What Happened to “Church” After the Seven Letters in Revelation?

Posted on by Richard

Since the early-to-mid 19th century, Western Christianity has been influenced by Premillennialism. Without opening the lid to that eschatological Pandora’s Box, I do want to discuss one facet of that theology and hermeneutic. It is axiomatic for Premillennialism's doctrine about the book of Revelation that "the church" is raptured at a time soon following the … Continue reading What Happened to “Church” After the Seven Letters in Revelation?

Thoughts about Hell from Jesus Himself.

Posted on by Richard

There are obviously so many channels from which one can learn about the concept of the afterlife. Many world religions teach the concept of a painful afterlife, often deriving the idea of a painful condition due to a life of immoral living and/or the stultification of God. I have treated the idea of the portal … Continue reading Thoughts about Hell from Jesus Himself.

Revisiting Literalism in Prophecy ~~ The Inspiration of Imagination

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Gambling affords the proper metaphor here; I will lay my cards on the table.  I believe that the prophet John, just like the Apostle Paul (2 Cor. 12:1; Gal. 1:12; 2:2; Eph. 3:3; Acts 16:9; 18:9), the Apostle Peter (Acts 10:17), gifted believers (1 Cor. 14:26, 30), and followers of Jesus (Matt. 17:9; Lk. 24:23; … Continue reading Revisiting Literalism in Prophecy ~~ The Inspiration of Imagination

Papyri and the First Systematic and Empire Wide Persecution of Christians

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Quest Post this week is from Clint Burnett.  I am delighted to have a friend and former student write this week’s post. Clint has academic training that has given him the opportunity to study the historical backgrounds of early Christianity.  Clint has completed the MDiv degree from Harding School of Theology and the Master of … Continue reading Papyri and the First Systematic and Empire Wide Persecution of Christians

The New Creation in Revelation 21-22, Summary & Musical Remix of Stories in the book of Acts

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Next post is Guest Post ~~~ you will not want to miss it!Post 07 [Whew!, the last one]SummaryTonight I have not wanted to spend my time illustrating John’s imagery and teachings against the important backdrop of Second Temple Judaism or against the backdrop of important sources from the Graeco-Roman world.  Although I do enjoy doing … Continue reading The New Creation in Revelation 21-22, Summary & Musical Remix of Stories in the book of Acts

The New Creation in Revelation 21-22, Part 06

Posted on by Richard

  Life in the New Jerusalem Continuation of Previous post, https://richardoster.com/2014/02/06/the-new-creation-in-revelation-21-22-part-05/ Third, it is important to highlight the fact that John sees the New Jerusalem as a utopia and Babylon as a dystopia.  If dystopia is a new term to you, think of literary works and movies such as 1984, Brave New World, Fahrenheit 451, … Continue reading The New Creation in Revelation 21-22, Part 06