Coming Agenda Week #12 (tonight) The Book of Revelation Resurrection of the Dead Ones (plural) Week...

Coming Agenda Coming Agenda

Week #12 (tonight)Week #12 (tonight)

The Book of RevelationThe Book of Revelation

Resurrection of the Dead Ones (plural)Resurrection of the Dead Ones (plural)

Week #13Week #13


Synthesis Solution to Four Competing ViewsSynthesis Solution to Four Competing Views

Contextualizing Contextualizing the Book of Revelationthe Book of Revelation

Key #1—Purpose and Over-arching Theme.Key #1—Purpose and Over-arching Theme.Key #2—Uses Figurative Language and Key #2—Uses Figurative Language and

Symbols to Reveal Spiritual/Physical Symbols to Reveal Spiritual/Physical Events and Realities.Events and Realities.

Key #3—Most Likely Written Prior to Key #3—Most Likely Written Prior to Jerusalem’s Destruction in A.D. 70.Jerusalem’s Destruction in A.D. 70.

Key #4—Is Time Restricted.Key #4—Is Time Restricted.Key #5—Is Fulfilled. Key #5—Is Fulfilled. Key #6—Is Also Timeless and Universal in Its Key #6—Is Also Timeless and Universal in Its

Relevance.Relevance.

The Book of RevelationThe Book of Revelation

A A personalpersonal story . . . story . . .

““An Exegetical Basis for a An Exegetical Basis for a Preterist-IdealistPreterist-Idealist Understanding of the Book of Revelation,” Understanding of the Book of Revelation,” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society,Society, Vol. 49, No. 4 (Dec. 2006). Vol. 49, No. 4 (Dec. 2006).

Contextualizing Key #6Contextualizing Key #6

The Revelation Is Also Timeless The Revelation Is Also Timeless

and Universal in Its Relevanceand Universal in Its Relevance


• EatEat the scroll the scroll (Rev. 10:9b). (Rev. 10:9b).

• Eating always Eating always transformstransforms something. something.

• NotNot exhaustedexhausted in its A.D. 70 fulfillment. in its A.D. 70 fulfillment.


FifthlyFifthly• Relevance Relevance cannotcannot be be limitedlimited to a to a oneone-time, -time,

historic, and static historic, and static eschatologicaleschatological fulfillment. fulfillment. • Serves in a Serves in a typologicaltypological and and controllingcontrolling manner. manner. • TypeType for for repeatingrepeating patterns. patterns. • Of Christ’s Of Christ’s ongoingongoing involvement and activity involvement and activity • In In historyhistory and in individual and in individual liveslives. . • Timeless and multifaceted—Timeless and multifaceted—relevancyrelevancy..


FifthlyFifthly

““If anyone If anyone addsadds anything to them, God will anything to them, God will addadd to him the to him the plaguesplagues described in this described in this

book. And if anyone book. And if anyone takes awaytakes away from this from this book of prophecy, God will book of prophecy, God will take awaytake away from from him his him his shareshare in the tree of life and in the in the tree of life and in the

holy city, which are described in this book” holy city, which are described in this book” (Rev. 22:18-19).(Rev. 22:18-19).


FifthlyFifthly

““the the eternaleternal gospel to proclaim to those who gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth – to live on the earth – to everyevery nation, tribe, nation, tribe,

language and people” (Rev. 14:6).language and people” (Rev. 14:6).


SixthlySixthly

• NoNo suggestion of a suggestion of a terminationtermination of these of these applications. applications.

• RealReal, ongoing blessings, warnings, , ongoing blessings, warnings, comings, judgments, and interactions of comings, judgments, and interactions of Christ. Christ.

• PersonallyPersonally involved and concerned about involved and concerned about

(Rev. 1:3; 22:7, 14-19). (Rev. 1:3; 22:7, 14-19).


• SameSame yet yet greatergreater Jesus Christ . . . Jesus Christ . . .

• ““are hidden all the treasures of wisdom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col. 2:3). and knowledge” (Col. 2:3).

• TotalTotal fulfillment and fulfillment and totaltotal relevancy of “the relevancy of “the revelationrevelation of Jesus Christ” (Rev. 1:1). of Jesus Christ” (Rev. 1:1).

• ActAct in history and in the in history and in the liveslives of his saints. of his saints.

• In an In an apocalypticallyapocalyptically revealed revealed mannermanner..


