College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

Luke 21:33-38

Butler's Comments

SECTION 4

Portends the Second Coming (Luke 21:33-38)

33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

34 But take heed to yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a snare; 35for it will come upon all who dwell upon the face of the whole earth. 36But watch at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of man.

37 And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet. 38And early in the morning all the people came to him in the temple to hear him.

Luke 21:33-36 World's End Heralded: Jesus makes a transitional statement by saying, Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away (Luke 21:33). The terrible destruction predicted of Jerusalem and Judaism shocked their Jewish mentality. It was as if the world was coming to an end! So Jesus is saying, Indeed, the world is going to come to an end (Heaven and earth will pass away)however, the destruction of Jerusalem is not the end of the world Jesus is emphasizing that His words concerning the destruction of Jerusalem will not pass awaythey will be fulfilled. Every promise He made, every prediction He made came to pass no matter how incredible it may have seemed to the Jewish mentality.

Then, as Matthew and Mark record, He said, But of that day (passing away of heaven and earth) and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only (Matthew 24:36; Mark 13:32).

From that statement onward Jesus gave one illustration after another to re-enforce His warning that no one would be able to know when He would return to destroy both heaven and earth. If this knowledge is excluded from angels and the Incarnate Son, how do present-day eschatology experts presume to be able to figure it out from Scriptures which even Jesus and the Jews had in their day? Was Jesus, with all His wisdom, unable to interpret Daniel, Chapter s 7 through 12, while modern-day dispensationalists are? To say that Jesus simply did not know the year or day of the month and the exact minute, but that He did tell us certain signs to look for and then know that it is near, makes this whole context ridiculous! If Jesus knew the time of the end of the world but declared He would not (or could not) tell it, the temptation to read into His every statement some subtle prediction as to the exact time would be almost overwhelming. Not only does Jesus not predict the time of the end, He cannot because God did not reveal it to Him while He was on earth. There is no excuse for anyone trying to predict the time of the Second Coming when we understand that even Jesus Himself did not know. The most important thing about eschatology is the emphasis on the certainty of the end of this world and of judgment (cf. Acts 17:30-31). There are some times and seasons which God has reserved for only Himself to know (cf. Acts 1:7). Where and when the rotten universe needs dealing with, there the Lord will come and deal with it. Where it needs dealing with is all over! When it needs dealing with, only He knows. Jesus never spoke of His final coming in terms of time or specific place, but in terms of condition. Men will try to exploit the Word of God and the faith of believers for their own greedy ends by telling everyone they know when the time of His coming will be. For emphasis we insert here a brief résumé of the remainder of Jesus-' discourse on the end of the world as recorded by Matthew and Mark:

It is as if Jesus had said, Let me illustrate.. for the remainder of this entire discourse (from Matthew 24:37 through Matthew 25:46; including Mark 13:34-37) is a series of parables to repeat the unexpectedness of the end of the world. Note the following emphasis:

(1)

Matthew 24:36 ... of that day and hour, no one knows..

(2)

Matthew 24:37-39 ... as the days of Noah. they did not know..

(3)

Matthew 24:42 ... watch. for you do not know..

(4)

Mark 13:35 ... watch. for you do not know..

(5)

Matthew 24:44 ... at an hour you do not expect..

(6)

Matthew 24:50 ... when not expected. when not known..

(7)

Matthew 25:13 ... you know neither the day nor the hour..

(8)

Matthew 25:19 ... after a long time..

(9)

Matthew 25:31 ... when the Son of man comes..

(10) Luke 21:34 ... and that day come upon you suddenly like a snare..

Jesus summarizes all the warnings and exhortations to faithfulness and watchfulness before He gives all the parabolic illustrations. Luke records that summarization and omits the parables. Jesus said the day the world ends will spring shut on mankind like a trap. So He warns those who believe Him to keep themselves from excessive attention to this world as if it is all the world there is ever going to be. Let no one be weighed down with worldiness or they shall be caught in the trap when it is suddenly tripped. The Greek word kraipale is translated, dissipation and means literally, headache or the stupor and hangover which comes from drunkenness. The word drunkenness is the Greek word methe which in English is combined with certain suffixes and becomes, methanol, methane, methyl, methylene, all having to do with a form of alcohol. The word cares is the Greek word merimnais. It is the same word Jesus used in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:25-34), translated anxious and means divided in mind. Jesus is saying that worry and divided loyalty is as unbecoming as revelling and drunkenness in light of the unexpectedness of the end of the world. An attitude of prayer (total dependence on God), resistance toward sin, and faithful stewardship in doing the Lord's work is the watchfulness Jesus says prepares the believer to stand before the Son of man when He finally returns. The parables of Jesus in Matthew and Mark clearly indicate the following conditions when the end comes suddenly:

As the days of Noah illustrates the end will come at a time of normalcy, Matthew 24:37-42.

Parable of the Householder illustrates God expects each human being to be doing His work, but many will be asleep, Mark 13:34-37.

Parable of the Thief at Night illustrates God is not going to signal the world ahead of time when He is coming, Matthew 24:43-44.

The Parable of the Wise and Wicked Servants illustrates that some will be ready for the Master's return because they are always ready, while others will believe He is delayed and continue to exploit their fellow servants, Matthew 24:45-51.

The Parable of The Ten Virgins illustrates that some are always prepared for the Bridegroom's coming, while others give no concern to prepare to meet Him, Matthew 25:1-13.

The Parable of the Talents illustrates the need for faithful use of the blessings God has given in proper preparedness for the end of the world, Matthew 25:14-30.

The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats illustrates the way to prepare for His coming and the Judgment is to be found practicing love for the needy in the affairs of every-day living, Matthew 25:31-46.

On the one hand there will be some who scoff at the very promise of His return and the end of the world (2 Peter 3:8-10). On the other hand there will be some who will be constantly saying they know when it will be, saying, Lo, here, or Lo, there, (Luke 17:23). But the true disciple of Christ will not be seduced by either miscalculation because he pays attention to what the Bible really saysno one knows, therefore, be constantly watchful.

Luke 21:37-38 Worshipers Eagerly Hearing: Luke now summarizes the public part of the last week. Every day Jesus came to the temple to teach, great crowds of eager people came early each morning to hear Him. He taught on Monday and Tuesday, and went out every night and lodged on the mount called Olivet which probably means in Bethany at the home of friends (Martha, Mary and Lazarus, or, Simon the Leper). After Tuesday evening when He went out to the Mount of Olives and delivered the discourse on the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the world, He probably never entered the temple as a public teacher again. Matthew 26:1-2 indicates the discourse on Jerusalem's destruction ended Tuesday evening, two days prior to the Passover supper. Mark 15:42 clearly says that Jesus was crucified on Friday (the day of Preparation), so Passover was on Thursday that week. We have no record of what took place on Wednesday. No doubt the Jewish rulers were making final arrangements with Judas to betray Jesus when they came to arrest Him. Jesus had probably retired to some place away from the busy Jerusalemprobably even away from Bethanywhere He and His disciples could be completely alone. He may have taught them some of the things not written (John 20:30-31) in the gospel records. There were probably crowds of eager worshipers sadly disappointed that Wednesday morning when Jesus did not appear.

STUDY STIMULATORS:

Why do you give to the Lord's work? Why should you give?

If giving only what is left over is not pleasing to God, what should one give?

Do you believe this widow gave everything she had between her and starvation? If God wanted you to do that, could you? Does He?

After reading the statements of Jesus prior to the prediction of the destruction of Jerusalem, and after reading the Jewish traditions about the Messianic age, what do you think your reaction would have been about not one stone left upon another?

