Podcasts about amillennial

Title: “Let No One Deceive You” Part 1 Text: 2 Thessalonians 2:3-5 FCF: We often struggle falling prey to speculation and uncertainty regarding the end times. Prop: Because the Day of the Lord must be preceded by the apostasy and the man of lawlessness, we must not let anyone deceive us. Scripture Intro: CSB [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to 2 Thessalonians chapter 2. In a moment we will read from the Christian Standard Bible starting in verse 3 and going through verse 12. You can follow along in the pew bible or in whatever version you prefer. Last week, Paul definitively addressed the concern the Thessalonians had about the Day of the Lord. That it had come and that somehow they had missed it. Paul answers them directly… it has not come. Today, he will outline a particular event that must precede the Day of the Lord and the return of Christ and the gathering together of His people. And that event seems to be something significant enough and obvious enough that he is somewhat shocked that they have believed this lie, since he has already taught them all of this. He warns them… don't let yourself be deceived. Because of the nature of this information and the fact that there is such wide uncertainty concerning it, I will be forced to break down this context into probably three or perhaps even four sermons from here until verse 12. But let's start with reading the entire context before we get into it. Please stand with me to give honor to and to focus on the Word of God as it is read. Invocation: God of our salvation, we confess that since our salvation is all of You, that there is neither nothing we can do to get it from You, nor is there anything we can do to void it if You have given it to us. Nevertheless, we confess that this does not make us passive agents in our preservation. You have told us repeatedly to hold fast to what we have received from Christ and His apostles. You have warned us repeatedly in Your Word to trust what You have said over and above what our own senses declare to us. You will preserve us, but the way You do that is by the faith You have put in us. A saving kind. A kind that endures. And so, Lord, we enter this passage to respond in faith and trust Your promise over and above what we observe. Keep us in Your loving care and preserve us to the end. We pray this in Jesus' name – Amen. Transition: [Slide 2] “Satan doesn't care what we worship, as long as we don't worship God.” D.L. Moody “Satan is not fighting churches; he is joining them. He does more harm by sowing tares than by pulling up wheat. He accomplishes more by imitation than by outright opposition.” Vance Havner “There is something very comforting in the thought that the devil is an adversary. I would sooner have him for an adversary than a friend.” C.H. Spurgeon These words prepare us for the exposition of the Word of God today. Let us begin. I.) A great rebellion led by a lawless man doomed to be destroyed by Jesus will occur before the Day of the Lord, so we must not let anyone deceive us. (3) a. [Slide 3] 3 - Don't let anyone deceive you in any way. i. Paul puts his finger directly on the root of the problem facing the Thessalonians. ii. They are letting people lead them away from what they have learned about the Day of the Lord. iii. Their discernment is vacillating, they have been overcome by sudden fear, and they are believing lies. iv. From verse 3 until verse 12, Paul's basic application is simply this: Do not let anyone deceive you. v. No matter what others say or how they say it, the Thessalonian church must be firmly rooted in truth and convinced of what they have been taught. vi. But Paul is not going to leave it there. He is going to instruct, or re-instruct them on the sequence of events concerning the Day of the Lord. b. [Slide 4] For that day will not come unless the apostasy comes first i. Paul gatekeeps the coming of the Day of the Lord behind one event. ii. The event is what he describes as “the apostasy”. 1. The Greek word here means “rebellion” which is most often what we might use to translate this if it were in a political sense. A rebel or a traitor. 2. But given the context of this passage, it seems better to see this in a religious sense. 3. There may be overlap as political and religious upheaval will most likely go hand in hand. But when we use the word rebellion here, I think we do generally lose the religious sense. 4. An apostate is someone who publicly denies a previously held religious belief and distances themselves from the community that holds to it. This could, although not necessarily, include persecution against their previously held beliefs. iii. So, to what is Paul referring? 1. Interestingly enough many of the references to this teaching are written after Paul writes this. a. [Slide 5] 2 Tim 3:1 – 5 - “But know this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, without gentleness, without love for good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, but having denied its power. Keep away from such men as these.” b. [Slide 6] 2 Peter 3:3-4 – “knowing this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?” c. [Slide 7] Jude 18-19 - “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts. These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, not having the Spirit. “ d. [Slide 8] 1 Tim 4:1 – “But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by the hypocrisy of liars, who have been seared in their own conscience” 2. This suggests that this is something Paul was shown directly by God's Spirit. 3. [Slide 9] And so, Paul is relaying that in the end there will be a time when people will say they are following the real Jesus, turning from what they see as a corruption of Jesus' teachings, emphasizing the freedom of their flesh to pursue anything they wish, and mocking any who would suggest that Jesus is concerned about living a holy life. They will claim to be godly but have no power to overcome their own sinfulness. They will divide, they will be worldly, and they won't have the Spirit of God. 4. Friends… if what I just described to you doesn't sound familiar… then you are living under a rock. 5. I have just described a cancer that is currently growing in western Christianity. iv. Does that mean that the great apostasy has happened? v. I would… cautiously say… no. 1. Down through the history of the church age there have been several events that seemed to be a great apostasy. a. When the Jews rejected their own Messiah and killed Him. b. When Gnosticism overtook the church and led many astray in the 2nd century. c. When Rome adopted Christianity as the official religion and paganism creeped into it and joined to make the Roman Catholic church. 2. And it is possible that what we see happening today would be fitting this prophesy but as Paul will say in a few verses, this spirit of lawlessness is already at work in the world. It makes sense that we would see aspects of this pop up – like birth pangs. 3. But the way this is spoken about, it seems like we might see a much more staggering and global case of people abandoning biblical Christianity and flocking to other forms of Christianity or paganism. 4. Although we see apostasy on the rise in our culture, and have seen periods of it through the ages, still we see great movements of the Spirit and people are coming to faith in Christ. 5. What Paul speaks of seems to be a great winnowing of Christians that will necessarily result in biblical Christianity being heavily persecuted, on a global scale, and seemingly the church will be overcome by it. vi. Although I don't think this has happened yet – where the United States goes, the world is sure to follow. Should the disdain of biblical Christianity continue to grow in the west, I can see it quickly developing into a worldwide event… especially when the other component of this event happens… c. [Slide 10] and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. i. The identity of the man of lawlessness is, as you might imagine, a hotly debated topic in Christendom. ii. Although there is actually more agreement than you might think, especially between two of the three major eschatological frameworks. iii. Although I am loathe to do it, it is necessary for me to briefly introduce these three major frameworks, so that you are not completely in the dark as to what I am talking about as we go forward. And in order to understand the makeup of these frameworks, you must understand some different approaches to prophesy about the end times. iv. [Slide 11] Last week I already introduced you to one of these… preterits. 1. Preterists believe that some or all of the events mentioned in the scriptures regarding the last days have been fulfilled, especially at AD 70 when Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed. 2. Historicists believe that some of the events mentioned in the scriptures regarding the last days have been fulfilled after AD 70. 3. Futurists believe that all or most of the events mentioned in the scriptures regarding the last days have not yet been fulfilled. v. Depending on how much of each of these you mix together in your recipe, determines what dish of eschatological framework you make. vi. [Slide 12] The names of the three major frameworks are premillennialism, amillennialism, and postmillennialism. 1. [Slide 13] Premillennialism, at least one branch of it, is the oldest eschatological position. a. Well known church fathers such as Justin Martyr, Papius, Tertullian, Irenaeus, and many lesser-known individuals clearly wrote about and believed in a premillennial return of Christ. b. Premillennialism adds a heavy dose of a futurist understanding of end-times prophesy. Premillennialism would recognize and appreciate smaller fulfillments, but advocate that these always leave some portion unfulfilled in literal ways. Meaning that they cannot be the complete or final fulfillment. c. At its core premillennialism teaches that the gathering of the saints and a return of Christ will precede a literal 1000-year earthly reign of Christ with His people from Jerusalem. d. After which would be the final judgment and eternal state. e. Even Augustine of Hippo believed this for a time, but eventually became an influential opponent of it. f. Premillennialism today is divided into three broad categories based on when the church would meet Christ in the air prior to the 1000-year reign. i. The historic position is that after the tribulation, Christ would descend, collect His people, and come with them to the earth. This is what all the church fathers I have already mentioned taught. ii. There is also a newer position, represented by one later church father's sermon composed between the 4th and 6th centuries. 1. His name was Ephraem and his sermon said, “all the saints would be gathered together before the tribulation, and taken to the Lord, so they do not see any of the confusion which overwhelms the world.” 2. This would be the bedrock upon which the pretribulational view would be built. 3. A view that says that before the tribulation period, the Lord would come and gather His people and take them to be with Him in heaven during the remainder of the tribulation. iii. Finally, there is a much newer position that attests that at some point in the middle of the tribulation the church would be caught up to be with Christ and wait with Him until the end of the tribulation. 2. [Slide 14] Amillennialism is also incredibly old. Many church fathers held this view. a. Because this view takes many forms, we do see it mix together all three views of end-times prophesy. There is a dash of futurist, a hint of historicist, and a splash of preterist in this view. b. The view says that the tribulation and the millennium are figurative expressions to summarize the events of the last days. c. The tribulation is not seen then as a literal 7-year period, nor is the tribulation an event that is in the future. d. Amillennialism would see the events of the tribulation as describing events that led up to and including the destruction of the temple in AD 70. e. The 1000-year reign of Christ is a metaphorical age of the church, which begins after the destruction of the temple. f. Within this reign of Christ, Satan is bound so the church can share the gospel, but that doesn't mean that there is no opposition. g. At the end of the church age, Christ will return, gather His people, judge the earth, and usher in the eternal state. h. There is a lot of variety within Amillennialism, but this is the general framework behind it. 3. [Slide 15] Finally, there is Postmillennialism. Postmillennialism is, by far, the most modern of the three major frameworks of the end times. It's earliest known writings occurring in the late 1600s. a. Postmillennialism is very similar to Amillennialism, but with a heavier dose of a preterist view of end times prophesy. b. Like Amillennialism, Postmillennialism teaches that the events of the tribulation occurred prior to the destruction of the temple in AD 70. c. After this, a period of time, mentioned as 1000 years but really an undefined amount of time, will occur in which the church will progressively influence the world into a time of peace and prosperity. d. After this the Lord Jesus will return physically and judge the world and the eternal state will begin. e. Although often caricatured as merely supporting liberal social programs to institute progress, or to militantly take the world over, evangelical postmillennialism understands the transformation of the world happening by the preaching of the gospel alone. vii. Having now a basic understanding of each view, we can rightly give the options for how each view sees this “man of lawlessness.” viii. [Slide 16] Postmillennialism understands this entire passage quite differently than the other two eschatological frameworks. 1. Postmillennialism suggests that Paul is not talking about the second coming of Christ at all, nor is it talking about a Christian apostasy but rather a Jewish rebellion. 2. The rebellion then would occur with the events that lead up to the destruction of the temple in AD 70 and the man of lawlessness is none other than Emperor Nero his death occurring just prior to the destruction of the temple. ix. [Slide 17] Amillennialism understands this passage very broadly. 1. Although they do not believe in a literal tribulation or millennium, they do see this man of lawlessness as a movement, an institution, or an individual that telescopically occurs several times throughout the church age. 2. Although Paul's description here would be thought to refer to the events in AD 70, Amillennialism is broad enough to suggest that there could be several small fulfillments of this prophesy before a definitive manifestation of it occurs before Christ returns. 3. This isn't a baseless claim because most of the Jews of the 1st century would have concluded that the prophesies about the man of lawlessness were fulfilled when Antiochus IV Epiphanes defiled the temple and set up images of Zeus within it in 167 BC. Yes, over 150 years before Christ this happened. The last name “Epiphanes” means God-manifest. 4. Caligula, who claimed to be a god, tried to have an image of himself put up in the temple in AD 40, which was just 12 years prior to Paul writing this letter. He was stalled and then assassinated before he could see it done. 5. And Roman General Pompey entered the holy of holies in AD 63, just 11 years after Paul wrote this. 6. All that to say – what we have already observed – prophesies like these seem to have multiple fulfillments leading to an ultimate fulfillment. x. [Slide 18] Premillennialism would view the man of lawlessness as the little horn, the beast from the sea, the fourth king that rises up over the other three. The Antichrist. In premillennialism this is a future king or ruler who will establish a global regime, empowered by and submitted to Satan, seeking to destroy the saints of Christ. 1. Although we will not turn to them, there is remarkable harmony between 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12 and several other passages which refer to a similar person doing similar things. If you would like to look these up later and read for yourself, the references are on the screen. a. Dan 7:24-27 b. Dan 8:21-26 c. Dan 11:36-45 d. Dan 12 e. Revelation 13:1-10 2. [Slide 19] Furthermore, that a great apostasy would be tied to this person's rise to power and that he is given the same title as Judas, this seems to indicate a future, celibate, Christian insider, who betrays biblical Christendom and begins to seek to destroy it. a. The CSB translates this “the man doomed to destruction”, which is the same name that Christ gave to Judas Iscariot. This suggests not only that his regime will ultimately fall to Christ's Kingdom, but also that as a consequence of the apostacy, an apostate will emerge with great power. The man of lawlessness will be a former Christ professor. b. Daniel 11 indicates that this future king will not only not regard the gods of his ancestors but that he will also not regard the desire of women, more than likely this means he will be celibate. c. This could mean that he is celibate because he is focused on power alone and hasn't given his strength to women (Prov 31:3). Or perhaps he is celibate because he is asexual or even a homosexual. xi. I am of the opinion that, although the other frameworks include godly brothers, the premillennial position fits what Paul says… like a glove. d. [Slide 20] Summary of the Point: Verses 3-12 are heavy on teaching and light on application. That is a blessing to us because as much uncertainty as there is regarding the specifics of the teaching, there are some things that are quite certain. Paul assures the Thessalonian church that the Day of the Lord will not come until the time of great apostasy comes led by a lawless man who is doomed to be destroyed by Christ at His coming. Therefore, they must not let themselves be deceived to think that the Day of the Lord will come before these things. They must compare what they hear to what they have been taught. [Slide 21(blank)] Transition: Paul has identified the event that will occur before the Day of the Lord. He states that the apostasy and the man of lawlessness will come first. We have done our best to identify this person with consideration to broader Christendom. But what will this man of lawlessness do? II.) The lawless man will commit blasphemies that no created being ever has, so we must not let anyone deceive us. (4-5) a. [Slide 22] 4 - He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, i. One of the primary atrocities that the man of lawlessness will commit will be his blasphemies against Yahweh and His Son. ii. In many of the contexts I put on the screen with the Premillennial position, this blasphemy is spoken of quite plainly. iii. And here Paul gives us a surprisingly rich description. iv. Paul isn't trying to be vague. He is trying to be crystal clear. v. First, we should recognize that this man of lawlessness does something that LITERALLY no Roman Emperor ever did. 1. We know that the Emperor cult was alive and well during the first century. We know that Caesar worship was going on in many cities that Paul visited. 2. We know that several titles in the New Testament, given to Christ, were actually mottos of Caesar worship which the apostolic authors used to correct pagan emperor worship. 3. Things like, Lord, Savior, Son of God, Image of God, God manifest, Lord and Savior. No King but Christ. 