HT: Out of Ur
Archive for the 'eschatology' Category
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Won’t it be a great day when we “learn war no more”? When, in the words of the spiritual, “We stick our swords in the golden sand, down by the riverside?”
Per one of our men’s encouragement, I read Micah today. It struck me that if I was suddenly asked to preach to a Marines stationed in the mountains of Afghanistan, I would preach from Micah 4:1-5.
3 He shall judge between many peoples,
and shall decide for strong nations afar off;
and they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war anymore;
4 but they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree,
and no one shall make them afraid,
for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken.
5 For all the peoples walk
each in the name of its god,
but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God
forever and ever. Micah 4:3-5
If I did preach to Marines in Afghanistan, I would take Mahalia Jackson along to sing the old Gospel song. The song preaches too.
Why are some many Christians abandoning what the Bible teaches about the wrath of God and eternal punishment? Al Mohler has some thoughts about this that are worth considering.
The wrath of God comes up in our text for today (Romans 2:1-5). It strikes me in reading through Mohler’s article, I need to hear Mohler’s warning that Bible believing preachers can too say they believe the doctrine of hell, but imply that it is less than good.
I really recommend reading Mohler’s article. You can learn a great deal from this one.
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For those in our church who are in the midst of our Romans project, realize that if we don’t understand the reality of the wrath of God and eternal punishment, then we won’t be able to comprehend the message of Romans. Already, we have see that Paul believes the essential human dilemma is that all people are in danger of the wrath of God.
Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. . . .2:3 Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who do such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.
The emphasis on God’s wrath (or hell) is not confined to Paul. One might turn to any number of passages including Christ’s summary statement in John 3:36.
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
Al Mohler posits that such liberal thinking begins when Christians feel that they need to save Christianity from itself.
Theological liberals do not intend to destroy Christianity, but to save it. As a matter of fact, theological liberalism is motivated by what might be described as an apologetic motivation. The pattern of theological liberalism is all too clear. Theological liberals are absolutely certain that Christianity must be saved…from itself.
LIBERALISM: SAVING CHRISTIANITY FROM ITSELF
The classic liberals of the early twentieth century, often known as modernists, pointed to a vast intellectual change in the society and asserted that Christianity would have to change or die. As historian William R. Hutchison explains, “The hallmark of modernism is the insistence that theology must adopt a sympathetic attitude toward secular culture and must consciously strive to come to terms with it.”[1]
This coming to terms with secular culture is deeply rooted in the sense of intellectual liberation that began in the Enlightenment. Protestant liberalism can be traced to European sources, but it arrived very early in America—far earlier than most of today’s evangelicals are probably aware. Liberal theology held sway where Unitarianism dominated and in many parts beyond.
Soon after the American Revolution, more organized forms of liberal theology emerged, fueled by a sense of revolution and intellectual liberty. Theologians and preachers began to question the doctrines of orthodox Christianity, claiming that doctrines such as original sin, total depravity, divine sovereignty, and substitutionary atonement violated the moral senses. William Ellery Channing, an influential Unitarian, spoke for many in his generation when he described “the shock given to my moral nature” by the teachings of orthodox Christianity.[2]
Though any number of central beliefs and core doctrines were subjected to liberal revision or outright rejection, the doctrine of hell was often the object of greatest protest and denial.
Considering hell and its related doctrines, Congregationalist pastor Washington Gladden declared: “To teach such a doctrine as this about God is to inflict upon religion a terrible injury and to subvert the very foundations of morality.”[3]
Read more here.
C.S. Lewis:
When Aslan said you could never go back to Narnia, he meant the Narnia you were thinking of. But that was not the real Narnia. That had a beginning and an end. It was only a shadow or a copy of the real Narnia: just as our own world, England and all, is only a shadow or copy of something in Aslan’s real world. You need not mourn over Narnia, Lucy. All of the old Narnia that mattered, all the dear creatures, have been drawn into the real Narnia through the Door. And of course it is different; as different as a real thing is from a shadow or as waking life is from a dream ….Your father and mother and all of you are – - as you used to call it in the Shadow-Lands – - dead. The term is over: the holidays have begun. The dream is ended: this is the morning (The Last Battle, 170).
I’m looking forward to it! Revelation 21:3-5, Revelation 22:1-5.
Randy Alcorn hints at how technology may figure into the eschatological future.
The video in this blog is an incredible look at how far technology has advanced and is changing, even just within the past year. As you watch it, remember that technology is a part of society or culture, which is the creative accomplishment of God’s image-bearers. Human creations are an extension of God’s own creative works because he created us to reflect him by being creators. . .
Read the rest here and look forward to eternity on a New Earth where there is no more death, mourning, crying, or pain – - where Christ’s people dwell in His presence in a place like the Garden of Eden, only better.
If you want to stretch your thinking about eschatology (the doctrine of the final work of Christ), then watch this round table discussion between men who debate about the nature of the Millennial Kingdom and the timing of Christ’s return.
The Millennial Kingdom refers to the 1000 year reign of Christ (See Revelation 20:4).
Piper moderates. The other three (see below for a summary) represent a-millennial , pre-millennial, and post-millennial positions. You can listen to them explain their positions.
Listening to this may give you a head ache. However, it is potentially a good use of your time.
