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He also said that it is too late for Calvin but it is not too late for you [to join the Reformed Premillennial movement]! His mode of expositing those verses that supposedly counter Preterism really helped me to focus on those areas in the Bible. Erdman refers to the premillennialism of Asia Minor in the second century as "Asiatic millennialism.". They are certainly available (or they should be) in the library at MacArthurs Masters Seminary. Israel disobeyed the law, youre done. The sting of death is sin, the power of sin is the law, thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.. Please make sure all fields are filled out. In other words, Piper believes Jesus Christ will come on earth and reign for 1,000 years. Blessed. So, they did it, and we distributed that at the Shepherds Conference - 350-page version of Revelation, in which the full interpretation is provided there and of course, you can advance to the full two volumes if youd like. For example, the book is well-organized. Now, the only thing that I ask is that you read it, and the only reason I ask you to read it is so that you may be what? Jonathan Edwards, a noted postmillennialist and someone MacArthur quotes unfavorably in his Shepherds talk, outlined the future of the Christian Church in his 1774 History of Redemption. He even went so far as to say that the Amillennial position is more consistent with Arminianism See more on the author's page Sung Wook Chung You get your eschatology right when you get Israel right. Now, the truth of the matter is, those are just two ways to look at the same thing; postmillennialism and amillennialism is really the same thing. And that was over the gospel, and over the nature of Christ, and over salvation by grace through faith and over the authority of Scripture. Historical Records of New South Wales, vols 1-7; Historical Records of Australia, series 1, vols 1-17, series 3, vols 2-3, series 4, vol 1; S. Macarthur Onslow, Early Records of the Macarthurs of Camden (Syd 1914) S. J. Butlin, Foundations of the Australian Monetary System, 1788-1851 (Melb, 1953) M. H. Ellis, John Macarthur (Syd, 1955) and for bibliography Craig Blaising and . Now, I know at this point somebody out there is going to say, Oh boy, hes into the Left Behind series. No, Im not in to Rapture fiction, and Im not in to wacky charts - you dont see me up here with a big chart and a stick. Ive dragged myself through all these years of the discipline of study. Ridgeley knew his history well enough to know that the majority of theologians in the seventeenth century held to an advancing kingdom through the proclamation of the gospel which includes the future conversion of the Jews. And may I remind you that you have one very, very important reality to deal with in case you think theres no future in Israel: living Israelites. In fact, I understand sovereign electing grace much more clearly than I ever have in the past, and I also understand Gods sovereign electing purpose for Israel more clearly than Ive ever understood it. Dispensationalism continues to provoke heated debate within the Christian world. And for most evangelicals, for most people who hold to a sound, biblical view and Reformed theology, they would live and die that the text of Genesis 1 through 3 means exactly what it says it means, because thats the only way to interpret Scripture. Part of what we pray for in the second petition, Thy kingdom come, is that the gospel [be] propagated throughout the world, the Jews called, the fullness of the Gentiles brought in. In his commentary on the Larger Catechism, Thomas Ridgeley (16671734) wrote, Hence, we cannot but suppose that those prophecies which respect [to the conversion of the Jews], in the latter day, together with the fullness of the Gentiles being brought in, shall be more eminently accomplished than they have hitherto been. ((Thomas Ridgeley, Commentary on the Larger Catechism, 2 vols. They also think that there is not to be a literal thousand-year kingdom as such, but thats just metaphoric for a long time; and it simply indicates whatever the duration of that period where the influence of the church dominates the world, after which Christ returns. . Christ will return, He will come in a glorious second coming to earth - but not to establish His kingdom, but rather after His kingdom has been established. I recently read this great article and would recommend every professing Calvinist to give it a read, I believe John MacArthur's arguments for Pre-Millennialism are biblically irrefutable, mainly because the traditional Reformed view (Amillennialism) does away (Replacement Theology) with future Israel (God's Elect) and that is far from the truth Reformed theology has made a monumental comeback in this culture, and thankfully so, because it is biblical. Without the dispensational lens-says MacArthur-you will misunderstand much of the Bible. Other well-known historic premillennialists include Walter Martin; John Warwick Montgomery; J. Barton Payne; Henry Alford, a noted Greek scholar; and Theodor Zahn, a German New Testament scholar. Its the same God, same terminology. John MacArthur and Richard Mayhue's new systematic theology titled Biblical Doctrine has many positive aspects. This year they upgraded some snacks and are handing out Zone protein bars, a major enhancementhowever, I am really missing my family. So, if were going to change the rules of interpretation to inject into Scripture a preconceived idea or to avoid what is obvious, we better be sure that we have a word from God. I think He cares that we get it right, thats why He wrote it, and I think He understands that His glory is at stake, and our hope and comfort is at stake and the evidence of Gods massive moving in history is at stake with regard to the future. How could they believe unless He caused them to believe? He has been the pastor of Grace Community Church, a non-denominational church in Sun Valley, California since February 9, 1969. Let me condense that down, just squeeze it down to about 350 pages, because if people read this and understand it, theyre going to be blessed by God. And they said, Sure.. Over four decades of ministry, John has written dozens of bestselling books, including The . 