This tremendous exposition of the capstone of Scripture issues from years of teaching, dedicated study, and sound evangelical scholarship. The author defends the premillenninal position, but at crucial points considers other views as well.
Each Christmas, adults and children alike delight at the story of the kings from the East who followed the star to Bethlehem to offer gifts to the newborn Christ. While this familiar tale is recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, another little-known version later emerged that claimed to be the eyewitness account of the wise men. This ancient manuscript has lain hidden for centuries in the vaults of the Vatican Library, but through the determined persistence of a young scholar, Brent Landau, this astonishing discovery has been translated into English for the very first time as the Revelation of the Magi. Everything we know about the wise men is based on only a few verses from the Bible. With the Revelation of the Magi, we can now read the story from the Magi's perspective. Readers will learn of the Magi's prophecies of God's incarnation from the beginning of time, their startling visitation in the form of a star, the teachings they receive from the baby Jesus, and the wise men's joyous return to their homeland to spread the good news. This ancient version of the Christmas story is guaranteed to astonish and delight. It will also raise larger questions of the significance and meaning of Christ's birth, and the mission to spread the good news to every corner of the globe. All the drama and intrigue of the brief description of Jesus's birth in the Bible is filled out in greater, more colorful detail, offering for the first time the complete story of these beloved characters.
A new and transforming approach to the Book of Revelation. Margaret Barker bases her study on a fresh reading of the primary sources. As an Old Testament scholar, she can read Revelation as Hebrew prophecy - ancient temple oracles which inspired Jesus and his own prophecies, and influenced the whole Jerusalem Church. Jerusalem was waiting for their Great High Priest to return and complete the Atonement at the end of the Tenth Jubilee. This expectation fuelled the revolt against Rome. Josephus, who deserted to Rome, was the false prophet. John, who escaped to Patmos, compiled Revelation as a record of the first generation. In the future, he taught, the Lord would return to his people in the Eucharist.This work illuminates the formative years of Christianity, in the social, religious and political situation of mid-first-century Palestine, in a quite remarkable way. It will have profound implications for the understanding of Christian origins and the development of Christian liturgy.
This attractive two-volume, slip-cased edition of The Second Coming of Christ, presents Paramahansa Yogananda's unique perspective on the real meaning of Jesus' teachings, and takes the reader on a revelatory journey, verse by verse, through the four Gospels. Dispelling centuries old misconceptions and dogma, this monumental work is destined to leave an indelible mark on the way the world views the teachings of Jesus Christ. In titling this work The Second Coming of Christ, I am not referring to a literal return of Jesus to earth. He came two thousand years ago and, after imparting a universal path to God's kingdom, was crucified and resurrected; his reappearance to the masses now is not necessary for the fulfillment of his teachings. What is necessary is for the cosmic wisdom and divine perception of Jesus to speak again through each one's own experience and understanding of the infinite Christ Consciousness that was incarnate in Jesus. That will be his true Second Coming.
Nelson's Royal Classics feature classic literature by famous Christian authors. Each book is richly detailed in an upscale package, uniquely designed for gift-giving and for collecting a personal classic library. The best quality at the best price!
Dive into the classic eschatology of Irenaeus of Lyons with The Fathers on the Future as you unpack key truths, untangle misunderstandings, and get a deeper understanding of this balanced and biblically-sound end times framework. Many today with an interest in the end times face a problem—they have forgotten the past. Knowing the history of eschatology is key to understanding its importance, how we interpret our faith, and our outlook on God and humanity. So why do so many overlook it and what can we do to correct this? The Fathers on the Future uses a thorough exegetical and theological analysis to defend the foundation and structure of the second-century premillennial, futurist eschatology of Irenaeus of Lyons, and other church fathers. It makes a case for a contemporary Irenaean premillennial eschatology, arguing that it is a reliable framework for a biblically defensible, theologically balanced, and historically informed eschatology. The Fathers on the Future includes these key features: Restores historical perspective: Recovers the forgotten roots of early Christian eschatology, emphasizing the teachings of Irenaeus of Lyons and other church fathers. Biblically grounded framework: Offers a well-supported case for a biblically defensible, premillennial eschatology, balancing theology and history. Clarifies and corrects: Clarifies complex aspects of early eschatology, strengthens key theological points, and corrects missteps. Fresh yet ancient approach: Presents an eschatological perspective that is new to modern readers but deeply rooted in ancient Christian traditions. The Fathers on the Future begins with the belief that Irenaeus and other early church fathers represented a widespread and well-developed eschatology inherited from those who were close associates of the apostles. It then explores some of features of that early eschatology, clarifying obscure points, strengthening some elements, and correcting a few missteps. By looking back to Irenaeus and the eschatological emphases of his age, this book provides a new approach to eschatology today―new to contemporary readers but ancient in its original perspective.
God has provided a way for all people, not just scholars, to know that the Bible is the Word of God. John Piper has devoted his life to showing us that the glory of God is object of the soul’s happiness. Now, his burden in this book is to demonstrate that this same glory is the ground of the mind’s certainty. God’s peculiar glory shines through his Word. The Spirit of God enlightens the eyes of our hearts. And in one self-authenticating sight, our minds are sure and our hearts are satisfied. Justified certainty and solid joy meet in the peculiar glory of God.
The NIV is the world's best-selling modern translation, with over 150 million copies in print since its first full publication in 1978. This highly accurate and smooth-reading version of the Bible in modern English has the largest library of printed and electronic support material of any modern translation.
Revelation 19-21 is the New Testament's classic passage on the return of Christ, a passage that has sometimes been called "the last things." In it the apostle John sets forth seven major motifs of biblical eschatology.