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Concordia Theological Monthly

Publication Date

10-1-1955

Document Type

Article

Keywords

christian hope, new testament, love, eschatological, st. paul, john the baptist, bengel

Submission Type

Bible Study; Lecture; Sermon Prep

Abstract

The New Testament is a book of hope, an eschatological book from beginning to end, from John the Baptist to John the Divine, the Seer of Patmos. And this hope of the New Testament is throughout a "practical" hope; it is always related to life and action; the eschatological future indicative is never without its here-and-now present imperative. When John the Baptist announces that the long-foretold and long-awaited reign of God has drawn nigh, that God has laid bare His arm to these last days to interpose finally and definitively in history in the Person of the Mightier One, who shall bring catastrophic judgment in consuming fire and shall bring the creative afflatus of the Spirit of God, that herald's cry is but the causal clause to his prophetic imperative: "Repent ye!" Since God's reign is drawing near, John calls upon all men to turn to the God who is turning to them, to turn in absolute aversion from all sin, self-assertion, and pride, to turn in obedience, trust, and total devotion. "Let God plant you," John cries, "and bring forth fruit in keeping with His planting."

Disciplines

Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion

Scripture References in this Resource (separated by semi-colons)

1 Peter 1:13; 2 Peter 3:11; 1 John 3:2-3; Romans 13:8, 11-14; 1 Corinthians 13:7-8; Revelation 2:5, 7; Revelation 22:12; 1 Corinthians 1:7-8; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 1 Corinthians 4:8; 1 Corinthians 5:5; 1 Corinthians 6:12; 1 Corinthians 6:14; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31;

Submission Cost

Free

Submission Audience

Laity; Ministers; Scholars

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