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The Ancient World Behind the Text: Ideas

The customs, offices and ideas a first reader knew without being told, what each meant then, and the nearest thing you already know.

This age and the age to come

Jews divided history into the present age, under the rule of evil nations, and the age to come, when God would rule unchallenged. The sufferings expected before the change were called birth pangs.

Jewish life and lawWhat people were waiting for

First, in plain English

The labor pains are terrible, but everyone in the room knows they mean a birth is coming. Jews of Jesus' time saw history in two parts: this age, with God's people under foreign power, and the age to come, when God would rule and set things right. Many expected a time of terrible suffering just before the change, and compared it to a woman's labor.

What it meant then

Keener says nearly all Jews of the time split history into two ages. In this one, evil nations held power; in the one to come, God would rule with no rival. Many Jewish writers listed sufferings that would come just before the end: wars, famine, apostasy, persecution and strange portents. Some called these the birth pains that would bring the Messiah, or the new world, into being (4 Ezra, 2 Baruch, the Sibylline Oracles and the Qumran Hymns; compare Isaiah 13:8). The prophets used labor pains both for terrible suffering in general and for what Israel would endure before its deliverance. Daniel 12:1 promised a final distress worse than any before it, and Josephus judged the sufferings of 66 to 70 the worst in history. Some teachers tried to calculate the date of the end, while others held that it depended on Israel's repentance. The word for the renewal in Matthew 19:28 was a Stoic term for the fiery destruction and rebirth of the world. In a Jewish setting it meant the promised new creation. Wright reads the chapter on the temple's fall through the same picture: the present age would come to its convulsive end and the new age would be born. Women often died in childbirth. In some prophetic texts the pains announced the birth of a messianic era (Isaiah 66:7-10; Micah 5:1-4). Early Judaism applied them to the last suffering before the resurrection of the dead. Isaiah 26:17-20 sets childbirth, a little while and the raising of the dead side by side.

The bridge to today

An analogy: the last hard winter before a long-promised spring, when every storm is read as a sign of how close the thaw is. The storms are real, but they are not yet the spring.

What it changes in the reading

The two ages explain why the end of this age and the age to come appear side by side in the Gospels, and why disasters could be read as birth pangs, the beginning and not the end, as in Matthew 24:8. Paul pictures creation groaning in labor in Romans 8:22, and Galatians 1:4 speaks of rescue from the present evil age.

Where the analogy breaks

Not a season that comes round on schedule. Spring follows winter by the calendar, and everyone knows roughly when. Jewish teachers disagreed whether the end could be dated at all, some held that it waited on Israel's repentance, and in the Gospels the wars and famines are only the beginning.

Where scholars disagree

What the birth pangs of Matthew 24 lead to. Keener and the cultural backgrounds notes read them as the ordinary troubles of this age, with the one real sign coming at Jesus' return. Wright reads them as the run-up to the temple's fall, when the old order would give way to the new, and reads the Son of Man's coming on the clouds as his vindication. Second, whether the new heavens and earth of Revelation 21:1 replace this world or renew it. Keener thinks Revelation pictures replacement and the ESV Study Bible weighs both; Beale reads new as new in kind, Wright stresses heaven and earth joined, and the Zondervan dictionary writes that "the old universe will be marvelously regenerated".

