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Home , Armageddon, Dispensationalism, Dispensation (period), Hal Lindsey, Left Behind, Left Behind (novel)

CALVIN SEMINARY

FVol.6F No. 3 ORUORUMMFall 1999 COVER ESSAY AND done in fictional form what THE REFORMED did a generation ago in non-fiction with The On almost every list of able about this series is that Late Great Planet Earth best-selling fiction these days the authors are evangelical (1970)—popularize a view of is one or more of a series of and the subject the end times known as dis- novels by Tim LaHaye and matter is the pensational , LYLE D. BIERMA Jerry Jenkins: , of Christ, hardly a combina- or dispensationalism for short. Tribulation Force, , Soul tion one would expect to Professor of Systematic Of the various millennial at Harvest, , and produce sales in the millions. schools of thought in the Calvin Seminary. Assassins. What is so remark- But LaHaye and Jenkins have Christian , premillen- nial dispensationalism is the most recent to emerge. It traces its roots to , founder of the than 100 institutes Plymouth or Darbyite founded in the U.S. in the first Brethren in Great Britain in half of the twentieth century, the nineteenth century. It was and especially the publication in the , however, in 1909 of The Scofield that Darby’s ideas had and still Reference Bible (a King have their greatest impact. James Version with extensive Through several channels— dispensational study notes by the writings and speeches of C. I. Scofield)—dispensational Darby and the American premillennialism came to William E. Gladstone, a series shape the eschatological of major conferences thinking of thousands of fun- in the 1880s, the evangelistic damentalist and evangelical “. . Be ready, because the Son of Man will come preaching of D. L. Moody and later Billy Graham, the more Please see COVER ESSAY at an hour when you do not expect him” next page

FEATURED ARTICLES

“Dispensationalism and the Reformed” - Lyle D. Bierma...... p. 1 “Reflections on the Future” - James A. De Jong ...... p. 3 “The Imagination” - John Bolt ...... p. 4 “The Church and Y2K” - Alton J. Danks ...... p. 6 “Facing, Not Fearing, The Future” - Calvin P. Van Reken...... p. 7

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COVER ESSAYcont. despite our differences with BIERMA them, dispensational premillen- nialists are our brothers and sis- Christians across the United Wedded to this view of millennium ters in Christ, fellow members of

