Living Journey

The other day I posted a video on the rebuilding of the “Third Temple“. This led to someone (Vince) commenting on prophecy and the importance of it in these days that are fast leading up to the return of Christ. (See HERE for all of my other posts concerning the coming of the Third Temple)

Obviously, there are those who deem prophecy to be of little or no importance, Rick Warren being one of them, see HERE. It makes me wonder if people like the Rick Warren’s of the world have ever read the bible for all its worth, as so much of it is written to show us how God is interacting with people and events even during our time. Prophecy deals with countries, governments and end time events.

Have you ever wondered why it is that the middle-east is the most volatile place on the earth? If you have asked this question then you can find the answer in the Bible. Within its pages are key events that point to the culmination of God’s promises to His people. His Word is being fulfilled even while you are reading this. But you may wonder how to begin to even know where to start with biblical prophecy.

I have just come across a website called “Prophecy Watch” and it has some very basic and easy to read articles that outline biblical prophetic concepts that are relevant for us today. The articles are not that long at all, and give you a basic understanding about current events that point to prophetic trends and mega-events. These articles are written by Phillip Goodman. Phillip Goodman is speaking at a conference with other well known experts in this field, Dave Hunt, Roger Oakland are the two that I am most familiar with.

One article from the website “Prophecy Watch” is called Trends and Mega-Events and is well worth the read if you are a new student to biblical prophecy and have difficulty in knowing where on earth to start. Eschatology is the study of end time events and it shapes our understanding of certain key biblical concepts such as kingdom building and even so far as political Christian dominion. Understanding the different eschatological views is important for us today as we have reached a time of unification of sorts and are now in a very real position of being able to build a global government and religious system.

This article talks about the differences between “Trends” and “Mega-events”…

The key to assessing the Signs of the Last Days is to view history over the long haul— to look at the total scope, or the whole panorama, of historical events. By doing that we can discern TRENDS. We must then look at world events in two ways.

The first is to become aware of “Trends.”

The second is to watch for relevant “Mega-events.”

