Notes on the Bible - Edwards - XXVII - 2 Peter, 1 John, Jude, Revelation

Required reading

Conclude Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here).

My summary

Today we read Edwards thoughts on verses from 2 Peter, 1 John, Jude and Revelation.

We hear about:

(i) holy living;

(ii) the second coming of Christ;

(iii) the glory of Christ;

(iv) antichrists;

(v) Moses as a type of Christ;

(vi) heaven;

(vii) the moon as a type of God's revelation.

What grabbed me

I enjoyed Edwards' comments on the transfigurations: 'This glory that appeared in the person of Christ, did exactly resemble that excellent glory that the apostle speaks of, out of which the voice came, ver. 17. For there was there in the mount an external glory, as a visible symbol of the presence of God the Father, and by which he was represented; as well as an external glory in God the Son, viz. that bright cloud that overshadowed them. There was a glory in that cloud that the apostle calls an excellent glory. When it is said in the evangelists that a bright cloud overshadowed them, it is not meant such a light or white cloud as shines by a cast of light upon it from some shining body, such as are some clouds by the bright reflection of the sun’s light; but a cloud bright by an internal light shining out of it, which light the apostle calls an excellent glory. It probably was an ineffably sweet, excellent sort of light, perfectly differing from and far exceeding the light of the sun. All light is sweet, but this seems to have been immensely more sweet than any other that ever they had; impressing some idea which we cannot conceive, having never seen it, as we can conceive of nothing of light more than we have seen; we could have conceived of no such light as the light of the sun, had not we seen it, nor of any colour, blue, red, green, purple, nor any other. God doubtless can excite other ideas of light in our minds besides any of those that we have had, and far exceeding them; a light affording sweetness and pleasure to the sight, far exceeding all pleasure of the grosser and inferior senses. Therefore, Peter the apostle, that writes this epistle, was exceedingly delighted with it in the time of it, which made him say, “It is good for us to be here;” and made him talk of building tabernacles, and thinking of spending the rest of his days there; and he still (though now old and near his end, verses 13, 14.) retains a lively sense of the exquisite gloriousness and pleasantness of that light, when he expresses himself as he does here, calling it the excellent glory. And there probably was an exact resemblance between the glory that the disciples saw in Christ’s face, and that which they saw in this cloud, which declared him to be the Son of God; for they saw him to be his express image.'

May the light of his sweet face shine upon us!

Next week's reading

Now it's your turn

Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Notes on the Bible - Edwards - XXVI - Hebrews, James, 1 Peter

Required reading

Read Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to [140] 2 Peter i. 10. “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure; for he that doeth these things shall never fall.”

My summary

Today we read notes on Hebrews, James and 1 Peter.

Subjects include:

(i) God's rest;

(ii) true faith;

(iii) Christ as priest;

(iv) shadows and substance;

(v) the devils;

(vi) Christian hope;

(vii) Christ as a stone;

(viii) Christian living.

What grabbed me

I liked Edwards' comments on the difficult passage in Hebrews 6: '[299] Heb. vi. 4, 5, 6. If any think that the apostle here used expressions too high to denote any gifts of the Spirit common to good and bad men, though miraculous gifts, I answer, that the drift of the apostle, and his argument in those words, led him to set forth the greatness of the privilege that such persons had received, that he might the better show the exceeding aggravations of their apostacy, whence what the apostle says might be the more easily believed, viz. that it was impossible to renew them again to repentance. For it is certain that he intends the aggravatedness of their crime, as a reason of it, because he himself gives it as a reason of it, ver. 6. in those words, “Seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”'

Some unbelievers are exceedingly privileged!

Next week's reading

Conclude Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here).

Now it's your turn

Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Notes on the Bible - Edwards - XXV - Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 2 Thessalonians and 2 Timothy

Required reading

Read Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to '[339] Heb. iii. 6, 7, 8. to chap. iv. 11. “Whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence, and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end."'

My summary

Today we have Edwards' thoughts on passages from more of Paul's letters.

We hear of:

(i) the fulness of Christ;

(ii) the riches of Christ;

(iii) the power of Christ;

(iv) the body of Christ;

(v) the confession of Christ;

(vi) the circumcision of Christ;

(vii) the resurrection of Christ.

