Our questions include, how did we arrive at our doctrines? Does the Bible really teach what we think it teaches? Why do churches do what they do? What is the biblical basis of church leadership structure? Why do certain traditions get entrenched?
It's easy to be spoon fed the conventional wisdom, but it's an entirely separate thing to search these things out for one's self. In the past we have read the Bible with these unexamined understandings and interpreted what we read through those lenses. We were lazy about our Bible study, assuming that pastors and theologians were telling us the truth, but we rarely checked it out for ourselves.
Therefore, these Rethinks are our attempt to remedy the situation.
We should note that we are not Bible scholars, but we believe that one doesn't need to be in order to understand the Word of God.
It seems that end-times prognosticating is once again on the rise as chaos and lawlessness in society seem also to be on the rise. It is good that people are turning to the Bible for answers in these trying times, but our hope is that people would ask the right questions in order to receive the right answers.
Selected Scriptures:
The Last Days
OT:
Is. 2:2-4 In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. 3 Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 4 He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war any more.
Ho. 3:4-5 For the Israelites will live for many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones, without ephod or idol. 5 Afterwards the Israelites will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to his blessings in the last days.
Mi. 4:1-3 In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and peoples will stream to it. 2 Many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 3 He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war any more.
NT:
Ac. 2:17-21 “`In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. 21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’"
2Ti. 3:1-5 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God — 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.
He. 1:1-3 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
2Pe. 3:3-4 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this `coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”
The Day of The Lord
OT:
NT:
1Co. 5:5 hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord.
2Co. 1:14 as you have understood us in part, you will come to understand fully that you can boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus.
1Th. 5:2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
2Th. 2:2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come.
2Th. 2:3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.
2Pe. 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.
40 years ago we were deeply involved in speculation and study regarding end times scenarios. This was particularly in vogue in the wake of Hal Lindsey's book, Late Great Planet Earth. In the late 80s, a pamphlet called 88 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Be in 1988 was all the rage. Then came the Left Behind series of books and movies.
Pre-Trib
We were pre-trib dispensationists, which seems to be the predominant view for most of the Christian church. Those who adhere to this interpretation believe that a collection of scattered Bible references all collate into an intricate, complicated picture of a future period of time where there is a pre-tribulation rapture of the remnant Church, followed by a seven year period known as the Great Tribulation where those who were "left behind" after the rapture will experience the Tribulation.
Some of those who are left behind will become Christians after the rapture. There will be the mark of the beast, the False Prophet, and the Two witnesses. After the judgments are poured out, there will be the millennium, and then the Last Day, where Satan is cast into the lake of fire and the New Jerusalem descends from the sky.
It Doesn't Matter
Despite our former certainty regarding this doctrine, more recently we have begun a closer examination of it. We have come to a crucial understanding. While studying eschatology has some value, it does not change any aspect of our faith. We are to live holy lives, give to the poor, share our faith, as well as worship, fellowship, and grow in faith, regardless of what eschatology we hold.
This means when we are confronted with those who would explain the end times we go into the transaction with some skepticism. And rightly so, because the prognosticators at times seem confused, and failed predictions abound. Questionable methodology is too common. Every newspaper headline is shoehorned into their end times scenarios, sometimes yielding preposterous interpretations.
The Last Days
Our defining moment came when we considered the Last Days, and in particular, the Day of the Lord (see below). We have come to understand that the Last Days commenced at Pentecost with the outpoured Holy Spirit (Ac. 2:17), and culminates at the Day of the Lord, the last day of the Last Days. So it is now our opinion that all of history from the day of Pentecost, and the events of Revelation, all occur during the Last Days.
This means when we are confronted with those who would explain the end times we go into the transaction with some skepticism. And rightly so, because the prognosticators at times seem confused, and failed predictions abound. Questionable methodology is too common. Every newspaper headline is shoehorned into their end times scenarios, sometimes yielding preposterous interpretations.
