We were in a service some years ago in which the pastor exhorted his congregation to seek revival for the simple reason that "if we don't get on fire for God, God is liable to grant revival to some other church instead."
It would be difficult to find a premise more variant divine will and objective than that in which the extension of God's blessing to other believers is deemed objectionable, presumably because such would be deemed an undercutting of our own quest for spiritual preeminence and superiority. That attitudes of this nature are far from uncommon is a tragedy of our time.
Nor does Scripture lack for mention of similar quest and intent. Both Mark and Luke note Christ's Disciples having, on one occasion, sought to impede the ministry of an individual exercising a successful ministry of exorcism in Jesus' name. "We tried to hinder him," John explained, "because he was not following us" - to which Jesus replied: "Do not hinder him... for he who is not against us is for us" (Mark 9:38-40; Luke 9:49-50).
At the same time, we recall another minister who shared his having once passionately advised the Lord that revival represented the most fervent desire of his heart. At this point, he related, it was as though the Lord replied, "You won't mind, then, if I send it through the church down the road, will you?" It revolutionized his thinking.
As noted in previous postings, we are pleased to observe the growing swell of those desiring revival in our time. Such constitutes a vital need. At the same time, we are particularly appreciative of those seeking spiritual renewal, not only within the confines of their immediate endeavor, but with a view to serving the larger community of faith - elsewhere identified in Scripture as "all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity" (Eph. 6:24).
Herein is reflected the perspective of our Lord who has only "one body" (Eph. 4:4-6). Simply put: He does not always make the distinctions to which, at times, we are so assiduously committed.
BurlRatzsch
Showing posts with label Pre-tribulation Rapture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pre-tribulation Rapture. Show all posts
Friday, March 25, 2011
Friday, July 17, 2009
"ALL THESE THINGS..."
We recently spoke with a lady whose response to life and its encounters is typically positive. She has, on occasion, evidenced a certain sensitivity to matters of spiritual import as well. Given such, we were interested in hearing her calm description of a growing sense of foreboding relative to today's world and its present trends. Along with others, we would identify ourselves as being of similar mindset.
This is not to imply an absence of perpetual "gloom and doom" proponents throughout the years. The observant need little be reminded of the "far afield" prognostications sometimes attendant past claims of end time imminence. Within many evangelical/fundamentalist circles this has tended primarily to reflect an unquestioned commitment to the eschatological (i.e., end time related) understandings of the late C. I. Scofield of Scofield Reference Bible fame. Within this frame of reference, Christ's return, accompanied by a "Pre-tribulation Rapture" of the Church, was deemed momentarily imminent (a philosophy, interestingly, first promulgated some two hundred and fifty years ago).
One can little avoid being impressed by a growing hesitation on the part of more than a few evangelical believers relative to various aspects of such viewpoint - and, we believe, with justifiable cause. This is not to imply that one's eschatological persuasion represents the litmus text of faith. It does not. Indeed, one might here note God's own affirmation that various aspects of the prophet Jeremiah's inspired pronouncements would be clearly understood only within the context of fulfillment (Jer. 23:20; 30:24; cf. I John 3:2). The following will clarify much here.
Having shared with the Twelves concerning the Jerusalem temple's ultimate destruction, Jesus was asked a two-fold question: "What will be the sign (singular) of your coming and of the end of the age?" (Matt. 24:3). Jesus, in reply, first detailed the "signs (plural) of the times" relative to the time of his coming (vv. 4-28). Only after establishing the general tenor of that time does he then address the Disciples' question as to "the sign" of his return:
"Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then 'the sign' (again singular) of the Son of Man' will appear will appear in the sky..." (vv. 29-30).
What then will be "the sign" of Christ's coming? Our Lord's reply is straightforward and to the point: "He [Christ] will send forth his angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other" (vs. 31).
This accords with Jesus' confirming Parable of the Virgins in which, upon the bridegroom's approach, the "sign" of his coming is the heralded cry: "Behold, the bridegroom comes; go out to meet him" (Matt. 25:6). Hence the corresponding heralding of Christ's coming as manifested in the angelic trumpet call to which he here refers (see also I Cor. 15:52; I Thess. 4:16).
Why then our Lord's lengthy detailing of the "signs of the times?" Answer lies in the fact that "when you see all these things (false "christs," widespread deception, political violence and warfare, ecological disaster, universal hatred of believers, replicated "days of Noah," the "abomination of desolation," etc.), know that He (Christ) is near; right at the door" (Matt. 24:33). One is considerably pressed to find scriptural support for the "easy escapism" long promoted in some settings.
In light of that which yet lies ahead we shall, as believers, need to be strong, sensitive, spiritually alert and biblically grounded.
Are we approaching that time of which Jesus here spoke? Time, of course, will tell. In our opinion, however, quite possibly so.
Burl Ratzsch
This is not to imply an absence of perpetual "gloom and doom" proponents throughout the years. The observant need little be reminded of the "far afield" prognostications sometimes attendant past claims of end time imminence. Within many evangelical/fundamentalist circles this has tended primarily to reflect an unquestioned commitment to the eschatological (i.e., end time related) understandings of the late C. I. Scofield of Scofield Reference Bible fame. Within this frame of reference, Christ's return, accompanied by a "Pre-tribulation Rapture" of the Church, was deemed momentarily imminent (a philosophy, interestingly, first promulgated some two hundred and fifty years ago).