If Jesus-' warning about not being frightened at wars and rumors of wars was concerning the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D., what about all the tribulation and rapture literature being published today?

Was the gospel preached to the whole world before the destruction of Jerusalem?

When was the time allotted to the Jews? When will the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled? When will all Israel be saved? Are you an Israelite?

Have you read the Old Testament passages using phrases about sun and moon being darkened in connection with the fall of empires? Do you think this is legitimate literary vehicle? Do you think Jesus might use them about Jerusalem's fall?

What are the signs preceding the Second Coming and the End of the World? When is it going to happen?

10.

How should the believer prepare himself for the end of the world?

ESCHATOLOGY

Non-Biblical and BiblicalA Brief
By Paul T. ButlerOBC Convention, 1977

INTRODUCTION

DEFINITIONS

Eschatology is from Greek, eschatos, last, and logia, knowledge or study. Eschatology is: a study of last things, i.e., studying what the Bible says about the end of this world and the 2nd Advent of Christ, judgment, etc.

There are many differing eschatological theories in the religious world today. Postmillennialism; Premillennialism; Dispensationalism; Amillennialism; each one of these having different theories.

We are going to deal with the general subject rather than with any specific theory.

II.

IMPORTANCE OF THE SUBJECT

A man's eschatology inevitably affects his:

Hermeneutics

Politics

Evangelism

Fellowship (Unity)

And, as a result of the above, his Ethics

We shall amplify this later in the study.

The Bible says a great deal about eschatology.

The eschatology of the Old Testament (last things) refers mainly to the last of the Old Testament dispensation and the coming of Christ and the church.

The eschatology of the New Testament refers mainly to the Second Coming of Christ.

Most New Testament books have references to His Second Coming/Judgment.

DISCUSSION

ERRONEOUS ESCHATOLOGY

The Late Great Planet Earth

The nation of Israel cannot be ignored; we see the Jews as a miracle of history. have survived as a distinct race. can trace their continuous unity back nearly 4000 years pg. 45, etc.

Answer: Who is a Jew? (Romans 2:28-29). Who is Israel? (Galatians 6:15-16). Jacob Gartenhaus, president of International Board of Jewish Missions, born in Austria and educated in rabbinical schools there, says: No Jew today can trace his ancestry back beyond two or three hundred years Christianity Today, 3-13-70.

There are only 3 million people in Israel today and 12% of those are Arabs; 3% are Christians. There are more Jews in New York city than in Israel.
The government of Israel today cannot even decide who a legal Jew is. Is Sammy Davis, Jr. a Jew? Will Jerry Lewis take up residence in Israel? Unlikely they will do so willingly!

Hal Lindsey predicts the return of the Messiah in 1988.. within forty years or so of 1948, all these things could take place. pg. 54. He says in his booklet Homo Sapiens, Extinction or Evacuation, pg. 20, You are the generation seeing these things; you are the generation which is not going to see physical death. I expect one day in my life to be physically called to see the Lord in the air, without seeing death.

Answer: I would like to have that assurance but I hesitate to jeopardize my credibility with such absolute predictions in view of so many other absolute predictions missed.

By 1988 the Jewish Temple and reinstitution of Jewish sacrifices will have to be accomplished (pgs. 54-57).

Answer: This contradicts the teachings of Romans, Galatians and Hebrews as to the abrogation of the Jewish system of sacrifices and the finality of the Christian system.

In his attempt to make Russia and Egypt the object of Daniel 11:1-45 (kings of north and kings of south) he says Cush means black man in Hebrew (pg. 13-14 of Homo Sapiens). One Hebrew lexicon (Young'S) out of scores of others gives black as a meaning of the Hebrew word Cush. All other lexicons give another Hebrew word as the word used for black.

Answer: Daniel 11:1-45 very evidently refers to the history of the Seleucids prior to the First Coming of the Messiah.

On page 112 Lindsey talks of the False Prophet he says is predicted in Revelation 13:11-18 and thinks the False Prophet will be from the tribe of Dan.

Answer: The 12 tribes of Jews in Revelation 7:1-17 which so many think apply to the restored Jews in Israel do not even include the tribe of Dan!

On page 139 Lindsey says 1 Corinthians 15:50 teaches that Christians cannot inherit the Kingdom of God in the type of bodies we now haveflesh and blood. However, he says, the gospels and the Old Testament teach there will be certain people who will inherit for a time the Kingdom of God in bodies of flesh and blood. And this is going to be the millennial kingdom ruled over by Christ here on earth!

Answer: Does God contradict Himself? Is His Spirit the author of a confusing revelation?

There are many more exegetical and hermeneutical errors in this book and his other books. We cannot deal with them all in this study.

Seventh-Day Adventists (Signs of the Times)

Following Ussher's chronology William Miller interpreted the 2300 days of Daniel as 2300 years and predicted Christ would return to earth in 1843. That didn-'t happen so they set Oct. 22, 1844. That didn-'t happen, so they said Christ passed from one section of heaven to another in 1844 to perform a work known as the investigative judgment.

Their view of the 1000 years of Revelation 20:1-15: During the one thousand years the earth lies desolate; Satan and his angels are confined here; and the saints, with Christ, sit in judgment on the wicked preparatory to their final punishment.

Jehovah's Witnesses (Watchtower)

There is another way that helps confirm the fact that we are living in the final few years of this -time of the end.-' (Daniel 12:9). The Bible shows that we are nearing the end of a full 6000 years of human history.. According to reliable Bible chronology, Adam and Eve were created in 4026 B.C.E.

4026 B.C.E. to 1 B.C.E

4025 years

1 B.C.E. to 1 C.E.

1 year

1 C.E. to 1968 C.E

1967 years

Total to autumn 1968

5993 years

This would leave only seven more years from the autumn of 1968 to complete 6000 full years of human history. That seven-year period will evidently finish in the autumn of the year 1975. Quoted from A wake dated Oct. 1968.

They predicted Christ came to earth in 1914, invisibly!

Oswald J. Smith, in his book, Is the Antichrist at Hand? said:

I have been studying with interest. the prophetic writings of. diligent students of the Bible.. Of all. those who have undertaken to work out the chronological forecast, there is not one who sets any date beyond 1934. The earliest suggested by these writers is 1928.

If our chronology is correct, it means that all these things, including the Great Tribulation, the revival of the Roman Empire, the reign of the Antichrist and the Battle of Armageddon, must take place before the year 1933.

Some Other Date setters:

Augustine calculated the end of human history would be about 650 A.D.

Then eschatology buffs focused on the year 1000 A.D.

Then the Second Coming was predicted for 1044, 1065, and other dates.

I. M. Holdeman, pastor First Baptist Church of New York, said in 1911, ... the hour is ripe for the moment when the Lord shall descend and gather His Church to Himself.

W. E. Blackstone, in his book, Jesus Is Coming, printed in 1898, said, ... His coming, the rapture, is near.

In January, 1963, a well-known Bible teacher in So. California entitled an article Jesus Will Come in 1968!

On April 17, 1971, the Minneapolis Star carried a review of a book, God, History and the End of the World, in which Kenneth Aune, the author, claims that in March, 1990, will come the battle of Jerusalem, the return of Jesus Christ, and the battle of Armageddon.

May 10, 1974an Israeli tour guide (see Christian Standard, Ed. 8-18-74)

II.

EFFECT OF ERRONEOUS ESCHATOLOGY

Confusion and Ridicule

The non-christian world looks at the multitude of different predictions.

It scorns and ridicules Christianity and the Bible and the Church because every date set in the past (set by apparently sincerely convinced prophecy scholars) has been wrong!