The Last Days
Our defining moment came when we considered the Last Days, and in particular, the Day of the Lord (see below). We have come to understand that the Last Days commenced at Pentecost with the outpoured Holy Spirit (Ac. 2:17), and culminates at the Day of the Lord, the last day of the Last Days. So it is now our opinion that all of history from the day of Pentecost, and the events of Revelation, all occur during the Last Days.
The Last Days is the hope of the nations (Mi. 4:1-3), the time when salvation is available and He may be found (Is. 55:6). Salvation became available to every tribe, tongue and nation (Re. 5:9). It is the unique period of time when the Kingdom of God has come to earth (Mt. 4:17, Col. 1:13, He. 12:28, Re. 1:6)
The Last Days includes the establishment and growth of the Church (Ac. 2:41, Ep. 2:20) by the power of the outpoured Spirit, various tribulations and troubles, the rise and fall of nations and kings (Da. 2:21), and the maturation and unity of the true Church commanded by Jesus (Jn. 13:34) and taught by Paul (Ep. 3:16-19), John (1Jn. 3:11), and Peter (1Pe. 1:22). There will be apostasy (Lk. 8:13) and revival (Re. 7:9, Is. 2:2) all through the Last Days. There will be great evil (Ro. 1:28-32) and great harvest (Lk. 13:29). The Church will be a beacon of hope for the nations (Mt. 5:14), but still, false prophets will arise to deceive the elect if it were possible (Mk. 13:22).
The Last Days includes the establishment and growth of the Church (Ac. 2:41, Ep. 2:20) by the power of the outpoured Spirit, various tribulations and troubles, the rise and fall of nations and kings (Da. 2:21), and the maturation and unity of the true Church commanded by Jesus (Jn. 13:34) and taught by Paul (Ep. 3:16-19), John (1Jn. 3:11), and Peter (1Pe. 1:22). There will be apostasy (Lk. 8:13) and revival (Re. 7:9, Is. 2:2) all through the Last Days. There will be great evil (Ro. 1:28-32) and great harvest (Lk. 13:29). The Church will be a beacon of hope for the nations (Mt. 5:14), but still, false prophets will arise to deceive the elect if it were possible (Mk. 13:22).
We believe the Church will go through the Great Tribulation (Re. 7:14), which will be the final tribulation, the last of many that have happened throughout history. Just as in prior tribulations, the Father will preserve and protect those who are His, and He will deliver them.
The Day of the Lord
As mentioned, we do not believe in a pre-trib rapture. That event will happen on the Last Day, the Day of the Lord, and everything wraps up on that day. We believe the rapture happens as the first event of that day, when the Church will be caught up to meet Jesus in the clouds (1Th. 4:17). We believe Jesus will receive His Church but continue on to earth to the Mount of Olives (Zec. 14:4). It will be an awful, terrible day (Is. 13:6-13). He will execute judgment on the nations in His wrath (Re. 14:19, Re. 19:15).
We believe the Last Day is still in the future, because the nations have not seen Him and mourned (Mt. 24:30)
Martha's reply to Jesus is indicative of what was believed 2000 years ago, contrary to current pre-trib thought:
Jn. 11:24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
The resurrection of the dead will be on the last day.
There will be a period of time where Jesus will reign, there will be a last great battle, the lake of fire, and then He will then judge the dead from His Great White Throne (Re. 20:11).
After this there will be a new heaven and a new earth (Re. 21:1), and the Holy City (New Jerusalem [Re. 3:12], the Bride [Re. 21:10]) will descend. This is where the river of life will be (Re. 22:1), and the throne (Re. 22:3). He will make all things new (Re. 21:5). It is done. Completed (Re. 21:6).
Conclusion
The Last Days is descriptive of the final period of human history, marked by the outpoured Holy Spirit on all flesh (Ac. 2:17). Paul puts it this way:
2Co. 6:2 For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” [Isaiah 49:8] I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
The Last Days is the time of God's favor - salvation is here. That will end on the Last Day, the Day of the Lord.
