For example, the book is well-organized. Does the end matter? John Fullerton MacArthur Jr. (born June 19, 1939) is an American Protestant pastor and author known for his internationally syndicated Christian teaching radio and television program Grace to You. Now, Ive been telling you for a number of months that we were going to get into the subject of eschatology, the doctrine of last things. Log In
The Rapture, Antichrist, and Rebirth of Israel in Medieval Manuscripts. Is that what God wanted us to do, to look at it and say, Aw, I cant figure this out; lets forget it? There are whole denominations that are instructed not to teach on the end times. 11:12; 12:29; 13:19; John 10:12, 28, 29) and removing (John 6:15; Acts 8:39; 23:10; Jude 23).There is a third use, which focuses on being caught up . When Frederick the Great called his chaplain in and he said, I want proof of the truthfulness of the Bible, and I want it briefly, the chaplain replied, Sir, I can give you proof of the truthfulness of the Bible in one word: Israel.. Help Grace to You bring important resources like this to people in your community and beyond, free of charge. They didnt really get to the front of ecclesiology either, the study of the church, but those two kind of go together - as well see in this study - in some very fascinating ways. Major proponents J. N. Darby, C. I. Scofield, John Walvoord, A. C. Gaebelein, Charles Ryrie, Lewis S. Chafer, J. Dwight Pentecost, Charles C. Ryrie, Ive been teaching and preaching the Bible expositionally now for over 40 years, one verse at a time. O.T. The Lutherans formally rejected chiliasm (millennialism) in The Augsburg Confession. The Church has rejected even modified forms of this falsification of the kingdom to come under the name of millenarianism,577 especially the "intrinsically perverse" political form of a secular messianism.578". You can figure it out. He made them in the past, when He didnt know what He now knows, because what was going to happen hadnt happened. And youve been great tonight; this is more like a theological lecture. The other says there will be a kingdom. Many of these theologians and others in the early church expressed their belief in premillennialism through their acceptance of the sexta-septamillennial tradition. Hes not predicting the future because you cant predict what hasnt happened - it doesnt exist. Post-millennialism, for example, agrees with premillennialism about the future earthly reign of Christ, but disagrees on the concept of a rapture and tribulation before the millennium begins. Now, next time Im going to take you through a series of about five questions that were going to ask and see how this plays out on the pages of Scripture, okay? Now, if you want to get the future right, youve got to get Israel right, and youve got to get Gods sovereign electing purpose right. Not that they were the only ones to be saved, but they were the ones through whom God will eventually reach, and even set up His Son to rule over the nations. Dr. James M. Boice Makes An Excellent Case For Premillennialism. They explain, "As a refinement of dispensational premillennialism, futuristic millennialism affirms a futuristic view . "[43] His Puritan contemporaries, Increase Mather and Cotton Mather, openly proclaimed a belief in a literal millennium. Over four decades of ministry, John has written dozens of bestselling books, including The . I have thought about these things, by the way, for a long time. I saw it in Scripture when I was young; I saw it in Scripture because it was so crystal clear. A preference for allegorical interpretation - Finally, Augustine was influenced by the popular allegorical interpretation of Scripture, particularly of The Book of Revelation. And Im not into all kinds of complex charts, and Im not into all that is traditionally known as dispensationalism - seven dispensations, two kingdoms, two New Covenants, two ways of salvation, discontinuity between the Old Testament and the New - Im not talking about that. But people are upset because MacArthur so badly misrepresented amillennialism, and because he defined "premillennialism" as though it were dispensationalism. As one prominent amillennialist said when asked, What is the biblical significance of the existence of Jews in their land? and he said, It has no significance at all. Really? All right, thats the introduction. Craig Blaising and Darrell Bock, Progressive Dispensationalism What passage is it in? The world, as they see it, is in an ongoing golden process of progress. Most of the Reformers and the Puritans were postmils. Here at Grace to You Europe we take our data protection responsibilities very seriously and, as you would expect, have undertaken a significant programme of work to ensure that we are ready for this important legislative change. "[23] Augustines (354-430) influence shaped not only the Western Middle Ages, but it also influenced the Protestant reformers, who constantly referred to his teaching in their own debates. The assembly and the circumstances of the assembly must be distinguished. Origen was the first