Monday: Read 2 Cor 1:1-22 The problems in Corinth continue to build. That is right: what Paul said in 1st Corinthians didn’t help—well at least not enough. Many in Corinth continued to reject Paul’s claims as an apostle and they refused to listen to his counsel. As we discussed in 1st Corinthians, they rejected Paul […]
Over the last number of posts, I have been discussing what I believe is a biblical view of empire. We began by addressing the meaning and significance of 666. Then we began to ask what does the Bible say about the Beast of Revelation 13 and what does it mean for us. And there is […]
Monday: Read 1 Cor 15:1-11 1 Corinthians 15 is the longest extended speech of Paul on a single topic. This chapter is famously known as the resurrection chapter. Notice that the chapter does not begin with “now concerning.” Paul is no longer addressing their letter to him. Paul is, however, addressing a problem in the […]
I noted in my last post on the Mark of the Beast there is little doubt that John was using an ancient practice of Gematria and that by means of this practice it is quite likely that 666 represents Nero. This view is quite common among scholars of the book of Revelation. In this post, […]
Monday: Read 1 Cor 12:1-11 1 Cor 12:1 begins with, “now concerning spiritual gifts,” (“people”?)[2] which indicates that Paul is addressing the next item in the letter they wrote to him (see 7:1; 8:1). Paul now begins to address the issues of spiritual people and the exercise of spiritual gifts. It is important to recognize […]
Let me say it straight up: understanding what the book of Revelation (and the whole of the Bible) says about the nature of the kingdom of God and the kingdoms of the world is of utmost significance. This is especially the case for the western church in the early part of the 21st century. NT […]
Monday: Read 1 Cor 9:19-27 As we mentioned last week, Paul begins a discussion in 8:1-11:34 on the topic of idolatry and our concerns for the weaker brother/sister. Paul distinguishes between what “knowledge” says and what “love” says (8:1-3). In 9:1-27, Paul notes that he has forsaken certain privileges that he had every right to, […]
Monday: Read 1 Cor 7:1-6 Paul opens 1 Cor 7:1 with the statement, “now concerning the matters you wrote about.” This is a clear indication that Paul is now responding to a letter they wrote to him. One of the things that makes understanding Corinthians difficult is that we do not know what they said […]
As I noted in my last post, the Mark of the Beast mimics the Seal of God, which is given to the people of God (see: 14:1—I am assuming here that the “name of Jesus and the Father” on the foreheads of the 144,000 is the same as the “Seal of God” on the foreheads […]
Monday: Read 1 Cor 3:16-23 As we mentioned in our last study, 1 Corinthians 3:5-4:17 is Paul’s longest discussion on leadership and how the members relate. In 3:16 he continues with, “Do you not know? (16). This question/phrase occurs 10x in the letter. With it, Paul implies that they have not really considered the implications […]
