Preface to Volume 2

Many Christians shy away from the Old Testament for several reasons:

a.   Misconception that it is no longer relevant because it has been replaced by the New Testament,

b.  Apart from some interesting stories, the rest are either dry or boring to read, and

c.  It's all about Israel and the Jews living under the Mosaic law and not applicable to Christians living under grace.

Nothing can be further from the truth. In fact, much of the New Testament writings either quote from or make reference to the Old Testament, and many of its doctrines and teachings are similar or extensions of the former.

Reading the Old Testament need not be an exercise in futility; on the contrary, it can be a delightful, exhilarating experience. If you have completed the New Testament reading, the fresh insights gained will lend new light and meaning when you read the stories and narratives of the Old Testament. As the two are gradually woven together, you will discover two spiritual axioms: 'The New is in the Old concealed, the Old is in the New revealed'; and, 'The New is in the Old contained, the Old is in the New explained'. Both testaments therefore attest to One authorship and each is incomplete without the other.

Most English Bibles have the Old Testament organized into a collection of 39 books comprising the Law, historical records, wisdom books, and the prophetical writings. To consolidate all of these into one volume would make it almost two-and-a-half times the size of the New Testament volume and would take over three times as long to complete. This could invariably add to the burden of writing as well as reading.

After careful consideration, the structure and divisions of the Hebrew Old Testament are adopted. This text is familiar to the Jews, including Jesus and the early disciples. It offers a fresh way of looking at the Old Testament and allows for a two-volume treatment that is manageable in terms of size and reading schedule.

It is my prayer and hope that as you embark on this enriching journey of 157 days through the Law and the Prophets of the Old Testament, you will not only rediscover the pleasure of reading God's Word but also find gems of truth that will have you coming back for more.

May your love for God's Word leads you to drink deeply into the wellspring of the Rock which is Christ, typified in the characters, events and divine institutions of God's progressive revelation through His dealings with His covenant people of the Old Testament.

Revelation

The book of Revelation is an important yet often neglected part of Church doctrine on Eschatology and Christology. Perhaps the rich symbolisms and vivid imageries within its pages have caused confusion instead of clarity in the minds of many who read it.

That said, Revelation is God's final word to man in the inspired Scripture, and has very much to do with His eternal plan and purpose in Jesus Christ, to be revealed and fulfilled through the ages of history. Behind the figurative narratives is a consistent drama that is played out since time began, which God from eternity past had sovereignly predestinated when He created Man in His own image, to bring all things into subjection under the authority and rule of His beloved Son, through the process of creation and redemption, for His ultimate glory.

4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou has created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

How then should we approach Revelation? We are not to be intrigued or engrossed with endless speculations to the times or seasons which God has not revealed; rather, we are to watch, wait, wrestle (pray), and work in all readiness as we look forward to the Lord's return.

1:7 Behold, he comes with clouds; and every eye shall see him...

22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

Are we ready?

OUTLINE OF REVELATION

1. The Things Which Thou Hast Seen (1:1-20)
a. Purpose of the Book (1:1-3)
b. Recipient of the Book (1:4-8)
c. The Visions that John Saw (1:9-18)
d. The Command that John Received (1:19-20)
2. The Things Which Are (2:1-3:22)
Letters to the Seven Churches
Ephesus | Smyrna | Pergamos | Thyatira
Sardis | Philadelphia | Laodicea
3. The Things Which Shall Be Hereafter (4:1-22:21)
a. Scenes in Heaven (4:1-5:14)
The Throne Room of God
The Lamb and the 7-Seal Scroll
b. Situations on Earth (6:1-18:24)
The Seven Seals Judgment
1st Parenthesis: The 144,000 and Multitude
The Seven Trumpets Judgment
2nd Parenthesis: The Two Witnesses
3rd Parenthesis: The Seven Signs
The Seven Bowl Judgment
4th Parenthesis: Satan Bound
c. The Millennium Kingdom (19:1-20:15)
The Second Coming and Harvest
Establishing Everlasting Dominion
Final Judgment – The Great White throne
d. The New Heaven and Earth (21:1-22:21)
New Jerusalem – The Bride of Christ
Consummation of Salvation
The Eternal State
An Invitation and a Warning

 

The Apocalypse

No book in the Bible has captured the interest and imagination of men more than the last book of the New Testament. The visions of John, exiled on the island of Patmos, contain vivid imageries that peel away the veil of earthly existence, offering the reader an exquisite glimpse into the future and eternity, with graphic descriptions of characters and events taking place in heavenly and mortal realms.

