It has been my practice over the years as a Bible teacher to use my own outlines and my own commentary as much as I am able when presenting study material. However I do use good sound resources produced by others in the preparation for and the presentation of the studies that I undertake. One of the men that I find to be most helpful is Dr. Norman Geisler. While I cannot say that I am in full agreement with all of Dr. Geisler's theology, I do love the systematic and logical approach that he employs in his writings, particularly in the arena of Christian Apologetics.
As we begin our study of Hermeneutics I think it would be helpful to establish a good set of working definitions for terms that relate in critical ways to our topic at hand, that being; sound principles of interpretation. The following list of terms and definitions will help to set the ground rules for our future studies together. Dr. Geisler's work has been very helpful in this effort, particularly volume four of his "Systematic Theology".
A key phrase that we used in our previous study "The Word of God" was the knowability of scripture. There are several implications to be considered when we apply this concept. The idea being that man can understand through the use of his God given mind what the omniscient mind of God has expressed clearly in the scriptures. Remember, the Holy Spirit is always ready willing and able to assist every one in this great adventure, so that is no excuse for not getting it (Jn.14:26;
I Tim.2:4; II Pet.3:9).
1. The mind - the constituent aspect of sentient being that is the center of thought, the place where thinking takes place in a person and where understanding takes place.
2. Meaning - understanding, comprehension or intelligibility that the mind derives from thinking.
3. Intention - that which a mind intended to express through communication, what was meant by what was said.
4. Language - the means by which the thoughts and intentions of the mind are expressed in symbolic representation of words both written and spoken that are intended to be understandable for communication.
5. Application - is how an intended meaning communicated through language is employed in various and specific situations.
6. Literal - the normal everyday use of terms as understood by people of normal intelligence without secret or special keys or codes needed to achieve proper understanding.
7. Historical - understanding that the events, things and people being described in a text are to be understood in a real time and place setting. They are not subject to reinterpretation in a modern or foreign context.
8. Grammatical - all correct understanding of intended meaning in communication is dependent upon maintaining a proper foundation of sound grammatical structure. All parts of speech maintain their normal and proper place in sentence structure in order to produce intelligible and effective communication.
We will be employing the literal, "Historical - Grammatical" method of interpretation consistently as we discuss the topic at hand, Biblical Hermeneutics. A key word in our purpose clause is "consistently." This is a very important distinction that must be maintained between an actual literal approach to interpretation and a nominal "literal" approach where allegorization is employed to explain away inconvenient passages that are in conflict with ones personal dogma or theological preconceptions.
As I stated in a previous posting on Friends and Family Facebook page, this consistent literal approach is critical if we are to maintain a sound and correct understanding of what the Bible actually says and means, particularly when it comes to eschatology (last things).
Monday, September 24, 2012
Friday, September 14, 2012
The Judgement Seat of Christ
The Judgement Seat of Christ
Ro. 14:10- “We shall all stand before the Judgement Seat of Christ” KJV
“We shall all stand before the Judgement Seat of God” NASB
Jn. 20:28- “My Lord and my God” ; Titus 2:13- “Our great God and Savior Jesus Christ”
Note: Jesus is God. It is Jesus who will be sitting in judgement
of all people,the saved and the lost. The “Judgement seat of Christ”
is for the saved.
of all people,the saved and the lost. The “Judgement seat of Christ”
is for the saved.
Jn. 5:22- “The Father judges no one, but has committed all judgement to
the Son”
Ps. 50:5-6- “Gather My godly ones to Me,--- for God Himself is Judge.”
Definition:
The “judgement seat” in the Greek is the “Bema”. The word means “a raised platform from which judgement is pronounced.” It was used in law courts in Greece
It is from this third use of the term that we gain some insight into how it is used in our text, Ro. 14:10. The idea is that of a reviewing stand at the end of a race to distribute rewards to the appropriate participants. There is no looming consequence of punishment for poor or inferior performance, only lack of reward.