4. It was a deliberate rhetorical strategy of first century Christian preachers to simultaneously denounce Caesar worship and exalt the true King of Kings and Lord of Lords Jesus Christ. vi. But as often as we have noticed that Roman Emperors elevated themselves to deity… vii. NOT ONE Roman Emperor EVER put himself above every god or temple or object of worship. Not one. viii. Emperor worship was always viewed alongside the worship of many pagan gods. And temples to other gods were not torn down or replaced by temples to the Emperor. ix. Not only that, but down through the ages, although common to elevate a king to some level of deity, no king ever had the gall to suggest that he was over all gods. x. This gives postmillennialism a very difficult problem to deal with. Nero never claimed to be over every other god or object of worship. xi. Amillennialism too has a similar problem although it is not as problematic since some brands of amillennialism would say there is still a future man of lawlessness. xii. What is certain though, is that Paul's prediction here is, in no way, fulfilled prior to AD 70. Not if his words mean anything. xiii. Of course, a premillennial framework, which is primarily futurist allows for Paul's words to be true in their fullest sense. xiv. But this is not the extent of the man of lawlessness' blasphemy. Afterall, being over all so-called gods, demons or otherwise, and being over objects of worship – is no great blasphemy. xv. The real blasphemy comes next… b. [Slide 23so that he sits in God's temple, i. Every single eschatological framework has been written about after the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70 and the destruction of the temple. ii. Paul writes before the destruction of the temple by 18 years. iii. On the surface, it seems like Paul would most assuredly be referring to the literal temple and that the man of lawlessness would go into the temple and sit upon the mercy seat in the holy of holies. iv. What's the problem then? v. The temple doesn't exist and hasn't for the last 1,956 years. vi. Postmillennialism and Amillennialism suggest that The Roman General Titus did this when Jerusalem and the temple was destroyed. 1. Jewish historian Josephus gave account that the Romans entered the temple and set up images of the Roman Eagles on its ruins and worshipped there. 2. However, other accounts indicate that the temple was destroyed before the Romans entered in and that there is no actual evidence, aside from Josephus' words, to suggest that they set up images to worship on the temple ruins. 3. And no historian suggests that anyone went in and sat down in the temple. vii. [Slide 24] Amillennialism also suggests that this may be interpreted figuratively, although there are three ways it could be seen – hence the difficulty of a figurative fulfillment. 1. The Authority of God a. Taking his seat in God's temple could be metonymy which substitutes something for something that is associated with it. b. “Taking his seat in the temple of God” may simply be an expression to say that he took the place of God – perhaps even that he takes a religious position of authority that God alone would have. c. Some historicists point to the highly problematic position the Pope of the Roman Catholic church created in the 1200s called the Vicar or deputy of Christ, who can forgive sins. Such a place seems to take the authority that belongs to God alone. 2. God's Throne in Heaven a. Taking his seat in God's temple could also be seen as God's heavenly throne. b. Many scholars say that this cannot be for a man could not ascend to God's throne. c. However, if we understand a heavenly throne to imply space – we could actually see someone coming from space (or at least saying they did) and claiming to be the Lord of the Stars. d. I don't want to go down too big a rabbit trail here – but this is a possibility that seems to be even more possible given recent declassifications. 3. The Universal Church a. Many times, throughout the New Testament, the church is called the dwelling place or the temple of God. b. Perhaps the man of lawlessness would be a Christian apostate who rises from within Christendom. c. Furthermore, Paul never uses the expression “Temple of God” to refer to the temple building in Jerusalem. What he does call the temple of God are believers who have the Holy Spirit dwelling in their hearts. d. We'll talk more on this in just a second but let's get to the Premillennial position on this… viii. [Slide 25] Premillennialism traditionally has seen this as fulfilled literally with the building of a third temple. 1. This is plausible, although this puts the immanency of Christ's return, to which the New Testament resolutely espouses, at odds with premillennialism. 2. How can Christ's return occur at any time, when an entire temple needs to be built before someone can go and sit down in it? 3. As someone who leans heavily toward premillennialism, this is a huge problem and the answers that are traditionally given are fairly unsatisfactory. a. Some have suggested that the Day of the Lord and when Christ gathers His people should be seen as two separate events. b. Thus, the temple being rebuilt and the man of lawlessness taking his seat, is a prerequisite for The Day of the Lord and not the gathering of His people. c. However, the weakness of this view is that Paul seems to see both of these events as the same. In verses 1-2 of this chapter, it seems like they are the same event. 4. This is why the Amillennial view of a figurative interpretation is actually quite intriguing. Especially the third one. 5. Maybe we aren't looking for the man of lawlessness to actually sit in the temple of God. Maybe the man of lawlessness will take his seat among Christians. 6. [Slide 26] At first this sounds bonkers, but Revelation 13:6-7 says that the beast “opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven. And it was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them” 7. Here John refers to the name of God and His tabernacle as those who dwell in heaven. And he is going to make war with the saints and overcome them, meaning he will kill them. And send them where? Heaven. 8. So perhaps we can be premillennial and not have a 3rd temple after all. ix. But even taking his seat among God's people or even in the temple itself is not the most egregious act of blasphemy. x. What is the worst thing he does? c. [Slide 27] proclaiming that he himself is God. i. Again, postmillennialism has no answer for such a prophetic word. ii. No Roman Emperor has ever claimed to be Yahweh. iii. [Slide 28] Pope Innocent III declared that “No king can reign rightly unless he devoutly serve Christ's vicar,” to which he was referring to himself. Although this comes very close to claiming to be God, it is not the same. iv. [Slide 29] No person in the history of the world has ever claimed to be God Himself… save one. The God-Man, Jesus Christ. v. This is why many rightly point out the mockery of Satan. vi. [Slide 30] Satan takes what God does and mimics and defiles it. 1. Just as God is three persons in one God, Satan is the Father power behind the man of lawlessness, his son, and the second beast from the land also called the false prophet, aids the man of lawlessness by giving false signs and wonders. The unholy trinity. 2. Just as Jesus was a Jew and rose up within Judaism, claimed to fulfill the law, and claimed to be God Himself, so the man of lawlessness will rise up within an apostate Christendom, exalt himself above every other so-called god and claim to be God. vii. Both the Amillennial and premillennial framework make way for this… but I think the premillennial position gives a clearer understanding here. viii. As close as some emperors and popes have come, none have ever truly fulfilled Paul's words to the letter. ix. This is all certainly a lot to take in. x. Nevertheless, Paul speaks of this quite succinctly. In only a couple verses he has talked about several extended passages in Daniel and throughout the yet-to-be-written New Testament. xi. How can he write so briefly on such a huge topic? d. [Slide 31] 5 - Don't you remember that when I was still with you I used to tell you about this? i. Paul can speak briefly about all of this – because he remembers teaching them all of this in much greater detail. ii. Paul now, as an aside, interrupts his teaching of the man of lawlessness to express, what I see as a bit of frustration or confusion regarding all that he has just said. iii. He says – “don't you remember?” iv. It has only been a few months, at most a year since Paul and his companions were with them in Thessalonica. v. They should remember…. vi. Paul is shocked that they are vacillating on this issue when it was so recent that he taught them these things. vii. But this drives us back to the original exhortation which Paul began in verse 3. viii. They have “let themselves” be deceived. ix. In this he also teaches them the cure to not allowing themselves to be deceived. x. It is, quite simply, to remember what they have been taught. xi. Compare what they are hearing, what is causing them fear, and what they are being tempted to believe to what they have already been taught. xii. Anything that contradicts – must be cast aside. e. [Slide 32] Summary of the Point: Again, shoving aside all the uncertain things, we can arrive at certain truths. The lawless man will commit acts of blasphemy so egregious that they have never been or been allowed to be before. He will elevate himself above all other gods and objects of worship. He will take his seat in God's temple and claim to be God. Because these things are so terrible, we should be looking for nothing less before the coming of the Day of the Lord. Let no one deceive us on this. Hold fast to what we've been taught. Conclusion: So CBC, what have we learned today that refines our beliefs and guides our lifestyles. [Slide 33] Basics of Faith and Practice: Even though there is a great deal of uncertainty here, some things Paul says are certain. The Day of the Lord must be preceded by the apostasy and the man of lawlessness. Until these things occur, the Lord will not return. And in order to be an orthodox Christian, you must see some or all of what has been predicted in this text, as still yet to come. So, we must not let anyone deceive us. So, what things do we need to take away from this text this morning? 1.) [Slide 34] Mind Transformation: “What truth must we believe from this text?” or “What might we not naturally believe that we must believe because of what this text has said?” We must affirm that before the Day of the Lord, first there must be the apostasy and the man of lawlessness. a. Aside from Postmillennialism, all Christians in the church age have believed that there will be some ultimate and definitive manifestation of the apostasy and the man of lawlessness before Christ returns. b. The two oldest positions concluded that things will get worse for the church before Christ returns. c. If you are Postmillennial, although I still see you as a brother –I find a lot of difficulty arriving at such a position. d. Providentially, we have seen a huge rise in Reformed or Reforming churches adopting Postmillennialism as their eschatological framework. But with an honest look at this passage – my friends – I just don't see it. e. We must conclude from this text, even after the events of AD 70, that there is still yet to come a great apostasy and a lawless and blasphemous man who will lead it. 2.) [Slide 35] Mind Transformation: “What truth must we believe from this text?” or “What might we not naturally believe that we must believe because of what this text has said?” We must affirm that the man of lawlessness will commit acts of blasphemy that go beyond what any created being has committed in the history of the world. a. Even if Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28 describe Satan, even he never committed such blasphemies against Yahweh. b. At most Satan said he would be “like” the most High. c. But to elevate himself above every other created being, to sit down in the temple of Yahweh and claim to be Yahweh Himself… such acts have never been committed, by any of God's creatures. None have dared to do such things. d. The only man to have done something like this – is Jesus. Of course, then it isn't blasphemy, because it is true. e. Next week we will observe that something or someone is holding this man of lawlessness back. It is keeping him from leading this rebellion and committing these blasphemous acts. f. This all fits together to indicate to me – that as believers we will know when such a man is upon us. It won't be hidden and it won't be a surprise. There may be elements of it that will be tempting to believe… but we won't be fooled. And Paul gives us some fairly big clues. g. Look for a blasphemous man to claim to be God or even Jesus. h. Look for him to be claiming to be a Christian. Look for him to not regard the desire of women. Look for him to try to snuff out biblical Christianity. Look for him to desire power above all else. 3.) [Slide 36] Refutation: “What lies must we cast down” or “What do we naturally believe, or have been taught to believe, that this passage shows is false?” We should deny that the man of lawlessness has already come. a. I use the word should and not must – because of the uncertainty in this. I don't want to be too strong. b. But from my view, Paul doesn't give this sign to the Thessalonians supposing that it will be hard to see. c. In fact, he kinda words it like it will be easy to see. He is shocked they are thinking the Day of the Lord had come, when so clearly this apostasy and man of lawlessness had NOT come. d. This isn't negating what Jesus said about the false prophets giving prophesies and exhibiting signs that are so strong that if it were possible, it would deceive the elect. e. Jesus' point there is that it will be such a tumultuous time spiritually, that all Christians in name only will not stand a chance. They will be deceived. Only the elect will be preserved, not because they are special, but because they will hold fast to their divinely given faith – even though their eyes and ears tell them something completely different. f. Paul is saying to look for these signs. They must precede the Lord's return. g. Therefore… 4.) [Slide 37] Exhortation: “What actions should we take?” or “What is this passage specifically commanding us to do that we don't naturally do or aren't currently doing?” We must not let ourselves be deceived. a. Christian, hold fast to your faith no matter what. b. And don't go running to see someone who has claimed to be Christ. No matter how convincing He is… We won't need to be called to go meet Him… He will bring us to Himself. c. Keep trusting in Christ alone. d. Keep growing in faith and love for one another. e. Keep gathering together with other believers who will help you see through the lies. f. And don't be looking for new or creative approaches to Christianity. Seek beliefs and practices that are firmly rooted in what the church has been doing since the beginning. g. Novelty and innovation in the church's doctrine and practice is the spirit of lawlessness. It is the beginning of this man's work. h. Do not let yourself be deceived Hold fast to what you were taught. 5.) [Slide 38] Comfort: “What comfort can we find here?” or “What peace does the Lord promise us in light of this passage of scripture?” The man of lawlessness is also the man doomed to destruction. a. Though we may despise him, though we may hate him, though we may be tempted to love him, though we may be tempted to follow him… he is doomed for destruction. b. No doubt he will be convincing and powerful. He will persuade many. Another will come and give many signs and wonders proving him to be what he claims to be. c. Many people, friends and family members who we know and who have claimed to be Christians, will be deceived and will fall away. d. Many of us… will be hunted and killed by this man because we hold fast to biblical Christianity and refuse to worship Him as God. e. But remember… He will be slain by the breath of the Lord. His kingdom will topple. And he will be cast alive into the lake of fire along with the False Prophet. f. As much destruction as he may cause – also remember that God has sealed His true people by His Spirit. g. If possible, you would be deceived. But it is not possible. Not for those who continue to believe. Not for those that God has promised to glorify since He has counted them worthy of His call. h. God will preserve you… so keep believing. Keep hoping. Keep trusting. Even if all your senses tell you to stop. Keep hoping in Christ alone. 6.) [Slide 39] Evangelism: “What about this text points us to Jesus Christ, the gospel, and how we are restored?” As long as you remain a quasi-Christian or an unbeliever, you will be deceived. a. Jesus' comments in Matthew 24 and Paul's words here make it abundantly clear. b. In the last days, the line between the visible and the invisible church will grow crisp and black. c. Now such a divide between the organization and the people who truly are Christians is very blurry. But in that day, the line between them will be quite plain. d. The visible church will be apostate. You will still be able to call yourself a Christian. You will still be able to worship Jesus. But you will have to confess that this one… this man… is Him. It will appear that He has come and set up His Kingdom. e. And the invisible church, the real church, will be the ones considered rebels. Deniers. f. They will say, “How can you deny that the Jesus you believed in all your life is not the one who is walking among us today? He has brought peace and love to the world! How can this not be the Jesus of the bible? He has healed our wounds!” g. Everything will be flipped on its head. h. My friends, if you are not a genuine Christian, you will be deceived by this man's coming. And what's worse, you will turn against true believers. You will seek our death. i. But its not too late. Not yet. j. You can repent of your sin and put your trust in the REAL Jesus today. You can leave all your sin and pride behind, all your idols, and serve Christ forever. It won't be easy… and you may die for Him… But you will be gathered together with Him on that day when He defeats this man of lawlessness. k. Won't you repent and believe on Jesus? Won't you bow the knee to Him today? [Slide 40 (end)] Let me close with a prayer by the Danish Reformer Niels Hemmingsen O Heavenly Father, I pray to you for your dear Son's sake, Jesus Christ, our only Savior's sake, that you would reign over us all with your word and your Holy Spirit. Do not let your enemy's hand have power over us, to steer us away from you. Give the rest of us the will and ability to refute the devil's deeds, adultery, and sexual sin. Make holy all those servants of God's word with your Spirit, so they might learn and seek your holy will. Help us all that we may live here in the world according to your will—in the fear of God, in honesty, and in pure living-that we may find on the final day of judgment that we are your chosen, in everlasting joy and salvation through your son, our Lord Jesus Christ. To you, the only good and merciful God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be all worship, honor, and praise forever, amen. Benediction: Go, dwell on his love by sweetest song, And crown His head with multitudes of praises. Till all kings bow down to him and all nations serve Him. Until we meet again, Grace and peace to you.