For centuries, learned scholars and able theologians attempted to decipher the writings within its pages, without coming to a common agreement or conclusive statement as to its meaning or message. The apocalypse, as it is called, is derived from the Greek word apokalypsis—an 'uncovering', a 'disclosure' or as the book appropriately named, a 'revelation'. Note the singular nature of the word.

Since time immemorial, humans have an insatiable fascination for the future and the unknown. The great English poet William Blake eloquently expressed the deep longings and desires of the human heart in his work, Auguries of Innocence:

To see a world in a grain of sand
and a heaven in a wild flower;
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand
and eternity in an hour.

Perhaps the writer of Ecclesiastes gives us the best answer to this incessant hunger within man, yet points out the futility of seeking such knowledge apart and outside of the Revelator:

Ecclesiastes 3:12
He has made everything beautiful in his time: also he has set the world (eternity) in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God makes from the beginning to the end.

Jude

The writer of this short letter is believed to be the half-brother of Jesus Christ, based on his opening words acknowledging himself as a servant of the Lord and a brother to James. Within his 600-word letter, Jude warned believers of apostasy and false teachers that had crept into the church, and rallied them to stand firm and contend against these proud heretics. He gave a detailed description of these apostates, and urged the believers to defend the faith that is passed down to them, and to deliver those who had been deceived.

OUTLINE OF JUDE

1. Purpose for Writing (v1-4)
2. Description of False Teachers (v5-16)
3. Defense against Apostasy (v17-23)
4. Doxology (v24-25)

3 John

The apostle John spoke of enjoying fellowship with God in his first epistle, then forbade believers to have any fellowship with false teachers in his second, and finally, encouraged fellowship with true believers.

Three persons are mentioned in this letter: Gaius the beloved brother, Diotrephes the trouble-maker and bad example, and Demetrius the model believer. The church is a better place with people like Gaius and Demetrius who displayed brotherly love, hospitality and good testimony. But if personal ambition and agenda gets the upper hand like Diotrephes, we can be sure there will be chaos and conflicts among believers.

OUTLINE OF 3 JOHN

1. Commendation of Gaius (v1-8)
His Character and Charity
2. Condemnation of Diotrephes (v9-11)
His Personality and Pride
3. Compliments on Demetrius (v12)
4. Final Words (v13-14)
 

2 John

This second letter, addressed to an elect lady and her children, might well refer to a local church and its members that John was acquainted with. It has a similar tone to the first letter and warns about the danger of false teachers and doctrines that deny the incarnation of Jesus Christ, particularly Gnosticism that was gaining acceptance and popularity near the turn of the first century.

John did not elaborate much as he did in his first letter, though the brief mentions of the commandment to walk in love and of the antichrist spirit that is in the world, seemed to suggest that his readers were well informed about these things, needing only a short reminder from him.

OUTLINE OF 2 JOHN

1. Love's Salutation (v1-4)
Expression | Praise | Delight
2. Love's Command (v5-11)
Exhortation | Warning and Caution
3. Love's Concern (v12-13)
Face-to-Face | Faith-to-Faith

 

1 John

Perhaps no one is more qualified than the apostle John when it comes to writing about the nature of fellowship. The very basis of all human relations and interactions must be built upon a sound relation with God Himself. This is made possible when Christ came physically to interact with men—for us to hear, to see and to touch—to know for sure that God wants to relate with us.