Let the Bible Interpret ItselfLet the Bible Interpret Itself

• NotNot a dictionary, encyclopedia, or a dictionary, encyclopedia, or tomorrow’s newspaper, or “googling it,” or tomorrow’s newspaper, or “googling it,” or “the-Lord-told-me-so” claims. “the-Lord-told-me-so” claims.

• To interpret and understand Bible To interpret and understand Bible prophecy prophecy properlyproperly. .

• Let the Bible Let the Bible interpretinterpret itself. itself.

Contextualizing Contextualizing the Book of Revelationthe Book of Revelation

Key #1—Purpose and Over-arching Theme.Key #1—Purpose and Over-arching Theme.Key #2—Uses Figurative Language and Key #2—Uses Figurative Language and

Symbols to Reveal Spiritual/Physical Symbols to Reveal Spiritual/Physical Events and Realities.Events and Realities.

Key #3—Most Likely Written Prior to Key #3—Most Likely Written Prior to Jerusalem’s Destruction in A.D. 70.Jerusalem’s Destruction in A.D. 70.

Key #4—Is Time Restricted.Key #4—Is Time Restricted.Key #5—Is Fulfilled. Key #5—Is Fulfilled. Key #6—Is Also Timeless and Universal in Its Key #6—Is Also Timeless and Universal in Its

Relevance.Relevance.Key #7—Let the Bible Interpret ItselfKey #7—Let the Bible Interpret Itself

Revelation’s Revelation’s Many Comings of JesusMany Comings of Jesus

““Look, he Look, he is comingis coming [ [erchomaierchomai] with the ] with the clouds, and clouds, and every eyeevery eye will see him, even will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.” shall it be! Amen.”

Revelation 1:7Revelation 1:7Revelation 22:7, 12

• ““Every Every eyeeye” ” comparablecomparable with “every with “every kneeknee” ” and “every and “every tonguetongue” (Phil. 2:10-11).” (Phil. 2:10-11).


“‘“‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who Lord God, ‘who isis, and who , and who waswas, and who , and who is tois to come [ come [erchomaierchomai], the Almighty.’“ ], the Almighty.’“

Revelation 1:8Revelation 1:8


Revelation 2 & 3:Revelation 2 & 3:

• Rev. 2:5 – I will Rev. 2:5 – I will comecome to you to you

• Rev. 2:16 – I will soon Rev. 2:16 – I will soon comecome

• Rev. 2:25-26 – until I Rev. 2:25-26 – until I comecome

• Rev. 3:3 – I will Rev. 3:3 – I will comecome like a thief like a thief

• Rev. 3:11 – I am Rev. 3:11 – I am comingcoming soon soon

• Rev. 3:20 – I will Rev. 3:20 – I will go ingo in


Rider on White HorseRider on White Horse

““I I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a saw heaven standing open and there before me was a whitewhite horsehorse, whose , whose riderrider is is calledcalled Faithful and True. With justice he Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes judges and makes warwar. His . His eyeseyes are like blazing are like blazing firefire, and on this , and on this head are many head are many crownscrowns. He has a name written on him that no one . He has a name written on him that no one but he himself knows. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and but he himself knows. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his his namename is the Word of God. The is the Word of God. The armies of heavenarmies of heaven were following were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his clean. Out of his mouthmouth comes a sharp comes a sharp swordsword with which to strike with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter” [from Psa. down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter” [from Psa. 2:9]. He treads the winepress of the fury of the 2:9]. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrathwrath of God of God Almighty. On his Almighty. On his roberobe and on his and on his thighthigh he has this he has this namename written: written:

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS”KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS”

Revelation 19:11-16Revelation 19:11-16


Rider on White HorseRider on White Horse ““When Jesus comes, He is When Jesus comes, He is going to begoing to be ‘King of kings and Lord of lords . . . to say ‘King of kings and Lord of lords . . . to say Christ is Christ is ruler nowruler now is a statement that is a statement that reaches reaches almostalmost blasphemousblasphemous proportions.” proportions.”

Tim LaHaye and Thomas Ice, Tim LaHaye and Thomas Ice,

The End Times ControversyThe End Times Controversy, 2003, , 2003, 11.11.


““In the strictest sense we In the strictest sense we must datemust date the actual the actual and formal assumption of and formal assumption of [Christ’s] [Christ’s] kingly kingly officeoffice, in the full and visible exercise thereof, , in the full and visible exercise thereof, from from the moment of His the moment of His ascensionascension into heaven into heaven from this earth and His session at the from this earth and His session at the right handright hand of the Father.” of the Father.”

