Posts Tagged Eschatology
More on the End-Times Revival (if any)
Posted by Peter in Bible, Christianity on November 20, 2009
This past summer, my blogging buddy Joel and I engaged in a friendly discussion about whether there will or will not be an end-times revival. His excellent post, Is there a Great World Wide Revival Coming, kicked off the discussion. My response, Will There Be an End-Times Revival?, followed.
Recently, another good friend of mine entered the fray with Great End Times Revival or Great Falling Away…Which Is It? Check it out.
As you may (or may not) be aware, I happen to think the two are not necessarily mutually exclusive. I happen to believe there will be both. Now whether they will be simultaneous, or whether one will precede the other, I cannot definitively say.
Thoughts, ideas, suggestions? Feel free to share them here, but I also encourage you to share them there.
When You Die, Where Will You Go? Are Your Sure?
Posted by Peter in Bible, Christianity, Theology on November 4, 2009
I’ve always been taught that when you die you go to heaven (if you’re a Christian, of course). However, I’ve always been a little ambivalent about the immediacy of that trip. I’ve never been entirely persuaded that I, or any of us, will end up in heaven immediately upon death, without a little stop over in “paradise,” “Abraham’s bosom,” or some other equally-cool name for the heavenly holding tank. But, I must admit, I’m not entirely sure.
Well, yesterday during our Revelation Bible study (specifically 1:17-18), this very question was raised (and not by me), as were a few eyebrows, and more than a few hairs on the back of necks. It didn’t generate an argument, but it did generate a great discussion (a perfect example of brothers and sisters disagreeing without becoming disagreeable). One which will no doubt continue in the hallway of our church, over coffee and lunches, and on the blogs of our church members (here, here, and of course, here at BOB).
So, I ask you, my blogging brethren, where do we go immediately upon death (if anywhere)?
New Blog (Check it Out) About Revelation and Other Stuff
Posted by Peter in Bible, Blogging, Christianity on October 28, 2009
Another good friend of mine has entered the blogosphere as more than just a casual reader. His new blog is The Watchman’s Gaze. I encourage you to check it out and give him a few words of encouragement, and I’m sure he would appreciate a few tips o’ the blogging trade.
As I’ve mentioned before, our church has just started a Bible study through the book of Revelation. We will be meeting once a week over lunch and going verse-by-verse through Revelation and related scripture. To quote myself regarding this study:
Why will this be especially interesting, you ask? Because of the participants: yours truly and his lovely wife Pastor Lolo (who are as different as night and day); a friend of mine, the former-Church-of-Christ-pastor-turned-charismatic who hangs around BOB from time to time under the username “watchmancurtis” (and who needs a blog of his own); our pastor, whose eschatological take I am still unable to pinpoint even after considerable poking, prodding, and thorough cross-examination, although I’m fairly confident it’s not heretical (but I reserve the right to change my mind after or during this study); and anyone else who might be interested.
I also mentioned that I wouldn’t be blogging about the study the way I am about our Hebrews Bible Study, but the “friend of mine, the former-Church-of-Christ-pastor-turned-charismatic who hangs around BOB from time to time under the username “watchmancurtis” (and who needs a blog of his own)” will.
I’m sure he will write about a lot of other topics, but he’ll be able to provide a steady diet of revelation about Revelation. Check it out.
Revelation Bible Study Group
Posted by Peter in Bible, Blogging, Christianity, New Testament on October 12, 2009
This should be interesting (although I don’t think I will blog about it the way I have with my Hebrews Bible Study (not without appropriate release forms being signed anyway)), but a small group from our church is beginning a study of the book of Revelation.
Why will this be especially interesting, you ask? Because of the participants: yours truly and his lovely wife Pastor Lolo (who are as different as night and day); a friend of mine, the former-Church-of-Christ-pastor-turned-charismatic who hangs around BOB from time to time under the username “watchmancurtis” (and who needs a blog of his own); our pastor, whose eschatological take I am still unable to pinpoint even after considerable poking, prodding, and thorough cross-examination, although I’m fairly confident it’s not heretical (but I reserve the right to change my mind after or during this study); and anyone else who might be interested.
It’s a veritable motley crew to be sure. And we should either settle all the questions once and for all, or split the church entirely (just kidding, we love each other warts and all, I think).
Will There Be an End-Times Revival?
Posted by Peter in Bible, Christianity, Israel, Theology on July 7, 2009
In a friendly discussion with my blogging buddy Polycarp over at The Church of Jesus Christ on his post Charismatic Movement: Alive or Dead?, we each agreed to write posts about whether there will be an end-times revival.
You can find his excellent post here, wherein he very skillfully maintains there will not be an end-times revival. Surprisingly, however, despite my task of demonstrating that there is scriptural authority for an end-times revival, I must confess that there is not much in his post I disagree with, other than the ultimate conclusion, of course.
I think a few issues get confused when discussing this subject matter thereby creating distinctions, whether with or without real differences. First of all, I agree with Polycarp that the last days will be very difficult:
[Paul to Timothy] This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 Timothy 3:1 (KJV)
I do not, however, see these (difficult times and end-times revival) as being mutually exclusive. Whether you believe we are in the midst of the last days or not, I think most would agree that these are perilous times and that there is a considerable revival taking place right now in places like South America, China and other parts of Asia and Africa. So, both are indeed possible.
