Notes of Faith October 3, 2024

Things to Come

Let them bring forth and show us what will happen; let them show the former things, what they were, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare to us things to come.

Isaiah 41:22

The late J. Dwight Pentecost was a long-time professor of Bible exposition at Dallas Theological Seminary. One of the earliest of his many books was a massive volume—some seven hundred pages—titled Things to Come. Though published in 1958, it remains widely read today, having sold hundreds of thousands of copies. The length of this volume is an accurate reflection of the attention the Bible gives to “things to come”—specifically, the study of biblical eschatology, the doctrine of the last things on God’s prophetic timetable.

Isa 9:6-7

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

and his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and of peace

there will be no end,

on the throne of David and over his kingdom,

to establish it and to uphold it

with justice and with righteousness

from this time forth and forevermore.

ESV

The prophets in the Old Testament saw a day when God’s righteous rule would cover the earth and when peace would fill the earth (Isaiah 11:1-9). What they didn’t see as clearly was the gap between the Messiah’s first and second comings—meaning the truths about His coming glorious Kingdom are still “things to come.”

The New Testament reveals His coming Kingdom to be a thousand-year period (Revelation 20:1-6)—the Kingdom for which Jesus taught us to pray (Matthew 6:10). Thank God today that His Millennial Kingdom is coming!

Look up for your redemption draweth nigh!

Come quickly, Lord Jesus!

Pastor Dale