The church at Smyrna is the only congregation where John mentions imprisonment for believers. To be sure, the imprisonment of believers is not only associated in the New Testament with saints who live in Roman Asia. In Acts (5:21-23; 16:23; 23:18), Hebrews (10:34; 13:3), and the Pauline letters, the Apostles (2 Cor. 6:5; 11:23), Pauline … Continue reading Tested in Smyrna
The God Who Comes
It is stunning how often the prophet John uses some form of the word “come” [for those into Greek, the term is erchomai]. At some later occasion under the GRANT post we will explore John’s view of time in comparison to some of the religious and philosophical views of antiquity. Like all true biblical prophets, … Continue reading The God Who Comes
LOOKING FOR A FIGHT
Those saints at Pergamum have had plenty of battles to fight, and now Christ is threatening to bring on some more, unless they shape up soon. Once again their response to John’s message will determine what Christ does with them (2:16a). Is it not enough that they have to live and do ministry where “Satan’s … Continue reading LOOKING FOR A FIGHT
THEY EVEN APPLAUD THOSE WHO SIN
GRANT Graeco-Roman Antiquities & the New Testament There are things you can tell about an entire ocean even if you have only one cup of water from it. Naturally a scientist would like to have as many cups and as broad a sampling as possible, but even a single cup is of some help. The … Continue reading THEY EVEN APPLAUD THOSE WHO SIN
Two Kinds of a Love Story
“Love means never having to say you’re sorry” is certainly one of the most memorable movie lines that has come out of Hollywood. This was spoken twice in the 1970s film Love Story and was adapted and parodied numerous times in the following decades. Those who have seen the movie know that it … Continue reading Two Kinds of a Love Story
God Hates Bloodshed
GRANT Graeco-Roman Antiquities & the NewTestament There are things you can tell about an entire ocean even if you have only one cup of water from it. Naturally a scientist would like to have as many cups and as broad a sampling as possible, but even a single cup is of some help. The same is true … Continue reading God Hates Bloodshed
Molding Citizens for the Kingdom of God 