By Charles Cooper, News and Letters

Home , Prewrath

Index of Parousia newsletters Downloaded from: http://www.scriptorium.org/products/newsletters.html PAROUSIA 1 Fall 1996 "What's in a Name" by Roger Best, news and letters. Click here to download

PAROUSIA 2 Winter 1997 "Are We Experiencing the Birth Pangs?" by Roger Best, news. Click here to download

PAROUSIA 3 Spring 1997 "The Meaning and Significance of Koloboo in Matthew 24:22" by Charles Cooper, news and letters. Click here to download

PAROUSIA 4 Summer 1997 "Hermeneutic: Key to Understanding Scripture" by Charles Cooper, news. Click here to download

PAROUSIA 5 Fall 1997 "Legs to Stand On" by Charles Cooper, news and letters. Click here to download PAROUSIA 6 Winter 1998 "Theological Winds of Change: Significance for the Rapture Question, Part 1 of 2" by Charles Cooper, news and letters. Click here to download

PAROUSIA 7 Spring 1998 "Dispensational Foundations: Acts, Joel, and Revelation, Part 2 of 2" by Charles Cooper, news. Click here to download

PAROUSIA 8 Summer 1998 "That Other Gospel" by Charles Cooper, news. Click here to download

PAROUSIA 9 Fall 1998 "The Parousia of Jesus Christ" by Charles Cooper, news and letters. Click here to download

PAROUSIA 10 Winter 1999 "Surviving the Tribulation: Fight, Flight, or Faith? The Jerusalem Discourse of Christ, Luke 21:5-38l" by Charles Cooper, news and letters. Click here to download

PAROUSIA 11 Spring 1999 An Interview with Robert Van Kampen, news and letters. Click here to download PAROUSIA 12 Summer 1999 "The Prophetic Pillars of the Prewrath Position, Part 1: The Timing of the Seventieth Week of Daniel" by Charles Cooper, news and letters. Click here to download

PAROUSIA 13 Winter 2000 "The Prophetic Pillars of the Prewrath Position, Part 2: The Rapture Initiates the Day of the Lord" by Charles Cooper, news and letters. Click here to download

PAROUSIA 14 Spring 2000 "The Prophetic Pillars of the Prewrath Position, Part 3: The Salvation of Israel Occurs After the Seventieth Week of Daniel Ends" by Charles Cooper, "Sharing the Prewrath Rapture Position" by Roger Best, news and letters. Click here to download

PAROUSIA 15 Summer 2000 "The Prophetic Pillars of the Prewrath Position, Part 4: God Almighty Takes Back His Rule of Earth After the Seventieth Week of Daniel, But Before Armageddon" by Charles Cooper, news. Click here to download

PAROUSIA 16 Fall 2000 "The Prophetic Pillars of the Prewrath Position, Part 5: The Battle of Armageddon Occurs Thirty Days After the Conclusion of Daniel's Seventieth Week" by Charles Cooper, "Examining the Twenty-four Elders" by Gary Vaterlaus, news and letters. Click here to download

PAROUSIA 17 Winter 2001 "Pseudo-Ephraem and the Didache: Weighing the Evidence" by Charles Cooper, "Thy Kingdom Come: The When and How" by Gary Vaterlaus, news and letters. Click here to download PAROUSIA 18 Spring 2001 "The Troubler of Israel: The Correct Interpretation of Jeremiah 30:7" by Charles Cooper, news. Click here to download

PAROUSIA 19 Summer 2001 "Amillennialism: Examining its 'Origens'" by Gary Vaterlaus, "Prophecy Under Fire: Critics & Critiques" by Charles Cooper, Meet a Berean - Pastor Randy Umberger. Click here to download

PAROUSIA 20 Fall 2001 "Examining an Amillennial Interpretation of Revelation 20:1-6" by Gary Vaterlaus, "Whose Wrath Is It?: Prophecy Under Fire" by Charles Cooper, Meet a Berean - Pastor Eric VanBuskirk. Click here to download Parousia 1 THE SIGN MINISTRIES NEWSLETTER / FALL 1996 What’s in a Name? We are thankful to God for the help and encouragement so many of you have been to us over the past couple of years. Thousands have called us on our toll free number, and many have also written with questions concerning end times and questions concerning the availability of material. It is not our intent to have just another newsletter, but we do feel an obligation to each one of you who have contacted us. As we introduce our newsletter to help keep you informed of our ministry, the materials we have available, and a study from God’s Word, it might be well in this first quarterly issue to give you the significance of the publication’s name: Parousia.

In Matthew 24:3 the disciples ask Christ, “What will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” The Greek word that is translated coming in this verse is parousia. It is also used in reference to Christ coming again in a number of passages

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24:30, “and then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory,” we have the word erchomai because we have the movement of Christ in relationship to the clouds in the sky. including 1 Thessalonians 4:15; speaking of an event. Parousia “For this we say to you by the always speaks of the event in We can summarize it by saying word of the Lord, that we who general with reference to Christ’s that parousia speaks of an event, are alive, and remain until the second coming. For example heko of a person’s presence, and coming of the Lord shall not pre- when we speak of Christ’s first erchomai of a person’s movement. cede those who have fallen coming, we think of His birth, So you see the Greek word asleep.” We see it in Matthew His childhood, His ministry, His parousia translated “coming” 24:27; “For just as the lightning death, and His resurrection all as speaks of all that goes on within comes from the east, and flashes part of that coming. In the same the second coming of the Lord even to the west, so shall the com- way parousia speaks of His sec- Jesus Christ. ing of the Son of Man be.” and ond coming and all the activity The parousia, again in 2 Thessalonians 2:1, that will take place within that the event of The parousia, the “Now we request you, brethren, event. Christ’s sec- event of Christ’s with regard to the coming of our ond coming, Lord Jesus Christ and our gather- In the general event of Christ’s begins with second coming, ing together to Him.” second coming—His parousia— the rapture of begins with the there will be specific and differ- the elect, the It is significant that in all these ent actions of movement: Christ gathering up rapture of verses the Greek word parousia is will lead protected Israel out of of the saved used, for there are two other Bozrah and up to Jerusalem at into the pres- the elect Greek words that are also trans- the end of the seventieth week of ence of our lated coming, they are heko and Daniel, and Christ’s will come Savior. We eagerly anticipate that erchomai. So let’s take a look at with His armies at Armageddon. coming and believe that the these words and understand their These are two examples of His events that lead up to that com- interrelationship so we can see movement within the event of ing could begin at any time. why parousia is used in the above His coming. Two Greek words, Israel is back in her land and she verses. heko and erchomai, need to be controls the city of Jerusalem; the examined to understand this stage is set for the prophecies of “The Greek noun parousia (usual- movement. Heko is a verb and the Word of God yet unfulfilled ly translated coming) has the pri- means “to come” or “to be pre- to take place. mary meaning of ‘presence,’ and sent” and is used only three times often the derived connotations of in the New Testament. It is used Since our ministry is one that is ‘coming or advent’—that is, of in Revelation 2:25 to encourage focused on end time events, becoming present by one’s those in the church at Thyatira which include the coming of arrival or appearance. In other and it is used twice in Revelation Christ, we felt that Parousia words, the term itself does not 3:3 as a warning to the dead would be an appropriate name carry the idea of movement, church at Sardis. The word that is for our quarterly newsletter. Our although that idea is often used in all other places is erchomai prayer is that it will be a help and implied.” (The Sign, chapter 16, which is also a verb and has no encouragement to each one of endnote 6, page 502). In other corresponding noun; it always is you. words parousia does not speak of used of persons and of their movement, from one place to movement from one place to another but is a noun and is another. For example in Matthew Parousia — page 3

New Books The Sign in Spanish The Sign (La Señal) is now available in Spanish having been published by Editorial Unilit. In an Coming Soon attempt to support this effort we now have a Sign Ministries representative stationed in Mexico City. Two new books by Robert Van Kampen are in process and will soon Bob and Serena Myers, formerly missionaries in be available for your study and help. The first is tentatively titled The South America, are establishing a ministry in Latin Rapture Question Answered - Plain and Simple. This book is a comparison America teaching the pre-wrath rapture to believers of the biblical arguments in the Olivet Discourse, the Thessalonian who speak the Spanish language. Bob has made epistles, and the book of Revelation concerning the pre-wrath rapture several contacts with pastors and church leaders, of the church. In this book of approximately 200 pages, solid evidence and there seems to be a real spirit of enthusiasm on is given leaving no question that the Bible does, indeed, teach the pre- their part. This summer he had the opportunity to wrath rapture. The book is easy reading and yet clearly and effective- speak and have a book table at the Baptist ly shows how, in comparing Scripture with Scripture, there is only one Ministerial Alliance meeting in Ensenada, Mexico. answer to the rapture question, plain and simple! Bob is available for church meetings, seminars and The second book is a book that will not only be important to show conferences. If you would like more information on the truth of the pre-wrath rapture but it is also entertaining in that it this ministry you may contact him directly. is a novel. The suggested title at this time is The Fourth Reich and we Rev. Bob Myers believe it will have a real impact once it is released. Those of us who Cda. de Veracruz 11, B-101 have read the manuscript are enthusiastic about it and highly recom- Col. Jesus del Monte mend it for your reading. Huixquilucan, Edo. de Mexico We will keep you informed as to when the books will be available C.P. 52764, Mexico for your purchase. PHONE 011-525-813-0419

V i s i t u s o n t h e I n t e r n e t ! In this day of advance communications we’ve taken advantage of the opportunity and have a website on the internet featuring: a monthly topical Bible study dealing with end-time events; the Glossary of End Time terminology to help the serious student understand the various terms; and additional information on available materials and our staff. If you have access to the internet we would invite you to visit our website at www.signministries.org. You may email us at [email protected].

Host an End Times Conference Why not have a prophecy conference in your church or area soon? Rev. Roger D. Best has conducted conferences in churches all over America and is available to come to your area to present an overview of end time events that will allow people to see just how the seventieth week of Daniel, the rapture of the church, the salvation of Israel, and Armageddon all fit the sequence of last things. If presenting the biblical pre-wrath view in your church is a problem, how about a seminar in a neutral place. Pastor Best has conducted a number of seminars on Saturday mornings from 8:30 to 12:30 in hotel conference rooms, banquet rooms, or the like. If you are interested in being involved in such a seminar give us a call for details. With your assistance we can help you put a seminar together for your area.

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1975, 1977, 1987, 1988, The Lockman Foundation. Lockman The 1988, 1987, 1977, 1975, 1973, 1972, 1971, 1968, 1963, 1962, 1960, Copyright © Bible, Standard American New the from taken Scripture permission. written

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Just a few of the hundreds of letters that we’ve received at The Sign Ministries. Sign The at received we’ve that letters of hundreds the of few a Just Letters

THE Bulk Rate SIGN U.S. Postage Paid Grand Haven, MI MINISTRIES Permit No. 383 P.O. Box 113 West Olive, MI 49460 Parousia 2 THE SIGN MINISTRIES NEWSLETTER / WINTER 1997 Are We Experiencing the

Back many years ago when we were expecting our Birth Pangs? third child, my wife had gone three weeks past the due date given her by the doctor. At about eight o’clock in the morning she began to have labor or Roger D. Best birth pains, and we rushed her to the hospital. Those pains or birth pangs continued throughout the day and finally, at nine minutes to twelve on a New Year’s eve, our third son was born. You see, the pains all day were not the birth but merely a sign that the time of the birth was near.

As the events of the end times begin to unfold, Jesus states what will be taking place in His Olivet Discourse. He tells us there will an abundance of false Christs, there will be an increase in wars, and there will be famines and earthquakes. He then says in Matthew 24:8, “But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.” In light of this there are two important questions that ought to be considered: Are we now experiencing the beginning of birth pangs? And if not how will we know when we are?

Both questions can be answered by comparing what Jesus said in Revelation 6 with what He said in Matthew 24. These passages describe the events pre- ceeding the Rapture; God’s wrath immediately follows with the beginning of the day of the Lord. Back in Daniel 9:27 God tells us that the seventieth week (commonly called the tribulation) will begin with the signing of a “covenant with the many.” It is clear that a world leader will sign or strengthen a covenant between the nations and Israel guarantee- ing peace to Israel. Daniel tells us that in the middle of the week that covenant will be violated; Jesus

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confirms it in Matthew 24:15, it had a bow; and a crown was earthquakes.” Once again, as we “Therefore when you see the given to him; and he went out compare Scripture with Scripture, Abomination of Desolation conquering , and to conquer.” we find the explanation of the which was Spoken of through Now without help we can only horseman. Daniel the prophet, standing in speculate as to the meaning of the holy place . . .” And Paul this verse; however, as we com- Therefore, the Word of God, in explains it in 2 Thessalonians pare what Jesus said in Matthew two parallel passages clearly por- 2:3-4, “Let no one in any way 24:5 we gain significant insight. trays the first half of the seventi- deceive you, for it (the day of the “For many will come in My name, eth week as a time of false Lord) will not come unless the saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will Christs, wars, and famines. Then apostasy comes first, and the man mislead many.” So we conclude in Matthew 24:8 Jesus tells us of lawlessness is revealed, the son that the first rider represents false that “All these things are merely of destruction, who opposes and Christs. As the seventieth week the beginning of birth pangs.” exalts himself above every so- begins we see a great increase in Remember that birth pangs are a called god or object of worship, those who claim to be the Christ. sign that a birth is near not the so that he takes his seat in the event of a birth itself. Once these temple of God, displaying him- The details of the second rider signs take place, the event of self as being God.” With this in are given in Revelation 6:3-4 Christ’s second coming occurs mind, Revelation 6 and Matthew where we read that “a red horse when Jesus cuts the great tribula- 24 tell us what will take place, went out; and to him who sat on tion short (Matthew 24:21-22), after the covenant is signed, dur- it, it was granted to take peace the great cosmic disturbances ing the first half of the seven year from the earth, and that men happen, and Jesus comes to take period. should slay one another; and a us to be with Him (what we com- great sword was given to him.” monly call the Rapture). Then Revelation chapter 6 begins with Now that sounds like wars, but immediately following the the opening of the first seal or, as let’s confirm it with what Jesus Rapture, the day of the Lord’s it is commonly referred to, the says in Matthew 24:6. “And you wrath begins. first of the four horsemen of the will be hearing of wars and apocalypse. It is important to rumors of wars; see that you are To answer our two questions — understand that the seals of a not frightened, for those things no, we are not yet experiencing book or scroll are on the outside must take place, but that is not yet the birth pangs, but when a world and give the the end.” This rider represents the leader signs a covenant of protec- requirements and conflict, wars, and rumors of wars tion with Israel we will know that Birth pangs conditions that that will spread throughout the the seventieth week has begun are a sign must be met in world during the first half of the and that the birth pangs will fol- order to open the seventieth week. low shortly. What we are seeing that a birth is book. As we look today are the precursors that are near not the at the passage you Verses 5-6 tell us about the third leading up to crucial events that will also notice rider. “And I looked, and behold, are yet before us. Therefore, keep event of a that the opening a black horse; and he who sat on your eye on Israel; she is back in of a seal results in it had a pair of scales in his hand. her land, and she does control birth itself. common or ordi- And I heard as it were a voice in Jerusalem. One of these days a nary occurrences the center of the four living crea- desperate Israel that longs for such as false christs, wars, and tures saying, ‘A quart of wheat for peace will sign the covenant, and famines; there is nothing super- a denarius, and three quarts of the world will begin to experi- natural about them. In other barley for a denarius; and do not ence the birth pangs. Let us heed words this is not the wrath of harm the oil and the wine.’” Since the warning of the apostle Paul, God but only the beginning of a denarius was a day’s wage it “So then let us not sleep as others birth pangs. Revelation 6:1-2 seems that there will be food do, but let us be alert and sober” describe the first seal as a rider on shortages. Matthew 24:7 compar- (1 Thessalonians 5:6). “a white horse, and he who sat on atively says, “And in various places there will be famines and Parousia — page 3

The Lighthouse Alliance We are excited about our partici- brings a wealth of experience as last days; and many other topics! pation in a new organization that chairman and CEO of a number Conferences are currently sched- we believe God has brought of corporations, is chairman of uled for the following cities: together for the purpose of Legacy Partners, Inc.; Pastor SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS sounding the alert as we face the Larry Napier, nationally known JANUARY 11, 1997 end times. We will, as “watchmen for his Empowerment Seminars, on the wall,” attempt to present a biblically based motivational ORLANDO, FLORIDA one End Times Prophecy approach showing how the heart FEBRUARY 1, 1997 Conference a month in major of man is the key to true empow- ATLANTA, GEORGIA cities throughout the U.S. The erment as God intended; and MARCH 1, 1997 Lighthouse Alliance is made up Pastor Roger Best, executive of several key individuals: Dr. director of The Sign Ministries. COLUMBUS, OHIO Larry Bates, economist and best- APRIL, 1997 selling author of The New These Conferences will provide You are invited to attend any one Economic Disorder, who is pub- information about: avoiding con- of these conferences. If you lisher and editor of Monetary and fusion surrounding the end would like further information Economic Review; Mr. Dan Collier, times; understanding the sign of call us at 1-800-627-5134. president of Legacy Partners, the rapture and the day of the You may also email us at Inc., an international strategies Lord; the economic, political and [email protected]. company offering prudent stew- monetary systems of the end ardship alternatives in times of times; the biblical response to the economic uncertainty and dislo- new world order; the biblical cation; Mr. Joe Dockery, who time table for the events of the

Spanish Ministry Website Receives Award Bob and Serena Myers, The Sign Ministries repre- We have recently been acknowledged with the sentatives in the Spanish-speaking world, continue “Best of the Christian Web” award which we to experience the blessing of the Lord on their min- received with much appreciation. Their statement istry. During the month of October, Bob had the concerning our website is reprinted below. A special privilege of presenting the prewrath position to thank you is due our excellent graphics man, Scott thirteen pastors’ groups in twelve cities outside Holmgren, who designed our site and puts it all Mexico City and two pastors’ groups in Mexico together each month. If you have access to the City. He was able to put a copy of La Señal (The Sign) internet we would invite you to visit our site at into the hands of 184 pastors and church leaders www.signministries.org. Please let us know what during the month. you think of the site. You may reach us by email at [email protected]. Bob is available for church meetings, seminars and This is an incredible site that answers many of the conferences. If you would like more information questions relating to one of the best selling prophe- about this ministry you may contact Bob Myers at cy books of all times, The Sign. Author Robert Van Kampen teaches the prewrath rapture of the 011-525-813-0419 or write him: Church in a concise, scripture based manner. The Sign Ministries is full of good reading but the gem Rev. Bob Myers of this site is the Eschatological Glossary. The glos- Cda. de Veracruz 11, B-101 sary covers nearly 200 prophecy terms and gives Col. Jesus del Monte detailed scriptural explanations of each. The graphics are excellent and the site is well designed. Huixquilucan, Edo. de Mexico This is a must see for students of Bible prophecy. C.P. 52764, Mexico

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lication may be reproduced or transmitted without publisher’s without transmitted or reproduced be may lication pub this of part No reserved. rights All Ministries. Sign The ©1997 Holmgren; Scott Director: Art Tisch; Dean Editor: Associate

gnministries.org; Editor: Rev. Roger D. Best; D. Roger Rev. Editor: gnministries.org; info@si 627-5134; (800) 49460; MI Olive, West 113, Box P.O. Ministries, Sign The by year a times four published and produced is Parousia

also used him through Bible con- Bible through him used also Hermeneutics at Moody Bible Moody at Hermeneutics Christ. He will write articles and articles write will He Christ.

istries in their churches. God has God churches. their in istries Charles taught Homiletics and Homiletics taught Charles premillennial prewrath return of return prewrath premillennial

layworkers develop men’s min- men’s develop layworkers 1986. After graduate school, graduate After 1986. ing, defining, and defending the defending and defining, ing, Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus Savior,

help local church pastors and pastors church local help Master of Theology degree in degree Theology of Master Charles will be active in declar- in active be will Charles ond coming of our Lord and Lord our of coming ond

has taught seminars designed to designed seminars taught has Seminary where he received a received he where Seminary As Director of Field Ministries, Field of Director As God’s Word concerning the sec- the concerning Word God’s

Africa since his teen years. He years. teen his since Africa went on to Dallas Theological Dallas to on went as we seek to teach the truth of truth the teach to seek we as

across America, Europe and Europe America, across and a minor in Greek. He then He Greek. in minor a and Triune Godhead. Triune Charles and The Sign Ministries Sign The and Charles

and communicating God’s truth God’s communicating and with a BA in Pastoral Ministries Pastoral in BA a with h rieadwrhpo the of worship and praise the Please continue to pray for pray to continue Please

has been preaching the gospel the preaching been has from Ouachita Baptist University Baptist Ouachita from ship, a church-plant dedicated to dedicated church-plant a ship,

“Coop” (as he loves to be called) be to loves he (as “Coop” Arkansas, Charles graduated Charles Arkansas, pastored Hi-Praz Bible Fellow- Bible Hi-Praz pastored provides the opportunity. the provides

Ministries. Born in Wilmar, in Born Ministries. recently, Charles founded and founded Charles recently, churches, and wherever else God else wherever and churches,

for just over a year. a over just for tf steDrco fField of Director the as staff effective worship seminars. Most seminars. worship effective colleges, universities, local universities, colleges,

wife Sondra have been married been have Sondra wife to its to Cooper Charles Rev. Thru the Bible Seminars and Seminars Bible the Thru tion, and present seminars at seminars present and tion,

six and a half years. He and his and He years. half a and six blessed by the recent addition of addition recent the by blessed ship training seminars, Walk seminars, training ship and arguments against the posi- the against arguments and

Institute in Chicago, Illinois for Illinois Chicago, in Institute The Sign Ministries has been has Ministries Sign The ferences, couples retreats, leader- retreats, couples ferences, books, respond to inquiries about inquiries to respond books, Introducing

THE Nonprofit Org. SIGN U.S. Postage Paid Grand Haven, MI MINISTRIES Permit No. 383 P.O. Box 113 West Olive, MI 49460 A Ministry of Sola Scriptura Parousia 3 THE SIGN MINISTRIES NEWSLETTER / SPRING 1997 The Meaning and Significance of Koloboo In Matthew 24:22 Rev. Charles Cooper With this verse from the Olivet Revelation of Jesus to John are all Discourse, the Lord Jesus con- referring to the same time frame. Wcludes His discussion concerning Therefore, in what sense will the the nature of the “Great second half of Daniel’s “And unless those Tribulation” — the Second-half of Seventieth Week be “cut short?” days had been cut the Seventieth Week of Daniel. Matthew 24:15-21 details for A translation of the Greek in short, no life would the reader the awfulness of the Matthew 24:22 reads “those second half of the last seven years days were shortened. . . those have been saved; but of human history as we know it. days will be shortened. . .” In for the sake of the It specifically will be a time of both instances those days are the incomparable tribulation. subject of the verb. The Greek elect those days shall says literally, those the days. It is Jesus indicated that this period those the days that are shortened. be cut short.” will be inaugurated by the The demonstrative pronoun those “abomination of desolation refers to the tribulation days of spoken of by the prophet verses 15-20. Pronouns are used Daniel” (Matt. 24:15). However, to break up the monotony caused Jesus does not indicate how long by using the same words over this time of great tribulation will and over again. In which case our last. Every indication in Daniel’s sentence would read: And unless prophecy is that three and half the days of great tribulation were years are decreed for “the little shortened, no flesh would be delivered; horn’s” reign of terror (Dan. but for the elect’s sake the days of great 7:25, 9:27). This is consistent tribulation will be shortened. H.E. with the Revelation of Jesus to Dana and Julius R. Mantey write John that says that the Beast will in A Manual Grammar of the Greek persecute the Saints for 42 New Testament that the function of months or 1,260 days (Rev. the demonstrative pronoun in 13:5). Thus one is correct in con- Greek is “to call attention with cluding that Daniel’s prophecy, special emphasis to a designated the Olivet Discourse, and the object” (p. 127). The′ reader must κολοβοcontinued on page ω2 Parousia — page 2

understand that the days of great Diodorus of Sicily, a Greek histo- not be changed. They would tribulation received special atten- rian, used koloboo to describe argue that the three-and-a-half- tion from God for the elect’s what happened to a woman year time frame is too precise not sake. caught in consenting adultery; to be taken literally. They also her nose was cut off or amputat- write that God limited the perse- κο In the Gospel of Mark, the ed. Similarly, Epictetus speaks of cution of Antichrist to three and Olivet Discourse is repeated but a man who lost his nose as hav- a half years — what they say with variations from Matthew. A ing been amputated. Polybius Jesus meant by “cutting short” literal translation of Mark 13:20 refers to wars in which men’s those days. If God had allowed is “the Lord shortened the hands and feet were amputated. the persecution to run longer, no days . . . He shortened the Aristotle used a form of koloboo flesh would be delivered. Thus days.” While Matthew indicates to refer to the short footedness of God amputated the days of tribu- that those days will be short- seals. While in Hermas Vision, lation. ened, Mark tells us that the Lord koloboo is used to describe rocks is the one who shortens the days. found to be too short for a build- Moreover, they insist that The differences are matters of ing project. Thus, in both the Daniel’s portrayal of an angel style, but the theological signifi- biblical and extrabiblical sources (12:7) raising his hand to heaven cance is the same. The emphasis (except for Hermas Vision and and swearing that the time of is definitely on the days of tribula- Matthew/Mark) koloboo refers to persecution would be three and a tion and what happened to them. the literal amputation of either half years makes it impossible for the nose or hands and feet. God to cut short the days of tribu- The verb koloboo is used in these lation. Such a view insures the parallel passages. It means “to In all cases, with the exception of Beast a literal three-and-a-half- curtail,” “to shorten,” and “to Aristotle, where the word is used year reign starting from the mid- dock.” It is found only one other a reduction in size or shape of point of Daniel’s last Week. In time in Scripture — the original has occurred. There other words, Israel will be perse- in the Septuagint, is no grammatical, historical, cuted to the very last day of the Greek transla- contextual, or theological reason tribulation by Antichrist. A pre- The tion of the Old to maintain a figurative interpre- trib rapturist would teach that Testament (LXX). tation in Matthew 24:22. Those the Seventieth Week of Daniel Lord will The Greek lexicon who take it figuratively do so to ends with the battle of suggests both a lit- maintain a theological system Armaggedon, which is the last shorten eral and figurative that is biblically invalid. act of God before the Millennial usage in the Bible. It Therefore, we conclude that Reign of His Son Jesus. suggests that the Matthew/Mark is referring to a the end-time reference literal amputation of the days of However, Prewrath rapturists in Matthew and tribulation. Thus the days of tribula- would argue that on three occa- days of Mark should be tion will not last the full three sions in Revelation the reign of taken figuratively. and a half years. The kingdom of Antichrist is interrupted. Rev- tribulation. However, for the Antichrist will last for 1,290 elation 16:10 indicates that the reference in the days (Dan. 12:11), but his ability kingdom of the Beast will LXX (II Samuel to persecute the people of God become full of darkness by the 4:12), a literal usage is suggested. with physical death will not. pouring out of the fifth bowl There is no question that in II judgment. The result is a distress Samuel a literal amputation of Those who hold to a pretrib rap- so awful that God is blasphemed the hands and feet occured. But ture insist that God cannot by the Beast and his kingdom in Matthew/Mark, the decision change his decree. They would constituents. Regardless of one’s is not so clear cut. Between the say that the use of the aorist time frame, the fifth bowl judg- Second Century BC and the tense in Matthew 24:22 indicates ment of God is before the battle Second Century AD, there are that the decision concerning the of Armageddon. How long five extant occurrences of a form length of tribulation was made in before Armageddon the fifth of koloboo outside the Scriptures. eternity past and therefore can- bowl occurs is not indicated, but ολοβο′ω Parousia — page 3

certainly it would have to be can change His plans regarding lowed by His protection of the within the three-and-a-half-year any individual, nation, or the unsaved remnant of Israel and time frame of the pretribulation whole world. God can add to or Judah; and culminating in the rapturist. The days of tribulation of There is a biblical precedent for subtract from His eternal decree. punishment of the Dragon, the Antichrist would most assuredly God decreasing the amount of God was not offering an empty Beast, the false prophet, and all be cut short by the fifth bowl time for a specifically decreed threat when He told Moses, “I who received the mark of the judgment. For after the fifth period of judgment. I Chronicles will strike them with pestilence Beast. bowl judgment, the Beast does 21 exposes us to King David’s and disinherit them, and I will not persecute the people of God, failure and subsequent judgment make of you a nation greater and It is no surprise that God would but prepares for the battle of by God for numbering Israel. mightier than they . . . ,” in show mercy to His people during Armageddon, (Rev. 16:11-16; God’s judgment on David for his Numbers 14:12. He could have the days of tribulation, depicted by Rev. 19). Secondly, there is the disobedience was one of three done exactly what He said. the Bible as the worst period the case in Revelation 8:12. There choices: three years of famine, world will ever know. The grant- the literal day itself is cut from three months of subjugation to The Lord will amputate the days ing of mercy when man does not 24 hours to 16 hours by the Israel’s enemies, or three days of of tribulation with the Day of the deserve it is the story of the fourth trumpet judgment. This is plague and destruction by the Lord beginning with God’s Bible. Praise God for his mercy. before the battle of Armageddon. angel of the Lord throughout the deliverance of the righteous; fol- It endures forever. No matter how one figures it, land of Israel. David, driven by three and a half years would be a his knowledge of the mercies of shorter period if eight hours of God, entrusted himself to the The Lighthouse Alliance every day are lost. Lastly, judgment by the hand of the Prophecy Conference Revelation 6:12-17 outlines the Lord. The result: the plague sign and beginning of the escha- killed 70,000 men of Israel and Saturday, April 19th tological Day of the Lord. The the angel of the Lord began the 8:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. sign of the Day of the Lord is a destruction of Jerusalem but was blacked-out sun, a shaded moon, stopped by God long before the Columbus, Ohio fallen stars, and heavenly distur- total destruction of the city. We bances unparalleled in human are not told how long this The Lighthouse Alliance will conduct a prophecy history (Joel 2:28-32, Isaiah destruction lasted, but God did conference at the Haimerl Center, 1421 Morse 13:6-10, Zephaniah 1:14-18). indeed cut short the punishment; Road, in Columbus. Pastor Roger Best will give a The Lord Jesus reported that the He shortened, or amputated, the biblical overview of end-time events, and Dr. Larry sign of the Day of the Lord time decreed for the judgment. Bates will speak on the world’s effort for a “new would follow the days of tribula- Similarly to Matthew 24:22, order” as well as what is happening to our mone- tion (Matt. 24:29). Therefore, God’s decision to stop the tary system and the federal reserve’s influnce on it. these three events must follow destruction flowed out of His The conference is open Antichrist’s persecution. No indi- mercy. to all, and a free will cation is given as to how long offering will be taken. the lights will be out. It most cer- In the miracle of Hezekiah, God Books, tapes, and study tainly will not be business as not only extended His decree resources will be made usual; the persecutors will concerning Hezekiah’s life span, available for you to become the persecuted. Once but caused the sun to move both examine and purchase. again the Beast’s reign is inter- forwards and backwards from its Call (800) 627-5134 rupted. original setting to prove His for more information or Word. Here we have the opposite to register. See you in of koloboo. The point is that God Columbus! — Parousia — page 4 — — — —

Ministry in India —

God is using The Sign, by Robert Van Kampen, in unusual ways around the — world to awaken the church and to encourage believers to search the GScriptures concerning end time events. —

Pastor Roger Best had the privilege of conducting a prophecy conference — in Secunderabad, India during the third week of February. Missionaries

have not been allowed in India since 1968 and yet the church is alive and — growing in this land that is so in bondage to false religion. The trip was

arranged by Pastors Stephen and David Bandela of the Star Ministries, — India. (We first met these fine pastors and their families while they received

training at The Master’s Mission in Robbinsville, North Carolina.) In addi- — tion to speaking in churches on Sundays, a special four-day conference was —

held at the Telugu Baptist Church with sessions at 10 A.M. and 7 P.M. Rev.

G. Sampurnarao of Star Ministries served with great effectiveness as our F translator. Many of the people speak and understand English; however, the F O

native language is Telugu. M

We were greatly impressed with the great desire on the part of the people I and pastors to understand the Word of God. To stand for Christ in this dark R

land requires a commitment that we in America know very little about. We T met Christians who have been alienated from their families because they ” have trusted Christ. The people have very little of this world’s goods and 2

yet they are rejoicing in Christ and have learned to be content. On Sunday /

morning people packed into a small room and sat on a concrete floor for a 1 three-hour service eager to be taught the Word of God! —

Pastors that attended the conference testified to its effectiveness: “Many Top: Phillip and Stephen Bandela have come from America preaching about the second coming of Christ, but — finally God has sent someone who has shown us what the Word of God Middle: A 17-year old girl who has

says about the second coming.” been ostracized by her family because — of her stand for Christ.

Above: The church in Secunderabad. —

Below: Pastors G. Sampurnarao and — David Bandela baptizing a convert. — — — — — — — — The points 00 See insert to order. . 8 $ The Sign Ministries Sign The is offering this resource study a suggested for donation amount of Look for Rapture The Question Answered, Plain and Simple at your local Christian bookstore. readers to those answers in a readable, lay-level style lay-level in a readable, to those answers readers does not sacrifice the importance ofthat scholarship, is soundly founded upon it. In fact,but this book takes biblical it in a logical, a confusing and presents subject away will walk the reader simplicity that with such way must about in his or her own mind. Talk convinced is do or die! This reading! Rapture Question Answered, Plain and Simple Question Answered, Rapture these positions have been unconvincing and confusing. been unconvincing these positions have it comes to dealing with end-time when result: The it is easi- decided that many Christians have prophecy, the timing of about ignorant er to remain Christ’s the Yet than to try and understand the issue. return truth of than clearer is a lot is this: Scripture the matter been led to believe. many have plain and simple. has the answers, Bible The s we stand on the threshold of stand on the threshold s we a new century, And in the end times is increasing. interest Jesus Christ as Lord professes who everyone A must come to terms with a series of come to terms must critical questions: of it speaks be understood when How should Scripture And if or allegorically? — literally Antichrist Antichrist then will the church for real, and his persecution are time of this terrible to undergo have persecution, or will tribula- this great she be removed—raptured—before tion begins? Most important, if will experi- the church ence the time of to come upon the yet tribulation great of is the source earth, who whole or —God this wrath to and for has God promised what And, lastly, Satan? the faithful during this time of testing? various and post-trib are mid-trip, partial trib, Pre-trib, But, for years, Christ will return. for when explanations

— page 5 Parousia Available Now

—————————————1/2” TRIM OFF —————————————

Used by permission. by Used

Bible Institute I realized that the that realized I Institute Bible cal. After much study and prod- and study much After cal.

after graduating from Moody from graduating after with all other positions unbibli- positions other all with

, , M.G., M.G., D.V.S., D.V.S., Within about four to five years five to four about Within I used to be a “die hard” pre-trib hard” “die a be to used I UK WALES FLORIDA

final authority. final since the book was printed. was book the since or heard, “It is a great book”? great a is “It heard, or

who hold to God’s Word as their as Word God’s to hold who Pastor C.G., C.G., Pastor additional information you have you information additional How many times have you read you have times many How PHILIPPINES

all is the response from the men the from response the is all countries for pastors and laymen. and pastors for countries be grateful for any updates or updates any for grateful be

that has confounded me through me confounded has that J.M., J.M., this magazine is sent to other to sent is magazine this Testament prophecies. I would I prophecies. Testament OT CAROLINA NORTH

wants me to do. The one thing one The do. to me wants on the prewrath position. prewrath the on this is the Lord’s guidance that guidance Lord’s the is this synthesis of Old and New and Old of synthesis

now I am open to what God what to open am I now ward to receiving more resources more receiving to ward the future events, but I believe I but events, future the , with such clear such with , Sign The of tion

nwo ycag.A fright of As change. my of know favorable responses. I look for- look I responses. favorable research more insight regarding insight more research I did enjoy reading the first edi- first the reading enjoy did I

supporting churches to let them let to churches supporting received favorable and not-so and favorable received Thank you for your eagerness to eagerness your for you Thank

E.O., E.O., board I was with and write to my to write and with was I board and have and Sign The for advertising . Magazine Parousia your received TEXAS

supported. I had to resign from the mission the from resign to had I come across. I’ve done a lot of lot a done I’ve across. come in our daily walks of life. I life. of walks daily our in

end-time position that the Bible the that position end-time changed my position. Since then Since position. my changed on end-time events I’ve ever I’ve events end-time on wonderful grace to us, especially us, to grace wonderful

prewrath position was the only the was position prewrath ding by the Holy Spirit, I Spirit, Holy the by ding is the most concise book concise most the is Sign The I really thank the Lord for His for Lord the thank really I

Just a few of the hundreds of letters that we’ve received at The Sign Ministries. Sign The at received we’ve that letters of hundreds the of few a Just Letters

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Grand Haven, MI Permit No. 383

THE SIGN Ministries P.O. Box 113 West Olive, MI 49460 A Ministry of Sola Scriptura Parousia 4 THE SIGN MINISTRIES NEWSLETTER / SUMMER 1997 Hermeneuticby Charles Cooper The question is often laced with subtle variations from normal Key to frustration and discouragement: usage that keep the language T“How can Christians read and exciting and new. study the same Bible, yet come away with opposite conclusions?” Our method of understanding Understanding Perhaps you too have been asked what we read and hear is devel- the very same question. Every oped through usage. At an early Christian should be able to study age, we begin to learn the princi- and gain a deeper understanding ples of interpretation concerning Scripture of the Scriptures concerning sal- the English language. We learn vation, grace, and the second the meanings of words, phrases, coming of Christ. These are fun- expressions, and jargon. But prin- damentals of the faith, yet many ciples alone are not enough to believers struggle with these guarantee accurate interpretation. truths from Scripture for them- There is also the art of interpreta- selves. Why? Hermeneutics! tion. That is, after an interpreter learns the principles—the black The reason two people with sim- and white—he must then learn to ilar backgrounds can read the finesse the process. Because same passage of the Bible and human beings have the ability to develop two opposing conclu- communicate in nonverbal ways, sions is because of two differing mere principles are not enough to hermeneutics. That’s a fancy clearly understand all we hear, word for interpretation. The rea- read and see. There are subtle son Time Magazine can publish ways language, facial expression, three million copies of its weekly sound, and silence can vary word magazine for people from every and contextual meaning. An corner of the United States to interpreter must learn to be aware read and understand is because of of more possibilities than just a a common hermeneutic. We literal meaning. These subtle understand the meaning of variations require the art of inter- words, the way words combine to pretation. communicate meaning, and the continued on page 2 Parousia — page 2

she could think that the Bible is very simple to understand. One Hermeneutic need only read it and the meaning is clear. Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yester- Key to Understanding Scripture day, today, and forever.” At face- value this verse says that Jesus If we learn both the principles components that constitute the Christ has not, is not, and will and the art of interpretation nature of Scripture. Scripture has never change. However, the through usage and study, then literary, supernatural, historical, English Bible (King James why do we have such a hard time grammatical, and theological Version, New American Standard understanding the Bible? Again natures. Seldom will a correct Bible, etc.) is a translation from the answer is in our hermeneutic. understanding of a biblical pas- Hebrew and Greek sources. However, this time the problem sage be secured if any one of Translations are the fruit of a is the lack of a sufficient these components is misapplied group of scholars’ personal inter- hermeneutic. For example, we or absent from the process of pretations. Thus, the original lan- have a sufficient hermeneutic for interpretation. Many of the con- guages should be consulted reading and understanding the tradictory conclusions reached in before a person working with an daily newspaper. There are very Bible study can be traced back to English Bible can definitively few gaps in our understanding of this one fact: the interpreter did assert the meaning of a passage events happening today; people not consider all the avenues of Scripture. There are two rea- are up to date on most issues available when trying to discover sons for this conclusion. because the media saturates us the Author/author’s intended Sometimes an English word with information on anything meaning. translates more than one Greek and everything. How often do word, and often Greek words you see someone reading the The Sign Ministries maintains have more than one nuance and newspaper with a dictionary near a firm commitment to a literal are difficult to express in English. by? Yet, when it comes to the interpretation of Scripture. In The scholars frequently have to Bible, one can hardly read a both The Sign and The Rapture choose between the different complete paragraph without hav- Question Answered this standard is shades of possible meanings. The ing to stop to find out the mean- referred to in different ways— process of discovering the correct ing of a key word, phrase, or customary, natural and normal meaning of a text is the heart of thought. Essentially, it has been sense; face-value hermeneutic; the hermeneutical process. 2000 years since the last pages literal; and taking Scripture Hebrews 13:8 correctly translat- were written in the New exactly for what it says. By such ed highlights the truth: “Jesus is Testament. This causes us to lose terminology, The Sign Min- the Christ, the same yesterday, the ability to easily understand istries seeks to prevent the need today and tomorrow.” The point the teachings of the Scriptures. to allegorize (read a foreign mean- of the text is not that Jesus Christ Secondly, our English Bible is a ing into the text) or spiritualize has never changed in any shape, translation of original Greek and (take Scripture out of its histori- form, or fashion. Rather, the Hebrew sources; this further cal context). Scholars often use emphasis is that He is the Christ; compounds the problem of these methods because Scripture He was, is, and always will be. understanding the original contradicts their presuppositions. This second translation of the Author/author. verse has no contradiction with On the other end of the spec- the fact that Jesus was not always Therefore, in order to consistent- trum, there are those who hold incarnate or that He “increased in ly understand the Bible, a student strongly to the Word of God but wisdom and stature, and in favor must have a wholistic biblical who mishandle matters of inter- with God and men.” The first method of interpretation. A pretation. To an interpreter translation would contradict wholistic hermeneutic evaluates unskilled in accurately examin- these facts about Jesus’ life. There all aspects of the Scriptures ing God’s Word, the idea of tak- is a world of difference between before any conclusion is drawn. ing Scripture for what it says is a bit the two conclusions. By wholistic we mean all the deceptive. On the surface he or Parousia — page 3

To illustrate the delicacy and bal- I Corinthians 15. Equally, imme- the rapture of the church cannot ance involved in using the face- diately following the seventh and be connected to the final trumpet value hermeneutic, consider “the final trumpet in Revelation, the of Revelation. Lastly, the seventh last trumpet” mentioned in earth is harvested. These similar- trumpet of the seven trumpet I Corinthians 15:52. We received ities would, at face-value, support series of Revelation is not the last several phone calls from people the contention that the same trumpet predicted in Scripture. who felt that we were inconsis- event is indicated. However, the Isaiah 27:13 declares, “So it shall tent with our hermeneutic. Their face-value hermeneutic requires be in that day that the great understanding of a “face-value more than similar words and cir- trumpet will be blown; they will hermeneutic” demanded that the cumstances as a criteria for come, who are about to perish in meaning of the phrase “the last deciding if two texts are speak- the land of Assyria, and they trumpet” must be the same event ing about the same event. who are outcasts in the land of as “the trumpet of God” in Consider the following facts. Egypt, and shall worship the I Thessalonians 4:16 and the The seventh and final trumpet of Lord in the holy mount of seventh and final trumpet of Revelation is clearly a part of the Jerusalem.” The phrase that day is Revelation 11:15. One caller wrath of God. Conversely, the consistently interpreted to refer concluded, in light of these vers- faithful Church is promised total to the eschatological day of the es, that the rapture is tied to the deliverance and separation from Lord. A closer examination here last trumpet of Revelation and the wrath of God (I Thess. 1:10, that the rapture is to be found in 5:9). Also, the final trumpet of the harvest as described in Revelation is blown after the To consistently Revelation 14:14-20. This per- “mystery of God is finished,” son is attempting to use a face- which refers to God’s eternal understand the value hermeneutic by saying that plan to save Israel (Romans the trumpet of God, the last 11:25). This is after the trumpet, and the seventh trumpet Seventieth Week of Daniel ends, Bible, a student must sequence of Revelation must which is indicated by the death describe the same event. The of the two witnesses whose min- have a wholistic caller’s conclusion is based upon istry lasts 1,260 days or the sec- the idea of taking Scripture ond half of the Seventieth Week biblical method of exactly for what it says. From the of Daniel (Rev. 11:1-10). This is caller’s questions, I detected a also after the two witnesses are interpretation. misunderstanding about the raised from the dead (Rev. meaning of face-value hermeneutic. 11:11). The rapture of the Face-value hermeneutic does not church, on the other hand, is not reveals that this predicted gather- intend that “trumpet” means the connected with the end of the ing to the mountain of God will exact same thing at every occur- Seventieth Week of Daniel. occur after the trumpet judg- rence in the Bible. Or put anoth- Scripture specifically connects ments of Revelation. It is after er way, literal interpretation does the rapture of the church with the judgment of God that the not mean ignoring the context. the beginning of the Day of the Lord is worshiped from the holy The pressing of Scripture to the Lord. Jesus in the Olivet mountain (Zech. 14). It is after point of “wooden literalism” will Discourse (Matt. 24:29-31), Paul the judgment of God that Israel not solve the problems of inter- in the clearest rapture passage of is saved (Rom. 11:25). It is after pretation. the New Testament (I Thess. the judgment of God that the 4:13-5:11), and John in the new Jerusalem occupies the holy At face-value the phrase “the last Revelation of Jesus Christ (Rev. mount (Rev. 21:1-5). Sufficient trumpet” (I Cor. 15:52) and the 6:12-17) all point out this signif- to say, the last trumpet of the seventh and final trumpet in icant truth. The sign that signals Revelation series is not the last Revelation (Rev. 11:15) could the beginning of the Day of the prophetic trumpet. designate the same event. The Lord is literally depicted in the resurrection of the dead and sixth seal. The Day of the Lord Face-value hermeneutic communi- transformation of the living begins before the Seventieth cates perfectly our philosophy of accompany the last trumpet of Week of Daniel ends. Therefore, biblical interpretation. Once we Parousia — page 4

have discovered the meaning of job is to discover the meaning mail of Paul to the Philippians. It the text, we take it for exactly not to determine the meaning. is important to realize the prima- what it says. Rather than trying Where the meaning is not readi- ry recipients were directly to argue the meaning away, we ly apparent in the text, it must be addressed. We, on the other reconcile it to the rest of the discovered from what is written. hand, are indirectly addressed. Word of God and sit under its Before any attempt is made to judgment. On the other hand, The representation of biblical apply the text, an interpreter face-value hermeneutic may not be authorship by the use of the dual must concern himself with the the best phrase to describe our term “Author/author” helps us to original audience and what the method of biblical interpretation. understand that the Bible is more text said to them. Determining A wholistic biblical hermeneutic best than just a mere newspaper; both application must not happen describes it. The goal of a God and man had a part in the until a proper literary, grammati- wholistic biblical method of writing of Scripture. God super- cal, historical, contextual, and interpretation is “to discover the intended the process to insure theological evaluation has Author/author’s intended meaning.” that truth was recorded, but man occurred resulting in a proper expressed God’s will in language interpretation. Then the inter- By using “to discover” as the ver- and customs common to the preter is free to attempt applica- bal description of the activity of original audience. To be sure, the tion of the text, be it prescriptive the interpreter, the presupposi- human authors of Scripture did or descriptive. Prescriptive pas- tional basis of a good hermeneu- not always understand all the sages set forth a detailed pattern tic is divulged—the belief that possible ways God would deepen to follow concerning actions God has communicated His will the meaning of a text or apply a and/or thoughts. Descriptive in the Scriptures; that all that is certain passage of Scripture. passages simply inform, describe necessary to live a godly life can Nevertheless, the end result is a instructions, give commands to a be learned from the Bible; and supernatural book composed by specific person at the time of that the text has a specific mean- natural means. writing, or illustrate a biblical ing determined at the time it was principle. The interpreter must written by the Author/author. “Intended meaning” is that use the descriptive passage to These are the beginning truths of understanding of a text which support a prescriptive passage Bible study. The Author/author the Author/author meant his that teaches the principle in an meant what he wrote and wrote original reader to know. Modern explicit manner. what he meant. The interpreter’s readers are privileged to read the

The Keys The components of a wholistic biblical method of of a interpretation include literature, grammar, history, con- Ttext, and theology. These five components are critical in discovering the Author/author’s intended mean- Wholistic ing. Each component has very specific defining traits. Defining traits are the characteristics of something that are most necessary to its existence. For Biblical Method of example an apple has defining traits: a stem, a core with seeds, outer skin, flesh and juices. These elements are necessary for an apple to be an apple. Interpretation One must have the whole apple before he or she can eat it or make apple sauce or juice.

Begin any study with a literary analysis. The Bible contains seven distinct genres or types of lit- 1 erature: narrative, prophecy, wisdom, psalm, gospel, Parousia — page 5

epistle and apocalyptic. Each type of literature has start and maintain the same exact meaning from specific defining traits. Any attempt to interpret a beginning to end. Usually a word will pass through verse or paragraph from one of these genres must be several stages before a fixed nuance is settled upon. sifted through its defining traits. Narrative literature Different authors will use words differently. An allows one to convey history in the form of facts, interpreter makes a great mistake in assuming a stories, accounts, and biographies from a theologi- word always means the same thing regardless of cal perspective. Narrative literature usually gives a who used it and when. This type of error most often straight forward account of what happen without leads to faulty interpretations. An example of this any commentary. The interpreter is not told to do or type of error occurs with the word saved. To mis- think anything. Prophetic literature utilizes “thus takenly conclude that it only refers to spiritual sal- says the Lord” to make His people aware of His will vation from hell and eternal separation from God concerning a particular issue. Their response will will lead to faulty interpretations in many passages result in God’s present and future actions. Poetic lit- in both the Old and New Testament. The term can erature allows the author to express his emotional also refer to physical deliverance from sickness or a state without reservation. Gospel literature conveys dangerous situation. the earthly life of Jesus Christ, documents His teachings, and outlines the basic chronology of His Grammatical analysis also covers grammatical struc- life. Epistolary literature presents ideas, concepts, ture. Grammatical structure deals with the relation- doctrines, etc. often in the form of an argument. ship between or arrangement of terms within a Wisdom literature teaches basic truth concerning given passage of Scripture. At this point, an inter- how one lives wisely. Apocalyptic literature commu- preter will need to be very familiar with basic gram- nicates a message of hope to God’s people in a time mar. Relationships like purpose, result, time, conces- of tribulation. It employs various figures of speech, sion, means, manner, condition, comparison, and narrative, poetry, and prophetic utterances. contrast are indicated by adverbs and adjectives. Apocalyptic literature has nine specific defining Phrases and clauses will also indicate these relation- traits. An interpreter attempting to discover the ships. After grammar school, English speakers nor- meaning of a verse without a full understanding of mally do not think much about grammar. Though these traits will make errors in interpretation. Few grammar is used everyday, grammatical analysis is Bible students pay close attention to literary analy- not. Adverb clauses are the work-horses of the sis; this often leads to errors in interpretation and English language, but few can describe, define, or application. That is a very broad statement, but it is state their importance. However, grammatical analy- altogether true. sis is crucial to the hermeneutical process. No part of a grammatical diagram should be taken for granted; After refreshing your memory concerning the the importance of each word, phrase, or clause may nature of the specific genre under consideration, a be relative, but understanding the Author/author’s grammatical analysis is the next step. It is logical intended meaning is impossible without each piece 2 to examine grammar next since it is inherently more of the puzzle. Grammar will not provide the answer consistent than the remaining elements of the inter- to the problem, but it will certainly limit the possi- pretive process. Sentence structure does not change. bilities. When Paul writes “the love of God con- Subjects, verbs, objects, and modifiers are the tools strains us,” several options are available to the inter- of communication. But be warned! Knowing how a preter. The New Testament uses two different words word functions in a given sentence seldom is the for love. Is it emotional love or intellectual love? determinant in discovering a particular passage’s That little word of could mean “God’s love for me” meaning. Often the grammar will only serve to help or “my love for God.” Which does Paul mean here? the interpreter formulate the right questions which, A word study would answer the first question and when answered, provide insight into the meaning of further study would answer the second. the text. The third component of a wholistic biblical method Grammatical analysis includes the area of individual of interpretation is historical analysis. Concern 3 words. Words tend to evolve over time. Word stud- yourself with the time period and the impact of the ies help the interpreter to trace the development of events of the day in which the text was written. a word from its beginnings to the time period of the Take note of beliefs, social norms, and material particular writing under consideration. Few words traits of the biblical world that may have influenced Parousia — page 6

the writers of the biblical text. Ask yourself: (1) interpreter must be aware of past revelation and Where is the author and his audience? (2) What how the passage under consideration advances it. political, economic and social situations are con- Thus the two primary questions theological analy- fronting them? (3) What cultural reference(s) need sis is concerned with are (1) What does the passage to be defined? (4) What is the purpose of the writer say about God; and (2) What does the text say for the whole book? The Bible was not written in a about God’s will for His creation? vacuum. The writers and the audience of the biblical text were confronted daily with situations and Theological analysis must take into consideration circumstances which influenced their thoughts and that God’s revelation of Himself is revealed in the conduct. person of Jesus Christ. There is no greater revelation than Jesus Christ. How God unraveled human his- The fourth component is contextual analysis. All tory progressively to bring His Son into the world 4 things being equal, context will usually limit the is the thread that runs throughout Scripture. range of interpretive possibilities and will most Equally important is the fact that human history is effectively qualify the right answer. Each word must moving to a definitive conclusion. Every passage of be considered within the sentence. Each sentence Scripture deals either directly or indirectly with must be considered within the paragraph. Each these issues. The interpreter’s job is to figure out paragraph must be considered within the chapter. how each passage contributes to our understanding Each chapter must be considered within the book. of these two important truths. Each book must be considered within the whole Bible. The Olivet Discourse, as recorded by Luke, CONCLUSION indicates that both the disciples and all the people We have purposely simplified our explanation of heard Jesus’ sermon on end-times. Matthew indi- the hermeneutical process in order to help Bible cates only the disciples heard the sermon. Mark students understand how they themselves can study indicates specifically that Peter, James, John, and Scripture. However, this shorter statement on the Andrew heard it. It is from the context that these hermeneutical process should be understood as an truths are gleaned. overview of the topic rather than a complete and exhaustive discussion of these matters. The begin- The last component of a wholistic biblical method ning Bible student would do well to give serious 5 of interpretation is theological analysis. By no attention to the whole matter of Bible interpretation means am I suggesting that this step is last in impor- before drawing conclusions about difficult passages tance. Rather, theological consideration is left last of Scripture. The Sign Ministries hopes to be a because the whole of Scripture is the focus. help to those serious about Bible study. For more Theological analysis concerns itself with God and information regarding hermeneutics and a list of the continual revelation of His will for the world. In recommended resources, please contact us by mail, attempting to understand a passage of Scripture, the phone, or email.

We at The Sign Ministries fully recognize that the battle is not with flesh and blood, but spiritual powers in heavenly places. We are convinced that prewrath is the biblical position on the rapture of the Church. That this truth could be lost amidst confusion and apathy is mind boggling. But since this truth is so critical to the life and motivation of the Church, Satan has no choice but to confuse and cloud the minds of believers. The road blocks, side issues, personal attacks, and the unwillingness of some to even consider the position demonstrates Satan’s strategy to keep this truth from God’s people. We are grateful to all of you who support our ministry. We would ask that you set aside one minute of your daily prayer time to pray for us. There are five specific things to pray about: 1. That God would give our ministry an open door through which the prewrath position could be preached universally 2. That He would open the eyes of those hostile to prewrath simply because it’s different from what they’ve been taught 3. That those who sincerely argue against prewrath would have integrity and not misrepresent the position 4. That those who understand prewrath will seek to bring others to the light of God’s truth with gentleness and reverence 5. That as we minister together, unbelievers would come to know Christ and believers would be encouraged to live holy and godly lives to the praise of our great and glorious God PrayerNet Parousia — page 7

Conferences and Seminars God has blessed us with the young man, Alan Kurschner. Recently we conducted two with a group of people who had opportunity to share in some Alan did all the work in arrang- Pastors and Church Leaders been prepared by their pastor for wonderful conferences and semi- ing the conference as well as Conferences. The first was in our visit. There was an openness nars during this last quarter. advertising and publicity, which Seattle, Washington, and the sec- to the message and a genuine included three radio interviews ond was in Portland, Oregon. excitement about the days in In early April we shared our mul- that we took part in. What a privilege to share with which we are living. timedia presentation of an those leaders who are on the overview of end time events at a We also shared in a seminar with front lines and eager to study We are now scheduling confer- well-attended seminar at the the Lighthouse Alliance in God’s Word with open minds ences and seminars for the fall Valleybrook Church in Eau Columbus, Ohio. We had a won- and hearts. and winter of 1997-98. We Claire, Wisconsin. People from derful time as a number of pas- would welcome the opportunity many different churches in the tors attended and expressed great The middle of May brought us to to present an overview of end Eau Claire area attended, and it interest in our ministry. They let a church conference with Pastor time events in your church or was a joy to renew old acquain- us know that they now have a Joe Carr and the Brookfield area. Call 1-800-627-5134 for tances. This was an exciting sem- better understanding of the Baptist Church in Brookfield, more information and to set up a inar since it was the idea of one prewrath rapture of the elect. Georgia. It was a productive time meeting.

MINISTERIOS LA SEÑAL The last week of April we had the distinct pleasure of seeing firsthand July 14-18, 1997 the ministry of Bob and Serena Myers in Mexico. During our stay Bob Like-minded in eschatology and grounded in a biblical conducted an end times seminar at a Bible training school. Eighteen philosophy of missions, The Master’s Mission is a shin- students and about twenty pastors attended and were blessed as a ing example of how effective preparation can equip result of Bob’s instruction. We also had dinner with Pastor Armando effective missionaries. The Sign Ministries’ Executive Alducin and his family. Pastor Alducin directs one of the key ministries Director Roger Best will be speaking to the newest class in Mexico pastoring a church of about 3000. He also oversees five of missionary candidates at TMM in July. You’re invited other branch churches. Pastor Alducin is prewrath in his eschatology to come visit and see the mission at work and hear and has generously offered to help our ministry. The Myers, along Pastor Best teach from God’s Word. with their conference work, are now busy translating The Rapture Question Answered into Spanish. The Master’s Mission is located in Robbinsville, North Carolina, just an hour-and-a-half from Knoxville, TN. Bob Myers would be a great blessing to your church, group, or min- The mission’s 1500 acre training base provides a pas- istry. As a former missionary to Chile he has a good grasp of the toral setting for a practical, “hands-on” approach for Spanish language and a thorough knowledge of what the Bible has to equipping missionaries with technical skills as well as say about end time events. For more information about our Latin firm foundations in biblical doctrine. American ministry, please call Bob at 011-525-813-0419, or write: For more information, call TMM at 1-800-419-8618 or The Sign Rev. Bob Myers Ministries. Cda. de Veracruz 11, B-101 The Col. Jesus del Monte Huixquilucan, Edo. de Mexico C.P. 52764, Mexico Master’s Mission

www.signministries.org at: website our Visit permission. by Used Foundation. Lockman

8, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1987, 1988, The 1988, 1987, 1977, 1975, 1973, 1972, 1971, 8, 196 1963, 1962, 1960, Copyright © Bible, Standard American New the from taken Scripture permission. written publisher’s without

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enter the world of radio broad- radio of world the enter more information and resources, and information more pastors!) on our mailing list who list mailing our on pastors!)

you in your walk with Him. with walk your in you in India. We’re also preparing to preparing also We’re India. in website continues to grow with grow to continues website (including over eight hundred eight over (including

the gospel. May God encourage God May gospel. the Australia, in England, and again and England, in Australia, to respond to each one. Our one. each to respond to than six thousand individuals thousand six than

Christ and fellow ministers of ministers fellow and Christ across the country as well as in as well as country the across sages, and our staff works hard works staff our and sages, City. We currently have more have currently We City.

you who are co-laborers for co-laborers are who you about speaking at conferences at speaking about of phone calls and email mes- email and calls phone of traveled to India and Mexico and India to traveled

We sincerely appreciate all of all appreciate sincerely We Roger Best has been contacted been has Best Roger albums. Daily we receive dozens receive we Daily albums. End Times Conferences, and Conferences, Times End

October of this year. Pastor year. this of October parency sets, and audio cassette audio and sets, parency Prophecy Seminars, hosted two hosted Seminars, Prophecy

defend the prewrath rapture. prewrath the defend , in , Reich Fourth The novel, times and many other books, trans- books, other many and participated in four other four in participated

istry and to define, declare, and declare, define, to and istry Robert Van Kampen’s new end- new Kampen’s Van Robert , Answered Question Rapture The and Church Leaders Seminars, Leaders Church and

will allow us to expand our min- our expand to us allow will awaiting the publication of publication the awaiting year, over a thousand copies of copies thousand a over year, we’ve presented three Pastors three presented we’ve

It is our hope that this medium this that hope our is It On the horizon, we’re eagerly we’re horizon, the On this Sign The of copies hundred first five months of the year the of months five first

recording and call-in interviews. call-in and recording mailed out more than fifteen than more out mailed ing the first half of 1997. In the In 1997. of half first the ing

a facility to handle program handle to facility a visitors since the site’s inception. site’s the since visitors Bible study resources. We’ve resources. study Bible dur- Ministries Sign The bless

casting with the construction of construction the with casting and we’ve had over ten thousand ten over had we’ve and and request and Parousia receive God has continued to richly to continued has God Ministry Update Ministry

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cal synthesis of pre-, mid-, and posttribulationalism with a refinement of the timing issue that brings harmony to all of the LEGS TO rapture passages in question. A thorough examination of the Prewrath position reveals that the unquestionable truths of each of the three positions are kept while the errors that divide them are discarded. The proponents of these three positions would probably concur that the major area of disagreement concerns STAND the actual timing of the rapture which, they would have to admit, also controls their interpretation of many passages that deal with by issues related to the rapture question. Charles Each camp on the rapture Cooper question has committed followers of Jesus Christ as adherents. ON Dr. John F. Walvoord is an advocate of the pretribulation view. Bible scholars and students alike Having studied at Dallas have wrestled with describing Theological Seminary and spent the Prewrath rapture position. time in his company, I can per- Dr. Paul Benware labels it as “A sonally testify to Dr. Walvoord’s more recent position concerning love for God and His Word. “A the time of the Rapture . . .”1 giant of the faith in modern Others call it “the old posttrib time” is a fitting title for this man position,” and some define it as of God. The fact that he believes “a modified midtrib” view. The the church will be taken before truth of the matter is that Daniel’s Seventieth Week makes Prewrath is a balanced and bibli- him no less an honorable man.

continued on page 2 Parousia — page 2

Dr. Gleason L. Archer, Jr. on the other hand follows known. On the other hand, committed godly men the midtribulation viewpoint. He argues that Christ and women support pre-, mid-, and posttribulation- returns to rapture His church at the mid-point of the alism with fierce devotion to their position. For Seventieth Week. I have not personally met Dr. now, the debate is purely esoteric. No real danger Archer, but I have read and utilized his writings. As exists, for all things continue as before. However, an Old Testament professor at Trinity International one day there will be a world full of people that will University in Deerfield, Illinois, Dr. Archer has dis- be called upon to be that final generation of tinguished himself as a first rate exegete of God’s humanity to experience the climactic events of his- Word. The fact that he believes the church will be tory. The old adage that end time events “will all taken at the mid-point of the pan out in the end” will not be taken so lightly by Seventieth Week, before the “great the generation that must see these things begin to The correct tribulation,” makes him no less a happen. serious student of the Bible. Dr. position on Douglas J. Moo, who also serves A Starting Point at Trinity International The Church of Jesus Christ is exempted from the the timing of University, endorses a posttribu- eschatological wrath of God. On this point, post- lation rapture. As Assistant tribbers (George E. Ladd and Robert H. Gundry), Professor of New Testament, Dr. midtribbers (Gleason L. Archer Jr. and J. Oliver Christ’s return Moo has demonstrated an out- Buswell), and pretribbers (John F. Walvoord and standing mind for New Leon Wood) are in perfect accord. The message of is some com- Testament exegesis; he is simply 1 Thessalonians 1:10 and 5:92 is unmistakable in brilliant. The fact that Dr. Moo asserting that believers are promised to be delivered bination of the believes Scripture to teach that from the eschatological wrath of God. The prob- Christ will return at the end of lems begin in light of this fact. Precisely, what is the the Seventieth Week to rapture wrath of God and when does it occur? What three major His church, after the “great tribu- method will God use to deliver His people? Will He lation” and after the six trumpets remove them out of the world or merely protect views and six bowl judgments, makes them while in the world? him no less a committed follower To illustrate the eschatological positions, let’s use of Christ. The number of faithful followers of Jesus a chair. This chair has a beautiful place in which the Christ who hold to each of the positions stated believer sits—the rapture. The problem is: the legs above are many. Logically, it makes sense that the are missing. The correct eschatological position correct position on the timing of Christ’s return is must give the seat the support it needs—four solid some combination of the three major views, given legs—for the chair to be complete, reliable, and that each view is based on the same passages of practical. Let’s example pretribulationalism first. Scripture. It is arrogant and illogical then to conclude that only one of these positions is absolutely The Truth of Pretribulationalism right and the other two are totally wrong. Pretribbers accept the fact that the Church of Jesus The question that each position is attempting to Christ is exempted from the eschatological wrath of answer concerns the timing of the rapture. This God. However, every other element of the pretrib continues to be the irreconcilable difference. position can be and is debated. The flaw of the Countless hours of time and gallons of ink have position is the insistence that the entire Seventieth been spent in order to prove the other two positions Week of Daniel is the direct wrath of God, thereby wrong. Scholars continue to search for the one requiring the Church to be raptured out of the argument that will close the debate in favor of their world before the Seventieth Week begins. There is no respective position. The sad result is that the dis- incontrovertible biblical support that says the entire cussions have gotten so trivial and the distinctions Seventieth Week of Daniel is the wrath of God. Perhaps between words so technical that the average follow- this is why Dr. John F. Walvoord wrote some years er of Christ cannot follow the arguments. The price ago, “neither posttribulationalism nor pretribula- of this continual in-fighting is, on the one hand, an tionalism is an explicit teaching of Scripture. The uneducated laity convinced that the truth cannot be Bible does not, in so many words, state either.”3 Equally, to make this entire time the eschatological Parousia — page 3

wrath of God necessitates that the people found in by three-and-a-half years of intense persecution at Revelation 7:9-17, described as “a great multitude the hands of “the Prince who is to come.” New which no one could number,” are the victims of Testament Scriptures emphasize that Satan, the God’s wrath. That’s illogical! In this writer’s opin- beast, and the false prophet will execute a reign of ion, the pretrib position has only one valid leg to terror against the people of God during the second stand on. half—42 months—of the Seventieth Week,6 and Revelation 12:12-14 explains that this final three- The Truth of Midtribulationalsim and-a-half years of perse- Midtribulationalism also recognizes that the church cution is “Satan’s wrath.” is exempted from the wrath of God. But midtrib- More specifically, Satan A distinction bers also make a fundamental distinction in the will give his power to nature of the Seventieth Week of Daniel that is dif- Antichrist who will perse- must be main- ferent than those of the pretribulational persuasion. cute the people of God. Dr. Gleason L. Archer, Jr. indicates two sources of Given the intensity and wrath during the Seventieth Week. When speaking level of Satan/Antichrist’s tained between of the wrath issue, he writes, persecution, it would be “It simply regards the first three and a half years, hard to understand how the wrath of during which the Antichrist will increase his power God alone will be magni- and mount his persecution against the church, as a fied when His wrath Antichrist/man less tribulation, not nearly as terrifying or destruc- begins (Is. 2:12-22), if tive of life as those fearsome plagues that will dom- Satan/Antichrist is permit- inate the last three and a half years. In other words, ted to persecute and kill and the wrath this interpretation makes a clear division between the first the children of God at the half as the period of the wrath of man, and the second half same time. Revelation of God as the period of the wrath of God. For the reasons 6:12-17 indicates when adduced . . . we understand that the final generation God’s wrath begins upon the earth, beginning with of the pre-Rapture church will be subject to the the trumpet judgments, and Revelation 15:1 wrath of man, but spared from the wrath of God.” explains that the bowl judgments are the end of His (italics added)4 wrath. As we saw earlier, Isaiah 2:12-22 indicates He also adds that, that once the wrath of God begins, nothing and no “. . . when we speak of the ‘wrath of man’ as the one will be exalted but the Lord alone. It is clearly distinctive feature of the first half of the ‘week,’ we the wrath of God that brings Satan/Antichrist’s mean that the wrath of the Antichrist and his asso- wrath to an end. Therefore, the wrath of Antichrist ciates in government is the dominating feature on and the wrath of God will both be evident during the the stage of this drama. . . . But as the second half second half of Daniel’s Seventieth Week, but they cannot of the week comes into play, with the church safe- occur at the same time. This, in part, contradicts the ly removed from the scene, the indignation of the midtribbers who insist that only God’s wrath will Lord breaks forth with overwhelming, supernatural be incurred during the second half of Daniel’s power. . . . Hence we rightly speak of this period as Seventieth Week. the ‘wrath of God.’”5 Continuing the chair illustration, while the pre- We agree with Archer in that a distinction must trib position has only one solid leg to stand on, the be maintained between the wrath of Antichrist/ midtrib chair has two solid legs to stand on: the man and the wrath of God. But like the pretrib exemption from the eschatological wrath of God position, the “great multitude which no man could and the distinction between God’s wrath and the number who come up out of the great tribulation” wrath of man. mentioned in Revelation 7 would still become martyrs at the hand of God. The Truth of Posttribulationalism Thus, like pretribulationalism, the flaw of this The posttrib position takes the rapture question one position is Dr. Archer’s incorrect assessment of the step further. Like the midtrib position, posttribbers nature of the Seventieth Week when it comes to the recognize the involvement of both the wrath of timing of the rapture. Daniel 9:27 indicates three- God and the wrath of Satan during Daniel’s and-a-half years of tranquillity for Israel followed Parousia — page 4

Seventieth Week.7 However, posttribulationalism posttribbers hold to the Church’s exemption from offers a different explanation for the order of events the eschatological wrath of God. Like the midtrib- and the timing of the rapture. Dr. Douglas Moo bers, the Seventieth Week of Daniel will evidence explains that the great tribulation will be the perse- both the wrath of God and the wrath of Antichrist. cution of the saints by Antichrist, and will continue Thirdly and differently from the other two posi- for a large portion of the second tions, the eschatological Day of the Lord and “the half of the Seventieth Week. The great tribulation” do not cover the same time peri- The eschatological wrath of God will be concentrat- od during the second half of Daniel’s Seventieth ed in the very last part of the Week, but the “day of God’s wrath” follows the Day of the Lord Week. The wrath of God is limit- time of Antichrist’s tribulation. It is our position ed to the eschatological Day of that all of these legs are incontrovertible. and “the great the Lord which Dr. Moo argues is The flaw of the posttrib position is in its timing “a decisive intervention of God of the rapture. By placing it at the end of the for judgment and deliverance.”8 Seventieth Week there is insufficient time allowed tribulation” cannot Since the eschatological Day of for the trumpet and bowl judgments to occur the Lord involves both the judg- sequentially (as the text indicates), the Bema Seat be the same event ment of God9 and the deliver- Judgment that occurs before the bowl judgments, ance of His people,10 posttribbers the Battle of Armageddon, and the salvation of argue that the eschatological Day of the Lord and Israel’s remnant and some Gentile converts to pop- “the great tribulation” cannot be the same event. Dr. ulate the millennial kingdom. Another flaw of the Moo writes, posttrib position states that believers will not be “Several factors suggest that it is not. First, no ref- removed from earth during the eschatological wrath erence to the eschatological ‘day’ in the New of God, but rather that they will be protected from Testament clearly includes a description of the it as if under a big umbrella. The rather fancy Tribulation. . . . Second, Malachi 4:5 (the coming of attempt by Dr. Robert H. Gundry to explain how Elijah) and Joel 2:30-31 (cosmic portents) place God’s people can be protected if God’s judgment is what are generally agreed to be Tribulational events selective does not measure up to biblical scrutiny.13 before the Day. . . . Third, Paul seems to suggest in Posttribbers’ continual insistence that believers will 2 Thessalonians 2 that the Day cannot come until be caught up to heaven and immediately returned certain, clearly tribulational, events transpire.”11 to earth cannot be harmonized without serious 2 Thessalonians 2:3 indicates that “the man of problems in sequencing as outlined in Revelation. lawlessness” is revealed before the “Day” begins. The correct position must allow sufficient time Therefore, posttribbers contend that the eschatolog- between the rapture and the second advent. Dr. Paul ical Day of the Lord follows the period called “the Feinberg outlines this necessity when he writes, great tribulation” that occurs at the beginning of the “To begin with it is important to see the need for second half of the Seventieth Week. Since Paul saints in nonglorified, physical bodies. While the teaches that the coming (parousia) of Christ ends Millennium will see the radical reduction of evil the reign of “the man of lawlessness,” the Parousia and the flourishing of righteousness, sin will still must occur at the very end of the Seventieth Week, exist. . . . There will be sickness and death (Isa. i.e., posttribulational. Dr. Moo writes, 65:20). . . . All of these are not usually thought of “The Parousia is indisputably posttribulational in as a part of the life of those who have been glori- Matthew 24:3, 27, 37, 39 and in 2 Thessalonians fied.”14 2:8. . . . On the other hand, the Parousia of Christ Matthew 25:31-45 indicates that only believers is explicitly stated to be an object of the believer’s will enter the millennial kingdom. Isaiah 19:18-25 expectation in 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 3:13; James clearly indicates that Gentiles along with Jews will 5:7-8; and 1 John 2:28. . . . If, then, believers are populate the millennial kingdom in nonglorified exhorted to look forward to this coming of Christ, bodies. Since the fully glorified do not sin, and and this coming is presented as posttribulational, it some earthly kingdom constituents will, the rapture is natural to conclude that believers will be present must have an interval between it and the coming of through the Tribulation.”12 Christ at the battle of Armageddon to allow for the Continuing our chair illustration, posttribulation- salvation of those nonglorified people who will alism is three-legged. Like the first two positions, populate the millennium. While it is certainly true that God has in the past protected His people in the Parousia — page 5

midst of judgment, Scripture indicates a different The identification of the wrath of God with the type of protection in the last days . . . as in the days eschatological Day of the Lord is the key. All sides of Noah . . . as in the days of Lot. agree that the eschatological Day of the Lord involves both the final judgment of God and the The Truth of Prewrath deliverance of His saints. Drs. Craig A. Blaising and The Sign Ministries believes that the Prewrath posi- Darrell L. Bock in reference to 1 Thessalonians tion adds the fourth leg to our chair illustration. By write, taking what is biblically sound from each of the “Deliverance in the Day of the Lord is a special other three positions, the Prewrath position begins theme of 1 Thessalonians. At His return, Jesus with strong supports already in place. As do all the ‘delivers us from the wrath to come’ (1:10). Paul rapture positions discussed, we uniformly believe teaches the church that the Day of the Lord will not that the saints will not experience the eschatologi- ‘over take you like a thief ’ (5:4). . . . In the context, cal wrath of God. Like those who hold to the this deliverance would seem to be the blessing of midtrib position, we see a distinction between the resurrection and translation into immortality which wrath of God and the wrath of Antichrist/man. Christ will grant His own at His coming (1 Thes. Like the posttrib position, we believe that the wrath 4:13-18), an event which is called the Rapture. . . . of God will be evidenced only after the persecution This deliverance, or rapture, would appear to coin- of Antichrist is finished. Therefore, like the post- cide with the inception or coming of the Day of the tribbers, we believe that the Church will experience Lord, since that is the focus in 1 Thessaolonians the direct persecution of Satan/Antichrist. 5:2-4.”19 This is where the Prewrath position adds the critical fourth leg to the chair. The Word of God teaches that Satan/Antichrist’s persecution will be cut short15 in Matthew 24:22.16 How? By removing the object of the evil one’s persecution—the Church—to heaven and putting the remnant of Israel in hiding.17 This one refinement makes several things possible: (1) it provides sufficient time for TheP aro us ia all of God’s wrath to occur without manufacturing a way for the Church to be present while that wrath rains down all around them; (2) it provides the necessary time needed for the salvation of Zechariah’s prophesied one-third remnant of Israel who will be ofChrist the inhabitants of the millennial kingdom; (3) it provides the time necessary for the salvation of a remnant of Gentiles from the nations who refuse to take the mark of Antichrist; and (4) it provides the platform by which God alone is exalted in the earth once His wrath begins. Therefore, the Prewrath position stands on four TheRapture solid legs. One leg involves the Church’s exemption from the wrath of God (pretribulationalism). One leg consists of a distinction between the wrath of God and the wrath of Antichrist (midtribulational- The Church’s exemption from God’s wrath ism). One leg constitutes a distinction between the “great tribulation” and the eschatological Day of the Lord (posttribulationalism). The last leg shows that Wrath of Antichrist/man v. wrath of God the persecution by Antichrist will be cut short,18 before the end of the Seventieth Week, providing Day of the Lord and Great Tribulation not the same the interval between the rapture and Christ’s coming at the battle of Armageddon during which time all of the trumpet and bowl judgments will be Persecution of Antichrist cut short played out. Parousia — page 6

Both Drs. Blaising and Bock taught at Dallas ENDNOTES Seminary during my time of study there. It was 1. Paul N. Benware, Understanding End Times Prophecy, from Dr. Blaising that I studied eschatology. Both (Chicago: Moody Press, 1995), 221. are solidly pretrib, yet they recognize the impor- 2. These two passages most clearly refer to the escha- tance of the eschatological Day of the Lord at the tological wrath of God, unlike Romans 5:9, timing of the rapture. J. Dwight Pentecost writes in Ephesians 5:6 and Colossians 3:6 which may speak about the wrath of God all unbelievers will suffer at his book Things to Come, the white throne judgment. “The only way this day could break unexpected- 3. John Walvoord, The Rapture Question, (Findlay, Ohio: ly upon the world is to have it begin immediately n.p. 1957), 148. after the rapture of the church. It is thus concluded 4. Richard R. Reiter, Paul D. Feinberg, Gleason L. that the Day of the Lord is that extended period of Archer and Douglas J. Moo, The Rapture: Pre-, Mid-, time beginning with God’s dealing with Israel after or Post-Tribulational? (Grand Rapids: Zondervan the rapture at the beginning of the tribulation peri- Publishing House, 1984), 139. od and extending through the second advent and 5. ibid., 108. the millennial age unto the creation of the new 6. See Dan. 9:27 and Rev. 12:7-13:18. heavens and the new earth after the millennium.”20 7. See Mark 13:14; 2 Thess. 2:3; and Rev. 13:1-8 with Pentecost is obviously pretribulational. However, Rev. 15:1, 7 and 16:1. 8. Richard R. Reiter, Paul D. Feinberg, Gleason L. he too recognizes that the eschatological Day of the Archer and Douglas J. Moo, The Rapture: Pre-, Mid-, Lord follows the rapture. The timing issue can be or Post-Tribulational? (Grand Rapids: Zondervan settled if the beginning of the Day of the Lord can Publishing House, 1984), 183. be determined within the frame work of end-time 9. See Ob. 15; Zeph. 1:15-18 and Is. 13:6. events. The Prewrath position acknowledges that 10. See Is. 27; Jer. 30:8-9 and Joel 2:32. the eschatological Day of the Lord will be signaled 11. ibid., 182. by a sign given in the sun, moon, and stars, a sign 12. ibid., 177. distinctly described in the eschatological book of 13. Robert H. Gundry, The Church and the Tribulation, Joel.21 Jesus indicates in the Olivet Discourse that (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, His Parousia will immediately follow the sign Joel 1973), 44-63. prophesied, which marks the inception of the 14. Richard R. Reiter, Paul D. Feinberg, Gleason L. Archer and Douglas J. Moo, The Rapture: Pre-, Mid-, eschatological Day of the Lord. Jesus also indicated or Post-Tribulational? (Grand Rapids: Zondervan in His revelation to John that Joel’s sign in the sun, Publishing House, 1984), 72. moon, and stars will be the sign that announces the 15. The term koloboo in the passive sense refers to that day in which His wrath begins, a sign given in the which has been amputated or reduced in size. The heavenlies that will be displayed at the breaking of LXX used this verb to explain the actions of David’s the sixth seal. Therefore, as one compares the six men in 2 Samuel 4:12 where clearly amputation is seals to the events outlined in the Olivet Discourse, the sense. Extant occurrences of the term support a one quickly sees that the rapture must occur after the literal interpretation in Matthew 24:22. Seventieth Week of Daniel begins, after the mid- 16. It is important at this point for the reader to under- point of that same Week has begun, and after stand that it is the persecution that Christ is referring Satan/Antichrist’s persecution of the Church is cut to, not the second half of the Seventieth Week of Daniel. Antichrist will reign for three-and-a-half short (Matt. 24:22) when the sign of the eschato- years, but his persecution will not. logical Day of the Lord and the parousia of Christ is 17. This position is argued in detail in The Rapture given in the sun, moon, and stars. The exact day or Question Answered Plain and Simple and The Sign by hour when the sixth seal will be broken is not Robert Van Kampen. detailed in the Scriptures (Matt. 24:36), but when 18. See endnote 14 above. that happens it will announce to all the world the 19. Drs. Craig A. Blaising and Darrell L. Bock, inception of the eschatological Day of the Lord. Progressive Dispensationalism, (Wheaton: Victor Books, Does the timing component offered by the 1993), 263-64. Prewrath position have incontrovertible biblical 20. J. Dwight Pentecost, Things to Come, (Grand Rapids: support? If you search the Scriptures we believe that Dunham Publishing Company, 1967), 230-231. Dr. it does. Our four-legged chair is durable, reliable, Pentecost would make the Day of the Lord 1007 years long—a fact that is greatly debated. and practical. Have a seat, and test it for yourself. 21. See Joel 2:28-32; Matt. 24:29-31; Acts 2:14-21 and Rev. 6:12-17. Parousia — page 7

The Rapture Question Answered Plain and Simple in Fact & Many Languages Fiction

Opportunities have become available to translate and publish Robert ombining international intrigue Van Kampen’s book The Rapture Question Answered Plain and Simple into and romance with close languages other than English. The growing Church in Romania will soon have the book to study C adherence to biblical as it has been translated and is in the process of being published. It prophecy, The Fourth Reich gives an will be a great tool for these Christians, once behind the iron curtain, intense, fast-paced, and dramatic to have in their study of end time events. portrayal of the end-times. It is The book has been translated into Spanish. Editorial Unilit, the publisher of the Spanish version of The Sign (La Señal), will soon have both a compelling story for fans it available. Over 10,000 copies of La Señal have been distributed in of apocalyptic fiction and an the Spanish speaking world and the reception has been encouraging. insightful look at what will Translation work on the book has begun in Russian, Mandarin happen in the last days. Chinese, and Telugu which is one of the prominent languages in the south of India. Considerations are being given to other languages as interest is expressed by groups and individuals. Available through The Sign The Rapture Question Answered Plain and Simple continues to inspire Ministries for $10.00. individuals to study the Word of God so that they will have a right To order, use the enclosed form. understanding of what yet lies before us in the eternal plan of God.