Every week, Pastor Keith Foskey and his wife Jennifer tackle questions from around the world on theology, ministry, culture, and the Bible, while interacting live with viewers in the chat. From serious doctrine to fun conversation, Your Calvinist Live is a place for thoughtful discussion, biblical insight, and a few laughs along the way. Join us live and be part of the conversation!Questions and Timestamps:How was the world populated after Adam and Eve? TIME 55:16Is it a sin to say, write or type OMG or the actual phrase if you are a Christian? TIME 57:24What are appropriate roles for women in ministry? TIME 1:00How Are the Ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper Effectual for Salvation? TIME 1:05:10How to honor older generation with differing theological views TIME 1:13:40Do you have to know the date and time of your salvation? TIME 1:19:55If you do not use the sinner's prayer, how do you walk someone through salvation? TIME 1:27:50Can a church rightly be run by a board instead of elders? TIME 1:31:08Can a Reformed person belong to a Restoration Church? TIME 1:33:54Should I leave my CRC church for a PCA? TIME 1:37:05Can you define presuppositional apologetics? TIME 1:43:58Thoughts on the use of Super Boxes to pirate material TIME 1:47:55Is Christian wall art a 2CV? TIME 1:50:30An answer to “Who made God” in a way a child can understand TIME 1:53:30Young man struggles with lust and assurance of salvation TIME 1:57:06Can people who got baptized wrongly truly be saved? TIME 2:03:41Asking for Resources for Christian Counseling TIME 2:08:30Explaining James 2:12-13 regarding believers TIME 2:14:30How does the Amillennial view of Satan's binding agree with God's election? TIME 2:18:25Support the Show: http://www.buymeacoffee.com/YourcalvinistPage50 MarketingPage50 is a Marketing Company that is committed to helping you build your brand with truth, goodness, and beauty. They do web design, videography, SEO, content creation, branding, and consulting. And for a limited time, you can get a free website audit, which can help you discover how your website is performing and what you can do to improve it. Just go to page50.com/yourcalvinist to get started.https://www.TinyBibles.comYou can get the smallest Bible available on the market, which can be used for all kinds of purposes, by visiting TinyBibles.com and when you buy, use the coupon code KEITH for a discount.Love Coffee? Want the Best? Get a free bag of Squirrelly Joe's Coffee by clicking on this link: https://www.Squirrellyjoes.com/yourcalvinistor use coupon code "Keith" for 20% off anything in the storeDominion Wealth Strategies Visit them at https://www.dominionwealthstrategists.comhttp://www.Reformed.Moneyand let them know we sent you! Spiraling Impressions — Custom Stickers — Facebook: Spiraling Impressions Website: spiralingimpressions.com.COUPON CODE: YourCalvinist (gets 10% 0ff)https://www.HighCallingFitness.comHealth, training, and nutrition coaching all delivered to you online by confessionally reformed bodybuilders and strength athletes.Visit us at https://www.KeithFoskey.comIf you need a great website, check out https://www.fellowshipstudios.com

In this episode pastor Raef digs into a historic theological question around the  relationship of ethnic Israel and the Church. While there are theological roots to the question, the various answers Christians have developed over the years have very practical applications and implications. Raef argues from an Amillennial perspective, that the Church is the New Israel, not the replacement of Israel as some have said, but the New or Fulfilled Israel.Book Referenced: The Doctrine of Last Things by Dr. Sam Waldron: https://freegracepress.com/products/the-doctrine-of-last-things-an-optimistic-millennial-view

In the discussion of Christian eschatology, there are many paths to choose from — each seemingly valid ways to interpret history and the bible. But deeper study reminds us of Jesus' words about the narrow road: few there are that find it because most go by the wide road. Today most are deceived on eschatological matters, and that is why it is important to walk as narrow of a path as possible. That path is amillennial historicism.* 00:00 - Introduction* 04:45 - The Main End Times Views* 36:13 - Amillennial Historicism * 51:11 - Christ Ruling* 1:07:08 - Why Historicism? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.danceoflife.com/subscribe

Greatest Hits Replay: In Episode 113 of Theology In Particular, Dr. Daniel Scheiderer returns to make a case for Amillennialism. It was in episode 80 that Dr. Scheiderer provided us with an overview of the various eschatological positions on the millennium. Here he presents two arguments against mellennarianism in its various forms and five arguments for the Amillennial position.  Links: International Reformed Baptist Seminary: irbsseminary.org If you have feedback, questions, or suggestions, please email Joe at: tip@irbsseminary.org Recommended Resources: A Case for Amillennialism: Understanding the End Times, by Kim Riddlebarger On The End Of The World And On Hell – Theological Commonplaces,  Vol. 32-33, Pages 129-36, by Johann Gerhard, Institutes Of Elenctic Theology, Section 20.3, by Francis Turretin.

