Gary interviews author and artist Doug Giles about his most recent book about John the Baptist.
John the Baptist is a pivotal figure in biblical revelation, not only due to his placement between the Testaments in our English Bibles, but also because of the important role he plays in heralding the coming of the Lamb of God (John 1:29–30). And like all heralds, John well understood that his task was one of announcing and pointing people to the coming King, not to himself. He said about his own ministry that he must decrease, but Jesus must increase (John 3:30). He was set aside from birth for this job and took it seriously. The same babe who leapt for joy in the womb at the sound of Mary’s voice (Luke 1:44), would later be using his own voice to condemn the religious leaders of his day as vipers (Luke 3:7).
Therein lies the dichotomy of John the Baptist. He was a polarizing figure in early first century Judea. While some regarded him as something of a novelty, others followed him as disciples. Before Jesus began his own public ministry, John was attracting a number of young tradesmen as followers. Change was in the air and like many social movements, the young men were the first to take notice. While John never claimed to be one to follow, he discipled the young men for a time, waiting for the pivotal moment when he would direct them toward the real focus of his message: Jesus of Nazareth. John understood that his purpose would fade once Jesus was revealed publicly.
Interestingly, John the Baptist does not have the same polarizing effect today. Little has been written about him and his ministry. When John does receive mention in most modern churches, it is mainly to highlight his cultural peculiarity, not his theological particularity. He is primarily known for the clothes he wore (camel’s hair) and the food he ate (locusts and honey), rather than his determined, fearless, and long-prophesied voice and message. Without John, there is no Jesus. Without the voice in the wilderness, there is no voice from heaven: “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased” (Matthew 3:17).
Last Days Madness
In this authoritative book, Gary DeMar clears the haze of "end-times" fever, shedding light on the most difficult and studied prophetic passages in the Bible, including Daniel 7:13-14; 9:24-27; Matt. 16:27-28; 24-25; Thess. 2; 2 Peter 3:3-13, and clearly explaining a host of other controversial topics.
Buy NowGary interviews author and artist Doug Giles about his most recent book about John the Baptist. The reality of the details about the people and events of the Bible are gritty and real. John the Baptist was not a “gentleman” in the sense of modifying his behavior and message to meet the approval of the ruling elite in the first century. John was a real guy and a real prophet, paving and leveling the way for the Messiah Himself.