SEMINARS AND CONFERENCES The Sign Ministries continues to expand its seminar and conference ministry as requests are coming in from all over the world. 1998 will Job Opportunity with see us with a series of one-day seminars beginning January 10th in San Diego, California, and January 17th in Houston, Texas. We are The Sign Ministries also planning to hold three-day conferences with Robert Van Associate Producer Kampen, Marv Rosenthal, Charles Cooper, and Roger Best as speak- To research, develop, and produce new ers. The first of these conferences will be April 30th through May 2nd programs for the weekly radio broadcast at Maranatha Bible Conference Grounds in Muskegon, Michigan. Prophecy Under Fire. Salary is negotiable. Future conferences are tentatively scheduled for June in England and A B.A. and 1-3 years of experience is for October in Wheaton, Illinois. required. We will continue to hold local church conferences and presentations as requested and have a number of them already lined up for the com- Please send resumés to ing year. Roger Best and Joe Dockery will be traveling to the Cayman The Sign Ministries. Islands, India, the Philippines, and Kenya for conferences as well. If you would like to have a conference in your area contact our office with your request.

www.signministries.org at: website our Visit permission. by Used Foundation. Lockman

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Nonprofit Org. THE U.S. Postage Paid Grand Haven, MI SIGN Permit No. 383 Ministries P.O. Box 113 West Olive, MI 49460 A Ministry of Sola Scriptura Parousia 6 THE SIGN MINISTRIES NEWSLETTER / WINTER 1998 Theological WINDS of CHANGE Significance for the Rapture Question by Part 1 of 2 Charles Cooper

Houston, we have a problem! These are words that future. This is already happening in other areas of defined a moment and will forever bring to mind dispensationalism as indicated by the recent the movie Apollo 13. In like manner the recent changes made by progressive dispensationalists winds of change blowing from the “dispensational with regard to the nature of the church and its rela- camp” finally indicate a recognition that we have a tionship to the nation of Israel. problem! These winds of change are very encourag- In this and the following Parousia newsletter, we ing. If, as we at The Sign Ministries believe1, the shall take a look at dispensationalism. Of particular correct answer to the rapture question is a synthesis focus will be the changes in dispensationalism of the biblically defensible truths contained in pre-, announced in recent publications by progressive mid-, and posttribulationism—with a refinement of dispensationalists and the significance of those the timing issue—then dispensationalism will have changes as they pertain to the possibility for dia- to change in some very important areas. While few logue between pretribbers and prewrathers on the dispensationalists of reputation have abandoned rapture question. The goal of any meaningful dis- pretribulationalism for the synthetic view we cussion on this matter is to find the truth and to espouse (the prewrath position), at least an oppor- unify the body of Christ concerning the timing of tunity for dialogue may be possible sometime in the the rapture. continued on page 2 Parousia — page 2

What is Dispensationalism? pose.”7 Unlike Scofield’s definition which is more Dispensationalism is one of those theories that peo- descriptive in nature, Ryrie attempted to truly ple seem either to “swear by” or “swear at”; few take define the term. Yet, Ryrie’s definition is circular. It’s a neutral position.2 From its earliest days, dispensa- like saying “a dispensation is a dispensation.” tionalism has been misunderstood concerning what “Dispensation”8 and “economy” derive their basic it is and whether or not it is necessary for a proper under- meaning from the same Greek word. standing of the Word of God. The term was coined to In reality, I believe that a better understanding of describe the “expositional and theological annota- a dispensation, is to think of it as an administration. tions” (notes) that appeared in the Scofield It is popular to speak of the “Clinton administra- Reference Bible of 1909.3 One will look in vain to tion” or the “Reagan administration” when referring find its definition in Webster’s dictionary. to the period each man was president. When we Dispensationalism is more or less a theological grid speak of a president’s administration, we are refer- one uses to assist in biblical interpretation. It ring to how he runs or ran the country. He may run attempts to give an interpreter a set of glasses it one way his first term but differently his second. through which to view and understand Scripture. In addition, it is generally accepted that a republi- Some years ago 3D movies were introduced. In can administration will run the country differently order to view the movie correctly the audience was than a democratic one and vice versa. Therefore, a required to wear special glasses. These glasses made dispensation refers to God’s particular administra- it possible for the audience to view the movie in tion of His creation at a particular time. It gives the three dimensions. In three dimensions, things are reader the context in which God is operating. clearer and more realistic. It’s like the difference This idea is found primarily among the writings between the old black and white televisions and the of the Apostle Paul, who views God’s different rela- new, high-definition television sets. Similarly, dis- tionships with different peoples as different dispen- pensationalism provides an interpreter with the sations or administrations of the same God. Clearly help to see the Scriptures from an overall in the history of salvation, there was a time Gentiles perspective of God and His progressive were not a focus of God’s plan of salvation. revelation to man. Therefore, the dis- Ephesians, chapter three, explains this situation in pensationalist believes that every light of the new dispensation that has come about passage of Scripture, to be best which incorporates Gentiles into God’s eternal plan. understood, be viewed through Paul indicates that this new dispensation was “for one set of these special glasses ages… hidden in God” but that it is now revealed or dispensations.4 through Him and the church. Ephesians 3:9 specif- Scofield, the father of ically indicates that the relationship between God classical dispensationalism,5 and man, in light of what Jesus did, is a new dis- defined a dispensation as “a pensation (a new administration). It stands to reason period of time during that if the incorporation of Jews and Gentiles into which man is tested in one body is a new dispensation then there must respect to his obedience to have been at least one other dispensation during some specific revelation of which God operated differently. the will of God.”6 However, The Apostle Paul makes reference to four distinct in 1965 Dr. Charles C. Ryrie dispensations: “before law,” “law,” “mystery,” and wrote, “… a dispensation is a “fullness of time.” He outlines in Galatians 4 the distinguishable economy in “dispensation of the law” of Moses. During the the outworking of God’s pur- “dispensation of the law,” Israel operated under the

h e o logi c a l W T i n d e s o f C h a n g Parousia — page 3

Dispensationalism gives the reader a set of glasses through which direct administration of God. They were to live by Can we lose the Holy Spirit the law. This involved duties and activities no other today? Does God send evil to view and peoples had been responsible for until that time spirits to harass people? This is period. Ephesians 3:9 details the “dispensation of just one example of many pas- the mystery.” In this dispensation, Jews and Gentiles sages in the Bible that appear understand the are made one in Christ under the administration of contradictory or is generally the Spirit of God. Very specific laws and regulations considered incorrect theologi- governed the Israelites. These laws and regulations cally unless seen in their prop- particular passage are no longer binding upon the church (Rom. 7:6). er context. How is this passage The “dispensation of the fullness of time” spoken of to be understood? As stated in Ephesians 1:10 most naturally looks forward to above, dispensationalism gives of Scripture the millennial kingdom that will be under the direct the reader a set of glasses administration of Christ reigning on earth. During through which to view and understand the particu- this particular time period, the management of lar passage of Scripture. 1 Samuel 16:14 , to be humanity will require new rules and regulations understood correctly, requires the interpreter to given that saved (but not yet glorified) humanity look through the lens of the Law and to recognize and unsaved humanity are present on the earth the principle of progressive revelation (more and under the authority of Christ and His saints. Finally, more information covering God’s plan for His cre- the period before the “dispensation of the law” of ation given over a long period of time). Moses has no particular name connected to it. During the Law period, believers could lose the However, there is a consistent reference to this time Holy Spirit. King David’s prayer to God concerning period in connection with the fathers—Abraham, the Spirit in Psalm 51:11 supports this conclusion. Isaac, and Jacob. It is the recognition of the differ- Everyone was not given the Spirit of God (Isaiah ent dispensations and the different ways God man- 59:21 and Ezekiel 39:29). Some individuals were ages humanity that constitutes dispensationalism. given the Spirit for a particular job and when the job was finished the Spirit departed (Exodus 31:3). What Good is Dispensationalism? Unfaithfulness could cause the Spirit to depart from Is this theological grid necessary to properly under- a person (Judges 13:25, 16:20). God was seen as stand the Word of God? Yes, it is! The Bible does directly responsible for both evil and good spirits as not come with a guide to accurate interpretation. A 1 Samuel 16:14 indicates. These were conditions guide is needed. Let me give you an example: under the Law. 1 Samuel 16:14 says, “But the Spirit of the Lord However, under the “dispensation of the mys- departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tery”—Jews and Gentiles together—everyone who troubled him.” The application of the principles of believes receives the Spirit of God (John 14:16). a normal, natural, and customary interpretation Once a believer receives the Spirit of God, he can- yields the textual meaning, but the theological not lose it (Eph. 1:13-14). Satan came to be seen as sense is not always clear unless the context (in this responsible for the sending of evil spirits. In the case, the dispensation God is using) is taken into early portions of Old Testament Scripture, God is consideration. Why did Saul lose the Holy Spirit? presented as the cause of all supernatural activity. Parousia — page 4

BEFORE FULLNESS LAW LAW MYSTERY OF TIME

Galatians 3:23—4:7 Ephesians 3:9 Ephesians 1:10 Four Distinct ent requirements. In one of several places, Scofield wrote, “The point of testing is no longer legal obedience as the condition of salvation, but acceptance or rejection of Christ, with good works as a fruit of salvation.”9 To be fair, Dr. Ryrie insists that DISPENSATIONS Scofield’s words were the result of “one unguarded However, by the time First Chronicles was written, statement.”10 However, other dispensational Satan became the supernatural being responsible for thinkers echoed Scofield’s words. William Evans evil temptations (2 Sam. 24:1 and 1 Chr. 21:1). writes, “This is sometimes called the Age of the Dispensationalism makes allowances for the fact Church, or the Church period. The characteristic of that God progressively revealed information to Old this age is that salvation is no longer by legal obe- Testament saints. The recognition of God’s use of dience, but by the personal acceptance of the fin- progressive revelation helps to explain what appears ished work of Jesus Christ…”11 This is an unmistak- at first as a contradiction. able contrast between salvation by human works and salvation by faith in Christ’s finished work. Dr. Lewis S. Changes in Dispensationalism Chafer, the founder and first president of Dallas However, there were some problems. Matters were Theological Seminary is himself accused of teach- not helped by the fact that both critics and adher- ing two different plans of salvation.12 ents of dispensationalism alike did not understand Both modern and progressive dispensational- the need for a further development and refinement ists13 have made every effort to state very forth- of the system. In 1965, with the publishing of rightly their belief that Dispensationalism Today by Dr. Charles C. Ryrie, a The basis of salvation in every age is the new era dawned. Dispensationalists began to put death of Christ; the requirement for salvation forth better reasoned and articulated responses to in every age is faith; the object of faith in the criticisms labeled against dispensationalism. A every age is God; the content of faith changes more recent attempt at definition and refinement is in the various dispensations (italics his).14 seen in the books Progressive Dispensationalism and Dispensationalism, Israel and the Church. From the This restatement and clarification on the basis of 1909 publication of the Scofield Reference Bible to the salvation would prove to be only the first of many 1993 publishing of Progressive Dispensationalism, sev- changes in classical dispensationalism, since its eral very important issues have been refined, restat- introduction in the Scofield Reference Bible in ed or all together dropped from the dispensational 1909. Other significant issues among classical and grid. modern dispensationalists which have subsequently Immediately after the publishing of the Scofield been dropped are (1) the postponed kingdom theo- Reference Bible, critics attacked the dispensational ry; (2) the notion that the Sermon on the Mount grid because Scofield’s notes indicated that salva- was an interim ethic between the end of the Mosaic tion for Old and New Testament saints had differ- Law and the beginning of the Church period; (3) Parousia — page 5

the insistence that Jesus abolished the entire Mosaic without a doubt the most serious short coming (i.e. Law; (4) the notion that God relates to the nation of the weak link) of the system in this author’s opin- Israel and the Church on the basis of two new ion. Yet, at the same time, it is the most vigorously covenants; and finally (5) the position that the defended component of the system. Given the dif- Church (beginning, during and ending) was ficulty progressive dispensationalists have had in unknown to Old Testament writers in any shape, making the genuine gains in biblically defending form or fashion. their position, one is not surprised that the rapture Progressive dispensationalists have argued con- question has not received serious attention. vincingly that the kingdom was not postponed, but However, as time marches on, this conclusion will inaugurated in a way that both accomplishes the give way to a more biblically defensible position. salvation of Gentiles and establishes the eternal Son Until then, many dispensationalists will not be able of David at the right hand of the Father; that the to publicly state their objection to a pretrib rapture Sermon on the Mount was not for the people of without reprisals. Jesus day only, but we too are called to live by its The reason the majority of dispensationalists are lofty principles; and that Jesus did not abolish the pretribulationists is because of a false assumption based Mosaic Law so as to release us from any considera- on an incorrect conclusion. The basis of the incorrect tion of it as a guide for our conduct, rather Christ conclusion is the Sine qua non16 (bottom-line) of dis- fulfilled the Law. That is, He lived up to its every pensationalism. In his book, expectation and qualified His death as a sufficient Dispensationalism Today, Dr. Charles payment for our sin. C. Ryrie indicates three aspects In this author’s opinion, progressive dispensa- that constitute the Sine qua non of The reason the tionalists have made major concessions to their crit- dispensationalism.17 Dr. Ryrie ics. As one who considers himself a progressive dis- offers this summarization: pensationalist, this author realizes the heavy price majority of The essence of dispensation- often required of those who begin to think differ- alism, then, is the distinction ently about any of the conclusions in our interpre- between Israel and the tive system. Dr. Walter C. Kaiser, Jr. when com- dispensationalists Church. This grows out of menting on the bold attempt by progressive dis- the dispensationalist’s con- pensationalists to respond to difficult problems fac- sistent employment of nor- ing the system says, “Not too many years ago, such are pretribulationists mal or plain interpretation, a volume could not even have been imagined, or and it reflects an under- perhaps not even permitted…”15 Many Christians standing of the basic pur- do not understand the long hours of dialogue and is because of a false pose of God in all His deal- heated debates necessary to make even the slightest ings with mankind as that of changes in the system. glorifying Himself through The significance of these issues to classical and modern assumption based salvation and other purposes dispensationalists must not be underestimated. In like as well.18 manner, there has been helpful movement towards a possible synthesis of the rapture question by pro- Classical and modern dispen- on an incorrect gressive dispensationalists in light of these other sationalists do not insist that admissions. Admissions to the effect that the posi- Israel and the Church are just dis- tions previously held were not biblically based, but tinct entities, but two entirely dif- conclusion. the concoctions of men—well intentioned men, but ferent entities—so different and men who were wrong, none-the-less. so distinct that God cannot work with both at the same time—which is an assumption based on an A Needed Change in Dispensationalism incorrect conclusion drawn from a biblical truth. One conclusion uniformly held by most dispensa- Dispensational pretribbers insist that the Church be tional premillennialists is a pretrib rapture. This is raptured before the Seventieth Week of Daniel

h e o logi c a l W T i n d e s o f C h a n g Parousia — page 6

begins. Thus, the Seventieth Week is seen as the unfinished portion of God’s dealings with the nation Israel which is a different dispensation. To rapture the Church after the Seventieth Week begins is seen as a mixing of the Church and unsaved Israel’s dispensations, as well as putting the salvation has come to the Gentiles...For I Church on earth during God’s wrath since pretrib- speak to your Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an bers insist that the entire Seventieth Week of Daniel apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my minis the wrath of God. This whole line of reasoning is istry, if by any means I may provoke to jeal- based on an incorrect conclusion and flies in the ousy those who are my flesh (unsaved Israel) face of Revelation 12:11 that specifically calls this and save some of them.” time the wrath of Satan! Paul clearly indicates that God is using saved The need to maintain a distinction between the Gentiles to help bring Jews to salvation. Any notion unsaved Israel (the nation) and the Church is an that God cannot work with unsaved Jews and the accurate conclusion from Church at the same time certainly is contradicted by Scripture. While the New Romans 11. The Church is Testament does not explicitly This false assumption (God cannot work with state a distinction between Israel and the Church at the same time) has lead to unsaved Israel and the Church not Israel… other assumptions which do not have explicit bibli- (which includes believing Jews), cal support. A pretrib rapture certainly fits in this it is implied. With the exception but they both category. It is an assumption based on an incorrect con- of one disputed passage, they are clusion drawn from a biblical truth. The desire to main- always identified as separate enti- tain a clear distinction between unsaved Israel and belong to God ties. Paul’s point in Romans the Church in all matters great and small is one rea- 11:25-26 seems rather clear. A son dispensational premillennialists and covenantal partial hardening has happen “to and God is premillennialists have not been able to come to a Israel until the fullness of the synthesis on the rapture question. Gentiles has come in and so all working with The majority of those who are described as Israel will be saved.” As we shall covenant theologians20 insist that national Israel see later, Luke indicates in Acts a rejected their Messiah and therefore lost all future both, at the future for ethnic Israel. opportunities for blessings as a nation. In other Consequently, having ethnic words, God does not have a future plan for Israel as Israel and the Church as separate same time. a nation. Individual Jews are able to be saved, but entities as dispensationalism’s sine there is no future salvation for Israel as a nation. qua non is not a problem. Kaiser correctly identifies Thus, the Church becomes Israel. Covenant theolo- the real problem when he says, gians insist that all the promises of God to Israel “Dispensationalism was correct in recogniz- now belong to the Church. To come to these conclu- ing that Israel and the church were not the sions, one’s hermeneutic must change from a natural, nor- same, but it failed when it went beyond this mal and customary understanding of Scripture, to an spir- point of distinguishing between the two to itual/allegorical understanding. say they were distinct and separate.”19 One can see that the two positions are fundamentally opposed to one another. There can be no In other words, the real problem has to do with synthesis of dispensationalism and covenant theolo- an incorrect conclusion drawn from a biblical truth. gy proper. One is right and one is wrong. Scripture This is not a matter of semantics. Apples are not oranges and oranges are not apples, but they are fruit. The Church is not Israel and Israel is not the Church, but they both belong to God and God is i f i c working with both, at the same time. Paul writes in i g n a n Romans 11:11,13-14, S “But through their (unsaved Israel) fall, to provoke them (unsaved Israel) to jealousy, the R Parousia — page 7

Can a true synthesis of teaches a future for unsaved Israel (Romans 11:26- 32) and the Church of Jesus Christ (1 Thess. 4:13- 18). This truth cannot be compromised or sacri- varying dispensational ficed. Can a true synthesis of varying dispensational views of Christ’s return for His Church be possible, views of Christ’s return for even though pre- and posttribulationists are on the opposite ends of the spectrum concerning the relationship between Israel and the Church? The His Church be possible, answer is a resounding yes. The nature of the church is important to the rapture question. However, dispensational premillennialists draw too even though pre- and sharp a distinction between Israel and the Church. John F. Walvoord in his book, The Rapture Question, states, “… that the rapture question is determined posttribulationists are on more by ecclesiology than eschatology.”21 Walvoord errs by placing too great an emphasis on ecclesiology (how one views the church), and thus comes to the opposite ends of the an incorrect conclusion unsupported by Scripture. Covenant premillennialists err by not recognizing a biblical distinction between unsaved Israel and the spectrum concerning the Church. These imbalances will naturally lead to incorrect conclusions regarding God’s future plans for both unsaved Israel and the Church. relationship between Israel Correctly, progressive dispensationalists have begun to move away from this incorrect conclusion. Blaising and Bock write, and the Church? There are important distinctions between Israel and the church in biblical theology, but there are also real theological connections that link them together in ways not expressed previously in dispensational thought.22 While Blaising and Bock are soundly pretribulational, they have moved in their thinking. Their movement, while seemingly tiny, is a giant step towards silencing the critics of dispensationalism and providing an avenue for dialogue concerning the rapture question. In the next issue of our newsletter we will examine some new “theological connections” that concern the rapture question. We will take a detailed look at Acts, chapters one through three, which will demonstrate that God not only can but is working with both Israel and the n c e f o r R a p t u r e Q u e s t i o n Parousia — page 8

Church; that Daniel’s Seventieth Week does the second term applies to the work the person does. involves both Jews and Gentiles, the Church and Throughout both the Old and New Testament, the Israel at the same time; and that the termination of activities (oikonomia) of a steward (oikonomos) always the Church age is the eschatological Day of the involved the management or administration of Lord, not the beginning of the Seventieth Week of something. Whether one was an estate manager, a cook, a city treasurer or a bathhouse overseer, such a Daniel. one could carry the title oikonomos. Luke 12:41-48 records a parable of our Lord that employs this term. ENDNOTES Luke 16:1-13 records a parable that has as its pri- 1. For presentation of this position, see the previous mary focus on the activities (oikonomia) of a steward edition of the Parousia newsletter (#5). (oikonomos). 2. Henry A. Virkler, Hermeneutics: Principles and Processes 9. This is a note that accompanies John 1:17 in the first of Biblical Interpretation, (Grand Rapids: Baker Book edition of the Scofield Reference Bible, p. 1115, note 2. House, 1981), 122. 10. Charles C. Ryrie, Dispensationalism Today, (Chicago: 3. For a fuller discussion concerning a definition of this Moody Press, 1965), 113. system, please see Hermeneutics: Principles and Processes 11. William Evans, Outline Studies of the Bible, ( ), 34. of Biblical Interpretation by Henry A. Virkler; 12. William E. Cox, An Examination of Dispensationalism, Progressive Dispensationalism by Craig A. Blaising and (New Jersey: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Darrell L. Bock; and Dispensationalism, Israel and the Co., 1963), 19. Church, edited by Blaising and Bock. 13. See endnote 5 above. 4. Scofield listed seven such sets of glasses or dispensa- 14. Charles C. Ryrie, Dispensationalism Today, (Chicago: tions: innocence, conscience, human government, Moody Press, 1965), 123. promise, law, church, and kingdom. 15. Walter C. Kaiser, Jr. “An Evangelical Response” in the 5. For detailed discussion of the three phases of dis- book Dispensationalism, Israel and the Church, edited by pensationalism, i.e., classical, modern and progres- Craig Blaising and Darrell Bock, 376. sive dispensationalism see Craig A. Blaising presen- 16. A Latin phrase used by scholars which literally tation in Progressive Dispensationalism, pages 21-56. means “without which not,” i.e. that which is a fun- Scofield and men of his generation are considered damental element of something. classical dispensationalists. Walvoord, Ryrie and 17. Charles C. Ryrie, Dispensationalism Today, (Chicago: Pentecost are considered modern dispensationalists. Moody Press, 1965), 44-45. They made changes to the original system. Bock and 18. ibid., 47. Blaising are considered progressive dispensational- 19. Walter C. Kaiser, Jr. “An Evangelical Response” in the ists because of the radical changes they made to the book Dispensationalism, Israel and the Church, edited by system. Craig Blaising and Darrell Bock, 366. 6. C.I. Scofield, Scofield Reference Bible, (New York: 20. Covenant theology is usually contracted with dis- Oxford University Press, 1967), 3. pensational theology. Covenant theology focuses the 7. Charles C. Ryrie, Dispensationalism Today, (Chicago: majority of human history towards one covenant— Moody Press, 1965), 29. a covenant of grace. They do not see God working 8. The English term dispensation comes from a Latin through dispensations, but through one covenant. word dispensatio which early church fathers used to For a discussion of this matter see Henry A. Virkler, translate the Greek term oikonomia. Economy is a Hermeneutics: Principles and Processes of Biblical transliteration of the Greek term oikonomia. Thus for Interpretation. Ryrie to say “a dispensation is an economy” is circu- 21. John F. Walvoord, The Rapture Question, (Grand lar reasoning. The Greek term oikonomos referred to Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1972), 16. a servant who managed his master’s household. 22. Blaising and Bock, Dispensationalism, Israel and the Oikonomia referred to the activities of managing the Church, 377. household. The first term applies to the person and

In the next issue of Parousia Lukan Eschatology in the Book of Acts and the Rapture Question! Part 2 of 2 THE SIGN MINISTRIES Parousia — page 9 BIBLICAL STUDIES COLLECTION

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The Rapture Question Answered, Plain and Simple by Robert Van Kampen, an easy-to-read and logical presentation of what the Bible teaches on the timing of Christ’s second return. 210 pages $8.00*

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The Sign: A Personal Study Guide by Robert Van Kampen & Roger Best, the companion study guide and workbook to the bestselling study on prophecy. 215 pages $8.00*

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A Panorama of the End Times Chart by Robert Van Kampen & Tom Allen, Zion’s Fire, a magazine on Israel and prophecy that also presents Christian a beautifully illustrated, full-color wall chart depicting the events of the end truth to Jewish people and the Jewishness of the Bible to Christian people. times. Giant-size 46" x 33", rolled, and suitable for framing. (A 22” x 16” folded Free one-year gift subscription copy is included in The Sign) $10.00*

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La Señal by Robert Van Kampen, the Spanish translation of The Sign. And Mandarin and Telugu translations of The Rapture Question Answered, Plain 542 pages, includes folded Panorama chart in Spanish $8.00* and Simple are also being planned. Telugu is one of the major languages of India.

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Conference and The Seminar Ministry Ministry Continue to Expand Many of you are familiar with who we are at The Sign Ministries. You’ve seen Robert Van Kampen’s We are grateful to the Lord for the way our ministry has grown in this picture, read his books, or perhaps listened to his past year. We had the opportunity to teach the biblical prewrath posi- audio tapes. You may have personally met or corre- tion concerning the coming of Christ in many places both here in sponded with Executive Director Roger Best or America and abroad. God is opening the doors for even greater min- Latin American Representatives Bob and Serena istry possibilities in 1998. Robert Van Kampen, Charles Cooper and Myers. And you’ve also read the in-depth articles by Roger Best will be conducting one-day Parousia Seminars in vari- Charles Cooper, Director of Field Ministries, or ous cities, the first being Houston, Texas on January 17th. Three-day contacted him via email. Parousia Conferences have been planned for Holland, Michigan In addition, The Sign Ministries is supported by April 30 through May 2 and also for the Chicago area in the fall of an effective and talented staff who help make the 1998. The three-day conferences will also feature Marv Rosenthal, ministry what it has become today. Executive Director of Zion’s Hope, Inc. Dean Tisch serves as Ministry Administrator In February Roger Best and Joe Dockery will spend the month in and is an Associate Editor of Parousia. He holds a India where they will minister in six different communities. They will master’s degree in education from Northern Illinois also be in the Cayman Islands in March for a church conference. University, is married, and has three children. If Roger will then be in the Philippines for a series of conferences in you’ve called our toll free number, you probably March and later again in October. Finally, a symposium for pastors is have talked with Dean! scheduled for June in England. Lindsey Teerman serves as our Ministry In addition to city-wide events and international presentations, The Coordinator and also helps edit Parousia. Lindsey is Sign Ministries also already has a number of local church conferences also responsible for the vast amount of materials scheduled for 1998. These conferences are truly a blessing, and we and correspondence that we send out. look forward to working with pastors, helping them in teaching this Scott Holmgren serves as Art Director and important area of doctrine. Computer Systems Administrator. His degree is in If you have a desire for us to come to your area or church with a filmmaking and screenwriting from Columbia seminar, conference, or presentation, give us a call and we would be College in Chicago. Scott designs all the printed delighted to arrange such a meeting with you. materials we send out, maintains our internet website, and creates our multimedia presentations. He and his wife have three children. Robert Eller serves as Sound Director and is THE FOURTH REICH currently getting things up and running for our new radio program scheduled for the new year. Robert The Fourth Reich, the end-times novel written by Robert Van Kampen, also edits and produces our audio tape packages. was released this past October and has garnered a favorable response Robert is married with two children. from its readers. Some of the many comments: “I have probably read five fiction books in my whole life. I read The Fourth Reich in four sit- tings; it was fascinating.” “The Fourth Reich was a blessing.” “I stayed up late because I just could not put it down.” “It takes the biblical events of the end times and makes them very practical.” The Fourth Reich is must reading! You may purchase a copy of it at your local bookstore or by calling our ministry. It is one of those Dean Lindsey Scott Robert books that you will want to pass on to others to read.

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Nonprofit Org. THE U.S. Postage Paid Grand Haven, MI SIGN Permit No. 383 Ministries P.O. Box 113 West Olive, MI 49460 A Ministry of Sola Scriptura Parousia 7 THE SIGN MINISTRIES NEWSLETTER / SPRING 1998 Dispensational FOUNDATIONS Acts, Joel, and Revelation by Part 2 of 2 Charles Cooper Armed with nothing more than raw conviction and a face-value appreciation of the Word of God, Martin Luther stood alone and cried sola fide—faith alone. In an age of the “herd mentality” few can fully appreciate the courage required to stand alone against society and tradition. Perhaps Martin Luther’s path would have been made easier if an assembly of cheering supporters had lined that path. We at The Sign Ministries are very thankful to God for the growing assembly of cheering supporters of the prewrath position. Amazingly, some support has come from unlikely places. I was quite excited to learn through recently written books that the dispensational winds of change are blowing. Having recently been described as one who has fallen from “dispensational grace” due to the fact that I changed my position on the rapture, Dr. Craig A. Blaising’s most recent writings on dispensational developments are vindicating. “Why is this important?” you may wonder, “I am only interested in what the Bible says.” The answer is very simple; pretribbers attack the prewrath position on two issues: imminency and dispensationalism. To respond accurately, we must understand the issues clearly. Imagine my surprise when I read that the prewrath position rejects dispensationalism.1 This is one of several criticisms Dr. John Witmer2 indicates in a recent review of The Rapture Question Answered Plain and Simple by Robert Van Kampen. That conclusion could not be more un- true. Robert Van Kampen, in his theological treatise on eschatology,

continued on page 2 Parousia — page 2

The Sign, makes this point clear.3 The heart of dis- dangerous. “Dangerous to whom or what?” is the pensationalism is the recognition of a distinction question. between national Israel and the church, says Dr. Dr. Ryrie, in a section of his chapter entitled Charles C. Ryrie. Even a cursory reading of The Sign “Pondering the Future,” thinks out loud about the proves that Robert Van Kampen does adopt this consequences of the modified (progressive) dispen- conclusion. But Mr. Van Kampen does not draw so sationalists’ views. Ryrie lists three complaints: that sharp a distinction (as the pretribbers do) between too much is given up to covenant theologians; that God’s programs for national Israel and the church the church is being neutered; and that possible that He cannot work with both groups at the same time. “changes in traditional dispensational premillennial Pretribbers rapture the church eschatology”9 is a possible outcome of this new The heart of before the Seventieth Week of thinking. Ryrie writes, Daniel begins. They insist that One can well ponder what will happen to the Seventieth Week is the wrath the pretribulational Rapture teaching in dispensationalism of God and a part of an inter- years to come. In Dispensationalism, Israel and rupted phase of God’s program the Church there is no discussion of the is the recognition for the Jews. Since, in their opin- Rapture question. At one of the Dispensa- ion, there can be no overlap tional Study Group meetings one dispensa- of a distinction between God’s program for tionalist wondered “if we will find more national Israel and the church, posttribulationalists as the Dispensational and the church must be removed Study Group moves.” He himself had not between national before the wrath of God begins, moved to that position but was apparently the Rapture must occur before concerned about this fallout from the teach- Israel and the any part of the Jewish phase ings of progressive dispensationalism. Let us resumes. This reasoning is an hope he is not a true prophet.10 incorrect conclusion drawn from church… a correct biblical truth and is one Please notice the shaky ground upon which the of the primary shortcomings of pretrib Rapture stands. Any change or development traditional dispensationalism as confirmed in the in one’s understanding of the relationship between recent writings of some dispensationalists.4 So national Israel and the church throws the pretrib major are the suggested changes or developments to Rapture into serious question. dispensationalism by these writers that they are Progressive dispensationalists have confirmed termed progressive dispensationalists.5 that Mr. Van Kampen is correct. Correct in the sense The changes encouraged by progressive dispen- that there are “theological connections”11 between sationalists should not be under-appreciated. They Israel and the church and that these connections do strike great concern in the hearts of many traditional not necessarily demand so drastic a distinction dispensationalists. In response to Drs. Blaising and between Israel and the church. To be sure, most Bock’s book, Dispensationalism, Israel and the Church, progressive dispensationalists are not willing to traditional dispensationalists6 wrote a book entitled draw the same conclusions as Mr. Van Kampen does Issues in Dispensationalism. To add leverage to their on every issue. However, on this one point they do arguments, Dr. Charles C. Ryrie was designated the agree: God’s programs for national Israel and the consulting editor. The first chapter of the book is church can and do overlap.12 Unlike the pretribbers, written by Dr. Ryrie who argues that progressive the prewrath position teaches that the church age is dispensationalism is not a development of tradition- terminated by the Day of the Lord and not by the al dispensationalism but is, in fact, a change. A beginning of the Seventieth Week of Daniel. This change so major, argues Ryrie, that progressive conclusion is supported in the first two chapters of dispensationalism might better be called “covenant the book of Acts. premillennialism.”7 In Ryrie’s estimation, to change the description of the relationship between nation- A Clarification al Israel and the church from “a clear distinction” to Before we examine the first two chapters of Acts in “a distinction”8 is to cut the heart out of dispensa- detail, we need to review the meaning of some tionalism. In Ryrie’s opinion, the bottom line is that basic terminology with respect to Israel. Abraham progressive dispensationalists’ conclusions are had two sons—Ishmael and Isaac. From Isaac, two boys were born—Esau and Jacob. God elected Parousia — page 3 ACTS 2:17-21 “And it shall be in the last days,” God says, “that I will pour forth of My Spirit upon all mankind; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even upon My Jacob to be the son who would continue the line of bondslaves, both men and women, I will in those days pour promised future blessings. It is this Jacob whose forth of My Spirit and they shall prophesy. And I will grant name was changed to Israel and who is the father of the twelve tribes. Every person who traces his wonders in the sky above, and signs on the earth beneath, genealogy back to Abraham through Isaac and blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned Jacob is a natural or ethnic Jew. An ethnic Jew is not into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and automatically saved (Luke 3:8). Only by placing glorious day of the Lord shall come. And it shall be, that faith in the promises of God do natural Jews everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” become saved or part of the “remnant according to the election of grace.”12 This is Paul’s meaning in these questions are presented and developed in Romans 9:6 when he writes, “they are not all Israel chapters two and three. who are of Israel.” Rather, “at this present time there Upon the ascension of Jesus, the faithful follow- is a remnant according to the election of grace.” The ers of Christ are to witness and make disciples of all disciples of Christ belong to this Jewish remnant of nations. This mission is inaugurated by the recep- righteousness. Paul indicates that he too belongs to tion of the Holy Spirit. Ten days after Jesus’ this Jewish remnant of righteousness (Romans ascension, the Holy Spirit came in fulfillment of 11:1-2). Israel therefore consists of a remnant of God’s promise. Peter then explains the coming of righteousness (the elect) and those who were the Spirit from an Old Testament passage of hardened (unsaved). Any discussion about Israel Scripture—Joel 2:28-32. The specific formula used that does not take this point into consideration may in Acts 2:16 indicates a literal fulfillment.14 It is not error when addressing her future. like, similar, or typical, but exactly what Joel actually promised through the power of the Holy Spirit. Acts 1-2: The Question and An Answer Joel 2:28-32 is specifically quoted as the biblical The book of Acts documents what happened to the explanation for the manifestation of the Holy Spirit Jews (the remnant of righteousness and the in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost.15 With the hardened) after Jesus rose from the dead and outpouring of the Spirit, we learn what happened to ascended to heaven. The first chapter of Acts records the Jewish remnant of righteousness—they became the question: Lord, will You at this time restore the Jesus’ Spirit-empowered witnesses to the world. kingdom to Israel? (1:6). The apostles’ question has Peter’s quotation of Joel 2:28-32 evidences two parts to it: the timing of and the nature of the several changes from its Old Testament counterpart, coming kingdom. To the timing question, Jesus the most important being the phrase “in the last offers a rebuke (1:7); it is none of their business days.” The original phrase “after these things” is concerning the specific timing God the Father has very broad and offers no clue as to when the event determined. It is very important to understand that would occur from Joel’s perspective. However, with Jesus did not say that God would not restore the the alternate phrase “in the last days” the timing kingdom to Israel, but that it was not theirs to know becomes crystal clear. The outpouring of the Holy when God would bring this great event to pass. Spirit marked the entrance into a period called “the Regarding the nature of the coming kingdom, last days” (the church age), “the period preceding Jesus remarks that Jewish and non-Jewish individu- the day of the Lord.”16 “The gift of the Spirit is thus als alike are to receive the Spirit-empowered witness of His resurrection. Rather than Jews ruling over Gentiles, the righteous remnant of Israel are to work to make brothers and sisters of Gentiles. This activity is to continue until the uttermost parts of “Lord, will You at earth hear the message (1:8). Immediately after this bombshell, Jesus ascends into heaven, and two white-appareled men instruct the apostles indicating that Jesus would one day return in similar fashion to earth. Questions immediately come to this time restore the mind. Will Christ return before, as or after the Spirit- empowered witnesses reach the uttermost parts of earth? And what happens to Israel (the remnant and the hardened) during the interim? The answers to kingdom to Israel?” Parousia — page 4

a token that the last days foretold by the prophets have arrived.”17 This However, the termination or end of “the last days” (church period) has period is characterized by prophetic utterances (2:17). Unlike the pre- not shared an equal consensus. Pretribbers insist that the church age vious generations, both male and female, the young and old, slave and can end—at any moment—at the Rapture before Daniel’s Seventieth free will reveal God’s will. Secondly, heavenly wonders and earthly Week begins. However, Joel teaches us something quite different. signs will mark the beginning of the eschatological Day of the Lord The prophet Joel is considered by many scholars to be “the foun- (2:19-20); and thirdly, salvation is available to anyone requesting it tainhead of Hebrew predictive prophecy.”22 As such, several key (2:21). The book of Acts does contain prophecies, visions and mirac- concepts of biblical prophecy are first introduced through his writings. ulous signs.18 However, there are no cosmic disturbances on a Among the concepts is the very important Day of the Lord. “This day magnitude prophesied by Joel listed in Acts. Therefore, the Pentecost becomes the frame of reference in the Lord’s climactic program for experience is a beginning of the fulfillment of Joel 2:28-32, but it cer- Israel and the nations.”23 Joel developed the Day of the Lord concept tainly is not the total fulfillment.19 A second significant change by Peter in the context of a national disaster. The most destructive locust plague of Joel’s passage is the phrase “and they shall prophesy” at the end of described in Scripture had hit the land of Judah. Proclaimed as a pre- verse 18. Peter’s insertion of this sentence in Joel’s prophecy at the be- cursor to the final judgment of God, the locust plague was to ginning of verse 19 underscores the fact that as prophetic activity convince Judah to repent. Without repentance, judgment was sure. marked the beginning of “the last days,” the end of “the last days” will Fortunately for Judah, the warning was heeded and ultimate judgment be characterized by prophetic activity as well. God’s servants shall an- was postponed. This scenario comprises the first major section of the nounce the coming Day of the Lord. This confirms that a process of book of Joel. fulfillment has begun. The process began with the outpouring of the The final major section of the book of Joel develops the events of Spirit and will end with the Day of the Lord. The time period between Israel’s future (2:18-3:21). Judah would enjoy the blessings of the these two events is called “the last days,” the church age, the dispen- removal of the northern army (2:18-20), and the land would be re- sation of mystery. stored to productivity (2:21-27). JOEL 2:28-32; 3:15-16 These blessings were to be im- The First and Last Day “And it will come about after this That I will pour out My mediate. There were also to be of “the Last Days” Spirit on all mankind; and your sons and daughters will future blessings which are out- Many conservative scholars will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young lined in 2:28-3:21. The first of the future blessings involved the admit that the first day of the men will see visions. And even on the male and female church20 began on the day of outpouring of the Holy Spirit servants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. And I will Pentecost. Dr. Stanley D. that would bring about an in- Toussaint’s comments are typical display wonders in the sky and on the earth, blood, fire, crease in prophetic revelation of those who take this position. and columns of smoke. The sun will be turned into dark- (2:28-29). Then cosmic and ness, And the moon into blood, Before the great and earthly signs and wonders This event marked the awesome day of the Lord comes. And it will come about would signal the coming of the beginning of the church. Up that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be deliv- Day of the Lord (2:30-31). Joel to this point the church was ered; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be then promises a deliverance for anticipated (Matt. 16:18). “the remnant” whom the Lord The church is constituted a those who escape, as the Lord has said, even among the survivors whom the Lord calls…” calls (2:32). Between the signal body by means of Spirit of the imminent wrath of God baptism (1 Cor. 12:13). The The sun and moon grow dark, and the stars lose their brightness. And the Lord roars from Zion and utters His and the actual pouring out of first occurrence of the bap- God’s wrath, Joel indicates voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth trem- tism of the Spirit therefore “there shall be deliverance…” must indicate the inaugura- ble. But the Lord is a refuge for His people and a The fact that the group delivered tion of the church. Of stronghold to the sons of Israel. is called “the remnant whom the course Acts 2:1-4 does not Lord calls” is one more reason state that Spirit baptism took that supports the rapture occur- place at Pentecost. However, ring immediately before the 1:5 anticipates it and 11:15- coming of the wrath of God. We 16 refers back to it as having then learn from Joel’s writings occurred at Pentecost. The that the Day of the Lord would church, therefore, came into 20 include the judgment of the na- existence then. tions (3:1-7). God’s reason for JOEL :“the fountainhead of Hebrew predictive prophecy” When does the Day Parousia — page 5 judging the nations stems from of the Lord is an intensified ex- their continued hostility toward of the Lord begin pression of God’s wrath which God’s people. Immediately fol- begins at the midpoint of lowing God’s wrath against the Daniel’s last week. Dr. Renald nations, the people of God (nat- Showers defines the Day of the ural Israel) will receive their Lord in a similar way when he ultimate blessing—the long in relation to the writes, awaited kingdom of God. We must recall… in the Notice the sequence given by Scriptures the expression the Joel. First, the outpouring of the Day of the Lord has a double Spirit produces prophetic revela- events of Daniel’s sense in relationship to the tion. Second, cosmic and earthly future… a broad sense refer- disturbances will signal the be- ring to an extended period of ginning of the Day of the Lord. time involving at least the 70th Third, “the remnant whom the week plus the Millennium… Lord calls” is delivered. Fourth, Seventieth Week? [and] a narrow sense referring the Day of the Lord’s judgment to one specific day—the day against the nations is followed by the Messianic age of ultimate bless- on which Christ will return to the earth from heaven immedi- ings. This exact same pattern is adopted by prophetic writers who ately after the Great Tribulation.29 followed Joel in the Old Testament.24 This is not the only usage of Joel 2:28-32 in connection with eschatological apocalypticism25 which The prewrath position, on the other hand, teaches that the sixth confirms the importance of this passage for our discussion. While seal of Revelation 6:12-17, which is described in parallel language to some New Testament writers adopt the sequence indirectly, others al- Joel 2:28-32; 3:15-16 and Isaiah 2:10-21, signals the beginning of lude directly to it. Peter’s reference to this time frame in Acts 2:17-21 the eschatological Day of the Lord. By recognizing this truth, the is direct. Given that the totality of the Joel prophecy was not fulfilled prewrath position clearly distinguishes between the wrath of at Pentecost, the sequence of Joel 2:18-3:21 is very important for dis- Satan/Antichrist (Rev. 12:12) and the wrath of God which begins at cerning the next major phase of God’s program. the Day of the Lord and fulfills Isaiah 2:17: “The Lord alone will be In his gospel, Luke indicates that Jesus was not only aware of the exalted in that day…” To properly meet this criterion, Satan’s coun- sequence but also included the sequence in His parousia (Luke 21:25). terfeit christ must cease to be any threat whatsoever. It will be God’s The same sign that signals the arrival of the Day of the Lord signals Day alone. There are four reasons for this conclusion: the composi- Christ’s return to rapture the saints. It is therefore no surprise to find tion of the sixth seal, the sequence, the reaction of the wicked, and the same sequence in the book of Acts. It is, however, surprising that the timing. Joel 2:28-32 appears as an explanation for the church’s First, the composition of the sixth seal is right. The sixth seal beginning which is also the beginning of “the last days.” consists of the sign that signals the beginning of the eschatological “The last days”26 (the period we now live in or “the church age”) Day of the Lord which is taken from Joel 2:30-31 and the reaction of began with the outpouring of the Spirit and will culminate with the the wicked which is taken from Isaiah 2:20-21: “In that day men will last “Day,” (John 6:39,40,54). Paul (2 Thessalonians 2:2) and Peter cast away to the moles and the bats their idols of silver and their idols (2 Peter 3:1-13) both highlight the significance of the Day of the of gold, which they made for themselves to worship, in order to go Lord by indicating that faithful believers will miss this great Day of into the caverns of the rocks and the clefts of the cliffs, before the final judgement. Paul indicates that believers will escape this day, but terror of the Lord and the splendor of His majesty, when He arises to Peter indicates the wicked will not. Therefore, Acts 1-2 allow us to make the earth tremble.” conclude that the Day of the Lord terminates the “last days” (the Second, the sequence is right. The sign of the sun, moon, and stars church age) with the rapture/resurrection of the righteous and is followed by the rapture of the elect, the wrath of God to the nations wrath/ruin for the wicked. (trumpets and bowls) and the millennial blessings. This is the sequence developed by Joel, adopted by the Prophets, and expanded in the New The Critical Question Testament, particularly by Christ to His disciples. Our Lord in His Therefore, the critical question is this: when does the Day of the Lord Olivet Discourse indicates that the sign of the Day of the Lord in the begin in relation to the events of Daniel’s Seventieth Week? “A num- sun, moon, and stars would be followed immediately by His return to ber of pretribulationalists hold that the Day of the Lord begins gather together His elect (Matthew 24:29-31). Joel indicated a deliv- immediately after the Rapture or at least with the start of the erance immediately following the sign of the Day of the Lord (Joel Tribulation,” says Dr. Paul D. Feinberg.27 Feinberg adds, “I would start 2:32). The sixth seal is immediately followed by the sealing of the the Day of the Lord about the middle of the week…”28 He concludes 144,000 (Rev. 7:1-8) and the rapture of the church to heaven (Rev. that the entire Seventieth Week is the wrath of God, but that the Day 7:9-17). Then the seventh seal releases the seven trumpets of God’s Parousia — page 6

judgment. The sequence is first the sign, then de- Finally, there is a fourth reason for believing that liverance, and finally wrath. the sixth seal signals the beginning of the Day of Third, the reaction of the wicked is right. In the the Lord; the timing is right. There are two indica- original Greek, the very first word of Revelation tors of time given. The first has to do with the 6:17 is οτι (hoti) which , along with the verb has concept of a day. Notice what the response is of the come, indicates that verse 17 is the cause for the wicked in Revelation 6:17, “the great day of His resulting activity in verses 15 and 16.30 wrath has come.” It is a specific “day of wrath” that There are two reasons given for the wicked hid- has come. The Jewish concept32 of the day following and seeking death—the face of Him who sits ing the night is powerfully depicted in the sixth on the throne (God the Father) and the wrath of the seal. Following God’s night will come God’s day. Lamb (Jesus Christ).31 Isaiah also declares that the The sudden absolute darkness that envelops the wicked would react to two things: “the terror of the earth will prevent human activity to any great Lord and the glory of His majesty” (Isaiah 2:10, degree. Just as the sudden darkness brings earth’s 21). The “face” of God is a figure of speech. God activities to a stand still, the sudden coming of the the Father does not have a literal face (John 4:24). Light will send the wicked into hiding as the right- The word face is placed in the verse to denote His eous are raptured. Absolute darkness will give way presence or person. This is a very common expres- to absolute Light. sion in the Old Testament (Psalm 42:5, 11; 1 Kings The second indicator of time is the verb ελθεν 10:24; Leviticus 23:40). The “face” of God is a (elthen), which means “has come.” For you who have parallel expression to “the glory of His majesty” read The Sign, this verb is discussed in detail. For used in Isaiah. God the Father is spirit and therefore you who may not understand anything about the is invisible (Colossians 1:15); however, invisibility Greek language in which the New Testament was does not limit the revelation of God’s majesty and originally written, I have provided the sidebar holiness. As one does not have to see the sun to feel below with an overview. it, one does not have to see the Father to be aware I believe that the kind of action used here is of His presence. Paul confirms that both the Father ingressive (the beginning of the action); the wicked and the Son will descend from heaven together at are responding to the cosmic disturbances which the Rapture in 1 Thessalonians 4:14. God the signal the imminent wrath of God. There are four Father will come in “the glory of His majesty.” The reasons for this view. First, there is the nature of the contrast between the wickedness of man and the verb itself. Elthen (has come) is a verb that results in righteousness of God will be overwhelming; the a state of being. In the sentence “the audience sat wicked will not be able to stand. The wicked are down so that the speaker could begin,” sat down also hiding and seeking death because of the wrath would be aorist and the emphasis would be on the of the Lamb, an equal expression to Isaiah’s use of beginning (ingressive) of the action, i.e., “began to “the terror of the Lord.” The terror of the Lord is sit down.” They did not take their seats all at the the outpouring of the wrath of God. exact same time, but one by one until they were all seated. This is the idea demonstrated in Revelation

Greek verbs indicate three important issues for a reader: tense, voice and mood. Elthen’s (has come) tense is aorist, its voice is active, and its mood is indicative. Tense means time—yesterday indicates past time, GREEK today indicates present time, and tomorrow indicates future time. Go, went, and gone are three tenses of the verb to go. However, unlike English, the Greek language also expresses the kind of action. The Greek language is generally more interested in the kind of action than the time of action. The simple sentence “he walked home” in Greek can mean action in progress (he began to walk home), ac- VERBS tion ended (he walked all the way home) or simply an event (he walked home). Context is the most important clue in determining what kind of action the aorist is indicating. The Greek verb also indicates voice. Voice refers to whether the subject of the verb is doing the action (active), receiving the action (passive), or both (middle). An example of each would be: “he hit the ball” (active); “he was hit by the ball” (passive); and “he hit himself with the ball” (middle). Finally, the Greek verb indicates mood. Mood refers to how a person portrays an action. An action can be portrayed as real (indicative), potentially real (subjunctive), probably real (imperative), or wished to be real (optative). Notice: “you are hitting the ball” (indicative); “you should be hitting the ball” (subjunctive); “you may hit the ball” (optative); or “hit the ball!” (imperative). Please understand that this is a very simplified overview. Parousia — page 7

6:17. “The Aorist of verbs which denote a state or the same subject.”36 The particular question in condition generally expresses the entrance into that Revelation 6:17 is a rhetorical question of certitude. God’s state or condition.”33 A literal translation of our Rhetorical questions of certitude “simply express phrase would be “the day of His wrath began to the fact that the speaker is sure of what he is saying; come.” he speaks with certainty.”37 programs Secondly, this would explain the activity of the By asking a rhetorical question of certitude, the wicked in verses 15 and 16. The reason they hide wicked are stating an absolute fact—no one is able and seek death is because the sign of the Lamb’s to stand when the wrath of God comes. In state- involving imminent wrath has just happened. Both Joel and ment form the issue is obvious, but the rhetorical Peter’s use of Joel 2:28-32 indicate that the sign question makes the point more vivid. These are not comes before God’s wrath. The intent of the sign in the comments of individuals who have experienced natural the sun, moon, and stars make it clear that the some of God’s wrath only to conclude finally that wicked will be aware that the wrath of God is they are doomed. Rather, these are men who are beginning. When the universe loses all light sources suddenly overshadowed by the presence of Israel and and the glory of God lights up the whole world as Almighty God and realize that the wrath of God is a spotlight on Jesus, the wicked will run, hide, and imminent. They conclude that there is no defense seek death. against it. At the very hour that they are saying, the church A third support for recognizing the sixth seal as “peace and safety” (2 Thessalonians 5:3), the lights the signal that begins the wrath of God is the go out and then the Light of lights will shine. In rhetorical question which concludes Revelation 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Paul indicates that both do indeed 6:17, “… and who is able to stand?” This is an Jesus Christ and God the Father will descend from important clue and it is often overlooked by interpreters. heaven at the Rapture. For believers it will be a day “All questions serve to simulate and arouse thought of deliverance; for unbelievers it will be a day of overlap. in a more vivid and engaging way than is true of destruction. statements,” writes John Beekman.34 Beekman The final reason for taking elthen as ingressive in distinguishes between real and rhetorical questions. Revelation 6:17 is because of similar usage in the “The first asks for information, the second conveys New Testament. Notice the following examples: information.”35 The first asks a question which someone else must answer; the latter asks a question Rev. 6:17 the day has come which he himself must answer. Immediately, we ask Mark 14:41 the hour has come what fact is conveyed by the rhetorical question, John 13:1 His hour has come “who is able to stand?” There are five possible ways John 16:21 her hour has come rhetorical questions are used in the New Testament. Rev. 11:18 Your wrath has come Beekman stipulates that “rhetorical questions in the Rev. 14:7 the hour of His judgment has come New Testament transform into statements which Rev. 14:15 the time has come function to highlight certitude, incertitude, evalua- Rev. 18:10 in one hour your judgment has come tion, command, or a new subject or new aspect of Rev. 19:7 the marriage of the Lamb has come

Elthen is grammatically classified as aorist, active, and indicative. The aorist in the indicative usually indicates past time with reference to the time of speaking. Outside the indicative, time is not a feature of the aorist tense.39 The Greeks were far more interested in the kind of action; therefore, the aorist may represent the action as occurring in past time, but the primary emphasis will be the kind of action that occurred. Dr. Ernest DeWitt Burton, a great Greek scholar of the 19th century, said, “The constant characteristic of the Aorist tense in all of its moods… is that it represents the action… simply as an event”40—an event in the sense of a moment captured in time. The aorist tense works much like a camera; you get a snapshot. From the snapshot, all you can tell is that an event was captured in a moment. Unlike using a video camera, you cannot discern how long the event had been going on, how long it continued after the snapshot, or how long it lasted in its entirety. A photographer can capture a runner at the very beginning of a race (ingressive), just as the runner crosses the finish line (effective), or, if he could get high enough overhead, he could capture the whole raceway (constative). Ingressive, effective, and constative are descriptions of the kind of action expressed in the aorist tense. In Revelation 6:17, are the wicked emphasizing the beginning of the day of wrath, the ending of the day of wrath, or whole period covered by the day of wrath? Pretribbers argue that this usage of elthen is an example of a constative aorist—that is, that the emphasis is not on the beginning but on the event itself, which supports their argument that the wicked are responding to their experience of God’s wrath. Parousia — page 8

Mark 14:41 is the most important parallel. It states “And He came the 10. ibid., 25. 11. Craig A. Blaising and Darrell L. Bock, “Dispensationalism, Israel and the Church: third time, and said to them, ‘Are you still sleeping and taking your Assessment and Dialogue,” in Dispensationalism, Blaising and Bock, eds., 377. rest? It is enough; the hour has come [elthen, the same word used in 12. This is clearly seen in progressive dispensationalists’ choice of “already/not yet” lan- Revelation 6:17]; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the guage to describe the present relationship of Jesus Christ to the Davidic Kingdom. 13. Romans 11:1-10. hands of sinners.’” This passage indicates that the hour had just begun. 14. “This is that” is a well known method used by members of the Qumran Events were in motion—Judas and the soldiers were on their way to community to alter passages of Scripture they felt had a contemporary fulfillment for arrest Jesus—but were in no way complete. William L. Lane, in his fine them. For a detailed discussion of the particular formula used see Daniel J. Treier, “The Fulfillment of Joel 2:28-32: A Multiple-Lens Approach,” JETS 40 (March 1997) commentary on The Gospel of Mark, writes: 13-26. Also, “The Reign of the Lord Christ” by Dr. Darrell L. Bock in Dispensationalism, Israel and the Church, page 47. The two statements “the hour has come” and “the Son of Man 15. John T. Carroll, Response to the End of History: Eschatology and Situation in Luke-Acts, is handed over to sinners” are synonymous, the second simply (Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1988), 129. Please notice footnote 43. 16. I. Howard Marshall, “The Significance of Pentecost,” SJT 30 (1977) 358. clarifying the tenor of the first declaration. They indicate that 17. ibid. the moment is imminent when the power of sin and death will 18. Prophetic activity in Acts is mentioned in 11:28; 13:1-3; 15:32; 21:9; 21:10-11 overwhelm Jesus and destroy him.38 involving both male and females; dreams and visionary activity are listed in 12:6-7; 16:9; 18:9; 23:11; and 27:23. For more details see B. J. Hubbard, “The Role of What is immediately clear is that the event need not have actually Commissioning Accounts in Acts,” in Perspectives on Luke-Acts, ed. C. H. Talbert, (Danville: Association of Baptist Professors of Religion, 1978), 192-195. occurred; rather, the circumstances necessary to bring the event to pass 19. We are not able to be dogmatic concerning whether another period is or is not insert- may have only just begun. This is the most logical conclusion in ed between Pentecost and the day of the Lord from this passage alone. See, “The Revelation 6:17 and Mark 14:41. Reign of the Lord Christ” by Dr. Darrell L. Bock in Dispensationalism, Israel and the Church, page 47-48. 20. Marshall, “The Significance of Pentecost,” 368. Conclusion 21. Walvoord, John F., and Zuck, Roy B., The Bible Knowledge Commentary, (Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture Press Publications, Inc.) 1983, 1985. Acts 2:14-21 indicates that the first day of “the last days”/church age 22. Walter K. Price, The Prophet Joel and the Day of the Lord, (Chicago: Moody Press, 1976), began with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and that the last day of 15. “the last days” will be concluded with a universal loss of all natural 23. ibid. 24. Some scholars date the book of Joel to after the return from slavery. I personally sup- light sources. Joel 2:28-32 predicts and Revelation 6:17 depicts that port the early date for the book which place Joel as the earliest of the prophets. the universal loss of all natural light sources signals the imminent out- Consequently, the pattern can be seen in Isaiah 11, Zechariah 13:1-2, Ezekiel 37:11- pouring of the wrath of God—the Day of the Lord. We know that the 14, and Amos 9:11-15. 25. R. Zehnle lists Rabbinical sources to support this conclusion. See Peter’s Pentecost Seventieth Week of Daniel does not begin with a universal loss of all Discourse: Tradition and Lukan Reinterpretation in Peter’s Speeches of Acts 2 and 3, pp. 123- natural light sources because Christ warned the apostles that deception 31. 26. While Peter identified the period as “the last days” (Acts 2:16) and the “last times” (1 will mark the beginning of the end times (Matthew 24:4). Given the Peter 1:20), the writer of Hebrews calls it the “last days,” (Hebrews 1:2). John calls cosmic disturbances connected with the beginning of the Day of the it “the last time” (I John 2:18), and Jude calls it “the last time,” (Jude 1:18). Lord and the deception associated with the beginning of Daniel’s 27. The Rapture: Pre-, Mid-, or Post-Tribulational? Richard R. Reiter, Paul D. Feinberg, Gleason L. Archer and Douglas J. Moo, (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, Seventieth Week, the Seventieth Week must start before the Day of the 1984), 60-61. Lord. Since this is true, God’s programs involving natural Israel and 28. ibid., 61. the church do indeed overlap. Such an overlap is a panorama of God’s 29. Renald Showers, Maranatha: Our Lord, Come! (Bellmawr: The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, Inc., 1995) 70. sovereign dispensationalism and rejects the limited dispensationalism 30. “Quite frequently οτι introduces a dependent causal clause. In such instances it the pretribulationalists cling to for their defense of a pretrib Rapture. should be translated because or for.” This the conclusion of Dr. Daniel B. Wallace in his book, Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996) 460. ENDNOTES 31. This explains the confusion regarding the correct reading of verse 17 as seen in the 1. For a full discussion of the meaning and purpose of dispensationalism, please see the differences between two popular translations; the KJV translates αυτου (His) and the previous issue of Parousia. NASB translates αυτων (Their). Either reading is justifiable. I personally favor “His 2. John A. Witmer, BSac 155 (January-March 1998): 113-114. wrath.” 3. Included as one of the fundamental pillars of the prewrath position is the 32. Frank E. Hirsch, “Day and Night,” ISBE, Vol. 2 (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing timing of the salvation of the righteous remnant of Israel who survives the Seventieth Co., 1983) 798. Week of Daniel. For a detailed explanation of the five tenets of the prewrath posi- 33. William W. Goodwin, The Moods and Tenses of the Greek Verb (Boston: Ginn and tion, see Robert Van Kampen, The Sign, (Wheaton: Crossway Books, 1993), xix. Company, 1887) 24. C.F.D. Moule, An Idiom Book of New Testament Greek (New York: 4. This is the purpose of Blaising and Bock’s book. For in-depth reading see Cambridge University Press, 1982) 10. Dispensationalism, Israel and the Church, ed. Craig A. Blaising and Darrell L. Bock, 34. John Beekman, “Analyzing and Translating the Questions of the New Testament, “ (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1992). Not 44, pp. 3. 5. ibid., 380. 35. ibid. 6. Wesley R. Willis and John R. Master, eds., Issues in Dispensationalism, (Chicago: Moody 36. ibid., 9. Press, 1994), 11. This is the label of choice for those Blaising and Bock call mod- 37. John Beekman and John Callow, Translating the Word of God (Grand Rapids: ern dispensationalists. Zondervan Publishing House, 1974) 239. 7. Charles C. Ryrie, “Update on Dispensationalism,” in Issues in Dispensationalism, Willis 38. William L. Lane, The Gospel of Mark, NICNT (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing and Master, eds., 23. Covenant premillennialists agree that Christ will reign on earth Company, 1974) 522. for 1000 years, but also believe that the church inherited all the promises of Israel, 39. Daniel B. Wallace, Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics (Grand Rapids: Zondervan which as a nation does not have a future in the program of God. Publishing House, 1996) 555. 8. ibid., 21. 40. Ernest DeWitt Burton, Moods and Tenses in New Testament Greek (Grand Rapids: Kregel 9. ibid., 23-25. Publications, 1982) 16. THE SIGN MINISTRIES Parousia — page 9 BIBLICAL STUDIES COLLECTION

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Open Doors in India by Roger Best The Sign and The Rapture Question Answered, Plain & twelve Psalms; he has the first one hundred Psalms Simple are making an impact on the Christians in the memorized! Now that is hiding God’s Word in your country of India. Myself and Joe Dockery had the heart! Our stay in the Kumar home was a special privilege of spending a month in five different re- blessing as we witnessed firsthand a family living gions of India; the translators were kept very busy out Jesus Christ before their Hindu and Moslem as each region spoke a different language! neighbors. Arriving in Bombay on January 27th, we were We then moved to another area of Bangalore and met by Pastor Stephen Bandela who accompanied conducted a pastors’ conference which had been us on our trip. From there we were driven five hours expertly arranged by Pastor Daniel Jesudass. Every north to the city of Nasik. Our wild ride on a very session was attended by well over two busy two-lane highway confirmed God’s sovereign- hundred people, and pastors in atten- ty and protection! In Nasik we conducted a dance had an openness to be taught from three-day conference in St. Andrews Church, built the Word of God. We also then minis- nearly one hundred and fifty years ago by David tered in three different churches on Livingstone. On Sunday, Joe, Stephen and I each Sunday. Our hearts were deeply moved spoke in different churches for both the morning by the commitment of the believers and and evening services. Nasik is an extremely poor their great desire to be taught the truths city of over five million people; the signs of of Scripture. bondage to a false religion are obvious everywhere. On Monday, February 16th we flew to Our next stop was Hyderabad. One year ago I Cochin where we were met by Andrew had conducted a conference there, and it was a and Jane Wesner, who are serving with blessing to see old friends and to share in a three- Operation Mobilization on the ship day conference. Last year we had met a young lady, Doulos. We got a grand tour of the ship and had a Madhavi, who then had just accepted Christ. What delightful dinner with Captain Bird and his wife. a joy to see her still vibrant in her testimony. She The next day was the only off-day of the entire trip; shared with us that her sister had also come to summer had arrived in India, and with temperatures Christ. The hunger and interest from the people, in the 90’s the rest was refreshing. particularly the pastors, made the teaching a privi- On Wednesday we were picked up by Daniel lege and an honor for us. While in Hyderabad we Pappy and went south about three hours to the Top: Joe Dockery with Pastor David had the opportunity to meet with John Saji, direc- Light of Hope Mission located in Cheppard. Each Bandela, his wife Celina, and sons tor of Operation Mobilization’s efforts in India. evening over two hundred folks gathered for the Dexter and Timothy Impressed with the organization, we made arrange- teaching sessions. Just as in the other regions, we Middle: Roger Best and the boys of ments for The Rapture Question Answered, Plain & saw their hunger for the Word of God. Part of Light Light of Hope Children’s Home Simple to be printed in English there. We are also of Hope Mission is an orphanage that has two Bottom: Pastors John Manohar, having it published in Telagu, one of the major lan- homes: one with twenty-nine girls and one with G. Sampurna Rao, and Jeeva Ratnam guages of India. Both publications should be twenty-nine boys, their ages ranging from four to available within the next two months. thirteen. Each evening they sang as they sat in the It was then on to Bangalore, where we began on front row and paid close attention during the hour Sunday with Pastor Ramesh Kumar and the Shalom and a half of teaching that followed. We fell in love Biblical Baptist Church. On Monday and Tuesday with them, and they have left a lasting impression we taught students from the Shalom Biblical Baptist on our hearts. These precious children have been Seminary along with many others including stu- rescued from a life of paganism. dents from Burma. Wednesday morning we traveled On February 23rd we began our long journey to a rural area and held an evangelistic service at the back to the States. We were tired, but overwhelmed Shalom Biblical Baptist Orphanage. What a joy to with the love and interest shown to us by our broth- hear eighty boys and girls, all from Hindu back- ers and sisters in Christ who live in India. Pray for grounds, singing choruses of praise to the Lord. them. Their lives are difficult, but they love Jesus One twelve year-old boy stood and recited the first and are looking for His coming. Nonprofit Org. THE U.S. Postage Paid Grand Haven, MI SIGN Permit No. 383 Ministries P.O. Box 113 West Olive, MI 49460

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by ne definition in Webster’s dictionary for end of the spectrum are those who not only believe frustration is “to cause feelings of discour- that Jesus said it, but that every single word indicat- Charles Cooper Oagement or bafflement in.” This definition ed in Matthew 24:1-31 will be fulfilled in the fullest properly explains my present state of mind when it sense possible. It is baffling that such wide and di- comes to the way Bible teachers interpret the Olivet verse opinions about this precious passage of Discourse. The Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24:1-31) Scripture permeate the Body of Christ. is the primary end-times sermon of Christ in the There are two conclusions taught about Matthew Gospels and outlines specific events that lead up to 24:1-31 which are particularly troubling. Pretribu-la- a specific conclusion. It is a conclusion that stirs up tionalists argue that the Olivet Discourse applies only much debate—thus my frustration. In a local to the nation of Israel and has no instruction for the Christian library, I looked at more than 100 com- Church of Jesus Christ. Preterists1 argue that the mentaries on the Olivet Discourse in Matthew’s Olivet Discourse is a prophecy concerning the de- Gospel. On one end of the spectrum, there are those struction of the Temple in Jerusalem and was fulfilled who do not believe that Jesus said one single word in A.D. 70. These two groups attempt to base their of Matthew 24:1-31 and that none of what is indi- faulty conclusions on equally faulty interpretations of cated has, is, or will ever happen. On the opposite continued on page 2 Parousia — page 2

specific textual details. One such error is the careless here. Labor pains are intimately connected with the assumption that a word means the same thing re- delivery. Nothing about the A.D. 70 destruction of gardless of where, when and how it is used in the Jerusalem concerned the physical delivery of the New Testament. The technical name for this type of Jews or the church. Second, Jesus’ use of the term error is illegitimate identity transfer.2 end in verses 6, 13, and 14 deals directly with the The unfortunate misunderstand- disciples’ question concerning the end of the age. The correct ings and incorrect summations This does not refer to end of the Jewish age; that proposed by pretribulationalists event occurred on the day of Pentecost5 which tran- understanding and preterists are manifested spired 53 days later. Matthew identified the end of the through this error in the case of age with the specific time when God will deliver the Matthew 24:14, which says, “And righteous and destroy the wicked (Matt. 13:39). of the word this gospel of the kingdom will be The third support is Jesus’ identification of this preached in all the world as a wit- time period with the “abomination of desolation gospel in ness to all the nations, and then which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet” the end will come.” (Matt. 24:15). Mark 13:14 , which is almost identi- Matthew 24:14 In this verse, pretribulationalists cal to Matthew 24:14, uses “the masculine and preterists rob the term gospel participle to modify a neuter noun (which) suggests of its intended meaning. They in- that Mark found a personification of the abomina- points to a sist that gospel refers to the death, tion in some concrete figure of history.”6 In other burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ words, the “abomination of desolation” is a person. future literal for sin.3 This incorrect meaning of Paul identified this person when he writes, “…the the term is then used to support a man of lawlessness… the son of perdition who op- fulfillment faulty fulfillment. In the case of poses and exalts himself above all that is called God the preterists, the false conclusion or that is worshiped, so that he sits in the temple of is that the text has been fulfilled God, showing himself that he is God,” (2 Thess. of the Olivet in the events of the destruction of 2:3b-4). Daniel 9:27 indicated that this event the Temple in Jerusalem in A.D. would signal the midpoint of a seven year covenant Discourse… 70. The pretribulationalists, on between the “prince who is to come,” the nations, the other hand, wrongly con- and Israel. Jesus’ indication that this prophetic por- clude that the text finds its fulfillment during tion was yet future relative to the time of His Daniel’s Seventieth Week and precedes Christ’s speaking established a very important timeline con- coming at Armageddon. It is the thesis of this arti- cerning the “end of the age.” The destruction of cle that the correct understanding of the word gospel Jerusalem in A.D. 70 did not fit the seven year time in Matthew 24:14 points to a future literal fulfill- frame outlined in the book of Daniel. Equally, no ment of the Olivet Discourse and that the Olivet event or person remotely represented the Discourse gives a specific outline of the end-times “Abomination of Desolation.” Therefore, the three including the timing of the rapture of the church. and a half years of “beginning birth pangs” precedes the three and a half years of “great tribulation” (hard The Timing of Matthew 24:14 labor), and the Olivet Discourse’s fulfillment is yet Dr. Stanley Toussaint suggests that Matthew 24:4- future. 14 refers to eschatological times just before the “great tribulation” period.4 There are several reasons The Preaching of the Gospel that this author agrees with Dr. Toussaint’s conclu- Matthew 24:14 reads, “And this gospel of the king- sion that the text is exclusively futuristic and does dom will be preached in all the world as a witness not relate to the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 to all the nations, and then the end will come.” (as the preterists teach) or to a progressive unfold- Some careless readers assume that the term “gospel,” ing of the church age (as John F. Walvoord teaches). when used in the New Testament, always refers to First, Jesus’ initial comparison of this time, in the good news of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus part, as “the beginning birth pangs,” followed by Christ for the forgiveness of sin so that people can go to the “hard labor” associated with the great tribula- heaven when they die. With this assumption about tion of Antichrist, focuses on the conclusion of this Matthew 24:14, they hastily concluded that Jesus time period rather than the beginning of it. The in- taught that when everyone in the world has heard ception and course of a pregnancy is not in focus the “gospel that Jesus saves,” the end (of the age) Parousia — page 3

will come. How many missionaries have been dri- This is a classic example of illegitimate identity ven by this false notion? This is the interpretation transfer as well as a poor apprehension of the New of this passage by many pretribulational mission Testament’s use of hyperbole—an exaggeration. agencies, even though taking this position destroys Paul writes in Romans 15:20, “…I have made it my the very heart of their “any moment” rapture, immi- aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was nency! named, lest I should build on another man’s foun- The preterists also use this false notion as one of dation…” Clearly Paul’s goal in ministry was to the primary pillars to support their position. preach to people groups who had not as yet heard Preterists teach that every detail of Matthew 24 was the gospel of Christ. He relates to the Romans that fulfilled in connection with the destruction of his plans were to “come to you (the Romans) when- Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Notice David Chilton’s argu- ever I journey to Spain.” The only logical ments when explaining the meaning of Matthew conclusion is that Christ had not been preached in 24:14 when he writes, Spain. There is not one historical piece of evidence that the gospel of Christ was preached in Spain be- At first glance, this seems incredible. Could fore the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Paul is the Gospel have been preached to the whole using the same type of language as the crowd does world within a generation of these words? in Acts 17:6 when they say, “These who have The testimony of Scripture is clear. Not only turned the world upside down have come here too.” could it have happened, but it actually did. It does not mean the “world” literally, but a great Proof? A few years before the destruction of number of people in the world. The preterists are Jerusalem, Paul wrote to Christians in wrong concerning the universal proclamation of the Colossae of “the Gospel which has come to gospel prior to A.D. 70. This rather poor attempt at you, just as in all the world also it is constant- exegesis grows out of a false assumption about the ly bearing fruit and increasing” (Colossians meaning of “gospel” in Matthew 24:14. 1:5-6), and exhorted them not to depart “from the hope of the Gospel that you have What Gospel? heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under What Matthew doesn’t mean in this context, is the death, heaven” (Colossians 1:23).7 burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ! Let me explain.

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all nations, and then the end will come. MATTHEW 24:14 Parousia — page 4

το ευαγγελιον (the good news)“is a compound of a very important time indicator for us. Luke tells us ευ and αγγελια, “good” and “message.” One key to that the ministry of John the Baptist initiated a new gaining a correct understanding of Matthew’s use of message in Israel—“The gospel of the kingdom of the term gospel is understanding how the term was God.” This is the same message Matthew indicates used during the time Jesus lived in Israel. This is im- Jesus began preaching after He was baptized by portant because words tend to change in meaning John in the Jordan River, “Now Jesus went about all over a period of time. A good example of this is the Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the English word charity. The 1611 King James transla- gospel of kingdom…” (Matt. 5:23). It is important tion of the Bible used this word as a translation of to remember that this time period covers the very the Greek word agape. At the time the translators first few days of Our Lord’s public ministry. were working on the King James Bible, charity was Another very important time indicator occurs in an excellent word to use because at that time it Matthew 16:21-23 which records, meant “Christian love.” However, the word has From that time Jesus began to show to His dis- come to mean “an organization or fund set up to ciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suf- help the needy.” The term gospel has a similar histo- fer many things from the elders and chief ry. Originally, it meant the reward given to the priests and scribes, and be killed, and be messenger for bringing good news. By the time of raised again the third day. Then Peter took Christ, the term “gospel” was used to mean the good Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, news that the messenger had brought.8 During the “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not hap- time Jesus lived on earth, any good news was consid- pen to You!” But He turned and said to Peter, ered a gospel. However, about 30 years after the “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to death of Jesus Christ, the Apostle Me, for you are not mindful of the things of Paul began to use ευαγγελιον to God, but the things of men.” During the refer to the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus for sin. He Notice the key phrase, “From that time.” The Greek time that Jesus writes in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, language here is very precise—Matthew is speaking “Moreover, brethren, I declare to of a very definite point in time. As best as can be de- you the gospel which I preached termined, this statement of Jesus was uttered near the lived on earth, to you… that Christ died for our end of His Galilean ministry which would be about sins according to the Scriptures, two years after He was baptized by John in the any good news and that He was buried, and that Jordan River. “From that time,”(from approximately He rose again the third day ac- the mid-point of Our Lord’s public ministry) He be- was considered cording to the Scriptures… ” In gan to clearly set forth the gospel of Christ—the about 200 A.D., the term gospel death, burial and resurrection of Jesus for the sins of came to be a technical term refer- the world. Peter’s response indicates that this is the a gospel. ring to a biography.9 Thus, we first time that he either heard or understood this have the biography (the Gospels) message. It is this author’s belief that this was the of Christ in four versions. first time in Jesus’ ministry that He clearly set forth Understanding the different what was to become the gospel of His death, burial meanings a word can have, and and resurrection for sin. Two facts support this con- when each meaning was popular, clusion. First, the phrase “from that time” means a is critical to discovering the in- point in time before which Jesus did not show His tended meaning of a written disciples this truth.10 Second, Peter rebukes Jesus document like the Bible. During for teaching the death, burial and resurrection mo- the public ministry of the Lord Jesus, the term gospel tif which, after that time, became the heart of the simply meant good news. gospel of Christ. A second key to discovering the intended mean- But Matthew 4:23 tells us that “Jesus went about ing of the word gospel in Matthew 24:14 is the all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching chronology of Jesus’ ministry. Luke 16:16 states, the gospel of the kingdom (of God),” which oc- “The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until curred long before He established the gospel of the (the ministry of) John (the Baptist started); since then the death, burial and resurrection. There is no indica- gospel of the kingdom of God is preached, and tion in Scripture that Peter rebuked the Lord for everyone is forcing his way into it.” This verse sets teaching the gospel of the kingdom. Instead, Luke 9:2 Parousia — page 5 thisKINGDOM gospel of the

indicates that Jesus sent the Twelve out to preach The word kingdom, for “the kingdom of God.” It was Jesus’ comments about being put to death that set Peter’s teeth on Matthew, points to a person edge. The difference between Peter’s initial acceptance of the gospel of the kingdom and his initial (God the Father) not a place… rejection of the gospel of Christ argues strongly that they are not one and the same. ing. This does not mean that the term kingdom has a hidden (allegorical) meaning, but rather that the The Good News of the Reign of God term kingdom has acquired a modern meaning that Matthew 24:14 contains a very important indicator should not be read back into the biblical text. The as to which gospel is intended. Notice, “And this kingdom of God refers to the reign that belongs to gospel of the kingdom…” The word kingdom God the Father. (βασιλειασ), for Matthew, points to a person (God the Father) not a place. The modern reader usually Matthew’s Use of “The Kingdom of God” thinks of a kingdom as a geographical area with a Matthew’s Gospel indicates four traits about the king and his subjects. Such an idea is immediately kingdom (reign) of God. First, men should pray for misleading when it comes to the New Testament. it to come. In the model prayer, Jesus instructs his D.A. Carson is very helpful at this point when he disciples to pray, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed writes, be Your name. Your kingdom come,” (Matt. 6:9-10). Second, men should seek it. Matthew 6:33 indi- If there is one thing on which N.T. scholars cates “seek first the kingdom of God…” Third, agree in relation to the kingdom of God, it Christ casting out demons evidences its authority. is that the English word ‘kingdom’ is now Matthew 12:28 says, “But if I cast out demons by an unfortunate attempt to render the Greek the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has ‘basileia’… a better translation would be come upon you.” Fourth, no look-a-like Christians ‘reign’ or ‘sovereignty’… (T)he kingdom of will be allowed into it (Matt. 13:41,19:24, 21:31). God’… is not a ‘thing’. It is the abstract idea Two conclusions emerge from Matthew’s Gospel. of God being king, his sovereignty, his con- First, the kingdom of God is both here and it is trol of his world and its affairs… So the coming. Because Jesus Christ is God, His physical phrase ‘the kingdom of God’ is telling us presence on earth meant the reign of God was on something about God (the fact that he earth. Not in the fullest sense in which it will come, reigns), not describing something called ‘the but present none the less. Yet, the reign of God is kingdom.’ future. Mark 15:43 states, “Joseph of Arimathea, a Carson echoes the words of Vincent Taylor who prominent council member, who was himself wait- wrote, “The difficulty of translating βασιλεια is ing for the kingdom of God… went in to Pilate and well known. At present there is a strong tenden- asked for the body of Jesus.” God reigns in heaven cy....to render it by ‘kingly rule’ or ‘reign’ rather today, but one day He will physically come to earth than by ‘kingdom’ or ‘realm.’11 to reign. At that time, His will shall be done on The problem is not the term kingdom, but the earth as it is in heaven (Matt. 6:10). Secondly, false ideas the modern reader may have about what Matthew indicates that God will judge and remove it meant in Jesus’ day. The attempt with any trans- all look-a-likes when He comes. Daniel Patte sum- lation is to make the text as understandable as marizes the reign of God clearly when he writes possible while maintaining God’s intended mean- “…(it) refers to the aggressive manifestation of the Parousia — page 6 That othe power of God which asserts itself against satanic and demonic pow- are those faithful followers of Christ who endure the persecution of ers.” The coming of the kingdom of God means judgment for the Satan/Antichrist until the end of the age comes, when the salvation wicked (Satan, demons, and man). A judgment which will mean the re- (physical deliverance) of God’s elect (the rapture) will initiate the Day moval “all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness,” of the Lord’s wrath on those who remain. (Matt. 13:41). Therefore, the good news of the reign of God is yet fu- This is again confirmed in 1 Thessalonians 4:15, 17 where we are ture and will involve the judgment of God against all wickedness. told that it is not just those who are alive, but those “who are alive and remain” that “shall be caught up.” The word translated “remain” is used The Context of Matthew 24:14 two times in the New Testament and is better translated “survive.” It Notice the first part of Matthew 24:14 again, “And this gospel of the tells the reader that those who are taken alive up into the heaven at the kingdom will be preached in all the world…” The word this (τουτο) rapture, have survived something that demands survival, rather than is a pronoun.13 It is very important. It functions like a giant shovel. It just being “alive.” In other words, the living survivors will be the ones scoops up the content of verse 13 and dumps it into verse 14. Verse raptured. James Frame confirms this point: 13 of Matthew 24 gives us another very important part of the good (T)he exact contrast here is not between the living and dead at news of the reign of God: “But he who endures to the end shall be the Parousia; not between “we Christians who are alive” at the saved.” Many make an incorrect assumption that since “saved,” gener- Parousia and the dead; but between “we Christians who live,” ally speaking in the Scriptures, means salvation from hell, it must have that is, “who continue to survive until the Parousia,” and the that specific meaning every time it occurs in the New Testament. dead.14 Therefore, when Matthew writes, “And he who endures to the end shall be saved,” some automatically think of spiritual salvation. Ceslas Spicq in his magnificent work, Theological Lexicon of the New However, the Greek term for saved (σοζο) can mean either physical Testament, writes, or spiritual deliverance. Matthew 8:25 illustrates the point well. “Then “…this verb is also used for human survivors… It is in this His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We sense that 1 Thess 4:15, 17 contrasts the dead (literally, “those are perishing!”’ The disciples’ request was not to be spiritually saved who have fallen asleep,”)… and “we who are (still) alive, those so that they could go to heaven, but to be physically delivered so as left…”15 not to sink into the sea of Galilee. This is the intended meaning in Matthew 24:13. Jesus promises physical deliverance to His faithful fol- An interesting example of this term is found in the Greek transla- lowers who endure to the end (of the age). This conclusion has further tion of the Old Testament called the Septuagint. 2 Chronicles 34:21 support in Matthew 24:22, “And unless those days (of persecution by records Josiah’s instructions to Hilkiah to “Go, inquire of the Lord for Satan/Antichrist of God’s people) were shortened (amputated) no me, and for those who are left in Israel and Judah, concerning the words flesh would be saved (physically delivered); but for the elect’s sake of the book that is found; for great is the wrath of the Lord that is those days (of persecution) will be shortened.” Saved in this verse refers poured out on us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the to the physical deliverance of Christ’ faithful followers rather than Lord, to do according to all that is written in this book,” (italics their spiritual salvation. added). These were survivors—survivors of God’s wrath. The opposite Once the persecution of Satan/Antichrist starts, there is no scrip- situation occurs in 1 Thessalonians 4:17— the surviving believers of tural support that many unsaved individuals will turn to God for Satan/Antichrist’s wrath will be the ones physically delivered at the spiritual salvation as pretribulationalists believe and teach. Nothing rapture. Therefore, Matthew 24:13 contains a wonderful promise to about the great persecution of Satan/Antichrist will inspire sinners to the church and supports the prewrath position that pretribbers are seek salvation from God, partially in light of the cost associated with wrong by limiting the application of the Olivet Discourse to Israel that change! With regard to unbelievers, Scripture says, “…God will alone. send them strong delusions, that they should believe the lie, that they The concept of God’s physical deliverance of the righteous at the all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure end of the persecution is a part of “the good news of the kingdom.” in unrighteousness,” (2 Thess. 2:11-12). Revelation 13:8 states, “And “The good news of the kingdom” concerns both the physical deliver- all who dwell on the earth will worship him (Antichrist) whose names ance of the righteous and God’s judgment/removal of all wickedness have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb…” And at some point yet future. What a tremendous and glorious promise! Revelation 14:9 states, “…If anyone worships the beast (Antichrist) The pretribulationalists’ and preterists’ false interpretation of Matthew and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, 24:13-14 has robbed the church of the “blessed hope.” That genera- he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God… and he tion of the Body of Christ chosen to be present on earth during the shall be tormented with fire and brimstone…” With regard to so- “great tribulation” will be raptured in victory. God is not going to called believers, Matthew 24:10-12 and 2 Thessalonians 2:3 indicate sneak in and take the church leaving the wicked guessing about what that they will fall away from the faith during this time, rather than face happened. The message of victory will be proclaimed by an angel and the persecution at the hands of Satan/Antichrist. Therefore, the elect God will come and rescue the survivors and pour out the worst demonstration of His wrath the world will ever experience. Parousia — page 7 er gospel

A Witness to the Nations prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of God saying ‘The Notice again Matthew 24:14, “And this gospel (good news) of the time is fulfilled, and kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe kingdom (reign of God) will be preached in all the world as a witness in the gospel.’” Christ’s message is rooted in the Old Testament. Jude to all the nations, and then the end (of the age) will come.” The phrase 1:14 indicates that “Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied… “as a witness to all the nations” can have either of two meanings. It Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His angels to execute “can mean ‘for an evidence against’ or ‘for a witness to’.”16 Is God an- judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their nouncing His coming judgment so that the wicked will have no excuse ungodly deeds…” Immediately following the fall of man, God began or is God announcing His coming judgment so that all mankind will to announce His intent to come to earth to judge the wicked. It is in know that God’s judgment has begun? Matthew indicates that the an- this sense that this gospel is eternal. The reason repentance was, is, and nouncement of the reign of God, where God will punish the wicked, will be a proper response to the announcement of God’s arrival to precedes the coming of the end (of the age) during which time God’s physically rule on earth is because He delivers the righteous, but de- Day of the Lord’s wrath will be poured out against all wickedness. stroys the wicked. To be counted among the wicked will not be Every indication is that the primary goal of the Day of the Lord’s popular when the reign of God begins on earth, therefore, man should wrath is to humble man. Isaiah 2:11 states, “The proud looks of man humble himself and give God glory so as to escape the wrath. Unlike shall be humbled, the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down and the persecution of Satan/Antichrist when few, if any, turn to God, the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.” The first order of business some from many nations will seek God during the Day of the Lord’s will be God’s notification of mankind that His wrath is beginning. wrath, (Zech. 14:16; Joel 2:32). There is to be no doubt in the minds of the unbelievers that the sign The final angelic sermon will focus on two inevitable events: that in the sun, moon and stars and the events that follow are anything but God is personally coming to physically deliver the faithful survivors the wrath of God. Therefore, the purpose of the announcement is “for of the persecution of Satan/Antichrist, and that simultaneously he will a witness to” all mankind. initiate judgment against all wickedness. This is the gospel of the king- The focus of “the preaching of the good news of the reign of God” dom of God. is to “all the nations,” “in all the world.” The Lord Jesus indicates that the universal proclamation of the reign of God would immediately Conclusion precede the end of the age (rapture/wrath of God). All the nations of A literal and exegetical translation of Matthew 24:13-14 says, the world will be made aware that God’ s wrath is about to start, then In contrast to the look-a-like Christians who fall away because the end of the age will come. Revelation 14:6-7 confirms our inter- of the persecution of Antichrist, he (the faithful followers) who pretation of Matthew 24:14. John writes, endures to the end (of the age) shall be physically delivered and And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, having an eternal this good news of the reign of God—when God’s wrath is gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every poured out on earth—will be preached in all the world as a nation and tribe and tongue and people; saying with a loud witness to all the nations, then the end (of the age) will come. voice, “Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His This correct translation, which includes the contextual details from judgment has come; and worship Him who made the heaven Matthew 24:13-14, supports the end-time sequence of the Prewrath and the earth and sea and springs of waters.” (Italics added) rapture position. As Jesus promised and Paul confirmed, the righteous That John and Matthew are indicating the same event is supported by survivors of Satan/Antichrist’s persecution will be physically delivered three facts.17 One, the timing is right. In the sequence of the by the rapture. Paul clearly taught the Thessalonians that they could Revelation of Jesus to John, the final expulsion of all wickedness pri- claim the promise that any Thessalonian survivors at Christ’s parousia or to the physical reign of God will then be imminent. Two, the focus would be delivered. This deliverance will occur at the same time the is right. All the nations of the world in Matthew’s Gospel becomes dead are resurrected. Thus, those Thessalonians who were dead and every nation, tribe, tongue and people for John’s Revelation. Three, those who survived until Christ’s parousia would be reunited at that the content is right. Beginning in verse seven, the angel gives us the time—the same time Jesus indicated in the Olivet Discourse. This content of the “eternal gospel.” The Angel preaches that the judgment proves that the pretribulationalists have incorrectly limited the Olivet of God is about to start and mankind should respond with humility. Discourse to Israel alone. The correct translation also shows that the The verb worship (προσκυνεω) is an idiom that literally means ‘to in- preterists' position grossly erred in both the timing of the fulfillment cline the face to the ground,’ to prostrate oneself before someone as an of the events in Matthew 24 and the meaning of the term gospel. The act of reverence, fear, or supplication. This is how one normally ex- Olivet Discourse is yet to be fulfilled and the good news of the reign presses one’s allegiance to and regard for deity. He prostrates himself of God will be preached before the end of the age comes. in worship.18 Thus, for man to worship, he must humble himself. Once the reader understands that the “great tribulation” is the wrath This is the proper response to the good news of the reign of God. of Satan executed through the persecution of God’s elect by the Beast, This is the same message and response Christ preached from day one Antichrist, (Matt. 24:15, 21-22; Rev. 12:12-13:7), the end-times se- of His public ministry. Mark 1:14-15 says, “Now after John was put in Parousia — page 8

quence is clear. First, Antichrist begins to execute Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1984) 467. Satan’s three-and-a-half-year wrath campaign 7. David Chilton, The Great Tribulation (Ft. Worth: Dominion Press, 1987) 10. against God’s people. Satan’s persecution will cause 8. Leon Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, (Grand a great falling away of look-a-like Christians, (Matt. Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1992), 88. 24:10-12). After some time, when circumstances 9. See note 20 in William L. Lanes commentary, The are bleak for God’s elect, (Matt. 24:22), an angel Gospel According to Mark, (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1974), 44. will proclaim the good news of God’s imminent ar- 10. This particular Greek construction is used four times in rival to rescue the survivors and punish the wicked, the New Testament with this meaning. Matthew 4:17, (Matt. 24:14, Rev. 14:6-7, I Thess. 4:15,17). Then 16:21, 26:16 and Luke 16:16. the sign in the sun, moon and stars will be given 11. Vincent Taylor, Jesus and His Sacrifice (London: Macmillian and Co., 1937) 8. which signals the imminent arrival of the wrath of 12. Daniel Patte, The Gospel according to Matthew: A God, (Matt. 24:29, Rev. 6:12-17). The earth now Structural Commentary on Matthew’s Faith (Philadelphia: wrapped in total darkness, receives the light of the Fortress, 1987) 177. 13. τουτο is a demonstrative, neuter pronoun. Daniel sign of the Son of Man, (Matt. 24:30). Then Christ Wallace writes that “The neuter pronoun is the normal comes on the clouds and sends His angels to gath- means of referring to an unspecified concept in Greek.” er together the living survivors after resurrecting τουτο, he writes, “regularly takes a conceptual the righteous dead, (Matt. 24:31; I Thess. 4:16-17). antecedent.” Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics, Dr. Daniel Wallace, (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, Finally, at the end of the age, the wrath of God 1996), 333, 335. comes upon the wicked, (Rev. 6:17, 8:5), and the 14. James Everett Frame, “Epistles of St. Paul to the gospel of the kingdom of God becomes a present Thessalonians” in The International Critical Commentary, reality as God reigns over the earth. (Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1960) 172. 15. Ceslas Spicq, Theological Lexicon of the New Testament, Translated and Edited by James D. Ernest in Accordance: ENDNOTES Software for Biblical Studies. 1. The word preterist is based on a Latin word “praeteritus,” 16. W.D. Davies and Dale C. Allison, Jr, A Critical and meaning “gone by.” The basic idea is that of “past.” This Exegetical Commentary on The Gospel According to Saint is a growing position within the Evangelical movement Matthew, (Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1997), 344. which adopts the position that Matthew 24 and the 17. Joachim Jeremias, one of the greatest New Testament book of Revelation transpired in the past. scholars of this century, agrees that Matthew 24:14 and 2. Barr, cited by Joseph C. Dillow, The Reign of the Servant Revelation 14:6-7 refer to the same event. He writes, “I Kings (Hayesville: Schoettle Publishing Co., 1993), 37. have attempted to show elsewhere that… euaggelion is 3. Paul remarks in Galatians 1:8, “But even if we, or an used in the early pre-Pauline sense of Rev. 14:6f., angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than where, in the hour of final fulfillment, an angelic voice what we have preached to you, let him be accursed…” proclaims “the everlasting gospel of triumph’… Hence refer to “the gospel of Christ,” (Gal. 1:7). Paul’s point is we are to understand that ‘the proclamation to all the that there is only one gospel that saves a person from world’ will not be by men in the time before the sin. Salvation from hell comes only by faith in Jesus Parousia, but by God’s angel at the last day.” Joachim Christ. However, there are other gospels. Jeremias, Jesus’ Promise to the Nations (London: SCM Press 4. Stanley D. Toussaint, Behold the King, (Portland: LTD, 1953) 22-23. Multnomah Press, 1980), 272-273. 18. Ceslas Spicq, Theological Lexicon of the New Testament, 5. See the last issue of Parousia for a discussion of the Translated and Edited by James D. Ernest in Accordance: beginning of the church age at Pentecost. Software for Biblical Studies. 6. William L. Lane, The Gospel of Mark, NICNT, (Grand

Over the past year, The Sign Ministries has increasingly received unso- licited monetary donations for the ongoing support of the ministry. We are very grateful to God for your generosity. During the next twelve months we Thank You have planned seven regional conferences, the addition of a new staff member, the production of new resource materials, and an expanded international ministry. If, after giving to your local church, you would like to financially support The Sign Ministries, we would be extremely grateful. Tax deductible gifts should be sent to: The Sign Ministries, P.O. Box 113, West Olive, Michigan, 49460. Parousia — page 9 THE SIGN MINISTRIES BIBLICAL STUDIES ORDER FORM ON PublishedPublished COLLECTION NEXT PAGE Materials AroundAround Available The Rapture Question Answered, Plain and Simple by Robert Van Kampen. The timing of Christ’s second return. 210 pages $8.00* thethe WorldWorld The Sign by Robert Van Kampen. An in-depth theological study of end-times We are excited to an- events and the return of Christ. 544 pages $12.00* nounce the publication The Sign: A Personal Study Guide by Robert Van Kampen & Roger Best. of three translations of The companion study guide and workbook. 215 pages $8.00* Robert Van Kampen’s The Fourth Reich An End-Times Novel by Robert Van Kampen. A compelling, The Rapture Question fast-paced, fictional portrayal of the last days. 445 pages $10.00* Answered into Spanish, Russian, and Romanian. The Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church by Marvin Rosenthal, a fresh look at the biblical prophecies concerning end-times events. 319 pages $10.00* Work is also continuing to translate the book Examining The Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church by Marvin Rosenthal & into Italian, Mandarin, Kevin Howard. A companion study guide. 142 pages $8.00* and Telugu. A Panorama of the End Times Chart by Robert Van Kampen & Tom Allen. Giant-size 46" x 33", suitable for framing. $10.00* If you are interested in a translation project The Hope of Christ's Second Coming by S. P. Tregelles LL.D. A study of the end-times from a nineteenth-century perspective. 105 pages $5.00* pertaining to another language, call Study Transparencies by Roger Best. A set of six mounted transparencies The Sign suitable for presentations and lectures. $12.00* Ministries! We’d NEW! Parousia Conference, an eight-tape audio cassette series recorded at love to discuss a conference in Holland, Michigan, with Marv Rosenthal, Roger Best, and the possibilities Charles Cooper. $30.00* with you. The Olivet Discourse, an eight-tape audio cassette series presented by Robert Van Kampen on Christ’s teachings in Matthew 24. $25.00* Before ordering a translation, please An Overview of End Time Events, a set of two audio tapes that provides an introductory look at the End Times and Christ’s second coming. $6.00* call 1-800-627-5134 to check availability. La Señal by Robert Van Kampen. The Spanish translation of The Sign. 542 pages, includes folded Panorama chart in Spanish $8.00* El Rapto by Robert Van Kampen. The Spanish translation of The Rapture Question Answered. 172 pages $6.00* Râpirea Bisericii by Robert Van Kampen. The Romanian translation of Now Available The Rapture Question Answered. 190 pages $6.00* PAROUSIA CONFERENCE O BOCXNIIIN eHNNNN IIePKBNN by Robert Van Kampen. The Russian translation of 8 AUDIO CASSETTES • $30.00* The Rapture Question Answered. $6.00* This set of tapes was recorded at our recent 3-day Parousia Conference in Zion’s Fire, a magazine on Israel and prophecy that also presents Christian truth to Jewish people and the Jewishness of the Bible to Christian people. Holland, Michigan, featuring Marv Free one-year gift subscription Rosenthal, Roger Best, and Charles Cooper. Seven teaching sessions We also have free reprints available of two recent Parousia articles: plus extensive Q&A discussion Hermeneutic: Key to Understanding Scripture from Parousia #4 provide a biblical look at end times. Legs to Stand On from Parousia #5 * Suggested donation price. Mail this form or call toll-free 1-800-627-5134 Request for materials Biblical Missions.