to challenge the doctrine openly. You can choose Him and then not choose Him, and then choose Him again and then not choose Him, and you make the decision; and so, all of the promises of God are conditional on you. There isnt such a thing. Historic premillennialism maintains chiliasm because of its view that the church will be caught up to meet Christ in the air and then escort him to the earth in order to share in his literal thousand year rule. But in both cases it will be the flow of history under the influence of the church, so theyre really looking at the same thing. . Now, why am I making a case for this? It is the single most inexplicable story in human history, that this small group of beleaguered people, attacked and assaulted by everybody around them for centuries, still exist as a pure ethnic race. It was developed in mid-19 th century England by John Darby, a leader of the small but influential Plymouth Brethren Movement. In 1 Peter chapter 1, you remember, Peter says that the prophets who wrote concerning Christ, concerning the things to come, wondered what person and what time. Isaiah 65 - really, the whole chapter is about Israel, Gods elect - verse 22: My elect again shall enjoy long the work of their hands. Israel repeatedly called Gods elect; we know what that means. John MacArthur laid down the gauntlet on the issue of prophecy in his opening talk at the 2007 "Shepherds' Conference" that was titled "Why Every Self-Respecting Calvinist Is a Premillennialist." He was emphatic that only premillennialism takes the prophecies concerning the future of Israel seriously. Certainly, you have no idea what it means - neither does anybody else. I. Dr. MacArthur on Premillennialism and Calvinism: "Now that leads to my title: `Why Every Self-Respecting Calvinist Is a Premillennialist' [laughter and applause] Now it's too late for Calvin, but it's not too late for the rest of you. What did Jesus mean when He said to His disciples that some of them would not taste death until they saw the Son of Man coming in His kingdom? There was a clear majority position among the earliest church fathers on the relationship of Israel to the church. Coining the word was "almost entirely the work of British and American Protestants and was prompted by their belief that the French and American Revolutions (the French, especially) realized prophecies made in the books of Daniel and Revelation."[3]. The preacher's admission came amid news that Grace Community Church in Sun Valley received an $800,000 settlement from Los Angeles County after defying pandemic-induced health orders. For the day of the Lord is as a thousand years; and in six days created things were completed: it is evident, therefore, that they will come to an end at the sixth thousand year. First of all, we commend Dr. MacArthur for his solid Biblical position on Israel, and that Israel has a glorious future in the plan and purpose of God. Relax; set all that aside. He will return to an increasingly wicked earth, He will come in fiery judgment, He will judge all the ungodly of all the earth, and then establish His rule and His kingdom forever. Im unwaveringly committed to that. All rights reserved. Turn to 2 Corinthians chapter 5 verse 9; 2 Corinthians chapter 5 verse 9: We have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, - that is, whether in heaven or here - to be pleasing to Him - to be pleasing to Him. There are over two thousand references to Israel in Scripture; not one of them means anything but Israel. JOHN MACARTHUR is the pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California; president of The Master's College and Seminary; and featured teacher for the Grace to You media ministry. Craig Blaising and . The current religious term "premillennialism" did not come into use until the mid-19th century. S. Lewis Johnson Jr. (1915-2004), a conservative evangelical pastor and theologian, was for many years a professor at Dallas Theological Seminary. Eusebius Pamphilius: Church History, Life of Constantine, Oration in Praise of Constantine", "Bible Basics Study 5.5 - The Millennium", "Definitions and Observations Concerning the Second Coming of Christ", "Episode 132: D.A. John MacArthur's first message at the Shepherds' Conference set off shock waves throughout the reformed evangelical church by upholding Premillennialism as being the only consistent position for any person who holds to the doctrine of sovereign electing grace. In fact, its an impossible effort since it doesnt mean what it says, and you have to sort of allegorize it or spiritualize it and therefore interpretations are myriad; they are as many as interpreters. Those who most celebrate the sovereign grace of election regarding the church and its inviolable place in Gods purpose, from predestination before the foundation of the world to glorification in the future, those who most celebrate the sovereign grace of election, those who most aggressively, most militantly, and most capably defend the truth of Scripture regarding this election being divine, unilateral, unconditional, irrevocable by nature, for