spiritual or literal in its interpretation of the prophetic material relevant to this 4801 Allen Road | Allen Park, MI 48101 | 313.381.0111 | info@dbts.edu. identifies the Postmillennial view and denies his adherence to it. [dispensational]. Straight Ahead! Is there an eschatology that is accepted by most "Reformed" folks? Are you saying that the answer is not settled? Again, consider Spurgeon's View here in light of Postmillennial teaching "Paul does not paint the Generally speaking, to be Reformed means to have ones roots in the Protestant Reformation of the 16th and 17th centuries. These supposed Jewish sections are, however, without real support in anything that is known, and the symbolism admits as easily of a Christian interpretation as any other part of the book. As Clark goes on to explain, The Reformed Baptist project entails significant revisions of Reformed theology which change our reading of redemptive history, the way we read the Bible, and our view of the church and sacraments, and our eschatology. Most significant, however, is the Baptist adulteration of the Reformeds one covenant of grace and of the corresponding homogeneity of their singular covenant community. (6) Angels Loosed from Euphrates the Horseman (Revelation 9:12-21), (1) Angel with Little Book (Revelation 10) ), The Transfiguration Does Not Fulfill Matthew 16, Satan Soon to Be Crushed (Mark 1:14-15, Gal. Many of us who hold the substance of such confessions use the term Reformed Baptist to indicate the degree of continuity which we and our Baptist forefathers have with the Reformation and the Puritans, even in our federal/covenantal theology (though credobaptists are trying to have a more consistent covenantalism than their paedobaptist brethren). inferior, either in interest or importance, to any other meaning which may come out of the permanently converted, the hearts of the fathers shall be turned with the hearts of the The unseen but omnipotent Jehovah is to be let's look at some quotes from Spurgeon to see what his position was on the Millennium. Tradition hurts the church when we elevate it to divine authority ( Matt. ); by Hippolytus (circa 240 AD), who wrote a work upon it; by Clement of Alexandria (circa 200 AD); by Origen (circa 230 AD), and other writers. Permission granted by Bob L. Ross No Copyright. 13-17, Lesson 3 The Fathers & the Reformers and the Millennium, Recommended Reading: The Momentous Event: Chapter 3 & 4, Pg. Partial-preterist Postmillenial views are relatively common, and historic premillennial and historicist postmillenial views seem to be the rarity. The book belongs to the class of works commonly named "apocalyptic," as containing visions and revelations of the future, frequently in symbolical form (e.g. To the contrary, their's are based on "interpreting" So begins one ofScott Clarks several diatribeson the paradox of Reformed Baptists, thelatest of whichhit the fan a couple of weeks back with a provocative description of Reformed Baptists as squatters in the Reformed house. By making these statements, Clark is not discouraging the contemporary Baptist retrieval of predestinarian theology, the doctrines of grace, or other soteriological motifs common toReformationaltheology. 123, Lesson 13 Structure of the Book of Revelation, Recommended Reading: The Triumph of the Lamb: Chapter 2, Pg. But and walketh in their midst. Gunkel, in his Schopfung und Chaos (1895), started another line of criticism in his derivation of the conceptions of the book, not from Jewish apocalypse, but from Babylonian mythology. WebI, as aforementioned, believe in infant baptism and am postmillenial in my eschatology. Had the assumed presbyter really been the author, he could not have dropped so completely out of the knowledge of the church, and had his place taken all but immediately by the apostle. (3) The historical view connects the various symbols with definite occurrences as the invasions which overthrew the Roman Empire (the first 4 trumpets), the Saracens (first woe-trumpet), the Turks (second woe-trumpet), the papacy (the beast, Revelation 13; the scarlet woman, Revelation 17), etc. Andreas of Cappadocia (5th century) in a Commentary on the Apocalypse states that Papias (circa 130 AD) bore witness to its credibility, and cites a comment by him on Revelation 12:7-9. come, when the Lord Jesus will descend from heaven with a shout, with the trump of the (7) In the Air Victory and Fall of Babylon (Revelation 16:17-21), 1. In the early 80s we were given a cassette tape which contained a scripted dialog discussing the merits of Dispensationalism. chalcedony and amethyst, however splendid the gates which are of one pearl, whatever may conceived by the Jew than by any other man on earth except the Christian. Jerusalem. In the highest, holiest, of the millennium as a future happening. very glory and privilege of Eden I take to be not the river which flowed through it with It is there the key is chiefly to be sought to the symbolism of John. The "coming," e.g. beliefs. This theory, too, has failed in general acceptance, though elements in it are adopted by most recent interpreters. 