Christmas Is About The Eschaton

"...The good news of Second Coming and the New Creation is not simply the earthiness of it all. Yes, let’s rejoice and look forward to the resurrection of the body. Let us hope for the renewal of the cosmos. Let’s delight in the idea that every field and stream, every star and galaxy will be born anew, shining with the lustre of the glory of God. But let us not forget that it is the glory of God that makes all things shine. God is what makes the New Creation good news.....

,,,Revelation 21 is the consummation of the movement of God on John 1, and indeed, Genesis 1. God, the Triune Creator, the Eternal One whose glory makes the brightest supernova seem like a child’s night-light, has reunited Heaven and Earth, so that we might be near him without being consumed by the beauty of his holiness.

Christmas is about the eschaton."

             - From "Christmas is About the Eschaton" by Derek Rishmowry

Checkmate!

"Inasmuch as the Cross is eschatological, the world of evil forces is also judged.

It is as if two people were playing chess. At a certain point, one of the players rises from the table, leaving his opponent to ponder his next move. The opponent struggles with all the possibilities because he is determined to win. What he has not realized is that there are only a limited number of moves that he can make, and not one of them can change the outcome of the game. No matter what he does, he will lose.

Just so at the Cross, the outcome of the chess game between God and Satan was decided. God will certainly win. Satan, however, is presently playing out every conceivable option, imagining that somehow his rebellion will triumph. It will not. "

— David F. Wells, God the Evangelist, (Carlisle, UK: World Evangelical Fellowship, 1997), page 67

HT: Of First Importance

Internship for the Eschaton

I collected the following quotes from Twitter highlights of Dr. Russell Moore's message at this years Desiring God National Conference. Wonderful stuff!

"Preaching is expository exorcism."

"When we gather together to hear God's word preached we are hearing a plea sent down from Jesus himself."

"In our little congregational meetings we are seeing the kingdom of God uprooting another kingdom."

"The King of the kingdom is the one who defines those who are received into the kingdom."

"Your vote on receiving a new member into your congregation is more significant than your vote for a US president."

"Your life in the local church is just an internship for the eschaton."

I don't know if I've gotten these quotes in the order of the original message. Sure sounds like it was a good one - filled with an understanding of the Gospel of the Kingdom!

From Eternity to the Eschaton

"From eternity to the eschaton, it is all about Christ."

"Scripture everywhere teaches about Christ. His life, death, and resurrection are the hinge on which the drama of Scripture turns."

— Peter J. Leithart, Athanasius, (Grand Rapids, Mi.: Baker Academic, 2011), xvii

Hat Tip: Of First Importance