It asks, Is there any truth to the Bible at all; if so, which religious group has the truththey all differ on one of the most important doctrines of the Bibles, the end of time.

Even Christians are prompted to become disillusioned and suspicious of their Bible teachers when faced with the errors and confusion.

Erroneous Hermeneutics and Wresting the Scriptures

The theory of Premillennialism and Dispensationalism asserts that Christ came to earth for the purpose of setting up His kingdom. Quite by surprise, He was rejected by the Jews, however, and established the church instead. When He returns, He will allegedly raise only the righteous dead, after which He will restore national Israel, sit upon David's literal throne in Jerusalem and subsequently reign for 1000 years. After this, the resurrection of the wicked dead and the final judgment are supposed to occur.

This violates proper hermeneutics because:

It reflects upon the integrity of Bible prophecy by implying that the Jewish rejection of Christ was a miscarriage in God's plan. However, the Old Testament clearly foretold that rejection (Isaiah 53:1 ff.; John 12:37-38; Psalms 118:22-23; Matthew 21:46, etc.).

It denies plain Bible teaching concerning the establishment of the kingdom in the first century (Daniel 2:44; Isaiah 2:2-4; Acts 2:16-17; Colossians 1:13; Revelation 1:4; Revelation 1:6; Revelation 1:9).

It suggests that the church was not a part of God's eternal purpose, but only an interim (parenthesis) emergency measure -i-' (Ephesians 3:10; Revelation 13:8; Acts 20:28).

It denies that Christ is now seated on David's throne (Zechariah 6:12-13; Hebrews 8:1; Luke 1:32-33; Acts 2:30; Revelation 3:21).

It denies that we are in the last days (Acts 2:16-17), and that Christ's next coming will end this world. (1 Corinthians 15:24; Luke 17:26-30).

It teaches, contrary to the Bible, that Christ will come again to deal with sin through a Jewish economy (Hebrews 9:28).

It affirms, contrary to Scripture, that there will be two literal resurrections from the dead, 1000 years apart (John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15).

It denies the expressed symbolic nature of the book of Revelation by literalizing its figures (Revelation 1:1; Revelation 20:1-6).

It denies that through the redemptive work of the First Coming of Christ only, must Jew and Gentile become one (Galatians 3:1 ff.; Ephesians 2:11-22, etc.).

It denies that Zion of the Old Testament Prophets had its fulfillment in the New Testament church (cf. Hebrews 12:22).

Unjust Politics

Oswald T. Allis in an article in Christianity Today, entitled, Israel's Transgression in Palestine, Dec. 24, 1956, made an ethical evaluation of the Zionist/U.N. partitioning of Palestine.

The Zionists appeal to Genesis 18:18 to prove the Jews should claim sovereignty of Palestine. BUT DOES THIS SCRIPTURE GIVE THE ISRAELI A CLEAR TITLE TO PALESTINE? NO!

This promise was conditioned upon obedience. The Jews have disobeyed God from the days of Moses even to the rejection of the Messiah.

Any restoration of the Jews was conditioned upon repentance (Deuteronomy 30:1-10).

Any return to a Jewish economy to seek the Lord would place them in a position impossible to repent (cf. Hebrews 6:1-20; Hebrews 10:1-39).

The dispersion of the Jews and the taking of their place from them was a punishment from God (Matthew 21:43; Matthew 24:2; Luke 21:24).

Jesus and His apostles predicted the end of the Jewish economy and nationalism (John 4:23; Luke 4:23-29; Ephesians 3:1-13, etc.).

There is little spiritual difference between the Jews of America and the Jews of Palestine. A believing Jew is today as near heaven in the U.S., where 5 million of his fellow Israelites now live and apparently expect to continue to live, as if he were in Jerusalem. An unbelieving Jew is just as far from Heaven in Jerusalem as he would be in New York or London.

The attempt to restore the Jews to Palestine has proved to be unjust in itself and highly dangerous to the peace of the world. Palestine did not belong to the British. It did not and does not belong to the U.N. The persecution of the Jews by the Nazis and now by the Russians is unjust. But allowing the Jews to take possession of a large part of Palestine and to force hundreds of thousands of Arabs out of it is an equally grievous wrong.

Division and Schism

Christians may have widely divergent views in regard to the Second Coming of Christ.

All views must be submitted to the crucible of proper hermeneutics.

But division comes when the particular view is overemphasized to such an extent that it becomes a test of fellowship.

And this continues to be made such a test of fellowship by churches, colleges, and individuals.

It also becomes a heresy when it draws people away from the church (Armstrongism, J.W.s, etc.).

Evangelism

It tends to stifle evangelism because it majors in prophecy dates, charts, signs, etc., and minors in the plan of salvation given in the New Testament.

It tends to unethical, scare-tactic, pressure evangelism.

Many use the signs of the times (the phrase is used only once in the Bible, Matthew 16:3, and referred to His first coming, not His 2nd) to bring believers into line, and convert hard-case unbelievers.

This approach seems to say that what is really important is to be in good shape at that particular point in time when Christ appears about to return. It's the old I-don-'t-want-to-be-caught-in-there-when-Jesus-returns syndrome. It suggests in a veiled way that the mark we get on our ethical report card is the mark we happen to receive on the pop quiz given at the Parousia rather than the cumulative grade for the entire course.

Jesus said, ... occupy till I come (Luke 19:13). He did not say, Only be found occupying when I come.

Some very extreme views connected with eschatology:

Russia with all of her current satellites and all she might acquire in the future, will not be able to successfully invade Israel. ISRAEL IS INVINCIBLE UNLESS GOD IS VULNERABLE, Maranatha Trumpet.

Christ will not come back to the earth until the Jewish people ask Him to come back.. This is the basis of the Second Coming of Christ.. Satan knows that once Christ returns his career will be finished.. He also understands that Christ will not come back until the Jews ask Him to come back. If Satan can succeed in destroying all the Jews before they have a chance to ask Christ to come back, Christ will not come back and Satan will be safe. That is why Satan is in an all-out campaign to destroy the Jews.. The power of the Second Coming of Christ is very much in the hands of Israel. The Chosen People, May 1975.

This false Messiah will fool the Jews by doing miracles through the devil who will have entered his body in the middle of the 7 years. At this point in time, the Jews will look in the Bible to see if this man comes out of the predicted blood line of David. The Jews will find that this line or family tree ends with Christ (since he was killed and had no children). The Jews will also discover that the prophecies about the true Messiah fit only Christ. When the Jews have finally repented of their misconception about Christ, the world will see the appearance of Jesus Christ in person who will come in power and force to establish a Kingdom of Peace to last 1000 years on this present earth. The Jews will finally have their promised kingdom which in the final analysis, fulfills Old Testament promises to the Jews. An unsigned paper in the author's files.

III.

ESSENTIAL ESCHATOLOGY

Certainty of His Coming

The most important thing about biblical eschatology is its emphasis on the certainty of the end of this world order, the Coming of Christ, and judgment.

The Coming Judge, by Seth Wilson, pub. Christian Standard, 4-12-58: He (Jesus) is far more than a prophet in the past. He is a power in the present. And He is the most certain and significant of all the prospects for the future!

There is only one way to be certain Jesus is Coming Againthat is to take His word for it. He promised it and His promises are authenticated by His resurrection from the dead.

The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all men everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all men by raising him from the dead (Acts 17:30-31).

THE ONLY SIGN OR ASSURANCE WE NEED THAT HE IS COMING AGAIN IS HIS RESURRECTION. THAT ASSURANCE WILL CALL MEN TO REPENTANCE.

