One In Jesus

For those who aren’t sons of God,

(Rev. 21:8 ESV) 8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

A couple of observations to set the table.

First, the “second death” refers to death after death. As taught by Edward Fudge in The Fire That Consumes, when a lost person dies, he will be resurrected at the Second Coming to suffer whatever punishment God considers just and then to die eternally, that is, to die without hope of a second resurrection. He remains dead forever. I’ve covered this doctrine, known as Conditionalism, many times. Continue reading →

(Rev. 21:7 ESV)  7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 

Now, I’m no expert on the check cashing business or its impact on the poor. I just know that if we had as many pizza parlors as check cashing businesses, we’d be a very unhealthy city. No one needs that much pizza. And so something is very wrong when we need a check cashing business every 50 feet.

In Alabama, many churches have made an effort to lobby against this industry, but the results have been weak. Evidently, the check cashing business hires better lobbyists — and many churches are not interested in being involved in lobbying for or against anything other than a lottery.  Continue reading →

The preacher acted as chairman. After a brief prayer, he began with a statement he’d rehearsed all day.

Preacher: I appreciate everyone’s willingness to serve on this committee. The city-wide pastor association wants to do something about all the check-cashing locations that have opened in town. They feel that the poor are being taken advantage of. Something is very seriously wrong when we have a check-cashing business on nearly every city block throughout town. There is one shopping center with three of these things right next door to each other!

But all my university degrees are in Bible and homiletics. I don’t know anything about business or how we might take some action to help the poor in this city. Continue reading →

N. T. Wright’s book Simply Jesus: A New Vision of Who He Was, What He Did, and Why He Matters is essential reading. Very readable and one of his most profound works. It concludes with an extensive reflection on what it means for Jesus to be Lord of the Universe right now.

The crucial factor in Jesus’s kingdom project picks up the crucial factor in God’s creation project. God intended to rule the world through human beings. Jesus picks up this principle, rescues it, and transforms it. …

Jesus’s rescue project, climaxing in his crucifixion, and the renewal of the human project. Jesus rescues human beings  in order that through them he may rule his world in the new way he always intended. Thus the heavenly chorus sings the new song: Continue reading →

Again, a voice is heard, but this time we’re told God himself is speaking —

(Rev. 21:5 ESV) 5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

We covered the first sentence in the first post on Rev 21:1.

God next emphasizes the certainty of his promises. He declares his words “trustworthy and true.” That is, despite the suffering and persecution the church will have to endure, it’s all going to be worth it. The new heavens and new earth will take us beyond death and fear forever.

(Rev. 21:6 ESV)  6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.”

“It is done” can’t help but recall Jesus’ words on the cross: “It is finished.” The exact same announcement was made back in Rev 16:17, helping to demonstrate that the Revelation is made up of parallel accounts. In fact, several elements of chapter 21 and 22 recapitulate the ends of the parallel visions. Continue reading →