The Reformed Olive Press

  Eternal Life Without Clouds: Rethinking Revelation 20–22 When people read Revelation 20–22, it’s easy to picture believers floating away to heaven, sitting on clouds, and ruling with Jesus in a far-off realm. But that’s not necessarily how the first-century audience understood it—and that’s where things get interesting. The Jews of John’s day didn’t think of “heaven” as our final destination. Instead, they thought in terms of vindication —God stepping in to set the record straight, honor the faithful, and crush their enemies. That’s the heartbeat of these chapters. The Backstory: Daniel 7 Revelation’s language comes straight from Daniel 7, where “the saints” suffer under a brutal empire but are eventually given the kingdom when God judges their oppressor. This wasn’t about moving somewhere else. It was about public victory —God declaring them right all along. God’s Throne = God’s Courtroom When John says the martyrs stand before God’s throne, it’s not a tour of heaven. In Jewish ...

                                                   Women can be Pastors-1 Timothy 3:1 1 Timothy 3:1 (ESV): “The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.” The Greek actually says "If ANYONE desires to be an overseer" and then gives a male example (husband of one wife), but in the Greek, masculine language and male examples don't exclude women unless explicitly stated. Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “IF ANYONE would come after me, let HIM deny HIMSELF and take up his cross and follow me. When Jesus said, “He must take up his cross and follow me,” that didn’t mean only men could follow Him. The word “he” in Greek works the same way it does in many languages—it can mean either a man or a woman, depending on the situation. Using the masculine form was just the normal way people spoke and wrote. So...

The Problem with KOSMOS as Universal When Jesus meant WORLD he meant the first century Greco Roman world/Eastern Roman Provinces/Provinces of the Orient. Places ONLY under the jurisdiction of the Roman Empire. NOT THE MODERN UNITED STATES, CANADA, MEXICO, RUSSIA, AUSTRALIA, etc. Soon and near meant 70AD. John 8:26 “I have much to say about you and much to judge, but he who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.” John 18:20 Jesus answered him, “ I have spoken openly to the world . I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together . I have said nothing in secret.” John 12:19 “So the Pharisees said to one another, ‘You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.’” John 16:20 “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice . You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.” John 7:7 “ The world cannot hate you, bu...

T he History of the Virgin Birth: A Return to the Jewish Roots of the Messiah For many, the virgin birth is a non-negotiable part of the Jesus story. But what if that wasn’t always the case? What if the idea of Jesus being born of a virgin wasn’t part of the original apostolic gospel at all? What if, in fact, the virgin birth was a literary invention, shaped more by symbolism and later pagan influence than by Hebrew prophecy? Messiah Had to Be from David—Through the Father The Hebrew Scriptures are clear: the Messiah had to be a descendant of David through his son Solomon (2 Samuel 7:12–16, 1 Chronicles 17:11–14). And in Jewish law, tribal identity and royal lineage always come through the father—never the mother. If Jesus had no human father, then He had no tribe, and therefore no claim to the throne of David. Adoption doesn’t fulfill the prophecy. The promise was not to a foster-son, but to a literal seed from David’s own body. There Were Early Versions of Matthew Without a Virgin Bi...

T he Word of God Is Not the Bible: What Scripture Actually Says In modern Christianity, many believers equate the phrase “Word of God” with the Bible. It’s become common to hear, “Read the Word,” or “Believe the Word,” referring to the 66-book Protestant canon. While this language is well-intentioned, it’s not how the Bible itself uses the phrase “Word of God.” This confusion has caused theological shortcuts and even a subtle form of Bible-idolatry—treating a written document as the final revelation rather than the living God behind it. The Word Was Spoken Before It Was Written Before any Scripture was recorded, God spoke: To Adam in the garden. To Noah about the flood. To Abraham in covenantal promise. To Moses at the burning bush. Hebrews 1:1 says, “God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways.” There was no complete Bible—but there was still the Word of God. It came directly through speech, visions, angelic encounters, and prophetic utterance. Th...