The eye witnessed, empirically verified, historically authenticated resurrection is all-sufficient testimony to His Second Coming. Human predictions about signs of the times are subject to all the enigma and vagary of speculation.

Jesus promised His return: Matthew 16:27; Matthew 24:30 b; Matthew 24:37-42; Matthew 24:43-51; Matthew 25:1-13; Matthew 25:14-31; Matthew 26:64; Matthew 17:26-27; Matthew 19:11-27.

The angels promised His Return: Acts 1:11.

The apostles promised His Return: 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Acts 3:20-21; 1 Peter 1:7; 1 Peter 5:4; 2 Peter 3:3-4; James 5:7; Hebrews 9:28; 1 John 2:28; Revelation 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:7; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 1 Corinthians 11:26; 1 Corinthians 15:23; Philippians 3:20-21; Colossians 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-4; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; 2 Timothy 4:1-8; Titus 2:13.

The Time of His Coming

But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only (Matthew 24:36; Mark 13:32-33). THE TRUTH OF THAT STATEMENT HAS ALREADY BEEN VERIFIED BY THE SPECULATORS OF THE PAST WHO WERE SURE THEY KNEW FROM THE SIGNS OF THEIR TIMES.

He will come as a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3; Matthew 24:27-51; Matthew 25:1-13; 2 Peter 3:8-10). There will be no preliminary announcements ahead of His coming! He will come unexpectedlysuddenly!

No one will miss knowing when He comesthere will be no secret coming or rapture. The next time Jesus comes it will be with a shout and trumpet blast to be heard by all the living and the deadevery eye shall see Him (cf. Revelation 1:7; Matthew 24:26-31; 1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16).

THE EMPHASIS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT IS THE NEED TO BE READY AT ALL TIMES! Setting dates; making lists of signs of the end; speculative and divisive dogmas devitalize and weaken this readiness!

He is coming when people will be doing the normal things of life, eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage (Matthew 24:37-38).

There will be no abnormal, extra-ordinary signs pointing to His soon coming. The Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect (Matthew 24:44).

Particulars Concerning His Coming

Seth Wilson, ibid.: The Lord has revealed only a few particulars. .. of the great events which will take place when He comes. No doubt there are many things in store for us that we have not been told because we could not grasp and appreciate them now. Very likely some of the things predicted will not happen as we imagine them.

The dead will be raised (1 Thessalonians 4:16; John 5:28-29).

Those alive will be changed into bodies fitting them for their eternal destiny (Philippians 3:21; 1 Corinthians 15:52-54; Romans 8:23-25).

The redeemed will (the resurrected and changedall together) be with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

The world and its carnal works will be burned up, melted, (2 Peter 3:11-13).

A crown of glory will be given to the faithful (2 Timothy 4:8; 1 Peter 5:4).

Christ, with His angels, will execute judgment upon all men (2 Timothy 4:1; Jude 1:14-15; Acts 10:42; Acts 17:31; John 5:22-29; 2 Corinthians 5:10, etc.).

Many will be rejected who thought they were saved (Matthew 7:21-23; Matthew 22:13-14; Luke 13:25-27, etc.).

The opportunity for salvation will be forever closed (Luke 13:25-28).

10.

There will be grief and terror in the hearts of many because they are unprepared to meet Him (Matthew 24:30; Matthew 24:50-51; Matthew 25:30, etc.).

IV.

EFFECT OF ESSENTIAL ESCHATOLOGY

Purity of Living

Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of persons ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting. for the coming of the day of God. (2 Peter 3:11-12).

... we know that when he appears we shall be like him,. and every one who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure (1 John 3:2-3).

MORE EMPHASIS ON THE CERTAINTY OF HIS COMING AND ON THE IMMINENT URGENCY OF IT (DAILY, HOURLY URGENCY) WOULD PROMOTE MORE GODLINESS THAN ALL THE PROMOTIONAL GIMMICKS AND ENTERTAINMENT SESSIONS OF ALL THE CHURCHES PUT TOGETHER!

More sermons are needed on Judgment, The End of the World, The Second Coming.

Encouragement For Endurance of Trials and Tests

... we who are alive. shall be caught up together. to meet the Lord in the air; and so we shall always be with the Lord.. Therefore comfort one another with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:17-18).

But rejoice in so far as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed (1 Peter 4:13).

CHRISTIANS WHO TRUST THAT CHRIST IS COMING AGAIN TO RIGHT ALL WRONGS, TO VINDICATE ALL COMMITMENTS, TO JUDGE ALL SECRETS. TAKE COURAGE AND ENDURE, CONFIDENT THAT CHRIST WILL VINDICATE THEM PERFECTLY!

Evangelism

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive good or evil, according to what he has done in the body. Therefore knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men. (2 Corinthians 5:10-11).

THE REMAINDER OF THAT CHAPTER SPEAKS OF BEING AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST.

He has commanded all men everywhere to repent, in that he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world. (Acts 17:31).

JESUS MAY COME TODAY! WE MUST PREACH THE WORD WITH ALL URGENCY IN SEASON AND OUT OF SEASON.

EVERY MAN AND WOMAN MUST AT LEAST HEAR AND BE GIVEN OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND!

It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work. (Mark 13:34).

Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master when he comes shall find so doing (Matthew 24:45-46).

Contemporaneity

Michael Green in an article in Christianity Today, 1-1-65 says: I believe that in this biblical doctrine of the Christian hope (the Second Coming) we have an intelligible answer to the modern quest for purpose in the world.

Quest for Personal Identity: Man is in quest of personal identity. What is he worth? What does he matter? What is his destiny? That God is Coming Again in His Son to consummate His great redemptive work for man (the end of God's whole cosmic scheme) in a personal appearance is a message that is relevant in our depersonalized age!

Quest for Realism: Man is skeptical in our age of any theory of regeneration or redemption of society or the cosmos which is unsupported by hard facts.

Is the Christian doctrine of a returning, redeeming Christ realistic in the 20th century?. Is the Christian optimism that all will be well in the end justifiable? Or is it a fantasy, a fairy tale like all the schemes of men?

The Christ who came and who will come, just because of this, IS COMING TO US DAY BY DAY, CHALLENGING US CONSTANTLY FOR AN ENTRANCE INTO OUR LIVES.. SEEKING OUR FELLOWSHIP!

God's purpose is to demonstrate NOW, in this world, this transitory world, the beauty, power, holiness, and permanence of the age to come. He who has called us out of this world is Holy. He who will come for us is Holy. In the meantime, He has given us His Holy Spirit to work out in our lives something of the character of the age to come.

CONCLUSION

ERRONEOUS ESCHATOLOGY BRINGS REPROACH UPON GOD'S WORD AND HIS CHURCH: IT CREATES DIVISION: IT DISCOURAGES: IT HINDERS PRODUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY.

II.

ESSENTIAL ESCHATOLOGY DOES NOT CREATE DIVISION: PROMOTES PURITY OF LIVING: GIVES ENCOURAGEMENT: URGES EVANGELISM: FILLS THE NEEDS OF CONTEMPORARY MAN.

III.

THE LORD DOES WANT US TO KNOW SOME THINGS ABOUT THE FUTURE.

He wants us to know that Christ is coming personally to this world of time and space again just as certainly as He came forth from the dead in a time-space event.
He wants us to know there is a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory beyond this world which will be destroyed completely.
Therefore let us be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. for we know our labor is not in vain in the Lord.

