Ephesians 1:19-21 That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

1. The ____________ of heaven ____________ in the ____________ coming of Christ.

2. We will fully ____________ the ____________ of heaven at the ____________ coming of Christ.


Scripture Readings
Isaiah 11:1-10
Romans 15:4-13
Matthew 3:1-12

Take It With You!

As we learn how to live as disciples of Jesus Christ, here helpful tools will be offered to aid in your study.

John's original historical audience would have been looking for the Last Day, however they envisioned it. Matthew's first believing readers/hearers would have been looking for the Last Day, and rejoicing that eschatological [end-times] salvation had already begun and come to them in the Gospel of the reign of God in Jesus. Even though the promise that Jesus "will baptize" Christians "with the Holy Spirit" (3:11) awaits its fulfillment at the consummation of all things, the first-century believing readers of this Gospel would have rejoiced that their Baptism into the Triune name (28:19) had already saved them and was keeping them steadfast in the true faith unto the resurrection of the body at the consummation. Matthew's modern readers/hearers will need to learn to adopt a similar eschatological worldview, if they wish to understand, believe, and rejoice fully in the message of the Baptizer and of Jesus himself. For Jesus is the end-time Christ, come already now to bring salvation to the world.

Jeffery Gibbs, Concordia Commentary: Matthew 1:11 - 11:1