Passages where it appears

{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/matthew-24-1-14\/","n":"Matthew 24:1-14, Stones, birth pangs and false messiahs","s":"As the disciples admire the temple, Jesus says not one stone will be left on another. On the Mount of Olives he warns of false messiahs, wars and persecution, the beginning of the birth pangs.","r":"Matthew 24:1-14"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/matthew-24-15-28\/","n":"Matthew 24:15-28, The desolating sacrilege and the flight","s":"When the desolating sacrilege spoken of by Daniel stands in the holy place, those in Judea must flee to the mountains at once. False messiahs will say he is in the wilderness, but his coming will be like lightning.","r":"Matthew 24:15-28"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/matthew-24-29-51\/","n":"Matthew 24:29-51, The Son of Man on the clouds and the slave in charge","s":"After the distress, sun, moon and stars fail and the Son of Man comes on the clouds to gather his chosen. No one knows the day, so the household must stay ready, like a slave left in charge.","r":"Matthew 24:29-51"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/luke-18-18-30\/","n":"Luke 18:18-30, A rich ruler and the needle's eye","s":"A ruler asks what he must do to inherit eternal life; told to sell everything and follow, he goes away sad, and Jesus says it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter God's kingdom.","r":"Luke 18:18-30"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/john-16-16-33\/","n":"John 16:16-33, A woman in labor","s":"Jesus tells the puzzled disciples that in a little while they will not see him and then will see him again, and that their grief will turn to joy like a mother's after childbirth. He warns that they will be scattered.","r":"John 16:16-33"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/acts-14-21-28\/","n":"Acts 14:21-28, Elders appointed, and home to Antioch","s":"Paul and Barnabas retrace their route, warning that the kingdom comes through hardships and appointing elders in each church, then report to Antioch that God has opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.","r":"Acts 14:21-28"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/romans-8-18-30\/","n":"Romans 8:18-30, Groaning and firstfruits","s":"Creation groans as in labor, waiting to be freed from decay, and believers who have the firstfruits of the Spirit groan too as they wait for their adoption and the redemption of their bodies.","r":"Romans 8:18-30"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/romans-11-25-36\/","n":"Romans 11:25-36, The full number of the nations","s":"Paul reveals a mystery: a partial hardening has come on Israel until the full number of the Gentiles comes in, and so all Israel will be saved. He ends in praise of God's wisdom.","r":"Romans 11:25-36"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1corinthians-2-6-16\/","n":"1 Corinthians 2:6-16, The rulers of this age","s":"Paul speaks of a hidden wisdom of God, planned before time began, which the rulers of this age failed to grasp, or they would never have put Jesus to death.","r":"1 Corinthians 2:6-16"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1corinthians-7-25-40\/","n":"1 Corinthians 7:25-40, The present distress","s":"Because of the present distress and the shortness of the time, Paul advises the unmarried to stay as they are, though marrying is no sin, and tells a widow she is free to remarry, only in the Lord.","r":"1 Corinthians 7:25-40"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/2corinthians-5-11-6-13\/","n":"2 Corinthians 5:11-6:13, New creation, Christ's ambassadors and a list of hardships","s":"Because one died for all, anyone in Christ is a new creation; Paul, God's ambassador, appeals to the Corinthians to be reconciled to God and commends his ministry with a long list of hardships and paradoxes.","r":"2 Corinthians 5:11-6:13"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/galatians-1-1-10\/","n":"Galatians 1:1-10, A letter with no thanksgiving, and a curse","s":"Paul opens by insisting that his commission came from God and not from people, skips the thanksgiving his letters usually give, and pronounces a curse on anyone, even an angel, who preaches a different gospel.","r":"Galatians 1:1-10"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/galatians-4-21-5-1\/","n":"Galatians 4:21-5:1, Hagar, Sarah and Sinai in Arabia","s":"Paul reads the story of Abraham's two sons as a figure of two covenants: Hagar the slave stands for Sinai and the present Jerusalem, Sarah the free woman for the Jerusalem above, and he calls the Galatians to stand firm in freedom.","r":"Galatians 4:21-5:1"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/ephesians-1-1-14\/","n":"Ephesians 1:1-14, A circular letter opens with praise, a seal and a down payment","s":"Paul greets God's holy people and launches one long blessing of God for choosing, adopting, redeeming and sealing a mixed people, with the Spirit as the down payment of their inheritance.","r":"Ephesians 1:1-14"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/ephesians-1-15-23\/","n":"Ephesians 1:15-23, Far above every name that is invoked","s":"Paul prays that the believers will know the hope, the inheritance and the power God showed when he raised Christ and seated him above every ruler, authority, power and name, in this age and the next.","r":"Ephesians 1:15-23"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/ephesians-2-1-10\/","n":"Ephesians 2:1-10, The ruler of the kingdom of the air","s":"Paul reminds his readers that they were once dead in sins, following the ruler of the kingdom of the air, until God in his mercy made them alive and seated them with Christ in the heavenly realms, saved by grace.","r":"Ephesians 2:1-10"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/colossians-1-24-2-5\/","n":"Colossians 1:24-2:5, Sufferings for the body, and a steward of the mystery","s":"Paul rejoices to suffer for the church, fills up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions, calls himself the servant entrusted with God's long hidden mystery, and tells churches he has never met how hard he struggles for them.","r":"Colossians 1:24-2:5"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1thessalonians-2-17-3-13\/","n":"1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13, Orphaned, blocked by Satan, crowned","s":"Torn away from the church, Paul tells how he longed to come back but Satan blocked the way, how he sent Timothy from Athens, how Timothy's good news has revived him, and prays that the Lord will make them blameless at his coming with all his holy