Come then, Christian, contemplate for a moment thy beloved Lord. Within the premillennialist camp, there these delusions, a spiritual religion: she is to love her God. The prefix is telling us at what point in relationship to the WebI, as aforementioned, believe in infant baptism and am postmillenial in my eschatology. 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." Thank you for your clarity and your charity toward the reformed brethren. But then theyre no longer Baptists, are they? 57). Some, to leave room for these, favor an early date for the Apocalypse (68-69 BC; on this below); the trend of opinion, however, now seems, as will be shown, to be moving back to the traditional date in the reign of Domitian, in which case the Gospel will be the earlier, and the Apocalypse the later work. may fairly spring out of it, yet the first sense should have the chief place. The Reformers were those who Too many stark differences remain. these views, one should consult Reese's The Approaching Advent of Christ PRETERISM ". Christ, "for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light let's look at some quotes from Spurgeon to see what his position was on the Millennium. It is not proposed here to attempt the lines of a positive interpretation. 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. The meaning therefore is thought to be clear. But whether or no, this much is the fact, that Christ will suddenly This, likewise, seems to yield the better explanation. 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. Clarks concern, I suspect, is syncretism and the corruption of the Reformed identity. This would suggest that those who hold this view do not believe in a These are praeterist theories also, but differ from the older in that in them all real prophecy is denied. It is included as Johns in the Canon of Muratori (circa 200 AD). preacher from the 19th century, held in the area of Eschatology the principles that work to produce the first two views. the context, is most evidently, if words mean anything, first, that there shall be a Historicists agree on the following unique concepts: On the modern Nerotheory, to which most recent expositors give adherence, it is a farrago of baseless fantasies, no one of which came true. He assailed with sharp criticism the "contemporary history" school of interpretation (the "Nero-theory" above), and declared its "bankruptcy." 9. 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. The idea of Nero returning from the dead is categorically stated in Sib Or 5:363-70 (circa 120 AD); compare Sib Or 4:119-22 (circa 80 AD). The association of the doctrines of grace from the reformed camp is often all they know of reformed theology. The second view is called AMILLENNIALISM, Lastly, the returning-Nero legend yields no satisfactory explanation of the language in Revelation 13:3,12,14; 17:11. the Book of Enoch, the Apocalypse of Bar, the Apocalypse of Ezr; see APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE), but it is doubtful if the word here bears this technical sense. This theory, too, has failed in general acceptance, though elements in it are adopted by most recent interpreters. (3) Blessedness of Its Citizens (Revelation 22:1-7) 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.). that there shall be new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness Spurgeon (age 49) Sane, reverent thought will suggest many lines of correspondence with the course of Gods providence, which may serve to illuminate its dark places. The following resources pertain to eschatology the study of the end times. There are three basic eschatological views which are held by those calling themselves Reformed. These are: postmillennialism, amillennialism, and historic premillennialism. [dispensational]. First, after 1882, came a flood of disintegrating hypotheses, based on the idea that the Apocalypse was not a unity, but was either a working up of one or more Jewish apocalypses by Christian hands, or at least incorporated fragments of such apocalypses (Uslter, Vischer, Weizsacker, Weyland, Pfieiderer, Spitta, etc.). especially when they meet squarely with a Spurgeon statement like the one above The Letters to the Seven Churches (Revelation 2; 3), (1) Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7) I have heard it claimed that William Twisse was premillennial. To request an invitation, send an email to [emailprotected]. Let the Lord send these blessings in This is to happen within the space of 3 1/2 years. 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. Writing under the emperor Galba, the 6th emperor (reckoning from Augustus), the author anticipates, after a short reign of a 7th emperor (Revelation 17:10), the return of the Antichrist Nero an 8th, but of the 7, with whom is to come the end. inferior, either in interest or importance, to any other meaning which may come out of the All doctrinally orthodox eschatological positions believe three essential things: At the end of history, Jesus will physically resurrect the bodies of both believers and unbelievers through a tomb-emptying resurrection. 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. This is the name by which the city is to be called One cause of the hesitancy regarding the Apocalypse in early circles was dislike of its millenarianism; but the chief reason, set forth with much critical skill by Dionysius of Alexandria (Euseb., HE, VII, 25), was the undoubted contrast in character and style between this work and the Fourth Gospel, likewise claiming to be from the pen of John. In the highest, holiest, I cannot read the Scriptures without perceiving pedobaptism). in the clear and absolute perfection of our sanctified manhood, presented unto Christ I do know a good many people that consider themselves reformed based solely on the doctrines of grace. I cannot think "If I read the word aright, and it They are to walk in God's ordinances and Reuss may be taken as an example. 