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I believe - hear this, hear this - I believe that Jesus, God's Son, is about to appear physically
in meetings and to believers around the world to wake us up. He appeared after His resurrection and He's about to appear before His second coming.
-- Benny Hinn, TBN Praise-a-thon, April 2, 2000
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An Apologetic on Dispensationalism
Posted on Thursday, November 16 @ 12:50:08 PST by twospirits |
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The Christian preachers and teachers who share certain ideas regarding prophetic end-time information, after a close examination of their teachings appear to have misunderstood the Old and New Testament. These ideas have produced the false teachings that:1.the temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem, 2.the old system of animal sacrifices will be restored, 3. all Israel (the Jewish nation) will be saved, 4. "the anti-christ" and "false prophet" are to be two coming "super individuals" whom the world will follow; 5.at the prophecy's fulfillment, it brings in a 1000 year reign on earth with Christ reigning in Jerusalem. With animal sacrifices continuing throughout His reign.
Those who hold to these prophetic views also teach that the church is not Israel, "the Israel of God." This teaching shows a foundational misunderstanding regarding the New Covenant. To except the false teaching that the church (Jew and non-Jew) is not the Israel of God is to bring into question the words and promises of Jesus Christ, his apostles and every Old Testament prophecy regarding the New Covenant as being fulfilled by Jesus Christ.
When Christ established the New Covenant with the Israel of God, as Paul teaches, it defines "all" within it as being without race or gender (Ephe. 2-18-20). This is what the New Testament teaches as we read Gal. 3-28-29. "There is neither Jew nor Greek (Jew or non-Jew), there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are ALL one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise." The apostle Paul could not have been any clearer. Any person regardless of his or her genetics, Jew or non-Jew, or where they live who does not belong in Christ is "not" regarded as Abraham's descendents. They are considered to be outside the covenant.
Paul writes in Romans 11-26 that all those "in the Israel of God" will be saved. "---and thus (in this way under the New Covenant)ALL ISRAEL (the house of Israel, Jew and non-Jew) will be saved; just as it is written; the deliverer (Christ) will come from Zion, he will remove ungodliness from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them, when I take away their sins."
There is not one scripture that supports the teaching regarding a promise from God that an entire generation of people (Jews) will be saved. Nor is there one scripture that promises an entire generation will be saved "based" on their genetics. The term "all Israel" seen in Romans 11-26 is speaking of every faithful follower of God through time, and reaching into the future of all who will except it.
The most important chapter in the writings of Paul about the subject of the man of sin, many have come to call "the anti-christ" is 2 Thessalonians chapter 2. There Paul predicts the coming of "the man of sin--the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sits in the temple (Naos) of God, showing himself that he is God" (2 Thess. 2-3-4). Primarily because of verse 3, "the man of sin," millions teach and preach that there will be "a super individual" called "the anti-christ" who will rise to power. But is this what Paul meant? In the book of 1 John, it plainly says that there are "many anti-christs" (1 John 2-18) and a "spirit of anti-christ" (1 John 4-3). John also wrote that any person who denies the true doctrine of Jesus Christ is "a deciever and an anti-christ" (2 John 7,9). So here we see the idea of there being only "one anti-christ" is contrary to these bibical teachings.
Prophecy also refers to this same anti-christ as the "little horn" (Dan. 7-8), the "beast" (Rev. 13-1), "the mystery of iniquity" (2 Thess. 2-7), and "that Wicked" (2 Thess. 2-8). Do all these expressions refer to "one" evil person who will rise to power? Many agree that Daniel's "little horn", Revelation's "beast" and Paul's "man of sin" refer to the same thing. Daniel chapter 7 describes four beasts; a lion, a bear, a leopard, and a dragon-like beast with ten horns (Dan. 7-3-7). Then comes the "little horn" from "out of" the head of the 4th beast (Dan. 7-8). This little horn has "eyes like the eyes of a man," a "mouth speaking great things" and "makes war on the saints" (Dan. 7-8,21). This is exactly what "the beast" has and does in Rev. 13-5-7. Thus we see that the "little horn" in Daniel is the same as "the beast" in Revelation. What many fail to discern and understand is that in Daniel chapter 7, a beast is clearly defined as "a kingdom" and "not a man." The Holy Scripture says, "---the fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom* upon the earth" (Dan. 7-23).