There is however a definite sense of seriousness and need for ones best effort in anticipation of standing before the awesome and almighty Judge.
This will not be a time for lame and worthless excuses in an attempt to justify a halfhearted effort. Especially when it was the Judge Himself that provided everything needed for each one to do well. (1Cor. 3:15)
2Cor. 5:10- “We must all appear before the Judgement Seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body” according to what he has done, whether good or bad (worthless, the opposite of good, i.e. not good).”
2Cor. 5:11- “Therefore knowing the fear of the Lord we persuade men”
1Cor. 3:8- “each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.”
1Cor. 3:10-15- Each Christian's work will be judged by Christ:
Let each man be careful how he builds on the foundation. Paul said he laid a foundation.What is the foundation of Paul’s teaching? Answer - Jesus Christ.
What is the foundation of all the Apostles and the Prophets (Eph. 2:20)?
Verse 11 says, “no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid,
which is Jesus Christ.”
Note: Jesus Christ is the final word from God to men (Heb. 1:2).
He is the only foundation upon which any man may build.
“On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand."
Lk. 6:46-48- Jesus said, “Everyone who hears My words and acts upon them, he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation upon a rock.”
1Cor. 3:14- “If any man’s work remains, he will receive a reward.”
Lk. 14:14- “you will be paid at the resurrection of the righteous.” (the Rapture)
Rev. 22:12- “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.”
Rewards: Mt. 5:12- enduring persecution; 10:41-42- Prophets reward, righteous man’s reward, reward for kindness to children; Rev. 11:17-18- rewards for all His servants, small and great.
Crowns:
Incorruptible Crown; I Cor. 9:25-27 - The Victors Crown.
Crown of Life; Rev. 2:10 - The Martyr's Crown.
Crown of Glory; I Pet. 5:2-4 - The Elder's Crown.
Crown of Righteousness; II Tim. 4:8 - For all those Who Love His Appearing.
Crown of Rejoicing; I Thes. 2:19-20 - The Soul Winner's Crown.
Authority:
Mt. 19:28-30- Apostles to sit on thrones, follower’s to receive a hundred fold houses, land and family. 1Cor. 6:2-3- Saints to judge the world and angels.
2Tim. 2:12- We shall reign with Him. Rev. 5:9-10- A kingdom of priests who will reign with him on earth. Rev.20:6-Reign for a thousand years. Rev.22:5- We shall reign forever and ever.
Parables of reward:
Mt. 25:14-30- The parable of the talents. Verses 21 + 23 – “Well done, good and faithful servant, you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things, enter in to the joy of your Master.”
Lk. 19:11-27- The parable of the minas. Verse 17 - “Well done , good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing, Be in authority over ten cities.”
Verse 19 – “And He said to him also, And you are to be over Five cities.”
Commentary:
The Judgement seat of Christ should be a time of great rejoicing for all Christians, but it most likely will be a time of shame for many. The knowledge that we will all give an account one day to the Lord of heaven and earth, should motivate us to do our very best while we still have a chance to do so here on earth. When we leave this world our work to be judged will be done.
“We must all work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no man can work” Jesus Christ Jn.9:4.
The sin question
THE “SIN” QUESTION
WHAT IS IT,
AND WHAT IS THE ANSWER ?
I. The Atheistic world view.
A. Naturalistic Pragmatism, the “Survival of the Fittest”, the “Will to Power.”
There is no such thing as “sin”; whatever works is the best course of action. The drive to power is the key to survival. In the end, only the strong will survive. The strongest is the fittest. The winners make the rules of right and wrong. There is no objective “truth” and no basis for morality or ethics other than survival.
B. Social Evolution, the “Survival of the Whole”, One World evolving foreword for the good of all. The universe is one unified organism. All parts are of equal value to the whole. No such thing as “sin” only ignorance and error. Education and cooperation will lead to utopia.
