Emmaus Bible College 2570 Asbury Road, Dubuque, IA 52001

Go d’s Promises for the Future Journey | From the President Journey | magazine Features /Departments Why Emmaus? Will the Church Go Through the Tribulation? Journey Magazine, volume 10, issue 1, Fall 2012 7 - Jack Fish Journey Magazine is published by Emmaus Bible There is growing discussion concerning the timing of the in College, Dubuque, Iowa, USA. Why does Emmaus exist? What would be lost if bachelor’s degree that includes 45 units of Bible relationship to the Tribulation. Dr. Fish presents a convincing argument Opinions expressed in articles published in Journey we didn’t? What can only we do? Emmaus was and theology. That’s more Bible and theology for the pretribulational Rapture of the church. Have your beliefs strengthened Magazine are not necessarily those of Emmaus founded by visionaries among the assemblies than Moody or Multnomah! But are our gradu - or your position challenged: Either way, enjoy this thoughtful article. Bible College. who saw a great need to teach the Bible to future ates employable? Every graduate from last May Editor: A. Glock servant-leaders of our movement. Young adults in a professional program was employed in their Is There a Future for Israel in Biblical Prophecy? Assistant Editor: Ken Daughters from a wide variety of backgrounds moved to field! Praise God! - Ronald Diprose Bible Editor: Dr. David J. MacLeod 13 Circulation Manager: Angie Hubbard Toronto to immerse themselves in the study of If the church replaces Israel as some theologians hold, is there a future for Design, Lay-Out: Jesse Lange, Jesse Fullan the Scripture from gifted Bible teachers. Emmaus There are many places to secure a college educa - Israel? Does it matter? This article responds to that question and reinforces the & Big Behr Design Co. began as a night school in a borrowed hall. tion, and even many places to study the Bible, promise to Abraham, “Those who bless you I will bless, and those who curse Online-Journey: Jesse Fullan Enough people came that property was secured but only one college does what Emmaus does. I you I will curse.” and day classes begun. A correspondence school believe our churches need skilled, trained lead - How to contact us: Journey Magazine was started to reach students who could not ers. We particularly need skilled shepherds and The Millennium Question - Sean Lillis Emmaus Bible College move. So many were coming from the States teachers. I believe we must biblically educate 19 Is there really going to be a literal, earthly Millennial Kingdom with 2570 Asbury Road that a second campus was established on the the next generation of leaders for our New ruling as King from Jerusalem? Sean Lillis establishes the clear biblical teaching Dubuque, IA 52001 south side of Chicago. What was so special about Testament churches. This is the reason Emmaus on the glory of that coming Kingdom. “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done (800) 397-2425 www.emmaus.edu Emmaus? Why was it so successful? There was no Bible College exists. Our education focuses on on earth as it is in Heaven.” better place to be transformed by the Word. Bible and theology. We also integrate biblical There was no better Bible school to learn from teaching into our general education and profes - – What in the World Is It? Editor: journey @emmaus.edu the perspective of New Testament principles. sional studies. We seek to fulfill Paul’s command - David Harper Subscriptions: journey @emmaus.edu 26 College Admissions: [email protected] to Timothy: “Be diligent to present yourself A school of interpretation holds that much of the prophecy of the book of Alumni: alumni @emmaus.edu Fast-forward to today. Emmaus is a fully accredit - approved to God as a workman who does not Daniel and of the prophetic has already been fulfilled. Correspondence School: [email protected] ed bachelor’s degree granting college. More stu - need to be ashamed, accurately handling the This article addresses the origin of that movement and presents the weaknesses Believers Stewardship Services: www.believerstewardship.org dents are studying more Bible than ever before. Word of Truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). ? in its presuppositions. Gifted Bible teachers from assemblies around the Other: info @emmaus.edu continent have gathered in Dubuque. There is The Biblical Covenants and Covenant Theology Journey Magazine is available online at: no better college to learn the Scriptures from the www.emmaus.edu/journey perspective of New Testament principles. The 30 - David J. MacLeod Isn’t that Covenant Theology? This question is repeated often in church life Journey Magazine will consider, but is not responsible faculty is personable and interested in discipling for, unsolicited articles. Send submissions to Editor at students. Lives are being changed, character when the term “covenant” is used in teaching and preaching. Dr. Macleod the address above. Submissions cannot be returned shaped, and purpose found. addresses the subject of the biblical covenants in this issue and the basic unless accompanied by SASE. Advanced query is concepts of Covenant Theology in the next issue of Journey. Read this article recommended. Kenneth Alan Daughters One of the problems Emmaus faces is that peo - in order to reason clearly concerning this debated subject. President, ple today have become highly pragmatic in their Emmaus Bible College approach to undergraduate education. They ask, The Tenets of Progressive “What am I going to do with that degree?” They 38 - Kenneth Daughters want their education to enable them to get a job Is dispensationalism a work in progress? In a sense, it always has been, with in their chosen profession. Through the years we adjustments being included as understanding of relevant Scriptures increases. have watched what our alumni have studied This article will enable you to evaluate your personal position as you after leaving Emmaus. We care about our alumni understand the variations set forth in progressive dispensationalism. being employable. We also care deeply about their biblical education. So we have made it pos - Just Like the Bible Says ...... 4 sible for them to do both at Emmaus. We have Dr. MacLeod Asks ...... 41 added second majors in complementary disci - plines to allow the majority of our students to News from Emmaus ...... 44 study with us for four years, graduating with a A Word Along the Way ...... 46 On The Road ...... 48 Journey | Travel Guides Journey | magazine

Rose Guide to End-Times Prophecy Timothy Jones Travel Guides Rose Publishing, 2011 This book helps the reader go through the key portions of Scripture and explains the different Israel Under Fire: The Prophetic Chain of Events That Threatens the Middle East ways Christians have interpreted them. John Ankerberg, Jimmy DeYoung, Dillon Burroughs Harvest House Publishers, 2009 Christ’s Prophetic Plans: A Futuristic Premillennial Primer Offering an incisive evaluation of Middle East events along with expert understanding of Bible John MacArthur, Richard Mayhue prophecy and end-times happenings, Israel Under Fire presents unparalleled insight into the massive Moody Publishers, 2012 historical currents converging on Israel and what it means for the West. General Editors and experienced Bible scholars John MacArthur and Richard Mayhue help to provide a clear and convincing Biblical explanation for the interpretive approach to Scripture Storm Clouds on the Horizon: that results in a knowable “futuristic” view of Christ’s millennial reign on earth. Christ’s Prophetic Bible Prophesy and the Current Middle East Crisis Plans also helps provide the certain validity of God’s promises to future Israel, and Dr. Charles H. Dyer the crucial differences between Israel (as a people and a nation) and the New Testament church. Moody Publishers, 2001 Soon? Why is Israel constantly in the news? What does the Bible say about Israel’s past and future? William MacDonald Discover the answers in these writings from professors at the Moody Bible Institute. ECS Ministries, 1991 Future Israel: Why Christian Anti-Judaism Must Be Challenged Armageddon, Now, Global Warfare, Doomsday, the of Christ, and Barry E. Horner the End of the World — all these are expressions that we increasingly find in current conversa - B & H Publishing Group, 2007 tion and literature. But how do they all fit into the scenario of the future? This booklet describes coming events in their proper biblical order and cites many indications that the end times are Horner examines the Bible consistent pro-Judaic direction in this third volume in the New near. The author avoids the tendency to sensationalize the daily news as fulfillments of prophesy. American Commentary Studies in Bible and Theology series for pastors, advanced Bible students, Nor does he fancifully identify any world leader as the . But he does see God setting and other deeply committed laypersons. the stage for the end of world history. He does see today’s headlines as shadows of coming Jacob’s Dozen: A Prophetic Look at the Tribes of Israel events. The lesson for everyone is, “Be Ready.” This booklet will tell you how! William Varner The Seven Last Things Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, 1987 David J. MacLeod Jacob’s Dozen is a study of the biblical history and prophecies associated with each of the tribes ECS Ministries, 2003 of Israel. It is based on Jacob’s deathbed prophecies concerning each of his twelve sons found in Revelation 19–21 is the New Testament’s classic passage on the return of Christ, a passage that Genesis 49. The remarkable manner in which each prophecy was fulfilled in that tribe’s history is has sometimes been called “the last things.” In it the apostle John sets forth seven major motifs clearly explained. Other fascinating subjects, such as the lost tribe of Israel and the role of the of Biblical . These include: An Introduction to the “Last Things,” The Second coming tribes in the end times, are explored. You will be amazed and blessed by this scholarly, yet readable of Christ, The Defeat of Antichrist, The Binding of , The Millennial Kingdom of Christ, The prophetic look at the tribes of Israel. Release of Satan and Man’s Final Rebellion, The and the End of the World, and The New Heaven and the New Earth. Detailed notes provide citation references and additional Zechariah’s Prophetic Vision for the New World information for a comprehensive study. Norbert Lieth The Olive Press Publisher, 2002 2013 Assembly Address Book Learn what lies ahead for Israel and the world. You’ll see Israel’s past successes and failures and how ECS Ministries, 2013 history repeats itself. Above all, you’ll see into the prophetic future in magnificent detail, with end- Now at 392 pages, the 2013 Assembly Address Book is hot off the press. And now with a times events culminating in the glorious reclamation of Israel followed by an era of genuine world subsidized price, the book is only $5. (plus s/h). peace when the reigns. The Address Book section lists many assemblies of Christians throughout the United States Three Views on the Rapture and Canada. It is a helpful resource for Christians who travel or relocate. It contains a wealth Richard R. Reiter, Paul D. Feinberg, Gleason L. Archer Jr., Douglas J. Moo of information, including addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, websites, meeting times, Zondervan, 1996 and persons to contact for further information. The Commended Workers section, in addition to address, phone, and email information, pro - Three Views on the Rapture guides students and pastors in considering and evaluating the three pri - vides commendation listings and ministry details. The list of commended Christian workers is mary ways evangelicals currently understand the Bible’s teaching on the rapture. Scholars present published to encourage prayer and personal contact. Entries are organized by state and alphabet - their preferred interpretive models in point-counterpoint style, and general editor Alan Hultburg’s ized by last name within each state. An index is also provided for ease of use. introduction and conclusion frame the discussion. The Camp section lists assembly camp information for each state or province, along with full Every Prophecy of the Bible: Clear Explanations for Uncertain Times contact details. The Service Organization section is categorized by ministry activity and similarly John F. Walvoord lists full contact details. David C. Cook, 2011 Every Prophecy of the Bible brings clear answers to more than 1,000 key prophecies, backed with To order contact John Rush at the Emmaus Bible College Library solid Scriptural evidence. ([email protected] or 563-588-8000 ext. 1003)

2 Journey : Fall 2012 Journey : Fall 2012 3 Journey | magazine Whatever By David A. Glock, Happened to Prophe cy? Editor he giant-sized chart hardly fit on the grave markers are portions of be the glory both now and forever. across the back of the platform the promises of the oft-repeated verses Amen (2 Pet. 3:11, 12, 17, 18). T at the "Hall" where we all from Thessalonians. PROPHECY IS The last issue of Journey related gathered for an extended series of spe - VERY RELAVENT. Childhood to the decline of expository preaching cial meetings. The series was undeter - lessons are important! God in His in the churches. There is likewise a mined in length depending on the great grace has not only saved us, but decline in emphasis of the teaching time needed for the traveling brother in Holy Scriptures He has revealed of prophetic truth—this giving way to complete the series, and the meas - the whole story of salvation—the to applicational challenges and so- ure of endurance of the faithful saints beginning, the middle, and the end. called relevant topical exhortation. who would not think of forsaking The story ends well! Consequent ly, issues relating to their assembling together. It seemed Prophecy was so much a part of prophecy have become confused and to me as a child that the series would the Brethren movement that Charles blurred. This issue of Journey will never come to an end— especially Spurgeon said of them, “Ye men of treat some of these subjects with the because the traveling brother was resid - Plymouth, why stand ye gazing up hope of helping to restore clarity of ing with my family (The meals were into heaven?” This was not meant as a thinking and a renewal of a biblical wonderful!). I should have guessed it compliment, but it really is nonethe - emphasis of future things. Subjects would be a long series. The chart was less. Many exhortations of Scripture presented include: entitled, FROM ETERNITY TO relating to daily living find their basis ETERNITY! Because of this series a in the certain hope of the future • Will the Church Go Through favorite hymn that I often requested return of the Lord. A few follow: the Tribulation? in the Sunday evening Gospel • Is There a Future for Israel? Meeting was NO NIGHT THERE, And now, little children, abide in • Will Christ Reign on the Earth? # 397 in Choice Hymns of the Faith Him, that when He appears, we • Are Christ’s hymnal. Hardly a contemporary hymn may have confidence and not be Prophecies Already Fulfilled? for an eight-year-old! ashamed before Him at His coming. • What is Progressive From birth until my departure Beloved, now we are children of Dispensationalism? from home to attend Emmaus Bible God; and it has not yet been • Covenant Theology and the School when I was 18, my father con - revealed what we shall be, but we Covenants of the Bible ducted family devotions without fail. know that when He is revealed, we After dinner, one chapter of the Bible, shall be like Him, for we shall see If anybody still has the chart the book of Chronicles and all, two Him as He is. And everyone who FROM ETERNITY TO ETERNITY, verses each. Then prayer, and then has this hope in Him purifies perhaps we could dust it off and get the repetition of 1 Thessalonians: himself, just as He is pure back up to speed on the biblical (1 Jn. 2:28; 3:2, 3). future. This would help us to live as For the Lord Himself will descend pilgrims and strangers and ambassa - from heaven with a shout, with the Therefore, since all these things will dors and citizens of heaven! It will voice of an archangel, and with the be dissolved, what manner of per - also help us to know what to engrave trumpet of God. And the dead in sons ought you to be in holy conduct on grave markers! ? Christ will rise first. Then we who and godliness, looking for and has - are alive and remain shall be caught tening the coming of the day of God, up together with them in the clouds because of which the heavens will be to meet the Lord in the air. And so dissolved, being on fire, and the ele - we shall always be with the Lord. ments will melt with fervent heat? Therefore comfort one another with You therefore, beloved, since you Dave Glock these words (1 Thess. 4:16-18). know this beforehand, beware lest Dave is a graduate of Emmaus, Philadelphia you also fall from your own stead - College of Bible, and Dallas Theological In a country cemetery in Iowa, fastness, being led away with the Seminary. He has taught at Emmaus since 1968 down the street from Emmaus, across error of the wicked; but grow in the and has served as Dean of Education for most of that period. He serves as an elder emeritus at from a cornfield, rest the remains of grace and knowledge of our Lord Asbury Community Chapel. Dave has four chil - my parents and my dear wife. Inscribed and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him dren, all of whom serve in Assembly ministries, fourteen grandchildren, and one great grandson.

4 Journey : Fall 2012 Journey : ll 2007 Journey : Fall 2012 5 Journey | Will the Church Go Through the Tribulation?

THE BLESSED HOPE The Promise of the Rapture having our bodies instantaneously OF THE CHURCH and the Resurrection changed from our present mortal and corruptible bodies to our incorruptible , The details of what will happen when The Promise Return resurrection bodies (1 Cor. 15:51-52). Christ returns to take the church to We will no longer have a sin nature; When Christ spoke to His disciples in be with Himself are spelled out in 1 we will no longer be tempted; we will the upper room on the night before Thessalonians 4:13–18 and 1 no longer sin; we will be forever in His crucifixion, they were frightened Corinthians 15:51–58. Christ will the presence of Christ, and we will be and discouraged. He told them one of descend from heaven, believers who like Him. What a blessed hope and them would betray Him and He was have died will rise first, and then liv - glorious prospect! going to suffer and die. But He also ing believers will be caught up with said something that would stay with them to meet the Lord in the air (1 them and give them great hope and Th. 4:16-17). “And thus we shall A Watchful Church encouragement for the rest of their always be with the Lord” (v. 17). Because of this wonderful hope, the lives: “I will come again and receive This is why it is called the “blessed church in the New Testament was you to Myself, that where I am, hope.” Our hope is to be with the constantly looking for the coming of there you may be also” (Jn. 14:1–3). Lord for all eternity. The words Christ. The Thessalonians had He said He would come again. That “caught up” were translated in the “turned to God from idols to serve was the blessed hope of the church— Latin Vulgate by the word rapio, and the living and true God, and to wait the Second Coming of Christ to take it is from a form of this word we get for His Son from heaven, whom believers to be with Himself. the word “rapture” (Latin, raptus ). He raised from the dead, even Jesus This Rapture of the church involves who delivers us from the wrath to come” (1 Th. 1:9–10). Paul told the

Journey : Fall 2012 7 Journey | Will the Church Go Through the Tribulation? Journey | magazine