Going to Rev. 17-9-11 we read; "The seven heads are*( or represent) seven mountains*(mountains is the proper translation) on which the woman sitteth. And there are (it also represents) seven kings; five are fallen (have fallen), and one is, (and) the other is not yet come; and when he cometh (the 7th) he must continue a short space (time). And the beast* (KINGDOM, not hills or mounts) that was, and is not, even he is the eighth* (Kingdom), and "is of"(the same as the others, "kingdoms")the seven (kingdoms) and goeth into perdition." The word "mountains" in scripture is a term also used for "kingdoms." And verse 11 makes it clear that it is speaking/ represents "kingdoms" and not hill/mountains of earth. Of this seven it says, "the beast that was---even he (this 7th beast kingdom) is (also) the eighth (kingdom).
Now since we know that these verses speak of "kingdoms", and we are told that five have fallen, and one is, we would know it to be Rome, the dominent kingdom at the time this prophecy was given to John. Scripture only speaks of kingdoms that at one time or another dominated over Israel in one way or another. Therefore these spoken of here would be: 1. Egypt, 2. Assyria, 3. Babylon, 4. Medo-Persia, 5. Greece, 6. Rome, who dominated at the time the prophecy was given. The 7th, the beast of the sea in Revelation that John saw in 13-1-10 was yet to come. And it goes on to say in verse 11 concerning this coming beast; "And the beast that was, and is not, even he (this 7th coming beast kingdom) is (also) the eighth (beast kingdom); and is of the seven,---." We see this coming 7th beast kingdom is also the 8th kingdom, and this kingdom is seen in Rev. 13-11-18, the beast of the earth.
The 8th beast kingdom is religious in nature, and is called the false prophet in Rev. 16-13. "And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast" (Rev. 13-12). The beast kingdom of the sea and the beast kingdom of the earth is political and religious in its nature and makeup, and are "a part of each other," as "one." Thus the different descriptions given it in Revelation. A "beast" a "false prophet" (Rev. 16-13), called the "great city" and "Great Babylon" (Rev. 16-19). The "great whore" that sitteth upon many waters" (Rev. 17-1). The "woman" who sits upon the beast (Rev. 17-7), "Mystery Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth." And "the woman which thou sawest is that great city" the woman the great city, which has a kingdom* "over (who reigns over) the kings of the earth." And this beast kingdom of the sea and of the earth is not Rome, nor Jerusalem that sits on seven hills that is being taught today.
In 2 Thess. 2-4, Paul tells us that the man of sin apposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, so that "he as God sits in the temple (Naos) of God showing himself that he is God." By this text and Dan. 9-27, many today teach that an individual called anti-christ will enter a literal rebuilt temple in Jerusalem, desecrate it and cause the reinstituted animal Jewish sacrifices to cease there. Dan. 9-27 states, "he causes the sacrifice and offerings to cease," but says nothing there of a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem where reinstituted sacrifices are caused to cease. Also, it seems those who teach these things don't take into account the New Covenant brought in through Christ.