C. Sin is an illusion. The universe is an illusion. Solipcism, only the self with its perceptions really exists. Buddhism, true reality lies in “enlightenment” which is only achieved through freeing the mind from the illusion of “self”, which illusion is perpetuated by desire, pleasure and pain. This illusion, known a “Maya” keeps one trapped in the lower regions of existence that we know as “the material world.” The goal of all sentient beings is to attain freedom from illusion and to reach the state of pure mental bliss called “Nirvana”, the eternal selfless here and now, free from all sensuality and desire. There is no God. There is no good or evil, there is no sin. These are all illusion.
II. The Theistic World View.
A. Universallism: an all loving God will forgive everybody of everything.
B. Annihilationism: an all-powerful God will eliminate all sin and sinners from
existence. There is no such thing as hell.
C. Works based salvation: personal righteousness and salvation are achieved
through personal achievement. Salvation may be achieved through a
combination of right thinking i.e. “wisdom” along with good deeds or
adherence to the correct set of rules. Or through ones good works alone,
which must outweigh ones bad works, good deeds must outweigh sinful deeds.
God judges according to a balance scale. It is not an overstatement to say that
virtually all false religions and cults fall into this category of error in one way
or another.
D. Corporate Salvation: forgiveness through heredity, membership or
association. The only unforgivable sin is to not be a member of the
“in crowd”, the chosen few, or the right group. This is the attraction of the
cults. This is related to the works salvation error as stated above. The
difference is that only those who belong to the group may qualify to perform
the required works.
E. « Revelation based Biblical Christianity: Forgiveness of sin is by God’s grace
alone through personal faith in Jesus Christ alone, which comes through
the hearing of God’s word alone. God has provided the only way of
salvation and for the forgiveness of sin available to man. Man can not
discover it apart from God’s revelation. Man can not add to what God has
provided, if he does he defiles it and he fails to posses it. Man cannot improve
upon what God has provided, it is perfect as it is and to attempt to improve
upon it is to deny its perfection, thereby refusing to receive it. Man cannot
replace what God has provided with anything else. God’s way is nonnegotiable,
it is the one and only way of salvation. Any other system, schema, or plan for
dealing with sin is false and will fail. Any denial of the existence of sin, or of the
deadly consequences of sin is also false. The failure to deal with sin according to
God’s solution will result in death followed by condemnation to hell.
Commentary:
The purpose of this brief exposition on the question of sin is to simply but to seriously point out the danger of the denial of the reality of sin and its consequences.
It is only when sin is recognized for what it is in light of all of its deadly ramifications that one can come to appreciate the gift that God has provided to deal with it. It was out of His love, grace and mercy for His creation man, that God sent Jesus Christ, once and for all to deal with sin. After considering the alternatives that man has come up with to deal with the sin question it is easy to see the foolish arrogance and futility of man’s attempt to play god. One of the most insidious effects of sin is that it so infects the mind and heart of man that it prevents him from being able to recognize his own folly. This inescapable fact is why it can only be through God’s revelation along with the aid of the Holy Spirit that man can ever find the truth regarding the answer to the sin question. Praise His name, He has provided the answer. It is Jesus Christ! Trust Him completely and trust Him alone.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
THE RAPTURE
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THE RAPTURE
John
14:1-3
- "Let not your heart be troubled;
you believe in God, believe also in Me.
In My Father's
house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.
I go to prepare a place for you.
And
if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come again and receive you to Myself;
that where I am, there you may be also.”
that where I am, there you may be also.”
The doctrine of the “Rapture of the Church” is a
source of much confusion and controversy within the professing church of Christ
Many
editorial liberties were taken at that time and have remained embedded in the
thinking of large segments of nominal Christianity to this day. It was under
the strong influence of such men as Origen c185-c.254 AD, and Augustin 354-430
AD, that this practice of manipulating the meaning of biblical texts away from
their plain rendering gained such a deadly foothold on the uninformed within
the church. The worldly church descended into centuries of spiritual darkness
under such influences. It is only in recent times that a clear understanding of
biblical prophecy is once again emerging, praise God!