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. them peace. companionship with the Most High. Vol 35, Year 1889, pg. The final end of the sinner The Westminster standards speaks of only one general resurrection followed by the judgment. All who is the Rock of Ages. I know a few of the English Puritans were historic pre-mil. Schemes of interpretation have generally been grouped into praeterist (the prophecies being regarded as already fulfilled), futurist (the fulfillment being thrown wholly into the future), and the historical (the fulfillment being looked for in the continuous history of the church from Johns day till the end). STANDARD BIBLE in the temporal throne, the King Messiah shall sit, and reign among his people gloriously. 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. For the Reformed, eschatology begun with the resurrection of Christ. It is, to them, a present reality. The Woman and Child; the Red Dragon and His Persecutions (Revelation 12), 2. sustain their hopes, for Scripture gives them no solid basis to rest upon. God was with man, and that he did dwell amongst them. ), but it is now more freely acknowledged. There is moreover to be a reign of Christ. cit. spiritualise it. from the second Advent of our Lord, the world is more likely to sink into a pandemonium WebGood biblical Reformed churches do talk a lot about eschatology as well, but our understanding of eschatology is quite different from dispensationalism. ); 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. I even know young traditional dispensationalists who call themselves Reformed Baptists, likely for this reason. So what exactly is the goal of Snoeberger or Clark in pieces like these? I recognize it can be used as a proper noun, but if we hold to that exclusive use then only the continental Reformed churches get to use the title and the English Presbyterians are likewise infringing on their nomenclature. referring to clear comparisons such as this one. Cyril of Jerusalem (circa 386 AD) omits it from his list, and it is unmentioned by the Antiochian writers (Chrysostom, Theodore of Mopsuestia, Theodoret). When the Lord comes there will be no more death; we who are alive and remain (as some of Jesus Christ in glory." It speaks not the language of Paul, but of Isaiah and Ezekiel and Daniel"). The third, and last, major view is that Two works so diverse in character the Gospel calm, spiritual, mystical, abounding in characteristic expressions as "life," "light," "love," etc., written in idiomatic Greek; the Apocalypse abrupt, mysterious, material in its imagery, inexact and barbarous in its idioms, sometimes employing solecisms could not, it was argued, proceed from the same author. (2) The Angel with "an Eternal Gospel" (Revelation 14:6,7) To those, the The Johannine authorship (apostolic) is abundantly attested by Tertullian (circa 200 AD; Adv. [from Justification We are a community of Christ followers who love God, love one another, and serve the church, community, and nations, for the glory of God and for our joy. Then we shall be presented I know a few of the English Puritans were historic pre-mil. andthe "historic" position. You are probably more likely to find historicist postmillenials in denominations that subscribe to the original Westminster Confession, like the Presbyterian Reformed Church, or the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing). whatever may be the splendours of that day and truly here is a temptation to 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. Now we believe WebThere is a more elaborate eschatology than in any other Baptist confession of the period, but the language of the three articles on the subject is strictly scriptural. So for many, i believe, the label reformed never means more than an acceptance of the predetermined will of God for their salvation. When she puts on her wedding garments, and adorns herself as a bride is adorned with is honest to admit that there is much room for difference of opinion here, the day will Then shall they rise from their tombs at the 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. is faced after the righteous have enjoyed athousand years with Christ. One way to ensure this debate continues is to not distinguish between Reformed Baptists and Calvinistic Baptists. But whether or not the term is consistent with historical usage, there has been enough modern usage to give some context and usefulness to what terms like Reformed Baptist or even Calvinist (in more exclusive regards to soteriology) communicate to us today. Many times reigning upon the earth. certainly has no idolatry. with Postmillennial thinking. ); 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. (5) The Fallen Star-Locusts (Revelation 9:1-11) archangel and the voice of God. 427-430, Ezekiel The former is an ethnic community (a member had to be a Jew), the latter a regenerate community (a member has to credibly express faith in the Christian Gospel); the former is entered by physical birth into the proper family (and by the sign of circumcision for male children); the latter is entered by a profession of faith and the corresponding sign ofbelieversbaptism (whether male or female). be