A LIMITED BIBLIOGRAPHY OF BOOKS AND ARTICLES HELPFUL IN THE AREA OF ESCHATOLOGY

BOOKS

Prophecy And The Church, by Oswald T. Allis, The Presbyterian and Reformed Pub. Co. (deals with Dispensationalism)

The Time Is at Hand, by Jay Adams, The Presbyterian and Reformed Pub. Co. (a commentary on Revelation proposing Realized Millennialism)

Worthy Is The Lamb, by Ray Summers, Broadman Pub. (a commentary on Revelation from amillennial viewpoint)

The Meaning and Message of The Book of Revelation, by E. A. McDowell, Broadman Pub. (a commentary on Revelation - amillennial)

JeremiahLamentations, by James E. Smith, College Press, pub. (esp. Special Study entitled Jehovah's Witnesses and the Seventy Years Prophecy. (a commentary)

Thinking Through Thessalonians, by Wilbur Fields, College Press, pub. (see all the Special Studies in this book) (a commentary)

God's Prophetic Word, by Foy E. Wallace, Jr., Gospel Advocate, pub. Out of print. (a series of lectures on dispensationalism)

Prophecy & Premillennialism, by James D. Bales, Bales, pub. (studies on New Testament fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies)

Millennial Studies, by George L. Murray, pub. Baker (an excellent refutation of basic errors of premillennialism)

10.

Daniel, by Paul T. Butler, College Press, pub. (a commentary)

11.

Minor Prophets, by Paul T. Butler, College Press, pub. (a commentarysee esp. Introductory section)

12.

Isaiah, in 3 volumes, by Paul T. Butler, College Press, pub. (a commentarysee esp. Introductory section)

13.

The End Time, by Russell Boatman, pub. College Press

ARTICLES

Is the Lord's Return Imminent?, by Rodger N. Elliott, Christian Standard, 6-9-74

Signs Of Confusion, by Earl D. Radmacher, Moody Monthly, May 1974

Why Eternity Must Follow the Second Advent, by Wick Broomall, Christian News, not dated

The Coming Judge, by Seth Wilson, Christian Standard, 4-12-58

When Is Jesus Coming Again?, by Seth Wilson, Lookout, 3-11-56

Outlines of Matthew 24:1-51; Matthew 25:1-46, by Paul T. Butler, 3-8-81/3-15-81, Xerox

A Secret Rapture Considered, by Seth Wilson, OBC Compass, Oct. 1973

MODERN PROPHECY EXAMINED

(Acts 20:28-32)

By Paul T. ButlerOBC Convention, 1978

INTRODUCTION

There were both true and false prophets in the first century church.

The New Testament is replete with instructions and warnings about those who are to be listened to and not listened to.

The most frightening aspect of New Testament teaching on prophecy is that the false prophets will arise from within the brotherhood of believers!

II.

There was a special charismatic gift of prophecy given to some in the first century church.

That was given only by the laying on of the hands of the apostles (see lesson on Paul's Power to Give Charismatic Power).

This ceased (and was intended to cease) when the perfected church arrived (see lesson from last year's convention on Gifts, Miracles, by Butler), or when the apostles died.

III.

So, we will look at the phenomenon of Modern Prophecy from these two conclusions.

Even when there were true prophets, not all who claimed to be prophets were to be followed. and

The New Testament indicates the miraculous gift of prophecy was to cease with the apostles deaths.

DISCUSSION

Who are the Modern prophets and what are they prophesying?

Ever since the end of the apostolic age self-appointed prophets have been predicting and revealing messages from God (so they say).

No two of them seem to agree on interpreting events or times.

Hardly any of them agree doctrinally (except on charismatic gifts for today).

There are hundreds of them just in the Midwestlet alone the other hundreds all over the world.

I will deal with just a few because they are basically all alikefalse!

Salem Kirban, author of Guide to Survival, and other books and films

Rapture must occur 7 years before 2000 A.D., but there is a 4-year error in our calendar, therefore the Rapture is to be in 1989 and the Millennium begins in 1996 (after 7 years tribulation).

Then Mr. Kirban states, However, nowhere in God's word does He tell us the exact date. for the Rapture.

David Webber, Pastor of Southwest Radio Church, Oklahoma City, Okla. and publisher of The Gospel Truth.

Refers to Gorge Orwell's 1984 for the prediction that by that date a world dictator would control all nations; refers to Hal Lindsey's book and to movies with apocalyptic warnings like The Birds, Earthquake, The Omen which testify to these things which are soon coming upon the earth.

Mr. Webber says, Scripture indicts ministers and pastors who refuse to investigate the signs of the time leading to Christ's return, and warn the unsaved to prepare, as being ignorant, hypocrites, and false prophets (Matthew 16:3; 2 Peter 3:3-5).

Mr. Webber's time table is: 1974-78 Jewish temple rebuilt; 1981-85 Beginning of the Tribulation; Beginning of the Kingdom age 1997-2001.

Morris Cerullo, World Evangelism, San Diego, Calif. (produced T.V. program Masada)

Ezekiel's prophecy of the dry bones predicted the Nazi slaughter of 6 million Jews, and the survival of modern Israel.

This is the beginning the exact summer season.

This generation that sees the birth of the nation of Israel.. is in the summer season (he cites Luke 21:29-33).

I tell you, I would not trade places with Moses, with Elijah, with any of the apostles. I would rather be alive today. This is the greatest moment of history, when the trumpet of God will sound, and your Lord and mine will come..

When I was only 15 years old. God dealt with me in a vision in which I was caught up into the heavens and I stood as close to the glory of God as when Moses spoke face to face with Him.. The brightness of his glory moved from the place where He had stood, there were two holes in the shape of footprints left in the heaven through which I could see countless thousands of people going to hell without Christ.. In the vision I moved to stand in these open footprints. and my feet fit exactly where His had been.. I knew that God had called me to go to the multitudes of this world with the message of salvation..

Dr. Charles Taylor, Redondo Beach, Calif., author of Get All Excited, Jesus is Coming Soon.

First predicted the Rapture in 1975

Then changed, saying, 1948 Israel established

Makes this generation (Matthew 24:34) point of reference; a generation in the Bible Isaiah 35:1-10 years acc. to Job 42:16

Thus the Rapture will be Sept. 25, 1976 (Feast of Trumpets and a Sabbath day)

Millennium is to begin in 1983

Joel Darby, Book Fellowship Tract, (Tract entitled, Why All the Vultures)

A new breed of vultures has appeared in Israel, a breed never seen before.

They are multiplying at 3 times the normal rate in Israel.

This is a sign of the end time, writes a former Rabbi Michael Esses, in his new book, Next Visitor to Planet Earth, pub. Logos, Plainfield, N.J. 07060.

Whereas these buzzards normally lay one egg at a time, they are now laying FOUR!

According to Reuters News Agency, Russia has bought large quantities of powerful archery equipment from the British, also draught horses from all over the world.

At any rate the amazing multiplication of the buzzard population right now should warn any careless Christian to get busy and work.. God would not be off on His timing.. He would not provide for the vastly increased buzzard population NOW if the need for them was 10 or 20 years hence!

Christian church people

Christian Standard, March 15, 1969, art. entitled Crisis in the Middle East.

Applies Daniel's prophecies in ch. 11 to the Second Coming of Christ, suggesting that Armageddon may be within the near future.

Applies Ezekiel 38:1-23; Ezekiel 39:1-29 to return of the Jews to Palestine now and the immediate future.

At a widely attended men's clinic in the late 1950'S a college professor's prediction of Communist terror Within 4 years we-'ll all be dead or wish to God we were! was proclaimed.