3. We still have Mark to go, but there are only a couple of discourses and a couple of miracles in Mark that arent in the other three gospels, so not a lot of new material. Premillennialism: The millennium is the long period (perhaps a literal 1,000 years) when King Jesus will rule on earth. (Quoted in DeJong, As the Waters Cover the Sea, 38.). If you look at Acts 3:19, Peter says, Repent therefore, and return, that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing - thats the millennium - may come from the presence of the Lord; that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, whom heaven must receive till the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time. So, having your eschatology in place may lead you to repentance. -- by John Walvoord -- p.98 10.The Early Witness to Premillennialism -- by Michael Vlach -- p.104 11.Premillennialism in the Old Testament Series -- by Arnold Fruchtenbaum -- p.107 The Rise of Philo-Semitism and Premillennialism During the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries. John Fullerton MacArthur Jr. (born June 19, 1939) is an American Protestant pastor and author known for his internationally syndicated Christian teaching radio and television program Grace to You. Moreover, John, as again stated by Papias, ascribed the origin of millenarianism to Christ . Now, understanding the future is you know, thats a general statement that you would be blessed - but look at just a couple of other things quickly. Its a strange approach. It is narrative history, and we fight - sometimes tooth and nail - to maintain the literal veracity of Genesis 1 through 3. Dispensationalism is a kind of framework for history that is organized around seven dispensationsseven orders or administrations. He has also written or edited nearly four hundred books and study guides. All right. Israel sinned, youre out. ), Puritan Independent Thomas Goodwin, in his book, The Return of Prayers, encouraged people to pray for the calling of the Jews, the utter downfall of Gods enemies, the flourishing of the gospel. Goodwin assured his readers that all these prayers will have answers. (Quoted in Murray, The Puritan Hope, 102.). They dont faze me. It therefore teaches responsibility. Dr. MacArthur picked this fight. And I ask the question: are we supposed to be comfortable with the notion that the hard and fast and true principles of Bible interpretation have to be set aside in prophetic texts? Ive written about this in several places. Most of the Reformers and the Puritans were postmils. Its just a lot of material. And then the effect of it is in verse 58: Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, and you can stop right there.
In a really interesting illustration MacArthur envisioned an amillennialist evangelizing a Jew. It is masterfully written. As more and more information comes to Him, and as He has more and more experience in dealing with the issues of His universe, Hes getting better at being God. "Why Every Self-Respecting Calvinist is a Pre-Millennialist." For those of you who don't know, this was a statement, among others, that John MacArthur was recorded as making at the recent Shepherd's Conference 2007 at Grace Community Church, Sun Valley California. I have thought about these things, by the way, for a long time. And Im really grateful that the Spirit of God is moving the way He is these days, and moving in the church to reestablish the glorious high ground of the sovereignty of God in salvation. 7 Reasons Why the Gospel of John is So Special 3 days ago Popular proponents of dispensational premillennialism have been John F. MacArthur, Phil Johnson, Ray Comfort, Jerry Falwell, Todd Friel, Dwight Pentecost, John Walvoord (d. 2002), Tim Lahaye, Charles Caldwell Ryrie (in the notes for the Ryrie Study Bible), the theological-folk poetry of Jack Royerton, and Charles L. Feinberg. If it doesnt mean what it says and everybodys got a different view, then nobody has the authority to say, This is true. Lets just stick with things that we know are true and things that all the good theologians agree on. The Lords coming back: blessing, purity, stability, comfort. And Ive gone back after I preach, and Ive written commentaries - now I think 26 or 27 volumes on the New Testament - back through the same material again and again and again and again and again, so that this understanding of eschatology has had to stand the acid test of every text. And youve been great tonight; this is more like a theological lecture. If only he could just send down one message, that might be it. DP also believes that God has a place for both national Israel (cf. An Excellent Defense of The Rapture by Dr. John MacArthur But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. Tell us about the future. They were in a very hopeless situation, having very little in life. This article is also available and sold as a booklet. - comfort one another. MacArthur is a fifth-generation pastor, a popular author and conference speaker and has served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California since 1969, and as President of The Master's College (and the related Master's Seminary) in Santa Clarita, California. Dispensational premillennialism (DP) offers the most complex chronology of the end times.It argues that the current church age will end with the rapture of the church (cf. Yet, Abraham did not receive it during all the time of his journey there. Scripture affirms the perpetuity of the elect church to salvation glory; that all whom the Lord has chosen He brings to glory. John Knox (1) John MacArthur (4) John MacDuff (1) John Mark (1) John Piper (25) John T. Carroll (1) John the Baptist (1) . Iain Murray, the author of The Puritan Hope, a book that Im using to make my historical case against MacArthurs claims, spoke at the Shepherds Conference in 2001. Now, Im going to save the good stuff till next time, but I want to just end by giving you a little list of benefits of getting your eschatology right, okay? The church. So check out Tim Challies summary on this