NAME Plain and Simple. There’s too much unnecessary confusion ADDRESS in the church today when it comes to missions. What’s a missionary? Where CITY STATE ZIP do they go? How long do they stay? What do they need to know? Who’s going to PHONE FAX pay? The bottom line is what does the Bible have to say about it? CHURCH/AFFILIATION The Master’s Mission has been training missionaries for nearly twenty years. Call us at 1-800-419-8618 and ask for a Please add my friends’ names to your mailing list to begin receiving Parousia. copy of our Missions Journal.

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ITEM 4 QTY ITEM 5 QTY ISRAEL TOTAL DONATION AMOUNT $ APRIL 19-30, 1999 MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO THE SIGN MINISTRIES Springtime is the best time to see Israel and Jordan at the peak of their beauty! Join Roger Best PLEASE CHARGE MY ❍ ❍ ❍ and Dan Hayden on a journey that will transport you back in CARD NUMBER EXP DATE time to the world of Christ and the beginnings of the church. SIGNATURE

❏ Please begin my one-year gift subscription to Zion’s Fire magazine. Highlights will include: Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, 08-SUM98 Mail completed form to: The Sign Ministries Masada, Jericho, Galilee, Mt. P.O. Box 113 Nebo, and breathtaking Petra! West Olive, MI 49460 CALL 1-800-627-5134 FOR MORE INFORMATION Parousia — page 11

Ministry Update

God continues to bless The Sign Ministries’ effort We are available to come to your church and pre- to teach biblical truth concerning the days that are sent a multimedia presentation of “An Overview of yet before us. We appreciate each one of you and End Times.” If this would interest you, give us a call the many letters, emails, and telephone calls that at 1-800-627-5134, and we would be delighted to come to us. The number of people calling our 800 arrange such a conference. number continues at a record pace. We are busy and if for some reason we do not response to you please contact us again. We make every effort to respond ★Seattle to all inquires. This past quarter we had the privilege of minis- ★ tering at Good News Baptist Church in Mosinee, EauClaire Mosinee, WI• Wisconsin where Pastor Dass and his people were Chicago★ •Holland, MI most receptive. At Calvary Baptist Church in Lamar, •Pleasant Valley, CA ★Philadelphia Colorado we had a wonderful time with Pastor Jeff •Lamar, CO •Maysville, KY Alexander and his people. April 30 - May 2 we held ★ our first “Parousia Conference” in Holland, Nashville Michigan. It was no doubt, the greatest conference that we here at The Sign Ministries have been in- Recent Events volved in. It was such a success that we have Upcoming Conferences ★ scheduled seven of these conferences for next year Houston as well as one in Nashville, Tennessee, on Miami, FL• September 10-12, 1998 and one in Wheaton, Illinois, on October 16-17, 1998. The middle of May brought us to Miami for the Spanish book- sellers “Expolit.” We displayed “La Señal” and “El EMAIL REVIEWS OF THE RAPTURE QUESTION ANSWERED Rapto” (The Sign and The Rapture Question [email protected] Answered, Plain and Simple in Spanish) and had [email protected] It will change the way the opportunity to conduct two seminars. In June The best End-Times book I've you think about Bible we conducted conferences with Pastor Judd Bird read yet! Reading this book prophecy... This one was the best thing that I and his people at Grace Community Church in book, forced me to could have done to clear up Pleasant Valley, California and Pastor Gene rethink my entire the mess of confusion that Crowder and his folks at First Baptist Church in understanding of the the Pre-Tribulational rapture Maysville, Kentucky. End Times--and made me theory has caused in my a better Christian head... for it!... Introducing… The Sign Ministries Welcomes Bill Lee-Warner Pastor Bill Lee-Warner has joined The Sign Ministries as National Instructor, and we welcome him to our team. A graduate of Oregon State University, Bill received his M.Div. from Western Evangelical Seminary. He recently pastored The Community Alliance Church in Havre, Montana, a position he had held since 1983. He and his wife Shirley have five children: Joshua, a recent college graduate; Suzannah, who is soon to be married; Rebecca, a college student; Jonathan, a high school senior; and Abby, a high school freshman. The Sign Ministries twice has had the opportunity of ministering in the church Bill pastored in Havre. Bill has been a wonderful pastor who has a deep desire to know and teach the Word of God in all its truth. His major responsibility with The Sign Ministries will be as a teacher of the prewrath position. He is a great addition to our ministry and is available to present the prewrath rapture position in your church. We are grateful to God for the ways that He is expanding The Sign Ministries. Nonprofit Org. THE U.S. Postage Paid Grand Haven, MI SIGN Permit No. 383 Ministries P.O. Box 113 West Olive, MI 49460

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Associate Editors: Dean Tisch, Sandy Ksycki, Jeorgio Yakima; Art Director: Scott Holmgren; ©1998 The Sign Ministries. All right All Ministries. Sign The ©1998 Holmgren; Scott Director: Art Yakima; Jeorgio Ksycki, Sandy Tisch, Dean Editors: Associate s reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or reproduced be may publication this of part No reserved. s

Eau Claire, Wisconsin Claire, Eau

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Norton Park Baptist Church Baptist Park Norton Northern Wisconsin Parousia Wisconsin Northern The Philippines The Idaho Falls, Idaho Falls, Idaho

MARCH 19-21, 1999 19-21, MARCH FEBRUARY 18-20, 1999 18-20, FEBRUARY Ministry visit to visit Ministry Eagle Rock Baptist Church Baptist Rock Eagle

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Cherry Hill, New Jersey New Hill, Cherry India

Conference Ministry visit to visit Ministry Wheaton, Illinois Wheaton, Brentwood, Tennessee Brentwood,

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Call The Sign Ministries at 1-800-627-5134 for more info! more for 1-800-627-5134 at Ministries Sign The Call Upcoming Events Upcoming Parousia 9 THE SIGN MINISTRIES NEWSLETTER / FALL 1998 The Parousia of JesusChrist “The Greek language is generally conceded to be the most effective vehicle ever developed for expressing thought…” by Charles Cooper Parousia — page 2

occurring years before the advent of Christ at the “Its possibilities of subtle battle of Armageddon. For example, they would say that the parousia found in I Thessalonians 4:15 is distinction in the expression the rapture parousia and the parousia referred to in the Olivet Discourse (Matt. 24:3), the Armageddon of thought are vast,… parousia. However, it is the thesis of this article that the and the writers of the New Testament were remarkably adept at using parousia (coming) is a biblically precise (technical) the finer capacities of the language.”1 This among other reasons ex- term that in each and every usage concerning plains why God chose to record the New Testament in Koine Christ’s return, is referring to a general time span (common) Greek. However, with the split of the church between the that is initiated by the rapture of the church, Greek speaking people of the East and the Latin speaking people of through to and including the final event of Christ’s the West, the need for an authorized Latin translation of the Bible in coming, the battle of Armageddon. the West became imperative. In A.D. 383, Pope Damasus commis- sioned a young scholar to translate the Greek manuscripts of the New Technical Verses Non-Technical Usage Testament and the Greek translation of the Old Testament The first matter we must deal with concerns the (Septuagint) into Latin. This monumental work would eventually ac- question of whether or not parousia is a technical quire the name Vulgate which means current.2 The importance of the term that covers the future ministry of Christ. Latin Vulgate is very significant. Specifically, we are talking about the timeframe that is initiated when He returns to receive the church to (I)t was for hundreds of years the only Bible in universal use in Himself, to the time He comes with His armies for Europe… (I)t has given to us much of our modern theological the battle of Armageddon. A technical term is a des- terminology as well as being the sponsor for many Gr[eek] ignation given to a word or phrase in light of the words which have enriched our conceptions.3 fact that a certain meaning is conveyed each and Two very important examples of “modern theological terminology” every time it is used. An example of a technical term that tie directly to the Latin Vulgate are the terms rapture and advent. in Paul’s writings is Kalein (to call). It is a technical The English term rapture comes from the Latin word rapere which term “that carries the content ‘God designates as (or means “to seize.” The translator of the Latin Vulgate chose this term to causes to be) a Christian.’ It is God’s action of be- translate the Greek verb harpazo (to catch away) in I Thessalonians stowing upon a person eternal salvation.”4 4:17. The term advent comes from the Latin word adventus which means Therefore, Paul argues that salvation by grace “arrival.” The Latin Vulgate uses this term to translate the Greek term through faith is a gift of God. Each time Paul uses parousia. Therefore, when we use rapture and advent to refer to the Lord this term he means the exact same thing. Can a case Jesus’ return, we are using loaned words from Latin. be made for parousia as a technical term in the New Testament? That is, can a single precise meaning be The Problem Stated designated for parousia each and every time it occurs Rapture and second advent are key phrases used to describe events asso- in the New Testament? ciated with the next major phase in the earthly career of Jesus Christ. One of two problems with these phrases is the seemingly forgotten Proponents of A Non-Technical Usage fact that none of them actually appear in the Greek New Testament. There is very little debate concerning the fact that While these terms were adequate for a Latin translation 1500 years parousia was a technical term outside the New ago, they are not adequate for an English translation today. No mod- Testament. Extant manuscripts evidence solid usage ern English translation of the Bible utilizes these terms. The second of parousia. Adolf G. Deissmann states, “From the problem with these phrases is the lack of biblical preciseness. This lack Ptolemaic period down into the 2nd cent[ury] A.D. of biblical preciseness has contributed greatly to the confusion re- we are able to trace the word in the East as a techni- garding the timing of Christ’s coming and the events that will occur in cal expression for the arrival or the visit of the king conjunction with that coming. Well meaning men and women are mis- or the emperor.”5 Few would debate Deissmann on lead into thinking that the “rapture” of the church and the second this point. However, with regards to New “advent” of Christ are two different and unrelated events, the rapture Testament usage, Dr. John F. Walvoord writes, “As Parousia — page 3

used in the New Testament, it [parousia] is obvious- that there is only one future parousia of Christ and, using the word in ly not a technical word…”6 He further writes, the technical sense, it refers to Christ’s coming in general, including contrary to how the term is used outside the N.T., both the snatching away of believers and the battle of Armageddon, “It is clear, at least, that no technical meaning for the thus removing the debate about which passages refer to which term is established which would limit its use to ei- parousia. ther one or the other, i.e., the rapture or the second coming.”7 “It is the viewpoint of the writer Proponents of A Technical Usage [Walvoord] that [parousia is] used in a general and With regard to the use of parousia in the New Testament, BAGD, a very not a technical sense and that [it is] descriptive of respected Greek lexicon in use today, states that parousia is used “in a both the rapture and the glorious return of Christ to special technical sense… of Christ.11 James E. Frame in the earth.”8 Walvoord’s comments reflect a change in International Critical Commentary Series states, the thinking of Pretribulationalists during the early Parousia is used untechnically in I Cor. 16:17, II Cor. 7:6-7, 1940s. Dr. Richard R. Reiter writes, 10:10, Phil. 1:26 and 2:12… Whether the technical use Prior to the mid 1940s, pretribulationists ([I Thess.] 2:19, 3:13, 4:14, 5:23; II Thess. 2:1, 8 and I Cor. generally viewed the Greek words parousia 15:23…) is a creation of the early church… or is taken over (“coming”), epiphaneia (“appearing”), and from an earlier period… is uncertain.12 apokalupsis (“revelation”) as technical terms Frame recognizes a difference between the technical and untechnical specifying distinct phases of the return. They usage of parousia. Frame is supported by Leon Morris when he states, interpreted parousia as Christ’s appearance in “In the New Testament it [parousia] became a technical expression for the sky including the Rapture of the church the royal visit, the second coming of our Lord.”13 Tracy L. Howard al- to meet Him in the air (I Thess. 4:16-17). By so supports a technical sense for parousia when he says, “In the New contrast epiphaneia and apokalupsis referred to Testament the word takes on a technical sense for the future advent of the return of Christ to earth with His saints Christ.”14 following the Great Tribulation (2 Thess. In commenting on parousia, D. Michael Martin writes, “Paul used 2:8; 1 Peter 1:7), [Emphasis added].9 the word to refer both to his own visits to his churches… and in the That pretribulationalists have had a change in per- more technical sense of a divine or regal visitation (as when referring spective on this matter is also supported by the to the coming of the Lord…).15 Robert D. Culver when explaining comment of Keith L. Brooks, Paul’s use of parousia in I Corinthians 15:20-24 states, “Deismann (sic)… has shown that parousia (presence, coming) was the technical We are fully aware of the discussion that has term for the arrival of a potentate or his representatives. That it usual- been going on over the Greek words ‘parou- ly—this text included—signifies in the New Testament the coming of sia’ (personal presence) and ‘apokalupsis’ Christ to set up the Messianic kingdom accords with this definition, (unveiling or revelation). Perhaps some and is the opinion of many modern commentators.”16 Both Mueller excellent teachers have been mistaken in and Eerdman writing in The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia saying that the ‘parousia’ always indicates the support the conclusion that parousia is a technical term in the New moment when He comes for His saints and Testament.17 that ‘apokalupsis’ is used only for the To this point, we are able to conclude that scholars are divided con- moment when He comes in power and cerning whether parousia is a technical term or not. The final authority [Emphasis added].10 determination must be made in light of its usage. Unfortunately, the pretribulationalists’ change in perspective after the 1940s is wrong. Basically, the New Testament Usage pretribulationist’s solution to the matter is to adopt The term parousia is variously translated. Dr. W. Harold Mare writes, a two parousia eschatology. In the absence of a clear- “A brief look at Parousia in Liddell-Scott’s A Greek-English Lexicon ly explicit statement that there are two future shows that this word was used from the Homeric period down parousias, the reader is left debating which passages through that of the NT, with meanings ranging from the presence of refer to the first parousia and which passages refer to persons to their arrival or advent.18 Dr. John F. Walvoord argues that the second parousia. The prewrath position believes parousia “has come to mean not simply presence but the act by which Parousia — page 4

the presence is brought about, i.e., by the coming of the individual.19 rains. You too be patient; strengthen your Hogg and Vine take the opposite view. hearts, for the coming [parousia] of the Lord is at hand. The usual translation is misleading, because ‘coming’ is more appropriate to other words… the difference being that where- The book of James is specifically addressed “to the as these words fix the attention on the journey to, and the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad…” These arrival at, a place, parousia fixes it on the stay which follows on Jewish Christians (the righteous remnant of Israel) the arrival there. It would be preferable, therefore, to transliter- are urged to exercise patience until the parousia of ate the word rather than translate it, that is to use ‘parousia,’ Christ. In light of the nearness of Christ’s parousia, rather than ‘coming,’ wherever the reference is to the Lord James comforts the suffering Jewish Christians with Jesus.20 the knowledge that Jesus, “the Judge is standing at the door,” (James 5:9). Surely James is emphasizing The debate concerning whether parousia emphasizes different arrivals the beginning of Christ’s parousia. The suffering of Christ for different purposes, or a singular arrival and the presence that James’ audience was experiencing was to be al- of Christ that is initiated by the rapture of the church and ending with leviated at Christ’s parousia. James uses the Greek the battle of Armageddon, forces a choice between one or the other preposition ε′ως (heos which is translated until) for every passage where parousia occurs. which in this context basically refers to the period This, however, is an over simplification. As a technical term, parou- up to the parousia. The very beginning of Christ’s sia would represent a multifaceted event each time beginning with the parousia spells relief for God’s people because when rapture of the church. Each passage must be evaluated in light of this Christ comes, the parousia referred to in this pas- context. Hogg and Vine’s suggestion that parousia be transliterated in- sage, will be initiated by the rapture of the church. stead of translated is a good one. This allows the reader to evaluate each passage in light of the context for him or herself. Hogg and Vine Pauline Usage offer one other suggestion which is worthy of our attention. They in- Paul picks up James’ teaching concerning Christ’s dicate that “The Parousia of the Lord Jesus is thus a period with a 21 coming to bring relief to His people in the beginning, a course, and a conclusion.” (italic added) I am in agreement Thessalonian Letters. He writes to the with this point, however, I do not agree with their division of this pe- 22 Thessalonians, “For they themselves declare… how riod concerning what events will happen and when they will occur. you turned to God from idols to serve the living The term parousia is used twenty-four times in the New and true God and to wait for His Son from heav- Testament.23 Of these twenty-four occurrences, seventeen refer to the 24 en…” Paul uses a term here that means “to await.” coming of Jesus in the future (1 Thess. 2:19, 3:13, 4:15, 5:23; 2 Thess. Interestingly, the end of each chapter in this letter 2:1, 8; 1 Cor. 15:23; Jas 5.7, 8; 2 Pet. 1:16, 3:4, 12; 1 Jn 2:28; Mat. 24:3, ends with a reference to the Lord’s return. In 27, 37 and 39). Dr. John F. Walvoord indicates that all the verses above I Thessalonians 2:19, 3:13, 4:15, and 5:23 the term refer to the rapture with the exception of Matthew 24:3, 27, 37, 39; parousia is used. The first example of the term parou- 1 Thess. 3:13; 2 Thess. 2:8 and 2 Pet. 1:16 which refer to the second 25 sia in the writings of Paul is in I Thessalonians 2:19 coming of Christ at the battle of Armageddon. However, if parousia which states, “For who is our hope or joy or crown in the seventeen future oriented verses can be shown to refer to the of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of same event, then sufficient grounds would be established to warrant our Lord Jesus at His coming [parousia]?” The designating parousia as a technical term whenever it is used in connec- Thessalonian church was composed of mostly tion with the future return of Jesus Christ. Gentiles with some Jews.27 Paul informs the Thessalonians that they are his hope and joy in the James’ Usage presence of Christ at His parousia. Along with this, Taking the seventeen occurrences of parousia in the N.T. which refer Paul adds a prayer that Jesus will cause love to grow to the future ministry of Jesus Christ in chronological order, we begin 26 among the Thessalonians, “so that He may establish with the reference in the book of James. James 5:7-8 states, your hearts unblamable in holiness before our God Be patient, therefore, brethren, until the coming [parousia] of and Father at the coming [parousia] of our Lord the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious produce of Jesus with all His saints,” (I Thess. 3:13). This is the the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late second example of parousia in Paul’s writings. Like Parousia — page 5

I Thess. 2:19, here Paul is emphasizing the begin- presented in the N.T., namely the prewrath position. ning of Christ’s parousia. BADG indicates that the One other fact argues against the pretribulational interpretation of preposition en, translated “in” denotes “the point of II Thess. 2:8. After Antichrist recovers from his wound, he is not phys- time when something occurs.”28 This is Paul’s fa- ically killed again. Revelation 19:20 indicates that at Armageddon he vorite preposition to introduce the Lord’s parousia. will be “cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.” A clos- The third example of the term parousia in Paul’s er examination of II Thess. 2:8 reveals that the verb “slay” does not writings occurs in I Thess. 4:15. Paul instructs the have its usual literal meaning. Rather, “(t)he verb is frequently used to Thessalonians that those who survive until the time designate murder; the end of the lawless one will be as decisive as that of Christ’s parousia will be taken to be with the of a man who is murdered.”29 The verb “bring to an end” better ex- Lord when He comes from heaven. This is an event plains Paul’s intent. Leon Morris captures the essence of the verse certainly connected with the beginning of Christ’s when he writes, “In the present passage the verb refers to the robbing parousia when the believer is removed and the wrath of the Man of Lawlessness of all significance, rather than to his de- of God is poured out on those who remain. struction…”30 A literal translation of Paul’s intended meaning in The fourth example occurs in connection with II Thess. 2:8 would be, “And then that lawless one will be revealed I Thess. 5:23. Paul prays that the Lord will preserve whom the Lord will overthrow with the breath of His mouth and ren- the Thessalonians blameless until the parousia of der insignificant by the appearance of His coming…” Therefore, Paul Christ. Again, Paul emphasizes an action connected is not indicating that Antichrist will be physically killed at the Lord’s with the beginning of Christ’s parousia. No indica- second parousia as pretribbers teach. But rather, the Lord will dimin- tion is given that the Thessalonians need ish the significance of Antichrist. First, the Lord will cut short the perseverance through Christ’s parousia, but only up persecution of Antichrist by taking away the object of his persecution until or at the start of it, when the believer will be as the Lord predicted in Matthew 24:22. The church will be snatched removed and the wrath of God will be poured out away to heaven. Second, the Day of the Lord’s wrath begins “and the on those who remain. Lord alone will be exalted in that day,” (Is. 2:17). The fifth example of parousia in the Thessaloni- The final place in the writings of Paul where the term parousia oc- ans Letters occurs in II Thess. 2:1 and it reads, curs is I Corinthian 15:23 which states, “But each one in his own “Now brethren, concerning the coming (parousia) of order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to coming (parousia).” Paul informs the Corinthians who were predomi- Him, we ask you…” What Paul alludes to in nately Gentile that the next phase of the first resurrection will occur at I Thess. 4:15-17 in detail, he summarizes here. Paul Christ’s parousia. Few would argue that Paul emphasizes an action that places himself in the same category as the is connected with the beginning of Christ’s parousia here. It is impor- Thessalonians. They will be gathered together at tant to recognize that Paul places the emphasis in all six verses where the parousia of Christ. Consistent with Paul’s refer- he uses the word parousia on the beginning of Christ’s one and only ences in I Thessalonians, the emphasis is on the parousia. beginning of the event. The sixth and final occurrence of parousia in the Petrine Usage Thessalonian Letters is in II Thess. 2:8. Paul ac- The Apostle Peter also makes a contribution to our discussion. He says, knowledges that Jesus will slay the lawless one “For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made “with the breath of His mouth” and will destroy known to you the power and coming (parousia) of our Lord Jesus him “with the brightness of His coming,” (parousia). Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.” Some have concluded Pretribulationalists debate this verse because of its that Peter is here discussing the first coming of Christ. However, obvious connection with the lawless one. They as- Lenski argues, “The double terms have but one article: “the power of sign this verse to a second parousia which happens our Lord Jesus Christ and Parousia,” so that “power and Parousia” con- at Armageddon when Christ comes with His saints. stitute one idea, “power” bringing out the thought of the omnipotent However, there is no explicit biblical statement that might involved in the Lord’s second coming…”31 It would appear that the church accompanies Christ at Armageddon. Peter is speaking to the end result of the Day of the Lord, rather than There is no textually explicit indication that there emphasizing the beginning or the course of the Lord’s parousia. Peter are two parousias presented in the N.T. There is a describes the ultimate result unlike the Revelation of Jesus Christ to simple and more logical explanation of the data His bond-servants which indicate that the destruction of the earth will Parousia — page 6

progressively worsen until Armageddon. Peter’s second reference to Peter, James and John by his use of the term parou- Christ’s parousia occurs in II Peter 3:3-4. Peter informs the readers that sia. Matthew specifically uses this term to tie “scoffers will come in the last days… saying, ‘Where is the promise of together the teachings of Christ and His Apostles. His coming (parousia)?’” Few would argue that this is not a reference Matthew emphasizes the beginning of Christ’s to the beginning of the Lord’s future ministry on earth. Given that parousia in all four occurrences. once the church is removed from the earth, “all things” certainly will not “continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” Peter’s Conclusion final reference occurs in II Peter 3:12. In this verse, it is “the day of What shall we say then? Is the parousia of Christ God” that is coming (parousia). The fact that Peter refers to the Day of that future ministry of Jesus Christ which is initiat- the Lord in 3:10 with the same results as the day of God in 3:12 , sup- ed by the snatching away of the saints, followed by ports the conclusion that they are one and the same. Here we find a the punishment of the wicked? The answer is an reference to events that will transpire during the course of our Lord’s emphatic yes! The parousia in Matthew is the same parousia. The divine wrath that will destroy the created order follows that is in Paul, Peter, James and John. Other than the removal of the church at the beginning of Christ’s parousia. God’s revelation to Jesus recorded by John, Matthew gives the most detailed outline of end- Johannine Usage time events. Paul, Peter, James, and John fill in a few The Apostle John has only one example of parousia. “And now, little blanks and restate a few of the details given by children, abide in Him, that if He appears, we may have confidence Matthew. The chart on the next page summarizes and not be ashamed before Him at His coming (parousia),” I John 2:28. the N.T. teachings concerning the parousia of John’s use of that little word if introduces a third class condition which Christ. Notice the parallelism between the Olivet indicates that something may or may not happen. What is condition- Discourse and the teachings of the Apostles. al here is not the event itself (Christ will return), but the uncertainty Pretribulationalists like Dr. Walvoord argue for a of the timing of Christ’s return. The fact that John adds an element of non-technical designation of parousia. This allows uncertainty requires that we understand this passage as a reference to them to teach two parousias separated by seven Christ’s future ministry of removing the church before the wrath of years. Posttribulationists support a technical desig- God begins. There is uncertainty about the timing of the beginning of nation for parousia. This allows them to teach that the Lord’s parousia, but there is no uncertainty about the period fol- the parousia of Christ will involve the deliverance of lowing the conclusion of Daniel’s Seventieth Week. Consistent with believers and the punishment of the wicked. They Paul and Peter, John’s focus is on the beginning of the parousia. teach that believers are caught up to meet Jesus in the air and then will immediately come back to Matthew’s Usage earth for Armageddon. The prewrath position The final four examples of parousia in the N.T. with reference to the recognizes the fact that the truth is a synthesis of future ministry of Christ occur in Matthew 24:3, 27, 37, and 39. these two positions. Parousia is not a technical term These are the most controversial passages concerning the use of parou- in general throughout the N.T. It is, however, used sia! Pretribbers want to make these passages a reference to the battle in a technical sense in the seventeen N.T. references of Armageddon only, rather than a reference to the overall event of to Christ’s future return. “The grandeur of the Lord, Christ’s coming, beginning with the rapture of the church. Matthew’s the honor due him at his arrival, and the signifi- employment of parousia is most instructive. The disciples’ question and cance of his coming for both his enemies and his the Lord’s answer provide a detailed explanation of end-time events friends are all implicit in the technical use of the that form the basis of the teachings of Paul, Peter, James, and John. term parousia.”32 The technical sense covers the Matthew, who wrote his gospel after Paul, Peter, James, and John timeframe from the coming of Christ to snatch wrote their epistles, would certainly have offered some corrective in- away the church until the ultimate destruction of sight if his use of the term parousia was different than that of Paul, the wicked at Armageddon. The time between these Peter, James, and John. Matthew on several occasions explains to his events is neither immediate, i.e. no time, as post- readers information that clarifies something he wrote. He explained tribbers teach nor divided by seven years as Hebrew and Aramaic words so that his readers would better under- pretribbers insist. At best, all that can be said about stand his points. He quotes O.T. passages to explain N.T. events. One the time interval between the beginning and the should conclude that Matthew means the exact same thing as Paul, end of the Lord’s parousia, is that it will be a single Parousia — page 7

The Olivet Discouse on the The Parousia Parousia of Christ Outside the Gospels

The return of Christ is called “His parousia” by Peter, Paul (I Cor. 15:23), James (Ja. 5:7-11), Peter (II Pet. James, John and Andrew (Mat. 24:3; Mark 13:3). 3:4), and John (I Jo. 2:28-29) all call the return of Christ a parousia.

The parousia of Christ will be seen and heard The parousia of Christ will be seen and heard universially (Mat. 24:27). universally (I Thess. 4:16).

The parousia of Christ will follow the days of great The parousia of Christ will follow the persecution of tribulation of Antichrist (Mat. 24:15-22; 29). Antichrist (II Thess. 2:1-10).

Believers have no need to be warned about the Believers have no need to be mislead concerning the parousia of Christ (Mat. 24:23-26). sequences of events during the end times (II Thess. 2:1-10).

The Day of the Lord is associated with the parousia of The Day of the Lord is associated with the parousia of Christ (Mat. 24:29). Christ (II Thess. 2:1-10).

All unbelievers of the Earth will suffer at Christ’s Unbelievers will be punished at Christ’s parousia (2 Pet. parousia (Mat. 24:30). 3:4; James 5:7-12).

The parousia of Christ will be with power and great The “brightness of His parousia” will bring Antichrist’s glory (Mat. 24:30). persecution to an end (II Thess. 2:8).

Angels are identified with the parousia of Christ Angels are identified with the parousia of Christ (Mat. 24:31). (I Thess. 3:11-13).

Christ will send His Angels to gather the elect from The next phase of the resurrection occurs at the every where at His parousia (Mat. 24:31; Mark 13:27). parousia of Christ (I Cor. 15:23; I Thess. 4:16).

The sending of the Angels will be accompanied by a The parousia will be accompanied by the trumpet of great blast of a trumpet (Mat. 24:31). God (I Cor. 15:23 and I Thess. 4:13-18).

Tribulation saints will be delivered at the parousia (Mat. Believers are to expect deliverance at the parousia of 24:13, 29-31). Christ (James 5:7-11).

The Disciples are warned that a negative judgment Paul and John warn believers that negative judgment could result at the parousia of Christ (Mat. 24:45-51). could result at the parousia of Christ (I Thess. 5:23; I John 2:28-29). Parousia — page 8

event no less than six months (the fifth trumpet judgment will last five 12. James E. Frame, Epistle of St. Paul to The Thessalonians, months [Rev. 9:5] and Armageddon occurs at the end of the 30 day (Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1960), 123. reclamation period [Dan. 12:11]), and no more than two to three years 13. Leon Morris, The First and Second Epistles to the Thessalonians, in NICNT (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans (the time necessary to accomplish all the trumpet and bowl judgments Publishing Co, 1984), 96-97. of God’s wrath once the great tribulation is cut short by Christ’s parou- 14. Tracy L. Howard, “The Literary Unity of 1 sia in the second half of Daniel’s 70th Week). Thessalonians 4:13-5:11,” GTJ 9 (Fall, 1988): 177. The parousia of Christ will cut short the persecution of 15. D. Michael Martin, I and II Thessalonians in The New Satan/Antichrist, (Matt. 24:22, Mark 13:20). When God decides it is American Commentary, (Nashville: Broadman and Holman Publishers, 1992), 99. time to end the persecution of Satan/Antichrist against His elect, God 16. Robert D. Culver, “A Neglected Millennial Passage will turn out all natural light sources, (Joel 3:15, Rev. 6:12-13, Matt. from Saint Paul,” Bsac 113 (April, 1956): 148. 24:29); then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, (Matt. 17. John T. Mueller and Charles R. Erdman, s.v. parousia, 24:30); then Jesus will be seen coming on the clouds with angelic ac- ISBE, Vol. IV (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing companiment and the sounding of the trumpet of God, (Matt. 24:31, Co., 1939), 2249-2251. 18. W. Harold Mare, “A Study of the New Testament I Thess. 4:16); then the dead in Christ will be called from the grave, Concept of the Parousia,” in Current Issues in Biblical (I Thess. 4:16, I Cor. 15:52); then God will send forth the angels to and Patristic Interpretation: Studies in Honor of Merrill C. gather the living elect into the air, (I Thess. 4:17); then Christ and the Tenney, (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1975), 336. elect (both Israel and Gentiles) will return to heaven, (John 14:1-3); 19. Walvoord, “New Testament Words for the Lord’s then the six trumpet judgments will fall upon the earth to finish out Coming,” 285. 20. C.F. Hogg and W.E. Vine, The Epistles to the the 70th Week of Daniel. The first day after the end of the 70th Week Thessalonians, (Fincastle: Scripture Truth Book Co., of Daniel the death of the two witnesses will occur, (Rev.11:7-10). 1959), 87. Christ will immediately come to earth and gather together all Israel for 21. ibid., 88. her salvation, (Rev. 10:7, 14:1; Rom. 11:25-27; Zech. 14:4); then 22. ibid. Hogg and Vine indicate that the beginning is Christ will split the Mount of Olives and send Israel to Azel for the prominent in (I Thess.) 4:15, 5:23; II Thess. 2:1; I Cor. 15:23, Jas. 5:7,8; 2 Pet. 3:4; the course here (I duration of the bowl judgments, (Zech. 14:5); then Christ shall return Thess. 2:19) 3:13; Matt. 24:3,37,39; and I John to heaven while the bowl judgments fall upon the kingdom of Satan, 2:28; the conclusion in II Thess. 2:8 and Matt. (Rev. 14:14-16:21); then the final event called Armageddon will oc- 24:27. cur, (Rev. 19:11-21). The parousia of our great God and King will end 23. I. Howard Marshall, “The Parousia in the New with the beginning of the 1000 year reign of Christ on earth. Testament—And Today,” in Worship, Theology and Ministry, M. Wilkins, et al, eds. page 194. 24. Please see footnote 1 in I. Howard Marshall, “The ENDNOTES Parousia in the New Testament—And Today,” 194. 1. H.I. Hester, The Heart of the New Testament, (Liberty: The Quality Press, 25. Walvoord, “New Testament Words for the Lord’s Inc., 1979), 42. Coming,” 285. 2. S. Angus, Vulgate, The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, V. 5, 26. Scholars debate the priority of James to I (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1939) 3059. Thessalonians. 3. ibid. 27. Frame, The Epistles of St. Paul to the Thessalonians, 4. 4. William W. Klein, “Paul’s Use of Kalein: A Proposal,” JTS 27 (March 28. BADG, s.v. en, page 259. 1984): 63. 29. D. Edmond Hiebert, The Thessalonian Epistles, 5. Adolf G. Deissmann, Light From Ancient East, trans. Lionel R.M. Strachan (Chicago: Moody Press, 1971), 315. (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1910), 372. 30. Morris, The First and Second Epistles to the Thessalonians, 6. Walvoord, “New Testament Words for the Lord’s Coming,” p. 285. footnote 34. 7. ibid., 289. 31. R.C.H. Lenski, The Epistles of St. Peter, St. John and St. 8. ibid., 284. Italic and emphasis added. Jude, (Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 9. Richard R. Reiter, et al, The Rapture: Pre-, Mid-, or Post-Tribulational? 1945), 285. See also Mare, “A Study of the New (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1984), p. 30. Testament Concept of the Parousia,” 339. 10. ibid., 238. This comment is taken from endnote number 78. 32. D. Michael Martin, I and II Thessalonians, 99-100. 11. Walter Bauer, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, Trans. and rev. by W.F. Arndt, F.W. Gingrich, and F.W. Danker, (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1979), 635. Parousia — page 9 THE SIGN MINISTRIES BIBLICAL STUDIES ORDER FORM ON Biblical Missions. COLLECTION NEXT PAGE Plain and Simple. There’s too much unnecessary confusion in the church today when it comes to Materials missions. What’s a missionary? Where do they go? How long do they stay? 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he conditions of the world in which we live would lead any There is only one right way and that is God’s way. He has laid it out Tserious Bible believing Christian to recognize that we are living for us in His Word. Legislation does not make something right. For in the last days. Worldwide conditions are in turmoil and there seems example, abortion is murder according to God’s Word and no amount to be a lot more questions than answers as to how to solve the various of manipulating or legislating will make it right. dilemmas. International terrorism is now a real threat. Here in the May I urge you to live godly in this present world and recognize United States we have a president in trouble, problems with crime, that we cannot right all the wrongs in the world. But there is a day even crime being committed by children and there seems to be no so- coming soon when God will pour out His wrath. At that time He will lution to the drug and alcohol problems. take care of those who are opposing us. As Paul encouraged the In spite of all this there is an obvious turning away from God rather Christians of Thessalonica in the midst of their suffering: “Therefore than to Him. As believers, we seem to be a threat rather than a help to we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for the world in which we live. This, of course, is to be expected since man your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and without God is depraved and is traveling the broad road to destruc- afflictions which you endure. This is a plain indication of God’s right- tion. Christians who were once respected in our society for their high eous judgment so that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom moral standards and integrity are now targeted as the “radical right.” of God, for which you are suffering. For after all it is only just for God In Isaiah 5, God is pronouncing judgment on Israel for their blatant to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to you wickedness and yet as we read the passage it sounds so much like the who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus shall be re- day in which we live. vealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire dealing out “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who substitute retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not darkness for light and light for darkness; who substitute bitter for obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus” (2 Thessalonians 1:4-8). sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own We may be called upon to face persecution, many in our world are eyes, and clever in their own sight! Woe to those who are heroes in experiencing it at this very time. As we move closer to the end of the drinking wine, and valiant men in mixing strong drink; who justify the age we can expect it. However, God has called us to be faithful mes- wicked for a bribe. and take away the rights of the ones who are in sengers of the gospel. The world in which we live will only get worse, the right” (Isaiah 5:20-23). but what blessed assurance we have in Jesus Christ. He not only is This entire passage applies to our day but in particular notice the going to come to rescue us, but He will then deal out retribution to last phrase, “take away the rights of the ones who are in the right.” this sinful world through His wrath. Letters From Our Readers First, I wanted to thank you and I have read your book entitled The unique implications of the pre- Matthew 24. It just didn’t seem to the other staff at Parousia for turn- Sign and have found it to be very wrath theological framework. fit with what the Master was trying out such a dynamic, truth enlightening. It is a well-orga- — J. K., Ireland ing to tell us. Anyway, thank you imparting, quarterly. Rarely do I nized, well written book. Indeed, for all that you do and keep up wait with as much anticipation to it is unquestionably the best book I have read The Pre-Wrath Rapture the good work. receive anything in the mail as I I have read on end-time events. of the Church by Marvin Rosenthal — B. B., Illinois do this wonderful vessel of God’s Thank you for your labor in com- and am almost finished reading truth. municating the truth of the 70th your book The Sign. What a bless- I have been richly blessed by your — Pastor D.W., Pennsylvania week to the body of Christ. ing both have been to me! So teaching in Nashik. It was God — C. E., Indiana many questions answered and who brought you into our Your monthly newsletter is proven by Scripture! midst… Thank you for the copy packed with wonderful scriptural Thank you so very much for all — J. R., Florida of The Rapture Question Answered, insight. For the longest time I’ve your assistance in the recent past Plain & Simple. I didn’t simply tried to differentiate the “gospels” in enabling me to get hold of ma- It is so good to see that you all are read this book, but studied it with and the “Kingdoms”—you make terials which outline in precise encouraging us out here who do the help of God’s Word. This it so simple to understand. detail the Prewrath position. I not believe in the pretrib rapture book helped me to teach God’s — P. R., Tennessee cannot adequately express how position. Even when I was a pre- Word on the topic of the rapture blessed I have been as I have tribber, I had serious doubts about in home Bible study groups. gradually apprehended the the timing of the rapture based on — J. R. India Nonprofit Org. THE U.S. Postage Paid Grand Haven, MI SIGN Permit No. 383 Ministries P.O. Box 113 West Olive, MI 49460

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Surviving the Tribulation

FIGHT, 8

FLIGHT, 3

- 5

or 1 2

e FAITH k u L ? ❦ T h t s e i J r e h r C u f s a o l e s e m D i s c o u r Parousia — page 2

Surviving the Tribulation FIGHT, FLIGHT, or FAITH ?

The Jerusalem Discourse of Christ ❦ Luke 21:5-38

by Charles Cooper

aving spent the better part of the last 25 years preaching Satan/Antichrist’s persecution of God’s elect will be cut short by the escapism of the pretribulation rapture, I never thought Christ’s sudden appearance in the heavens just after the sun goes dark, seriously about having to survive the great tribulation of the moon stops giving light, and the stars fall from the sky. This is Satan/Antichrist. Even if I was fortunate enough to be on what Jesus teaches in the Olivet Discourse, Peter teaches in Acts 1-2 Hearth just prior to the beginning of Daniel’s Seventieth Week, the and I and II Peter, Paul teaches in I Corinthians 15 and I and II Rapture would take me away before the persecution began. This is Thessalonians, and John teaches in the Revelation of Jesus Christ to his what I was taught and this is how I thought. It was not easy to give bond-servants. Once we understand the scriptural teachings regarding up this view. My flesh was comforted by thoughts of taking the easy the timing of the rapture of the church, we must then face the sober- street to glory. However, like so many others, once the reality of the ing prospect of facing Satan/Antichrist’s persecution. Our first teachings of Scripture is taken at face-value, my mind was flooded inclination may be to run away and hide or perhaps to stop and phys- with questions of survival. If my generation has been chosen by God ically fight. to be that final generation of mankind to experience the events of the Neither of these responses is correct. The Bible is staggeringly silent Seventieth Week of Daniel, what would I do? How would I survive about offensive strategies against Satan/Antichrist’s persecution. At no Satan/Antichrist’s world-wide persecution of God’s elect? Should I place do the Scriptures indicate that New Testament believers are to stockpile food, guns, gasoline and coal in caves? Once Antichrist takes take up armed resistance against Satan/Antichrist’s persecution. One his seat in the temple of God, should I hide or publicly proclaim “the will look in vain for instructions in the writings of Paul, Peter, James gospel of the imminent arrival of the Son of God?” What about my and John concerning the activities that have as their purpose the per- children? What about my grandparents who are in bad health and in sonal preservation of life through gorilla warfare or hiding out until constant need of medical attention? What about my Christian friends Christ comes. With the lone exception of Matthew 24:16 which states, who only recently trusted Christ as their personal sin-bearer and have “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains,” Scripture does not had time to grow in their personal walk with the Lord? They have not indicate that believers are to run and hide or stay and physically neither the experience nor the knowledge of God to trust Him in the fight (the one lone exception specifically refers to believers in midst of the greatest crisis this world will ever know. Can millions of Jerusalem when Antichrist begins his persecution). One would think, Christians successfully hide in America for two to three years and not given the nature of the “great tribulation” and the amount of material be discovered by Antichrist’s demonic forces? Should I seek to survive committed to the events of the end-times presented in the New the persecution of Satan/Antichrist or should I seek martyrdom? Testament, that believers would be given a very specific plan detailing Questions, questions and more questions flooded my mind. exactly what God expects us to do. Some might argue that the lack of instruction concerning how the The Problem church should respond to the great tribulation is an argument for the Many of you like myself have fully and totally adopted the prewrath Rapture to precede Daniel’s Seventieth Week. In other words, if the view of the timing of Christ’s return to gather together His church and church has no instructions, maybe she is not present on earth during punish the wicked who remain with God’s wrath. We understand that this time. The problem is that pretribbers uniformly associate passages Parousia — page 3

that give instructions about end-time conduct with Christ’s coming at 13:1-2 and Luke 21:5-6). Each account immediately follows with one Armageddon instead of correctly understanding their significance for or more questions by the Lord’s Disciples. It is imperative that the the Rapture at the beginning of the Lord’s parousia. Pretribbers insist reader notice that all three Gospel writers indicate by their questions that there are no Rapture passages in the Gospels with the lone ex- a connection between the prophesied destruction of Jerusalem and the ception of John 14:1-4. All other passages refer to the Lord’s coming conclusion of the age. All three writers use the plural pronoun “these at Armageddon. However, once one understands that the parousia of things” which indicates that Jesus must have said more than what is re- Christ is initiated by the Rapture of the church, one immediately sees ported here. Matthew, Mark and Luke record Jesus’ prophecy of the that the Gospels do tell believers what they should do to remain alive destruction of the temple—a single event. Yet, each refers to that sin- until the Lord comes. One passage of particular interest is found in gle event with a plural pronoun which suggests more than one Luke 21:5-38. antecedent or object of discussion. The fact that all three writers tied Jesus’ prophecy of the temple destruction with the conclusion of the age indicates that Jesus must have indicated to the Disciples a prophet- Luke’s jerusalem ic relationship between the two events. What He said must have discourse of Christ 1 indicated a relationship between the temple’s destruction (a near event) and the persecution of Satan/Antichrist (a far event) at the parousia of 21:5-38 Christ. This is the only logical explanation. This would explain the plural pronoun “these things” and the fact that Matthew, Mark and A Hermeneutical Matter Luke tied the conclusion of the age with the destruction of Jerusalem Before we overview Luke’s record of the Lord’s end-time prophecies in their questioning of Jesus. Matthew asks, “when will these things be? and look in great detail at its specific concluding application, we must And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” first discuss a hermeneutical matter. A principle of biblical interpreta- Matthew does not give any indication as to why he connected the tion with respect to prophecy is the matter of near/far fulfillment. destruction of Jerusalem with the final conclusion of the age. Mark That some prophetic passages of Scripture can have both a near ful- does the exact same thing as Matthew. Mark asks, “when will these fillment and far fulfillment is generally accepted by conservative Bible things be? And what will be the scholars. An example of this phenomenon occurs in connection with sign when all these things will be the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 (near) and the final and ulti- fulfilled?” The close parallelism A principle mate destruction of Jerusalem (far) during the conclusion of this age. between Matthew and Mark de- The “far” fulfillment of this prophecy begins during the Seventieth mands that their questions have Week of Daniel and concludes near the end of the 30 day reclamation the same basic meaning. of biblical period just prior to the battle of Armageddon. That Luke’s Jerusalem Luke equally asks two ques- Discourse contains both a near and far fulfillment is supported by Dr. tions: “when will these things be? Darrell L. Bock of Dallas Theological Seminary when he writes, And what sign will there be when interpretation these things are about to take In Luke’s view, the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 is part of God’s place?” Notice that Luke’s ques- plan and judgment. This fall pictures the end… Given that tions are very similar to Mark’s with respect short-term events mirror long-term events and that these earlier questions. They basically have events represent a pattern for God’s ultimate judgment, it is the same meaning. Each gospel clear that someone interpreting Jesus’ remarks could focus on writer includes a “when,” and a to prophecy either side of the temporal mirror and reflect appropriately on his “what” question. Assuming that comments… The discourse is rich in teaching, but no one the first question refers to the de- writer presents the full picture. The other Gospels tend to focus struction of Jerusalem, neither is the matter slightly more on the end-time, while Luke tends to stress the near writer indicates that Jesus gave a future. Thus, reports of Jesus’ teaching can focus on only a sin- direct and unambiguous answer. gle element of the picture. Each writer shows his interest by Judging from what is recorded in of near/far which side of the portrait—the near or the far—he emphasizes… Matthew and Mark, it is clear In addition, the similarity within the mirror might make it hard, that Jesus either did not answer in the original setting, to know whether one is speaking of the the first question at all in His fulfillment. near term, the long term, or both. (Emphasis added)2 Olivet Discourse recorded in How one interprets Luke’s discourse is largely determined by how their books or Matthew and Mark did not focus on that part of Jesus’ one understands the relationship between Matthew/Mark’s Olivet answer. We know that Jerusalem was destroyed in A.D. 70. Since the Discourse and Luke’s Jerusalem Discourse. Each begins immediately Disciples asked a direct timing question, a direct answer would give a following the Lord’s prophetic prediction that the then standing tem- specific date and time in the future. It is highly unusual to answer a ple in Jerusalem would be totally destroyed (Matt. 24:1-2; Mark “when” question with a “what” answer. Much confusion and many mis- Parousia — page 4 FIGHT, FLIGHT, or FAITH ? interpretations of Matthew and Mark’s Olivet Discourse would be fact that the context is clearly one of universal judgment which only avoided if interpreters would simply understand that Matthew and occurs during the day of the Lord (cf. Mat. 24:30, Is. 2:19). The sec- Mark do not record the Lord’s answer to the first question. Luke, how- ond proof is the fact that Luke describes the signs (sun, moon and ever, does answer this question as recorded in His Jerusalem Discourse stars) that indicate the imminent arrival of the Day of the Lord’s wrath in Luke 21. Not recognizing this one fact has given rise to a whole in Luke 21:25-26 (cf. Joel 2:31; Rev. 6:12-17). The third proof that theological system called preterism which is the false notion that most the phrase “that day” refers to the Day of the Lord concerns Luke’s of the events recorded in Matthew 24 and Revelation have happened promise that those who watch and pray can “escape all these things that already. Notice the writing of R.C. Sproul, will come to pass.” “All these things” in Luke 21:34 refers to the events mentioned in verses 34-35. There are several reasons for this conclu- The main problem with Jesus’ predictions in the Olivet sion. First, the “all these things” that the disciples should pray that they Discourse is that they include not only predictions regarding might escape certainly would not involve the persecution associated Jerusalem and the temple, which did come to pass with aston- with the destruction of Jerusalem (the near fulfillment). Christ warned ishing accuracy, but also predictions of his own coming in the disciples that they would suffer that particular persecution (Luke glory, or his parousia.3 21:12-19). The only promise given concerning that period of perse- Both Matthew and Mark concentrate on the “what” question only. cution concerns eternal security (Luke 21:18).4 They only record the Lord’s answer concerning “what” would be the The context is a second reason that “all these things” in Luke 21:36 sign of the end of the age and “what” the sign will be that signals the refers to the events mentioned in verses 34-35 which involve both the beginning of His parousia. conduct of the world and the day of the Lord’s wrath. It is the day of However, Luke’s Jerusalem Discourse distinctly differs from the Lord that will come upon the whole world as a trap. It is this trap Matthew and Mark’s Olivet Discourse. Luke incorporates both the that believers should seek to escape. This is consistent with other N. A.D. 70 destruction of Jerusalem and the final conclusion of the age T. passages which promise faithful believers deliverance from the es- into a perfect example of a near/far prophecy of the Lord’s teachings chatological Day of the Lord (the far fulfillment, I Thess. 5:9). about the end-times. That this is the case can be supported by the fol- So we are able to conclude that Luke incorporated both the perse- lowing facts. First, Luke clearly interrupts the final end-time sequence cution of the Disciples connected with the A.D. 70 destruction of as recorded by Matthew (24:4-8) and Mark (13:5-8) with a temporal Jerusalem (the near fulfillment) and the final conclusion of the age section (Luke 21:12-24) that pertains primarily to the Twelve when Jerusalem will be the epi-center of Satan/Antichrist’s persecu- Disciples. Notice how verse 12 begins, “But before all these things, they tion of God’s elect (the far fulfillment). This point must be kept in will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the mind when analyzing the Jerusalem Discourse in Luke’s gospel. synagogues and prisons…” “All these things” refers back to verses 8- A simple outline of this very important chapter is as follows: 11 which state, The Signs Before the End of the Age: Luke 21:7-11 aaaaa And He said, “See to it that you be not misled; for many will And they asked Him, saying, Teacher, but when will these come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time is at hand’; things be? And what sign will there be when these things are do not go after them. “And when you hear of wars and distur- about to take place? And He said: Take heed that you not be bances, do not be terrified; for these things must take place deceived. For many, will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ first, but the end does not follow immediately.” Then He con- and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Do not go after them. But tinued by saying to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for kingdom against kingdom, and there will be great earthquakes, these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be immediately. Then He said to them, Nation will rise against terrors and great signs from heaven. nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilence; and One can easily see that Luke 21:8-11 is the same end-time sequence there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. of events outlined by both Matthew and Mark. In verse 12, Luke then indicates that before this end-time sequence begins, the Disciples will The Disciples’ Persecution Before the Destruction of experience persecution up to and including death. Jerusalem: Luke 21:12-19 aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa A second fact that supports a near/far prophecy in Luke’s Gospel But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and concerns Luke’s usage of the key end-times phrase “that day” in his will persecute you, delivering you to the synagogues and pris- conclusion to the Lord’s teachings on end-times. Luke 21:34 states, ons, bringing you before kings and governors for My name’s “Be on guard, that your hearts may not be weighted down with dissi- sake. It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony. So make pation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day come on up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; you suddenly like a trap...,” (emphasis added). “That Day” refers to the for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your Day of the Lord which indicates that Luke’s emphasis in his conclu- opponents will be able to resist or refute. But you will be deliv- sion is the “far” fulfillment. The first proof for this conclusion is the The Jerusalem Discourse of Christ Parousia — page 5 ❦ Luke 21:5-38

ered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, tion of the things which are coming upon the world; for the and they will put some of you to death, and you will be hated powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see by all on account of My name. Yet not a hair of your head will the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives. But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” The Destruction of Jerusalem: Luke 21:20-24 aaaaaaaaa At this point, Luke returns to the same sequence of end-time events But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recog- that is strikingly similar to Matthew (24:29-31) and Mark (13:24-27). nize that her desolation is at hand. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are in the midst The Fig Tree Parable: Luke 21:29-33 aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa of the city depart, and let not those who are in the country And He told them a parable: “Behold the fig tree and all the enter the city; because these are days of vengeance, in order trees; as soon as they put forth leaves, you see it and know for that all things which are written may be fulfilled. Woe to those yourselves that summer is now near. Even so you, too, when who are with child and to those who nurse babes in those days; you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of for there will be great distress upon the land, and wrath to this God is near. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass people, and they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be away until all [these] things take place. Heaven and earth will led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled pass away, but My words will not pass away. under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. The Application of Luke’s Jerusalem Discourse: Luke 21:34-36 aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Unlike Luke 21:7-19 which is rather straightforward and clear, Be on guard, that your hearts may not be weighted down with what follows in Luke 21:20-24 is much more complex. The line be- dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that tween the near/far prophecy is very difficult to draw. Both the A.D. day come on you suddenly like a trap; for it will come upon all 70 destruction (the near) and the final destruction of Jerusalem (the those who dwell on the face of all the earth. But keep on the far) are in focus. Luke’s emphasis differs greatly from the emphasis of alert at all times, praying in order that you may have strength Matthew and Mark at this point. There is no mention of the “abomi- to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to nation of desolation,” no mention of the intense nature of the great stand before the Son of Man. tribulation, no mention of the cutting short of the great tribulation that some flesh might survive, and no mention is made of the fleeing The Exposition: Luke 21:34-36 in winter. The importance of these differences are highlighted by Dr. A word-by-word analysis of this very important text will yield sev- Darrell Bock when he writes, eral very important principles concerning the conduct of believers in the face of the events of the end-times. It is here that believers are They [the differences between Luke and Matthew/Mark] indi- specifically told how to respond to the events of the end-times which cate that Luke emphasizes a different element in Jesus’ teaching will include the persecution of Satan/Antichrist. Having integrated at this point. He focuses on the nearer fulfillment in the judg- both the near and far destruction of Jerusalem and given a broad ment pattern described here, the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 overview of the events that lead up to and constitute the end of the rather than the end (which he will introduce directly in 21:25). age, the Lord concludes His discussion with a call to personal watch- The end is indirectly alluded to by the language of 21:23-24, fulness. Given the judgment that will fall upon the earth and her inhabitants, which shows Luke’s linkage and concern. It would seem that believers must guard themselves against any notion of engaging in the conduct of Luke sees in Jerusalem’s collapse a preview, but with less inten- the world. sity, of what the end will be like. So the instructions he offers This particular section begins with a very important word. It is the here are like those that appear in the description of the end in Greek word prosecho. English translations suggest several possible 17:23, 31. He wants to make clear that when Jerusalem falls translations of this word in Luke 21:34. The King James Version of the the first time, it is not yet the end. Nonetheless, the two falls Bible uses “take heed.” The NASB uses “be on guard.” The NIV has are related and the presence of one pictures what the ultimate “be careful” as a possible translation. Louw and Nida in their Greek siege will be like. Both are eschatological events in God’s plan, lexicon suggest the meaning of prosecho is “to be in a continuous state with the fall of Jerusalem being the down payment and guar- of readiness to learn of any future danger, need, or error, and to re- antee of the end-time.5 spond appropriately.”6 A good modern translation would be “pay attention to.” The Lord commands believers “to pay attention to them- The Sign of the Day of the Lord Initiates the Parousia of selves.” The Lord then explains the possible alternative if one fails to Christ: Luke 21:25-28 aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa pay attention to oneself. The Greek particle mepote (lest) introduces a And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and upon clause that gives the result if a believer fails to pay attention to him or the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of herself. One’s heart will be weighed down (bareo). A weighed down the sea and the waves, men fainting from fear and the expecta- Parousia — page 6 FIGHT, FLIGHT, or FAITH ? heart is a figure of speech that basically means “to be insensitive.” The food, fuel and shelter for His people, He will continue to do so dur- Lord is warning believers against developing a callous heart which will ing the great tribulation. This allows believers to remain focused on be demonstrated by “dissipation, drunkenness and the worries (cares) representing the righteousness of God on earth during this critical of life.” time just prior to the end of the age. “Dissipation” literally means “dizziness or staggering.”7 It refers to Those believers who become callous to the demands of God—an “the nausea and the headache that are caused by heavy drinking.”8 insensitive heart—will result in “that day [coming] on [them] sudden- Luke’s point is not physical, but spiritual drunkenness.9 Isaiah 29:9b ly like a trap,” (Luke 21:34). This is the reason believers are not to which states, “They are drunk, but not with wine; they stagger, but not allow their hearts to become callous (insensitive) to the teachings of with intoxicating drink,” gives the sense intended here. “By spiritual Christ. “That day” will come suddenly and unexpectedly for unbeliev- drunkenness we are probably to understand unsteadiness of conduct ers and those believers who have ignored the Word of God. This is and a want of spiritual discernment.”10 The point seems to be unclear confirmed by the words of Christ in Revelation 3:3b. The church at thinking which leads to stupid conduct, not that unlike the character- Sardis had grown insensitive to the teachings of Christ. He exhorted istics Paul describes to Timothy about society, including the church, them by saying, “Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon going into the last days, (II Tim. 3:1-5). you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon The second item mentioned by the Lord is “drunkenness.” This will you.” Peter, picking up the same thought, explains that be one of the great problems during the end-times, (Matt. 24:38, 49). The day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heav- This is obviously the result of the over consumption of alcoholic bev- ens will pass away with a roar, and the elements will be erages. The Apostle Paul warns the Romans about this very problem in destroyed with intense heat; and the earth and its works will be the context of the last times, (Romans 13:13). burned up. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this The last item the Lord mentions is “the worries (cares) of life.” The way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and idea concerns that “feeling of apprehension or distress in view of pos- godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of sible danger or misfortune.”11 This word is used four times in the New God, on account of which the heavens will be destroyed by Testament. Luke 8:14 which parallels Matthew 13:22 and Mark 4:19 burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat? (II Pet. uses this same word in the parable of the sower. Notice, “And the ones 3:10-13). that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares [worries], riches, and pleasures of life, and “That day” in Luke 21:34 refers to the eschatological Day of the bring no fruit to maturity,” (emphasis added). Here the Lord explains Lord. In the New Testament “that day,” the “day of the Son of Man,” that “the worries (cares) of life” can choke out the fruitfulness of the and the “day of the Lord” all refer to the same period when speaking Word in a disciple’s life. of end-time events. Matthew 24:36, 44, 50 state, “But of that day and 1 Peter 5:7 which states, “casting all your care upon Him, for He hour no one knows… but My Father only. Therefore you also be cares for you,” indicates that God is to be our “care-taker.” The results ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not ex- of the troubles that Satan at- pect Him… the master of that servant will come on a day when he is tempts to bring our way in the not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of…” Mark 1 Peter 5:7 form of persecution must be 13:24-32 states, given to God. In the examples But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be dark- stated above, the noun for care ened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be or worry is used, however the indicates falling from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will verb is used 19 times in the be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in New Testament. Believers are clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send forth specifically warned not to wor- that God is the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four ry (care) about: (1) how long winds, from the farthest end of the earth, to the farthest end of one’s physical life is (Matt. heaven. Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its 6:27, 34); (2) the necessities of to be our branch has already become tender, and puts forth its leaves, you physical life like food, water, know that summer is near. Even so, you too, when you see clothing and shelter, (Matt. these things happening, recognize that He is near, right at the 6:19-34, Luke 12:22-34); and “care-taker” door. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until (3) what a believer must say all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but when brought before kings My words will not pass away. during persecution, (Matt. 10:19, Luke 12:11). These are the very worries (cares) of life which believers will be most concerned about during Here the cataclysmic disturbances are tied directly to “the Son of Man the end-times. This should bring great comfort to the hearts and coming in the clouds with great power and glory.” Isaiah 13:10 and minds of those who feel the need to store food and fuel in caves to es- 34:4 state, “For the stars of heaven and their constellations will not cape the persecution of Satan/Antichrist. As God has always provided give their light; the sun will be darkened in its going forth, and the The Jerusalem Discourse of Christ Parousia — page 7 ❦ Luke 21:5-38

moon will not cause its light to shine...All the host of heaven shall be away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled up like a scroll; and their power… To this end also we pray for you always that our God host shall fall down as the leaf falls from the vine, and as fruit falling may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire from a fig tree.” Joel prophesied that “The sun shall be turned into for goodness and the work of faith with power… (II Thess. darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the 1:5-9, 11). Lord,” (Emphasis added). The relationship between the day of the Lord However, the route to staying alive is radically different from what one and the coming of the Son of Man is clear. They are one and the same. would expect. It is not hiding or fighting, but holiness. “That day—the day of the Son of Man—the Day of the Lord” The Jerusalem Discourse closes with a final call to faithfulness in the speak of both deliverance and judgment. Those who have allowed midst of the pressure present on earth during the last days just prior their hearts to become callous to the teachings of Christ will be un- to the Lord’s parousia. The first thing disciples must do is watch. This expectedly surprised by the coming of Christ. “And that day [the day is not the normal word used in of the Son of Man/the Day of the Lord] come on you suddenly like a the New Testament for watch. trap; for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the This particular word literally The choices earth,” (Luke 21:35). The fact that the whole earth is in view supports means “to go away from sleep.” It the conclusion that the end times are the subject of the Lord’s appli- is used as a metaphor to mean “to cation. Since the whole earth will receive judgment at Christ’s coming, be watchful.” With the phrase, “at will be either the insensitive worldly disciples must fear. The reason the disciples all time,” the Lord instructs his should fear is because “that day” will involve judgment. disciples to be on a constant The Apostle Paul also taught that the Day of the Lord would come watch. If the Lord is coming and to blend in suddenly and unexpectedly for unbelievers in I Thess. 5:2-3. He consequences of not being ready writes, “For you yourselves [the Thessalonians] know perfectly that the when He comes are bad, then the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they [un- only thing a wise person can do with the world believers] say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon is be on a constant watch for any them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not es- sign of His coming. This is exact- cape.” Interestingly, Paul uses the exact same Greek word for escape that ly what the Lord teaches. or remain Luke used in 21:36. Unbelievers will not escape the Day of the Lord’s Coupled with watchfulness is the wrath, but faithful believers will (I Thess. 5:9). Paul reminded the need to pray. The constant Thessalonians of this fact in II Thessalonians 2:3. There he indicates watching must be accompanied steadfastly that believers will witness the revelation of Antichrist and subsequent with prayer for strength to face purging of the church before the Day of the Lord comes. This exact the temptation that will come same promise is given to the Church of Philadelphia in Revelation from the persecution which the committed to 3:10 which states, “Because you have kept My command to persevere, Lord mentioned in Luke 21:12- I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the 19. The temptation believers will whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.”12 face in connection with persecu- the Lord. Given the judgment that will result at the coming of Christ, those tion is to compromise. The disciples who want to pay attention to themselves are told what they choices will be either to blend in with the world or remain steadfast- must do. The goal is to stay alive until the Lord comes, not because be- ly committed to the Lord. One will be in trouble either with lievers are afraid to die, but because believers want to stay alive to see Satan/Antichrist or the Lord Christ. the literal victorious descent of the Lord in royal splendor and glory. The word used for prayer in the Greek has the sense of asking with A second reason to survive and be alive at the parousia of Christ is to urgency. The disciples are to ask for strength. The disciples do not be able to answer in the affirmative the question asked by Jesus in Luke have within them the strength necessary to stand against the troubles 19:8, “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find they will face. Instead, they are to pray to God for the strength to “es- faith on the earth?” Paul puts it this way: cape all these things that are about to take place.” To escape “has the This is a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that force of coming unscathed through the terrible events of the last you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for days…”13 The key here is the object of “all these things.” In the con- which indeed you are suffering. For after all it is only just for text, it would appear that the “things” that the disciples are to pray to God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give escape from are the events connected with the end times. One escapes relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord not by hiding or fighting, but by faith in the sovereign God who has Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in a plan for each and every individual’s life. flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know The final thought in verse 36 is very important. The disciples are to God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord pray for strength to stand before the Son of Man. The infinitive to Jesus. And these will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, stand is used in the sense “to cause to be in a place.” It can be used in Parousia — page 8 FIGHT, FLIGHT, or FAITH ? a literal or figurative sense. Here it is used in a figurative sense. The passing of each sign during Daniel’s Seventieth Week, the coming of emphasis is not on literally, physically standing, but having the moral Christ grows closer and closer. Third, we are to pray for divine correctness—the legal standing to receive a positive verdict from the strength to escape unscathed the events of the end-times. Fourth and Lord. Scripture clearly indicates that all men will stand before Jesus finally, we are to pray for divine strength to have moral correctness be- Christ to be judged, (Heb. 9:27). Paul indicates that believers can re- fore the Lord. The Apostle John wrote, “And now, little children, abide ceive either negative judgment or positive judgment when they stand in Him, that if He appears, we may have confidence and not be before the Lord in judgment. He writes in II Corinthians 5:10, “For ashamed before Him at His coming,” (I John 2:28). Confident not in we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ that each one ourselves, but in the grace of God that makes it possible for us to stand may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has in His presence at His parousia. done, whether good or bad.” Jude tells us exactly how to receive a positive judgment. He writes, “Now to Him who is able to keep you from ENDNOTES stumbling, and to make you stand faultless before the presence of His 1. Unlike Matthew/Mark, Luke does not tell us where and what time of day Jesus gave this discourse. However, since it focuses on the destruction of glory with exceeding joy.” God can and will help those who seek His Jerusalem which pictures the ultimate judgment of God at the end-time, help in order to stand before Him faultless. God has already given be- I have named this section “Luke’s Jerusalem Discourse of Christ,” what lievers the resources necessary to live in such a way to please Him. We Robert Van Kampen refers to in The Rapture Question Answered Plain and are given the specifics in Ephesians 6:13 which states, Simple as “Christ’s Temple Discourse.” 2. Dr. Darrell L. Bock, Luke 9:51-24:53 (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able 1996), 1656-57. to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand 3. R.C. Sproul, The Last Days According to Jesus (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, 1998), 14. 4. Since Luke 21:16b clearly indicates that martyrdom will happen to some and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having of His Disciples, verse 18 cannot apply to the physical loss of life. Hair shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in “represents a small feature of one’s body…” says Leland Ryken, et al in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will the Dictionary of Biblical Imagery (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one. 1998), 360. It declares the extent to which God will protect or spare a And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, person. It can only refer to an ultimate sense. The loss of physical life does not affect a faithful believer’s ultimate salvation with God. which is the word of God. (Emphasis added) 5. Dr. Darrell L. Bock, Luke 9:51-24:53, 1675. Therefore, God has provided everything necessary for the faithful dis- 6. J.P. Louw and E.A. Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament Based on Semantic Domains, s.v. προσεχω. ciple to navigate the end times. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, 7. Walter Bauer, William F. Arndt, F. Wilbur Gingrich, A Greek-English salvation and the Word of God are all the equipment necessary to suc- Lexicon of the New Testament (Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, cessfully live through the persecution of Satan/Antichrist. For those 1967), 449. who trust in the Lord and utilize His apparatus for daily living, the 8. R.C.H. Lenski, The Interpretation of Luke’s Gospel (Minneapolis: Augsburg persecution of Satan/Antichrist will not overcome them. Publishing House, 1961), 1029. Anthony Lee Ash, The Gospel According to Luke, Part II: 9:51-24:53 (Austin: Sweet Publishing Company, 1973), 118. Conclusion 9. I. Howard Marshall, Commentary on Luke, NIGTC (Grand Rapids: How then are we to survive the great tribulation of Satan/Antichrist Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1983), 782. until the Lord’s parousia cuts it short with the rapture of the church, 10. Joseph A. Alexander, Commentary on Isaiah (Grand Rapids: Kregel the single event that initiates the beginning of God’s Day of the Lord Publications, 1992), 465. 11. Louw and Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament Based on wrath? Are we to run and hide? No! Are we to turn and physically Semantic Domains, s.v. µεριµυα. fight? No! First, we are to pay attention to ourselves by not allowing 12. In the next issue of Parousia a detailed analysis of this verse will be given our hearts to become insensitive to the teachings of Christ by copying to support this conclusion. the world’s conduct. Second, we are to watch for the signs. With the 13. I. 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Commentary

ne more year, and we will be there—the year 2000. There proaching the Bible from a face value hermeneutic, I can dogmatical- has been an abundance of speculation as to what will take ly say that Christ is not coming in the year 2000. There is, however, O place when 2000 finally arrives. There are those prophe- certainly the possibility that the events preceding the end-times could cy teachers with a preponderance toward sensationalism who have begin. been busy setting dates and writing books relating to the coming of Well, what about Y2K and its significance to Bible believing Christ, most of which have absolutely no biblical significance. And Christians? It remains to be seen how much difficulty will result be- then there is the Y2K problem which has captured the attention of the cause of the computer glitch. It could be rather significant; we don’t media and the business world, as well as those who insist that it has really know at this point. I have read articles from prophets of doom great significance as related to the biblical explanation of end time who with great paranoia suggest it will cause major problems and events. bring about total chaos in all areas in our world. I also have read the We have had calls to our ministry from people who are at the point so-called experts who suggest that, although there may be some prob- of panic, not knowing exactly what to do. Some are ready to sell their lems, they will not be of a significant proportion. homes in the city and move to rural areas. Others are considering Let’s take a worst case scenario and suggest that the Y2K problem drawing their money out of the bank and changing their investments will bring about major chaos in the world and drastically affect our to gold and silver and other precious metals. There are those who are way of living. What should we as Christians do about it? I believe we led to believe that as a result of the Y2K problem Antichrist will arise begin by understanding who our God is. He, indeed, is the Almighty quickly and take over the world. This problem has become a major sovereign God of the universe who has promised us as believers in the topic of conversation, even among evangelical Christians. Lord Jesus Christ that He will never leave us or forsake us. Peter re- The year 2000 has no prophectic significance whatever as to the minds us that we are “aliens and strangers” in this present world and coming of Christ and the Rapture. There is nothing magical about this that we are “protected by the power of God through faith for a salva- next year. The basic theory for those who are suggesting that Christ tion (deliverance) ready to be revealed in the last time.” Things are will come at this time is the “1 day as 1000 years” theory. Since God going to change in the world that we live in, and the chances are that created the earth in 6 days, and the 7th day He rested, they are sug- they will get worse rather than better. That should not alarm us who gesting that the year 2000 brings us to 6000 years since the know who we are in Christ Jesus. beginning. They then suggest that the next 1000 years will be the Let me leave with you God’s words found in Isaiah 46:9b, 10, 11b, Millennium. Now let me pose just a couple of the many problems with “For I am God and there is no other; I am God and there is no one this thinking. First, calendars have changed through the years from lu- like Me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times nar to solar, in fact this is 5759 in the Jewish calendar. Secondly, we things which have not been done, saying, My purpose will be estab- have no record of when God created the heavens and the earth. lished and I will accomplish all My good pleasure;… truly I have Studies done using biblical genealogies try and calculate a date for cre- spoken: truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, surely I will do ation, but this strategy is undermined by the fact that those same it.” If we will rest in a sovereign heavenly Father, He will lead us in the genealogies very well may skip generations. Can you see the questions right things to do. We serve a sovereign God whose children we are. that immediately arise? There is no indication in the Bible that Christ We can be assured that He will care for us even under the most diffi- will come in the year 2000. Now with history on our side and ap- cult of situations. From the Emailbag Thank you ever so much for… This is just a note to tell you all I love receiving your newsletter A friend of mine recently laid out The Rapture Question Answered. You there how much your ministry has and I was thrilled to read books the Bible’s end times teaching would not believe how much it meant to me. I have always be- written by Mr. Van Kampen… (primarily following the book The has changed my life… I was a lieved that the pre-trib position Searching out the truth with the Sign) and for the first time pre-tribber for the first 22 years of was not quite correct, but did not help of these faithful teachers has Revelation actually made sense, my Christian life. Now that I have know why… Your books and ma- allowed Christ to change me in so and it is exciting! So thank you discovered the Olivet Discourse terials have been most helpful. many ways… I’ll continue to pray for all you do! and The Rapture Question Answered, — P.M. for your ministry, and may God — E.W. I have left pre-trib. I thank you for keep you till that blessed day! your clear writing. — J.M. — M.G. Nonprofit Org. THE U.S. Postage Paid Grand Haven, MI SIGN Permit No. 383 Ministries P.O. Box 113 West Olive, MI 49460 A Ministry of Sola Scriptura

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transmitted without publisher’s written permission. Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible, © Copyright 1977, 198 1977, Copyright © Bible, Standard American New the from taken Scripture permission. written publisher’s without transmitted 7, 1988, The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. by Used Foundation. Lockman The 1988, 7,

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THE SIGN MINISTRIES NEWS

UPDATED EDITION PUBLISHED A CONVERSATION WITH T Parousia — page 2 An interview with Robert Van Kampen

e recently had the privilege of sitting dous proliferation of end-times propaganda that has down and talking at length with flooded every media market available to any reader. Robert Van Kampen, author of The The sad thing is that little of it agrees, and yet it is WSign, The Rapture Question Answered Plain and Simple, all labeled as biblical prophecy. And so by calling it and The Fourth Reich, and Founder and Chairman of biblical prophecy, it kind of gives license to the The Sign Ministries. In this interview he speaks writer to really say whatever he wants to, authorita- directly on his passion for ministry and his thoughts tively. And because prophecy is something that on the Updated Edition of The Sign that has just probably will not be fulfilled in his lifetime, he can been published. get away with it. Tremendous confusion is created especially in the Christian reader’s mind, and the PAROUSIA: Why is an accurate biblical under- world just continues to think we’re all nuts. And yet standing of end-time events so important? the Word of God is clear that God is not a God of confusion. RVK: I believe that anybody who looks around I believe that the greatest problem today is that himself in any way realizes that there is a tremen- we are not using a consistent hermeneutic in our HE AUTHOR OF THE SIGN Parousia — page 3

attempt to understand prophecy, a consistent method of understanding God’s Word, from Genesis to Revelation. If you use a consistent, face- value hermeneutic, then all of a sudden you do not get lots of options. You are really only permitted one option, and that is what the Word is actually telling you. We do not determine the meaning of Scripture; we discover the meaning of Scripture!

PAROUSIA: The Sign has been distributed worldwide, and its acceptance continues to grow. How would you describe your general feelings about this response to your book?

RVK: The reaction to The Sign that we are seeing worldwide has got nothing to do, in my opinion, with my book. It has everything to do with the “We do not determine the Word of God. Anytime the Word of God is rightly divided—and put down in a logical sequence and order, comparing Scripture with Scripture, taking meaning of Scripture; we discover Scripture in context—you’re going to get people excited. Suddenly they see the truth, rather than having to put their faith in a doctrine that has no the meaning of Scripture!” biblical basis whatsoever. The reality is that all we have done is systematize end-time events. It is real- And as important as that is, with the terrible conse- ly the Word of God and the clarity with which it quences if one’s position is wrong, I think it is very speaks on these issues that, I think, have people so sad to call somebody a heretic or a non-Christian excited all over the world. They realize it is not my because he tries to take Scripture for what it says. opinion that we want them to “buy into,” but it is Perhaps that negative response should give us some what God’s Word teaches that we want them to be idea of the intensity surrounding this topic for peo- “sold on.” ple who make their living from it, especially when their position has not a single verse in all of PAROUSIA: There has also been some opposition Scripture to substantiate it! In contrast, I’ve never re- to the positions taken in The Sign. How do you received a single cent, personally, for the work my spond to critics of the position? staff and I have done through The Sign Ministries. My motives are not financial. RVK: That’s a very difficult question. I have heard men say that the prewrath position is heretical and PAROUSIA: You have written three books: The that I am a heretic for promoting it. Church associ- Sign, The Rapture Question Answered Plain and Simple, ation amendments and bylaws have publicly stated and The Fourth Reich. What are the basic differences that the position is wrong, that it should be avoid- between the three books? ed at all costs, and that it will even cost people their jobs if they become prewrath in their eschatological RVK: The Sign is the flagship book of The Sign beliefs. Ministries. It was my attempt, through years of re- One well-known prophetic author recently told search, to harmonize both the Old and New some people at a convention (who happened to be Testaments beginning with the events that occur at good friends of mine) that he could not see how a the beginning of the seventieth week of Daniel, man could take the position I take and still be a right up to the first day of the Millennium. Christian. I do not get angry; I get sad. We are not Topically, it is a broad book, 550 pages or so of talking about the doctrines of Grace, the theology, and it hits upon a lot of end-time subjects. Sovereignty of God, or the magnificent creative It was not easy to write. Scripture needed to be powers of the Almighty Son of God, but we are compared with Scripture, and Old Testament talking about the timing of when Christ will return. prophecy had to fit hand-in-hand with New AN INTERVIEW WITH Parousia — page 4

worked out. So the novel has had an impact on a non-theological audience. Recently, there has been a lot of discussion of putting The Fourth Reich into railroad stations and airports through a major and secular, paperback publisher, and we think it will become a very fine evangelistic tool as well should God be pleased to market this book in this manner. That’s our prayer.