In 2 Thess. 2-4, the Greek word for temple is "naos", and Paul uses the same word in 1 Cor. 3-16. And in 1 Cor. 1-2, writing to "the church of God" Paul states; "What! Do you not know that you are the temple (naos) of God? Here Paul defines the "naos" or "temple of God" to be the church. In fact in all of Paul's writings every time he used the word "naos" (2 Cor. 6-16; Ephe. 2-21-22) he always applied it to the Christian church, and never once to a literal Jewish temple in Jerusalem. When Jesus Christ died his death put an end to all earthly sacrifices. He became the final sacrifice (Heb. 10-12). And would a rebuilt Jewish temple be called here by Paul "the temple of God?" This by itself would be a denial of God's Son Jesus Christ. The inspired word tells us that the "naos" is the church "the temple of God," the body of Christ. The meaning is that "anti-christ" to mean "many" will deceptively as predicted enter Christianity, the body of Christ, and cause the "falling away." This is the meaning of "the sacrifice and offerings caused to cease seen in Dan. 9-27. Because of the "abominations" that have infested the body of Christ predicted for that time.
Those who hold these views also refer to Rev. 11-2 as further confirmation that a literal temple will be rebuilt "in Jerusalem." With reinstituted Jewish sacrifices in progress when anti-christ would come to power. We see this temple is to be measured as would the alter and those that worship therein. But the outer court is not to be measured for it is given over to trampling. This lanquage indicates that there is to be a literal temple to be measured. And where this temple of God is to exist is called in Rev. 11-2, "the holy city." So they see Rev. 11-1-2 as being a literal rebuilt temple "in Jerusalem" with reinstituted Jewish sacrifices in progress. They see the phrase "the holy city" as being "the holy city of Jerusalem." In the same way the preterists see these verses as being the temple in the holy city of Jerusalem prior to its fall in 70 A.D.
In the Old Testament scriptures, Jerusalem is called the holy city. But since they rejected Christ, the New Testament teaches us that Jerusalem is "no longer" the "holy city." It has been left desolate (Matt. 23-38; Luke 13-35; 19-41-44;21-24) unto the end. We read in Heb. 13-13-14, "Let us go forth therefore unto him (Jesus) without the camp (outside Jerusalem) bearing his reproach. For here (in Jerusalem) have we no (have we no longer a) continuing city (Jerusalem), but we seek one (the New Jerusalem) to come" (see Ezek. 48-35 and Rev. 21-10-27). Those who hold the teaching that Rev. 11-1-2 refers to a rebuilt temple "in Jerusalem" are incorrect. Rev. 11-2 only states that where this temple sanctuary to be built resides in, is considered as being a "holy city," for the Lord's sanctuary is in its midst. It does not state that this sanctuary to be measured when built would be "in the holy city of Jerusalem; for Jerusalem is no longer considered "the holy city of God." Nor does it state that there would be a reinstitution of Jewish sacrifices in progress at the time.
Today many teach a 1000 year reign of Christ on earth because of the text seen in chapter 20 of Revelation. But it will be seen as we go along that they are incorrect. That there is "no millennium" as they see it in scripture. Chapter 19 of Revelation shows us that all the promises and judgements are fulfilled with the coming of Christ to bring in a new order. A new heaven and a new earth at a day and hour known only to the Lord. Like some of the other chapters given in Revelation, chapter 20 was given there to give us further details and events not given in the prior chapters. That is, as the text will show, how Satan came to be "imprisoned" so that God's Will could be fulfilled on earth, the church age of Grace brought in through His Son Jesus Christ. We shall see that "after" the fulfillment time of Rev. 20-4-6 has been completed, "then" Satan would be let loose for a short season. In order to fulfill God's Will and Salvation plan for mankind. (see Rev. 17-17).
