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Natural Theology: The Apocalypse Now

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  I know there is nothing in the word or in the works of God that is repugnant to sound reason, but there are some things in both that are opposite to carnal reason as well as above right reason; and therefore our reason never shows itself more unreasonable than in summoning those things to its bar that transcend its sphere and capacity. John Flavel (Elliot Ritzema and Elizabeth Vince, eds., 300 Quotations for Preachers from the Puritans, Pastorum Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2013).) Whatever a man knows and understands is mere vanity, if it is not grounded in true wisdom; and it is in no degree better fitted for the apprehension of spiritual doctrine than the eye of a blind man is for discriminating colors. We must carefully notice these two things—that a knowledge of all the sciences is mere smoke where the heavenly science of Christ is wanting; and man, with all his acuteness, is as stupid for obtaining himself a knowledge of the mysteries of God as an ass is unqua...
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Martyrs rule because the Martyr rules: The good news of the Apocalypse

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  The church of Christ has been founded by shedding its own blood, not that of others; by enduring outrage, not by inflicting it. Persecutions have made it grow; martyrdoms have crowned it. Jerome Elliot Ritzema, 300 Quotations for Preachers from the Early Church, Pastorum Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2013). ‘The image of the Emperor was at that time the object of religious reverence; he was a deity on earth; and the worship paid to him was a real worship. It is a striking thought, that in those times (setting aside effete forms of religion)  the only two genuine worships in the civilized world were the worship of a Tiberius or a Nero on the one hand, and the worship of Christ on the other.’  James Stuart Russell, The Parousia: A Critical Inquiry into the New Testament Doctrine of Our Lord’s Second Coming (London: Daldy, Isbister & Co., 1878), 183. Jesus is the witness, the faithful and true one (cf. Rev.1:5). μάρτυς-witness again edges toward its later meani...
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“But I [Jesus] say to you...until everything is fulfilled.”

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  When a man is humbled by the law, and brought to the knowledge of himself, then follows true repentance (for true repentance begins at the fear and judgment of God), and he sees himself to be so great a sinner that he can find no means how he may be delivered from his sin by his own strength, endeavor, and works.(Romans 3:19; 7:14; 11:32; Galatians 3:22 ) Martin Luther Elliot Ritzema, 300 Quotations for Preachers from the Reformation, Pastorum Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2013). Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God 1 Cor. 1:24 Jewish writers knew Wisdom was grammatically feminine in Hebrew (“she”; “her”). This was the  reason for the use of feminine pronouns in descriptions of Wisdom. Some Jewish theologians  made much of the fact that the word for “law” (torah) was also grammatically feminine. This led  some to identify the Law itself as Wisdom. This meant that, to many Jews, the Torah (Wisdom)  was divine.   Consequently, whereas Ne...
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