Philippians, “For our citizenship is in is disagreement, however, as to the tionism) which holds that only the Instead of the blessed hope of the the earth and make it their home. In promises are for us. That is, of course, heaven, from which we also eagerly timing of the Rapture—whether the godly Christians who are living at the any-moment coming of Christ, there the the phrase is the way we read our whole New wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus church will go through the Tribulation. time of Christ’s coming will be rap - is the dreaded prospect of persecution, found seven times and refers to those Testament. When we read a command, Christ” (Phil. 3:20). The verbs in tured, while the rest will be left on suffering, and death for many who oppose God and follow the a warning, an exhortation, or a prom - both passages express an eagerness and The Different Viewpoints Earth to go through the Tribulation. Christians before Christ comes. Antichrist () during the ise in Philippians or 1 Corinthians, we watchfulness which is also seen in Actually, there are a number of This last viewpoint is hard to recon - period of end-time judgments take that as applying to us, unless it is Titus 2:13: “Looking for the blessed different viewpoints on this issue. cile with the specific promise of 1 WHY THE CHURCH WILL described in Revelation 6—19 (3:10; something which is obviously restrict - hope and glorious appearing of our PRETRIBULATIONISTS maintain Corinthians 15:51–52 which says we NOT GO THROUGH THE 6:10; 8:13; 11:10; 13:8, 14; 17:8). The ed to the specific historical situation great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” the Rapture will take place before the will all be instantly changed ( “in a TRIBULATION definite article ( “the hour of trial” ) (e.g. 2 Tim. 4:13, “When you come, This hope was a challenge and an moment in the twinkling of an eye” ). indicates this is a specific period. bring with you the cloak I left in Let me give four reasons why I encouragement to godly living. Troas with Carpas and the scrolls, believe the New Testament teaches especially the parchments” ). The The Importance of this Issue the Second Coming of Christ is going ecause you have kept promise to the church at Philadelphia THE DEBATE ABOUT THE Will the church I am going to argue for the pretribula - to be in two stages and the Rapture is b was a promise of deliverance from a RAPTURE AND END-TIME tional position, but let me first stress going to be before the Tribulation. EVENTS go through the that this is an important issue and has My coMMand to trial which would take place long after very practical ramifications. What is that particular church ceased to exist. The Christ’s Promise to the It is a promise for us today. tribulation or Will your hope? My hope is that the Lord Church at Philadelphia persevere , i also Will In the Olivet Discourse, the great Jesus will come and take me to be Because you have kept My prophetical message of Christ to His with Himself before the period of The Issue: What is the command to persevere, I also keep you froM the hour of disciples, He taught them that before the church be caught tribulation begins. This is a wonderful Nature of the Promised will keep you from the hour of His coming to the earth in power and and blessed hope, not only because Deliverance? glory, there would be a time of great trial which shall come upon the up to be With of the deliverance from the great trial Which shall coMe What is clear is the promise to the tribulation such as has never occurred whole world, to test those who Tribulation, but also because the church of deliverance from the “hour before or after (Mt. 24:21, 29–31). dwell on the earth (Rev. 3:10). christ by the coming of Christ may occur at any upon the Whole World , of trial,” the Tribulation that is going This Tribulation is part of a seven- moment and I will be forever with Revelation 2 –3 consists of seven to come at the end of this age before year period of tribulation prophesied Him. I am to live in the light of that letters of the risen Christ communi - to test those Who dWell the Second Coming of Christ. The by Daniel in his famous prophecy of rapture before the any-moment coming of Christ. That cated through the apostle John to question that relates to the issue of the “seventy weeks” (Mt. 24:15; cf. is an incentive to godly living, so that seven first-century churches in Asia whether the church will go through Dan. 9:24-27). tribulation ? I will not be caught unaware and “be on the earth . (r ev . 3:10) Minor (modern-day Turkey). The the Tribulation is the nature of that ashamed before Him at His coming” church in Philadelphia is given a promise. Is it a promise that the The Issue (1 Jn. 2:28). promise of deliverance from the hour church will completely escape the It is clear in that Christ Tribulation. POSTTRIBULATION - What is the hope of the post - of trial which is going to come upon A Promise for hour of trial by being removed first will come in power and glory at the ISTS say it will take place after the tribulationist? For the posttribulation - the whole world. the Whole Church through the Rapture or is it a promise end of this period of tribulation. But is Tribulation. There are also ist Christ cannot come today. The that the church will be delivered by This promise was not just for a single this a reference to the time of the MIDTRIBULATIONISTS who place awful events of the Tribulation must being preserved safe through the trial? The Hour of Trial— church in the first century. What Rapture? Is the Second Coming of the Rapture in the middle of Daniel’s take place first. I cannot be looking for We may use OT illustrations to pose was written to the seven individual Christ in one or two stages? Will the 70th week. A more recent viewpoint the coming of Christ today because it The Great Tribulation the question. Will the church be churches was a message for the whole church go through the Tribulation or is a combination of the midtribula - must be at least seven years off. In fact The reference to the hour of trial is a delivered as Lot was delivered from church. This is seen in the statement will the church be caught up to be tional and posttribulational positions the posttribulational view has become reference to the specific Tribulation of the judgment on Sodom by being that ends each of the seven letters: with Christ by the Rapture before the and is known as the PRE-WRATH an incentive for some not to live as Daniel’s 70th week, not the general removed from the city before its “He who has an ear, let him hear Tribulation? Christians have differed Rapture (i.e. almost at the end of the salt and light in the midst of an tribulation believers will endure dur - destruction (Gen. 19), or will the what the Spirit says to the churches” in the answer to this question. Those seven years but before the outpouring ungodly world but to withdraw from ing the entire church age (Jn. 16:33). deliverance be like that of the three (2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22). These who are premillennial—i.e. who of God’s wrath on the earth which the world, buy a farm, build a shelter, This hour of trial is said to be world - Hebrews, Shadrach, Meshach, and churches represent different kinds believe that Christ will come to reign will last for a very short period). A and to arm oneself with provisions wide: “the whole world.” It is specifi - Abednego, as they were kept safe in of churches that existed in the first on Earth for 1,000 years (Rev. 20:4–6) final viewpoint is the PARTIAL and weapons with which to endure cally to test “those who dwell on the the fiery furnace (Dan. 4)? century and have existed throughout —generally agree there will be a RAPTURE position (a combination the great Tribulation. What is the earth.” The word dwell is a strong term the church. The warnings and the future Tribulation of seven years. There of pretribulationism and posttribula - blessed hope of the posttribulationist? describing those who settle down on

8 Journey : Fall 2012 Journey : Fall 2012 9 Journey | Will the Church Go Through the Tribulation? Journey | magazine

The Specific Promise: This particular combination of them from the evil one means keep - at the Rapture with what takes place there will be some who die during the the children or descendants of some “I Will Keep You Out of verb and preposition (Greek, te–re o– ek ) ing them from perishing, keeping at this posttribulational coming, we Millennium. Isaiah describes the of the believers who entered into the the Hour of Trial” is found only one other place in the them from apostasy and from being must conclude that these events do longevity of those who live during Kingdom. They cannot be the chil - Bible, John 17:15. We determine the lost. The prayer in verse 15 to “keep not take place at the same time. this period by saying, “The child shall dren of the resurrected believers, since It is important to look carefully at the meaning of words and phrases by their them from the evil one” means total There must be an interval of time die one hundred years old, but the resurrected believers will not repro - specific promise. There is a verb and usage. Determining the meaning of exclusion from the evil one. So the between the Rapture and Christ’s sinner being one hundred years old duce (Mt. 22:30. At the beginning of a preposition which are rendered in this phrase in John 17:15 can help us promise in Revelation 3:10 to keep coming at the end of the Tribulation. shall be accursed” (65:20). Christ’s Millennial Kingdom there will many of our English translations in our understanding of its meaning in them from the hour of trial involves In the judgment of the sheep and the be unresurrected believers on Earth. “keep from.” A literal translation is Revelation 3:10. Speaking in the total exclusion from that period. goats which takes place “when the But where do these unresurrected “keep out of.” It is the combination of Upper Room Discourse, Jesus prays for We should not overlook the word Son of Man comes in His glory” the any- moment believers come from? At the Rapture the verb and the preposition together His disciples, “I do not pray that You hour . The promise is not just to be (Mt. 25:31), the nations will be gath - “those who are Christ’s at His com - which give us the promise. Some have should take them out of the world, kept from the trial, but the very time ered before Christ’s throne and He ing” will be raised (1 Cor. 15:23). tried to isolate the preposition and nature of his period itself. will separate the sheep, who represent “We will all be changed” (15:51). “This argue that the word “out of” implies The posttribulationist has great believers, from the goats, who repre - mortal will have put on immortality” that something is first “inside.” There - coming requires the difficulty in showing how Revelation sent unbelievers (25:32). The sheep and death will be swallowed up in vic - fore the church first must be inside ten seconds 3:10 is a meaningful promise in the will enter the Kingdom (25:34), and tory (15:54). Immediately after the the Tribulation before it can be deliv - light of the sufferings endured by the the goats will suffer eternal punish - rapture to be before Rapture there will be no unresurrected ered out of it. That is not the way lan - after the saints during the Tribulation. In ment (25:41, 46). believers left on the earth. There must guage works. The verb and the prepo - Revelation 6:9–11 there is a descrip - Where do these sheep (believers) be an interval of time before the sition must be considered together. any of the events tion of the martyrs who were slain come from? 1 Thessalonians 4:17 says establishment of the Kingdom for the Notice that the Lord did not use rapture there during the Tribulation. How were that at the time of the Rapture all gospel to be preached and the men the verb “take.” He did not say, “I will predicted to take they protected? Their tribulation suf - living believers “will be caught and women converted who will be the take you out of the hour of trial.” That will be no ferings are described in 7:15–17. The up…to meet the Lord in the air.” unresurrected believers who enter the would clearly indicate the church Antichrist will make war with the Ten seconds after the Rapture there place during the Kingdom. This will take place during would experience the Tribulation. He believers left on saints and “shall persecute the saints will be no believers left on the earth. the period of the Tribulation. could have used a different preposition of the Most High” (Dan. 7:21, 25). There must be an interval of time tribulation, and the if He wanted to indicate the protec - the earth. How then will they be protected after the Rapture during which the tion of the church in the Tribulation. The Imminency according to the promise of Revela - gospel is preached and unbelievers are He could have said, “I will keep you absence of any of Christ’s Coming tion 3:10? The Tribulation is the great converted who will be the sheep of through the hour of trial,” or “I will Our previous argument does not say but that You should keep them day of God’s wrath (Rev. 6:16), but . This argument does not keep you in the midst of the hour of how long the interval between the (te–re o– ek ) from the evil one” (Jn. 17:15). the church is not destined for wrath specify how long that interval will be, mention of the church trial.” Any of these would express the Rapture and the Second Coming must Some posttribulationists have used but is delivered by Jesus from the but it does indicate that there will be idea that the posttribulationists hold be, but if the Tribulation is future and this verse to say that just as the disci - wrath to come (1 Th. 1:10; 5:9). two stages to Christ’s Second Advent. during the to—that the church must go through if Christ’s return for the church is ples remain in the world but are pro - the Tribulation but will experience imminent, then the Rapture must be tected from the temptations of the God’s protection. THE RAPTURE MUST An Interval is Required tribulation is an before the Tribulation. Imminency evil one, so the saints will be in the The expression “keep out of” OCCUR BEFORE CHRIST’S Because of the Resurrection means that Christ could return at any Tribulation but safeguarded through indicates complete immunity from the COMING TO THE EARTH That Takes Place at the moment. It could be today. It also it. That interpretation ignores the “eloquent silence.” hour of trial. For instance, if a coach IN POWER AND GLORY Second Advent means that we don’t know when He context of John 17. The subject of the told one of his players before the game We have seen from the judgment of will come and there is nothing pre - prayer is not protection from tempta - An Interval Is Required Second, there will be reproduc - “I will take you out of the game,” the the sheep and the goats that only dicted in Scripture which must take tion but rather eternal destiny. In Because of the Separation tion during the Millennium. John player would know that he would get believers will enter the Kingdom (Mt. place before He can come. verse 11 Jesus prays that the Father describes in Revelation 20:7-9 those into the game at some time. But if the That Takes Place at the 25:34, 41, 46). Some will have their The NT church was looking for would keep His disciples after His who will follow Satan after he is coach said “I will keep you out of the Rapture resurrected, glorified bodies (Rev. the coming of Christ. There was a departure from the world. In verse 12 released for a short while from the game,” the player would know that he Matthew 24 –25 (the Olivet 20:4), and some will still have their sense of expectancy, eagerness, and He says that while He was with them, bottomless pit in rebellion against wasn’t going to get into the game at Discourse) clearly describes Christ’s mortal bodies. This latter point can be watchfulness. This is seen in the pas - He “was keeping (te–re o–) them” and God. Who are these unbelievers who all. Second Coming after the Tribulation. seen from two lines of evidence. First, sages quoted above under the heading rebel against Christ? They must be “none of them perished.” Keeping When we compare what takes place of “a watchful church.” The

10 Journey : Fall 2012 Journey : Fall 2012 11 Journey | Will the Church Go Through the Tribulation? Journey | magazine

Thessalonians were “waiting for his The Absence of Any Tribulation of Daniel’s 70th week and Son” (1 Th. 1:10). The Philippians Mention of the Church in that the church will not be on Earth were “eagerly waiting for the Savior, Tribulational Passages during this period. Not only do we the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil 3:20). have the specific promise that the It is significant that there is no The church was “looking for the church will be kept out of that period mention of the church in any passage blessed hope and glorious appearing of trial (Rev. 3:10), we also see that which specifically refers to the Tribu - of our great God and Savior Jesus the Rapture and the Second Coming lation. This is not to say that there Christ” (Ti. 2:13). If the events of the to Earth cannot occur at the same will not be any believers during the Tribulation had to take place first, the time. The any-moment nature of His tribulation. There are general terms church could not have been looking coming requires the Rapture to be like “saints” and the “elect” which are for the coming of Christ Himself. before any of the events predicted to used to describe believers during the The coming of Christ after the take place during the Tribulation, and time of the Tribulation. But the term Tribulation is not imminent. In the the absence of any mention of the “church” or descriptions distinctive Olivet Discourse Christ describes His church during the Tribulation is an of the church such as “the body of Second Coming after the great Tribu - “eloquent silence.” Christ” or “the bride of Christ” are lation during which there will be a A church that is looking for the not found in any tribulational passage number of signs of the end of the age, coming of Christ to occur at any (e.g. Mt. 24-25; Rev. 6-19). including the abomination of desola - moment will be a healthy church, I leave this argument until last tion (Mt. 24:3-31). It is striking that a godly church, a militant church. because it is an argument from after a description of these signs, He John looked forward to that day when silence, and sometimes an argument says, “Now learn the from Christ shall appear and says, “Every- from silence is a weak argument. But the fig tree: when its branch has one who has this hope in Him puri - sometimes an argument from silence already become tender and puts forth fies himself, just as He is pure” (1 can be very eloquent. If my wife were its leaves, you know that summer is Jn. 3:3). We will be eagerly anticipat - to ask me, “Do you love me?” and I near; so, you too, when you see all ing and filled with the hope of His were to respond with silence, I guar - these things, recognize that He is coming if we love Him and desire to antee that silence would be consid - near, right at the door” (Mt be with Him, if we hate our own sin ered significant. 24:32–33). The coming of Christ is and long to be like Christ, and if we In Revelation 1 –3 the church is not near until after these events of the desire to see Him receive the honor mentioned frequently. The word for Tribulation. They are to look for the that is His due as King of kings and church, ekkl –esia occurs 19 times in signs before they look for the coming Lord of lords, when every knee will these three chapters. Revelation 22:16 of the Lord. bow and every tongue confess that also mentions the church. Yet in The expectant watchfulness of Jesus Christ is Lord (Phil. 2:10-11). chapters 6 –19 which describe the the early church in looking for the May the cry of our hearts be, Tribulation period, there is no men - coming of Christ shows they believed “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” tion of the church. In fact, after each in imminency. The posttribulational - (Rev. 22:20). ? of the seven letters to the churches of ist cannot be looking for the coming the first century in chapters 2 –3, we of Christ Himself. They should be n order to know whether or not time after the formation of ancient elect people, descended from Abraham, have the statement: “He who has an looking for the events of the Tribula - Ithere is a future for Israel we need to nations like Assyria and Egypt (Gen. Isaac, and Jacob, is part of a design to ear, let him hear what the Spirit says tion. They should be looking for the ascertain what we mean by “Israel.” Is 10; 12:1–3; Isa. 43:1–7). The name bring blessing to the entire world to the churches.” But in 13:9 which abomination of desolation. They it historic Israel, a people group, the Israel was given to this people at the (Gen. 12:3). In order that this prom - relates to the Antichrist and the Jack Fish should be looking for the coming of State of Israel, or all of these? We will time of Jacob (Gen. 32:27–28). Later ised universal blessing become a reali - worship of him during the Tribulation, As a result of listening to Billy Graham, Jack placed the Antichrist, not the coming of his trust in Christ during his Junior year of high school. use the Bible as our guide in order to Moses explained that God’s choice ty, it was necessary that the patriarchs it simply says: “If anyone has an ear, Christ. In their view the Antichrist He graduated from Brown University with a B.A. in decide how to answer this question. It of Abraham and his descendants was and their descendants have a special let him hear.” must come first. Linguistics and went on to receive Th.M and Th.D degrees from Dallas Theological Seminary. For the past is always helpful to know the begin - not on the basis of any special merit relationship with God. It was also 43 years, Jack has taught at Emmaus Bible College. nings of something in order to grasp (Dt. 4:37; 7:6–8), but to be a people necessary they have a territory where CONCLUSION He currently serves as Editor of the Emmaus Journal its true meaning, so that is where we consecrated to Himself, for the work - they could experience divine blessing I have been arguing that Rapture of and as an elder emerius at Asbury Community Chapel in Asbury, Iowa. Nancy and Jack have four grown will start. ing out of His purposes with mankind or chastisement, according to whether the church is going to be before the children and fourteen grandchildren. The Bible teaches that God (26:18–19). Moreover it is important or not they obeyed the Law given to created Israel very deliberately, a long to remember that the creation of this them by God (Gen. 15:18-19; Ps. 105:

12 Journey : Fall 2012 Journey : Fall 2012 13 Journey | Is There a Future for Israel in Biblical Prophecy? Journey | magazine