Trends tell us more about the fulfillment of Bible Prophecy than the isolated, daily events many prophecy writers whip up into a frenzy of articles and books. For example, in the Mid East, the daily peace, no-peace cycle may drive one to Biblical boredom, but the fact is that they confirm a consistent pattern, or trend, that precisely parallels that which is described in Bible prophecy— The Mid East will be the focal point of the last days, with the central focus being on Israel and Jerusalem and the Temple Mount.

~~~

A prophetic Mega-event is an event of such magnitude that it sends shock waves around the planet and propels the Trends of prophecy forward in quantum leaps!

Why are Mega-events so significant? These “super-episodes” of history not only make big-print headlines, but they actually accelerate the trend-lines of prophecy in leaps and bounds down the path of fulfillment. Hasn’t the 9-11 tragedy put the U.S. (and other countries) on a fast track toward global regulation?

Other articles like “Dividing the Land of Isreal” and “Temple Mount Violence” are worth reading for those who are new to biblical prophecy.

You can find all of his articles HERE if you want to learn more. They are very well written, they are basic and are very easy to understand.

When I did a search for “Phillip Goodman” it brought me to this other called “Rapture Ready” which has some interesting articles on end time events. I have only taken a cursory look, so I ask that you measure everything against scripture.

Just quickly, I received an email this morning from a very dear friend of mine. And I know that she and others like her are getting very, very weary. I am too! As I was about to reply to her, I was reminded of the following scriptures.

This post is for all of those out there who are feeling tired and worn by the constant attacks on the Body of Christ…

We are constantly reminded to wake up. The disciples became heavy hearted and fell asleep during the night watch. Jesus said that they should stay awake so not too fall into temptation…

Luk 22:4546 And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

Jesus told them three times about not sleeping…I guess he really means it… it is very important…

Mar 14:3742 When he went back, he found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? You couldn’t stay awake for one hour, could you? All of you must stay awake and pray that you won’t come into temptation. The spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak.” He went away again and prayed the same prayer as before. Again he came back and found them asleep, for their eyes were very heavy. They didn’t even know what they should say to him. He came back a third time and said to them, “You might as well keep on sleeping and resting. Enough of that! The time has come. Look! The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up! Let’s go! See, the one who is betraying me is near!”

Interesting that just before Peter saw the transfiguration he was heavy with sleep…

Luk 9:32 Now Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: but when they were fully awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.

How about this from the commentary on this verse, very interesting that they were scarcely awake and it was difficult for them to wake up even by the ray of his light…

[...]and when they were awake, The Syriac version reads, “scarcely awake”; they were so heavy with sleep, that it was with difficulty they were awaked out of it, even by the rays of light and glory that were about them. The Ethiopic version adds, “suddenly”; such a lustre darted from these glorious forms, especially from the body of Christ, as at once surprised them out of their sleep; and being thoroughly awake,

The heaviness is something that we are feeling from the toil of the day…

Heavy with sleep - Borne down with sleep - oppressed, overcome with sleep. It may seem remarkable that they should fall asleep on such an occasion; but we are to bear in mind that this may have been in the night, and that they were weary with the toils of the day.

The reason why we are finding it hard to keep awake is because the groom is late, this from the parable of the ten virgins

Mat 25:5 Since the groom was late, all of them became sleepy and lay down.

Why is He late…?

2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

We are definitely living in the last days. Although I think we are on the cusp of darkness, and we haven’t really entered into the third watch of the night, maybe we are on the edge of night? God Help us, give us strength!

Related Article:

• Women On The Watch It is my hopeful conjecture - you sisters who so keenly resolve to press the exposure of apostasy’s proliferations and false christs and prophets at the close of the age–will, without hesitation, as the Spirit illuminates His Word to you, provide insight into the times of the Gentiles and their final fulfillment. Increasingly, I see incredible parallels to the content of your insightful declarations - as well as the formidable courage in Christ whereby you singularly and collectively provide such insight and warning to the Body of Christ… God bless you all as you unreservedly take up the challenge as God’s Deborahs at the close of the age–a stark differential to the Harlot Who rides the Beast! “—D.K.

This post started as a reply to a comment that I made the other day. It really got me thinking about biblical prophecies and the reason behind them. I ask the question, what is prophecy for and should they be ignored? The reason I ask this is because Carla raised an important point recently about some prominent teachers (we all know who they are) who say that prophecy is a waste of time.

This really got to me.

Do you know why?

Prophecy is something that indicates to us the signs to watch out for as we approach our Blessed Hope. That Blessed Hope being reunited with our beloved groom — namely, Jesus.

Why on earth would a bride not be watching for the signs of her groom?

I know that as the day creeps into the afternoon, I watch the clock waiting for my hubby to get home. I look for something to give me a timepiece if you like, to know the hour in which to expect him. Isn’t that the way we should be for our first love? Our greatest love!