States. “ is a set of principles of biblical the one, holy, . Today it continues to hold interpretation not found elsewhere“ There is much that we have in sway in many Baptist, common, including a belief in Pentecostal, and independent in the Christian tradition. the inspiration, infallibility, and evangelical churches. Schools authority of Scripture, in justifi- such as Moody Bible Institute cation by grace through faith on and Dallas Theological Seminary divides biblical history into in the . This will be the basis of Christ’s substitution- teach from a dispensational distinct periods of time or followed by a seven-year ary atonement, and in the per- perspective, although a group of “dispensations,” in each tribulation on earth during sonal return of Christ at the younger scholars at the latter of which tests humanity’s which a mass conversion of close of history. There is also institution has developed a obedience to a specific revela- will take place. Then Christ will much that we can learn from modified version known as tion of his will. return to with his these fellow believers. How “progressive dispensationalism.” The New Scofield Reference to rule the world for a many of us share their zeal for (Reformed Bible Institute, now Bible (1967) identifies seven thousand years with at the the study of Scripture? Are we Reformed Bible College, was such dispensations: (1) head of the nations. At the end as watchful and ready for the founded in 1939 to provide a Innocence (from Creation to the of the millennium there will be return of Christ as many of them Reformed alternative to dispen- Fall); (2) (from the one final satanic revolt, Christ are? Is their sense of evangelis- sational lay-training schools like Fall to the Flood); (3) Human and his forces will crush the tic urgency also found in our Moody.) And the dispensational Government (from the Flood to enemy, and God will usher in churches? message is widely disseminated Babel); (4) Promise (from the new and earth. Both throughout the U.S. today (less to ); (5) Law so in Canada) through litera- (from Moses to Christ); (6) ture, videos, CDs, websites, Grace (from Christ to the prophecy conferences, and radio Rapture); and (7) the Kingdom and television programming. of Israel (from the return of Christ to the end of the What Millennium). Though salvation Dispensationalists Teach in each of these dispensations is by grace through faith, humani- Dispensational premillenni- ty for the most part fails the tests alism is, as the name indicates, a and falls under some form of form of premillennial teaching. divine judgment. At the end of Premillennialists understand 5, for example, 20:1-6 to mean that Christ came to earth and offered the Second Coming will take to restore the kingdom of heav- place before the Millennium, en to the Jews, an earthly reign that is, prior to a millennial or over Israel predicted in Old thousand-year reign of Christ Testament prophecy. The Jews, on the earth at the end of world however, failed the test of Our task as the people of God...is not to figure out history. In this respect dispensa- faith in the and were God’s blueprint for the future ... tional premillennialism is like its judged by being dispersed Our task is to tell the world that he is coming and to be much older cousin, historic or among the nations. Christ prepared to welcome him at any time. classical premillennialism. postponed the kingdom restora- But that is where the similar- tion of Israel until the redeemed Jews and Gentiles will ity stops. Wedded to this view populate the new universe, but Nevertheless, there are, from Millennium (Dispensation 7) a Reformed point of view, some of the millennium is a set of and has proceeded in the mean- the Jews will never lose their principles of biblical interpreta- distinct identity and status. serious weaknesses in the dis- time to establish the Christian pensational approach to tion not found elsewhere church among the Gentiles How should we in the in the Christian tradition. Scripture that we ought not to (Dispensation 6). Near the end Reformed tradition evaluate this gloss over. Space limits prevent Dispensationalism is a way of of history, however, the Gentile movement? We must begin understanding Scripture that a full treatment of these weak- church will be taken to heaven with the acknowledgment that, nesses, but we shall focus on two of the most important The Bible is the story of one plan of God as it unfolds in one ones—the dispensational claims “ that all prophecy should be of grace that he enters into with his one people.” interpreted literally and that Cont.page 8

2 EDITORIAL

James A. De Jong, Guest Editor REFLECTIONS ON THE FUTURE

predictions, made in the infancy created with a sense that this of the industrial and scientific Power will call us to future revolutions more than 200 account and will set all crooked years ago, seem uncannily things straight. As Christ- RECOMMENDED accurate. At least on many following, Bible-believing points! On matters of morality, people, we know that God is our TITLES ON THE civility, justice, racial and ethnic Father who for the sake of his FUTURE relations, and the universal Son’s finished work on the cross acceptance of Christ as Lord, he is gathering, winnowing, and Bavinck, Herman, missed by a country glorifying his people. We The Last Things: Hope mile. know that his kingdom is for this World and the Why would an otherwise coming in all its fullness and Next, edited by John sober Calvinist preacher and that it will never end. Believers Bolt, translated by theologian dally in rhapsodic in Christ have always been John Vriend. Grand JAMES A DE JONG visions of the future? Why did interested in the coming Rapids: The Dutch St. Augustine, , kingdom. Our Lord has taught Reformed Translation President and Professor William Smith of Adventist us to pray for its coming. He Society and Baker of at Calvin Theological fame, and a host of others has taught us to prepare and to Books, 1996. Seminary. through the centuries attempt be ready for his return. We look to set dates for the coming of to the future because we look to Clouse, Robert G., Christ’s kingdom on earth and Christ. Robert N. Hosack, and Richard Pierard, In the 1790s Rev. Samuel The New Millennium: A Hopkins, the Puritan preacher One of God’s greatest gifts to the Once and Future

