Salvation and the Cross

Although many Christians believe salvation was obtained at the cross, that’s technically incorrect. Salvation was certainly obtained by the cross, but it was not obtained at the cross. We can be sure of this because Paul said in AD 58–almost three decades after the cross–”Our salvation is nearer than when we first believed” (Rom. 13:10).… Continue reading Salvation and the Cross

The Passing of the Law

Many Christians believe the Law/Old Covenant ended when Jesus died on the cross in approximately AD 33. Another popular view is that the Law ended on Pentecost, fifty days after the cross. However, both of these views have insurmountable problems, not the least of which is that the writer of Hebrews said in approximately AD… Continue reading The Passing of the Law

The Already and Not Yet

The New Testament is filled with New Covenant realities that had already arrived in part (pre-AD 70), but had not yet arrived in full. Consider the following examples: Salvation had already arrived in part (2 Tim. 1:9, Titus 3:5, 1 Cor. 6:11), but salvation still had to come in full (Rom. 13:10; 1 Pet. 1:5;… Continue reading The Already and Not Yet

The Elements Will Melt with Fervant Heat

“The Heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervant heat” (2 Pet. 3:12). Many Christians believe God will one day destroy the planet, based on this prophecy from Peter, which he uttered in approximately AD 63. But is that really what Peter meant? First, the Greek word for “elements”… Continue reading The Elements Will Melt with Fervant Heat

Prophecies Fulfilled in the First Century

Let’s explore the many biblical prophecies that were fulfilled in the first century, specifically around the year AD 70. The Historical Climate in first-century Judea In Wars of the Jews, the first-century Jewish historian Flavius Josephus (AD 31-101) chronicled the war between the Jews and the Romans, which began in the spring of AD 67… Continue reading Prophecies Fulfilled in the First Century

The Third Temple

Because of all the speculation and controversy regarding the topic of the “third temple,” I want to respond to three common questions about it. Temple Question #1: Does Ezekiel 40–47 prophesy that a third temple will one day be built for Jews? Biblical commentators differ as to which temple Ezekiel is referring to in chapters 40–47.… Continue reading The Third Temple

The Second Coming: Global or Local?

Although many Christians believe the second coming will be a global event, the New Testament teaches it would be a local event, albeit with global significance–just like the first coming. At his first coming, Jesus sacrificed himself on the cross for the sins of the world–past, present and future. Although this was a local event… Continue reading The Second Coming: Global or Local?

In Like Manner

Since Jesus ascended to heaven in a physical body, must he therefore return in a physical body? “Now when He [Jesus] had spoken these things, while they [the disciples] watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold,… Continue reading In Like Manner

The Man of Sin

Is the infamous man of sin someone in the future…or has he already come? “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day [second coming] will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that… Continue reading The Man of Sin

Resurrection Fulfilled

Here’s a simple way to show the general resurrection happened in the first century. The general resurrection was one of the Old Testament promises that God made to Israel (Isa. 25:8, Dan. 12:2). And Jesus said he came to fulfill the promises made to Israel. In fact, he said not one jot or tittle could… Continue reading Resurrection Fulfilled

In the Days of His Flesh

Does Jesus still have a fleshly body? While the Bible does not explicitly tell us what happened to Jesus’s body after the ascension (in AD 33), it does teach that Jesus no longer has a fleshly body…although he does have a body. To begin with, Christians agree that Jesus did not have a fleshly body… Continue reading In the Days of His Flesh

The Long Delay

Did Jesus really teach he would delay his return for thousands of years? Those who say “yes” usually point to the following two passages in Matthew. In the parable of the virgins, Jesus said the Bridegroom (which represents himself) delayed his return (Matt. 25:1–13). Likewise, in the parable of the talents, Jesus said the Master… Continue reading The Long Delay

The Dating of Revelation

“The key to understanding the book of Revelation has been hanging by the front door all along (the timing indicator in Rev. 1:1–3). Unfortunately, most people walk right past the key and try to climb in the window”. While Christians generally agree that most of the New Testament was written before AD 70, there is… Continue reading The Dating of Revelation

The Rapture…or Not?

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven…and we who are alive and remain will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thess. 4:16–17). Up until the 1800s, most Christians understood this passage to refer to the second coming and general resurrection. However, many Christians in America today (namely, dispensationalists) say… Continue reading The Rapture…or Not?