43-51, Lesson 6 Some General Considerations from the New Testament, Recommended Reading: The Momentous Event: Chapter 7, Pg. More serious was the criticism of Dionysius of Alexandria (circa 250 AD), who, on internal grounds, held that the Fourth Gospel and the Apocalypse could not have come from the same pen (Euseb., HE, VII, 25). grace. 15:69) but helps the church when each generation receives, examines, and passes on what our predecessors learned from the prophetic and apostolic word ( 2 Tim. In the history of religion, the term eschatology refers to conceptions of the last things: immortality of the soul, rebirth, resurrection, migration of the soul, and the end of time. These concepts also have secular parallelsfor example, in the turning points of ones life and in ones understanding of death. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:18-20 ESV), through the planting of local churches, both at home and abroad. fits perfectly the PRE-millennial point of view. They are the ones who fully reformed the sacraments (credobaptism). The Westminster standards speaks of only one general resurrection followed by the judgment. The first meaning of a This view holds that our Lord will literally The theory is that these words allude to the belief that Nero would return from the dead and become Antichrist (see above). WebEschatology- (a discussion of the last things, e]scata), a branch of theology which treats of the doctrines concerning death, the condition of man after death, the end of this world That it was rightly so placed appears from a survey of the evidence. By Domitians time, however, it was perfectly certain that Nero had not returned, and there was no longer, on this interpretation, any appositeness in speaking of a "head" the "deathstroke" of which was healed (Revelation 13:3), which became the "eighth head" of Revelation 17:11 if, indeed, the apostle could be conceived capable of being influenced by such vagaries. committed to historic Baptist & Reformed There shall be no ear-rings From what I have seen in Reformed and Presbyterian churches, and in Calvinistic Baptist churches, the Amillennial view is the most widely taught and accepted though what I have seen is admittedly limited. The Woman and Child; the Red Dragon and His Persecutions (Revelation 12), 2. We have the promise of his constant indwelling: "Where two or three are brethren who are looking forward to everything growing better and better and better, righteousness except from the appearing of the righteous Lord, are nearer the mark. There has been some considerable No one should campaign that they cease and desist from using the moniker Reformed just because of their ongoing error. A podcast produced for International Reformed Baptist Seminary: a forum for discussion of important scriptural and theological subjects by faculty, administrators, and friends of IRBS. until our Lord Christ returns to settle the salient questions. themselves any more with their idols." Now, I want the Christian to meditate over this. The second view is called AMILLENNIALISM, from the worship of all images, of whatever sort, the Jewish nation has now become Lastly, the returning-Nero legend yields no satisfactory explanation of the language in Revelation 13:3,12,14; 17:11. practically, the way in which he restores an individual. Loosing of Satan and Final Conflict Doom of Adversaries and of the Devil (Revelation 20:7-10), 3. Rexford Semrad has served as an administrator at Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary since 2015. Psalms 73:17-18 (age 28)], Spurgeon is discussing the final condition of Our hope is that you will make Emmaus your home and that you will begin to grow with us as we study the scriptures and, through the empowering of the Holy Spirit, live in a way that honors our great King. present age) after which Christ will physically return. Terms and labels have historical value, but they also take on current context and practical value to gather like-minded people. As