4-11; Dt. 28). No other nation has have written” (Rom. 11:26). Thus sentative of the United States govern - the terms of the Mandate. Even so, on spiritual renewal accords with biblical In practice it is thought that wherever ever had a similar relationship with Israel will be restored and, as a nation, ment; and the Italian representative November 19, 1947, the newly formed prophecy, suggesting that the creation you find “Israel” in the Bible you God (Amos 3:2). will enter into the new covenant. who hosted the conference. On July United Nations voted on a resolution and survival of the modern State of should understand the text to be talk - There are more than 2,000 men - At this writing, the prime minis - 24, 1922, the Mandate to bring about which assigned a small portion of the Israel is the fruit of the workings of ing about the church, particularly tions of Israel in the Hebrew Bible and ter of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli statehood was entrusted to territory formerly allotted to Israel for divine providence in history. This leads where promises are involved. 73 in the New Testament. This makes has created a government of national Britain by the newly established the establishment of a Jewish state. The us to conclude that Israel does have a Some years ago I was surprised Israel the second subject of Biblical unity because of the extreme risk of League of Nations and became opera - rest of the territory west of the Jordan future, in view of the restoration of all to discover that, while Replacement revelation, second only to God having to face war with Iran and with tive in September 1923. This mandate was partitioned off for “Palestinians.” Theology had been the majority posi - Himself. Israel is one of the four insti - its allies. Had the other Middle required Britain to encourage the The Jews accepted this arrangement, tion within Christendom from post- tutions God has created: the family establishment of Jews in the Jewish although the territory assigned them apostolic times until the middle of the (Gen. 2:24), government (Gen. 9:6), homeland, grant citizenship to Jewish was but a fraction of that written into There are more than 19th century, just three months after Israel (the book of Genesis), and the immigrants, and promote the consti - international law in 1922. Several 2,000 mentions of Israel the founding of the modern State of church (Mt. 16:18; Acts 2:1-42; It is amazing that tution of a Jewish Nation. 1 remarkable changes in political policy, Israel the first Assembly of the World 11:15). So the answer to our question the Israelites are still a These decisions, and the willing - especially on the part of Russia, in the Hebrew Bible and Council of Churches issued a cautious “What do we mean by Israel?” is: The ness of Great Britain to accept the role assured the required two-thirds major - repudiation of the concept, on the name Israel refers to a historic, ethnic recognizable people group of mandatory power, constitute a rare ity when the vote was taken by the 73 in the New basis of God’s continuing covenant people created by God, descended from example of human governments act - United Nations General Assembly. Testament. This with Israel! 2 This sudden change of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who have after two millennia ing in harmony with God’s revealed Thus David Ben-Gurion was fully in opinion suggested to me that Replace - been entrusted with a territory in which of being exiled, hunted, will and purpose (Gen. 15:18). In his rights when on May 14, 1948, he makes Israel the ment Theology was more the product to live and serve Him. his discourse to the philosophers of proclaimed the birth of the sovereign second su bject of biblical of circumstance than the fruit of care - persecuted, and Athens Paul declared it is God’s State of Israel. ful reflection on God’s Word. I was Does Israel have a future? massacred by the prerogative to determine the times set The Arab nations did not accept revelation, second only to challenged to consider the following It is amazing that the Israelites, who for all nations “and the exact places the United Nations resolution and God Himself. New Testament passages thought to usually go under the name of “Jews” millions. where they should live” (Acts 17: immediately waged war against the favor Replacement Theology: John (from Judah), are still a recognizable 24–26). Unfortunately the respect nascent State of Israel. Against all 8:30–59; Matthew 21:42–44; Acts people group after two millennia of shown by international politics for the human odds Israel survived. So far as 15:1–18; Galatians 3:26–29; 6:16; being exiled, hunted, persecuted, and shape of the Promised Land as deter - financial support of Israel is concerned, Ephesians 2:11–22; Hebrews 8:1–13; 1 massacred by the millions. Many times mined by God was short-lived. How - Golda Meir tells in her autobiography Peter 2:4–10; Philippians 3:4–9; and 1 the Jews have tried to assimilate with ever, the nations need to know that that this came partly from the Jewish Thessalonians 2:15–16. So I examined the people among whom they were failure to respect the boundaries of the community in the United States and these passages carefully in their con - dispersed but this has not worked. They territories assigned by God to Israel partly from the extraordinary develop - text and came to the conclusion, that have remained “a separate people, not Eastern nations and indeed the United carries with it the promise of divine ment of Israeli industry and agricul - things as envisaged by the prophets for the New Testament writers, God’s counted among the nations” (Num. Nations respected international law, judgment. Speaking of the gathering ture. Christian Zionists have also (Acts 3:21). purpose in the church, made up of 23:9). Today about seven million Jews there would be no risk of war. When of the nations around the borders of played a part but the nation’s survival both Jews and Gentiles, does not imply live in part of the Promised Land, the representatives of the main allied restored Judah and Jerusalem, God was due to other factors. What is the repudiation of Israel as the elect 3 significantly called Israel; an equal forces met at San Remo, Italy, on says: “Then I will enter into judgment The history of the modern State Replacement Theology? nation. On the other hand there are April 26, 1920, to divide up what had against them concerning my inheri - of Israel has been accompanied by the passages such as Romans 11 which number live in other countries. For more than 19 centuries the Jewish been the Ottoman Empire, they tance, my people Israel, for they scat - progressive fulfillment of the prophecy strongly deny Replacement Theology. In Romans 11:25–29 the apostle people have been the object of con - incorporated the Balfour Declaration tered my people among the nations of Ezekiel 36:25–26. This prophecy Of course to those Jews, past and Paul informs us that even unbelieving tempt and suspicion. One of the causes into international law, allotting to and divided up my land” (Joel 3:1–2). envisages the Jews returning to their present, who do not recognize Jesus as members of the nation of Israel con - of this attitude is Replacement Israel all the territory which now in - By 1925 Britain had assigned all homeland in unbelief and then expe - the Messiah whose coming was pre - tinue to be part of God’s elect people. Theology, the idea that Israel has been cludes Israel, Jordan, and the disputed the land east of the Jordan River to riencing spiritual renewal. On the day dicted by the Hebrew prophets, much At present this part of Israel remains repudiated by God and has been replaced territories which commonly go under Emir Abdullah, to form the kingdom the modern State of Israel was born, in the New Testament will appear hardened but at the conclusion of by the church for every aspect of the the name of the West Bank (Judea of Jordan, intended for the Arab pop - Messianic believers living in the anti-Judaic, despite the fact that one the times of the Gentile nations, the working out of His plan. It is important and Samaria). Among the signatories ulations living in the area. During the country numbered less than 30. Now of the major prophets predicted the Redeemer will come to Zion, induce to trace the origin of this idea because were the prime minister of Great following decades Britain allowed there are more than 100 Messianic advent of a new covenant (Jer. 31: a national repentance and thus “all much of Christendom takes for grant - Britain, David Lloyd George; a repre - Arab pressure to stop it carrying out assemblies throughout the land. Such 31–34). To Jews who ignore the fact Israel will be saved, as the prophets ed that this is what the Bible teaches.

14 Journey : Fall 2012 Journey : Fall 2012 15 Journey | Is There a Future for Israel in Biblical Prophecy? Journey | magazine

that Jesus brought this covenant into 23:23; Lk. 19:11–27; Acts 3:20–21). enduring form of the Jews’ historical Jewish sage Yohanan ben Zakkai had The Epistle of Barnabas Esau (and his descendants) while the being through His atoning sacrifice In that day Zion (Jerusalem) and a monotheistic faith. Apocalyptic forms received permission from Rome to set ca. A.D. 140) younger is Jacob (and his descendants). (Lk. 22:20), passages in which new restored Israel will be the center of of Judaism like that espoused at up a school for rabbinical study, the Paul cites this prophecy in Romans to Commenting on the fact that Moses covenant believers, both Jews and the Messianic Kingdom. Qumran were discredited by the rabbis developed puns to distort the show that Israel’s position as the elect broke the original tablets of stone Gentiles, are said to share in some - But if the New Testament con - Roman victory in A.D. 70. The failure meaning of the word gospel. Moreover nation depends upon God’s purpose when he became aware of the nation’s thing more glorious than that formerly firms the Old Testament expectation of the Jewish revolt led by Bar Kochba the Birkath ha-Minim, a pronounce - and not upon human works. The transgression, this anonymous writer experienced by Israel (Eph. 2:11–21; of a Messianic Kingdom, to coincide in A.D. 132-135 further discredited ment against heretics which is part author of Barnabas completely ignores concludes the Lord never did give the Heb. 11:39–40), and those that the Jewish hopes of an imminent of the 12th benediction in the Jewish the way the phrase is used both in promised testament to unworthy describe the church as a chosen people kingdom. 5 Meanwhile the importance liturgical prayer, Eighteen Benedictions, Genesis and Romans and links it with Israel; rather it has been given to the and a royal priesthood (1 Pet. 2:9–10), This negative stance of of Jewish Christianity was reduced by is thought to be directed against Genesis 48:17–19, contending that in will seem to be both illegitimate and the forced exile of the Jerusalem Christians. 10 There is evidence of both cases the younger child refers to arrogant. The same can be said of Christians against Jews Christians to Transjordan in A.D. 66 this in early Christian apologist Justin the church, the true heir to the statements according to which and Judaism consolidated and the loss of prestige Jewish Martyr’s Dialogue with Trypho, written Today about seven covenant. In fact the writing, as a Gentiles are admitted into the sphere Christianity suffered due to the about A.D. 150. At a certain point million Jews live whole, manifests the latent presuppo - of God’s blessing without entering the into an Adversus destruction of Jerusalem. 6 Justin accuses the Jews of “cursing in sition that the church, the true heir of the covenant of Law (Acts 15:7–11; Rom. Judaeos tradition which Following the Jewish war of A.D. your synagogues those that believe on in part of the promises, occupies the place that Israel 3:2–31). 66-70, Rome was increasingly hostile Christ.” 11 However such attitudes were had always been unworthy of occupying. It is worth noting that the apostle permeated much of the towards both Judaism and Christianity not unilateral. Ignatius, bishop of Promised Land, Peter is careful not to use the definite writings of the church because both were monotheistic and Antioch, writing around A.D. 115, significantly called Justin Martyr’s Dialogue with article in 1 Peter 2:9–10, although opposed the use of images. Moreover instigated his Christian readers to Trypho, a Jew (ca. A.D. 150) some translations have wrongly intro - Christianity could not boast of a long oppose all things Jewish. He claimed Israel; an equal fathers, favoring the In his First Apology Justin under - duced it, making verse 10 say: “Now history, unless it appropriated Jewish that the Hebrew prophets had lived normalization of number live in stands Christianity to be a product of you are the people of God” (NIV). history as its own. This situation according to Jesus Christ and not the logos present in Greek philosophy. Peter had previously affirmed that God produced a spirit of rivalry between according to the Jewish law. 12 other countries. Replacement Theology. Mean- It follows he has no reason to attach will fulfill all of His promises to Israel this new monotheistic community of while Christians freely appropriated particular importance to physical (Acts 3:19-21). So when Peter writes faith and the older Jewish community. to themselves much in the Hebrew Israel. Accordingly, in his Dialogue very accurately “a people of God” in New Testament scholar Dieter Georgi Scriptures which was originally with Trypho, a Jew, 15 Justin feels free his first letter, he is confirming James’ (1929-2005) wrote: “Toward the end addressed to Israel by interpreting to allegorize the Old Testament. An statement that God is “taking from of the first century CE, Jews and them allegorically. 13 extreme example of this and clear evi - the nations a people for himself” Christians began to develop their own This negative stance of Christians dence that by his time Replacement (Acts 15:14). This marks the fulfill - identities; not only against each other against Jews and Judaism consolidated Theology had become a theological ment of God’s promise to Abraham, with the return of Christ in glory and but also against the huge range of into an Adversus Judaeos tradition church which, through Christ, has presupposition is where, in comment - that all nations will be blessed the restoration of Israel to center stage other options available to them both. which permeated much of the writ - received the promised inheritance ing on Isaiah 42:1–4, he calls through his descendants, but does not in the working out of God’s plan in These options were suddenly consid - ings of the church fathers, favoring (XIV, 5). Alluding to Exodus 33:1–3, Christians “the true Israelite race” imply the repudiation of Israel. In fact, history, we must ask ourselves: ered deviant.” 7 According to Christian the normalization of Replacement The Epistle of Barnabas treats God’s (CXXXV). Contempt for the Jews, Jewish readers who shared the convic - history and doctrine professor Jaroslav Theology. Pelikan writes: “Virtually promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob who showed no sign of disappearing tion that Jesus is the Messiah would Pelikan (1923-2006): “The appropria - every major Christian writer of the How then did Replacement of a land as a parable of the from the scene, and unqualified praise have been surprised if there were no tion of the Jewish Scriptures and first five centuries either composed a Theology originate? Christians’ inheritance through Christ for the church is clearly seen where evidence in the apostolic writings of of the heritage of Israel helped treatise in opposition to Judaism or Few would dispute the fact that (VI, 6-17). Justin describes Trypho’s kindred as “a God “taking from the nations a people Christianity to survive the destruction made this issue a dominant theme the disastrous Jewish war of A.D. The disinheriting of Israel comes useless, disobedient, and faithless gen - for himself” (Gen. 12:3; Isa. 49:5–6; cf. of Jerusalem and to argue that with in a treatise devoted to some other 66-70, which saw the destruction of to a head in chapter XIII. The basis eration” while the church is described Acts 13:46–47; Gal. 3:8). Concern ing the coming of Christ Jerusalem had subject.” 14 We only have room here Jerusalem and the second Temple, of the discussion is Genesis 25:21–23 as “those who were selected out of unfulfilled elements of Old Testament served its purpose in the divine plan to give two early examples of how began a process which changed the and in particular the phrase “the older every nation have obeyed His will promise, such readers would have and could be forgotten.” 8 Replacement Theology became a face of Judaism and Jewish-Christian will serve the younger” quoted by through Christ—whom He calls also found reassurance reading the words There is no lack of evidence of theological presupposition: that is, relations. 4 The most significant devel - Paul in Romans 9:12. It is clear in Jacob, and names Israel” (CXXXV, of Jesus and the apostles concerning a this spirit of rivalry between Judaism “something is taken for granted, that opment within Judaism was the emer - the Genesis context that the older is 3–4). second coming of Christ (Mt. 13:36–43; 9 does not need to be proved.” gence of rabbinic Judaism as the only and Christianity. At Jamnia, where

16 Journey : Fall 2012 Journey : Fall 2012 17 Journey | Is There a Future for Israel in Biblical Prophecy? Journey | magazine

1 For a complete documentation of these decisions and the relative texts, see Eli E. Hertz, Conclusion This Land is My Land, “Mandate for Palestine” Legal Aspects of Jewish Rights, (New York, In practice, Replacement Theology NY, Myths and Facts, Inc., 2008). 2 The Theology of the Churches and the Jewish People: Statements by the World Council of has become a way of reading the Bible Churches and Its Member Churches, Allan Brockway, Paul van Buren, Rolf Rendtorff and which replaces Israel with the church Simon Schoon, eds. (Geneva, WWC Publications, 1988), 5-9. 3 For an exposition of these passages see my Israel and the Church: The Origin and Effects of and leads to the denial that ethnic Replacement Theology, (Wayesboro, GA: Authentic Media, 2004 [now distributed by Israel is still God’s elect people and IVP]), 29-68. 4 that Old and New Testament promises See James D.G. Dunn, The Partings of the Ways, London, SCM, 1991, pp. 230-259. 5 See F.F. Bruce, The Spreading Flame, The Paternoster Church History, vol. 1, Exeter: The regarding a future Messianic Kingdom Paternoster Press, 1958, pp. 261-267. are to be understood literally. This in 6 Inasmuch as the Romans forbade Jewish Christians to live in Jerusalem after A.D. 135, the church there was purely Gentile in nature (Bruce, ibid., p. 272). turn produces anti-Semitism, and its 7 Dieter Georgi, “The Early Church: Internal Jewish Migration or New Religion?” Harvard present expression, anti-Zionism. Theological Review 88/1 (1995): 65. ? 8 Jaroslav Pelikan, The Christian Tradition, 5 vol. (Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 1971-1989), 1:26. 9 See W.H.C. Frend, The Rise of Christianity, (Philadelphia, PA: Fortress Press, 1984), 135- 136. 10 Bruce, op. cit., 267. 11 Dialogue with Trypho , 16,4. 12 To the Magnesians, VIII, 10. 13 Pelikan, TCT 1:14-27. 14 See my Israel and the Church, ch. 3, n. 48, for a partial list of Greek and Latin works Ron Diprose belonging to the Adversus Judaeos tradition. Ron has an MA from Trinity Evangelical Divinity 15 Ante-Nicene Fathers, Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, A. Cleveland Coxe and Allan School and a PhD from the Evangelisch Theologisch Menzies, 10 vol. (Grand Rapids, MI, Eerdmans, 1986), 1:194-270. Facuteit. He was Academic Dean at the Istituto Biblico Evangelico Italiano, is editor of LUX BIBLICA and is author of numerous books, including Israel and the Church.. Together with his late wife Eunice, he has three married children and eight grandchildren.

By Sean Lillis

"After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild Introduction Bible is not complete if the assign - God’s sovereignty, to be satisfied? ment God gave to man is not accom - As we wrestle with these questions in Must Jesus Christ literally reign on plished. Something is missing. God’s the light of progressive revelation, it by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated Earth? The answer is yes for a number command to subdue and rule must be becomes apparent that 1) it is neces - of textual and theological reasons, but realized, and it must be realized here sary for man to one day literally sub - for the purposes of this article I want olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, on Earth, for it is here on Earth it was due and rule creation if God’s words to answer the question by tracing an given and was intended to be accom - are to be fulfilled and 2) that fulfill - often overlooked motif of Scripture plished. If this does not occur, then ment will be accomplished through be grafted into their own olive tree!" and demonstrate that Christ must there is a question that remains unan - the literal, earthly reign of Jesus indeed literally reign over this earth swered about God Himself. The narra - Christ. Therefore it is not only impor - because God’s assignment for man as tive of the Bible leads to a shocking tant to recognize the Bible teaches revealed in Genesis 1:26–28 strongly inference: If man does not literally Christ will reign physically on Earth, supports such a conclusion. reign, then the purpose of God, it it is essential. In short, Christ must The biblical story requires that, would seem, has failed, and if His pur - literally reign on Earth because in at the culmination, all the pieces be pose has failed, can God truly be God? doing so He accomplishes the divine put in their proper order so that a pro - How are these two interrelated assignment given to God’s image- nouncement of good can once again problems, the unfulfilled assignment bearers, and to this day, that purpose be made. The beginning demands an given to man and the question of stands unfulfilled. appropriate ending. The story of the