The Preaching of the Gospel to All the World

One of the objections to the view that Jesus came on clouds in AD 70 (Matthew 16:28, 10:23, 24:30-34, 26:64; Revelation 22:7) is that the gospel had not been preached throughout the world by AD 70. In fact, it still hasn’t, we’re told. The passage often referenced is Matthew 24:14, where Jesus says, “And this… Continue reading The Preaching of the Gospel to All the World

The Mark of the Beast

“He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let… Continue reading The Mark of the Beast

Does 1 Corinthians 15:51-57 Prophesy About a Future, Physical Resurrection?

“Behold I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed–in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this… Continue reading Does 1 Corinthians 15:51-57 Prophesy About a Future, Physical Resurrection?

Who Is Israel Today?

We often hear Christians saying we should bless Israel. And it’s true; we should. But who is true Israel today? It has nothing to do with one’s bloodline or place of residence. Paul said, “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly…but he is a Jew who is one inwardly” (Rom. 2:28–29). True… Continue reading Who Is Israel Today?

New Building from Heaven

Will Christians get new “buildings”–that is, new physical bodies–from heaven at the Resurrection? Those who say “yes” often point to Paul’s words in Corinthians: “For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this… Continue reading New Building from Heaven

The Fullness of the Gentiles

Many Christians believe the “fullness of the Gentiles” refers to a set number of Gentiles that will come to the Lord. After the last Gentile is converted, then Jesus will return. The passage often used to “prove” this is Romans 11:25: “For I [Paul] do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this… Continue reading The Fullness of the Gentiles

A Small Sample of Bad Christian Prophecy Memes and Comments

Eschatology memes are all the rage on Facebook. One of the most egregious is one that claims that Donald Trump is the antichrist. Some people did something similar with former President Obama and even JFK after his “mortal head wound.” The Trump antichrist memes started with Revelation 13:3 after Trump was shot in the ear:… Continue reading A Small Sample of Bad Christian Prophecy Memes and Comments

“Behold, I am Coming Quickly”

If we were talking about any other topic but the Second Coming, there would be no debate about what the statement “Behold, I am coming quickly” means. It means “I am coming soon.” However, because of all the deep-seated traditions about the Second Coming—which hold that it is a future event—many Christians simply will not… Continue reading “Behold, I am Coming Quickly”

The New Jerusalem

What is the New Jerusalem? Many Christians believe it to be a physical city that will one day come down from heaven. However, Jesus and the biblical writers described it as a spiritual place. For example, Jesus said: “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem,… Continue reading The New Jerusalem

What are Covenants?

If you’ve been a Christian for any length of time, you no doubt know about the Old and New Covenants. But what you may not know is that these covenants represent marriage covenants; namely, God’s marriage covenants with his people. The Old Covenant was God’s marriage covenant with Israel (mostly Jews); and the New Covenant… Continue reading What are Covenants?

Does Preterism Take Away Hope?

“If this is all God had in mind, you can have it” – hyperfuturist Sam Frost [1] Does preterism take away the Christian’s hope? Not at all. In fact, it affirms it. Since Jesus’s prophecy of the second coming was fulfilled exactly when it was supposed to—within the lifetimes of Jesus’s first-century audiences (Matt. 10:23,… Continue reading Does Preterism Take Away Hope?

The Dating of the New Testament

We can be confident the New Testament was written before AD 70 for a number of reasons. To start with, during his earthly ministry Jesus prophesied that Jerusalem and the temple would be destroyed (Matt. 24:2–35, Luke 21:5–33, Mark 13:1–31). Yet Jerusalem and the temple—which historians agree were destroyed in AD 70—were still intact and… Continue reading The Dating of the New Testament

Is the Bible True?

There are many reasons we can be confident the Bible is true. First, it contains prophecies that came to pass with amazing accuracy. Second, the Bible has gone through centuries of intense scrutiny by its critics and has shown itself reliable. Third, the writers/apostles endured torture and martyrdom rather than recanting their testimonies. Fourth, the… Continue reading Is the Bible True?

The Transformation of Lowly Bodies (Philippians 3:21)—Physical or Spiritual?

“Who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body” (Phil. 3:21) This passage is often used to “prove” a future physical resurrection. Paul talks about “being conformed to His [Jesus’s] death…if, by any means, I may obtain… Continue reading The Transformation of Lowly Bodies (Philippians 3:21)—Physical or Spiritual?

Hades / Sheol

There’s a lot of confusion about Hades, but it simply refers to the realm of the dead (or place of the dead). The Old Testament equivalent is called Sheol. This is where the dead went before the time of Jesus, or more specifically, before Jesus completed the atonement. The story of The Rich Man and… Continue reading Hades / Sheol