Rethinking the Word

The Second Coming

Hi, Im Ryan Wonderly and in this episode of Rethinking the Word, we wrap up our 3-part series on Matthew 24 — the Olivet Discourse. What did Jesus really mean when He spoke of “His coming”? Was He pointing to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, His final return at the end of the age, or both? We’ll walk through the final section of Matthew 24 and explore: * How futurism, partial preterism, and dual fulfillment interpret Jesus’ words. * Why some believers fled to Pella while others sought refuge in Jerusalem. * The meaning behind phrases like “coming on the clouds” and “this generation will not pass away.” * Whether Matthew 24 describes the rapture, judgment, or something else entirely. * Why I believe in a future Second Coming — and why I remain cautious about full preterism. This chapter challenges us to think deeply about prophecy, but more importantly, it calls us to be ready. Regardless of your eschatological view, Jesus’ words are about living faithfully, with hope and expectation for His return. 📖 Key passages: Matthew 24, Daniel 7, Zechariah 12, Isaiah 19, Acts 1 👂 If you’ve been following this series, thank you for diving deep with me into one of the most debated passages in Scripture. Next time, I’ll step back from eschatology to share more about my journey and the heart behind this podcast. 👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe if this episode challenged you to rethink why you believe what you believe.

The Great Tribulation

My name is Ryan Wonderly and in this episode of Rethinking the Word, we dive deep into Jesus’s prophecy of the Great Tribulation from the Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24. How do Futurists, Partial Preterists, and Dual-Fulfillment interpreters understand these words? We’ll explore the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, the dramatic signs recorded by Josephus and Eusebius, and what all of this means for us today. 📖 Book Mentioned in This Episode: Kingdom Come by Sam Storms, https://a.co/d/5QA6lec 👉 Subscribe to Rethinking the Word for more thoughtful explorations of Scripture and history. 👍 Like, comment, and share to help spread the word!

The End of the Age

I’m Ryan Wonderly, and in this episode of Rethinking the Word we’re kicking off a three-part series on the Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24. For many, this chapter is the ultimate “end times” passage, but what if “the end of the age” doesn’t mean what we usually think it does? I’ll walk through Jesus’ prophecy about the destruction of the Temple, consider how early Christians and historians like Josephus and Eusebius understood it, and explore different perspectives on eschatology including futurism, partial preterism, and dual fulfillment. Along the way, I wrestle with challenging verses such as Matthew 24:34, where Jesus says, “this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.” My goal isn’t to give all the answers, but to approach scripture with humility and curiosity so we can see this passage in a fresh light. In this episode, I cover: * What “the end of the age” may have meant to the disciples * The destruction of the Temple in AD 70 as prophecy fulfilled * How the early church read Jesus’ words * Why there are multiple valid viewpoints on the end times * Why humility matters when we study eschatology Resources mentioned: * The New Complete Works of Josephus: https://a.co/d/g2Snc2p [https://a.co/d/g2Snc2p] * Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History: Complete and Unabridged: https://a.co/d/3l4Qqh5 [https://a.co/d/3l4Qqh5] If this episode encourages you to dig deeper, follow the podcast and share it with a friend. I’d love to hear your thoughts as we continue the conversation.

Rethinking the Talents

Welcome back to Rethinking the Word — the podcast where we dig deep into scripture, challenge assumptions, and seek to better understand why we believe what we believe. 🎙 In today’s episode, we’re looking at the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25… and I’m going to suggest it might not mean what you've always been told. Is it really about using your gifts and multiplying your resources? Or is Jesus warning his listeners about something else entirely? 🔥 Topics we’ll explore: * What was an actual talent in biblical times? * Is this parable about spiritual gifts, money, or something deeper? * Why does the "wicked servant" get cast into outer darkness? * And what does this have to do with salvation by works? If you’ve ever wrestled with this passage—or feared you’re not “doing enough” with your gifts—this episode is for you. 👀 Watch next: Episode 1 - The Bridesmaids: Did We Get It Wrong? 📘 Up next: Matthew 24 & the Olivet Discourse — it’s gonna be wild. 👇 Join the conversation: Like, subscribe, and leave a comment with your thoughts. Agree? Disagree? Let’s talk about it. 📺 Available on: ▶️ YouTube 🎧 Spotify 🍏 Apple Podcasts 🛒 Amazon Music 📖 Scripture: Matthew 25:14–30

Rethinking the Bridesmaids

Welcome to Rethinking the Word—a podcast where we dive into theology, unpack difficult and often misunderstood scriptures, and challenge each other to understand why we believe what we believe. In this episode, host Ryan Wonderly takes a fresh look at the Parable of the Bridesmaids (or Virgins) from Matthew 25, a passage that has long stirred anxiety and confusion in many believers. Are we really the bridesmaids? Does the oil represent the Holy Spirit? If you don’t have enough, are you locked out of the marriage supper of the Lamb? Ryan presents four reasons why the traditional interpretation might be off and explains what Jesus may actually have meant when He told this story. Spoiler: it may not be about the Holy Spirit—or about us at all. Along the way, we’ll begin to explore:* The original context of Matthew 24–25* The audience Jesus was speaking to* How the idea of “being ready” ties into coming judgment on Jerusalem* And how misinterpreting this passage can actually lead us away from the true gospel📖 Scripture References:Matthew 25:1–13, Revelation 19:7, Ephesians 2:8–9, Romans 3:22–24🕊️ Whether you’ve been anxious about whether you’re a “wise” or “foolish” bridesmaid, or you're just curious about what Jesus was really saying, this episode is for you. 👉 Like, comment, and subscribe to join the conversation. Whether you agree, disagree, or just want to share your thoughts, I’d love to hear from you.