PAROUSIA: When you originally wrote The Sign, why did use choose that name for the title?

RVK: When the disciples realized that Christ was going to die, and that after His death He was going to come back, the question they asked Him in Matthew 24:3 was, “What will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?” They wanted “The conformity and the harmony to know “when are you coming back, and when are you going to judge the wicked at the end of the age?” He already explained in Matthew 13 that the of the entire Bible from beginning end of the age was when He would harvest, by fire, the wicked tares that remain on earth after the wheat had been safely stored in the barn, just as in to end is overwhelming.” the days of Noah. They wanted to know when. If you read the Olivet Discourse, the Temple Testament teaching with no contradictions. Of Mount Discourse, the Book of Revelation, Acts 2, course, in that book we take a strong position that etc., you quickly see that the sign of the end of the the Word of God is clear on when the rapture will age and the sign of Christ’s coming are back-to- occur. And it was this particular issue that people back signs that clearly tell a person looking for fiercely attacked. So we wrote a manual called The Christ’s return when He is coming. Thus the title— Rapture Question Answered Plain & Simple (RQA), The Sign. Christ’s return is “the blessed hope.” It is which has been translated into a whole slew of for- that sign of His coming that I look for, that every- eign languages and has been used all over the one of us should look for, all the days of our lives. world. Pastors love the book because it deals directly with the rapture issue and what the Scriptures PAROUSIA: What prompted you to do an updat- say about it, plain and simple. RQA really answers ed edition of The Sign? thoroughly what The Sign covered in general. The Fourth Reich was something that we did be- RVK: You spend years putting a book together, and cause we realized that not everybody likes 600 you come out with it in six or seven years. You’ve pages of theological reading as bedtime reading. wrestled with ideas; you’ve tried to put them down They love the Word and they want to know what in writing; you’ve tried to be accurate; and then af- the Word says, but their mind may not have the the- ter the book comes out, you get people who react ological bent necessary to put their arms around all to it. They say, “Well, why do you say this?”, or, “Is of the material found in The Sign. So we very, very this technically right?” There are lots of little ad- carefully—and I mean over a long period of time— justments that could be made. Suddenly you say, came up with a novel that illustrated, through “Oh, I could have said it a little differently”, or, “I fictional characters in a novel situation, what we be- could have done this different.” lieve to be the precise biblical sequence of events You have to understand that I am not a writer. I that will occur in the last days. A person reading am prone to be a teacher in my writing, and I repeat and remembering the novel will say “Oh, I know myself. I was redundant in the book, and that was when that happens,” because they remember the pointed out to me by my best critics. Add to that the story. Where if you gave them the theological book, fact that the last several years I have been very ill. The Sign, they would be a little confused in how it So my recuperation period at home offered me a ROBERT VAN KAMPEN Parousia — page 5

wonderful opportunity to go through the manuscript and eliminate much of the redundancy. I was also able to trim down certain things that were not important to the fine line. I added graphs and charts that we developed for our multimedia presentations for conferences and church seminars put on by The Sign Ministries. We also refined things, and we came up with more precise definitions, which I thought was important. In the end I was able to take this flagship book and put it into a structure that, whether I am here or whether I’m gone, will be something people can use as a resource for many years to come. It is timeless because it is tied to Scripture, not current events! That was my desire. But nothing major in the book changed. Just more refinement, better definitions, new charts, and less redundancy. “What we want is truth. We do not PAROUSIA: Have your feelings about the prewrath position changed in the seven years since you wrote the first edition? want any one man’s ideas of what

RVK: Not one jot or tittle! I am overwhelmed at how the theme of a prewrath rapture is all over the the truth is. We want the truth New Testament and the Old Testament as well. In The Sign, I show that if you take three different prophetic passages in the Old Testament you come of God’s Word…” to the same prewrath position, that it’s the position that Christ taught, the same position Peter taught, RVK: No. Best stated, we feel there are five critical the same position Paul taught, and the same posi- “pillars of prophecy” that must be understood to tion John taught in the Book of Revelation. I just have a proper view of end-time events. We talk shake my head and I say, “If something is truth, you about this in the book. We have never changed an should see it all over.” If you are going to believe iota on any of these foundational issues. There are a that Christ is Creator, then you should see it in the few areas that staff members and myself would say, Old Testament and the New Testament. And you “We think this,” or, “We think that,” because it is an do. If you believe the prewrath position of when implied argument, a gray area, and we have never Christ returns is accurate, you should see it in the gotten the singular verse that says “Hey, this is the Old Testament and in the New. And you do. And to answer. End of discussion!” When we’ve encoun- me that is very, very exciting. The conformity and tered these gray-area issues, we have tried to note the harmony of the entire Bible from beginning to that point in the book. We try to say, “This is what end is overwhelming. the Bible seems to say, but it also says this as well, It was so difficult putting The Sign together. I so we will not be dogmatic.” We always want to spent literally years on it. And yet the forty differ- have the integrity to say this is implied not explic- ent writers of Scripture did not have proofs and it. The explicit arguments have always been the computers and editors and all the rest. They sat same. The implied arguments are noted as “im- down and they did it once and it was all right. That plied,” and I think that as you read the book we is amazing! The inspiration of Scripture is absolute- have been fair in those areas. What we want is truth. ly amazing. We do not want any one man’s ideas of what truth is. We want the truth of God’s Word, and if we can- PAROUSIA: Are there any changes in the basic ar- not do that we will say, “This is the best we can do, guments for the prewrath position in the updated yet we will not die for it.” But we would die for the edition? explicit arguments before we would recant. AN INTERVIEW WITH Parousia — page 6

world worship, and then watch for the sign of Christ’s coming and the end of the age. Already we are starting to see some of those precursors begin to happen—Israel is once again a nation, and forces are pushing for a one-world government.

PAROUSIA: For those of us who have read the first edition and the expanded edition of The Sign, why should they study the updated edition?

RVK: It is better written, is more precise, has better definitions, and has excellent charts and graphs. If I were a Pastor or a Bible teacher and needed a good study guide to direct me to the right passages in Scripture, this updated edition would be, I think, a better resource than the earlier editions. Even the “What I want people to do is footnotes, including Greek and Hebrew words critical to the understanding of prophetic texts, are explained in everyday language so that the average get into the Word. I want them layperson can understand. The material is better organized in this third version. I am very pleased about the way it is organized. In seven years you get to check out and see if this to be a better writer, and you just do things better, and you organize better. It was a vast topic then, and it is a vast topic now, but I think that in the up- is what the Word says.” dated version it is just far clearer. It is just a much better presentation. If I was going to have a singu- PAROUSIA: Will the updated edition address cur- lar book on my desk, it might be fun to have the rent world events? first edition, but it is the third one that I would want to study from. RVK: Not like some of the current, sensational prophetic materials attempt to do—trying to make PAROUSIA: Who is the audience you would like everything an end-time event, setting dates and all to reach with the updated edition? the rest. No. In general, we address what the events and the conditions of the world will be like before RVK: The Sign is primarily written for Christians, Christ returns. If world events fit what Scripture and the world finds it interesting because it is excit- teaches, fine. But we are not trying to fit prophecy ing to talk about end-time events. It presents the into current events. We are waiting for current gospel clearly, but it is a doctrinal book with its pri- events to substantiate prophecy. When you come at mary appeal to believers. We want to reach church it from that direction, you watch what is going on laypeople who love the Word of God and want to in the world, but you do not reach unjustifiable con- know what it says. So this book is a good place to clusions, and you do not grab for things just to sell start, and we point them to hundreds of passages of product. You just watch what is going on and wait Scripture where they can go and research it for for current events to precisely fulfill prophetic themselves. When I sign a book for someone, I in- Scripture. variably point to Acts 17:11. That’s where it says Do I think that things are happening today that “Be like the Bereans.” The Bereans checked every- fit the biblical scenario? Absolutely. Do I think that thing out that Paul said. What I want people to do this has to be the time? No I don’t. I don’t know is get into the Word. I want them to check out to when Christ will return. All we can do is watch for see if this is what the Word says. the events that Scripture teaches will occur before We found that the natural audience for the book Daniel’s 70th Week begins, watch for the rise of a is Bible students, seminarians, and pastors. And powerful world leader, wait for his one-world gov- probably those who use the book most often are ernment to take shape, listen to his demands for Bible study group leaders. It has been people who ROBERT VAN KAMPEN Parousia — page 7

really have a love for God’s Word, who want to know what it says and are willing to be Bereans and “The Sign has a purpose, and it search it out for themselves.

PAROUSIA: You have been quoted as having said is having tremendous effect.” that this work is the most important work that you have ever done. Why? PAROUSIA: Is The Sign an unfinished work? RVK: Of course you’ve got to take that quote in Might there be future editions? context, but it has been a study to which I have devoted much of my life the past twenty years. It deals RVK: I do not think so. I have put many years into with something so magnificent—the great hope of this. I am very comfortable with the positions I take. the church, the return of Christ—and yet the results The other night I was teaching a Bible study class are substantially different from what is being taught at my home church, and I came up with another in churches that allegorize, or to some degree, fail great verse that shows that the wrath of Antichrist to recognize that Christ will permit us to go is not the wrath of God but clearly the wrath of through the persecution of Antichrist in order that Satan. It is just a fabulous verse taken directly from we will not shrink away at the appearance of His 2 Thessalonians 2, and although I had read the coming. For this reason, I feel that the book is not verse hundreds of times before, I just never saw it. only looking to the return of Christ, but it is also Of course, the first thing I wanted to do is run back setting the stage for caution, for believers every- to the publisher and stick it in the book, but the where to be informed and prepared for what will book is done. It’s being printed as we speak. So you someday happen. The Sign covers, in depth, things know, I cannot rewrite the book for one more little that we as Christians should know, and hopefully verse that again confirms the position proven in the book will help heighten one’s expectation of Revelation 12. But it is really a neat verse, and I the return of Christ. would love to add it. That’s the way I am. “Ooh, here is another verse. Let’s add it quick.” But I can’t. PAROUSIA: What has been the impact of The Sign I have gone as far as I can, and enough is enough. in your own personal life? Anyway, the publisher would probably kill me.

RVK: We have kind of touched on that already, but PAROUSIA: Will you be writing any more books, I think the two things that have been so amazing to or will you be involved in authoring or contribut- me are how sweetly and simply God’s Word speaks ing to other projects? to these issues and the harmony there is if one accepts Scripture for what it says instead of trying to RVK: A lot of that depends on my health. I am not read into it one’s own ideas of what it ought to say. a writer just to write. The Scriptures created The In addition, prophetic passages call you up short. Sign. To do another book just to get my name on a Every time we are told about the return of Christ, it cover is, to me, self-serving. The Sign has a purpose, is always within the structure of being prepared to and it is having tremendous effect. Do I want to do be counted worthy for that great day—a very more writing? Perhaps, if my health permits and I sobering thought. It says we should be alert and feel there is something important to say on a topic sober looking for that day. Whether you are dealing that I know something about. So far, I have burnt with the end of the age as it is explained in 2 Peter myself out and everybody around me. We currently 3, 2 Thessalonians 2, 1 Thessalonians 5, Luke 21, have a trilogy of books that makes our case, each or wherever, it is always around the issue that we book having a unique purpose. Many of them are need to be counted worthy, for that day of judg- already in foreign languages, but we are not trying ment is coming. Hebrews 10 says that as we see this to sell books. We are trying to get truth out. And if great day (of the Lord) approaching, we should not God should give us something we should do, we neglect our gathering together. Why? Because we will sit down and we will attack it as best we can. need one another. And we need to help one another. We need to sustain one another. And I think all PAROUSIA: Thank you very much for taking the of that has had an impact, because you see it all over time to share with us. Scripture. ComprehensiveComprehensive && ReadableReadable

The Sign is an exhaustive reference work based on more than fifteen years of intense study. It is a sweeping survey of end- times prophecy that spans the breadth of Scripture.

HERMENEUTICS THEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND ISRAEL & THE CHURCH DANIEL’S 70 WEEKS OpenOpen youryour BibleBible SATAN’S BEAST EMPIRES RISE OF ANTICHRIST ISRAEL’S COVENANT andand searchsearch THE SEVEN SEALS ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION thethe ScripturesScriptures THE GREAT TRIBULATION THE END OF THE AGE CHRIST’S SECOND COMING THE RAPTURE THE DAY OF THE LORD “Robert Van Kampen came into my life like a theological tornado TRUMPET JUDGMENTS and caused me more than ever in the past 35 years to study what the THE TWO WITNESSES Bible teaches about the end times. If you love God’s Word, you will ISRAEL’S SALVATION THE THREE WOES find his books an inspiration and challenge.” BOWL JUDGMENTS —GEORGE VERWER, INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR, OPERATION MOBILIZATION ARMAGEDDON THE NEW JERUSALEM THE MILLENNIUM 560 PAGES • SOFTCOVER • MORE THAN 20 NEW CHARTS Available at your local Christian bookstore, A vital and valuable resource or call The Sign Ministries at 1-800-627-5134. for eschatological study. PUBLISHED BY CROSSWAY BOOKS, A DIVISION OF GOOD NEWS PUBLISHERS Parousia — page 9

THE SIGN MINISTRIES BIBLICAL STUDIES ORDER FORM ON Resource News COLLECTION NEXT PAGE

NEW The Prewrath Rapture Position Explained This 100-page book is an excerpt from Robert Van Kampen’s book The Rapture Question Answered, Plain and Simple. This shortened version is presented as an introductory text for Materials anyone who may be unfamiliar with eschatology (the study of end times) or may desire an easy-to-read outline of the Prewrath position. Available The Hope of Christ’s Second Coming This little book which was first published in NEW! The Sign: Updated Edition by Robert Van Kampen. An in-depth theo- 1864 is straight forward and explosive. Dr. logical study of end-time events and the return of Christ. 560 pages $12.00* Tregelles (1813-1875) the noted Greek schol- NEW! The Prewrath Rapture Position Explained by Robert Van Kampen. ar of the early Plymouth Brethren, takes on the A concise analysis of Christ’s premillennial return and the prewrath rapture of issue of a “secret” or “any moment” rapture the Church. 100 pages $2.00* from a strong biblical perspective. This 105- The Rapture Question Answered, Plain and Simple by Robert Van page book takes a close look at the error in what is now called the Kampen. A thorough examination of Christ’s second coming. Translations are pretribulation rapture. It is must reading! available in Spanish, Romanian, and Russian. 210 pages (translation page- In the mid 1800’s Tregelles’ books were known all over the counts may vary) $8.00* world. His other works some of which are still in print and avail- The Fourth Reich An End-Times Novel by Robert Van Kampen. A compelling, able today are: Remarks of the Prophetic Visions in the Book of Daniel; biblically-based, fictional portrayal of the last days. 445 pages $10.00* The Revelation: A New Translation; and The Historic Evidence of the The Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church by Marvin Rosenthal, a fresh look at Authorship and Transmission of the Books of the New Testament. the biblical prophecies concerning end-times events. 319 pages $10.00* Examining The Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church by Marvin Rosenthal & Kevin Howard. A companion study guide. 142 pages $8.00* CLOSE-OUT SPECIAL! The Hope of Christ's Second Coming by S. P. Tregelles LL.D. A study of the end-times from a nineteenth-century perspective. 105 pages $5.00* THE SIGN: A PERSONAL STUDY GUIDE (EXPANDED EDITION) Study Transparencies by Roger Best. A new set of seven, color transparen- by Robert Van Kampen and Roger Best cies suitable for presentations and lectures. $18.00* This is the companion study guide and work- Parousia Conference, an eight-tape audio cassette series recorded at a con- book that is keyed to the Expanded Edition of ference in Holland, Michigan, with Marv Rosenthal, Roger Best, and Charles The Sign. Page references will differ with the Cooper. $30.00* new Updated Edition. We have a limited supply of these The Olivet Discourse, an eight-tape audio cassette series presented by Robert study guides available and are offering them for $2.00* Van Kampen on Christ’s teachings in Matthew 24. $25.00* each. Please call 1-800-627-5134 for availability. An Overview of End Time Events, a set of two audio tapes that provides an introductory look at the End Times and Christ’s second coming. $6.00* Zion’s Fire, a magazine on Israel and prophecy that also presents Christian BACK ISSUES OF PAROUSIA AVAILABLE truth to Jewish people and the Jewishness of the Bible to Christian people. We currently have extra copies of a few previous issues of our min- Free one-year gift subscription istry newsletter. If you’d like some extras to give to friends or We also have free reprints available of two previous Parousia articles: would like to replace issues you may have already given away, just Hermeneutic: Key to Understanding Scripture from Parousia #4 call and ask to see what we have available. Legs to Stand On from Parousia #5

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1998: Opportunities & Blessings

od continues to use The Sign Ministries in wonderful ways Seminary in Bangalore; Dr. Ramesh Kumar had invited him back af- as we have opportunity to teach the prewrath rapture of the ter a visit there last year. He also went north to Hydrabad where he church. The scope of our ministry has become worldwide. shared in a church conference with Pastor David Bandela and Grace GIn the past months we have had the privilege of making presentations and Truth Ministries. Roger spoke at the inauguration of Bethel Bible in Russia, Ukraine, and India as well as many conferences and semi- Training headquarters, a ministry directed by Pastor Stephen Bandela. nars here in America. We thank God for these faithful pastors who, in a very difficult land We are continually encouraged as so many pastors are calling us for where persecution is a reality of life, stand for the truth and authority help and arranging conferences in their churches. Over the past few of the Word of God. months we have shared an overview of end times with folks in Idaho Parousia continues to get a favorable response as our mailings in- Falls, Idaho; Lytle, Texas; Revere, Massachusetts; Chapel Hill, crease greatly every issue. The new Updated Edition of The Sign is Tennessee; Norwood, Massachusetts; Smyrna, Georgia; Maysville, soon to be available, and we believe this will be a great tool for Kentucky; Mosinee, Wisconsin; Lamar, Colorado; and Tacoma, Christians in their understanding the Word of God in relationship to Washington. end times. Our 800 number rings daily with calls of encouragement We have also conducted area-wide Parousia Conferences and and questions. And our website (www.signministries.org) receives a Seminars in Nashville, Tennessee; Kansas City, Missouri; Wheaton, hundred hits a day. Illinois; Houston, Texas; Eau Claire, Wisconsin; and Cherry Hill, New Roger Best, Charles Cooper, Bill Lee-Warner and our entire staff Jersey. We are thankful for all the help from the committees that set stand ready to be of help to you! If you would like to arrange a con- these meetings up and made them so successful. ference at your church or in your area, give us a call, or if you have Roger Best spent the last week of January and first week of questions we will be all the help we can. We thank God for the priv- February ministering in India and speaking at Shalom Biblical Baptist ilege of service and ministry to you. Letters to The Sign Ministries

The Rapture Question Answered is very thorough and insightful cohesion and accuracy to and I gave him your [website ad- the best book I’ve read on the study. Studies of this caliber are Scripture… thanks for the “after- dress], and he has got some things subject. All the materials pub- not easy to find. I have grown ex- ward”… I believe it would be from you that have got him think- lished on the pretrib perspective tensively throughout this last year better placed in the “forward”! — ing… I know some think that I’m seem to be based on speculation and in areas I never would have T.S. by email wrong and have gone off the deep and wishful thinking. — J.S. in imagined. It has changed my end, but I can only teach what the Louisiana thinking and my beliefs in many It’s been a week since the Bible says and do the best I can to ways. I truly have been persuaded Wisconsin conference, which I serve Jesus Christ… Keep up the I loaned my copy of The Rapture by the Word of God. — L.K. in enjoyed very much. It solidified good work for Him. — C.D. in Question Answered to one of the Wisconsin my view, which for some reason Oklahoma leaders of my church. He is I’ve always held, in that the halfway through the book at the I have finished reading [my] copy church will be here during the I was a dispensationalist for many moment but told me how much of The Sign… As a pastor, I have time of Antichrist’s wrath. I espe- years, but since I read [The Sign] I he was enjoying the book, and found it to be the best and most cially appreciated the common am now a prewrath rapturist. I am how it had completely changed thorough book I have ever read sense, literal, historical, and most starting a class this Sunday after- his views on a lot of end time on eschatology. It has answered importantly the biblical approach noon and the study guide will events… Thank you once again. many confusing questions con- to prophecy. [The] speakers… did help. — P.B. in Pennsylvania — P.S. in England cerning pretrib views. The a great job. — E.G. by email scholarship with which the book We have shared your book across May the Good Lord bless your was written was excellent! I can- I’m a Sunday School Adult the state of Texas, and people are ministry richly. The Rapture not thank you enough for Ladies’ teacher. My pastor is pre- very interested. We have enjoyed Question Answered really opened sending it to me. — Pastor D.H. trib but can’t really stand on what teaching people a more biblical my eyes… — D.Z. in Florida in Indiana he’s been taught and what the hermeneutic of the rapture. The Bible says. I’m praying for him to Rapture Question Answered has been I have been in The Sign studying Just read the book The Fourth come to the truth. One of our received well… Thank you again. for about a year now and find it a Reich… most impressed by the other teachers got a computer, — D.M. in Texas Nonprofit Org. THE U.S. Postage Paid Grand Haven, MI SIGN Permit No. 383 Ministries P.O. Box 113 West Olive, MI 49460 A Ministry of Sola Scriptura

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THE SIGN MINISTRIES NEWSLETTER / SUMMER 1999

The PPROPHETICROPHETIC PPILLARSILLARS of the Prewrath Position

Part 1: The Timing of the Seventieth Week of Daniel Parousia — page 2 The PROPHETIC PILLARS of the Prewrath Position by Charles Cooper

Introduction However, with a translator that time is doubled. I recently had the opportunity to teach the Seldom will a speaker have that much time to teach prewrath position to several hundred pastors in the in any given setting. It, therefore, becomes critical Ukraine. My teaching was facilitated by the assis- to communicate the bare essentials in a minimal tance of an interpreter. But working with a amount of time. translator presents several challenges that make it very difficult for even the most gifted speaker to The Goal communicate effectively. My sentences had to be What then are the bare essentials of the prewrath short. The normal rhythm and cadence of my position? In this and several subsequent articles, we speech patterns were restricted by the host lan- are going to examine the five prophetic pillars of guage. Some English words and phrases required the prewrath position: The fact and timing of the longer explanations in Ukrainian. I had to wait for Seventieth Week of Daniel, the timing of the rapture of the the translator to repeat what I had just said forcing church in relationship to the Day of the Lord, the timing of me to remember what I had just communicated and the salvation of Israel, the timing of God’s reclamation of what I needed to say after the translator finished. To His rule on earth, and the timing of the battle of keep the audience’s attention, I had to remember Armageddon. These are the irreducible essentials where I started and was supposed to finish. which form the basis and backbone of the prewrath Common words and phrases had to be sacrificed to position. make the translation easier for the translator. These If you have read The Sign or our other printed types of challenges often cause some communica- materials, you also know that we have opinions on tors so much frustration that they shy away from ancillary issues such as the identity of the restrain- opportunities to speak that require a translator. er, the persona of Antichrist, and the names of the Having taught the prewrath position using two witnesses. However, these issues are not the Russian, Manipourian and Ukrainian translators, I prophetic pillars of the prewrath position. To be have learned how important it is to stick to the ba- truly prewrath, one must hold to five explicit sics. Our multimedia prewrath presentation requires prophetic pillars, not to these ancillary issues which at least five hours to teach when taught slowly and are implicit. It is because these five pillars are so es- carefully with the goal of educating the listener sential to the prewrath position that the next several rather than a broad, general overview of the topic. issues of Parousia will address them in great detail. Parousia — page 3

The First Prophetic Pillar: THE TIMING OF THE SEVENTIETH WEEK OF DANIEL IS YET FUTURE

The Problem tion of Jews in 598 BC and ultimately destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC The prewrath rapture postulates that Daniel 9:27 has a yet future ful- 2 Chronicles 36:15-21 details the event. Notice, fillment. This futuristic position is generally held by those of us who And the LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to them insist upon a face-value fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. Notice [Israel] again and again by His messengers, because He had Daniel 9:27: compassion on His people and on His dwelling place; but they And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, continually mocked the messengers of God, despised His but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and words and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one arose against His people, until there was no remedy. Therefore who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one He brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans who that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate. slew their young men with the sword in the house of their (Emphasis added) sanctuary, and had no compassion on young man or virgin, old man or infirm; He gave them all into his hand. And all the arti- However, taking this fururistic position does not enjoy unanimous cles of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of consent among all Bible students. Four views are articulated against a the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king and of his literal interpretation. Liberal scholars argue that Daniel’s Seventieth officers, he brought them all to Babylon. Then they burned the Week concerns events in connection with the Maccabean revolt house of God, and broke down the wall of Jerusalem and against Antiochus Epiphanes in 167 BC. Jewish scholars teach that this burned all its fortified buildings with fire, and destroyed all its week concerns events in connection with the destruction of Jerusalem valuable articles. And those who had escaped from the sword in AD 70. Amillennial thinkers insist that the Seventieth Week’s events he carried away to Babylon; and they were servants to him and are allegorical, concerning events that cover an indefinite period of to his sons until the rule of the kingdom of Persia, to fulfill the time starting with the ministry of Christ until the end of the age. An word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had assortment of the Amillennarians hold to the view that the Week is the enjoyed its Sabbaths. All the days of its desolation it kept sab- time from the beginning of Christ’s ministry to undefined events some bath until seventy years were complete. (Emphasis added) three-and-a-half years after His death. Dr. John F. Walvoord’s response to the four views stated above is worth repeating in full. He Daniel had come from Jerusalem as a captive to Babylon at the begin- writes, ning of Judah’s discipline and knew that the seventy years were about to be completed. Daniel indicates the time of this particular prophecy Each of the four views which claim fulfillment largely in the as that of “the first year of the reign of Darius, the son of Ahasuerus” past have their supporting arguments… But they have one which is thought to be 538 BC. Daniel went before the Lord, and con- common failure, which is the Achilles’ heel of their interpreta- fessed his sin and the sin of his people (Israel) on behalf of the holy tion: none of them provides literal fulfillment of the prophecy. mountain of God (the temple site) (Dan. 9:20). In answer to Daniel’s The first view, the Maccabean fulfillment, is built on the prayer, God sent Gabriel to give him “insight with understanding” premise that Daniel is a forgery and prophecy is impossible. concerning “the appearance” (Dan. 9:23). In other words, Gabriel is The second and third views explain away problems by spiritu- going to explain to Daniel the reason for his (Gabriel) appearance at alization and have no specific chronology. The fourth view, that this particular time. of Philip Mauro, finds literal fulfillment of the first sixty-nine and one-half sevens, but no fulfillment of the climax.1 490 Years of Judah’s History Detailed The only position that meets the demand of a literal fulfillment is the Gabriel instructs Daniel that “seventy weeks have been decreed for futurist’s view, i.e. that Daniel’s Seventieth Week is yet future. your people and your holy city…” The Hebrew word for weeks (shabu’im) used in Daniel 9:24 can mean a unit or period of seven, hep- The Context of the Passage tad or week.2 This term in one form or another is used twenty times in According to Daniel 9:2, Daniel had in his possession the writings of the Old Testament. Three times it means a unit of seven and is con- the prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah prophesied in 605 BC that Judah textually defined by the term “days” (Ezek. 45:21; Dan. 10:2-3); six would serve “the king of Babylon seventy years (Jeremiah 25:11).” In times the context clearly indicates that it means “weeks,” that is, a nor- fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecy, Nebuchadnezzar began a deporta- mal seven-day week (Gen. 29:27-28; Lev. 12:5; Deut. 16:9, 10, 16; 2 Parousia — page 4 THE TIMING OF THE SEVENTIETH

Chron. 8:13); and six times it is used as a “unit of seven” without ref- It is interesting and important to notice that Daniel uses a key phrase erence to specific days or weeks (Dan. 9:24, 25, 26, 27). We are able here. “Three weeks of days” is the literal translation of the text. The to conclude from this summary of Old Testament usage that the term NASB attempts to show the emphasis of the text by translating this means basically “a unit of seven” and must be contextally defined as to key phrase as “three entire weeks.” The fact that Daniel used the term what specifically is described. days in conjunction with shabu’im is instructive. Was it necessary? No In the context of Daniel 9:24-27 the term weeks (shabu’im) can on- one would have misunderstood Daniel’s intent at this point. Even if he ly refer to units of seven years. This means that Daniel is speaking of had not included the term days in connection with shabu’im, the read- seventy of these units of seven years or a total of 490 years. This con- er would not have concluded that Daniel was indicating that he had clusion is based on the following reasoning. First, in Daniel 9:2 mourned for 21 years or 21 seven-day weeks (147 days). However, the reference is made to “seventy years.” This indicates that Daniel had fact that Daniel included the qualifier days, when unnecessary, argues been thinking in terms of years. strongly that the unqualified shabu’im in Daniel 9:24 refers to years. Second, the seventy years of captivity which Jeremiah prophesied The sixth reason to interpret shabu’im as referring to years is because and is restated in the 36th chapter of 2 Chronicles was Judah’s repay- of a parallel expression found in the Mishnah (a Jewish Commentary). ment (punishment) to God for 490 years of stolen sabbatical years.3 This commentary on the Mosiac Law states, Thus, a parallel exits — 490 years before Judah’s captivity and 490 If a man leased a field from his fellow [countryman] for ‘a week years after her captivity. The 26th chapter of Leviticus and verses 34- of years’ for 700 zuz, the Seventh Year is included in the num- 35 and 43 state, ber; but if he leased it from him for ‘seven years’ for 700 zuz, Then the land will enjoy its sabbaths all the days of the deso- the Seventh Year is not included in the number… They used to lation, while you are in your enemies’ land; then the land will prove witnesses with seven inquiries: In what week of years…? rest and enjoy its sabbaths. All the days of its desolation it will (Italic added)5 observe the rest which it did not observe on your sabbaths, Without the context, the references in the Mishnah may not make while you were living on it… For the land will be abandoned sense. However, in two separate instances, the Mishnah uses a parallel by them, and will make up for its sabbaths while it is made des- expression that can only be interpreted to refer to a seven-year period olate without them. They, meanwhile, will be making amends which exactly parallels Daniel 9:24. Therefore, Daniel’s seventy weeks for their iniquity, because they rejected My ordinances and refer to a 490 year time period. their soul abhorred My statutes. Therefore, the 490 years that precipitated the 70 year captivity will be 483 Years To Messiah’s Death followed by another 490 years. This argues strongly that “seventy While face-value interpreters of Scripture do not agree on the begin- weeks” refers to 490 years and not 490 days or 490 seven-day weeks. ning point (Terminus A Quo) of the first sixty-nine weeks (483 years), The third reason shabu’im refers to years in Daniel 9:24-27 is be- there is greater consensus on the ending point (Terminus Ad Quem). cause it is impossible to fit the events detailed in the prophecy into a Daniel 9:26-27 states 490 day or week period. The fact that Messiah would be cut off at So you are to know and discern that from the issuing of a the end of a clearly defined period of time makes this conclusion in- decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince escapable. there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; it will be built The fourth reason shabu’im refers to years is because of the parallel again, with plaza and moat, even in times of distress. Then after expression “time, times and half a time” used in both the book of the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have noth- Daniel and the Revelation of Christ to John. Daniel 9:27 indicates that ing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy a covenant will be confirmed for “one unit of seven.” This same the city and the sanctuary. And its end will come with a flood; covenant will be broken at the mid-point of this unit of seven. A sev- even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined. en-year period best harmonizes with the other time referents given in Daniel and Revelation. Time, times and half a time (Dan. 7:25, 12:7; Rev. Daniel indicates a time sequence which clearly sets forth an unarguable 12:14) describes the same temporal limits of the trouble and desola- termination of the first sixty-nine weeks of Daniel’s prophecy. tion that the half a week describes in Daniel 9:27. The fact that the Maintaining a clear parallelism between the fate of Israel (the nation) Revelation of Christ adds the temporal designates: 1,260 days and 42 and Jerusalem (the city), Daniel determines that the issuing of a decree months is further confirmation of Daniel’s intent.4 to restore and rebuild Jerusalem… with plaza and moat even in times of distress Fifth, Daniel qualifies shabu’im when it refers to days. Notice Daniel would serve as the beginning marker of the temporal sequence. The 10:2-3 which states, ending marker of the temporal sequence would be the coming of Messiah the Prince. “In those days, I, Daniel, had been mourning for three entire The decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem with plaza and moat in times weeks. I did not eat any tasty food, nor did meat or wine enter of distress indicates three very important identifying details. First, the my mouth, nor did I use any ointment at all until the entire three words to restore and rebuild signal a return of the city to its former state. weeks were completed.” (Emphasis added) This is not a refurbishing of the city. Second, the restoration and re- WEEK OF DANIEL IS YET FUTURE Parousia — page 5

building of Jerusalem will be accompanied by plaza warranted given a simple face-value reading of the and moat. These two words indicate both interior text, and in light of the fact that Daniel clearly in- and exterior compartments associated with the dicates that the middle of the seventieth week walls of Jerusalem. The last detail concerns the at- would be initiated by the stoppage of sacrifices in mosphere associated with the restoration. The the temple. These events are in no way connected rebuilding of Jerusalem will happen during times of with the death of Jesus Christ at His first coming. distress or opposition. With these facts in mind, we The third reason the events of the Lord’s first ad- are limited to only three historical decrees that are vent are not connected with Daniel’s Seventieth potential starting points for the restoration and re- Week has to do with the destruction of Jerusalem building of Jerusalem: (1) the decree of Cyrus in and the temple mentioned in Dan. 9:26. This event 539 BC; (2) the decree of Darius in 519 BC; and (3) occurs before the initiation of this final seven-year the decree of Artaxerxes in 444 BC. period, thereby identifying the person who will Several important details confirm that Artaxerxes’ confirm the covenant with Israel in Daniel 9:27. It decree is the beginning point of Daniel’s temporal is very important for the reader to pay very close at- sequence.6 First, Nehemiah 2:3, 5 and 8 make di- tention to the text at this point. Notice Daniel 9:26: rect reference to the restoration of the city of “And the people of the prince who is to come will Jerusalem along with its gates and walls. This very destory the city and the sanctuary,” (Emphasis added). It important condition is not met by the decrees of is “the people of the prince who is to come” who de- both Darius and Cyrus which concerned only the stroy the city and sanctuary. This is a very important rebuilding of the temple. Second, Both Nehemiah point. For those who insist that “the prince who is and Ezra indicate that the restoration of the walls to come” is Jesus Christ, it is required of them to was done during very distressing circumstances. show in what sense either New Testament believers Third, no subsequent decrees were issued by Persian or unbelieving Jews destroyed Jerusalem and the kings that pertained to the rebuilding of Jerusalem temple. There is no historical basis upon which one after 444 BC. can even allude to such a conclusion. It never hap- Given the temporal sequence outlined by Daniel, pened! Neither believers nor unbelieving Jews have it is logical that the sixty-nine weeks were fulfilled ever destroyed Jerusalem or the temple in Jerusalem. historically. The events of Christ’s first advent were Another support of this conclusion is the in- in no way connected with Daniel’s final week and escapable fact that Jesus at His first coming did not thus the events of this final seven-year period must confirm an existing covenant with Israel, but was, at still be yet future. Several points establish this con- every point, rejected by the religious leaders of his clusion. day. The only covenant explicitly associated with First, the six elements of Daniel prophecy — to Christ in the New Testament is the new covenant.8 finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to A final point against the notion that Jesus Christ is make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting “the ruler” mentioned in Daniel 9:26 is the impos- righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and sibility of Christ breaking a covenant. There is to anoint the most holy cannot be found in a face- simply no New Testament foundation for such a value fulfillment in the ministry of Jesus Christ. conclusion. Therefore, Jesus Christ is not “he (who) Both Israel (the nation) and Jerusalem (the city) will make a firm covenant with the many for one have not finished their transgression (their rebellion week, but in the middle of the week will put a stop against God and their Messiah) nor are they experi- to sacrifice and grain offering…” (Dan. 9:27). encing everlasting righteousness when their The fourth reason the events of Christ’s first ad- rebellion will turn to love and adoration of their vent are not connected with Daniel’s Seventieth Savior and King, Jesus Christ. In addition, the holy Week is because Christ’s death made atonement of holies7 certainly has not received an anointing in sacrifices unnecessary, but allowed for the continu- an everlasting righteous Jerusalem. ation of other sacrifices. This conclusion is Second, it is important to remember that Messiah supported by the fact that sacrifices continued in was cut off after the sixty-ninth week and not dur- the temple at Jerusalem until AD 70 and will resume ing the seventieth week. Daniel 9:26 states that during the time of the tribulation temple (II Thess. “after the [seven weeks and] sixty-two weeks 2:4) and the millennial reign of Christ (Ez. 40:5- Messiah would be cut off and have nothing.” Some 47:12).9 Three-and-a-half years after Daniel’s have insisted that Messiah was cut off during the Seventieth Week begins, all sacrifices will stop. No seventieth week. However, such a conclusion is un- sacrifices were stopped in conjunction with the Parousia — page 6 THE TIMING OF THE SEVENTIETH

death of Christ in AD 33. ship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying A fifth reason the events of Christ’s first advent are not connected himself as being God. (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4) with Daniel’s Seventieth Week has to do with the fact that He (Jesus) Commenting on these verses, Leon Morris writes, predicts a yet future literal fulfillment of the events depicted in Daniel 9:27. The Lord Jesus, Himself, predicted a future fulfillment in All attempts to equate the Man of Lawlessness with historical Matthew 24:15 when He said, “Therefore, when you see the abomi- personages break down on the fact that Paul was speaking of nation of desolation which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, someone who would appear only at the end of the age. The standing in the holy place (let the reader understand)....” Here the Lord Man of Lawlessness is an eschatological personage. Paul wrote specifically indicates that the event which will mark the middle of the that he will appear just before the Lord comes again.11 Seventieth Week is yet future. The fact that the Lord spoke this Morris adds, “The teaching of Daniel was taken up by our Lord (Mark prophecy several days before His death assures us that this prophecy 13:14), and it is from Him that it becomes Christian Tradition.”12 The was not fulfilled during the Lord’s earthly ministry. Such a conclusion temple desecration predicted by Daniel, restated by the Lord and exis strengthened by the fact that Matthew wrote his gospel prior to plained by Paul was still an unaccomplished fact in or about AD 50.13 AD 70, several years after the Lord originally spoke the prophecy. Any If one needed more proof that Daniel 9:27 will have a yet future lit- possible fulfillment would have surely been indicated by Matthew giv- eral fulfillment, the Revelation of the Lord to His bond-servants en his great interest in reporting prophetic fulfillment.10 should be enough. The individual described as the Beast—who makes The Apostle Paul, subsequent to the Lord’s prophetic statement, re- war with the saints, who has authority over the nations, and who de- iterates the future fulfillment of Daniel 9:27. He writes, mands the worship of the world—accords best with “he [who] will Let no one in any way deceive you, for [the Day of the Lord confirm a covenant for one week” mentioned in Daniel 9:27. The de- will not come] unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of scription of the Beast (Rev. 13:1-3), the forty-two months of authority lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes to act on the earth (Rev. 13:5) when compared to the activities of the and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of wor- prince to come in Daniel 9:27, and the persecution of the people of

The overwhelming evidence supports a yet future fulfillment of the Seventieth 2000 Week of Daniel. It is the only natural, face-value interpretation of the Scriptures The possible. That said, there is one queston unanswered. Why the gap? A yet future fulfillment of Daniel’s Seventieth Week requires a gap that is already 2000 years long between the end of the first 483 years, the cutting off of Messiah, and the Year Gap final seven years of end-time events. This has been a stumbling block for many interpreters of prophecy. At first glace, one might consider a gap between the sixty-ninth and seventieth week as a matter without scriptural foundation. However, there is biblical support for the separation. First, the 70-week prophecy concerns both the nation (Israel) and her holy city (Jerusalem). Since Messiah was cut off, Israel has experienced the Diaspora, having lost her national identity and her holy city. Only in 1948 did she regain her recognition as a nation, and in 1967 once again she regained control of Jerusalem, setting the stage for the 70th week to begin. Second, there is an accepted principal of interpretation that recognizes the OT phenomenon of prophetic perspective, in which gaps in time where hidden from the prophet’s view. The prophets were often looking at the future from a horizontal perspective. This is much like looking at several mountains peeks unaware that between the mountain peeks is a valley. Only by having a bird’s eye view or direct revelation could the prophets have known of the gaps in time between certain events. This is clearly apparent in the case of the Lord’s first and second coming, the resurrection of the righteous and the wicked, and the millennial and eternal kingdoms of God. These three events are separated by many, many years which was not detailed to the prophets in the O.T. The third support for a gap between the sixty-ninth and seventieth weeks concerns the six prophetic events depicted in Daniel 9:24: “to finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy,” all have reference to the nation of Israel and the city of Jerusalem, events that neither the nation nor the city has experienced in a final sense. A fourth support concerns the Messiah’s death. Daniel indicates that Messiah would be cut off after the sixty-ninth week and not during the seventieth week. Daniel clearly states that “after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing…” In contrast, Messiah is not directly identified with the seventieth week in Daniel 9:27 at all. The fifth and final support for a gap between the sixty-ninth and seventieth week concerns “he [who] makes a covenant for one week with the many.” Because he makes a covenant for seven years, breaks the covenant after three and a half years, and stops the sacrifice and offering, Christ is eliminated. The only person who fits the description given by Daniel is the Man of Lawlessness or the Beast. Both Paul (2 Thess. 2:1-11) and John (Rev. 12-13) indicate that the activities of the Man of Lawlessness or Beast accord best with Daniel’s prophecy, which must be a still-future event that occurs in the last days. WEEK OF DANIEL IS YET FUTURE Parousia — page 7

God (Rev. 13:7) establishes the future fulfillment of Daniel’s prophe- but before the AD 70 destruction of Jerusalem. Upon the direct revela- cy. Those who move away from a simple, literal fulfillment of Old tion of Christ, the Apostle John highlighted, with expanded details, Testament prophecy fail to see and appreciate this fact. the same prophecy of Daniel’s Seventieth Week 50-plus years after the The generations that followed the Apostles understood that the death of Christ and 20 years after the destruction of Jerusalem in AD events of Daniel’s Seventieth Week were yet future. A most important 70.17 Hippolytus’ teachings, 100 years after the Apostle John, state witness to this fact is Hippolytus. He was a disciple of Irenaeus who that the teachings of the church were in fact that Daniel’s Seventieth was a disciple of Polycarp who was a disciple of the Apostle John. Week was yet future. Concerning Daniel’s Seventieth Week being an event that is still futuristic, Hippolytus forges a direct link back to the Apostle John who ENDNOTES links us to Christ who links us to Daniel, the prophet. Hippolytus 1. John F. Walvoord, Daniel: The Key to Prophetic Revelation (Chicago: Moody Press, 1971), 232. writes, 2. Francis Brown, S.R. Driver, and Charles Briggs, eds. A Hebrew and English Now Daniel will set forth this subject to us. For he says, “And Lexicon of the Old Testament (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1907), pp. 988-989. 3. God commanded Israel to allow the land to rest for one complete year one week will make a covenant with many, and it shall be that every seven years. During this eighth year (a sabbatical year), the land in the midst (half ) of the week my sacrifice and oblation shall was not to be planted (Ex. 23:10-11); slaves were to be freed (Ex. 21:2- cease.” By one week, therefore, he meant the last week which is to 6); and all debts were to be forgiven, (Deut. 15:1-6). It was Israel’s fail- be at the end of the whole world… (Italic added)14 ure to observe these details that resulted in their judgment and enslave- ment to the Babylonians. David G. Dunbar of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School writes, 4. The time designates in Daniel and Revelation point to a 360 day year with each month consisting of 30 days. This is confirmed by Dr. Henry The second century was a time of intense eschatological con- M. Morris in his work, The Genesis Record. He writes, “These months cern for the church… (T)he non-fulfillment of the Parousia… [mentioned in Genesis 8:13-14] were apparently 30 days in length, as is was the cause of speculation, disagreement, and doctrinal and inferred from the data in Genesis 7:11, 24 and 8:3, 4. The Flood had institutional development among the early Christians… started on the 17th day of the second month; so they were in the Ark a total of 371 days, a period of exactly 53 weeks. See page 210-211. Eschatological interest was therefore already in the wind at the 5. Herbert Danby, The Mishnah: Translated from the Hebrew, with Introduction and opening of the third century when the shock of renewed per- Brief Explanatory Notes, (Oxford: The Clarendon Press, 1933) pp. 363, 388. secution fell upon the church… It is not surprising that this 6. Students of The Sign will recognize a small change at this point. Sir period also produced the most extensive treatment of biblical Robert Anderson calculated the beginning of the sixty-nine weeks from eschatology found among the Fathers. The author of this mate- the decree of Artaxerxes Longimanus which Anderson understood was given on or about March 14, 445 BC. Anderson counted 173, 880 days rial is Hippolytus of Rome (c. 170-c. 236), a student of until April 6, AD 32. Anderson recognized that 476 years existed Irenaeus, whose exegetical writings were largely devoted to between March 14, 445 BC and April 6, AD 32 which totaled 173, 740 apocalyptic themes… His Commentary on Daniel, the oldest days. He then added 116 days for leap years and 24 days for the differ- known continuous commentary on any book of the Bible by ence between March 14 and April 6 and thus arrived at a total of 173, 880 days. However, Anderson recognized a problem with his calcula- an orthodox Christian dates from the period AD 201-204…15 tions which resulted in Christ’s death occurring on a Sunday or Monday. Dunbar concludes his excellent article by saying, Sir Robert Anderson was unable to find a credible solution. However, since Anderson’s time, scholars have better evidence that Artaxerxes Thus, Irenaeus is the source not only for specific points of Longimanus’ decree was issued on March 5, 444 BC which puts the tri- Hippolytean exegesis but also for [his] overall eschatological umphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on March 30, AD 33. approach. The major patterns of historical-eschatological 7. This is the literal translation of the Hebrew. There is debate concerning whether a person, a thing or a place is intended. In The Sign we take the understanding so important to Hippolytus — the succession of position that it refers to Christ. world-empires in chapters 2, 7, and 8 of Daniel, the eschato- 8. Luke 22:20; 1 Corinthians 11:25; Hebrews 8:8, 13 and 9:15. logical interpretation of the Seventy Weeks prophecy, and the 9. It should not escape the reader’s attention that no atonement sacrifice is creation-week typology — are already present in Irenaeus. indicated during the millennial temple system. There is, therefore, not a great deal of new material in 10. Matthew indicates more than 15 different prophecies fulfilled in the life of Christ. Hippolytus. He does develop a few original themes; but by and 11. Leon Morris, The First and Second Epistles to the Thessalonians, NICNT large he is not an innovator but a preserver and collector of (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1984), 221. what has gone before. This suggests that in Hippolytus we find 12. ibid. See footnote 16. a kind of “main-line” eschatology which may have been quite 13. James Everett Frame, Epistles of St. Paul to the Thessalonians (Edinburgh: widespread during the closing decades of the second century.16 T&T Clark, 1960) 20. Also F.F. Bruce, 1&2 Thessalonians, Word Biblical Commentary, Vol. 45 (Waco: Word Books, 1982) xxxv. By quoting Dunbar at length, we seek to establish a very important 14. GCS 1/2.27 connection. Five hundred years before Christ, Daniel received a 15. David. G. Dunbar, “Hippolytus of Rome and the Eschatological Exegesis of the Early Church,” WTJ, V45, Fall 1983, page 323-324. prophecy from Gabriel. Jesus restated the prophecy in Matthew 24:15 16. ibid., page 339. two days before His death. The Apostle Paul restated “by the word of 17. The date of the book of Revelation is debated. the Lord,” the same prophecy 10 to 15 years after the death of Christ Parousia — page 8

The Sign Ministries’ PromotionalVIDEO IN PRODUCTION

even-thirty AM. The lighting crew, direc- Stor, and assistant director arrive on the set. Lights, stands, diffusers, reflectors, and a camera crane are unloaded from the grip truck, and crew members add final tufts of grass to a fifty-foot indoor set of the Mount of Olives. Actors file in around 9:30, with costumers ready to suit them up. The Director double checks the storyboards, and the Assistant Director makes sure every last prop is in place. At 11:15, the camera rolls for the first shot of the day. The slate is lifted in front of the camera to identify the shot, and the director calls for action. Four “disciples” approach “Christ”, seated on an artificial “boulder”, and the reading from Matthew 24 begins: “What will be the sign of Your coming?” Such is the opening scene for the first promotional video for The Sign Ministries. Currently in production, this eleven minute tape is geared toward pastors and other ministry leaders who may be interested in hosting an End-Times Presentation. The video will also be helpful for anyone who would like to learn more about The Sign Ministries. The video provides an introduction to the ministry, including our face-value interpretation of end-times prophecy. The video places special attention on outlining the different presentation formats offered by the ministry, such as pastors meetings, church presentations, and area-wide seminars and conferences. Executive Director Roger Best gives us the introduction and background for the ministry, Charles Cooper shares in a segment devoted to highlighting presentation formats, and Bill Lee-Warner provides a few examples of the questions addressed at the conferences. Several testimonials from conference attendees wrap-up the program. The script was written by several members of the staff, and the footage taped on several locations. Narration is performed by Pastor Dan Hayden, founder of Truth in Grace Ministries. An original music score rounds out the production. The video is expected to be available this fall. Parousia — page 9

THE SIGN MINISTRIES BIBLICAL STUDIES Resource News ORDER FORM ON COLLECTION NEXT PAGE COMING SOON www.revelationcommentary.org In the final book of the Bible, Revelation, we find critical information detailing the culmination of God’s purposes and plans for mankind. Over the years, next to the question on the Rapture, the one request we hear probably more than any other here at The Sign Ministries is for help with the book of Revelation. Materials With a rising interest in the biblical teaching regarding the return of Christ and the events surrounding His coming, as well as the increased number of voices teaching varying views regarding His return, we have felt the need to produce an easily accessible and understandable commentary on Revelation. As you can imag- Available ine, this project is no small task. We therefore anticipate that the commentary will take some time. Our vision for the commentary is to publish it on the internet NEW! The Sign: Updated Edition by Robert Van Kampen. An in-depth theo- instead of in book form. The reason is practical: once a book is logical study of end-time events and the return of Christ. 533 pages $14.00* published, it requires large amounts of money to either add to it or NEW! The Prewrath Rapture Position Explained by Robert Van Kampen. make any changes. There are many details to be noted in the book A concise analysis of Christ’s premillennial return and the prewrath rapture of of Revelation and constant study is necessary for greater under- the Church. 93 pages $2.00* standing. The internet allows us to have a platform by which the The Rapture Question Answered, Plain and Simple by Robert Van commentary can be fluid, since we are constantly learning, and Kampen. A thorough examination of Christ’s second coming. Translations are plan to update the commentary as new insights are gained so our available in Spanish, Romanian, and Russian. 210 pages (translation page- counts may vary) $8.00* readers can avail themselves of our latest findings. Our hope is that by late fall 1999 or early winter 2000, we will The Fourth Reich An End-Times Novel by Robert Van Kampen. A compelling, have in place (1) an introductory overview of Revelation, (2) an ex- biblically-based, fictional portrayal of the last days. 445 pages $10.00* planation of our face value biblical study method, (3) an outline of The Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church by Marvin Rosenthal, a fresh look at Revelation, (4) a section on important terminology, and (5) the be- the biblical prophecies concerning end-times events. 319 pages $10.00* ginnings of a verse-by-verse commentary. The website address will The Hope of Christ's Second Coming by S. P. Tregelles LL.D. A study of the be: www.revelationcommentary.org. end-times from a nineteenth-century perspective. 105 pages $5.00* We’ll keep you updated as to the developments. In the mean Study Transparencies by Roger Best. A new set of seven, color transparen- time, as the Lord leads you, pray for Mr. Van Kampen and the team cies suitable for presentations and lectures. $18.00* as we work to put this commentary together. Parousia Conference, an eight-tape audio cassette series recorded at a conference in Holland, Michigan, with Marv Rosenthal, Roger Best, and Charles Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Cooper. $30.00* www.signministries.org/faqs.htm The Olivet Discourse, an eight-tape audio cassette series presented by Robert This special section of our website addresses many of the ques- Van Kampen on Christ’s teachings in Matthew 24. $25.00* tions that we’re asked time and time again such as: Why study prophecy? Are the seals of Revelation 6 the wrath of God? Does An Overview of End Time Events, a set of two audio tapes that provides an introductory look at the End Times and Christ’s second coming. $6.00* Revelation 5:9-10 teach a Pretribulation Rapture? Who are the “beheaded martyrs” in Revelation 20:4, and why are they resur- Zion’s Fire, a magazine on Israel and prophecy that also presents Christian rected at the beginning of the millennial kingdom? Who are the truth to Jewish people and the Jewishness of the Bible to Christian people. Free one-year gift subscription twenty-four elders? What is America’s part in the End Times? Every month we try to add another response to an FAQ, so be We also have free reprints available of two previous Parousia articles: sure to visit the website regularly. If you have a particular question Hermeneutic: Key to Understanding Scripture from Parousia #4 Legs to Stand On from Parousia #5 you’d like to ask, please either call us at 1-800-627-5134 or email us at [email protected]. Our desire is to grow as both stu- * Suggested donation price. dents and teachers of the Word of God as we seek to discover, not determine, the meaning of Scripture. Mail this form or call toll-free 1-800-627-5134 Emphasizing

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Seminar in the Philippines

od continues to open doors for The Sign and there was no air conditioning, the reception to GMinistries around the world. At the invitation the teaching was wonderful. of Johnny Sy, president of Praise Inc., Roger Best Praise Inc. did an outstanding job of organizing had the privilege of presenting a Parousia Seminar and carrying out the seminar. Pastor Jun Matundan MANILA ★ in Manila. Mr. Sy had read The Sign and was led to moderated the meetings, and Sarah Go, national contact us concening ministry in the Philippines. sales manager for Praise Inc., facilitated Roger’s Roger arrived in Manila late Wednesday evening, schedule. The Sign Ministries expresses its thanks to May 26th and the next morning had the opportu- all who had a part in making the Philippine expe- nity to speak at the monthly meeting of pastors rience so successful. We are thrilled with the many which was held at the Southern Baptist headquar- new friends we have in the Philippines. ters. Then on Friday and Saturday a two-day We’ve been invited back next year and already seminar was conducted at Pasay City Alliance are making plans not only to do a seminar in Church, where Rev. Kenneth Gerada is pastor. Manila but other places on the islands as well. We Many people traveled long distances to attend the thank God for His faithfulness and the wonderful seminar. Although the temperature was very high opportunities He is placing before us. Letters & Email of Encouragement Thank God for Mr. Van Kampen’s thought was correct according to and how it seemed to contradict My wife and I want to thank you spiritual and intellectual honesty. Scripture and thought I was prob- Scripture… I am going to give for an excellent conference… in The author [of The Sign] makes it ably alone in my views, which [are [some of my good Christian] Holland, Michigan. We had a plain to perceive that though God prewrath.] I now know I’m not friends a copy of your book; per- great time… We wish we could is omniscient, He is also perfectly alone in this view. haps your logical, well-written have heard more… Keep up the logical in revelation and commu- — T.G. in Kentucky analysis will convince and convict good work. We look forward to a nication. them of what I was unable to: return visit next year. — J.K. in Ireland The Holy Spirit led us to your God’s plan for end times… — M.&M.V. by Email ministry and it has really fired us Thank you for your work! The Rapture Question Answered up! Your goal of getting the Word — L.T. in California I have been a believer in Yeshua helped me enormously and con- out by all measures is commend- for 39 years. Before my wife and firmed what I had felt for some able. I’m so proud of you all. So My wife and myself were staunch I made Aliyah to Israel, we years. (It was quite amusing as I many ministries have the supporters of the pretrib rapture belonged to two mainline denom- was so sure the book would con- almighty dollar in mind and they for over 20 years, for it was all we inations in the States, who tradict my own views completely.) have forgotten their calling… knew. Then one morning our preached the pretribulation rap- Additionally the freshness of the Thank you hardly seems enough, Baptist pastor in Tennessee said ture. All the years I studied this book restored so much of my ex- so I’ll add that I pray God blesses he didn’t believe in it and started subject… cross-referencing the pectations of end-time events and you beyond measure. us on the road to the truth… Scriptures they preached, I always helped me understand the se- — M.&T.W. in South Carolina [thank] you again for all your walked away scratching my head, quence of events more clearly labors in this matter. frustrated and confused. It was as than ever before. As one of the Navy’s first women — F.E. in Arizona though I came to a dead-end — P.J. by email fighter pilots I faced a lot of op- street with no way to turn around, position, but that experience has Through the Spirit’s work, Mr. but only back up. All I can say is, As an Associate Pastor… I found been overshadowed by the recep- Van Kampen’s books have accom- praise the Lord! And, thank you your book The Sign an excellent tion I have had when I have plished incredible things in my from the bottom of our hearts. I ministry tool! Being brought up respectfully but candidly ques- life. I pray that he might have know what the Holy Spirit has in the pretrib rapture teaching, I tioned my church teachers and more opportunities to do so for given you is true and vital for found through careful study this pastors about their pre-tribulation others. May the Lord strengthen every believer in Yeshua the position did not line up with rapture stance… But so far no one you in your work. Messiah to know. Scripture. I adopted what I would seriously sit down with me — J.M. by Email — R.M. in Israel and answer the questions I had… Nonprofit Org. THE U.S. Postage Paid Grand Haven, MI SIGN Permit No. 383 Ministries P.O. Box 113 West Olive, MI 49460 A Ministry of Sola Scriptura

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THE SIGN MINISTRIES NEWSLETTER / WINTER 2000 THE Prophetic Pillars OF THEPrewrath Position

Part 2: The Rapture Initiates the Day of the Lord Parousia — page 2

ROBERT D. VAN KAMPEN December 16, 1938 – October 29, 1999

Our appreciation cannot be adequately expressed for the overwhelming graciousness shown to us by the hundreds of brothers and sisters in Christ through The Sign Ministries. Your letters and email were an incredible encouragement to Bob throughout the last weeks of his life and continue to comfort his family after his passing. It was a delight to receive each correspondence and so interesting to note every name and address. As we read through each letter to Bob, we were at times moved to tears at the generosity of the sender – the candid stories of similar hardships and God’s faithful goodness in the lives of His children – and at other times we were rolling with laughter at your humorous and witty remarks! The entire family was sobered by the outpouring of prayer on Bob’s behalf, for his health, and for his comfort and peace, as well as for his family. Thank you. You cannot know how your kindness has touched our lives. We continue to thank God for His servant, Robert Van Kampen. He was a faithful husband, a loving father, a loyal friend, and he is terribly missed. We anxiously await our heavenly reunion, and until then we will continue in the work God has for us. We offer many thanks to you again for your Christian love during our difficult time. God bless you, guard you, and prosper you in every way, all for His glory. The Van Kampen Family Parousia — page 3 THEProphetic Pillars OF THEPrewrath Position

The Second Prophetic Pillar: THE RAPTURE INITIATES THE DAY OF THE LORD

by Charles Cooper

Introduction1 Some time ago, while listening to the evening news, it was reported the Bible, as to whether the rapture occurs before or after the that Yogi Berra gave the commencement address at a prestigious uni- great tribulation. In view of such conflicting opinions, the versity. The particular news program chose to use only a short question arises as to whether it is profitable to continue efforts statement Berra made to sum up his address. When giving the gradu- to settle what possibly cannot be susceptible of settlement, and ates advice about living successfully after graduation, Berra is reported which is not by any means a fundamental or necessary article to have said, “If you come to a fork in the road, take it. You never of the Christian faith. The answer to this question is not in know when you might need it.” That unique twist on a common doubt; we should continue. The fact that the problem exists and phrase was permanently etched in my memory. that only one of the conflicting opinions can be right should cause One significant “fork” in the road in my life concerns my decision Christians to seek God’s truth. If they approach the subject to abandon my belief in a pretribulation Rapture while teaching at a objectively, without emotional or prideful influences, they will well-known Bible college. The repercussions of that decision in terms certainly improve their knowledge of the Bible and it may be of strained relationships and limited access to many conservative evan- that as we all seek to learn God’s truth He may give to the gelical churches are still felt seven years later. whole believing church a real and true understanding of the I remain firm in my convictions that neither pretrib, midtrib, nor solution. As we approach the end of the age, the truth in this posttribulationism had provided an ironclad case for their respective question becomes increasingly important to every believer and positions. After some study, I could clearly see that the truth of the if there is an answer we should seek it.2 timing of the Rapture is more a synthesis of that which is biblically I not only believed that there was an answer, but I also went look- defensible in pre-, mid-, and posttribulationism. In a nutshell: The ing for it. I do have one particular problem with Mr. Harrison’s Rapture initiates the Day of the Lord which cuts short the unparalleled statement. He makes a very common error. When considering pre-, persecution of Satan/Antichrist with the deliverance of the righteous mid-, or posttribulationism, most people think that there is only one and destruction of the wicked. possibility — only one right position. In reality, there are really two I took William K. Harrison’s advice. Harrison writes: possibilities: only one position is right or all three positions are wrong. The There is serious honest disagreement among Christians who fundamental argument of the prewrath position was and is, in my agree in their loyalty to the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word, opinion, compelling. After three years of dedicated study of the tim- Parousia — page 4 THE RAPTURE INITIATES

ing of the Rapture, I am now more convinced than ever of three recognize that He is near, right at the door. (Matt. 24:32-33) things. First, that the Rapture initiates the Day of the Lord. Second, that (italics added) the Day of the Lord is the wrath of God against the wicked who re- The phrase all these things can and does refer back to the events begin- main on earth after the righteous are taken at the very beginning of ning in verses 4 through 31. By analogy, after the beginning birth the Lord’s Parousia (coming). Third and finally, that the Day of the pangs and the hard labor, one can expect the delivery of the baby. Lord begins when the persecution of Satan/Antichrist (which begins Therefore, the Lord indicates that after the beginning birth pangs at the mid-point of Daniel’s Seventieth Week) is cut short. (Matthew 24:4-8) and the hard labor (Matthew 24:9-14 with expanded details in 24:15-28) will come the delivery (Matthew The Problem 24:29-31). Therefore the season during which believers can look for The exact year, month, day, and hour of the Rapture has been sover- the coming of the Lord is the season of hard labor (persecution). eignly withheld from the church. The absence of this one little detail Not just any persecution, but a persecution that can only be de- has lead to more deception and false interpretation of Scripture than scribed “such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world perhaps any other doctrine until now, nor ever shall.” The Bible indicates that at the mid-point of of the Christian faith. Daniel’s Seventieth Week, Satan will come down to earth having great Amillennialism, postmillen- “But of that day wrath (Rev. 12:12) and will give the Beast (Antichrist) supernatural nialism, pre-, mid-, and powers (Rev. 13:2, II Thess. 2:9). With these supernatural powers, the posttribulationism and date- Beast will begin a campaign of terror against the elect of God (Rev. setters have claimed their and hour no 13:7; Matt. 24:22). These are the leaves of the fig tree that are a sig- millions. In my opinion, nal that the final season has indeed begun. these positions are all Prior to AD 325, the church understood there to be a period of un- wrong. Why? Because they one knows, not paralleled persecution by Antichrist as the primary indicator of the have all failed to utilize a Lord’s return. The evidence in the writings of the apostolic fathers is face-value interpretation of so overwhelming that Dr. Larry V. Crutchfield, a pretribber, is forced Scripture consistently! even the angels to write, Matthew 24:36 states, “But of that day and A more specific, composite outline of patristic eschatological of heaven, nor hour no one knows, not expectation reveals that the fathers looked for: even the angels of heaven, 1. Tribulation under the Antichrist within the context of nor the Son, but the Father Roman persecution the Son, but the alone.” This verse establishes 2. Christ’s personal, visible return in the midst of persecution to: de-facto that God the Father a. raise the righteous dead (first resurrection) alone knows the year, b. rapture the saints Father alone.” month, day, and hour of the c. fight the Battle of Armageddon Lord’s Parousia. These words d. destroy the Antichrist and all of his followers of the Lord have profound implications for what will be written in the e. bind Satan rest of the New Testament. The Father’s choice to keep this informa- f. reign on the throne of David with the saints tion a mystery will result in a very generalized presentation of from a restored Jerusalem end-time details in the New Testament. Anyone familiar with the New 3. Establishment of the millennial age... Testament knows this to be true. 4. Resurrection (second or general resurrection)... Therefore, since Jesus did not know the year, month, day and hour 5. Creation of a new heaven and earth...3 of His Parousia, He could only give us a general overview of the events Limited space will not allow me to quote specifically from the apos- of the end times. We know what will happen. We know how it will tolic fathers. Suffice it to say that most of the apostolic fathers believed happen. We know where it will happen. We know who will be in- that persecution of the people of God by Antichrist was the indication volved. We just don’t know when. The best we can do is to know the of the soon return of Christ. Jesus’ teachings in the Olivet Discourse season. and the apostolic fathers understanding of the New Testament teachings, lead one to conclude that the season of the Lord’s return will be The Season of the Lord’s Coming marked by the persecution of the people of God. Absent of the year, month, day, and hour, the Lord only told us in a very generalized way, the season of His Parousia. The Lord said, The Promise Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has The Lord Jesus declared, and the early church believed, that a chosen already become tender, and puts forth its leaves, you know that generation would face the unparalleled persecution at the hand of summer is near; even so you too, when you see all these things, Antichrist followed by the Rapture of the church and God’s wrath up- THE DAY OF THE LORD Parousia — page 5

on the wicked. There is no explicit promise from God to the universal that this period of persecution would begin with the “abomination of church that it would be spared the persecution of Antichrist. However, desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel,” the reader is left with no there is an explicit promise from God that the universal church would other choice but to consider the three and a half years of persecution be spared the wrath of God. Paul writes, as being cut short. To say, as pretribbers insist, that the persecution is cut short to a three and a half-year period is ridiculous. Daniel’s orig- For they [believers in Macedonia and Achaia] themselves inal prophecy indicated that a total of 490 years would be the total time report… how you [the Thessalonians] turned to God from allotted for Israel’s sin and punishment (Dan. 9:24-27). Therefore, the idols...to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from only thing being shortened is the persecution of Antichrist, not the the dead, that is Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to three and a half years or the second half of the Seventieth Week spo- come… For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtain- ken of by Daniel. ing salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ… (1 Thessalonians Daniel 7:25 indicates that the saints of the Most High will be giv- 1:9-10; 5:9) (italics added) en into the hands of Antichrist for three and a half years (time, times As in 1:10, wrath here is used in its eschatological sense, being the and half a time). Matthew 24:22 indicates that it is the persecution of wrath of God upon the sinner in the coming day of judgment.”4 In the elect that will be cut short not the authority of the Beast to act for 1 Thessalonians 4:17, Paul tells us exactly how the Lord will deliver 42 months (Rev. 13:15). the righteous from His coming wrath. As should be expected, there is The avenue to reconciling these three passages is to understand the no information as to the specific year, month, day and hour. However, mercy of God. God in His mercy will remove the object of we know what (the Rapture), why (God promised), and how (a snatch- Satan/Antichrist’s persecution (the elect) while He allows the three ing away), but no specific when. The only clue to the “when” is the and a half-year period to continue. In other words, the object of the “why.” God promised to take the church away before His wrath comes. persecution will be taken away, but Antichrist’s “authority to rule” will Therefore, there are two biblically defensible conditions placed on the continue. This conclusion can be understood in the difference of em- timing of the Rapture: (1) it will occur during an unparalleled time of per- phasis as found in Daniel 7:25 and Revelation 13:5. Daniel secution by Satan/Antichrist; and (2) it must precede the coming of the wrath emphasizes the duration of the persecution of the saints of God. of God. Revelation emphasizes the duration of Antichrist’s authority to rule. Matthew 24:22 emphasizes the duration of the church’s experience of The Rapture in the Teachings of Christ – Matthew 24 Satan/Antichrist’s persecution until it is terminated by the mercy of The most important passage of Scripture in the New Testament con- God and removed before God initiates His wrath upon mankind. It is cerning the timing of the Rapture is Matthew 24. Pretribulationists perfectly consistent with the mercy of God to grant grace to His suf- have attempted to rob the Rapture debate of this important passage. fering elect.5 By identifying the content of Matthew 24 with Armageddon and its In Matthew 24:29, the Lord states, application to Israel, the Rapture question is placed in a state of con- “But immediately after the tribulation of those days [is cut fusion. short] the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its The Lord teaches in the Olivet Discourse, as recorded in Matthew, light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the the complete sequence of events leading up to and including the heavens will be shaken.” Rapture of the elect. The Lord indicates that the gathering of the elect of God will occur immediately after the persecution of While Christ did not know the year, month, day and hour of the Satan/Antichrist is cut short (Matt. 24:22, 29) by the initiation of the Rapture, He clearly knew the sequence of events. God the Son knew Day of the Lord. All the lights of heaven will be darkened, Christ will the place of the Rapture within the sequence of end-time events, but come to deliver the elect and then begin the destruction of the wicked. not the exact timing of the Rapture. It is totally within the sovereign The Lord indicates in the Olivet Discourse that the end-times se- choice of God the Father as to exactly how long the unparalleled per- quence of events will be marked by three phases. Phase I consists of secution of Satan/Antichrist will last. Therefore, we do not know when the beginning birth pangs: false Christs, wars, famines and earth- in terms of the day and hour, but we know when in terms of the “times quakes (Matt 24:4-8). Then comes Phase II. There will be a period of and epochs.” We do not know when in human history, but we do know hard labor (Satan’s wrath through Antichrist): tribulation and hatred when in the divine sequence of the end-time events — after the perse- (which results in a great falling away) and false prophets (Matt 24:9- cution of Satan/Antichrist is cut short. 14). The final phase will be deliverance: the coming of the Lord and The event described in Matthew 24:29 is the single most important the gathering of the elect which initiates the wrath of God against the clue as to the timing of the Rapture. The event described in Matthew wicked (Matt 24:29-31). 24:29 is the sign that indicates the beginning of the wrath of God. It In an extended discussion of the hard labor phase (Satan’s wrath, is clear that the Lord lifted His words directly from the Old Testament Matt 24:15-28), the Lord indicates that the persecution of Antichrist prophets. Isaiah, Joel and Zephaniah predicted that these very signs will be amputated or cut short (Matt. 24:22). In the context, the Lord would signal the beginning of God’s wrath against the wicked during can only be referring to the persecution that Daniel indicates will last a time period known as the Day of the Lord. one half of a week (Dan 9:27). Having indicated in Matthew 24:15 Joel specifically states that the cataclysmic disturbances in the sky Parousia — page 6 THE RAPTURE INITIATES

would come before the actual beginning of the eschatological Day of alive, having survived will be caught up together with them in the the Lord when he wrote, “The sun will be turned into darkness and clouds to meet the Lord in the air…”6 the moon into blood before (italics added) the great and awesome day Third, the gospel of Matthew was written 20 plus years after the of the Lord comes.” This one fact alone dispels any possible notion death of Christ. Yet, Matthew offers not one word of clarification con- that the entire seven year period known as Daniel’s Seventieth Week cerning the teachings of the Lord on the end times. If the coming of is the wrath of God. It also gives us the single most important clue Christ in John 12 is the Rapture and if the coming of Christ in about the beginning point of God’s wrath. The Lord states that the Matthew 24 is at Armageddon as taught by pretribulationists, we Day of the Lord begins immediately after the tribulation of would expect a clarification in Scripture. Twice Jesus dealt with end- Satan/Antichrist is cut short (Matt. 24:29). times matters during the final two days of His earthly ministry With the universe devoid of light, a second sign occurs. The sign of (Matthew 24 and John 14). Just prior to returning to heaven, the the Son of Man appears in the sky (Matt 24:27, 30). All the tribes of Disciples questioned the Lord about His return (Acts 1). Yet, not one the earth begin to mourn when they see it. Christ is then seen “com- word of explanation is given that Matthew 24 should be understood ing on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory.” Matthew as referring to Armageddon and that it is different from Christ’s com- 24:31 then states, “And He will send forth His angels with a great ing for the elect at the Rapture. On other matters, the New Testament trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, writers clarified possible misunderstanding regarding issues of fulfilled from one end of the sky to the other.” prophecy (Matt 1:23), why Jesus did or did not do miracles in a cer- The sequence is clear. However, the central question remains. Does tain place (13:58), misunderstandings about the meaning of Jesus’ Matthew 24:31 refer to the Rapture of the church? The answer to this teachings (Matt 16:12), as well as many other things. The return of question will either settle the Rapture question or maintain its confu- Christ was the most important topic of concern for the Disciples pri- sion. I believe that Matthew 24:31 does refer to the Rapture. There or to the Lord’s departure to heaven. Mark and Luke intertwined the are several reasons for this conclusion. near/far destruction of Jerusalem in their writings. Yet, not one word First, the timing of this particular gathering perfectly fits the bibli- was written about two comings and how to distinguish them. There is cally defensible conditions for the Rapture. This particular gathering a reason why the Disciples did not do it, of course. The Bible simply occurs immediately after the persecution of Satan/Antichrist is cut does not teach two Parousias. short, but before the wrath of God falls upon the wicked. Fourth, the term elect (εκλεκτοσ) used in Matthew 24 refers to liv- Second, the parallel teaching of Matthew 24:31 in Luke 21:28 is ing church-age believers on earth at the Lord’s Parousia. The context Rapture language. Notice, “But when these things [cataclysmic distur- of Matthew 24 and the usage of the term support this conclusion. First, bances referred to by Joel, Isaiah and the usage of the word elect supports our thesis that Matthew 24:31 Zephaniah] begin to take place, refers to church-age believers alive on the earth at the Lord’s Parousia. The Bible straighten up and lift up your heads, be- The term elect is a collective noun. That is, the word refers to a group cause your redemption is drawing near of people. It is used to refer to Israel (the nation, Isaiah 44:1), to the (Lu. 21:28).” (italics added) Most Church (Eph. 1:4), and to the Apostles (John 6:70). Israel is the elect simply does pretribulational interpreters insist of God in two ways — one physical and the other spiritual. In the first that this text refers to the ultimate sense, the nation of Israel is elect to service. Deuteronomy 7:6-7 states, spiritual redemption of those believ- For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD ers who survive the Seventieth Week. not teach two your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession However, the context of this passage out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. The goes against this idea. One who is de- LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you scribed as having his back bent over Parousias… were more in number than any of the peoples, for you were the resulting in a head hung down is suf- fewest of all peoples… (italics added) fering from a physical burden, not the weight of sin (see Luke 13:11). Luke’s use of “redemption” to describe the release of a physical burden Dr. Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., when commenting on these verses, states, is the more appropriate interpretation. It maintains the figure of speech “Israel was to be God’s distinct treasure set aside for a marked pur- that began with the phrase straighten up and lift up your heads. pose.”7 All Jews born of the seed of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are in Luke 24:21 has a similar usage. There, two men are discussing the this category regardless of whether they are saved or lost. life and ministry of Jesus and are reported to have said, “But we were Israel is also elect in a second sense (spiritual). The Apostle Paul hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel…” (italics added) states that “there has also come to be at the present time a remnant ac- Their desire was for physical redemption from Roman rule not spiri- cording to God’s gracious choice.” This group includes only those tual redemption from sin. The term is used exactly the same way in Jews who are elect to salvation (Rom. 11:5). However, Gentiles are al- Luke 21:28. The persecution of Satan/Antichrist against God’s elect so elect to salvation (Eph. 1:4). Together, they comprise the Church. will result in their longing for physical relief (see Luke 18:1-8). This Every occurrence of the term elect in reference to a group in the New relief will come at the Rapture. Paul echoes this language of survival Testament refers to the church.8 Is Matthew 24:22, 24 and 31 an ex- and relief in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 when he states, “Then we who are ception?9 THE DAY OF THE LORD Parousia — page 7

Therefore, what group of people will be gathered together immedi- gathering that is indicated in Matthew 24:31 must be those church- ately after the persecution of Antichrist is cut short, but immediately age believers who are alive on the earth at the beginning of the before the day-of-the-Lord’s wrath comes upon the wicked — Parousia of Christ. National Israel (in the physical sense) or the Church (Jews and The fact that an explicit reference to the resurrection or a catching- Gentiles in the spiritual sense)? The key to understanding Matthew’s up of believers into the air is missing in Matthew 24:31 has caused meaning is Mark 13:20 which is a direct parallel. Matthew tells us some to mistakenly identify this event as Armageddon. In their opin- three things about the elect. First, the persecution of Satan/ Antichrist ion, the fact that the term church is not used or that the resurrection will be cut short for the elect’s sake. Remember Matthew 24:22 which and a snatching away are not mentioned rule out Matthew 24:31 as a states, “Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been Rapture passage. However, to demand that all Rapture passages must saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.” Second, mention every component of the Rapture (i.e., the resurrection, the the signs and wonders of the false Christs and false prophets during gathering, and catching away into the air) is foolish. Of the three the great tribulation will not mislead the elect. Again, remember the undisputed Rapture passages in the New Testament, only 1 Scriptures. Matthew 24:24 states, “For false Christs and false prophets Thessalonians 4:13-17 mentions all aspects of the Rapture. John 14:1- will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if 3 mentions a gathering to heaven, but no mention of the resurrection. possible, even the elect.” Finally, the elect will be gathered together to 1 Corinthians 15:50-57 mentions the resurrection, but a catching the Lord at His Parousia as Matthew 24:31 states, “And He will send away into the air is absent. The fact that Matthew 24:31 only men- forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His tions the gathering of the elect at Christ’s Parousia does not militate elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.” Who, against it being a Rapture passage. then, are the elect of Matthew 24? Rather, the fact that the elect is gathered at the beginning of the Mark 13:20 indicates that the elect are those whom God has cho- Lord’s Parousia is important. How long the Parousia of Christ will last sen. The verb to choose (εκλεγοµαι) is the New Testament’s word for is not detailed precisely in Scripture. However, we know that the election to salvation (Eph. 1:4). This is confirmed in the context of Parousia of Christ begins with the Rapture and culminates at Matthew 24. Matthew 24:24 states, “For false Christs and false Armageddon.10 Paul places the Rapture at the beginning of the Lord’s prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to Parousia (1 Cor. 15:23; 1 Thess. 4:15). Matthew 24:31 can only be a mislead, if possible, even the elect.” This verse indicates that the signs reference to living church-age believers gathered to the Lord at His and wonders of the false Christs and false prophets will be so authen- Parousia. tic that the elect of God would be mislead, if possible. The point is this: if the elect could be deceived, the signs and wonders of the false The Rapture in the Teachings of Paul – Christs and prophets of the last days would do it. Thank God the elect 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11 will not be misled! The second most significant text in the New Testament concerning the However, in my opinion this verse absolutely rules out physical Rapture is 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11. The parallel between Paul’s Israel (the unsaved nation of Israel) because they will be misled. The na- teaching in 1 Thessalonians and the Lord’s teaching in the Olivet tion of Israel will make a covenant with Antichrist (Dan. 9:27). At the Discourse of Matthew is compelling. It is because of this parallel that mid-point of Daniel’s Seventieth Week, Antichrist will break the we shall look closely at this passage. covenant and proclaim himself Almighty God (2 Thess. 2:4). Many Jews will believe him and worship and support him. Revelation 13:8 The Context says, “All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose In the context of commending the Thessalonians for their great spiri- name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the tual growth, Paul urges them “to excel still more.” Paul recognizes that book of life of the lamb who has been slain.” The object of this verse the Thessalonians have done well, but he wants them “to excel still specifically refers to those who are not elect to salvation and would in- more” in the areas of sexual purity (4:1-8) and interpersonal relation- clude unsaved Israel. ships with believers and unbelievers. It is from these important subject Revelation 13:13a and 14a state, “He [the false prophet] performs matters that Paul moves to a discussion of eschatology (1 Thess. 4:13- great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven… 5:11). Two important issues comprise this discussion. Paul first corrects and he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs…” the living Thessalonians concerning the advantages/disadvantages of The Apostle John confirms the prophecy of Christ, thus showing that the dead in connection with the Rapture (1 Thess. 4:13-18). Paul then a false prophet will mislead people, both Jews and Gentiles, with great addresses the responsibilities of the living Thessalonians in the face of signs just as Jesus said in the Olivet Discourse. the coming Day of the Lord (1 Thess. 5:1-11). A second key point to remember in discovering the identity of the elect gathered at the beginning of Christ’s Parousia is the fact that the The Problem millennial remnant of Israel (the nation) is not saved until the end of The division between Paul’s discussion of the Rapture and that of the Daniel’s Seventieth Week (Daniel 9:27; Zechariah 13:8-9; Luke 21:24 Day of the Lord, in the English Bible, is indicated by a chapter break. and Romans 11:25-26). This effectively rules out ethnic Israel as the As a New Testament student, you know that chapter divisions are a group described as elect in Matthew 24:22, 24 and 31. Therefore, the relatively late addition to the Scriptures. The original Scriptures had Parousia — page 8 THE RAPTURE INITIATES

no chapter divisions or numbered verses. However, the translators did “to introduce a new point in a new paragraph (Rom. 11:25, 2 Cor. not arbitrarily place numbers and chapter divisions in the English 1:8) or section (1 Cor. 12:1 and here).”12 The matter about which Paul Bible. To move from one thought to the next, the New Testament instructs the Thessalonians is with regard to “those who have fallen writers used grammatical indicators. One such indicator appears at the asleep.” This figure of speech is used throughout the N.T. to refer to beginning of what came to be called 1 Thessalonians 5:1. Specifically, believers who have died.13 The purpose of Paul’s instruction to the it is the phrase περι δε (peri de). Thessalonians is that they “may not grieve, as do the rest who have no Περι δε is used in the writings of the Apostle Paul eight times. In hope.” The reason the Thessalonians can act differently with regard to 1 Thessalonians 5:11, the NIV translates the phrase, now about. The the dead is because as the Father raised Jesus from the dead, He will NASB translates it, now as to. Both translations recognize that Paul in- also raise believers from the dead. tended a transition from his discussion of the advantage/disadvantage Paul indicates by the phrase, “For this we say to you by the word of of the dead at the Rapture to the need for moral responsibility of the the Lord,” that this teaching is based on the very words of Jesus. Paul living at the Day of the Lord. However, scholars are not in agreement does not indicate whether the words of Christ were written or came concerning the nature of the transition. Contextually, there are two as direct revelation. However, the one fact we know for sure is that possibilities: adversative or transitional. A pretribber like John F. whether the words were written or direct revelation, there is no con- Walvoord would naturally opt for adversative. He writes, tradiction between them and what Jesus taught. This is what Paul learned from the Lord: “we who are alive, and remain until the com- The fact that the rapture is mentioned first in chapter 4 before ing of the Lord shall not precede those who have fallen asleep.” In the day of the Lord is presented in chapter 5 is significant. The other words, the living will not have an advantage over the dead at the important subject was the rapture, including the resurrection of Parousia of Christ. But in fact, “the dead in Christ shall rise first.” the dead in Christ and the translation of living believers. The Those who are living at the Parousia of Christ will be caught up in the rapture is not introduced as a phase of the day of the Lord and air with the resurrected dead to be with the Lord forever. With this in- seems to be distinguished from it… It is clear that 1 formation, Paul instructs the Thessalonians to comfort one another. Thessalonians 5 is not talking specifically about the rapture, Beginning in 1 Thessalonians 5:1, Paul transitions from his discus- but about another truth.11 sion concerning the dead in Christ at the Parousia and begins a Students of eschatology will recognize immediately Walvoord’s discussion of the living at the Parousia. He writes, need to maintain a disjointed connection between the Rapture and the Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need Day of the Lord. Walvoord places the Rapture and the Day of the Lord of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know full under the heading of eschatology in general. But there are several rea- well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the sons to understand a transitional connection between chapters 4 and 5 night. While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruc- of 1 Thessalonians. In other words, the heading is not eschatology in tion will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a general, but the Parousia of Christ specifically. The Parousia of Christ woman with child; and they shall not escape. But you, brethren will involve both the Rapture and the Day of the Lord, which are both are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a critically important to believers who will be alive at that time. thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of Therefore, περι δε indicates a transition from one component of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but the Parousia of Christ to another as it relates to believers alive at that let us be alert and sober. For those who sleep do their sleeping time. That this is true can be concluded based on a careful examina- at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. But since tion of 1 Thessalonians 4:13 - 5:11. Paul writes, we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. For those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him. Therefore asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you that we who are alive, and remain until the coming of the Lord, also are doing. (italics added) shall not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Unlike 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 which deals with information Paul Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice could tell the people, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 deals with information of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead Paul could not tell the people. Paul could tell the people what will hap- in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall pen, but he could not tell them when it would happen. Only God the be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Father knows when the Day of the Lord will come. It will happen sud- Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord. denly and without warning for the wicked that will be immediately Therefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thess. judged. But wise believers will not be caught suddenly and unexpec- 4:13-18) tantly. The reason is not because the time of the Day of the Lord’s The phrase, “But we do not want you to be uninformed…” is used coming is known, but because believers can understand the “time and THE DAY OF THE LORD Parousia — page 9

the epochs” regarding the Lord’s return and the subsequent Day of the third beginning birth pang of famine (Matt 24:7b) is presented in the Lord’s wrath. Thus, believers by living righteously are in no danger of third seal of famine (Rev. 6:6). The period of hard labor (persecution the wrath of God. The Thessalonians are told that they will be taken and apostasy, Matt. 24:9-13) is represented in the fourth seal of death away before God’s wrath comes. (Rev. 6:8). Satan/Antichrist unleash their God-ordained three and half year campaign of persecution against God’s elect. The fifth seal repre- A Parallel sents those who are killed because of their faith in Christ as the Lord In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11, Paul does not give any indication of the prophesied (Matt 24:9). The sixth seal represents the sign that initiates timing of the Parousia of Christ. One knows what will happen, but the Parousia of Christ—the sign in the sun, moon, and stars (Matthew nothing about when it will happen. However, once the unity of 1 24:29). Thessalonians 4:13-5:11 is recognized, the reader is able to discern a As in Matthew, John indicates that immediately after the sign in the very important connection. The teaching of Paul and the teaching of sun, moon, and stars, a gathering of God’s people will occur. Between the Lord in Matthew 24-25 are parallel. In fact, no less than sixteen the sixth and seventh seals, 144,00 Jews are sealed on earth from any parallels occur between Matthew 24-25 and 1 Thessalonians 4-5. experience of the wrath of God soon to fall in the trumpet judgments. Note the following parallels: A second group of individuals is highlighted in Revelation 7:9-17. These can be none other than the raptured Saints of the ages. There are six rea- 1. Christ Himself returns (1 Thess. 4:16 with Matt 24:30). sons for this conclusion. 2. From heaven (1 Thess. 4:16 with Matt. 24:30). First, the timing is right. It follows the persecution of Satan/ 3. With a shout (1 Thess. 4:16 with Matt. 24:30 [in power]). Antichrist, but precedes the wrath of God. John is told that this great 4. Accompanied by angels (1 Thess. 4:16 with Matt. 24:31). multitude “are the ones who come out of the great tribulation…” Thus 5. With the trumpet of God (1 Thess. 4:16 with Matt. 24:31 the object of the persecution is removed from earth during the time [trumpet is unique to Matt[hew] in the synoptic period known as the “great tribulation.” Secondly, the numbers are tradition]). right. John describes the raptured saints as “a great multitude which no 6. Believers are supernaturally gathered to Christ (1 Thess. one could count.” The raptured saints of all the ages are the only ones 4:17 with Matt. 24:31, 40-41). that will literally fulfill this tremendous number of individuals. Thirdly, 7. Believers meet the Lord (1 Thess. 4:17 [απαντησισ] with the ethnic composition is right. John proclaims that this great multi- Matt. 25:1, 6 [υπαντησισ and απαντησισ]). tude is composed of people from “every nation and all tribes and 8. In the clouds (1 Thess. 4:17 with Matt. 24:30). peoples and tongues.” These are the very ones John indicated the 9. The time is unknown (1 Thess. 5:1-2 with Matt. 24:36); it Lamb purchased for God with His blood (Rev. 5:9). Fourth, their bod- is interesting to note that περι δε introduces both dis- ies are right. John determines that this great multitude is “standing cussions regarding the fact that the time is unknowable. before the throne [of God] and before the Lamb, clothed in white 10. Will come as a thief (1 Thess. 5:2,4 with Matt. 24:43). robes, and palm branches were in their hands and they cry out with a 11. Will come at night (1 Thess. 5:2 with Matt. 24:43 [night loud voice...” These can only be individuals who have been resurrect- is unique to Matt. in the synoptic tradition]). ed. Paul indicates that the resurrection of the Saints will occur at the 12. Unbelievers are unaware of impending judgment Rapture (1 Thess. 4:16; 1 Cor. 15:52). Fifth, the multitude sings the (1 Thess. 5:3 with Matt. 24:37-39). right song. The multitude proclaims, “Salvation to our God who sits 13. Judgment comes as travail upon an expectant mother on the throne, and to the Lamb.” The word salvation is better translat- (1 Thess. 5:3 with Matt. 24:8 [cf. RSV]). ed victory here. God is not in need of physical or spiritual deliverance, 14. Believers not deceived (1 Thess. 5:6 with Matt. 24:4-5). which is what the term usually, means. However, the emphasis here is 15. Believers are to watch (1 Thess. 5:6 with Matt. 24:42). on the victory God will have against the wicked, which is insured by 16. Warning against drunkenness (1 Thess 5:7 with Matt. the resurrection of the righteous. 24:49).14 Finally, the promise is right. This great multitude is promised both This evidence is compelling. We are able to conclude that the Lord and spiritual and physical comfort forever. No hunger, no thirst, no heat Paul are teaching the same sequence of events concerning the Parousia. exhaustion, no tears, and eternal satisfaction are the rewards of the res- The Rapture initiates the Day of the Lord, which is the wrath of God urrected. This is in contrast to the condition of those underneath the against the wicked. altar in Revelation 6:9 who must wait before they will realize their reward. The difference is that one group is raised and one group is not. The Rapture in the Revelation – Revelation 6:1-17 These points taken together argue strongly for the case that the Just as Paul follows the end-times sequence which the Lord gives in Rapture occurs in Revelation 7 just before the wrath of God comes at Matthew’s Olivet Discourse, so do the seals in the book of the the seventh seal (chapter 8), which is the Day of the Lord. Revelation. The beginning birth pang of false Christs (Matt 24:5) is represented in the first seal. The false Christ begins his reign by con- The Critical Question quering nations (Rev. 6:2). The second beginning birth pang of wars The critical question therefore is this: when does Scripture indicate the (Matt 24:6-7a) is represented in the second seal of wars (Rev. 6:4). The Day of the Lord begins? “A number of pretribulationists hold that the Parousia — page 10 THE RAPTURE INITIATES

Day of the Lord begins immediately after the Rapture or at least with Third, the timing is right. The very first Greek word in Rev 6:17 is the start of the Tribulation,” says Dr. Paul D. Feinberg.15 Feinberg οτι (hoti). It, along with the verb has come, indicates that verse 17 is the adds, “I would start the Day of the Lord about the middle of the reason for the activity in verses 15-16.18 There are two reasons given week…”16 He concludes that the entire 70th week is the wrath of for the wicked hiding and seeking death — the face of Him who sits God, but that the Day of the Lord is an intensified expression of God’s on the throne (God the Father) and the wrath of the Lamb (Jesus wrath, which begins at the mid-point of Daniel’s last week. Dr. Renald Christ).19 The “face” of God is a figure of speech. God the Father does Showers defines the Day of the Lord in a similar way when he writes, not have a literal face (John 4:24). The word face is placed in the verse to denote His presence or person. This is a very common expression in We must recall… in the Scriptures the expression the Day of the Old Testament (Ps. 42:5, 11; 1 Kings 10:24; Lev. 23:40). The the Lord has a double sense in relationship to the future… a wicked are seeking to get away from the presence of God the Father. broad sense referring to an extended period of time involving The wicked are also seeking death. There is not one single indica- at least the 70th week plus the Millennium… (and) a narrow tor in verses 16-17 that the wicked had experienced any of the Lamb’s sense referring to one specific day — the day on which Christ wrath prior to this point. Pretribbers have tried to find this notion in will return to the earth from heaven immediately after the verse 17. Notice what the response is of the wicked, “the great day of Great Tribulation.17 their wrath has come.” It is a specific “day of wrath” that has come. The prewrath position, on the other hand, teaches that the sixth seal There has been considerable debate about the verb has come. Ελθεν of Revelation 6:12-17, which is described in the same language as Joel (elthen=has come) would be grammatically classified as aorist, active 2:28-32, is the beginning of the eschatological Day of the Lord. The and indicative. For you who have read The Sign, this verb is discussed sixth seal follows the persecution of Satan/Antichrist, and that by de- in detail. For you who may not understand anything about the Greek finition, must start after Satan/Antichrist’s persecution is cut short. language in which the New Testament was originally written, here is There are three reasons for this conclusion. your first lesson. Notice that there are three elements stated: aorist, ac- First, the sequence is right in the book of Revelation. The sign of tive and indicative. Greek verbs indicate three important issues for a the sun, moon and stars is an indication to the wicked that the wrath reader: tense, voice and mood. Elthen’s (has come) tense is aorist, its of God is about to start. This is followed by a great multitude that no voice is active and its mood is indicative. man can number showing up in heaven. Then finally, this is immedi- Tense means time — yesterday indicates past time, today indicates ately followed by the wrath of God to the nations (trumpets and present time and tomorrow indicates future time. Go, went and gone are bowls) and the millennial blessings. This is the same sequence devel- three tenses of the verb to go. However, unlike English, the Greek lan- oped by Joel, adopted by the Prophets and expanded in the New guage also expresses the kind of action. The Greek language is Testament. generally more interested in the kind of action than the time of action. Second, the reaction of the wicked is right. Isaiah prophesied that the The simple sentence “he walked home” in Greek can mean action in wicked would run to hide in the rocks when God comes to “shake the progress (he began to walk home), action ended (he walked all the earth” (Isaiah 2:12-21). way home) or simply an event (he walked home). Context is the most

Nail down your hermeneutic! How do you study TwoTwo BooksBooks toto your Bible? This concise guide outlines a set of basic ReadRead andand ShareShare principles that will equip you for consistent examination withwith OthersOthers and interpretation of the Scriptures. THE DAY OF THE LORD Parousia — page 11

important clue in determining what kind of action the aorist is indi- or it may look at the whole act without particular emphasis cating. The Greek verb also indicates voice. Voice refers to whether the upon its beginning or conclusion, constative.21 subject of the verb is doing the action (active); receiving the action Are the wicked in Rev. 6:17 emphasizing the beginning of the day (passive); or both (middle). An example of each would be, “he hit the of wrath, the ending of the day of wrath or whole period covered by ball,” (active); “he was hit by the ball, (passive); and “he hit himself the day of wrath? A photographer can capture a runner at the very be- with the ball, (middle). Finally, the Greek verb indicates mood. Mood ginning of the race (ingressive), just as the runner crosses the finish refers to how a person portrays an action. An action can be portrayed line (effective) or if he could get high enough over head, he could cap- as real (indicative); potentially real (subjunctive); probably real (imper- ture the whole raceway (constative). Pretribbers argue that this usage ative); or wished to be real (optative). Notice: “you are hitting the ball,” of elthen is an example of a constative aorist. That is, the emphasis is (indicative); “you should be hitting the ball,” (subjunctive); “you may not on the beginning or conclusion, but the event itself. I, categori- hit the ball,” (optative); or “hit the ball!” (imperative). Please under- cally, reject this conclusion. stand that this is a very simplified overview. The kind of action used here is ingressive (the beginning of the ac- With this as background information, let’s look at these three com- tion). There are three reasons for this conclusion. First, the nature of ponents of elthen (has come). It is in the aorist tense. Tense means time. the verb itself supports the ingressive idea. Elthen is a verb that results However, in the aorist tense the Greeks were far more interested in the in a state of being. In the sentence “the audience sat down so that the kind of time. Dr. Burton, a great Greek scholar of the 19th century, speaker could begin,” sat down would be aorist and the emphasis says, “The constant characteristic of the Aorist tense in all of its would be on the beginning (ingressive) of the action, i.e., “began to sit moods… is that it represents the action… simply as an event.”20 An down.” They did not take their seats all at the exact same time, but one event in the sense of a moment captured in time. The aorist tense or two at a time until they were all seated. This is the idea demon- works much like the old Polaroid camera. You get a snapshot. From strated in Revelation 6:17. “The Aorist of verbs which denote a state or the snapshot, all one is able to tell is that an event was captured in a condition generally expresses the entrance into that state or condi- moment. How long it had been going on or how long it continued af- tion.”22 A literal translation of our phrase would be “the day of their ter the snapshot cannot be discerned from the picture, unlike a video, wrath began to come.” which would give you those answers. By definition, a snapshot is past Secondly, this would explain the activity of the wicked in verses 15- tense, but remember, the Greeks are more interested in the kind of ac- 16. The reason they hide and seek death is because the sign of the tion than the time of the action. Lamb’s imminent wrath has just happened. Joel, and Peter’s use of Joel William Chamberlain, another Greek specialist, adds clarification 2:28-32, indicates that the sign comes before God’s wrath. The sign in when he writes, the sun, moon and stars make it clear that the wicked will be aware A given aorist tense form may have any one of three phases of that the wrath of God is beginning. When the universe loses all light emphasis: it may accent the beginning of the act, ingressive sources (temporarily) and the glory of God lights up the whole world aorist; it may accent the conclusion of the act, effective aorist; as a spotlight on Jesus, the wicked will run, hide, and seek death.

