Author Archives: GMajella

Lazarus & the Rich Man – He Who has Ears to Hear

It was common for Jesus to teach those around him in parables. Obviously the meaning behind the parables was not clear. Sometimes these parables were followed by the mysterious saying, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” Yet, when he was alone with his disciples, they regularly asked the meaning of his parables. Why were there repeated questions about what Jesus was teaching? This article looks at some details why, especially as it relates to the story of Lazarus and the Rich Man.

Reflections on the New Creation and the Cross

In the cross we see an act that appears as significant as the creation itself. Yet, if we look at the cross through man’s eyes only, we’re left with an incomplete picture. It requires God’s ability to transcend conventional paradigms of the beautiful. All that humanity perceives as ugly or beautiful must stand silent at the paradox of the cross. Let’s glimpse into the paradox.

Resurrection – the Bridge between Death and Judgment

We look further into the relationship resurrection has to Christ’s new creation work by addressing how it bridges death and judgment. Death is where we perish if we do not have our confidence and faith in Christ. It’s not the first death in which the unbeliever perishes, but in the second death. That is the death Christ gave his life to save all from. Although the Great White Throne judgment’s description in Revelation 20 is abbreviated, there’s greater detail available in both Testaments. Come and see.

How many resurrections are spoken of in scripture?

The two resurrections we’re most familiar with; the resurrection of the faithful, and a later resurrection of the unjust, are not the full story. There is another harvest spoken of for the disobedient in Israel, God’s chosen people. We get a hint of it in Paul’s Letter to the Romans. The Apostle Paul understands God’s plan for Israel; to redeem it from exile, restoration and a new covenant (Jeremiah 31), and even their deliverance as the earth gives birth to the dead (Isaiah 26). There is a clear and definitive purpose for this. Come and see what that purpose is.

Tribulation and Israel’s Expectation – Part 8

This final article focuses on Israel’s expectation for one or more future resurrections as suggested in the book of Daniel. Here is a faithful prophet desirous to see the restoration of his people and the end of their exile. Though God has a plan and reveals elements of it to Daniel, much of it remains a mystery until an anointed one is revealed. It is through this anointed one that the fate of Daniel’s people is secured.

Tribulation and Israel’s Expectation – Part 7

This seventh article focuses on Israel’s expectation of tribulation and how and why that might include the Gentiles. In God’s plan to be the God of all the nations he exhibits long-suffering with Israel’s descendants though they profane his name among the nations where he has dispersed them. Yet he will achieve all that he’s set his hand to do by including the Gentiles in greater promises than those given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel).

Tribulation and Israel’s Expectation – Part 5

As we continue to look at expectations about the tribulation we see examples of a pattern familiar to NT Christians; firstfruits and latter fruits of the kingdom. This pattern was not revealed to the prophet Daniel, but was hidden within the mystery of God in Christ. Yet Daniel sees the fulfillment of the 5th and everlasting kingdom for his people. In what way do these fit together?

Tribulation and Israel’s Expectation – Part 3

As we continue to look at expectations about the tribulation we see a distinction between a righteous remnant in Israel and the those cutoff due to unbelief. This is a distinction we must understand if we’re to see the role of tribulation for both groups.