at Newport, RI and disciple “ Guide. Grand Rapids: of Jonathan Edwards, appended church is theologians who instruct Baker Books, 1999. a lengthy “Treatise on the “ Millennium” to his two- us how to think and to believe volume . responsibly about the future. Hoekema, Hopkins believed that the year Anthony A., The Bible 2000 would be the begin- and the Future. Grand Rapids: William B. ning of the millennium. He for the mighty outpouring of Christians run amock, predicted an era of enor- the ? Why are Eerdmans Publishing unfortunately, when they read Company, 1979. mous technological advances: Reformed Christians today the Bible on the future in a way machines that could move intrigued by large turning in which it never intended to mountains, devices for rapid points in history and what they speak. Samuel Hopkins did; he Holwerda, David, communication and travel, the portend, such as the dawn of went far beyond Jonathan and Israel: One conquering of diseases, the third millennium A.D. and Edwards’ saner, more cautious, Covenant or Two? unprecedented agricultural the Y2K issue? more hermeneutically aware Grand Rapids: William productivity. The end of the This number of The Calvin moderate . B.Eerdmans twentieth century would Seminary Forum, which I am Edwards held a rock-solid Publishing Company, witness quality education avail- pleased to edit in Henry optimism about the triumph of 1995. able to all, a common language Zwaanstra’s sabbatical absence, Christ’s work on earth; Hopkins on earth, universal peace, the is devoted to addressing and mistakenly sought a timetable abolition of hunger, the virtual probing such eschatological and a concrete description of absence of criminal activity, and topics. the kingdom in the Bible. enormous prosperity. It would Bottom line, God has One of God’s greatest gifts to the also be a time when the name of endowed humanity with a sense church is theologians who Jesus Christ would be univer- of the future. As religious instruct us how to think and to sally acknowledged and the beings, we know a Power above believe responsibly, reliably Christian church would flour- and beyond us controls all about the future. I’ve noted ish in all lands. things—past, present, and some of the best in the sidebar Samuel Hopkins’ “thresh- future. As moral beings, we are on this page. old” is only weeks away! His

3 CALVIN SEMINARY FORUM THE ARMAGEDDON IMAGINATION

the American religious Right. ination, particularly as we There is present among certain approach the magical-mystical apocalyptic sects and militia “ Dispensational year 2000. Second, the excesses groups such as Christian premillennialism of the small presence of Identity an “Armageddon imagi- Christian militia groups have nation,” a worldview that sees has in common with been effectively used by secular JOHN BOLT the American federal govern- the Branch Dividians people to discredit and try to ment as the engaged and similar groups eliminate all Christian witness Professor of Systematic to Christ’s lordship in the at Calvin in a war against the saints and a preoccupation Theological Seminary. thus to be resisted to the death. arena. In the remainder of this The attack on the Mt. Carmel with conspiratorial essay I will address each of these Center confirmed the apocalyp- politics and calendar issues in greater detail. tic timetable of Branch The dominant Davidian leader David Koresh; speculation.” in American evangelical On April 19, 1993, U. S. the military attack only is dispensational federal government law enforce- increased the ’s determina- premillennialism, and many ment agents stormed Mount tion to fight to the end against guard of the new age; in them evangelicals therefore take to Carmel Center, the Branch the great satanic powers that prophecy will be fulfilled and a eschatological conspiracy-think- Davidian compound near Waco, were arrayed against them. As new human beginning started. ing and end-time calendar-gaz- Texas. The ensuing conflagra- the authors of a recent useful They have a destiny to build the ing like squirrels to acorns— tion killed 86 people including volume on current millennial- kingdom of God on earth; they they tend to go nutty. Proof that many women and children. ism put it: “For the followers of are the destiny of God’s king- dispensational premillennialism Initially, official government Koresh, this war with unbeliev- dom on earth. This mindset is is immensely popular is not spokespersons denied that they ers truly signaled the end of the nurtured by direct application of hard to find. Hal Lindsey’s Late had used potentially explosive world” (Robert G. Clouse, biblical prophecy to the group’s Great Planet Earth, first pub- crowd control gases in the Robert N. Hosack, and Richard current situation. One of the lished in 1970, sold over 35 mil- attack, insisting that the fatal V. Pierard, The New Millennium staples of American apocalyptic lion copies and was the best- fires had been set by the victims Manual: A Once and Future is the eccentric teaching of selling non-fiction (!) book of themselves. However, in Guide [Baker, 1999], 30). British-Israelism, a strange that decade. More recently, September 1999 the official The and notion that the ten tribes of the Dallas theologian John F. government line was reversed groups similar to them have a Northern Kingdom carried off Walvoord’s Armaggedon, Oil and when the Federal Bureau of radically dualistic worldview. into Assyria in 722 B.C. found the Crisis, repub- Investigation released docu- They live in the shadow of their way to the British Isles, lished during the Persian Gulf where King David’s true heir sits War, sold over one million on the throne of Great Britain. copies after a major billboard Why should we pay any advertising campaign. Well- There is a strong inclination attention to what are clearly known evangelical and “in the secular media to lump fringe and fanatic groups such author Tim LaHaye and promi- as these? Would it not be better nent evangelical ghost-writer all together to ignore them and thus deprive Jerry Jenkins are coauthoring a with the extremists. them of the publicity they so series of seven end-time novels obviously crave and need? As a (Left Behind, Tribulation Harvest, ” general principle, yes; it would Nicolae, , Appolyon, be preferable to apply some seri- Assassins) which are also selling ments showing that the attack- Armageddon, convinced that ous attention deficit to apoca- millions of copies. 700 Club ers had in fact used explosive they alone are the elect children lyptic groups and deny them the host and former Republican agents. of light facing off against the Armageddon publicity they Presidential candidate Pat Neither the original assault hosts of darkness and evil. want. But there are two reasons Robertson has also written an nor the coverup would have Thriving on opposition and why such benign neglect is not end-time novel in this vein, The surprised the Branch Davidians usually led by a powerful charis- prudent. First, many North End of the Age. Finally, the themselves or the several thou- matic leader—sometimes even American evangelical Christians incredible popularity of Frank