State the case. And soon to be This short book (an excerpt from The Rapture Question Answered Plain and Simple) presents an published: overview of the New Testament teaching on Jesus’ premillennial return. Through an examination of IMMINENCY Christ’s Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24, Paul’s instructions to the church in Thessalonica, and the The Phantom Revelation to John, God’s chronology for the last Doctrine days is presented consistently and thoroughly. Parousia — page 12

The third support for recognizing the sixth seal as the beginning of 3. Larry V. Crutchfield, “Millennial Views of the Church Fathers,” in the wrath of God is the rhetorical question which concludes Dictionary of Premillennial Theology, ed. Mal Couch, (Grand Rapids: Revelation 6:17. Notice, “And who is able to stand?” This is an impor- Kregel Publications, 1996), 255. Italics added. 4. D. Edmond Hiebert, The Thessalonian Epistles, (Chicago: Moody Press, tant clue and interpreters often overlook it. “All questions serve to simulate 1971), 223. Also, see Leon Morris, The First and Second Epistles to the and arouse thought in a more vivid and engaging way than is true of Thessalonians, NICNT (Grand Rapids: Eerdman’s Publishing Co., 1984), statements,” writes John Beekman.23 He distinguishes between real 65. and rhetorical questions. “The first asks for information, the second 5. See 1 Chronicles 21 and 2 Kings 20 for two examples of God’s mercy conveys information.”24 The first asks a question which someone else with respect to judgment and mercy. God can shorten or lengthen time as He sees fit. must answer. The latter asks a question which he himself must answer. 6. Personal translation of the original Greek by the author. Immediately, we ask, what fact is conveyed by the rhetorical question, 7. Walter C. Kaiser, Jr. Toward an Old Testament Theology, (Grand Rapids: “who is able to stand?” There are five possible ways rhetorical ques- Zondervan Publishing House, 1979), 105. Also, see Arnold G. tions are used in the New Testament. John Beekman stipulates that Fruchtenbaum, “Israel and the Church,” in Issues in Dispensationalism, Ed. “Rhetorical questions in the New Testament transform into statements Wesley R. Willis and John R. Master, (Chicago: Moody Press, 1994),116. Fruchtenbaum offers four reasons for Israel’s (nation) elec- which function to highlight [1] certitude, [2] incertitude, [3] evaluation. tion, [4] command, or [5] a new subject or new aspect of the same 8. See Luke 18:7; Romans 8:33; 2 Timothy 2:10; Titus 1:1; 1 Peter 1:1 and subject.”25 Revelation 6:17 contains a rhetorical question of certitude. 2:9; 2 John 1:1, 13; and Revelation 17:14. 1 Timothy 5:21 would be an Rhetorical questions of certitude “simply express the fact that the exception referring to elect angels. speaker is sure of what he is saying; he speaks with certainty.”26 By 9. Mark 13:20, 22, and 27 is a direct parallel to Matthew 24:22, 24 and 31. 10. See Parousia issue #8 (Summer, 1998) for a defense of this position. asking a rhetorical question of certitude, the wicked are stating an ab- 11. John F. Walvoord, The Blessed Hope and the Tribulation, (Grand Rapids: solute fact. No one is able to stand when the wrath of God comes. In Zondervan Publishing House, 1976), 115. statement form the issue is obvious, but the wicked chose to use a 12. James Everett Frame, Epistles of St. Paul to the Thessalonians, ICC rhetorical question to make the point more vivid. (Edinburgh: T and T Clark, 1960), 167. These are not the comments of individuals who have experienced 13. See 1 Cor. 7:39; 11:30; 15:6, 18, 20, 51; and 1 Thess. 4:13-15. 14. Tracy L. Howard, “The Literary Unity of 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11” some of God’s wrath already only to conclude finally that they are GTJ 9 (1988) 181-182. One should also see G. Henry Waterman, “The doomed. Rather, these are men who are suddenly overshadowed by Sources of Paul’s Teaching On The 2nd Coming of Christ in 1 and 2 the presence of Almighty God and realize that the wrath of God has Thessalonians,” JETS 18 (1975), 66-75. begun. They conclude that there is no defense against it. At the very 15. The Rapture: Pre-, Mid-, or Post-Tribulational? Richard R. Reiter, Paul D. hour that they are saying, “peace and safety,” the lights go out and Feinberg, Gleason L. Archer and Douglas J. Moo, (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1984), 60-61. then the Light of lights will shine. 16. Ibid., 61. 17. Renald Showers, Maranatha: Our Lord, Come!, (Bellmawr: The Friends of Conclusion Israel Gospel Ministry, Inc., 1995), 70. Concerning the place of the Rapture in the divine sequence of the end 18. “Quite frequently οτι introduces a dependent causal clause. In such instances it should be translated because or for.” This is the conclusion of times, a clear pattern has emerged. Prior to AD 325, the church fathers, Dr. Daniel B. Wallace in his book, Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics with few exceptions, held to a “post-persecution” return of Christ, (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996), 460. which would result in the deliverance of the righteous and destruction 19. This explains the confusion regarding the correct reading of verse 17 as of the wicked. This teaching was based directly on the teachings of seen in the differences between two popular translations. The KJV trans- Christ, specifically given in the Olivet Discourse of Matthew in many lates αυτου (His) and NASB translates αυτων (Their). Either reading is cases.27 The Revelation of Jesus Christ to the Apostle John follows the justifiable. I personally favor “their wrath.” 20. Ernest DeWitt Burton, Moods and Tenses in New Testament Greek (Grand exact same sequence outlined in the Olivet Discourse. The Rapture of Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1982), 16. the church takes place after the persecution of Satan/Antichrist (sixth 21. William Douglas Chamberlain, An Exegetical Grammar of the Greek New seal), but before the wrath of God (trumpet judgments). The Apostle Testament (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1941), 76. Paul follows the same sequence in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11 that the 22. William W. Goodwin, The Moods and Tenses of the Greek Verb (Boston: Lord gave in Matthew 24-25. The pattern is clear: the Rapture will Ginn and Company, 1887) 24. C.F.D. Moule, An Idiom Book of New Testament Greek (New York: Cambridge University Press, 1982), 10. initiate the Day of the Lord. 23. John Beekman, “Analyzing and Translating the Questions of the New Testament,” Not 44, pp. 3. ENDNOTES 24. ibid. 1. This is the second in a five part series on the Prophetic Pillars of the 25. ibid., p. 9. Prewrath Position. The futurity of the Seventieth Week of Daniel is dis- 26. John Beekman and John Callow, Translating the Word of God, (Grand cussed in the first article. In the next issue of Parousia, we will examine Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1974), 239. the timing of the salvation of Israel (the nation) in relation to the 27. The proof for this statement can be easily demonstrated by the clear, Seventieth Week of Daniel. direct quotes taken from Matthew in the writings of the early church 2. William K. Harrison, “The Time of the Rapture as Indicated in Certain fathers. Scriptures,” BSac 114 (1957), 317-326. (italics added.) Parousia — page 13 Parousia THE SIGN MINISTRIES BIBLICAL STUDIES Issue Index ORDER FORM ON COLLECTION NEXT PAGE #1 – Fall, 1996 What’s In a Name? ...... Roger Best

#2 – Winter, 1997 Are We Experiencing the Birth Pangs? ...... Roger Best #3 – Spring 1997 Materials The Meaning and Significance of Koloboo In Matthew 24:22 ...... Charles Cooper Ministry In India ...... Roger Best

#4 – Summer 1997 Hermeneutic: Key to Understanding Scripture, Available The Keys of a Wholistic Biblical Method of Interpretation ...... Charles Cooper NEW! Understanding Scripture at Face Value by Robert Van Kampen and #5 – Fall 1997 Charles Cooper. A concise handbook that outlines the basics of hermeneutics. Legs to Stand On ...... Charles Cooper 24 pages $.50* The Sign: Updated Edition by Robert Van Kampen. An in-depth theological #6 – Winter 1998 study of end-time events and the return of Christ. 533 pages $14.00* Theological Winds of Change: Significance for the Rapture Question, Part 1 of 2 . . . . . Charles Cooper The Prewrath Rapture Position Explained by Robert Van Kampen. A concise analysis of Christ’s premillennial return and the prewrath rapture of the #7 – Spring 1998 Church. 93 pages $2.00* Dispensational Foundations: Acts, Joel, and The Rapture Question Answered, Plain and Simple by Robert Van Revelation, Part 2 of 2 ...... Charles Cooper Kampen. A thorough examination of Christ’s second coming. Translations are Open Doors In India...... Roger Best available in Spanish, Romanian, and Russian. 210 pages (translation page- counts may vary) $8.00* #8 – Summer 1998 The Fourth Reich An End-Times Novel by Robert Van Kampen. A compelling, That Other Gospel ...... Charles Cooper biblically-based, fictional portrayal of the last days. 445 pages $10.00* #9 – Fall 1998 The Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church by Marvin Rosenthal, a fresh look at The Parousia of Jesus Christ ...... Charles Cooper the biblical prophecies concerning end-times events. 319 pages $10.00* Commentary ...... Roger Best The Hope of Christ's Second Coming by S. P. Tregelles LL.D. A study of the end-times from a nineteenth-century perspective. 105 pages $5.00* #10 – Winter 1999 Study Transparencies by Roger Best. A new set of seven, color transparen- Surviving the Tribulation: Fight, Flight, cies suitable for presentations and lectures. $18.00* or Faith? – The Jerusalem Discourse of Christ, Luke 21:5-38 ...... Charles Cooper Parousia Conference, an eight-tape audio cassette series recorded at a con- Commentary ...... Roger Best ference in Holland, Michigan, with Marv Rosenthal, Roger Best, and Charles Cooper. $30.00* #11 – Spring 1999 The Olivet Discourse, an eight-tape audio cassette series presented by Robert An Interview with Robert Van Kampen Van Kampen on Christ’s teachings in Matthew 24. $25.00* An Overview of End Time Events, a set of two audio tapes that provides an #12 – Summer 1999 introductory look at the End Times and Christ’s second coming. $6.00* The Prophetic Pillars of the Prewrath Position Part 1: The Timing of the Seventieth Week Zion’s Fire, a magazine on Israel and prophecy that also presents Christian of Daniel ...... Charles Cooper truth to Jewish people and the Jewishness of the Bible to Christian people. The Sign Ministries’ Promotional Video . . . . . Dirk Eichhorst Free one-year gift subscription

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A Look Back at 1999

he purpose of The Sign Ministries continues to be one of chal- Our publication ministry continued to expand with a rewritten and Tlenging Christians to be Bereans and to search the Scriptures for updated edition of The Sign. We also published The Prewrath Rapture God’s truth. We are committed to letting the Writer of Scripture de- Position Explained and Understanding Scripture at Face Value. We contin- termine meaning not the reader. As a result of a philosophy that is ued to publish our quarterly newsletter Parousia and appreciate the guided by a face value approach to Scripture, we have received many response we have received to this effort. An exciting addition to our wonderful opportunities for ministry in this past year. promotional materials was the production of a thirteen-minute video Our Parousia conferences and seminars continue to be well attend- outlining our ministry. This video has been packaged with other in- ed with folks who have a real desire to discover the truth. This past formation and is available to pastors at no charge. year it was our privilege to share in these conferences and seminars in On October 29, 1999 our founder, Robert Van Kampen, was ush- Houston, Texas; Eau Claire, Wisconsin; Kansas City, Missouri; Cherry ered into the presence of the Lord, and even though we sense a great Hill, New Jersey; Seattle, Washington; Holland, Michigan; Red Deer, loss, we rejoice in the fact that we have a great hope. The Sign Alberta; Orlando, Florida; Naperville, Illinois; Anderson, South Ministries will go on, and we anticipate an even greater year to come. Carolina; Saint John, New Brunswick; and Ames, Iowa. We want to We are looking forward to doing conferences in Denver, Colorado; thank everyone who attended and especially those who worked with Holland, Michigan; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Orlando, Florida; and us to make these meetings so successful. Boston, Massachusetts. There no doubt will be other locations added as We also had the privilege of holding conferences in a number of lo- well. We have also received invitations to do conferences in Uruguay, cal churches, which is always a special time. We thank the pastors for Argentina, Brazil, England, and the Philippines and are working on the inviting us and stand ready to be of continued help and service. details at this time. We will continue to present local church conferences Our invitations also brought us to a number of foreign countries. as the invitations from pastors are received in our office. Charles Cooper had the privilege of presenting the prewrath rapture We, the entire staff of The Sign Ministries, express our thanks to all position in Romania, the Czech Republic, India, and in the former our loyal workers all over the world who helped us prepare the body Soviet republics of the Ukraine, Russia, and Georgia. Roger Best min- of Christ in presenting the important biblical message of the prewrath istered in India and the Philippines. Both Roger and Charles also rapture of the Church. It is indeed a joy to know for certain that Jesus conducted pastors’ meetings in England. Christ is coming again. Letters & Email of Encouragement I just wanted to drop all of you a I would like to thank you so very a movie of this? I pray that one with him, and talk with him line and express my gratitude for much for your ministry… I have day soon, someone will produce a about these things. These last six your ministry and faithfulness to become more grounded in the quality and scriptural movie of the months have resulted in some dra- God. I have been amazed at the Word, have become a study-holic, end times. matic changes in both his and my lengths you have gone to answer and am much closer to God than — Pastor D.O. in New Mexico life. Through studying and pray- my questions… Words cannot ex- ever before. ing, we’ve discovered more clearly press what The Sign Ministries — J.H. by Email The Sign has been a mainstay on what the Bible says about salva- has done for my Christian walk… my reading table for several tion and God’s sovereignty. you have changed this twenty- I’ve read a lot of the information weeks. I have “poured over” it. — N.E. by Email four year-old pastor’s view on life, [on your web] site… This seems a Without hesitancy, I can say that by simply pointing my nose into far more biblical explanation of this is the most definitive book on I have read the book The Rapture the Scriptures. the end times. I was always what eschatology that I’ve ever read. Question Answered and am now — K.G. by Email you call a pretribber, but more It’s very much to absorb, but I working through it with a Bible and more I started to feel uncom- have been (and will continue) try- in hand. I’ve also read The Fourth I just got home from the first fortable with this exegesis. Now ing to do so. Reich. For the first time, I can get night of the Seattle area confer- this all seems [to be] the answer. — W.M. in Virginia a handle on end time events with- ence… what a class, what a — T.A. in The Netherlands out doing a lot of theological teacher! I’m still waiting for my One of my friends has fully suc- gymnastics to get to a position. pair of tickets for The Fourth Reich Thanks so very much for my copy cumbed to the prewrath view Thank you and God bless. – The Movie. of The Fourth Reich! I couldn’t put now, and it’s been incredible to — Pastor R.O. — J.M. by Email it down. Will you ever be making try to answer his questions, study in British Columbia Nonprofit Org. THE U.S. Postage Paid Grand Haven, MI SIGN Permit No. 383 Ministries P.O. Box 113 West Olive, MI 49460 A Ministry of Sola Scriptura

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THE SIGN MINISTRIES NEWSLETTER / SPRING 2000

The Prophetic Pillars of the Prewrath Position

Part 3: The Salvation of Israel Occurs After the Seventieth Week of Daniel Ends Parousia — page 2

TheThe PropheticProphetic PillarsPillars ofof thethe PrewrathPrewrath PositionPosition

The Third Prophetic Pillar: THE SALVATION OF ISRAEL OCCURS AFTER THE SEVENTIETH WEEK OF DANIEL ENDS

by Charles Cooper

Introduction lost all rights to the blessings of God when she rejected her Messiah. At the memorial service for Robert Van Kampen, Eitan and Orit In the theological beliefs of preterists, posttribulationists and amillen- Kashtan were present. They are, what is often referred to as completed nialists, the church is the new “Israel of God,” and has inherited all the Jews. The reference to them as “completed Jews” is tolerated, but not blessings promised to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their descendants. particularly appreciated. They see themselves as merely “sinners saved This is typically referred to as replacement theology; i.e. God replaced by grace.” That Eitan and Orit are physical descendants of Abraham, Israel with the church. Therefore, only those individual Jews who put Isaac and Jacob is not looked upon by them in the same sense in which their faith in Jesus Christ as savior (Messiah) have any future with God. many Gentile believers look upon the “Jewishness” of their Jewish Therefore, by definition, the replacement theologians must insist that friends. We Gentiles tend to make a big deal of it. One might be in- Israel’s future does not involve a physical earthly kingdom with David clined to think that Eitan and Orit would be a bit prideful of their as king and the Jews as his subjects. inclusion in the “first nation of humanity” in God’s eyes. However, the Such a conclusion creates more problems than it solves. On the very opposite is true. last day the Lord Jesus was physically on earth, the apostles asked Him Much like the four hundred silent years between the Old and New directly, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Testament when God did not speak to Israel through a prophet, we Israel?” The context indicates that this question was asked 10 days be- have not heard “thus sayeth the Lord” for almost 1900 years. Yet, for fore the church came into existence. Jesus, in response to the apostles’ this author, every time I see a Jew trusting Jesus as Messiah I sense the question, states, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the sovereign hand of God working in modern time. Consequently, I am Father has fixed by His own authority” (Acts 1:6-7). Summarily, Jesus even more convinced that God is going to fulfill His promise that one disclosed that God’s specific timetables were not going to be made day “all Israel” will be saved. known. It is important to note, however, that Jesus did not say Israel had no future. The apostles’ question and Jesus’ answer rule out any The Problem such notion. Not only will Israel have a future, but Scripture also out- However, many people refuse to believe that Israel (the ethnic people lines the specifics. Three passages confirm this conclusion explicitly: group)1 has a future in God’s economy. Rather, they teach that Israel Daniel 9:24; Luke 21:24; and Romans 11:25-27. Parousia — page 3

THE EXPOSITION OF DANIEL 9:24 The second purpose in Daniel’s list is the phrase to make an end of sin. “Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy We receive help in understanding the meaning of this phrase from the city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament). The Septuagint atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to translators understood the seal up vision and prophesy and to anoint the most holy place.” sense of the Hebrew to be to make sins scarce. The particular Daniel promises The 490 Year Delay Hebrew word for sins “occurs In this often-debated passage, Daniel indicates explicitly that Israel is about 580 times in the Old to expect a specific 490-year2 delay in God’s ultimate fulfillment of Testament and is thus its prin- Israel that her His covenant promises.3 The delay is not for 483 years, or 486 and a ciple word for sin. The basic half-years, but 490 years. Any promises made to Israel and Judah meaning of the root is to miss about their eternal restoration must await the completion of their pe- a mark or a way.”6 While man days of missing nalization. A face value hermeneutic requires that Israel’s delay has may not be actively rebellious, been extended to cover now more than two thousand five hundred he, by nature, continually years. The futurity of the last seven years of Daniel’s Seventieth Week misses the mark of God’s ho- God’s mark are prophecy (prophetic pillar number one) is a fact accepted by a major- liness. Daniel promises Israel ity of premillennialists.4 Critical to this discussion is Daniel’s inclusion that her days of missing God’s of both Israel (the nation) and Jerusalem (the city) in his prophecy. Both mark are numbered. The final numbered. the people and the city are shut up under a specific 490 plus year time phrase in this first triad is to of chastisement. That fact alone should dispel any notion that Daniel make atonement for iniquity. The Hebrew term for iniquity (awon) is a col- 9:24 has been fulfilled. For God’s promise “to bring in everlasting lective noun. It is singular, but refers to the sum of one’s past misdeeds. righteousness” when the delay ends certainly has not been realized in Notice Genesis 15:16 which states, “The iniquity (past misdeeds) of Israel and Jerusalem. the Amorite is not yet complete.” All of the misdeeds of the Amorites Daniel lists six purposes5 for Israel’s 490-year delay. The first three were bottled up into one. Interestingly, it was 400 years before God purposes find their fulfillment during the passing of the 490 years: judged the Amorites. Similarly, Israel is given a 490-year time allot- transgression, sin, and iniquity. These are three aspects of sin in general. ment to atone for her past misdeeds (perversions) against God. Of the first three purposes, the phrase to finish the transgression alone After the 490-year-plus delay, God will forgive Israel’s rebellious contains a definite article. Therefore, it sets the stage for what follows. past and implement the benefits of the new covenant. Notice Jeremiah Daniel is not referring to transgressions in general, but the transgres- 31:34: sion. This is the transgression that Israel is known for—unfaithfulness “And they shall not teach again, each man his neighbor and to her God. This is the basic sense of the term. Transgression comes each man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they shall from a Hebrew word which means, “to rebel.” Isaiah 48:8b states con- all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,” cerning Israel, “And you have been called a rebel [transgressor] from declares the LORD, “for I will forgive their iniquity, and their birth.” Ezekiel echoes Isaiah with stronger language when God states, sin I will remember no more.” “Son of Man, I am sending you to the sons of Israel, to a rebellious people who have rebelled against Me; they and their fathers have Israel will finally receive total forgiveness and cleansing from her past transgressed against Me to this very day (Ez. 2:3).” (Italics added) sins. This is echoed in the final three purposes stated in Daniel’s list. Yet, in Ezekiel 37:21-23, God instructs Ezekiel to inform Israel of a promise. Ezekiel writes, The Benefits After the Delay Gabriel told Daniel that “Seventy weeks have been decreed for your Thus says the Lord God, Behold, I will take the sons of Israel people and your holy city… to bring in everlasting righteousness.” from among the nations where they have gone, and I will gath- The Hebrew grammar makes the point with certainty.7 Only a literal er them from every side and bring them into their own land; fulfillment of this expectation hermeneutically is permissible: the peo- and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains ple and the holy city await “everlasting righteousness.” Jesus Christ of Israel… They will no longer defile themselves with their made it possible for God to grant personal righteousness to many. idols, or with their detestable things, or with any of their trans- However, God will not apply the blood of Jesus to the nation of Israel gressions; but I will deliver them from all their dwelling places until the full 490-year period has been completed. Isaiah well captures in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them. And they God’s promise when he writes, “Israel has been saved by the Lord with will be My people, and I will be their God. (Italics added) an everlasting salvation; you will not be put to shame or humiliated to The point is this: Israel will finish her rebellion against God with her all eternity” (Is. 45:17). 490-year-plus delay. The implication is clear that once the 490-year- The fifth purpose of the 490-year delay is “to seal up vision and plus delay is finished, Israel will no longer rebel (transgress) against prophecy…” The Hebrew literally says, to seal vision and prophet. Again, her God. the Septuagint is very helpful. It states, “to finish [end] the vision.” The Parousia — page 4 THE SALVATION OF ISRAEL OCCURS AFTER

sense is this: with the completion of the 490-year delay (regarding the sentence. Now it would continue. The Lord indicates in Luke 21:24 people of Israel and their city—Jerusalem) revelation through inter- that the AD 70 destruction would mark the continuation of Jerusalem’s mediaries will cease. Jesus Christ, Himself, physically present on earth, trampling. Revelation 11:2 indicates that the end of Jerusalem’s tram- will personally attend to the needs of Israel starting the day after the pling by Gentiles culminates with the end of the second half of completion of the 490-year delay. With the death of the two witness- Daniel’s Seventieth Week.10 es (Revelation 11:3 and 7) prophecy to Israel will cease and direct Luke states that many of the inhabitants of Jerusalem either will die control by Christ will begin. or be exiled “into all the nations.” “Jerusalem,” on the other hand, “will The final purpose to be realized with the completion of Israel’s pun- [continue to] be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of ishment for her rebellion will be “to anoint the most holy place.” In the the Gentiles are fulfilled.” The concept of trampling under foot is a fig- New American Standard Bible, the term place is italicized. This indi- ure of speech. Specifically, cates that the term does not appear in the original Hebrew. However, The literal trampling of enemies in warfare accounts for the use the translators are offering their interpretation of the key Hebrew of “trampling under the feet” as an image for any victory over phrase, qodesh qodashim (holy of holies). The choice is either a place or one’s enemies… To place “under one’s feet” also implies a person. dominion and rule… The imagery of “under the feet” can also Interestingly, there are only two occurrences of the Hebrew term connote possession… Additional meanings of the imagery of anointing in the prophetic writings of the Old Testament. Isaiah 61:1 being under the feet include disdain, defilement and judg- prophetically declared that Jesus Christ would be God’s anointed mes- ment… Oppression and persecution are also pictured by the senger to the afflicted.8 Since Jesus is holy from eternity past, this image of the foot.11 indicates that that which is already holy can be anointed for service. The other occurrence is in Daniel 9:24. While it is not possible to be In a true sense, all of the above nuances are applicable in Luke 21:24. dogmatic, it would appear to be more probable that the “anointing of History bears out the truth of the Lord’s prediction. Since the the most holy” has something to do with the Messiah. Since the Lord Babylonian captivity, Jerusalem has been under the dominion of was anointed in conjunction with His first advent, He will be anoint- Gentile nations in one form or another. Her people have been defeated in conjunction with His Second Advent. In summary, Daniel ed, possessed, ruled, oppressed, and persecuted to this very day. The 9:24-27 offers hope for both Israel (the nation) and Jerusalem (the city and the most sacred temple site in all the world is trampled daily holy city) for the future. by unbelievers and infidels. A false god’s temple and his worshippers show utter contempt for the true God of the heavens. The duration of THE EXPOSITION OF LUKE 21:24 Jerusalem’s woes is indicated by the clause “until the times of the “And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led cap- Gentiles are fulfilled.” tive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled under foot Dr. Darrell L. Bock, research professor of New Testament studies at by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” Dallas Theological Seminary, is very helpful in stating the weight of this important clause. He lists three significant conclusions to be It would be difficult to read the New Testament and miss the fact that drawn: the Jews were expecting the Messiah to come and free both the nation (1) [that] the city’s fall is of limited duration; (2) [that] there is and Jerusalem from the long years of Gentile domination. Any hope a period in God’s plan when Gentiles will dominate, which to this effect was dashed by the Lord’s prophetic statements in the implies that the subsequent period is of a different nature…; Olivet Discourse. Luke 21:24 records a very important prophetic state- and (3) [that] Israel’s judgment now but vindication later sug- ment concerning Daniel’s people (Israel) and his holy city (Jerusalem). gests what Paul also argues in Romans 11:25-26: Israel has a It is this prophecy, which allows us to add the plus to the phrase 490- future in God’s plan.12 year-plus delay. The Lord Jesus indicates that Israel’s delay will continue for an undetermined length of time. The Lord designates this The Apostle John records in the Revelation of our Lord that the ter- period as “the times of the Gentiles.” Times is the Greek term καιροι mination of Jerusalem’s woes will occur at the end of the Seventieth (kairoi, times). It may be a technical term, i.e. it means the same thing Week of Daniel. The 490-year-plus delay for Israel and her city’s ul- each time it is used in a certain context. Dr. Darrell Bock writes, timate restoration culminates in a final seven-year period. This seven-year period is bifurcated. The first three and a half year segment It may be that καιροι (kairoi, times) is a Lucan technical term does not receive much attention in Scripture explicitly. However, the for the first of these eschatological periods, since the term has second half is consistently identified in Daniel and Revelation. It is nu- this technical meaning when it describes an era with an escha- merically identified as forty-two months; twelve hundred and sixty tological… emphasis, such as “times” or “periods”…9 days; one thousand two hundred and sixty days, and time, times and This fact can be seen in Acts 1:6 which declares that “the times and half a time. In each case, the people or city of God is shown suffering epochs are fixed by God’s own authority.” Thus, the times of the Gentiles at the hands of the Evil One or his people. is a specific time-period, which not only describes Israel’s future, but John writes in Revelation 11:2, “Leave out the court which is out- her past as well. Judah and Jerusalem had already served a 483-year side the temple and do not measure it, for it has been given to the THE SEVENTIETH WEEK OF DANIEL ENDS Parousia — page 5

nations; and they will tread [trample] under foot the holy city for The concept of a mystery is… a secret which only the initiat- forty-two months.” The grammatical and theological parallels between ed share. This includes two ideas: (1) a time when the secret this verse and Luke 21:24 establish a clear termination point for the was not known followed by a time when it became known; and “times of the Gentiles.” Not surprisingly, it is exactly as Daniel 9:24 in- (2) deeper or higher wisdom which is revealed to the one ini- dicated. tiated into an understanding of the mystery.15 The point is that a biblical mystery could never be discovered by hu- THE EXPOSITION OF ROMANS 11:25-27 man wisdom; it must be revealed by God. Thus, Paul reveals new “For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mys- information to his audience—information, which should dispel any tery, lest you be wise in your own estimation, that a partial arrogance on the part of the Romans toward the Jews. This is the pur- hardening has happened to Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles pose of Paul in sharing this new information with the Romans that is has come in; and thus all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, reflected in the statement, “so that you will not be wise in your own ‘The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from estimation…” The future of Israel is not left to man’s speculations, but Jacob.’ ‘This is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins.’” to the revelation from God. It is sad that in the modern era mankind (Italics added) still seeks to put forth the groundless notion that God has abandoned Israel. It would appear that men have not heeded Paul’s advice to not The Prelude to Israel’s Salvation—Romans 11:25 be “wise in your own estimation.” Abandoned forever, no! A tempo- The Apostle Paul begins Romans 11 with a rhetorical question, which rary hardening, yes! should settle the debate, concerning whether Israel has a future or not. Paul questions, “I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? The Hardening of Israel—Romans 11:25c May it never be!” Using himself as an example (Rom. 11:1), Paul indi- With the clause, “that a partial hardening has happened to Israel,” Paul cates that God had (Rom. 11:2-4), has (Rom. 11:5-6), and will have a begins an explanation of the content of the mystery.16 We have estab- “remnant” through out all generations (Rom. 11:7-10). However, since lished that the nature of a mystery is that of information revealed by only a remnant of Israel will be saved, Gentiles should not wrongly the Spirit of God, heretofore unknown to the reader. Paul indicates conclude the nature of God’s intent. Paul indicates that Gentile salva- that this new information concerns a hardening. The term hardness tion is a direct result of Israel’s transgression, which God would forgive (porosis) occurs three times in the New Testament.17 In each case, the immediately if Israel (the nation) would repent (Rom. 11:11-24). term is used metaphorically to refer to man’s unwillingness to correct- Barring the repentance of Israel, God will personally bring her in- ly respond to God in faith. to a right relationship with Himself. It is in Romans 11:25-27 that Paul speaks directly to the fact that Gentile blessings and Israel’s The Extent of the Hardening restoration are intimately tied together. Please notice that verse 25 be- Paul indicates the extent of Israel’s hardening by stating, “that a partial gins with the word for, which indicates a beginning explanation of hardening has happened to Israel…” Effectively, Paul has already stat- Paul’s comments, which ended at verse 24. Having spent two and a ed that God had, has and will have a “remnant according to God’s half chapters dealing with Israel’s refusal to repent, Paul ends Romans gracious choice.” The book of Acts highlights the salvation of many 11 with a final statement of explanation. God has set a time in the fu- Jews during the early years of the church. Therefore, Paul states the ob- ture when Israel (the nation) will have a complete restoration. Paul vious that the hardening in Israel is in part. A fact seemingly missing in ends Romans 11 with the final statement about Israel’s future. This the thinking of those who argue that Israel (the nation) has no future. should erase any misunderstandings in the minds of the Gentiles about The salvation of every single Jewish person who has received Christ as God’s purpose for His chosen people. Lord and Savior throughout the ages confirms Paul’s statement that “those who were chosen obtain it [salvation] (Romans 11:7b).” Israel’s Future A Mystery—Romans 11:25b Paul begins his discussion by saying, “I do not want you, brethren, to The Time-frame for the Hardening be uninformed of this mystery…” In Romans 11, Paul highlighted The fact that God has chosen “to harden” a portion of the nation of God’s decision to break off “some of the branches” of Israel and to Israel which effectively locks them up in their unbelief is not a per- graft in some Gentiles. Such a decision by God does not give the manent condition. Paul states that the partial hardening that has Gentiles any basis for arrogance toward the Jews. The clause, “I do not happened to Israel will last “until the fullness of the Gentiles has come want you, brethren, to be uninformed…” is a favorite expression of in (Rom. 11:25).” There is some debate about the precise meaning of Paul to highlight significant information about to be shared with the “until,” but in context, Paul is marking the termination point of Israel’s reader.13 Paul indicates that this significant piece of information about hardening. Israel’s “hardening” will last until the time in which “the to be shared with the Romans is a mystery (το µυστηριον). fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” What then is the exact meaning The term mystery (musterion) is a bit confusing to the average reader of the phrase “the fullness of the Gentiles?” for two reasons. First, the word is transliterated instead of being trans- “The ‘fullness of the Gentiles’ has been interpreted in two ways: lated; and secondly, the modern definition of mystery is foreign to the qualitatively and quantitatively.”18 A qualitative sense “has reference to biblical notion.14 Charles C. Ryrie is helpful at this point. He writes, Parousia — page 6 THE SALVATION OF ISRAEL OCCURS AFTER

Gentile blessing and opportunity in this age.”19 However, such a view Fortunately, Scripture speaks to this very matter. Zechariah 13:8-9 does not accord best with the context. A quantitative sense refers to says: the actual number of Gentiles to be saved. The “fullness of the 20 “And it will come about in all the land,” declares the LORD, Gentiles” “is best explained as the full number of elect Gentiles…” “That two parts in it will be cut off and perish; but the third will Simply put: the national salvation of Israel follows the completion of the be left in it. And I will bring the third part through the fire, salvation of a Gentile “remnant” during the church age. This is the refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested. mystery! They will call on My name, and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are My people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is my Israel’s Restoration Promised—Romans 11:26 God.’” (Italics added) Romans 11:26 is significant. When the “fulness of the Gentiles” has come in, Paul states, “all Israel will be saved…” The essential issue Taken at face value, the one-third/two-third deliverance/destruction concerns the important phrase all Israel. Two questions come to mind: ratio must be understood literally. The prophecy is specifically limited to the (1) does all mean all? and (2) does Israel refer to the physical descen- land of Israel, which must include both Judah and Samaria. The context dants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? would necessitate a yet future fulfillment of Zechariah’s prophecy given the heavy emphasis on “in that day” that occurs in Zechariah 13:1, The Identity of the Saved 2, and 4. Consequently, we must conclude that every single Jew in the We will address the second question first. Some scholars insist that the Land of Israel that survives God’s Day of the Lord refining process will term Israel in Romans 11:26 refers to the church. The most well- be “saved!” known proponent of this view is John Calvin. He writes for many in What about those Jews who are not living in the land of Israel? the Reformed school of theology who see the church as the new spir- About them, Isaiah 66:20 states, “Then they [the parts of the nations itual Israel comprised of both Gentiles and Jews. However, this view that survive Armageddon] will bring all your brethren from all the nations renders Romans 11:25-26 unin- as a grain offering to the Lord…” (Italics added) The emphasis upon telligible. Along this line of “all your brethren from all the nations” logically seems to demand that Paul states, thinking, one would have to say those Jews who survive the wrath by Satan/Antichrist and the “refin- that part of the church has been ing wrath” of God will be saved. In summary, every single Jew that hardened until Gentiles are saved. survives the persecution by Satan/Antichrist and God’s refining wrath “all Israel will Then all the church will be saved. will “get saved.” Such a view does not make sense. From the very first verse of chap- The Time of Israel’s Salvation be saved…” ter eleven, Paul has given every For those who take Scripture at face value, the fact of the national sal- possible clue necessary to insure vation of Israel and Jerusalem is not debatable. The timing of that that the reader understands that physical descendants of Israel are his salvation is very much debated. It is this author’s opinion that the na- focus. That Israel (the ethnic nation) is Paul’s referent is the one detail tional salvation of Israel and Jerusalem cannot occur before the of chapter eleven that should be without debate. conclusion of the yet future Seventieth Week of Daniel. A literal ful- The first question we posited above concerns the number of Jews to fillment of Daniel 9:24 demands that Israel’s salvation must stand be saved at the end of the Seventieth Week. The choice is between a outside the Seventieth Week of Daniel. This is confirmed by Paul. Paul great majority, but not every single living Jew at the end of the indicates that “the partial hardening” of Israel will last until the fullness Seventieth Week or every single living Jew who survives Daniel’s of the Gentiles has come in (Rom. 11:25).22 There is debate about the Seventieth Week. John F. Walvoord supports the first choice. He states, meaning of the term until. This term is best taken to point “to a time… “As their [the Jews] rejection, although national, did not include the re- after which the hardening of Israel will cease.”23 Therefore, Paul jection of every individual; so their restoration, although in like agrees with both Daniel and Luke. manner national, need not… include the salvation of every individual Scripture does not explicitly state the actual day of Israel’s salvation. Jew.”21 Hosea 6:2 perhaps contains the closest statement in this regard. The Whatever Paul’s meaning in Romans 11:25-27, it cannot mean a prayerful attitude of Israel when she repents is expressed. Hosea 6:2 mere remnant of ethnic Israel. This would not serve as a distinction be- states, “He will revive us after two days; He will raise us up on the third tween the “remnant” of Israel “at the present time” and the “all Israel” day, that we may live before Him.” This is Israel’s prayer. Whether the saved when “The Deliverer will come from Zion (Rom. 11:26).” In Lord will honor Israel’s prayer is not explicitly stated in Scripture. other words, the group saved when “The Deliverer” comes “from Zion” However, with the nation of Israel expressing a repentant heart, it is must be distinct from the mere “remnant” of Israel saved at any one difficult to believe the Lord will not answer. given time. Otherwise, there is no contrast between the two groups. We are certain that the salvation of Israel must occur before the Paul is clearly looking forward to a time when the nation as a whole sounding of the seventh trumpet detailed in Revelation 11:15. At the is in a right relationship with their God. This is the essence of his seventh trumpet, God almighty takes back the rule of earth and begins prayer in Romans 10:1-2. His final wrath, this is depicted in the bowl judgments of Revelation THE SEVENTIETH WEEK OF DANIEL ENDS Parousia — page 7

chapters 15 and 16. Revelation 16:19 indicates Jerusalem will be com- 3. Specifically, Israel awaits the ultimate fulfillment of the Abrahamic pletely destroyed by the seventh bowl judgment. However, Zechariah Covenant (Gen. 12:1- 15:17), which consists of the Palestinian (the land 14:5 promises deliverance of God’s people prior to God’s judgment of grant, Deut. 28-30), the Davidic (eternal kingly lineage, 2 Sam. 7:4-16), and the New Covenant, (future kingdom blessing, Jer. 31:31-33). the nations. Therefore, Israel must be saved before the final wrath of 4. For a defense of the futurity of Daniel’s Seventieth Week, see the lengthy God begins at the seventh trumpet.24 discussion in Parousia, issue #12. 5. Six infinitives follow the main verb in Daniel 9:24. Each serves as the pur- Conclusion—The Scriptural Proof of Israel’s Salvation pose of the main verb. 6. Theological Word Book of the Old Testament, eds. R.L. Harris, G.L. Archer and And all the multitude kept silent, and they were listening to B.K. Waltke, 2 vols., by G.H. Livingston, s.v. “ afj” 1:277. Barnabas and Paul as they were relating what signs and won- 7. The Hebrew hifphil stem indicates causative action. ders God had done through them among the Gentiles. And after 8. See Luke 4:18, 7:22 and Matthew 11:5 for New Testament confirmation. 9. A technical term is a word that has the same meaning every time it is used they had stopped speaking, James answered, saying, “Brethren, in a particular context. In this case, kairoi refers to the period extending listen to me. Simeon [Peter, the Apostle] has related how God from the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 until the end of Daniel’s first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a Seventieth Week. Darrell L. Bock, Luke 9:51-24:53, in Baker’s Exegetical people for His name. And with this the words of the Prophets Commentary on the New Testament series. (Grand Rapids: Baker Book agree, just as it is written, ‘After these things I will return, and I House, 1996) 1682. 10. That Revelation 11:2 refers to the end of the second half of Daniel’s will rebuild the tabernacle of David which has fallen, and I will Seventieth Week can be proven by recognizing the relationship between rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, in order that the rest of the trumpet judgments and the three “woes” of Revelation 8:13. The pro- mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called nunciation of first woe following the fifth trumpet and the second woe by My name,’ says the Lord, who makes these things known following the sixth trumpet establishes a clear sequential chronology in from of old.” (Italics added) Revelation 8:1-11:19. The third woe is represented in the seven bowls, which finishes the wrath of God. The death of the two witnesses occurs Acts 15:12-18 is a very important text to end the debate concern- in the context of the second woe. This demands the conclusion of the ing the future salvation of Israel (the nation). The text follows the first seven-year period, not it’s beginning. 11. L. Ryken, J.C. Wilhoit, and T. Longmann III, Ed., Dictionary of Biblical church council convened in Jerusalem to discuss Gentile conversion Imagery (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1998) 906. and inclusion in the church. After Peter, Barnabas and Paul defended 12. Bock, Luke 9:51 – 24:53, 1680-1681. God’s work among the Gentiles, James offers a summary statement 13. J. Murray, The Epistle to the Romans (NICNT, 2 Vols; Grand Rapids: concerning God’s work and the church’s instructions to the new Eerdmans, 1965) 2:91. Gentile converts. The quoted passage above offers four very important 14. The fact that the Greek word and the English word look and sound alike demonstrates that we have a transliteration instead of a translation. Also, insights. First, James understands God’s work among Gentiles as the the modern notion of a “whodunnit” in which the audience must discov- taking of “a people for His name.” Second, the taking of “a people for er the secret, which no one knows, is not consistent with the biblical His name,” is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. James specif- notion. The biblical notion requires God to reveal the secret or it will ically refers to Amos 9:11-12. The third insight James offers is that never be known. Jesus “will return and rebuild the tabernacle of David…” This refers to 15. C.C. Ryrie, “The Mystery in Ephesians 3,” BSac, 123 [1966]: 26. 16. The Greek word οτι begins that clause and indicates purpose. the restoration of Israel under Davidic rule which Jeremiah 30:9 17. Mark 3:5 speaks to the unreceptive response of the Jews to the ministry promises. The fourth and final insight James offers concerns timing. of Jesus. Ephesians 4:18 speaks to the heart condition of Gentiles who Notice the beginning of verse 16 again. After these things is an alteration are alienated from God. In each case, the failure to correctly respond to of In that day which occurs in the original passage in Amos 9:11. James, God is highlighted. under the Holy Spirit’s direction, instructs the church that David’s 18. M.G. Vanlaningham, “Romans 11:25-27 and the Future of Israel in Paul’s Thought,” MSJ, 3[1992]:154. restoration will follow the “taking from among the Gentiles a people 19. J.F. Walvoord, “Eschatological Problems VIII: Israel’s Blindness,” BSac 102 for His name.” [1945]: 288-289. The importance of Acts 15:12-18 must be seen in light of Acts 1:6- 20. J.L. Burns, “The Future of Ethnic Israel in Romans 11,” in Dispensationalism, 8. Instead of thinking that the kingdom would come immediately, the Israel and the Church, C.A. Blaising and D.L. Bock, Ed. (Grand Rapids: Apostles finally understood that God’s future program for Israel (the Zondervan Publishing House, 1992) 211. 21. J.F. Walvoord, The Return of the Lord (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing nation) would follow His program for the Gentiles. Thus, Luke is con- House, 1972) 108. sistent in both his Gospel and the book of Acts. God in a future day 22. Luke 21:24 refers to the Gentile domination of Israel and Jerusalem. is going to restore the fortunes of Israel. Romans 11:25 refers to the number of elect Gentiles called by God to salvation throughout the “times of the Gentiles.” ENDNOTES 23. Vanlaningham, “Romans 11:25-27 and the Future of Israel in Paul’s 1. Throughout this article, Israel refers to the national group descending from Thought,”153. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The only exception is the spiritualized sense 24. This important detail will be discussed in the next issue of Parousia. The of amillennialists in the phrase “Israel of God.” fourth prophetic pillar of the prewrath position concerns the timing of 2. For a defense of the concept of a prophetic week equaling seven years, see God taking back His rule over earth. Parousia, issue #12. Parousia — page 8

Foray Into South America by Bill Lee-Warner speak to his leadership team of 300 people on the final Saturday, and then on Sunday we participated in the morning service and two he Sign Ministries was recently invited to the countries of evening services. While there, we were especially privileged to have an TArgentina and Uruguay, South America, to present the Bible’s excellent translator named Christian Galoti. teaching on the second coming of Christ. Three members of the staff Our contact with Pastor Jorge is a significant one. His passion and went: Rev. Roger Best, Rev. Bill Lee-Warner, and Gary Vaterlaus, the vision to reach the entire Spanish-speaking world with the Gospel and newest member of our growing team. The invitation came several the teaching of God’s Word is deep and aggressive. Surely, the Lord months previous from Jorge Marquez, a pastor in Montevideo, opened this door! Only the future will reveal God’s ultimate plans for Uruguay. The twelve-day ministry was truly an unforgettable one. this opportunity. From March 2-7 we were in Buenos Aires, Argentina at Jesus–The The pastor’s wife indicated to us that no other event in the history Solution Church pastored by Juan Crudo, a fellow pastor of Jorge of their church had brought such large numbers of people to hear Marquez. Each evening, virtually every seat was filled and people teaching from God’s Word. Our prayers are that God will bless His stood in the isles. The presence of the Lord was evident and there was work in and through Pastor Jorge, his team, and the fellowship of a great hunger for eschatological teaching. Each session’s teaching churches ministering with him. If Pastor Jorge’s plans materialize and concluded with a call for those present who did not know Christ to the Lord so wills, The Sign Ministries will return to South America to trust the Lord as Savior. We also had the opportunity to speak at a continue ministry in Uruguay, Argentina, and other countries. “daughter church” pastored by Alfredo Dimiro. The openness and re- We are grateful to the Lord for all our new friends in South sponsiveness of the people to God and His Word was clearly evident America, and we would covet your prayers not only for the possibili- in the estimated 50 plus people who trusted the Lord as Savior. ty for a return visit, but for all that the Lord calls us to be and do in On Wednesday, March 7, our team flew to Montevideo, the capitol this ministry until Jesus comes again. city of Uruguay, where we experienced a similar response to our teaching. Nearly 1500 people attended the first evening’s session in Pastor Jorge’s downtown church, Mission of Life. Every chair and isle was filled, people sat on the stairs up to the platform, the balcony was packed, people crowded the foyer, and many listened from out in the street. Roger spoke first and concluded the evening with an invitation to receive Christ. The response that evening set the tone for the remainder of our time in Montevideo—an unmistakable hunger for the Lord and His Word. Additional invitations were scheduled into our time there including two radio interviews and a televised panel discussion which were broadcast across nearly all of South America. Pastor Jorge invited us to

Above: Gary Vaterlaus, Marianella (daughter of Enrika), Christian (our translator), Bill Lee-Warner, Roger Best, Pastor Jorge, Vicky (Daughter of Enrika), Enrika (our driver in Uruguay) at a restaurant the final night of our South American ministry trip. Left: The Presidential office in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Below: The skyline of Montevideo, Uruguay. Parousia — page 9

THE SIGN MINISTRIES BIBLICAL STUDIES COLLECTION Materials Now Available IMMINENCY: The Phantom Available Doctrine NEW! Imminency: The Phantom Doctrine by Robert Van Kampen and Charles Cooper. An examination of Bible passages that are often cited to prove An exerpt from section one, “The Problem”: the case for an “any moment” Rapture. 20 pages $.50*

ill we, the church, face a very real persecution at the hands NEW! Defining the Prewrath Rapture A video presentation by Charles Cooper that gives a general overview of the biblical position held to by the early Wof a very real Antichrist before we are translated into the church fathers. Assumes the viewer has a basic understanding of end-times presence of God at Christ’s second coming? If not, to whom does prophecy. 34 minutes $15.00* Christ refer when speaking of the “elect of God”? If this passage Understanding Scripture at Face Value by Robert Van Kampen and were understood at face value, it would seem that He is referring Charles Cooper. A concise handbook that outlines the basics of a face value to the church going into the last days. But there are many that dis- hermeneutic. 24 pages $.50* agree with this conclusion, those who cannot accept the possibility The Sign: Updated Edition by Robert Van Kampen. An in-depth theological of extreme hardship just before the Rapture of the church. The study of end-time events and the return of Christ. 533 pages $14.00* “imminent (any moment) return of Christ” is their only possible solution to keep the church away from this terrible time of The Prewrath Rapture Position Explained by Robert Van Kampen. A concise analysis of Christ’s premillennial return and the prewrath rapture of the persecution. For want of a better term, I have chosen to call this Church. 93 pages $2.00* theory of an “any moment” return of Christ, a phantom doctrine. As we continue, we will see that there is good reason to label this be- The Rapture Question Answered, Plain and Simple by Robert Van Kampen. A thorough examination of Christ’s second coming. Translations are lief a “phantom”. It will be your responsibility to weigh their available in Spanish, Romanian, and Russian. 210 pages (translation page- doctrine of imminency against the teaching of Scripture. counts may vary) $8.00* The dictionary defines phantom as “something apparently seen, The Fourth Reich An End-Times Novel by Robert Van Kampen. A compelling, heard, or sensed, but having no physical reality… having substance biblically-based, fictional portrayal of the last days. 445 pages $10.00* only in the mind.” Yet, as we will demonstrate by the passages of Scripture they use to prove their theory, pretribulationists (those The Hope of Christ's Second Coming by S. P. Tregelles LL.D. A study of the end-times from a nineteenth-century perspective. 105 pages $5.00* who want to keep the church out of the persecution associated with Antichrist) see evidence in that which is absent in the text, to Study Transparencies by Roger Best. A new set of seven, color transparen- keep the church out of this terrible time. They employ a phantom cies suitable for presentations and lectures. $18.00* reality to accomplish the very thing that is not taught in the Word Parousia Conference, an eight-tape audio cassette series recorded at a con- of God. We shall see that there is not one explicit passage in the entire ference in Holland, Michigan, with Marv Rosenthal, Roger Best, and Charles Bible that states that Christ will come and rapture the church away at “any Cooper. $30.00* moment”. Not one! Every passage used to argue for an any moment The Olivet Discourse, an eight-tape audio cassette series presented by Robert rapture is used because of what it does not say, not for what it does Van Kampen on Christ’s teachings in Matthew 24. $25.00* say, perfectly fitting the definition of a phantom doctrine… An Overview of End Time Events, a set of two audio tapes that provides an As was mentioned earlier, conspicuously absent from any de- introductory look at the End Times and Christ’s second coming. $6.00* fense of imminency is an explicit reference in Scripture. This * Suggested donation price. Please also add $2 to your total order to cover phantom doctrine is deduced from several passages in the New shipping costs. Testament, which we will look at carefully. As we shall see, a closer examination of each passage will show that the New Testament writers were not emphasizing an any moment Rapture, but the cer- ...... tainty of the future revelation of Jesus Christ—our blessed hope. To order materials, call toll-free Now let us see what these “imminency passages” really do say and 1-800-627-5134 you be the judge. Your future well-being may depend upon it! or email us at [email protected] Parousia — page 10

prewrath position is to be sure your friend understands the proper ap- Sharing the proach to Scripture. God’s Word is truth. It is without contradiction and can be trusted. We in our day are in great need of a revival of the Berean-like spirit in the study of the Bible. Acts 17:11 describes the Prewrath Rapture Bereans: “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so.” That Position is the key—“examining the Scriptures daily”. It is not what I think or even what I have been taught that is really important, but what the by Roger Best Word of God says. To help you in accomplishing this we have prepared a little 24-page booklet entitled Understanding Scripture at Face ne question often asked of The Sign Ministries is, “How do I Value Plain & Simple, which we encourage you to use. Oshare the prewrath rapture position with a friend or relative or The second key follows logically: always use Scripture as the foun- even my pastor?” Obviously, depending upon the situation, there may dation for what you understand to be scriptural truth. The Bible is the be many approaches one might take but we would suggest perhaps authority! Other books can help but only when they lead you to the one of the following. Word of God for the final answers. For example, if you are sharing There is no doubt that the success and growth of The Sign with someone who believes that Christ could come at any moment Ministries has, for the most part, been due to people sharing with oth- (the pretrib view), challenge them to find a passage of Scripture that ers what they have discovered through reading The Sign, The Rapture clearly states that idea. They will discover that there are no such pas- Question Answered: Plain and Simple, or Marv Rosenthal’s The Prewrath sages. Oh, there certainly are verses that speak directly to the fact that Rapture of The Church. As our readers have compared what they have Christ is coming back for us, but they deal with the fact that He is re- read in the books with what the Word of God says they become anx- turning. They do not deal with the timing of His coming. This is clear ious to share it. Probably the most common way that this has been in John 14:3 where Christ promises His return and yet it says nothing accomplished has been to encourage someone else to read one of the about timing. Other passages deal with what our attitude should be books. concerning His coming, i.e. eagerness or expectancy. In Titus 2:13 The first key however to understanding the prewrath rapture posi- Paul speaks of expectancy but not timing, and 1 Corinthians 1:7 tells tion is having a proper approach to Scripture. Much false doctrine is us to be eager but once again there is no mention of timing. Christians rooted in an improper hermeneutic or approach to understanding the are often surprised when they can’t find biblical support for something Bible. Robert Van Kampen began both The Sign and The Rapture they had previously accepted as truth. This often opens the door for Question Answered: Plain and Simple with a strong emphasis on having dialog. May I encourage you not to argue the issue but rather state the the right approach to Scripture. When we go all the way back to the truth and let the Holy Spirit do the work. We have testimonials of peo- early church we find first that Irenaeus and then Tertullian emphasized ple who wanted nothing to do with what we are teaching, but time a literal or face-value approach to Scripture. In other words, in the and circumstances caused them to become interested. Finally as the study of God’s Word, whenever possible, take it for what it says. The Spirit opened their hearts, they became enthusiastic about their new- Bible is God’s message to us and He wants us to understand it. Paul ly discovered truth. Key passages to use in sharing would be put it straight to the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 1:13, “For we write 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4, 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:11, Matthew 24:3-31, nothing else to you than what you read and understand, and I hope Mark 13:3-27, and Luke 21:7-28. A comparison of Matthew 24:3-31 you will understand until the end.” There are too many Christians who with Revelation 6 is often eye-opening as one sees how Scripture fits approach the Bible and particularly the book of Revelation with the together. idea that it is too difficult to understand because of all the symbols and Another way to introduce others to the prewrath position is to en- hidden messages in it. They convince themselves that it is not possible courage your friend to read one of the books. This would be to understand the Bible. My friend, if you are born again and have the particularly helpful if the person is at all open. One of the ways that indwelling Holy Spirit then you are capable, just as the Corinthians many folks have approached their pastor is to tell him that they have were, of understanding God’s message to you. When equipped with read a book and have found it most interesting. Simply ask him to read the proper hermeneutic, Scripture becomes much more accurately unit and tell you what his thoughts are. A good book for this is The derstood. Along with this, one must remember that the entire Bible is Rapture Question Answered: Plain and Simple. This book is quite easy to God’s Word. The book of Revelation is not the last book of the New read and since it is not a large volume, it can be read in a relatively Testament only but the last book of the Bible. In Psalm 119:160 it says, “The sum of Thy word is truth.” The theme of Christ’s return for Always use Scripture as the the fulfilling of the promises to Israel and for the catching up of the church runs through the entirety of Scripture. For example, to under- foundation for what you understand the time line of events in the book of the Revelation one must understand the book of Daniel. So, the first step in sharing the stand to be scriptural truth. Parousia — page 11

short period of time. And yes, we still make the books available to pastors at no cost if they will read them. Let me share a true story in Newest Member of The Sign relationship to this approach. A pastor called me and asked if we still Ministries’ Staff gave The Sign free to pastors. I responded affirmatively. He then went on to tell me why he was calling. It seems that in the church where he Gary Vaterlaus has joined the staff of was pastor, a lady had read The Sign and was very excited about it and The Sign Ministries as a National anxious for him to read it. Each week as she would see him she asked Instructor. His job will include organizing if he had called for his free copy. He told me he had good intentions and teaching at conferences on the West but never got around to calling. He then left that church and moved Coast, as well as ministering at some of to another. He was quick to include that his leaving had nothing to do our overseas events. He will also be in- with the lady who constantly asked him about getting a copy of The volved in research and writing, including Sign. However, very shortly after arriving at his new church a lady answering questions about the prewrath there approached him and asked, “Pastor, have you read The Sign?” He position. said to me, “That did it, I must get a copy of that book.” Well, of Gary has a graduate degree in Science and Math course we immediately sent him the book, and I trust he has read it. Education from Oregon State University. He has worked This little story emphasizes the ministry of encouragement. Don’t ar- at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, attended Western gue! Don’t threaten! Just encourage the person and let the Holy Spirit Conservative Baptist Seminary, started a Christian pub- do the work. Humble, patient persistence often gets the task accom- lishing ministry in Russia, and attended The Master’s plished. Mission’s excellent one-year training program. Gary and It is unfortunate that even in Christian circles, what one feels or his wife Missy live in Corvallis, Oregon. They have three thinks becomes much more important than truth. Through church his- children: Katie (7), Spencer (6), and Cooper (2). tory it was not uncommon that when someone stood for truth not Gary is excited to be involved with The Sign Ministries many were willing to stand along side. But, praise God, they stood and is looking forward to a fruitful ministry. If you would firm. I believe God is calling Christians in the twenty-first century to like to contact Gary, you can email him directly at stand for truth. [email protected]. Letters & Email of Encouragement I’ve just finished reading [The Fourth Reich] and tive—all because someone like Mr. Van sight into eschatological topics. I consider it to I want to thank you for sending it… One of Kampen cared enough to publish his stud- be one of the most informative and accurate my jobs as church librarian is to screen books ies… I knew the pretrib [position] could not publications available today supporting the and tapes before they are put into the library. stand up to solid exegesis. However, the prewrath position. If only more people could I already have a waiting list for The Fourth prewrath position is the natural outcome of be exposed to the teachings in this newsletter! Reich. solid exegesis. — R.Y. in Oklahoma — E.B. in Michigan — Pastor J.H. in South Carolina I would like to take this time to express my A few months ago I attended a prophecy con- When I bought The Sign in 1994, it really gratitude for your kindness extended to the ference here in Dallas… at the end of the changed my walk with Christ. I believe Bob men under my care. Your books are a great as- night I was both impressed and saddened. Van Kampen was the most influential set to this department’s library. Saddened by the hateful tones of the dialogs Christian writer of the last 10 years. I am a — A.L., Prison Chaplain that came from those of the pretrib view on Sunday School teacher… Using some study It hurts me greatly to learn of the death of the panel of experts. Impressed by the charac- materials that your ministry mailed to me, I Robert. It was his book that brought me a ter and demeanor exhibited by those of the was able to make a compelling case for the clarity of the end-time Scriptures. I guess he prewrath and posttrib views. May God richly prewrath position. At the end of my fourteen- has all the answers now being in the presence bless all of you. week Revelation study several members, who of our Lord. I just want to say thank you to his — M.C. by Email previously had only known the pretrib “secret family for letting him take the time to write Thank you very much for your ministry. I, a rapture” theory, had changed their views. the books that were so important to me. former pretribber, am now preaching and — S.M. by Email — K.D. by Email teaching what I believe to be the truth about Your quarterly newsletter Parousia is also to be end-time events from the prewrath perspec- commended for its well-written scholarly in- Nonprofit Org. THE U.S. Postage Paid Grand Haven, MI SIGN Permit No. 383 Ministries P.O. Box 113 West Olive, MI 49460 A Ministry of Sola Scriptura

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church, and the wrath of God to be unleashed upon the wicked. the upon unleashed be to God of wrath the and church,

Scripture, the Seventieth Week of Daniel, the matter of the Rapture of the of Rapture the of matter the Daniel, of Week Seventieth the Scripture,

assumes the viewer has a basic understanding of a premillennial interpretation of interpretation premillennial a of understanding basic a has viewer the assumes

(the study of end times) and times) end of study (the This video is not an introduction to eschatology to introduction an not is video This

fathers.

Rapture positions, the Day of the Lord, and the position of the early church early the of position the and Lord, the of Day the positions, Rapture

in any setting, this presentation includes such topics as hermeneutic, the different the hermeneutic, as topics such includes presentation this setting, any in

after the beginning of the persecution of God’s elect by Satan/Antichrist. For use For Satan/Antichrist. by elect God’s of persecution the of beginning the after

the church will occur before the wrath of God against the wicked, but sometime but wicked, the against God of wrath the before occur will church the

articulating the biblical foundations supporting the basic fact that the Rapture of Rapture the that fact basic the supporting foundations biblical the articulating

provides a general overview of the prewrath Rapture for those new to the position, the to new those for Rapture prewrath the of overview general a provides

In In , Bible Teacher Charles Cooper Charles Teacher Bible , EIIGTEPERT RAPTURE PREWRATH THE DEFINING Since Webster’s doesn’t, we will. we doesn’t, Webster’s Since 15

THE SIGN MINISTRIES NEWSLETTER / SUMMER 2000

The Prophetic Pillars of the Prewrath Position PART 4: God Almighty Takes Back His Rule of Earth After the Seventieth Week of Daniel, But Before Armageddon Parousia — page 2

The Prophetic Pillars of the Prewrath Position

The Fourth Prophetic Pillar: GOD ALMIGHTY TAKES BACK HIS RULE OF EARTH AFTER THE SEVENTIETH WEEK, BUT BEFORE ARMAGEDDON

by Charles Cooper

Introduction I returned home after a ten-day trip to India when my first child was of many is something that can be relativized and subjectivized and, eight months old. I was eager to get back home to see her, but she had where “necessary,” improved. Men say that the Bible is not God’s trouble remembering me. As soon as I walked into the house, she word, but rather the word of men. screamed. She would not allow me to hold her or talk to her. She In the West, we are for the most part, living in post-Christian secu- would not even look at me. It took several days for her to grow close larism. In two-thirds of the world, it is the non-Christian faiths that are to me again. Recently, after returning home from a ten-day trip, as I gaining converts. As these non-Christian religions take on new life and walked through the kitchen door, I heard a loud scream, “dah-dee!” energy, some Christians are mesmerized by the thought that their first Then came the sound of little feet running toward me. That same lit- duty is to appreciate all that is good in them. We are to look for tle girl had arms lifted high, a big smile on her face and all the grounds of commonality and compromise for the good of humanity. evidence necessary that she had missed her dah-dee. I received a hug We are to enter therefore into dialogue with the atheist, agnostic, and and big-fat-wet kissi-kissi. What a difference six months made! The relativist for this compromised purpose and to postpone the evangelis- first time she broke my heart. The last time she blessed my heart. tic attempts until an appreciative dialogue is well established. Having watched for twenty-five years the erosion of the Judeo- In light of the present situation, I hope you can understand my long- Christian values that formed the basis of these United States, I yearn ing for Abba (dah-dee) to come home. God Almighty has promised to for the “good old days.” Men have always sinned, but when caught, return to the earth to physically reclaim His rightful rule over creation. they usually admitted it and repented. Now we lie under oath and Scripture declares that “the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be quibble about the definition of the word is. The years have shown that given to the people of the saints of the Highest One; His kingdom will the time when the Christian’s God was honored in America has long be an everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions will serve and obey since passed. Government and morals are decaying, and cities are in- Him (Dan. 7:27).” That which has remained beyond human reach—a creasingly engulfed in spiritual darkness. Bible teaching in the minds perfect man in a perfect world—will then become reality. Parousia — page 3

The Problem tainty about the events yet to come… As the drama of the con- That God will one-day reclaim His rightful rule over the earth is well summation moves toward the final scene, the host of heaven accepted in the evangelical community. However, the question con- proclaim it fait accompli.5 cerning when God Almighty reclaims His rightful rule over the earth Mounce’s view is summarized in the phrase fait accompli. Fait accompli during the sequence of end-time events does not share a consensus. is a Latin expression defined by Webster’s dictionary to mean “an ac- The timing of God’s reclamation is no small matter. Two immediate complished and presumably irreversible deed or fact.” John F. problems arise when one fails to understand the timing of God’s recla- Walvoord, a premillennialist, agrees with Mounce, an amillennialist, mation of the earth. Confusion about the sequence of end-time events on this point. Walvoord states, in relationship to Daniel’s Seventieth Week is the first problem. The second problem concerns the correct interpretation of the book of The question that remains, however, is how can the kingdoms Revelation and its correlation with the seventh chapter of Daniel. of the world become at this point the kingdoms of Christ Revelation 11:15-18 is a critical text. Notice, when, as a matter of fact, the seven vials seemingly are still to be poured out? The answer as indicated previously seems to be Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in that just as the seven trumpets are comprehended in the sev- heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the enth seal so the seven vials are comprehended in the seventh kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He will reign for- trumpet. The process of destruction of earthly power is there- ever and ever.” And the twenty-four elders, who sit on their fore already under way.6 thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying, “We give You thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who One might be inclined to think that with such authors as Walvoord, are and who were, because You have taken Your great power Mounce, Aune and Thomas in agreement concerning problems with and have begun to reign. And the nations were enraged, and the chronology and timing of Revelation 11:15-18, the debate is set- Your wrath came, and the time came for the dead to be judged, tled. In contradistinction, however, the prewrath position would argue and the time [came] to reward Your bond-servants the prophets that Revelation 11:15-18 refers to the actual time when Almighty and the saints and those who fear Your name, the small and the God reclaims His rightful rule over the earth. We would further argue great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth.” (italics that the sequence presented in Revelation 11:17-18 is the correct se- added) quence of events following the sounding of the seventh trumpet and lastly that the timing of God’s reclamation in Daniel seven harmonizes The critical questions regarding this passage are these: (1) when will perfectly with the timing of God’s reclamation in Revelation eleven. the events depicted in verses 15-18 actually take place, (2) what will The remainder of this article will prove these conclusions. be the sequence of those events, and (3) what is the relationship between the end-time sequence in Daniel 7 and the end-time sequence AN OVERVIEW OF DANIEL 7 of Revelation 10-11? AND REVELATION 10-11 David E. Aune, in his three-volume commentary, argues that the sequence of events in Revelation 11:18 “appears to be out of An Overview of Daniel 7 chronological order.”1 He insists that the “reign of God must be con- Few conservative evangelicals would debate that Daniel “chapter 7… sidered the closing act in [the] eschatological drama…”2 Yet, in the plays a key role in [one’s] understanding of biblical eschatology.”7 book of Revelation, John lists the act of God’s reclamation before Daniel 7 and the Revelation follow a similar format in presenting the Armageddon. Aune also indicates that “the eschatological events are all end-time sequence. First, a general overview of the end times is given described… as though they were events of the past…”3 In other (Dan. 7:1-14 and Rev. 6:1-11:18). Following the general overview, a words, Aune feels that the events in Revelation 11:15-18 are described detailed presentation of Antichrist, and his campaign of terror against as if they have already happened, but in reality, they all happen later God’s “saints” is presented (Dan. 7:15-27 and Rev. 11:19-13:18). The in the end-time sequence of the book of Revelation. Simply stated, end-time sequence concludes with a presentation of God’s wrath (the Revelation 11:15-18 in Aune’s view is a preview of what is to follow Day of the Lord). Daniel 7 focuses on the consummation of God’s in chapters 12 through 22 of the book of Revelation. wrath, which includes the destruction of Antichrist and the establish- Robert L. Thomas, in his two-volume commentary, concurs with ment of the Son of Man’s kingdom (Dan. 7:26-27). The Revelation Aune. Thomas states, “The replacement of the kingdom of the concludes with the judgment of Antichrist and his kingdom (Rev. world… does not occur chronologically at this point in the series of 14:1-19:21) with the millennial kingdom and a new heaven and earth visions.”4 In his commentary on Revelation, Robert H. Mounce states rounding out the sequence (Rev. 20:1-22:21). this same opinion when he writes, A closer examination of Daniel 7 reveals the exact timing of God’s The declaration of triumph by the heavenly hosts (vs. 15) and reclamation of the earth during the end times. Daniel 7:1-14 depicts the anthem of praise by the worshipping elders (vss. 17-18) human history following a pre-ordained sequence. First, four beasts introduce the great themes of the following chapters. The (king and empire) would arise out of the sea (Dan. 7:3, 17, 23). The extensive use of the aorist tense conveys a sense of absolute cer- fourth and final beast with ten horns would rise from the sea (Dan. Parousia — page 4 GOD ALMIGHTY TAKES BACK HIS RULE OF EARTH

7:7). After the ten horn kingdom arrives, a small horn will arise, sub- with the sixth trumpet judgment detailed in Revelation 9:13-19. It is due three of the original ten horns (kingdoms) and begin persecuting during the first thirty days of the seventy-five days (that immediately the saints (Dan. 7:8, 21). During the little horn’s persecution of the follow the conclusion of the Seventieth Week) that God will take back saints, the “Ancient of Days” will take his seat on a great throne (Dan. His rightful rule over earth, secure the salvation of national Israel, re- 7:9-11) and the little horn’s dominion will be taken away and de- ward the righteous in heaven and punish the murderous living stroyed forever (Dan. 7:11, 26). After the destruction of the little horn, earth-dwellers. The evidence that the timing of the events of “One like a Son of Man” will receive a kingdom and the “saints of the Revelation 10-11 coincide with the completion of Daniel’s Seventieth Highest One” will reign upon the earth (7:13, 26). Daniel clearly in- Week and initiation of the seventy-five days that immediately follow dicates that the Ancient of Days (God the Father) will take his seat it rests on the following proofs. before Antichrist is destroyed (7:9-10, 26). PROOFS FOR THE TIMING OF An Overview of Revelation 10-11 REVELATION 10 AND 11 The timing of God’s reclamation found in Daniel 7 can be found in Revelation 10-11. Revelation 10 opens with “another strong angel The Strategic Placement of the Three Woes coming down out of heaven.”8 The first “strong angel” appears in The first proof that the timing of the events of Revelation 10-11 co- Revelation 5:2 in connection with the first scroll and proclaims with a incides with the completion of Daniel’s Seventieth Week (which loud voice the question, “Who is worthy to open the book and to initiates the seventy-five days that immediately follow it) is the strate- break its seals?” The second “strong angel” appears in Revelation 10:1 gic placement of the three woes. The three woes, first referenced in in connection with the anticipated opening of the second scroll and Revelation 8:13, establish a very important sequential marker in the proclaims with a loud voice an unrecorded message. John is not per- Revelation. The first four trumpets and the final three trumpets are sig- mitted to record the first statement of the “second strong angel,” but is nificantly different. There is a marked degree of difference in the permitted to record his second statement, which is the cessation of a intensity between the first four trumpets and the final three trumpets. delay and the completion of the mystery of God. The first four trumpet judgments affect a third of nature (earth, salt John is then told to take the scroll from the “strong angel” and eat water, fresh water, and stars) the final three trumpet judgments focus it. The scroll was sweet to his taste, but bitter in his stomach. Chapter on mankind. The fifth trumpet, which is the first woe, torments with- 10 concludes with a re-commissioning of John to prophesy concern- out killing mankind in general for five months. The sixth trumpet, ing many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings. Revelation 11 begins which is the second woe, kills a third of mankind. The seventh trum- with an explanation of the nature and time of ministry of the two wit- pet, which is the third woe, consists of seven bowls that directly nesses and concludes with a description of God’s reclamation of the punishes, but not exclusively,11 Antichrist, his kingdom, and his earth. Revelation 11:15-18 declares that God Almighty will take back stamped followers (the living earth-dwellers). His rightful rule over the earth at the sounding of the seventh trum- The placement of the three woes establishes a very important fact: pet, which is clearly before the destruction of Antichrist. the first six seals do not correspond equally to the first six trumpets nor to the first six bowls. The fact that the completion of woes one THE TEMPORAL SEQUENCE OF and two follows trumpets five and six, respectively, clearly and unmis- THE EVENTS OF REVELATION 10-11 takably demands a chronological sequence to the seals, trumpets, and bowls. The seventh seal inaugurates the seven trumpets. The seventh This article asserts that the events depicted in Revelation 10-11 occur trumpet inaugurates the seven bowls. The intensity of God’s wrath after the completion of Daniel’s Seventieth Week and culminate with demonstrated in the fifth, sixth and seventh trumpets is unparalleled in the beginning of the millennial reign of Christ.9 Based on Daniel the first six seals and the first four trumpets. Therefore, the clear dis- 12:11-12, we believe seventy-five days transpire between the end of similarity between the seals, trumpets, and bowls demonstrates that the Seventieth Week of Daniel and the beginning of the millennial they are not coincidental and in fact proves them to be chronological Kingdom. Revelation 10-11 focuses specifically upon the events that in sequence. constitute the first thirty days of this seventy-five-day period. How the Seventieth Week of Daniel and the seventy-five days that The Significance of the Three Woes immediately follow it correlate with the content of the Lord’s If, in fact, the seals, trumpets, and bowls are sequential then the sev- Revelation to John is an important question. Perhaps no aspect of the enth trumpet must stand outside the Seventieth Week of Daniel. The interpretation of the book of Revelation is more difficult to grasp than completion of the second woe is pronounced just after the death and understanding the temporal sequence, a reference to the timeframe resurrection of the two witnesses. Revelation 11:3 indicates that the during which the events depicted in the Revelation will occur. Having ministry of the two witnesses lasts for one thousand two hundred and previously argued in the first prophetic pillar of the prewrath position sixty days or the equivalent of three and a half prophetic years of 360 that the Seventieth Week of Daniel is yet future,10 we believe that the days, which is 42 months. Therefore, the three and a half-year min- events depicted in Revelation 6 through 9 cover the entire seven-year istry of the two witnesses might start at the beginning, during or at period. In fact, we understand Daniel’s Seventieth Week to conclude the middle of Daniel’s Seventieth Week. AFTER THE SEVENTIETH WEEK, Parousia — page 5 BUT BEFORE ARMAGEDDON

