Tim LaHaye loved Jesus and Christ's church. His Christian faith is not to be doubted. It is his fictional writing, passed off by many as being based on good, biblical theology, which caused the damage. LaHaye's legacy is like the seasoned doctor with a scalpel in hand, who unintentionally amputates the patient's good leg. The eventual double amputee doesn't care that the physician's heart was good or his motive innocent; all he cares about is the damage caused by the doctor's hands.
Tim LayHaye wrote fictional stories are about "end times" and the second coming of Jesus. The books he wrote detail what he imagined could happen during and after the rapture, the alleged time when born-again Christians are secretly taken out of the world, leaving others "Left Behind." According to LaHaye, the "Left Behind" world will be plunged into tribulation, wars, plagues, and catastrophic chaos until Jesus comes to put an end to Armageddon. Christians escape hell on earth because they are in heaven enjoying Christ and His kingdom there.
Christians who believe LaHaye's fictional books are based on good biblical theology have had their spiritual legs amputated. They have trouble walking by faith now, and base their only hope on their ability to walk then. When you are always looking for a Kingdom to come, you miss the Kingdom that is.
“Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:20-21).The reign of Christ in our hearts is to be enjoyed and experienced now. The enjoyment of the Kingdom of Christ now instead of looking for a Kingdom to come, transforms the believer from a church going religious person waiting for heaven into a Christ-honoring relational person transforming the the world now.
The King of Kings is to be personally heard now. The Kingdom is Christ in you (Colossians 1:27). The reign of Christ in your life is the focus of Christianity. You are the King's ambassador in a world who knows not your King. Instead of being a person who loves singing the King is coming, be a person who enjoys showing the King is here.
Tim LaHaye wrote good fiction.
The words of Scripture are about real life.
The Bible speaks of the reality of the powerful presence of the King of Kings begins taking up residence-- not just theoretical residence, but personal and practical residence--in the little piece of clay the Bible calls your life (II Corinthians 4:7).
The treasure of the gospel is truly a treasure within.
It is the life of God in the soul of man.
So, next time you become captivated with what the world might look like after an alleged rapture, why don't you take a few moments and consider what your life, your family, your home and your world could look with the King of Kings reigning in you now.
37 comments:
I have a Catholic friend who was really into the series and he asked me to try it, thinking I would be hooked and then we could discuss it. So I started with the first book and only got a few pages into it and had to put it down as it was so preposterous. I was in shock that this was passing as some kind of "Christian" speculative fiction about the future!!?? No wonder many in the world think we are totally off our beam, these books hand out loads of ammo to atheists.
P.S. From my reading of Scripture, one WANTS to be "left behind" because the heavens (God's reign) will come to earth in fullness.
Excellent point, Don.
1) Doing things here, now, which contribute to the Kingdom ... things Jesus described for us .. produce results here and now. I was reminded of this yesterday when I wound up sitting between 2 people I'd ministered to previously .. one of the over 20 years ago .. at a funeral.
2) What we do to contribute to the Kingdom, we will always have done.
3) In the hereafter, we will always have done them and the reward of seeing that, there, will be unimaginable for us, now.
What things look like after the rapture is irrelevant to me. I just know it's a huge thrill to be allowed to participate in the work here and now. Such a privilege...
Wade,
Great article!
"Instead of being a person who loves singing the King is coming, be a person who enjoys showing the King is here".
A loud "Amen!"
Wade,
There are many more who are doing the same as Tim Le Hayes, with what they write and believe that it is very difficult to point the Finger at a person who was just as ignorant of understanding of what the "End Times" is all about, as we all possibly are.
I am of the view that few people really understand the End Times well enough to be considered an expert on this subject matter, and that the Prophecies are predominately still under God's seal, and as such, the understanding of these prophecies are still hidden from many people. Perhaps we all should be considering whether or not we too are leading people astray by our adopted theological understandings and positions.
God is looking for people who want to be in relationship with Him and are prepared to go on that journey with Him no matter what the future consequences of being in relationship with God, holds. Being in relationship with God means that the fruits of our relationship with Him will be on display for everybody to see and it is this fruit that will draw others to come into a relations with God as well.
Being in relationship with God means that we cannot hide anything from Him as it is all exposed and visible to Him. It comes down to how honest we are with Him.
