06.04 - Chapter 38 - A Place for Prophecy
Chapter 38 A PLACE FOR PROPHECY Promises of Prophecy to Keep Before Christ’s first advent many things prophesied were associated with His birth alone.
# Jesus would be born of a woman Genesis 3:15 cp. Galatians 4:4 # Jesus would be of the seed of Abraham Genesis 12:3 cp. Matthew 1:1 # Jesus would be of the seed of Isaac Genesis 17:19 cp. Luke 3:34 # Jesus would be of the seed of Jacob Numbers 24:17 cp. Matthew 1:2 # Jesus would come from the tribe of Judah Genesis 49:10 cp. Luke 3:33 # Jesus would be heir to the throne of David Isaiah 9:7 cp. Luke 1:32-33 # Jesus would be born in Bethlehem Micah 5:2 cp. Luke 2:4-7 # Jesus would be born after 490 years Daniel 9:25 cp. Luke 2:1-2 # Jesus would be born of a virgin Isaiah 7:14 cp. Luke 1:26-31 # Jesus would flee to Egypt Hosea 11:1 cp. Matthew 2:14-15 # Jesus would be preceded by a forerunner Malachi 3:1 cp. Luke 7:24, Luke 7:27 # Jesus would be the Son of God Psalms 2:7 cp. Matthew 3:17 The Difficulty of Prophecy
Despite the precise predictions associated with Christ, no-one prior to the Lord’s advent interpreted the prophecies correctly! The reason was simple. People had been led to believe in other things. They had been led to believe in a Warrior-King- Saviour instead of a SovereignSuffering-Savior. The people of Palestine ultimately wanted a political redeemer. The irony is that Jesus, “did come as a Redeemer, yet not to break the Roman yoke with armies. He did come as a king, but not the kind of a king they expected. He did come as a priest, but the only priest that ever lived who was both priest and victim at the same time. He did establish a kingdom, but his kingdom was not of this world. It was foretold that Elias should come. He did come, but in a way that no one could anticipate. It was foretold that Christ should sit on the throne of David; but that has proved to be no earthly throne. He is to subdue all nations, not by the sword; but by truth and love. From these things we are not to expect to find prophecy like history.” (Reference unknown) Before Jesus Comes
Turning to the New Testament, the voice of prophecy can be heard again. Specific things must happen before Jesus comes the second time for all who believe (Hebrews 9:28).
• The gospel has to be preached to all nations (Matthew 24:14; Mark 13:10; Matthew 28:19-20).
• Many souls have to be converted (Romans 11:23-26; Romans 11:11; Romans 11:31; Matthew 23:39; Acts 3:19-21).
• Peter had to die (John 21:18-19).
• The Holy Spirit had to come (John 14:16-18).
• John had to live to be an old man (John 21:22-24).
Characteristics of Christ’s Second Coming • The coming of Christ will be personal (Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Hebrews 9:28; Php 3:20).
• The coming of Christ will be visible (Matthew 24:27, Matthew 24:30; Revelation 1:7; 1 John 3:2).
Events That Will Accompany the Second Coming of Christ • The Man Of Sin (an Anti-Christ) will be destroyed (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 cp. 1 John 2:18).
• The dead will be resurrected (Daniel 12:2; John 5:28-29; Revelation 20:12-13; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Matthew 25:31; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10).
• The present world system will come to an end (Matthew 13:39-43, Matthew 13:49; 2 Peter 3:10; 2 Peter 3:12; John 12:48; John 11:24; John 6:39-40; John 6:44).
Three Views of the Future A Summary Of Pre-Millennialism. It is the "blessed hope" of the historical Pre-millennialist that Christ will come a second time before the millennium (i.e., thousand-year reign from Jerusalem on the throne of David). This view was embraced from AD 150 till about 250, afterward which it gradually died out. Beginning in the nineteenth century, the concept of a premillennial return of Christ has been revived. Modern Pre-millennialist understand the term “kingdom” to mean the "millennium kingdom," which is said to be in the future. A summary view of Pre-millennialism may be set forth.
• Two thousand years ago, Christ came and offered Himself and the kingdom to national Israel.
• Because the offer of Christ was refused, the kingdom was withdrawn from the world when Jesus ascended into heaven after His resurrection. The future was postponed so that a "Church Age" might be interjected into the time-line of human history.
• There is now no kingdom of Christ in the world and will not be till the Lord comes to reign personally and visibly on earth. "No kingdom without a King!” has been a popular slogan.
• The present "dispensation" in which we live is not the "Kingdom Age" but the "Church Age."
• The Church Age will end in a great state of apostasy and judgment.
• During the Church Age, the gospel will not succeed in changing the world for Christ.
Therefore, the saints will "raptured" or removed from the earth which will then be judged for seven years.
• Ironically, once the Holy Spirit is removed, there will be many souls won to Christ during the seven years of “Great Tribulation.”