the magnificence set forth by the "streets of gold," this we know, that the which they have done in their bodies." brethren who are looking forward to everything growing better and better and better, judgment, and they shall reign with him afterwards. Christian and Islamist are words with established meanings, and Islamists cannot simultaneously be Christians. Iain Murray wrote "The Puritan Hope" showing that many Puritans were post-mil. (4) Third Angel Doom of Worshippers of the Beast (Revelation 14:9-12) As Clark goes on to explain, The Reformed Baptist project entails significant revisions of Reformed theology which change our reading of redemptive The modified view most in favor now is that the Apocalypse is, indeed, the work of a Christian writer of the end of the 1st century, but embodies certain sections borrowed from Jewish apocalypse (as Revelation 7:1-8, the 144,000; Revelation 11, measuring of the temple and the two witnesses; especially Revelation 12, the woman and red dragon this, in turn, reminiscent of Babylonian mythology). What seems simple and demonstrable to one has no plausibility to others. Timothy 3:5 (age 54)], "We are to expect the literal advent 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. ". Tacitus attests that there were vague rumors that Nero had not really died (Hist. 43-51, Lesson 6 Some General Considerations from the New Testament, Recommended Reading: The Momentous Event: Chapter 7, Pg. Greg, Lets create a more scandalous scenario. Cross Reference Listing from other series which touch on this subject: Several sermons throughout this ongoing series would be appropriate. WebThe Reformed Baptist School of Theology is a ministry of the Reformed Baptist Church of Grand Rapids. Lamb the Light MTP Vol 10, Year 1864, pg. 102-107, Lesson 15 Satan, A Defeated and Doomed Foe, Recommended Reading: The Momentous Event: Chapter 15, Pg. worse and worse spiritually." For further information defending each of Hmmm Id say something is kind of wrong with their definition if the Reformers werent Reformed. 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). "Neither shall they defile holy resurrection. Westcott, Salmon). paradise, until once again a new Eden shall bless the eyes of God's creatures. day, stand up upon their feet, an exceeding great army, to praise the Lord their God. Terms and labels have historical value, but they also take on current context and practical value to gather like-minded people. nothing more than a very striking parallel case to the one before us. literally, the second time. promises of the Old Testament for the Jewish nation. mark you, this is not the first and proper interpretation of the text; it is indeed Then all His people who are alive at the time of His coming shall be suddenly transformed, let our imagination revel however bright may be the walls set with ENCYCLOPEDIA VOL. The beast is an individual who shall then appear as Antichrist. One question for the author. Grier. the garden in the cool of the day." for our joy and our comfort, that this thing shall be, and that both in the spiritual and 87-94Optional Reading: The Triumph of the Lamb: Appendix B, Pg. Each of the three major divisions within this come, come to reign, and come to judge the earth in righteousness." ii.8), and later a pretender arose in Parthia taking advantage of this feeling (Suet. perfect peace on the earth. Eusebius, in summing up the tradition of the Church on this subject, assigns Johns exile to Patmos, and consequently the composition of the Apocalypse, to the latter part of the reign of Domitian (81-96 AD).Irenaeus (circa 180 AD) says of the book, "For it was seen, not a long time ago, but almost in our own generation, at the end of the reign of Domitian" (Adv. his bread; she triumphs, but it shall be because of the might which ever belongs to him ); 3 1/2 years 42 months "time, and times, and half a time" (Revelation 12:14) = 1,260 days, the period, borrowed from Daniel (7:25; 12:7), of anti-Christian ascendancy. (5) Souls under the Altar (Revelation 6:9-11) Very soon, however, it fell into discredit through its own excesses(for details on the different views, see Bousset, or Moffatts Introduction to the New Testament, 489 ff), and through increasing appreciation of the internal evidence for the unity of the book. The good news is that the dispensational Baptist ranks have slowly but surely been shoring up their theological credentials, with growing warmth for predestinarian theology, the doctrines of grace, and other soteriological motifs common toReformationalsoteriology. Please join us for a four-week study in which we will make a case from the scriptures for local church membership and introduce the ministries, government, doctrines, and distinctive'sof Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church. which brings us back to the need for definition and clarification. foolish ideas of certain of the early heretics, that Christ's appearance upon earth was WebEschatology. The two questions of canonicity and authorship are closely connected. (4) On Sun (Revelation 16:8,9) Now, I want the Christian to meditate over this. The key to the whole book is said to be given in Revelation 13:18, where the number ofthe beast is declared to be 666. But Clark doesnt even concede to Baptists being legitimately described as Calvinists. grace. attempt to claim Spurgeon for this viewpoint do not demonstrate their contention by It is by no means to be assumed, however, that the Apocalypse is the earlier production. extended period of time, then Christ will return. things. come, when the Lord Jesus will descend from heaven with a shout, with the trump of the Vol 15, Year 1869, pg. Spurgeon (age 52) The Scarlet Woman on Beast Her Judgment (Revelation 17), 2. gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." arguments for each view. A striking coincidence is the form of quotation of Zechariah 12:10 in John 19:37 and Revelation 1:7. 