Christian hope rests on Jesus’ death and resurrection and on the faithfulness of the God who promises. Scripture joins that hope to clear responsibilities: watch and pray, grow in purity, care for others, work steadily, and persevere together. Learning what God has promised helps you carry those responsibilities with confidence.
Rest your hope in the Savior who gave himself for you
Set your hope on Jesus himself. Titus 2:11–14 places his promised appearing within the work of his grace: the grace that brings salvation has appeared, it teaches us how to live now, and believers look for Christ’s glorious appearing. Verse 14 explains that he gave himself to redeem a people from wrongdoing and make them his own, eager to do good. The future you await belongs to the Savior who has already acted for your good. Receive his mercy, learn his ways, and desire the day when you will see him.
That expectation gives direction to present life. In 1 Thessalonians 1:9–10, Paul describes people who turned from idols to serve the living and true God and to wait for his Son from heaven. Serving and waiting belong to the same response to the gospel. Earlier, he thanks God for their work of faith, labor of love, and enduring hope in Jesus Christ (verses 2–3). Hope takes shape as continuing allegiance to God and loving work before him.
Hebrews 9:24–28 gives a firm foundation for this confidence. Christ appears before God for his people and has offered himself once to put away sin. His second appearing brings salvation to those who await him. The phrase “without sin” in verse 28 contrasts that appearing with his first offering to bear sins; he comes without repeating the sacrifice. You may look toward him in reliance on his accomplished saving work.
Acts 1:6–11 records the risen Jesus directing his apostles toward the witness they will bear by the Holy Spirit’s power. The Father holds the times and seasons; the apostles receive a task. After Jesus ascends, the messengers promise that the same Jesus will come as they have seen him go. His return is bound to the risen Lord they knew. Receive their testimony, trust his promise, and attend to the obedience his words make known.
Encourage one another with the promised resurrection
Use the promise of Christ’s return to strengthen people who face death and loss. In 1 Thessalonians 4:13–14, Paul addresses grief concerning believers who have died. He gives a reason for hope: Jesus died and rose again, and God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. The passage allows sorrow while giving it a future beyond separation. Its closing instruction is to comfort one another with these words (verse 18).
Paul then explains why those who have died will share fully in that future. In 1 Thessalonians 4:15, the KJV word “prevent” means precede: believers still alive will not go ahead of the dead in Christ. The Lord himself will descend with a shout, the archangel’s voice, and God’s trumpet; the dead in Christ will rise first. The living will then be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air (verses 16–17). The conclusion is lasting fellowship: “and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” Tell one another what the passage promises—resurrection, gathering together, and enduring life with Christ.
The resurrection is grounded in what has happened to Jesus. First Corinthians 15:12–23 answers those denying that the dead rise: if there is no resurrection, Christ has not risen, faith is empty, and the dead in Christ have perished. But Christ has risen as the firstfruits, the beginning of the harvest that follows. Those who belong to him will be raised at his coming. Verses 24–28 carry that victory through to the destruction of death itself, the last enemy. Christian hope therefore rests on God’s action in the risen Christ.
This hope includes the transformation of the body. First Corinthians 15:35–54 compares seed and the body God gives, then describes a body raised in incorruption, glory, and power. Both the dead who rise and the living who remain must be changed. Philippians 3:20–21 likewise says that the Savior will transform our humbled body to be like his glorious body; the KJV’s “vile body” refers to its present lowly condition. The promise leads directly to standing firm in Philippians 4:1 and to abundant labor in 1 Corinthians 15:58. Because death will not defeat Christ’s work, your labor in him is not empty.
Further study: David W. Chapman · Amy L. B. Peeler · John F. Walvoord · Biblical Studies Press, NET Bible translators
Prepare to meet him by growing in holiness and love
Let the person you expect to meet shape the person you are becoming. First John 2:28–3:3 calls believers to abide in Christ with confidence at his appearing. They are already God’s children, yet the fullness of what they will be remains ahead: when Christ appears, they will be like him and see him as he is. John draws the present response from that hope: the person who hopes in him pursues purity because Christ is pure. Remain in him, receive his teaching, and turn your desires and conduct toward his righteousness.
The same letter explains how to pursue this life honestly. First John 1:5–2:2 calls believers to walk in the light, acknowledge their sins, and receive cleansing; it identifies Jesus Christ as their righteous advocate with the Father. Preparing for his coming includes confession and renewed obedience. Hope in future likeness gives you reason to keep seeking purity now, with your confidence resting in Christ’s mercy as you grow.
First Peter 1:13–21 joins hope to deliberate, reverent conduct. The instruction to gird up the mind uses the picture of preparing oneself for action. Believers are to be sober, set their hope on the grace to be brought at Christ’s revelation, and be holy in every part of life. Peter gives the reasons: God who called them is holy, their Father judges impartially, and they were redeemed by Christ’s precious blood. The older word “conversation” in verse 15 means conduct. Attend to the whole way you live because you belong to this holy and gracious Lord.
Holiness includes growing love. In 1 Thessalonians 3:11–13, Paul prays that the Lord will increase the believers’ love toward one another and toward all people, establishing their hearts blameless in holiness at Christ’s coming. The next instructions give that holiness practical content: please God, abstain from sexual immorality, honor rather than wrong others, increase in brotherly love, and work responsibly (1 Thessalonians 4:1–12). These are the concerns of people awaiting Jesus. Give them sustained attention, asking the Lord to establish the very character he calls you to practice.
Keep watch by trusting his words and praying
Give Jesus’ words authority over your expectations. Matthew 24:1–14 begins with his announcement that the temple will be destroyed and the disciples’ questions about that destruction, his coming, and the end. His opening concerns are their faithfulness: resist deception, remain steady amid wars, endure hostility, and continue in the gospel. He expressly says that wars and disturbances do not themselves mean the end has arrived (verses 6–8). When he describes love growing cold amid lawlessness, the call is to enduring allegiance to him (verses 12–14). Let that instruction govern your response to troubling events.