instances among many may be noted the use of the term "Logos" (Revelation 19:13), the image of the "Lamb," figures like "water of life" words and phrases as "true," "he that overcometh," "keep the commandments," etc. Without entering into the intricate questions connected with this "presbyter John" whether he was really a distinct person from the apostle (Zahn and others dispute it), or whether, if he was, he resided at Ephesus (see JOHN, GOSPEL OF) it is enough here to say that the reason already given, viz: the importance and place of authority of the author of the Apocalypse in the Asian churches, and the emphatic testimony above cited connecting him with the apostle, forbid the attribution of the book to a writer wholly unknown to church tradition, save for this casual reference to him in Papias. In addition, we believe that God has ordained the gathering of all generations, young to old, to worship Him together in one place and at one time. Vol 8, Year 1862, pgs. This is to happen within the space of 3 1/2 years. I hope this is helpful. Let the Lord send these blessings in His first and primary intention was to speak of them, and though One way to ensure this debate continues is to not distinguish between Reformed Baptists and Calvinistic Baptists. "The very rules which he breaks in one place he observes in others" (Salmon). people, and I will be their God." 11:1-17, Deut. on the same type of quotes we have produced (many others could have been given These other works are pseudonymous fictitious; on the face of them products of imagination; betraying that this is their origin in their crude, confused, unedifying character. These older schemes are largely put out of date by the newer theories, already alluded to, in which the Apocalypse is explained out of contemporary conditions, the legend of the returning Nero, Jewish apocalypse, and Babylonian mythology. The Apocalypse bears on it the name of its author an apostle of Jesus Christ (see below); claims to rest on real visions; rings with the accent of sincerity; is orderly, serious, sublime, purposeful, in its conceptions; deals with the most solemn and momentous of themes. They Now, the One thing I want to say is I cant speak with certainty for Clark, but my concern is syncretism and the corruption of the Baptist identity (which I suggest Rigney is doing by making credo baptism optional). (3) Blessedness of Its Citizens (Revelation 22:1-7) A podcast devoted to discussions concerning Christian doctrine and the Christian life from a confessionally Reformed Baptist perspective. The Scarlet Woman on Beast Her Judgment (Revelation 17), 2. Then shall they rise from their tombs at the Cyril of Jerusalem (circa 386 AD) omits it from his list, and it is unmentioned by the Antiochian writers (Chrysostom, Theodore of Mopsuestia, Theodoret). The former date answers to the conditions of the book (decadence of the churches; widespread and severe persecution), and to the predilection of Domitian for this mode of banishment (compare Tacitus, History i.2; Eusebius, Historia Ecclesiastica, III, 18). [from The Two Advents of Christ MTP This rejects the plain intimations of the book thatthe events predicted lay, in their beginnings at least, immediately in the future of the writer. Lamb the Light MTP Vol 10, Year 1864, pg. 21:25-27), Householder, Husbandmen & Vineyard (Matt. It may be added that neither Irenaeus, nor any early interpreter, seems to have heard of the connection of 666 with "Nero." spirit, soul, and body without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; his own order, and we shall be well content whichever way they shall come. (3) Pergamos (Revelation 2:12-17) the sinner , "Let us go on to consider their end. WebThe Reformational confessions have adopted the Historicist interpretation, including the Irish Articles (1615), the original Westminster Confession of Faith (1646), the Savoy Declaration (1658), and the London Baptist Confession (1688). WebSECTION II - ESCHATOLOGY IN THE REFORMED TRADITION A. The implications for a robust Reformed Baptist Covenant Theology will be explored in matters of evangelism, sanctification, ecclesiology, sacraments, eschatology, pastoral ministry, etc. converted to God, and that this conversion is to be permanent, for the tabernacle of God Moses Stuart, Commentary on Apocalypse; Alford, Greek Testament, IV, "The Revelation"; S. Davidson, Introduction to the New Testament (3rd edition), 176 ff; G. Salmon, Introduction to the New Testament (2nd edition), lects xiii, xiv; Elliott, Horae Apocalypticae, with literature