Renewing Your Mind | Preservation of the Saints | Feb 18, 2021
God’s people are not strong enough to fall away from faith while He has resolved to hold us. Today, Alistair Begg conveys the comfort of the Christian in every trial: the Lord will preserve the fait
Renewing Your Mind | The Eye of the Needle | Jan 24, 2021
The pursuit of wealth and success is a tempting distraction from the kingdom of God, and we would be wise to ensure that our focus is in the right place. Today, R.C. Sproul continues his series in Mar
Are we in the last days?
Yes and no. Lest you think I’ve fallen into neo-orthodoxy and paradoxical theology, let me explain. In one sense, everything that takes place after the ascension of Christ ta... View MoreAre we in the last days?
Yes and no. Lest you think I’ve fallen into neo-orthodoxy and paradoxical theology, let me explain. In one sense, everything that takes place after the ascension of Christ takes place in the end times. The end times started in the New Testament. We’re still in the end times. Now, I presume you’re asking whether we are at the end of the end times so that we are coming close to the return of Jesus as it was set forth in the book of Revelation.
One of the big questions in understanding and interpreting the book of Revelation is tied to when it was written. The majority report is that the writing of Revelation took place in the nineties of the first century. Some significant scholarly work in recent years has persuasively argued that the book of Revelation was written before the fall of Jerusalem in the sixties, during the time of Nero, when Nero’s most famous nickname throughout the empire was “the beast.” So, if we could know for sure when the book of Revelation was written, we would have a better handle on what period of history it is describing.
In the Olivet Discourse in Matthew’s gospel, as well as in Luke and Mark, Jesus talks about the signs of the times. He talks about the destruction of the temple and the destruction of Jerusalem and says, “This generation will not pass away until all these things are fulfilled” (Matt. 24:34). That phrase has been one of the most hotly debated statements ever to come from Jesus.
I went to a liberal seminary. Though this wasn’t actually the case, it seems like I heard every day that Jesus taught that He was coming back within forty years and failed to keep His promise. That, they said, is one of the reasons why we can’t believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. In terms of higher critical assaults on the trustworthiness of Scripture and of Jesus, the point of attack is on Jesus’ predictions about the nearness of the coming fulfillment of His prophecies in the Olivet Discourse.
Notice also the timeframe references throughout the book of Revelation, where it talks about those things that are “near at hand.” The ultimate question is this: Were the things that Jesus was talking about in the Olivet Discourse and the book of Revelation principally pointing to events that were going to take place in the first century, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of the Jews? That’s one view. Another view is that all these things refer to distant future times. Then some people say they refer to both and that there is a primary and a secondary reference. So, this becomes very complicated in terms of piecing it all together.
Regardless of how we understand when Revelation was written, what it is referring to, and the Olivet discourse, we’re still looking forward to the return of Jesus. He hasn’t come yet, but I take great hope in this: with every day that passes, He’s that much closer to returning.
When I see what’s going on around us today, I have every reason to think we’re getting closer and closer. But, of course, a lot of that is my hope. I also realize it could be another two thousand years before He comes. I’m not into making predictions of dates, but we should certainly be vigilant today, and we should be looking for the coming of Christ.
This transcript is from an Ask R.C. Live event with R.C. Sproul and has been lightly edited for readability. To ask Ligonier a biblical or theological question, just visit Ask.Ligonier.org or message us on Facebook or Twitter.
https://www.ligonier.org/learn/qas/are-we-living-in-the-end-times-described-in-the-book-of-revelation/
Are we living in the end times described in the book of Revelation?
Yes and no. Lest you think I’ve fallen into neo-orthodoxy and paradoxical theology, let me explain. In one sense, everything that takes place after the ascension of Christ takes place in the end tim
In The Prince's Poison Cup, R.C. Sproul focuses in on the atonement to show that Jesus had to endure the curse of sin in order to redeem His people from their spiritual death.
When Ella gets sick an... View MoreIn The Prince's Poison Cup, R.C. Sproul focuses in on the atonement to show that Jesus had to endure the curse of sin in order to redeem His people from their spiritual death.
When Ella gets sick and has to take yucky medicine, she wonders why something that will help her get well has to taste so bad. When she puts the question to Grandpa, he tells her the story of a great King and His subjects who enjoyed wonderful times together—until the people rebelled against the King and drank from a forbidden well. To their horror, they found that the beautiful water in the well made their hearts turn to stone. To reclaim His people, the King asks His Son, the Prince, to drink from a well of horrid poison. The poison will surely kill the Prince—but He is willing to drink it to please His Father and help His people.
Richly illustrated, The Prince’s Poison Cup will help children appreciate the great love of God for His people and the awful price Jesus had to pay because of sin. A “For Parents” section provides assistance in unfolding the biblical elements of the story.
Purchase The Prince's Poison Cup from Reformation Trust: http://ligm.in/vsMC3h
The Prince's Poison Cup by R.C. Sproul
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In The Prince's Poison Cup, R.C. Sproul focuses in on the atonement to show that Jesus had to endure the curse of sin in order to redeem His people from thei...
In The Lightlings, R.C. Sproul weaves an allegorical tale that captures the essence of the biblical story of redemption in a manner that will fascinate and delight children. A race of tiny beings know... View MoreIn The Lightlings, R.C. Sproul weaves an allegorical tale that captures the essence of the biblical story of redemption in a manner that will fascinate and delight children. A race of tiny beings known as lightlings are a picture of humanity as they pass through all the stages of the biblical drama - creation, fall, and redemption. In the end, children will understand why some people fear light more than darkness, but why they need never fear darkness again.
The Lightlings is an excellent introduction to the key themes of Scripture. Richly detailed illustrations by Justin Gerard will hold children’s interest, and discussion questions with Scripture references in the back will help parents guide children into the deeper meaning of the story.
Purchase The Lightlings from Reformation Trust: http://ligm.in/IumKhT
The Lightlings by R.C. Sproul
32 views
In The Lightlings, R.C. Sproul weaves an allegorical tale that captures the essence of the biblical story of redemption in a manner that will fascinate and d...
Not so much now of their heavy bombardments can stay in place, basically it is futile to do so. Earth's energies are becoming lighter (more refined) making it difficult for their geo-engineering (heav... View MoreNot so much now of their heavy bombardments can stay in place, basically it is futile to do so. Earth's energies are becoming lighter (more refined) making it difficult for their geo-engineering (heavy dense energy) manifestations to hold form for longer periods.
Renewing Your Mind | Feeding of the Five Thousand | Oct 4, 2020
The Lord is never lacking in His provision for our needs. Continuing his exposition of Mark’s gospel today, R.C. Sproul shows that Christ came to satisfy the deepest hunger of our souls.
If you've been hearing the term "Marxism" lately, but you're not quite sure who this "Marx" guy was and what he taught, I'd suggest you view this 22-minute video as it's simply the best quick overview... View MoreIf you've been hearing the term "Marxism" lately, but you're not quite sure who this "Marx" guy was and what he taught, I'd suggest you view this 22-minute video as it's simply the best quick overview on Karl Marx that I've come across.
https://www.ligonier.org/learn/series/consequences-of-ideas/marx/
Marx by R.C. Sproul
Are you a productive member of society? Are you getting a fair wage for your work? Sometimes it seems that the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Is there something wrong with the way we measure
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