• Finally, the Christ will come to earth and destroy the Anti-Christ. He will establish a kingdom which will last for a thousand years at the end of which there will be a general revolt against His rule of righteousness.
• Christ’s coming is “imminent,” which means that He may come any day, since there are no predictive events which must precede this from happening (Hebrews 10:37; Revelation 22:7; Matthew 24:42; Matthew 25:13; Revelation 16:15).
• When Christ comes at this time He does not come down to earth, but remains in the upper sphere in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:16). Only the godly dead or those who have died in the Lord will rise. That is, the Church Age saints will ascend to meet in the air [i.e., be raptured] for a period of seven years.
• This coming is called the "coming for His saint," (1 Thessalonians 4:15-16).
• Following the Rapture, for seven years the world will be evangelized (Matthew 24:14) despite a great period of universal tribulation [i.e., the Great Tribulation, Matthew 24:21-22].
• Many Jews will be converted (Romans 11:26).
• Anti-Christ or the man of sin will be revealed (2 Thessalonians 2:8-10).
• At the end of the tribulation period, Christ will come again with the Church Age saints to reign on earth for a thousand years [The Millennial]. This is called "the revelation" or "the day of the Lord."
• At this coming Christ will judge the living nations (Matthew 25:31-46) which will usher in the millennial kingdom.
• At the end of the thousand years Satan is loosed.
• The world goes from bad to worse as Satan’s hosts war against the saints till fire comes down to destroy them.
• In a last great battle, Satan is cast into the pit.
• The resurrection and judgment of the wicked follow this victory of Christ.
Objections To Pre-millennialism.
Those who question Pre-millennialism have serious concerns, not the least of which is that the Pre-millennial Dispensational System teaches three(3) comings of Christ!
# First Advent The Virgin Birth # Second Advent The Rapture [parousia] # Third Advent Seven Years Later (the Second Advent Proper?) The Bible says that Christ will return the second time for all who believe (Hebrews 9:28) and that He will return in the same manner in which He went away (Acts 1:1-26). The attempt to preserve the unity of the idea of a second coming by speaking of the "Rapture" and the "Second Advent Proper" as two “aspects” or "phases" of that one momentous event cannot be logically or linguistically defended. Seven years separate these two "phases" which means the system really does teach three comings of Christ.
• In 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2, 2 Thessalonians 2:8 the terms "parousia" and "day of the Lord" are used interchangeably.
Many passages from the Old Testament are quoted by Pre-millennialist as referring to still future events. However, the New Testament indicates that the Old Testament passages refer to the First Advent or to the progress of the church in the world. Specific examples establish this point:
# John the Baptist and Elijah (Malachi 4:5-6 cp. Matthew 11:14).
# The New Covenant to Israel (study Jeremiah 33:1-26 cp. Hebrews 8:1-13).
# The Church can claim to be the true heirs of Abraham (study Romans 9:7-8 cp. Romans 3:29) • There is no scriptural evidence or proof that the kingdom was withdrawn from the world when Christ ascended.
• A dramatic distinction between the Church Age and the Kingdom Age does not appear to have Scriptural foundation. The Kingdom of God is in the world at the present time.
• The key Pre-millennial Rapture passage does not clearly state that the saints will return to heaven and then return to earth seven years later (1 Thessalonians 4:16). Rather, the whole passage is on a descending Christ in triumph.
• In Matthew 24:21, Christ mentions a time of tribulation which refers to the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. What Jesus said would happen, John saw would happen and history records it did happen.
• The Pre-millennial position is not to be found in the Apostles Creed or any creed of Christendom. How has the Church not understood so much of the Bible for so long?
• The Pre-millennial method of interpretation is questionable when it stresses literalism and makes dramatic distinctions where none exist.
• Pre-millennialism suggests different ways of salvation for the Old and New Testament saints. The historic faith declares that, “The justification of believers under the Old Testament was, in all these respects, one and the same with the justification of believers under the New Testament.” (The Baptist Confession Of Faith Of 1689, Chapter 11, Section 6; study Galatians 3:9; Romans 4:22-24)
• Pre-millennialism sets forth multiple resurrections and separates the resurrection of the just from the un-just (cp. John 6:39-40). Note: It is often said that ek nekron e.g. (Acts 4:2), expresses an "out-resurrection from the dead," implying that some are raised "up and out" from others who are left behind. However, the argument will not withstand careful examination (study Daniel 12:2; John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15). A Summary Of Post-Millennialism
It is the "blessed hope" of the Post-millennialist that the return of Christ will follow the millennium, which will be at the close of the present gospel dispensation. A summary of Postmillennialism include the following points.
• Christ will come at the end of the world [i.e., this age] (Matthew 12:32; Matthew 13:1 ff; Mark 13:30).
• When Christ comes the second time there will be a general resurrection of both of the just and unjust (John 5:28-29; Matthew 10:32-33; Matthew 7:21-23
• When Christ returns there will be a general judgment of the just and the unjust with the eternal destiny of each decided by the Lord Himself. This will take place on “the last day” (Matthew 25:31; John 6:39-40, John 6:44; John 11:24; John 12:48).
