel for the Gentiles by divine revelation, a commission confirmed by the leaders of the Jerusalem church. He also details how certain “false brethren had slinked in to spy out our freedom which we have in Christ Jesus” in an earlier but similar controversy at the church in Antioch of Syria – (Galatians2:1-5).

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BLESSING TO THE NATIONS

/ David R Maas / 3 Comments

The covenant promises to “bless all nations” in Abraham finds its fulfillment in Jesus and his gospel – He is the true “seed of Abraham.”

Basic to the redemption of humanity is the covenant with Abraham and his “seed.” This includes the promise that “all the nations the earth will be blessed in him,” and that he will have innumerable descendants. So, how will the nations be blessed “in Abraham,” and when will this “blessing” occur? Who are his descendants, and most importantly, who is the true “seed of Abraham”?

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HOPE FOR ALL NATIONS

/ David R Maas / 4 Comments

The Gospel of the Kingdom announced by Jesus is a message of hope and joy for men and women of every nation.

After his resurrection, Jesus declared that “all authority in heaven and on earth is given to me, therefore, go and make disciples of all nations.” As the Lord over all things, he dispatched his disciples to proclaim his sovereignty and salvation to men and women in every nation, whether Jew or Gentile, rich or poor, male or female.

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