One can little avoid being impressed by a growing hesitation on the part of more than a few evangelical believers relative to various aspects of such viewpoint - and, we believe, with justifiable cause. This is not to imply that one's eschatological persuasion represents the litmus text of faith. It does not. Indeed, one might here note God's own affirmation that various aspects of the prophet Jeremiah's inspired pronouncements would be clearly understood only within the context of fulfillment (Jer. 23:20; 30:24; cf. I John 3:2). The following will clarify much here.
Having shared with the Twelves concerning the Jerusalem temple's ultimate destruction, Jesus was asked a two-fold question: "What will be the sign (singular) of your coming and of the end of the age?" (Matt. 24:3). Jesus, in reply, first detailed the "signs (plural) of the times" relative to the time of his coming (vv. 4-28). Only after establishing the general tenor of that time does he then address the Disciples' question as to "the sign" of his return:
"Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then 'the sign' (again singular) of the Son of Man' will appear will appear in the sky..." (vv. 29-30).
What then will be "the sign" of Christ's coming? Our Lord's reply is straightforward and to the point: "He [Christ] will send forth his angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other" (vs. 31).
This accords with Jesus' confirming Parable of the Virgins in which, upon the bridegroom's approach, the "sign" of his coming is the heralded cry: "Behold, the bridegroom comes; go out to meet him" (Matt. 25:6). Hence the corresponding heralding of Christ's coming as manifested in the angelic trumpet call to which he here refers (see also I Cor. 15:52; I Thess. 4:16).
Why then our Lord's lengthy detailing of the "signs of the times?" Answer lies in the fact that "when you see all these things (false "christs," widespread deception, political violence and warfare, ecological disaster, universal hatred of believers, replicated "days of Noah," the "abomination of desolation," etc.), know that He (Christ) is near; right at the door" (Matt. 24:33). One is considerably pressed to find scriptural support for the "easy escapism" long promoted in some settings.
In light of that which yet lies ahead we shall, as believers, need to be strong, sensitive, spiritually alert and biblically grounded.
Are we approaching that time of which Jesus here spoke? Time, of course, will tell. In our opinion, however, quite possibly so.
Burl Ratzsch
Monday, October 29, 2007
"IN ALL THE WORLD..."
"This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a witness to all nations, and then shall the end come" (Matt. 24:14).
The Pre-tribulation Rapture school is confronted with considerable difficulty in that its fundamental thesis requires the Gospel's having been "preached in all the world" since the late eighteenth century when, for all practical purposes, the "imminent Rapture" proposal first appeared. (The early Church had anticipated Christ's return to the earth and believing community; see John 14:18, 28.) Problem here derives from the fact that long after "Pre-trib's" formulation of an imminent temporary translation to heaven, vast areas of the earth remained untouched by the Gospel in any form or expression.
The argument that modern media outreach (radio, TV, audio/visual systems, and now the internet - or as per earlier claim, the printed page) effectively fulfills the prophetic requirement simply fails of the fact that modern communication technology did not exist at the time in which an imminent Pre-tribulation Rapture was first promulgated nor, indeed, was it present for a long time afterward. Despite the sincerity of the concept's proponents, what is here encountered constitutes rather an opportunistic appropriation of subsequent development that in time became "proof" of a state alleged to exist before the proposed means to such end itself existed.
Examination of the text will show that Jesus here speaks of a final Gospel proclamation in a concluding time of global chaos, apostasy, hatred of believers, end time "abomination of desolation," etc., of which the
A.D. 70 "fulfillment in type" (destruction of Jerusalem, its Temple, violence and upheaval) gives a limited preview. The picture thus emerges of a discerning and purifed Church standing in opposition to evil end time powers, proclaiming the coming rightful rule of Jesus Christ. It is the world's final call and opportunity of choice. "And then shall the end come."
For the believing community, days of challenge and confrontation lie ahead. This explains much concerning Paul's defining of Christ's return as an event of "relief" ("rest," KJV) in terms of the believing Church (II Thess. 1:7).
Burl Ratzsch.
The Pre-tribulation Rapture school is confronted with considerable difficulty in that its fundamental thesis requires the Gospel's having been "preached in all the world" since the late eighteenth century when, for all practical purposes, the "imminent Rapture" proposal first appeared. (The early Church had anticipated Christ's return to the earth and believing community; see John 14:18, 28.) Problem here derives from the fact that long after "Pre-trib's" formulation of an imminent temporary translation to heaven, vast areas of the earth remained untouched by the Gospel in any form or expression.
The argument that modern media outreach (radio, TV, audio/visual systems, and now the internet - or as per earlier claim, the printed page) effectively fulfills the prophetic requirement simply fails of the fact that modern communication technology did not exist at the time in which an imminent Pre-tribulation Rapture was first promulgated nor, indeed, was it present for a long time afterward. Despite the sincerity of the concept's proponents, what is here encountered constitutes rather an opportunistic appropriation of subsequent development that in time became "proof" of a state alleged to exist before the proposed means to such end itself existed.
Examination of the text will show that Jesus here speaks of a final Gospel proclamation in a concluding time of global chaos, apostasy, hatred of believers, end time "abomination of desolation," etc., of which the
A.D. 70 "fulfillment in type" (destruction of Jerusalem, its Temple, violence and upheaval) gives a limited preview. The picture thus emerges of a discerning and purifed Church standing in opposition to evil end time powers, proclaiming the coming rightful rule of Jesus Christ. It is the world's final call and opportunity of choice. "And then shall the end come."
For the believing community, days of challenge and confrontation lie ahead. This explains much concerning Paul's defining of Christ's return as an event of "relief" ("rest," KJV) in terms of the believing Church (II Thess. 1:7).
Burl Ratzsch.
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