Posts

Featured Post

Exaltation of the Lamb

By David Maas
Image
In Revelation, the exaltation of the lamb is based on his past Death and Resurrection, the immovable foundation of his present reign .  The sacrificial death of Jesus and his consequent exaltation are prominent in Revelation , for His death and resurrection form the book’s foundation. God’s plan to redeem humanity and the creation through His messiah is unveiled in its visions, and the death, resurrection and enthronement of the “ Lamb ” put it into action. His exaltation is the result of his faithful obedience and sacrificial death - [ Photo by Mohamed Nohassi on Unsplash ].
Post a Comment
Read more

His Appearing

By David Maas
Image
When Jesus “appears” again, faithful believers will rejoice exceedingly and participate fully in the glories revealed on that day .  In his first epistle, the Apostle John exhorted his congregations to “ abide ” in Jesus so that “ when  he shall appear , we may have boldness and not be shamed away from him at his  arrival .” This was his summons to believers for holy living in consideration of the inevitable “ arrival ” of Jesus and the rewards that he will bring with him – ( 1 John 2:28–3:3 ) . - [ Photo by  Will van Wingerden  on Unsplash ].
Post a Comment
Read more

Unsealing Daniel

By David Maas
Image
Unlike the book of Daniel, in Revelation, the scroll is unsealed. With the Resurrection of Jesus, the time of fulfillment has arrived .  At the close of his visions, an angel commanded Daniel “ to close the words and seal the book until the season of the end .” But in  Revelation , the scroll is opened to reveal its contents to the “ servants of God .” Daniel was told to “ seal the scroll ,” but John was commanded explicitly  NOT  to do so. The verbal parallels between the two incidents are deliberate - [ Photo by  Aaron Burden  on Unsplash ].
Post a Comment
Read more

Paul and the Revelation of Jesus

By David Maas
Image
At the “revelation of Jesus” on the “day of the Lord,” the saints will experience glory, but the wicked will receive “everlasting destruction.”  Most often, Paul labels the future return of Jesus as his ‘ parousia ’ (“ arrival ”), ‘ erchomai ’ (“ coming ”), or ‘ epiphaneia ’ (“ manifestation ”), but on two occasions, he also calls it his ‘ apocalypsis ’ or “ revelation .” By comparing how he applies these terms, it quickly becomes apparent that, in each case, the same final event is in view - [ Photo by  Jonny Gios  on Unsplash ].
Post a Comment
Read more

Tribulation, Kingdom, Endurance

By David Maas
Image
Exiled on Patmos, John is a “fellow-participant” in the tribulation, kingdom, and endurance that is in Jesus   –   Revelation 1:9 .  At the start of his vision, John identified himself as the “ fellow-participant ” with the churches in  “ the tribulation and kingdom and endurance  in Jesus .” He had been banished to the isle of Patmos for his “ testimony ” for Jesus. Like the “seven churches” on the Asian mainland, he had endured “ tribulation ” for the sake of the “ kingdom ” of God - [ Photo by Zoltan Tasi on Unsplash ].
Post a Comment
Read more

Ends of the Ages

By David Maas
Image
According to Paul, with the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, the “ends of the ages” have arrived for the church   –   1 Corinthians 10:11 .  The term “ last days ” is not found frequently in Paul’s letters. However, in several ways, he demonstrated his understanding that History’s final era had commenced with the Death and Resurrection of Jesus. Practically speaking, for the church, that meant that nothing could ever be the same. Decisions and plans must be made with that knowledge firmly in mind - [ Photo by  Johannes Plenio  on Unsplash ].
Post a Comment
Read more