18 Journey : Fall 2012 Journey : Fall 2012 19 Journey | The Millennium Question Journey | magazine

God’s Purpose between God and mortal man, a bet - glory and honor to the Creator, the 8:19). No longer is creation a willing restoring all things back to the state The New Testament for Man Revealed ter explanation of the imago Dei is sovereign Lord of the universe, perfect participant; now man must exert his in which they were once pronounced The New Testament opens with a necessary, “one that focuses not so in all His attributes. 6 dominion by force. Created with the “very good.” There is a future sense to declaration which hints at the fulfill - Genesis 1:26–28 reveals it has always much on ontological equivalence as From the beginning, then, the express purpose of benefiting from the the doctrine of redemption and it is ment of these Old Testament promises. been God’s purpose for man to exer - on functional comparisons.” 5 earth has always craved a king. A benevolent rule of God’s representa - in the realization of this future sense One is coming who is truly the King, cise dominion over the earth, to bring Thus, the image of God is human king. Man was created with a tive, as a result of sin creation itself that it will become evident God has not just of Israel, but of the whole it into subjection. Man was created by revealed not primarily in what man bright future indeed, possessing a cer - now groans under the weight of the vindicated Himself and demonstrated earth. Yet as the Gospels unfold the the royal God to be royal himself— is constitutionally (although this is a tain quality and uniqueness not con - act and consequence of its fallen Himself to be the one true God, life of Jesus, it becomes clear that His king of the earth, 1 vice-regent with part of the picture), but in the actual veyed on any other created being. In monarch (Rom.8:19-22). sovereign over all. purpose in this coming is not to reign God. “‘Be fruitful and increase your - activity of man functioning as he was ability and appointment man stood And so the earliest chapters of as King. And so the life of Jesus in His selves, people the earth and subjugate much superior to the rest of creation. the Bible lead readers to a question: First Coming follows the trajectory laid and rule it’ (Gen. 1:28). In these God’s Purpose Man was created to be king, that by Has the purpose of God failed? out in the Old Testament, a course words the royal appointment of the for Man Restored his being and through his function Because if man never reigns over the that is not destined for exultation, but human race is plainly declared.” 2 The Old Testament HE ORD ESUS he might serve to glorify the King. earth that God created and originally rather humiliation, a fulfillment not “Man, created in God ’s image, is the T L J ’ Moving through the Old Testament, subjected to man’s authority, then of the decree to reign, but the decree channel and agent chosen by God there are glimpses that God’s divine DESTINY HAS must it not be concluded that God’s to die. to mediate His revealed will and to God’s Purpose appointment for man is still graciously purpose has failed, and He is, in fact, Yet this humiliation has a related implement His sovereign purposes. ”3 ALWAYS ULTIMATELY for Man Repressed in play: the choice of Abraham and not the one true God after all? Adam ’s purpose: the redemption of man and Reflecting on this appointment and As Bible readers know, however, God’s covenantal promises to him; the BEEN TO REIGN sin and its consequences seem to call his restoration to his intended posi - assignment, the psalmist incredulously the narrative moves quickly from election of the nation of Israel to be a into question God’s sovereignty. tion and function. In His substitution - exclaims, the heights of the creation story of kingdom of priests who reveal God to (L K. 1:32), BUT THE Without the ability and authority to ary death and subsequent resurrection, What is man that you are mindful Genesis 1 –2 into the depths of the the nations; the anointing of David accomplish His own will, if His pur - Jesus Christ accomplished what fallen of him, and the son of man that you PATH TO THAT Fall in Genesis 3. With one act of and the promise of an eternal throne poses can so easily be thwarted by a man could not: the reconciliation of care for him? Yet you have made disobedience, Adam damned all of through his lineage. In these and DESTINY REQUIRED crafty serpent, a foolish woman, and the created with the Creator. The him a little lower than the heavenly mankind to follow in his footsteps, more the theocratic kingdom of God an apathetic man, then what kind of curse is defeated and now man, made beings and crowned him with glory not as representatives of God on functioned, mediated by men God HE MUST DIE ON A God are we left with? alive by faith, can be restored to the and honor. You have given him Earth, but as vessels of depravity. elected to serve as His representatives. Yet this question, prompted by relationship and fellowship with God dominion over the works of your CROSS BEFORE HE No longer king of the earth, now man Yet, the effects of sin still clearly the sad narrative of Genesis 3, finds that was originally intended. Where hands; you have put all things under was enslaved to sin, a transaction that coursed through each reign. Creation COULD SIT ON A its answer as the rest of Scripture the first Adam had failed and brought his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also could never be undone by human still rebelled and the human mediator unpacks God’s plan of redemption. death to all men, the last Adam the beasts of the field, the birds of will or deed. failed, often catastrophically. THRONE . Redemption accomplishes many won - stands victorious and brings life to the heavens, and the fish of the sea, What is sometimes forgotten, But are these attempts at ruling derful things—God’s wrath is satisfied, those who believe. And so the whatever passes along the paths of however, is that in addition to intro - to be understood as the fulfillment of sinful man is reconciled to God, Gospels close with the ascension of the seas (Ps.8:4-8 ESV). ducing the physical and spiritual the divine appointment for men to restoration between the created and the risen Lord into heaven, to His effects of sin into humanity, Adam rule and bring all of creation into created to function. These shared the Creator is made possible; the list rightful place at His Father’s side, His In this act of dominion, the also abdicated the authority God gave subjection? Certainly not. Scattered characteristics between God and goes on and on and the heavens and atoning work complete. created was to reflect the Creator in him to function as king of the earth. throughout the Old Testament are man were to be displayed through the the earth will never tire of praising But still the issue of man’s pur - whose image and likeness he was The decision to break God’s com - hints and revelations of a time to function of man ’s appointment as vice the triune God for all the magnificent pose and God’s sovereignty remains, created. Traditional interpretations mandment resulted in banishment come when the divine intent will regent. They were to be expressed facets reflected in the doctrine of demonstrated in the opening of Acts of the imago Dei have often focused from Paradise, a stripping of royal be restored and executed. Yet from and demonstrated as he exercised his redemption. But it should also be as the disciples continue to stare into on drawing comparisons to shared authority, and a daily struggle with the perspective of these kings and divinely appointed charge over the remembered that God’s plan for deal - the sky as Jesus departs. The story is characteristics between God and man, the very earth he was originally to psalmists and prophets, this restora - earth. To be in the image and likeness ing with the problem of sin and its not finished, and it is committed to that is, both share the elements of have dominion over. Furthermore, tion remained still future. And so as of God is to reflect the perfections of consequences soundly puts to rest any two angels to remind the disciples personhood: intellect, emotion, and the earth itself experienced a curse. the Old Testament closes, the ques - the original from which the image was and all questions concerning God’s that there is more to be done: “Men will. Comparisons are also drawn to Created to be an ideal kingdom, since tion of the fulfillment of the decree based, to make visible the invisible, as sovereignty because redemption is of Galilee, why do you stand looking shared moral attributes: righteousness, the Fall all of creation has been in remains, as does the charge against it were, and thus as man fulfilled his also eschatological. It is about putting into heaven? This Jesus, who was justice, holiness, love, etc. 4 However, open rebellion against man’s attempts God’s sovereignty. purpose as God’s representative on things back in their proper place, taken up from you into heaven, will due to the vast differences that exist to exercise dominion over it (Rom. Earth, all of creation would sing the

20 Journey : Fall 2012 Journey : Fall 2012 21 Journey | The Millennium Question Journey | magazine

come in the same way as you saw him of the cross in this restorative process the simple delight that God has cho - the issue of God’s sovereignty. If we Conclusion story of the Bible is a story of redemp - go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). There or from becoming anthropocentric sen to shower upon us in creating us are to expect only a spiritual reign of tion, but that story is part of a bigger Our Sunday school teachers were not is hope, for though the cross was the in our understanding of the Bible, as in His image and bestowing upon us Christ and not a literal earthly reign, story, a narrative that focuses on the wrong. God does redeem man because goal of the Lord’s First Coming and though the Bible is all about us. The the honor of representing Him on or if we are to expect the Kingdom to self-revelation of the sovereign God He loves us and created us to enjoy although His redemptive work is com - Bible, first and foremost, is about Jesus Earth, an honor we have besmirched consist of the slow spread of the gospel whose Word will not return to Him unending communion with Him. But plete, the full purpose of His incarna - Christ and the revelation of God ’s through our sin. rather than the physical lordship of void. true as this is, it does not express His tion is not yet complete. He leaves eternal purposes and His plan of And so the cross is always central. Jesus Christ, then it is difficult to see Must Christ literally reign on the purpose in its fullest sense. He also His disciples with the promise He will redemption. It is Christocentric and The Lord Jesus’ destiny has always how the divine assignment of the earth? Indeed He must, for no less then redeemed man so that His words spo - return and it is as we consider the theocentric. ultimately been to reign (Lk. 1:32), opening chapter of Genesis has been the integrity of God is at stake. ken to His image-bearers in Genesis 1 ? nature of that return that we find the At the same time, it must be but the path to that destiny required realized and so the accusation against would be realized, and therefore, He is language of dominion and kingship acknowledged that the Bible does He must die on a cross before He God’s sovereignty stands unanswered. 1 The phrase “king of the earth” is borrowed sending His Son again for the purpose from Erich Sauer’s book of the same title and authority over all the earth, lan - could sit on a throne. 8 Why? Because It is only if Christ returns and sets up of reigning over and upon the earth. (Erich Sauer, King of the Earth: The High guage reminiscent of Genesis 1:26–28. like Adam, Jesus stood as man’s repre - His Kingdom and redeemed man reigns Calling of Man According to the Bible and We may forget those little sen - Science [Palm Springs, CA: Haynes, 1959, sentative, and just as Adam’s one act with Him on this current earth that tences in Genesis 1, but we may be 1981]). CHRIST ’S REIGN , 2 God’s Purpose condemned all mankind and stripped God’s purpose in creating man as His Erich Sauer, The Dawn of World Redemption, sure that God has not. There is a trans. G. H. Lang (Grand Rapids, MI: him from his purpose (Rom. 5:12), so representative can be realized. for Man Realized THEN , IS THE holistic sense in redemption unfolded Eerdmans, 1951, repr. 1960), 43. Jesus ’ one act lifted that condemna - Furthermore, creation itself 3 Eugene H. Merrill, Everlasting Dominion: A When the Lord Jesus returns, He does across the pages of Scripture that must CULMINATION OF tion and will ultimately restore man to anxiously awaits the fulfillment of Theology of the Old Testament (Nashville, TN: not do so in order to deal with the not be missed. Redemption has many Broadman & Holman, 2006), 647. his potential and his intended purpose. God’s program as revealed in Genesis 4 See Augustus Hopkins Strong, Systematic problem of sin as it relates to reconcil - ALL OF GOD ’S facets, each of them important, but Furthermore, Jesus Christ, the 1:26–28, and it is only a literal under - Theology (Philadelphia, PA: Judson, 1907, ing man to God. He already accom - ultimately, the goal of redemption is repr. 1958), 514; Gerhard von Rad, Old perfect image of God (2 Cor. 4:4; Col. standing of millennial passages that plished that at His First Coming. WORK SINCE THE that God would be glorified. In the Testament Theology, trans. D.M.G. Stalker 1:15), is the fulfillment of God’s pur - can adequately explain the New (New York, NY: Harper & Row, 1962), 1:146- Rather, as the Scriptures make clear, millennial reign of Christ, God is glo - 47. FALL , AND IT IS THE pose for man to exercise dominion and Testament’s portrayal of the relation - 5 His Second Coming is for the purpose rified because Christ’s reign will bring Merrill, 170. authority over the earth as all of cre - ship between man and creation. 6 As he functions appropriately as God’s image, of ushering in His Kingdom and all ACCOMPLISHMENT God’s purpose to completion, and vin - man is a living, breathing doxology to the ation is brought under His submission When the apostle Paul writes that the characteristics that flow out of dicate Him from all charges of failure. triune God. (1 Cor. 15:23–28). As man’s represen - “creation waits with eager longing 7 See Genesis 2:17 where God declares the that Kingdom. His coming will be for OF THE The story is complete. The beginning tative, He will one day reign over the for the revealing of the sons of God” judgment for disobeying His command will the purpose of judgment (Rev. 19:15) has its ending. When everything has be death. DIVINE -AUTHORED earth; as God’s image, His reign will (Rom. 8:19) and that when the futility 8 As demonstrated through the temptation and to rule in righteousness and jus - been brought under Christ’s dominion, accomplish God’s purpose for man. 9 it has been subjected to since the Fall narrative in Matthew 4. tice (Isa. 11:3–5). He will make an ASSIGNMENT GIVEN when God’s purposes for man have 9 “The image of the Father is none other than His Kingdom will be the Edenic ideal is lifted, “the creation itself will be set end of sin and usher in everlasting been realized, then He will turn over the only begotten Son...In this image God laid out in the earliest chapters of the free from its bondage to corruption created man according to His image. There- righteousness (Dan. 9:24). By His TO MAN WHEN HE His Kingdom to the Father, “that God fore in us the image of the Father reaches its Bible. And because of His representa - and obtain the freedom of the glory authority Satan will be deposed from may be all in all” (1 Cor.15:28). The exhibition in the image of the Son” (Sauer, WAS CREATED . tive work on the cross, those He rep - of the children of God” (8:21), he is 43, italics original). his current position as prince of this future fulfillment of the promise to resents will rule with Him as well. And speaking in reference to a future rela - world and usurper of man’s rightful David, rooted ultimately in the com - at the end of the thousand years, it tionship between creation itself and position and function (Rev. 20:1–3) mandment given to Adam and realized present a high view of man. However, can finally be said that God’s spoken man. This relationship between cre - and He will be given a Kingdom that in the biblical covenants, demonstrates this high view of man can only be purpose for man has been fulfilled and ation and the sons of God seems can never be destroyed (Dan. 7:14). that God’s perfections stand and His properly understood when viewed any question of the sureness of God’s strange unless we recognize that cre - His name will be King of kings and nature is true. Of course, these were through the lens of man’s relation to Word or the effectiveness of His sov - ation is waiting for the restoration of Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16) and His never truly in doubt, but the evidence God. Man is fearfully and wonderfully ereignty will be forever put to rest. man as its sovereign ruler and is look - Kingdom will be visible, judicial, and of the fact is seen in the restoration of Sean Lillis made and is the possessor of a tremen - It is because this question of the ing forward to the day when redeemed earthly, marked by everlasting domin - man to his intended position as king of Sean received his undergraduate degree in Biblical dous calling, but this is only so because sureness of God’s Word is so signifi - man is fully restored to his authority Studies from Emmaus in 2004. Sean and his wife, ion over a restored creation (Isa. the earth in Christ. he is created in the image and likeness cant that the question of Christ’s mil - and position as king of the earth. Sarah, have three young children and live in Cedar 35:1–2). Christ’s reign, then, is the culmina - Rapids, Iowa where they fellowship at Cedar Valley of God. In that we are reminded again lennial reign becomes so significant. During the Millennial Kingdom, In other words, the Lord Jesus’ tion of all of God’s work since the Fall, Bible Church. Sean is involved in Bible teaching and again that we are not central, Any other answer simply falls short, creation will once again willingly and preaching throughout Iowa. First Coming dealt with man’s sin; and it is the accomplishment of the but rather we are created to serve as because no other answer aside from subjugate itself to man’s scepter, not His Second Coming will accomplish divine-authored assignment given to reflections of the perfect majesty of the literal reign of Jesus Christ fulfills under duress, but joyfully and with God’s purpose for man. Keeping these man when he was created. Thus the two different purposes clearly in view God Himself. Our value and worth God’s decree for the purpose and a sense of relief. guards us from forgetting the centrality comes not from ourselves, but from vocation of man Earth and deals with

22 Journey : Fall 2012 Journey : Fall 2012 23

Journey | magazine Journey | magazine

cally states it would happen in judg - book, The End Times Controversy. and to establish His Kingdom on the ment on the nation for their rejection earth (Rev. 5:10). They all looked for of Him as their Messiah. But is that INFLUENCES THAT HAVE Jesus to return at any time. But after all to which He referred? There are GIVEN RISE TO PRETERISM 300 years, the Kingdom still had not many examples of more than one ful - There has been much debate in the come. Doubts began to arise, and fillment to specific prophecies. For area of eschatology. Many books have some began to consider that perhaps example, Isaiah 6:9-10 is fulfilled in been written from different perspec - the Kingdom was not literal but spiri - Isaiah’s day, in Matthew 13:14, several tives, and it would be a daunting task tual. The thousand-year reign of years later in John 12:40, and finally to read them and digest all the infor - Christ mentioned in Revelation 20 in Acts 28:26-27 by Paul. That is four mation pro and con. Let me suggest ceased to be considered as literal and distinct fulfillments at four different several reasons that give rise to this was rather seen to be figurative. This times. Therefore, when Jesus says that minority view of preterism. They will was the beginning of amillennial all these things must be fulfilled (Mt. be general in nature and have devel - thinking with Augustine as its chief 24:34), we should expect that they oped from discussions with some of proponent. will happen. Since all these things my siblings who have become preter - could not have happened in A.D. 70 ists in their doctrinal position con - Replacement Theology events most Christians believe are yet ing to know the true interpretation. INTRODUCTION (there is absolutely no record of such cerning last things. The allegorical method of interpreta - future have actually been fulfilled in However, the partial preterists and full Preterism is not a disease for which we stupendous things occurring), we tion which had been developed by the past—particularly at A.D. 70 preterists also assert that all of this need to find an antidote. Most readers should look for a future fulfillment. Origen (d. 254) and the Alexandrian when Roman general Titus destroyed discourse has taken place in A.D. 70. of Journey magazine will approach school was used to interpret future Jerusalem. There are preterists who Jesus is answering three questions A theological eschatology (the study of the last THE INTERPRETATION OF prophecies in a figurative manner. If believe that while some future the disciples asked Him: When is the things of Scripture) from a premillenial THE BOOK OF REVELATION preterist is the Kingdom was spiritual and not prophecy in the Bible (especially in destruction of the Temple; What is viewpoint. Many in our churches can The interpretation of the book of literal then what would be a good the New Testament) was fulfilled in the sign of His coming; and the con - one who live a life of meaning and spiritual Revelation is important for our under - model for the church? We need look A.D. 70, some prophecy is yet future summation of the age—not just when maturity and never hear the word standing of prophecy. The preterist no further than in the Old Testament today. These are known as PARTIAL is the destruction of the Temple. understands “preterist” in their lifetime. Today understands that most, if not all, of and the nation of Israel. The result PRETERISTS; e.g. R. C. Sproul, Ken Jesus tells His disciples that when there is a distinct minority of very Revelation was fulfilled by A.D. 70 that events most was that the church gradually started Gentry, Doug Wilson, and others. the Son of Man comes, it will not be vocal, evangelical Christians who do when the Romans destroyed the bringing Old Testament elements into Other preterists hold that all prophe - secret (Mt. 24:27) and it will be in call themselves preterists when it Temple and the city of Jerusalem in Christians church polity—things like infant bap - cies of the Bible have been fulfilled power and great glory (Mt. 24:30–31). comes to eschatology. They are repre - judgment on the nation of Israel for tism (circumcision), cathedrals (the before A.D. 70. That’s right; there is Since this is so, how is it that no one believe are yet sented by some well-known authors rejecting Jesus Christ as their Messiah. Temple), tithes, clergy (the priesthood), no future prophecy at all! These are in the early church recorded this any - and preachers, so it is prudent for us Now if this is true, then it is obvious future have clergy vestments (priestly clothing), known as FULL PRETERISTS or where as having taken place, and all to understand this position. that John must have written and other such things. It was not a PANTELISTS; e.g., Daniel Hardent, of the church in the first two cen - This article will define our terms, Revelation before A.D. 70. actually been large leap to then see the church as a John Noe, and Ed Stevens. To be sure, turies kept looking for the Lord to consider why some have taken this It would seem the preterist dates continuation of the nation of Israel. many partial preterists consider the return and establish His Kingdom on fulfilled in view, and demonstrate from Scripture the writing of Revelation early because Somehow the blessings promised to full preterists to be heretics and false the earth? A fulfillment in A.D. 70 the flaws and weaknesses of this sys - it is necessary for his position. The Israel are now fulfilled in the church, teachers. That may be going a bit far, would be such a stealth return of our the past. tem of eschatology. preponderate amount of evidence is for while the curses promised to Israel for but then again, maybe not! Lord that no one’s radar detected it. a later date of writing. The external disobedience are all Israel’s. Many other details in this discourse evidence from the early church is that The Delay of the Lord’s Return This belief that the church has THE PRETERIST THE OLIVET DISCOURSE AND strain credulity when it is assumed John wrote the book of Revelation Historian and lawyer John W. replaced Israel has many subtle and VIEWPOINT THE PRETERIST VIEWPOINT that they were fulfilled before A.D. around A.D. 90-95. The preterist’s Montgomery has demonstrated that not-so-subtle implications. One cer - THE DESTRUCTION OF A very important text for all believers 70. Due to space constraints, we can - assumptions drive his conclusion of an the early church fathers were thor - tainly is that there is no future for JERUSALEM IN A.D. 70 is certainly the Olivet Discourse in not deal with them point by point. early date in spite of the evidence. If oughly and consistently premillenial Israel in God’s plans. The word preterit is a grammatical Matthew 24 and 25. Not every detail There is no doubt that Jesus does you are interested in this subject, look for the first three centuries A.D. They But how can this be? Aren’t the term for a past tense. A theological of the prophecy is equally clear, so one refer to the destruction of the Temple at Tim LaHaye and Thomas Ice’s were looking for Jesus Christ to return covenants made to Abraham, David, preterist is one who understands that should not be dogmatic when claim - in A.D. 70 because He most specifi -