Attend to whom each instruction addresses. Matthew 24:15–20 names the holy place, people in Judaea, flight to the mountains, and the difficulty of fleeing in winter or on the sabbath. Those particular directions belong to the danger Jesus is describing. The discourse also speaks of the Son of Man’s coming in power and of angels gathering his elect from the four winds (verses 27–31). How the temple’s fate relates to that gathering requires care. The promise directs attention to the Son of Man’s authority and his care for his people, while the instructions call them to heed his words through the danger.
Readiness begins with accepting that the hour is unknown. Matthew 24:36–44 recalls people continuing ordinary life until Noah entered the ark and the flood came. Jesus uses the sudden arrival of judgment to explain the need to watch. The householder who would have watched if he knew the thief’s hour illustrates the same point: be ready because the arrival will be unexpected. Mark 13:32–37 likewise reserves knowledge of the day and hour to the Father and compares the waiting to servants given their work. Watchfulness means remaining responsive to the Lord and to the work he assigns.
Jesus gives watchfulness a prayerful form in Luke 21:34–36. He tells his hearers to guard their hearts from indulgence, drunkenness, and the burdens of life that can leave them unready, and to pray that they may stand before the Son of Man. First Thessalonians 5:1–11 gives believers confidence for that vigilance: they belong to the day and are to put on faith and love as a breastplate and the hope of salvation as a helmet. God has appointed them to salvation through the Lord who died for them. Pray with sober attention, strengthen faith and love, and encourage one another in that hope.
Stand steadily in the truth you have received. Second Thessalonians 2:1–3 addresses a report, possibly claiming apostolic authority, that the day has arrived; the KJV’s “is at hand” here carries the sense of being already present. Paul points to rebellion and the revealing of the man of sin, whose defeat comes through the Lord’s appearing (verses 3–12). He reminds the readers that they had received instruction in person. His conclusion is to hold firmly to the apostolic teaching and be established in every good word and work (verses 13–17). Receive that firm direction without turning the passage’s unnamed restraining power into a confident identification of a present person or event.
Further study: Craig S. Keener · Michael Theophilos · Edward Adams · Biblical Studies Press, NET Bible translators
Be faithful with the work entrusted to you
Carry out your responsibilities with the Lord’s return in view. In Matthew 24:45–51, the faithful servant gives the household its food at the proper time, and the master finds him doing that work when he returns. The evil servant treats the apparent delay as permission to abuse fellow servants and indulge himself. Jesus makes the difference concrete: readiness is seen in faithful treatment of the people entrusted to one’s care. Fulfill the good you have been given to do, remembering the Lord to whom you answer.
Be prepared to persevere. In Matthew 25:1–13, all ten bridesmaids become sleepy while the bridegroom delays. The wise have brought oil for their lamps; the foolish discover their need when the arrival is announced. Those who are ready enter the feast, and the shut door gives the failure to prepare its seriousness. The contrast concerns readiness that lasts through the wait. Give faith and obedience a continuing place in your life, so that your expectation can endure a longer wait than you imagined.
Matthew 25:14–30 adds the responsibility to use what the master entrusts. A talent in this story is a sum of money. The servants receive differing amounts according to their ability; the first two put the entrusted money to work and receive the same commendation for faithfulness. The third buries it and answers with fear and accusations about his master, who exposes the inconsistency of leaving it wholly unused. This is a parable of accountable service, with joy for the faithful and judgment for the unfaithful. Its trading and interest illustrate the story’s point; they do not command every Christian to pursue a particular financial return. Give willing, active service with what the Lord has entrusted to you.
Continue the ordinary work that provides for life together. Second Thessalonians 3:6–13 recalls Paul’s labor among the believers and addresses people who refuse work while meddling in other people’s affairs. The wording of verse 10 concerns unwillingness to work. Paul commands quiet work and earning one’s own bread, then tells the community to continue doing good. The letter does not specify why these people stopped working. Its instruction remains clear alongside the hope of Christ’s return: carry your responsibilities faithfully. Care for those who need support also remains a duty, as 1 Thessalonians 5:14 expressly commands.
Service reaches beyond earning a living. First Peter 4:7–11 draws a direct conclusion from the nearness of the end: pray soberly, love earnestly, offer hospitality without grumbling, and use your gifts for one another. Peter describes believers as stewards of God’s varied grace; the ability to serve comes from God, and the purpose is his glory through Jesus Christ. Receive what he gives with gratitude and put it to use for others. This is work that belongs naturally to waiting for the Lord.
Further study: D. A. Carson · Jennifer S. Wyant
Live before Christ’s judgment with mercy and integrity
Aim to please Christ in the life you actually live. In 2 Corinthians 5:6–10, confidence about being with the Lord leads Paul to the ambition of being pleasing to him: everyone must appear before Christ’s judgment seat and answer for what has been done. The same chapter explains that Christ died and rose so that those who live should live for him (verses 14–15). Reverence before his judgment and gratitude for his love belong together. Let both direct your choices toward what is good in his sight.
Jesus makes the seriousness of mercy plain in Matthew 25:31–46. The Son of Man comes in glory, gathers the nations, and separates people as a shepherd separates sheep and goats. The King names food, drink, welcome, clothing, and care for the sick and imprisoned. Both groups are surprised to learn that their treatment of those he calls “the least of these my brethren” was treatment of him. The account ends with eternal life and everlasting punishment. The King regards these apparently small acts of care, and their omission, as matters of lasting consequence.
The words “my brethren” give that care a particular focus. In Matthew 12:46–50, Jesus identifies those who do his Father’s will as his family; in Matthew 10:40–42, receiving his disciples and giving a little one a cup of water is received as service to him. These connections strongly support understanding the needy brethren in Matthew 25 as his vulnerable followers, including those carrying his message. Other interpreters understand the group more broadly. Attend especially to Christ’s people in need, and give generous care beyond them as well: Galatians 6:9–10 explicitly calls for good toward all, especially the household of faith. Love for the returning King should become practical help for people he puts within your care.
Receive the seriousness of this judgment within the gospel of saving mercy. Titus 3:3–8 says that God saved us through his mercy, rather than through righteous works we had performed, and made us heirs of the hope of eternal life. Paul immediately urges those who believe to devote themselves to good works. Mercy creates a people whose lives bear its fruit. Trust Christ for salvation and respond with the active goodness his grace teaches.