Shalom
Who knows what Lahayes motives were concerning his fictional writings. I remember when the series came out and most in my Baptist church including the pastor took it as fact. Now some years later the theology seems to have been invented by a man by the name of John Darby in the early 1800s. Let's face it,millions of dollars were made off the Lahayes series by Lahaye himself so as for me I think money was a prime motivater behind the making and marketing of the movie and books. It is still all about the money with these guys as far as I am concerned. Nobody can convince me that it was for any other reason.
Tom and Bill,
Good points, both of you. Thanks for the comments.
I once had a lady in my church tell me that after reading, "Left Behind," that she now understood the book of Revelation. The success of this series seems to have escalated due to God's people being destroyed for a lack of knowledge.
My reaction to the book is the same as Don's. I started reading the book page by page. Then I skipped pages, then groups of pages. The book is wretched. When I gave it back to the guy from whom I borrowed it (he borrowed it from his brother), we both shared a groan and a laugh.
Unlike Ayn Rand's two major novels which I say one should read so one can say they did, the Left Behind series can be safely ignored. Left Behind will one day be left behind, forgotten along with the works of Lindsey, Larkin and Scofield. Atlas Shrugged at 12,000,000 copies sold will probably keep on shrugging.
"LaHaye wrote good fiction." I was told that it was Jenkins that did most of the ink wasting. LaHaye provided the theological foundation. Whoever wrote what, the word good does not describe this tripe.
50,000,000 sold? You pastors have work to do.
Wade,
You nailed it by writing, “…King of Kings begins taking up residence…in…your life. 2 Corinthians 4:7”
“We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.”
That is why Jesus said, “…it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come…I will send him to you.” (John 16:7 NLT)
You quote, “…the Kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:21)
But how would this apply to the disciples because they did not have the Holy Spirit at that time but received power after Pentecost?
(Luke 17:21 NLT) “…For the Kingdom of God is already AMOUNG you.”
http://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/bible.show/sVerseID/25673/eVerseID/25673/printer/friendly
This link states:
“The Kingdom of God was in their presence in His Person and ministry. Therefore, the last phrase of Luke 17:21 should be translated as, "The kingdom of God is among you." Barnes' Notes, Tyndale New Testament Commentary, Expositor's Bible Commentary, The New International Biblical Commentary, and The Interpreter's Bible all agree on this conclusion.”
Rex,
One of the pastors on our staff says Luke 17:21 should be "among you," but I think the overwhelming evidence of the New Testament is that after Pentecost, the Kingdom of God is "in you" as in "Christ in you, your hope of glory."
How was the movie Hillary's America?
My King lives in me. Collectively we are His church/bride in this world right now but we anticipate our King's victorious, physical return to gather His Bride together with our fellow-citizens who have already exited this world spiritually to be with Him but will return with Him and we all together will assume our glorified, physical bodies. I can see how this would be ultra spectacular and confusing to people even though it is the Truth.
I'm sure there is speculation as to just how much "earthly" time will elapse prior to my King establishing His visible throne upon this earth to begin reign supreme over this planet. All extremely mysterious and exciting for those of us in whom our King already abides. He knows. It gives me great joy but a sense of urgency to help others obtain their citizenship before it is too late.
Wade,
At the end of the movie, I asked my wife, “Did that guy yelled, ‘Hillary for the president’?”
She said, “No, he said Hillary for the penitentiary!” :)
I wrote what I thought of the movie on the last comment of the previous post.
Wade could you be wrong in thinking? “the overwhelming evidence of the New Testament is that after Pentecost, the Kingdom of God is "in you.”
1. “…My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom…my Kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:36 NLT)
2. “Mark my words—I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new with you in my Father’s Kingdom.” (Matthew 26:29 NLT)
3. “…Jesus remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43 NLT)
4. “…In your Kingdom, please let my two sons sit in places of honor…” (Matthew 20:21 NLT)
5. “…you will see the Son of Man seated at the place of power at God’s right hand…” (Matthew 26:64 NLT)
6. “Work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom…” (Luke 13:4 NLT)
7. “Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God?” (1 Corinthians 6:9 NLT)
8. “Everything in the heavens and earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom.” (1 Chronicles 29:11 NLT)
9. “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. (Psalm 45:6 NLT)
10. “They will speak of the glory of your kingdom…” (Psalm 145:11)
11. “Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:11 NLT)
12. “…many Gentiles will come…at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 8:11 NLT)
13. “…you are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven…” (Matthew 13:11 NLT)
14. “…for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” (Matthew 5:3 NLT)
15. “Not everyone that calls out to me, ‘Lord Lord’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 7:21 NLT)
16. “…looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62 NLT)
17. “…unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” (John 3:3 NLT)
18. “…we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:22 NLT)
19. “God will use this persecution…to make you worthy of his Kingdom…” (2 Thessalonians 1:5 NLT)
20. “…John the Baptist…even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is.” (Matthew 11:11 NLT)
Wade,
Maybe I don’t have my “spiritual legs amputated” because I’ve never read any of Lahaye’s books. I do remember someone telling what might happen during the ‘rapture’ if a Christian pilot was flying an airplane. It still sounds logical to me.