sands of contemporary conspir- seen as the returned Christ— have been taken in by key ele- acy devotees on the fringes of they see themselves as the van- ments of the Armageddon imag- Cont. page 5

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ARMAGEDDON...cont. BOLT Peretti’s spiritual warfare novels periods in actual church history. highlight the same characteristic The chart below, taken from tendency. Clarence Larkin’s The Greatest Dispensational premillenni- Book on Dispensational Truth in alism has in common with the the World, is a classic illustra- Branch Davidians and similar tion. groups a preoccupation with As the year 2000 approach- conspiratorial politics and calen- es, the siege mentality so char- dar speculation. Dark, sinister acteristic of militia and survival- forces of evil (them) are viewed ists groups has also made its as arrayed against God’s chosen inroads into the worldview of Fears about the Y2K problem have led to excessive stock- people (us) and only a supernat- ordinary Christians. Fears piling“ of fuel, food, water, and in some cases, even firearms. ural intervention can save the about the Y2K problem have led ” elect. In the meantime we to excessive stockpiling of fuel, are important similarities in atti- peaceful, their beliefs in dark, should hunker down in mental food, water, and in some cases, tude and practice between Y2K conspiratorial forces of govern- if not actual bunkers and wait even firearms. Now, of course hoarders and cult groups such as ment—agents of the Prince of for Armageddon, the final not all prudential stocking of the Branch Davidians. Darkness—will bring them to a in which the forces of darkness bottled water and firewood is an And it is these similarities point where they engage in vio- that lead us to consider the sec- lence to achieve their goal of a

...many evangelicals therefore ond reason for taking a serious Christian America. In sum,

look at apocalyptic fringe there is little or no difference take“ to eschatological conspiracy-thinking between the Christian “ groups. There is a strong incli- and end-time calendar-gazing like squirrels nation in the secular media to Coalition and the Branch lump all Christian eschatology Davidians or the Oklahoma to acorns... together with the extremists. City bombers. Public expres- The argument goes something sions of Christianity are there- like this: Members of the reli- fore dangerous to the civic will be destroyed. All this is set expression of what I have called gious right who believe that good and should be silenced forth in specific timetables the Armageddon imagination. Jesus is Lord, that his will must (think of Ireland and Lebanon drawn from literalist interpreta- However, major league hoard- be done on earth as it is in heav- and the Balkans!). The public tions of biblical prophecy, par- ing as a response to biblical en, that America will be blessed square should be religiously ticularly the . prophecy tied to specific calen- only if it is a godly and obedient neutral and naked. A typical example of this dar dates is another matter. nation—-these people want to Though I consider this prophetic charting is the inter- While it is unfair to label all impose their religious and moral secularist argument to be pretation of the letters to the those who are obsessed with the beliefs on freedom-loving wrong and dangerous, it is seven churches (Rev. 2-3) as a Y2K problem as closet militia Americans. Though they may understandable in the light of chronological description of members, it is true that there appear to be law-abiding and the Armageddon imagination. For that reason it would be good for evangelical Christians to move away from that kind of eschatology. In fact, there is no mythical or mystical prophetic significance to the year 2000. The number is of course in itself fascinating but it has absolutely no prophetic signifi- cance. In this it is exactly like the year 1000 or that very important year 1947. Interesting, personally signifi- cant perhaps, but not of prophetic weight. Y2K is no big deal, and when we make it one, we only generate theological and pastoral as well as political problems.

