Trinity Fellowship

Study in the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith

Jesus is beginning to lengthen the time horizon of His teaching. The fig tree is signaling that summer is near. A new day is dawning, which follows the patterns of the past. God is starting over with the righteous, after removing the unrighteous. Just like in past ages, Christ will return at the end of this age as well. The final "Day of the Lord" to come is like the "Days of the Lord" in the past; the Lord will come yet again to remove the unrighteous and vindicate His saints with eternal peace. We know neither the day nor the hour, and so we must remain watchful and vigilant, always labouring under the lordship of Jesus Christ, for He is coming at an hour that we do not expect.

Study in the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith

The fall of Jerusalem proves that Jesus is a true prophet, since His prophecy about the fall of the city came true. It demonstrates that He has power to avenge Himself against the powers that oppose Him. In Daniel the phrase "Son of Man" also has a corporate meaning (cf. Dan. 7:13-14, 18, 22). The Son of Man is identical to, or linked with, the saints of the most high, who also receive authority and dominion. If the fall of Jerusalem is a vindication of Jesus, it is also a vindication of His people. It is proof that Jesus is enthroned; and it is proof that His people are enthroned with Him in the heavenly places. One of the central lessons we learn from the fall of Jerusalem is that it is a sign that Jesus is faithful to His Word, and faithful to His people (Leithart). So, our charge is to press into that faithfulness, to never give in to bitterness or despair, but to labour in a manner that is consistent with God's redemptive work.

Study in the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith

Jeremiah closes his ministry by warning Jerusalem of her idolatry and abominable worship. Forty years later, the Babylonians came in and destroyed the city and the temple. The Greater Jeremiah closes His ministry by warning Jerusalem of her idolatry, abominable worship, and the way she spills the blood of God's holy messengers. Forty years later, the Romans came in and destroyed the city and the temple. This terminal destruction of Jerusalem is the manifestation of the Son of Man (v.27). By destroying Jerusalem, Jesus proves that He is the rightful heir to God's vineyard, and that He is eager to avenge His bride. He will leave the corpse of the city for the Roman vultures to finish off (v.28). We must see to it that we are not guilty of these same sins and abominations; we must give our Lord the worship He deserves, in the manner He enjoys. Our charge is to worship the Son in spirit and in truth.

Study in the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith

Familiarity with Scripture reveals many rhythms and patterns. We see it when Christ retraces the steps of Israel. We see it when the prayers of the prophets go up to heaven, and heaven answers by throwing calamity back down to the earth. We see it when one world is destroyed, and another takes its place. We see it when empires rise up and are torn back down. We see it when God uses His enemies as a rod of discipline against His own people, and we see it whenever a great shaking comes to sort, purify, and redirect the people of God towards their proper aim. The fact that the specific prophecies of Matthew 24 have indeed played out as our Lord said they would gives us confidence, but our task is not complete until we are able to interpret our own circumstances through the lens of redemptive history. Application becomes natural when we are people of the Word. When our time of shaking comes, we know what to do; resist those who would lead us astray, endure to the end, and kill the sin which will make our love grow cold.

Study in the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith

Prophecy, history, and the heart of man are all in the hands of God's meticulous providence. We can see, together with many early Christians, how the redemptive history of Scripture, the decisions of the world's most powerful men, and the historical record are seamlessly woven together. Our Lord is in the heavens, and does all that He pleases (Psalm 115:3). Even when God vindicates the blood of the innocents by hurling calamity down to the earth, His hand of protection is over His children. When He shakes the earth, He does so to remove the temporary things, and to make way for His unshakable kingdom. So, the charge is this, be grateful that you have received this kingdom, and offer to the Lord acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for He is a consuming fire (Heb. 12:27-29).