Accountability also teaches humility toward other believers. Romans 14:7–13 addresses disputes among Christians and reminds them that living and dying belong to the Lord. Since each will give an account to God, they are to stop despising one another and take care not to make a brother stumble. The future judgment should make you attentive to your own faithfulness and your neighbor’s good. Psalm 98:7–9 even summons creation to rejoice before the Lord who comes to judge with righteousness and fairness. His judgment gives reason to seek what is right and to trust that he will judge truly.
Further study: D. A. Carson · Carla Works · Stanley Saunders
Persevere with patience and confidence in God’s justice
Waiting for Christ calls for a settled heart when faithfulness is costly. James 5:1–8 first exposes wealthy oppressors who withhold workers’ wages, then tells the brothers and sisters to be patient until the Lord’s coming. The farmer waiting for the crop and its rains illustrates endurance directed toward a real harvest. God hears the workers’ cries. Strengthen your heart and continue in obedience because present injustice will not have the final word.
Let that patience shape how you treat the people waiting beside you. James 5:9–11 joins the coming Judge to a command against grumbling at one another. The prophets provide examples of suffering and endurance, and Job’s story directs attention to the Lord’s compassion and mercy. Waiting together requires kindness as well as firmness. Receive the encouragement of God’s character, and bear with others through the strain of a prolonged trial.
Second Thessalonians 1:3–12 places persecuted believers’ endurance before God’s righteous judgment. The Lord Jesus will bring rest to his afflicted people and judgment upon those who oppose him. Paul’s present response is prayer that God will make them worthy of his calling and fulfill the work of faith with power, so that Christ is glorified in them. Romans 12:17–21 explains the conduct fitting confidence in divine justice: pursue peace, leave repayment to God, and meet an enemy’s hunger or thirst with practical good. Trust the returning Judge while continuing to act with faithful love.
Hold your confession firmly through the waiting. Hebrews 10:19–39 begins with access to God through Jesus’ blood, calls for confidence in the faithful Promiser, and gives a grave warning about repudiating the Son and his sacrifice. It then recalls believers enduring public shame, standing beside sufferers, and accepting the loss of goods because they knew they had an enduring possession. Verses 35–39 call them to keep their confidence and persevere in doing God’s will. The promise of the coming One gives them reason to remain faithful under loss.
Receive the time God gives as an expression of his patience. Second Peter 3:3–9 answers people who treat the passage of time as evidence against Christ’s return. The letter recalls that creation and the flood depended on God’s word; the same God will fulfill his promise. A day and a thousand years do not measure him as they measure us. Verse 9 explains the apparent delay through his patience and desire for repentance, and verse 15 calls that patience salvation. Respond to his mercy now, help others hear his truth, and keep trusting the promise.
Further study: Biblical Studies Press, NET Bible translators
Look for the world in which righteousness dwells
Let God’s promised future make righteousness precious to you now. Second Peter 3:10–14 describes the coming judgment and asks what kind of people believers ought to be. The answer is holy conduct and godliness, looking for the new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells. Peter then urges diligence to be found at peace, without spot and blameless. The promised world gives a direction to present life: practice the goodness that belongs with God’s presence. Verse 18 makes the continuing task explicit—grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
God’s promise reaches the whole creation as well as his people. Romans 8:18–25 describes creation groaning under decay and believers groaning while awaiting the redemption of their bodies. The Spirit is already given, yet the full freedom remains ahead. Paul reasons that hope concerns what is not yet seen, so believers wait with patience. This allows you to acknowledge present pain while trusting that God’s purpose extends beyond it.
The promised victory is full of consolation. Isaiah 25:6–9 portrays the Lord’s feast for the peoples, the swallowing up of death, the wiping away of tears, and the joy of those who have waited for his salvation. Revelation 21:1–8 shows a new heaven and earth and the holy city coming from God. Its central promise is his dwelling with his people: death, sorrow, crying, and pain will pass away. The vision also retains judgment and the call to overcome. Place your hope in the faithful God who gives life freely and brings his people into his presence.
Life with God has a purpose as well as freedom from sorrow. Revelation 22:1–5 portrays the river and tree of life, the removal of the curse, and servants who see God’s face and serve him in his light. The book’s closing words connect the promise of Christ’s coming with keeping his words, worshiping God, and receiving the water of life (verses 6–17). John answers the promise with prayer: “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (verse 20). Let the hope of seeing and serving him deepen both your desire for his return and your willing service now.
Look toward that day with dependence on God’s mercy. Jude 20–25 calls believers to build themselves up in the faith, pray in the Holy Spirit, remain in God’s love, and await Christ’s mercy unto eternal life; it ends by praising the God able to keep them and present them before his glory with joy. In 2 Timothy 4:6–8, Paul faces death having kept the faith, and looks for the crown the righteous Judge will give to all who love his appearing. Keep trusting, praying, loving, and serving. The hope before you is the presence of the Lord who has loved and saved his people.
Further study: Biblical Studies Press, NET Bible translators
Read the passages
Scripture in context
51 contextual selections for this subject, including the passages cited above and further related reading. Every selected range is reproduced in full from the KJV. Context notes identify the setting and kind of evidence.
POETRY_AND_PRAISE 1 selections
Psalms 98:1–9 KJV · In this guide
Context: A song celebrates the Lord’s salvation and summons the whole creation to rejoice at his righteous judgment.
98:1 O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.
98:2 The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.
98:3 He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
98:4 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.
98:5 Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.
98:6 With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.
98:7 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
98:8 Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together
98:9 Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.
PROPHETIC_POETRY 1 selections
Isaiah 25:1–12 KJV · In this guide
Context: Praise for God’s overthrow of arrogant power leads to the feast, removal of death and tears, awaited salvation, and judgment on proud Moab.
25:1 O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.
25:2 For thou hast made of a city an heap; of a defenced city a ruin: a palace of strangers to be no city; it shall never be built.
25:3 Therefore shall the strong people glorify thee, the city of the terrible nations shall fear thee.
25:4 For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.
25:5 Thou shalt bring down the noise of strangers, as the heat in a dry place; even the heat with the shadow of a cloud: the branch of the terrible ones shall be brought low.
