Prophecy: Who Cares? Part 3

Is there anyone who cares about the pathetic predictions of prophecy pundits? There has been a wide range of responses to the latest Harold Camping episode: ridicule, embarrassment, mockery and dismissal. While we all knew that his date setting would be a failure, it still has a certain degree of impact on how Christianity and the Scriptures are viewed by unbelievers.

Most Christians dismissed him as a fringe wacko. He has been marginalized in the minds of most Christians. He has small influence within the Christian community. However, there are those who are a little more subtle in their predictions and flexible date setting, that still have tremendous influence within the broader Christian community that we should be aware of.

The Hal Lindsey's, Tim LaHaye's and Jack Van Impe's of the world have trotted out their endless parade of missed prophetic predictions. This also occurs among Apostolics as well. How wrong do you have to be, and for how long, before people quit taking you seriously?

Don't let the pathetic prophetic destroy your confidence in the Second Coming of Christ!

But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. Matthew 24:36 KJV

Prophecy: Who Cares? Part 2

Who cares? Does it really matter what view of eschatology that you hold: Preterist or Futurist? Pre-Tribulation, Mid-Tribulation or Post-Tribulation? Premillennial, Postmillennial or Amillennial? Or any combination thereof? :)

I don't care what view a person holds as long as it includes a future, visible, literal, corporate, bodily second coming of Christ, resurrection of the dead and rapture of the church. While liberty should be extended to differing views of when the rapture occurs, as it relates to the tribulation and the millennium, the future resurrection of the dead and the second coming of Christ are essential components.

Prophecy: Who Cares? Part 1

The subject of eschatology[1] is a topic of much debate and confusion. As a result of this, many just give up on the subject all together. They view the symbols and imagery of the book of Revelation as impossible to understand. It is often joked: “I am pan-trib. I am just going to see how it all pans out.”

Is the subject of biblical prophecy important for us to know? Yes, or it would not have been included in the sacred text. Is the book of Revelation the one book of the New Testament that is expendable? No, the book of Revelation is just as important as every other book of the Bible.

There is a way to understand the book of Revelation. This, however, should not be done with a Bible in one hand and a newspaper in the other. There are approximately 250 citations in the book of Revelation from the Old Testament, and even more allusions. In order to understand the book of Revelation one must have an understanding of Old Testament language.

Proper hermeneutics is the key to understanding of the prophecies of the book of Revelation. That proper hermeneutic is “letting the Bible interpret the Bible.” It is its own best commentary.

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[1] “any system of doctrines concerning last, or final, matters, as death, the Judgment, the future state, etc.” "eschatology." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 25 May. 2011.

Home

I am glad to be home for a few days with my wife and kids. It seems that I rarely see them. I am missing so much of the new things that Lil' Man does. I will have more time in July to be with them and I am looking forward to it.

I also look forward to coming home because you just never know what Lil' Red is going to say. Last night she was begging to go to tarbutts (Starbucks), even correctly telling us where it is. And to think, she is not even 3 yet. I am certain this is only the beginning of her telling us "where to go." :)

Pigeon (Clay That Is) Hunting With Pastor Don Haymon

May 1-3 I was in Denver, Colorado with Pastor Don Haymon. We had great services and a great time. May 3rd was Pastor Haymon's "40 something" birthday. To celebrate he took me to his shooting club and we shot clay pigeons. It was a great time. All around it was a great trip.

Pastor Haymon snapped this picture perfectly to capture the shell being ejected.

Don "The Destroyer" Haymon