Covenant Hermeneutics and Biblical Eschatology Kim Burgess and Gary DeMar

Kim continues going through Romans 8, looking specifically at verse 23. Paul writes that his audience was "waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body." The timeframe of the New Testament is overwhelmingly imminent and "about to take place." Christians today are benefactors of what Paul's first-century audience was waiting for with great eagerness. Delaying these "soon to be" promises for 2000 years is a "hope deferred" and "makes the heart sick" (Proverbs 13:12).

God's Kingdom does not break into this world without opposition. Paul wrote: "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us" (Romans 8:18). While Paul's first-century readers were enduring suffering, they were also the ones that would have "the glory" revealed to them. The temporary glory of the Old Covenant period was becoming a permanent—and ongoing—glory for New Covenant believers. God's Kingdom began (redemption accomplished) and continues to grow in history (redemption applied), until His Kingdom is full and complete.

Kim begins looking at Romans 8 in this study. Imminency, persecution, and glory are key themes that must be carefully studied in this passage in light of many other New Testament passages. First century believers were "eagerly awaiting" something to happen in their day. What are the "birth pangs" Paul writes about in Romans 8:22? What was this new thing that was being brought into existence in Paul's own day?

With AD30 in the rear-view mirror and AD70 still to occur, the New Testament documents are written during a short time period with a high level of expectancy and imminency. Kim continues his look at Romans 11, especially verses 25-26. Salvation comes to the Gentiles through the Jews, not in spite of them. Paul says he was in chains "for the hope of Israel" in Acts 28:20. So what does it mean that "all Israel will be saved" in Romans 11:26?

Biblical eschatology has been studied, discussed, and debated for millennia. No chapter is more pivotal—and controversial—than Romans 11. It has been used for nearly every future scenario and scheme in biblical prophecy. Oddly, with as much focus as there seems to be on Israel in most systems, they usually miss the point Paul is making and the context of what he is actually saying throughout the entire book of Romans.

Kim discusses Hebrews 9, Acts 2-3, 2 Peter 3, and other NT and OT passages regarding the biblical understanding of Israel. Building on what he's already taught in earlier podcasts, he continues his exegetical case for covenant hermeneutics. The consummation of Israel's eschatology opened the door for the restoration of the nations, which is still ongoing today.