The Exhorter, a publication of Churches of Christ, Hammond, La., With the amazing acceleration of human history in the last few years, we would expect to see the fulfillment of these prophecies (Zechariah 14:1-21; as applied to Israel's return to Palestine, etc.) in a very short space of time. date of paper, January 1969

This is just a drop in the bucket: Billy Graham, David Wilkerson, Oral Roberts, Richard DeHahn, Pastor Pack, Bill Bright, Rev. Moon, Armstrongites, J.W.s, 7th Day Adventists, Mormons, on and on they go, disagreeing both in prophecies and doctrines.
MILLIONS OF PEOPLE GIVE MILLIONS AND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO PROMOTE PEOPLE WHOSE MAIN EFFORTS ARE SPENT PREACHING AND PRINTING SUCH USELESS VERBIAGE.

II.

Why are they prophesying thus?

There are some who mistakenly think such a literal view of the Old Testament Prophets and Revelation is equal to a fundamentalism.

If we believe the Bible as the infallible and inspired word of God, then we must also believe that God has set a day before the literal return of Christ to the earth in which everyone will have to worship the Antichrist as God in order to get their code and number. from The Midnight Cry, pub. by Dr. Wm. F. Beirnes, Shoals, Indiana

Numerous passages in the Bible predict the return of Israel to the land. It is difficult to find any doctrines taught more clearly or emphatically in God's word. Yet, many people have failed to accept this truth. They have either ignored these passages, or said that they were fulfilled in the return of the Jewish captivity from Babylon, or that they were figuratively fulfilled in the church. from The Exhorter, already cited

He (God) made a covenant with Abraham, promising a large portion of the Middle East. for him and his descendants. The covenant is unconditional.. and we, knowing Him who made the promise, totally support the people and land of Israel in their God-given, God-promised, God-ordained right to exist. Any person or group of nations opposed to this right isn-'t just fighting Israel, but God and time itself. in the New York Times over the name of the American Board of Mission to the Jews, supported by 48 named churches.

Fascination with and psychological need for knowing the unknown

This has been true of people ever since the garden of Eden.

It was a problem with the first century church (Thessalonians, Corinthians, etc.).

Martin Gardner, reviewer of Close Encounters of the Third Kind, says, Long having lost faith in science and politics, millions of Americans are now longing for a mystical breakthrough from the skies which will usher in the Age of Aquairius.

Many people are looking for God to solve the problems of the Christian who has to face an ungodly world by supernatural intervention rather than through hard, faithful discipleship.

Fascination with all these details of so-called Bible prophecies relieves people from the hard things in Christianity.

If we can believe that the main thrust of God's redemptive program is going to deal with circumstances (land, armies, temples, etc.) we may hope in that as His ultimate program.

BUT THE MAIN THRUST OF GOD'S REDEMPTIVE PROGRAM IS THE CHANGING OF THE NATURE OF THE INDIVIDUAL.

The essential elements of all the dispensational, pre-millennial systems may be found in the Jewish Apocryphal writings.

The New Testament tells us we do not need to know times or seasons which God has set in His own authority (2nd Coming, etc.). We do not need to know what type of resurrection body we will have. There are many things we do not need to know..

C. S. Lovett, Personal Christianity, Baldwin Park, Calif. The Holy Spirit has given us a unique method for unlocking the deeper truths. If, for example, you were reading Lovett's Lights on Thessalonians, the books that offer Paul's comments on antichrist and the rapture of the church (which I strongly believe in), you-'d find your imagination set on fire..

Instant Evangelism

The signs of our time indicate the days of this age are winding down, and God does not want us to be ignorant when the day of Christ's return is at hand.. We must be about the Father's business, urging the lost to be saved. before that terrible day of darkness falls upon the earth. from the Midnight Cry already cited.

Unlike other missions, Jewish missions is not merely evangelistic. The purpose of missions in general is to evangelize and disciple. But Jewish missions is more so. Not only does Jewish missions seek to evangelize. it is also a prophetic ministry.. The Chosen People, already cited.

Hal Lindsey's books appeal for urgent evangelism because the time is short..

In some way or another, these prophets seem to think they can by-pass the plain urgings of Jesus to insist that people count the cost, that Christian discipleship should be based on conviction, not emotion.

They think that all these count-downs and horror pictures will persuade people to repent.

Revelation 9:20 ff. plainly says that all the terrible things symbolized by the Trumpets (judgments upon the Roman empire) did not cause the rest of mankind to repent!

I was in a Christian Service Camp a few years ago (Guadalupe, N.M.) and a preacher was showing his slides of the Holy Land and preaching on the Rapture, etc., and 5 or six kids got so upset they started crying and making long distance phone calls to make sure their parents were home.

Zionism is politically chic!

Some people consider it a test of your relationship to Christ that you believe the Jews have a biblical right to Palestine.

We have already cited the quotation in II. A. 4.

Time magazine continually prints editorials and articles on the Jews returning to Palestine Thus Judaism. and Israel, have a commanding moral claim to Jerusalem. Time, 12-27-71.

U.S. Presidents from Truman to the present have been forced by powerful Jewish opinion to politically support something that although politically expedient, was actually unethical!

What really upsets me is the fact that most of our U. S. congressmen blasted their own countrymen for trying to protect the sovereign land of S. Vietnam against invasion by N. Vietnam (agreed to by treaty), and on the other hand acclaimed the U. N. partitioning of Palestine in 1948 to the Jews, forcing Palestinians out, as right.

Ego-trip, fame, gather a following (3 John 1:9).

The scriptures indicate this as a motive for false teachers and false prophets.

... from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.. (Acts 20:30).

The indication in 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; 1 Corinthians 14:1-40 is that people were even using bona fide gifts of tongues and prophecy for ego-trips.

There are thousands and thousands of itching-eared people who do not want to endure sound doctrine and accumulate to themselves teachers to suit their own likings, and turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths (2 Timothy 4:1-5). THERE ARE EGO-HUNGRY PREACHERS WILLING TO EXPLOIT THESE ITCHING EARED PEOPLE TO MAKE LUCRATIVE LIVINGS AT IT!

Even the People of God, led by Moses David, use modern prophetism to recruit and obtain members and money, Bicentennial Issue of Que Sera, Sera (would you help us with a donation, please!).

Money

One example; many others might be cited

Rex Humbard's Archives of Faith for Sinners

In anticipation of the soon coming of Christ, the rapture and the 7 years of Great Tribulation (during which it will not be easy for those who are left).

After Humbard and all other saved Christians have been raptured only unrepentant sinners will remain on earth.
Mr. Humbard will be on video tapes to tell them how to reach salvation. Just push a button, and he-'ll be there. The right to record a personal testimony to a maximum length of four handwritten pages is now being offered to anyone for a donation of $100. These microfilmed testimonies will represent a reservoir of faith for those left behind. At the archives there will be a film explaining what has happened with the rapture, etc. The first one to record a personal testimony will be Johnny Cash. he will not have to pay the $100 because he has contributed liberally in the past.
The date of the rapture, according to Humbard, is uncertain, but all those who have been born again know we are on the verge of the Lord's return. While it is true that no one knows the day or the hour, there is something on the inside of each believer that tells him the Lord is soon to return.
Mr. Humbard emphasized that the inclusion of names or testimonies in the archives was not a guarantee of salvation.. We-'re just fixing to memorialize some people who help us do the job.

Of course, the recent expose of the Armstrong fortunes reminds us that they got it from majoring in this kind of modern-day prophetism.

Granted, not all those who think they are prophets today are charlatans or ego-maniacs. Some of them probably would not even claim to be prophets but merely interpreters of Bible prophecies. This, may be another subject for study altogetherhowever, it is interesting that practically all those who have claimed to receive revelations and prophesy, and those who give literal dispensational-pre-millennial interpretations to Bible prophecies AGREE on current events of history!
And God told me to tell my partners that the moment they hear me say $77 or $777 or multiples of 7'S, to act upon it quickly Oral Roberts, Abundant Life, January 1978.