What grabbed me

I enjoyed this description of Christ's power: 

'But then Christ in this affair is not to be considered by the apostle singly and personally; but all his church are considered as thus raised and exalted with him, and in him: he as the head, and they as partaking members. This power is manifested in raising them, in raising their dead souls from an infinite depth, infinitely lower than a state of nonentity, and from under as it were infinitely strong chains, to hold them in that state, and the most mighty opposition to their restoration; and also raising their bodies from the dead, and from a state of corruption, and exalting them with Christ, making their bodies like his glorious body, and their souls like his glorious soul; giving them a participation of his elevation of nature, his exalted knowledge, strength, holiness, beauty, glory, and joy, according to their capacity and station.

Herein, in this whole work of the restoration and exaltation of Christ mystical, is above all things manifested the power of God and the new creation.'

Christ's great power is at work in us and will continue to work in us.

Next week's reading

Read Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to [140] 2 Peter i. 10. “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure; for he that doeth these things shall never fall.”

Now it's your turn

Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Notes on the Bible - Edwards - XXIV - 2 Corinthians and Galatians

Required reading

Read Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to '[235] Eph. i. 22, 23. “And gave him to be head over all things to the church which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.”'

My summary

Today we have Edwards' notes on verses from 2 Corinthians and Galatians.

We learn about:

(i) the preaching of Christ;

(ii) beholding the glory of God ;

(iii) Christ's resurrection;

(iv) Abraham's seed;

(v) God's mediator;

(vi) man's relationship to the law of God and the Spirit.

What grabbed me

I liked this description of the ministers of God: 'We behold the glory of God as in a looking-glass in another respect, and that is as we behold it by the intermediation of the outward means of our illumination and knowledge of God, viz. Christ’s ministers, and the gospel which they preach, and his ordinances which they administer; which serve instead of a looking-glass, to reflect the glory of the Lord. When men read the Holy Scriptures, they there may see Christ’s glory, as men see images of things by looking in a glass, so we see Christ’s glory in ordinances. Ministers are burning and shining lights; but then they do not shine by their own light, but only reflect the light of Christ. They are called stars, that are held in the right hand of Christ, and shine by reflecting Christ’s light, as the stars shine by reflecting the light of the sun; and so they are as mirrors that bring the light of Christ’s glory to the view of the church. They are lights set up in golden candlesticks; by looking on these lights, they see light, they see the light of Christ reflected. It is evident the apostle is here speaking of the light of Christ’s glory as ministered and communicated by ministers of the gospel, and ministers of the Spirit, which is that light and glory, as we shall show presently.'

May all ministers shine brightly with Christ's light.

Next week's reading

Read Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to '[339] Heb. iii. 6, 7, 8. to chap. iv. 11. “Whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence, and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end."'

Now it's your turn

Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Notes on the Bible - Edwards - XXIII - Romans and 1 Corinthians

Required reading

Read Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to '[67] 2 Cor. i. 24. “Not for that we have dominion over your faith,” &c.; this verse is to be joined to the 14th verse.'

My summary

Today we read Edwards' thoughts on passages from Romans and 1 Corinthians.

He speaks of:

(i) the righteousness of God;

(ii) judging others;

(iii) Abraham as our father;

(iv) perseverance;

(v) apostleship;

(vi) the power of God;

(vii) the teaching of the Spirit;

(viii) the preaching of the gospel;

(ix) head coverings;

(x) the gifts of the Spirit;

(xi) Christ as King.

What grabbed me

An interesting comment on the devil's knowledge, or lack of it in this case: 'It seems very probable that the devil, though he sees and hears a great deal more what men do and say than we, and has incomparably more experience, yet does not know who are converted, and who not. Thus he did not know that Peter was converted, and therefore hoped to overthrow him. So he did not know that Job was, as God told him, a perfect and an upright man; he questioned it, though he was so eminent a saint, he doubted whether he would not fail in the trial (unless we may suppose that the devil seeks to overthrow particular Christians, only as he seeks to overthrow the church of God, which he does what he can to destroy, though God has promised that it shall never be destroyed).'

Next week's reading

Read Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to '[235] Eph. i. 22, 23. “And gave him to be head over all things to the church which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.”'

Now it's your turn

Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Notes on the Bible - Edwards - XXII - John and Acts

Required reading

Read Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to '[318] Romans i. 16, 17, 18. Justification Christ’s righteousness. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,” &c.'

