[Series Forward] My hope and prayer remain the same as Tremper and Al's: that this series will continue to encourage the revival of interest in the Old Testament as a book that constantly points forward to Jesus Christ, to his sufferings and the glories that would follow.

[Forward] Mark Belz is a man who knows of what he speaks and has done a beautiful job of drawing out from one of the most beautiful narratives in the Bible the most beautiful truth in the world.

[Preface] While it does stand on its own feet, I think yo will find it exciting to explore the ways in which it relates to and exemplifies so many issues confronting us in the world today. In other words, I hope you find it as exciting as I have.

The great display of reconciliation that the apostle John saw before the throne of God is a grand reconciliation that has begun to take place here on earth, in real life. Children of the covenant are already filing in. Look around. Believers from every nation, tribe, people, and language are filling the sanctuary. There are Syrians, Jews, African Americans, Hispanics, Caucasians, Native Americans, Asians, Congolese, and and all sorts of others.
And if you have time before the service begins, go up to the front row and introduce yourself to two folks standing together, arm in arm. It is a retired Syrian general and his one-time Jewish slave girl, waiting for Jesus to appear.