Why on earth would we not be carefully watching for the signs of His coming? — on ‘earth‘ indeed …an earthly kingdom is very seducing. Lot’s wife is a prime example of this looking back toward earthly things.

Luk 17:30-32 According to those things, it will be in the day the Son of Man is revealed. In that day, he who will be on the housetop, let him not go down to take his goods from the house. And likewise, he in the field, let him not return to the things behind. Remember Lot’s wife.

Gen 19:26 And his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.

Albert Barnes notes on the bible: “She” looked back - she delayed - perhaps she “desired” to take something with her, and God made her a monument of his displeasure. Jesus directed his disciples, when they saw the calamities coming upon the Jews, to flee to the mountains, Mat 24:16. He here charges them to be in haste - not to look back - not to delay - but to escape quickly, and to remember that by delaying the wife of Lot lost her life.

The calamities that fell upon the Jews after Jesus said this, are things that will be recapitulated in their fullness (they will be felt worldwide) before the Day of the Lord.

The Blessed Hope will be our wedding day after all. So I ask the question, what kind of bride calls anticipating the signs of her grooms arrival a waste of time?

One who has found another lover, an adulteress I suspect!!!!

I’ve just read something from a website that pretty much stood out for me. Firstly it addresses the Calvinist - Arminian debate and then it speaks about the dangers of Arminian theology when taken to its extreme. The article speaks about the dangers of humanism found in hard Arminian theology. Could we call this Hyper-Arminianism?

I have often wondered why this ‘Social Gospel’ has taken off in such a big way, especially in the west, and this article may have hit the nail on the head. Well, for me it did anyway. Please note that I do not always agree with every link that I use in my posts, but rather glean contents that I see as informative and perhaps in some cases may answer a nagging question that I may have. The article called ‘The Triumph of Arminianism (and Its Dangers)’ says…

Face it, Arminianism is simply more logical. It makes sense to the person on the street. And today’s church is scrambling to make sense to unbelievers. We want to sound sensible, logical, rational, enlightened, fair. Arminianism is so much more appealing to worldly people.Thus, many Calvinist churches customize worship services, communication styles, architecture, and music, to fit the worldly customers. But they also adapt their theology by quietly creeping away from the “right end” of the theological continuum and drifting over toward Arminianism. The truth of the matter is, they are embarrassed by Calvinistic theology. They have found it offensive to the “customers.” The Arminian approach to theology is simply a more “seeker sensitive.”

Sounds familiar doesn’t it? Then goes on to say that pragmatism may well be one of the negatives in Arminian circles…

We Arminians tend to put too much emphasis on man and his decisions, and not enough on God and the gospel. Sometimes we are tempted to act as if God is helpless without us and our work. We lean toward pragmatism and are constantly looking for “what works best” as if methodology were more important than the message. Since we believe that all men can be saved, we tend to assume that if they aren’t saved, we have not packaged the invitation (or the message) right. We especially love management, leadership, programs, marketing, and research data. We tend to focus more on the “potential convert” than on the eternal gospel. Arminianism easily leans toward a NIKE mentality—”Just do it.”[…]Humanists have a sovereign man and an inactive God. Arminians lean toward the humanist end of this continuum and thus are always in danger of becoming humanists

I definitely had an “Aha” moment when I read this.

Is it little wonder then to see such scholarly work from the Calvinist side everywhere on the Internet to counter the Hyper-Arminian view? Every action has an equal an opposite reaction. Is it little wonder that the Arminian side - if heavily leaning towards humanism and pragmatism - finds itself is a sea of secular reasoning and logic instead of using the Word of God to give a defence? Haven’t we noticed recently that all the doctrines that are pivotal to ‘Biblical Christianity’ have been criticised and questioned - like atonement, regeneration, justification by faith and repentance? Charles Finney is dead, but his views are finding there way back into the evangelical Church big time. Are we seeing a rehash of Hyper-Arminianism, if there is such a word? Read Charles Finney’s views and you be the judge.

As for me, I prefer to think that I am closer to the Wesleyan-Arminian side of things, a hair’s breadth away from Calvin.

I have read enough to realise that the Emer move is full of mainly middle-class white men. So much so that the Emer themselves are asking… why is this so?

However, what disturbed me about Catalyst (and conferences like it) is that the majority of the people who attend these conferences are all white males (goatees, glasses, and jeans). Catalyst had over 10,000 people there, and I would guess that 95% were white (Caucasians), and part of the so called, “EMERGING CHURCH” movement. I can only respond to this by asking, “WHY?” Is the “EMERGING CHURCH” movement a “WHITE THING.” @On the Way

I too have been puzzled by this and not because I am female.

The question why does the Emer movement appeal more to the white middle-class male seems a fair one and an honest one at that. A move of God should be unisex, super-cultural as well as breaking any social-economic barrier. A move of God should bring us to our knees, asking for forgiveness first off!

I came across something today that may shed a bit of light. Or it may be completely irrelevant, but I just wanted to blog my thoughts on it. It was a post about ‘The Kingdom of Emergent Theology’. It actually spoke about this particular theology having a predecessor called ‘liberal postmillennialism’…