As we rapidly approach the fulfillment of
God’s plan for the ages, He has once again blessed His Church with a correct
understanding of His prophetic revelations. We see their literal fulfillment as
they unfold before us in our time, and we can now understand and trust in the
same literal fulfillment for those that have yet to be accomplished.
The primary truth that was lost
during that long night of man’s wandering imagination was the blessed doctrine
of the “Imminence of Christ’s Return”. Only a literal approach to biblical
interpretation, which includes all prophetic passages, will yield a correct
understanding of this, the most hope filled doctrine of all, the Rapture of the
Church.
The hope and comfort for the disciples, and for us
today, is that Jesus is coming back, literally, to take those who are waiting
for Him back with Him to His Fathers house, to be with Him in heaven! To behold
Him in His Glory, the Glory that He had with His Father before He came to earth
as a humble baby - John 17:24. To spiritualize this promise, as so many
do, into saying that Jesus meant only that when a believer dies they go to
heaven, is an insult to our Lord’s integrity, and just plain bad Hermeneutics.
The blessed hope of our Lords
imminent return is taught throughout the New Testament. Not only will we be
with Him when He comes, which could be at any moment, but we will be changed in
an instant to be like Him.
1
Cor. 15:50-52
- I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God
1
John 3:1-3
- Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be
called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did
not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been
revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is
revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who
has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure
1
Thess. 4:15-18
- For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and
remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are
asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the
voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will
rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up (Greek – harpazo; Latin –
raptus; English - raptured) together with them in the clouds to
meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
Where would the comfort be if 1) the
Lord didn’t really mean that He was coming back literally and 2) if He meant
that He would come back after the great tribulation.
1 Thess. 1:10 - And
to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead-Jesus, who rescues us from the coming
wrath.
1
Thess.
5:9-11 - For God did not appoint us to
wrath, but
to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that
whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort
each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
1
Thess. 4:18
- Therefore encourage each other with
these words.
John
14:1 – “Let not your heart be troubled”
Thursday, August 30, 2012
REVELATION STUDIES part 1
REVELATION STUDIES
There are
four classical approaches to interpreting Revelation.
They are as follows.
Idealist – symbolic language is striped of any value
regarding specific future events considering such as just a general description of the ongoing
struggle between good and evil. Does not accept predictive prophecy.
Preterist – all events described were taking place at
the time of the writer and are therefore all in the past. As far as relevance
for modern times, this view resorts to the Idealist view. There has arisen a
spin off group who call themselves “Semi- Preterorists”. These hold to the
classical Pretorist view up to the point of the literal Second Coming of
Christ, whereupon they spiritualize the language surrounding the event but confirm
the actual occurrence in the future.
Historicist – sees the book of Revelation as the story
of the Christian Church from Apostolic times till the return of the Lord. There
is no wide spread agreement as to the meanings of the symbols, or the
interpretive method itself.
ó Futurist –
recognizes the pressure put on the Church by Rome
The Millennium
Other major distinctions among schools of
prophetic interpretation center around the thousand-year reign of Christ
referred to in Rev.20: 4- 7, known as “the Millennium”.
Amillennialism – there will never be a literal
Millennium. First introduced by Augustine. Later adopted by the Catholic Church
and held by most of the Reformers. The Christian church will transform the
world into the kingdom
of God Israel
and the Church in this view, since the old covenant has been “replaced” with
the new. This view is held by modern Historicists, Pretorists, Semi-
Pretorists, Reformed, and Covenant theologians.
Postmillennialism – similar to the Amillennial position
in that it teaches that the kingdom
of God
ó Premillennialism – there will be a literal
thousand year reign of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Saints on the earth at the
end of the age. Here again differing prophetic schools, all of whom are
Futurists, make major distinctions, revolving around the timing of the “Rapture
of the Saints”
The Rapture
I Cor.15: 51-52 ; I Thes.4: 13- 18
I) ó Pretribulationism – The church will be caught up into the air to meet Christ in the clouds prior to the beginning of the Tribulation Period, and will return with Christ to the earth at the end of the Tribulation to rule and reign with Him for the literal 1,000 yr. Millennium.