You made reference to Luke 17:21 and verses 34-36 tell of people “taken”.
Wade, what is your ‘take’ when the rapture occurs? What happens to non-Christians? I mean will any die because Christians disappear?
I have a feeling that Wade does not believe in the secret rapture and flyaway to heaven for several years and then return to earth theory.
I have pondered the rapture theory for many years as I do not see it as "clearly" as many others do. I see believers meeting the Lord per 1 Thess. 4:17 but since the renewed/restored earth is our final destination, I agree there is no "round trip" involved. We are changed and remain.
Rex,
Bill is correct. I believe when Jesus comes, He ends the New Covenant age of grace, raises the dead, judges the wicked, and ushers in the eternal age where "the meek will inherit the earth" and this world will become "world without end, the earth with the curse reversed."
It's ancient Christian orthodoxy.
:)
Wade,what a relief to hear this from you. I get so tired of hearing about pre,mid,post and whatever else that can be thrown in by so called prophecy experts. Millions of fast bucks have been made off books and movies mostly by the tv preacher type. Now really changing the subject. What does scripture say concerning sinners being condemned to an eternal punishment in a literal hell with no relief ever? Forever burning in a literal fire.
In my United Methodist church I don't think I have ever heard the word rapture spoken by a member of the clergy.I think the official stand on the subject is that te UMC takes no stand on the subject.
"the earth with the curse reversed"
Sam (Lord of The Rings) “Is everything sad going to come untrue? (Tolkien)
" . . . the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. 22We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time. 23Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. . . (Romans, Chapter 8)
ALL CREATION :)
Christiane: 'Dogs have souls'
Father Bryan: 'Yes, I believe it too. They also are a part of God's Creation which awaits its renewal.'
The Book of Revelation 21:5
" “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’”
http://wp.patheos.com.s3.amazonaws.com/blogs/theanchoress/files/2013/07/evemary.jpg
"I am the Alpha and the Omega,
the First and the Last,
the Beginning and the End.” (Revelation 22:13)
"25 For I know that My Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another
(Job, Chapter 19)"
Julian of Norwich (c. 8 November 1342 – c. 1416)
"All shall be well, and all shall be well,
and all manner of thing shall be well"
""the earth with the curse reversed" (Wade Burleson)
Wade,
I have always appreciated your candor and what I perceive as an honest approach with conviction to what you write about. In this case, though I think I understand where you are coming from, I think you may be somewhat harsh and even misleading when you say Tim LaHaye caused more damage to evangelicals than anyone else in the 20th century. If you meant "unintentional damage" then I will give you some leniency. If you just meant damage to evangelicals then I believe you need to define that statement with more clarity. Considerable damage was done to evangelicals in the 20th century that was real and not because of a fictional book. Additionally, Tim LaHaye was a man who passed away at 90 years of age and did considerable in his writings long before the "Left Behind" series. Before we make a sweeping statement maybe thinking it through regarding one's whole life of work and not on one who may have a different eschatological understanding. Thanks for the opportunity to comment.
Steve
I’m just about in shock that “the meek will inherit the earth” means earth will be heaven.
Hello, does anyone comprehend the words of Jesus?
“There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this was not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so you will always be with me WHERE I am.” (John 4:2-3 NLT)
“There is more than enough room in my Father’s home.”
Would God use less energy to make Heaven than he did the sun? If earth was melted and poured into the sun, the sun could hold 1,300,000 earths. I believe the size of heaven will make earth look like a speck.
“”I’m going to prepare a place for you”
When Paul was left for dead: “…I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell.” (2 Corinthians 12:3 NLT) I believe Paul went to paradise where the thief on the cross went.
“When everything is ready”
I believe Jesus was referring to when everything is ready on earth because Heaven is with Jesus.
“I will come and get you”
I believe that will be the ‘rapture’.
“so you will always be with me where I am.”
I believe Jesus said that we will be with him where he is forever.
There’s nothing complicated with what Jesus told us.
