More about Kingdom of Heaven

Does the book of Revelation describe the future, the past, or the future of the past? Why did many people in the early church want to reject the book of Revelation? This teaching summarizes different interpretative approaches to the book and examines the early church's theological objections to the kingdom of heaven.

The Partisans

The kingdom of heaven prior to the final redemption can be likened to a partisan movement, such as Robin Hood and his men or the European freedom fighters that fought in Nazi occupied territory. The Partisans is a teaching on Hebrews 2 in light of Psalm 8 and the parable of the ten minas in Luke 19 concerning all things in subjection to the Son and the revelation of the kingdom.

A Sabbath Rest Remains

The Sabbath represents the Messianic Era and the menuchah of the world to come. In Hebrews 3:7-4:11, the writer of the holy Epistle to the Hebrews compares this present world to the work week of preparation, and he warns us to prepare ourselves now for the Kingdom and the World to Come. This important message demonstrates that Hebrews 4 should not be used to justify a spiritual interpretation of the Sabbath that makes actual Sabbath observance obsolete.

Better Promises

Does the New Covenant really have better promises than the old? What are the better promises? How well do you really know the new covenant?

The book of Hebrews says that the Messiah has obtained a more excellent priesthood than the Aaronic priesthood because he is the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises (Hebrews 8:6). This discourse takes a closer look at the better promises of the new covenant as described in the prophecies of Jeremiah.

The Resurrection of the Dead

What's the difference between the resurrection and going to heaven?

According to Hebrews 6:1-2, the resurrection of the dead is one of the six basic doctrines of Messianic faith. In this teaching, D. Thomas Lancaster takes a look at the apostolic hope in the resurrection, distinguishing between the resurrection of the righteous and the general resurrection. This is teaching number 25 in the Hebrews series and number 10 in special series on the elementary teachings of the Messiah.

The Evangelical Gospel

The Evangelical Gospel can be reduced to "Jesus died to save you from your sins. Believe in him for the forgiveness of sins and you will go to heaven when you die." This sermon introduces the Six Elementary Teachings of Messiah with a look at Evangelicalism, our Evangelical roots, and the problems with the Evangelical Gospel, citing Scot McKnight's book The King Jesus Gospel.

Repentance from Dead Works

Are "dead works" the "works of the Law"? Does the book of Hebrews tell us to repent from Torah observance when it speaks of "repentance from dead works."

What are the basic teachings of Messiah mentioned in Hebrews 6:1-3? Discover the meaning of repentance from dead works in this eighteenth installment of sermons on the epistle to the Hebrews.

Fire on the Mountain

Is the God of the New Covenant a lot friendlier than the God of the Old Covenant? Conventional Christian teaching depicts the revelation of New Covenant in terms that contradict the image of a stern and fearsome God speaking from Mount Sinai. Was that the intention behind the comparison between Mount Sinai and Mount Zion in Hebrews 12?

Enter My Rest

Three possible interpretations of Psalm 95:11 prepare us for understanding the discussion in Hebrews 3:7ff regarding the generation in the wilderness that did not enter into God's rest. An important preface to the Sabbath discussion of Hebrews 4.

Psalm 95:11 says, "Therefore I swore in my wrath, 'They shall not enter my rest.'" The Book of Hebrews quotes this verse and interprets it in three possible directions:

The Final Judgment

After the resurrection of the dead comes the final judgment. According to Hebrews 6, the eternal judgment is one of the elementary principles of the Messiah, yet it is poorly understood among believers today. This teaching provides a quick synopsis of the subject.