The apostle’s address to the seven churches of Asia (Rev 1-3) are generally recognised by modern commentators to be an integral part of the book, however, much disagreement remains as to their nature and purpose. Dispensationalists, while recognising the relevance to the historical churches of Asia, project them forward as a prophecy of seven distinct periods of Church … [Read more...]
Clarifying the ‘End Times’ from Daniel & Revelation: Studies in Eschatology
First, the meaning of the term ‘end times’ must be clarified. Chilton comments, … what is often missed is the fact that the expression ‘the last days’, and similar terms, are used in the Bible to refer, not to the end of the physical world, but to the last days of the nation of Israel, the ‘last days’ which ended with the destruction of the Temple in AD 70.[1] This may be a … [Read more...]
End-Time Fads & Defeatist Fantasies: Studies In Eschatology
For want of a sound hermeneutic (i.e. principles of interpretation), the ‘Tribulation’ and the ‘Beast’ headline the comic-book theologies of today’s church, spawning all manner of “End Time” fads and, sadly, defeatist fantasies—of the church subjugated by the ‘Beast’ in the ‘Tribulation’, demanding its rapture and, hence, its extraction from the field of battle. If it were not … [Read more...]
The ‘Rapture’—The Futurist’s Escape Plan: Studies In Eschatology
What exactly is the “Rapture” and what are the different arguments for it? Do they hold up under scrutiny and, if not, is there a critical flaw? While the scope of this study does not allow a full analysis of them, we will show two foundational presuppositions behind the “Rapture” teaching: 1) The Dispensational and Premillennial view of eschatology; and 2) A literal and … [Read more...]
Four Main Approaches to Interpreting the Book of Revelation: Studies in Eschatology
In considering principles of interpreting the Revelation of Jesus Christ (1:1), there are four major schools of thought: Futurist, Historicist, Idealist, and Preterist. FUTURIST It is conceded by this school that the messages to the seven churches had contemporary relevance to them but also represents successive ages of church history up to “the rapture” of the Church. From … [Read more...]