25:6 And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.
25:7 And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations.
25:8 He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.
25:9 And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
25:10 For in this mountain shall the hand of the LORD rest, and Moab shall be trodden down under him, even as straw is trodden down for the dunghill.
25:11 And he shall spread forth his hands in the midst of them, as he that swimmeth spreadeth forth his hands to swim: and he shall bring down their pride together with the spoils of their hands.
25:12 And the fortress of the high fort of thy walls shall he bring down, lay low, and bring to the ground, even to the dust.
APOCALYPTIC_VISION 3 selections
Daniel 7:9–28 KJV
Context: The divine court, the one like a son of man, the beasts, and the saints’ kingdom are seen and then interpreted within Daniel’s vision.
7:9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
7:10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.
7:11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.
7:12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.
7:13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
7:14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
7:15 I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.
7:16 I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.
7:17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.
7:18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.
7:19 Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;
7:20 And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.
7:21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;
7:22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.
7:23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.
7:24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
7:26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.
7:27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
7:28 Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.
Revelation 20:1–15 KJV
Context: John sees the binding, thousand years, first resurrection, final conflict, and judgment before the great white throne.
20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
20:3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
20:8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
20:9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Revelation 21:1–8 KJV · In this guide
Context: After the final judgment vision, John sees the new heaven and earth, the holy city, God’s dwelling, freely given life, and the fate of persistent evil.
21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
21:6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
MISSION_DISCOURSE 1 selections
Matthew 10:40–42 KJV · In this guide
Context: The mission discourse ends by joining reception of Jesus’ messengers to reception of Jesus and the Father.
10:40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
10:41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.
10:42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
NARRATIVE_WITH_TEACHING 1 selections
Matthew 12:46–50 KJV · In this guide
Context: While Jesus teaches, his mother and brothers seek him; he identifies those doing the Father’s will as his family.
12:46 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.
12:47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.
12:48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
12:49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
PROPHETIC_DISCOURSE 4 selections
Matthew 24:1–14 KJV · In this guide
Context: Jesus foretells the temple’s destruction; the disciples ask about these events, his coming, and the end. He begins with deception, distress, endurance, and gospel witness.
24:1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.
24:2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
24:8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.
24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Matthew 24:15–35 KJV · In this guide
Context: Jesus gives particular flight instructions concerning Judaea, warns of false claims, describes the Son of Man and gathering, and gives the fig-tree comparison.
24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
24:16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
24:17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
24:18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
24:19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
24:20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.
24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
24:25 Behold, I have told you before.
24:26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
24:27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
24:28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
24:32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
24:33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
24:34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Mark 13:1–37 KJV · In this guide
Context: The temple prediction introduces the private discourse with four disciples; it ends with the Son of Man, the unknown hour, and servants assigned their work.
13:1 And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!
13:2 And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
13:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,
13:4 Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?
13:5 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:
13:6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
13:7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.
13:8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.
13:9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.
13:10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
13:11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
13:12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.
13:13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
13:14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judæa flee to the mountains:
13:15 And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house:
13:16 And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.
13:17 But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
13:18 And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.
13:19 For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.
13:20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.
13:21 And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:
13:22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
13:23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.
13:24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
13:25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.
13:26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
13:27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.
13:28 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:
13:29 So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.
13:30 Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.
13:31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
13:33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
13:34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
13:35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
13:36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
13:37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
Luke 21:5–36 KJV · In this guide
Context: Temple questions lead to warnings about persecution, Jerusalem, the Son of Man’s coming, and prayerful vigilance.
21:5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said,
21:6 As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
21:7 And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?
21:8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
21:9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.
21:10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
21:11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
21:12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake.
21:13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony.
21:14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:
21:15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
21:16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
21:17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.
21:18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
21:19 In your patience possess ye your souls.
21:20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
21:21 Then let them which are in Judæa flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.
21:22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
21:23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.
21:24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
21:26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
21:27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
21:29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
21:30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.
21:31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
21:32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
21:33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
21:35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
PROPHETIC_EXHORTATION 1 selections
Matthew 24:36–44 KJV · In this guide
Context: Jesus turns to the unknown day and hour, the flood’s sudden arrival, and the householder surprised by a thief.
24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
24:37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
24:39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
24:40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
24:41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
24:43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
PARABLE 3 selections
Matthew 24:45–51 KJV · In this guide
Context: The readiness discourse depicts a servant entrusted with a household and contrasts faithful feeding with abuse during the master’s absence.
24:45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
24:46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
24:47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
24:48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
24:49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
24:50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
24:51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matthew 25:1–13 KJV · In this guide
Context: Ten bridesmaids await a delayed bridegroom; all sleep, but only the prepared enter the wedding feast.
25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
25:2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
25:3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
25:9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Matthew 25:14–30 KJV · In this guide
Context: A master entrusts different sums to servants and, after a long time, returns to reckon with them.
25:14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
25:15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
25:16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
25:17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
25:18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
25:19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
25:20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
25:22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
25:24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
25:25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
25:26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
25:27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
25:28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
25:29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
JUDGMENT_DISCOURSE 1 selections
Matthew 25:31–46 KJV · In this guide
Context: The Son of Man’s glorious coming and judgment conclude the discourse, with the King identifying treatment of his needy brethren as treatment of himself.
25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
25:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
25:42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
25:43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
25:44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
25:45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
NARRATIVE_AND_COMMISSION 2 selections
Matthew 28:16–20 KJV · In this guide
Context: The risen Jesus meets the Eleven, declares his authority, commissions disciple-making, and promises continuing presence.
28:16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
28:17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Acts 1:1–14 KJV · In this guide
Context: The risen Jesus teaches the apostles, promises the Spirit, commissions their witness, and ascends; they return to prayer together.
1:1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
1:2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
1:3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
1:4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
1:6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
1:7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
1:10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
1:12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey.
1:13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.
1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
TEACHING_DISCOURSE 1 selections
John 5:19–29 KJV
Context: Jesus explains the Son’s relation to the Father, authority to give life and judge, present passage from death to life, and future resurrection.
5:19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
5:20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
5:21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.
5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
5:23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.