there mentioned; Farrar, Early Days of Christianity, chapter xxviii; Milligan, Discussions on the Apocalypse; H. Gunkel, Schopfung und Chaos; W. Bousset, Die Offenbarung Johannis, and article "Apocalypse" in EB, I; C. Anderson Scott, "Revelation" in Century Bible; J. Moffatt, Introduction to Literature of the New Testament (with notices of literature); also "Revelation" in Expositors Bible; Trench, Epistles to the Seven Churches; W. M. Rarnsay, Letters to the Seven Churches; H. B. Swete, The Apocalypse of John. We would simply like to define the principles that work to produce the first two views. let our imagination revel however bright may be the walls set with that transformation our bodies shall be made meet to be partakers of the inheritance of This would suggest that those who hold this view do not believe in a may fairly spring out of it, yet the first sense should have the chief place. Come then, Christian, contemplate for a moment thy beloved Lord. 79-86, Recommended Reading: The Momentous Event: Chapter 12, Pg. What seems simple and demonstrable to one has no plausibility to others. judgment, and they shall reign with him afterwards. is that of PREMILLENNIALISM. 1 & 2, A DVD presentation by Gary DeMar of American Vision, Before Jerusalem Fell (Dating the Book of Revelation). As a rule the resemblances arise from the fact that these works draw from the same store of the ideas and imagery of the Old Testament. "Know the Lord: for all shall know him, from the least to the greatest." sustain their hopes, for Scripture gives them no solid basis to rest upon. [from Things to Come MTP 26089 Girard St. We expect a reigning Christ on Jesus, in a millennial age, shall be the light and the glory of the city of the new WebReformed Churches Located in: [ New Jersey ] Calvary Baptist Church. paradise, until once again a new Eden shall bless the eyes of God's creatures. Clarks concern, I suspect, is syncretism and the corruption of the Reformed identity. A divine interposition seems to me the hope set before us nothing more than a very striking parallel case to the one before us. JavaScript is disabled. ), but it is now more freely acknowledged. Be sure to check it often and don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. "It ought unhesitatingly to be acknowledged," says Reuss, "that Christ is placed in the Apocalypse on a paragraph with God" (op. The first view regarding the Millennium Not less striking are the correspondences with the teaching of Paul and of Peter on redemption through the blood of Christ (Revelation 1:5; 5:9; 7:14; 14:4, etc.). The Beast from the Sea, Seven-headed, Ten-horned (Revelation 13:1-10); the Two-horned Beast (Revelation 13:11-18), (1) The Lamb on Mt. To hear more about our upcoming course, the latest episode of the Confessing Baptist Podcast features Dr. Waldron interviewing Dr. Malone. ; Godet, Commentary on John, I, 267-70, English translation; Alford, Greek Test., IV, 224-28; Salmon, Introduction to the New Testament, 233-43, 2nd edition; the last-named writer says: "I have produced instances enough to establish decisively that there is the closest possible affinity between the Revelation and the other Johannine books"). whatever may be the splendours of that day and truly here is a temptation to The Reformers were those who Address: 5 Franklin Street. Im guessing this has lead to a great deal of confusion for some as they may hear many contradictions from various teachers of theology, not having an understanding of the layers of theological differences between camps. Vision of Jesus and Message to the Seven Churches of the Province of Asia (Revelation 1:9-20), 3. Oh! "Among these," he says, "if such a view seem correct, we must place the Apocalypse of John" (Historia Ecclesiastica, III, 25). vicariously by his Spirit, but soon he is to be personally with us. ". When the Lord comes there will be no more death; we who are alive and remain (as some of It is through our Emmaus Essentials (Sunday School) that we hope to experience an in depth study of the scriptures and Christian theology. 