We still have Mark to go, but there are only a couple of discourses and a couple of miracles in Mark that arent in the other three gospels, so not a lot of new material. But not us, who live and breathe the rarified air of sovereign grace and election; it makes no sense to me. He concluded that Nothing is more certainly foretold than this national conversion of the Jews in Romans 11. (Jonathan Edwards, History of Redemption, The Works of Jonathan Edwards, 2 vols. This book teaches that Christians will exercise dominion in history. So, you interpret it right, and that will allow you to understand the meaning of the Covenants and the future of Israel; and Gods integrity is at stake. There is another form of that view called amillennialism; amillennialism - and youve probably heard about that. We know that Word about the future has that power. John McArthur John MacArthur was born on 19 June, 1939. The sting of death is sin, the power of sin is the law, thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.. And for most evangelicals, for most people who hold to a sound, biblical view and Reformed theology, they would live and die that the text of Genesis 1 through 3 means exactly what it says it means, because thats the only way to interpret Scripture. John MacArthur's ministries, including Grace to You and Masters University, also employ a grammatical historical method of interpretation, and they come to a dispensational view of eschatology. So check out Tim Challies summary on this once it is posted and if you are able to get your mitts on the audio for this it is highly recommended. Popular proponents of dispensational premillennialism have been John F. MacArthur, Phil Johnson, Ray Comfort, Jerry Falwell, Todd Friel, Dwight Pentecost, John Walvoord (d. 2002), Tim Lahaye, Charles Caldwell Ryrie (in the notes for the Ryrie Study Bible), the theological-folk poetry of Jack Royerton, and Charles L. Feinberg. And at that judgment, well be recompensed for the deeds done in the body, whether they are good or phaulos, meaning useless. The bottom line is were in charge. But, in any case - and by the way, postmillennialists and amillennialists differ as to the details of these kinds of things. And the longer I think about it and the more I study the Scripture, the clearer it becomes to me. John Knox (1) John MacArthur (4) John MacDuff (1) John Mark (1) John Piper (25) John T. Carroll (1) John the Baptist (1) . How could He hold them responsible for not believing? In fact, some say nearly one-fourth of Scripture is prophetic. Some people want to turn it into ages - theres nothing in there that does that; theres nothing in the text itself that does that. and divine grace shall melt and renew their hard hearts … And then shall the house of Israel be saved: the Jews in all their dispersions shall cast away their old infidelity, and shall have their hearts wonderfully changed, and abhor themselves for their past unbelief and obstinacy. Should We Cancel Karl Barth, Martin Luther, and Jonathan Edwards? We can take prophetic Scripture at face value. Hes not predicting the future because you cant predict what hasnt happened - it doesnt exist. Theological Method of Premillennialism" in A Case for Historic Premillennialism: An Alternative to "Left Behind" Eschatology, ed. Historic premillennialism is the view that Christ will return before the millennium. Part of what we pray for in the second petition, Thy kingdom come, is that the gospel [be] propagated throughout the world, the Jews called, the fullness of the Gentiles brought in. In his commentary on the Larger Catechism, Thomas Ridgeley (16671734) wrote, Hence, we cannot but suppose that those prophecies which respect [to the conversion of the Jews], in the latter day, together with the fullness of the Gentiles being brought in, shall be more eminently accomplished than they have hitherto been. ((Thomas Ridgeley, Commentary on the Larger Catechism, 2 vols. This is process theology. Now, they make perfect amillennialists; thats a perfect setup for them. Its two ways to view human history. And it is powerfully persuasive. ), We have, hence, sufficient ground to conclude, that, when these prophecies shall have their accomplishment, the interest of Christ shall be the prevailing interest in the world, which it has never yet been in all respects; so that godliness shall be as much and as universally valued and esteemed, as it has hitherto been decried, and it shall be reckoned as great an honour to be a Christian, as it has, in the most degenerate age of the church, been matter of reproach…. Death, where is your sting? Or another way to say it would be this: how many of you have attended an amillennial prophecy conference? Arminius did not believe in election; those who follow him do not believe in election. Seventy percent - by the way - of Scripture is the story of Israel, start to finish. So to interpret Matthew 24 the way John MacArthur does as all about the tribulation period, and then all of a sudden you get to verse thirteen and you read into that a whole soteriological concept that I've got to make it to the end of my life in good works to prove I'm a Christian so I can get to heaven. We are responsible for our sin, but in the end, we believe because He moves on us. The amil guy, MacArthur said, would have to say that things have changed, those promises no longer apply to you, we have them now and this is the kingdom. How do you explain that? [1] He has been the pastor of Grace Community Church, a non-denominational church in Sun Valley, California since February 9, 1969. They dont faze me. Now, when they came here, Im very much aware that many of them are amillennialists. The Rapture, Antichrist, and Rebirth of Israel in Medieval Manuscripts. 