We begin in Rev. 20-1-7, "And I saw an angel descending out of heaven having the key of the Abyss* and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold of the Dragon, the old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,---." Here we see he was "bound" with a great chain that was in the angel's hand. And it says he ws bound this way for a "thousand years." A "chain" is used to "restrict, restrain and control" an animal or individual, and this is what this represents here. He is "limited" in certain activities by God, and under God's control for a 1000 years. It can be said that this occurred when Jesus triumphed at the Cross. Where Satan recieved his sword-wound to the head (Gen. 3-15). His "healing" is seen in Rev. 13-3 and 13-12, where it became healed through the beast(s). Whom Satan would give his throne and authority too. While we see Satan being bound this way for a 1000 years, we read in Rev. 20-4: "And I saw thrones and they sat upon them; and those that were beheaded on account of the testimony of Jesus,* and for the word of God." Note here that these martyrs are Old AND New Testament saints. This refers us to Luke 22-30 and Matt. 19-28 where we read: "And Jesus said unto them, verily I say unto you, that ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory (not on earth, but in heaven), ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." And this is the scene that John sees here. It is occurring in "heaven" and not on earth. By Jesus' statement we see the thrones and those who sat upon them as being the apostles and others that had died "on account of the testimony of Jesus AND the word of God; indicating Old and New Testament martyrs. As we shall see, this is "a part" of the 1st group resurrected while Satan is restricted and bound for 1000 years. With this time being the New Testament era after Christ's crucifixion and the birth of the church on Pentecost. The "next part" of this 1st group to be resurrected is given in the following words of Rev. 20-4."And whosoever did not worship the beast nor yet* his image (at this time the beast was not as yet, for Satan was bound) and did not recieve the mark on their foreheads and on their hands both* (both groups now resurrected) lived again and reigned with Christ a thousand years." Verse 5 goes on to explain this heavenly reign with Christ for a 1000 years while Satan is "bound". Now, we also read that "the rest of the dead" to be resurrected, "lived not again", were not resurrected UNTIL the 1000 years be finished. And it tells us that this is called "the first resurrection." So we see that what consists of this "1st resurrection" is the group of whom some would sit on thrones to judge and reign with Christ 1000 years. Where then AFTER that 1000 years "the rest of the dead," the 2nd part to be resurrected, would be resurrected. As the verse reads,"--until the thousand years should be finished." Now the last part of verse 6 tell us what "their" station would be when they would be resurrected. "--they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall (also*) reign with him a thousand years. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who hath part in the first resurrection; over these the second death hath not power---."
So we see this "1st resurrection" actually consists of two resurrections. But more importantly we see here that they are spaced "a thousand years apart from each other."The first group resurrected and given authority reigned with Christ a 1000 years. And when that time expired the second group to be priests were resurrected and would also reign with Christ for a thousand years also. And this is caled "the 1st resurrection", with a total reign in heaven of not "a 1000 years", but a reign of "2000 years." And this is called THE 1st resurrection and THE 1000 years.
And it is AFTER that time that we read: "And when THE thousand years (the last 1000) are completed,* Satan shall be loosed* out of his prison---." Here John brings us to "that time" as to when and how he would be loosed. We see that this occurred in Rev. 9-1-12 with the sounding of the 5th trumpet. "And the fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star from heaven fallen* (lit. had fallen) to the earth; and there was given to him the key of the pit of the Abyss.*" That being the key that the angel held in his hand in Rev. 20-1-3, where he had bound Satan up for that duration of time, being for 2000 years. It is THEN that God allows Satan to be loosed by the key given him to unlock the Abyss. A "key" in scripture represents "authority." He is to be loosed for a little season, to fulfill the prophecy given in Revelation and elsewhere in scripture. To fulfill God's Will which brings about the coming of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, and to destroy all evil, authority and dominion.
It is then that Satan "will go out to decieve the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the battle (Rev. 16-16;19-19-21); the number of whom is as the sand of the sea." Here "Gog and Magog" represent the nations as a whole. Ezekiel chapters 38-39 records this battle "of the gathering of the nations" of "the great day of God Almighty." The final outcome of the battle occurs in Rev. 19-19-21. "And the Devil that decieved them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet, and they shall be tormented day and night forever and ever." This verse is important to note, in that scripture makes clear that the Devil's destruction comes "after" all dominion, sin and death are conquered. And here we see that fulfillment, for Satan is cast into the lake of fire along with the beast and false prophet. And scripture clearly states that it then brings in "the eternal state" and not a 1000 year earthly reign with Christ, living and ruling over sinful flesh. "Then cometh the end when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; When he shall have put down all rule, all authority and power. For he must REIGN ( in heaven for that time of chap. 20), till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy (that) shall be destroyed is death (death in scripture represents the Devil; 1 Cor. 15-24-26).