Title: A Pastor's Hope Text: 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 FCF: We often struggle trusting the Lord to raise up godly attributes in us. Prop: Because godly pastors hope for what God promises to give His true children, we must have this hope for ourselves. Scripture Intro: [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to 1 Thessalonians chapter 3. In a moment we'll begin reading in verse 11 from the Legacy Standard Bible. You can follow along in the pew bible or in whatever version you prefer. Last week we saw how Paul's pastoral concern was assuaged by the good news that Timothy brought back from his visit with the Thessalonians. Their faith, love, and hope were steadfast. But Paul, having a pastor's heart, and being a disciple maker like every other true believer, desired not only to fellowship with the Thessalonians again, but to minister to them and complete what was lacking in their faith. As we mentioned last week – the following two chapters seek to do just that. Paul isn't going to wait until they are together again before he begins to complete their faith. But today, before he gets to his teaching, and by way of introducing the things he wishes to teach them more about, he closes out this section of the book with what we call a benediction. The word benediction is the combination of two Latin words meaning “to speak well of” or “to speak good words.” Although we are studying an epistle, which is a genre in the bible that combines teaching and instruction in the form of a letter, a benediction is a subgenre used in many letters but not exclusively in letters. Aaron's blessing in Numbers 6:24-26 is an example of a benediction which occurs in the Pentateuch which is a blend of history, teaching, and law genres. So how do we study a benediction? Since it is a subgenre we must look at it in context of the main genre. In this case we will interpret these last three verses based on the context of the letter to the Thessalonians. But generally speaking, benedictions are a series of blessings, hopes, or prayers FOR God's people, expressed BY spiritual leaders, pleading TO God for His blessing, and designed as a comfort FOR God's people. As you can see, benedictions work on multiple levels. And today by God's grace we will see all these levels on display. So, without further ado, Please stand with me to focus on and give honor to the Word of God as it is read. Invocation: Great God and Father, Lord Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit and comforter, we come to You today to gather around Your Word. We do so, expecting You to bless us, change us, and refine us. We are but clay in Your hands. Mold us and shape us according to Your will. May we hope and desire the things You promise to give us so that we may hope rightly. Give us what You promise and help us to yearn for it too. We pray this in Jesus' name, Amen. Transition: [Slide 2] “Hope is faith in future tense.” Peter Anderson “'Hope is biblical shorthand for unconditional certainty.” John Blanchard “A man full of hope will be full of action.” Thomas Brooks “When you stop hoping you are in the vestibule of hell, for there is no hope there.” A.J. Cronin “The nearer to heaven in hopes, the farther from earth in desires.” William Gurnall Let us ponder these words as we look to the scriptures today. I.) Godly pastors hope for meaningful fellowship among believers, so we must have this hope for ourselves. (11) a. [Slide 3] 11 - Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord i. Notice first who Paul addresses this benediction to. ii. The reason I say benedictions have multiple layers is because Paul is obviously writing this to the Thessalonians. But in the middle of talking to them, he addresses two persons of the Godhead. iii. So, Paul speaks to God but through Him to the Thessalonians as well. iv. There is no doubt that this wish, this prayer, this hope, is designed to comfort them. v. Yet it is certainly a prayer to God. vi. Paul mentions two persons of the Godhead – The Father and the Son. vii. This alone requires some investigation. 1. First, we understand that Jesus is very clearly elevated to a position that is equal to the Father. a. Paul's trinitarian theology shines through as God the Father and Jesus our Lord are both prayed to in this text. b. Other than the order of their mention, there is no indication at all of any hierarchy or subordination here. c. And since Paul sometimes inverts this order, even this is not really an indication of hierarchy at all. d. In Paul's mind they are equal in power and glory. They are both deserving of hearing our prayers. 2. Second, Jesus is clearly understood here to be not only equal with the Father, but also Divine. a. He is not merely a human being elevated to the same status as God the Father, but is also the Lord. b. Specifically, the evangelists' and the Thessalonian church's Lord. c. Although Lord can be used to talk about someone that is a respected man, like a master of a slave, or a noble, it can also be used as a synonym for God. d. In this text, because Jesus is being prayed to, the most natural way to interpret the word Lord, is as if Paul is addressing the God of the Old Testament but applying that title to Jesus of Nazareth. 3. Third, I would very much like to address the conspicuous absence of the third person of the godhead. Unfortunately, it is a time-consuming venture that doesn't lead us to a definitive answer. So, I will save that discussion for Thursday Night prayer group and bible study. Be sure to join us as we discuss why Paul might have omitted the Holy Spirit from this benediction. viii. But what blessing does he seek for them? ix. This nicely divides up this morning's sermon into our three points. The points of Paul's requests. x. First, he requests that God… b. [Slide 4] direct our way to you, i. Paul's first desire, is the same desire he's been expressing since chapter 2. ii. He greatly desires to see them again face to face. iii. He desires fellowship. And He is praying that God's providence might guide him and his companions back to them soon. iv. This is certainly something that should be a good word for all God's people. To pray to God that God would allow us to direct our way to each other… this is a good word. A good wish. A comforting thought. c. [Slide 5] Summary of the Point: Paul hopes that the Lord will providentially direct him and his companions back to the Thessalonian church. In this we see a pastor's heart which hopes for meaningful fellowship to occur among believers. Paul desires to be among them and fellowship with them. He desires that fellowship among believers to be meaningful and frequent. So, Paul looks to the Lord in prayer, that God might direct them back to one another. If Paul desires this for himself among the Thessalonians, it is easy to see the application for ourselves. We too must earnestly desire and hope for this fellowship with other believers as well. Transition: [Slide 6(blank)] But this is not the only hope that Paul expresses in this benediction. Paul has two more requests of the Lord for the Thessalonians. Let's see what else he hopes for in verse 12. II.) Godly pastors hope that all believers will follow their example and abound in love for all, so we must have this hope for ourselves. (12) a. [Slide 7] 12 - and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, i. Paul's second prayer request and hope for them is that the Lord causes them to love more. ii. By Lord Paul could be referring to any person of the godhead or to God the Triune. Contextually and theologically it makes the most sense though that he is referring to the demonstrator of love to us, the Lord Jesus Christ. iii. Paul's specific request is that they increase and abound in love. iv. By this Paul does not desire them merely to love incrementally more than they already do. v. Instead, he desires that they increase to the point of overflowing. That there be an abundance of love flowing from them, caused by God. vi. But what is the object of their abounding love in Paul's prayer? vii. First it is for one another. viii. By this he means the church there in Thessalonica. ix. Jesus Himself said that they will know that you are my disciples by your love for one another. x. By this we can conclude that one key evidence that grants assurance that we are indeed a true believer, is that we love others who are also true believers. xi. Paul then, is simply asking the Lord to cause this fruit of their salvation to manifest itself in abounding ways. xii. Paul will mention this in chapter 4 where he will teach on this topic with greater specificity. xiii. For now, it is a comfort to them to think of the Lord causing them to love each other in an abounding way. xiv. Because of the ostracizing of their unbelieving friends and family – this would certainly be a welcome thought. b. [Slide 8] and for all people, i. But thinking about the lack of love they were receiving from unbelievers may have prompted Paul to also pray that their love is not limited just to the church. ii. Paul prays that their love would abound… even for those who are not part of the church. Even for those who have afflicted them for their faith in Christ. iii. Paul prays for the Lord to increase their love – even for their enemies. iv. While it may gratify our flesh to hate our enemies… the spirit of a true believer would certainly be comforted by the hope that their love would abound, even for those who hate them. v. In this they know that they are following in their Savior's footsteps, as He too came and gave His life for sinners. Sinners who did not know God or seek Him. vi. Sinners like them. vii. This answers the object of their love and the magnitude of their love… but Paul desires to illustrate the love he prays for by using his own example. c. [Slide 9] just as we also do for you, i. When Paul and his companions arrived in Thessalonica, there were no friends for them. ii. They spent 3 weeks preaching in the synagogue with limited success. iii. Most of the Thessalonian church were former pagans, ignorant of the God Paul preached and the Savior He followed. iv. And as a reminder, Paul has just gotten through speaking of the intensity of the evangelists' love for this church and desire to be with them. v. Being imitators is a key theme in this book. vi. The Thessalonians were imitators of Christ and of the evangelists and others were imitating them. vii. Here Paul provides his and his companion's example as the pattern for the love he prays the Lord will cause to abound in them. viii. This would be yet another comforting thought for them. To be in such a place that their love for one another and for all people imitated the love the evangelists had for them. d. [Slide 10] Summary of the Point: Paul, using himself and his companions as an example, hopes that the Lord would cause to grow to an abounding degree the love that the Thessalonians have for one another and for all men. As a godly pastor, his life demonstrates this love and his heart desires it to be the same in every other believer. As such the application for us is easy to locate. All of us, no matter what role we play in the body of Christ, must hope to grow and abound in love for one another. We must hope to be an example to others of what abounding love for all looks like. Transition: [Slide 11(blank)] Paul has one final hope he prays for in this text. It is actually an expected and hoped for result of the love he has prayed for to grow in them. Let's look at verse 13. III.) Godly pastors hope all believers are perfected in holiness at Christ's return, so we must have this hope for ourselves. (13) a. [Slide 12] 13 - so that He may strengthen your hearts blameless in holiness, i. What result is Paul praying will happen because God caused their hearts to increase and abound with love for one another and all men? ii. In a word… holiness. iii. The first part of this verse is a little clunky. iv. If we were to read it literally it would be something like, v. “To the to strengthen your hearts blameless in holiness.” vi. The first two words, rather than meaning “to the” should be translated with language that expects a result. vii. In order that, so that, with the result of… viii. The verb strengthen is in its infinitive form. Which eliminates our ability to see who or what is doing the strengthening. ix. Most translations rightly pull the subject from the context which is obviously God Himself. x. Some translations try to leave it ambiguous by inserting a passive “that your hearts may be strengthened” making the subject uncertain. But there is no real reason to do this in the context. xi. It is clear that Paul means that God is doing the strengthening of their hearts. xii. If God is causing their love to abound, it certainly follows that as a result He will strengthen their hearts toward holiness. xiii. But the final expression deserves a closer look too. xiv. Being blameless in holiness seems to be redundant. If someone is holy, they certainly are blameless. And if someone is blameless, most likely they are holy. xv. So, what does this expression mean? xvi. Given what Paul will talk about in chapter 4, we can read between the lines that Paul is praying that their love for all men will strengthen them to forsake sexual immorality and maintain a pure life with one another. xvii. Although blamelessness in holiness certainly means more than merely godly sexual ethics – that is certainly included in it. xviii. Since a love for God and a love for others encapsulates all of the law and the prophets – to be truly set apart for God in a way that no one can find fault with – must flow from both a love for God and a love for all men. xix. But Paul may be indicating not merely a holy life that is practiced now, on earth. He may be also pointing beyond this life… b. [Slide 13] before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. i. We return to the Father and the Lord Jesus as Paul bookends his benediction with His mention a second time. ii. Here we see that Paul prays for blameless holiness for the Thessalonians specifically before God at the second coming of Christ. iii. We know that next the Lord Jesus will come to judge the living and the dead. And so Paul may have his eyes on that final winnowing of genuine believers and pretenders. iv. His prayer then may not simply be that they are holy now – but that they might be strengthened for the time that they are truly perfected. v. Of course, chapters 4-5 include a good deal about the second coming of Christ. So, Paul alludes to that in this benediction as well. vi. One final thing to point out here that is actually somewhat off-topic, is a teaching regarding the end times. vii. Here we see Paul overtly point to the second coming of Christ being done “With all His saints” 1. There is a bit of an interpretational issue here that has commentators divided. 2. Paul seems to be quoting from Zechariah 14, which would tend to favor the idea of the word “saints” or “holy ones” meaning angels rather than people. a. But in the Old Testament the term “holy ones” or “saints” is rather ambiguous. Often it is clearly used to talk about angels and also often it is clearly used to talk about God's people. And of course, many times, it is unclear to which it is referring. b. However, the same is NOT true in the New Testament. Every single use of the term “holy ones” in the New Testament minus two are clearly referring to God's people and NOT to angels. c. Jude 14 could refer to angels, but it could just as easily refer to God's people. d. And here, is the only other unclear reference. e. Furthermore, Paul uses the term “holy ones” 43 times in his letters. In every other instance… he is referring to true believers. 3. Because of this I find the interpretation inescapable. Paul is referring either to God's elect people, or, perhaps, to God's elect people and angels. 4. Since the word saints, or holy ones means Christians we must deal with a spurious way the word is being used today. 5. Saints – is not a special term in the scriptures used to denote some upper class of Christians which have performed miracles or done especially wonderous things for God. Nor is sainthood ever granted or recognized by the church in the scriptures. a. That is literally never how the New Testament uses the word. b. The word itself means the same thing as holy mentioned previously in this verse. Holy means morally pure and set apart. c. Paul wishes that all of them be saints in that they are blameless in holiness. d. And the writer of Hebrews says that without that saintliness… without holiness – no one sees God. e. Saint then, or holy one, is merely another expression of a person who is a genuine believer. f. All believers are saints. And there are no qualifications for sainthood besides being a regenerated believer in Christ. 6. Now, interpreting this as God's people coming with Christ, does pose a bit of a problem interpretationally when it comes to the teaching of chapters 4-5 about the Lord's coming and how believers will meet Him in the air… but that is easily understood when we understand one common practice of the day. 7. When dignitaries or very important people would come to a city, the priests, the rulers, the authorities, the people of note in the city, would leave the city walls and come outside the city to meet the dignitary. Then they would follow him in. 8. Of course we are called a kingdom of priests, heirs to the throne, and the bride of Christ. 9. In this way, God's people can both meet Christ in the air and come with Him. 10. Of course, any Premillennial interpretation of the end times has no problem harmonizing these facts since they would all conclude that we go to meet Jesus and then return with Him when He comes to set up His earthly Millennial Kingdom. 11. We simply disagree on the timing of the return. 12. Postmillennial and Amillennial folks have more difficulty here. And many simply interpret this passage as referring to angels. viii. But coming back to the topic of Paul's wish here… ix. What a comforting thought for the Thessalonians. That the Lord would strengthen them to the level of blameless holiness that the Lord would require of all who might join Him at His return. c. [Slide 14] Summary of the Point: Paul's final hope for the Thessalonians is that the Lord would strengthen their hearts to not only live holy lives today, but that they would be perfected and presented faultless before God when Christ returns with all His people. Every godly pastor hopes for this to be true of their congregation. And as such, the application is clear for us too. We must hope that we will not only be holy now, but perfected in that holiness when the Lord returns. Conclusion: So CBC, what have we learned today that corrects and instructs our faith and shapes and guides our practice? Broad Concepts of Faith and Practice: [Slide 15] Paul expresses these good words for the Thessalonians as he prays to the Lord pleading for these three hopes for the them. He hopes that the Lord would providentially direct them to fellowship together again, that the Lord would cause their love to abound toward all, and that the Lord would strengthen their hearts in perfect holiness when Jesus returns. These amount to what every godly pastor hopes for and prays for, for his flock and all believers. As such these should be our hopes too for ourselves. We should hope that God allows us to fellowship with other believers often and in meaningful ways. We should hope that God causes us to grow and abound in love toward all men and especially those of the household of faith. And we should hope that God strengthens us to grow in holiness today so that when He returns and we return with Him, we should be found faultless and perfectly holy with Him. But how do these applications connect to our life today? Let me take a closer look with you. 1.) [Slide 16] Mind Transformation: “What truth must we believe from this text?” or “What might we not naturally believe that we must believe because of what this text has said?” We must affirm that God providentially directing His children to fellowship with one another often and in meaningful ways, should be a great comfort and hope to true believers. a. But we live in an increasingly individualistic society. b. People don't have to come to church anymore – they can just watch it on the internet. c. I even saw a church advertise that their wi-fi signal was so strong that it reached the parking lot. d. So, if you don't feel comfortable coming in, don't worry, just park in your car and tune in from the parking lot. e. Some have said, “I don't need the church, I have Jesus.” f. My friends, these are lies. g. You can't have Jesus without the church. And you can't have the church without Jesus. h. How can you say that? i. The Apostles taught that WE are the body of Christ. j. My friends, attending via facebook livestream is not attending. It is not fellowshipping. It is not corporate worship. It is not church. k. It'll do in a pinch when you are shut in or sick… but it isn't church. l. Listening to sermons and podcasts isn't the church either. m. Nor is chatting online with other believers or arguing in forums. n. Without the church, you are a rudderless ship. Without God's people ministering to you and you ministering to them, you are tossed around in the waves of the sea. o. True believers delight… hope for… and seek out fellowship with other believers. p. We thrive on it. We need it. q. Do you see fellowship with other believers this way? r. If not, its time to rethink some things. It may even be appropriate to ask yourself, if you are truly a believer. 2.) [Slide 17] Mind Transformation: “What truth must we believe from this text?” or “What might we not naturally believe that we must believe because of what this text has said?” We must affirm that God causing His children to grow and abound in love for one another and other men, should be a great comfort and hope to true believers. a. Along with our more individualistic society, we also have a love problem. b. From definition to object, from magnitude to demonstration, we have a love disease. c. Our definition of love is distorted. So much so that the unconditional undeserved love of God is often so foreign to us when we first hear of it. d. The object of our love is frequently enjoyed toward those who always agree with us or those who return the love we offer. Again, when we see the unconditional aspect of Christ's love for His church, in that while we were yet enemies, He died for us, that is so odd to us. e. The magnitude of our love is a paradox of over-loving things and practices, and under-loving and valuing people. “Save the whales” and “kill the children” are often said by the same lips. f. And if that wasn't bad enough, demonstrating love has been reduced to 5 languages, which is already an extrabiblical interpretation of demonstrating love, but when you give that to a person who is not a believer, it is weaponized for a way to get the kind of love they want, rather than teach them how to love others. g. So yes… we have a love problem. h. But the church… God's people… we should be different. i. We should be looking longingly for the day that God will cause the love we have toward others to abound. Specifically, and especially toward other believers. j. This coupled with the hope for fellowship only intensifies the need for Christians to give the church a much higher priority than they are giving it today. k. Of all the things people prioritize, I fear that gathering with God's people is often an afterthought… if it is a thought at all. l. But growing in and abounding in love for other Christians should be a great hope for those who are genuine believers. m. But our love is not so narrow. n. In fact, our selfless, unconditional love should also be pointed at those who are not believers too. o. We certainly remain guarded with unbelievers. We know they do not understand and will seek to harm us. And we don't need to intentionally leave ourselves open to their abuse. p. But we certainly do not retaliate in thought, word, or deed. q. Overall, growing and abounding in love for all men ought to be one of the greatest wishes of every true believer across the board. r. If you don't desire to love others more… you may need to do some soul searching. You may yet be lost after all. 3.) [Slide 18] Mind Transformation: “What truth must we believe from this text?” or “What might we not naturally believe that we must believe because of what this text has said?” We must affirm that God strengthening our hearts to holiness now and perfect holiness when Christ returns, should be a great comfort and hope to true believers. a. The bane of the accurate teaching of the free grace of God is the overcorrection into license. b. The logic sounds fairly sure. c. Christ died for sin. I am a sinner. Christ died for me. He paid for all my sin. Therefore, when I sin, I know it is already paid for. Therefore, there is nothing that needs payment. Therefore, I am free… I have been given a blank check to do as I please. d. This thought process has been attacking the church since the apostles' time. They all have written extensively on the matter. e. Paul writes in Romans the logic which concludes with – “Shall we sin then that grace may abound?” f. Paul answers his own question with the strongest negative answer that you can make in the Greek language. g. Mh genoito h. May it never be. Or May that idea never have existed or been born in your mind! i. God's grace and mercy do not allow true believers to continue in sin. Instead, His grace and mercy remind us how we are slaves to righteousness and to live according to His Spirit which is in us. j. Hebrews tells us that without holiness no one will see God. k. Holiness, moral purity and being set apart for God's service is part of the fabric of every true believer. l. We love and aspire to holiness. m. And we hope that one day, when the Lord Jesus returns, He will complete that process, purifying us forever, never to fail Him again! n. Certainly, the greatest part of that eternal Kingdom will be the fellowship with Christ. o. But John says that when we see Him, we will be like Him. p. This thought is a great hope of all true believers. One day, we will never sin again. q. But my friends, if there is a tinge of sadness in that for you. That one day you will never lie, cheat, steal, lust, be selfish, lack courage, or never dishonor your parents again… if such a thought produces in you a wistful longing and loss – then you must examine your heart. True believers hope for the day such a thing were true. r. Are you really His child? 4.) [Slide 19] Exhortation: “What actions should we take?” or “What is this passage specifically commanding us to do that we don't naturally do or aren't currently doing?” We must find hope in God doing these things in us. a. We must realize that ultimately, true believers hope that the Lord will direct them to fellowship with God's people, to love more, and to grow in holiness. b. Any attitude or feeling that causes us to despise or become annoyed with any of these things, must be rejected as a sinful and fleshly attitude rather than a pure one. c. If we despise or are annoyed with the idea of fellowshipping more with God's people, we must repent of this and put this sin to death. d. If we roll our eyes or gag a bit at the thought of loving others more, we must repent of this and put this sin to death. e. If we are frustrated with or bothered by the thought of becoming more holy, more different and separated from the world, we must repent of this and put this sin to death. f. Because true Christians desire to be with God's people, grow in love, and holiness. g. How do we do all these? h. Well, if we go back to the text, we realize that not only is Paul asking this of God, but God is the agent working in all these things. i. God is providentially directing the fellowship. j. God is causing the love to grow and abound. k. God is strengthening the heart to holiness. l. God is, as always, our source. We run to Him for these things. Ultimately, we hope… in Him. 5.) [Slide 20] Comfort: “What comfort can we find here?” or “What peace does the Lord promise us in light of this passage of scripture?” True believers will see this prayer answered in their lives. a. Although Paul offers this as a hope and a wish, we know from the rest of scripture that God promises to do these things in the lives of true believers. b. God promises to bring His people together. c. God promises to grow us in love. d. God promises to grow us in holiness. e. Of course there is some human responsibility here. We must step out in faith to pursue fellowship, love, and holiness. f. But God promises that for real Christians… this will be done. g. No one will arrive with Christ with these hopes left unfulfilled. h. And that is a great comfort to us. 6.) [Slide 21] Evangelism: “What about this text points us to Jesus Christ, the gospel, and how we are restored?” Without the fellowship of the church, love like Christ, and holiness, no one will inherit the Kingdom of God. a. This, then, is nothing more than a logical conclusion. b. If God will do these things that Paul has prayed for in every believer… and the prayer itself is a comfort and a hope to God's true people… c. Then anyone who lacks these things cannot truly be a child of God. d. There is always room for growth of course. e. In fact, the hope of growth is part of this equation. We as true believers hope to have these things. f. But if you lack them completely, or have no hope that you would have them, or both… then you cannot possibly know Christ. And therefore, you are still lost in your sin. g. If that is you today. You don't desire to be with Christians. You don't really want to love people that don't already love you. You don't want to live differently and in a way that follows the commands of Jesus. h. But for the first time you've seen this, and genuinely desire that to change. i. I urge you to cry out to Jesus and repent of your sins and submit to Jesus as your Lord and Savior. j. And if you would like to do that today, please see me or another Elder. We'd love to help you through that process. [Slide 22 (end)] Let me close with a prayer by the early church father John Chrysostom Do not let us avoid the reading of the divine Scriptures, Lord. For that would be of Satan's devising, not wanting us to see the treasure, otherwise we would gain the riches. So, he would say that hearing the divine laws means nothing. Otherwise, if we did, we might become doers of the word, as well as hearers. Knowing then his evil plan, Lord, let us fortify ourselves against him on every side. Fenced with this kind of armor, we can live unconquered lives, as well as strike a heavy blow to his head. Then, crowned with glorious wreaths of victory, we can attain the good things to come, by the grace and love toward others of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory and might for ever and ever, amen. Benediction: Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus Christ our Lord direct our way to each other, And may the Lord cause us to increase and abound in love for one another and for all people, So that He may strengthen our hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His Saints. Until we meet again… go in peace.

