“When I use a word,” Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, “it means just what I choose it to mean –– neither more nor less.” “The question is,” said Alice, “whether you CAN make words mean so many different things.” This well known exchange between Humpty Dumpty and Alice [Lewis Carroll, Through the … Continue reading Humpty Dumpty and the Antichrist
The B•I•B•L•E in Times of Trouble
The paradox of John’s use of Scripture has been pointed out by many, many scholars who write on the book of Revelation, namely that John’s prophetic work is replete with allusions to the Jewish Scriptures, but seemingly never quotes from them. From chapter 1 through 22 there is virtually no block of verses that is … Continue reading The B•I•B•L•E in Times of Trouble
Jesus Christ, Superstar
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 Jesus Christ, Superstar
Xenophobia and Anti-Christian Pogroms
Ancient Roman sources, some written before the traditional date of Revelation and some written after it, provide very helpful social and legal observations that shed indirect light on the conundrum of the perennial hostility of various cultures toward the followers of Christ. One could quote the Gospel of John where Jesus states, “If the … Continue reading Xenophobia and Anti-Christian Pogroms
Magical Language in John’s Revelation
In my judgment one is better prepared to appreciate parts of Revelation if he has been exposed to The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis. When a believer is exposed to The Chronicles of Narnia he knows immediately that he stands in the presence of the truest story of all stories, the “deepest … Continue reading Magical Language in John’s Revelation
THE TREE OF LIFE
GRANT Graeco-Roman Antiquities & the New Testament John’s teachings about the tree of life clearly play an important role in his prophecies. The main reason for its importance stems from its association with the New Heaven and New Earth in chapters 21-22. There it is portrayed as part of the eternal blessing for those … Continue reading THE TREE OF LIFE
Molding Citizens for the Kingdom of God 