My summary

Today we read comments on John's gospel and Acts. 

Subjects included:

(i) grace in Christ;

(ii) John the Baptist and his knowledge of Jesus;

(iii) the marriage at Cana;

(iv) the temple of God;

(v) the covenant of grace and the law;

(vi) the Spirit of God;

(vii) men as 'gods';

(viii) sin, righteousness and judgement;

(ix) the Passover;

(x) books written about Christ;

(xi) the number twelve;

(xii) all things in common;

(xiii) the state of the world.

What grabbed me

I loved the comments on sin and righteousness:

'The greatest sin that is in the world, is sin against the gospel, contempt of, and opposition to, Jesus Christ; and the greatest evidence of the sin and wickedness of man, is the world’s ill treatment of Christ, and the gospel, and the followers of Christ. In this does most clearly appear the malignant nature of sin, and the true nature of it is fully manifest; and particularly that violent opposition that appears on occasion of the pouring out of the Spirit of God. As the coming of the Spirit is the occasion of this; so his coming eventually holds forth matter of conviction to the world of its wickedness. And those that are savingly taught by the Spirit, are in the first place convinced of sin, especially as appearing in their sinning against Christ, or against God, as revealing himself in the gospel.

...

The greatest and most glorious righteousness that ever was in the world, is the righteousness of Christ. Indeed it was infinitely the most excellent righteousness that ever was wrought out by any servant of God in heaven or earth. It was the only righteousness properly so called, (i. e. agreeable to that grand and eternal rule of righteousness, the law of God,) that ever was among mankind, and the only righteousness by which any of mankind are accepted as righteous. And the greatest, strongest, and most convincing evidence of the reality, excellency, sufficiency, and completeness of this righteousness, was Christ’s going to the Father, and his being seen here no more in such a state as he was in when the disciples saw him here. God’s raising Christ from the dead, was a great testimony of God to the sufficiency and completeness of Christ’s righteousness; but his bestowing upon him so glorious a reward in heaven; God’s exalting him at his own right hand, far above all principalities, &c. and there admitting this high priest into that holy of holies, with his own blood, not merely to bow down before the throne in humble posture as the high priests of old, but to sit down on the throne, at the right hand of the Majesty on high, and so to be a priest on the throne, was a far more striking evidence of it.'

Thankfully our greatest sin has been imputed to Christ and his greatest righteousness has been imputed to us!

Next week's reading

Read Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to '[67] 2 Cor. i. 24. “Not for that we have dominion over your faith,” &c.; this verse is to be joined to the 14th verse.'

Now it's your turn

Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Notes on the Bible - Edwards - XXI - Mark and Luke

Required reading

Read Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to '[446] John i. 31. “And I knew him not; but that he should be made manifest to Israel,” &c.'

My summary

Today we have notes from Edwards on Mark and Luke, which include comments about:

(i) demons;

(ii) spiritual gifts;

(iii) Christ's miracles;

(iv) hardness of heart;

(v) fasting;

(vi) the inheritance of the saints;

(vii) election;

(viii) the virgin Mary and Martha and Mary;

(ix) the calling of the Gentiles;

(x) the destruction of Jerusalem;

(xi) the geography of Jericho;

(xii) Christ's prayers in the garden.

What grabbed me

I really enjoyed the comments on Christ's prayers: 'When Christ prayed to be delivered from death, it was not as a private person, but as a common Head. His deliverance from death is virtually the deliverance of all the elect. Thus this High Priest (for he is spoken of as such in that place in Hebrews, see verse foregoing) offered up prayers and supplications with his sacrifice, as the Jews were wont to do. He mixed strong cryings and tears with his blood that was shed out, and fell down to the ground in his agony, praying that the effect and end of that blood might be obtained. Such earnest agonizing prayers were offered with his blood, and his infinitely precious and meritorious blood was offered with his prayers. How effectual must such prayers be! And how sure may those be of salvation that have an interest in those supplications!'

Oh, we can never thank Christ enough for his prayers!

Next week's reading

Read Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to '[318] Romans i. 16, 17, 18. Justification Christ’s righteousness. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,” &c.'

Now it's your turn

Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Notes on the Bible - Edwards - XX - Matthew concluded

Required reading

Read Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to '[76] Mark i. 24. “Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.”'