26 Journey : Fall 2012 Journey : Fall 2012 27 Journey | Preterism: What in the World Is It? Journey | magazine

and Israel (in the new covenant of the gospel would be like leaven in a divide the word of truth on this going to fight against the nations and The First Level of Doctrine Sunday school, color of the carpet, Jeremiah 31) unconditional? They loaf of bread. It would permeate the potentially divisive subject of deliver Jerusalem. Again, we cannot The first level is that which is essen - a capella singing or with instruments, do not rely on the obedience of the world so that the world becomes bet - preterism. fit this into A.D. 70 because Jerusalem tial to be a believer in Jesus Christ. and such like. In these areas we should Israelites for their ultimate fulfillment. ter and better. When this is finally was destroyed. This is just one text of Doctrines such as the authority of be democratic and do whatever the It seems that in this Replacement accomplished, some believe the Lord PRINCIPLES OF many that the preterist has grave diffi - God’s Word, the deity of Christ, mira - group wants to do. Theology the promises made by God will return and we will continue to INTERPRETATION culties in interpreting. R. C. Sproul in cles, and the resurrection are examples to His people were in some way inval - live like this forever in His eternal The first and most basic consideration his book The Last Days According to of this level. Our attitude to fellow - CONCLUSION idated by their rejection of Jesus as the Kingdom. The postmillennial view of is your hermeneutic—that is the prin - Jesus said this: “We can interpret the ship with folks who do not believe It is clear to me that the preterist view Messiah. If God can break His Word to the future is very optimistic, while we ciples that guide you in interpreting time-frame references literally and the these doctrines is to treat them as of the Olivet Discourse, Hebrews, and His people Israel, how can we be sure premillennialists have a negative or God’s Word. I adhere to the “gram - events surrounding the parousia figu - heretics and nonbelievers. Revelation should be in the second of promises made to us, His church? depressing view of the future. We see matical–historical method” of inter - ratively.” With this method he can level. We should, therefore, be toler - Are the promises made to Israel wars, rumors of wars, the Antichrist, pretation. This simply means that we place all of the Olivet Discourse The Second Level of Doctrine ant and somewhat magnanimous in now transferred to the church? For the Tribulation, and persecutions pay attention to the grammar and the between the discourse itself and A.D. The second level consists of various our relationships with each other. example, in 2 Samuel 7:8–17 God before the Lord returns. In the late meaning of words in sentences and 70. Such a method is not only unwar - However, to let these issues promised a place for His people to live 19th century a good number of excel - paragraphs as the author intended ranted but can be dangerous and become divisive and disruptive in a free from their enemies forever and lent theologians like Charles Hodge, them to be understood. We then work troublesome as well. Nowhere in the local church would be unfortunate have peace. Since that has not hap - B. B. Warfield, W. G. T. Shedd, and hard to understand these words and Nowhere in the New Testament and should be dealt with by the elders. pened yet, the preterist and others others were postmillennial and sentences in the historical context is there any intimation that the New Testament Ideally, having differences of inter- also understand this to be fulfilled in thought the world was getting better. when they were written. When we say church replaces Israel. Everywhere the pretation can and should drive us to the church in a spiritual way. A Missionaries were travelling all over we look for the literal meaning we do noun Israel is used it refers to a physi - is there any the Scriptures and result in a greater prophecy in Zechariah 12:8–9 says the globe and Christianity seemed to not exclude the figures of metaphori - cal, literal, national Jew. Sixty-nine of understanding of God’s Word as a God will deliver Jerusalem from all be expanding. The two world wars in cal language that all language groups seventy occurrences of the term Israel whole and eschatology in particular. the nations that have come against it. the 20th century with all their car - use. The question is always what did intimation that in the New Testament clearly refer to Since we all are fallen sinners saved In no way can this be said of the nage and resultant suffering tended to these words mean to the author and literal, national Jews. The only disput - by grace, not a whole lot is ideal. May Roman destruction of Jerusalem in drive away thoughts of a “Golden to the original reader? We take words the church ed passage is Galatians 6:16, but usage we be biblically informed and yet lov - A.D. 70. So when have the prophe - Age.” Only in the last 20 years or so in their normal meaning. would lead us to presume that “the ing with those who disagree with us. cies in Zechariah 12 –14 ever been has there been a resurgence of this replaces Israel. Israel of God” also refers to the church Hopefully we can disagree without fulfilled? In some way this must be “optimistic” eschatology. DISTINGUISH ISRAEL unless there is clear evidence to the being disagreeable. As Paul exhorts spiritualized to be applied to the FROM THE CHURCH contrary, and there isn’t. It makes per - doctrines about which true believers us in Ephesians 4:3, “Let us be diligent church, and this makes no sense. Eschatology, the study of last things, HOW TO RESPOND fectly good sense for Israel to refer to can disagree but still have a good to keep the unity of the spirit in the uses many apocalyptic words, figures, TO PRETERISTS literal Jews who have believed in Jesus healthy spiritual relationship. We bond of peace.” and ideas. This makes it difficult to ? The Optimism of I am familiar with an assembly where as Savior. Even though the church should each one study carefully what speak with assurance when stating Part of the background of postmillen - a very intelligent college professor and Israel overlap in time, they are Scripture teaches and be convinced in what a text means. So we should be nialism, sometimes known as recon - moved into the area and came into very much distinct in purpose and our own minds but yet allow others to charitable when others disagree with structionism or Dominion Theology— fellowship with this group of believers. essence. When Jesus said in Matthew disagree with us without damaging our us in this area. However, prophecies which is the home of the preterists— He was very winsome, gifted, and 16, “I will build My church,” the term relationship as believers. Our attitude comes out of the Renaissance. The addressed to Israel in the Old contributed well to the assembly. He ekklesia, like the term presbuteros, has in these areas should be tolerant, non- Dave Harper Testament having to do with a future David the son of John Harper, former professor at Renaissance saw the world becoming then started speaking on the subject a general usage and a specific usage. judgmental, and yet confident, recog - better and better as a result of the Kingdom and future blessings should Emmaus Bible College. He graduated from Wheaton of eschatology, and lo and behold, he In Acts 7:38 Stephen uses ekklesia in nizing that we could be wrong. Some College and attended Emmaus Bible School where he met not be taken away from Israel and the love of his life the former Karyl Lynn Snider. They benefits of the applied sciences as well was a preterist! After much hand the general sense of an assembly and of these doctrines could be dispensa - as the rejection of the superstitions of given to the church without good have 3 married daughters and 3 lovely granddaughters. wringing, confused thinking, and we should not make any issue out of tionalism, Bible translations, author - He is commended as an elder for 25 years at the East cause. Nor should prophecies with Freedom Chapel, East Freedom, PA. He counts it a medieval Europe. While these ideas emergency Bible study, it was mutually it. The church Jesus would build was ship of Hebrews, young earth/old earth, clear meaning be spiritualized so that great privilege to have been a student of Dr. Jack Fish. were taking place in the political and decided to agree to disagree. Thank - a specific group of future believers. head coverings, and yes, eschatology. we can transfer them in some way to social worlds, theologically they pro - fully it ended in a peaceable and loving the church. Zechariah 14:2 states that duced the idea that as the gospel outcome. Put yourself in the congre - DISTINGUISH LEVELS The Third Level of Practice the Lord will gather all the nations spread to all the world, it would make gation of that church and consider how OF DOCTRINE & PRACTICE The third level would be all those against Jerusalem to battle. That did the world a better place. This most you would respond. Let me suggest a When reacting and relating to fellow areas that are simply pragmatic— not happen in A.D. 70 (it was only assuredly was and is the view of most few things to help you think in a bib - believers who disagree with us about neither true nor false—but just useful. the Roman army). When did it hap - liberals. Conservatives who were post - lical manner so that you can rightly the doctrine of last things, it is helpful These involve things like the time of millennial held that the influence of pen? Zechariah 14:3 says the Lord is to discern three levels of doctrine. the Lord’s supper, grape juice or wine,

28 Journey : Fall 2012 Journey : Fall 2012 29 Journey | magazine Journey | magazine

PART 1: THE BIBLICAL tury Presbyterian scholar wrote, “The I have three goals in this two-part COVENANTS doctrine of the covenants becomes article: (1) Define the term “covenant,” the central principle of theology.” 4 (2) enumerate and explain the biblical The covenants of God are an impor - Walther Eichrodt, one of the premier covenants, and (3) set forth the essen - tant topic in that the narrative of Old Testament scholars of the 20th tial features of covenant theology. Scripture revolves around His covenant century argued that covenant was the promises. Many noted students of the controlling idea or “center” of all Old Word of God agree. Charles Spurgeon, THE DEFINITION Testament theology. 5 the great London pastor and evangel - OF “COVENANT” The subject is not only important; ist said, “The doctrine of the covenants it is difficult for at least two reasons: The English Word “Covenant” is the key of theology.” 1 On another The English word “covenant” is First is the problem of systematizing all occasion he said, “The doctrine of the derived from the Latin con venire the Bible says about the covenants and divine covenant lies at the root of all (“come together”). A covenant interpreting the data. Second is the true theology.” 2 Evangelical statesman involves the “coming together” of sharp rift that arose over the subject and theologian, J. I. Packer, wrote, two parties in some kind of mutual in evangelical circles in the 20th cen - “Biblical doctrine, first to last, has agreement. In addition to the idea tury. The two parties in the conflict to do with covenantal relationships of “agreement,” the English word is are proponents of dispensationalism between God and man.” 3 A 19th-cen - used in various contexts of a “com - and proponents of covenant theology. 6

30 Journey : Fall 2012 Journey : Fall 2012 31 Journey | The Biblical Covenants and Covenant Theology Journey | magazine

pact, contract … undertaking, pledge, that covenant at the Last Supper is illustrated in Genesis 15:9–10 and THE BIBLICAL OR The remaining biblical covenants all that led him to the land of Canaan. or promise of one of the parties.” It (Lk. 22:20). Jeremiah 34:18 where animals were HISTORICAL COVENANTS belong to Israel in their primary appli - In Canaan the Lord made a can mean “a formal agreement … or How then may we define a divine killed and their divided parts were cation (see Eph. 2:11–12; Rom. 9:4–5). promise to Abraham, which was sol - THE NOAHIC COVENANT, promise of legal validity.” In older covenant? Theologian and author placed opposite one another. This Second, there are two types of emnized by a covenant (15:18; 17:2). 16 usage it means “vow,” and “matter Palmer Robertson writes, “When God action stressed the ultimacy of the Genesis 9 biblical covenants found in the Old There were five elements to the The first occurrence of the word agreed upon … or promised.” The enters into a covenantal relationship bond. The slaying of the animals was Testament: the obligatory type promise: 20 (1) the personal promise “covenant” in the Bible is in Genesis word can mean the relation (“agree - with men, he sovereignly institutes a a “pledge to the death,” it represented reflected in the covenant at Sinai of an honored name (Gen. 12:1–3). 6:18. Before the great flood God ment”), the action of undertaking it life-and-death bond.” He then offers the curse that the covenant maker (Mosaic Covenant), and the promis - Abraham is revered to this day by promised to establish a covenant (“make a covenant/contract”), or the this definition, “A covenant is a bond called down upon himself if he should sory type reflected in the Abrahamic, the great monotheistic religions of with Noah. Unlike the later biblical content (“obligation”) undertaken. violate the commitment he has made Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. (2) covenants this covenant was made The covenant can be bilateral (“agree - (Jer. 34:20). It is in the context of The family promise of a “seed,” or a with all mankind through Noah. It ment of both parties”) or unilateral covenantal death that the death of line of heirs, beginning with Isaac and was an unconditional promise that (“promise of one party”). The range Jesus must be understood. He died as culminating in a chief heir par excel - God would not again judge the whole of English meaning is close to that a substitute for the covenant breaker. lence, the Lord Jesus Christ (12:3, 7; earth with a flood. The Noahic of the secular usage of the biblical Third, a covenant is bond in blood 13:14–16; 15:4, 5, 13, 18; 16:10; 17:2, covenant is also called the “covenant words for covenant. 8 sovereignly administered. The divine 7, 9, 19; 21:12; 22:17; 26:24; 27:28, of preservation” or the “covenant of covenants were not characterized by 29; 28:14; Gal. 3:16). (3) The nation - common grace.” 17 By “common grace” bargaining, bartering, or contracting. al promise of an inheritance of the The Hebrew Word we mean that the covenant only The Hebrew word for “covenant” is The sovereign Lord of heaven and land of Canaan, which was given to secures natural not redemptive bless - berith and it is regularly accompanied Earth dictated the terms of these the patriarchs and their descendants ings. Yet these blessings of preserva - by the verb karath meaning “to make” covenants. forever (Gen. 12:1, 7; 13:15, 17; 15:7, tion are the gracious gift of the (literally, “to cut”). The etymology 18; 17:8; 24:7; 26:2, 3; 28:13; 49:8–12). Creator to all His creatures. (root meaning) of berith is not (4) The royal promise (“kings will The Greek Term The Noahic Covenant includes altogether clear, 9 and there remains a When the translators of the Septuagint come forth from you”), which finds three great stipulations: (1) Mankind wide range of opinions on the subject. 10 came to the word berith they had a fulfillment in Israel’s kings and ulti - was to “be fruitful and multiply, and Old Testament usage, however, choice between two Greek words. mately in the Messianic King. (5) The fill the earth” (Gen. 9:1). Ancient is not so opaque. A covenant is “that The word synth e–ke– is a common word universal promise of worldwide bless - anxiety over another global flood is which bound two parties together. It for compact, document of agreement, ing, i.e., a heritage, “in you all the laid to rest, as are modern anxieties was used for many types of ‘bond.’” 11 treaty, or covenant. 14 Septuagint trans - families of the earth will be blessed” over nuclear war, food shortages, and The word was commonly used for lators deliberately avoided the word, (12:3; 18:18; 22:18; 26:4; 28:14). pollution. Noah and his children, covenants between men. For example, however, because the structure of the The ratification of this covenant ancient and modern, were told to the Old Testament records covenants word suggests an agreement arrived at indicates it was unconditional in have children. (2) The flesh of ani - between Abraham and Abimelech by negotiation between equal partners nature. Animals were sacrificed, and mals was added to man’s diet (9:3–4). (Gen. 21:27; 26:28), Jacob and Laban (i.e., a bilateral agreement). normally two covenant makers would (3) Man was to protect the sanctity (Gen. 31:44), David and Jonathan Instead, they chose the word walk together between the pieces. In of human life even to the degree of (1 Sam. 18:3; 23:18). Each of these diath e–k e– which was a legal term used of this case, however, the covenant was imposing capital punishment for mur - was a mutually binding agreement various forms of a binding expression unilateral, i.e., the Lord went alone der (9:5–6). It should be noted that between two parties, and this is the of will, for example, a testamentary between the pieces as Abraham slept the ordinance of capital punishment primary meaning of berith. disposition or will (a usage not found Palestin ian, Davidic, and New (15:9–21). While there may be con - was not merely part of the Mosaic More important, however, are in blood, or a bond of life and death, in the Old Testament), a Covenants. 19 The obligatory covenant ditions for the enjoyment of the Law, otherwise it would have lost the divine covenants in which God sovereignly administered.” 12 There are contract between two persons, and sets forth Israel’s obligations to God, covenant, the ultimate fulfillment of divine sanction when that Law was entered a covenantal relationship three ingredients in this definition: 13 divine ordinances of the most forceful while the promissory covenant sets the covenant depends on the faithful - abrogated. The stipulations of the with particular men or the nation of First, a covenant is a bond; it estab - kind. It was a good choice for the forth promises of God to Israel, which ness of God to His Word. Abraham Noahic Covenant are permanent Israel. The Bible explicitly mentions lishes a relationship between God and divine covenants because they were He says He will fulfill. died without fully receiving the prom - and universal. covenants established with Noah man. In the making of a covenant unilateral dispositions of the sovereign ises, but they will be his in the day of (Gen. 6:18), Abraham (Gen. 15:18), God verbally declares the character will of God. 15 THE ABRAHAMIC COVENANT, resurrection (Mt. 22:31–32; Heb. Excursus: Obligatory and Israel (Ex. 24:8), and David (Ps. 89:3). of the bond being formed. Second, a Genesis 12, 15, 17 11:13–16). Furthermore, Jeremiah foretold the covenant is a bond in blood or bond Promissory Covenants Abraham was called by God while liv - Before going further I should make establishment of a “new covenant” of life and death. The most common ing in idolatry in Ur of the Chaldeans two observations: First, the Noahic (Jer. 31:31) with Israel in a future day, expression for the ratification of a (Gen. 11:26–32; Josh. 24:2). In obedi - Covenant is a universal covenant. 18 and Jesus spoke of His ratification of covenant is “to cut a covenant.” This ence to God he followed instructions