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. (Ridgeley, Commentary on the Larger Catechism, 1:563564.). a.Dispensationalist Premillennialism 1. Craig Blaising and . Only now has it happened, and so His promises may not be trustworthy, since they were given in the past, before so many things happened that He didnt know were coming to pass. 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. I was talking to one of our missionaries just this same week I gave this talk to the pastors, and he was coming back from China and he said, Theres only one view in the church in China and its the premillennial view. Of course, because they just take what Scripture says. 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17), which, along with the appearance of the Antichrist, marks the beginning of the seven-year great tribulation on earth. This up to now has been more like a lecture, but turn to Revelation chapter 1, and just look at verse 3 for a moment. It has to matter to us. 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 . ( 3:16) . Oh sure, it helps to know some history and some background, but this is a pronounced blessing. 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. Moreover, John, as again stated by Papias, ascribed the origin of millenarianism to Christ . Yet it is inconsistent with. Scofield, that came out of J.N. This morning John MacArthur opened the 2007 Shepherd's Conference with a loud blast that will no doubt be heard around the Reformed world in the coming weeks. Process theology: they are the theologians, liberal theologians, who believe that God is in process of becoming what He will be. Death, where is your victory? Premillennialism Historic Premillennialism Postmillennialism Amillennialism view sees the re-establishment of temple worship and animal sacrifices as a remembrance of Christ's sacrifice. We freely own, as what we think agreeable to scripture, that as Christ has, in all ages, displayed his glory as King of the Church, so we have ground to conclude, from scripture, that the administration of his government in this world, before his coming to judgment, will be attended with greater magnificence, more visible marks of glory, and various occurrences of providence, which shall tend to the welfare and happiness of his church, in a greater degree than has been beheld or experienced by it, since it was planted by the ministry of the apostles after his ascension into heaven. We chart the course and God reacts. Amen. And that was over the gospel, and over the nature of Christ, and over salvation by grace through faith and over the authority of Scripture. So, I said, Would you do me a favor? A. DeJong, As the Waters Cover the Sea: Millennial Expectations in the Rise of Anglo-America Missions, 16401810 (Kampen: J. H. Kok, 1970), 3738.) When it was first published three and a half decades ago, Paradise Restored helped to precipitate a massive paradigm shift in the Evangelical and Reformed world from abject pessimism to unabashed optimism. S. Lewis Johnson, Curt Daniel "The History and Theology of Calvinism" by Curt Daniel) and others affirm full soteriological Calvinism without adopting postmil or amil eschatology. (Ridgeley, Commentary on the Larger Catechism, 1:562. Did He do it and somehow muddle it so hopelessly that the high ground for Bible students and the high ground for theologians is to recognize the muddle and abandon the perspicuity or the clarity of Scripture on that subject? And I can only tell you I am unwaveringly committed to the sovereign election of a future generation of Jews to salvation, and the full inheritance of all the promises and covenants of God given to them in the Old Testament. So, if were going to change the rules of interpretation to inject into Scripture a preconceived idea or to avoid what is obvious, we better be sure that we have a word from God. And when the church has brought about the dominating influence of Christ across the world, He will then come and end everything, and establish the new heaven and the new earth, which is the eternal state. But if you read Genesis 1 to 3, its pretty clear the evening and the morning were the first day, the evening and the morning were the second day, the evening and the morning were the third day. / ( .) Please respond to confirm your registration. But, for certain, according to amillennialists, there