5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
5:25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
5:26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
5:27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
FAREWELL_DISCOURSE 1 selections
John 14:1–6 KJV
Context: During the farewell discourse, Jesus comforts troubled disciples with the Father’s house, his departure and return, and himself as the way.
14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
14:2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
14:4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
14:5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
APOSTOLIC_ARGUMENT 4 selections
Romans 8:18–25 KJV · In this guide
Context: Paul sets present suffering beside future glory, creation’s groaning, the Spirit’s firstfruits, and the awaited redemption of the body.
8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
8:20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
8:21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
8:25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
1 Corinthians 15:12–34 KJV · In this guide
Context: Paul answers denial of the resurrection, sets out its consequences, and describes Christ’s victory and its implications.
15:12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
15:13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:
15:14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
15:15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.
15:16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:
15:17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
15:18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
15:21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
15:24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
15:26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
15:27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
15:28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
15:29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?
15:30 And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?
15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
15:32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.
15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.
1 Corinthians 15:35–58 KJV · In this guide
Context: Paul answers questions about the resurrection body through seed and other comparisons, then announces transformation and calls for steadfast work.
15:35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?
15:36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:
15:37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:
15:38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.
15:39 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.
15:40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
15:41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
15:42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
15:43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
15:44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
15:46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
15:47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
15:48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
15:49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
15:56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:1–21 KJV · In this guide
Context: Paul moves from bodily frailty and hope to pleasing Christ, judgment, Christ’s love, and the ministry of reconciliation.
5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
5:2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
5:3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
5:4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
5:5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
5:6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
5:9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
5:11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
5:12 For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.
5:13 For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.
5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
5:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
5:16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
APOSTOLIC_INSTRUCTION 9 selections
Romans 12:17–21 KJV · In this guide
Context: The practical exhortations following God’s mercies specify peace, leaving vengeance to God, and active goodness toward enemies.
12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 14:7–13 KJV · In this guide
Context: In disputes over food and days, Paul places living, dying, and each person’s account under the Lord.
14:7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
14:8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.
14:9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.
1 Corinthians 11:17–34 KJV · In this guide
Context: Paul corrects divisions, hunger, and humiliation at the gathering by recalling the Lord’s Supper and requiring self-examination and consideration.
11:17 Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.
11:18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
11:19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
11:20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper.
11:21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.
11:22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.
11:23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.
11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
11:30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
11:33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.
11:34 And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.
1 Thessalonians 4:1–12 KJV · In this guide
Context: Paul turns from his prayer to instructions about pleasing God, sexual holiness, brotherly love, and responsible work.
4:1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
4:2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
4:4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
4:5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
4:6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
4:7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
4:8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
4:9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
4:10 And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;
4:11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
4:12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 KJV · In this guide
Context: Paul addresses the community’s concern about believers who have died and commands mutual comfort.
4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
2 Thessalonians 2:1–17 KJV · In this guide
Context: Paul corrects a claim concerning the day of the Lord, recalls earlier instruction, describes lawlessness and its defeat, and ends with thanksgiving and exhortation.
2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
2:14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
2:16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
2:17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
2 Thessalonians 3:6–16 KJV · In this guide
Context: Paul recalls his example, corrects disorderly unwillingness to work, requires continuing good, and describes brotherly rather than hostile correction.
3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
3:7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
3:8 Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:
3:9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
3:11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
3:12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
3:13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
3:14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
3:15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
3:16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.
Titus 2:1–15 KJV · In this guide
Context: After instructions to different groups in the churches, Paul grounds sober, righteous, godly living in saving grace and Christ’s self-giving purpose.
2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
2:2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
2:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
2:4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
2:5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
2:6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
2:7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
2:8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
2:9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;
2:10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
2:15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
Titus 3:1–8 KJV · In this guide
Context: Civic and neighborly duties are grounded in remembered sin, God’s saving kindness, renewal, and the hope of eternal life.
3:1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
3:2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
3:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
3:4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
APOSTOLIC_EXHORTATION 9 selections
Galatians 6:6–10 KJV · In this guide
Context: Instruction about sharing, sowing and reaping culminates in perseverance in doing good.
6:6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Philippians 3:17–4:1 KJV · In this guide
Context: Paul contrasts patterns of earthly-minded living with the citizenship and expectation of Christ’s people.
3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
3:18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
3:19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
4:1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
1 Thessalonians 5:1–11 KJV · In this guide
Context: After the resurrection comfort, Paul addresses the day of the Lord, contrasting darkness with the believers’ identity as children of the day.
5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
5:7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
James 5:1–12 KJV · In this guide
Context: Condemnation of rich oppressors is followed by patient expectation, the farmer, prohibition of grumbling, the prophets, and Job.
5:1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.
5:2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.
5:3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.
5:4 Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.
5:5 Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.
5:6 Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.
5:7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
5:8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
5:9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.
5:10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
5:11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
5:12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
1 Peter 1:1–25 KJV · In this guide
Context: Peter addresses scattered believers, praises God for living hope, and grounds holy conduct and sincere love in redemption and the enduring word.
1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1:6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
1:10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
1:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
1:14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
1:17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
1:21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
1:24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
1 Peter 4:7–11 KJV · In this guide
Context: Peter draws direct practical conclusions from the nearness of the end.
4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
4:9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
4:10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
2 Peter 3:1–18 KJV · In this guide
Context: The final chapter answers scoffers, recalls creation and flood, explains divine patience, and moves from judgment to new creation and holy living.
3:1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
3:2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
3:4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
3:5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
3:6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
3:7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
1 John 1:5–2:2 KJV · In this guide
Context: The announcement that God is light tests claims of fellowship and points sinners to cleansing and Christ’s advocacy.
1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
1 John 2:28–3:10 KJV · In this guide
Context: John connects abiding and confidence at Christ’s appearing with present divine sonship, future likeness, and righteousness.
2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
2:29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
3:6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
3:10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
APOSTOLIC_THANKSGIVING 1 selections
1 Thessalonians 1:1–10 KJV · In this guide
Context: The opening thanksgiving recalls the Thessalonians’ reception of the gospel, their example, and their turning from idols.
1:1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1:2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;
1:3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
1:4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
1:5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
1:6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
1:7 So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.