32 Journey : Fall 2012 Journey : Fall 2012 33 Journey | The Biblical Covenants and Covenant Theology Journey | magazine

THE COVENANT AT SINAI earlier generation argued there was This covenant, which is a renewal, repentance of Israel (v. 2). a speeding ticket I will put it in the for God, but the Lord revealed to (MOSAIC COVENANT), an additional covenant made with confirmation, and enlargement of (3) Israel will be regathered from garage, and you will not be able to use Nathan the prophet that this was not Exodus 19:5 –24:8 Israel, which is recorded in the book the promise made to the patriarchs the nations to which it was scattered it for a month.” Some time later the to be; instead David’s descendant The Mosaic Covenant or Sinaitic of Deuteronomy. This covenant (“fathers,” 30:5), that is, the and restored to the land of promise young man gets a speeding ticket, and (lit., “seed”) would build the temple Covenant was made with the people has been traditionally called “the Abrahamic Covenant, is to be distin - (vv. 3–5). “While repossession of the his father takes his keys and puts the (2 Sam. 7:1–17; cf. 1 Chron. 17:3–15; of Israel after their Exodus out of Palestinian Covenant,” 21 but it has guished from the Mosaic Covenant. land can be said to some extent to car in the garage. The son owns the 2 Chron. 6:14–16). Although David Egypt. As a document this covenant also occasionally been called “the That it is to be distinguished from the have been fulfilled by the return of car, but he is no longer able to drive it was not permitted to build a house for served as the instrument which con - Deuteronomic Covenant” or “the Mosaic Covenant is stated clearly in the Jews following the Babylonian until his father feels he has learned his the Lord, God did make a covenant stituted Israel as a nation. It con - land covenant.” verse 1. 24 That it is a true covenant is exile (cf. Jer. 29:10–14; 30:3), the lesson. Israel owns the land; she will with him to establish his kingdom and tained commandments, ceremonies, indicated by the instructions of the greater prosperity and population was throne forever (2 Sam. 7:12–17; cf. and civil and political laws (613 com - Lord. Moses was “to make a covenant” not achieved in Old Testament times. Psalm 89:3–4 where God’s promise is mands, according to the rabbis). (lit., “cut a covenant”) with the sons In fact, it still awaits realization in any called a “covenant”). The full enjoy - Unlike the Abrahamic Covenant this of Israel. literal sense (cf. Hag. 2:6–9; Zech. ment of the covenant depended on was an obligatory or legal type of The people of Israel were now in 8:1–8; 10:8–12). the obedience of David’s descendants covenant, a conditional covenant. For Moab, not at Horeb (Sinai). They (4) Israel will be converted to (Ps. 89:30–32), yet the covenant itself its success it depended not only on were about to enter the land promised genuine faith (v. 6). The circumcision was unconditional; God promised to God’s instruc tion but upon Israel’s to them in days of old (Gen. 12:7; of the heart spoken of here (cf. Dt. never violate it (Ps. 89:33–37); it was obedience of the law. 13:12; 17:7–8). This covenant was 10:16; Jer. 4:4) is an allusion to the a permanent covenant. The promises of God were three - made, no doubt, to answer important regenerating work of the Holy Spirit Even after Israel’s fold (Ex. 19:1–6): First, Israel would questions that faced the Israelites: (1) that will accompany the application and captivities, the Davidic Covenant be God’s own possession (lit., “special Would a new, unproven leader of the New Covenant to Israel (Jer. remained inviolate. When Gabriel treasure”). Second, it would be “a (Joshua) be able to take the land? (2) 31:31–34; Ezek. 36:25–27; cf. Rom. foretold the birth of Jesus, he told kingdom of priests” or a royal priest - Could they defeat the inhabitants of 11:26–27 [see below on “New Mary her son would reign over Israel hood. Finally, it would be a “holy the land who have shown themselves Covenant”]). 25 from David’s throne (Lk. 1:31–33). nation,” i.e., a nation set apart from to be implacable foes? (3) Was the (5) Israel’s enemies will be When asked about His disciples’ the other nations. All of this depend - land of Canaan still their possession? defeated (v. 7). reward, Jesus assured them that when ed upon the nation’s obedience, “if (4) Did the con ditional Mosaic (6) Israel will then be blessed He sat on His glorious (Davidic) you will indeed obey my voice and Covenant set aside the unconditional abundantly (vv. 8–10). throne, they would serve as His asso - keep my covenant.” Abrahamic Covenant? (5) Would The Palestinian Covenant is an ciates, occupying a judicial function The account of the ratification Israel’s past or future disobedience unconditional one. “The grammatical over the nation of Israel (Mt. 19:28). of the covenant illustrates its con - annul the land promises? pattern [in verse 1] suggests a lack of In His debate with the Pharisees Jesus ditional nature (Ex. 24:6–8). There The Palestinian Covenant is any true conditionality here. When claims to be David’s son who will one were offerings and sacrifices during important for three reasons: First, it the exile came to pass, so would these day rule over His enemies (Mt. the solemn occasion, and the blood reaffirmed Israel’s title deed to the acts of repentance and restoration.” 26 22:41–46). In Acts 1:6 the apostles was sprinkled on both the people and land of promise. Second, the intro - “In fact, our text can no longer be ask Jesus a question which assumes the altar, representing God. In short, duction of the conditional covenant called an exhortation; it contains no He will rule, i.e., as Davidic king, both God and the people were respon - did not set aside God’s gracious prom - admonitions, but, with regard to over Israel. On the Day of Pentecost sible to keep the covenant. Israel in ise of the land. Third, the Palestinian Israel’s future, simple affirmative (Acts 2:14–36) Peter, “referring to the its countless sins and idolatries demon - Covenant actually confirmed and propositions, that is, it is clothed covenant promise that Jesus Christ strated it was unable and unwilling to A number of commentators today enlarged the original Abrahamic altogether in the style of prophetic would sit on David’s throne, correctly fulfill its side of the bargain. Jeremiah argue that Deuteronomy 29:1 (28:69 Covenant. predictions.” 27 argues that the performance of this says the nation “broke the covenant,” in Hebrew text) is a subscript that Deuteronomy 30:1–10 sets forth One caveat is in order. While not have complete enjoyment of the requires the , making a new covenant necessary concludes the section of the book that six main features of the Palestinian it is true that God’s promise of Israel’s land until she comes in repentance which David also foretold as a prereq - (Jer. 31:31–32). The Mosaic Covenant began with chapter 1, verse 1. 22 They Covenant: future possession of the land is uncon - and faith to her God. This will take uisite. He then informs the Jews that ended at Calvary, and believers are argue that the covenant mentioned (1) Looking on to the future, ditional, it is also true that Israel’s place when Jesus returns, and the he did thus arise, that he ascended to now under a New Covenant (Rom. in Deuteronomy 29:1 is a renewal Moses warns Israel that the Lord will present enjoyment of the land is nation embraces Him in faith as its heaven where he is exalted as Lord 6:14; 10:4–5; Gal. 3:10; Heb. 7:11–12). covenant, that is, a renewal of the banish it from the land for disobedi - conditioned upon its obedience and Messiah. and Christ, waiting for the time when covenant made at Sinai. The consen - ence (v. 1; cf. 28:63–68; 30:15–20). fidelity to the Lord (cf. 30:15–20). To His foes shall be made his footstool, THE PALESTINIAN sus of opinion, however, is that (2) The problem of how Israel illustrate: a father gives his son a new THE DAVIDIC COVENANT, 2 ‘whom [Acts 3:12–26] the heavens COVENANT, Deuteronomy 29 –30 Deuteronomy 29:1 is a superscription will be deported and yet enjoy God’s car as a graduation present. He tells Samuel 7:12–17; Psalm 89:3–4 must receive until the times of restitu - Some evangelical scholars of an of what follows (chapters 29 –30). 23 land promises is resolved by the future him, “The car is yours, but if you get King David desired to build a temple tion of all things’ (keeping in mind

34 Journey : Fall 2012 Journey : Fall 2012 33 Journey | The Biblical Covenants and Covenant Theology Journey | magazine

the Jewish idea of restitution as always The promise of the New Covenant was memory since that was an integral part year (Heb. 10:3). It was impossible for covenantal blessing (Eph. 1:11–13; 1 C. H. Spurgeon, The Greatest Fight in the World—C. H. Spurgeon’s Final Manifesto (1891; reprint ed., Pasadena, associated with the restored Davidic given through Jeremiah as the people of the old economy (cf. Dt. 6:6–9; such sacrifices to effect the forgiveness 2:12–15; 3:6). TX: Pilgrim Publications, 1990), 45. kingdom) shall come and then ‘He faced exile in Babylon. This New 10:12; 30:6). It is the impartation of of sins (10:4). Because of the sacrifice There is one aspect of the New 2 C. H. Spurgeon, “The Wondrous Covenant, A Sermon on Heb. 8:10,” in Spurgeon’s Expository Encyclopedia [God] shall send Jesus Christ’ through Covenant would be superior to the a new nature which knows and loves of the New Covenant, however, God Covenant that has not yet been (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1951), 5:449–458 [esp. 449]). 3 J. I. Packer, “Introduction: On Covenant Theology,” in whom this is effected.” 28 At the old (Mosaic) covenant in four ways: God’s will as well as the enablement will no longer remember sins, that is, implemented. A redeemed Israel has Herman Witsius, The Economy of the Covenants Between God and Man: Comprehending a Complete Body; Herman Jerusalem council, James spoke briefly An internal inclination to obey . It to do that will provided by the in - in mercy He will forgive them (Jer. not yet been restored to the land. The Bavinck, Reformed Dogmatics of Divinity (London, UK: B. alluding to the day when the Davidic would be an internal rather than an dwelling Sprit of God. The transaction 31:34). Here Jeremiah uses the Old author of Hebrews was mindful of the Baynes, 1822; reprint ed., Escondido, CA: den Dulk Christian Foundation, 1990), 3. dynasty would be restored (Acts external covenant. While the old implies the new birth or regeneration Testament theology of “remembering.” promise given to Abraham (Heb. 4 A. B. Van Zandt, “The Doctrine of the Covenants Considered as the Central Principle of Theology,” The 15:13-18; cf. Amos 9:11–12). In the covenant was engraved on tablets of as provided by the gospel (Jn. 1:10–13; If sin is remembered then God takes 6:13–18), including the promise of Presbyterian Review 3 (Jan., 1882): 28–39. letter to Laodicea the risen and stone, the New Covenant would be 3:1–16; Ti. 3:5) as well as the in - action against it; if it is not remem - the land (11:9). The author under - 5 Walther Eichrodt, Theology of the Old Testament, trans. J. A. Baker (Philadelphia, PA: Westminster, 1961), ascended Christ promises believers dwelling of the Holy Spirit. bered then grace has forgiven it. stood that promise to involve an eter - 1:36–69. Cf. Gordon J. McConville, “Berith,” NIDOTTE, 1:752. that in the future they will sit with An unconditional relationship to God. In the original context of the nal inheritance in the city of God and 6 R. Todd Mangum, The Dispensational-Covenantal Rift: The Fissuring of American Evangelical Theology from 1936–44, Him on his (Davidic) throne just as The old covenant was a covenant of New Covenant there is the promise heavenly country (11:10, 13–16). He SEHT (Bletchley, UK: Paternoster, 2007). The rift con - He now sits on His Father’s throne in works, that is, blessing was conditioned of Israel’s restoration to the land (Jer. recognized, however, that Moses and tinues and has been exacerbated by partisan views on the Arab-Israeli conflict. Differences of opinion of another heaven (Rev. 3:21). Elsewhere in the on the obedience of the people. But 31:16–25; 33:1–13). This is confirmed the Sinaitic covenant failed to bring sort exist in biblical criticism. See the essay in A. D. H. Mayes and R. B. Salters, eds., Covenant as Context: Essays book of Revelation Jesus is called “the Israel did not abide in the covenant; in the parallel passage in Ezekiel God’s people into rest (4:1–11), so in Honour of E. W. Nicholson (Oxford, UK: Oxford root and descendant of David” (5:5; it broke it by failing to meet its 36:28. No sooner does the Lord prom - that this millennial rest remains yet University Press, 2003). 7 OED, s.v. “Covenant,” 3:1069–70. 22:16), and John writes that when demands. The New Covenant is dif - ise to give them a new heart and the future for them (4:9). The promised 8 Dennis J. McCarthy, “ Berith and Covenant in the Deutronomistic History,” Studies in the Religion of Ancient Christ returns He will reign for 1,000 ferent; it is an unconditional covenant Holy Spirit than He adds, “You will eternal inheritance was secured for Israel, SuppVT 23 (Leiden, NL: Brill, 1972), 85, n. 1. 9 M. Weinfeld, “Berith,” TDOT, 2:253–55. years (20:4–6). That this reign will be of grace. The emphasis throughout is live in the land that I gave to your the people of God by the death of 10 See Ernest W. Nicholson, God and His People: Covenant on Earth is certainly implied in GENTILE upon the divine initiative: “I will forefathers; so you will be my people, Christ, the “mediator of the new and Theology in the Old Testamen t (Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 1986), 99–102. Revelation 5:10. make” (vv. 31, 33), “I will put,” “I will and I will be your God.” covenant” (9:15). The enjoyment of 11 J. Arthur Thompson, “Covenant (OT),” ISBE, 1 (1979): 790. Covenant theologians argue that BELIEVERS, BY write,” “I will be” (v. 33), “I will for - The New Testament makes it this future inheritance is yet a prom - 12 O. Palmer Robertson, The Christ of the Covenants (Grand the Davidic Covenant was fulfilled give,” “I will remember their sin no clear the New Covenant has been ise, however, and awaits the return of Rapids, MI: Baker, 1980), 4. 13 Robertson, The Christ of the Covenants, 5–15. when Jesus ascended into heaven and VIRTUE OF THE more” (v. 34). All will be accom - inaugurated (Heb. 8:6; cf. 2 Cor. 3:6). Christ when He will bring His people 14 GELLXX , s.v. “syntheµkeµ,” 657. 15 Johannes Behm, “diatheµkeµ,” TDNT, 2:126–27. sat down at the right hand of God. plished by God. There is no mention At the Last Supper Jesus broke the salvation (1:14; 9:28). At that time the 16 In light of Hosea 6:7 I would conclude that the “Covenant of Works,” sometimes called the “Covenant The biblical texts just cited do not NEW COVENANT, at all of any conditions upon man. bread and gave it and the cup to the New Covenant will reach full flower - of Creation,” is actually the first of the biblical or histori - justify such a spiritualized reign of Jesus. A personal knowledge of God . disciples. The bread and wine symbol - ing in the (2:5). cal covenants. ? 17 Donald MacLeod, “Covenant: 2,” Banner of Truth 141 ARE GRAFTED Another superior feature of the new ized His body broken and blood shed (June, 1975): 24–25. 18 If one accepts the covenant of works or creation THE NEW COVENANT covenant is that “they will all know at Golgotha. At the cross the sacrifice Part 2 of this article will be published in covenant, then the Noahic Covenant is one of two uni - “How,” a believing Jew might ask as me” (v. 34). Under the old covenant of Jesus ratified the New Covenant the next issue of Journey magazine. versal biblical covenants. INTO THE STOCK 19 M. Weinfeld, “The Covenant of Grant in the Old he viewed the great promises in the only the educated scribe knew the (Mt. 26:26–29; Lk. 22:17–20). Here Testament and in the Ancient Near East,” JAOS 90 (1970): 184–203; idem., “Berith,” TDOT, 2:270. Abrahamic and Davidic Covenants, OF ABRAHAM details of the Law. Access to the Lord, the words of 19th century American 20 John F. Walvoord, The Millennial Kingdom (Findlay, OH: Dunham, 1959), 140–43; Walter C. Kaiser, Jr. The Uses of “will these things be fulfilled in light furthermore, was denied to individuals, theologian Charles Hodge are apro - the Old Testament in the New (Chicago: Moody, 1985), of the sinfulness of Israel?” The and His grace was obtained through pos, “The plan of salvation is present - 154–55. AND MADE 21 Lewis Sperry Chafer, Systematic Theology (Dallas, TX: answer has two elements to it: (1) the faulty mediation of the Levitical ed under the form of a covenant.” Dallas Seminary Press, 1948), 4:317–323; J. Dwight Pentecost, Things to Come (Grand Rapids, MI: Dunham, There is the character of the Lord FELLOW HEIRS priesthood (Ex. 20:15, 19). Under the With whom was the New David J. MacLeod 1958), 95–99. My discussion follows, in the main, that of who promised these things. He cannot New Covenant, however, there will Covenant made? It was made with Dave received his theological education at Dallas Pentecost. 22 S. R. Driver, A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on violate His own character and break WITH ISRAEL OF be no privileged class of mediators same people to whom it was promised, Theological Seminary (Th.M., Ph.D). In the past Deuteronomy, ICC (New York: Scribner, 1916), 319; he has taught at Western Bible College (now Peter C. Craigie, The Book of Deuteronomy, NICOT His promises (Ps. 89:1–6, 30–37. between God and man. Each believer the people of Israel (Jer. 31:31–33; (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdman, 1976), 353. Colorado Christian University) and Dallas 23 Gerhard von Rad, Deuteronomy, trans., Dorothea Barton, Thus, “the gifts and calling of God are COVENANTAL will have an absolute, inborn, direct Heb. 8:8). The nation as a whole Theological Seminary. He is presently Dean for OTL (Philadelphia, PA: Westminster, 1966), 178. The irrevocable” (Rom. 11:30). (2) There acquaintance with God which is not rejected Christ, but, as the apostle Biblical Studies at Emmaus Bible College and consensus von Rad speaks of concerns the grammar. There is no consensus on the precise nature of the is the provision for the forgiveness of BLESSING. dependent on any kind of external Paul said, there is a remnant of believ - serves as Associate Editor of The Emmaus covenant. Older dispensationalists adopt the view I have sins in the death of Jesus Christ. His instruction. In the Epistle to the ing Jews in this age (Rom. 11:5). It Journal. He frequently ministers the Word explained above; covenant theologians argue that the across the U.S. and Canada and at his home covenant is actually a renewal of the Sinai Covenant. In death is the foundation stone of the inscribed on their hearts. In the Hebrews we are told this access to God was with that believing remnant of either case one must take seriously the promise of the church where he served for a number of years as land in this passage. New Covenant. parallel promise of Ezekiel 36:25–27 for all believers is through Christ, Israel and Judah, namely the disciples an elder. David and his wife Linda have four 24 Driver, A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on Deuteronomy, 319. The New Covenant is the final God’s people are promised a new their faultless and perfect High Priest and other believing Jews, who formed grown children. 25 Today this renewal of the heart is common to all believ - ers in Christ—Jews and Gentiles alike. “But in terms of promissory (and unconditional) heart and spirit as well as the gift of (Heb. 4:16; 10:19–22). the nucleus of the Christian church, Israel as a elect people in a collective, national sense, the covenant. The parties to the covenant the indwelling Spirit of God. What is A merciful forgiveness of sins . In that the New Covenant was originally circumcision described here … lies in the future” (Eugene H. Merrill, Deuteronomy, NAC [Nashville, TN: are God and “the house of Israel and described is more than just the com - the sacrifices of the old covenant there ratified. Gentile believers, by virtue of Broadman and Holman, 1994], 388). 26 Merrill, Deuteronomy, 387. the house of Judah” (Jer. 31:31–34). mitting of the instruction of God to was a remembrance of sins year by the New Covenant are grafted into the 27 Von Rad, Deuteronomy, 183. stock of Abraham (Rom. 11:16–24) 28 George N. H. Peters, The Theocratic Kingdom (New York, NY: Funk and Wagnalls, 1884; reprint ed., Grand and made fellow heirs with Israel of Rapids, MI: Kregel, 1972), 1:317. 29 Hodge, Systematic Theology, 2:354.