will be no thousand-year reign of Christ on the earth. Craig and his wife Fran have two daughters and reside in Centennial, Colorado. And so, I think its a fair test to see whether eschatology holds up. MacArthur is a fifth-generation pastor, a popular author and conference speaker and has served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California since 1969, and as President of The Master's College (and the related Master's Seminary) in Santa Clarita, California. For details about this sermon and for related resources, click here: https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/90-339 To receive John MacArthur's monthly l. He is known around the world for his verse-by-verse expository preaching and his pulpit ministry via his daily radio program, Grace to You. And Im confident that God didnt reveal prophetic truth in so much detail to hide anything, to obscure the truth, but to reveal it for our blessing, our motivation and His glory. John MacArthur's Defense of Dispensationalism Monday, December 8, 2008 by Gary DeMar In 1988, John MacArthur wrote The Gospel According to Jesus, a controversial book in certain circles because he relied heavily on the views of Calvinistic writers to deal with the lordship salvation controversy. Now, I've been telling you for a number of months that we were going to get into the subject of eschatology, the doctrine of last things. And theres the main verb in the sentence are in varying degrees of disinterest in applying their skills to the end of the story, and rather, content to be in happy if not playful disagreement in regard to the vast biblical data on eschatology, as if the end doesnt matter much - period. Over 200 times in the Bible God is called the God of Israel - over two hundred times, the God of Israel.. And there are a lot of people who get the first one right - they get election right - and they dont get Israel right, and they are lost when it comes to eschatology. Primer, ed. These are dicult words to pronounce and even harder concepts to understand. Dispensational premillennialists hold that Christ will come before a seven-year period of intense tribulation to take His church (living and dead) into heaven. DP also believes that God has a place for both national Israel (cf. Its the same God, same terminology. In the world, things will get better and better and better as the church becomes more powerful and more influential. And he is suggesting, therefore, that we cant interpret them literally, because somehow, weve got to make them fulfilled in this age, because there is no future age. And youve been great tonight; this is more like a theological lecture. We've been working our way through doctrinal emphases in Scripture, doctrinal themes, and we have covered a lot of ground. , . Amillennialism is ideal for Arminians because, according to their theology, God elects nobody and preserves nobody. And then the effect of it is in verse 58: Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, and you can stop right there. So, I told the pastors at the conference, and the title of this talk is, Why every self-respecting Calvinist has to be a premillennialist. Because, if you believe in divine sovereign election, then you have to believe that as God will be faithful to His promises to His church, He will also be faithful to His promises to His elect nation Israel. All right, thats the introduction. Basically he said that when people spiritualize or allegorize the first three chapters of Genesis we call them Liberals, but when they do the same with the prophetic Scriptures we call them amillennialists. I had no idea what they believed - 1600 pastors and leaders from central Asia - Id never have even been there; and the group that led the conference came to me afterwards with smiles on their faces and said, You believe exactly what we believe. This isnt something for people who have been highly educated; this is something for people who havent been corrupted by education. And Im not in to newspaper exegesis, where you where everything that happens in the news fulfills some obscure Old Testament prophecy. Why Every Calvinist Should Be a Premillennialist, Part 1. Its a strange approach. What he is saying is, a literal interpretation of the Old Testament is going to lead you to a premillennial view, and since we dont want to get there, we cant use a literal approach. Articles Baptist Theology Calvinism Charles Spurgeon Christology Classic Premillennialism Covenant Theology e-Articles e-Books Eschatology Historic . The first phase of that eternal rule will be His reign on this earth, which will last - as Revelation 20 says six times - a thousand years, after which His rule will continue, because it is an everlasting rule, but it will continue in a new heaven and a new earth that replace this heaven and earth, which will melt in an atomic implosion and make way for the new creation. This we think to be the sense, in general, of those scriptures, both in the Old and New Testament, which speak of the latterday glory. There have been premillennial (traditionally known as "chiliastic) movements, including some Reformed theologians, since the early church but most . If were going to change the rules, then, may I suggest this - and this is what I told the pastors - if were going to change the rules, then we better have a word from God. After clicking 'Register', you will receive an email with a link to verify your account and to complete your registration. Blessed. GDPR is the new European privacy regulation, which will replace the Data Protection Act 1998 in the UK and the equivalent legislation across the EU Member States. We cant have those prophecies come to pass with regard to Israel in an earthly, literal kingdom the way the Old Testament seems to be saying it, so set aside normal, natural, literal interpretation. Now, the only thing that I ask is that you read it, and the only reason I ask you to read it is so that you may be what? Ridgeley knew his history well enough to know that the majority of theologians in the seventeenth century held to an advancing kingdom through the proclamation of the gospel which includes the future conversion of the Jews. Anything to avoid premillennialism, even if you change the rules of interpretation. I have - they can try to terrify me with all this stuff; I am unmoved. The end is as divinely designed as the beginning, and God has given us massive amounts of revelation in the Scripture about the future. Please contact the publisher to obtain copies of this resource. Iain Murray, the author of The Puritan Hope, a book that Im using to make my historical case against MacArthurs claims, spoke at the Shepherds Conference in 2001. There isnt such a thing. (Quoted in DeJong, As the Waters Cover the Sea, 38.). Every Sunday morning for over 50 years, John MacArthur a faithful pastor with many of the same convictions as Barrow has ascended the pulpit of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, opened his Bible, and boldly preached God's Word to the thousands assembled there to worship. Short Response to Dr. MacArthur's statement. Where is the divine mandate to do that? MacArthur's "dispensationalism" is eschatological and ecclesiological only. 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. I asked Dr. Michael Brown, who is premil, in our debate about Replacement Theology how he reconciles his claim that God is not finished with Israel with Zechariah 13:79. "MacArthur calls himself a "leaky dispensationalist"--meaning he rejects any and all "dispensational" soteriological innovations, holding to classic Reformed (i.e., Protestant, not "covenantal") soteriology. Because, you see, if it doesnt mean what it says it means, then any suggestion is as bad as any other suggestion. You can believe and be saved and then you can forfeit your salvation. 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. If you read the paper and have your eyes open, and youre breathing, and your body has any temperature at all, you know things arent getting better. Why bother? In 1679, Scottish minister Walter Smith drew up some guidelines for prayer meetings: As it is the undoubted duty of all to pray for the coming of Christs kingdom, so all that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, and know what it is to bow a knee in good earnest, will long and pray for the out-making of the gospel-promises to his Church in the latter days, that King Christ would go out upon the white horse of the gospel, conquering and to conquer, and make a conquest of the travail of his soul, that it may be sounded that the kingdoms of the world are become his, and his name called upon from the rising of the sun to its going down. He is the author, co-author or co-editor of fifteen books and more than eighty articles in journals or multi-author works. We shall all be changed, in a moment, the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed., Thats the rapture; were going to study the rapture. That in itself is an indication of Gods preservation for their future. The first view well call the postmillennial view; that is to say, that Christ will come after the millennium; that the return of Christ is post, it is after the millennial kingdom. (Quoted in Murray, The Puritan Hope, 101102. The beliefs of Premillennialism are far from "rightly dividing the word of truth"! Craig Blaising and Darrell Bock, Progressive Dispensationalism 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. We want the Word to cause us to live lives pleasing to You. The other looks at it as a spiritual kingdom also but says it will decline and decline and decline until Jesus finally comes. Now, there are people who do this to Genesis 1, 2 and 3. 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. Similarly, the Westminster Directory for Public Worship instructed ministers to pray for the Propagation of the Gospel and Kingdom of Christ to all nations, for the conversion of the Jews, the fullness of the Gentiles, the fall of Antichrist, and the hastening of the second coming of the Lord. (Quoted in J.
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