A.A. Hodge, A.A. Hodge,

Evangelical TheologyEvangelical Theology, [1980] 1976, 227., [1980] 1976, 227.


• ““the the reignreign of the risen Christ had now of the risen Christ had now begunbegun.” .” Authur F. Glasser, Authur F. Glasser,

Announcing the KingdomAnnouncing the Kingdom, 2003, , 2003, 253.253.

• ““a majority of evangelicals believe LaHaye a majority of evangelicals believe LaHaye based on the millions of copies of Left Behind based on the millions of copies of Left Behind sold . . . . It’s a sold . . . . It’s a shameshame that this type of that this type of nonsensenonsense is continually is continually promotedpromoted by Christian publishers by Christian publishers that know that know betterbetter...”...”

Gary DeMar, “Giving Aid and Comfort to the Enemies of the Gary DeMar, “Giving Aid and Comfort to the Enemies of the Gospel,” Gospel,” Biblical Worldview Biblical Worldview (December 2006), 23. (December 2006), 23.


Rider on the White HorseRider on the White Horse

• Was Was partpart of the of the wholewhole of the prophecy. of the prophecy. • ““seatedseated on a on a white cloudwhite cloud with a crown of with a crown of

gold on his head and a sharp gold on his head and a sharp sicklesickle in his in his hand.” (Rev. 14:14).hand.” (Rev. 14:14).

• ““Take your sickle and reap, because the Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reaptime to reap has come . . .” (Rev. 14:15). has come . . .” (Rev. 14:15).

• Jesus Jesus stillstill rides this rides this white horsewhite horse !!! (Rev. !!! (Rev. 10:9-11).10:9-11).


Why all the many comings of Jesus Why all the many comings of Jesus

are a present and ongoing are a present and ongoing

spirit-realm/physical-realm reality.spirit-realm/physical-realm reality.


1.1. Revelation’s Revelation’s timelesstimeless and and universaluniversal relevance. relevance.

2.2. His continuing presence His continuing presence insuresinsures many more many more comings.comings.

3.3. A A charactercharacter and and naturenature of God issue. of God issue.

4.4. We need a We need a fullerfuller realizationrealization of his presence. of his presence.

5.5. Jesus Jesus comescomes when, where, how, and to whom when, where, how, and to whom He He pleasespleases..

6.6. A A finalfinal coming? coming?


CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION::

He He StillStill Comes in Comes in WondrousWondrous Ways! Ways!

Resurrection of the Dead OnesResurrection of the Dead Ones

One Qualification or DelimitationOne Qualification or Delimitation

• Only address the Only address the bodilybodily resurrection of resurrection of deceaseddeceased believers. believers.

• NotNot the resurrection or destiny of the resurrection or destiny of unbelieversunbelievers..

• Nor Nor spiritualspiritual resurrection of resurrection of alivealive believers. believers.


• My parents. My parents.

• ““Then I heard a voice from heaven say, Then I heard a voice from heaven say, ‘Write: ‘Write: BlessedBlessed are the are the deaddead who die in who die in the Lord the Lord from now onfrom now on.’ ‘Yes,’ says the .’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘they will rest from their labor, for Spirit, ‘they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.’” (Rev. 14:13)their deeds will follow them.’” (Rev. 14:13)


Two Prerequisite Events Two Prerequisite Events

1.1. Jesus has finished Jesus has finished preparingpreparing Heaven, Heaven, and and come againcome again to to receivereceive his disciples his disciples to where He is (John 14:1-3). to where He is (John 14:1-3).

2.2. The The deaddead have been have been raisedraised (1 Thess. (1 Thess. 4:15b).4:15b).

Remember:Remember: “No one” (John 3:13; 13:33, 36). “No one” (John 3:13; 13:33, 36).


• WhereWhere did they did they gogo? ?

• HadesHades, Abraham’s bosom, Sheol , Abraham’s bosom, Sheol

(Luke 16:19-31; Matt. 12:40; 16:18; 1 Pet. (Luke 16:19-31; Matt. 12:40; 16:18; 1 Pet. 3:18-20; 4:6; Eph. 4:9; Rev. 1:18; 6:8; 3:18-20; 4:6; Eph. 4:9; Rev. 1:18; 6:8; 20:13-14; Ezek. 26:20; 31:14, 16; 32:18-20:13-14; Ezek. 26:20; 31:14, 16; 32:18-30; Job 3:13-19; Isa. 53:8-9; 24:21-22; 30; Job 3:13-19; Isa. 53:8-9; 24:21-22; 25:8; 28:18; Hos. 13:14; Psa. 49:15).25:8; 28:18; Hos. 13:14; Psa. 49:15).