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The great value of this discussion is probably the first part where they discuss the points they agree about – - namely, the Gospel and that God’s people will physically inhabit this earth renovated and purged from all the effects of sin. Notice the part where they talk about playing football and golf in eternity.
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It is valuable to see that Bible believing Christians differ in their views.
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It is worth being reminded of the Great Commission – - that we are to go into all the world and make disciples.
If you get really frustrated, then go to about the 1:55
An Evening in Eschatology Link
From John Piper:
On September 27, 2009, Desiring God and Bethlehem College & Seminary hosted “An Evening on Eschatology” at the Downtown Campus of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis. It was attended by about 800 people who sat in the darkened sanctuary while six cameras were trained on the brightly lit roundtable where the four participants sat in a circle.
For two hours I moderated, more or less, a discussion among Jim Hamilton (professor of New Testament at Southern Seminary in Louisville), Sam Storms (pastor of Bridgeway Church in Oklahoma City), and Doug Wilson (pastor of Christ Church, Moscow, Idaho).
The discussion was intended to focus on the relationship between the thousand-year reign of Christ mentioned in Revelation 20 and the return of Christ to this earth visibly and physically to reign. This thousand years is usually called “the millennium.” Revelation 20 is the only place in the Bible where the length of this period is mentioned.
Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while. . . those who had not worshiped the beast . . . came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. . . . And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations” (Revelation 20:1-4, 7-8).
Concerning this thousand years (millennium), there have been three major views in the history of the church. Each of these views was represented in the discussion by an advocate who believes the view to be true.
Premillennialism (represented by Jim Hamilton): The return of Christ happens before (pre-) the thousand-year reign of Christ, which is a reign of the risen Christ on the earth.
Amillennialism (represented by Sam Storms): The return of Christ happens after the thousand-year reign, a reign that occurs in heaven, in the intermediate state, and not upon the earth. Those who have died in faith and entered into the presence of Christ share his rule and reign during the current church age in which we now live.
Postmillennialism (represented by Doug Wilson): The return of Christ happens after (post-) the thousand-year reign, which corresponds to the Christian age, and the reign of Christ from heaven leads the church to triumph by and through the gospel to such an extent that the Great Commission will be successfully fulfilled, and the Christian faith will pervade all the cultures of all the nations of men. All Christ’s enemies will be subdued in this way, with the exception of death, which he will destroy by his coming.
Read the rest here.
I repeat this post periodically. But, it is important that none of you forget the directions. Jamie and I want you to come by our party.
My family talks about where we are going to meet when we get to the Heavenly City.
You have to see the picture in your mind. Revelation 22 says that there is a river as clear as crystal flowing from the throne of God down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river is the Tree of life.
Can you see that in your mind? The Lord Jesus sitting gloriously on a throne, a great tree-lined river crashing down from his throne, and vast throngs of people from every part of the world celebrating?
I can’t wait. But, I also want to make sure my friends and family know where to meet. Here is the plan. We are all going to meet at the 5th tree on the right side of the river facing the throne. Be sure it is the right side of the river as you face the throne. Then count 5 trees back.
My daughter Allison is concerned that our spot may already be reserved. What if someone like Daniel has reserved our tree? But, I tell her they’ll just have to share our space. We’re going to be right next to that tree in the Heavenly City.
If you know Christ, can you find just a few moments today to reflect on what you are looking forward to in the Heavenly City? Who are you looking forward to seeing? Can you imagine feeling perfectly healthy? No more death, mourning, crying, or pain (Revelation 21:3-5)!
I am Pastor Chris Brauns from the Red Brick Church in Stillman Valley. I’m sure I won’t meet all of you in person. Wouldn’t it be cool if the first time you and I shook hands was at the Heavenly City before the throne of the Lord Jesus Christ? Through faith in you can be there. Come by, 5th tree, right side facing the throne, at the great celebration of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Randy Alcorn:
We must realize, once and for all, that wanting to fulfill our ultimate desires and seeking the rewards God offers us are not anti-Christian. What is anti-Christian is the self-centeredness that’s unconcerned about God and our neighbor, and the preoccupation with the immediate fulfilling of desires that distracts us from finding our highest fulfillment in Christ . . .
It is senseless to devote our lives to the ‘mud pies’ of power, possessions, and pleasures of this world, when our Lord offers to us the power, possessions, and pleasures of the next world, our home.
You’re an investor? Great. Invest in what counts the most. You have the desire to succeed? Fine. Succeed in servanthood, in giving, in praying, in reaching out to the lost and needy. You have ambitions? Good. Make them kingdom ambitions. You have dreams? Wonderful. Trade in your short-term dreams for the eternal dreams of the risen Christ. Joy and rewards unimaginable will be yours. The Law of Rewards, 119.
Mike Wittmer:
I don’t want to go to heaven. Not that I’m lobbying for the other place – - I want no part of everlasting fire and unbearable, unquenchable torment . . .
I’d love to go to heaven – - for a visit. It will be unspeakably exhilarating to stand in the presence of God and sing his praises – - but to do nothing except this forever and ever? That’s a lot of rounds of, “Shine, Jesus, Shine.” . . .
So the Christian hope is not merely that someday we and our loved ones will die and go to be with Jesus. Instead, the Christian hope is that our departure from this world is just the first leg of a journey that is round-trip.
