Last week, I introduced fourteen key words for understanding some basic concepts in the study of last things (eschatology). Today, I will complete this basic glossary with fourteen more terms, in hopes that these definitions will help improve present and future discussions about eschatology. Be sure to listen to the introductory Sunday School series to catch up on the fun. And don’t miss the hando...  Read More

Eschatology is a word that means the study (-ology) of last things (eschatos). And in that study there are lots of words that are familiar (*resurrection), unfamiliar (*preterist), and debated (*rapture). Likewise, terms like *millennium and *tribulation are ones that have multiple definitions, and figures like the *antichrist, whose common description may or may not match John’s use of the word.K...  Read More

When I teach Systematic Theology to seminarians, I make students read two books on eschatology and I recommend about twenty. Since we are beginning a Sunday School series on the subject of eschatology, I wanted to share that list with you. For those who are following along in the series, you don’t need to read any of these books. But for those who would like to do the reading, here’s a good start,...  Read More

This Sunday we come to the end of one section in Genesis (Genesis 12–24), as chapter 25 transitions from Abraham to his two sons (Ishmael and Isaac), to Jacob who will predominate the next eleven chapters (Genesis 26–36). As Exodus 6:3 identifies the covenant Lord as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, it is vital for us to see how these chapters work together to tell the story of God’s promises...  Read More

If you have been around OBC for any length of time, you know that we value the structure of the Bible. That is to say, we believe that because God inspired every word in Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:19–21), he also inspired the literary shape of those words. For instance, the five books of the Psalter were arranged to mirror the five books of Moses and to tell the story of King David and his g...  Read More

As you know, the book of Genesis is so named because it is a book of beginnings. Genesis 1–2 tell us about the beginning of the world. Genesis 3 tells us about the beginning of sin, while Genesis 4–11 begin to show us how God brings salvation through judgment. Then after Genesis 10–11 begin to show the spread of the nations, Genesis 12 introduces us to a man named Abram who will be the source of s...  Read More

Last year, we began a new Good Friday sermon series called “The Cross and the Crowd.” From 2018–2024, we looked at the seven statements of Christ on the cross. And last year, we started a new Good Friday series, where we considered the impact of the cross on the various people—individuals and groups—who stood around the cross. Or, as we will see this year, some who did not stand around the cross.A...  Read More

The week from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday has been called Holy Week for millennia, and we invite you to set apart this week with us as we remember the events leading to Christ’s crucifixion and prepare to celebrate our Lord’s resurrection. To help guide you through this week, we are sharing a Bible reading plan below and links to a daily devotional series and Spotify playlists.A Bible Reading Pla...  Read More

As we have discussed over the course of our series on liturgy and as will be introduced in Sunday’s sermon, we are making some changes to our communion elements and how they will be distributed in the worship service. Starting on Easter Sunday (April 5), we will have communion wine and freshly baked bread (while still having unfermented grape juice and gluten/dairy free bread, too).   Read More

In John’s Gospel, the first of seven signs is found at a wedding feast in Cana. Accompanied by his family, Jesus is called upon to address the shortage of wine. In response, Jesus says to his mother, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come” (John 2:4). In this brief exchange, John sets his Gospel on a collision course for the moment when the hour does come and Jesus add...  Read More

The Hope Desk: A Podcast of Occoquan Bible ChurchWe are glad to announce the upcoming launch of a new podcast for the encouragement and discipleship of the saints at Occoquan Bible Church! Pastor David, Pastor Ben, and Matt Wood will be discussing church life and fellowship at OBC. It is our prayer that this podcast will be edifying and encouraging to our church family.God-willing, new episodes wi...  Read More

Have you ever noticed how the Psalms are divided into five books? If you pull out a modern English translation of the Bible, nearly all of them place “Book 1” in front of Psalm 1. “Book 2” shows up in front of Psalm 42. “Book 3” precedes Psalm 73. While “Book 4” and “Book 5” stand at the top of Psalm 90 and Psalm 107, respectively.Why is that? The answer to that question relates to the order of th...  Read More