Dear reader, the door is open in these days. If you haven't entered the Kingdom, today is the day. Believe in the name of Jesus, the son of God, repent, and He will save you.
Selected Scriptures:
We have found that a simple topical reading of the pertinent Scriptures combine together to form a picture of the Last Days and the Day of the Lord.
The Last Days
OT:
Is. 2:2-4 In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. 3 Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 4 He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war any more.
Ho. 3:4-5 For the Israelites will live for many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones, without ephod or idol. 5 Afterwards the Israelites will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to his blessings in the last days.
Mi. 4:1-3 In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and peoples will stream to it. 2 Many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 3 He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war any more.
NT:
Ac. 2:17-21 “`In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. 21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’"
2Ti. 3:1-5 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God — 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.
He. 1:1-3 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
2Pe. 3:3-4 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this `coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”
The Day of The Lord
OT:
Is. 13:6-13 Wail, for the day of the LORD is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty. 7 Because of this, all hands will go limp, every man’s heart will melt. 8 Terror will seize them, pain and anguish will grip them; they will writhe like a woman in labor. They will look aghast at each other, their faces aflame. 9 See, the day of the LORD is coming — a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger — to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it. 10 The stars of heaven and their constellations will not show their light. The rising sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light. 11 I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless. 12 I will make man scarcer than pure gold, more rare than the gold of Ophir. 13 Therefore I will make the heavens tremble; and the earth will shake from its place at the wrath of the LORD Almighty, in the day of his burning anger.
Joe. 1:14-15 Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD. 15 Alas for that day! For the day of the LORD is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty.
Joe. 2:1-2 Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming. It is close at hand — 2 a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness. Like dawn spreading across the mountains a large and mighty army comes, such as never was of old nor ever will be in ages to come.
Joe. 3:14-16 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. 15 The sun and moon will be darkened, and the stars no longer shine. 16 The LORD will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the earth and the sky will tremble. But the LORD will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel.
Am. 5:18 Woe to you who long for the day of the LORD! Why do you long for the day of the LORD? That day will be darkness, not light.
Zep. 1:14-18 “The great day of the LORD is near — near and coming quickly. Listen! The cry on the day of the LORD will be bitter, the shouting of the warrior there. 15 That day will be a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness... 16 a day of trumpet and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the corner towers. 17 I will bring distress on the people and they will walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their entrails like filth. 18 Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the LORD’s wrath. In the fire of his jealousy the whole world will be consumed, for he will make a sudden end of all who live in the earth.”
Mal. 4:5 “See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes.
Joe. 1:14-15 Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD. 15 Alas for that day! For the day of the LORD is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty.
Joe. 2:1-2 Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming. It is close at hand — 2 a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness. Like dawn spreading across the mountains a large and mighty army comes, such as never was of old nor ever will be in ages to come.
Joe. 3:14-16 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. 15 The sun and moon will be darkened, and the stars no longer shine. 16 The LORD will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the earth and the sky will tremble. But the LORD will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel.
Am. 5:18 Woe to you who long for the day of the LORD! Why do you long for the day of the LORD? That day will be darkness, not light.
Zep. 1:14-18 “The great day of the LORD is near — near and coming quickly. Listen! The cry on the day of the LORD will be bitter, the shouting of the warrior there. 15 That day will be a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness... 16 a day of trumpet and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the corner towers. 17 I will bring distress on the people and they will walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their entrails like filth. 18 Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the LORD’s wrath. In the fire of his jealousy the whole world will be consumed, for he will make a sudden end of all who live in the earth.”
Mal. 4:5 “See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes.
NT:
1Co. 5:5 hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord.
2Co. 1:14 as you have understood us in part, you will come to understand fully that you can boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus.
1Th. 5:2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
2Th. 2:2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come.
2Th. 2:3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.
2Pe. 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.
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