1:8 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.
1:9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;
1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
APOSTOLIC_PRAYER 1 selections
1 Thessalonians 3:11–13 KJV · In this guide
Context: Paul’s prayer follows his joy over the believers’ continuing faith and his desire to see them again.
3:11 Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.
3:12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
3:13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
APOSTOLIC_EXHORTATION_AND_PRAYER 1 selections
1 Thessalonians 5:12–28 KJV · In this guide
Context: The letter closes with mutual responsibilities, worship and discernment, a prayer for preservation at Christ’s coming, and final greetings.
5:12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
5:13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
5:15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
5:16 Rejoice evermore.
5:17 Pray without ceasing.
5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
5:19 Quench not the Spirit.
5:20 Despise not prophesyings.
5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
5:24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
5:25 Brethren, pray for us.
5:26 Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.
5:27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.
5:28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
APOSTOLIC_ENCOURAGEMENT 1 selections
2 Thessalonians 1:1–12 KJV · In this guide
Context: Thanksgiving for growing faith and endurance leads to promised righteous judgment, relief, and prayer for present faithfulness.
1:1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
1:2 Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
1:5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
1:6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
1:10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
1:11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
1:12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
APOSTOLIC_CHARGE_AND_TESTIMONY 1 selections
2 Timothy 4:1–8 KJV · In this guide
Context: Paul charges Timothy before the coming Judge to preach faithfully, then speaks of his own approaching death and completed course.
4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
4:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
APOSTOLIC_EXPOSITION 1 selections
Hebrews 9:23–28 KJV · In this guide
Context: The comparison of earthly and heavenly sanctuaries culminates in Christ’s entry before God and his once-for-all offering.
9:23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
9:25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;
9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
APOSTOLIC_EXHORTATION_AND_WARNING 1 selections
Hebrews 10:19–39 KJV · In this guide
Context: Access through Christ’s blood grounds drawing near, holding hope, gathering, a grave warning, and perseverance after costly suffering.
10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
10:21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
10:28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
10:30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
10:32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;
10:33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.
10:34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
10:36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
10:37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
10:39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
APOSTOLIC_EXHORTATION_AND_DOXOLOGY 1 selections
Jude 1:17–25 KJV · In this guide
Context: Against the false teachers already described, Jude recalls apostolic warnings and calls believers to faith, prayer, love, mercy, and confidence in God’s keeping.
1:17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
1:18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
1:19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
1:23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
1:25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
APOCALYPTIC_VISION_AND_EXHORTATION 1 selections
Revelation 22:1–21 KJV · In this guide
Context: The river, tree, service, and divine light conclude the city vision; the epilogue calls for faithful response to the promise of Christ’s coming.
22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
22:2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
22:3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
22:4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
22:5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
22:6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.
22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
22:8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.
22:9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.
22:10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
22:13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
22:15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
22:21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Go deeper
Sources & interpretation
The teaching starts with the cited Scripture. These consulted works inform wording, context, and interpretive questions. No qualified human review has been recorded for this guide.
How do the temple’s destruction and the coming of the Son of Man relate?
Matthew 24 begins with the temple, gives geographically particular flight instructions, speaks of the Son of Man and gathering, says this generation will not pass before these things, and then stresses the unknown day and hour. Mark and Luke retain both the historical setting and urgent vigilance. In Daniel 7:13–14 the figure approaches the Ancient of days; the Gospel use must be assessed in its own context.
- A differentiated or foreshadowing reading relates the temple crisis to a final coming while distinguishing horizons; Keener argues along these lines. It must explain the transitions and the scope of this generation.
- A consistently first-century judgment reading takes the coming language as royal vindication associated with the temple’s fall; Theophilos argues for this in Matthew. It must explain the gathering and the discourse’s wider movement without erasing the separately attested future return.
- Adams argues that Mark combines Daniel 7 and divine-advent imagery to describe the future return. His argument resists treating Daniel’s upward approach as a complete explanation of the Gospel language.
STRONG confidence in the discourse’s demands for fidelity and readiness and in Christ’s future return from Acts 1 and the epistles; PROBABLE, rather than EXPLICIT, for a detailed division of Matthew 24’s horizons. The main article preserves the local flight context and the coming promise without assigning present events to a prophetic calendar.
Further study: Craig S. Keener · Michael Theophilos · Edward Adams
Further examination: How does each proposal account for Matthew 24:3, 15–22, 27–35, and 36–44 together, and what practical commands remain clear without settling every transition?
What does the gathering promise establish, and what requires a wider chronology?
First Thessalonians 4:13–18 explicitly promises the Lord’s descent, resurrection of the dead in Christ, the living caught up with them, meeting in the air, and permanent fellowship. The paragraph does not itself name an interval of tribulation or describe the next location after the meeting.
- Chapman interprets the meeting through the welcome of an arriving ruler and expects accompanying the Lord onward to earth. The contextual and greeting parallels support an argument, not a lexical rule that determines the whole sequence.
- Walvoord relates the gathering to reception in the Father’s house and a pretribulational removal. That account depends on connecting several passages beyond the explicit statements of 1 Thessalonians 4.
- Readings of Revelation 20 also differ over the thousand years and the first resurrection. Those disagreements cannot be resolved simply by assigning a label to the meeting in the air.
VERY_STRONG confidence in resurrection, reunion, and enduring fellowship; no settled tribulation or millennial sequence is asserted. The guide teaches the paragraph’s stated consolation and bodily hope while making the chronology question available for further study.
Further study: David W. Chapman · John F. Walvoord · Amy L. B. Peeler
Further examination: Which steps in a proposed chronology are stated by each passage, and which are inferred connections? Does that proposal preserve Paul’s actual purpose of comforting believers concerning the dead?
What should be said about the misleading claim and the restrainer?
Second Thessalonians 2:2 addresses a claim that the day is present; the KJV phrase is at hand can now mislead a reader about that sense. The letter appeals to earlier oral instruction, uses both impersonal and personal language of restraint, and never gives later readers an explicit name. It closes by calling for steadfastness and good words and works.
- Political power and its representative are one proposed explanation of the restraining language.