Executive Pastor, Dr. Stephen Trammell, shares that the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 reveals how believers can live meaningfully while anticipating Christ's return. God entrusts each person with resources according to their abilities, expecting faithful stewardship rather than fearful inaction. Two servants doubled their investments through wise action, while one buried his talent out of fear and misunderstanding of his master's character. Faithfulness requires both faith and action across all areas of life - finances, relationships, health, and spiritual growth. God will reward those who prove faithful during this time between Christ's first and second coming. Your belief determines where you spend eternity, but your behavior determines how you spend eternity.

Jesus gave us 15 signs in Matthew 24 to indicate His return is approaching, but no one knows the exact timing except the Father. These signs, like birth pains, will increase in frequency and intensity. The key isn't knowing when He's coming, but being ready when He does. Jesus contrasts two types of servants: the faithful one who puts God first and serves others while waiting, and the careless one who becomes self-centered and destructive. True readiness means living with purposeful preparation, not fear, and being faithful in daily responsibilities while anticipating Christ's return with joy.

Biblical prophecy reveals specific signs that indicate Christ's return is approaching, including widespread deception, wars, natural disasters, persecution of Christians, and the cooling of love among believers. Jesus described these signs as labor pains that intensify over time, culminating in a seven-year period called the Great Tribulation. The Antichrist will rise as a false peacemaker before demanding worship, and Christ will return visibly and victoriously. Israel's rebirth as a nation in 1948 represents a significant prophetic milestone. Rather than trying to predict dates, believers should focus on being ready for His return through salvation and faithful living.

In this sobering and soul-searching message, Pastor Karl dives deep into Matthew 5:17–48, where Jesus declares that He came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it—and then raises the bar of righteousness far beyond anything the scribes and Pharisees ever imagined.Through six piercing examples—anger that murders the heart, lust that commits adultery in the mind, casual divorce, manipulative oaths, retaliation, and hatred disguised as justice—Jesus exposes the truth we all try to avoid: outward obedience is never enough. God judges the heart. Every single one of us stands guilty before His perfect standard.Yet the bad news is meant to drive us to the best news. Pastor Karl powerfully unpacks how Jesus' command in verse 48—“You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect”—is not a cruel impossible demand, but the very reason the Son of God came. We cannot achieve the righteousness God requires, so God freely gives it to us through faith in Christ. Jesus took our unrighteousness and imputes His perfect righteousness to all who repent and trust Him.A hard-hitting, heart-exposing sermon that leaves no room for self-righteousness, but ends with the liberating joy of the gospel: guilty sinners can be clothed in the very righteousness of God and stand before Him as if we had never sinned. Essential listening for anyone who wonders, “How can I ever be right with a holy God?”Watch all our sermons on our youtube channel "Flipside Christian Church"Join us in person 9:00am & 10:30am every Sunday morning.37193 Ave 12 #3h, Madera, CA 93636For more visit us at flipside.churchFor more podcasts visit flipsidepodcasts.transistor.fm

John MacArthur once said that "no eschatology is complete or true which does not embrace the prophecy of Zechariah." In this conversation, Ben Habegger explains how an Amillennialist understands Zechariah 14 and irenically expresses concerns with a Dispensationalist understanding of this book. For more information visit: https://cbtseminary.org  

John MacArthur once said that "no eschatology is complete or true which does not embrace the prophecy of Zechariah." In this conversation, Ben Habegger explains how an Amillennialist understands Zechariah 14 and irenically expresses concerns with a Dispensationalist understanding of this book. For more information visit: https://cbtseminary.org  

A conversation with Dewey Dovel, Ben Habegger, and Austin McCormick on how to make sense of Zechariah 14 from an Amillennial perspective. This discussion was originally featured on the Covenant Podcast.