I think, too, the term “revival” is used loosely suggesting some sort of spiritual resurrection, which I firmly believe will happen (more on that in a moment), but it also gets used to suggest some worldwide mass coming to Jesus. I’m less comfortable with the latter because I’m not entirely sure scripture goes that far, but I don’t negate the possibility. Therefore, to the question of whether the end-times revival will be worldwide or include mass numbers, I must simply answer, “I don’t know.”
With that in mind, the most widely used scripture to support the notion of an end-times revival is found in Joel 2:
28 It will come about after this That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and daughters will prophesy, Your old men will dream dreams, Your young men will see visions.
29″Even on the male and female servants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. The Day of the LORD
30″I will display wonders in the sky and on the earth,
Blood, fire and columns of smoke.
31″The sun will be turned into darkness
And the moon into blood Before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes.
32″And it will come about that whoever calls on the name of the LORD will be delivered…
My friend correctly points out that in Acts 2 Peter applies this passage in Joel to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit experienced by Peter and the others on the day of Pentecost. However, I see this as the beginning of the outpouring referenced in Joel and not the end.
In support of this, it seems that Joel 2:31 is a parallel prophecy to Revelation 6:12 where, “The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red…” (NIV), which suggests to me that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit began, and did not culminate, at Pentecost. The culmination to come “before the great and awesome day” when the Lord comes.
Moreover, I find no where in scripture where this outpouring comes to an end. Lastly, at the time of Pentecost, Peter had no indication yet that the Gentiles were some how going to be a part of God’s plan. His encounter with Cornelius and strange bedclothes had yet to occur, and He specifically addresses “Men of Judea” and “Men of Israel.”
Thus, the pouring out on all mankind, while appropriate to Peter’s sermon as the beginning of said outpouring, must have been still future in its completion.
I have always found that on questions of church theology, the book of Romans seems to provide most of the answers. On this question of theology, Romans 11 I think provides the clearest instruction.
First, and as an aside, albeit an important one, Paul cites Joel 2:32 in eliminating the distinction between Jew and Gentile in Romans 10:13. It is apparent that Paul viewed Joel’s prophecy as continuing and still future. More importantly, Paul explains:
11 I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous. 12 Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be!…15 For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?
…
25 For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery-so that you will not be wise in your own estimation-that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; 26 and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written…” (NASB)
If Israel’s rejection of Christ meant my reconciliation, what must their acceptance be? Paul equates it to life from the dead. That sounds like a revival to me. I would love to be around when, “all Israel will be saved.”
Admittedly, I think there are a lot of when, where, and how’s that need to be worked out, but it seems to me that the end-times revival is the answer to the falling away, apostasy and lawlessness to come. Jesus instructs us, “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:14 (NASB)
All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus, and we are to:
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that [He] commanded [us]; and lo, [He] is with [us] always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19 (NASB)
I see it this way: the prophecied gloom and doom are the symptoms, the end-times, worldwide revival we are charged with carrying is the cure. Sure, some folks will not take their medicine, ignore their ailments, or seek help elsewhere, but among those who find Jesus, there will most definitely be revival.
Give Me Some More Leviticus
Posted by Peter in Bible, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus on May 18, 2009
Last week, I finished reading through Leviticus again. It was only the second time I’ve read through it start to finish. Which is a shame really. I think Leviticus gets a bad rap.
Off and on, I’ve spent a fair amount of time studying the feasts, but I’ve spent very little time on the remainder of Leviticus. The symbolism is unreal. And not that I’m claiming to grasp it all, quite the contrary. But, it’s good stuff.
Suggestion: if anyone is planning to tackle Leviticus any time soon, read the fall feasts for their eschatological significance, and, when reading about the offerings, think about God symbolizing the bull or offering from the herd, Jesus as the lamb or offering from the flock, and, of course, the Holy Spirit as the pigeon or turtle dove offerings.
I would be curious to hear anyone’s thoughts. If you know of any other resources relating to this, I would also be grateful if you would let me know.
Top 5 Overused Words in Christian and Bible Blogging
Posted by Peter in Bible, Blogging, Christianity on March 31, 2009
Don’t get me wrong, I love Christian/Bible blogs, and I love blogging myself, but there are a few buzzwords I find to be just ever-so-slightly overused in the blogosphere:
5. Exegesis: This includes “exegetic,” “exegetical,” and the like. I don’t mean to be critical of exegetes, but it does seem redundant to me to bandy about terms like “exegesis” and “exegetic” in writing that is clearly exegetical to begin with. It is akin to using “blog post.” Of course it’s a “blog post,” to what other type of post would you be referring. Similarly, one need not reference their own exegesis in obviously exegetical work.
4. Eschatology: I love eschatology, I really do, but eschatological discussions often include repeated references to the term “eschatology” by the newest eschatolog. It’s a cool word, I get it.
3. Hermeneutics: See “exegesis,” “exegetic,” and “exegetical” above. At least practitioners of hermeneutics aren’t called “hermenetes.” Hermeneuticians(?), consider yourselves lucky.
2. Apologetics: Again, I love apologetics and apologists. But, it seems we should all be defenders of our faith without assigning the task to a growing class of professional debaters (and I am a former competitive debater, so if I think “apologetics” is overused, it is). It seems that if we could “prove” the tenets of our faith, then our faith would be rendered less meaningful.
1. Worldview: With all do respect to the “Christian Worldview” crowd (with whom I agree, in large part), it seems that the most appropriate response to the notion that we should have a Christian Worldview is, “Well, duh!” I agree, for the umpteenth time.
Is it just me?
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