The Aaron Papers www.the-aaron-papers.net
SECTION 2
-ESCHATOLOGY
OVERVIEW-
POSTMILLENNIAL / TRIBULATIONAL UNDERSTANDINGS AND
PROBLEMS
(Includes A-millennial, and Dominion Theology)
Part two POSTMILLENNIAL /A-MILLENNIAL SCRIPTURE CRITIQUE
WHAT is the theological driving force of an eschatology?
1. The one thousand year millennium derived from Rev.20 is the driving force of the Pre-mill /trib eschatology.
2. This generation and the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD is the driving force of the Post-mill eschatology.
As I have studied and analyzed the subject of Eschatology in the Bible, I have come to recognize the many pictorial depictions that one might find in the Scriptures. That is to say, when we read the Scriptures, we may be viewing word pictures of situations from varying angles or directions. These word pictures may contain differing bits of information about differing perspectives on a specific subject. Examples of this would be the differing situational pictures presented in the gospels. Although at times, we are given the same information in the three gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. At other times, the situational information may differ slightly: Adding, from gospel to gospel, small bits and pieces of information to the overall word picture. The most important thing here is for us to be able to distinguish between that which is historic from that which is prophetic. And also remembering, that some things are applicable to both: Those things that are clearly historic facts, yet they serve, or have served, as a type of that which is to come.
It is also necessary that we stay focused on the larger overall picture.
The eschatology of the Postmillennialist would appear to be focused, not on the overall picture, but on a secondary picture of the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. The secondary, in this case, has become the primary: Resulting in some very questionable conclusions. This has happened in some Postmillennial camps where, according to their own interpretation, the entire Bible through Rev.22: has already been fulfilled. This is evident by the situations that were previously sighted in part one.
Remember, as we continue on in our discussion and study of eschatology, we must not loose site of this one absolute fact: That the next chronological event in store for the Christian Church, is the pre-Armageddon coming of Jesus to redeem His hidden priesthood to Himself. For the hidden priesthood is to be caught up to meet the Lord in the air, where we will forever be with Jesus.
These points are well worth restating. I honestly do not believe that it matters what eschatology a Christian might hold. They can believe whatever they want to believe, as long as they do not forget the absolute of our next chronological event. Nor do I believe that a persons eschatology can get them into Heaven, or send them to Hell.
If we look at the eschatology of the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, we can see some parallels between Luke chapters seventeen and twenty-one, Matthew chapters twenty-four and twenty-five, and Mark chapter thirteen. I will not attempt to correlate every passage, but I would make a few select comparisons that might be of interest:
SAMPLE LINE-
These lines that have been placed at key intervals within this study, represent major divisions of time within the Scriptures: And the potential for scriptural recapitulation should be considered.
Lu.21:5-6 - Mat.24:1-2 - Mk.13:1-2
The stones of the temple will be thrown down.
Lu.21:7 - Mat.24:3 - Mk.13:4
(Jesus had a three-fold conversation with His disciples.)
1) When will these things come to pass? What will be the sign of:
2) Your coming?
3) the end of the age?
Lu.21:8 - Mat.24:4-5 - Mk.13:5-6
Do not be deceived by false Christs.
Lu.21-9 - Mat.24:6 - Mk.13:7
There will be wars and rumors of wars.
Lu.21:10 - Mat.24:7 - Mk.13:8
Nation will rise against nation.
Lu.21:11 - Mat.24:7 - Mk.13:8
Earthquakes, famines, and pestilence.
Lu.21:12-19 - Mat.24:9 - Mk.13:9, 11-13
Before these things, they will deliver you up to persecutions.
Mat.24:14 - Mk.13:10
The gospel must be preached to all nations and then the end will come.
***(A pictorial prerequisite to the end.)
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(#) = Specific numbers assigned to represent these things.
Lu.21:20-22 - Mat.24:15-18 - Mk.13:14-16
(1) Abomination of desolation is manifested.
Lu.21:23 - Mat.24:19-21 - Mk.13:17-19
(2) Great tribulation.
Mat.24:22 - Mk.13:20
(3) Days shortened for the elects sake.
Lu.17:23 - Mat.24:23-25 - Mk.13:21-23
(4) Beware of false Christs.
Lu.17:24 - Mat.24:26-27
(5) Lightnings will span the heavens when the Son of Man comes (parousia).
Lu.17:34-35 - Mat.24:40-41
(6) A separation of the living will take place; all are not taken at the pre-Armageddon gathering of the hidden elect priesthood.
Lu.17:37 - Mat.24:28
(7) The eagles (the Saints /priests) are gathered UP together to be with Jesus.