This is our weekly show where we answer emails about church, theology, and ministry as well as interact with our live audience in the comments. Come join the fun!Questions and TimestampsWhat magic trick did you perform to make Jennifer fall in love with you? 23:00How should I evangelize charismatic family members without pushing them away? 25:00What do you mean by calling the Canon an ‘artifact of revelation' instead of an ‘object of revelation'? 32:00Should churches observe the Lord's Supper weekly? 40:33If sanctification is synergistic, does that make salvation synergistic as a whole? 48:00What does the world look like at Christ's return under an Amillennial view? 54:16What's the proper way to dispose of an old or unused Bible? 59:00What's your view on near-death experiences? 1:07:08Should I stay in church leadership when my pastor's theology shifts? 1:13:16What are your thoughts on the Medieval Crusades and modern Islamization in the West? 1:19:39Would public executions today be moral, televised, or even beneficial? 1:23:12When should I start a theology-focused YouTube channel and do I need training first? 1:29:30Should I continue to go to a church that bashes reformed theology? 1:37:00Support the Show: http://www.buymeacoffee.com/Yourcalvinisthttps://www.TinyBibles.comYou can get the smallest Bible available on the market, which can be used for all kinds of purposes, by visiting TinyBibles.com and when you buy, use the coupon code KEITH for a discount.Love Coffee? Want the Best? Get a free bag of Squirrelly Joe's Coffee by clicking on this link: https://www.Squirrellyjoes.com/yourcalvinistor use coupon code "Keith" for 20% off anything in the storeDominion Wealth Strategies Visit them at https://www.dominionwealthstrategists.comhttp://www.Reformed.Moneyand let them know we sent you! https://www.HighCallingFitness.comHealth, training, and nutrition coaching all delivered to you online by confessionally reformed bodybuilders and strength athletes.Visit us at https://www.KeithFoskey.comIf you need a great website, check out https://www.fellowshipstudios.com

In this episode, Costi Hinn carefully examines the Dispensational Premillennial, Historic Premillennial, Amillennial, and Postmillennial perspectives, giving believers a clear and charitable overview of each. Along the way, he highlights the attitudes that should shape our discussions—humility, charity, hope, readiness, mission-mindedness, and Christ-centeredness.

In researching examples of the Church aligning with political power, I found numerous disturbing examples of what this looks like. This is the story of Revelation 13 - the political leader (the Antichrist) allying with the religious world (the False Prophet). This chapter serves as a cautionary tale, particularly from the Amillennial perspective. The alliance spoken of in Revelation between religion and government isn't about when religious people get involved in government… it is when the Government BECOMES the religion. 

This is the first of a two-part look at Revelations 13:1-10. In this podcast, we look at it from the Amiilennial point of view.

Join Pastor Karla and RO Smith as they have a conversation unpacking the mysteries and misconceptions of revelation and how it applies to our lives today. This week, we examine the judgment that introduces the millenium (a.k.a. "1,000 year reign") and explore the various perspectives of the millenium. We also delve into some interesting questions regarding the final judgment and God's ultimate grace. Hopefully, we pose some thoughtful questions that cause you to view God and His grace in a new way. Resources Referenced in this Series: Reading Revelation Responsibly by Michael Gorman Reversed Thunder by Eugene Peterson Voxology Podcast Word Biblical Commentary: Revelation 1-5 by David Aune Word Biblical Commentary: Revelation 6-16 by David Aune Word Biblical Commentary: Revelation 17-22 by David Aune Our vision at Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church is to Love Everyone to LIFE with Everything we Have. We strive to become an authentic community who seeks to EXPERIENCE Jesus, JOURNEY into deeper faith, STRENGTHEN the Church, and TRANSFORM our world. For more information, visit www.pointlomachurch.org. We have three worship opportunities for you to experience: 9:00 a.m. - Sanctuary Service 9:30 a.m. - Online Service10:30 a.m. - Chapel Service Please consider joining us for one of these services.  If you would like to give to the ministry: http://pointlomachurch.org/give/ or Venmo: @Point-Loma-Church To view worship services along with other digital content, go to our Youtube Channel @PointLomaChurchOnline.

Dr Michael Svigel and Dr Josh Howard discuss Michael's latest book, "The Father's On The Future", taking a look at early Church Fathers and their views on the future and the end times, or eschatology. Was the early church Premillennial? Amillennial? Postmillennial? Or some combination thereof?

Dr Michael Svigel and Dr Josh Howard discuss Michael's latest book, "The Fathers On The Future", taking a look at the early Church Fathers and their views on the future and the end times, or eschatology. Was the early Church Premillennial? Amillennial, Postmillennial? Or some combination thereof?Order "The Fathers of The Future" HereWatch all of our videos and subscribe to our channel for the latest content >HereHere

Dr Michael Svigel and Dr Josh Howard discuss Michael's latest book, "The Father's On The Future", taking a look at early Church Fathers and their views on the future and the end times, or eschatology. Was the early church Premillennial? Amillennial? Postmillennial? Or some combination thereof?

In Revelation 19:6–20:15, we witness a climactic shift—from Babylon's fall to the Lamb's victory. Heaven erupts in celebration as the Bride of Christ is made ready, and the conquering King rides forward to defeat evil once and for all. Then comes the millennium: one of Scripture's heavily debated passages. Yet amid the mystery, one thing is clear—Christ reigns, Satan falls, and the second death has no power over God's people. This isn't escape from reality. It's a reorientation to what is ultimately real. Jesus will return. Will we be ready?Key Themes:· The Marriage of the Lamb: Heaven rejoices as Jesus receives His Bride, the Church—radiant and pure, clothed in righteousness. Every earthly wedding points to this ultimate union. (Revelation 19:6–9)· The Warrior King: Christ appears on a white horse, Faithful and True, to make war on evil and sin. His robe is dipped in blood; His name is the Word of God. He alone wins the battle. (Revelation 19:11–16)· Final Judgment for Evil: The beast and false prophet are thrown into the lake of fire. There is no burial, no honor—only ruin for those who defy the Lamb. (Revelation 19:17–21)· The Millennium Debate: Premillennial, Amillennial, or Postmillennial—theories differ. But what unites us is this: Jesus will return, and His reign will be complete. (Revelation 20:1–6)· The Second Death Defeated: Satan's final uprising is crushed, and those whose names are in the Book of Life reign with Christ forever. (Revelation 20:7–15)Reflection:The vision of the Bride and the Rider confronts us: Are we seduced by Babylon's promises or awake and ready for our King? Do we live with loyalty to the Lamb or drift in compromise? The time is urgent…it's now. The Lamb is worthy. He will return to wed His Bride and wage war on evil. May we be found faithful.Key Texts:· Revelation 19:6–20:15· Hosea 2:19· Isaiah 54:5· Matthew 22:1–14· Ephesians 5:31–32· Romans 10:9–11· Revelation 20:6, 15Support Our Mission:Your generosity helps us proclaim Christ as King and equip disciples to make disciples.https://alloflife.churchcenter.com/givingVisit Our Website:www.alloflife.church#Revelation19 #Revelation20 #BrideOfChrist #JesusIsKing #FinalJudgment #FaithfulAndTrue #EndureInFaith

Jeremy responds to some portions of the recent Evening of Eschatology that took place in Louisville, KY, while also examining an old X post from Joel Webbon. It gets lively—and it all fits together. Just trust the process.   Watch the Evening of Eschatology (2025) in full here: https://youtu.be/GQlqARfSEJA?si=Z0UkAprssng0BDTn  Watch the original Evening of Eschatology (2009) in full here: https://youtu.be/4S0TQ2dXnms?si=yiR_zkuP0V0_pNTJ  Dr. Alan Kurschner's critique of the Amillennial recapitulation theory: https://www.alankurschner.com/2025/02/17/a-critique-of-the-most-common-amillennial-recapitulation-argument-in-the-book-of-revelation A link to Jeremy's book, in which Appendix A lists one- and two-passage doctrines: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1A95UzZpUXBrRu8b8t7n2yGWbGksXjYfL/view    0:00 Introduction 1:13 The Evening of Eschatology 7:10 Weirdness Is Not a Good Reason 13:40 Is Revelation 20 a Clear Text? 16:55 Premillennial Hermeneutics 19:22 Can Revelation 20 Alone Prove Premillennialism? 24:09 Postmillennial Hermeneutics 27:00 Problems with Postmillennial Hermeneutics 32:04 Amillennial Hermeneutics 33:30 The Recapitulation Theory 36:05 What about Zechariah 14? 40:49 Failure to Embrace the OT Prophets  46:51 Joel Webbon Post 51:19 My Repost and Its Replies 55:47 Concluding Encouragements

Dr. Alan Kurschner critiqued the most common Amillennial argument in the book of Revelation using Greg Beale's restated argument from William Hendricksen. Amillennialists believe that Revelation 20:1–6 recapitulates Revelation 12:7–11 as occurring during the interadvent period. Beale proposes seven parallels that he thinks make this argument (see the Table below). Dr. Kurschner criticizes each supposed parallel one by one and demonstrates that not only are these not viable parallels, but they instead argue for progression.   ------------- TABLE 41. Greg Beale's Supposed Amillennial Parallels outlined. Excerpt from A Linguistic Approach to Revelation 19:11—20:6 and the Millennial Binding of Satan (page 163) by Alan E. Kurschner TABLE 41. Greg Beale's Supposed Amillennial Parallels outlined. Excerpt from A Linguistic Approach to Revelation 19:11—20:6 and the Millennial Binding of Satan (page 163) by Alan E. Kurschner     Become a monthly supporter: https://www.alankurschner.com/partner/

Dr. Alan Kurschner critiqued the most common Amillennial argument in the book of Revelation using Greg Beale's restated argument from William Hendricksen. Amillennialists believe that Revelation 20:1–6 recapitulates Revelation 12:7–11 as occurring during the interadvent period. Beale proposes seven parallels that he thinks make this argument (see the Table below). Dr. Kurschner criticizes each supposed […] The post A Critique of the MOST Common Amillennial Recapitulation Argument in the Book of Revelation appeared first on ESCHATOS MINISTRIES.

Dan Jarms and John Gardner discuss different end times views, focusing on the amillennial and postmillennial views. These different views come from different interpretations of Revelation 20:1-6, which describes a thousand year period of peace and Jesus' return. Postmillennialists envision a golden age of Christian rule before Jesus' return while amillennialists see the Millennium as a long, ongoing period of gospel spread, that takes place between Christ's first and second coming—in other words, that we are currently living in the "millennium". They also discuss the continuity of promises from the Old Testament to the New Testament, emphasizing that these views are interpretive differences within the Church and not barriers to fellowship or membership at Faith.

Understanding when Jesus sits on David's throne (is it now, at the Father's right hand in heaven, or still awaiting the supposed earthly Millenial reign of Christ from Israel?) is a significant watershed for many regarding Dispensational and Covenantal theologies. [To remove a potential confusion from the title of this message, it is possible to hold the Amillennial view, which our teaching team favors. This view says that Jesus reigns on David's throne in heaven today, which is itself the heavenly Millennial reign of Revelation 20.] You can watch this message here.