My oldest cousin died in a Chinese hospital when she was five. Her missionary parents told her she was going to be with Jesus. Her last words were:
“Mama, will you go with me?”
“Mama, which one is our house?”
OFF TOPIC
All great nations commit suicide with 7 steps by former Colorado Governor Richard Lamm.
1. Have America to use more languages than English.
2. Encourage immigrants to maintain their culture.
3. Celebrate diversity rather than unity. Replace the ‘melting pot metaphor’ with the ‘salad bowl metaphor’.
4. Make the fastest growing group the least educated with a 50% high school dropout rate.
5. Establish the cult of ‘Victim’ by minorities thinking their lack of success or persecution is the fault of the majority and start a grievance industry.
6. Make it taboo to talk against ‘Victim’ with labels such as ‘racist’.
7. Make it impossible to enforce immigration laws.
I’ll ask what step would describe “Black Lives Matter’?
Hi REX RAY
hope this finds you well, my friend
I would like to add something here of interest to what you wrote, this:
"1. Have America to use more languages than English." (and I know you were quoting the Governor)
English itself is an amalgam of many languages come together over time: original Celtic terms, some Latin and some Greek from the Roman settlement in England that lasted 400 years, certainly a strong Anglo-Saxon Germanic contribution, Norse (old norse) from the Viking invasion and the time of the Danelaw, French from the Conquest of English by William of Normandy (French was the governing language in England for a time following 1066.)
English itself is a 'mongrel' mix of many languages, but because it is, it has one of the richest resources of descriptive words and phrases of any other language on Earth. It's diversity is it's strength and it's beauty.
Want to hear the sound of 'English' from a thousand years ago? Listen to the Lord's Prayer, and yes, you can recognize some of the words:
(be sure to 'skip' the ad)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Wl-OZ3breE
Steve Miller,
Good comment. I agree, my statement is prejudicial and biased and indeed, could be wrong. It's my opinion, and my opinions sometimes are wrong, but no less deeply felt.
Rex,
When Jesus said, "The meek will inherit the earth," pray tell what did you think He meant other than one day His resurrected followers will one day receive the earth as an inheritance? Also, the place He's preparing for His people with many rooms seems to come DOWN to earth in Revelation 20.
Wade,
I could say I’ll answer your question after you explain the words of Jesus in John 4:2-3. But I’ll take the high road and take a stab at “the meek will inherit the earth”.:)
On the light side it’s like the comedian Jerry Clower said while playing football. An opponent had rooted his face in the ground. Jerry was very angry. As he was spitting dirt, he asked, “Why did you do that? The guy replied, “It’s written, the meek will inherit the earth.”
If “meek” means shy, Peter and the ‘sons of thunder” wouldn’t make it. Jesus gave the proper definition of “meek” when he cleansed the temple.
Since Revelations was not added to the Bible for over 400 years, I believe the early Christians flourished without it. Even today, there is one Christian denomination that omits it from the Bible.
It’s not a done deal who the author was. It’s pretty much agreed it was written around 95 AD. If John the apostle wrote it, he would have died an old man; which would contradict the prophecy of Jesus, “You will indeed drink from my bitter cup.”(Matthew 20:23 NLT)
Do not the bold die first? “James and John…Jesus nicknamed them “Sons of Thunder.” (Mark 3:17 NLT)
James was the first apostle to die, would his brother be far behind?
History records the King killed John by boiling him alive in oil. What had John done to deserve this death? These two brothers asked Jesus, “Lord, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them up?” (Luke 9:54 NLT)
In revenge for the King killing his brother, had John called fire from heaven? Because some believed John would not die until Jesus returned, tradition has the oil did not kill him.
95 AD was the timeframe of First, Second, and Third John, and has the same disagreement who wrote them.
Second and Third: “This letter is from John the elder.” (NLT)
If John the apostle wrote that, it would be the same as Obama saying, ‘This letter is from Obama the neighborhood organizer.
Wade, instead of trying to understand Revelation 20, why not believe what Jesus said about his Father in Matthew 22:32, Mark 12:26-27, and Luke 20:38?
“But now, as to whether the dead will be raised…Long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died, God said to Moses, “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” So he is the God of the living, not the dead. You have made a serious error.” (Mark 12-26-27 NLT)
“Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8 NLT)
Today, we returned from my sister-in-law’s funeral. I believe with all my heart she is with Jesus.
You may remember her husband as being one of “The Famous Four” of Colleyville for being ‘kick out’ of their church by the pastor. The year he was chosen “Colleyville Citizen of the Year”, the pastor was fired.
