Seminary discussion this week.

Finishing this week's class in Systematic Theology, we studied Eschatology, which is basically the study of the End Times










I began paying more attention to what I label as "sequential revelation" while in OT500, last spring. We can be victims of our fast food society at times, and I think it is typical that we would even want prophecies fulfilled right away and in their entirety. (You want fries with that, ma'am?) Sorry, I couldnt resist.

Throughout the OT and NT, I've come to see a sequential pattern where God reveals elements of His nature, as well as His redemptive plans for mankind, etc., using a pattern that takes longer than we expected and occurs a step at a time in a precisely calculated fashion, and with increasingly larger implications in so doing.

Examples in the prophecies of the coming of the Messiah are great examples of this (appropriate for this time of year). Its interesting to note that I have heard it stated that there are more prophecies in the OT concerning the second coming of Christ, than there are the first coming, by the way. Anyhow, this helps me to understand why there are prophecies that have been fulfilled in full and yet some that appear to be only partially fulfilled at this point. The Kingdom of God being realized in fullness is a wonderful example of this. As stated, previously, Jesus once answered an inquiry and said the Kingdom of God is among (in you). Or, put another way, the Kingdom of God is indeed here (inaugurated)now. There was no reference to it being here in fulness, and we know that there is "more to come", so to speak.

There comes in this the sequential revelation concept a sense of awe and expectation to the believer much like a child on Christmas Eve. Let's say a Christmas or Christmas Eve in some settings, arrives and the child finally gets to open a long-awaited present. Then when he gets to open his present it is only part of what he was expecting. The parent then might direct him to open another present to gain more of his gift. Another analogy would be like giving a child the keys to a car when they are yet too young to drive. One day though, you know (hope)they will be able to comprehend the operation of the car, so they must grow in wisdom and knowledge to obtain the fullness of their gift (the car keys).

The great news is that He is in complete control of this sequential revelation and knows when we are ready for more. That's where faith comes in; staying faithful to Him (especially when inbetween revelations) which He has promised are yet to come. :-)

"Eye hath not seen or ear heard the things which God has prepared for those who love Him". Put another way: "you aint seen nothing yet". Glory to God.

Feliz Navidad!
George