The pronouncement that “the second woe is past” (Rev. 11:14) im- of proof that Revelation 11:3 does not refer to the second half of mediately following the ministry of the two witnesses argues against Daniel’s Seventieth Week lies with those who would argue different- starting the ministry of the two witnesses at the beginning of Daniel’s ly. This question might have been left in the unsolvable category if it Seventieth Week. The reason being that the three and a half-year min- were not for the three woes. The strategic placement of the ministry istry of the two witnesses would have to transpire between woes one of the two witnesses between woes one and two prove beyond a shad- and two, therefore causing the events depicted in the seals to transpire ow of a doubt that the ministry of the two witness must occur during before Daniel’s Seventieth Week even begins. Another alternative the second half of Daniel’s Seventieth Week. The death of the two wit- would be to run the seals and trumpets concurrently. However, this ap- nesses coincides with the end of the Seventieth Week and initiates the proach robs the Revelation of any chronological development. final phase (God’s reclamation of earth) of the end times. Equally, starting the ministry of the two witnesses at some point during the first half of Daniel’s Seventieth Week is unattractive. This The Termination of the Gentile Dominance over Jerusalem approach would demand that some of the seals must occur before The fourth proof concerns the issue of Gentile dominance over Daniel’s Seventieth Week begins or that the seals and the first four Jerusalem. Revelation 11:2 states that the “court which is outside the trumpets occur in rapid succession or overlap. This would demand that temple… has been given to the nations [Gentiles]; and they will tread the third woe, which consists of the seven bowls, cover the remaining under foot the holy city for forty-two months.” This is the eighth and time left in Daniel’s Seventieth Week. Such conclusions create more final reference to a three and half year period in the books of Daniel problems than they solve. and Revelation. Here, we are given the length of the dominance of The prophet Daniel indicates that the beast does not turn hostile Gentiles over Jerusalem. against the Jews until the midpoint of Daniel’s Seventieth Week (9:27). However, this cannot be the total time of Gentile dominance over If the two witnesses prophesy during the first three and a half years, it Jerusalem. Daniel 9:24 indicates that Gentile dominance over Israel would be very difficult to explain why the Jews would be caught off and Jerusalem would continue for 490 years. Luke 21:24 states that guard when the Abomination of Desolation occurs. Surely, the two Gentile dominance over Israel and Jerusalem would continue “until the witnesses would have warned the people of this great event yet to times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” Therefore, the Seventieth Week of come. The only logical conclusion is that the two witnesses must Daniel (the final seven years of Israel’s initial 490-year prophetic de- prophesy during the second three and a half-year period.12 Therefore, lay) and the “times of the Gentiles” must end at the same time. the seven-year period known as Daniel’s Seventieth Week must con- Revelation 11 indicates that that end occurs between trumpets six and clude with the death of the two witnesses. Consequently, the sounding seven. of the seventh and final trumpet must stand outside the Seventieth Week during the seventy-five days that immediately follow it. The Delay Ended and the Mystery of God Completed The fifth proof that the timing of the events of Revelation 10-11 co- The Unique Length of the Ministry of the Two Witnesses13 incides with the completion of Daniel’s Seventieth Week (initiating the The unique length of the two witnesses’ ministry is our third proof seventy-five days that immediately follow it) concerns the termination that Revelation 10-11 coincides with the end of Daniel’s Seventieth of God’s delay in punishing “those who dwell upon the earth” and the Week and the beginning of the seventy-five day period that immedi- completion of the mystery of God. The strong angel who comes down ately follows it. God states in Revelation 11:3 that He would “grant from heaven immediately following the events of the sixth trumpet an- authority to my two witnesses and they will prophesy for twelve hun- nounces “there will be delay no longer” (Rev. 10:6b).15 There is debate dred and sixty days…” Twelve hundred and sixty days is equal to about the meaning of the term χρονος (chronos) translated delay in forty-two months, three and a half years or “time, times, and half a the New American Standard Bible. The choice is either time stops, time time.” These particular time references are explicitly identified only in is up, or delay. Some church fathers from the third century onward in- the books of Daniel and Revelation.14 In every case, the same prophet- correctly understood the meaning to be the cessation of time in ic period is indicated—the second half of Daniel’s Seventieth Week general. However, this view makes no sense in light of the fact that the (Dan. 9:27). Daniel 7:25, 12:7 and Revelation 13:5 indicate that seven bowl judgments, Armageddon, and the millennial reign of “time, times and half a time” or “forty-two months” is the amount of Christ follow the sixth trumpet. Time does not stop! A simple an- time given to Antichrist to persecute the saints of God. Daniel 9:27 in- nouncement that time is up and the final eschatological events are dicates that Antichrist will have half a week, which is three and half beginning does not have much validity given that the seals and the years, to persecute the people of God. Revelation 12:6 and 14 indicate first six trumpet judgments precede the announcement. One would that “twelve hundred and sixty days” or “time, times, and half a time” have expected such an announcement much earlier in the book if that is the amount of time God will protect “the woman” in the wilderness were the correct understanding of chronos. Most commentators agree from Antichrist’s persecution. There is no significant debate, among that chronos means delay in Revelation 10:6b, however, there is no con- those who hold to the futurity of Daniel’s last week of prophecy, that sensus about what was delayed. the six references above refer to the second half of Daniel’s Seventieth Robert L. Thomas indicates that Revelation 10:6b is the termina- Week. Revelation 11:3 is the seventh explicit reference to a three and tion of the delay announced by God to the fifth seal martyrs of a half year period in the books of Daniel and Revelation. The burden Revelation 6:9-11.16 This author agrees. The fifth seal martyrs ques- Parousia — page 6 GOD ALMIGHTY TAKES BACK HIS RULE OF EARTH

tioned God about His “judging and avenging” their deaths. The mar- Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh, tyrs’ question focused on the judgment of “those who dwell on the I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in earth.”17 This phrase is a technical term in the book of Revelation that filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions. Of this church I is “always [used] in the negative sense of non-Christian persecutors of was made a minister… so that I might fully carry out the Christians.”18 Specifically, they are the living worshipers of the Beast preaching of the word of God, that is, the mystery [of God] who persecute the righteous up to and including death. These living which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but earth-dwellers who are responsible for the death of the martyrs who has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to are under God’s altar also wonder at the wound of the beast, celebrate make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery [of the death of the two witnesses, and have their punishment first delayed God] among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of and then delivered after the sounding of the seventh trumpet.19 glory. We proclaim Him… so that we may present every man That the bowl judgments follow the blowing of the seventh trum- complete in Christ… For I want you to know how great a pet, which follows the angelic announcement of the termination of the struggle I have on your behalf… that [your] hearts may be delay of God’s avenging judgment against the murderous earth- encouraged… resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, dwellers is easily proven. The Greek word for avenging used in that is, Christ Himself… (italics added) Revelation 6:10 also occurs in Revelation 19:2. There “a great multi- In Colossians 1:26, Paul declares the Word of God, which he preach- tude in heaven” three times shouts Hallelujah in praise to God, the es, to be a mystery. “This mystery is so rich with glory that God Father, because “He has judged… and avenged the blood of His bond- desired to make it known to the saints (1:27).”22 He states, “the mys- servants on her (the great harlot).” (italics added) The judgment of “the tery is, Christ in you (Gentiles), the hope of glory.” Again in Colossians great harlot” is the culmination of God’s judgment of Antichrist and 2:2c, Paul states that Jesus Christ is the mystery of God. An obvious his programs just before Armageddon. Bowls one through five are di- question concerns whether these two occurrences refer to the same rected specifically upon Antichrist, his kingdom, and those who take thing. The context indicates that Jesus Christ is the primary focus of his mark or worship his image.20 The specific judgment of “the great the first two chapters of Colossians. His special work among Gentiles harlot” is first alluded to in the seventh bowl (Rev. 16:19) and detailed is Paul’s primary concern. The particular passage quoted above could in Revelation 17 and 18. The bowls are clearly defined as the final be summarized as follows: Paul preaches Christ among the Gentiles wrath of God (Rev. 15:1). because God has a plan to present many Gentiles in glory when Christ Revelation 6:11 indicates that the reason a delay of God’s punish- returns. So, the mystery of God is God’s special work in Christ to ment of the living earth-dwellers remains in affect at the fifth seal is bring Gentiles to glory. The apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 1:9-10, because the number of martyrs to be killed is not yet complete. The “And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his language clearly and incontrovertibly indicates that God has a “prede- good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when termined number” of believers who will die before it will be time to the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in “avenge [their] blood on those who dwell on the earth.” Therefore, the heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.” (NIV) death of the martyrs is part of a divine plan. What plan or program of When the mystery of God (God’s special work in Christ to bring God is so important that it includes the death of some of God’s faith- Gentiles to glory) is finished, then God will bring “all things in heav- ful servants? en and on earth together under one head.” Acts 15:14-16 states that “God first concerned Himself about tak- The Completion of the Mystery of God ing from among the Gentiles a people for His name,” and “after these Revelation 10:6-7 gives us the answer. It says, “…there will be delay things, I will return and rebuild the tabernacle of David…” This pas- no longer…then the mystery of God is finished, as He preached to His sage establishes a very important connection between God’s special servants the prophets.” This is the reason. The completion of the mys- work in Christ to bring Gentiles to glory and Israel’s restoration. tery of God is necessary before God’s ultimate punishment of the Similarly, Romans 11:25b-26 states that the mystery of Israel’s partial living murderous earth-dwellers can take place. What, then, is the mys- hardening will continue “until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; tery of God? The answer to this question will prove that the sixth and so all Israel will be saved…”23 This passage highlights two facts. trumpet concludes the Seventieth Week of Daniel and inaugurates the First, God has determined a specific number of Gentiles to be saved,24 seventy-five days that immediately follow. and second, the completion of the salvation of the Gentiles will lead The Greek phrase το µυστηϖριον του θεου (the mystery of to Israel’s salvation. God) occurs three times in the Greek New Testament.21 The most im- However, because of Daniel 9:24, we know that the salvation of na- portant passage is Colossians 2:2 because there the apostle Paul tional Israel cannot occur until the completion of Daniel’s Seventieth defines the mystery of God. However, is the phrase the mystery of God, as Week. The 490-year plus delay that Israel is currently suffering under used by Paul, referring to the same thing that the apostle John is re- will be removed at the end of Daniel’s Seventieth Week, which coin- ferring to in the Revelation? A careful investigation reveals a positive cides with God’s removal of Gentile dominance over Israel and affirmation. Jerusalem. In Colossians 1:24-2:2, the apostle Paul writes, Therefore, the mystery of Israel’s partial hardening and the mystery AFTER THE SEVENTIETH WEEK, Parousia — page 7 BUT BEFORE ARMAGEDDON

of God (God’s special work in Christ to bring Gentiles to glory) are Satan/Antichrist’s persecution (the elect), but will allow Satan’s au- intricately tied together, one directly affecting the other. Once God’s thority to persecute any/all resistors to his authority until the end of special work in Christ to bring Gentiles to glory is finished God ex- the three and a half years (originally promised in Dan. 9:27, Rev. tends salvation to national Israel. Therefore, the sixth trumpet must 12:12 and 13:5). Therefore, in order to show mercy to His elect and end the Seventieth Week of Daniel, which coincides with the comple- to remain faithful to His word, God removes the persecuted believers tion of the mystery of God, which initiates the events that constitute before they are completely annihilated, but allows the persecutor to the seventy-five day period that immediately follows Daniel’s continue until his appointed end. Seventieth Week. With the completion of God’s mystery (God’s spe- Those saved after the Rapture will not experience God’s wrath just cial work in Christ to bring Gentiles to glory) will come the salvation as those before the coming of God’s wrath will not experience it (Rev. of national Israel, God’s rule over physical earth reclaimed, and con- 9:4). However, those saved after the Rapture will continue to face the sequently, the cessation of the delay of God’s judgment of the living persecution of Antichrist just as each generation saved before the earth-dwellers. Rapture potentially might face it. The possibility of death faces both Scripture indicates a difference in the timing of the Rapture and the groups. Revelation 20:4 indicates a resurrection of beheaded martyrs timing of the completion of the mystery of God. The completion of near the beginning of the Millennium. John writes, the mysteries of God, both God’s special work in Christ to bring Then I saw thrones, they sat on them, and judgment was given Gentiles to glory and the removal of Israel’s blindness, occurs after the to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded sixth trumpet, but before the sounding of the seventh trumpet. The because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of sixth trumpet therefore finishes the mystery of God (Rev. 10:7). The God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, seventh trumpet finishes the wrath of God (Rev. 15:1). The Rapture oc- and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their curs after the sixth seal,25 but before the breaking of the seventh seal. hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thou- The sixth seal is the sign signaling the beginning of the eschatologi- sand years. cal Day of the Lord spoken of by the Lord Jesus in Matthew 24:29-31. The seventh seal begins the wrath of God. If the mystery of God is This passage indicates that John saw two groups in this important vi- God’s special work in Christ to bring Gentiles to glory, and if the sion. One group consists of those seated on thrones with a judging Rapture follows the events of the sixth seal as taught by Jesus and Paul responsibility. This group is the raptured saints who have been resur- and John, then two questions come to mind. First, why does the mys- rected, judged, and rewarded.26 John describes a second group. This tery of God not end with the Rapture and second, why does God group has not been resurrected, judged, and rewarded. He sees the allow some believers to be killed after the Rapture? “souls” of beheaded followers of Christ. This special group of martyrs The reason the mystery of God (God’s special work in Christ to must have been killed after the Rapture or they would have been tak- bring Gentiles to glory) does not end with the Rapture is twofold. en with the rest of the living and dead saints who rise at the Rapture First, there is no explicit scriptural promise or intimation that God’s as revealed through Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. special work in Christ to bring Gentiles to glory must end with the While the martyrs of the fifth seal cannot be limited to the period Rapture. Jesus clearly indicates that there will be conversions subse- of persecution by Satan/Antichrist, which occurs following “the quent to the Rapture as indicated in the sheep and goat judgment of abomination of desolation” (Matt. 24:15) and up to the Rapture, the Matthew 25:31 that immediately precedes the beginning of the mil- martyrs of Revelation 20:4 must be limited to that period of time sub- lennial kingdom. God’s continual work of “taking from among the sequent to the Rapture and up to Armageddon. These martyrs are Gentiles a people for His name (Acts 15:14)” must be included in the specifically identified as “those who had not worshiped the beast or “fullness of the Gentiles” (Rom. 11:25-26) because Scripture indicates his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on that these believers inherit (Matt. 25:34) and reign (Rev. 20:4) with their hand…” This places them clearly within the second half of Christ in His kingdom. The sheep of the “sheep and goat judgment” Daniel’s Seventieth Week and the fact that they are not taken at the must be Gentiles saved after the Rapture, including those alive (Matt. Rapture demands that they are killed after the Rapture occurs. 25:32) and those dead (Rev. 20:4), since by the time the sheep and This group of martyrs is further limited by the classification “be- goat judgment begins all surviving Jews have been judged and saved. headed.” Unlike the martyrs of Revelation 6:9 who were slain in The second reason the mystery of God does not end with the various ways,27 the martyrs of Revelation 20:4 are specifically identi- Rapture is because God must remain faithful to His word. Two fied as beheaded. We know that some Gentiles will trust and follow prophecies come to mind. First, the Rapture must occur before the com- Christ after the Rapture or there would be no need for the “sheep and mencing of the Day of the Lord (God’s wrath, 1 Thess. 5:9). Second, goat” judgment (Matt. 25:31 ff.) immediately preceding the beginning Daniel 7:25 and 9:27 indicate that the persecution by Antichrist of the of the Millennium. After the Rapture and up to the salvation of Israel “saints” is three and a half years in length. The Lord Jesus indicates in which immediately follows the Seventieth Week (Dan. 9:24-27), there Matthew 24:22 that the persecution by Satan/Antichrist of God’s will be many opportunities for Gentile believers to risk their lives to elect will be cut short. If God had not cut short the persecution by help Jews who are hungry, thirsty, naked, and imprisoned.28 Some will Satan/Antichrist, “no life [of the elect] would have been saved (physi- be killed and others will not, but both will be rewarded at the “sheep cally delivered)…” God will remove the current object of and goat” judgment. Parousia — page 8 GOD ALMIGHTY TAKES BACK HIS RULE OF EARTH

With the completion of God’s special work in Christ to bring tive verbs in the New Testament argues for the ingressive understand- Gentiles to glory, which coincides with the completion of the ing. In addition, the aorist tense is the predominant tense used with Seventieth Week of Daniel, comes the salvation of Israel as taught by stative verbs when the stress is on entrance into a state.32 At the heart the apostle Paul in Romans 11:25-27. God, then, reclaims His right- of this verb is the notion of change. To become something, by defin- ful rule over the earth and begins the final events of the ition, means that a change has occurred. In Revelation 11:15, the consummation, not the least of which involves his punishment of change involves a transfer of “the kingdom of this world” from Satan Antichrist, the false prophet and the murderous living earth-dwellers. (2 Cor. 4:4) to “our Lord and of His Christ.” The emphasis is on the entrance into a state rather than a preview of what is to come or an GOD’S RECLAMATION OF THE EARTH event that has occurred in the past. Further support for this conclusion follows in Revelation 11:17. Revelation 11:15 opens with the sounding of the seventh trumpet. Immediately following the “loud voices in heaven” proclaiming God’s “Loud voices in heaven” proclaim, “The kingdom of the world has be- reclamation of earth, the twenty-four elders break forth in hymn. The come the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign elders proclaim, “We give You thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who forever and ever.” Israel (the nation), thus far, has waited nearly four are and who were…” The reason the elders give thanks to God, the thousand years to hear those words. The church has waited nearly two Father is “because You (God, the Father) have taken Your great power thousand years. God Almighty has taken back His rightful rule over and have begun to reign.” As reflected in the New American Standard physical earth. That Revelation 11:15 describes the actual event of Bible, the emphasis of the verb is ingressive. The elders are thankful God’s reclamation of the earth from Satan to Himself immediately fol- for an event that has just transpired. lowing the conclusion of the Seventieth Week of Daniel is supported Second, the context of Revelation 11:15 argues for the actual phys- by the following facts. ical reclamation of earth to God immediately following the conclusion First, the construction of the Greek language in Revelation 11:15 of the Seventieth Week. The pronouncement of the completion of the signals the beginning of God’s physical reign over the earth. The cor- second woe in Revelation 11:14 signals the beginning of the third and rect interpretation of the verb has come is a matter of debate. David E. final woe. As with the beginning of the first and second woes, only Aune writes for the majority opinion when he states, the sounding of the respective trumpets is given. There is no textual evidence that the woe has begun. We are only told that the first woe Although εϕγεϖνετο (has come) is an aorist and therefore has ended in Revelation 9:12 and that the second woe in 11:14 “is refers to God’s assumption of kingship as a fact of the past, the past.” Therefore, we must conclude that Revelation 11:15 is the be- context makes it clear that εϕγεϖνετο is used proleptically,29 ginning of the third woe, just as Revelation 9:13 is the beginning of like the perfectum propheticum, “prophetic perfect,” of a future the second woe and Revelation 9:1 is the beginning of the first woe. event that prophetic certainty speaks of as an event of the We must also conclude that God’s reclamation of the earth is the very past…30 first event of the third woe. John is not offering a preview of events to However, Aune’s designation of the aorist here, as an example of a come, rather, he is indicating the actual event that begins the third and proleptic aorist, is not correct. A proleptic aorist describes “an event final woe upon “those who dwell on the earth.” that is not yet past as though it were already completed.” For example, Third, the content of Revelation 11:18 argues that the physical when the final payment is due on your car loan, you write the check reclamation of earth by God immediately follows the Seventieth and mail it. You might say to yourself, “It feels so good to pay that car Week. The hymn of the elders contains six proofs of God’s reclama- off !” Now the check still has to reach the creditor, be cashed and the tion of the earth. final paper work finished, but you speak of it as paid in full. This is the sense of the proleptic aorist. First Proof: A Direct Statement The aorist tense, in and of itself, says nothing about the time of an The first evidence of God’s physical reign on earth is the direct state- event, but merely states the “fact of the event.”31 The use of the aorist ment by the elders—“You have taken Your great power and begun to tense in Revelation 11:15 gives no clue concerning when the event of reign.” Taken at face value the elders proclaim a fact.33 Since God has God’s reclamation of the earth occurs in the sequence of end-time always been the King of the universe (Ps. 93:1, 96:10, and 97:1), this events. can only refer to the Lord’s kingship becoming effective over the The notion of time, when considering the aorist, must be deter- earth, a post temporarily usurped by Satan (Col. 1:13). mined from the context and the kind of the verb that is used. The verb has become (NASB) is εϕγεϖνετο, the aorist form of γϖινοµαι (gino- Second Proof: The Hostile Response of the Nations mai), which is a stative (a state) verb and means to become, to be, to be The second evidence of God’s reclamation of the earth is the hostile born or to be created. The fact that a stative verb is used argues for the response of the nations. The relationship between Revelation 11:17 ingressive use of the aorist tense instead of the proleptic usage. Not and 18 is not certain. The grammar does not indicate whether verse only does the rarity of the proleptic use in the New Testament argue 18 is a continuation of verse 17 or a divinely revealed comment by against understanding εϕγεϖνετο as proleptic in Revelation 11:15, John. However, there is biblical evidence that when God Almighty and but the relative abundance of the ingressive use of the aorist with sta- His Messiah’s reign begin on earth, the nations respond with hostili- AFTER THE SEVENTIETH WEEK, Parousia — page 9 BUT BEFORE ARMAGEDDON

ty. Psalm 2 prophetically indicates as much. Focusing on “God’s uni- question looms concerning who the destroyers are. The verb literally versal reign,” Psalm 2 offers Davidic kingship as “a prototype of the means, “to destroy utterly,” but it also has figurative meaning, which is expected messianic kingship at the end of times, when the reign of “to deprave, or ruin morally.”37 Aune argues that, in a play on words, God will be established in the whole world.”34 Psalm 2 records the both the literal and figurative meaning is intended, i.e. that God will hostile response of the nations, “Let us tear their fetters apart and cast physically destroy those who have morally depraved the earth.38 This away their cords from us!” (Ps. 2:3) In the Septuagint (Greek transla- author is inclined to agree with Aune, particularly given that tion of the Old Testament) Psalm 99:1 states, “The Lord has begun to Revelation 19:2 identifies the “great harlot” as one “who was corrupt- reign; the people are enraged.” In both passages, a relationship is es- ing the earth with her immorality.”39 The destruction of the Beast, the tablished between the beginning of God’s reign on the earth and the false prophet, and the living earth-dwellers is the focus of the bowl hostile response of the nations. judgments as He promised in Revelation 6:9-11 that takes place immediately following God’s reclamation of the earth. These are the Third Proof: The Wrath of God Comes destroyers of the earth. The third evidence of God’s reclamation of the earth is His wrath against the wicked. God responds to the hostility of the nations with CONCLUSION His own hostility. The Revelation indicates “Thy (God’s) wrath came” (Rev. 11:18a). Given the nature of the fifth and sixth trumpets, this ref- When God reclaims His rightful rule over the earth, after the erence to the wrath of God coming focuses on its consummation. This Seventieth Week of Daniel is complete, which was delayed by God’s is confirmed in Revelation 16:1-17. There the writer indicates that the special work in Christ among the Gentiles, and after the salvation of seven bowl judgments, which are the contents of the seventh trumpet, the nation of Israel has occurred, then God will punish the living is the end of the wrath of God. earth-dwellers in the bowl judgments. The bowl judgments will fall upon Antichrist, his kingdom, and all those who receive his mark or Fourth Proof: The Time to Judge the Righteous Dead Comes worship him. Those martyrs under the altar of God who were told to The fourth evidence of God’s reclamation of the earth is the judgment “rest for a little while longer” will finally see justice done. God’s pun- of the dead. Revelation 11:18 states, “and the time came for the dead ishment of the earth-dwellers will be the most dreadful demonstration to be judged…” The most obvious question at this point is whether of God’s wrath the world will ever see. It will culminate with the long the dead refers to the righteous dead, the wicked dead, or both. anticipated battle of Armageddon, which we shall look at in detail in Maintaining the sequence of Revelation demands that this reference to the fifth and final pillar of the prewrath position in our next issue of the judgment of the dead must refer to the righteous dead. Revelation Parousia. 20:11-15 indicates that the wicked dead will not be judged until the end of the millennial reign of Christ. However, the rewarding of the ENDNOTES righteous dead then must precede the battle of Armageddon. 1. David E. Aune, Revelation 6-16, Vol. 52B, Word Biblical Commentary (Dallas: Word Books, 1998) 636. 2. Ibid. Fifth Proof: The Time to Reward the Faithful Comes 3. Ibid, 637 The fifth evidence of God’s reclamation of the earth is the rewarding 4. Robert L. Thomas, Revelation 8-22: An Exegetical Commentary (Chicago: of the faithful. Revelation 11:18d states, “and [the time came] to re- Moody Press, 1995) 106. ward Your bond-servants the prophets and the saints and those who 5. R.H. Mounce, The Book of Revelation, in NICNT (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1977) 230. fear Your name, the small and the great…” The first issue of concern 6. J.F. Walvoord, The Revelation of Jesus Christ, (Chicago: Moody Press, 1989) regarding this passage is the number of groups referred to here. The 184. Greek literally says, “and to give the reward to the slaves of you to the 7. Richard D. Patterson, “The Key Role of Daniel 7”, GTJ 12 (Fall, 1991) 246. prophets and to the holy ones and to the ones who fear the name of 8. The identity of the strong angel cannot be dogmatically asserted. Robert you, the small and the great.” This author agrees with Robert H. Van Kampen in his book, The Sign, argues that Jesus Christ is “the strong angel.” Mounce who writes, “A reasonable translation would be, ‘To your ser- 9. The only exception to this claim is the ministry of the two witnesses, which vants the prophets, and to the saints—those who fear thy name, both concludes the Seventieth Week. The significance of its placement in small and great.’”35 Consistent with the whole of the book of Revelation 11 is its overlap with the second woe, which is the sixth trum- Revelation, this maintains two groups of believers—prophets and pet judgment. saints.36 Prophets and saints are further defined as those who fear or 10. Please refer to Parousia, issue number 11 for a defense of the futurity of the Seventieth Week of Daniel. reverence the name of the God, both the small and great, which is a 11. Given the sheep and goat judgment that follows the battle of figure of speech that means everyone. Armageddon, every single person does not worship Antichrist or take his mark. Every single person certainly will not trust Christ as savior. Sixth Proof: The Time to Destroy the Destroyers Came Therefore, there will be some people on the earth who are not believers The sixth and final evidence of God’s reclamation of the earth is the and yet are not worshippers of Antichrist. 12. Some might be tempted to argue that the ministry of the two witnesses destruction of the destroyers of the earth. Notice Revelation 11:18, overlaps the midpoint of Daniel’s Seventieth Week. However, the “and [the time came] to destroy those who destroy the earth.” A real Parousia — page 10

consistent use of time, times and half a time, one thousand two hundred 21. There is debate about the correct reading in I Corinthians 2:1. We will and sixty days, and forty-two months in both Daniel and Revelation concern ourselves with Colossians 2:2 for the moment. refer to the first or second half of Daniel’s Seventieth Week. The burden 22. Ibid., 232 of proof lies with those who would insist upon the overlap of the wit- 23. See Parousia, issue number14, for a detailed discussion of this passage. nesses’ ministry. 24. See a defense of this position in the previous issue of Parousia. 13. The importance of chapter 10 in Revelation must not be under-appreciat- 25. For a defense of this position, please see Parousia, issue number13. ed. This chapter indicates that a second major phase of the end-time 26. This group cannot be the twenty-four elders. See a defense of this posi- sequence is initiated. It might first appear odd that John would discuss the tion in Jack S. Deere, “Premillennialism in Revelation 20:4-6,” BSac 135 ministry of the two witnesses and God’s reclamation of the earth at this (January ’78) 72. point in the sequence of the Revelation. However, this concern is removed 27. The particular term in Revelation 5:9 is used to describe the death of Abel when one understands that the ministry of the two witnesses connects the (1 John 3:12), Christ (Rev.5:6), and the death of all believers killed upon first phase of the end times (Daniel’s Seventieth Week) with the second the earth. Clearly, the term used in Revelation 5:9 covers all methods of phase of the end times (the seventy-five days that immediately follow the putting one to death. However, the term used in Revelation 20:4 is lim- Seventieth Week of Daniel). The connection is seen in the fact that the ited to only one method of death—beheading. A face value interpreta- witnesses are killed on the last day of the Daniel’s Seventieth Week and tion demands that these martyrs died by being beheaded only. are raised up to heaven three and a half days later at the beginning of the 28. Matthew 25:32 indicates that the “sheep and goat” judgment concerns “all seventy-five day period that immediately follows it (Rev. 11:11). the nations.” The fact that three groups are mentioned (Sheep, goat and 14. Time, times and half a time: Daniel 7:25, 12:7, Rev. 12:14; Twelve hun- my brethren) demands that the nations refer to gentiles. Logic requires dred and sixty days: Rev. 11:3 and 12:6; Forty-two months: Rev. 11:2 that if the sheep are the righteous then “my brethren” must refer to a and 12:5. group not included in the righteous. “My brethren” could be used in a 15. The word that which appears in the NASB’s translation is misleading. spiritual sense (believers) or in a physical sense (Jewish brothers). Given Since the Greeks did not use quotation marks to indicate a direct quote, that the salvation of Israel occurs before the battle of Armageddon and it should not be included in the translation. Instead of quotation marks, the sheep and goat judgment occurs after Armageddon, then “my the Greeks used the word οϑ/τι to indicate direct address. brethren” must be Jewish brothers in a physical sense. 16. R.L. Thomas, Revelation 8-22: An Exegetical Commentary, (Chicago: Moody 29. For more information on this matter, see Daniel B. Wallace, Greek Grammar Press, 1995) 68. Beyond the Basics (Grand Raids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996) 563. 17. This phrase occurs in Revelation 3:10; 6:10; 8:13; 11:10[twice]; 13:8, 30. Aune, Revelation 6-16, 638. 14[twice]; 17:8. These are living earth-dwellers that oppose God and 31. Charles R. Smith, “Errant Aorist Interpreters,” GTJ 2 (Fall, 1981) 208. support Antichrist. 32. Wallace, Greek Grammar, 558. 18. David E. Aune, Revelation 1-5, Vol. 52A, Word Biblical Commentary (Dallas: 33. The use of the perfect tense along with the aorist argues strongly for an Word Books, 1997) 240. accomplished fact, which hastens the initiation of God’s reign upon the 19. The martyr’s question and angelic promise of Revelation 10:7 should set- earth. tle the debate concerning whether the first six seals are the wrath of God. 34. Leopold Sabourin, S.J., The Psalms: Their Origin and Meaning (New York: The only logical conclusion is that God’s “judging and avenging” of the Alba House, 1974) 338-339. martyrs has not begun by the fifth seal. 35. Robert H. Mounce, The Book of Revelation, NICNT (Grand Rapids: 20. The first bowl specifically names “those who had the mark of the beast Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1977) 232. and who worshiped his image” as its target. The second and third angels 36. Revelation 16:6 refers to saints and prophets. Revelation 18:24 refers to strike both salt and fresh-water sources, which “an angel of the waters” prophets and saints. Both the prophets (Rev. 10:7) and the saints (Rev. indicates is justifiable repayment of the murdering living earth-dwellers. 2:20) are described as bondservants. The fourth angel scorches “the men” (living earth-dwellers) with fire. The 37. BADG, διαφθειρω fifth angel punishes the beast’s kingdom with darkness, which results in 38. Aune, Revelation 6-16, 646. great pain. 39. The same Greek root word is used.

Now Available as a Video to Accompany the Booklet Look at How You Look at the Text Understanding Scripture at Face Value On Video $15 Includes 5 copies of Bible Teacher Roger Best provides a basic introduction to the principles of biblical inter- the printed booklet! pretation. Based on the booklet of the same name by Robert Van Kampen and Charles Perfect for small Cooper, Rev. Best illustrates the importance of reading Scripture in its most normal, nat- group studies. ural, customary sense, and demonstrates that every passage of Scripture has only one intended meaning that was determined by the Author/author at the time it was written. For use in any setting, this presentation covers such topics as discovering the meaning of the text, the importance of context, the Bible as its own dictionary, identifying figures of speech, and recognizing near/far applications in prophetic passages. Call to order: A PRODUCTION OF SOLA SCRIPTURA • RUNNING TIME: 32 MINUTES • VHS 1-800-627-5134 Parousia — page 11

Thank You, Roger Best Eight years have come and gone since Robert dedication and years of loving service! You Van Kampen and Roger Best first launched will be missed. The Sign Ministries. In the early years, Little did Roger and Mr. Van Kampen re- Roger was The Sign Ministries—answering alize what the 800-number in the back of the phone calls, writing letters, conducting con- book The Sign would produce. Since those ferences, and continuing to study and refine early days, a teaching staff of three full-time the prewrath understanding of Christ’s return individuals has joined the ministry as well as along with Mr. Van Kampen. Roger met with five full-time support staff. And today, an of- pastors and church leaders all over the United fice complex in western Michigan is now States. His home was his office as much as home to the ministry. airports, planes, and hotels, and in those days, Since 1992, the ministry has held confer- his wife Bertha was his secretary. ences of one kind or another in thirty states tors’ gatherings. Whenever possible, we try to After many years of serving the Lord in the and in over ten foreign countries. Today, the accommodate. pastorate and then in the crowning work of average volume of phone calls has grown You are invited to send a personal note to his life with The Sign Ministries, Roger, con- from a handful to over 400 per month. And Roger and Bertha here at the ministry and we tinuing in good health, has stepped into our growing quarterly newsletter, Parousia, is will be more than happy to pass them on. retirement. The ministry today is due sub- mailed to nearly 10,000 addresses. Pastors And then, join us, won’t you, in praying for stantially to his love for the work, his and congregational members continue to call The Sign Ministries and the staff as this min- commitment to the prewrath understanding us for clarification of prophetic passages and istry continues to move forward, that we will of the end times, and his tireless efforts in to purchase materials. We also receive invita- know the Lord’s guidance in all we do and teaching what the Scriptures say about the re- tions from around the world to present that we’ll walk and work in His wisdom in turn of Christ. Thank you Roger for your conferences and seminars and to address pas- this challenging hour of history. Kenya Trip 2000 Ham jambo wote! In Swahili, that means, college and university “Greetings to all of you!” The Sign Ministries teaching positions and a completed another “first” during the month of host of other leadership May. Kenya Highlands Bible College in positions in their represen- Kericho, Kenya, invited a ministry team to tative homelands. Only the come and present the prewrath teaching of Lord knows where The Christ’s return to nearly 70 college students Sign Ministries’ teaching and staff May 22-28, 2000. will ultimately go in the Charles Cooper and Bill Lee-Warner both years to come, affecting the addressed the college community during sev- lives of many. eral chapel and classroom sessions. Charles and Bill were Additionally, opportunity was given to ad- hosted by the school’s se- dress the 1500-member Immanuel Africa nior teaching lecturer, OE Joseph and his wife ing continue to be received. Our desire is to Gospel Church on Sunday morning. Charles Mariam. Their graciousness and kindness to be as responsive to each invitation as is hu- preached to a combined congregation of the team went far beyond the call of duty. manly possible. Once again, we in The Sign English and Swahili-speaking members and Their spiritual heartbeat and love for the stu- Ministries acknowledge our dependence on twice the team spoke to the leadership of the dents and ministry was very evident and the Lord for His guidance and strength and as church. explains why the staff and students hold them well, we are grateful for the many supporters The Kenya Highlands Bible College stu- in such high regard. with whom God has blessed us. We thank you dent body represents four African countries: As the Biblical message of Christ’s return for your kindness’ to us and your many faith- Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda, and Uganda. Some from the prewrath perspective continues to ful prayers. Asante sane! (Thank you very of the students will pursue pastoral and expand in the United States and around the much!) May we each continue to be about the church-related ministries. Others will seek world, calls to our office to present the teach- Lord’s business in these momentous days. Nonprofit Org. THE U.S. Postage Paid Grand Haven, MI SIGN Permit No. 383 Ministries P.O. Box 113 West Olive, MI 49460 A Ministry of Sola Scriptura

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Examine the biblical prophecies concerning Christ’s Second Coming Second Christ’s concerning prophecies biblical the Examine

—ACTS 17:11— —ACTS

the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so. were things these whether see to daily, Scriptures the They received the word with great eagerness, examining eagerness, great with word the received They 16

THE SIGN MINISTRIES NEWSLETTER / FALL 2000

TheTheThe PROPHETICPROPHETICPROPHETIC PILLARSPILLARSPILLARS OFOFOF THE THE THE PREWRATHPREWRATHPREWRATH POSITIONPOSITIONPOSITION

Part 5: The Battle of Armageddon Occurs Thirty Days after the Conclusion of Daniel’s Seventieth Week Parousia — page 2

The PROPHETIC PILLARS OF THE PREWRATH POSITION

The Fifth Prophetic Pillar: THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON OCCURS THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF DANIEL’S SEVENTIETH WEEK

by Charles Cooper

The Problem The timing of the battle of Armageddon in relation tion is that “the battle will take place right at Jesus’ to the Seventieth Week of Daniel is very much a de- coming after the tribulation.”4 Meredith G. Kline bated issue. The prewrath position places the timing states that “the Har Magedon crisis of Rev 16:14- of Armageddon thirty days after the completion of 16… is to be identified with the millennium-ending Daniel’s Seventieth Week. Pretribulationists place Gog-Magog event of [Revelation] 20:7-10.”5 the timing of Armageddon at the very end of One can see that the opinions concerning the Daniel’s Seventieth Week. C.I. Scofield, who popu- timing of the Battle of Armageddon range over a larized the pretrib Rapture in America, states, wide spectrum. An essential question about the tim- “Armageddon is the last event in the great tribula- ing concerns the issue of interpretation. How tion.”1 Hoyt’s statement that, “the Battle of literally should we take the end-times as recorded in Armageddon with which the tribulation period will the books of Daniel and Revelation? The book of come to a close,” echoes Scofield’s position.2 As one Revelation gives very precise numbers for the dura- would expect, John F. Walvoord is consonant with tion of Antichrist’s rule—one thousand two Scofield. Walvoord states “the Battle of Armageddon hundred and sixty days (Rev. 12:6) or forty-two will occur during the final days of the Great months (Rev. 13:5). Without explicit scriptural Tribulation.”3 Posttribulationist Bob Gundry’s posi- command to do otherwise, these numbers must be Parousia — page 3 THE FIFTH PROPHETIC PILLAR

taken literally. This, by definition, places the de- the mid-point of Daniel’s final week. Daniel 9:27 struction of Antichrist outside the Seventieth Week also records that this desolation will continue from of Daniel. the mid-point of the Seventieth Week “until a com- A failure to place the timing of the battle of plete destruction…is poured out on the one who Armageddon in its proper sequence results in scrip- makes desolate (Dan 9:27b).” It is tural contradictions. This is a conclusion that is immediately clear that Daniel unacceptable and unnecessary to those who hold to 12:11 extends the length of time A failure to the inerrancy and infallibility of God’s Word. The between the beginning desola- battle of Armageddon must stand outside the tion and the end of the one who Seventieth Week of Daniel, but before the begin- makes desolate an additional 30 place the battle ning of the millennial kingdom. This is the only days. Daniel 9:27 and 12:11 in- logical conclusion, which has explicit scriptural dicate that the termination of the support and removes all scriptural contradictions. desolation coincides with the de- of Armageddon struction of the one who makes THE TIMING OF THE BATTLE OF desolate. Revelation 19:20 de- ARMAGEDDON clares that the beast (Antichrist, in its proper the one who makes desolate) is The First Proof: Antichrist’s Allotment of Time thrown “alive into the lake of fire to Rule which burns with brimstone” at sequence results The first proof that the timing of the Battle of Armageddon. The church fathers Armageddon must stand outside the Seventieth support this conclusion. Week of Daniel concerns Antichrist’s allotment of Hippolytus, the first church in scriptural time to rule. Revelation 13:5 states, “There was giv- father to write a complete com- en to him (the beast, who is Antichrist) a mouth mentary on the book of Daniel, speaking arrogant words and blasphemies, and au- states, “the duration of the time of contradictions. thority to act for forty-two months was given to the Antichrist is three years and him.”6 Forty-two months is exactly three and a half- seven months.”9 David G. Dunbar, an expert on the prophetic years.7 Because Revelation 19:20 places writings of Hippolytus from Trinity International the destruction of Antichrist in the context of the University, writes, Armageddon campaign and there is no biblical jus- There is, therefore, not a great deal of new tification for cutting Antichrist’s authority to rule material in Hippolytus. He does develop a short,8 the destruction of Antichrist can be effec- few original themes; but by and large he is tively placed outside the second half of Daniel’s not an innovator but a preserver and collec- Seventieth Week. This harmonizes with Daniel tor of what has gone before. This suggests 9:27, which indicates that “the prince” (Antichrist) that in Hippolytus we find a kind of “main- will make a covenant for one week (seven years) line” eschatology which may have been which he will break in the middle of the week quite widespread during the closing decades (three-and-a-half years). A literal face value of the second century.10 hermeneutic would demand that Antichrist can be destroyed no earlier than the first day after the three As a disciple of Irenaeus, Hippolytus can trace his and an half years of his allotted authority to rule beliefs back to John the apostle. Irenaeus was a dis- and persecute God’s elect. ciple of Polycarp who was a disciple of the apostle John.11 Irenaeus, himself, wrote, “he [Antichrist] The Second Proof: Antichrist’s Destruction will reign for three years and six months.”12 The Determined only logical conclusion is that the destruction of The second proof that the timing of the Battle of Antichrist occurs after Daniel’s final week con- Armageddon must stand outside the Seventieth cludes. Week of Daniel concerns Daniel 12:11. Daniel states, “From the time that the regular sacrifice is The Third Proof: The Sequencing of the Book abolished and the abomination of desolation is set of Revelation up, there will be 1, 290 days.” Daniel 9:27 indicates The third and final reason Armageddon must stand that the abolition of regular sacrifices and the set- outside the Seventieth Week of Daniel concerns the ting up of a desolating abomination will begin at proper sequencing of the book of Revelation. Any Parousia — page 4 THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON OCCURS THIRTY DAYS

attempt to place the Battle of Armageddon within terpretation of the book of Revelation becomes the Seventieth Week of Daniel will require a subjectively arbitrary and explicit textual details “forced” outline of the book of Revelation. This must be ignored, generalized or spiritualized. We forcing occurs by an overlapping of the seals, trum- offer two arguments in support of this conclusion. pets and bowls. Notice the following chart of the First, the question of the fifth seal martyrs defies structure of the Revelation by Dr. Douglas J. Moo:13 any attempt by those who would argue that the first five seals are the wrath of God in any shape, form or fashion. God clearly states that His judgment and vengeance on the living earth-dwellers responsible A “Forced” Outline of the Book of Revelation for the death of the martyrs will be delayed “until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed… would be completed also” (Rev. 6:11). To suggest that the first four seals are the wrath of God offers a clear contradiction to the Lord’s response to the fifth seal martyrs. Equally, to suggest that any of the trumpets or bowls occur before the fifth seal is a clear contradiction to the Lord’s response to the fifth seal martyrs. The only logical conclusion one can draw from the exchange between the martyrs and God is this: God’s judgment and vengeance on the earth-dwellers has not begun. Second, the final three trumpet judgments are distinctively identified as more disastrous in nature than the first four trumpets. The angelic announcement in Revelation 8:13 is that the nature of the final three, trumpets can be summarized in the word woe. Ουαι` (ouai, woe or alas) is an exclamation of pain and pity for the misfortune that awaits someone in a certain condition.14 The woes establish the impossibility that the seals, trumpets, and bowls overlap or run concurrently.15 The bowls have a totally different purpose from the trumpets. While the trumpets, using a formula of thirds, persecute mankind in general, the bowls primarily focus the wrath of God against Antichrist, his kingdom, and those who take his mark.16 Only by ignoring the textual differences and taking Scripture at less than Dr. Moo espouses a posttribulational Rapture. His face value can anyone insist that the seals, trumpets, outline of the book of Revelation is a defense of and bowls overlap or run concurrently. that position. Moo indicates that the Rapture of the church will occur following the first six seals, trum- AN OVERVIEW OF REVELATION 12–19 pets, and bowls. Moo’s chart indicates that the sixth seal, the sixth trumpet and the sixth bowl are the As with Daniel 7:1-14 and Matthew 24:4-14, same. However, seals one through five, trumpets Revelation 4-11 presents an overview of the end of one through five, and bowls one through five are Gentile dominance over Israel and Jerusalem. not equal. Each series begins at different times, but Similarly, immediately following the broad culminates at the same time. Immediately following overview, the author of the book of Revelation fo- the Rapture, which follows the sixth seal, sixth cuses on a detailed look at the persecution of trumpet and sixth bowl, the parousia of Christ oc- Antichrist. Just as Daniel 7 and Matthew 24, curs, this includes the battle of Armageddon. Revelation 12-19 focuses specifically on the Great In this author’s opinion, Moo’s outline of the Tribulation.17 Unlike Daniel 7 that begins with the Revelation renders the book unintelligible. The in- rise of the beast from the sea, Revelation 12 begins Parousia — page 5 AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF DANIEL’S SEVENTIETH WEEK

with the dragon’s (Satan) hatred of the women (a for one thousand two hundred and sixty days? remnant of National Israel). This forms the basis of These two questions provide the framework for the the Great Tribulation. rest of the book of Revelation. These two questions Revelation 12:1-6 states, are answered in reverse order beginning at Revelation 12:7 through Revelation 20:15. And a great sign appeared in heaven: a Revelation 12:7-12 indicates that Michael and woman clothed with the sun, and the moon his angels wage war with Satan and his angels, under her feet, and on her head a crown of which results in Satan and his angels being cast twelve stars; and she was with child; and she down to the earth. This event initiates the Great cried out, being in labor and in pain to give Tribulation and the subsequent events that follow it. birth. And another sign appeared in heaven: This culminates with the battle of Armageddon and and behold, a great red dragon having seven the Son’s reign over the nations. The casting down heads and ten horns, and on his heads were of Satan to earth leads to his persecution of the seven diadems. And his tail swept away a woman who gave birth to the male child and her third of the stars of heaven, and threw them offspring (Rev. 12:13-17). Satan enlists the help of to the earth. And the dragon stood before a beast from the sea to persecute the elect of God the woman who was about to give birth, so for forty-two months (Rev. 13:1- that when she gave birth he might devour 12). The beast from the sea her child. And she gave birth to a son, a male enlists the help of a beast from child, who is to rule all the nations with a Only by ignoring the earth to persecute those who rod of iron; and her child was caught up to refuse to worship the beast from God and to His throne. And the woman fled the sea (Rev. 13:11-18). into the wilderness where she had a place the textual differ- Revelation 14 opens with a prepared by God, so that there she might be description of the 144,000 Jews nourished for one thousand two hundred who were sealed just after the and sixty days. ences and taking Rapture of the church, but imme- Like Daniel 7, John begins his description of the diately before the wrath of God persecution of Antichrist with highly symbolical fell in the trumpet judgments. Scripture at less language.18 John indicates that “a great sign ap- The 144,000 Jews are now peared in heaven.” The Greek word σηµειˆον19 standing on Mt. Zion with the (sign) indicates “a symbol that has deeper signifi- Lamb of God. This signals that than face value cance.”20 Unlike Daniel 7, John does not identify the end of the Seventieth Week the significance of the symbols with the exception has come and that the salvation of the dragon who is Satan. Revelation 12:1-6 can of National Israel has occurred. can anyone insist be summarized as follows: the woman (a remnant of Three angelic announcements of National Israel) gives birth to a son (the Messiah) coming wrath follow in whom the dragon (Satan/beast empires) desires to Revelation 14:6-12. Revelation that the seals, kill. The son (the Messiah born to rule the nations) 14:13 offers a promise to those is caught up to the throne of God and the woman who die in the Lord. Revelation (a remnant of National Israel) flees to protective cus- 14:14-17 narrates the wrath of trumpets, and tody in the wilderness for one thousand two God against the wicked depicted hundred and sixty days. in the bowl judgments to follow. Closer examination of Revelation 12:1-6 reveals Revelation 15 depicts the third bowls overlap or that the Son of the woman is caught up to heaven. and final sign seen by John in He must remain there until it is time for Him to rule Revelation 12-20. The seven an- the nations. John then skips forward in history to gels with the seven last plagues of run concurrently. the beginning of Antichrist’s tribulation against wrath against the wicked are pre- God’s elect. He concludes Revelation 12:1-6 with sented. Revelation 16 depicts the seven bowls of the woman fleeing to the wilderness. Revelation God’s final wrath against Antichrist, his kingdom, 12:1-6 fosters two important questions. First, why and those who took his mark. What is only high- does the dragon desire to kill the Son? The second lighted in bowls six and seven is detailed in question concerns the woman. Why does the Revelation 17-19. Bowl 7 highlighted the destruc- woman flee to protective custody in the wilderness tion of Babylon, but Revelation 17-18 detailed her Parousia — page 6 THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON OCCURS THIRTY DAYS

destruction. Bowl 6 highlighted the preparation of the reference, “Behold, I am coming like a thief ” to the nations for the Battle of Armageddon, but the refer to the Rapture. However, this conclusion fails details of the battle are given in Revelation 19. to appreciate not only the context, but also the historical usage of this phrase. THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON Jesus states in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy…” This is the Revelation 19 opens with a fourfold hallelujah in purpose of a thief. However, there is another issue praise to God for his wrath against the wicked. related to the coming of a thief. This concerns his Revelation 19:7-10 presents the marriage of the modus operandi (how he operates). That is, a thief Lamb in heaven. The remainder of chapter 19 de- comes suddenly or unexpectedly. The apostle Paul picts the return of the Lamb in judgment against indicates “that the day of the Lord will come just Satan, Antichrist, and the nations. like a thief in the night (1 Thess. 5:2).” Paul indicates that the point of the figure of speech is Armageddon Previewed: Revelation 16:12-16 “suddenness.” Therefore, the question concerning Revelation 16:12 opens with the announcement Revelation 16:15 is this: is the point that the Lord that “the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the makes in Revelation 16:15 one of purpose or great river, the Euphrates. The purpose of the sixth modus operandi? On the other hand, it could be bowl is to dry up the river “so that the way would both. A closer examination will reveal the correct be prepared for the kings from the east.” The sin- answer. gular emphasis on “the kings The image of a man awakened by surprise and from the east” has caused some forced to parade about naked is clear. The question The point is scholars to question their role in concerns its meaning. Alfred Edersheim is helpful at the “war of the great day of God, this point. In his book The Temple, It’s Ministries and the Almighty.” Why does God Service, he writes, obvious: the Lord grant “the kings from the east” Perhaps one of the most striking instances of special help to reach the land of this kind is afforded by the words quoted at Israel while to the rest of “the the head of this chapter—‘Blessed is he that will suddenly kings of the whole world” He watcheth, and keepeth his garments.’ They does not? Are “the kings of the literally describe, as we learn from the east” coming to fight the Beast or Rabbis, the punishment awarded to the appear and the un- are they coming to fight in “the Temple-guards if found asleep at their posts; war of the great day of God, the and the Rabbinical account of it is curiously Almighty?” One cannot be dog- confirmed by the somewhat naive confes- prepared will suffer matic at this point, however, by sion of one of their number, that on a certain the time of the bowl judgments occasion his own maternal uncle had actual- the hostility of mankind seems to ly undergone the punishment of having his a great disaster. be focused against God alone. clothes set on fire by the captain of the Antichrist and the kings of the Temple as he went his rounds at night… earth unite against God “for the war of the great During the night the ‘captain of the Temple’ day of God, the Almighty.” made his rounds. On his approach the Given a literal interpretation of the trumpet and guards had to rise and salute him in a par- bowl judgments, it is beyond comprehension that ticular manner. Any guard found asleep any man on earth would continue to resist God’s when on duty was beaten, or his garments rule and authority. Revelation 16:14 indicates were set on fire—a punishment, as we know, Satan/Antichrist/False Prophet will utilize demon- actually awarded.21 ic deception to gather “the kings of the whole world” “for the war of the great day of God, the The point is obvious: the Lord will suddenly appear Almighty.” It is in this context that the Lord Jesus and the unprepared will suffer a great disaster. In offers one of His clearest warnings. He states, the context of the sixth bowl, which gathers “the “Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one kings of the whole world” “for the war of the great who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he day of God, the Almighty” this is clearly a warn- will not walk about naked and men will not see his ing—stay away. This is the only way to prevent a shame” (Rev. 16:15). Incorrectly some have taken disaster at Armageddon for “the kings of the whole Parousia — page 7 AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF DANIEL’S SEVENTIETH WEEK

world.” If they come to the battle, they will be em- The purpose of the gathering of the birds is to eat barrassed. This will be the least of their problems. the flesh of man and beast that gather to fight The place of “the war of the great day of God, against the Lord. Commentators recognize a simi- the Almighty” is called in Hebrew Har-Magedon. larity between Revelation 19:17-18, and 21b and This is the only place in the Bible where the word Ezekiel 39:17-20. The exact nature of the relation- occurs. John’s indication that the place bears a ship between Revelation 19 and Ezekiel 38-39 is Hebrew name immediately sends us to the Old not at all clear. The problem is compounded by the Testament. The first step in arriving at the correct reference to Gog and Magog in Revelation 20:8, meaning is to recognize that a literal geographical which follows the 1,000 year reign location is intended. There is nothing in the gram- of Christ on earth. No position en- mar or context to prove one word. The second step joys the absence of contradictions. There is not one in arriving at the correct meaning is to recognize Ezekiel’s inclusion of a seven-month that John’s audience was familiar with the term. period to bury the dead and a seven- John instructs the reader that Har-Magedon is a year period to burn the weapons of explicit statement Hebrew name. As such, it is composed of two warfare make any solution connect- words. The Hebrew word rÅh (pronounced “har”) ed with the Seventieth Week of can be translated either a hill or mountain. NOwΩdˆg◊m Daniel extremely difficult to sus- in Scripture that (pronounced “me-gid-don”) “was an ancient city lo- tain.24 cated on a plain in the southwest portion of the Some have incorrectly surmised Valley of Jezreel (Jewish name) or Esdraelon (Greek that “the flesh of all men” mentioned the bride of the name).”22 in Revelation 19:18 refers to every Two great mountains stand to the northeast and single man, woman, boy, and girl on southeast of the hill of Megiddo: Mt. Tabor and Mt. planet earth. However, Revelation Lamb will return Gilboa. Between these two mountains run the val- 19:19 qualifies the meaning of ley of Jezreel, which is fifteen miles wide at its John’s phrase. “And I saw the beast widest point. It will be the place of God’s great (Antichrist) and the kings of the at Armageddon. slaughter of the nations depicted in Revelation earth and their armies assembled to 19:11-21. make war…” This limits the combatants to military personnel only. There is no indication that non-mil- Armageddon Pictured: Revelation 19:11-21 itary personnel are involved. Revelation 19:20 What is summarized in Revelation 16:12-16 is ful- indicates that the beast (Antichrist) and the false ly detailed in Revelation 19:11-21. Revelation prophet are seized and “thrown alive into the lake 19:11-16 depicts the glorious return of Christ with of fire which burns with brimstone.” Revelation 19 “the armies which are in heaven.” There is no debate concludes by describing the fate of “the rest” (the that it is the Lord who returns to earth. Who con- kings and their armies). They are “killed with the stitutes “the armies that are in heaven” is another sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat issue altogether. The description: “clothed in fine on the horse.” As previously warned, “all the birds linen, white and clean” can refer to angelic beings were filled with their flesh.” (Rev. 15:6) or the bride of the Lamb (Rev. 19:8). Matthew 25:31 indicates that angels will accompa- CONCLUSION ny the Lord’s return to judge the nations. However, there is not one explicit statement in Scripture that It defies logic that anyone familiar with the history states that the bride of the Lamb will return at of the nation of Israel over the past 50 years could Armageddon.23 Additionally, it appears strange to insist that God has not played a prophetic role in use the metaphor of a bride at her wedding in the recent history of that nation. Chaim Herzog Revelation 19:7 and seven verses later use a writes in his book, The Arab-Israeli Wars, metaphor of an army to describe the same group. The morning of 5 June 1967 found Israel’s However, one simply cannot be dogmatic about the armed forces facing the massed Arab armies composition of “the armies which are in heaven” around her frontiers… At 07.45 hours on that accompany the Lord to the battle of Monday 5 June, and for the ensuing three Armageddon. hours, the Israeli Air Force commanded by Revelation 19:17-18 describe the angelic call to Major-General Mordechai Hod, undertook a the birds to “assemble for the great supper of God.” Parousia — page 8 THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON OCCURS THIRTY DAYS

pre-emptive attack designed to destroy the personnel are trademark characteristics of God’s Egyptian Air Force and its airfields… In the handy work. Armageddon will be no exception! main attack, nineteen Egyptian air bases in the Sinai, in the Nile delta, the Nile valley ENDNOTES and Cairo area were attacked in some 500 1. C.I. Scofield, “The Last World Empire and Armageddon,” BSac 108 (Jul-Sept. 1951), 358. sorties, destroying 309 out of 340 service- 2. H. A. Hoyt, The End Times (Chicago: Moody Press, able combat aircraft including all 30 long- 1969), 163. range Tu-16 bombers, 27 medium-range 3. Edward Hindson quotes John F. Walvoord in the Illyushin Il-28 bombers, 12 Sukhoi Su-7 Dictionary of Premillennial Theology, ed. Mal Couch, fighter bombers, some 90 MiG-21 fighters, (Grand Rapids: Kregal Publications, 1996), 57. 4. Bob Gundry, First the Antichrist (Grand Rapids: Baker 20 MiG-19 fighters, 25 MiG-17 fighters, Books, 1997), 28. and a further 32 transport aircraft and heli- 5. M.G. Kline, “Har Magedon: The End of the copters. The Six Day War was won virtually Millennium,” JETS 39 (June 1996), 214. in the first few hours.25 6. That this refers to the second half of Daniel’s Seventieth Week is without debate. An expression of appreciation to God is conspicu- 7. A prophetic year consists of 360 days. See for a ously absent from Herzog’s book. Indeed, God is defense of this position: “Chronological Aspects of not mentioned. But, one will look in vain for a sim- the Life of Christ, Part VI: Daniel’s Seventy Weeks and New Testament Chronology,” H.W. Hoehner, ilar expression in the book of Esther. No one BSac 132 (Jan., 1975), 63. Also, see Robert doubts the prophetic hand of God in the book of Anderson, The Coming Prince, 10th ed. (London: Esther. The same can be said of the Six Day War in Hodder and Stoghton, 1915), pp. 67-75. Israel’s recent history. 8. Matthew 24:22 indicates that God will cut Antichrist’s An examination of Old Testament military sci- persecution of God’s elect short. However, there is a difference between Antichrist’s authority to rule and ence reveals amazing similarities between Israel’s his persecution of God’s elect. The removal of God’s Six Day War and the battles depicted in Genesis, elect from the earth does not alter Antichrist’s time Joshua and Judges. Surprise pre-emptive strikes, to rule. swift miraculous defeats of the enemy, extraordinar- 9. Matthew 24:6 (GCS 1/2.201) ily low casualties in Israel, unparalleled death tolls 10. D.G. Dunbar, “Hippolytus of Rome and the Eschatological Exegesis of the Early Church,” WTJ among the enemy, and gross inequities in military 45, (Fall, 1983), 323.

G RAND O PENING C ELEBRATION!

F EBRUARY 5 - 28, 2001 Parousia — page 9 AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF DANIEL’S SEVENTIETH WEEK

11. Eusebius Church History 5.20.5-7. directly to Daniel 7:25, 9:27 and 12:11. 12. Irenaeus, Against Heresies 5.30.4 18. However, this should not cause the reader to assume 13. R.R. Reiter, P.D. Feinberg, G.L. Archer and D.J. Moo, that John’s meaning is beyond discovery. While John The Rapture: Pre-, Mid-, or Post-Tribulational? (Grand does not offer the correct interpretation of every Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1984), 204. aspect of his prophecy, Daniel does. Daniel estab- 14. D.L. Bock, Luke 1:1-9:50 (Grand Rapids: Baker lishes that highly symbolical language has a specific Books, 1994), 583. and concrete reality. Daniel’s hermeneutic is an 15. See the previous edition of this newsletter for a excellent model for interpreting Revelation 12-19. defense of this position. 19. Pronounced “say me on.” 16. The first bowl strikes “the people who had the mark 20. D.E. Aune, Revelation 6-16 in the Word Biblical of the beast and who worshiped his image” with Commentary, Vol. 52b (Nashville: Thomas Nelson loathsome and malignant sores. The second bowl Publishers, 1998), 681. strikes the sea turning it into blood, which kills all 21. A. Edersheim, The Temple, Its Ministries and Service, its content. The third bowl strikes all fresh water (Bucks: Candle Books, 1997), 99. sources turning them into blood. The angel of the 22. Aune, Revelation 6-16, page 898. waters (Rev. 16:5-7) tells us that the reason God 23. 1 Thessalonians 3:13 is argued by some to be a ref- strikes all water sources (both salt and fresh) and erence to the bride’s return with the Lord at turns them into blood is to punish “they [who] Armageddon. However, this is highly unlikely. The poured out the blood of saints and prophets.” The Greek says literally, “the holy ones.” This designa- “they” must refer to wicked humans. The nearest tion can refer to angels or humans. Daniel character- antecedent is the marked worshippers of the best in istically designates celestial beings as holy ones prior Revelation 16:2. The fourth bowl causes the sun to to the kingdom, but humans are holy ones after the scorch men, [Literally, the men]. The Greek is very kingdom comes. See “The Provenance of the Term specific here, not men in general, but in context, spe- “Saints”: A Religionsgeschechtliche Study,” JETS 24 cific men, which refers back to Revelation 16:2. The (June 1981), 112. The context of 1 Thessalonians fifth bowl is specifically indicated to afflict “the 3:13 is the parousia of Christ at which time the throne of the beast; and his kingdom.” Bowl 6 calls Thessalonians will be presented before God the the nations to the great battle of Armageddon. The Father. The Thessalonians will be presented and seventh and final bowl destroys the cities of the rewarded before Armageddon. world, Babylon the great, mountains and islands. 24. In a subsequent article, we will deal with the identi- The men (the Greek is specific) are pounded on earth ty, meaning, and significance of the Gog/Magog with hundred pound hailstones. This again refers conflict detailed in Ezekiel 38-39. back to Revelation 16:2. 25. Chaim Herzog, The Arab-Israeli Wars, (New York: 17. The time designation of “one thousand two hundred Vintage Books, 1984), 151-153, 160d. and sixty days” in Revelation 12:6 connects us

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ders are dressed in white linen does not require them to be the Church. Examining the We must be careful to not take one identifying statement in Scripture and then apply it universally every time it is used.

Twenty-four Elders Humans The fact that the elders are distinct from the angels and the four liv- by Gary Vaterlaus ing creatures does not necessitate them being human. Nor does the fact that they are called “elders” mean that they have gotten older. n Revelation 4:4 we are introduced to twenty-four elders who are There are 175 references to “elders” in the Bible. One hundred and Iin heaven—“And around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and sixteen of those references are in the Old Testament, leaving fifty-nine upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white in the New Testament. The vast majority of the references in the Old garments, and golden crowns on their heads.” Some teach that these and New Testament refer to the leaders of a city, the leaders of a tribe elders represent the Church. Since this heavenly vision of John takes (the elders of the congregation of Israel), or in the case of the New place before the opening of the first seal, they conclude that this Testament, the leader of a local church. This term does not refer to age. proves that the Church has been raptured and is in heaven before the The elders were the rulers and decision-makers. Instead of making the events of Daniel’s 70th week begin. elders something that the Bible does not state them to be, let’s just let Their arguments identifying the twenty-four elders as the Church them be twenty-four elders, seated around the throne of God, who go something like this: were created to worship Him and have a leadership role in heaven. 1. The twenty-four elders are wearing crowns—these must be The Passages the victor’s crowns that believers are promised in Scripture. I want us now to look at three passages in the book of Revelation 2. The twenty-four elders are wearing white garments—these which mention the twenty-four elders. As we read these passages we must be the same white garments that the Church is wear- will see that the twenty-four elders are not equivalent to the Church. ing in Revelation 19:8. Revelation 5:1-5 3. The twenty-four elders are distinct from the angels and the And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a four living creatures, and, unlike angelic beings, they age book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven (after all, they are called “elders”), so they must be human seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, (i.e. the Church). “Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?” And no one in heaven, or on the earth, or under the earth, Let’s look at these arguments and several passages that mention the was able to open the book, or to look into it. And I began to twenty-four elders. Our study will show that this view has no biblical weep greatly, because no one was found worthy to open the support, and is actually contradicted by Scripture. When we study book, or to look into it; and one of the elders said to me, “Stop Scripture we must remember to be careful how we interpret passages. weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the We must let them speak for themselves and not be too quick to rein- Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its terpret them to fit into our own preconceived theological systems. seven seals.” (italics added) Crowns Here we see one of the elders explaining to John that he should not The Greek word for ‘crown’ in Revelation 4:4 is stefanos. While this weep, because Christ, the Lion from the tribe of Judah, is worthy to word can mean a victor’s crown or wreath earned in the games, ac- open the book with its seven seals. It is interesting to note that it is not cording to W.E. Vine it can also mean a token of public honor for all the twenty-four elders referred to here, but just one of the elders. distinguished service, or an emblem of joy and glory (Vine, W.E., The fact that one elder is singled out as speaking shows us that this is Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words). Thus, the fact that the el- not a representative group for the Church (supposedly representing ders have crowns does not automatically mean they were given to the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles of Christ), but actu- them as a victory reward. These could equally be crowns of joy and ally individual elders, having distinct identities from one another (as glory that are bestowed upon the elders in their service of worship- also seen in Rev. 7:13). If in John’s visions the twenty-four elders are ping God. the Church, then we would expect them to only appear as a group. Revelation 5:8-10 White Garments And when He had taken the book, the four living creatures The saints are not the only one’s wearing white garments in and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, having Revelation. Angels are also described as wearing white garments in each one a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are Revelation 15:6—“…and the seven angels who had the seven plagues the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, came out of the temple, clothed in linen, clean and bright, and girded “Worthy art Thou to take the book, and to break its seals; for around their breasts with golden girdles.” So, just the fact that the el- Parousia — page 11

Thou wast slain, and didst purchase for God with Thy blood of a great multitude and as the sound of many waters and as the men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. And sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, “Hallelujah! For the Thou hast made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns…” (italics added) they will reign upon the earth.” (italics added) In this passage the twenty-four elders and four living creatures are In this passage the elders are worshipping the Lamb, singing a new worshipping God. Then a voice comes from the throne commanding song to Him. They state that Christ purchased “men from every tribe God’s bond-servants, small and great, to give praise to God as well. and tongue and people and nation. And Thou hast made them to be Next, John hears a “great multitude” praising God. As in the above a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.” passage, here we see that the twenty-four elders are a distinct group Notice the words used to describe those who had been purchased by from the bond-servants of God—the Church, which is the same “great Christ: “them” and “they,” that is, someone other than the twenty-four multitude” we encounter in Revelation 7:9-17. And by the way, the elders. If they were speaking of themselves they would have used passage in Revelation 7 shows again that the twenty-four elders are words like “us” and “we.” The fact is that the elders see themselves as separate beings from the great multitude which is from “every nation distinct from those whom Christ purchased with His blood—the and all tribes and peoples and tongues”—that is, the Church. Church. Nowhere in Scripture are the twenty-four elders called the Church. This is an assumption based on reasoning in order to support a pre- Revelation 19:4-6 conceived idea—that the Church is already in heaven before the And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell events of Daniel’s 70th week begin. down and worshiped God who sits on the throne saying, As Scripture is studied carefully and compared with other Scripture, “Amen. Hallelujah!” And a voice came from the throne, say- it becomes clear that the twenty-four elders do not represent the ing, “Give praise to our God, all you His bond-servants, you who Church in heaven, but are creatures, leaders in heaven, who reside fear Him, the small and the great.” And I heard, as it were, the voice around the throne of God, worshipping and serving Him. His Plans for the Ministry

The Lord continues to open doors for The nars. Recently, Gary has met with pastors in Sign Ministries while also closing others. Oregon and spoken in churches in Idaho, Through these days of transition, we appreci- Louisiana, Tennessee, and Alberta. Gary will ate your thoughts and prayers and notes of also be writing for our website and this encouragement. newsletter while traveling Within the past two across the country. months Bill Lee-Warner, “For I know the Charles Cooper is plan- Bill Lee-Warner Gary Vaterlaus Charles Cooper seminar Bible teacher and au- plans that I have ning on upcoming trips to thor of several articles and Ghana, Papua New Guinea, FAQs on our website, was di- for you,” Mexico, Florida, and New that would refer to a pretribulational Rapture. agnosed with an aggressive declares the York, as well as preparing for Other future ministry projects include the brain tumor. He has begun LORD, “plans for a Seattle-area conference with publication of the “Pillars” newsletter articles treatment and remains a welfare and not Gary in April. He is working into a book, the development of a video se- tremendous rock of faith to all for calamity to on developing a seminar on ries focusing on the Olivet Discourse, and a of us here in the office. Bill the Book of Revelation that redesign of our multimedia presentation that writes, “In all things, let us run give you a future will incorporate a dramatic our speakers use when conducting confer- the race before us—to win! and a hope.” reading of the text by Marquis ences and seminars. Let us not just be in the race, Jeremiah 29:11 Laughlin, who will be appear- As we look foward to the new year, we are but to win with our Lord in ing regularly at The Holy excited about the possibilities the Lord has the end.” As we have strived Land Experience, a living, for The Sign Ministries, but we also are re- to minister to Bill, we have often found our- biblical museum opening in 2001 in Orlando, minded of the preciousness of the lives of our selves incredibly ministered to by his words. Florida. Charles is also busy at work on the staff and friends of the ministry. Our ministry Please pray for Bill and his family. next issue of Parousia which will take a closer is to you, students of the Bible. And your In light of this, Gary Vaterlaus has taken look at Pseudo-Ephraem, an ancient sermon ministry to us is in encouragement and prayer. some of Bill’s scheduled meetings and semi- that supposedly includes an explicit statement Thank you for your part in our lives. Nonprofit Org. THE U.S. Postage Paid Grand Haven, MI SIGN Permit No. 383 Ministries P.O. Box 113 West Olive, MI 49460 A Ministry of Sola Scriptura

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

www.signministries.org at: website our Visit Scriptura. Sola of ministry a is Ministries Sign The

is produced and published four times a year by The Sign Ministries, P.O. Box 113, West Olive, MI 49460; 49460; MI Olive, West 113, Box P.O. Ministries, Sign The by year a times four published and produced is Parousia ; Editor: Rev. Bill Lee-Warner; Bill Rev. Editor: ; [email protected] ; 627-5134 (800)

powerful testimonies occurring in peoples’ in occurring testimonies powerful daughter, to meet on one of their missions. their of one on meet to daughter, Pastor D.O. in New Mexico New in D.O. Pastor —

Word. Also, tell Bill that there have been have there that Bill tell Also, Word. whom I had the pleasure, along with my with along pleasure, the had I whom our prayer. our

want to encourage you to keep spreading the spreading keep to you encourage to want comes across the phone. And Bill and Roger and Bill And phone. the across comes days. May God continue to bless all of you, is you, of all bless to continue God May days.

I have been praying for your ministry and ministry your for praying been have I pecially thank Dean for… his smile that smile his for… Dean thank pecially learning to our lives during these pivotal these during lives our to learning

study God’s Word concerning the end times. end the concerning Word God’s study . I must es- must I . Sign The discussing telephone the tinue to be “Bereans” and apply what we are we what apply and “Bereans” be to tinue

It has been a blessing to my spiritual life to life spiritual my to blessing a been has It no way… that I could have spent the time on time the spent have could I that way… no way. I only hope and pray that we will con- will we that pray and hope only I way.

If it were not for your 1-800 number there is there number 1-800 your for not were it If conference was a complete success in every in success complete a was conference R.W. in South Carolina South in R.W. —

joyed with him. I can honestly say that the that say honestly can I him. with joyed endeavors… Missionary C.H. in Paraguay in C.H. Missionary —

we were enriched by the fellowship we en- we fellowship the by enriched were we that our Lord will richly bless you and your and you bless richly will Lord our that o ls aho you. of each bless God

challenged, and encouraged by his teaching; his by encouraged and challenged, the Second Coming of our Lord. My prayer is prayer My Lord. our of Coming Second the own. Thanks for all your hard work and may and work hard your all for Thanks own.