In this second interview with Dr Sam Waldron by pastor Chris Barlow, they discuss the corporate nature of the Great Commission, a victorious view of eschatology and the Church from an Amillennial perspective, the parable of the wheat and the tares, the trouble with Premillennialism and the confessions, the book of Revelation and more.Watch all of our videos and subscribe to our channel for the latest content >HereHere

Christian Ashley joins Joshua Noel and TJ (Tiberius Juan) Blackwell to discuss what the Bible says about the end times, what various theories there are of when and how Christ will come back, and whether or not Christians will endure Tribulations during the apocalypse of Revelation. We will discuss the books of Daniel, Revelation, and more. We will also explore the differences in Pre-Trib, Mid, and Post-Tribulation beliefs, as well as Premillennial, premillennial dispensationalism, Amillennial, and Postmillennial beliefs!.What is Eschatology? What is the theory of millennialism? What do Premillennialists believe? What are the signs that the end is near? What is it called when Jesus comes back? What are the signs of the 2nd coming of Jesus? What is the meaning of postmillennialism? Is amillennialism a preterism? What do Amillennialists believe? What are the three types of millennialism? What is the difference between historic Premillennialism and amillennialism? What is the tribulation in the Bible?.In this episode, we will:Explore the different theories of end times theologyExplain our views on Premillennialism and AmillennialismDeconstruct the purpose of Apocalyptic literatureExamine the difference in different theories of the Second ComingAsk why unity is so difficult around this subject.Support the show on Captivate or on Patreon, or by purchasing a comfy T-Shirt in our shop!.Join in our conversations on our Discord Server and Facebook group!.Hear all of the AMP Network shows:https://anazao-ministries.captivate.fm.Listen to every episode in this series:https://player.captivate.fm/collection/4f2184c4-1b7d-48fc-9c81-15f0a0c2679c.Check out "Let Nothing Move You" with Christian Ashley:https://let-nothing-move-you.captivate.fm.Listen to every episode of Systematic Geekology with TJ:https://player.captivate.fm/collection/f4c32709-d8ff-4cef-8dfd-5775275c3c5e.Check out Joshua's other show, "Dummy for Theology":https://player.captivate.fm/episode/1a27a558-5de8-4f4b-bdd0-7f104805a2efMentioned in this episode:Easily subscribe to our show wherever you listen!https://the-whole-church-podcast.captivate.fm/listenCheck out the other AMP Network shows!https://anazao-ministries.captivate.fm . https://open.spotify.com/show/725pdvTzkle0fDWK2sdxnD?si=e317918366e04338

Micah and Nathan are joined by Dr. Sam Storms; a self-proclaimed "Amillennial, Calvinistic, charismatic, credo-baptistic, complementarian, Christian Hedonist who loves his wife of 50 years, his two daughters, his four grandchildren, books, baseball, movies, and all things Oklahoma University." While some of those labels seem contradictory on the surface, Dr. Storms provides helpful context and Biblical support for his beliefs. In this episode, the discussion shifts to focus on Christian Hedonism and what "enjoying God" looks like on a practical basis. 

In this episode Dr Clark looks at Romans 12:3–8 and considers how grace makes us gracious. He answers a question from Kevin about those Dispensationalists who agree with the Reformed on Matthew 24 and being "left behind." He answers a text from Kaleb, who asks what, according to the Amillennial view, has to happen before Christ returns. He interacts with a comment by J. P. on why Dr Clark is skeptical that Romans 11 promises a future ingathering of Jews. The opening features Chris Gordon of the Escondido United Reformed Church. This episode of the Heidelcast is sponsored by the Heidelberg Reformation Association. You love the Heidelcast and the Heidelblog. You share it with friends, with members of your church, and others but have you stopped to think what would happen if it all disappeared? The truth is that we depend on your support. If you don't make the coffer clink, the HRA will simply sink. Won't you help us keep it going? The HRA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All your gifts are tax deductible. Use the donate link on this page or mail a check to Heidelberg Reformation Association, 1637 E Valley Parkway #391, Escondido CA 92027. All the Episodes of the Heidelcast Resources On Romans Subscribe To the Heidelcast On Twitter @Heidelcast How To Support Heidelmedia: use the donate button below Subscribe in Apple Podcast Subscribe directly via RSS New Way To Call The Heidelphone: Voice Memo On Your Phone Text the Heidelcast any time at (760) 618–1563. The Heidelcast is available everywhere podcasts are found including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Call or text the Heidelphone anytime at (760) 618-1563. Leave a message or email us a voice memo from your phone and we may use it in a future podcast. Record it and email it to heidelcast@heidelblog.net. If you benefit from the Heidelcast please leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts so that others can find it. Please do not forget to make the coffer clink (see the donate button below). SHOW NOTES Resources on Eschatology Heidelblog Resources The HB Media Archive The Ecumenical Creeds The Reformed Confessions Heidelberg Catechism (1563) Recovering the Reformed Confession (Phillipsburg: P&R Publishing, 2008). What Must A Christian Believe? Why I Am A Christian Heidelblog Contributors Support Heidelmedia: use the donate button or send a check to: Heidelberg Reformation Association 1637 E. Valley Parkway #391 Escondido CA 92027 USA The HRA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization

A new MP3 sermon from Duluth Bible Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: 05 - A Dispensational Response to the Amillennial Recapitulation View of Rev. 19-20 Speaker: Mike Stallard Broadcaster: Duluth Bible Church Event: Conference Date: 10/4/2023 Length: 57 min.

Episode Synopsis:The first time I heard the term “optimistic amillennarian” was in seminary, when a student asked one of the professors whether they were postmillennial or amillennial.  The professor said he admired much about postmillennialism, but thought amillennialism was the biblical view.  But after saying that, he blurted out, “well, maybe, I'm optimistic Amillennial.”  That started quite a discussion among the students, with the postmillennial students pressing the amillennial students to give up their “pessimistic eschatology” and do as the professor had done, declare themselves to be eschatological optimists, presumably the first step on the way to becoming postmillennial.  I was one of those present who still hadn't figured out how my newly-found Reformed convictions were going to influence my views on eschatology.  The only thing I was sure about was that I could not remain a dispensationalist.I did indeed give up my premillennialism and dispensationalism for amillennialism and have spent much time writing, teaching, and discussing why I made the move.  Over time I thought that I had managed to distance myself from my dispensational past, and I worked hard to replace my dispensational hermeneutic with a covenantal approach to Scripture.Yet there was one tie which still bound me to dispensationalism–the postmillennal charge that both schools of thought (amillennial and dispensational premillennialism) were intrinsically “pessimistic,” while only postmillennarians have an eschatology of “essential optimism.”  This always struck me as odd, since as an amillennarian I believe that the kingdom of God is victorious over unbelief and all the forces of the devil, that the gospel will spread to the ends of the earth because God is sovereign over all things.  But I remain pessimistic about the city of man which will destroyed in the end when Jesus returns to raise the dead, judge the world, and make all things new.Both amillennialism and postmillennialism contend that the scene in Revelation 20:1-10–the only place where a period of a thousand years (or a millennial age) is mentioned in Scripture–occurs before Christ returns, not after, as in premillennialism.  This means that structurally speaking, amillennialism and postmillennial are very similar.  The two views have coexisted from time of the apostolic age, usually identified as non-chiliastic (non-millenarian).  It wasn't until early in the 20th century that the two views (amillennialism and postmillennialism) were distinguished from one another as distinct eschatological positions.  Both have existed together from the time of the Reformation–the differences centering around the timing, duration, and character of the millennial age.  As we will see, in the 1970's things changed.  So where did the optimism-pessimism categories come from?  Do they accurately describe the three main eschatological schools of thought?  Might they even be misleading?  And therefore not helpful?  That's my take . . .  For show notes and other recommended materials located at the Riddleblog as mentioned during the Blessed Hope Podcast, click here: https://www.kimriddlebarger.com/

11 October, 2023

In Episode 113 of Theology In Particular, Dr. Daniel Scheiderer returns to make a case for Amillennialism. It was in episode 80 that Dr. Scheiderer provided us with an overview of the various eschatological positions on the millennium. Here he presents two arguments against mellennarianism in its various forms and five arguments for the Amillennial position.  Links: International Reformed Baptist Seminary: irbsseminary.org If you have feedback, questions, or suggestions, please email Joe at: tip@irbsseminary.org Recommended Resources: A Case for Amillennialism: Understanding the End Times, by Kim Riddlebarger On The End Of The World And On Hell – Theological Commonplaces,  Vol. 32-33, Pages 129-36, by Johann Gerhard, Institutes Of Elenctic Theology, Section 20.3, by Francis Turretin.

In this episode, Brian Auten and Chad Gross interview Chris Date on the topic of Eschatology, or the End Times. They explore the ins and outs of various views of the end times, before discussing more deeply the view that Chris holds on the subject. A very helpful and informative conversation!www.chrisdate.info0:24 - Intro to Chris Date2:43 - An update on Chris and his wife's treatment5:07 - What is eschatology?6:47 - Chris' work and engagement on the subject9:44 - Why should anyone care about end times study?15:00 - Encouragement for those overwhelmed by the topic17:57 - Advice for people having discussions on end times24:23 - An overview of end times views29:45 - What is the most popular view historically?37:01 - The history of dispensational millennialism 43:06 - Is “the rapture” biblical?50:40 - The preterist view52:06 - Partial or full preterism?1:11:15 - How does one properly think about their view of end times?1:16:08 - What's up with 666?1:23:10 - Resources recommended for further study Resources:Premillennial vs Amillennial on Christ's Return: Daniel Goepfrich & Chris Date on Unbelievable with Justin Brierley - https://a315.co/3Pn5vZyOverview of End Times Views - by Gregg Steve - https://a315.co/45SdzXv Four Views Of Revelation - https://a315.co/3R54YNeThe Last Days according to Jesus: When Did Jesus Say He Would Return? By RC Sproul - https://a315.co/3R1dA7xIt's Not the End of the World! By DeeDee Warren - https://a315.co/47VihFVBefore Jerusalem Fell: Dating the Book of Revelation by Kenneth Gentry - https://a315.co/45zPN30Four Views on the Book of Revelation by C. Marvin Pate, General Editor - https://a315.co/3qVPSiiBooks by Chris Date:Is Jesus Human and Not Divine? A Debate by Chris Date and Dale Tuggy - https://a315.co/45zNoFsRethinking Hell: Readings in Evangelical Conditionalism edited by Chris Date, Gregory Stump and Joshua Anderson - https://a315.co/3P4kKoKA Consuming Passion edited by Chris Date and Ron Highfield - https://a315.co/3o3lL7dDoes God Predetermine the Eternal Destiny of Every Individual Human Being? A Debate by Chris Date and Gil VanOrder, Jr. - https://a315.co/3W9Xc5e================================We appreciate your feedback.If you're on TWITTER, you can follow Chad @TBapologetics.You can follow Brian @TheBrianAutenAnd of course, you can follow @Apologetics315If you have a question or comment for the podcast, record it and send it our way using www.speakpipe.com/Apologetics315 or you can email us at podcast@apologetics315.com

What is Amillennialism? If you were asked to define it, where would you start? In this episode, Pastor Brandon gives some overarching contours for understanding the Amillennial position.  For more information from the Amillennialist Perspective, see:  Critical Questions of Postmillennialism by Cincy Reformed Understanding Revelation 20:1-15 - The Millennial Reign of Christ and the Binding of Satan by Cincy Reformed  Theonomy and Eschatology: Some Reflections on Postmillennialism by Richard B. Gaffin, Jr.  Revelation: A Shorter Commentary by G.K. Beale  Revelation (Reformed Expository) by Richard Phillips  Revelation (Lectio Continua) by Joel Beeke The Returning King: A Guide to the Book of Revelation by Vern Poythress A Case for Amillennialism: Understanding the End Times by Kim Riddlebarger Amillennialism by Anthony Hoekema   Amillennialism - Part 1 by Robert Strimple  Amillennialism - Part 2 by Robert Strimple  The Great Hope of Amillennialism by Pierce Taylor Hibbs  Theonomy: A Reformed Critique ed. by William Barker and W. Robert Godfrey Revelation (Gospel Coalition) by G.K. Beale and Thomas Schreiner   The Gospel and Eschatology by Westminster Faculty 

The Messianic Banquet is an intriguiging aspect of end times studies. It comes after the arrival of the kingdom and marriage of the Lamb. Along with the Messianic Banquet is the war against Gog and Magog. In this study, we clearly show how all these events line up during the endtimes.This study presents major challenges to the Amillennial and Dispensationalist views.of the endtimes, dispels the idea of rapture and shows that the battle of Gog and MaGog in Revelation occurred in connection with the Roman invasion of Jukdea. It is hope that the listener will pay careful attentioni, take notes and check the Scripture references and reason logically. Check Us Out Our On YouTube channel to leave us questions or comments.

Steve Swartz, "Alternate Views, Part 1: Amillennial and Postmillennial Views " (Selected Scriptures) from the Millennium: Alternate Views series.More sermons available online at www.gbcob.org.

Steve Swartz, "Alternate Views, Part 1: Amillennial and Postmillennial Views " (Selected Scriptures) from the Millennium: Alternate Views series. More sermons available online at www.gbcob.org.