Larkin Chart

5 CALVIN SEMINARY FORUM THE CHURCH AND Y2K

‘pivot’ year. Some computer experience one of the prob- product to check. Links are software, for example, assumes lems noted above. available on the product page years 00-30 are 2000 dates and Speaking of power inter- when a patch is available. 31-99 are 1900 dates. ruptions, it would be wise to Or, you might have to Problems occur when these develop a contingency plan in replace either the device or the assumptions are wrong. These case your area experiences software. problems may be cosmetic power problems due to the (date doesn’t display correctly) year 2000. This is unlikely, or functional (device doesn’t but the possibility of being Opportunities work as needed). without power for even a short time in the winter should not Churches have two great opportunities regarding the So what could happen? be ignored. A church planning a New Year’s Eve service that year 2000 issue. Starting now, extends to January 1, 2000 churches may extend their role ALTON J. DANKS First, a date in the year of “truth bearer” into the year 2000 may be out of the range should think about having flashlights on hand. 2000 area by helping inform Information Technology of acceptable dates for a com- their communities of what Systems Coordinator at puter or electronic device. problems may occur and how Calvin Seminary. This could cause the device to Solutions to deal with them. This may stop working entirely or really help the communities prompt you for a new date. In The solutions available and help build trust. most cases, simply entering a depend on the nature of the Churches may also develop As I am writing this, there date within the range the problem. plans to provide shelter or are just under 100 days left device can handle will get it other assistance to the com- before January 1, 2000. First, try entering a new working again. munity in case of local power People have different beliefs date. This may fix the first two Second, a computer may outages. about the impact this event problems noted above. TIP: not move to the year 2000 will have on our lives. These For electronic devices other automatically. In at least some beliefs are reflected in the dif- than computers, consider cases, manually setting the One More Thing ferent ways people are prepar- using the corresponding date date will fix this problem. ing. We see people building in 1972. Both 1972 and 2000 One more thing to think fortresses in wilderness areas Third, a computer or are leap years and their dates about. It is not a year 2000 and others doing nothing at device may not display dates and days of the week match – related issue, but recent all. properly. i.e. January 1, 1972 and changes in the television January 1, 2000 are both What should churches do? Fourth, a computer may industry are impacting church- Saturdays. This can help if How is the year 2000 most not sort dates properly. es. Local television stations you need the dates and days of likely to impact them? Fifth, a computer may not are moving to High Definition calculate the number of days the week to match. Do not TV, or HDTV. When they do between dates correctly when backdate a computer as it can this they may use a frequency Problems the century of the one date is cause problems with backing that interferes with a church’s 1900 and the other is 2000. up and restoring data or wireless sound system. Our Perhaps the most impor- Sixth, a computer or other installing new software. In local churches just experi- tant thing is to understand device (like a VCR) may not these cases the computer com- enced this when one of our what types of problems may compare dates correctly when pares the dates of files and can local television stations occur as we move into the year the century of the one date is incorrectly identify older files upgraded. If you need to 2000. The primary issue is the 1900 and the other is 2000. In as newer ones and vice versa. replace sound equipment to change-of-the-century digits in other words, it may not be able You could apply a software deal with year 2000 issues, the year. Due to technology to correctly calculate whether patch. Windows ‘95, for exam- make sure you get equipment and economic conditions that one date is older than another ple, has some problems with that will handle the local prevailed until recently, a lot of date. the year 2000. The Windows HDTV issue also. computers and electronic Any electronic device that Explorer file manager will not devices did not store the cen- required a date entry when it sort or display year 2000 dates tury digits of the year. Instead, was first started (like a com- properly. A patch is available the century was either puter), or requires a date entry at http://microsoft.com/tech- assumed to be 1900 in all whenever power is interrupted net/year2k/. Select Product cases, or assumed to be 1900 if (like a VCR) is one that may Guide and then select the the year was below a specified