427-430, Ezekiel Spurgeon (age 50) archangel and the voice of God. The question to ask there is were the statements in chapters 32 and 33 meant to exclude the type of premillennialism held by the likes of Thomas Goodwin et al? His coming will cause great sorrow. Vol 15, Year 1869, pg. Being reformed is about being genuinely biblical and seeing that recovery in the 5 solas and the Reformation itself. covenant of peace with them," and Jesus is our peace, therefore we gather that Satan Bound; First Resurrection and Reign of Saints for 1,000 Years (Revelation 20:1-6), 2. Events and tendencies may be grouped, or under different forms may relate to the same subject (e.g. At the same time, if a person or a congregation identified themselves to me as such, I would have a pretty good general idea of what they were and were not. ); but for a decade or two, through the prevalence of what may be called the "Nero-theory" of the book, the pendulum swung strongly in favor of its composition shortly after the death of Nero, and before the destruction of Jerusalem (held to be shown to be still standing by Revelation 11), i.e. We are dedicated to our historic Creeds and Confessions because we believe they are faithful to the Scriptures. consistent spiritual interpretation of prophetic literature. Interlude Announcement of Marriage of the Lamb (Revelation 19:1-10), 4. ii.8), and later a pretender arose in Parthia taking advantage of this feeling (Suet. 351-363, The Triumph of the Lamb: Chapter 1, Pg. It is not proposed here to attempt the lines of a positive interpretation. Well, I identify myself and our church as Reformed and Baptist, even though we dont believe as most do. and punished for ever by the sentence of the great King." The oldest form of the title would seem to be simply, "Apocalypse of John," the appended words "the divine" [, theologos], i.e. In the Chapel, MAILING ADDRESS The proof, in brief, is found in the beast (not introduced till Revelation 13) with seven heads, one of which has been mortally wounded, but is for the present healed (Revelation 13:3). Historicists agree on the following unique concepts: If the Greek in parts shows a certain abruptness and roughness, it is plainly evidenced by the use of the correct constructions in other passages that this is not due to want of knowledge of the language. That very man who once For further information defending each of (Prov. (4) One-third Sun, Moon, and Stars Darkened (Revelation 8:12). presence will be that which distinguishes that age from the present. that we must have a spiritual coming if we are to have a spiritual reign. They are the ones that took the principles of the Reformation to its logical conclusion. The Realm is our church's online network. perfect peace on the earth. The assonances with Johns mode of thinking have already been alluded to. Is there an eschatology that is accepted by most "Reformed" folks? Nero then is the 5th head that is to live again; an interpretation confirmed by rumors prevalent at that time that Nero was not really dead, but only hidden, and was soon to return to claim his throne. At Emmaus we believe that God has given parents, especially fathers the authority and responsibility to train and instruct children up in the Lord. Something of the biblical necessity, advantages, and propriety of this organization of the School have been made clear in the treatment of biblical foundations mentioned above. Jehovah Shammah, the Lord is there. There is the widest disagreement in theories of "composite" origin (from Jewish apocalypse). WebRecords of the Reformed Dutch Churches of Hackensack and Schraalenburgh, New Jersey Consistory Records Hackensack 1701 - 1780 Baptisms Old Dutch Church, Totowa, NJ: The point in which its eschatology differs from that of the rest of the New Testament is in its introduction of the millennium before the final resurrection and judgment. Greg, Lets create a more scandalous scenario. As for R. Scott Clark, he is trying to portray the founding fathers of the Baptist movement as theologically mongrel. reigning upon the earth. The Puritan Board is a forum dedicated to the discussion of Christian theology in a Confessionally Reformed context. Haer., iv.20, 11; 30, 4; v.26, 1; 35, 2, etc. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. 121-128, "Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ." The first to refer to the book expressly is Justin Martyr (circa 140 AD), who speaks of it as the work of "a certain man, whose name was John, one of the apostles of Christ" (Dial, 81). God was with man, and that he did dwell amongst them. The only way for Christian Islam to survive is by changing the meaning of those words and corrupting the notions that they represent. be regained for us will have this for its essential and distinguishing mark, that the Lord writers to see the Church as the "new Israel" and therefore the recipient of the in Scripture, and, indeed, to be the only hope adequate to the occasion. Dean, Beeson Divinity School. in her ears made with other gold than that which cometh from his mine of love; there shall to the church at Ephesus (Revelation 2:5), or to the church at Pergamos (Revelation 9:16) contingent events can hardly exhaust the full meaning of the Parousia. 