II) Partial Rapture theory – Only the godly
Christians will be
raptured before The Tribulation and the rest of the
church
will remain on earth to suffer through it.
III)
A second Partial Rapture theory is that there will be a series
of
small raptures wherein groups of
Christians will go as
they are ready.
IV) Midtribulationism — The church will be on earth for
the
first 31/2 yrs. of the Tribulation but will be taken out before
the beginning of the Great Tribulation, which is the
second half.
V) Posttribulationism — The church will be raptured at
the
end of the Tribulation Period and then immediately
return to the earth.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
The Millennium
The Millennium
In order to communicate
effectively, people must come to an agreement concerning the definitions of
words and phrases. Whenever there is disagreement about what a term or terms
mean, they must be clarified before any meaningful discourse can take place.
The term Millennium is one
that many people have trouble with. Some say that it is not a Biblical term, or
even a Biblical concept. It is this confusion that I want to address in this
brief paper.
When we study the Bible we
often rely upon work done by others in previous generations, sometimes even of
different views. We review, analyze and sometimes incorporate some of their
terms into our own language in order to maintain continuity of meaning when
discussing a given concept. This is the case with the term millennium. We take
it over from the Latin translation of the bible, as we do many theological
terms ( like Rapture) due to the fact that for centuries the Latin was the
officially recognized version of the bible and these questions were debated
mostly during that time.
In Rev.20: 4- 7 the
original Greek text mentions a phrase six times, which is translated in the
English versions as “Thousand Years”.
The Greek reads “Chilia Etae” ( χιλια
= 1,000; , ετα = years). The term
used for the first three hundred years by the Christian Church to refer to
Christ’s one thousand-year reign as described clearly in Revelation was
“Chiliasim” kil’é æ zm.
The Latin translation reads “Mille (thousand) Annum (years). So it is very easy
to see that not only is the Millennium a Biblical concept, but it is also an
exact Biblical phrase. (By the way, the exact same thing is true concerning the
Rapture; Greek = ἁρπάζω = harpazo = caught up = Latin = raptus).
Those who want to deny the
reality of the Millennium will have to do so not by denying that it is in the
Bible, but by declaring that the Bible does not mean what is says in plain
language.
Following is a short
description of the various positions that are taken regarding the Millennium.
¶ Premillennialism – there will be a literal thousand year reign of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Saints on the earth at the end of the age. There are differing prophetic schools of thought in the premillennial camp, all of which are Futurists. Major distinctions are made concerning the timing of the “Rapture of the Saints”.
Amillennialism – there will never be a literal Millennium. First introduced by Augustine. Later adopted by the Catholic Church and held by most of the Reformers. The Christian church will transform the world into the kingdom of God, then Christ will return and there will be a general resurrection followed by a general judgement of all people. Others see prophetic fulfillment only in Heaven (no reign on earth at all). There is no distinct Tribulation Period just general tribulation that the church undergoes throughout the ages, and no Rapture (viewed as a non-Biblical concept). There is no distinction between Israel and the Church in this view (replacement theology), since the old covenant has been “replaced” with the new. This view is held by modern Historicists, Pretorists, Semi- Pretorists, Reformed, and Covenant theologians.
Postmillennialism – similar to the Amillennial position in that it teaches that the kingdom of God is now being extended throughout the world by the Church resulting in the Christianization of the whole world, culminating in a long period of peace and righteousness known as the “Millennium”. After which Christ returns followed by the general resurrection, the general judgement, and the full implementation of Heaven and Hell. The tribulation is only general and there is no Rapture as such, only a momentary meeting in the air between the Lord and the saints of all ages, both living and dead, and then an immediate return to the earth with Christ, which altogether constitutes the second coming. Held by traditional Historicists, some Preterists, Liberals, and Theonomists (those who promote the re-institution of the Mosaic Law, but this time over all of mankind).
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