the church - thats for us . The beliefs of Premillennialism are far from "rightly dividing the word of truth"! Jenna . In fact, I understand sovereign electing grace much more clearly than I ever have in the past, and I also understand Gods sovereign electing purpose for Israel more clearly than Ive ever understood it. Now, I told you a few weeks ago why people believe that, because they want to get God off the hook so Hes not responsible for evil; but Hes happy to take the responsibility for allowing evil for His own glory. They dont faze me. In the modern theological world, I say leave amillennialism to the process theologians. So, I said, Would you do me a favor? Why do we want to run from that? But in the Old Testament - for example, Isaiah 45:4: Israel, Mine elect. John MacArthur is the pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, where he has served since 1969. Dispensational premillennialism (DP) offers the most complex chronology of the end times.It argues that the current church age will end with the rapture of the church (cf. Regarding Marcion and premillennialism, Harvard scholar H. Brown noted. Donald Bloesch in his book The Last Things writes that: "Amillennialists as well as some postmillennialists adhere to the theory of progressive parallelism when dealing with the book of Revelation. He even went so far as to say that the Amillennial position is more consistent with Arminianism Therefore, Israel has been permanently set aside, so that the only kingdom will be that kingdom that we call the church, ruled by Christ, either expanding to take over the world, or existing in the world, and finally in heaven. In fact, the worst evil thats ever been done on the history of the world was the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, and by that - the worst evil - He gained the greatest glory. . by R. Scott Clark on April 8, 2020 | Dispensationalism describes a way of reading the Bible and a system of theology the nearest roots of which are in the 19th century. Israel sinned, promises cancelled. If you interpret Old Testament prophecies literally, they cannot be fulfilled in this present age. Some of them are postmillennialists, although there are fewer and fewer of those. So, I say, leave amillennialism to those kinds of people who do not believe in the sovereign, unilateral, irrevocable, divine electing power of God. Dionysius of Alexandria stood against premillennialism when the chiliastic work, The Refutation of the Allegorizers written by Nepos, a bishop in Egypt became popular in Alexandria. a.Dispensationalist Premillennialism 1. Christ returns before the Millennium, a literal thousand years 2. Premillennialism is distinct from the other views such as postmillennialism which views the millennial rule as occurring before the second coming. These are: postmillennialism, amillennialism, and historic premillennialism. Hes improving; Hes definitely on the upward curve. Another Rapture passage - great one - verse 16: the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, the trumpet of God, the dead in Christ shall rise first. Many traditional denominations continue to oppose the concept of a literal millennial kingdom. Tell us about the future. They were in a very hopeless situation, having very little in life. Accordingly, it must be that Abraham, together with his seed (that is, those who fear God and believe in Him), will receive it at the resurrection of the just.[7] In another place Irenaeus also explained that the blessing to Jacob belongs unquestionably to the times of the kingdom when the righteous will bear rule, after their rising from the dead. The reason why it's called "historic premillennialism" is that, historically, this was the allegedly commonly-held view by many of the church fathers like Iraenus, Pappias, and Justin Martyr. If you want to understand what the Bible says about the future, get these two things right: the sovereignty of God in election, and the promises of that sovereign, electing God to those people to whom He has elected - His redeemed church and Israel. And for this reason the Scripture says: 'Thus the heaven and the earth were finished, and all their adornment. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, this mortal must put on immortality. And then he goes on to talk about the fact that in that moment, in that event, Death is swallowed up in victory. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 3. Joachim divided earth's history into three periods. Who will establish it? Throughout the Patristic periodparticularly in the 3rd centurythere had been rising opposition to premillennialism. I have even called thee by thy name Isaiah 65:9: Mine elect shall inherit it - the promises of God. One says its not the kingdom. Cause what that means is God does know the future; God has set the future, and the future involves not only the glory of His church but the fulfillment of His elect people Israel with regard to everything that He promised that nation. There are three basic eschatological views which are held by those calling themselves "Reformed.". An article by John MacArthur: "The common question of which Bible translation to use is very important--it concerns the most important words ever spoken, the words of God the Creator. He was a voracious reader, and he just loved his ministry. And may I remind you that you have one very, very important reality to deal with in case you think theres no future in Israel: living Israelites. So, this is a classic perfect fit for Arminian theology. Premillennialism experienced a revival among 17th century Puritans like Thomas Brightman, Joseph Mede, and others. There should be a footnote in the chapter saying, Please note: here comes a prophetic text; change the rules. We really need a divine mandate, because I think God cares that we get it right. Now, frankly, its too late for John Calvin to fix his work, although he is now a premillennialist in heaven. How could He hold any of us, in one sense, responsible for not believing? If you look at Acts 3:19, Peter says, Repent therefore, and return, that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing - thats the millennium - may come from the presence of the Lord; that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, whom heaven must receive till the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time. So, having your eschatology in place may lead you to repentance. Amillennialism is ideal for Arminians because, according to their theology, God elects nobody and preserves nobody. In similar language, Scripture affirms the perpetuity of ethnic Israel to a future salvation and a future kingdom as a race of people, and that in that salvation and in that kingdom will be the fulfillment of all divine promises given to them in the Old Testament, repeated in the New Testament, and through them to the world. In his early period, Augustine held to the sexta-/septamillennial view common in early Christianity (see above section on Patristic Age). Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth (English Edition) eBook : MacArthur, John, Mayhue, Richard: Amazon.com.br: Livros Floyd Hamilton in his book, The Basis of the Millennial Faith, says - and I quote: Now we must frankly admit the literal interpretation of the Old Testament prophecies gives us just such a picture of an earthly reign of the Messiah as the premillennialist pictures., Now, thats a fate worse than death. [38] A few in the mainstream accepted it, such as Joseph Mede (15861638)[39] and possibly Hugh Latimer (died 1555),[40] but it was never a conventional belief throughout the period. And Ive gone back after I preach, and Ive written commentaries - now I think 26 or 27 volumes on the New Testament - back through the same material again and again and again and again and again, so that this understanding of eschatology has had to stand the acid test of every text. 1897 (Western Theological Seminary) (James Orr) .. Why? Historic premillennialism is the view that Christ will return before the millennium. But for those who get it, for those who understand it, for those who embrace Gods sovereignty - that He is the only one who can determine who will be saved and blessed, and He is the only one who can save and bless - then saying that He cancelled promises to Israel because they didnt believe is completely inconsistent. Loraine Boettner wrote a book called The Meaning of the Millennium; this is what he said: It is generally agreed that if the prophecies are taken literally, they do foretell a restoration of the nation of Israel in the land of Palestine, with the Jews having a prominent place in that kingdom and ruling over the other nations.. I have never moved away from my conviction about these two things. We chart the course and God reacts. This article is also available and sold as a booklet. John MacArthur's first message at the Shepherds' Conference set off shock waves throughout the reformed evangelical church by upholding Premillennialism as being the only consistent position for any person who holds to the doctrine of sovereign electing grace. Along that line, I went to Moody Press and I said, Look, Ive written two volumes on Revelation - I dont know, its 800 or 900 pages - and I realized not everybody is going to go through all of that. In his commentary on John 3:33, John Calvin wrote: "To believe the Gospel is nothing else than to assent to the truths that God has revealed." The sort faith that MacArthur rejects is what the Bible requires. They were fighting the massive Roman system, and being occupied on those fronts, they never really got to the front of eschatology. The "millennium" refers to the period of 1,000 years mentioned in Revelation 20:3, "He threw Satan into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years were ended. And Im not in to newspaper exegesis, where you where everything that happens in the news fulfills some obscure Old Testament prophecy. . Its a strange approach. And so, we stand steadfast, immovable. And these things are borne witness to in the fourth book of the writings of Papias, the hearer of John, and a companion of Polycarp. 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