36 Journey : Fall 2012 Journey : Fall 2012 37 Journey | The Tenets of Progressive Dispensationalism Journey | magazine

ispensationalism is a 1. In summary, progressive Dispensa - the redemption of man, as the 4. Traditionalist distinctions between authorial intent in the historical alists see only one new covenant conservative, evangeli - tionalism is a mediating position Covenant theologians would say. law and grace and accusations of context and in a less forced that belongs to Israel, though the cal system of theology between non-Dispensa tion alism In contrast, progressive dispensa - multiple ways of salvation, includ - systematic manner. church participates partially in it. that interprets the (usually identified with Covenant tionalists would not accept any ing the possibility of legal obedi - 9. Progressive dispensationalists 13. To the progressive dispensational - Bible literally, observ - Theology and Amillennialsim) of these tenets as they are stated. ence as being the condition of appreciate the progress of revela - ists, both the present and future ing that God has dealt and traditional Dispensationalism. They agree that God is bringing salvation under the Mosaic tion, recognizing a thematic dispensations are fulfillments of with His people differently at different It seeks to retain a natural under - glory to Himself. Since both economy, are passé. approach which includes the study the Davidic Covenant; both are times through the epochs. It main - standing of the prophetic Scriptures Covenant theologians and pro - 5. Traditionalist distinctions between of related concepts, not just indi - aspects of the Messianic reign tains a distinction between Israel and that appear to assign a significant gressive dispensationalists would the terms “Kingdom of Heaven” vidual terms. of Christ. the church, believing the Old role to the nation of Israel in the agree, traditionalists should not and “Kingdom of God” are gone. 10. Progressive dispensationalists 14. Whereas traditional dispensation - Testament promises to Israel will be future, in accordance with a dis - claim that tenet as a distinction. No distinction is seen between understand differences in theologi - alists view this Church Age as a literally fulfilled in a future, political, pensational system. But it also sees They believe all sides are using these expressions. cal methodology, are consciously mystery parenthesis, progressive earthly reign of Christ from David’s the program of God as unified the same hermeneutics, so that 6. Whereas traditional Dispensa - aware of the role of tradition in dispensationalists believe the throne in Jerusalem for a thousand within history, in agreement with also does not serve well as a dis - tionalism made primary applica - interpretation, and are cognizant Messianic Kingdom has been years. Dispensationalism was popular - nondispensationalists, and denies tinction. And although they agree tion of the Sermon on the Mount of the interplay of preunderstand - inaugurated. The Messiah is now ized by J. N. Darby, The Niagara Bible a radical discontinuity between the church is distinct from Israel, to the future Millennial Kingdom, ing, text, and community in the ruling on David’s throne from Conferences, James H. Brookes, A. J. the present Church Age and the they would not speak of two sepa - progressive dispensationalists hermeneutical process. heaven spiritually. He will come Gordon, Moody Bible Institute, the Messianic Kingdom promises. rate plans or two separate eternal understand the Lord’s directives 11. Progressive dispensationalists again and rule on an earthly polit - Bible Institute of Los Angeles, C. I. destinies. 2. Normative dispensationalists as expressions of Kingdom right - describe the relationship between ical throne over the nation Israel. Scofield and his reference Bible, Lewis (essentialists?) such as Ryrie would 3. A classical dispensationalist such eousness to be lived in the world the old and new in the progress of The concept of inauguration means Sperry Chafer and the Dallas describe Dispensationalism in as C. I. Scofield defined a dispen - before its actual establishment. revelation as “continuity/disconti - that fulfillment has begun, though Theological Seminary, John terms of a sine qua non with three sation as “a period of time during 7. Whereas traditional dispensation - nuity.” Some things continue consummation will not take place Walvoord, Dwight Pentecost, and essential tenets: (1) Israel and the which man is tested in respect of alists claim an exclusive literal across the dispensations, yet other until the future earthly reign of Charles Ryrie. Recently, a popular church are distinct in the sense obedience to some specific revela - hermeneutic and accuse Covenant aspects change. There is a progress Christ. We are now experiencing variation has formed that has split dis - that God is pursuing two distinct tion of the will of God.” Each dis - theologians of spiritualizing to promissory fulfillment toward the the first-stage partial fulfillment pensationalists into two camps: nor - purposes, one related to the earth pensation would include a distinct prophecy, progressive dispensa - new. Progressives see greater con - of the Messianic Kingdom prophe - mative and progressive. Some of these with the earthly people Israel, the revelation, a test, a failure, and a tionalists believe both groups use tinuity between the stages of the cies, and have received some of initial authors were Robert L. Saucy, other related to heaven with the judgment. Progressive dispensa - the same hermeneutics, but come unfolding of God’s plan (i.e., dis - the promised eschatological Craig A. Blaising, and Darrell L. Bock. heavenly people the church; (2) tionalists do not speak of such cri - to different conclusions. pensations) than do traditionalists. blessings already. Though progressives would like to the Israel/church distinction is teria. Instead they see progressive 15. Far from being a mystery paren - view their approach as the natural 8. Progressive dispensationalists 12. Whereas traditional dispensation - born out of a literal hermeneutic stages in the history of Christ’s ful - thesis, the present dispensation is outcome of further revision in the appreciate the influence that alists kept Israel and the church (not a spiritualizing one like the fillment of holistic redemption, the basis for the integration of all system, those left behind consider the “biblical theology” has had in distinct even to the point of two Covenant theologians); and (3) with much more continuity the covenants in the redemption changes radical and dangerous. The helping them interpret passages separate New Covenants, one for the underlying purpose of God between the stages. inaugurated in this dispensation tenets of the new form of Dispensa - of Scripture more according to each, the progressive dispensation - in the world is His glory, a much and fulfilled in the future. tionalism are as follows: broader purpose than merely

38 Journey : Fall 2012 Journey : Fall 2012 39 Journey | The Tenets of Progressive Dispensationalism Dr. Journey | magazine 16. Progressive dispensationalists 21. Progressives provide a new defini - full force in the Millennial Kingdom. describe fulfillment in terms of tion of the church. It is the union Some dispensationalists have MacLeod “already/not yet.” There are by the Holy Spirit to Christ, been influenced by the progressive already-inaugurated blessings of through which His fullness of life camp without accepting all of its Faculty member Dave MacLeod leads us in a public forum to this dispensation, though there and righteousness manifests itself tenets. Common movement can be Asks discuss issues pertinent to contemporary Christian life. Last is also not-yet-realized fullness in the new humanity. This is not seen in the relevance of the Sermon issue he asked the following question: of those blessings. a unity that obliterates all possible on the Mount for today, and the drop - 17. Progressive dispensationalists view distinctions, but harmonizes them ping of the “two peoples of God” dis - A Brethren assembly writer from Glasgow, Scotland pointedly addressed preachers in the United redemption as more than just indi - in a way never before seen. The tinction. Whereas for most of their Kingdom, “We hear much devotional ministry and challenging exhortation from the platform, but vidualistic, seeing it as extending church is not merely an associa - history dispensationalists were in sub - tion of individuals. stantial agreement with each other, neither of these will be of any lasting value unless they are seen to be rooted in the text of Scripture. to both individuals and humanity Too often the passage read has little bearing on the message which follows, and it takes little intelligence this is no longer the case. Normative in its wholeness, extending into 22. Progressive dispensationalists on the part of the congregation to notice that the speaker lacks divine authority for his pronouncements. dispensationalists accuse progressives corporate political and national are inclusive in their theological A superstructure is only as secure as its foundation, and preaching, however impressive, eloquent, or dimensions. There is continuity reflection. They are open to dis - of describing a system that is not very emotional, is so much rhetorical hot air if divorced from the Word. It is fast becoming a rarity these days between the future age of the cussing their views with those different from covenant-Premillen - to hear exhortation clearly built upon correct exegesis. It is even more of a rarity to hear expository Millennium and the present age of who differ and seek to learn from nialism and the “already/not yet” ministry! The reason is not hard to seek. Exposition requires effort. And it is precisely such effort which the church. Since the Millennium other’s viewpoints. hermeneutic of George Eldon Ladd, I would urge upon my readers” (David J. Newell, “The Believer’s Library (3): Some Basic Bible Study Aids includes social and political viewpoints from which their predeces - (ii),” Believer’s Magazine (March, 1999): 73–74). redemption, we ought to establish sors would have labored to distance My question is threefold: (1) What do you think of Mr. Newell’s philosophy of preaching? themselves. ? a social and political agenda for Using a movie (2) Does the condition Brother Newell describes have any bearing on conditions in the church in this dispensation. analogY , the era North America? (3) In light of his remarks, how would you describe the Bibliography 18. Progressive dispensationalists feel in which we now Saucy, Robert L. The Case for Progressive preaching in your assembly (anonymous replies will be accepted)? that traditional Dispensationalism live is the Dispensationalism: The Interface Between is too anthropocentric, concen - Dispensational and Non-Dispensational Theology trailer”for the (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1993). trating on two destinies of two Blaising, Craig A. and Darrell L. Bock, eds., Michael Bowen Responds peoples. Progressives prefer a more future complete Dispensationalism, Israel and the Church: The Through the Awana ministry, our family has the privilege frequently to fellowship Search for Definition (Grand Rapids, MI: with believers from across the state, both at New Testament assemblies and at a christocentric view of the purpose movie which will Zondervan, 1992). of history. They see progress as due variety of evangelical denominational churches. Gladly, I can report that the majority be experienced in Ryrie, Charles C. Dispensationalism, revised and of the teaching meetings we attend are firmly grounded in Scripture, and that the to the history of Christ’s fulfilling expanded (Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1995). the future messages are expositions of Scripture. Exposition would seem to be the norm in the the plan of holistic redemption in local churches in central and eastern Missouri. In my experience there appear progressive stages (dispensations), Kingdom .” to be three different kinds of churches: First, I have often noticed that the not due to a plan for two different better the speaking skills of the preacher, the poorer the biblical content kinds of people. of his message. This is a sad reality. Second, there are less frequent If there were a sine qua non of 19. Progressives see a greater continu - occasions when an assembly/local church is truly blessed with a man progressive Dispensationalism, it Ken Daughters ity between the Millennium and who has both good communication skills and excellent biblical would be that the throne on which Ken is President of Emmaus Bible College, where the eternal Kingdom than do tra - he has taught for 22 years. He studied at Biola, content in his messages. The third variety of assembly is the one Christ now rules at the right hand of ditionalists. The difference is one Talbot, and Dallas. He travels often, speaking at where the congregation is committed to the accurate study of the God spiritually is actually the prophe - assemblies, camps, and conferences. He is from of degree, not kind. The transition Scriptures, but they have ignored the need of having gifted men do sied Davidic throne, meaning that California and enjoys water skiing and cycling. the preaching. In short, the people know the Bible but don’t seem is completion of the redemption His wife Carol was reared on the mission field in the Kingdom is inaugurated. Using a to realize the need of having good preachers to proclaim it. of the whole created order. Bolivia. They have a daughter, four sons, and two movie analogy, the era in which we grandchildren. The churches or assemblies where there are good communicators, 20. Progressives reject the traditional - now live is the “trailer” for the future but there is poor content. ist distinction between two peoples complete movie which will be experi - The churches or assemblies where there are both good speakers and of God in the sense of two differ - enced in the future Kingdom. Using a good content. ent humanities with parallel, yet food analogy, in this present era we are distinct eternal destinies: the eating the hors d’ oeuvres awaiting the The churches or assemblies where there a love of good content but earth for Israel and heaven for future full dinner. The New Covenant a lack of good communicators to deliver it. the church. blessings have been inaugurated and I believe it would be wise for the elders to invest their time we are experiencing the foretaste of and efforts in training the men to this end. As far as what is to come when they will flow

40 Journey : Fall 2012 Journey : Fall 2012 41 Journey | Dr. MacLeod Asks Journey | magazine

denominational churches are concerned, cation from our preachers. I must, howev - the theological, realm. This does not [Emergent] books under his belt starts instead of focusing the services and correct exegesis. Again, I was encouraged it seems that it is the smaller churches, er, add a caveat to my appreciation. Good mean, however, that such examples are doing church with a radical skepticism programs on edifying those who are to see that I am not the only one who which have the better expositional expositional preaching includes all of not helpful in pronouncing God’s Word. about the authority of the Bible and forms already believers. would like to see a “raising of the bar” in preachers. The larger the church, the these ingredients—at least, it should, and There is more danger in not pronouncing a people by musing on about how his com - our preaching and pulpit ministry. I too am more the message is focused on felt needs, I believe Mr. Newell would agree with me. God’s Word at all. munity affirms the Bible (in part?), there - Bonjé Lickteig often frustrated by preachers in our own current events, holidays, etc. Scripture is Unlike topical preaching, which may It can be added that expository fore making it ‘welcome’ in their conversa - Dorr, Michigan assembly who do not allow the text to included in these topical sermons, but it is derive its content from a variety of texts, preaching is not being heard, not only tion? We can wax eloquent about the speak, imposing a prefab agenda on the not the main focus. Are we so drawn to expositional preaching is the communica - because it requires effort, but also because beauty of the story and how the Scriptures text, misusing verses (out of context), and thematic meetings that we flock to tion of the full message of a single section it is not what pastors or teachers believe read us, but unless people are convinced David MacLeod Comments putting forth frighteningly strange interpre - churches where we are fed milk and not of Scripture (verse, paragraph, or chapter), their congregations want to hear. It delves that the Bible is authoritative, true, Again, I very much appreciate this letter tations and applications. solid food? derived from and transmitted through a too deeply into scripture for people who inspired, and the very words of God, over from Bonjé Lickteig. My only response is to I have tried to inspire our elders and historical, grammatical, and literary study are not ready for it. They are being fed a time they will read it less frequently, know voice my objection to “story telling” capable men to take seriously the charge of Michael & Michelle Bowen of the passage in its context, which the diet of milk. Many churches are now so it less fully, and trust it less surely” (p. 78). preaching. Certainly a personal experience carefully and diligently preparing sermons can be used to illustrate a sermon point, St. Louis, MO Holy Spirit first applies to the personality seeker-sensitive that they are not properly (p.78) that are accurate to the text while being and experience of the preacher, then feeding those who are already believers. In We currently attend a church, which but the preacher whose entire sermon is relevant to the listener. Having tried every - through him to his hearers (definition his book, I Just Wanted More Land – Jabez , has “Bible” in its name; however, our con - made up of warm, encouraging stories is thing from writing master outlines to hold - Beth Grove Responds adapted from Haddon W. Robinson). An Gary E. Gilley states, “Fed for too long on cerns are that this church is slowly selling not following the apostolic admonition to ing group meetings, seminars on preaching I agree with Mr. Newell to a point, and expository sermon is not simply a running nothing but the milk of the Word, and out to the market-driven mentality as are “preach the Word” (2 Tim. 4:2). and individual critiques, I fear that my miss expository preaching in many commentary on a passage devoid of devo - persuaded by leaders to believe that this many churches in North America. It is a efforts to motivate our group of men has churches in the UK. Having said that, I tional warmth and application. Yet it is a diet is sound, few Christians are going on rarity to hear expository preaching and Anonymous Responds been ineffective. Even though most of the am privileged to attend a church with one sermon whose message is derived from the to maturity in Christ (Hebrews 5:11-14). teaching which is built upon correct exege - I read with much interest the Journey arti - men look to me as someone who tries to or two very good teachers of the Word. passage and not a sermon where a message Having never been taught the simplest sis. We do long for more of that type of cles in the Winter 2012 by Dr. Ryrie and exemplify good preparation, sound exegesis Their philosophy to preaching is to find is imposed upon a passage. The expositor methods of Bible study, they are unable to preaching and our concerns for our local Peter Mead on the necessity of expository and expositional form, they seem unwilling the balance between expository preaching asks: What does this passage say, what recognize when the Scriptures are being church include, but are not limited to: preaching and how to make a multi-speak - to do the hard work that will allow them to and practical application. It is rare to find does it mean, and what does it mean distorted. The result is that they are easy 1. Lack of Bible preaching and teaching er sermon series work. These articles really produce the same results. a preacher who indeed does both. Living to me? prey for all sorts of unintentional and from the pulpit. touched a chord for me, and I appreciated Do you have any suggestions about in the difficult, God-disdaining society intentional deceptions that are constantly 2. Lack of Bible teaching in Sunday school reading the good advice and exhortation to how I can better inspire or motivate these that I do, I find that a good balance of Bonjé Lickteig Responds bombarding the church. My plea is that and small groups. do a better job at preaching. men to do a better job? I am open to sug - hearing Biblical exposition concluded an increasing number of believers will Living in Western Michigan has been 3. Slow, but steadily increasing, absorption Then I saw “Next Issue’s Question” in the gestions, and would appreciate your with devotional, challenging exhortations drop their hot pursuit for ‘Christianity interesting for the past several years, as of the current trends in our culture section from Dr. MacLeod, decrying the thoughts. based on the scriptures just unpacked, Lite’ and take up the serious study of the Rob Bell and Mars Hill Bible Church which endorse fun and entertainment lack of sound expositional teaching and extremely helpful. A year of just exposito - Word of God ” (pp. 51–52). Anonymous (not the church we attend) have come as a means of attracting “seekers” ry preaching and no practical application The condition Brother Newell under great scrutiny. Many of our church - or devotional insights, or indeed “chal - describes deeply reflects what is happening es need to come under the same scrutiny, lenging exhortations,” aids good Biblical in North America. There are several so I find Dr. MacLeod’s questions to be NEXT ISSUE ’S QUESTION : knowledge, but little daily aid. A year of churches I have visited where the Bible is extremely relevant to much of what is When Princeton Theological Seminary was founded in 1812, not all Presbyterians welcomed the new school. They just “devotional ministry” and “challeng - never opened, or even alluded to. There currently taking place in the church believed an older tradition should be followed in which a promising young man would live with a minister’s family for a ing exhortation” with little reference or are many ideologies eclipsing the Bible. I (as a whole). few years and be mentored by the seasoned pastor. The young man would be given books to read from the pastor’s relevance to the passage it is supposed to fear many churches have hidden the Bible In answer to what I think of Mr. library and opportunities to serve in the local church. The pastor would examine him regularly on his reading and have alighted from might give me a little from view. Newell’s philosophy of preaching, I would, evaluate his spiritual growth. Then followed opportunities to preach, and eventually he would be assigned to a church Sunday boost, but little perseverance for There are many books one can read in my initial reaction, say his philosophy of his own (David B. Calhoun, Princeton Seminary [Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1994], 1:4, 30). continued obedience to God’s Word. in order to learn more about the current is great. While I have not read his works, I My question this month is an outgrowth of two things: First, there is my observation that the history of American Therefore, in my opinion, for what it’s trends and movements associated with understand that he believes that exposito - Presbyterianism and its early rejection of formal biblical studies parallels the history of the Brethren assemblies and worth, a mixture of both is ideal. In the postmodern evangelicalism and the emer - ry preaching, built upon correct exegesis, their widespread resistance to formal training. Second, there are the answers in this issue to my previous question. words of my alma mater missions profes - gent church. In their book Why We’re Not is absolutely necessary in order for a I am thinking especially of the letter of “Anonymous.” He asks all of us for advice in motivating his local preachers to sor, Ken Fleming: “It’s all about balance.” Emergent (By Two Guys Who Should Be) , speaker to legitimately address the Word. I prepare well, use good exegesis, and follow good expositional practices. Kevin De Young and Ted Kluck address do not disagree. I would not, however, My question, then, is twofold: (1) What advice would you give “Anonymous?” (2) If you believe, as many of our Beth Grove this issue. “Burned-out evangelicals who agree that this is the only type of preach - readers do, that the local assembly is the place for training and preparation, what is being done in your assembly to go emergent and talk squishy about the London, UK ing which is valid or truthful. Many peo - train young men in the principles of hermeneutics, to introduce them to sound exegetical principles, and to encourage Bible may still basically treat the Bible as ple’s stories of how God has worked in them to study homiletics for the serious task of ministering God’s Word? if it were completely true and authorita - David MacLeod Comments their lives can be very compelling in vali - tive. This would be a fortuitous inconsis - I appreciate very much this letter from dating God’s Word from a life application Please send responses to Journey Magazine, Emmaus Bible College, 2570 Asbury Road, Dubuque, IA 52001, tency. But what happens in the second Beth Grove. I agree with her that we need standpoint. This (story telling) can be or e-mail to [email protected]. Include name, city, state, and daytime phone number. Letters may be edited generation? What happens when an devotional insights, challenging exhorta - dangerous water to tread, however, as it to yield brevity and clarity. erstwhile church planter with a few tions, helpful illustrations, and good appli - flows from the experiential, as opposed to

