We live during an interim on God's calendar, a defined but unknown period of time that began with a significant event and that will end when Jesus comes again. This is the period of God's conquests, which began when Jesus was enthroned at God's right hand in heaven and will continue until the last enemy, death, has been destroyed (Psalm 110:1). It is simultaneously the period of heaven's reception of Jesus, which will end with the redemptive restoration of all things spoken by the ancient prophets (Acts 3:20-21). In both respects, we live between the Already and the Not Yet. Because the … [Read more...]
JESUS ENTERED HEAVEN FOR US
The following is an excerpt from my booklet titled One Life, Death and Judgment, which summarizes the gospel as found in the Epistle to the Hebrews. The entire booklet is free online at my website. * * * "Under the Old Testament economy, only the High Priest entered the Most Holy Place, and he on but one day of the year. On that great Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) he entered two times, first for his own sins, then for those of the people. But he entered in simple linen garments, a man for men. He entered only with blood--of a substitute that was ceremonially spotless. And he brought the … [Read more...]
JESUS SAT DOWN IN HEAVEN (2)
"What does it mean that Jesus sat down at the right hand of God in heaven? It seems the New Testament mentions that several times." * * * This imagery of Jesus at God's right hand captures the main point of the Epistle to the Hebrews -- from the Epistle's beginning words right through to its end (1:4; 12:2). Not even angels have a seat at God's right hand, but Jesus does (1:13-14). That main point is that Jesus does not need to make repetitive offerings, for he has taken away all our sins forever by offering his own perfect life to God on the cross, "once for all" -- for all time, for all … [Read more...]
JESUS SAT DOWN IN HEAVEN (1)
"What does it mean that Jesus sat down at the right hand of God in heaven? It seems the New Testament mentions that several times." * * * The imagery comes from Psalm 110:1, which says: "The LORD said to my Lord: 'Sit at My right hand, until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.'" New Testament writers quote this Psalm more often than any other text in the Jewish Scriptures (in Matthew, Mark, Luke, Acts, 1 Corinthians, Ephesians, Colossians and Hebrews). Even in the Psalms, this imagery of Jesus seated at God's right hand suggests intimacy with God (Psalm 16:8, 11) as well as our … [Read more...]
LOOKING AT JESUS
The Epistle to the Hebrews is one of the most gospel-packed yet least-studied books of the New Testament. It focuses squarely on Jesus Christ as our high priest and personal representative before the Father. Jesus is indeed "Our Man In Heaven." Our greatest need is to keep our eyes fixed firmly on Jesus. Three times the author of Hebrews urges us to do just that. * * * SEE JESUS. The unknown author of Hebrews first gathers a bouquet of Scriptures from throughout the Old Testament that contrast the exalted position of angels with the far greater position of Jesus the Son of God (ch. 1). Yet … [Read more...]