Beale notes the connection between Revelation 18:1, which describes the glory of the angel lighting the earth, and Ezekiel 43:2: “the earth shone with his glory.” The LXX overlap is not strong, but the two passages are clearly connected in meaning. What’s striking is the . . . . Continue Reading »
In WCF 8.6, we read that the “virtue, efficacy, and benefits” of the work of redemption were “communicated unto the elect” even before the actual accomplishment of redemption in the incarnation, death, and resurrection of Jesus. “From the beginning of the world” . . . . Continue Reading »
Revelation 18 falls out in a fairly neat chiasm: A. Angel descending and illuminating the earth: announcing fall, 1-3 B. A second voice: Get out because of the double retribution for her sins, vv 4-8 C. Kings lament, vv 9-10 D. Merchants lament, vv 11-17a C’. Shipmasters and sailors lament, . . . . Continue Reading »
The twenty-four uses of the verb “fall” (Greek pipto ) are distributed in an interesting way through the book of Revelation. Initially, falling is an act of worship (1:17; 4:10; 5:8, 14; 7:11). Most of this falling is done in heaven (apart from John, 1:17). Through the next several . . . . Continue Reading »
According to some Reformed thinkers today, the law was a republication of the covenant of works, and as such offered the promised inheritance on the “principle” of law. Do this and live; do this and inherit the land. That is the principle of law at work. The WCF 7.5, however, gives a . . . . Continue Reading »
Luke’s genealogy of Jesus is a “Gentilic” genealogy, with 77 names, a riff on the 70 nations of Genesis 10. But embedded in the genealogy are other numerologically important sequences. Ruth ends with a ten-generation genealogy from Perez to David, inclusive of both. Luke’s . . . . Continue Reading »
Yahweh promises Israel that he will raise a banner around which the exiled people of God will gather (Isaiah 11:12), but this gathering is also a gathering for battle (11:14-15). At the beginning of the oracle against Babylon, Yahweh again promises to raise a banner, and again it is a military . . . . Continue Reading »
INTRODUCTION The first section of Isaiah’s prophecy (chapters 1-12) ended with the promise of an exodus and a “song of Moses” (11:11-12:6). The original song of Moses spoke of the nations trembling before Yahweh (Exodus 15:14-16), and Isaiah fittingly continues with prophetic . . . . Continue Reading »
1 Corinthians 1:23-24: We preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. From beginning to end, James’ letter is a call to perseverance. “Be patient, . . . . Continue Reading »
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God . . . and it will be given to him,” James says in today’s sermon text. James is alluding to the story of Solomon asking for wisdom to judge the vast nation of Israel. According to James, we can all be Solomons. We can all be kings . . . . Continue Reading »
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