I want to make a brief note responding to the annihilationist claim that unbelievers will not suffer conscious torment after judgment day (i.e. they will cease to exist all-together). They will be “annihilated,” it is claimed. The problem with this view is that Rev 19:20 contradicts this notion: “And the beast was captured, and with […]
Historicism
The ‘Thousand Years’ Reference in Revelation 20 Indicates a Period of Time
Last week I responded to an objection that the thousand years reference in the book of Revelation is not literal. I want to address a similar objection. But this time it is not an objection by amillennialists. Premillennialists and amillennialists agree with each other that the thousand years reference denotes a temporal period, that is, a […]
Answering a Common Amillennial Objection to Premillennialism on When Death Is Eliminated in Relation to the Millennium
Leaving aside the question of the timing of the millennium for this article, though it is related to this issue here, amillennialists, such as Sam Storms, adduce a common objection against premillennialism. He and other amillennialists cite 1 Cor 15:25–26 as evidence for amillennialism: “For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under […]
Why We Should Expect the Antichrist to Arrive THIS Generation
Premise 1: The Bible teaches that Jesus can return during any generation (e.g. Matt 24:36–25:30). Premise 2: The Bible teaches that the Antichrist will arrive before Jesus’s return (e.g. 2 Thess 2:8). Conclusion: Therefore, the church should have a real expectation to face the Antichrist’s arrival this generation. Conversely, if we think that the Antichrist […]
Issues of Interpretation and Commentary on Matthew 24–25 – Jesus’s Olivet Discourse
I am asked frequently if I can recommend a commentary on Matthew’s Olivet Discourse. The problem is that (1) many commentaries on Matthew, in particular chapters 24–25, come from a historicist view, an interpretation that skews Matthew’s message and consequently distorts the application for the church today; (2) some commentaries come from a preterist view and/or […]
3 Problems with the Historicist Interpretation of the ‘Great Tribulation’ in Matt 24
The preterist interpretation of the referent to the “great tribulation” in Matt 24 identifies it with the destruction and persecution associated with the events in Jerusalem in AD 70. Many of these preterists are postmillennial and some amillennial. The futurist interpretation of the referent to the “great tribulation” in Matt 24 identifies it with the […]
4 Reasons Why the Great Tribulation Does NOT Span Over the Entire Church Age: A Reply to Historicism – Ep. 113
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http://traffic.libsyn.com/thebiblicalprophecyprogram/4_Reasons_Why_the_Great_Tribulation_Does_NOT_Span_Over_the_Entire_Church_Age-_A_Reply_to_Historicism_-_Ep._113.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download | EmbedHistoricism is the eschatological position that says the thrust of prophecy in the Olivet Discourse and Revelation are fulfilled in the span of the church age. So for example, they would say that the great tribulation was not fulfilled in the first century, nor is it to […]
Reply to Thomas Kidd: “When Christians Began Speaking of ‘the’ Antichrist”
Since the comment section of Thomas Kidd’s blog does not work, I will post my comments to his blog article here (his blog article is linked below). Thomas, Thank you for your article. If I may, I would like to point out a fundamental flaw in your reasoning without being verbose. I believe you are […]
How to Prepare for Jesus’ Second Coming: DON’T Take the Mark of the Antichrist – Ep. 66
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http://traffic.libsyn.com/thebiblicalprophecyprogram/How_to_Prepare_for_Jesus__Second_Coming_DONT_Take_the_Mark_of_the_Antichrist.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download | EmbedThis episode warned of the future mark of the Antichrist and its consequences for taking it. The Bible’s warning in Revelation 13–14 is for the Church. This will be a real, future event that individuals living at this time will have to face—it could be this generation. […]
How to Prepare for Jesus’ Second Coming: 4 Views that Militate Against Biblical Readiness – Ep. 65
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http://traffic.libsyn.com/thebiblicalprophecyprogram/How_to_Prepare_for_Jesus__Second_Coming_4_Views_that_Militate_Against_Biblical_Readiness.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download | EmbedI started a series talking about how to prepare for Jesus’ second coming in a biblical fashion. Today I described four views that militate against this readiness. 1. Pretribulationism: The warnings are relegated to “tribulation saints.” We will be raptured out of here so we do not […]
4 Reasons Why the Millennial Debate is Important, i.e. Why Premillennial Theology Matters – Ep. 53
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http://traffic.libsyn.com/thebiblicalprophecyprogram/Reasons_Why_the_Millennial_Debate_is_Important_i.e._Why_Premillennial_Theology_Matters.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download | EmbedPremillennialism teaches that at Jesus’ second coming he will deliver the righteous and judge the ungodly. Then the righteous will enter into a period—the millennium—of peace and righteousness where Jesus establishes on earth his physical reign of all nations—including a restored nation of Israel who recognizes him […]