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FACING, NOT FEARING, THE FUTURE only limited success. Some is protected from a potential adults don’t want to think about danger. ... the emotion of their childhood; it was too Within limits the emotion “ painful. For people with of fear can be trained. To do so fear can be trained. painful memories the past is a properly requires discerning To do so requires black hole, and they are afraid which contexts really warrant discerning which of being sucked back into it. fear and which do not. This is I am just old enough to not an easy thing to do. One contexts really remember the nuclear bomb general rule is that the degree warrant fear and scare in the 1950s, when some of fear that is warranted in a which do not. people were building bomb person is directly proportional ” shelters in their backyards. to the danger to the person. If They were trying to fix it so that there is no actual danger, then tion of how to deal with Y2K. CALVIN P. they would live through a one should not have any fear. Is stocking up on tuna because VAN REKEN nuclear attack and the subse- If there is a real and serious of Y2K showing a lack of faith? quent . Today danger, then one should be I don’t think so. One of the Professor of Moral there is quite a stir about Y2K. very afraid. While this is often ways cares for us is to Theology at Calvin People are warned to make sure a helpful rule of thumb, it give us the ability to make rea- Theological Seminary. they have food and other sup- doesn’t help us much with the sonable preparations. Maybe plies for a week or two or even current alarm over Y2K. The computer systems will fail. People fear the past in dif- longer. Bottled water, canned problem is that we simply Maybe supplies will run low. ferent ways. In Thomas Hardy’s tuna, potatoes, and generators don’t know how much danger Maybe there is some real dan- The Mayor of Casterbridge are being stockpiled. Some Y2K poses. ger. I don’t know if there is Henchard has a shame- mattresses are slowly becoming In Scripture we are told real danger or not. I do know ful past. Early in his life, while lumpier with cash taken out of specifically about events in the this, that if you think that the drunk, he auctioned off his banks. Some people are afraid past. We are repeatedly told future is dangerous because of young wife and his baby daugh- of what the future holds, so to remember the past. But we Y2K, then you should prepare ter to a sailor for five guineas. they try to make it so they are not encouraged to recall for it calmly. In what spirit you Later, filled with shame, he would survive if something bad everything about the past. We go about your preparations swore off drinking, moved happens. are not told to remember our does matter. It is a temptation away, and eventually became Fear is a powerful emotion. , our good deeds, or our to fear the future excessively the mayor of his new home, Like every emotion, it has a cleverness at avoiding trouble. and to make inappropriate pre- Casterbridge. As the narrative good and proper function, but Rather we are told to remem- cautions. To fear the future ber how God has shown excessively or inappropriately is Himself through all the joys to worry, to be anxious. And and sorrows of our lives to be Jesus said that we should not Fear is a powerful emotion. a faithful Provider and Savior. worry or be anxious. Jesus says Like“ every emotion, it has a good and We remember the past so we we should not worry about proper function... keep in mind that our lives whether we will have food to now and in the future are not eat or water to drink. People ” secured by our own efforts, without Christ run after all but by God. And because we these things. Our Father in unfolds his past catches up with not every occurrence is appro- know that He cares for us, heaven knows that we need him. For people with guilty priate. If someone is afraid of there are real limits on how them. What’s most important secrets the past is a wounded heights, we think he should much we should fear the for us today is not to panic and bear that seems to be gaining on overcome it. But if someone is future, no matter how threat- so prepare for some future dis- them. afraid of bungee jumping, we ening it may appear. The aster, but to seek first God’s For other people the past is may think him sensible. If a proper confidence is well kingdom and his righteousness. threatening in a different way. child is afraid of the dark, we expressed in the words of the Let’s not be anxious about Some Viet Nam veterans won’t try to quell her fear. But if a gospel song, “I don’t know tomorrow; each day has enough talk about the past. The war is child is not afraid of stray dogs, what the future holds, but I trouble of its own. a powerful memory that they we may warn her about dogs so know who holds the future.” work hard at forgetting with that she learns to be afraid and This brings us to the ques-