Seminar last week. We were not only blessed, only not were We week. last Seminar and expounding on the truths pertaining to pertaining truths the on expounding and hmweete a e oiso their of copies a get can they where them

of Bill Lee-Warner during the Prophecy the during Lee-Warner Bill of you spent on the phone with me explaining me with phone the on spent you friends and fellow missionaries and I tell I and missionaries fellow and friends

I just want to say thank you for the ministry the for you thank say to want just I possibly say, “Thank you” for the many times many the for you” “Thank say, possibly out. I have shared my books with all my all with books my shared have I out.

but equal, Charles. I don’t know how I could I how know don’t I Charles. equal, but Missionary for free to help get the message the get help to free for Missionary T.G. in North Carolina North in T.G. —

you the grace to continue. Last but not least, not but Last continue. to grace the you how you offer your books to Pastors and Pastors to books your offer you how meaningless. Praise God! Praise meaningless.

you we would all be in trouble. The Lord give Lord The trouble. in be all would we you this wonderful ministry. I think it is great is it think I ministry. wonderful this for being harmonious and not confusing or confusing not and harmonious being for

though you are not seen as others, without others, as seen not are you though Question Answered Question . I just want to thank you for you thank to want just I . Word taught in a way that gives Him credit Him gives that way a in taught Word

gotten here. The staff that is at the ministry, the at is that staff The here. gotten am about halfway through the the through halfway about am Rapture very beneficial to God’s people to have His have to people God’s to beneficial very

strength to continue. You will never be for- be never will You continue. to strength want to start an in-depth study of study in-depth an start to want . I . Sign The ning that weekend. Thanks again, it has been has it again, Thanks weekend. that ning

My prayer is that God will give you the you give will God that is prayer My The Fourth Reich Fourth The finish to anxious am I and I and lives in the church he was teaching at, begin- at, teaching was he church the in lives Letters & Email of Encouragement of Email & Letters 17

THE SIGN MINISTRIES NEWSLETTER / WINTER 2001 Parousia — page 2 PSEUDO-EPHRAEM AND THE DIDACHE Weighing the Evidence

by Charles Cooper

ne of the charges commonly leveled against Until 1994, the only response pretribulationists pretribulationists is that theirs is an entirely had to Bray and MacPherson’s invitations was the Onew doctrine having no historical references admission similar to that Larry V. Crutchfield made before John Nelson Darby (1800–1882). The con- in response to comments of Millard J. Erickson. fidence with which some have asserted this position Erickson states that evidences itself in John L. Bray’s challenge. He While there are in the writings of the early writes, fathers seeds from which the doctrine of the Though money is not an easy matter for me pretribulation rapture could be developed, it to obtain, right now I am willing to pay is difficult to find in them an unequivocal FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($500.00) to statement of the type of imminency usually any person who will furnish me with a doc- believed in by pretribulationists (italics umented statement by anybody (in a ser- added). mon, article or commentary) in any country, In response, Crutchfield states, “We [pretribulation- published BEFORE LACUNZA’S TIME, ists] do not say that the early fathers were which taught that the second coming of pretribulationists in the modern sense, only that the Christ will be divided into two stages seeds were indeed there…”3 Indeed, Crutchfield’s (Rapture and Revelation) and separated by a own investigation of the writings of the early period of time such as 45 days, 3 1/2 years, church fathers forced him to admit that or 7 years.1 With few exceptions, the premillennial Bray’s challenge went unanswered for many years. fathers of the early church believed that they Dave MacPherson also challenged the pretribula- were living in the last times. Thus they tional Rapture position on the grounds of looked daily for the Lord’s return. Even modernity. In his book, The Incredible Cover-Up, he most of those who looked for Antichrist’s argues that the teaching of a “secret” Rapture can be appearance prior to the second advent, saw traced back to Margaret Macdonald in1830.2 Parousia — page 3

The author of that event as occurring suddenly, and is to come, and are taken to the Lord just as suddenly being followed by lest they see the confusion that is to the rescue and rapture of the saints… overwhelm the world because of our the sermon is This belief in the imminent return of sins. Jesus Christ within the context of Because of this sentence, Jeffrey declares, ongoing persecution has prompted an unknown us to broadly label the views of the A number of these authors7 will have earliest fathers: “imminent intratribu- to drastically revise the next edition lationism.”4 of their books based on the discovery masquerading of new pretribulation rapture texts These so-called “seeds” were all pretribu- from the writings of the early church. lationists could claim in the writings of the as a famous earliest church fathers. Like good soldiers, To Mr. Jeffrey’s claim, however, this author Bray, MacPherson and others exploited the would council, “caution!” The jury is still out pretrib position at this weak point. One re- concerning the meaning of the critical state- person. sult of the compounding attacks of Bray, ment Jeffrey favors. However, for the sake of MacPherson, and others against pretribula- argument, this author will grant that this ser- tionism was the establishment of the Pre-trib mon, also known as Pseudo-Ephraem, may name on it as the original author. Usually Research Center (PTRC) in 1994. PTRC support a pretrib Rapture. Given the impor- such works were easily recognized as fraudulent defines itself as a ‘“think tank committed to tance of the issue before us, the reader because in every case the famous person was the study, proclamation, teaching and de- should evaluate this document very careful- dead. Therefore, the author of the sermon is an fending of the Pretribulation Rapture ly. Especially, in light of other documents unknown masquerading as a famous person. (pre-70th week of Daniel) and related end- that clearly and unambiguously support a re- Concerning the issue of authorship of time prophecy.”5 PTRC took Mr. Bray’s turn of the Lord to rapture His church Pseudo-Ephraem, Paul J. Alexander, an author- challenge head on. In 1995, Grant R. immediately following the cut-short perse- ity on Byzantine Apocalyptic tradition Jeffrey, a member of PTRC, made the bold cution of Satan/Antichrist on God’s elect. writes, assertion that an ancient document that sup- In the following pages, we shall compare One of the most interesting apoca- ports a pretrib Rapture does exist. “During two documents: Pseudo-Ephraem and the lyptic texts of the early Middle Ages the summer of 1994, after a decade of Didache8. These opposing views of the tim- is a sermon On the Last Times, the searching, I found several fascinating manu- ing of the Lord’s return are depicted in these Antichrist, and the End of the World pre- scripts that contain clear evidence of two documents. Pseudo-Ephraem (for the sake served in Latin in four manuscripts pretribulation rapture teaching in the early of argument) favors a pretribulational return and ascribed in them either to St. church,”6 writes Mr. Jeffrey. of the Lord. The Didache favors an “immi- Ephraem or to St. Isidore. If indeed the sentence stated below does nent intratribulational”9 (prewrath) return of set forth a pretribulation Rapture scenario, it the Lord. You, the reader, must decide which Three manuscripts ascribed the sermon to St. would be the first and only explicit state- document is trustworthy. After all, you must Ephraem and one manuscript lists St. Isidore ment in known literature prior to the be willing to face the consequences of your as the author. St. Ephraem of Nisibis lived nineteenth century. It would not prove that choices. The reader should keep several is- from AD 306 to 373. He was one of the great the position is true, only that it was taught sues in mind when considering the weight figures in the Syrian church. Ephraem of much earlier in church history than previ- of these documents in the Rapture debate: Nisibis was well-known for his poetics, his ously thought by the pretrib attackers. In (1) authorship, (2) date, (3) and theology. attacks against rationalism, and his apologet- fact, pretribulationists insist that pretribula- ics against the heresies of his day. St. Isidore tionism is not a modern view but a view Pseudo-Ephraem: Authorship of Seville lived from about AD 560 to 636. held by the church fathers. This would ef- Modern scholarship is all agreed that the au- “Isidore was the last of the ancient Christian fectively silence those who attack thor of this sermon is unknown. Modern Philosophers, as he was the last of the great pretribulationism on the basis of modernity. scholarship has listed a pseudo Ephraem as Latin Fathers.”10 “It is not, however, in the The particular document that Mr. Jeffrey the author of this sermon. The word pseudo capacity of an original and independent refers to is a sermon. A sermon entitled, On means false. It is a Greek prefix used by writer, but as an indefatigable compiler of all the Last Times, the Antichrist, and the End of the modern scholars to differentiate between a existing knowledge, that literature is most World. It is in the early portions of this ser- true author and someone writing in a fa- deeply indebted to him.”11 Therefore, due to mon that the important phrase appears: mous person’s name. During the early the nature of Pseudo-Ephraem, we can say that centuries of Christianity, it was very popular this document does not resemble any of the For all the saints and Elect of God are to write a book and put a famous person’s writings of these two men. gathered, prior to the tribulation that Parousia — page 4 WEIGHING THE EVIDENCE

Pseudo-Ephraem: Date Lord is nigh, believe you me, because enemy or son of perdition does not Paul J. Alexander dates this sermon in the the end of the world is at hand, know, will come the sign of the Son sixth century. In relation to the question of believe me, because it is the very last of Man, and coming forward the the time of writing, Alexander writes, “this time. Or do you not believe unless Lord shall appear with great power text was written by some unknown writer in you see it with your eyes? See to it and majesty, with the sign of the the sixth century and was derived from an that this sentence be not fulfilled word of salvation going before him, earlier Pseudo-Ephraem manuscript.” This among you of the prophet who and also even with all the powers of conclusion is confirmed by C.P. Caspari who declares: “Woe to those who desire to the heavens with the whole chorus of undertook the job of editing the sermon and see the Day of the Lord!” Because all the saints, with those who bear the offered a commentary concerning its mean- saints and the Elect of the Lord are gath- sign of the holy cross upon their ing. ered together before the tribulation which shoulders, as the angelic trumpet pre- is about to come and are taken to the Lord, cedes him, which shall sound and Pseudo-Ephraem: Theology in order that they may not see at any time declare: Arise O sleeping ones, arise, The sermon is separated into ten paragraphs. the confusion which overwhelms the world meet Christ, because his hour of The second major paragraph states, because of our sins (italics added). judgment has come! Then Christ shall come and the enemy shall be We ought to understand thoroughly The reader should pay close attention to thrown into confusion, and the Lord therefore, my brothers, what is immi- what is stated in this paragraph. The signs shall destroy him by the Spirit of His nent or overhanging. Already there predicted by the Lord in Matthew 24 have mouth. And he shall be bound and have been hunger and plagues, vio- been fulfilled and nothing remains except shall be plunged into the abyss of lent movements of nations, and signs, the coming of the Evil one in connection everlasting fire alive with his father which have been predicted by the with the consummation. The writer of the Satan; and all people, who do his Lord, they have already been ful- sermon continues to argue that the nearness wishes, shall perish with him forever; filled, and there is not other which of the end of the world warrants the believ- but the righteous one shall inherit means, except the advent of the er’s total abandonment of every care of everlasting life with the Lord for ever wicked one in the completion of the earthly actions and preparation for the meet- and ever. Roman kingdom. Why therefore are ing of the Lord Christ. For one to fail to we occupied with worldly business, prepare is to copy the attitude of those look- This is an amazing paragraph in light of and why is our mind held fixed on ing for the Day of the Lord because they the supposed pretrib statement of paragraph the lusts of the world or the anxieties misunderstand its nature. Then comes the two above. The sermon argues that after the of the ages? Why therefore do we not critical statement that all saints and the Elect three and a half years of Antichrist’s rule and reject every care of earthly actions of the Lord are taken to the Lord before the the resurrection of the two prophets, Christ and prepare ourselves for the meeting tribulation comes. The purpose of this re- will be introduced to the earth by the sign of the Lord Christ, so that He may draw moval is to prevent any of them (all saints of the Son of Man. The Son of Man will be us from the confusion, which overwhelms and the elect of the Lord) from seeing the accompanied by the powers of heaven, a the world? Believe you me, dearest confusion, which overwhelms the world. whole chorus of saints, and an angelic trum- brothers, because the coming of the Without debating the meaning of this state- pet. The angelic trumpet will call the dead to ment and for the sake of argument, we shall life (resurrection). The coming of Christ will grant the pretribbers their assertion: Pseudo- result in Antichrist’s binding and being Ephraem is a pretribulation document. thrown into the everlasting fire along with However, serious questions remain as to Satan and the unrighteous. The righteous at whether this sermon is actually teaching a that time will inherit everlasting life. At face seven-year separation between the Rapture value, it would seem that this author sees no and revelation of Jesus Christ. place for a 1000-year reign of Christ on The final paragraph requires comment as earth following His return. That pretribula- well. It states, tionists would use this document in any shape, form or fashion is difficult to under- And when the three and a half years stand. It is not too much to say that one can have been completed, the time of the sense desperation in their choice. Antichrist, through which he will However, the point of this article is not to have seduced the world, after the res- critique Pseudo-Ephraem’s sermon. Rather, urrection of the two prophets, in the we want you, the reader, to evaluate the sig- hour which the world does not nificance of Pseudo-Ephraem for the pretrib know, and on the day which the Parousia — page 5 BY CHARLES COOPER

Some have position. How much confidence should you inclusion of the Didache in his canonical list. place in Pseudo-Ephraem? Does Pseudo- Eusebius (born in AD 260 and died in AD Ephraem add credibility to pretribulationism? 340) is rightly called “The Father of Church indicated a If Pseudo-Ephraem adds credibility for pret- History.”15 In Eusebius’ book, Ecclesiastical ribulationism, how much more does the History written in AD 325, one finds materi- Didache add credibility for a prewrath als covering the first three hundred years of belief that some Rapture? Consider the following facts about Church history. It is in this great work of the Didache. Eusebius that we find one of the earliest lists of the New Testament canon. He classifies early church The Didache: Introduction the writings into four categories: (1) recog- If the pretribulationists are willing to defend nized, (2) disputed, (3) spurious, and (4) their position based on Pseudo-Ephraem, the heretical. In the recognized category, fathers accepted prewrath position defends itself based on Eusebius places the four gospels, the book of the Didache or The Teaching of the Twelve Acts, the Epistles of Paul, 1 John, and 1 Apostles. The importance of this document Peter. The final book of this category is the the Didache as cannot be overstated, as we shall demon- Apocalypse of John. strate below. “This document, which is In the disputed category, Eusebius lists the approximately the length of Paul’s letter to Epistles of James and Jude, the second Scripture. the Galatians, consists of four clearly sepa- Epistle of Peter, and the second and third rate sections.”12 “The Didache purports to be Epistles of John. Among the spurious books, early church fathers. In a document written an instruction based on the sayings of the Eusebius’ third category, we find Acts of 40 years after Eusebius’ book, Athanasius of Lord and given by the Twelve Apostles to Paul, the Shepherd, the Apocalypse of Peter, Alexandria writes, pagans who wished to become Christians.”13 the Epistle of Barnabas, the Didache, the After listing the canonical writings of The fourth and final section (chapter 16) is Apocalypse of John and the Gospel of the Old and New Testaments… at the heart of our discussion. It is eschato- Hebrews. Eusebius’ final category entitled mentions… “other books not recog- logical in nature. It consists of a short heretical lists the Gospel of Peter, Thomas, nized as canonical, but recommend- eschatological exhortation to holiness (16:1- and Matthias, the Acts of Andrew, John and ed by our ancestors for reading by 2) and a brief description of the events other apostles. those who have recently entered and surrounding the Lord’s return (16:3-8). While the term spurious in modern speech wish to learn the word of faith”— has a negative connotation, it did not have that is, books that, although not The Didache: Authorship negative connotations during Eusebius’ time. included in the canon, nevertheless There is no explicit historical evidence that Rather, spurious described books not includ- enjoy a certain regard as… books connects any of the original twelve disciples ed in the New Testament, but having great approved by the church and, accord- with the actual writing of this document. value for the church. Notice that Eusebius ingly, appropriate reading for bap- The writing itself does not claim direct apos- places the Apocalypse of John (the book of tismal candidates.17 tolic authorship. Therefore, it cannot be Revelation) in both the recognized and spu- considered a pseudo-writing in the same rious categories. However, the heretical Athanasius not only accepts the Didache but sense as Pseudo-Ephraem is. This document books were never acceptable. Eusebius also encourages its use for training new be- enjoyed a very favorable position among be- makes a very interesting comment concern- lievers in the “fundamentals” of the faith. lievers in the second, third and fourth ing the heretical category. He writes, That is compelling! The early fathers saw centuries. Some have indicated a belief that nothing wrong with the teachings contained …[T]he thought and purport of their some early church fathers accepted the in this document. The decision to reject the contents are completely out of har- Didache as Scripture.14 Didache as non-canonical did not undermine mony with true orthodoxy and clear- The decision to exclude the Didache from its usefulness to the church. Therefore, we ly show themselves that they are the what came to be called the New Testament can take chapter 16, which deals with the forgeries of heretics. For this reason canon took a number of years. During the return of Christ, as consistent with the be- they ought not to be reckoned early years before the twenty-seven books, liefs of early church fathers. There is not one among the spurious books, but are to that presently constitutes the New recorded criticism of the eschatology of the be cast aside as altogether absurd and Testament were determined, the Didache en- Didache by the early church fathers. impious.16 joyed a favorable status. Some scholars have insisted that “it was thus counted by some as The heretical books have no value whatso- The Didache: Date part of the New Testament canon.” This ever. This is compelling evidence that the Concerning the issue of dating the Didache, conclusion is based primarily on Eusebius’ Didache was well known and well favored by this author is in agreement with Dr. Bruce Parousia — page 6 WEIGHING THE EVIDENCE

M. Metzger. He writes, “most [scholars] pre- Didache 16:7 follows the persecution of Antichrist. This is fer a date in the first half of the second the position of the Didache. The Didache’s es- Yet, not of all, but as it was said The century.”18 chatology is based to a large part on Lord shall come and all His saints Matthew 24. What say you then? What is with Him. The Didache: Theology your verdict? The eschatological portion of the Didache is Didache 16:8 limited to chapter 16. It states,19 Conclusion Then shall the world see the Lord Scripture is the first and final arbiter for any Didache 16:1 coming upon the clouds of heaven. Rapture position. However, wisdom would Be watchful for your life; let your The knowledgeable reader will detect a demand that the position of the early church lamps not be quenched and your loins very strong influence of Matthew 24 on this fathers should carry weight in our final de- not ungirdled, but be ready; for you chapter.20 Without directly quoting cision. The overwhelming majority of early know not the hour in which our Lord Matthew, the writer(s) of the Didache echoes church fathers before Augustine were pre- comes. the eschatology of Matthew 24. Didache millennial “imminent intertribulationists.” 16:1-2 is exhortative in nature. Before giv- That is, they believed that Christ would re- Didache 16:2 ing the reader an outline of the Lord’s turn and Rapture the church during the And you shall gather yourselves return, the text sets forth two very important persecution by Antichrist of God’s elect. together frequently, seeking what is things believers should do. Watchfulness and Christ would then punish the wicked and fitting for your souls; for the whole frequent attendance at community worship setup a kingdom on earth for one thousand time of your faith shall not profit you, is encumbered upon all believers. years. A position now echoed in the if you be not perfected at the last sea- Watchfulness is necessary because the Lord’s prewrath position. A position supported by son. return is unknown (Matt 24:36). Frequent the overwhelming majority of the earliest attendance at community worship is manda- church fathers. Didache 16:3 tory because only a firm faith in the face of In contradistinction, in what must be la- For in the last days the false prophets the coming trial will see faith perfected “at beled, “an act of desperation,” in order to and corrupters shall be multiplied, and the final hour.” blunt the effective criticisms of Bray, the sheep shall be turned into wolves, Didache 16:3-8 picks up the theme of MacPherson and others, pretribulationists and love shall be turned into hate. “the final hour” and sets forth an overview of offer Pseudo-Ephraem—one document out of the events that will constitute “the final 1500 years of church history. A document Didache 16:4 hour” during the last days. First, false with a very dubious past is the best pret- For as lawlessness increase, they shall prophets and corrupters shall be multiplied. ribulationists can scavenger up. Written by a hate one another and shall persecute Sheep shall be turned into wolves and love person of no reputation, the document de- and betray. And then the world- shall be turned into hate. The reason for the pends on the popularity of a past giant of deceiver shall appear as a son of God; hatred, persecution and betrayal among be- the faith. It sets forth supposedly a two- and shall work signs and wonders, lievers is the increase in lawlessness. Then, a phased return of the Lord. A “truth” and the earth shall be delivered into world-deceiver (working signs and won- pretribulationists insist could only be found his hands; and he shall do unholy ders) shall appear as a son of God. The earth in “seed” form in the early church fathers. At things, which have never been since shall be delivered into his hands and he shall present, this author cannot remember any the world began. do unholy things. Then all of mankind shall doctrinal position of the conservative faith come to the fire of testing and many shall be that utilizes a suspect document as proof for Didache 16:5 offended and perish. However, the Lord its authenticity. Perhaps, this is the reason Then all created mankind shall come Jesus shall save them that endure in their why so few pretribulationists have weighed to the fire of testing, and many shall faith. Then, the signs of the truth shall ap- in with their voice of support for Pseudo- be offended and perish; but they that pear: (1) a rift in the heaven, (2) a voice of a Ephraem. endure in their faith shall be saved by trumpet, (3) and a resurrection of the dead. the Curse Himself. This resurrection will only include the right- ENDNOTES eous because Zechariah 14:5 indicates the 1. John L. Bray, The Origin of the Pre-Tribulation Didache 16:6 21 Rapture Teaching (Lakeland, FL: John L. Bray Lord will return with His saints. Then, the Ministry, 1980), 31. And then shall the signs of the truth world will see the Lord coming upon the 2. Dave MacPherson, The Incredible Cover-Up, appear; first a sign of a rift in the heav- clouds of heaven. (Medford: Omega Publications, 1993), 79. en, then a sign of a voice of a trumpet, While the exact eschatology of the 3. See footnote #77 in Larry V. Crutchfield, “The and thirdly a resurrection of the dead; Didache can be debated, what is patently Blessed Hope and the Tribulation in the Apostolic Fathers,” which appears in clear is this: the resurrection of the righteous Parousia — page 7 BY CHARLES COOPER

Thomas Ice and Timothy Demy, When the moment because they were in the midst of 17. Niederwimmer, The Didache, 4. Trumpet Sounds, (Eugene: Harvest House the persecution of Antichrist. This is the 18. B.M. Metzger, The Canon of the New Testament, Publishers, 1995), 454. heart of the prewrath position. Christ will (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1987), 49-50. 4. Larry V. Crutchfield, “The Blessed Hope and return to rapture the church to heaven only 19. Translated by J.B. Lightfoot. Adapt. and mod. the Tribulation in the Apostolic Fathers,” after the persecution of Satan/Antichrist © 1990. ATHENA DATA PRODUCTS. which appears in Thomas Ice and Timothy starts. 20. Cf. Did. 1a/Matt 24:42 Demy, When the Trumpet Sounds, (Eugene: 10. From the Catholic Encyclopedia, copyright Did. 16.1c/Matt 24:42 and 44 Harvest House Publishers, 1995), 103. 1913 by the Encyclopedia Press, Inc. Did. 16.3/Matt 24:11-12 and 7:15 5. This definition was taken from the web-site of Electronic version copyright 1996 by New Did. 16:4a/Matt 24:12 and 10 the Pre-Trib Research Center. Advent, Inc. Transcribed by Darl J. Dumont. Did. 16:4b/Matt 24:24 6. See Grant R. Jeffrey, “A Pretrib Rapture 11. ibid. Did. 16:4d/Matt 24:21 Statement in the Early Medieval Church” in 12. Kurt Niederwimmer, The Didache: A Did. 16:5b/Matt 24:10 When the Trumpet Sounds, Ed. Thomas Ice Commentary, tr. L. M. Maloney, ed. H.W. Did. 16:5c/Matt 24:13 (10:22b) and Timothy Demy, (Eugene: Harverst Attridge, (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, Did. 16:6a/Matt 24:30a House Publishers, 1995), 108. 1998), 1. Did. 16:6b/Matt 24:31 7. The immediate context would indicate that 13. J.A. Kleist, The Didache, et al, (Maryland: The Did. 16:7/Zech 14:5 Jeffrey is talking about Dave MacPherson, Newman Press, 1948), 3. Did. 16:8/Matt 24:30b; 26:64 John Bray and G. E. Ladd. 14. A fact to be supported later in this article. To see this chart and related matters, see 8. Pronounced DID-uh-kay. 15. This information was taken from the website Niederwimmer, The Didache, 209. 9. Imminent intertribulationism is the name Larry V. of Glenn Davis which can be located on the 21. This is the proof that the writer of the Crutchfield gives the position of the earliest internet at http://shell5.ba.best.com/~gdavis/ Didache uses. church fathers. The earliest church fathers ntcanon/eusebius.htm. believed that Christ would return at any 16. Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History 3.25.7.

When they ask you, “What is Final Questions tackles eschatological the Day of questions with plain and simple answers. What is the 70th Week of Daniel? Will there be an Antichrist? What are the Seven the Lord?” Seals? What is the Great Tribulation? What is the Rapture? And more. Each answer is what will concise and filled with Scripture refer-

Written and Edited by the ences. And an easy-to-read timeline is staff of The Sign Ministries you tell Full-color, 24 pages keyed to the questions as well. Perfect for introducing someone to the study only $1.00 of end time events. them? TO ORDER, CALL THE SIGN MINISTRIES AT 1-800-627-5134 Parousia — page 8 THY KINGDOM COME The When and How by Gary Vaterlaus

hen the Lord instructed His disciples to pray that God’s Christ. They believe that the return of Jesus Christ will occur before Kingdom come to earth (Luke 11:1-4), Scripture indicates no He establishes His kingdom on earth. At the close of this age, Christ W questions on the part of the disciples. In other words, they un- will return to rapture His church, destroy the wicked, and establish His derstood exactly what Jesus meant. After all, it was the long awaited Millennial Kingdom in fulfillment of His promises to Israel. This 1000 outcome of God’s work on earth. However, by the end of the New year period will be followed by the general resurrection of the unsaved Testament, new details concerning the Kingdom became known. dead, the Great White Throne judgment, and then the eternal king- Revelation 20-22 indicates that before the eternal Kingdom comes, dom. As will be shown below, this view was the dominant view of the Jesus will rule over a temporal Kingdom of 1000 years duration on early church prior to AD 325. earth. However, many do not agree that Jesus will rule over a temporal Kingdom before the eternal Kingdom comes. At the heart of this Amillennialism debate is Revelation 20:4-6, which specifically says: Adherents of this position believe that the Bible predicts no literal, earthly kingdom of Christ. They teach that the victorious Christ is And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was reigning in this present age as He rules His church through the Word given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been and Spirit (i.e. we are currently in the Millennium). According to this beheaded because of the testimony of Jesus and because of the view there will be a continuous development of good and evil in the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or world until the Second Coming of Christ, when the dead shall be his image, and had not received the mark upon their forehead raised and judged. This view became the most prominent view of the and upon their hand; and they came to life and reigned with church during the 4th century and has continued up to this present Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come time as the dominant belief within Christendom. to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the Postmillennialism first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but Those who hold to this view believe that the Millennium will occur they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with on the earth, but that it will come through Christian preaching and Him for a thousand years. (emphasis added) teaching. They believe that the Bible teaches that a majority of the Does this passage teach a temporal Kingdom on earth? We shall ad- world will eventually be converted and that humanity will enjoy a dress this matter in this article. long period of peace and prosperity. This period, which they call the Throughout much of church history, there has been considerable de- “Millennium”, may or may not last 1000 years, and will be followed bate as to the meaning of this “millennial” passage. The term millennium by the return of Christ for the resurrection and judgment of all peo- comes from Latin and means 1000 years. Questions have been raised, ple. This view originated in the 17th century and represents a small such as: When do the 1000 years take place? What is the nature of the minority of the church. Millennium? Where will the Millennium take place—on earth or in heaven? Does “a thousand years” really mean 1000 years? There are A Question of Hermeneutics three major positions regarding the biblical idea of the Millennium as With all of the debate and so many people with differing views on the presented in this passage from Revelation. These three views are subject, is there any hope that we can expect to understand what the termed premillennialism, amillennialism, and postmillennialism. Bible actually teaches? Or should we just throw up our hands in futil- ity, proclaim ourselves “Panmillennialists”, and say, “everything will Premillennialism pan out in the end”? The answer is an emphatic, “No!” The return of Advocates of this view believe that Revelation 20 should be taken lit- the Lord Jesus Christ and the consummation of God’s ultimate plans erally and that the Bible teaches a future 1000-year earthly reign of and purposes in history are the most prophesied events in the Bible. Parousia — page 9 UNDERSTANDING THE MILLENNIUM

To avoid Scripture’s teaching on the subject would be to ignore whole a unilateral treaty in today’s world. These eternal and unconditional sections of the Word of God. The problem is not the data itself, but covenants flow from the sovereignty and grace of God and are based the interpretation of the data. solely on His divine choice and purposes. Much of the millennial question comes down to hermeneutics— One group of amillennialists teach that God never made any how we interpret the Scriptures. Are we going to accept the biblical promises to Israel as a nation. The covenants, they say, were given to text at face value, or are we going to allegorize or spiritualize the text? the “seed of Abraham” which is not an ethnic reference, but a covenant The only manner of approaching the Bible which places the authori- community of faith without regard to any racial or ethnic ancestry. ty in the text itself is what we call the literal or face value method of Another group claims that God has set aside Israel because of their reinterpretation. All other methods place the authority in the hands of jection of the Messiah and that the church has replaced them as the the interpreter as the one who must determine the meaning of the text. “people of God.” They teach that the church has inherited all the The face-value method, simply defined, is that method of biblical in- promises that were originally made to Israel. terpretation which seeks to understand the meaning of the text in its The original promise (or covenant) with Israel was given to Abram most normal, natural, customary sense as intended by the Author/au- (later renamed Abraham) by God in Genesis 12:1-3: thor (divine/human) at the time it was written. The interpreter’s job is Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go forth from your country, to discover the meaning of the text, rather than to determine it. and from your relatives and from your father’s house, to the There are several key components to studying and understanding land which I will show you; and I will make you a great nation, the text of Scripture. They include: seeking to discover the Author/au- and I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you thor’s intended meaning, recognizing the importance of context, shall be a blessing; and I will bless those who bless you, and comparing Scripture with Scripture, determining the reference of fig- the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families ures of speech, and understanding the near/far implications and of the earth shall be blessed.” applications of prophetic passages. The purpose and scope of this article does not permit me to go in- This promise was repeated or amplified on three separate occasions to depth on the issue of hermeneutics. Suffice it to say that we must (Gen. 13:14-17; 15:1-7; 17:1-18). This is called the Abrahamic be careful not to abandon the literal sense of Scripture and begin Covenant and there are three basic elements to the covenant: 1) a land, down the path of allegorization or spiritualization which can swiftly 2) a nation, and 3) a blessing. Each of these elements was repeated in become a slippery slope leading to personal and theological bias. If we separate covenants which are called the Palestinian (or Land) Covenant approach Scripture at face value and let the author speak for himself, (Deut. 30:1-10), the Davidic Covenant (2 Sam. 7:11-16) and the New we will go far in coming to the truth of Scripture. Covenant (Jer. 31:31-40). Each of these covenants is presented in Scripture as eternal and un- What Does the Old Testament Teach? conditional. The Abrahamic Covenant is called “eternal” in Genesis Some claim that the only passage that mentions a 1000-year earthly 17:7, 13, 19; 1 Chronicles 16:17; and Psalm 105:8-10. Scripture says kingdom is Revelation 20, and that this is not sufficient Scriptural sup- that Israel is given the land “forever” in Genesis 13:15, 17:8; Isaiah port to defend the doctrine of Premillennialism. However, this 60:21; and Ezekiel 37:25. The Davidic Covenant is referred to as argument confuses two issues: whether there is a temporal kingdom “eternal” in 2 Samuel 23:5; Isaiah 55:3; and Ezekiel 37:25-26. The and the duration of that kingdom. Revelation 20:4-6 is the only pas- New Covenant is called “eternal” in Isaiah 61:8; Jeremiah 32:40; sage in the Bible to give the exact number of years the temporal Ezekiel 37:26; and Hebrews 13:20. The unconditional nature of these kingdom will last. However, Revelation 20:4-6 is not the only passage covenants can be seen from the fact that God alone “cut” the covenant in the Bible to refer to a temporal kingdom on earth. If there truly will with Abraham after he put Abraham in a deep sleep (Gen. 15:5-21)— be a temporal kingdom, as stated in Revelation 20, are there Old it was a unilateral covenant. In addition, God used the formula “I will” Testament passages to corroborate this view? over and over in each of these covenants (Abrahamic—seven times; The basis for understanding the future temporal kingdom comes Land—twelve times; Davidic—seven times; New—seven times). The from the Old Testament covenants established with Abraham and Mosaic Covenant, in contrast, is conditional by nature and contains or David. Another word for “covenant” is “promise.” There are several implies the formula “if you will” numerous times in Exodus 19 and places in the Old Testament where God makes specific and significant Deuteronomy 28. promises to His people. Some of these promises were of a temporary These promises of the land, the nation and the blessing have not nature, while others were permanent or eternal. Some of these promis- been fully realized by those to whom they were given—the Jewish es were conditional, that is God will fulfill His end of the promise, people. Israel has enjoyed part of these promises, but their final and ul- only if man fulfills his end. An example of this is the Mosaic Covenant timate fulfillment await a future time. Our God is a faithful God and which was dependent upon the obedience and faithfulness of the will not renege on His promises, but will fulfill them all to the letter. At Jewish nation (see Deuteronomy 28 and 29). This is similar to a bilat- some future time, which we call the Millennial Kingdom, God will ful- eral treaty that is made between nations today. Other covenants are fill these promises in a literal fashion, by restoring Israel to the full described as being unconditional. God is promising to fulfill His part dimensions of her land, bringing her into everlasting righteousness and regardless of the response of the other party. This would be similar to ruling over her through her Messiah, Jesus. There are many passages in Parousia — page 10 THY KINGDOM COME

the Old Testament that describe this yet future time of blessing to future: “God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be!” Israel. The most complete descriptions are Isaiah 65:17-25; Jeremiah (Rom. 11:1). “They did not stumble so as to fall did they? May it nev- 33:14-22; Ezekiel 36:22-38, 37:21-28; Zechariah 14:8-21. These er be!” (Rom. 11:11). “A partial hardening has happened to Israel until prophecies of future blessing should not be allegorized or spiritualized the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and thus all Israel will be saved” away. They will all be fulfilled literally when Christ returns and sets up (emphasis mine) (Rom. 11:25-26). “For the gifts and calling of God His Millennial Kingdom. God will keep all of His promises! are irrevocable” (Rom. 11:29). It is clear that Paul saw a future restoration of national Israel into a right relationship with God. He did not What Does the New Testament Teach? teach, as some do, that the church has replaced national Israel as the In addition to the clear description of a temporal kingdom given in new people of God. Revelation 20:4-6, are there other passages in the New Testament One other New Testament passage that refers to an interim reign of which support the idea of a future temporal earthly reign of Christ? Christ before the eternal kingdom of God is 1 Corinthians 15:22-26: Unlike some modern scholars, the New Testament writers do not For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive. reinterpret the Old Testament promises given to Israel and apply them But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those to the church. While it is true that the church participates in the spir- who are Christ’s at His coming, then comes the end, when He itual blessings of the Abrahamic, Davidic and New Covenants, the delivers up the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has New Testament teaches in several places that there is still an ultimate abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must literal fulfillment of God’s promises for the nation of Israel. reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last At the first advent of Christ, an angelic messenger announced His enemy that will be abolished is death. future birth to Mary. The angel made it clear that Jesus will yet sit on David’s throne and will yet reign over Israel in fulfillment of the Paul states that the resurrection of believers will occur at Christ’s com- Davidic Covenant: ing, and then afterward will come the end when He has abolished all rule, authority and power. But first Christ must reign until He has put And behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, all of His enemies under His feet, and the last enemy will be death. and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great, and will be This reign after His coming, but before all His enemies are put under called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give His feet, must include His millennial reign. Revelation 20:7-15 tells us Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the that at the end of the Millennium Satan will be cast into the lake of house of Jacob forever; and His kingdom will have no end fire, and death and Hades will be thrown into the lake of fire. The (Luke 1:31-33). book of Revelation makes it clear that death, the final enemy, will not This is a clear promise that Christ will be the one to rule over Israel be defeated until after the 1000-year rule of Christ, after Christ has and fulfill the promises made to David. The “house of Jacob” that the reigned and all His enemies are under His feet (Rev. 20:5, 11-15). angel refers to is none other than the nation of Israel. In Acts 1:6-8 the disciples of Christ ask him, “Lord, is it at this time What Did the Early Church Believe? You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” In response to their question, Our view of the Millennium, or any other biblical doctrine, should not Jesus doesn’t deny that He will one day restore the kingdom to Israel, be based on the antiquity of a particular teaching, but on a consistent but says that they won’t know when it is going to happen: “…it is not face-value interpretation of Scripture. It is what God says in His word for you to know times and epochs which the Father has fixed by His that matters to us. Nevertheless, the beliefs of the early church fathers, own authority.” Jesus is implicitly saying that there will be a future though not infallible, are the most likely to retain the teachings of the restoration of the kingdom to Israel. original first century apostolic church. The further one is removed his- In Acts 3 Peter is speaking to the men of Israel who were amazed torically from the original church, the greater the likelihood that the at the healing of the lame beggar. Peter tells them that they must re- message has been diluted, distorted or defiled. As we will see in this pent of their deeds and wait for Jesus, “whom heaven must receive short survey of the teachings of the earliest of the church fathers, they until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by were unanimously premillennial. the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time” (Acts 3:19-21). It Most scholars, many who are not themselves premillennial in their is significant that Peter says this “period of restoration” is what the theology, have noted the premillennial beliefs of the early church. prophets of the Old Testament spoke of. What is Peter referring to? Arthur Cushman McGiffert, translator of Eusebius’ Church History, This “period of restoration” is none other than the fulfillment of the states that the earliest church was premillennial: “Jewish chiliasm (pre- Old Testament promises made to Israel—the complete restoration of millennialism) was very common at about the beginning of the Israel (see Isaiah 60-62; Jeremiah 30:4-10, 33:14-26; Amos 9:9-15). Christian era, and is represented in the voluminous apocalyptic litera- The Apostle Paul, in the eleventh chapter of his letter to the ture of that day.”1 The great church historian, Phillip Schaff, wrote, Romans, tells in great detail of the temporary partial hardening of the “The most striking point in the eschatology of the ante-Nicene age [AD Jews while the gospel goes to the Gentiles. But he makes it very clear 100-325] is the prominent chiliasm, or millennarianism, that is the be- that God has not abandoned the Jews nor nullified any of His promis- lief of a visible reign of Christ in glory on earth with the risen saints es to them. Read the following statements to see Paul’s view of Israel’s for a thousand years, before the general resurrection and judgment…”2 Parousia — page 11 BY GARY VATERLAUS

Indeed, a survey of the writings of the early church reveal premil- It was not until after the 4th Century that amillennialism became pop- lennial views were held by Clement (30-100), Papias (60-130), Justin ular in the church. This was due to the adoption of the allegorical Martyr (100-165), Pothinius (87-177), Irenaeus (120-202), Tertullian method of interpretation, which was promoted by Origen and (155-225), Hippolytus (170-236), Julius Africanus (200-241), Augustine. However, the overwhelming evidence is that the earliest Cyprian (200-258), Nepos (230-280), Victorinus (d. 304), Methodius church was premillennial. The early church believed that the Second (d. 311), Lactantius (d. 317), as well as others. A premillennial view Coming of Christ would take place before a literal millennial age. The was also expressed in the early church documents, The Epistle of historical eschatological roots of the New Testament church are in Barnabas (100-120), The Didache (100-120), and The Shepherd of Hermes complete agreement with a face value interpretation of both the Old (150-170). Here are just a few quotes from some of these: and New Testaments. “...there will be a millennium after the resurrection from the Conclusion dead, when the personal reign of Christ will be established on A temporal kingdom of a 1000-year duration is the result of applying this earth.” – Papias (Exposition of the Oracles of the Lord, 6) a consistent face value hermeneutic to all of Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation. This view is supported in the covenants of the Old “But I and others, who are right-minded Christians on all Testament, taught by the apostles in the New Testament and was the points, are assured that there will be a resurrection of the dead, overwhelming view of the earliest church fathers prior to AD 325. The and a thousand years in Jerusalem, which will then be built, basis of premillennialism is the covenant-keeping nature of God, af- adorned, and enlarged, [as] the prophets Ezekiel and Isaiah and firmed over and over again in the pages of Scripture. others declare.” – Justin Martyr (Dialogue With Trypho, 81) ENDNOTES “But we do confess that a kingdom is promised to us upon the 1. Arthur Cushman McGiffert, Nicene and Post Nicene Fathers, eds. Philip Schaff earth, although before heaven, only in another state of exis- and Henry Wace. (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1979), 2:1:172, tence; inasmuch as it will be after the resurrection for a thou- note 19. sand years in the divinely built city of Jerusalem” – Tertullian 2. Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church (New York, NY: Scribner, 1884), Vol. 2, p. 614. (Anti-Marcion, 3, 24) REFERENCES “And again, since God, having finished His works, rested the A. Roberts and J. Donaldson, eds., The Ante-Nicene Fathers from The Master seventh day and blessed it, at the end of the six thousandth Christian Library on CD (Albany, OR: Sage Software, 1997). year all wickedness must be abolished from the earth, and Darell L. Bock, ed., Three Views on the Millennium and Beyond (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1999). righteousness reign for a thousand years” – Lactantius (Of a Donald K. Campbell and Jeffrey L. Townsends, The Coming Millennial Kingdom Happy Life, 14) (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1997). Dwight Pentecost, Things to Come (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1958). Upcoming Itinerary The Sign Ministries may be coming to your area! Call 1-800-627-5134 for information on how to organize an end times presentation or conference at your church or in your community.

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it seems that blinders have been removed been have blinders that seems it matter is never settled by how many people many how by settled never is matter Bible study for the last 2 years. It’s amazing It’s years. 2 last the for study Bible

teaching from a literal biblical approach. But approach. biblical literal a from teaching e h rt o hmevs h rt fa of truth The themselves… for truth the see been studying the book in our Monday night Monday our in book the studying been

have been changed. I can see no fault in this in fault no see can I changed. been have without attacking the other positions, people positions, other the attacking without one awakened from a deep slumber. We have We slumber. deep a from awakened one

approach more deeply. What can I say… I say… I can What deeply. more approach Scriptural truths in a non-emotional way, and way, non-emotional a in truths Scriptural . What a revelation. I feel like some- like feel I revelation. a What . Sign The

speaking to me and caused me to study this study to me caused and me to speaking have. It seems that when I present the present I when that seems It have. pretrib rapture without questioning it, I read I it, questioning without rapture pretrib

amazed. It seemed the Holy Spirit was gently was Spirit Holy the seemed It amazed. persecution for my beliefs that others seem to seem others that beliefs my for persecution After 27 years of believing and teaching a teaching and believing of years 27 After Letters & Email of Encouragement of Email & Letters 18

THE SIGN MINISTRIES NEWSLETTER / SPRING 2001

The Correct Interpretation of Jeremiah 30:7 Parousia — page 2 The Troubler of

ISRAELThe Correct Interpretation of Jeremiah 30:7 by Charles Cooper

Elijah,the prince of Old Testament prophets, from? These and other questions require a placed Samaria (ten northern tribes) under a careful look at Jeremiah 30:7 and its con- forty-two month drought (James 5:17). text. Immediately following the prophecy of the Pretribulationists are quick to offer their drought, God instructs Elijah to leave the opinions concerning the meaning and sig- land of Israel. Ahab, the king of Samaria, nificance of Jeremiah 30:7. However, few whom the Bible says, “…did evil in the sight offer exegetical details to support their of the Lord more than all who were before claims. What is offered is a litany of less than him,” attempts to find Elijah. All efforts to cogent arguments without explicit scriptural find Elijah fail because God protects him basis. The fundamental flaw in the thinking with miraculous interventions. After three of pretribulationists is their insistence that plus years, God instructs Elijah to present Daniel’s Seventieth Week is (1) Jewish in fo- himself before Ahab. It is at this meeting that cus and (2) seven years of tribulation (God’s King Ahab utters those immortal words, “Is wrath in varying degrees). Both points are this you, you troubler of Israel (1 Kings supported with arguments of scriptural si- 18:16-19)?” As is so typical of the Bible, lence instead of explicit scriptural Ahab’s question is ironic. His accusation statements. against Elijah is really an indictment against Dr. Paul Benware is a former professor of himself. For Ahab was the “troubler” of Bible at Moody Bible Institute. His com- Israel. ments are typical of those who argue that Jeremiah 30:7 also speaks of a “troubler of the Seventieth Week of Daniel is Jewish in Israel.” This passage is perhaps the most of- focus. He writes, ten quoted text by pretribulationists to In the Scripture passages that deal defend their supposition that Daniel’s with the tribulation period no specif- Seventieth Week pertains to Israel and not ic reference to the church of Jesus the church. Jeremiah writes, “Alas! For that Christ is found. The Tribulation pas- day is great, there is none like it; and it is the sages in both the Old and New time of Jacob’s trouble, but he will be saved Testaments refer to Israel and to from it.” Does this prophecy automatically Gentiles and to people who are exclude the church from the “tribulation?” saved, but they do not refer to the Who is he that is the eschatological troubler church. The word for “church” of Israel? Whose wrath will Jacob be saved (ekklesia) is not used, and specific Parousia — page 3 THE TROUBLER OF ISRAEL

terms used of the church, such as “the and Jerusalem. However, the question of ap- body of Christ” are not found in plication is not determined by Daniel 9:24. these passages…. Daniel 9:24-27 is Rather, the New Testament must be consult- The Se ventieth Week one of the most important passages ed. Since the church is not mentioned in the on the Tribulation (the “seventieth Old Testament at all, but certain passages in week of Daniel”). It explicitly says the Old Testament directly apply to the of Daniel will not be that these years involve Daniel’s peo- church, we are dependent on the New ple and Daniel’s city—Israel and Testament for clarification. The Lord Jesus Jerusalem. That was true of the first applied Daniel 9:24-27 to New Testament a problem for Israel sixty-nine weeks (483 years), and believers in Matthew 24:15, Revelation 6 consistency would require that it will and 13. The apostle Paul applied Daniel also be true of the seventieth week 9:27 to the Thessalonians in 2 Thessalonians alone, but indeed, the (last seven years) as well. Nowhere in 2:3-12. The Old Testament limited its appli- that key passage is the church seen or cation to the Jews and Jerusalem. The New hinted at.1 Testament expanded it to include the whole world. church. To the untrained eye, Benware’s logic might Therefore, whether an Old Testament be true of the seventieth week (last seven seem flawless, but let’s examine his argu- prophetic passage does or does not apply to years). However, pretribulationists fail to ap- ments more closely. It is the height of New Testament believers cannot be deter- preciate the uniqueness of Daniel’s sophistry to argue that the term church or mined from the Old Testament. Rather, God Seventieth Week. The seventieth week does body of Christ does not appear in any passage must reveal that information to us through not immediately follow the first sixty-nine in the Old Testament that deals with the His apostles or prophets. What appears to be weeks. It is separated from the first sixty- “tribulation.” When, in fact, the term church a flawless argument is in reality a straw man, nine by two thousand plus years. Two or body of Christ does not appear in the Old set up to be easily shot down so as to give unexampled (unique) periods of persecution Testament at all. To argue that the term the impression that the opposing position is will occur during it (a point to be discussed church or body of Christ must appear in a weak. later). With Daniel’s Seventieth Week, hu- prophetic passage in order for that passage Benware also succumbs to the pretribula- man history as we know it will be to have direct application for New tional habit of describing the entire consummated. Daniel’s Seventieth Week will Testament believers is a fallacy. This is a Seventieth Week of Daniel as “the tribula- end Gentile dominion over the Jews and clear example of arguing from silence, which tion period.” There is no explicit scriptural Jerusalem (Luke 21:24). At the end of the is no argument at all. By this definition, no basis for this claim. Daniel 9:27 states that “a first sixty-nine weeks, Messiah was put to prophetic passage in the whole of the Old stop to sacrifices and grain offering” will oc- death. At the end of the seventieth week, Testament would apply to New Testament cur at the mid-point of Daniel’s Seventieth Messiah will reign over the earth. At the end believers given that not once does the term Week. The Lord Jesus teaches in Matthew of the sixty-ninth week, Israel went into a church or body of Christ appear in the Old 24:15 that “tribulation” begins with “the period of partial blindness (Romans 11:25- Testament. Yet, this is clearly not the case! abomination of desolation,” which Scripture 27). At the end of the seventieth week, Israel The correct hermeneutical principle is this: teaches will occur at the mid-point of will enter eternal blessings. While Daniel an Old Testament prophetic direct reference Daniel’s Seventieth week (Dan. 9:27; 12:11; limited the seventieth week to Israel and (like Joel 2:28-32) does not necessarily Matt. 24:9, 15 and 2 Thess. 2:3-4). Jesus in- Jerusalem, John extended it to the world. He mean that that is its only referent. Only the dicates that those living in Jerusalem should said, “authority over every tribe and people Lord knows the fullest intent of His Word. not fear the wars, famines and earthquakes and tongue and nation was given to him God determines the referent not a theologi- in the days that immediately precede the (Antichrist) (Rev. 13:7),” during the great cal system. “abomination of desolation” (Matt. 24:4-8). tribulation. The Seventieth Week of Daniel Case in point, Peter indicated that Joel Tribulation should only be connected with will not be a problem for Israel alone, but in- 2:28-32 prophetically inaugurated the “last the second three and a half-year period of deed, the whole world. days” which include both the beginning of Daniel’s Seventieth Week (Matt. 24:9, 15). At the core of this problem is the insis- the “church age” and its consummation dur- Benware’s logic is flawed concerning one tence of pretribulationists that Jeremiah’s ing the eschatological Day of the Lord. other issue stated above. He points out that phrase “the time of Jacob’s trouble,” Daniel’s There is no explicit terminological relation- since Daniel 9:24-26 explicitly involves phrase “a time of distress,” and the Lord’s ship between the church and Joel 2:28-32. Daniel’s people and Daniel’s city—Israel phrase, “a great tribulation,” covers the same Yet, the apostle Peter (Acts 2:16) makes the and Jerusalem—it is only logical that what period as Daniel’s entire Seventieth Week. case for direct fulfillment. It is true that was “true of the first sixty-nine weeks (483 Thus, the three phrases are equal. This con- Daniel 9:24 specifically refers to the Jews years),” consistency requires that it will also clusion cannot be maintained in the face of Parousia — page 4 THE TROUBLER OF ISRAEL

an exegetical evaluation of Jeremiah 30:7. southern tribes) and Israel (ten northern spring from the land of their captivi- We shall demonstrate that while “a time of tribes). ty. And Jacob shall return, and shall distress,” and “a great tribulation” is equal. Chapter 30 is wholly committed to the be quiet and at ease, and no one shall The time of Jacob’s trouble is a separate and restoration of both Judah and Israel. Verses make him afraid. For I am with you,’ distinct period all together. one through three of Jeremiah 30 set forth declares the LORD, ‘to save you; for the critical theme: Israel and Judah will be I will destroy completely all the Exposition of Jeremiah 30:7 restored to their land in the coming days. nations where I have scattered you, “Jeremiah [the weeping prophet] is unusual Notice, only I will not destroy you complete- among the Hebrew prophets because of the ly. But I will chasten you justly, and The word which came to Jeremiah extent to which he revealed his personal will by no means leave you unpun- from the Lord, saying, thus says the feelings.”2 More than any other prophetic ished.’ Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Write all the writer, Jeremiah bemoans the judgment of words which I have spoken to you in This paragraph has three thought units: his people and the destruction of Jerusalem. a book.’ ‘For, behold, days are com- verses 4-7, 8-9, and 10-11. Jeremiah 30:4- Yet, he understood the need for judgment ing,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will 7 tells the reader when God’s promised because of the idolatry and apostasy of restore the fortunes of My people restoration would come to Israel and Judah. Judah. In Jeremiah 1-29, God threatens Israel and Judah.’ The Lord says, ‘I Jeremiah 30:8-11 answers the second ques- judgment against Judah because they would will also bring them back to the land tion posited above. That is, how God’s not repent. In these early chapters, Judah that I gave to their forefathers, and promised restoration will come to Israel and falsely assumes that God will protect them they shall possess it.’ Judah. We shall take a very detailed look at because He would never allow His holy city, Jeremiah 30:4-7. Jerusalem, to fall into enemy hands. This ar- This promise of restoration naturally fosters Jeremiah first gives a summary statement rogant presumption on the part of Judah is several questions. When will this promised of chapters 30-31 (ver. 4). The prophet an- condemned and judgment promised. restoration occur? How will this promised nounces a cry of terror, panic, and no peace What a sweet relief Jeremiah must have restoration occur? Both of these questions (ver. 5). Terror, panic and no peace are trade- felt to finally deliver words of comfort to the are answered in the second major paragraph mark characteristics of God’s work among faithful remnant in Judah. Jeremiah 30-33 is of Jeremiah 30. the wicked (Deut 2:25; 11:25; 1 Sam 14:15; about God’s promised restoration. These Jeremiah writes, Isa 19:16). At once, the reader asks, “what is four chapters have been called “the book of Now these are the words which the the cause of this terror and panic?” A situa- consolation” because it gives expression to LORD spoke concerning Israel and tion so bad that every man, “from convulsive hopes for the future rather than judgment concerning Judah, for thus says the pains, hold their hands on their loins, so as which characterizes earlier chapters.3 LORD, ‘I have heard a sound of ter- to support their bowels, in which they feel Chapters 30-31 are poetical in nature and ror, of dread, and there is no peace. the pangs, and which makes every counte- offer consolatory hope for both Judah (two Ask now, and see, if a male can give nance pale” (ver. 6).4 Verse 7 declares the birth. Why do I see every man with cause. It is the eschatological Day of the his hands on his loins, as a woman in Lord. The last and greatest Day of the Lord childbirth? And why have all faces the world will ever experience. More than any other turned pale? Alas! for that day is That day is the critical indicator that the great, there is none like it; and it is eschatological Day of the Lord is in focus. the time of Jacob’s distress, but he “That day” and similar expressions are found prophetic writer, will be saved from it. ‘And it shall frequently in the Old Testament for the Day come about on that day,’ declares the of the Lord.5 Richard H. Hiers in The Anchor LORD of hosts, ‘that I will break his Bible Dictionary agrees. He states, “Often, ex- Jeremiah bemoans the yoke from off their neck, and will pression[s] like “that day” refer to the future tear off their bonds; and strangers time when God… would act in judgment shall no longer make them their against foreign nations, Israel, Judah, or the judgment of his people slaves. But they shall serve the LORD Jewish people…”6 That the eschatological their God, and David their king, Day of the Lord is indicated here has wide whom I will raise up for them. And consensus. Charles L. Feinberg states, “In and the destruction of fear not, O Jacob My servant,’ light of the immediate context and what fol- declares the LORD, ‘and do not be lows, the preferable position is to assume dismayed, O Israel; for behold, I will that the reference (that day) is to the Day of Jerusalem save you from afar, and your off- the Lord.”7 John M. Bracke states, “the initial Parousia — page 5 BY CHARLES COOPER

poem of these chapters begins with a por- that Jeremiah 30:7 does not equate with trayal of the day of the Lord.”8 Daniel 12:1 and Matthew 24:21. Jeremiah himself defines “that day.” First, The time of Jacob’s trouble is clearly identi- he indicates that “there is none like it.” fied as the eschatological Day of the Lord. Secondly, he states, “it is the time of Jacob’s Scripture indicates that the eschatological distress.” Both sentences are unique. Day of the Lord is God’s punishment of the However, one should not succumb to the whole world and not just Israel. Isaiah states, old saying “familiarity breeds contempt.” “Behold, the day of the Lord is coming… Anthony Tomasino illustrates this trap. He Thus I will punish the world for its evil… posits, (Isa. 13:9a, 11a).” The fact that God’s final punishment of Jacob is identified as the es- In [Jeremiah] 30:7, the “time of the chatological Day of the Lord universalizes distress of Jacob” will be more awful the scope of God’s wrath. than any day preceding it, but it will However, there is no explicit scriptural result in a time of eschatological bliss, foundation for placing “the time of distress,” when Israel will be saved and a new (Dan. 12:1) and “a great tribulation,” (Matt. David will reign over them (30:9). 24:21), which are equal, within the context This same prophet refers to the of the eschatological Day of the Lord. God, eschatological judgment at the (lit.) alone, is the direct cause and executor of His “time of visitation (by the Lord)” Day-of-the-Lord-wrath! Of the 29 explicit trouble (Jer. 30:7) is God’s wrath against Israel (8:12; 10:15; 46:21; 49:8; 50:27; Day of the Lord passages in the Old and Judah for their many centuries of rebel- 51:18). Dan 12:1 expresses a similar Testament, the prophets repeatedly report lion. Israel and Judah are the central focus of idea about the eschatological oppres- the Lord to have said, “It (the Day of the Jeremiah 30, but many other passages extend sion, stating that it will be a “time of Lord) will come as destruction from the the impact of the eschatological Day of the distress” greater than any preceding Almighty,” (Isa. 13:6b, Joel 1:15). The Lord Lord to the whole world. God’s wrath, as or following, but it will result in the also states, “I will punish the world,” (Isa. seen in the trumpet and bowls of Revelation salvation and glorification of the 13:11, Zep. 1:8), and “I will bring distress 8-9; 11:15-18; 16 and 19, is clearly the righteous in Israel.9 on men,” (Zep. 1:17). In the Revelation, the worst expression of God’s wrath the world Following the notion of similarity, Charles trumpets and bowls are clearly God’s execu- will ever experience—there is none like it. L. Feinberg would add Matthew 24:21 as a tion of His wrath against the world. A time of distress/a great tribulation (Dan. corollary text to support Tomasino’s conclu- However, in the passages, which explicit- 12:1 and Matt. 24:21) is Satan’s wrath sion. Matthew 24:21 states, “for then there ly describe “the great tribulation,” there is no against God’s elect. Revelation 13:7 states, will be a great tribulation, such as has not explicit indication that God is directly at- “it (the power to persecute) was given (by occurred since the beginning of the world tributed to be its agent or executioner. Satan with God’s sovereign permission) to until now, nor ever shall.” Daniel 9:27 explicitly indicates that the him (Antichrist) to make war with the saints Feinberg, Tomasino and many pretribula- three-and-a-half years of desolation is attrib- and to overcome them…” Revelation 13:8 tionists seize on the description of utable to man (Antichrist) who is states that the non-elect will worship Jeremiah’s “time of Jacob’s trouble,” Daniel’s empowered by Satan directly (2 Thess. 2:9 Antichrist. Therefore, the only people left “time of distress,” and Matthew’s “great and Rev. 13:2). Daniel 12:1 indicates that are those who will not worship Antichrist— tribulation.” Each event is described as un- the time of distress follows Michael’s (God’s the elect. They will experience the worst exampled (unique) in human history. They agent) actions.11 Revelation 12:12 states that persecution of God’s elect the world has deduce that this “unexampledness” can mean Satan comes down to earth, having great ever seen—such as has not occurred since the be- only one thing. Jeremiah’s event, Daniel’s wrath, recognizing that he has a short time. ginning of the world until now, nor ever shall event and Matthew’s event must be the same Revelation 12:13-17 makes it clear that (Matt. 24:21). event. Notice the certainty expressed in the Satan’s short time is three-and-a-half years. There will be two unexampled times: statement of G. Campbell Morgan. He states, Revelation 13 makes it clear that Antichrist Satan’s wrath against the righteous (a time of “Exposition is scarcely needed here. There executes the wrath of Satan against the saints distress/a great tribulation) and God’s wrath cannot be two periods of unexampled tribula- (Rev. 13:7). Thus, the “tribulation” is Satan’s against Israel/Judah and the wicked (the tion, and Jeremiah and Jesus, in Matthew, wrath, not God’s wrath.12 Day of the Lord/the time of Jacob’s trouble). therefore speak of the same period (italics Therefore, the time of Jacob’s trouble and a The question is then: does this conclusion added).”10 However, the trait of commonali- time of distress/a great tribulation are two en- have explicit biblical proof? ty—unexampledness—does not warrant, in tirely different periods. Both are First, Jesus separates His wrath and and of itself, sameness. We shall demonstrate unexampled, but different. The time of Jacob’s Satan/ Antichrist’s wrath. Matthew 24:29 Parousia — page 6 THE TROUBLER OF ISRAEL

states, “But immediately after the tribulation covers the time of the great tribulation, and God? Or put another way, is the wrath of of those days the sun will be darkened, and involves His return to earth and the estab- God limited to the Day of the Lord? The an- the moon will not give its light, and the stars lishment of His messianic reign.”13 Paul D. swer: yes! will fall from the sky, and the powers of the Feinberg, another pretribulationist, differs God’s eschatological wrath is indeed lim- heavens will be shaken.” From the context, with Hiebert. He writes, “I think that ited to the Day of the Lord. In both passages one can easily discern that the Lord is an- [Robert] Gundry is probably right in argu- of the New Testament that specifically deal swering the disciples’ question, “what will ing that the Day of the Lord does not begin with this (Matthew 24 and Revelation 6), be the sign of your coming?” Jesus indicates with the Tribulation, although I would start God’s wrath is clearly shown to follow the that His return follows the “tribulation” of the Day of the Lord about the middle of the great tribulation. Jesus explicitly states this those days. The “tribulation of those days” is [Daniel’s Seventieth] week…”14 A third fact in Matthew 24:29, which says, “But im- none other than the wrath of pretribulationists, R. L. Mayhue differs with mediately after the tribulation of those days Satan/Antichrist against God’s elect (Matt. both Hiebert and Feinberg. He states, “that the sun will be darkened,” etc. This is the 24:22-24). This event will be cut short by DOL [Day of the Lord] will occur only at first and only direct indication in Matthew the initiation of the eschatological Day of the end of the tribulation period, not 24 that God’s wrath is involved in the events the Lord (Matt. 24:22, 24 and 29). The sign throughout its duration…” of the end times. The Day of the Lord clear- of the Old Testament’s eschatological Day Perhaps, pretribulationists should heed ly follows the persecution by Satan/ of the Lord is the same sign as the sign of Mayhue’s request. He writes, Antichrist. the Lord’s coming. Thus, the Lord’s return The wrath of God can be shown to fol- In my view, the traditional dispensa- initiates His wrath against the wicked as well low the persecution of God’s elect by tional definition of DOL beginning as relief for the elect. Joel 2:31 explicitly Satan/Antichrist from a careful analysis of at the pretribulational rapture and states, “The sun will be turned into darkness, Revelation 6 as well. The fifth seal states, extending throughout the millenni- and the moon into blood, before the great um or beginning with Christ’s sec- And when He broke the fifth seal, I and awesome day of the Lord comes.” ond coming and extending through saw underneath the altar the souls of Second, Daniel is clear that the time of dis- the millennium needs to be modi- those who had been slain because of tress begins at the midpoint of Daniel’s fied.15 the word of God, and because of the Seventieth Week. Few would argue that the testimony which they had main- “great tribulation” begins at the midpoint of The prewrath position takes the view that tained; (Rev. 6:9) Daniel’s Seventieth Week. However, the pre- the eschatological Day of the Lord occurs “at cise beginning of the eschatological Day of the end of the [great] tribulation period, and they cried out with a loud voice, the Lord does not enjoy consensus among [and] not throughout its duration.”16 saying, “How long, O Lord, holy pretribulationists. D. E. Hiebert, a pretribula- However, a distinction taught by prewrath and true, wilt Thou refrain from tionist, states that “the day of the Lord is proponents is this: the great tribulation of judging and avenging our blood on inaugurated with the rapture of the church Satan/Antichrist against God’s elect will be those who dwell on the earth?” (Rev. as described in [1 Thessalonians] 4:13-18, cut short. The remainder of Daniel’s 6:10) Seventieth Week and Antichrist time of rule will consist of the wrath of God. Jesus ex- And there was given to each of them plicitly stated as much. He taught, “for the a white robe; and they were told that sake of the elect, those days [of persecution] they should rest for a little while shall be cut short (Matt. 24:22b).” Now if longer, until the number of their fel- Jesus knew that Daniel’s abomination of low servants and their brethren who desolation was still future, he also knew that were to be killed even as they had Daniel indicated that this period would last been, should be completed also. (Rev. three-and-a-half years. Therefore, the three- 6:11) and-a-half years will be cut short. How short? No one knows, but definitely shorter Who are these martyrs? These believers were than three-and-a-half years!17 recently killed on earth because of their The prewrath position recognizes several faith. The phrase “those who dwell on the corollary issues because of this “modified” earth” is consistently used throughout the view of the Day of the Lord. We shall ad- Revelation to refer to the living earth- dress only one issue in this article. First, if dwellers during the end times that support the Day of the Lord follows the great tribu- Satan/Antichrist and oppose God and His lation by Satan/Antichrist, then is any elect. This is a very important point. The aspect of the great tribulation the wrath of murderers of the faithful are still alive on the Parousia — page 7 BY CHARLES COOPER

earth at the time the question is asked in wrath of God. Dr. Thomas writes, heaven. Second, when do the martyrs ask A burning question persists for those this question? The martyrs’ question follows who believe that God’s wrath will As with so much of an unexampled season of death on the earth begin with the seventh seal: How can as indicated in the fourth seal. an unbelieving world, whose cries The particular concern of the martyrs is are recorded in 6:16-17, know that the pretrib position, God’s timing of His planned judgment and the wrath of God is about to fall on vengeance on the living-earth dwellers. The them at the time represented by the martyrs indicate that God has not acted sixth seal? The day of God’s wrath Thomas’s statem ent against the living earth-dwellers yet. The will catch them by surprise, as a thief particular phrase that expresses God’s catches his victims at night (3:3; present conduct toward the living earth- 16:15; cf. 1 Thess. 5:2-3). The wrath is based upon an dwellers is variously translated. David E. to which these earth dwellers refer Aune in his commentary on Revelation says, must be something that has already “how long will it be until you judge and begun, and now for the first time assumption. avenge…”18 J. Massyngberde Ford says, they recognize it while experiencing “how long before you render judgment and 24:29).” Peter quotes Joel 2:31 in Acts 2:20 the afflictions of the sixth seal.22 deliver our lives…”19 Robert Mounce says, that “the sun shall be turned into darkness.” “how long… dost thou not judge and This is “a burning question,” but only for The point is that our solar system will have avenge…”20 pretribulationists who refuse to accept ex- no physical light source. The result: “men A literal translation of the Greek reveals plicit biblical evidence. As with so much of fainting from fear and the expectation of the that there is not a verb to refrain from, to be, to the pretrib position, Thomas’s statement is things which are coming upon the world render, or to do used in this verse. Rather, based upon an assumption. He assumes that (Luke 21:26).” translators are attempting to communicate since the wicked are ignorant about when Thirdly, John indicates “the whole moon the sense of the Greek. The point is this: God’s wrath will come that they are also ig- became like blood.” Like indicates a simile— God has not in the past nor has He21 to the norant about what God’s wrath is. a figure of speech of comparison. Matthew time of the martyrs’ question punished the It will not take a brain-surgeon to figure tells us what this figure of speech means: living earth-dwellers for their crime. God in- out that when the whole universe goes pitch “the moon will not give its light.” If the sun structs the martyrs that His justice will be black (no sun, no moon, and no stars shin- goes dark, the moon automatically ceases to delayed until the complete number of being) followed by “the sign of the Son of give light because it only reflects the light of lievers to be killed is finished (Rev. 6:11). Man” appearing in the sky and then Jesus the sun. The result: “men fainting from fear Then He will punish the living earth- appears with angels of fire, that earth and and the expectation of the things which are dwellers. her people will know that they have a prob- coming upon the world (Luke 21:26).” That this is the case is additionally sup- lem. Just the magnitude of the event alone Fourthly, John indicates “the stars of the ported by the direct indication that the will be enough to convince the wicked that sky fell to the earth…” This is a physical im- wrath of God follows in the sixth seal. God’s wrath is imminent. possibility so we know this is a figure of Revelation 6:12-14 indicates that the same First, in Revelation 6:15-16 John indi- speech as well. As with the sun and the sign that Jesus indicated would follow the cates there will be “a great earthquake…” moon, the stars will simply give no light great tribulation follows the fifth seal mar- Five earthquakes are mentioned in the (Isa. 13:10). The result: “men fainting from tyrs’ question—a sign, which the wicked Revelation.23 Three of them are said to be fear and the expectation of the things which see, understand and respond to appropriate- megas. It is one thing to have a localized are coming upon the world (Luke 21:26).” ly (Rev. 6:15-16). The wicked indicate that earthquake, but these are mega-earthquakes. Fifthly, John indicates “the sky was split the cosmic disturbances point to the immi- These mega-earthquakes will shake the en- apart like a scroll when it is rolled up.” The nent outbreak of the wrath of God. tire earth (Isa. 13:13). The result: “men particular Greek word used here can mean In a recent article by Dr. Robert L. fainting from fear and the expectation of the “to disappear” or “ to split apart.” The idea Thomas, he attempts to refute this aspect of things which are coming upon the world seems to be that a space is created in the the prewrath position, arguing that the re- (Luke 21:26).” Notice, “the things which are heavens that allows direct sight from earth sponse of the wicked indicted in Revelation coming upon the world” (italics added), and to God’s throne. The result: “men fainting 6:14-15 demands that the wrath of God not “things which [have been] coming upon from fear and the expectation of the things must have been experienced prior to the the world.” which are coming upon the world (Luke sixth seal. Otherwise, the wicked would Secondly, John indicates “the sun became 21:26).” have no idea that the cosmic disturbances in- black as sackcloth made of hair…” Matthew The sixth and final component of John’s dicate the imminent pouring out of the says “the sun will be darkened (Matt. cataclysmic disturbances involves the moun- Parousia — page 8 THE TROUBLER OF ISRAEL

Christ returns.”24 Meredith G. Kline argues their message, for nothing whatever that is said about the content of their The tim e of Jacob’s prophetic testimony. Though it is His advent is to be an epiphany in often claimed that their message was radiant clouds amid the holy angels a call to repentance… the text is trouble is not the same of God’s throne, attended by a great strangely silent on that point… the noise and cosmic cataclysm… Now, two witnesses are concerned not with “the sign of the Son of Man in heav- securing the repentance of the world as the time of distress/ en” (vs. 30a) is nothing other than but rather with acting as God’s this epiphany itself… The Son of agents in judging the world; killing, Man in heaven is himself the sign, and tormenting the opposition are the name-banner, of the Son of not normal tactics of evangelists…”28 a great tribulation. Man.25 Therefore, we conclude that the answer to tains and islands of the world. John states The early church father, Chrysostom, indi- Dr. Thomas’ “burning question” is simple. “every mountain and island were moved out cated that he thought “the sign of the Son of The cosmic disturbances are more than ade- of their places.” Some have incorrectly asso- Man” was “the cross being brighter than the 26 quate to educate the wicked concerning the ciated this event with the seventh bowl sun, since this last will be darkened…” arrival of God’s imminent wrath. The reac- judgment of Revelation 16:20 where John Scripture does not explicitly identify the tion indicated in Revelation 6:15-16 of the indicates that the mountains and islands fled “sign of the Son of Man.” wicked supports this conclusion. away or disappeared. However, Revelation One cannot be dogmatic about what the 6:14b merely indicate that the mountains sign or banner is, but who or what the sign or Conclusion and islands “moved out of their places.” A banner represents will be unmistakable. For Jeremiah 30:7 predicts the time of Jacob’s trou- geographical re-distribution of the earth’ we are told that immediately following the ble. It is equal to the unexampled Day of the surface will certainly be impressive. The resign, “all the tribes of the earth will mourn” Lord judgment against the wicked, which sult: “men fainting from fear and the (Matt. 24:30). This is not the mourning that will include the final punishment of Judah expectation of the things which are coming accompanies repentance, but the mourning and Israel prior to their full restoration. This upon the world (Luke 21:26).” that accompanies despair. The particular period will follow the unexampled period While we must admit that we have met Greek word used in this verse means “to beat 27 of persecution against the righteous (a time some wicked people who were stupid, we one’s breast as an act of mourning.” of distress/a great tribulation). This se- must say that the overwhelming majority of Matthew indicates that in association quence is taught in both Matthew 24 and wicked people are not stupid. No person in with mourning tribes, the Lord Jesus will be Revelation 6. Therefore, the time of Jacob’s their right mind could possibly think that seen coming on the clouds with power and trouble is not the same as the time of distress/a the five events depicted above could be any- glory. It is clear that these are the events that great tribulation. Consequently, pretribula- thing but the work of God. As Nicodemus inform the wicked upon the earth that the tionists incorrectly argue that the church is said, “Rabbi, we know that You have come wrath of God is imminent. Events so unmis- excluded from Daniel’s Seventieth Week be- from God as a teacher; for no one can do takable, due to their magnitude, that all men cause they incorrectly equate the time of these signs that You do unless God is with will know it is the Lord’s handiwork. Jacob’s trouble with the great tribulation. The him (John 3:2).” The wicked may not be- One final point about the knowledge of correct reason the church is excluded from lieve, but they are certainly not stupid. The the wicked during Daniel’s Seventieth Week the time of Jacob’s trouble is that the time of wicked can recognize the deeds of God. is necessary. Dr. Thomas is seemingly un- Jacob’s trouble is the eschatological Day of Jesus teaches in Matthew 24:30 that im- aware that the earth will have the prophetic the Lord. A period of time the Lord mediately after darkness grips the universe, ministry of two great prophets prior to the promised the church that it would not ex- “the sign of the Son of Man will appear in Lord’s return. Revelation 11:3 indicates that perience (1 Thess. 1:10 and 5:9). the sky.” If the five events of Revelation God’s two witnesses “will prophesy for 6:12-14 was not enough for the wicked to twelve hundred and sixty days, in sackcloth.” ENDNOTES know what’s up, the appearance of the sign It is impossible to believe that these prophets 1. P.N. Benware, Understanding End Times Prophecy, of the Son of Man certainly will clear up any will not be “worrying” the world of its im- (Chicago: Moody Press, 1995), 184-185. confusion. What exactly is the sign of the minent doom. The message of the two 2. R.K. Harrison, Jeremiah and Lamentations, witnesses is indicated by their dress—sack- (Downers Grove: Inter-Varsity Press, 1973), Son of Man? John F. Walvoord states, “The 34. sign of the Son of man predicted in cloth. In fact, 3. J.A. Thompson, The Book of Jeremiah, NICOT Matthew 24:30 is apparently the glory of the garments of the two witnesses (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans the Lord which will appear in the heavens as Publishing Company, 1980), 551. provide the only clue to the nature of 4. C.F. Keil, Jeremiah and Lamentations, Vol. 2, Parousia — page 9 BY CHARLES COOPER

(Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing argues against labeling the “great tribula- 20. R. H. Mounce, The Book of Revelation, (Grand Company, 1973) 5. tion” as the wrath of God. Jesus is reported Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1977), 5. F.B. Huey, Jr., Jeremiah-Lamentations, NAC, Vol. to have indicated that those living in 157. 16, (Nashville: Broadman Press) 262. Jerusalem just prior to the beginning of the 21. Both verbs in the martyrs’ question are pre- 6. Anchor Bible Dictionary, s.v. “Day of the Lord,” “abomination of desolation” should flee sent, active and indicative. Extending-from- by Richard H. Hiers, 2:79. once the temple is desecrated. One is hard past present is the particular category of usage. 7. C.L. Feinberg, Jeremiah: A Commentary, (Grand pressed to explain why God would need to The action began in the past and continues Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, send the woman into the wilderness as pro- in the present. For a detailed discussion, see 1982) 204. tection from His wrath. Daniel B. Wallace’s Greek Grammar: Beyond 8. J.M. Bracke, Jeremiah 30-52 and Lamentations, 13. D. E. Hiebert, The Thessalonian Epistles, the Basics, (Grand Rapid: Zondervan (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, (Chicago: Moody Press, 1971), 211. Publishing House, 1996), 519. 2000) 4. 14. R. R. Reiter, et al, The Rapture: Pre-, Mid-, or 22. R. L. Thomas, “The Doctrine of Imminence 9. Anthony Tomasino, The International Dictionary Post-Tribulational? (Grand Rapids: Zondervan in Two Recent Eschatological Systems,” BSac of Old Testament Theology & Exegesis, (eds W. Publishing House, 1984), 61. 157 (October-November 2000), 460. A. VanGemeren et al.; Grand Rapids: 15. R. L. Mayhue, “The Prophet’s Watchword: 23. Revelation 6:12; 8:5; 11:13, 19; and 16:18. Zondervan Publishing House, 1997) 3:563- Day of the Lord,” GTJ 6 (Fall, 85), 246. 24. J. F. Walvoord, “The Future Work of Christ— 567. 16. I would recommend that the reader pay close Part III: Christ’s Coming to Reign,” BSac 10. E.C. Deibler, “The Relation of the Church to attention to Dr. Mayhue’s article—“The 123 (July-Sept. 1966), 197. the Kingdom,” Part 2, BSac 97 (July 40) Prophet’s Watchword: Day of the Lord,” ref- 25. M. G. Kline, “Primal Parousia,” WTJ 40 356. erenced above. Mayhue adopts two future (Spring 1978), 278-280. 11. Daniel 12:1 states that “Michael, the great eschatological days of the Lord, a position 26. Chrysostom Homilies on the Gospel of St. prince who stands over the sons of the your worthy of study. Matthew, Homily 76. Also see St. Cyril of (Daniel) people, will arise.” Following this 17. Satan’s persecution of God’s elect will be cut Jerusalem, St. Gragory of Nanzianzen and event, the time of distress occurs. short, not Satan’s time to rule. St. Hilary of Potiers, John of Damascus. 12. Revelation 12:1-6 indicates that the woman 18. D. E. Aune, Revelation 6-16, 52B (Nashville: 27. BADG s.v. κοπτω′ , 444. (the righteous remnant of Israel) will be pro- Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1998), 406. 28. D. E. Aune, Revelation 6-16, (Nashville: tected by God from the wrath of Antichrist 19. J. M. Ford, Revelation, (New York: Doubleday, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1998), 611. for the three and a half-year tribulation. This 1975), 96.

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The Precious Privileges of Our Ministry by Charles Cooper

y the time you read this article, I will Bhave completed twenty-seven years in the preaching ministry. Notwithstanding many wonderful opportunities over the years, few can really compare with a recent trip that I had made to India. We receive invitations from all over the world and we assume that the people who invite us are people who want to be taught a cerning the Lord’s return. End of story, With my hosts and attendees in India. biblically consistent approach to the Lord’s right? Wrong! return. Naturally, we often know very little In his excitement about the prewrath po- about the people inviting us. It’s usually a sition, Mr. Shylla shared what he had journey of faith. learned with any and everyone willing to lis- We received just such a request from Mr. ten. His copy of The Sign traveled with him Hispreaching Son Shylla in Shillong, and finally fell apart. Meghalaya India. With a first name like But this story is really about one gentle- Hispreaching, one can sense the hopes of a man in particular, Mr. Armstrong Syiem—a mother and father at their child’s birth. Mr. member of the royal family of Shillong, an Shylla had been invited to a meeting at a lo- acting chief of one of the Khasi states of cal church to hear a lecture on the signs of Northeast India, and a very successful busi- the times. To the participants who arrived nessman. His wife had been a believer for first, a small pamphlet was given bearing the many years, but he had never given the title: The Signs of the Times. Due to circum- cause of Christ a second thought. Until a life stances beyond his control, Mr. Shylla long friend, Mr. H. S. Shylla recommended arrived late and lost his opportunity to re- that he read The Sign. ceive a copy of the pamphlet. Disappointed, At his friend’s request, Mr. Syiem read The he related the story to a friend of his. His Sign. A well-placed presentation of the friend, having recently received a copy of Gospel caught Armstrong by surprise. A Robert Van Kampen’s book The Sign and wife’s prayers were finally answered—her hoping to appease his friend, purchased a husband came to know the Lord. Not only a the occasion was a cotton shirt and pants, no copy for Mr. Shylla. After reading it, Mr. husband, but five children also trusted shoes and a lot of faith. We had the good Shylla’s life changed irreparably. Messiah as their personal sin-bearer. Shortly fortune to find broken branches from the Mr. Shylla is a very distinguished career after I agreed to go to India to teach the fin- trees, which made a great fire. Seven thou- politician in Northeast India. At the time he er points of the prewrath position, Mr. sand miles from home and heat, eight read Van Kampen’s book, he was Speaker of Shylla asked me if I would be willing to baptismal candidates and I along with about the House for the State of Meghalaya in baptize his life long friend, Mr. Syiem and 15 others witnessed the faithfulness of God India. In a re-election year and uncontested, his children. Excitedly, I agreed. Having fulfilled in the life of a faithful wife and Mr. Shylla chose to step out of politics, baptized many new converts, I naturally mother who had prayed twenty years for the something utterly unthinkable in India. He thought I would step into a beautiful bap- salvation of her husband and family. The had the chart in the back of Van Kampen’s tistry with heated water and pipe organ Lord is faithful. book reproduced on a giant canvass and be- music in the background. Boy, was I wrong. It is not only a joy to teach others con- gan traveling around his state teaching the On December 13, 2000, I stepped into a cerning the Lord’s return, but to see converts prewrath position. He found our web-site, natural pool formed from a mountain spring to Christ in the process is “icing on the contacted the ministry, developed, setup, and three hundred yards from a man-made damn cake.” This is but one of hundreds of stories organized two of the finest conferences I to baptize eight recent converts. The water about how God has used Robert Van have ever attended. Well over 3, 000 people was below fifty degrees. The air temperature Kampen’s book, The Sign to make a differ- sat in 40 plus degrees to hear teachings con- a little better than fifty degrees. My dress for ence in people’s lives around the world. Parousia — page 11 Florida Orlando – A New Home for Ministry he Sign Ministries is moving to Orlando, for the cause of Jesus Christ afforded The TFlorida. The rationale for moving is quite Sign Ministries a great opportunity. Again, it simple—location, location and location. is a matter of location. First and foremost, a The sponsor of The Sign Ministries is substantial number of individuals will be Sola Scriptura, a parent company set up by exposed to the prewrath position in conjunc- Robert Van Kampen to accomplish his vi- tion with other Bible-based opportunities. sion for the cause of Christ. In purpose, Sola Second, the move will allow The Sign Scripture is devoted to the affirmation of the Ministries to publicly identify its mission authenticity, accuracy, and authority of with the fulfillment of the purpose of Sola God’s word—the Bible. Scriptura. The timing of the Lord’s return is The last project Robert Van Kampen not a separate and unrelated issue to the af- worked on before his death was a museum firmation of the authenticity, accuracy, and for his Bible collection. The Van Kampen authority of God’s word—the Bible. Rather, Collection, as it is known, contains the only because we fully recognize the nature of private collection of ancient manuscripts and God’s word, we strongly advocate a face val- original versions of the Bible to be recog- ue interpretation of the Bible. In so doing, we nized by national historic societies. show forth the authenticity, accuracy and au- Cuneiform tablets, 13th-century illuminated thority of the Bible. Therefore, we aid in the manuscripts and perhaps the Latin Bible accomplishment of the purpose of Sola Martin Luther used to translate the Bible in- Scriptura. to German are but a few of the many Thirdly, housing the ministries together outstanding pieces that make up the Van saves money on operational costs. Fourthly, Kampen Collection. the staff of the ministry can now offer a va- Instead of building the museum in cation package with our yearly conferences Western Michigan, as Robert Van Kampen that will be second to none. Not only will originally intended, the family brilliantly de- conferees receive outstanding teachings on cided to build the museum in Orlando, the subject of end times, but they will also Florida. It was a matter of location. While have the opportunity to take in the attractions Western Michigan has experienced a signifi- of the city of Orlando. Fifthly, it will provide cant increase in yearly tourism, nothing can on-going, shared ministry opportunities with compare with the potential ministry oppor- Zion’s Hope and other Orlando-based min- tunities that Orlando, Florida affords. istries. And finally, the move positions The Boasting not only a large tourist population Sign Ministries for long-term viability in the from all over America, Orlando also offers an mainstream of evangelicalism. Orlando is fast international presence as well. This allows becoming a major center for Christian min- for a maximum number of individuals to take istry relocations. advantage of the Van Kampen Collection. The relocation of The Sign Ministries Coupled with the Holy Land Experience should be completed by the end of this year. at Zion’s Hope, the Scriptorium (which will We anticipate no significant interruption in house the Van Kampen Collection) will fur- the on-going day-to-day operations of the ther accomplish Robert Van Kampen’s vision ministry. However, we continually desire to have believers see firsthand evidence for your prayers that God would be pleased the authenticity, accuracy, and authority of with our efforts and give us wide acceptance God’s word—the Bible. On display will be among those who love His appearance. first edition copies of English Bibles, Luther’s and Gutenburg’s Bibles, and much more. With so much to offer those who visit Scenes from the Holy Land Experience in Orlando, Florida: a musical drama on the steps Orlando yearly, Sola Scriptura’s investment of the Temple recreates Jesus being brought as an infant; a woman explains the significance of the marketplace well; and a Roman soldier makes it his business to keep the peace. Nonprofit Org. THE U.S. Postage Paid Grand Haven, MI SIGN Permit No. 383 Ministries P.O. Box 113 West Olive, MI 49460 A Ministry of Sola Scriptura

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THE SIGN MINISTRIES NEWSLETTER / SUMMER 2001 AmillennialismAmillennialism Examining its“Origens” Prophecy Under Fire Critics & Critiques Meet a Berean Parousia — page 2 AmillennialismAmillennialism Examining its“Origens” by Gary Vaterlaus

he early church fathers fact, the writings of the early church are so church age as the millennium. There are two were very prolific in their overwhelmingly chiliastic, that it led the divergent views within this camp concern- writing. Many of these early great church historian, Phillip Schaff, to ing the believers’ 1000-year reign with documents have been pre- write: Christ spoken of in Revelation 20:4-6. One served for us today. Their group sees this as speaking of the interme- The most striking point in the escha- writings give us a picture diate state of believers between death and tology of the ante-Nicene age [before of the beliefs, lifestyle and resurrection. It refers to “the reign of the the council of Nicea] is the promi- struggles of the early church. souls of the blessed dead with Christ in the nent chiliasm, or millennarianism, TWhile not all of the early church fathers intermediate state.”5 The second group that is the belief of a visible reign of wrote on the return of Christ and His subse- holds that the entire church age, from the Christ in glory on earth with the quent kingdom to follow, those that did left first coming of Christ until His second com- risen saints for a thousand years, us a clear picture of the eschatological hope ing, is to be equated with the Millennium before the general resurrection and of the early church. In reading the earliest fa- and that “the church militant on earth… is judgment.2 thers, one quickly learns that regarding the now reigning with Christ in the sense that temporal kingdom of Christ, the fathers were The historical evidence indicates that chil- we are now living in the midst of the mil- chiliastic. Chiliasm (pronounced “kileeazem”) iasm (premillennialism, as it is called today) lennium…”6 is the correct term for designating the theo- was the predominant belief of the church of This shift to what came to be called amil- logical position of the earliest fathers the first three centuries. “And to make few lennialism began slowly during the second concerning the Lord’s temporal kingdom. words of it,” as Thomas Burnet, royal chap- and third centuries, and then picked up Chiliasm comes from the Greek word that lain to king William III of England, said, “we steam until by the middle of the sixth centu- means a thousand. Therefore, to be chiliastic is will lay down this conclusion, that the ry there were only a few remaining pockets to believe that Christ is going to establish a Millennial kingdom of Christ was the general doc- of belief in a literal thousand-year kingdom temporal kingdom on earth after His return, trine of the Primitive Church, from the times of the on earth. Indeed, as Earle E. Cairns, profes- one thousand years in duration. Citing nu- Apostles to the Nicene Council; inclusively.”3 sor emeritus at Wheaton College, points out, merous sources and historical references, “The absence of premillennialism in the Larry V. Crutchfield, professor of Early The Change to a Spiritualized Kingdom Middle Ages is as prominent as the absence Christian History & Culture at Columbia After the Nicene Council (AD 325), we note of postmillennialism in the ante-Nicene Evangelical Seminary, lists numerous church a significant shift from the expectation of a church.”7 The dominance of amillennialism fathers and early church documents as pro- millennial reign following the return of continued up to and beyond the Reform- ponents for chiliasm.1 Christ to a spiritualized kingdom of unlim- ation, and only in the 19th century was the In contrast to this “great cloud of witness- ited duration before the Lord’s return. This view of a literal thousand-year reign upon es” for the chiliastic (one thousand year view holds that “at the second coming of the earth revived. Just why did this shift kingdom) view of the early church, there are Christ the resurrection and judgment will from a literal kingdom of 1000 years to a virtually no early church documents prior to take place, followed by the eternal order of spiritualized kingdom of unlimited duration AD 325 which support a different view. In things…”4 This view sees the current occur in the early church? Parousia — page 3 BY GARY VATERLAUS

The Tap Root: A Defective Hermeneutic Dwight Pentecost, of Dallas Seminary, sum- Dr. Thomas Cornman, a professor at Moody Hermeneutics, as defined by Roy B. Zuck of marizes: Bible Institute, describes the Alexandrian Dallas Seminary, is “the science (principles) school: They were without an established and art (task) by which the meaning of the canon of either the Old or New It is the Alexandrian school and the biblical text is determined.”8 There are basi- Testaments. They were dependent leader of that school that shaped the cally two methods of biblical interpretation. upon a faulty translation of the thinking of Origen. This tradition One has been called the literal, face value, or Scriptures [The Septuagint]. They cannot be seen as separate from the historical-grammatical method. This method had known only the rules of inter- philosophical developments of the involves taking the biblical text for what it pretation laid down by the rabbinical Alexandrian community but rather says, and seeking to discover the author’s in- schools and, thus, had to free them- was an extension of them into the tended meaning. Words and phrases are selves from the erroneous application sphere of Christianity. The philo- taken in a literal fashion, while at the same of the principle of interpretation. sophical, cultural and geographic time recognizing that there are figures of They were surrounded by paganism, influence of the city and its people speech used in Scripture. The other Judaism, and heresy of every kind.11 came to bear on the hermeneutical hermeneutical method has been called, and theological systems of Clement broadly speaking, the allegorical method. By the third century, there were basically and his pupil Origen. While this The allegorical method seeks a meaning be- three schools of diverse hermeneutical posi- influence may be considered good or yond the literal reading of the text, seeking tions which had arisen. F.W. Farrar, biblical bad depending on one’s theological to discover the “deeper” sense of Scripture, scholar and an Anglican clergyman, ex- persuasion, it provides a new direc- and often interpreting words and phrases in plains: tion as viewed against the simplicity other than their literal sense. An offshoot of The Fathers of the third and later of an earlier age when the words of the allegorical method is spiritualizing the centuries may be divided into three Scripture were sufficient as the canon text, whereby one attempts to see the high- exegetical schools. Those schools are of faith.13 est or ultimate end as the intended the Literal and Realistic as represented meaning.9 Origen was raised in the city of Alexandria. predominantly by Tertullian; the It has been demonstrated that the prevail- The influence of the Alexandrian mindset Allegorical, of which Origen is the ing method of biblical interpretation during was significant in the development of his foremost exponent; and the Historical Old Testament times and in the time of theology and his approach to Scripture. As and Grammatical, which flourished Christ was a literal method. Thomas Horne, Schaff wrote: chiefly in Antioch, and of which former Professor of English and Art History Theodore of Mopsuestia was the Alexandria was full of Jews, the liter- at Brown University, writes: acknowledged chief.12 ary as well as commercial centre of The allegorical interpretation of the the East, and the connecting link Not surprisingly, we find that as the allegor- sacred Scriptures cannot be histori- between the East and the West. There ical method of interpretation began to take cally proved to have prevailed among the largest libraries were collected; hold, the view of an earthly millennial reign the Jews from the time of the captiv- there the Jewish mind came into of Christ began to wane. It was the biblical ity, or to have been common with the close contact with the Greek, and the school in Alexandria, Egypt that fostered Jews of Palestine at the time of Christ religion of Moses with the philoso- and promoted the allegorical method of in- and his apostles.10 phy of Plato and Aristotle. There terpretation. It was the methods of this Philo wrote, while Christ taught in Jesus and the apostles themselves also prac- school that provided one reason for ticed a literal hermeneutic. Whenever Jesus the eventual abandonment of a lit- quoted the Old Testament he used it in a eral thousand-year kingdom on historical, factual manner, not in an allegor- earth within the church. ical fashion. The Old Testament citations by The catechetical school in the writers of the New Testament also Alexandria was founded demonstrate a literal understanding of the by Pantaenus in the late By the third century, text, though allegory and typology (pattern second century, but fulfillment) are practiced in a very limited its best known there were basically three sense. leaders were The hermeneutic of the early apostolic fa- Clement of schools of diverse hermeneutical thers was greatly influenced by their Alexandria environment and culture. We must realize and his pupil, the difficult situation that they faced. Origen. positions which had arisen. Parousia — page 4 AMILLENNIALISM

