Christ from Beginning to End: How the Full Story of Scripture Reveals the Full Glory of Christ

by Trent Hunter

A third direction explains how this safe passage is possible. Baptism points to an inward reality.

Our covenantal union with Christ yields profound outward changes in our lives as well.

Baptism is also an outward public witness to one’s identification with Christ and his people. It’s God’s chosen initiation rite whereby Christians are identified as Christians.

Baptism is a one-time symbol signifying Christian conversion. God’s people repeat the Lord’s Supper as a symbol of ongoing allegiance to Christ.

By speaking of a new covenant in his blood, Jesus explicitly interpreted the meaning of his life and death as fulfilling everything that God had promised in the Prophets. Jesus is our Passover Lamb who dies in our place.

First, the Lord’s Supper reminds us to look backward in remembrance of Jesus’ death, his body broken and his blood shed for us.

Second, the Lord’s Supper reminds us to look forward

Third, in instructing the early church in the proper use of the Lord’s Supper, Paul spoke to the inward aspect of the sign:

Fourth, the Lord’s Supper reminds us to look outward

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, as received by Christians, also have an upward look. They are acts of worship that please the Lord and are a means of grace to help us grow in Christ.

We Are Christ’s Radiant Bride

We Are Family in Christ

We Are a Living Temple

We Are Members of Christ’s Body

We Are Christ’s Flock

We Are Outposts of Christ’s Kingdom

We Are Christ’s Ambassadors

We Are Christ’s Exiles

The new creation has come in a person in Jesus. In the church it has come in a people. Now we await its consummation in a place

As a “revelation,” or “unveiling,” it’s intended to be understood. This means that we must not approach the book as if God is hiding things from us.

“Made it known” can also be translated as “signified.” This is a book of symbols

The last thing we learn from these initial verses is that Revelation is to bless those who hear it and keep it, believe it and obey it.

The key difference is that apocalyptic literature gives us a symbolic universe that points to and interprets reality as it is. Science fiction is fiction; apocalyptic writings found in the Bible convey truth about reality and God.

Revelation pulls back the veil of this world to show us God on his throne and the spiritual battle that is at work in the world.

1. Apocalyptic literature is like an onion.

2. Apocalyptic literature is like a comic book.

3. Apocalyptic literature is like surround sound.

4. Apocalyptic literature is like a satellite.

5. Apocalyptic literature is like a war speech.

6. Apocalyptic literature is like a blender.

We encourage you to dig into Revelation to understand what it has to say, but for the purposes of this book, we’re going to limit our focus on two big, future realities that all Christians eagerly anticipate: full and final judgment and full and final salvation