For those that don’t know
“The Colleyville famous four” originated by them passing out literature at the four doors of the church even though the pastor told them to stop.
The literature was pleading NOT to sell the church and move 20 miles which would leave Colleyville without a Baptist church.
The only woman was a widow that gave the land for the church. She was on the Dallas Baptist University Board.
The pastor told the church the reason for their removal could not be told because it was too embarrassing.
Before they were removed, I visited their church. I was escorted out past a policeman and told if my car was ever parked on their parking lot again it would be towed.
I had planned to stay for the second service but between services I had 400 slips of paper in my hand and gave one to the pastor while saying: “I had planned to pass these out but decided not to because you are the only one that can do anything about this.
The paper read:
1. Leadership Board dissolved the Colleyville Senior Adult Bible Explorers Class on 11-6-05.
2. The teacher was fired because he would not promise to always support the Senior Pastor.
3. However, about 50 long time members have continued to meet with their fired teacher.
4. Consequently, they have been denied Sunday school literature and a Christmas party.
5. If the Board rules their disobedience is “disruption”, they may be ejected from the church.
6. Is it sad the new bylaws prevent anyone standing for them? Outsider, Rex Ray 11-27-05.
I recall from the movie “Ben Hur”: “I know this man! He gave me water.”, but after reading the slip of paper, the pastor said, “I know this man! He is evil.”
BTW, the church has not moved.
To whom it may concern
Subject: Who wrote Revelations and Third John, apostle or elder? [Yes; I know: “A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.”] :)
http://www.bibleodyssey.org/en/people/related-articles/which-john.aspx
“Revelation is written in much poorer Greek than the Gospel, and it even spells the name Jerusalem in Greek differently than the Gospel does. So it is extremely unlikely that the same person wrote these books.”
J.M. Carroll had a large library of history books that was donated to SWBTS after his death. His writings are in the book “Trail of Blood”. At one time his picture and his chart were displayed on a wall at SWBTS, but the “Conservative Resurgence” removed them. The chart covered 2,000 years that illustrated persecution of Christians.
I believe what caused their removal was him writing:
“Jerusalem had possibly 50,000 or more members. (Acts 2:41; 4:4, 5:14) These great churches had many…elders. Some of the bishops began to assume authority not given them in the New Testament. They began to claim authority over other and smaller churches. They, with their many elders, began to lord it over God's heritage (III John 9).”
Oops! Did he say (3 John 9)? The first verse states: “This letter is from John, the elder” and the ninth verse states “I wrote to the church about this [tattle-tale?], but Diotrephes, who loves to be the leader, refuses to have anything to do with us. (NLT)
“I sent a brief letter to the church about this, but proud Diotrephes, who loves to push himself forward as the leader of the Christians there, does not admit my authority over him and refuses to listen to me. When I come I will tell you…what wicked things he is saying about me and what insulting language he is using.” (3 John 9-10 Living)
Were the “traveling teachers” (Living) in verse 5 be the same as? “…so-called Christians there—false ones…wanted…us to follow their Jewish regulations.” (Galatians 2:4 NLT)
Did Diotrephes say “wicked” and “insulting language” in keeping with Paul’s “Let God’s curse fall on anyone…who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you.” (Galatians 1:8 NLT)
ONE MORE SHOT :)
http://www.persecutionblog.com/2006/09/boiled_in_oil_b.html
“It is said that Roman emperor Domitian commanded that the apostle John be boiled to death in oil, but John only continued to preach from within the pot. Another time, John was forced to drink poison, but, as promised in Mark 16:18, it did not hurt him. Thus John, the head of the church in Ephesus at the time, was banished to Patmos in A.D. 97.”
It’s a fact that history records John the apostle was boiled alive in oil which would fulfill the prophesy of Jesus
If anyone believes the ‘tradition’ above, I’ve got some ocean-front-property.
SAME SUBJECT
“Jesus said this to let him [Peter] know by what kind of death he would glorify God…” (John 21:19 NLT)
(Verse 21) “Peter asked Jesus, “What about him [John] Lord?”
(Verse 22) “Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you…”
(Verse 23) “So the rumor spread among the community of believers that this disciple wouldn’t die…”
Since the disciples “glorified” God by their deaths, why would Jesus want the disciple he ‘loved’ to be deprived of that honor?