ones.","r":"1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1thessalonians-5-1-11\/","n":"1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, A thief in the night, and peace and security","s":"Paul reminds the church that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night: while people say peace and security, sudden destruction comes like labor pains, but they are children of the day who keep awake and sober, armed with faith, love and hope.","r":"1 Thessalonians 5:1-11"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/2thessalonians-1-3-12\/","n":"2 Thessalonians 1:3-12, Suffering now, and the Lord revealed in blazing fire","s":"Paul thanks God for a church whose faith and love keep growing under persecution, and promises that God will repay their persecutors and give them relief when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his powerful angels in blazing fire.","r":"2 Thessalonians 1:3-12"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/titus-2-11-3-8\/","n":"Titus 2:11-3:8, Grace has appeared, be subject to rulers, and the washing of rebirth","s":"God's grace has appeared, training believers to live with self-control now while they wait for Christ's glorious appearing; they are to respect rulers and be gentle to all, because God saved them by his mercy, giving them new birth and new life by the Holy Spirit.","r":"Titus 2:11-3:8"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/hebrews-2-5-18\/","n":"Hebrews 2:5-18, The world to come is not for angels","s":"God did not put the world to come under angels. Psalm 8 promised rule to human beings; it is not yet seen, but Jesus, made a little lower than the angels for a while, is crowned with glory, and he shared flesh and blood to break the devil's power and become a merciful and faithful high priest.","r":"Hebrews 2:5-18"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/hebrews-3-1-4-13\/","n":"Hebrews 3:1-4:13, Moses the servant, and the rest still open","s":"Moses was faithful in God's house as a servant; Jesus is faithful over it as the Son. Psalm 95's warning not to harden hearts as in the wilderness still speaks today, because the rest God promised was never reached under Joshua and remains open for God's people.","r":"Hebrews 3:1-4:13"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/hebrews-9-23-10-18\/","n":"Hebrews 9:23-10:18, Once for all, and a seated priest","s":"Christ entered heaven itself, not a copy, and offered himself once at the climax of the ages; as people die once and then face judgment, he will appear a second time to save. The yearly sacrifices only reminded people of sin, but his body offered once has made his people holy, and he has sat down, his offering finished.","r":"Hebrews 9:23-10:18"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1peter-1-1-12\/","n":"1 Peter 1:1-12, To the exiles of the dispersion","s":"Peter writes to God's chosen exiles scattered through five provinces of Asia Minor, blesses God for a new birth into a living hope and an inheritance kept in heaven, and tells them their trials test their faith as fire tests gold. The prophets searched for this salvation, and angels long to look into it.","r":"1 Peter 1:1-12"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1peter-4-12-19\/","n":"1 Peter 4:12-19, The fiery ordeal and the name Christian","s":"The readers should not be surprised at the fiery ordeal, but rejoice to share Christ's sufferings. No one should suffer as a murderer, a thief or a meddler, but anyone who suffers as a Christian should not be ashamed; judgment begins with God's household, so those who suffer should commit themselves to their faithful Creator.","r":"1 Peter 4:12-19"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/2peter-3-1-18\/","n":"2 Peter 3:1-18, Scoffers, the flood and the day of fire","s":"Scoffers will ask where the promised coming is, since everything goes on as it has since creation. Peter answers that the world once made by God's word was destroyed by water and is now kept for fire on the day of judgment; the Lord does not count time as people do, and he delays out of patience. The day will come like a thief, and the readers wait for new heavens and a new earth, as Paul too wrote in letters some twist like the other Scriptures.","r":"2 Peter 3:1-18"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1john-1-1-4\/","n":"1 John 1:1-4, What our hands have touched","s":"The letter opens with the Word of life, which was from the beginning and which the writer and those with him heard, saw and touched. They announce the eternal life that was with the Father and appeared to them, so that the readers may share their fellowship with the Father and the Son.","r":"1 John 1:1-4"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1john-2-18-27\/","n":"1 John 2:18-27, The last hour and many antichrists","s":"It is the last hour: the readers heard that antichrist is coming, and many antichrists have already come. They went out from the community, which shows they never belonged; whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ is the liar and the antichrist. The readers have an anointing from the Holy One and need no one else to teach them.","r":"1 John 2:18-27"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/revelation-21-1-8\/","n":"Revelation 21:1-8, new heaven, new earth, no more sea","s":"John sees a new heaven and a new earth, with no more sea, and the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God like a bride dressed for her husband. A voice announces that God's dwelling is now with people, that he will wipe away every tear, and that he makes all things new; the thirsty will drink freely, while the cowardly, the faithless, murderers, sorcerers, idolaters and liars have their place in the lake of fire.","r":"Revelation 21:1-8"}

Sources

Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, on Matthew 24:4-14, 24:6-8, 24:21 and 24:36, and on Galatians 1:4-5
NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, notes on Matthew 19:28, 24:6-14, 24:21 and 24:36
ESV Study Bible, study note on Matthew 24:8
N. T. Wright, Matthew for Everyone, Part Two, comments on Matthew 24:1-14 and 24:29-35
Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, on John 16:16-22
NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, notes on John 16:16-18 and 16:21
Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, on Revelation 21:1
ESV Study Bible, study note on Revelation 21:1
G. K. Beale, The Book of Revelation: A Commentary on the Greek Text, on Revelation 21:1
N. T. Wright, Revelation for Everyone, comment on Revelation 21:1-5
Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary, entry eschatology (IV. Eternal happiness)

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