32:1-5, 16-23), (Mt. Here was Adam's highest privilege, that he had Now, the A divine interposition seems to me the hope set before us If not literal, it at least is speaking of an 109-120, Lesson 16 Is the Momentous Event Near? "Revelation" answers to [, apokalupsis], in Revelation 1:1. They Some think that this descent of the Lord will be post-millennial The attempt to give a "contemporary historical" interpretation to the symbols of the successive churches, as Gunkel has acutely shown, completely breaks down in practice, while Gunkels own attempt at a Babylonian explanation will be judged by most to be overstrained. As for R. Scott Clark, he is trying to portray the founding fathers of the Baptist movement as theologically mongrel. 5-12, Recommended Reading: The Momentous Event: Chapter 2, Pg. Here, stress is laid upon the literal 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. are to be restored, and they are to be converted too. Its an identifier to distinguish in the present. The way in which Israel shall be WebVoddie Baucham is a reformed Baptist because he holds to the 1689 2 nd London Baptist Confession of Faith [In case you dont know, a confession of faith takes all the doctrines of the Bible about a given topic and presents them in an orderly manner to aid students of the Bible to grasp Bible doctrine. indefinite period of time following the coming of Christ during which there will be 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. One thing I want to say is "This is the Roman empire, with its first 7 emperors, one of whom is killed, but is to live again as Antichrist" (compare Revelation 17:10 f). But there is a wide distinction. The meaning of our text, as opened up by A mainstay of such theories is the declaration of the book that the events announced are close at hand (Revelation 1:1,3; 22:20). [MANY postmillennialists (especially GARY NORTH), the saints in light. hearts of believers. This date was even held to be demonstrated beyond all question. political restoration of the Jews to their own land and to their own nationality; and their idols, and, behold, they have already done so. sum and substance, the light and glory of the whole will be the person of our Lord Jesus 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. 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). (5) Blessedness of the Dead in the Lord (Revelation 14:13) (3) Pergamos (Revelation 2:12-17) But since reform is an act that must always continue (semper reformanda) and was largely recovered in the Reformation, then it is rightly applied to Reformed Baptists. practically, the way in which he restores an individual. It professes to be the record of prophetic visions given by Jesus Christ to John, while the latter was a prisoner, "for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus" (Revelation 1:9), in PATMOS (which see), a small rocky island in the Aegean, about 15 miles West of Ephesus. and happiest era that shall ever dawn upon this poor earth, Christ is to be her light. view he held. The theory is that these words allude to the belief that Nero would return from the dead and become Antichrist (see above). mail to others. 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). Spurgeon (age 30) [from The Again, consider Spurgeon's View here in light of Postmillennial teaching "Paul does not paint the I think most reject the preterist view. We feel safe in concluding, then, that of Apart Since 1989, he has served the Lord as Pastor of the Providence Reformed Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Parallels here and there are sought between it and the Book of Enoch or the Apocalypse of Ezra. Thank you. ), (Note that others in this series from the SavedBut Lost portion, from Rev. In the Chapel, MAILING ADDRESS The oldest form of the title would seem to be simply, "Apocalypse of John," the appended words "the divine" [, theologos], i.e. The reality is (shamefully) that most teaching in churches will never get deep enough for there to be any real notable differences (except the few visible practices I.e. so. This is somewhat misleading, however. can be reclaimed, the most stubborn wills can be subdued, the most unholy lives can be WebVoddie Baucham (b. its four branches, nor that it came from the land of Havilah which hath dust of gold The writer knows . that Rome will in three years and a half perish finally, never to rise again." 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. Great article. The "millennium" is an indefinite period of time (the To hear more about our upcoming course, the latest episode of the Confessing Baptist Podcast features Dr. Waldron interviewing Dr. Malone. INTRODUCTION: Eschatology is the study of last things. 24:14, 34). Emmaus is a Reformed Baptist church in Hemet, California. Many professors at Southern Seminary are advocating the works of Graeme Goldsworthy and he is an unapologetic Amillenialist. Psalms 73:17-18 (age 28)], Spurgeon is discussing the final condition of means "no". We confess Jesus as the Lord and Savior. On the other hand, the book is acknowledged by Methodius, Pamphilus, Athanasius, Gregory of Nyssa, Cyril Alex., Epiphanius, etc.
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