In fact, John heard Jesus say: “…You will indeed drink from my bitter cup.” (Matthew 20:23 NLT)
Rex Ray pick up a copy of "Before Jerusalem Fell" by Kenneth Gentry.
Anonymous,
I appreciate your interest.
Could you give a brief conclusion?
People might be interested.
Anonymous,
http://www.kennethgentry.com/before-jerusalem-fell-book/
“For centuries scholars have argued over when the book of Revelation was written a few years before or a quarter century after the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. The most accepted but not the most compelling date is around the time of Domitian (A.D. 95-96), at the end of the first century.
Table of Contents
PART I: PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS
1. Revelation Studies
2: The Approach to the Question of Dating
PART II: THE EXTERNAL EVIDENCE
3. Introduction to the External Evidence
4. Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons
5. Clement of Alexandria
6. Additional External Witnesses
PART III: THE INTERNAL EVIDENCE
7. The Role of the Internal Evidence
8. The Theme of Revelation
9. The Temporal Expectation of the Author
10. The Identity of the Sixth King
11. The Contemporary Integrity of the Temple
12. The Role of Nero Caesar
13. The Role of Jewish Christianity
14. The Looming Jewish War
PART IV: ALLEGED DOMITIANIC EVIDENCES EXAMINED
15. Introduction to Domitianic Internal Evidence
16. The Role of Emperor Worship
17. The Persecution of Christianity
18. The Nero Redivivus Myth
19. The Condition of the Seven Churches
PART V: CONCLUSION
20. Concluding Remarks”
Anonymous,
As far as I could find, Gentry said John was the author but does not discuss if he was the apostle or the elder. Can you quote anything in Gentry’s book that covers the subject?
pg. 22 He assigns authorship to the Apostle John.
Anonymous,
Thanks. I’m glad I didn’t buy the book.
Can you give Gentry’s answers to the questions I have raised? Such as the prophesy of Jesus: “You will indeed drink of my biter cup.”
Wade,
You said, “When Jesus said, "The meek will inherit the earth," pray tell what did you think He meant other than one day His resurrected followers will one day receive the earth as an inheritance?”
First of all the definition of “meek” In the dictionary is NOT the meaning of “meek” in the Bible.
Dictionary: “Cowed, submissive, little spirit or courage, submit to orders or wishes of others, willing to go along with whatever other people want to do.”
Bible: Jesus said: “…I am meek and lowly of heart…” (Matthew 11:29 KJ)
“(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were on the face of the earth.)” (Numbers 12:3 KJ)
NUFF SAID how meek applies to Christians.
“But now, as to whether the dead will be raised…Long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died, God said to Moses, “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” So he is the God of the living, not the dead. You have made a serious error.” (Mark 12-26-27 NLT)
Wade, do you believe when Christians die they stay dead until you say earth becomes heaven? If you believe “…absent from the body [is] to be present with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8 KJ), where are dead Christians until you say earth is heaven?
“Jesus replied, “I assure you [thief], today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43) After Calvary, Jesus and the thief were in “paradise” that was NOT on earth. I believe we will be in Heaven with Jesus forever.
I believe in the ‘rapture’. “On that day when the Son of Man is revealed…two people will be asleep in one bed; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be…together…one will be taken, the other left.” (Luke 17:34-35 NLT)
https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/905-matthew-5-5-meek-inherit-the-earth
The following facts should be noted about the expression “inherit the earth”:
1. God owns the earth: “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it. (Psalm 24:1).
2. Those who obey Christ become children of God: “All who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ…” (Galatians 3:27) “…God qualified him as a perfect High Priest and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him.” (Hebrews 5:9), and “joint-heirs” with the Lord “And since we are his children, we are his heirs…” (Romans 8:17).
3. The Father supplies all our needs: “…God…will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19) We therefore enjoy this earth and its blessings more than all others.
4. Mainly, however, our inheritance is spiritual: “…God…is able to…give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself.” (Acts 20:32)
We are heirs in the kingdom of Christ: “You can be sure that no immoral, impure or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ…” (Ephesians 5:5),
Citizenship in that kingdom is available now on this earth: “Jesus replied, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” “Jesus replied, I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water [physical birth] and the Spirit [trusting Jesus].” (John 3:3, 5); “Therefore, we never stop thanking God that when you received his message from us, you didn’t think of our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we said as the very words of God—which, of course, it is. And this word continues to work in you who believe.” (Colossians 1:13).
5. We also look for an inheritance that is reserved for us in heaven. “We have a priceless inheritance; an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.” (1 Peter 1:4)
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