III.

What God Says about Prophets

Biblical tests of a True Prophet

They speak ONLY in the name of God or Christ (Deuteronomy 13:1-5; Deuteronomy 18:20).

False prophets may predict the future or work signs (Deuteronomy 13:1-18).

Satan can do signs (2 Thessalonians 2:9; Revelation 13:13-15).

God may allow a prophet to be self-deceived and to deceive sinful peoples as punishment (Ezekiel 14:9-11).

This is not the only test because a false prophet may pretend to speak in the name of the Lord (Jeremiah 29:8-9).

In the name of, means, by the authority of.

We have not only the right but the obligation to challenge every alleged prophecy or prophet with the proposition that the ONLY AUTHORITATIVE WORD FROM GOD FROM NOW UNTIL THE END OF TIME IS CONTAINED IN THE 66 BOOKS OF OUR BIBLE!

Even authentic prophets can be deceived! (1 Kings 13:1-34).

They speak ONLY by revelation or inspiration.

If prophets of biblical times practiced augury, sorcery, divination, they were rejected as false (Deuteronomy 18:9-14).

Heathen magical practices were not practiced by true prophets of God.

Deceivers who prophesy lie (Ezekiel 12:24; Ezekiel 22:28; Jeremiah 14:14; Micah 3:7; Micah 3:11); they speak their own heart, not God's revelation (Jeremiah 23:16; Jeremiah 23:26; Ezekiel 13:2).

True prophets receive direct revelations from Jehovah (Numbers 12:6).

False prophets may claim visions and dreams (Deuteronomy 13:1-5; Ezekiel 14:9-11).

Modern day prophets appeal to soothsayers like Jeanne Dixon; scientists; military prognosticators; even to Reader's Digest and current events to validate their prophecies.

Examples:

The Midnight Cry (already cited): The November 1976 Reader's Digest carries an interesting story related to our subject entitled -Coming Soon; Electronic Money.-' -This (cashless society) is what both the Bible predicts and financial experts now affirm.-'

The Gospel Truth (already cited): George Orwell in his book, 1984, predicted that by this date a world dictator would control all nations. Mr. Orwell may be proven to be a prophet with honor in this respect..

Financial experts predict that by 1980. etc.
A news release this past month stated. etc.
President Valery Giscard D-'Estaing of France said. etc.
Henry Kissinger said. etc.
... it was the consensus of scientists who worked there (Kennedy Space Center) that if man did not destroy himself by the year 2000. etc.

Personal Christianity, VI. 17, No. 6, June 1977, C. S. Lovett

Antichrist is in the world this moment! Who says so? Jeane Dixon, the well known Catholic soothsayer. She claims he will surface in the early 1980s. But do we consider her a true oracle of God? No way! Not all of her predictions come true. Nevertheless she has quite a record of accurate predictions when it comes to world rulers, such as.

They were conscious of a definite callthey could not mistake it!

Moses (Exodus 4:10-12; Jeremiah 1:4-10; Amos 7:4-15).

Samuel (1 Samuel 3:19-20).

Mrs. Oral Roberts, explaining God's calling her to:

... Lord. I-'d like to hear Your voice as Oral does.. So as I walked I prayed in the Spirit at length. I couldn-'t understand the prayer language coming over my tongue. It sounded Oriental to me. and the interpretation came back in my own language one line at a time..

-No, you will not hear My voice as others do.. I speak to him (Oral) in an audible voice but I will not speak to you audibly.. I will speak to you out of the everydayness of your life.. -' (Abundant Life, Jan. 1978)

Morris Cerullo: Theresa (his wife) excused herself to tend to some sewing but was soon fast asleep on the couch. When I noticed that she had fallen asleep, I thought. Now that's strange! We just woke up from a good night's sleep!

I soon realized that God had placed that sleep upon her,. so that He might prepare the way for the supernatural visitation of His presence right there in my kitchen.. Then God spoke to me..
... while I was in the back of a bus coming from a crusade. God had spoken to my heart. so forceful was God's visitation to me on that occasion, that I left the other members of the team and went to the very back of the bus and let God speak to my heart..

It is strange that all modern day prophets get their calls from God when no one else can verify it!

True prophets did not seek the office, they were chosen by God and spoke by divine compulsion.

Many of them resisted (Jeremiah 1:4-19; Exodus 3:10-12; Ezekiel 3:12-15; Jonah 1:1-3).

Even when Paul told the Corinthians, desire the spiritual gifts he also told them that the Holy Spirit distributed His gifts (miraculous) according to His will. and not according to the wishes of men.

The commission of the true prophet was authenticated by signs or miracles.

Exodus 4:1-21. Moses

Joshua 3:7-13. Joshua

1 Samuel 12:16 ff.

Miracles of Elijah and Elisha

Paul, Peter, and those upon whom they laid their hands.

signs and miracles may be copies or faked by false prophets Deuteronomy 13:1-5; Exodus 7:8-13; Exodus 7:20-22; Exodus 8:7; Matthew 24:24; Mark 13:22; 2 Thessalonians 2:9.

The message of the True Prophet was always in harmony with the whole will of God which had been revealed up to that time.

Deuteronomy 13:1-3 - could not contradict previous truth

1 Kings 13:1-34 - true prophet would not have been deceived by old prophet if he had used this test.

Jeremiah 26:1-24 - leaders were going to kill Jeremiah because he predicted destruction of Jerusalem. Some elders remembered Micah years before predicted the same.. Jeremiah spared

1 John 4:1-6

This harmony with revealed truth applies to all the doctrines of the Bible. not just predicted history.

Modern day prophets for the most part do not teach the full apostolic doctrine.

Billy Graham, for example, who interprets biblical prophecy and declares he is God's spokesman, said, I used to believe that pagans in far-off countries were lostwere going to hellif they did not have the Gospel of Jesus Christ preached to them. I no longer believe that.. I believe that there are other ways of recognizing the existence of Godthrough nature, for instanceand plenty of other opportunities, therefore, of saying -yes-' to God.
Graham once believed that Jews, too, were lost if they did not convert to Christianity.. Today Graham is willing to leave that up to God..
I-'ve found that my beliefs are essentially the same as those of orthodox Roman Catholics.. We only differ on some matters of later church tradition. McCalls magazine, January 1978

The message of the true prophet and the prophet himself was authenticated by historical fulfillments of his prophecies.

Deuteronomy 18:21-22

Jeremiah 28:17

The moral character of the prophet and his prophecies must agree with God's full revelation.

False prophets tend to be ungodly and preach ungodly (both morally and theologically).

Jeremiah 23:10-17

Matthew 7:15-20; 2 Peter 2:1-22; Jude 1:1-23

We do not need modern day prophecies and prophets!

There is enough prophecy in the Bible, fulfilled in minute detail (Daniel, Isaiah, Revelation) to show that God is in control of history!

We do not need, beyond what is revealed in the Bible, to know future circumstancesbecause knowing the future of earthly history has nothing to do with our covenant relationship to God (1 John 3:1-3).

It is not circumstances that save or destroy, it is faith or lack of faithregardless of circumstances.

The Bible is all sufficient.

And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified (Acts 20:32).

All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Modern day prophets need to take warning from Jeremiah, ch. 23 and Ezekiel, ch. 13.

Excerpt from a Workshop on the Second Coming of Christ for the NACC, July 14, 1978, Oklahoma City, Okla., by Paul T. Butler.
ZIONISM (Restoration of a Jewish nation in the land of Palestine). Modern Zionism strictly political; never intended to exclude Palestinians (Enc. Brit. Zionism).