• When Christ comes like "a thief in the night", the world will be consumed by fire (2 Peter 3:10-12).
• The return of Christ is not imminent (Matthew 25:1-13; Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:11-27) for prior to the Lord’s return, disciples will be made of all nations (Matthew 28:19). In addition, four of the parables in Matthew 13:1-58 indicate that the kingdom will come to pass by a processes of growth and growth requires time (cp. Romans 11:25). When the expectation of a soon coming of Christ created undue concerns in the Thessalonian church, Paul wrote his second epistle to correct that mistake. “Be not soon shaken in mind or troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us that the day of the Lord is at hand, or “is close” (Bishop Lightfoot). The apostle gives some reasons why the Second Advent was not to be regarded by them as imminent. Paul teaching was intended to challenge the mistake of some of the early disciples that Christ’s Second Advent was to be expected soon. The idea persisted in some sections of the early church until the First Ecumenical Council decided that such was not the meaning of Christ’s teaching. After that the early Chiliasm (millennialism) was not widely embraced.
• The kingdom of God [heaven] is in the world at a present time (Daniel 2:44; Daniel 7:23-27; Matthew 6:33; Matthew 13:38; Matthew 18:4; Matthew 21:31; Matthew 21:43; Mark 12:34; Luke 6:20; Luke 10:9-11; Luke 12:32; Luke 16:16; John 3:3; Romans 14:17; Colossians 1:13). If Christ is now King of kings and Lord of lords, and He is, then there must be a kingdom over which He rules. A Summary of A-Millennialism (Realized Millennialism)
It is the "blessed hope" of the Amillennialist that the present age best defines and describes the current rule and reign of the resurrected and glorified Christ. For this reason, the term, "Amillennial" is not the best word to use in defining itself for the "a" negative and indicates "no" millennial. A better term would be "Fulfilled" or "Realized" Millennial. There is a millennial reign of Christ. Christ literally reigns today, from heaven over the affairs of men. One day He shall return, literally, to earth at the Second Advent. and establish His eternal kingdom on a new earth with a new heaven. The A-Millennial position argues for the following points.
• There is no program of the ages revealed to man.
• Christ will return in visible form but no one knows the time or preliminary events.
• The coming of Christ will consummate all earthly history.
• Beyond the fact of His coming the Bible does not go into details leading up to it or following it.
• The saints will suffer until Christ returns (2 Timothy 3:12).
• Those who have persecuted the saints will be punished (2 Thessalonians 1:7).
• Corruption shall continue on earth until Christ comes (Matthew 13:30; 2 Timothy 3:13; Luke 17:30).
• Though the Church waits for the Lord to return the second time, it recognizes that the sovereign reign of Christ is a present reality as per Revelation 5:10.
! Special Note: The Revised Version of Revelation 5:10 reads: “And madest them a kingdom and priests and they reign (present tense) on the earth.”
• The messianic reign shall be upon the throne of David (Jeremiah 23:5 cp. Luke 1:32).
• There shall be no end to the present Messianic reign (Isaiah 9:7 cp. Luke 1:33).
• The reign of the Messiah was to begin at Jerusalem (Jeremiah 3:17; Zechariah 14:16).
• All who reign with Christ (Revelation 1:5) will be bodily resurrected (1 Corinthians 15:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Revelation 20:4-5).
• When Christ returns there will be a new heaven and earth (2 Peter 3:13).
• When Christ returns He will come with all His saints (1 Thessalonians 3:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:14; Jude 1:14).
Angels will attend the Second Advent, the bodies that sleep will be raised up from the grave and the disembodied spirits will be brought from their intermediate state to be reunited with the resurrected bodies.
• When Christ comes there will be a time of judgment (Matthew 25:31; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Matthew 25:34).
"The end of God’s appointing this day is for the manifestation of the glory of His mercy, in the eternal salvation of the elect; and of His justice, in the eternal damnation of the reprobate, who are wicked and disobedient: for then shall the righteous go into everlasting life, and receive that fullness of joy and glory with everlasting reward, in the presence of the Lord; but the wicked, who know not God, and obey not the gospel of Jesus Christ, shall be cast into everlasting torments, and punished with everlasting destruction, from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power. (The Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689, Chapter 32, Section 2; study Romans 9:22-23; Matthew 25:21, Matthew 25:34; 2 Timothy 4:8; Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:48; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10). The Second Coming of Christ is Historical
Another view of the Second Coming is that Christ has already come and is now here in His spiritual presence in the world. The time of His coming was at the destruction of Jerusalem. The text which seems to speak of His coming at that time, lend themselves to this view. Also Matthew 28:20, "Lo I am with you always even unto the end of the world." Thus the Christian has the comfort and help of Christ’s constant presence. This view is not largely held, but is maintained by some.