Steve Swartz, "Alternate Views, Part 1: Amillennial and Postmillennial Views " (Selected Scriptures) from the Millennium: Alternate Views series. More sermons available online at www.steadfastinthefaith.org.

Steve Swartz, "Alternate Views, Part 1: Amillennial and Postmillennial Views " (Selected Scriptures) from the Millennium: Alternate Views series. More sermons available online at www.steadfastinthefaith.org.

"One of the ways God will make all things new is by completely, totally, eternally, ending evil." Impacted? Let us know: Creekside.Me/Respond Miss a sermon in this series? Watch them all at Wilsonville.Church/AllThingsNew

Idleman Unplugged is a program of Westside Christian Fellowship. To listen to more sermons or to hear more about Westside Christian Fellowship, please visit our website: WestsideChristianFellowship.org Also, visit Pastor Shane's personal website to see his special guest appearances on Fox News, as well as personalized articles on Biblical matters: ShaneIdleman.com

In this episode we hop on the phone with Dr. Sam Storms. He's the pastor emeritus at Bridgeway Church in Oklahoma City and author of multiple books including Practicing the Power : Welcoming the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in your life.  He is the founder of Enjoying God ministries, is an Amillennial, Calvinistic, charismatic, credo-baptistic, complementarian, Christian Hedonist who loves his wife of 50 years, his two daughters, his four grandchildren, books, baseball, movies, and all things Oklahoma University. This episode Erika and I ask Dr. Storms some questions that we regularly ask ourselfs and wrestle with. How do we know if all these gifts are for today? How do we know we have operated in them or have just deceived ourselves? Tune in to hear our thoughts and Dr. Storms responses!

Josh Monday Christian and Conspiracy Podcast Episode 94 Please follow me on Instagram @Joshmonday_Podcast To all of our current and future subscribers thank you for your time, we appreciate you. Please do us a favor subscribe, hit that bell, share, like and comment below. Please leave us a 5-Star review on Apple and Spotify. This week we have returning Guest Dave Gardner. In this show Dave shows us a Non dispensational AMillennial interpretation of the Modern-day Isael. By not only using scripture but also using nondisclosed history to back his claims up. We get into World War 1 and the Bolshevik revolution. We get into the Rothchilds and the international bankers roll in Modern Day Israel. We get into who funded the Nazi's. We get into a bunch of scriptures that show that we the church are the Israel of the bible. We get into the Scholfield bible and how dispensationalism was used by the seminaries to have the church accept Modern Day Israel. We get into when Jesus was calling out the Pharisees and how what Jesus was referring too still applies to the religious Jews of today. We get into how the New World Order is trying to bring about a one world religion. We get into a whole bunch more tune in to find out. Thank you, God, and every one that subscribed to you tube we just hit 1000 subscribers let's try to hit 10,000. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/josh-monday/support

We discuss some practical takeaways for Amillennial theology and then spend most of our time discussing final judgment in Scripture at the Great White Throne. We argue that all of humanity, not just unbelievers, are present at this judgment. On question in particular that is address is: Why is final judgment "according to works" if we are saved by grace? You can watch the message here.

This chapter is surrounded by controversy. The controversy swirls around the use of the words “thousand years” in verses 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. The controversy concerns the 1,000 year period we call the Millennium.       There are three dominant views concerning the nature of the Millennium. 1.)  Postmillennialism - This view says that the world will get better and better and when the world has reached the proper stage of perfection, Jesus will return and establish His kingdom on earth. This was a very popular view prior to World War II.  Nearly anyone can look at this world and all the wickedness and evil and see that the world is getting worse and not better. This is a false view of the Millennium.  2.)  Amillennialism – There are several variations of this view. The primary version says that there is no literal millennial kingdom. The kingdom of God is spiritual in nature and we are really in the kingdom age right now. Many who hold this view believe that Satan is bound right now. The Amillennial view spiritualizes these verses. This is also a false view of the Millennium. (Ill. A branch of Amillennialism known as Preterism believes the Tribulation has already occurred and that Jesus has already returned. The Preterist believes that Jesus returned in 70 AD and established His kingdom then. Their belief system is far more complex than that, but that is the gist of it.) 3.)  Premillennialism - This view holds that humanity will continue to degenerate; the world will go through a literal Tribulation; Jesus will return and defeat the Antichrist and establish a literal kingdom on the earth and reign here for 1,000 years. This is the only view that takes these verses literally. It is my opinion that this is the only true view of the millennium.        It is my belief that these verses comprise the fulfillment of many great Old and New Testament promises and prophecies. It is my belief that these verses tell us about a literal 1,000 kingdom that will exist on this earth. It is my belief that these verses describe the final kingdom that will exist in time.       Why is there even a need for the millennium? Why not just wind it all up, judge sin and sinners and let the redeemed enter into eternity? The millennium will allow the Lord to accomplish some much needed goals. Among other things, the millennium will allow the Lord to: ·         To fulfill His Old Testament promises of a kingdom to Israel. ·         To put Jesus, in all His glory, on public display. ·         To answer the prayer, “Thy Kingdom come.” ·         To fulfill the promise that the saints will reign. ·         To bring about the complete redemption of nature. ·         To give man one final test under the sovereign rule of the Lord Jesus Christ. While there are many great truths associated with the millennial kingdom, too many to share in one message, let me share a few of the things that will be a reality then. ·         Peace – All wars will cease. (Isa.2:4; 9:4-7; 32:17-18; 33:5-6; 55:12; 60:18; Eze.28:26; 34:25, 28; Hos.2:18; Micah 4:2-3; Zech.9:10) ·         Joy – The King's subjects will be happy. (Isa.12:3-6; 14:7-8; 25:8-9; 61:7,10; 65:18-19; 66:10-14; Jer.31:18-19; Zeph.3:14-17; Zech.10:6-7) ·         Holiness - This kingdom will be a holy kingdom. There will be rebellion, but King Jesus will rule with a rod of iron, Rev. 19:15. Capital punishment will be enforced. (Isa. 31:6-7; 35:8-9; 60:21; 61:10; Eze.36:24-31; 37:23-24; Zech.8:3; 14:20-21) ·         Glory - This kingdom will be a glorious kingdom, with the glory of God in full display. All the citizens of the world will be able to travel to Jerusalem and see the glorified Savior face to face! (Isa. 4:2; 35:2; 40:5; 60:1-9) ·         Comfort - Jesus will fully minister to every need, so that there will be no want anywhere on the earth. (Isa 12:1-2; 30:26; 40:1-2; 49:13; 51:3; 66:21-23; Jer.31:23-25; Zeph.3:18-20) ·         Justice - Perfect justice will be administered to every individual. (Isa. 9:7; 32:16; 42:1-4; 65:21-23; Jer.23:5.) ·         Fullness Of Knowledge - An increase in the teaching ministry of the Holy Ghost  will result in enhanced mental capabilities. (Isa. 11:1-2, 9; Isa. 41:19-20; *54:13*; Hab.2:14) ·         Instruction – King Jesus will instruct His people in the ways of God. (Isa. 2:2-3; 29:17-24; 32:3-4; Jer.3:14-15; Micah 4:2) ·         The Removal of the Curse - In Gen. 3:17-19, God placed a curse upon the earth. This curse will be removed; resulting in an increase in the productivity of the earth, and in wild animals will losing their ferocity and ability to injure or kill. (Isa 11:6-9; 65:25). ·         Sickness Removed - The King will be a healer, so that sickness and death will vanish from the earth. Death will only exist as a punishment for extreme sin. (Isa 33:24; Jer.30:17; 33:6) ·         Healing of the deformed - All deformity will be healed. (Isa.29:17-19; 35:3-6) ·         Protection - There will be a supernatural preservation of life during the millennium. (Isa.41:8-14; 62:8-9; Jer. 23:6; Joel 3:16-17; Amos 9:15; Zech.9:8; 14:10-11) ·         No Oppression - There will be no social, political, racial or religious oppression in that day. (Isa.14:3-6; 42:6-7; 49:8-9; Zech.9:11-12) ·         No Immaturity - It seems that there will be no mental retardation or dwarfed bodies, extreme longevity will also be restored. (Isa.65:20) ·         Reproduction by the Living People - The living Tribulation saints and believing Jews who enter the millennium will reproduce. The population of the earth will soar. Yet, all children will be born with a sin nature, and will therefore need salvation. (Jer.30:20; 31:29; Eze.47:22) ·         Labor - A perfect economic system, in which all needs will be met by the labor of men under direction of the King. It will be a fully industrialized world. (Isa. 62:8-9; 65:21-23; Jer.31:5) ·         Economic Prosperity - The perfect labor situation will produce economic abundance, so that there will be no want. (Isa.35:1-2, 7; 30:23-25; Jer.31:5; 12; Eze 34:26; 36:29-30; *Joel 2:21-27* *Amos 9:13-14*; Zech.8:11-12) ·         Increase of Light - The will be an increase in solar and lunar light, this will produce longer growing seasons, accounting for the increase in productivity. (Isa.30:26) ·         Unified Language - All language barriers will be removed. (Zeph.3:9) ·         Unified Worship - The entire world will worship God through the Lord Jesus Christ. (Isa.45:23; 66:17-23; Zeph.3:9; Zech.14:16; 8:23; Mal.1:11) ·         The fullness of the Spirit - All who are subject to the King will experience divine enablement and presence. (Isa.44:3; Eze.36:26-27; 37:14; Joel 2:28-29)       Those are just a few of the glories of that future kingdom. Let's take a few minutes to study these verses today.

The Book of Isaiah is filled with complex messages that combine warnings, prophecies and encouragements. Today's passage is foundational to understanding the Book of Isaiah and includes warnings about abandoning the Covenant with God and the Coming Day when He will establish a New Kingdom for His covenant people. DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1. Isaiah 2 is looking far down the timeline of history. According to verse 1, when will these things take place? 2. Verse 2 starts out talking about the “last days”. If you have time, glance at Ezekiel 38:16, Hosea 3:5 and Micah 4:1. When will these prophecies take place? However, the authors of Acts 2:17 and Hebrews 1:2 indicate that they were in the last days. Based on all of these verses, when are the last days? The podcast mentioned the principle of prophetic mountain ranges. What is that principle and how does it relate to this verse? 3. Read over verses 2 & 3. How do these verses characterize the last days? 4. According to verse 4, when these events take place, what kinds of things will the Lord be doing? What will the nations not be doing? Why? 5. In verse 5, Isaiah calls the people to walk in the light of the world. What “light” (so to speak) were they walking in verses 6 to 8? 6. What impact did their sins have on the overall society, as exemplified in verse 9? 7. In verses 10 & 11, when the Day of the Lord takes place, what will happen to the people? How will the Lord be exalted? 8. Read over verses 12 to 21, what kinds of things will happen on that “day”? 9. This chapter ends with a sudden exhortation in verse 22. In light of the judgment to come, what should our view of “man” be? Why? 10. Take a moment to reflect on the kind of kingdom described in Isaiah 2. How is this different than the “kingdoms of men” that we live in today? The Key Chapters Bible Podcast is a daily, 15ish minute podcast that goes over the key chapters of the Bible, one per day, explaining how it fits into the overall message of God and how it relates to our lives now. Jump in today or start back in Genesis 1! To see our dedicated podcast website with access to all our episodes and other resources, visit us at: www.keychapters.org. Available on all major podcast platforms, and now on YouVersion Bible App Find us on all major platforms, or use these direct links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6OqbnDRrfuyHRmkpUSyoHv Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/366-key-chapters-in-the-bible/id1493571819 YouTube: Key Chapters of the Bible on YouTube. As always, we are grateful to be included in the "Top 100 Bible Podcasts to Follow" from Feedspot.com. Also for regularly being awarded "Podcast of the Day" from PlayerFM. Special thanks to Joseph McDade for providing our theme music.   

Episode 931 | Adriel Sanchez and Bill Maier answer caller questions. Show Notes CoreChristianity.com Questions in this Episode 1. Can the mentally ill be saved? I have schizophrenia, bipolar, and PTSD. 2. I wanted to know what you consider to be the right eschatology. I lean amillennial and that Christ has fulfilled it all. What is your view? 3. My son is struggling with the idea that an all-knowing God would allow evil and suffering. What should I say to him? 4. How can I witness to my anti-semitic family member? 5. How should we understand predestination? Today's Offer Revelation Bible Study Request our latest special offers here or call 1-833-THE-CORE (833-843-2673) to request them by phone. Want to partner with us in our work here at Core Christianity? Consider becoming a member of the Inner Core.