Finding Jesus in the Bible…So We Can Follow Him in Life
Bible Reading Plans
- Plan One: New Testament Only
- Plan Two: New Testament + Psalms
- Plan Three: New Testament + History
- Plan Four: The Entire Bible – Year 1 of 3, Year 2 of 3, Year 3 of 3
Don’t know which plan? Go to A Christ-Centered Bible Reading Plan: Quick Start.
Extras
Verse of the Day, Audio Capsule, and Video Minute
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(Today’s Book Installment)
The One True Church
Chapter 43 – Mark 7 of 10: A Generational Anticipation
No one reading the New Testament honestly and reasonably can deny that the 1st-century church anticipated the Second Coming in their generation. That’s why I call it “a generational anticipation.” It was what Paul called “the blessed hope” – which they all held dear.
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,
Titus 2:12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,
Titus 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,
Titus 2:14 who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
Recall also, however, that “the blessed hope” was to be accompanied by judgment – that is, God’s wrath. In other words, “the blessed hope” was a “rescue” mission – providing refuge for the innocent in the day of judgment.
1 Thessalonians 1:8 For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything.
1 Thessalonians 1:9 For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God,
1 Thessalonians 1:10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.
The Old Testament gives many examples of God’s wrath: Noah’s flood, the Tower of Babel, and Sodom and Gomorrah all show up before we’re halfway through reading Genesis. Occasions of judgment continued throughout the Old Testament. These judgments culminated most noticeably in the conquest and dispersion of Israel by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.
Life on earth did not end with these judgments. Even in the case of the worldwide flood, Noah and his family survived and lived on. The same was true with those who survived the great tribulation.
The New Testament church did not see themselves living in the last days of the human race, but rather in the last days of Israel. Jesus had said:
Mark 13:1 As He was going out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, behold what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!”
Mark 13:2 And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left upon another which will not be torn down.”
The destruction of these temple buildings in Jerusalem would be part of the destruction of Jerusalem itself. Which is why He also said:
Luke 21:20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near.
Luke 21:21 Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are in the midst of the city must leave, and those who are in the country must not enter the city;
Luke 21:22 because these are days of vengeance, so that all things which are written will be fulfilled.
Jesus wasn’t predicting the destruction of the great buildings in all cities. His focus was on Israel – not the entire world.
The coming of the kingdom of God meant that Israel – both physical and spiritual – were no longer needed. The kingdom of God included a new heavens and new earth, in which Israel no longer played a role. It was a new beginning for creation – and a new generation.
No succeeding generation had the temple to lose. It was gone by then.
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