I wonder, if dispensationalists in my generation are a dying breed, why are the previous generations, which are fraught with them, making us look at Scripture through an exegetical lens (dispensationalism) that just does not square with a common sense interpretation of Scripture, in favor of homoletical and hermeneutical acrobatics? Why are they telling us, “if you disagree with me than that is okay,” one minute while the next minute say “this is what Scripture teaches.”
Maybe if the translators had used a common sense interpretation of each thought in the New Testament, then we would not be so taken with everybody’s exegetical biases on everything from the end times to salvation to the nitpicking of each canonical phrase and Koine nuance (Piper, Grudem, Dunn, Barclay, Ratzinger, Swaggart, Dake, Torrey, Scofield, Ripplinger, Chick, Ryrie, Fee, McNelley). That is quite a list to wade through.
Why is it that the verses concerning the trumpets and clouds and the appearings of the Lord can’t be superimposed upon one another and seen as all referring to a similar event?
Why is it that the only people that seem to make the most sense on this issue are Marvin Rosenthal, and, according to one of my associates, Mike Bickle (I am in the process of examining Bickle’s analysis and positions on the Revelation)?
Why is it, when this issue, which really is not a big matter in the scheme of things, that those who preach hard and fast on this matter preach so violently against any assault on their position as to make us appear full of the devil himself?
Why do we have to violate so many principles of interpretation in order to make Scripture fit a mold just so it appears that we will escape, no questions asked, when our Lord himself said we should be ready?
Why can we not just be ready and occupy until he returns, and if the man of sin is revealed before we are taken away, or we go through some stuff before the Rapture, we just do what we are told by the Spirit of God?
What are we so afraid of? Besides sloughing off theological stances and positions that might not hold up in a third world country?
Are we afraid of nixing the dispensationalist idea that the letter to Philadelphia is completely applicable to us in the present day and pulling Revelation 3:10 away from it’s context and slapping it like a prooftext onto our circumstances, without first thinking it in it’s context through?
Someone answer these questions, please. And the following…
Are we just being selfish?
Without venturing into lots theology – either confirming or rejecting your cries – have you ever heard a legitimate utterance from the Holy Spirit that called for the body to watch for the antichrist? I have never, nor ever heard of one in the entire history of Pentecost. The Spirit is always calling us to readiness and preparedness for the Son of Man's return. Now, yes, there are the “prophets” who prophesy about a bunch of stuff coming to pass, but since they have been wrong on so many things, they dont count.
If you want a good pentecostal response, read some Lake or Wigglesworth! HA!
Good thought Darryl. I appreciate the thoughts. No, my concern is that the church be ready (Matt 24:44) for we do not know at all, and even if it means we have to go through some stuff, that we are prepared no matter what. Even if it means to die.
Good thought Darryl. I appreciate the thoughts. No, my concern is that the church be ready (Matt 24:44) for we do not know at all, and even if it means we have to go through some stuff, that we are prepared no matter what. Even if it means to die.
Good thought Darryl. I appreciate the thoughts. No, my concern is that the church be ready (Matt 24:44) for we do not know at all, and even if it means we have to go through some stuff, that we are prepared no matter what. Even if it means to die.
Good thought Darryl. I appreciate the thoughts. No, my concern is that the church be ready (Matt 24:44) for we do not know at all, and even if it means we have to go through some stuff, that we are prepared no matter what. Even if it means to die.
Good thought Darryl. I appreciate the thoughts. No, my concern is that the church be ready (Matt 24:44) for we do not know at all, and even if it means we have to go through some stuff, that we are prepared no matter what. Even if it means to die.
Good thought Darryl. I appreciate the thoughts. No, my concern is that the church be ready (Matt 24:44) for we do not know at all, and even if it means we have to go through some stuff, that we are prepared no matter what. Even if it means to die.