So we see that the destruction of the beast, false prophet, authority, dominion and Satan bring upon the great judgement; the Great White Throne, and not a millennium. Its over, its done, and it is the time of judgement for all as is seen in Rev. 11-14. "And I saw a great White Throne, and him that sat thereon, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and no place was found for them." (Rev. 20-11).
As was noted, the futurists who teach and preach these prophetic end-time teachings discussed here have a misunderstanding of the Old and New Testament, and are not scriptural in their foundation. Now turning a moment to the preterists concerning their teachings that all or most of the prophecies were fulfilled in 70 A.D. With the evidence of scripture given here we ask, concerning the fulfillment of Revelation and Ezekiel 38-39,"Gog and Magog," and other scriptures they say were fulfilled in 70 A.D., we ask, how can this be? Clearly scripture states in Revelation chapter 20, that Satan is to be "bound" in the Abyss UNTIL the time of the "1st resurrection" expires. Thus, he cannot fulfill the prophecy of Revelation, Ezekiel 38-39 and other prophecies relating to it "until then." And this clearly is during the time of the church age as we call it. So whether one agrees here to a 1000 or 2000 years, the time clearly shows that Satan "cannot fulfill" the prophecy. He cannot be loosed out of the Abyss seen in chapter 9 of Revelation, which is claimed by preterists to have been fulfilled in 70 A.D. Therefore this evidence shows us that the book of Revelation was a prophecy to come and is not related to the fulfilled prophecy of the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.
I leave it for the readers who seriously seek God's truth of scripture to decide. In closing, I want to thank the staff of Planetpreterist who graciously published our article recently, titled "An Apologetic on Babylon the great of Revelation" on Nov. 12,06. By the comments that was recieved on the article it was made clear to us that we were not clear enough as to "who" this "Mystery Babylon" was to be. Hopefully with this article, if it is excepted and published, it should make clear who Babylon really is, and why "she" has different titles and descriptions given her.
God Bless, Twospirits. Website address:http://www.twospiritshendora.com.
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Average Score: 3.66
Votes: 3
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Re: An Apologetic on Dispensationalism (Score: 1)
 by ThomasS on Friday, November 17 @ 02:13:42 PST
(User Info | Send a Message) | Seems to me that you are totally mistaken! First, one cannot equate the fourth beast in Dan 7 with the beast ("from the sea") in rev 13. Second, the little horn in Dan 7 and 8 = Antiochus IV. Third, the seven heads of the "beast" in Dan 17 are "kings" not "kingdoms".
OK?
Th. S. |
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- by twospirits on Friday, November 17 @ 08:03:14 PST
- by ThomasS on Monday, November 20 @ 00:19:12 PST
Re: An Apologetic on Dispensationalism (Score: 1)
by twospirits on Sunday, November 19 @ 12:18:14 PST
(User Info | Send a Message) | I am posting a reply here to those who had read and commented in on my article submitted on Nov. 12,06, "An Apologetic on Babylon the Great of Revelation." I apologize for not answering on some of your comments, for I began having problems with my computer and could not respond after sending in this article. Hopefully now the problem has been corrected.
Don Preston sent me an invitation to debate him on John Anderson's Lighthouse World Ministries radio program on Nov. 15,06. I felt highly honored to say the least that he would see me as a worthy opponent.
In response to your invitation Don, I want it noted here publicly for all to read that I must decline for health reasons. I am 64 years old and my health, my lungs, have deteriorated where now I have acute asthma. Where I have great difficulty carrying on a lengthy conversation without having an asthmatic attack. Which then takes me a time to regather myself. Thus I feel it would be unfair to you, John Anderson as well as the listening audience to say the least. In closing I want to thank you for your gracious offer, your brother in Christ Twospirits. |
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