Recently, there have been radio programs discussing the referent to the apostle Paul’s mention of a “restrainer.” What is baffling is that these programs have completely ignored Colin Nicholl’s research on the evidence of Michael being the Restrainer. Scholars in the last ten years who have been writing commentaries and other monographs have of course […]
Hermeneutics
Issues of Interpretation and Commentary on Matthew 24–25 – Jesus’s Olivet Discourse
I am asked frequently if I can recommend a commentary on Matthew’s Olivet Discourse. The problem is that (1) many commentaries on Matthew, in particular chapters 24–25, come from a historicist view, an interpretation that skews Matthew’s message and consequently distorts the application for the church today; (2) some commentaries come from a preterist view and/or […]
Fake Theology from Bob Ulrich of Prophecy Watchers (Video)
Years ago I gave up hope of many pretrib teachers, who claim to be concerned with that little thing called . . . “truth,” of representing the prewrath position accurately, even just the most basic facts. Today Gary Stearman of Prophecy Watchers had Bob Ulrich on promoting the upcoming pretrib prophecy conference of their 2nd […]
What is the difference between a Christian being martyred today and a Christian being martyred by the future Antichrist?
There are two levels where this question is answered, the corporate and individual level. Corporately The church has been persecuted for about 2,000 years by many antichrists (plural). This is a historical fact that is undeniable with the myriads of accounts of believers dying for their faith all around the world up to this very […]
Why Paul’s ‘Last Trump’ Is Not the Seventh Trumpet in the Book of Revelation
The following are a few general observations why Paul’s ‘last trump’ in 1 Cor 15:52 is not the referent to the seventh trumpet in the Book of Revelation. I have an entire chapter devoted to this topic in my forthcoming book responding to posttribulationism. But for now here are some general comments in no particular […]
3 Problems with the Historicist Interpretation of the ‘Great Tribulation’ in Matt 24
The preterist interpretation of the referent to the “great tribulation” in Matt 24 identifies it with the destruction and persecution associated with the events in Jerusalem in AD 70. Many of these preterists are postmillennial and some amillennial. The futurist interpretation of the referent to the “great tribulation” in Matt 24 identifies it with the […]
The Irreconcilable Contradiction within Amillennialism
The following comments from J. Webb Mealy is what I consider to be the most significant problem—contradiction—in all of amillennial theology. It is simply irreconcilable within their theological system. Every premillennial person should learn this point of contradiction well and be able to challenge amillennialists with it. “[Amillennialism believes since] Satan’s release from prison and […]
Those Left Behind in Matt 24 Are the Wicked for Judgment – NOT the Righteous
I see a lot of posttribs, amillennialists, and historical premillennialists who claim that those who are left behind in Matt 24 are actually the righteous who are delivered, and those who are taken are the wicked for judgment. This is backwards. Those who argue this way typically do not actually support their view from the […]
‘How could God have explained [the land promise] any more clearly?’
Recently, I posted a debate on replacement theology between Michael Brown and Munther Isaac with Gary Burge as the moderator. There was one exchange in the debate toward the end that is worth the price of the debate. Michael Brown asked a very honest and direct question on the land promise that goes to the […]
Revelation 19 Does NOT Depict the Start of the Second Coming (Video)
As many are aware prewrath eschatology teaches that the second coming (parousia) of Jesus begins—not in Rev 19— but rather between the opening of the sixth and seventh seals in Rev 7 with the rapture and resurrection occurring with the innumerable multitude of believers appearing in heaven out of the period of the great tribulation. […]
Israel, the Church, and the Middle East: A Biblical Response to the Current Conflict (Book Notice)
Israel, the Church, and the Middle East: A biblical response to the current conflict by Darrell L. Bock (Editor), Mitch Glaser (Editor), Joel C. Rosenberg (Foreword) The relationship between the church and Israel has been the source of passionate debate among Christians throughout much of church history. In recent years the traditional pro-Israel […]