John brought out three aspects of God that affect the way we fellowship with Him and one another:

1. God is light. Therefore we must walk in the light and not in darkness, confessing and forsaking our sinful ways by refusing to let sin have free reign in our mortal bodies. The proofs of our fellowship in the light are obedience to God, loving one another, being certain of who we are in Christ, and not loving the world and its ways which are contrary to God and His truth. This is living in the light.

1. God is love. This is manifested in our adoption as His children, in which we relate to Him as our Father, and by which we relate to each other and to other people with that same love that He first loved us, without compromising the truth. This is walking in love.

1. God is life. The criteria in relating to God involves faith, love and action in unison (5:1-3). The certainty that we have this relationship with Him is found in a faith that overcomes the world, full assurance of eternal life, total obedience to His will, and eradicating sin and idolatry from our lives. This is purifying in hope.

This epistle is indeed the handbook on true fellowship.

OUTLINE OF 1 JOHN

1. God is Light (1:1-2:29)
Conditions for Fellowship 
a. Reality of Fellowship with God (1:1-4)
b. Walking in the Light (1:5-7)
c. Dealing with the Issue of Sin (1:8-2:2)
d. Obeying the Lord's Command (2:3-6)
e. Loving One Another (2:7-14)
f. Avoiding Lusts and Pride (2:15-17)
g. Resisting the spirit of Antichrist (2:18-29)
2. God is Love (3:1-4:21)
Cautioning on Fellowship 
a. The Manner of God's Love (3:1-3)
b. The Manner of God's Children (3:4-12)
c. The Manner of Love in Action (3:13-24)
d. Discerning the Spirits (4:1-6)
e. Displaying Christ's Love (4:7-21)
3. God is Life (5:1-21)
Characteristics of Fellowship 
a. The Importance of Love (5:1-3)
b. The Importance of Faith (5:4-5)
c. The Importance of Divine Witness (5:6-10)
d. The Importance of Certainty (5:11-13)
Confidence in Fellowship
a. Praying in God's Will (5:14-17)
b. Living in the New Life (5:18-20)
c. Keeping Away from Idolatry (5:21) 

 

2 Peter

While Peter's first epistle dealt with facing adversaries outside the church, his second addressed the issues of enemies within. At the time of writing, Peter was near the end of his life (1:14). Still, he encouraged the believers to maintain purity in doctrine and remain true in the faith.

After the exhortation to grow in godliness and confidence in the Scriptures, Peter cautioned these believers to be wary of false prophets and teachers in their midst, and provided a clear description to help identify who these leaders and teachers were in the following areas:

1. Beliefs – Deny the Lord Jesus Christ
2. Moral conduct – Covetous, gainsaying and immoral
3. End – Swift destruction

Peter continued to sound out another group of enemies within the church: those who mock in unbelief at the second coming of the Lord, and scoff at those who look to Christ's return. He foresaw that this spirit of unbelief will rear its ugly head again in the last days, when many in the churches shall choose to ignore the warning signs and continue to indulge in their own wanton lifestyles.

The remedy to guard against such an attitude of callousness and lustful abandon is to keep on growing in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto you do well to take heed, as unto a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn and the day star arise in your hearts.

OUTLINE OF 2 PETER

1. Greetings (1:1-2)
2. Fortifying Against False Teachers (1:3-21)
a. Growing in Godliness  (1:3-14)
b. Knowing the Scriptures (1:15-21)
3. Recognizing False Teachers (2:1-22)
a. Recognizing their Ploys (2:1-3)
b. Recognizing their Punishments (2:4-9)
c. Recognizing their Personalities (2:10-22)
4. Overcoming False Teachers (3:1-18)
a. Resisting their Mentality (3:1-7)
b. Awaiting the Lord's Manifestation (3:8-10)
c. Growing in Maturity (3:11-18)

 

1 Peter

Suffering is never a pleasant or welcomed experience, more so in the face of religious persecution as a result of our faith. In his letter, Peter addressed the 'strangers that are scattered' across the Roman empire.