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CALVIN SEMINARY FORUM

CALVIN SEMINARY COVER ESSAYcont. BIERMA FFORUORUMM Calvin Seminary Forum there is an abiding fundamental tional: certain things will happen aspect of dispensationalism that Volume 6, Number 3 distinction between Israel and if you repent or unless you concerns Reformed Christians is Fall, 1999 the church. repent (cf. Jeremiah 18:7-10). its insistence that God always The Calvin Seminary Forum Second, much of the has and will have separate pur- is published in Winter, Spring, and Fall editions. Prophecy & Fulfillment prophetic material in question poses for Israel and the church. is apocalyptic in nature. According to this view, the histo- Calvin Theological Seminary Apocalyptic passages are grand ry of redemption is about two 3233 Burton St. SE One reason for dispensation- distinct peoples and two divine Grand Rapids, MI 49546 alism’s popular appeal is the cer- poetic dramas, which paint the climactic cosmic struggle plans. From a Reformed per- Subscription price: $8.00 tainty it offers its followers about spective, however, this repre- In Canada: $10.00 the future fulfillment of biblical between the forces of God and in broad, highly symbolic sents a serious misreading of Editorial Committee: prophecy. It is convinced that Scripture. The Bible is the story Henry Zwaanstra, Editor much of the prophetic material strokes. They are not meant to Harry Boonstra be read like historical narrative of one plan of God as it unfolds John Cooper in Ezekiel, Daniel, the Gospels, in one covenant of grace that he and Revelation will be literally or tomorrow’s newspaper. And Calvin Van Reken enters into with his one people. Jeffrey Weima fulfilled in events at the end of when “literal” interpretations of these texts turn out to be wrong The true sons and daughters of © 1999 Calvin Theological Seminary world history, some of which are Israel today are not the citizens already taking place. These of a secular state on the eastern are “God’s blueprint shore of the Mediterranean but for the future” (Charles C. down” (Ryrie). Only the Father the one great Seed of Abraham, knows when the Son is coming

Ryrie), which, if read correctly, dispensational the Messiah (Gal. 3:16), and all provides a detailed account of “ (Mt. 24:36). Our task is to tell premillennialists those Jews and Gentiles who are the world that he is coming and geo-political developments “ are our brothers and incorporated into him in the to be prepared to welcome him around the time of the Second church universal (Gal. 3:28-29). Coming. At the center of this at any time. As Jesus himself sisters in Christ The dividing wall of hostility has reminded us, “Keep watch, prophetic picture is the restored been destroyed (Eph. 2:14-15). state of Israel. because you do not know on God’s , royal what day your Lord will come . . This approach to prophecy is priesthood, and holy nation misguided, however, for at least . . Be ready, because the Son of today are the one body of Christ, Man will come at an hour when two reasons. First, biblical (cf. Hal Lindsey’s identification the church (1 Pt. 2:9), the new prophecy is not primarily predic- you do not expect him” (Mt. 24: in 1970 of a ten-nation “Israel of God” (Gal. 6:15). 42, 44). tion, as dispensationalism European Common Market in There are both natural branches assumes, but proclamation. It is Daniel 7; the and grafted branches in this not so much God’s fore-telling as now has fourteen members), not olive tree (Rom. 11:17-21), but his forth-telling. Prophecy is not only is the rest of the church the tree itself is one. a puzzle to be solved or a code to embarrassed, but the credibility The King is coming! On this be cracked but the word of God of the gospel is damaged. we and our dispensational addressed to his people then and brothers and sisters can agree. now in the form of promise, Our task as the people of God, exhortation, encouragement, and Israel and the Church however, is not to figure out warning. Even when it is predic- God’s blueprint for the future or tive in nature, it is often condi- A second and closely related where we are in “the final count-

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