- Divine restraint, understood through the Spirit or the gospel’s activity, is another proposal. The NET notes discuss these possibilities without making the passage name one.
- The disorder in chapter 3 may have involved mistaken end-time expectations, but hospitality abuse or other causes are also proposed; the stated problem is unwillingness to work and meddling.
STRONG confidence in the correction of a false report and the demand for truthful, steady obedience. UNCERTAIN identification of the restrainer and motive for the disorder; neither is supplied as fact. The wording explanation concerns verse 2, without silently replacing the pinned KJV text.
Further study: Biblical Studies Press, NET Bible translators · Jennifer S. Wyant
Further examination: What does the letter explicitly say, what knowledge does it assume its first hearers possessed, and how can its final exhortation govern conduct when later readers lack that background?
How do the readiness parables teach without turning every detail into a command?
The servant story contrasts household care with abuse; all bridesmaids sleep while the bridegroom delays; the talent story gives differing sums but the same commendation to the first two servants. These details distinguish enduring preparation and accountable service from literal sleeplessness or a uniform measure of output.
- The oil has been identified with faith, the Spirit, or good works in different interpretations. The story itself does not name one symbolic equivalent.
- The talents can be applied to varied entrusted responsibilities, but within the story they are money. Treating every financial detail as a direct economic command confuses the illustration with its purpose.
- The severe endings can be neglected if the stories are reduced to general encouragement. Their warning and the invitation to the master’s joy both belong to the teaching.
STRONG confidence in preparedness through delay, responsible care, active stewardship, and real accountability. Avoid assigning an unexpressed identity to the oil or making the parable a universal investment rule. No independent historical wedding reconstruction is needed for these conclusions.
Further study: D. A. Carson
Further examination: Which stated contrasts carry each story’s force, and how do its reward and warning shape the faithful response without requiring a symbolic explanation of every object?
Who are the least of the King’s brethren?
Matthew 25:40 calls the recipients the King’s brethren. Matthew 12:46–50 associates Jesus’ family with doing the Father’s will; 10:40–42 connects receiving his messengers and giving a disciple water to receiving him. The judgment scene also gathers all nations and describes recognizably ordinary needs.
- The needy followers of Jesus, especially vulnerable messengers, fit the family and mission parallels; Carson develops this argument.
- All people in need, including persecuted disciples, are the broader referent in Works’s exposition. This emphasizes Jesus’ merciful ministry and the range of needs in the scene. Saunders also presents the dispute.
PROBABLE confidence in a particular reference to Jesus’ needy followers; the main text states the contextual reasons and acknowledges the broader alternative. Care for all is explicitly required in Galatians 6:10 regardless of this identification. Neither reading permits disregard for the needy.
Further study: D. A. Carson · Carla Works · Stanley Saunders
Further examination: How much weight should Matthew’s own uses of brethren and little ones carry, and how does each interpretation retain both the King’s identification and the seriousness of omitted mercy?
How can final accountability be taught together with salvation by mercy?
Second Corinthians 5:10 declares accountability for bodily deeds within a chapter about Christ’s death and reconciliation. Titus 3:3–8 joins salvation by mercy, the hope of eternal life, and careful good works. John 5:24–29 speaks both of life through hearing and believing and of resurrection to life or judgment. Matthew 25 makes mercy consequential and describes the kingdom as prepared for its heirs.
- One emphasis understands deeds as the evidence of a life transformed by saving grace; the passage’s acts of mercy reveal allegiance to the King.
- Another emphasis stresses the necessity of lived obedience and perseverance in the final judgment without treating those deeds as a purchase of grace. Traditions differ in how they formulate the relation of justification, works, and perseverance.
VERY_STRONG confidence that saving mercy and meaningful accountability must both be retained; STRONG inference that grace bears active fruit. The article neither turns mercy into a price paid for salvation nor empties the warnings of their force. It does not attempt a complete adjudication of confessional accounts of justification and perseverance.
Further study: D. A. Carson
Further examination: Does the explanation allow each passage to say all it says about Christ’s saving work, good works, perseverance, and the coming judgment, rather than using one to silence another?
How should new creation, apparent delay, and urgent expectation be held together?
Second Peter 3 explains the apparent delay as patience, describes judgment, promises new heavens and earth, and calls for holy living. Romans 8 joins bodily redemption to creation’s liberation. Revelation 21–22 retains both the newness of the promised world and the fulfillment of life with God. The last clause of 2 Peter 3:10 has important textual variants.
- Renewal accounts emphasize continuity and liberation, particularly Romans 8 and the exposure reading of 2 Peter 3:10.
- Replacement accounts emphasize the passing away and fiery dissolution language. The KJV’s burned up wording does not by itself specify every physical aspect of the resulting world.
- Second Peter 3:12 joins looking for and hastening the day. Explanations of how human response relates to God’s purpose vary; the passage plainly summons holiness while verse 9 explains patience in relation to repentance.
VERY_STRONG confidence in God’s fulfilled promise, judgment, life in his presence, and the call to holiness. The guide does not specify a physical mechanism of cosmic renewal, calculate a date from verse 8, or claim that a person can force the date of the coming. The pinned KJV remains intact; the variant is disclosed for further study.
Further study: Biblical Studies Press, NET Bible translators
Further examination: How do the texts’ promised outcomes and explicit commands constrain explanations of the world’s renewal and God’s patience, even where the mechanism or sequence remains uncertain?
- What Is the Rapture? (1 Thessalonians 4)
David W. Chapman · Crossway · 2018-10-19
Explains hope for deceased believers and argues that meeting the arriving Lord fits a welcome accompanying him to earth.
What was reviewed
The complete article, from Informed Belief through the final encouragement; adapted from ESV Expository Commentary, volume 11. Accessed 2026-09-25.
The greeting parallels inform an interpretation; the meeting word alone does not establish destination or the full chronology. The parent commentary and secular Greek evidence were not independently read.
- Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18
Amy L. B. Peeler · Working Preacher, Luther Seminary · 2014-11-09
Emphasizes resurrection-grounded consolation and the shared future of living and deceased believers.
What was reviewed
Complete commentary body and its single footnote. Accessed 2026-09-25.