This is an apt description of the saints who were oppressed and persecuted, a reminder that they were but strangers and pilgrims here on earth (2:11), that their real abode was in heaven and therefore should not place their hopes on this world as the ultimate goal in life. The fact that believers have been singled out as objects of persecution clearly proves where our true allegiance and affection should be.

Peter exhorted these early believers not to feel discourage as a result of the trials they were undergoing, but to press on in their heavenly calling even under adverse circumstances. He emphasized the importance of holiness as God's people, chosen to show forth the praise of Him who has called them out from darkness into His marvelous light, and given them a royal and priestly status.

In view of this privileged position, believers are to emulate Christ's example in suffering, living in submission to the will of God, exhibiting a harmonious conduct in public towards those in power and rule, and privately in the family towards spouses and one another. 

Indeed, suffering has its divine purpose for the good of God's people, be it leaders or laymen. For when we faithfully do our part, the reward is sure:

5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, you shall receive a crown of glory that does not fade away.

OUTLINE OF 1 PETER

1. Salutation and Praise (1:1-5)
2. Salvation – The Believer's Belief (1:6-2:12)
a. The Believer's Life (1:6-25)
b. The Believer's Growth (2:1-8)
c. The Believer's Status (2:9-12)
3. Submission – The Believer's Behavior (2:13-3:12)
a. Towards Authorities (2:13-17)
b. Towards Employers (2:18-25)
c. Towards Spouses (3:1-8)
d. In Every Area of Life (3:9-12)
4. Suffering – The Believer's Buffeting (3:13-5:9)
a. The Believer's Conduct (3:13-17)
b. The Example of Christ (3:18-4:6)
c. The Exhortation to Follow (4:7-19)
d. Response in Suffering (5:1-9)
Elders: Feed and Care for the Flock
Saints : Submit in Humility
5. Benediction (5:10-14)

 

James

The writer of this letter is James, the half-brother of Jesus Whom He made a special appearance after His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:7), the other being Jude who also wrote a short letter bearing his name. Remarkably, James became a leader of the Jerusalem council and was recognized as one of the pillars of the early church, along with Peter and John. Interestingly, the thrusts of their epistles focused on faith (James), hope (Peter), and love (John).

Some early reformers were skeptical of this book in the canon of Scripture; Martin Luther even coined it the 'epistle of straw'! Though the letter of James suffered much misunderstanding and malignity for its apparent emphasis on works in contrast to Paul's stand on justification by faith, diligent students will no doubt detect faint traces of Jesus' teachings resonating from James' words. John Burns of Criswell College pointed out that 'the underlying structure of James' theology is the wisdom of Jesus, as our Lord, the Savior taught it and lived it.'

The book of James is practical in nature and has been regarded by many as the handbook of faith and spirituality in the world and the workplace. One can almost see the veiled reference to Jesus in His exemplary life from every argument, advice and application that James made in his letter.

Indeed, James is not contradicting Paul on salvation by works. Rather, he is stating the fact that a real saving faith is also an active faith—one that is authentic and applicable in every area and aspect of a believer's daily life. His challenge is still as valid and relevant today:

2:18 Show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

OUTLINE OF JAMES

1. The Test of Faith (1:1-18)
a. Benefits of Trials (1:1-12)
b. Source of Temptations (1:13-18)
2. The Traits of Faith (1:19-4:17)
a. Swift to Hear (1:19-2:26)
Hearing versus Doing
Partiality versus Integrity
Dead Faith versus Active Faith
b. Slow to Speak (3:1-18)
Faith and the Tongue
Wisdom and the Tongue
c. Slow to Anger (4:1-17)
Replacing Anger with Humility
Replacing Criticism with Justice
3. The Triumph of Faith (5:1-20)
a. Condemnation of the Unjust Rich (5:1-6)
b. Comfort of the Saints in Sufferings (5:7-12)
c. Command to Pray in Faith (5:13-20)