42 Journey : Fall 2012 Journey : Fall 2012 43 Journey | News from Emmaus Journey | magazine

The Bachelor of Science in Please visit the Educational Ministries of New Testament at Trinity Bible/Theology and Camp Ministries Departmental page on the Emmaus website Evangelical Divinity School in News from The Educational Ministries Department for more information about our new Deerfield, IL. The theme of the con - is excited to launch our new Christian Christian Camping major. May God bless ference is The Glory of the Gospel. Emmaus Camping Ministries major. This new you as you purpose to follow Him! Joining Dr. Carson from the platform discipline is centered on rising up faith - are Alexander Strauch, author and ful followers of Christ in the next gener - Open Position Bible teacher, and Mark Stevenson, a Servant Leader Training Marco Arjona— New Programs ation. This is in accordance to the member of the Bible faculty at Admissions Counselor Emmaus Bible College is seeking Emmaus purposes to develop servant- Emmaus Bible College is pleased to Biblical pattern of ministry of the older Emmaus. To ensure you have a seat at Ben Brown— applicants for a general education passing on to the younger an example of the conference, register early by con - leaders, equipped for service, ministry General Studies Adjunct Faculty announce the addition of a new major chair/history faculty position in our remembrance and faithfulness to follow - tacting Laura Strautmann at lstraut - and vocation. Emmaus also desires for member, Intramurals Supervisor, in Secondary Education beginning Fall General Education Department students to be active participants in Men’s Soccer Coach 2012! Students can specialize in teach - ing the plan of God. beginning in January 2013 or January [email protected] or at 563-588- their learning process and personal Israel Chavez— ing world history, business, or psycholo - 2013. The position includes class - 8000 x1106. More information is development. We have designed the Director of Enrollment Services gy. Upon successful completion of the Our department addresses this great task room teaching in history and adminis - available on our website at new Student-Leader Training program Jon Glock— program, graduates will be recommended through faithful study and application of trative responsibilities for program www.emmaus.edu/ministry/iron- in a way to help accomplish both Vice President for Advancement, for Iowa State teacher licensure with a the Bible, intentional care for people, effectiveness, including faculty man - sharpens-iron/iron-sharpens-iron-2013. these educational objectives. We Dean for Student Development 5-12 endorsement in their chosen and the administration of godly servant agement and development, budgeting, Stefan Johnson— meet these objectives by providing content area. leadership. Strong emphasis is placed on assessment of student learning, and A Christmas Gift of Director of Constituency students the opportunity to advance hands-on training in working with academic advising. 24 New Windows & Alumni Relations the learning process by applying their The new Secondary Education program adolescents through an intentional Jesse Lange— Emmaus’ windows have been in need classroom experiences in their com - includes a major in Bible/Theology, internship, practical field study, and Director of Publications and Please submit resumes or of repair for years. Turn-handles are Christian service with youth. munities and local churches. Marketing which provides a strong Biblical founda - recommendations to: missing, windows are stained or foggy, Linda Neufeld— tion for teaching philosophy and prac - Lisa Beatty, Vice-President for This new major works in partnership The purpose of the new Servant- Admissions Counselor tice. Graduates of the program will be Academic Affairs and many leak significant amounts of Leader Training program is to connect Kayla Paust— well-equipped for positions in public and with the Leadership, Training, and Emmaus Bible College air. But the alumni came through with students with their communities and Sr. Accountant / Student accounts private secondary schools as well as Development (LTD) program at Camp 2570 Asbury Road $33,000 in gifts towards window churches in order to provide opportu - Sheri Popp— home school settings. Forest Springs (CFS) in Westboro, WI. Dubuque, IA 52001 replacement last winter during our nities for meaningful service. The Associate Dean for General In addition to studying at Emmaus, stu - Or submit by email Alumni Christmas Gift campaign. Education and Assessment, General intent of the Servant-Leader Training A recent State of Iowa review of the dents will spend their entire senior year to: [email protected] This replaced twenty-four dormitory Education Chair program is for students to develop the Teacher Education programs at Emmaus immersed in a professional Christian For more information, visit our windows with money left over for sev - Jeff Riley— skills and attitudes of servant-leaders resulted in the following feedback: Camping environment while earning webstie at www.emmaus.edu/jobs. Educational Ministries Chair eral other windows on our campus! as they apply the knowledge and theo - “The Teacher Education Program faculty academic credit to fulfill their degree Janelle Routley— Praise God for His provision through ries gained in the classroom. model a passionate commitment to requirements. The Emmaus Camping Associate Dean for Student Emmaus Welcomes the alumni of EBC! Ministries program is designed to com - Development, Director of teaching as a profession and to nurturing Dr. D.A. Carson bine Emmaus’ excellent Bible and Personnel Updates Servant-Leader Training candidates to become dedicated teach - Theological training with dynamic We anticipate a full house for our This summer, the Cabinet developed Sarah Schulz— ers....This commitment and investment Christian Camping ministries in annual Iron Sharpens Iron conference strategies for addressing current and Women’s Basketball Coach is illustrated through sustaining program conjunction with CFS’s experiential May 23-26, 2013. Our keynote speaker future human resource needs of Seth Scott— quality and candidate success over time.” and hands-on classroom instruction. is Dr. D.A. Carson, Research Professor Emmaus, resulting in significant Counseling Department faculty If you want a share in this success, Laura Strautman— Students get the benefit of direct on-site restructuring as well as several new contact Enrollment Services for more Women’s Resident Director and training by CFS vocational staff. hires at the college. Please pray for information about the new Secondary EMR Coordinator Students will work toward developing a those with new roles and responsibili - Education program or other Teacher Julie Umstetter— personal philosophy and implementa - ties, and continue to pray for God’s Education programs at Emmaus. Admissions Counselor tion of Christian camp ministry as they rich blessing on His work at Emmaus. Luke Wilkerson— live out real-life camping ministry. Athletic Director & Admissions An ideal graduate will be qualified to Counselor dynamically serve in a variety of director Beth Young— Assistant Librarian (May 2013) oriented roles specifically those of an executive, administrative, and program - ming nature.

44 Journey : Fall 2012 Journey : Fall 2012 45 Journey | A Word Along the Way Journey | magazine

Prelude By Beth LaBuff

The soul’s despair remains within the heart Come, for everything is now ready. 1 The wedding guests assembled, “Enraptured” That seeks relief in vane frivolity; *** friends of the bride and Bridegroom. nce set adrift at birth so long ago, A silent hunter poised one’s joy to kill I was blessed to be among the ancients, By flesh conceived to know the way of flesh, Though sensate pleasures rich appear to be. How wonderful the joy of Christ became In the kingdom of God, through a portal I peered commended for our faith. I roamed in age fast bent on self to please And then upon a day like all the rest, To be enraptured by redeeming grace! As the guests began to gather. Amidst the throng, I brushed shoulders OA mindset forged by blood and flesh enmeshed. I chanced to hear a word with new intent: My soul expanded into Savior’s love, Across the threshold was a banquet hall, with those arrayed in white robes, That God both knew and understood my plight, My rapture at the thought of Jesus’ face. And I was among the blessed, one by God invited. Ushered by death out of the great tribulation. And who knows where a worldling will end up, That Jesus died for me, from heaven sent. Was it concession for a change of pace, When cast amid the course of surging life? Or just a pruned perspective on life’s worth? A marked decision might success endow, A brand new life, a change of all I knew Oh no, for fake confession falls apart A voice like a trumpet echoed, “Come inside.” I longed, for just a twinkling-eye moment, to here abide. Another lead to failure’s bitter strife. A soul’s redemption for eternity? And ends far short of promised true new birth. From wanton destiny to Spirit’s seal, Into the hall, the floor lustered like a sea of glass, When a hush overtook us, So I, in fitful start entered the maze To live forever, cleansed, how can it be? To leave behind without a backward glance clear as crystal. our tongues compelled to silence, In hope abounding, searching for a way The womb of worldliness in which I ran— Reflected on the floor, stretching on to infinity, There came from the throne a voice with rich timbre, To piece together time’s persistent trek What foolish rant, I thought, for me to claim, In Christ’s redeeming love renewing me, was the length of table. “Praise our God, all you his servants. 2” And chart a course of pleasure, come what may. For me, so schooled in worldly sentiment! I am transformed, a found, forgiven man. Overtop, a suspended canopy of pristine gossamer Then my voice resounded with thousands, A vapid, pointless leap into the dark swayed in celestial breezes. and thousands upon thousands, But passing years revealed the darker dream Where all regretful souls voice discontent. A new man saved from condemnation sure Flanking the table were chairs with lavish cushions “Hallelujah! The wedding of the Lamb has come; That chills the heart when trying to deny: Before a holy God who judges sin— and gold filigree backs. the bride has made herself ready. 3” A man will hide the truth that he is lost, But Christ’s redeeming love beguiled my mind, New life in Christ, creation once again, While outward actions on charade rely. So desperate to know a truth apart Reborn, His holy Spirit kept within. From mindless ruse and disillusionment The table linen was exquisitely interwoven with finely twisted Salt tear rivulets trailed down my face; And left to find my worth in worldly fray, That left me famished, begging in my heart. And now entranced by godly love for me, threads, gold and scarlet-dyed. overwhelmed by majesty, I cried. I floundered here and there in search of joy; I wait for entrance into heaven’s keep; In fear that what the world would bring my way My sin had separated me from God No longer plagued by dismal hopelessness, Glassware reflected rainbows on the gossamer canopy. And there she stood, arrayed in linen bright and clean, Would leave me destitute with every ploy. And ruined all His image in me given; Content in Christ, the spirit’s truth to reap. Plates and bowls at each setting were wrought righteous and radiant, without stain or wrinkle. At once I knew my soul in jeopardy from precious stones, She gazed at her Bridegroom, scarred by eternal wounds. My life, sealed up in hope of future plan, Was doomed to live without Him, heedless, Once bound by flesh, now weaned and loosed to run, Crafted from sapphire, amethyst, and ruby. With the roar of rushing waters and loud peals of thunder, driven. A chrysalis prepared to open wide— To know my re-formation through His blood— Luxurious foods loaded the table –platters of angelic fare. My “Hallelujah” joined with that of the multitude, Emergent life’s unfolding, secret form I revel in the freedom of His grace And I, as each, in earth had to abide. Yet darker is the irony of sin Where once in blinded bondage I had stood. That urged me to reject His words of love; At each place setting, a white stone with a new name engraved, For here was the awaited— No solid ground in love would ease my pain, I found myself employing worldly rot, The vacant, hollow course of earthly plan lay beside. The Lamb and His blood-bought bride! Though I pursued its faint elusive charm; Absurdist argument toward Him above! Becomes an afterthought of tortured mind; I pressed for it but saw it slip away For life in Christ intends eternal joy And garnered naught but hollow, useless harm. I raged at my resurgent poverty, And leaves earth’s broken pathway far behind. Cocooned in faithless night, though living still; A destitution bred in fruitless search The cold reality that life relays— Each breaking hour I’m closer to that day, “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” Revelation 19:9 That happiness and luck will breed success— Without the light of Christ, nor truth, nor will. My cache of time in passing fullness spent; Becomes the goad relentless in the heart Within my soul a lightness I embrace That drags the soul in fear of emptiness. But soon my counterintuition cleared As earth’s foul death grip now from me is rent. “For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and the bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean was As Spirit opened floodgates of the truth: given her to wear. (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)” Revelation 19:7-8 Conflicted in the midst, I drifted far At crossroads then, my need I would declare, What magnitude of joy is mine to hold! In desperation, craving peace of mind; For conscience felt its gnawing inward tooth. Anticipation bolsters my sojourn: 1 Luke 14:17 But momentary friendship with the world I may be willed to walk a darkened veil 2 Revelation 19:5 Is cheapest substitute that one can find. Or rise in rapture and to Him return. 3 Revelation 19:7 (all Scripture quotations from NIV 1984) Resigned to make my way by guts and wit, Till then the errant self in me contrives. Inspiration drawn from select verses from: Revelation 2, 7, 19, Matthew 22, Ephesians 5, Hebrews 11— My days were superficial at their best— But old has passed away and new has come— To drink, to love, to mask the ache within And sin’s recurrent contrariety Became a mantra bound to foolish jest. Will cease, and I with Christ will become one.

46 Journey : Fall 2012 Journey : Fall 2012 47 “Enraptured” Emmaus On the Road

Name Dates Location/Events City/State Ken Daughters 2012 Nov 25 Wauatosa Bible Chapel Milwaukee, WI Dec 16, 23, 30 Woodside Bible Chapel Maywood, IL 2013 Jan 13, 20 Warrenville Bible Chapel Warrenville, IL Feb 10 Bethany Bible Chapel Cedar Falls, IA Feb 11-15 ABHE Annual Meeting Orlando, FL Feb 18-20 Southeast Workers Conference Augusta, GA Mar 1-3 Koronis Winter Retreat Paynesville, MN Mar 24 Kennilworth Gospel Chapel Kennilworth, NJ Apr 14 Waterbury Christian Fellowship Waterbury, CT

Ken Fleming 2013 Feb 3, 10, 17, 24 Arbor Oaks Bible Chapel Dubuque IA

Dave Glock 2012 Dec 2, Jan 6, Feb 17 Bethany Chapel Cedar Falls, IA 2013 Jan 25, 27 Northern Hills Bible Chapel Cincinnati, OH Feb 10, 24 Lombard Gospel Chapel Lombard, IL

Jon Glock 2012 Dec 2, 9 Woodside Bible Chapel Maywood, IL 2013 Jan 25, 27 Northern Hills Bible Chapel Cincinnati, OH Feb 3, 17 Lombard Gospel Chapel Lombard, IL

John Jimo Nov 11, 18 Park Manor Bible Chapel Elgin, IL Dec 2, 9 Oak Lawn Bible Chapel Oak Lawn, IL Dec 30 Fairbluff Bible Chapel Charlotte, NC

Stefan Johnson 2012 Nov 18 Hiawatha Bible Chapel Wabasha, MN Dec 2 Evergreen Bible Chapel Federal Way, WA Dec 9 Cosmopolis Gospel Chapel Cosmopolis, WA 2013 Jan 20 Park of the Palms Church Keystone Heights, FL

Ben Mathew Nov 16-18 Laurel Bible Chapel Conference San Diego, CA Nov 25, Dec 2 Warrenville Bible Chapel Warrenville, IL

Dave MacLeod 2012 Dec 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Arbor Oaks Bible Chapel Dubuque, Iowa 2013 Jan 6, 13, 20, 27 Northwest Bible Chapel Chicago, Illinois

Dr Daniel H. Smith 2012 Nov 11 Bayside Community Church Tampa, FL Nov 18 Sunset Bible Chapel Salina, KS Dec 16 Northwest Bible Chapel Chicago, IL 2013 Jan 6,13,20,27 Arbor Oaks Bible Chapel Dubuque, IA Feb 3,10 Cedar Rapids Bible Chapel Cedar Rapids, IA Feb 16,17 Northwest Gospel Hall Grand Rapids, MI

Mark Stevenson Nov 11, 18, 25 Arbor Oaks Bible Chapel Dubuque, IA

If you would like more information about having faculty speak at your assembly, 48 Journey : Fall 2012 retreat, conference or camp please call 1-800-397-BIBLE or e-mail [email protected]. Emmaus Bible College 2570 Asbury Road, Dubuque, IA 52001