It is helpful to know that the Christian community has been down this trail before. Emergent eschatology is by-and-large identical to liberal postmillennialism which flourished prior to the mid-twentieth century. In general postmillennialism is the view that Christ will return after the millennium, or the kingdom age, which is presently on earth.

Theological liberal postmillennialism shares some of the same optimism as its conservative counterparts but directs its attention to social enhancement of the planet.

Liberal postmillennialism focuses on societal transformation rather than personal conversion. Their “social gospel” sees the saving of society from social evil as the great purpose of the church. The mission of the church is not to preach the gospel to sinners in need of God’s great salvation, but rather, to liberate mankind from poverty, racism, disease, war and all kinds of injustice. @The Kingdom of Emergent Theology

What was also said was this…

Maybe the emergent leaders are right, maybe the world is getting better and better and, if we Christians would just get more involved, eventually earth will be like heaven.

Could it be that white men are so blinded by their own world construct - their being successful, and rulers of the free world etcetera - that they really do think that the world is getting better and better? Are they the ones wearing the rose coloured glasses while struggling to even think outside their own world construct? In effect saying… well, if it’s this good for me, then you can have it too, sounds a bit like the prosperity gospel to me, but with a lot of conversation thrown in. Are they just having a great conversation in the mirror to self? No offence guys!

Perhaps the reason that it is filled with white-middle class males is that it fails to attract those who haven’t got it so good. Is this why it is a white male dominated movement? I am using generalisations I know. But the Emer crowd has noticed this themselves. Should they look deeper than their own conversations and start looking towards their theology? Is ‘theology’ really such a dirty word? Surely they must see something doesn’t quite add up?

The kingdom, while already here, will progressively become like heaven as we attend to the social ills and needs around us. Tomorrow looks bright and the day after that looks brighter still.

I actually wonder if this move is so westernised that it will fail to move past the western borders in any great way. All this talk about being culturally relevant seems completely irrelevant to the persecuted church in China, Iran, India, Egypt, Ethiopia etc,. The only thing that the persecuted church covets is the need to be held up in prayer.

It is worth noting that the postmillennial system, which was nonexistent in the early days of church history, was originally systematized by liberal Unitarian minister Daniel Whitby (1638-1726). His system grew legs due partly to the optimism of the age, but lost steam when the two world wars of the twentieth century shattered dreams of the world progressively improving.

Since that time a more realistic understanding of human development has set in and most recognize that the earth is not only not moving toward utopia but is more likely closer to annihilation.

I wonder if this move will fizzle if things start to rock the boat. I wonder if this phenomenon will be examined more as time goes on? Time will tell I guess.

Joh 18:36  Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”

Where does the Emer camp sit with eschatology? Is it all about the NOW, and not so much about the near Future?

Well according to ‘The Big Event‘ the Kingdom of God goes something like this…

Imagine a world… A new vision for God’s Kingdom on earth

The kingdom of God is here and now

So what is their general understanding of the Kingdom of God?

[...]a consensus by both emerging and emergent leaders is expressed by Sherry and Geoff Maddock: “Our principle (sic) desire is to see God’s kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. We believe this happens when God’s people are renewed around God’s mission of love and justice in the world.”[1] The conversation apparently views the kingdom as being on earth now but progressively becoming like the kingdom in heaven as Christians live missionally on earth.

Such an understanding of the kingdom of God is obviously at odds with premillennialism,[...]

[1]Sherry Maddock and Geoff Maddock, “An Ever-Renewed Adventure of Faith, An Emergent Manifesto of Hope, p. 80.
@The Kingdom of Emergent Theology – Part 1 by Gary E Gilley

I venture to guess that those other Christians (you know who you are!!!) that dare think along the lines of dispensationalism and premillenialism will be criticised in one way or another.

In fact some may say that premillenialism is a theology that didn’t start until John Darby. But here is something of interest…

“One of [John] Bunyan’s contemporaries, Benjamin Keach, an illustrious predecessor of Spurgeon in the pastorate, has left a very full confession of his views on this point. He was brought to trial Oct. 8th, 1664, on two charges of Anabaptism and Millenarianism. As he stood before Lord Chief justice Hide, the representative of the [Church of England], he was summoned first to answer for his ‘damnable doctrine’ concerning baptism; which, being disposed of, the second article of indictment was taken up, viz., that he held ‘that the saints shall reign with Christ a thousand years.’ The judge pronounced this ‘an old heresy, which was cast out of the church a thousand years ago, and was likewise condemned by the Council of Constance five years afer, and hath lain dead ever since, till now this rascal hath revived it.’ He was condemned and sent to the pillory.” Taken from a review in The Sword and the Trowel (October, 1891, p. 581)

Hmmmm, perhaps premillenialism is not that new after all!

Related Articles

• History and Premillennialism Part I (The Early Church) Gary E Gilley
  
• Eschatology in Church History by Michael J. Vlach, Ph.D.

By the way… I have just added a website to my theology blogroll called ‘Theological Studies’, it looks pretty informative. And here is another one called ‘Think of These Things‘ by Gary E Gilley, not actually a blog but it has some interesting things on it.