Francis X Gumerlock (who is an expert in Patristic commentaries on the book of Revelation) refutes the perpetual myth that Chiliasm was condemned in early church councils; for example at the Council of Constantinople in 381 or the Council of Ephesus in 431. He begins his essay situating this question by talking about how premillennialism […]
Premillennialism
Amillennialism Cannot Have It Both Ways…
In my estimation, this is one of the most acute inconsistencies of amillennial theology in the book of Revelation. “[The amillennial] approach does not fit the literary movement of Revelation. John pictures the period between Christ’s exaltation and return as the time of Satan’s banishment from heaven to earth, where he deceives the nations and […]
What Will Be the Size and Nature of the New Jerusalem?
Janet Willis has written What On Earth Is Heaven Like? A Look at God’s City: New Jerusalem. The book not only includes a compelling insight into the size of the New Jerusalem but other details that are quite significant for its theological message. You can watch the book’s trailer below, but be sure to purchase […]
Why Jesus’ Prophecy in Matthew 10:23 Refers to His Second Coming, NOT to His First Coming – Ep. 82
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http://traffic.libsyn.com/thebiblicalprophecyprogram/ep_82_Why_Jesus_Prophecy_in_Matthew_10_23_Refers_to_His_Second_Coming_NOT_to_His_First_Coming.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download | EmbedIn this episode I gave a few reasons why I believe the reference to the “Son of Man comes” in Matthew 10:23 refers to Jesus’ future second coming, not his first coming. “Whenever they persecute you in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, […]
Romans 4:13, Israel’s Land, and a Reply to Supersessionism (aka Replacement Theology)
“For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith.” (Romans 4:13) by Michael J. Vlach Romans 4:13 has become a hotly debated verse lately between those who believe in a literal future fulfillment of Israel’s land […]
First Peter 2:9–10 Refers to JEWISH Believers, Not the Church as the ‘New Israel’ – Ep. 81
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http://traffic.libsyn.com/thebiblicalprophecyprogram/1_Peter_2910_Refers_to_JEWISH_Believers_Not_the_Church_as_the_New_Israel.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download | EmbedI responded to a common proof text of supersessionism (aka replacement theology). They teach that because 1 Peter 2:9-10 contains Old Testament references that were originally applied to Israel they should now be re-interpreted to be replaced by the Church being the “New Israel.” And consequently, they […]
Is Jesus Returning as a Jew?
Yes, according to one of the elders in the book of Revelation: Then one of the elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has conquered; thus he can open the scroll and its seven seals. (Rev 5:5) And according to the resurrected Christ who […]
Matt Waymeyer on Eschatological Agnosticism | Amillennialism, Premillennialism
Matt Waymeyer has written a a book called Amillennialism and the Age to Come: A Premillennial Critique of the Two-Age Model (Kress Biblical Resources, 2016). (Available from Amazon and Kress.) In the preface he makes a good point about a false dichotomy, something that I have written voluminously on in print, audio, and this blog. […]
On Antichrist’s Persecution of the Church: Epistle of Barnabas, Shepherd of Hermas, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Tertullian, Hippolytus, Cyprian | Early Church Fathers – Ep. 71
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http://traffic.libsyn.com/thebiblicalprophecyprogram/071-On_Antichrists_Persecution_of_the_Church_Epistle_of_Barnabas_Shephard_of_Hermas_Justin_Martyr_Irenaeus_Tertullian_Hippolytus_Cyprian_-_11_15_16_1.18_PM.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download | EmbedIn this episode I read the primary literature of quotes from seven early church fathers who explicitly taught that that the Church would suffer at the hands of the Antichrist before Jesus returns: On Antichrist’s Persecution of the Church: Epistle of Barnabas, Shepherd of Hermas, Justin Martyr, […]
The Earliest Christian Document Outside of the New Testament (the Didache) Explicitly Teaches that the Church Will Face the Antichrist – Ep. 70
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http://traffic.libsyn.com/thebiblicalprophecyprogram/The_Earliest_Christian_Document_Outside_of_the_New_Testament_the_Didache_Explicitly_Teaches_that_the_Church_Will_Face_the_Antichrist.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download | EmbedWe discussed how the very Early Church affirmed Jesus’ teaching that the Church would face the persecution of the Antichrist before the return of Jesus and the resurrection. The earliest Church document outside of the New Testament—the Didache—establishes this point. The core teaching of prewrath goes back […]
A Reply to Pretrib Pastor Andy Woods Claiming Prewrath Contradicts Itself If “the great tribulation is the greatest time of trouble that the world has ever known” – Ep. 69
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http://traffic.libsyn.com/thebiblicalprophecyprogram/A_Reply_to_Andy_Woods_on_a_contradiction.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download | EmbedI replied to Andy Woods who thinks the prewrath position contradicts itself. He thinks prewrath believes the great tribulation will be the worse time ever for the world. And yet the Day of the Lord’s wrath with its trumpet and bowl judgments should be worse. He cited […]