All theologians believe the Bible teaches that human history is made up of a variety of dispensations where God works in a special redemptive mode and epoch. What is debated, however, is the number of dispensations and the nature of them. I believe Paul outlines at least four fundamental dispensations (oikonomia) in human history in […]
Thessalonians
A public debate challenge for Andy Woods to defend his new book: The Falling Away: Spiritual Departure or Physical Rapture?: A Second Look at 2 Thessalonians 2:3
Andy Woods has recently written a booklet (54 pages): The Falling Away: Spiritual Departure or Physical Rapture?: A Second Look at 2 Thessalonians 2:3. He interprets the Greek word apostasia (the apostasy/falling away) as referring to the rapture. “Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes […]
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 […]
Any Discussion on Who Is the Restrainer in 2 Thess 2 Must Contend with—Not Ignore—Colin Nicholl’s Research
Recently, there have been radio programs discussing the referent to the apostle Paul’s mention of a “restrainer.” What is baffling is that these programs have completely ignored Colin Nicholl’s research on the evidence of Michael being the Restrainer. Scholars in the last ten years who have been writing commentaries and other monographs have of course […]
What is the difference between a Christian being martyred today and a Christian being martyred by the future Antichrist?
There are two levels where this question is answered, the corporate and individual level. Corporately The church has been persecuted for about 2,000 years by many antichrists (plural). This is a historical fact that is undeniable with the myriads of accounts of believers dying for their faith all around the world up to this very […]
Why Paul’s ‘Last Trump’ Is Not the Seventh Trumpet in the Book of Revelation
The following are a few general observations why Paul’s ‘last trump’ in 1 Cor 15:52 is not the referent to the seventh trumpet in the Book of Revelation. I have an entire chapter devoted to this topic in my forthcoming book responding to posttribulationism. But for now here are some general comments in no particular […]
Why Prewrath Appeals to Many Pretribers and Posttribers – Ep. 119
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http://traffic.libsyn.com/thebiblicalprophecyprogram/Why_Prewrath_Appeals_to_Many_Pretribers_and_Posttribers_-_Ep._119.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download | EmbedThe prewrath position resolves a key problematic issue for pretribulational and posttribulational eschatology. In my experience this key exegetical point in prewrath eschatology has made sense for many who are ex-pretribbers and ex-posttribbers. It is a point that prewathers should highlight when they talk with their pretrib […]
Revelation 19 Does NOT Depict the Start of the Second Coming (Video)
As many are aware prewrath eschatology teaches that the second coming (parousia) of Jesus begins—not in Rev 19— but rather between the opening of the sixth and seventh seals in Rev 7 with the rapture and resurrection occurring with the innumerable multitude of believers appearing in heaven out of the period of the great tribulation. […]
Is the Meaning of Harpagēsometha in 1 Thess 4:17 ‘Rapture’ or ‘Plunder’? Part 4 – Ep. 117
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http://traffic.libsyn.com/thebiblicalprophecyprogram/117-Is_the_Meaning_of_Harpagesometha_in_1_Thess_417_Rapture_orPlunderPart_4.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download | EmbedThis episode I responded to Chris Steinle on his root fallacy of the Greek word harpagēsometha in the rapture passage 1 Thess 4:17. I explained the phonological dynamics behind the lexical form of the Greek word harpazō and its form harpagēsometha. When certain letters interact with each other […]
Is the Meaning of Harpagēsometha in 1 Thess 4:17 ‘Rapture’ or ‘Plunder’? Part 3 – Ep. 116
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http://traffic.libsyn.com/thebiblicalprophecyprogram/Is_the_Meaning_of_Harpagesometha_in_1_Thess_417_Rapture_or_Plunder__Part_3_-_Ep._116.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download | EmbedThis episode I responded to Chris Steinle on his interpretation of the beginning of 1 Thess. 4:17. I pointed out some errors and lexical fallacies and suggested some better resources as is provided in the links below. Is the Meaning of Harpagēsometha in 1 Thess 4:17 ‘Rapture’ […]
Is the Meaning of Harpagēsometha in 1 Thess 4:17 ‘Rapture’ or ‘Plunder’? Part 2 – Ep. 115
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http://traffic.libsyn.com/thebiblicalprophecyprogram/Is_the_Meaning_of_Harpagesometha_in_1_Thess_417_Rapture_or_Plunder__Part_2_-_Ep._115.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download | EmbedThis episode I responded to Chris Steinle on his interpretation of “from heaven” that he comments on from his chapter “Reclaiming the 1st Thessalonians Rapture Narrative” in his co-authored book with Douglas Hamp, Reclaiming the Rapture: Restoring the Doctrine of the Gathering of the Commonwealth of Israel. […]