My summary

The largest note today is on Matthew Chapter 24. Edwards teaches that Christ's prophecy of the great tribulation is fulfilled in the literal Jerusalem but also in the church.

But we also hear from Matthew about:

(i) Judas' betrayal;

(ii) the tearing of the temple curtain;

(iii) Mary Magdalene and the other women at the tomb.

What grabbed me

I really enjoyed this comment: '[98] Matt. xxvii. 60. “And laid it in his own new tomb.” Christ was laid in a disciple’s grave; he suffered that death which belonged to us, and he was laid in our grave. He entered into the shade of death in our stead; he went down into that deep pit where we were to have gone. He had no sin of his own, so he had no death of his own: it was our sin, and our grave: it was a tomb hewed out of a rock. Our state of death and misery was such, that it would have been impossible for us to escape; for our prison that we are going to is strong as a solid rock.'

Yes, but death could not keep this prey, Jesus, my Saviour; he tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord!

Next week's reading

Read Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to '[446] John i. 31. “And I knew him not; but that he should be made manifest to Israel,” &c.'

Now it's your turn

Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Notes on the Bible - Edwards - XIX - Matthew commenced

Required reading

Read Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to 'Matt. i. 3. "And Judas begat Pharez and Zara of Thamar.'

My summary

This week we start Edwards thoughts on verses from Matthew's gospel.

We hear about:

(i) the Gentiles in the church;

(ii) the trials Christians face;

(iii) the forgiveness of sins;

(iv) the resurrection of the dead;

(v) the glory of Christ;

(vi) the end of the world;

(vii) the ministers of the gospel;

(viii) the ascension of Christ;

(ix) the apostate church.

What grabbed me

I was struck by this comment on the constitution of the church: 'Matt. i. 3. “And Judas begat Pharez and Zara of Thamar.” So it is remarked, in the 5th verse, that Salmon begat Booz of Rachab, and that Booz begat Obed of Ruth, and in the 6th verse, that David begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Uriah. All the mothers are not noted, but only those which were either harlots or Gentiles, except the wife of Uriah the Hittite, who was a wife of a Gentile. These are taken notice of, because Christ’s descending from several harlots and Gentiles intimates unto us that all that are saved by Christ were sinners. That the church of Christ is made up wholly of such as were once sinners, that is, spiritual harlots, or adulterers and idolaters, thereby also typifying the calling of the Gentiles.'

That is what we once were, but now we are washed, sanctified and justified!

Next week's reading

Read Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to '[76] Mark i. 24. “Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.”'

Now it's your turn

Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Notes on the Bible - Edwards - XVIII - Daniel and the Minor Prophets

Required reading

Read Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to 'Matt. i. 3. "And Judas begat Pharez and Zara of Thamar.'

My summary

This week we have Edwards thoughts on verses from Daniel, Hosea, Amos, Jonah, Micah, Habbakuk, Zechariah and Malachi.

We hear about:

(i) the Son of Man;

(ii) the abomination of desolation;

(iii) God's judgements on the nations;

(iv) God's mercies;

(v) hell;

(vi) the birth of the Messiah;

(vii) the church's progress;

(viii) the coming of the Christ.

What grabbed me

I enjoyed these comments about the death of Christ: 'As the ship and company were saved by Jonah’s being cast into the waters, and his intended and supposed death, so was the church, which is several times typified by a ship saved by Christ, being cast into and overwhelmed by sorrows and troubles, which are represented by water, and by his death. Jonah being swallowed of a whale, or leviathan, represents Christ being as it were swallowed by him that hath the power of death, the devil, the spiritual leviathan; but however, it was but a means of Christ’s being under better advantages to come at his heart, and to give him the more mortal wound. The whale thought to have made a sweet feast of Jonah, but he found him a dreadful medicine, he was sick of him at the heart and vomited him up again. Vide Jer. li. 44. So the devil thought Christ was his food, but he proved not his meat, but his poison. The devil has deeply regretted putting Christ to death, since he has seen what the effect of it is. As Jonah was three days and three nights buried in the sea, so was Christ in his grave three days and three nights.'

God works all things for good, including Satan's schemes.

Next week's reading

Read Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to '[292] Matt. xxiv. 21, 22, 23, 24,. &c. “For there shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.'

Now it's your turn

Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.