The text does not establish her reconstruction of what Paul had previously failed to teach. Her cited Witherington volume and broad claims about Gentile religion were not independently verified.
- Chapter 4: The Translation of the Church
John F. Walvoord · John F. Walvoord website
Presents a pretribulational synthesis joining John 14 to the gathering in 1 Thessalonians 4, providing a substantive alternative to Chapman.
What was reviewed
Opening discussion through Translation of Living Saints and the subsequent shout and archangel discussions; stopped at The Trump of God heading. Accessed 2026-09-25 · Read in part.
The chapter is only partly read. The timing relative to tribulation and the destination afterward depend on a wider synthesis. Reconstructed Thessalonian expectations and identification of the archangel are not treated as explicit statements of 1 Thessalonians 4.
- Philippians 3:17–4:1: translation and notes
Biblical Studies Press, NET Bible translators · NET Bible, hosted by Bible Gateway · 2017
Clarifies that the body called vile in the KJV is the body of present humility, destined for transformation.
What was reviewed
The whole displayed passage and all five footnotes, especially the note at 3:21. Accessed 2026-09-25.
A translation and brief notes support the wording explanation, not an independent examination of all Greek lexical evidence. The date is the displayed copyright endpoint.
- When prophecies don’t happen
Craig S. Keener · Bible Backgrounds · 2015-09-19
Explains a distinction between the temple’s destruction and the future coming, with judgment language related through prophetic foreshadowing.
What was reviewed
The section The Lord’s return, especially the discussion of Matthew 24:3, 27–31, 34, and 36–51. Accessed 2026-09-25 · Read in part.
This section, rather than the whole article’s treatment of prophecy, informs the guide. Its linked commentaries and cited Wright work were not read. The proposed relationship between horizons remains interpretive.
- The Abomination of Desolation in Matthew 24:15
Michael Theophilos · Tyndale Bulletin 60.1 (2009), 157–160 · 2009
Argues for a consistently temple-destruction horizon in Matthew 24, using royal coming language and Old Testament judgment imagery.
What was reviewed
All four pages of the published research summary, pages 157–160. Accessed 2026-09-25.
This is a short research summary, not the underlying full study. Its proposed identification of the abomination and its whole-discourse conclusion are evaluated as alternatives, not established facts. Historical sources cited within it were not separately verified.
- The Coming of the Son of Man in Mark’s Gospel
Edward Adams · Tyndale Bulletin 56.2 (2005), 39–61 · 2005
Argues that Mark’s Son of Man language combines Daniel 7 with divine-advent motifs and refers to an eschatological return rather than ascension or vindication alone.
What was reviewed
Abstract, introduction and Daniel discussion on pages 39–44; selected paragraphs of section 6 on pages 54–59; conclusion on pages 60–61. Accessed 2026-09-25 · Read in part.
Only the stated parts were inspected. Daniel 7 itself depicts approach to the Ancient of days. The guide does not claim independent inspection of the ancient parallels or the France and Wright works Adams critiques.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:1–12: translation and notes
Biblical Studies Press, NET Bible translators · NET Bible
Clarifies the claim that the day is already present, records the sin/lawlessness reading, and sets out grammatical and interpretive questions about restraint.
What was reviewed
All twelve displayed verses and notes 1–25, including the translation of verse 2 and the restrainer notes. Accessed 2026-09-25.
The notes do not identify the restrainer with certainty. Manuscripts, grammars, and lexicons named in the notes were not independently collated or read.
- The Christian and the Future: Waiting for the Kingdom, Waiting for the King
D. A. Carson · The Gospel Witness; Toronto Baptist Seminary address · 1988-12-22
Highlights preparedness through delay and argues from Matthew’s disciple language for identifying the least brethren with Jesus’ followers.
What was reviewed
PDF pages 1–2 (opening), 5–6 (preparedness for delay, including the bridesmaids), and 8–9 (sheep, goats, and Jesus’ brethren). The address date given is October 20, 1988. Accessed 2026-09-25 · Read in part.
The whole ten-page address was not read. Historical wedding reconstruction and cultural polemics are not adopted. The brethren interpretation is weighed against broader readings and the Gospel’s own parallels.
- Commentary on 2 Thessalonians 3:6–13
Jennifer S. Wyant · Working Preacher, Luther Seminary · 2022-11-13
Distinguishes unwilling work from need and compares proposed reasons for disorder, including mistaken eschatology and abuse of hospitality.
What was reviewed
Complete commentary body and two notes. Accessed 2026-09-25.
The epistle does not state the workers’ motive. The article’s apparent verse-number slip concerning the disorderly wording and its broader classical-word and policy claims are not used. Cited books were not read.
- Commentary on Matthew 25:31–46
Carla Works · Working Preacher, Luther Seminary · 2023-11-26
Presents a broader identification of the least with people in need, including persecuted disciples, in continuity with Jesus’ ministry.
What was reviewed
Complete commentary body; the page identifies its earlier publication on November 20, 2011. Accessed 2026-09-25.
This supplies a real alternative to the narrower disciple reading. Its cited Hauerwas book and historical prison generalizations were not independently inspected.
- Commentary on Matthew 25:31–46
Stanley Saunders · Working Preacher, Luther Seminary · 2015-03-22
Identifies the debate over disciples versus all needy people and emphasizes the King’s identification with the least.
What was reviewed
Complete commentary body. Accessed 2026-09-25.
The guide retains the passage’s future judgment and does not adopt the suggestion that attempting to identify the brethren is itself condemned. This is an interpretive commentary, not proof of a consensus.
- 2 Peter 3: translation and notes
Biblical Studies Press, NET Bible translators · NET Bible, hosted by Bible Gateway · 2017
Records the variant behind the difference between the KJV’s burned up and the NET’s laid bare, and interpretive options concerning elements and divine patience.
What was reviewed
The displayed chapter translation; selected notes, especially those on verse 9, the elements in verse 10, and the textual alternatives at the end of verse 10. Later retrievals of the same page returned server errors. Accessed 2026-09-25 · Read in part.
The notes were not all read; no independent manuscript collation or reading of their cited commentaries was performed. A textual preference does not by itself settle how new creation relates physically to the present creation. The displayed copyright endpoint supplies the date.