The Surprising God

This post exegetes Revelation 21:9-22:5, providing context for one of the RCL readings on the sixth Sunday of Eastertide (5/25/25). Insights are drawn from Grant Osborne ("Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament") and George R. Beasley-Murray ("New Bible Commentary"). "A New Heaven and New Earth" (Wikimedia Commons, public domain, Medhurst Collection) Introduction In Revelation 21:9-27 John provides additional detail concerning the Holy City. This revelation is really a tale of two cities, for it contrasts Rome/Babylon (the city of the beast, now desolate); with the city of God, now and forever the glorious habitation of God with his people in a new heaven/earth. Then in Revelation 22:1-5, John continues his description of the Holy City utilizing the familiar symbolism of the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2-3), coupled with the symbolism of the River of Life (a feature of the Garden of Eden in Genesis, and of the restored temple in Ezekiel 47). Together...

This post exegetes Revelation 21:1-8, providing context for one of the RCL readings on the fifth Sunday of Eastertide (5/18/25). Insights are drawn from Grant Osborne ("Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament") and George R. Beasley-Murray ("New Bible Commentary"). "A New Heaven and New Earth" (public domain, from Mortier's Bible via Wikimedia Commons) Introduction Chapter 21 of Revelation begins a new section in the book, addressing the great and climactic event to which Revelation (and, indeed, the whole Bible) points: the arrival of the new heaven and new earth!  God’s purpose for the entire cosmos (humanity included) is now fully realized. In the first part of this new section we are given a vision of the arrival of the new heaven and new earth and the descent of the New Jerusalem (21:1-2); then a voice from the throne tells us the significance of these things; and then God elaborates and challenges. The vision  Revelation 21:1-2 1 Then ...

This post exegetes Revelation chapter seven, providing context for the RCL Gospel reading on the fourth Sunday of Eastertide (5/11/25). Insights are drawn from Grant Osborne ("Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament") and George R. Beasley-Murray ("New Bible Commentary"). "John's Vision of Heaven" by Ottheinrich (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Introduction In coming to the seventh chapter of Revelation we are anticipating the opening of the last (seventh) seal. Through these seals, John is given “inside knowledge” concerning the outworking of God’s covenant with humanity (and, indeed, all the cosmos). The rest of the book of Revelation will retrace this seven-step, progressive cycle, adding more detail each time through. But just before and following the opening of the seventh seal, there is an “interlude” during which the saints of God are sealed and the saints and angels join their voices in worshipping God who is sovereign over all. T...

This post exegetes John chapter 21 providing context for the RCL Gospel reading on the third Sunday of Eastertide (5/4/25). Insights are drawn from Warren Wiersbe ("The Bible Expository Commentary"), Donald Guthrie ("The New Bible Commentary"), Michael Card ("The Parable of Joy"), and F.F. Bruce ("The Gospel of John"). "Breakfast with Jesus" source: https://www.debbiegoodwin.net/post/2018/04/17/breakfast-with-jesus Introduction Though the 20th chapter of John reads like the book’s conclusion, chapter 21 serves as an appendix with three purposes: Tell how Peter was restored to Christ’s service (explaining his prominence at the lead apostle).   Refute a prevalent rumor that John would live until Jesus returned.    Teach believers how to relate to their risen Lord. During the 40y days between his resurrection and ascension, Jesus visited with his disciples and prepared them for the coming of the Holy Spirit and their future ministries in h...