once it is posted and if you are able to get your mitts on the audio for this it is highly recommended. I had no idea what they believed - 1600 pastors and leaders from central Asia - Id never have even been there; and the group that led the conference came to me afterwards with smiles on their faces and said, You believe exactly what we believe. This isnt something for people who have been highly educated; this is something for people who havent been corrupted by education. Historic premillennialism is the view that Christ will return before the millennium. God filled the Bible with prophecy and much of it looking to the end. A History of Christian Zionism: Philo-Semitism and the Expectation of Israel's Restoration. Now, why am I making a case for this? An Anglican - an Anglican - by the name of William Cunningham in 1815 wrote a book called The Premillennial Advent; he was anything but a dispensationalist. Those are the views. There are over two thousand references to Israel in Scripture; not one of them means anything but Israel. 11:12; 12:29; 13:19; John 10:12, 28, 29) and removing (John 6:15; Acts 8:39; 23:10; Jude 23).There is a third use, which focuses on being caught up . And so, we stand steadfast, immovable. Some people try to call it poetry, but its clearly not poetry - it has none of the earmarks of poetry, none of the characteristics of Hebrew poetry. Let me give you a theology lesson here a little bit. #10. So, you interpret it right, and that will allow you to understand the meaning of the Covenants and the future of Israel; and Gods integrity is at stake. They were fighting the massive Roman system, and being occupied on those fronts, they never really got to the front of eschatology. They will die for that truth regarding the church, but unashamedly abandon that same truth for the elect nation of Israel. But in both cases, they would deny the actual thousand-year reign of Christ, and they would deny that Christ will reign and rule on earth and literally fulfill all His promises to the nation Israel given in the Old Testament covenants. Theyve been refined, clarified, expanded, enriched through these 50 years, but I was convinced when I started. You cannot fight the war on every front, and at the great time of the Reformation, they were fighting the war where the battle raged the hottest. 2023 Grace to You. John MacArthur was one of the influences that helped turn me to Preterism. Daylight and dark, daylight and dark - thats a 24-hour period - God creates everything. Piper was responding to an "Ask Pastor John . How do you explain that? They dont want to accept that the entire universe was created in six nearly twenty-four-hour days. If students at The Masters Seminary are not being taught these things in their classes dealing with prophecy, then they are being shortchanged, misinformed, and, dare I say, led astray. And the longer I think about it and the more I study the Scripture, the clearer it becomes to me. What you have here is a benediction from God: blessed is he who reads and understands the book of Revelation. With appearances by. All this panic about global warming, and all this panic about the end of the world and asteroids crashing into the earth? [1] He has been the pastor of Grace Community Church, a non-denominational church in Sun Valley, California since February 9, 1969. One says moving toward the coming of Christ there will be no kingdom. Even His promises may not be valid, because He made them with inadequate information. In 1679, Scottish minister Walter Smith drew up some guidelines for prayer meetings: As it is the undoubted duty of all to pray for the coming of Christs kingdom, so all that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, and know what it is to bow a knee in good earnest, will long and pray for the out-making of the gospel-promises to his Church in the latter days, that King Christ would go out upon the white horse of the gospel, conquering and to conquer, and make a conquest of the travail of his soul, that it may be sounded that the kingdoms of the world are become his, and his name called upon from the rising of the sun to its going down. He told me he would study the issue and get back to me. In fact, the worst evil thats ever been done on the history of the world was the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, and by that - the worst evil - He gained the greatest glory. This up to now has been more like a lecture, but turn to Revelation chapter 1, and just look at verse 3 for a moment. Help Grace to You bring important resources like this to people in your community and beyond, free of charge. I was talking to one of our missionaries just this same week I gave this talk to the pastors, and he was coming back from China and he said, Theres only one view in the church in China and its the premillennial view. Of course, because they just take what Scripture says. So, my words to you are really very simple foundational words, I say this. Accordingly, we have updated our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions in order to comply with GDPR. We cant have those prophecies come to pass with regard to Israel in an earthly, literal kingdom the way the Old Testament seems to be saying it, so set aside normal, natural, literal interpretation. But, you know, of all the people on the planet who should be premillennialists, it should be those who believe in divine sovereign election, of all people. Arminius did not believe in election; those who follow him do not believe in election. Where is the divine mandate to do that? But we now have pure Israelites. What passage is it in? Along that line, I went to Moody Press and I said, Look, Ive written two volumes on Revelation - I dont know, its 800 or 900 pages - and I realized not everybody is going to go through all of that. Because, you see, if it doesnt mean what it says it means, then any suggestion is as bad as any other suggestion. Historic premillennialism is one system of eschatology that has support in the Protestant community. Process theology: they are the theologians, liberal theologians, who believe that God is in process of becoming what He will be.