Some little known historical facts about Zionism and modern Jews

Theodor Herzl, founder of political Zionism, was schizoid, given to frequent fits of melancholy and depression and threatened suicide several times. He spent vast sums of money bribing Turkish officials in order to gain the Sultan's approval of a Jewish settlement in Palestine.

Pauline, his first child, became a drug addict, had several men who left her, wound up overdosing and dying of drugs, at 40.
Hans, his son was manic depressive, treated by Freud who diagnosed an extreme Oedipus complex. Committed suicide on the day of Pauline's funeral.
Trude, married and became a mental case, her marriage broke down and she died after being an inmate of a number of mental institutions.. The Hebrew Christian, Winter, 1977, Vol. L, No. 4.

What about the Falashas? 50,000 black, East Central Africans who have practiced Judaism since 600 B.C., and who claim to be descendants of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. They observe all Jewish rites, sacrifices, and festivals except Hanukkah,. Christianity Today, 12-7-73, Black Jews: A House Divided, pg. 52.

Most East-European Jews (Poles, Hungarian, Czech, etc.) are not really descendants of Israelites, but descendants of the Khazars, Caucasians who became converts or proselytes to Judaism about 900-1000A.D. The Khazars were Gentiles from south Russia!. The Thirteenth Tribe, by Arthur Koestler, Random House pub., (so well documented and important a book it was reviewed by Wall Street Journal)

No Jew today can trace his ancestry back beyond two or three hundred years. So how do we know for sure that they are really Jews (true Israelites according to the Old Testament and from the 12 tribes)?. Christianity Today, 3-13-70, Jacob Gartenhaus, The Jewish Conception of the Messiah. (he was born in Austria and educated in rabbinical schools there).

CBS, Sixty Minutes program, 4-10-77:

As many people are leaving Israel to come to the U.S. as are going into Israel to live each day.

There are over 200,000 Jews in N.Y. City and many have come there recently from Israel.

Some Jews who have lived in Israel from its very beginning in 1948 have recently come to the U.S.

A taxi-driver in N.Y., who couldn-'t make a living in Israel, has made over $100,000 in 3 years since coming to N.Y.

Why are they leaving? 30 years of war; no exemptions from army service; not enough space; inflation rate over 35%; strikes; bureaucracy; takes 5 year wait to get a telephone; corruption in government; income tax takes 65% of wage earner's living.

1/10 of all Israeli citizens live outside the country.

The present Israeli government has made it unlawful to do Christian evangelism in that land. How will the millennium ever come about?

Zionism and the Bible

Repentance and obedience to God's commandments and prophecies was the condition upon which God promised to give the land of Palestine to the Jews in the Old Testament.

Significantly, God gave the Jews into the hands of their enemies a number of times when they disobeyed Him. They were taken out of Palestine and brought back a number of times.

The ultimate disobedience of the Jews was the rejection of God's Son, the Messiah (cf. Daniel 9:24 ... to finish transgression and Matthew 23:29-39 ... may come all the righteous blood shed on earth. and your house is forsaken and desolate; and Luke 19:41-44... because you did not know the time of your visitation.

Jesus predicted the dispossession of the Jews by God in His parables in Matthew 21:1-46; Matthew 22:1-46.

King's marriage feast for his son. the king sent his troops (Rome's army, Matthew 24:15, desolating sacrilege) and destroyed those murderers.

The householder's vineyard.. He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons. This is the sentence the Jews pronounced upon themselves! (Matthew 21:33-41).

Then Jesus reinforced it, Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation producing the fruits thereof.

Jesus predicted the Jews would ... fall by the edge of the sword, and be led captive into all the nations, and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled (Luke 21:24). The Old Testament era was the times of the Jews. The New Testament era is the times of the Gentiles. Judaism is a thing of the past!

The apostle Paul, speaking of the Jews nationally, said that God's wrath came (ephtasen, Gr. aor. past tense) upon them to the end (eis telos), or to completion (1 Thessalonians 2:16). Judaism cannot be revived, although individual Jews may be saved if they accept the gospel (Romans 1:16-17). Daniel 9:27 calls the destruction of Jerusalemthe decreed end.

Once the Messiah has come and completed His work, God has dispensed forever with a special place of worship (John 4:21-24; Acts 17:24-25); any other sacrifices (Hebrews 9:26; Hebrews 10:12-14). etc.

To populate Palestine with a theocracy of Judaism, reinstitute the Temple and its sacrifices, reconstitute a Jewish priesthood, would violate and contradict the very plain teaching of the New Testament that the church of Jesus Christ (composed of both Jew and Gentile on the same basis) is the primary object of God's redemptive work. and not the Jewish nation!

The book of Galatians makes it plain that in Christ there are no more racial or social distinctions ever again (Galatians 3:26-29). If we are in Christ, we are Abraham's offspring. Or, to put it another way, a true Jew is one who is one inwardly, not genetically (Romans 2:28-29). The true Israel of God is that which is a new creation (Galatians 6:15-16).

True Zion is the church (Hebrews 12:18-24).

10.

Judaism is the kingdom that was shaken and removed (Hebrews 12:25-27).

11.

Christianity is the kingdom that cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:28).

12.

Judaism is no lasting city (Hebrews 13:14) and to go to Christ it must be outside the camp (of Judaism) (Hebrews 13:13).

13.

The twelve tribes of Israel in Revelation 7:1-8 cannot refer to a literal return of Old Testament Israel to Palestine because that list leaves out the tribes of Dan and Ephraim, and inserts two tribes not originally given an inheritanceLevi and Joseph.

14.

It is very significant that no New Testament writer mentions a future return of the Jews to the land of Palestine. Very obviously the return of the Jews to the land of which the Old Testament prophets spoke had already occurred in the restoration of the captivities, or, figuratively in the establishment of the church.

15.

Daniel's prophecy (Daniel 9:24-27) plainly teaches that God would finish His work for the redemption of the world through the Jews 490 years after the going forth of the word to rebuild Jerusalem, From 457 B.C. (see Ezra 7:1-28) to 34 A.D. (allowing for the 4-year mistake in our calendar) is 490 years. 34 A.D. was after the stoning of Stephen and when the gospel was initially taken to the Gentiles.

16.

Isaiah predicts that God will establish a new nation before the old one passes away (Isaiah 66:7 ff.) and that the new will be established with one stroke (Heb. Pa-am). A land and a nation was brought forth with one stroke before the old passed away on the Day of Pentecost, June, A.D. 30.

This does not mean, of course, that some who call themselves Jews today, will never go back to Palestine. They may even build a new Temple there some day. But it does mean that as any of them go back they do so entirely on their own, apart from any covenanted purpose to that end and entirely outside of Scripture prophecy. No Scripture blessing is promised for a project of that kind.
It may be that in years to come the Jews will possess a larger part, or even all, of Palestine. We do not know. But if they do they will secure it as other nations secure property, through negotiation, or purchase, or conquest, NOT BY VIRTUE OF ANY AS YET UNFULFILLED PROPHECIES OR BIBLICAL PROMISES. THERE ARE NO SUCH PROPHECIES OR PROMISES!
In the mean time, Zionism, premillennialism and dispensationalism must bear part of the responsibility for the evil and dangerous situation that has arisen in the Middle East, since it has encouraged Jews to believe they are rightful owners of that land and that it is divinely ordained that they are again to possess it.
The British had no ethical or political right to promise Palestine to the Jews at the end of World War I. The UN had no right to partition it. It should have legally been returned to the Palestinians. Ever since the partitioning, the Jews have extended their borders beyond those set by the UN.

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