Jerusalem and Galilee, and his works scriptures a threefold sense; (1) a porary only, not everlasting. When were destined to exert a great influ- somatic, literal, or historical sense, the present world has come to an end ence on Christian exegesis through furnished immediately by the mean- the material substance of which it is the Alexandrian fathers.14 ing of the words, but only serving as composed will be employed for the a veil for a higher idea; (2) a psychic formation of another world in which Philo was a Jewish philosopher who sought or moral sense, animating the first, the spirits of men not yet perfected to reconcile Greek philosophy, particularly and serving for general edification; will be still further disciplined and so that of Plato and the Stoics, with the Old (3) a pneumatic or mystic, and ideal it will go on until all have been Testament. Philo found the allegorical sense, for those who stand on the redeemed when matter being unre- method of interpretation useful in his quest high ground of philosophical knowl- deemable will finally be destroyed. to show that the Jewish faith was not as bar- edge. In the application of this theo- The future life will be a life of the barous as the Greeks might think. This ry he shows the same tendency as spirit; the flesh will have no part in it. influence of Greek philosophy and allegori- Philo, to spiritualize away the letter The joys of heaven and the pains of cal interpretation greatly influenced the of scripture, especially where the hell will be mental not material.17 thought and life of Origen. Karlfried plain historical sense seems unwor- Froehlich, former Professor of Church Origen’s hermeneutics and the resulting thy, as in the history of David’s History at Princeton Theological Seminary, spiritualized eschatology also affected those crimes; and instead of simply bring- writes: who would follow in his footsteps. The great ing out the sense of the Bible, he puts church father Augustine, also from North Searching the biblical texts for clues into it all sorts of foreign ideas and Africa, was greatly influenced by the to their higher spiritual meaning irrelevant fancies. But this allegoriz- Alexandrian school and Origen’s writings. became the normative task of the ing suited the taste of the age, and, Augustine identified the kingdom of God Christian exegete, and with this task with his fertile mind and imposing with the hierarchical church of his day. He came the appropriation of the full learning, Origen was the exegetical argued against chiliasm which those, he said, arsenal of Hellenistic allegorical oracle of the early church, till his “that are really and truly spiritual” oppose. technique: the philological study of orthodoxy fell into disrepute.16 He taught that the binding of Satan (Rev. words and phrases, etymology, Indeed Origen’s allegorical approach to 20:1-3) began with the spread of the church numerology, figuration, natural sym- Scripture led him into many doctrinal errors. and that the church “now on earth” is the bolism, etc.15 His teachings, for which he eventually was kingdom which will last for a thousand Though others in the Alexandrian school declared a heretic, included a belief that the years. To Augustine, the First Resurrection were well-known and significant forces in souls of men had existed in a previous state, represents the conversion of the soul.18 the church at that time, it was the brilliant a denial of the bodily resurrection, and a be- Cairns sums up Augustine’s eschatological Origen who was the first to develop a sys- lief in universal salvation—that all men, view and its impact on the future church: tematic hermeneutic and utilize that even demons, will be finally restored It can readily be seen that Augustine hermeneutic in the development of his doc- through the mediation of Christ. looked for Christ’s coming after the trinal positions. Schaff notes: Origen’s approach to hermeneutics also present millennial age in which the affected his eschatology. His rejection of a Origen was the first to lay down, in church was to become increasingly bodily resurrection led to a spiritualized es- connection with the allegorical influential. While his view is not chatology. A.C. McGiffert, Washburn method of the Jewish Platonist, clear-cut, it seems to have more Professor of Church History at Union Philo, a formal theory of interpreta- affinities with Roman Catholic and Theological Seminary, accurately summation, which he carried out in a long contemporary postmillennialism than rizes Origen’s eschatological system: series of exegetical works remarkable with amillennialism. There was no for industry and ingenuity, but mea- Origen had an elaborate eschatology. place in his eschatology for the Jews ger in solid results. He considered the He believed in or at least hoped for or a future earthly kingdom. He can Bible a living organism, consisting of the final restoration of all rational be credited with the final shattering three elements which answer to the creatures, not only men but also of the premillennial system of the body, soul, and spirit of man, after demons, including even the archfiend ante-Nicene church, and his views on the Platonic psychology. himself. The pains of hell are disci- eschatology became the accepted Accordingly, he attributed to the plinary in purpose and will be tem- view until the Reformation and, in Indeed Origen’s allegorical approach to Scripture led him into many doctrinal errors. Parousia — page 5 BY GARY VATERLAUS

some respects, even after that great Marcion sought to rid event.19 Christianity of every trace of A future earthly Judaism. Other Church fathers At the foundation of Augustine’s eschatol- such as Justin Martyr, John ogy is the principle of allegorizing Scripture kingdom that focused Chrysostom and Ignatius which, as we have seen, developed in the spoke with great contempt Alexandrian school and was perfected by on the restoration of the against Jews and Judaism. With Origen. Dr. John Walvoord, of Dallas the eventual triumph of Seminary, is very pointed when he states: Christianity in the fourth cen- Jews was unthinkable. It is clear that in arriving at his con- tury as the state religion, its clusion regarding the millennium indebtedness to Judaism had to Augustine used the principle of spir- a great extent been forgotten. ever with the God of justice of the Old itualizing Scripture freely. While he Judaism was now thought to be Testament and the God of goodness re- did not use this principle in inter- obsolete. Because Jewish people had vealed in the New Testament. He sought to preting Scripture relating to predesti- rejected Jesus as their Messiah, what completely divorce the Old Testament from nation, hamartiology, salvation, or need did believing Gentiles have to Christianity and adopted his own version of grace, he found it suitable for inter- associate with or be indebted to the canon. Though he was condemned as a preting prophecy. A candid examina- those of a dead, legalistic religion? heretic, the response to Marcion had very tion of his interpretation leaves the The Jewish roots of the Church had important consequences for the church’s at- examiner with the impression that thus virtually been severed. A Gentile titude toward the Jews. Froehlich writes: Augustine did not give a reasonable Church, largely Grecianized through Marcion (AD 144) rejected the Jewish exegesis of Scripture involved.20 the influence of Platonic thought, Scriptures as the work of a wrathful, now stood in its place.21 The primary root that fed the growth of a evil God who was opposed to the spiritualized kingdom concept in the early Origen and others saw the destruction of love of God proclaimed by Jesus and church was the replacement of a literal Jerusalem in AD 70 as an indicator of God’s Paul. He reduced the acceptable hermeneutic with an allegorical one. rejection of the Jews for their crucifixion of Scriptures to ten Pauline epistles and However, there were four sub-roots that fed Jesus. Origen wrote: the Gospel of Luke purged of Jewish the need for a new hermeneutical approach contaminants. The Church con- And we say with confidence that to Scripture: (1) an anti-Jewish bias; (2) an demned Marcion and his principles. they will never be restored to their overreaction to heresy; (3) a false view of the But the decision against Marcion also former condition. For they commit- material world; and (4) the conversion of the had a disturbing consequence. By ted a crime of the most unhallowed Emperor to Christianity. making the Jewish Scriptures res- kind, in conspiring against the Savior olutely a Christian book: the “Old of the human race in that city where Feeder Root 1: An Anti-Jewish Bias Testament”, which had only one they offered up to God a worship Composed primarily of Jewish believers, the legitimate continuation: the “New containing the symbols of mighty apostolic church was in many ways consid- Testament”, the emerging Christian mysteries. It accordingly behooved ered a sect of Judaism. However, as the movement defined itself once more that city where Jesus underwent these gospel spread to the reaches of the Roman in sharpest antitheses to the Jewish sufferings to perish utterly, and the Empire the church became more and more community. In fact, the tighter the Jewish nation to be overthrown, and composed of non-Jews and the importance grip of Christians on the Jewish the invitation to happiness offered of the church’s Jewish beginnings dimin- Scriptures, the deeper the estrange- them by God to pass to others—the ished significantly. In fact, as early as the ment from the community of living Christians…22 second century, there was a notable anti- Jews. For the patristic tradition after Jewish sentiment building within the The Jews were looked on as the enemies of the triumph of Christianity, the Jews church. Marvin Wilson, professor of Bible at God, a rejected people, unworthy of any fu- became the “people of witness” for Gordon College, sheds some light on this ture in God’s plans. Christianity was seen as God’s wrath on unbelievers.23 shift within the early church: the bona fide replacement of Judaism. A fu- This anti-Jewish development in the early ture earthly kingdom that focused on the The Church was born in a Jewish church greatly influenced its eschatological restoration of the Jews was unthinkable. cradle, but it rapidly became de- view. Since a view of a literal thousand-year Marcion was a leader in this “de- Judaized. By the middle of the sec- kingdom on earth holds that there is still a Judaizing” of Christianity. A businessman ond century an anti-Jewish polemic future kingdom for the Jews, and that God from Rome, he could see no parallel whatso- arose within the Church as men like has not rejected the nation of Israel and yet Parousia — page 6 AMILLENNIALISM

will fulfill His covenants with them, this protest against the growing looseness Christianity. It is spiritual and idealis- view came to be rejected in this growing an- of the Catholic penitential discipline. tic, maintaining the supremacy of the ti-Jewish church culture. Amillennialism, on spirit over matter… From the time of the other hand, fit nicely into the view that 4. …a visionary millennarianism, Justin Martyr, the Platonic philoso- the church is the new Israel, and that Christ founded indeed on the Apocalypse phy continued to exercise a direct is now reigning from heaven with the new and on the apostolic expectation of and indirect influence upon Christian people of God, the church. Origen, the speedy return of Christ, but giv- theology… We can trace it especial- Dionysius and others rejected chiliasm as ing it extravagant weight and a mate- ly in Clement of Alexandria and being an overly “Jewish” interpretation of rialistic coloring… [They] pro- Origen, and even in St. Augustine, the Scriptures. Thus, the second root that claimed the near approach of the age who confessed that it kindled in him supplied the nourishment for a spiritualized of the Holy Spirit and of the millen- an incredible fire.26 kingdom viewpoint was the anti-Jewish bias nial reign in Pepuza, a small village This abhorrence of the material led to many that developed in the early church. of Phrygia, upon which the New unhealthy and even heretical views. Among Jerusalem was to come down.24 these were the denial of the physical aspect Feeder Root 2: An Overreaction Concerning the church’s reaction to of the resurrection by Origen and an exces- to Heresy Montanism, D. Matthew Allen, of the sive asceticism as taught by the Ebionites During the early years of Christianity, the Biblical Studies Foundation, notes: and many other sects, including many of the church was overrun by sects advocating Gnostics. In addition to these erroneous heretical doctrines. Indeed, many of the Indeed, the Montanists’ fanatical views, the elevation of the spiritual over the writings of the early church fathers were de- excesses worked to discredit premil- material led to the rejection of the material nunciations of these heresies. Among these lennialism among early church lead- nature of the millennium. Augustine rejected non-orthodox groups were several that held ers, and opposition to premillennial- the idea of a physical millennial kingdom to chiliastic views. According to Philip ism began in earnest as a result of the when he wrote: Schaff, these included the Ebionites, the Montanist movement. Caius of Rome Montanists, and the heretic Cerinthus. While attacked millennialism specifically This opinion [a future literal millen- much of the teaching of these heretics was because it was linked to Montanism, nium after the resurrection] might be rightly condemned, often their biblical es- and he attempted to trace the belief allowed, if it proposed only spiritual chatological views were condemned as well. in a literal millennium to the heretic delight unto the saints during this It was only natural, however, to look with Cerinthus.25 space (and we were once of the same suspicion upon all of the teachings of those opinion ourselves); but seeing the It is clear that the formal church’s denuncia- who were advocating non-orthodox views avouchers hereof affirm that the tion and rejection of the Montanists, regarding such things as the trinity, the na- saints after this resurrection shall do Ebionites and others included not only the ture of Christ, the role of the law, etc. nothing but revel in fleshly banquets, rightful rejection of their heretical and fa- Montanus is noteworthy as one who devel- where the cheer shall exceed both natical beliefs, but also a misplaced oped a significant movement in the latter modesty and measure, this is gross opposition to their millennial position. Thus, part of the second century, which continued and fit for none but carnal men to the third root that fed the growth of a spir- in some parts until the sixth century. The ba- believe. But they that are really and itualized kingdom concept in the early sic tenets of Montanism conflicted with truly spiritual do call those of this church was the unwarranted rejection of a many of the practices of the churches of that opinion Chiliasts.”27 literal thousand-year kingdom because of its day. According to Schaff, they included: association with heretical splinter groups. Premillennialists, while holding to an earth- 1. …a forced continuance of the ly millennium of 1000 years, do not teach a miraculous gifts of the apostolic Feeder Root 3: The View of millennium of revelry and “fleshly ban- church… It asserted, above all, the the Material World quets”, as Augustine mistakenly thought. continuance of prophecy. Platonism Thus, Augustine rejected a literal thousand- As mentioned earlier, the fathers from the year kingdom on earth in part due to a 2. …the assertion of the universal school of Alexandria were greatly influenced faulty understanding of the nature of an priesthood of Christians, even of by the philosophy of the Greeks, particular- earthly millennium. females, against the special priest- ly Plato. Platonic thought held that the hood in the Catholic church. spiritual was supreme over the material. This Gnosticism influence is noted by Schaff. He writes, The Gnostic heresy arose early in the histo- 3. …a fanatical severity in asceticism ry of the church. Gnosticism was taught by The Platonic philosophy offered and church discipline. It raised a zealous a variety of religious sects that professed sal- many points of resemblance to Parousia — page 7 BY GARY VATERLAUS

vation through secret knowledge, or gnosis. in AD 307 the emperor Constantine was con- wrote: “Then let the story of the The movement reached its high point during verted to Christianity. In 313 he issued the thousand years cease” (Commentary the second century in the Roman and edict of Milan which proclaimed freedom of on Daniel, on Dan 7:25).31 Alexandrian schools founded by Valentius. religion for all inhabitants of the Roman em- While the anti-Jewish bias of the early One of the tenets of Gnosticism, according pire. Now, rather than being the persecuted, church and the reaction to heretical teach- to Schaff, was “Dualism; the assumption of the church was the honored. This had a pro- ings both played an important role in the an eternal antagonism between God and found impact on the eschatological hope of gradual shift from a literal thousand-year matter.”28 The Gnostics saw the material these early believers. Rather than looking to kingdom to a spiritualized kingdom of un- world as evil and rejected the idea of a phys- the return of Christ to put down the Roman limited duration, it was the new-found ical resurrection or physical nature of Empire (whom most identified as the acceptance and elevation of the church in eternity. Schaff explains their view: Antichrist) and set up a righteous kingdom the fourth century which proved to have the on earth, they were now enjoying the fa- The material visible world is the greatest impact. As Schaff writes: voritism of the Empire and began to equate abode of the principle of evil. This their new prosperity with the millennial But the crushing blow came from the cannot proceed from God; else he kingdom. The focus of the church changed great change in the social condition were himself the author of evil. It from looking for ultimate comfort in the and prospects of the church in the must come from an opposite princi- world to come, to enjoying the comfort they Nicene age. After Christianity, con- ple. This is Matter, which stands in now experienced in the present world. trary to all expectation, triumphed in eternal opposition to God and the Cairns comments on this dramatic change: the Roman empire, and was ideal world.29 embraced by the Caesars themselves, The more prosperous circumstances Though condemned by the church fathers, the millennial reign, instead of being of the church, ushered in by the free- Gnosticism nevertheless had a profound in- anxiously waited and prayed for, dom of religion granted by fluence in the thought and theology of the began to be dated either from the Constantine in the Edict of Milan in church: first appearance of Christ, or from 313 and his favoritism to the church the conversion of Constantine and The number of the Gnostics is by state subsidies, exemption of the the downfall of paganism, and to be impossible to ascertain. We find them clergy from public duty and military regarded as realized in the glory of in almost all portions of the ancient service, and the legal setting of the dominant imperial state-church. church… They found most favor Sunday as a day of rest, caused many Augustine, who himself had formerly with the educated, and threatened to Christians to cease thinking of the entertained chiliastic hopes, framed lead astray the teachers of the Roman state as Antichrist or his fore- the new theory which reflected the church.30 runner and to expect that the social social change, and was generally and territorial expansion of the The influence of Gnosticism in the early church since Christ’s First Advent was church has been linked to the development the kingdom. The church became at of asceticism and there is no doubt its ab- home in the world as members horrence of the material world contributed gained material possession and to the rejection of an earthly Millennial he focus of the prominence, such as Eusebius enjoyed kingdom, particularly in the influential in being at the right hand of Alexandrian school. Thus, the third root Tchurch changed from Constantine at the Council of Nicaea. feeding the amillennial shift in the early Eusebius wrote a laudatory biography church was the influence of Platonic and of Constantine and in his looking for ultimate Gnostic thought, which viewed the physical Ecclesiastical History sought to pre- as evil, and would thus preclude any sort of sent the story of the church from future physical kingdom on the earth. comfort in the world Christ’s Ascension to her present rise to prominence. The earlier church Feeder Root 4: The Conversion to come,to enjoying fathers, such as Papias, who had held of the Emperor to a premillennial hope were castigat- The early Christian church suffered intense ed for their errors. Church and state the comfort they now persecution from the Roman government. were two arms of God to serve Him Believers who refused to bow down to in His developing kingdom. Jerome Caesar suffered punishment, imprisonment experienced in the insisted that the saints would not have and death as a result of their loyalty to an earthly premillennial kingdom and Christ. All of this changed dramatically when present world. Parousia — page 8 AMILLENNIALISM

accepted. The apocalyptic millenni- The growth of what came to be called Hegesippus, church historian (second century); Apollinaris, bishop of Hierapolis (c.175); Cyprian, bish- um he understood to be the present amillennialism was not a result of a careful op of Carthage (c.200-258); Commodian, Christian reign of Christ in the Catholic study of the Scriptures, but rather a reaction Latin poet in North Africa (c.200-c.275); Lactantius, church, and the first resurrection, the to the social, political, and theological ten- Latin Rhetorician, Christian apologist and historian (c.240-c.320); Victorinus of Petau, bishop of Petau near translation of the martyrs and saints sions of the age. While many of the early Vienne (d. c.304); Methodius, bishop of Olympus (d. to heaven, where they participate in church fathers are to be commended for 311); Julius Africanus, Christian writer and chronogra- Christ’s reign… their bold witness for Christ in the midst of pher (d. c.240); Nepos, an Egyptian bishop (c.230- 250), and his successor, Coracion (c.230-280). the threat of imprisonment and death and 2. Phillip Schaff. The History of the Christian Church, Vol. 2 From the time of Constantine and for their examples of perseverance and god- (New York: Charles Scribner & Company, 1884), p. 482 Augustine chiliasm took its place liness, they were, nevertheless, fallible and 3. Thomas Burnet. The Sacred Theory of the Earth (London: J. among the heresies, and was rejected capable of error, just as we are. They adopt- McGowan, 1681), p. 346 (italics his) subsequently even by the Protestant ed a theology which they felt best fit the 4. Dr. J.G. Vos. Blue Banner Faith and Life, Jan.-Mar., 1951 5. Loraine Boettner. The Millennium (Phillipsburg, New Jersey: reformers as a Jewish dream. But it current events, rather than holding to the Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company), p. was revived from time to time as an Scriptures as the only source of authority. A 117 6. William H. Rutgers. Premillennialism in America (Goes, article of faith and hope by pious careful study of the Bible, taken at face val- Holland: Oostervaan & Le Cointre, 1930) p. 71 32 individuals and whole sects… ue, will lead one to a belief in a literal 7. Earl E. Cairns. Eschatology and Church History (Wheaton thousand-year kingdom on earth (premillen- College Faculty Bulletin, June, 1957) The fourth root, which completed the emer- 8. Roy B. Zuck. Basic Bible Interpretation (Colorado Springs: nialism, as it is now called). Floyd Hamilton, gence of the view of a spiritualized and Victor Books, 1991), p. 19 who attacks premillennialism, concedes: 9. While the Old Testament speaks of Israel and the New destroyed the idea of a future Messianic Testament speaks of the church, those who spiritualize kingdom on earth, was the prosperity the Now we must frankly admit that a Scripture insist that the people of God is the real issue. church enjoyed as it was accepted into the literal interpretation of the Old Thus, passages in the Old Testament spoken directly to Israel, in the New Testament can be applied directly to Roman Empire. Testament prophecies gives us just the church because both are the people of God. This is such a picture of an earthly reign of an example of spiritualizing the text. 10. Thomas Hartwell Horne. An Introduction to the Critical Study Conclusion the Messiah as the premillennialist and Knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, Vol. 1 (New York: In this article, we first examined the tap root pictures. That was the kind of a Robert Carter and Brothers, 1859), p. 324 that contributed to the rejection of a literal Messianic kingdom that the Jews of 11. J. Dwight Pentecost, Things to Come (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1958), p. 20-21 thousand-year kingdom on earth, the domi- the time of Christ were looking for, 12. F. W. Farrar. History of Interpretation (New York: EP Dutton nant view for the first two centuries of the on the basis of a literal interpretation and Company, 1886) pp. 47-48 33 13. Thomas Cornman. The Development Of Third-Century church, in favor of a spiritualized kingdom of the Old Testament. Hermeneutical Views In Relation To Eschatological Systems unlimited in duration (amillennialism). The (Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, There is simply no justification for discard- single factor: the adoption of an allegorical September 1987), p. 282 ing the promises of the Old Testament to the 14. Schaff. History of the Christian Church, Vol. 2, p. 38 hermeneutic, which replaced the literal or nation of Israel, allegorizing the teaching of 15. Karlfried Froehlich. Biblical Interpretation in the Early Church face value hermeneutic of Jesus and the (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1984), p. 18 Revelation 20, or discounting the beliefs of apostles. Four sub-roots fed this hermeneuti- 16. Schaff. History of the Christian Church, Vol. 2, p. 409 the apostolic age. Like the apostles and the 17. A.C. McGiffert. A History of Christian Thought (New York: cal shift. First: the anti-Jewish bias of the earliest church fathers, we must continue to Scribner’s, 1946), p. 231 early church developed as a result of a 18. Augustine. City of God, XX, 6-9 look for the appearing of Christ, who will church dominated by gentile believers. 19. Earle E. Cairns. Eschatology and Church History, Part I put down all rebellion, and establish His (Bibliotheca Sacra, April 1958), p. 142 Second: an overreaction to heresy, which in- 20. John Walvoord. Amillennialism in the Ancient Church, Part IV Kingdom over all the earth. cluded the condemnation not only of (Bibliotheca Sacra, October, 1949), p. 424 21. Marvin R. Wilson. An Evangelical View Of The Current State heretical doctrines, but chiliasm as well. Of Evangelical-Jewish Relations (Journal of the Evangelical Third: the adoption of Platonic and Gnostic Theological Society, June 1982), p. 149 ENDNOTES 22. Origen. De Principiis, Book 4, Chap. 22 teachings on the evil of the material world 1. Larry V. Crutchfield. The Early Church fathers and the 23. Froehlich, ed. Biblical Interpretation in the Early Church, p. 11 Foundations of Dispensationalism, Part I (Posted on the which led to a rejection of a material, earth- 24. Schaff. History of the Christian Church, Vol. 2, p. 328-333 Dispensational International Research Network web- 25. D. Matthew Allen. Theology Adrift: The Early Church Fathers ly future kingdom. And fourth and finally: site). He lists the following facts: Clement, bishop of and Their Views of Eschatology (Posted on the Rome (flourished c.90-100); Ignatius, bishop of Antioch the adoption of Christianity as the state reli- Dispensational International Research Network website) (died c.98/117); Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna (c.70- gion of the Roman Empire. The church no 26. Schaff. History of the Christian Church, Vol. 2, p. 567 155/160); Papias, bishop of Hierapolis (c.60- 27. Augustine. City of God, XX, p. 7 longer looked for the coming of Christ to c.130/155); The Didache (composed before the end of 28. Schaff. History of the Christian Church, Vol. 2, p. 355. the first century A.D.); the Epistle of Barnabas (comp. establish His kingdom and rescue believers 29. ibid., p. 356. c.70/117-138); The Shepherd of Hermas (c.96/140-150); 30. ibid., p. 353. from persecution, but instead saw the new- apologist Justin Martyr (c.100-165); Irenaeus, bishop of 31. Cairns. Eschatology and Church History, Part I, p. 141 ly-found freedom and prominence of the Lyons (120-202); Hippolytus, bishop of Rome (d. 32. Schaff. History of the Christian Church, Vol. 2, p. 484-5 c.236); Tertullian, apologist, moralist, and theologian church as the fulfillment of the promises of 33. Floyd Hamilton. The Basis of the Millennial Faith, (Grand (150-225); Pothinus, bishop of churches in Lyon and Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing, 1942) p. 38. a future kingdom. Vienne (c.87-177); Melito, bishop of Sardis (d. c.190); Parousia — page 9

Prophecy Under Fire • Critics & Critiques by Charles Cooper Rapture is under attack. Clearly, the man between the sixth and seventh seals. confuses the doctrine of the Rapture of the There are two problems with that rnold G. Fruchtenbaum offers at the church with pretribulationism. We would identification. conclusion of his review of The Pre- agree that the pretrib Rapture position is AWrath Rapture of the Church by under a major attack. However, among 1. One of the twenty-four elders indi- Marvin Rosenthal the following summation: those who hold to the Rapture of the cated that the people who make up church (discounting disagreements about the great multitude come out of the [T]his reviewer will venture a timing) the belief is unabated. Great Tribulation (Rev. 7:13-14). prophecy of his own. This work (The After ten years of on-going criticism, we This means that all the people who Prewrath Rapture of the Church) will think its time to check our critics. In this and make up the great multitude will be have its day for a short season, and it following issues of our newsletter, we shall on earth during the Great Tribulation, will attract many if only because it is put contemporary prophets under fire. In making this a partial rapture of the novel; novel ideas, no matter how light of prophetic forecasts of the demise of church. It would include only those wild, always attract a following ini- the prewrath position, how is the prewrath church saints living on earth during tially… But it (the prewrath position) position doing on the world-stage? Are the the Great Tribulation. It would not will not become the major view of prophets of doom correct? Are their criti- include all the church saints who live the church…1 cisms legit? We hope you will enjoy this and die before the Great Tribulation, Perhaps one of these days, Fruchtenbaum new feature called Prophecy Under Fire. and who, therefore, will never be in it. can enlighten us as to whether he thinks By contrast, the Bible indicates that pretribulationism is “the major view of the Showers’ Forecast Is All Wet all church saints will be raptured church.” After one hundred plus years, “the Marvin Rosenthal and Robert Van Kampen, together as one body at the same time church” certainly has not adopted pretribu- as architects of the prewrath position, have (1 Thess. 4:13-18). lationism universally. Similarly, Tim LaHaye received on-going criticism from pretribula- writes in 1998, tionists. In reading the critics, we posit that 2. The Greek present tense of the Pretribbers are consistent in their argumen- main verb in the elder’s statement In the eight years since its (The tation against the prewrath position, for the indicates that the people who make up Prewrath Rapture of the Church by most part. In light of this fact, Renald E. the great multitude do not come out Marvin Rosenthal) publication, I Showers’ critique of the prewrath position in of the Great Tribulation as one group know of no one (prophecy scholars) a Dictionary of Premillennial Theology will at the same time, but one by one, con- who has adopted it, but I have read serve as our focus. tinuously, through out the course of several damaging critiques. I doubt We are grateful that Showers correctly the Great Tribulation, apparently the author will live long enough to summarized the heart of the prewrath posi- through death. This again contrasts find pre-Wrath rapture the recog- tion in his article, which demonstrates his with the manner in which the church nized position… Despite its initial familiarity with Rosenthal and Van will be raptured form the earth.3 success due to originality and mar- Kampen’s writings; something we are unable keting hype, its major flaws will drop Showers states that his first problem concerns to say about most critics of the position. it in the sea of oblivion long before it the composition of the universally innumer- Naturally, we part company regarding becomes a major position.2 able multitude. The reader should notice the Showers’ objections to the position. Under absence of an explicit quote from Scripture. These comments are recorded in the heading Problems with the View, Concerning Showers could have easily ended this debate LaHaye’s book, Rapture Under Attack. This the Great Multitude, Showers writes, by giving a simple scriptural quote. Rather, author continues to be amazed that the dis- The prewrath view asserts that the what is given are assumptions without ex- tinguished publishing company known as great multitude from all nations, kin- plicit scriptural support. Multnomah would allow a book to be pub- dreds, people, and tongues is the First, we offer a correction to Showers’ lished with so clearly a misleading title. church, which has just been raptured summation: the prewrath position would ar- LaHaye does not offer one shred of evi- in conjunction with the second com- gue that the universally innumerable dence to support his titular claim that the ing of Christ during the time multitude contains the church, but is not lim- Parousia — page 10 PROPHECY UNDER FIRE

ited to the church. That is, believers of all the that of all that He has given Me I lose noth- Tribulation.” Nothing in the text necessitates ages are present at this great gathering. There ing, but raise it upon the last day” (emphasis this conclusion. Again, this is an assumption is no direct explicit New Testament text that added). In the sixth chapter of John, the Lord on Showers’ part that is necessary to support requires the resurrection of Abraham, Isaac states four times, “I will raise it (him) up on his conclusion. and Jacob be separate from the resurrection the last day.” The point is this: all the right- The use of the definite article the with of the apostle Paul, Martin Luther or my eous dead (who have died up to that point in “great tribulation” suggests that John’s readers grandmother. This is an unnecessary presup- time) will be raised at the same time. Closer were familiar with the concept and the peri- position of pretribulationism that does not examination of John 6:39 bears this out. od of time it represents. The phrase is used in have explicit biblical support. Pretribbers ar- The emphasis is on the “all.” The Father Matthew 24:21, but it does not have the def- gue that since Paul says in 1 Thessalonians gave all. The Son keeps all, and the Son rais- inite article. Since the apostle John is the only 4:16b that “the dead in Christ shall rise first” es all. In each case, the all happens at the same apostle to receive both the Olivet Discourse this effectively limits the Rapture to those time. What Jesus meant is confirmed by (Mark 13:3) and the Revelation of Jesus, we who have died after the pouring out of the Martha in John 11:24. Martha states, “I know have a basis upon which to draw the conclu- Spirit at Pentecost. For in their thinking, on- that he will rise again in the resurrection on sion that he is referring to the same event ly “church age believers” are “dead in Christ.” the last day.” The use of “the” before the term depicted by the Lord in Matthew 24. This is patently fallacious. The lack of resurrection indicates that Martha understood It is without debate that the Lord in New Testament terminology in the Old the Lord’s words to refer to the final general Matthew 24:21 is referring to the same Testament cannot be used as a basis for what resurrection at the end of the age. The apostle event Daniel 12:1-2 describes as an unparal- is or what is not true in the Old Testament. Paul indicates in 1 Corinthians 15:24 that the leled time of distress. A time Daniel depicts To demand New Testament terminology in next phase of the resurrection will occur at to last three and a half years, which the Lord the Old Testament is foolish. This faulty rea- the Parousia of Christ (the Rapture). The says, will be cut short. Therefore, John’s de- soning led C. I. Scofield to conclude that reader should notice that Paul offers no clue piction that the universally innumerable Old Testament saints were not saved by to a possible separation of the resurrection of multitude “come up out of the great tribula- faith, which Charles C. Ryrie declares that Old and New Testament saints. In a chapter tion” is correct. The phrase out of is a Scofield wrote in an unguarded moment.4 specifically dedicated to delineating the order translation of the Greek proposition εκ. This Rather, Ryrie goes to great length to show (groups) of the first resurrection, it is unimag- is the same word hotly debated in that dispensationalists teach, “that salvation inable that Paul would not say one word Revelation 3:10. The context of Revelation is always through God’s grace.”5 To escape about the Old Testament dead. This in and of 7:13-14 makes John’s meaning here clear. In the charge that dispensationalists teach two itself does not prove our point, but it is com- Revelation 7:13, one of the twenty-four el- ways of salvation, Ryrie and others are quick pelling. ders asked John two questions: “who are to insist that “[t]he basis of salvation in every Pretribulationists’ insistence that the resur- they, and from where have they come?” age is the death of Christ…”6 Therefore, ac- rection of Old Testament saints will occur at Please notice that the question states, “from cording to pretribbers, Old Testament saints the Second Coming of Christ in close prox- where have they come.” It does not say, are saved by the “death of Christ,” but they imity to Armageddon is based on a “from where are they coming.” The impor- are not “dead in Christ.” theological presupposition that does not tance of this point will be seen later. Yet, the apostle Paul writes in Galatians 3:8, have explicit biblical support. To the con- The answers to the Elder’s questions are trary, Daniel 12:1-2 specifically indicates given in reverse order. First, the where ques- And the Scripture, foreseeing that that the general resurrection of the dead will tion is answered, then the who question God would justify the Gentiles by follow the unparalleled future distress, which follows. Now one would expect a where faith, preached the gospel before- Jesus calls “a great tribulation.” This accords question to be answered with a certain hand to Abraham, saying, “All the with both Matthew 24 and 1 Corinthians place—the locality, but the Greek can also nations shall be blessed in you.” 15. Matthew 24 places the Lord’s Parousia refer to origin—the source. The Great Notice, please, Paul’s connection between (coming) after the unparalleled future distress Tribulation is not a place, but an interval of “the gospel” and the phrase “All the nations is cut short and 1 Corinthians 15 places the time. This interval of time is the source of shall be blessed in you.” The Old Testament resurrection at the Parousia (coming) of the universally innumerable multitude. saints preached the same message with dif- Christ. Therefore, there is no basis on the part of ferent words, but the outcome is the same. Is this in fact what the Elder meant? He Showers to say that the universally innumer- The same can be said about the resurrec- does state that the universally innumerable able multitude consists of only those on the tion. Old Testament saints died in faith, multitude “are the ones who come out of the earth at the time of the Great Tribulation. believing that God would raise them from great tribulation.” However, it is an assump- Rather, Revelation 5:9 states that Christ pur- the dead. tion on Showers part to conclude, “all the chased for God the Father a universally In fact, the Lord Jesus states in John 6:39, people who make up the great multitude innumerable multitude. Notice, “Worthy art “And this is the will of Him who sent Me, will be on the earth during the Great Thou… for Thou… didst purchase for God Parousia — page 11 BY CHARLES COOPER

with Thy blood men from every tribe and come one by one over an interval of time. that would not even be considered the Great tongue and people and nation.” The verb did Robert L. Thomas attempts to defend this Tribulation. purchase indicates a once-for-all purchase. In conclusion by arguing that a “contextual Therefore, we have shown that Showers’ other words, there was one transaction. warrant exists” to emphasize the durative or criticism of the prewrath position lacks Every individual ever saved or yet to be on-going nature of this phrase.7 However, in teeth. He, like so many others, offers only saved was purchased at the same time. Since reality, it is Thomas’ theological bias that dogmatic statements that are assumed to be the death of Christ is the basis of all who are “warrants” his conclusion. There is no gram- true but woefully lack any sort of explicit saved, the universally innumerable multitude matical basis to insist on the translation scriptural foundation. Only those who want referenced in Revelation 5:9 must include “those who are coming.” “The comers,” “the to be pretribulational in their eschatology the saints of all the ages. This is most likely ones who came” or as indicated in the could ever be happy with such poor scrip- the referent of “a number which no one NASB, “the ones who come” reflect the best tural support. could count.” sense of the text. Revelation 7:15 states, “For The second objection Showers has with this reason, they (the whole group) are be- ENDNOTES 1. A.G. Fruchtenbaum, A Review of The Pre-Wrath Rapture of the the prewrath identification of the universal- fore the throne of God…” Notice, “they are Church (Tustin, CA: Ariel Ministries) 73. ly innumerable multitude containing the before the throne,” not “they are coming be- 2. Tim LaHaye, Rapture (Sisters, OR: Multnomah Publishers, believers of all ages up to the Rapture con- fore the throne.” Inc., 1998) 102. 3. R.E. Showers, “The Prewrath Rapture,” in Dictionary of cerns the rate of removal. This issue The universally innumerable multitude is Premillennial Theology, ed. Mal Couch (Grand Rapids: concerns the important phrase, “the ones not coming one by one. Equally, there is Kregel Publications, 1996) 356-357. οι ερχοµενοι 4. C.C. Ryrie, Dispensationalism Today, (Chicago: Moody Press, who come” ( ). This is the re- nothing in Revelation 7:9-17 to warrant the 1965) 112. lationship of the universally innumerable conclusion that this great number consists of 5. Ibid. 113. 6. Ibid. 123. multitude to the Great Tribulation. They martyrs. These are conclusions forced on the 7. R.L. Thomas, Revelation 1-7, (Chicago: Moody Press, 1992) come out of it. Pretribulationists are fond to text from an improper interpretation of the 495. translate this critical phrase: “those who are context. It defies logic that such a great coming,” thereby insisting and emphasizing number of individuals could be saved and that this universally innumerable multitude killed within a three-and-a-half year period Meet a Berean • Pastor Randy Umberger s members of our staff travel around out. I had read it several times and had much the country, we meet many people of its contents memorized. The church that I Awho tell us their wonderful stories grew up in was very evangelistic and placed of conversion to the prewrath position. We great emphasis on end-time events. Of thought you might like to read some of course the view they proclaimed was the them. In the next several issues of Parousia, premillennial, pretribulational one. We al- we would like to introduce you to some of ways had several conferences a year focusing these remarkable people. Remarkable because on prophecy. So, needless to say, I was in- they demonstrate that spirit the apostle Paul doctrinated at a very early age. found in the ancient city of Berea (Acts I began preaching at the age of sixteen. I 17:10-11). One such “Berean” is Randy traveled throughout North Carolina, Virginia, Umberger, Pastor of Blue Springs and Maryland doing “revivals” (I have since Community Church in Marianna, Florida. learned that revival must be sovereignly sent Here is his story: down and not worked up). Everywhere I of end-time events came up one day in class. “You do not want to be here when all of went I always preached at least one message I listened as the professor began to ask some this begins to happen.” I said those words on the Second Coming. It always got people very probing questions that challenged the before I knelt down and led a friend to “to the front.” I never questioned the pret- pretribulation view. I quickly realized that Christ. The year was 1973. I was twelve ribulational position until… he did not believe that view and backed up years old. Not just any twelve-year-old ei- The year was 1984. I was a student at his position with Scripture. He challenged ther. I was a card carrying, dyed-in-the wool Luther Rice Seminary. I was taking a New me with one very honest and simple ques- pretribber. My copy of Hal Lindsey’s The Testament class from a very dear man who tion, “Why do you believe in a pretribulation Late Great Planet Earth was completely worn had a passion for God’s Word. The subject continued on back Nonprofit Org. THE U.S. Postage Paid Grand Haven, MI SIGN Permit No. 383 Ministries P.O. Box 113 West Olive, MI 49460 A Ministry of Sola Scriptura

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is produced and published four times a year by The Sign Ministries, P.O. Box 113, West Olive, MI 49460; 49460; MI Olive, West 113, Box P.O. Ministries, Sign The by year a times four published and produced is Parousia ; Editor: Rev. Charles Cooper; Charles Rev. Editor: ; [email protected] ; 627-5134 (800)

was. h rao h esso Israel, of Feasts the of area the third reason was because Hal because was reason third

since 1984. 1984. since or posttrib. I wasn’t sure what I what sure wasn’t I posttrib. or Continued study, especially in especially study, Continued my opportunities to preach. The preach. to opportunities my

has not been seen or heard from heard or seen been not has was I? I was not pretrib, midtrib, pretrib, not was I I? was wrath of the Anti-Messiah. the of wrath would have seriously thinned out thinned seriously have would

time when I least expected it. It it. expected least I when time was… I was a…? Hmmm. What Hmmm. a…? was I was… call believers to prepare for the for prepare to believers call preached anything different anything preached

have been “secretly” raptured at a at raptured “secretly” been have have figured out, but in the end I end the in but out, figured have forward. I still do so. Only now, I now, Only so. do still I forward. Honestly, to have believed and believed have to Honestly,

? I can only say that it must it that say only can I ? Earth loose ends that I still did not did still I that ends loose with Revelation 8 and moved and 8 Revelation with predominant view of the time. the of view predominant

The Late Great Planet Great Late The of copy all along. There were still a few a still were There along. all God that was coming. I started I coming. was that God because it was the popular and popular the was it because

what I did with my worn out worn my with did I what convinced that I had been wrong been had I that convinced warned them of the wrath of wrath the of them warned cepted it as fact. The second was second The fact. as it cepted

gained some. You may wonder may You some. gained all said and done, I was firmly was I done, and said all to repent before He returned, I returned, He before repent to in a church that taught it, so I ac- I so it, taught that church a in

ships over my shift, but I also I but shift, my over ships find on the subject. When it was it When subject. the on find I warned people as a pretribber a as people warned I The first was because I grew up grew I because was first The

3:11-12. I lost some relation- some lost I 3:11-12. ed every commentary I could I commentary every ed to me, I realized that even when even that realized I me, to for three very simple reasons. simple very three for

Thessalonians 5:6-9 and 2 Peter 2 and 5:6-9 Thessalonians read church history and consult- and history church read for me. When it all became clear became all it When me. for The reality was that I believed it believed I that was reality The

end-time events as taught in 1 in taught as events end-time the different Rapture passages. I passages. Rapture different the , tied up the loose ends loose the up tied , Church the Scriptures and found it to be so. be to it found and Scriptures

be the result of a proper view of view proper a of result the be Scripture. I did word studies on studies word did I Scripture. Pre-Wrath Rapture of Rapture Pre-Wrath Rosenthal’s not because “I” had searched the searched had “I” because not

greater seriousness. This should This seriousness. greater Bible, comparing Scripture with Scripture comparing Bible, book, along with Marv with along book, that the reason I believed it was it believed I reason the that

has been approached with a with approached been has changed my life. I searched the searched I life. my changed prewrath! Robert Van Kampen’s Van Robert prewrath! teaches.” Yet, I knew in my heart, my in knew I Yet, teaches.”

position. My walk with Christ with walk My position. That day, I started a study that study a started I day, That I knew what I was. I was I was. I what knew I “Because that is what the Bible the what is that “Because

me more firmly in the prewrath the in firmly more me never be wrong! be never that Sign The of copy a purchased course I could have replied, have could I course

has only enhanced and planted and enhanced only has Lindsey said so, and he could he and so, said Lindsey It was not until 1993 when I when 1993 until not was It Rapture of the church?” Of church?” the of Rapture

Meet a Berean a Meet • continued from inside from continued • 20

THE SIGN MINISTRIES NEWSLETTER / FALL 2001

ExaminingExamining anan AmillennialAmillennial InterpretationInterpretation ofof RevelationRevelation 20:1-620:1-6 WhoseWhose WrathWrath IsIs It?It? Prophecy Under Fire Meet aa BereanBerean Parousia — page 2 Examining an Amillennial Interpretation of Revelation 20:1-6 by Gary Vaterlaus

n the last issue of Parousia we examined the historical roots of amillennialism and discovered that it did not arise from a balanced, biblical exegesis of the Scriptures. Rather, the theological, political and cultural tensions and influences upon the early church of the first four centuries proved to be the mother of this theological system. In this article, we will examine an interpretation of the primary passage in the Bible, which speaks of the duration of Christ’s temporal kingdom, Revelation 20:1-6: And I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. And he laid I hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he should not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of the testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years. Those in the amillennial camp, who hold to a spiritualized kingdom of unlimited duration and deny any future earthly reign of Christ, do not believe that Revelation 20 should be interpreted in a literal sense. They see this passage full of symbolism and figurative language. They teach that believers who have died are reigning with Christ right now in the heavenlies and that this constitutes the fulfillment of the millennial reign of Christ. At some point in the future, according to amillennialists, Christ will return and there will be a general bodily resurrection of all people—a resurrection of believers to life and of unbelievers to judgment. The primary textual basis for this claim is John 5:25-29, which states, Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself; and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment. In order to harmonize John 5:25-29 with Revelation 20:1-6, according to this view, Revelation 20 does not sequentially follow chapter 19. In contradistinction, Revelation 20:1-6 recapitulates the binding of Satan at Christ’s first coming, relates the current reign of believers with Christ in heaven, and then teaches the ultimate destruction of Satan at Christ’s second coming. The phrase “a thousand years” is not taken literally but is merely a symbol representing a long time. Parousia — page 3 A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF INTERPRETATION

There are, of course, differences among words are redefined, reinterpreted, and made the views of amillennialists, just as there are to fit a predetermined theological system. among premillennialists. For our purposes in We will now turn to Dr. Strimple’s exege- this article we will analyze the view argued sis of Revelation 20:1-6. He attempts to by Dr. Robert Strimple of Westminster show how this portion of Scripture supports Theological Seminary in the book, Three the idea of a present millennial reign of Views on the Millennium and Beyond. In this Christ and rules out the thought of a future book, Dr. Strimple writes for the amillenni- earthly kingdom, ruled by Christ for 1,000 al position. In his discussion, he offers an years. interpretation of the Revelation 20 passage in question. Our purpose is to examine Dr. Revelation 20: Strimple’s exegesis of Revelation 20 in light Sequence or Recapitulation? of Scripture, evaluate his hermeneutical It is Dr. Strimple’s position that Revelation method, and draw some conclusions about 20:1-6 represents a recapitulation of the first the nature of the resurrection and the mil- coming of Christ and depicts the present lennium. reign of the Saints in heaven with Christ. He writes: Three Views on the Millennium and Beyond. Hermeneutics: Literal or Allegorical? Darrell L. Bock, editor. Published by Zondervan “The order in which the visions For more than a thousand years theologians (Grand Rapids, MI) 1999. appear in the book of Revelation is not have debated the meaning of the thousand necessarily the order of fulfillment. It years in Revelation 20. After all the argu- is defeated and thrown into the lake of fire. seems that the end of chapter 19 brings ments are weighed, the basic issue comes Following this is a general resurrection of the us right down to the end of the age, down to one of hermeneutics—how one is to wicked dead (minus those judged at the the second coming of Christ, the great interpret and understand the meaning of sheep and goat judgment) and those right- final battle, judgment on the beast and Scripture. As we have mentioned before, eous folk who died during the millennial false prophet. It does not follow that broadly speaking there are two hermeneutical reign of Christ. This is generally labeled the chapter 20 necessarily speaks of what approaches: literal (or face value) and symbol- Great White Throne judgment. This judg- will happen next. Its visions may take ical (allegorical or spiritualizing). The face ment results in eternal punishment for the us back to the first coming of Christ value method takes the Scripture for what it wicked in the lake of fire. and the beginning of the present says, believing that God communicated His gospel age.”1 (italics mine) truth in a way that man can understand it. We The Binding of Satan: Now or Later? take words in their normal, natural customary Notice the uncertainty of his statements. Concerning the binding of Satan mentioned sense. The interpreter’s job is to understand He punctuates his comments with phrases in Rev. 20:1-3, Strimple argues that: what the original intent of the author (human such as not necessarily, it seems, may, etc. The “...the New Testament emphasizes and divine) was. The non face value methods, reason for this is the absence of textual indi- two climactic points in Christ’s victo- on the other hand, believe that Scripture cators that provide an explicit basis for such ry over Satan: victory at the cross, should not be taken at face value, but that claims. Unless Scripture gives us explicit in- and victory at his second coming... there are many hidden truths in Scripture that dications that chapter 20 is a recapitulation Revelation 20:1-10 is a figurative are revealed in allegorical and symbolic lan- we ought to take these chapters sequentially. representation of Christ’s victory guage. The interpreter’s job is to uncover While recapitulation is found in the book of over Satan at each of the two climac- these hidden truths through proper interpre- Revelation (e.g. chapters 12 and 13), there is tic points. At the cross Satan is bound tation of symbolic words, figurative language simply no contextual reason to not take —but not absolutely. Revelation and allegories. chapter 20 of Revelation as following in se- 20:2-3 does not say that Satan is Though the purely allegorical method quence chapter 19. A face value reading of bound, period. He is bound in one was popular from about the third century up this passage presents the following order: respect only, namely, “to keep him to the Reformation, no serious biblical After the battle of Armageddon the Beast and from deceiving the nations [the scholar today would claim to adhere to a False Prophet are consigned to the lake of Gentiles] anymore.”2 purely allegorical method of interpretation. fire. This is followed by the binding of Satan However, there are many portions of and the resurrection of beheaded saints. The Strimple claims, as do almost all amillen- Scripture, which are spiritualized or taken at reign of those saints for a thousand years fol- nialists, that the binding of Satan in these less than face value by modern-day theolo- lows these events, while Satan is bound. After verses refers to Christ’s victory over Satan at gians. One of them is Revelation 20. Rather the thousand years, Satan is released. He His first coming. Consequently, Satan is now than taking this passage at face value, the fights against the “camp of the saints” (20:9) bound as a result of the victory that Christ Parousia — page 4 EXAMINING AN AMILLENNIAL INTERPRETATION

won at the cross. While Christ’s victory at the The Resurrection: One or Two? meant. The phrase “came to life” (ε′ζησαν), cross certainly spelled the beginning of Dr. Strimple writes of the resurrection spo- meaning “lived” in the Greek, speaks of Satan’s ultimate doom, there remains a major ken of in Revelation 20:4-6: physical life—resurrection. When this word problem with Dr. Strimple’s interpretation. is used elsewhere in the book of Revelation “Verses 4-6 are a vision of the reign We are told throughout the New Testament it always refers to physical life, not spiritual of Christians with their Savior after that Satan is alive and active in his role as (see Rev. 2:8, 13:14). John writes that the they depart this life and as they await tempter (1 Cor. 7:5; 2 Cor. 11:3; 1 Thess. 3:5). rest of the dead “did not come to life until Christ’s second coming, the resurrec- 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 explicitly states that the thousand years were ended.” This means tion, and eternal bliss. The saints are Satan blinds the minds of unbelievers. Paul that after the thousand years they will come pictured as martyrs for their Lord. writes, “And even if our gospel is veiled, it is to life—there will be a physical resurrection. Perhaps this picture represents all veiled to those who are perishing, in whose Dr. Strimple argues that the term “until” God’s people.”3 case the god of this world has blinded the used in the New Testament does not neces- minds of the unbelieving so that they might Notice his “reinterpretation” of this pas- sarily mean that a state of being will not see the light of the gospel of the glory of sage. How can these verses be speaking of continue for a certain time and then change. Christ, who is the image of God.” all of God’s people who have died through- For instance, when Paul writes in Romans What does Paul mean by veiled? He states out the ages when it quite specifically 11:25 that “a partial hardening has hap- that “the god of this world (Satan) has blind- identifies this group as “the souls of those pened to Israel until the fulness of the ed the minds of the unbelieving so that they who had been beheaded because of the tes- Gentiles has come in”, Dr. Strimple says that might not see the light of the gospel.” timony of Jesus and because of the word of this does not mean that Israel’s hardening Therefore, a veiled unbeliever who is perish- God, and those who had not worshiped the will be removed after the fullness of the ing is a blinded unbeliever who cannot see beast or his image, and had not received the Gentiles has come in, but just that it will last the truth. How then does Satan blind unbe- mark upon their forehead and upon their that long, up to the final eschatological day.5 lievers? That is, how does Satan keep hand”? Not all believers are martyrs. All be- However, he ignores the very next verse that unbelievers from the truth? Clearly, he de- lievers are not confronted with the decision reads, “and thus all Israel will be saved; just ceives them to believe a lie rather than the to take the mark or not take the mark. It is as it is written, ‘The deliverer will come from truth. Revelation 2:20 indicates Jezebel the clear that John is speaking of a limited group Zion. He will remove ungodliness from prophetess “leads My bond-servants astray.” of believers—those who had been beheaded Jacob.’” This is the same Greek word, which means, for their faithfulness to Christ and those When my children want some dessert, I “to deceive.” This practice of deceiving, John who had not taken the mark of the beast. Dr. tell them that they cannot have dessert “un- calls the deep things of Satan (Rev 2:24). Strimple ignores the plain sense of this pas- til” they have finished their dinner. I do not Thus, Satan is very active and apparently sage and interprets it in a way that suits his mean that they will not enjoy the benefits of unhindered in his role as the deceiver. In theological bias, without any attempt to rec- eating dessert up to and including the end of fact, the book of Revelation describes Satan oncile his view with the actual text of the dinner time. Rather, I mean that AFTER as follows: “...the serpent of old who is Scripture. they finish their dinner THEN they may called the devil and Satan, who deceives the Continuing with his exegesis of these have dessert. In the same way, Revelation whole world...”(Rev. 12:9). If the Bible is ac- verses, Dr. Strimple writes: 20:5 is saying that the rest of the dead will curate in describing Satan as presently in the not come to life UNTIL the 1,000 years are “In verse 5 we read that “the rest of business of deceiving the whole world, then completed, that is, they will come to life AF- the dead did not come to life until he cannot be bound at this time in the man- TER the 1,000 years. the thousand years were ended.” The ner described in Revelation 20:1-3. Satan If our face-value reading is correct, then point that John is making is not that will be bound after the return of Christ and we should expect the book of Revelation to they will live then. Rather, he is will remain so during the thousand-year confirm this interpretation. And it does. Just emphasizing that the unbelieving reign of Christ. a few verses later we read: will not enjoy this wonderful bless- IF THE BIBLE IS ing that the saints enjoy, the wonder- And when the thousand years are ful blessing of living and reigning completed, Satan will be released ACCURATE IN DESCRIB- with Christ throughout the thousand from his prison… And the devil who ING SATAN… THEN HE years.”4 deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the CANNOT BE BOUND AT We must question whether Dr. Strimple beast and the false prophet are also; knows what John wanted to emphasize in THIS TIME IN THE and they will be tormented day and this text. Instead of speculating as to John’s MANNER DESCRIBED night forever and ever. And I saw a main point, one should look at the language great white throne and Him who sat IN REVELATION 20:1-3. employed by John to determine what he Parousia — page 5 BY GARY VATERLAUS

upon it, from whose presence earth with him. The second resurrection WHERE IN THE and heaven fled away, and no place will be bodily at Christ’s second was found for them. And I saw the coming, when believers are made BIBLE IS THE dead, the great and the small, stand- ready for the eternal state.”6 DEATH OF ing before the throne, and books Again, Dr. Strimple reads his own bias in- BELIEVERS were opened; and another book was to the Scriptures. Where in the Bible is the opened, which is the book of life; EVER CALLED A death of believers ever called a “resurrec- and the dead were judged from the “RESURRECTION”? tion”? Where is there ever a spiritual things which were written in the resurrection spoken of? Rather, whenever books, according to their deeds. And Scripture speaks of “resurrection” it means a the sea gave up the dead which were bodily resurrection. Notice that John first in it, and death and Hades gave up sees the “souls” of these martyrs and then the dead which were in them; and who had fallen asleep were raised; and com- sees them “come to life.” What can this mean they were judged, every one of them ing out of the tombs after His resurrection but a resurrection from the dead? It would according to their deeds. (Rev. 20:7, they entered the holy city and appeared to make no sense to say that these souls in 10-13) many.” These individuals should be included heaven “come to life” by dying and then in the first fruits of the general resurrection. These verses speak of a resurrection of the reign with Christ in heaven. John already The essential point that we can deduce dead AFTER the thousand years for the pur- sees them as souls in heaven who have died. from 1 Corinthians 15 is that the separation pose of judgment. Those whose names are Then they “come to life” and reign with of one phase of the resurrection from anoth- not found written in the book of life will be Christ—this is the First Resurrection. er does not nullify the designation of a thrown in the lake of fire, which is the sec- Why is this called the “first resurrection”? general resurrection. Therefore, the indica- ond death. Revelation 20:7-13 repeats and My colleague, Charles Cooper, addressed tion in Revelation 20 that a resurrection will confirms the order of events spelled out in this in a recent FAQ on our website. Here is occur in close proximity to the beginning of verses 4-6: another resurrection follows the his lucid answer: the millennium is consistent with the teach- 1000-year reign of Christ. The New Testament does not have a sin- ings of the apostle Paul. John limits this gle term for the resurrection. John 5:28-29 particular resurrection to those beheaded for The First Resurrection: indicates that there will be a resurrection to refusing to actively participate in the wor- Spiritual or Bodily? life and a resurrection to judgment. However, ship of Antichrist. Killed for their Dr. Strimple continues with his exegesis of no indication is given that these two events faithfulness to Christ, the beheaded faithful Revelation 20: will not happen at the same time. It is the are blessed because they have “a part (literal- apostle Paul who delineates stages or groups “In verses 5-6 Johns speaks of “the ly, to experience along with others of the resurrection. He writes, “…by a man first resurrection.” Clearly, this phrase [Louw/Nida, § 90.83]) in the first resurrec- also came the resurrection of the dead. For as implies a second resurrection. But tion.” Only by spiritualizing this passage in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be does this mean that premillennialism and ignoring the textual details can this made alive. But each in his own order: Christ is correct after all, that there will be group be made to represent all believers of the first fruits, after that those who are two resurrections, the resurrection of all the ages. John clearly intends a smaller Christ’s at His coming, then comes the believers at Christ’s coming and the group, every single one of them, beheaded. end… (1 Cor. 15:21-24a).” It is clear that resurrection of unbelievers a millen- Consequently, we are able to posit that Paul saw the resurrection of Christ and nium later? Not at all! The reference John’s resurrection to life and his first resur- “those who are Christ’s at His coming” as to the first resurrection implies a sec- rection both refer to a general multi-phased two distinct aspects of a single resurrection. ond, true—a second resurrection for resurrection of the righteous. It stretches Paul designates the Lord’s resurrection as the same people! Similarly, “the sec- from the resurrection of Christ and those “first fruits.” This is important. The term fruit ond death” (v. 6) implies a first raised with Him (Mat. 24:52-53), to those in the Greek is a singular term, but repre- death—but also for the same people, raised at the Rapture/Parousia (1 Cor. sents a plural number (what is called a the unbelievers. 15:23), to those beheaded martyrs raised in collective noun). The concept of a “first por- close proximity to the beginning of the mil- “We might say that the believer in tion” or “first fruit” is a familiar one. In the lennium (Rev. 20:4-5). This is the first Christ will experience one death and natural order, the first fruit of any crop resurrection. two resurrections. The first resurrec- would involve more than one, thus, the John does not designate the resurrection tion occurs when he or she departs NASB’s translation first fruits. Interestingly, that will follow the millennium as the “sec- this life and is immediately ushered Matthew 27:52-53 states, “and the tombs ond resurrection.” Probably the reason John into the presence of Christ to reign were opened; and many bodies of the saints does not do this is that the resurrection after Parousia — page 6 EXAMINING AN AMILLENNIAL INTERPRETATION

the millennium will be distinctively different of the saints with Christ. Matthew 19:28, taking every number as symbolic without from the first. In Revelation 20:5, John and 2 Timothy 2:12 both speak of the reign additional contextual clues. records that “The rest of the dead did not of believers with Him. Revelation 5:10 ex- Dr. Strimple makes the following bold come to life until the thousand years were plicitly states that those purchased by the statement about the premillennial position in completed.” This by definition must involve blood of the Lamb, “will reign upon the his article: the wicked that have not been raised to this earth.” Our reign with Christ does not con- “Not only does the New Testament point in biblical chronology. Revelation sist entirely of sitting with Him in the not teach a future millennial king- 20:11-15 describes the resurrection unto heavenlies, but will be fulfilled by an earth- dom, in what it teaches us about judgment, which John alluded to in John ly reign. Christ is not now ruling the nations Christ’s second coming, the New 5:38-39. This judgment is generally called “with a rod of iron” as the book of Testament rules out an earthly millen- the white throne judgment. John states that Revelation says that He will (Rev. 2:27, nial kingdom following Christ’s anyone whose name is not found in the 12:5, 19:15). Are we experiencing perfect return... Because this is so, Scripture book of life will be thrown into the lake of justice? Are we experiencing true peace? has to be forced into artificial inter- fire—the second death. These will be fulfilled after His return. It is pretations in order to fit in a millen- That the book of life would be consulted clear that this picture in Revelation 20:4, of nial period after Christ’s return…”9 at this point highlights the fact that both be- the saints coming to life and reigning with lievers and unbelievers will be present at this Christ, speaks of a physical resurrection and Dr. Strimple accuses premillennialists with judgment. Isaiah 65:17-25 supports this an earthly reign. twisting Scripture to try and “fit in” a millen- conclusion. There, Isaiah indicates that those nial reign of Christ after His return. After who enter the kingdom in physical bodies A Thousand Years: Literal or Symbolic? having examined Dr. Strimple’s exegesis of will live long lives during the temporal king- Concerning the meaning of the term “a Revelation Chapter 20, we must ask the dom on earth. However, he also indicates thousand” as used in Revelation 20, Dr. question, who is truly the one forcing that these people will die. While the resur- Strimple writes: Scripture into “artificial interpretations?” A rected saints will not die, those Jews and face value interpretation of Revelation 20 “But what is the significance of the Gentiles who survive the sheep and goat (and the rest of the Old and New number “one thousand”? We may judgment of Matthew 25:31, ff. will enter Testaments) leads clearly to a premillennial readily assume that the number is the kingdom, but will not live the entire view of Christ’s return. When He comes symbolic, for numbers are used sym- 1000 years. Thus “the white throne judg- again he will rescue the righteous, punish the bolically throughout Revelation.”8 ment” will involve all the wicked dead of all wicked, and set up His one thousand-year the ages—with the exception of Antichrist, There are two problems with this state- reign upon earth. It all boils down to the false prophet (Rev 20:10), and the goats ment by Dr. Strimple. First, he assumes that hermeneutics. from the sheep and goat judgment of numbers, when used in the book of For those unaccustomed to the amillenni- Matthew 25:41—and the righteous dead Revelation, are symbolic. The book of al interpretative system, most would recoil at who died during the 1000 years. Revelation is full of numbers: four, seven, ten, twelve, forty-two, one thousand two The Reign of the Saints: hundred and sixty, one hundred and forty- On Earth or in Heaven? four thousand, two hundred million, a Dr. Strimple argues that the saints will reign thousand, etc. When Dr. Strimple says that UNLESS C with Christ in heaven, but not on earth. He these are symbolic and are not to be taken writes: literally, he reveals his allegiance to a non- literal hermeneutical method. We cannot just DEMANDS A There is also reference here to thrones. assume that since the book of Revelation is Throughout Revelation, the throne of an apocalyptic book that all references to Christ and his people is always in numbers are symbolic. Unless context de- INTERPR heaven. In 3:21 this specific promise is mands a figurative interpretation of the given: ‘To him who overcomes, I will numbers in Revelation, we must take them give the right to sit with me on my literally. The second problem with Dr. OF THE NU throne, just as I overcame and sat Strimple’s statement is found in the phrase, down with my Father in his throne.’ “we may readily assume that the number Revelation 20:4 pictures the fulfill- (one thousand) is symbolic.” That is a big as- REVELATION ment of that blessed promise.”7 sumption. Even if there is evidence that Dr. Strimple ignores some very clear some numbers in the book of Revelation are statements in Scripture regarding the reign used symbolically, that does not warrant us TAKE THEM Parousia — page 7 BY GARY VATERLAUS

their interpretation of Revelation 20:4-6. At first glance, these verses would seem to the righteous and wicked to a single hour. Their exegesis is so blatantly poor. If their settle the debate. The resurrection of the Whether there is or is not a gap in time be- interpretation of Revelation 20 was the sole righteous and the wicked will occur “at the tween the resurrection of the righteous and basis of their position, few outside the amil- last day,” then a general judgment will occur the wicked cannot be argued based on John lennial camp would give it the time of day. followed by God’s reign in eternity. 5:27-29. It merely states the fact of the res- However, most Amillennialists base their po- However, to maintain a literal face value in- urrection, but nothing of the process of the sition on three critical Scriptures. John 6:40 terpretation of these passages from John’s resurrection. is primary. It states, “For this is the will of gospel, Revelation 20:1-6 must be sacri- John 6:40 and 12:48 are a bit more diffi- My Father, that everyone who beholds the ficed. The reason this is necessary is because cult to explain. It is very tempting to accept Son and believes in Him will have eternal if one takes Revelation 20:1-6 at face value, the simple sense of the English translation. life, and I Myself will raise him up on the the Amillennialist sees a contradiction. Thus, The first question that screams to be an- last day.” Similarly John 12:48 states, “He the problem is clear. Revelation 20:1-6 will swered is this: the last day of what? The who rejects Me and does not receive My not allow anything less than a face value in- apostle John uses this phrase six times. It is sayings, has one who judges him; the word terpretation. John’s statements in his gospel unique to the Gospel of John. It does not ap- I spoke is what will judge him at the last are clear—the resurrection occurs on the last pear in any other gospel or epistle in the day.” The final passage of the amillennial tri- day. We have a contradiction, but contradic- New Testament. Is the Lord referring to a umphant is John 5:27-29, which states, tions are not acceptable in our hermeneutic. literal twenty-four hour day or is He speak- Are we at a standstill? No! The problem is ing metaphorically? Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is created by the assumptions one has regard- In the gospels, the issue is always the fact coming and now is, when the dead ing two phrases in John’s gospel. What does of a resurrection and not the process of the will hear the voice of the Son of Jesus mean by “an hour is coming” and “on resurrection. This is clearly seen in John God, and those who hear will live. the last day?” 11:24. Martha tells the Lord, “I know that he For just as the Father has life in This is a clear case of reading the simple [Lazarus] will rise again in the resurrection Himself, even so He gave to the Son sense of an English translation without con- on the last day.” In the resurrection on the last day also to have life in Himself; and He sidering the author’s intended meaning. affirms the fact of the resurrection, but says gave Him authority to execute judg- John 5:27-29 states the fact of the resurrec- nothing about the details of the resurrection. ment, because He is the Son of Man. tion, but it gives few details concerning the This is affirmed in Matthew 22:28. There, Do not marvel at this; for an hour is process of the resurrection. Because of 1 the Sadducees use the same expression. They coming, in which all who are in the Corinthians 15 and 1 Thessalonians 4, we question Jesus about a woman who married tombs will hear His voice, and will know that there are other details concerning six brothers. Their question concerns whose come forth; those who did the good the resurrection of the righteous that are not wife the woman will be “in the resurrection deeds to a resurrection of life, those given in John 5:27-29. The critical phrase [at the last day]?” Matthew begins this story who committed the evil deeds to a for our discussion in John 5:27-29 is, “an by telling the reader that the Sadducees “say resurrection of judgment. hour is coming…” Is this phrase to be taken there is no resurrection.” literally or metaphorically? In the gospel of In His answer to the Sadducees’ question, John, eight specific “hours” are identified.10 Jesus uses two very important phrases: (1) in It does not take much investigation to reveal the resurrection and (2) the resurrection of the CONTEXT that when Jesus refers to “an hour,” He is not dead. It is our contention that in the resurrec- referring to a literal sixty-minute hour. One tion refers to the fact of the resurrection. would get the correct sense by substituting Jesus makes two points in response to the FIGURATIVE the word time for hour. In John 2:4 Jesus Sadducees’ question. First, He says, “in the states, “My hour (time) has not yet come.” In resurrection they neither marry nor are giv- John 12:27 the Lord states, “What shall I say, en in marriage, but are like angels in ETATION ‘Father, save Me from this hour (or time of heaven.” Jesus makes no distinctions at this intense suffering)’? But for this purpose I point. Is this true for the wicked as well as came to this hour (time of intense suffer- the righteous? Will the lifestyle of the UMBERS IN ing).” These passages clearly indicate that wicked be the same for the righteous? Jesus “hour” does not refer to a literal sixty-minute does not say. The fact of the resurrection is hour. Rather, the Lord is referring to a spe- the Lord’s point here. Resurrected people , WE MUST cific time that will involve his death, burial (whether righteous or wicked) have no need and resurrection, which will occur over for marriage as such. many days and hours. Therefore, John 5:27- The Lord’s second point to the Sadducees M LITERALLY. 29 does not limit the resurrection of both concerns God’s relationship to the dead. He Parousia — page 8 EXAMINING AN AMILLENNIAL INTERPRETATION

states, “But regarding the resurrection of the urrection of the righteous and the wicked dispensationalists, Calvinists, Arminianists, dead, have you not read what was spoken to will occur. Again, whether a gap in time oc- premillennialists, or adherents of any other you by God: ‘I am the God of Abraham, and curs between the resurrection of the system, we must say we are “biblicists”, that the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He righteous and the wicked cannot be argued is, that the Bible is our sole authority. All of is not the God of the dead but of the living.” based on these texts. our systems must be subjected to the teach- Why does Jesus refer to the resurrection of the ing of the Bible. All of our doctrines must dead? There is no other kind of resurrection Conclusion come from the clear teaching of the word of other than the dead. This is Jesus’ point. As I stated earlier, the key to understanding God. As A.W. Tozer said, “When you find God is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and the Millennium is one of hermeneutics. Our the truth of Scripture, that truth always Jacob. “He is not the God of the dead but of hermeneutic influences not only our understands in judgment of you; you never stand the living.” Therefore, Jesus is here speaking standing of the Millennium, but may affect in judgment of it.” of the resurrection of the righteous dead. He our understanding of other doctrines in the clearly distinguishes between the righteous word of God as well. Some of those who ENDNOTES 1. Darrell L. Bock, Ed. Three Views on the dead and the wicked dead. This proves that have abandoned a consistent literal Millennium and Beyond (Grand Rapids: Jesus is referring to the fact of the resurrec- hermeneutic have strayed into erroneous be- Zondervan, 1999), p. 120-121 tion and not the process. liefs about salvation, such as Universalism (all 2. Ibid., p. 123 On/at the last day cannot refer to the last people will eventually be saved) or false 3. Ibid., p. 126 twenty-four hour day of this age. The Old views of hell, such as Annihilationism (the 4. Ibid., p. 126 5. Ibid., p. 117 Testament prophetically details that the Day wicked will cease to exist). Others have 6. Ibid., p. 127 of the Lord is the last day of this age (Zeph. adopted incorrect views of God, such as non- 7. Ibid., p. 125-126 1:14-18). Acts 2:17 states, “And it shall be in trinitarianism (denying the doctrine of the 8. Ibid., p. 127 the last days, God says, that I will pour forth trinity). 9. Ibid., p. 100-101 of My Spirit on all mankind…” This indi- We must be very careful to come to 10. John identifies 8 specific “hours” in his gospel: (1) an hour of death (2:4; 7:30; 8:20; cates that the coming of the Holy Spirit at Scripture with the belief that it is the infalli- 12:29); (2) an hour of true worship (4:21, Pentecost occurred during the last days. This ble word of God and we must study 23); (3) an hour of resurrection (5:25, 27, also confirms that the phrase the last days carefully to find the truth of the Scripture. 28); (4) an hour of glorification (12:23; does not refer to literal twenty-four hour We must never come to Scripture with a sys- 17:1); (5) an hour of murder (16:2); (6) an days, but to a time involving possibly years, tem, and then interpret the Scripture so that hour of childbirth (16:21); (7) an hour of plain truth (16:25); (8) an hour of scattering months and days. Similarly, the last day does it fits our system. It appears that this is what (16:23). not refer to a single twenty-four hour day, Dr. Strimple has done with the text of but to a period of time during which the res- Revelation 20. Rather than saying we are

With great regret, the staff of Sola Scriptura and The Sign Ministries reports to our larger ministry family the sad news that Bill Lee-Warner went to be with the Lord September 10, 2001. WAfter less than a year's struggle with an inoperative brain tumor, Bill closed his eyes to this world. In our age of longevity, when someone "falls asleep" at age 55 it is not uncommon to hear it said, "He was so young." In Bill's case, we agree. We are naturally saddened to see Bill "fall asleep." However, having watched a vibrant, energetic, and joyous co-laborer for the Lord slowly lose weight, hair, and fast wit, we gladly surrender him to eternal blissfulness.

Bill was a graduate of Oregon State University, receieved his M.Div. from Western Evangelical Seminary, and pastored churches for more than twenty years before serving Sola Scriptura and The Sign Ministries faithfully as a writer, lecturer, editor, and friend. He will be greatly missed.

On behalf of the Lee-Warner family, we at the ministry acknowledge your cards, letters, emails, prayers, and calls of concern over this past year.

We salute our brother - a soldier retired from active duty. Parousia — page 9

Whose Wrath Is It? Prophecy Under Fire • Critics & Critiques by Charles Cooper (Zeph. 1:15). Paul associates Blow a trumpet in Zion, and sound Tribulation with “the day of wrath an alarm on My holy mountain! Let enald E. Showers’ critique of the and the revelation of the righteous all the inhabitants of the land (of prewrath view in a Dictionary of judgment of God” (Rom. 2:5-9). Israel) tremble, for the Day of the Premillennial Theology warrants a Lord is near; surely it is near, a day of R It should not escape the reader’s attention line by line response. Not because he pre- darkness and gloom, a day of clouds that Showers fails to quote one explicit text, sents a compelling case for the rejection of and thick darkness. As the dawn is which would have settled this debate sum- the position, but because he so clearly spread over the mountains, so there is marily. The reason Showers does not state demonstrates the typical “knee-jerk” re- a great and mighty people; there has the case otherwise is that there is no explic- sponse of pretribbers to those who attempt a never been anything like it, nor will it scriptural basis for associating “the great biblical solution to the Rapture question there be again after it to the years of tribulation” with “the Day of the Lord.” other than pretribulationism. Case in point: many generations. Showers correctly states that the prewrath under the heading Problems with the View, view differentiates between the wrath of Now without getting into the finer points Concerning the Tribulation and the Day of the God and the wrath of Satan/Antichrist. The of this text, let’s deal with the obvious. First, Lord, Showers writes: Great Tribulation is the wrath of Satan. The this passage refers only to Zion in the land (of 1. The [prewrath] view requires a Day of the Lord is the wrath of God. Israel) and not the whole world. Second, the complete distinction between the However, he errs with the statement, “[the Day of the Lord is near, but not there yet. Great Tribulation and the Day of the prewrath view requires] that the Scriptures Third, the Day of the Lord is not the imme- Lord, insisting there is no overlap- never associate Tribulation with the Day of diate danger, but “a great and mighty ping of the two, that the Great the Lord’s wrath.” By leaving out the term people, [an army]” is approaching. Fourth Tribulation contains only human “great”, Showers misleads the reader. The and finally, in context, the unparelleledness wrath, that the Day of the Lord con- prewrath view insists, “that the Scriptures that Joel is referring to concerns the ap- tains the wrath of God, and that the never associate the Great Tribulation with proaching army and not the Day of the Scriptures never associate Tribulation the Day of the Lord’s wrath.” Now this is a Lord. Therefore, Joel 2:1-2 has no bearing with the Day of the Lord’s wrath. true statement. There will certainly be tribu- on the issue Showers is discussing. He takes There are at least three difficulties lation for the wicked during the Day of the this passage totally out of context. He as- with this distinction, (1) the Bible Lord. However, as Showers uses the term sumes a connection simply because the Day associates both the Day of the Lord tribulation (meaning Great Tribulation), of the Lord is mentioned. However, closer (Joel 2:1-2) and the Great Tribulation there is no biblical basis for teaching that examination rules out that the unparalleled- (Dan. 12:1; Matt. 24:21) with the Scripture indicates overlap between the Day ness refers to the Day of the Lord. unparalleled time of trouble. This of the Lord and the Great Tribulation, as we common association prompts the shall see below. conclusion that the Great Tribulation Showers’ first difficulty with our distinc- …There is no cannot be totally separated from the tion regarding two periods (the Day of the Day of the Lord. (2) Certainly God’s Lord versus the Great Tribulation) concerns wrath is far worse than human wrath. Scriptures’ association of these two events. explicit scriptural In light of this, how can the Great Based on Joel 2:1-2, Daniel 12:1 and Tribulation be the unparalleled time Matthew 24:21, Showers concludes that base for associating of trouble if it will contain only Scripture does associate the Day of the Lord human wrath? (3) The Scriptures and the Great Tribulation. As people who associate Tribulation with the Day of truly want to dialogue with pretribulation- “the great tribula- the Lord’s wrath. The same Hebrew ists regarding the timing of the Lord’s word that communicated the concept return, we are often frustrated by pretribbers tion” with “the Day of Tribulation or trouble was used for who will not look honestly at the Scriptures. both the Great Tribulation (Dan. Joel 2:1-2 states, 12:1) and the Day of the Lord of the Lord.” Parousia — page 10 PROPHECY UNDER FIRE

Regarding Daniel 12:1 and the issue of Showers’ second difficulty with our dis- two months. This can be none other than unparalledness, notice: tinction regarding two periods (the Day of the same time as Antichrist (the prince of the the Lord versus the Great Tribulation) con- people to come) rules on the earth, which is Now at that time Michael, the great cerns the distinction between the wrath of the same time as “a time of distress” (Dan prince who stands guard over the God and the wrath of Satan/Antichrist— 12:1) which equals “a great tribulation” sons of your people, will arise. And particularly, the fact that the wrath of God is (Matt 24:21). It should not escape the read- there will be a time of distress such as by definition worse than the wrath of Satan. er’s attention that at no point is God’s wrath never occurred since there was a Therefore, Showers asks, “How can the great indicated at any point during these activities. nation until that time; and at that Tribulation be the unparalleled time of trou- In fact Jesus explicitly states that the sign time your people, everyone who is ble if it will contain only human wrath?” that indicates the imminent outbreak of the found written in the book, will be This question turns on a very subtle issue. eschatological Day of the Lord will follow rescued. Fundamentally, the issue is this: can there be the great “tribulation of those days” (Matt Again, stating the obvious, this text address- more than one unparalleled time in human 24:29). In the whole of Matthew 24:4-27, es the nation of Israel. The people of Israel history. The answer is obviously “yes” for there is not one explicit or implied event at- will face an unparalleled time of distress. two reasons. First, the executor of the un- tributed to the wrath of God. Only after the After the unparalleled time of distress, the paralleledness must be different. Secondly, tribulation of those days does the wrath of elect will be rescued. Matthew 24:21 states, the object of the unparalleled persecution God come. Therefore, the reason there can “For then there will be a great tribulation, must be different! This is the case here. Both be two unparalleled times of trouble is be- such as has not occurred since the beginning Daniel 12:1 and Matthew 24:21 speak of an cause the objects are different. God punishes of the world until now, nor ever will.” It is unparalleled time of trouble for unsaved the wicked with His eschatological Day of clear, in context, that the Lord is describing Israel and God’s elect (elect Israel is put in the Lord’s wrath. Satan punishes the people the same event depicted in Daniel 12:1. protective custody, Rev 12:6, 14-16). of God with his eschatological Great However, at no point and in no way does Jeremiah 30:7 and Zephaniah 1:18 speak of Tribulation wrath. Sorry, Dr. Showers, you Daniel 12:1 and Matthew 24:21 indicate a time of unparalleled trouble for Israel and are wrong again. that the “time of distress” and “a great tribu- the world by God. That’s the difference. Is Showers third and final difficulty with lation” refer to the wrath of God. In fact, the this an explicit biblical distinction? our two separate unparalleled times concerns context states otherwise. In both cases, the No one doubts that the eschatological the fact that “Scriptures associate Tribulation elect are rescued from the “trouble” caused Day of the Lord is a day of trouble for Israel with the Day of the Lord’s wrath,” which is by the one who sets up “the abomination of (Jer 30:7) and the world (Zep 1:18). That’s true. This however, is not the question. The desolation.” explicit. That the Great Tribulation is three question is this: Does Scripture associate the Therefore, Showers has not established an and a half years long is also explicit (Dan eschatological Day of the Lord with the overlap between the Day of the Lord and the 9:27, 12:11). That the reign of “the prince Great Tribulation? The answer is an emphat- Great Tribulation. There is no explicit or im- of the people who is to come” is three and a ic “no!” Now Daniel 12:1 does use the same plied basis to do so. One text that has half years long is explicit in Scripture (Dan word for trouble that is used in Zephaniah bearing on this discussion is Jeremiah 30:7, 9:27, Rev 13:5). That the man of lawlessness 1:15. However, Zephaniah 1:15 makes clear which states, “Alas! For that day is great, —“the prince”—is empowered by Satan is that God is causing the trouble, but Daniel there is none like it; and it is the time of explicit in Scripture (2 Thess 2:9, Rev 13:2). 12:1 does not in any shape, form, or fashion Jacob’s distress, but he will be saved from it.” Revelation 12:12 indicates that Satan is say God causes the trouble to Israel. This is This text does in fact state that a period of thrown down to the earth by Michael and an unwarranted assumption on Showers’ unparalleledness awaits Jacob (Judah and his angels “having great wrath.” The word part. Israel). Contextually, this period is described wrath used here is the same word used to de- Equally, the apostle Paul does state in as “that day.” That day is a semi-technical scribe the wrath of God elsewhere in Romans 2:5-9 the following: term used throughout the Old Testament to Scripture. Therefore, it is possible for Satan But because of your stubbornness refer to the Day of the Lord. Therefore, and God to pour out the same kind of wrath. and unrepentant heart you are stor- Scripture explicitly states that the Day of the The objects of the wrath is the difference. ing up wrath for yourself in the day Lord will be a period of unparalledness for Satan comes down to earth “having great of wrath and revelation of the right- Jacob (Judah and Israel). Scripture also states wrath” because Michael, the archangel dri- eous judgment of God, who will ren- that the Great Tribulation (three and a half ves him from heaven (Rev 12:7, Dan 12:1). der to each person according to His years) will be a period of unparalleledness Now Revelation 12:12 indicates that after deeds: to those who by perseverance for Israel. However, does it naturally follow Satan is thrown down to the earth, “he has in doing good seek for glory and that there can only be one period of unpar- only a short time.” This time is further limit- honor and immortality, eternal life; alleledness? We shall see! ed in Revelation 12:13-14 to time, times and but to those who are selfishly ambi- half a time—three and a half years or forty- Parousia — page 11 BY CHARLES COOPER

tious and do not obey the truth, but However, it is yet to be proven that Paul within the Day of the Lord. However, we obey unrighteousness, wrath and is describing the period known as the Great have demonstrated above that the “day of indignation. There will be tribulation Tribulation (three and a half years) by God’s wrath” and the time of Satan/ and distress for every soul of man Satan/Antichrist of God’s people. It is clear Antichrist’s wrath are not the same and there who does evil, of the Jew first and that Paul is describing a future judgment of is no explicit or implied scriptural basis to also of the Greek, but glory and Jews and Gentiles by God. Paul describes claim otherwise. honor and peace to everyone who this judgment as a part of “the day of wrath does good, to the Jew first and also and revelation of the righteous judgment of to the Greek. For there is no partial- God.” When does this judgment occur? The ity with God. day of wrath puts this time frame clearly

Meet a Berean • Pastor Eric VanBuskirk

s senior pastor of Church Triumphant, eschatology, that something was inherently Pastor Eric VanBuskirk has weathered wrong with it. Athe storms of many struggles that twen- It wasn’t until the early 1980s, and then as an ty-four years in a single pastorate can bring. ordained minister that members of my own con- within their circles of influence—primarily, C.I. One of those struggles is his journey to adopt- gregation would request that I teach on the Scolfield’s notes. ing the prewrath position as his view on the subject of eschatology. The challenge was readi- It should also be understood that I arrived at timing of the Lord’s return. A true Berean, let’s ly accepted and materials were garnered from these conclusions by merely examining each au- read his testimony. He writes: every corner of the earth. My desk was piled high thor’s interpretation of Scripture against the In the mid-1970s as a relatively new Christian, with books by those who, at the time, were con- Scriptures themselves. Moreover, I had no bias or I requested and was granted permission by my sidered to be experts on the topic, i.e., Hal preconceived theology regarding the topic in my pastor to show the popular new release, Thief in Lindsay, Tim LaHaye, J. Vernon McGee, Jack Van initial approach to the study. I would later learn the Night. The movie featured the then growing Impe, just to mention a few. Added to these ma- that many other students came to the same con- and fashionable doctrine of the pretribulation terials were numerous other commentaries and clusions as myself using the same method. The Rapture. Naturally, the film portrayed the removal theological works compiled by contemporaneous Sign by Robert Van Kampen is one such exam- of Christians from the earth prior to the coming a and time-honored authors and, finally, the ulti- ple. His book was a breath of fresh spiritual air, great tribulation the Bible warns of, and the com- mate source of all truth, the Bible. Obviously, the especially in light of the fact that he had the mencement of Antichrist’s regime. As with all Bible would become the filter through which the courage to admit he had only been teaching what movies, which advance this doctrinal position, various exegeses and eschatological apologies he had been taught not what he had studied. past and present, the rapturing away of the would be examined. Amazing things do happen when we allow the Christian church signifies the time when the It was during this research that I realized how Holy Spirit to guide us into an understanding of world will become consigned to utter chaos. critically important it becomes for one to thor- that which He inspired. “Would be” Christians are left with the decision oughly examine Scriptural truth based upon My elementary examination of the pretribula- to wholly reject Christ or suffer martyrdom. Thus, Scriptural texts, in context, before venturing into tion Rapture position found the doctrine to be the church is portrayed as removed, entirely un- the arena of popular and widely accepted teach- filled with textual and semantic hyperbole which, scathed by the trouble that is coming to this ings. At one point, it seemed my studies were for the casual observer, places suppositional in- earth—current Christian persecution, martyrdom taking me farther away from a plausible biblical terpretation of scripture [allegorical deduction] on and global distress excluded, of course. interpretation into that of mass confusion. That equal par with literal face value interpretation. A The movie, much like the books promulgating is, until I turned to sola scriptura. classic example of this is found in Revelation the pretribulation Rapture, was relatively enter- Eventually meticulous contextual examination 3:10 in which Jesus speaking to the “faithful” taining and creative for the times, and thought of Scripture deepened my conviction that the church of Philadelphia said, provoking in many aspects. Nonetheless, while pretribulation Rapture position was built upon a “Because you have kept My command to per- the film could not be accused of a dull evangelis- shifting foundation of sand. It became quite clear severe, I also will keep you from the hour of trial tic thrust, it could be heavily criticized based on to me that Christian apologist’s, regardless of which shall come upon the whole world, to test flawed biblical hermeneutics. Although I could how intellectually astute, do not necessarily al- those who are on the earth.” not clearly articulate a Scriptural argument ways produce sound theology. Clearly apparent Proponents of the pretribulation Rapture are against this production at the time, I was able to was the fact that many teachers on end times notorious for drawing upon this Scripture to infer discern, based upon my limited understanding of were merely parroting what they had been taught continued on back Nonprofit Org. THE U.S. Postage Paid Grand Haven, MI SIGN Permit No. 383 Ministries P.O. Box 113 West Olive, MI 49460 A Ministry of Sola Scriptura

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d hn nqiy il bud and abound will iniquity when od tepig o id citrl basis Scriptural find to attempting in all previous generations. generations. previous all in

no exception, for it represents a peri- a represents it for exception, no Smyrna? Alternatively, have scholars have Alternatively, Smyrna? faith in Christ in this generation than generation this in Christ in faith

eeain Te ra tiuain is tribulation great The generation. hldlha n ipril toward impartial and Philadelphia people have been martyred for their for martyred been have people world.

omn o h Crsin n every in Christian the to common rd ata t te hrh at church the to partial ered ter? It remains, however, that more that however, remains, It ter? n n neivn ad rebellious and unbelieving an on

ht h sfeig o Crs are Christ of sufferings the that message. Is God then to be consid- be to then God Is message. who are the elect Jesus is coming af- coming is Jesus elect the are who from the wrath of God that is to come to is that God of wrath the from

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rah o citrl interpretation. scriptural to proach ah te yt eevn wa ap- what receiving yet other each os o ma ta al il suffer will all that mean not does hitas r poie i connec- in promised are Christians

of a simplistic “common sense” ap- sense” “common simplistic a of fihu” hrhs oxset with coexistent churches “faithful” cp. e, t h sm tm, this time, same the at Yet, scope. s t sy h lat Te ny thing only The least. the say to ist

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ol fn ette a prewrath a entitled find would will give you the crown of life.” of crown the you give will nemtet escto, such persecution, intermittent have suffered before us and that are that and us before suffered have

rm perb iw o ht later I what to view pretrib a from as B fihu utl et, n I and death, until faithful Be days. rtos Ised f einl and regional of Instead erations. consider ourselves above those who those above ourselves consider

An issue like this drove me away me drove this like issue An n yu il ae rblto ten tribulation have will you and which has occurred in previous gen- previous in occurred has which ait hooy Wy hud we should Why theology. capist

to the same? the to into prison, that you may be tested, be may you that prison, into a o te gs dafn al that, all dwarfing ages, the of max Bible teach or remotely imply an es- an imply remotely or teach Bible

can Rev. 2:10 be any less significant less any be 2:10 Rev. can Devil is about the throw some of you of some throw the about is Devil history, this period will hasten the cli- the hasten will period this history, ihu aooy Nwee os the does Nowhere apology. without

hrh f h ls dy, o then how days, last the of church you are about to suffer. Indeed, the Indeed, suffer. to about are you in hv eitd throughout existed have tions may sound, it needs to be said and said be to needs it sound, may

standard. If Rev. 3:10 pertains to the to pertains 3:10 Rev. If standard. D nt er hs tig which things those fear not “Do it t a hl. hl sc condi- such While child. a to birth l bbia tuh A ciia a this as critical As truth. biblical ple

et or emnuis y any by hermeneutics poor sent Smyrna: Smyrna: oa udros eoe giving before undergoes woman corrupted our understanding of sim- of understanding our corrupted

ugo” bt uh ehd repre- methods such but surgeon”, speaking to the “faithful” church in church “faithful” the to speaking enced, much like the labor pains a pains labor the like much enced, utrto o Wsen huh has thought Western of culturation

a psto? ’ nt “brain a not I’m position? nal eeain :0 n hc Crs is Christ which in 2:10 Revelation more trouble than previously experi- previously than trouble more us to understand how easily the in- the easily how understand to us

only that that applies to their doctri- their to applies that that only at. opr ti psae to passage this Compare earth. Get rblto” ipy means simply Tribulation” “Great sense would go along way in helping in way along go would sense

one passage while readily accepting readily while passage one hour of trial that is to come upon the upon come to is that trial of hour os ed il eoe intensified. become will seed eous around, coupled with some common some with coupled around,

o “hi dcrn” lnl rejected blindly doctrine” “their for ht l Crsin wl ecp the escape will Christians all that man’s hatred for God and His right- His and God for hatred man’s lo a hsoy n a look a and history at look A

Meet a Berean a Meet • continued from inside from continued •