Paul’s anticipation of Christ’s return

This is the fourth in a series of excerpts from What Every Christian Should Know About the Return of Jesus, released by High Street Press and available at Amazon.com.

How could “the worst” of sinners, suffering confinement in Rome, write a letter to a distant church, expressing gratitude and joy? Paul’s letter to the Philippians is a remarkable epistle that proclaims the joys of knowing Christ, the rewards of persevering in the faith, and the secret of contentment. 

Paul writes to thank the Philippians for their financial support. He assures them that their messenger, Epaphroditus, who delivered the church’s gift to Paul, has recovered from a grave illness. And he desires to maintain his close relationship with fellow believers from whom he has been isolated. 

While Paul cannot assure the Philippians of his release from prison, or promise them relief from their own sufferings for the cause of Christ, he writes jubilantly with the full assurance of Christ’s return and believers’ future glory.

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The devil and his details

The following excerpt is taken from What Every Christian Should Know About Satan. Order your copy in print, Kindle, or Audible versions here.

Let’s close this part of our study on Satan with a short summary of his diabolical activities and his ultimate destiny as recorded in the New Testament. Specifically, note seven key contrasts between what Satan does and what eventually becomes of him.

First, Satan binds, then he is bound. After Jesus heals a woman that an evil spirit has disabled, he explains to the synagogue leader who objects to the Sabbath-day miracle, “Satan has bound this woman, a daughter of Abraham, for eighteen years – shouldn’t she be untied from this bondage on the Sabbath day?” (Luke 13:16). Other Scriptures speak of those in bondage to sin (John 8:34; Acts 8:23) or taken captive by Satan to do his will (2 Tim. 2:26). 

Ultimately, however, the evil one finds himself bound in the abyss. Revelation 20 records an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key to the abyss and a great chain in his hand. He seizes “the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the devil and Satan,” and binds him for a thousand years (vv. 1-2). Then, Satan is “released from his prison” for a time, only to be cast into the lake of fire forever (vv. 7, 10).

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John’s testimony from Patmos

This is the third in a series of excerpts from What Every Christian Should Know About the Return of Jesus, released by High Street Press and available at Amazon.com.

In the visions John receives while exiled on the Isle of Patmos, he often records the words of Jesus foretelling his return. John may have recorded these visions as early as the A.D. 60s or as late as the A.D. 90s. In any case, Jesus assures his followers – and warns his opponents – that his return is certain. 

Here’s a sampling:

Revelation 1:8 – “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “the one who is, who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

God the Father most likely makes this statement, although some English translations  ascribe them to Jesus. It seems best to understand this verse as the Father putting his divine signature on the prophecy of the second coming in verse 7: “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn over him.”

While this verse is not an explicit promise of Jesus’ return, it places the Father’s stamp of approval on Old Testament prophecies of the second coming. And it ties together the redemptive work of the triune Godhead to be completed when Jesus returns.

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Satan: three curious cases of slander

The following excerpt is taken from What Every Christian Should Know About Satan. Order your copy in print, Kindle, or Audible versions here.

Let’s briefly examine three biblical events that illustrate Satan’s slanderous nature.

Case No. 1: Job 1:6 – 2:10

Satan (literally the satan) appears with the sons of God before the Lord. The sons of God are members of the divine council, an assembly of created spirit beings to whom the Lord has endowed authority for governing of the universe. The satan shows up as well, although it seems he may not be a member of the divine council. Rather than consult with God, as council members do, he reports to God he has been “roaming through the earth … and walking around on it” (Job 1:7). You might say he relishes the role of divine ambulance chaser. 

“Have you considered my servant Job?” says the Lord. “No one else on earth is like him, a man of perfect integrity, who fears God and turns away from evil” (1:8).

“Does Job fear God for nothing?” asks the accuser. “Haven’t you placed a hedge around him, his household, and everything he owns? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he owns, and he will surely curse you to your face” (1:9-11).

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The returning Son of Man

This is the second in a series of excerpts from What Every Christian Should Know About the Return of Jesus, released by High Street Press and available at Amazon.com.

Many of Jesus’ teachings on the second coming revolve around his favorite self-designation: Son of Man. In fact, Jesus uses the title “Son of Man” roughly 80 times in the Gospels to refer to himself.

While Jesus prefers to use this title rather than “Son of God” or “Messiah” to identify himself, it shouldn’t be assumed he has any doubts about his identity or wishes to be coy with his followers. His use of “Son of Man” is purposeful.

Jesus clearly reveals his deity at strategic times. For example, he applies the divine name I AM to himself (John 8:58). He claims equality with the Father (John 10:30). He receives worship (John 20:28). He forgives sins (Mark 2:1-12). He teaches with divine authority (Mark 1:21-22). He affirms in advance what the apostles write concerning his deity (John 1:1-3, 14; cf. Phil. 2:5-11; Col. 1:15-16; 2:9; Heb. 1:1-4). And he displays the attributes unique to God (Matt. 28:18-20; John 1:1; 5:22; 16:30; Heb. 1:8; 13:8).

The term “Son of Man” accomplishes two primary goals. First, it illustrates that Jesus shares humanity with us. In Philippians 2:5-8, Paul spells out the humble manner in which the eternal Son of God adds sinless humanity to his deity. 

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