Lu.21:24 (Rom.11:25)
(8) The times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
Lu.21:25-26 - Mat.24:29 - Mk.13:24-25
(9) Signs in the sun, moon, and stars. (Ref. Rev.6:12-13)
Lu.21:27 - Mat.24:30 - Mk.13:26
(10)(5) The Son of Man is coming in the clouds.
Lu.21:28 - Mat.24:31 - Mk.13:27
(6) The gathering of the elect priests the hidden priesthood.
(There is a sequential time element in this passage that tells us when the gathering will commence with respect to the other events "when these things begin to happen".)
***(A picture of the gathering event itself: which points to the end.)
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Lu.21:29-31 - Mat.24:32-33 - Mk.13:28-29
The parable of the fig tree.
When we see the budding leaves: Could the budding leaves represent a generation that comes on the scene after the first century? This generation would also represent one of these things. "When you see all these things, know that it (the kingdom of God; which is, in this case, the fullness of God's kingdomthe pre-Armageddon gathering) is near at the very door."
This could be speaking about an attitude that all Christians should have. An attitude of expectation (Ref.1Cor.1:7) when it comes to our Lords return. Because it is then and only then that He will deliver up the Kingdom in its fullness to the Father. (Ref. 1Cor.15:)
Lu.21:32 - Mat.24:34 - Mk.13:30
This generation will remain until all these things are fulfilled.
Then again, "this generation" could be referring to the hidden Israel of God that God has been gathering together throughout all time; that continuous hereditary thread that is always hidden in God.
Lu.21:33 - Mat.24:35 - Mk.13:31
Heaven and earth will pass away, but God's Word is forever.
Lu.21:34 - Mat.24:36 - Mk.13:32
No one knows when the end will be only God knows.
Lu.21:35
Lu.17:26-30 - Mat.24:37-39 - Mk.13:33
The end will come as did the days of Noah and Lot: As a sudden snare.
Lu.21:35-36* - Mat.24:42*-44 - Mk.13:35*-37
WATCH, for you know not the hour of your Lord's return. PRAY that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.
The prayer that we might be counted worthy to escape is of major importance in our understanding of the gathering of the hidden priesthood and its position during the time of the end. This Scripture presents two main points of instruction for all elect Christians:
1. You WATCH. Because you do not know the hour of your Lords return.
2. You PRAY.
a) Because you want to be counted worthy to escape.
b) Because you want to stand before the Son of Man.
The implication of this Scripture here in Lu.21:
1) Is that there is something to escape from.
2) That there is also something to escape to.
(1) Lu.21:34 and 35 explain in precise detail the things we desire to escape from. It is the Day of God: A day that will come upon the whole inhabited earth, to try all them that dwell upon the face of all the earth.
***(A pictorial prediction that will lead to the end.)
(2) Lu.21:36 clearly shows the culmination of Mat.24:31 / Mk.13:27 / Lu.21:28. That culmination is in our being in the presence of our Lord and Saviorwhen we will stand face to face with the Son of Man.
***(A pictorial prophecy of the completed gathering event. Rev.7:9-17)
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The Postmillennial / A-millennial views lack the specifics when it comes to the rapture /or gathering of the hidden priesthood. I do not believe either view deals well with this aspect of eschatology. The primary reason for reaching this conclusion, is that both the Post-mills and the A-mills appear to have combined the many specific aspects associated with the gathering of the hidden priesthood.
Some vital questions must be addressed concerning the reasoning and the timing for this gathering of the hidden priesthood:
1. Are there any specific promises in Scripture that would point to a separate resurrection for the elect priests from Gods reconciliation?
YES! Look again at Lu.21:34-36"But take heed to yourselves, unless your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and THAT DAY come on you unexpectedly. For IT will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. (You) watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to ESCAPE all these things that will come to pass, and stand before the Son of Man."
The reasoning behind this passionate plea of Luke, is found in the letters to the Thessalonians: 1Thes.5:1-3 speaks to us concerning the gathering of the hidden priesthood: "But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you know perfectly that the DAY OF GOD so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, Peace and safety!' then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape."
The escape that is promised to the hidden priesthood, which the apostle Paul is describing here in these passages, can be seen in 1Thes.4:16-18"For Jesus Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, with the trump of God. And the dead in Christ will rise FIRST. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we shall always be with Jesus. Therefore comfort one another with these words."
And the details which explain the reasoning for this action, are found in 2Thes.1:4-12"so that we ourselves boast of you among the Christian Churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, which is a manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give YOU WHO ARE TROUBLED REST WITH US WHEN JESUS IS REVEALED FROM HEAVEN with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of Jesus Christ... These shall be punished... IN THAT DAY... according to the grace of our God and Jesus Christ." Amen.
Amen.