2 Timothy 3:1-5– There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. (NIV 1984)
This text could almost be taken from the front page of the today’s paper. But it almost needs one more word to complete the thought – cynical. Cynicism about the power of the Gospel (many paths/religions lead to God), the power of the Creator (science trumps design) and the power of Jesus’ promise (I will come again), just to name a few. But while Paul did not include cynicism in his Epistle, Peter did in his.
2 Peter 3:3-4 – First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers [cynics] will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” (NIV 1984)
The common denominator in both Paul’s and Peter’s writings is the phrase “last days,” a phrase that has fascinated and intrigued Jesus’ followers since His initial promise that He would come again.
With this, I am introducing a new mid-week musing that will kick off this coming Wednesday that is entitled “Studies In Revelation.”
Cover Artwork by Gustave Dore (1832 – 1883)
Adam and Eve Expelled (Paradise Lost)
The New Jerusalem (Paradise Restored)
These will be excerpts from a book that I have been working on for quite some time. As noted, it is a compilation of various view points that I have gleaned from a number of scholars and that I have attempted to synthesize into an integrated narrative. Following are a couple of endorsements from my pastors, both of whom were kind enough to review the manuscript and offer their comments as well as their encouragement.
After World War II, interest in the imminent return of Christ began a new eschatological frenzy. Atomic weapons exposed the world to the possibility of thermonuclear annihilation. Israel established herself as an independent state and proved to survive against great attacks of surrounding nations.
The Cold War provided an insecurity that continued to stir the evangelical imagination regarding prophecy. And although the millennium ended with a flurry of predictions, the discourse on the subject seems to have evolved into sensational theories of blood moons, planetary alignments and natural calamities as signs of Christ’s return.
Steve Brewer in his book, Studies In Revelation, has carefully gathered together scholarship from the last century as well as the wisdom from the previous ages to give us a thoughtful commentary of the Book of Revelation. I recommend it for the encouragement of your faith and renewed delight in the soon coming of Our Lord.
Reverend Stephen Persson
Senior Pastor
First Baptist Church
Sycamore, Illinois
The capstone of theology is Eschatology {the last days}. Here as in no other field, except perhaps the doctrine of the person of Christ, are the tools of exegesis of each page of scripture displayed. Steve Brewer has done a great job bringing God’s truth to light.
Eschatology more than any other major field of theology has suffered much at the hands of its interpreters. Even among those whose confidence in the Word of God is unquestioned have trouble with the interpretation because of different stands or attempt a detailed presentation of premillennial eschatology such as is provided in this book. Steve has skillfully dealt with many controversial issues, has met and solved many prophetic problems.
Steve has condensed a lot of material often not contained in even larger volumes. This book should serve as personal study or a small group and a Sunday school setting.
Thanks Steve for your hard work on this book.
Pastor William Badal
Associate Pastor
First Baptist Church
Sycamore, Illinois
I hope that you will like it too, and that it will fan into flame your longing for His coming. If so, please be sure to share the blogs with your friends. In the meantime, “until Armageddon,” we have a commission to fulfill. The harvest in plentiful but the workers are few.
The Brew Is A Musing 