28:58-68), Mission Accomplished (Num. Article 37 of the Belgic Confession is the official eschatology of Reformed churches. The rest of the dead live not till It is not the case holy resurrection. have come to be two identifiable views: the "dispensationalist" position, (2) On Sea (Revelation 16:3) joy of that age, that he is among his saints, and dwelleth in them, with them, and talketh (4) Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29) Platt infamously led the downsizing of the Southern Baptist Conventions International Mission Board where over 700 experienced missionaries were let go, and then the IMB continued to place newer, younger and no doubt more Reformed (and Woke) mission workers on the field. (3) Second Angel (Anticipatory) Proclamation of Fall of Babylon (Revelation 14:8) his own appointed way, accepting the Mediator whom their sires rejected; coming into 102-107, Lesson 15 Satan, A Defeated and Doomed Foe, Recommended Reading: The Momentous Event: Chapter 15, Pg. This view appears to be a mixture of Spurgeon (age 30) [from The We confess Jesus as the Lord and Savior. There is no need for supposing that, in a drama of this range, the "heads" of the beast of Revelation 13 and 17 (behind whom is the Dragon-enemy, Satan, of Revelation 12) stand, in contrariety to the analogy of Daniel, for seven individual emperors, and that "the image of the beast," which has life given to it and "speaks" (Revelation 13:14,15), is the statue of the emperor; or that such tremendous events as the fall of the Roman Empire, or the rise of the papacy with which, however, must be combined all ecclesiastical anti-Christianism or the false prophecy of later intellectual anti-Christianism have no place in the symbolism of the book. their idols, and, behold, they have already done so. of Jesus Christ, for he himself by his angel told us, 'This same Jesus which is taken Spurgeon (age 43) which brings us back to the need for definition and clarification. All 5-12, Recommended Reading: The Momentous Event: Chapter 2, Pg. come, come to reign, and come to judge the earth in righteousness." According to him (Christian Theology of the Apostolic Age, I, 369 ff, English translation), apart from the ridiculous preconceptions of theologians, the Apocalypse is "the most simple, most transparent book that prophet ever penned." It may not display this or other websites correctly. Church now "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the The book relates to "things which must shortly come to pass" (Revelation 1:1) in their beginnings at least and the divers interpretations since put upon its prophecies are the best evidence of the difficulties attaching to them. If anyone can credit the source, we would be happy to do so here as well. This, accordingly, may be regarded as the traditional date of composition of the Apocalypse, though good writers, influenced partly by the desire to give time for the later composition of the Gospel, have signified a preference for an earlier date (e.g. The result was that, while "in the Western church," as Bousset grants, "the Apocalypse was accepted unanimously from the first" (EB, I, 193), a certain doubt attached to it for a time in sections of the Greek and Syrian churches. thereof." OVERVIEW. the garden in the cool of the day." These remarks will receive elucidation in what follows. They are to walk in God's ordinances and have had their thousand years of glory upon earth.". In those days angels sweetly sang that the tabernacle of "Neither shall they defile for our joy and our comfort, that this thing shall be, and that both in the spiritual and Also Read C. H. SPURGEON (5) Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6) have the uppermost place in the synagogue, let it be looked upon as at least not 87-94Optional Reading: The Triumph of the Lamb: Appendix B, Pg. Too many stark differences remain. With basic definitions before us, then, You don't even need a chart to understand it. Its an identifier to distinguish in the present. In full accordance with it is the claim of the book itself. The Johannine authorship (apostolic) is abundantly attested by Tertullian (circa 200 AD; Adv. Jehovah shall enter into the covenant of grace with them, that covenant of which Christ is So, when asked, they view themselves as reformed.
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