Two Prerequisite Events Two Prerequisite Events

1.1. Jesus has finished Jesus has finished preparingpreparing Heaven, Heaven, and and come againcome again to to receivereceive his disciples his disciples to where He is (John 14:1-3). to where He is (John 14:1-3).

2.2. The The deaddead have been have been raisedraised (1 Thess. (1 Thess. 4:15b). 4:15b).

Remember:Remember: “No one” (John 3:13; 13:33, 36). “No one” (John 3:13; 13:33, 36).


• ““The Rapture.”The Rapture.”

• Directly Directly contradictscontradicts Scripture: Scripture:1.1. Jesus specifically Jesus specifically PRAYEDPRAYED against it (John against it (John

14:15, 20). 14:15, 20).

2.2. ““Appointed unto men Appointed unto men onceonce to die, but after to die, but after this the judgment.” (Heb 9:27 this the judgment.” (Heb 9:27 KJVKJV).).


• ““The Rapture”The Rapture”

• 17881788 by an American, Southern Baptist by an American, Southern Baptist preacher—Morgan Edwards.preacher—Morgan Edwards.

• 1830-1880s1830-1880s—a Scottish, Plymouth —a Scottish, Plymouth Brethren, leader—John Nelson Darby.Brethren, leader—John Nelson Darby.

• Scriptures actually Scriptures actually fulfilledfulfilled by real by real bodilybodily resurrections. resurrections.


• OneOne of the of the centralcentral truthstruths of Christianity. of Christianity.

• OneOne of the four of the four “chief moments.”“chief moments.”

• BasedBased upon upon JesusJesus’ bodily resurrection. ’ bodily resurrection.

• But the But the howhow and and whenwhen an individual an individual believer believer participatesparticipates . . . . . .

• Distorted, confused, and misunderstood Distorted, confused, and misunderstood conceptsconcepts. .

• NoNo more! more!


Two Topical Areas:Two Topical Areas:

1.1. Order and Time of Fulfillment.Order and Time of Fulfillment.

2.2. Nature of Bodily Resurrection Reality.Nature of Bodily Resurrection Reality.


Order and Time of FulfillmentOrder and Time of Fulfillment• Daniel 12:2, 13 . . . 4, 7.Daniel 12:2, 13 . . . 4, 7.• Ezekiel 37 – Valley of dry bones.Ezekiel 37 – Valley of dry bones.• John 5:28-29.John 5:28-29.• 1 Thess. 4:13-18.1 Thess. 4:13-18.• Matt. 24: 31, 34.Matt. 24: 31, 34.• 1 Cor. 15:20-23 – an order.1 Cor. 15:20-23 – an order.• 1 Cor. 15:51-58. 1 Cor. 15:51-58.


Order and Time of FulfillmentOrder and Time of FulfillmentFour Stages:Four Stages:

““The historically defensible interpretation has The historically defensible interpretation has greatest authority. greatest authority.

That is, interpreters can have maximum That is, interpreters can have maximum confidence in their understanding of a text when confidence in their understanding of a text when they base that understanding on historically they base that understanding on historically defensible arguments.”defensible arguments.”

Klein, Blomberg & Hubbard, Jr., Klein, Blomberg & Hubbard, Jr., Introduction to Biblical Interpretation, 149.Introduction to Biblical Interpretation, 149.


Order and Time of FulfillmentOrder and Time of FulfillmentFour Stages:Four Stages:

• Stage 1Stage 1. Jesus’ Resurrection—the . Jesus’ Resurrection—the firstfirst physical physical evidence.evidence.

• Stage 2Stage 2. Resurrection of Many [not all] Old . Resurrection of Many [not all] Old Testament Saints from Their GravesTestament Saints from Their Graves

—— the the secondsecond physical evidence. physical evidence.• Stage 3Stage 3. The Harvest—Resurrection Day for . The Harvest—Resurrection Day for

the Rest of the Dead—the the Rest of the Dead—the thirdthird physical evidence.physical evidence.

• Stage 4Stage 4. The . The OngoingOngoing Reality. Reality.

Coming AgendaComing Agenda

Week #13Week #13


Synthesis Solution to Four Competing ViewsSynthesis Solution to Four Competing Views

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Coming Agenda Week #12 (tonight) The Book of Revelation Resurrection of the Dead Ones (plural) Week...

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