WEBVTT

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 Please open your Bibles to Revelation chapter 20.

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 If you don't have a Bible, please raise your hand.

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 We'd love to bring a Bible for you that you can have and you can use.

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 We've been going through our series in the book of Revelation.

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 We're coming to the end here, the last few chapters.

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 Let me pray for the reading and preaching of God's word.

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 Father, all scripture is breathed out by you.

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 Every word, and therefore every word is profitable for us.

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 It's able to make us wise for salvation in Jesus Christ

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 and it is profitable for equipping us and building us up

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 so that we might be complete, equipped for every good work.

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 And so, Lord, we don't skip passages.

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 We come even to a difficult passage like this,

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 expecting to hear from you,

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 wanting to learn from you.

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 So, Lord, teach us and lead us.

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 We humble ourselves before you.

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 Exalt the name of your Son, Jesus Christ,

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 and humble us so that with greater humility and love

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 we might engage with one another

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 and with others who might disagree with us

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 on a number of issues related to this passage,

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 but also so that we might conduct ourselves

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 and all our dealings with great love.

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 Help us in Jesus' name we pray.

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 Amen.

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 If you're able, please stand and join me

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 in reading God's word from Revelation 21 to 6.

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 I will read it out loud for us

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 and you can follow along with your eyes.

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 Revelation 20 verses 1 to 6.

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 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven,

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 holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit

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 and a great chain.

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 And he seized the dragon,

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 that ancient serpent,

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 who is the devil and Satan,

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 and bound him for a thousand years

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 and threw him into the pit

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 and shut it and sealed it over him

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 so that he might not deceive the nations any longer

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 until the thousand years were ended.

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 After that, he must be released for a little while.

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 Then I saw thrones

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 and seated on them

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 were those to whom the authority to judge was committed.

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 Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded

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 for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God

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 and those who had not worshipped the beast or its image

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 and had not received its mark on their foreheads

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 or their hands.

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 They came to life

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 and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

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 The rest of the dead did not come to life

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 until the thousand years were ended.

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 This is the first resurrection.

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 Blessed and holy is the one

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 who shares in the first resurrection.

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 Over such, the second death has no power.

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 But they will be priests of God and of Christ

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 and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

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 This is God's holy and authoritative word.

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 You may be seated.

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 I feel like I owe people who are here

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 for the first time an apology

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 because this is the most hotly debated passage

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 in the entire book of Revelation,

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 possibly in the entire Bible.

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 It tells us about a period of time

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 when Satan will be bound for a thousand years

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 and the people of God will reign with Christ

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 for a thousand years.

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 And before, well actually that depends

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 on how you interpret this.

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 But exactly how long this millennial period is,

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 whether it's a literal thousand years

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 or a figurative thousand years,

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 whether it will occur in heaven

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 with believers reigning in their souls

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 or on earth,

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 when exactly it will occur.

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 It will occur before Christ returns

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 or after Christ returns.

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 All of these things are contested points

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 about which many faithful Bible-believing Christians disagree.

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 Someone has joked that the millennium

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 is a thousand years of peace

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 that Christians love to fight about

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 because of the difficulty of this passage

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 and the history of extensive debate surrounding it

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 and the fact that many Christians

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 have strong, very strong opinions about it

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 and have divided over these issues.

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 I'm going to do something unusual

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 and spend two weeks teaching on Revelation 21 to 6.

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 And this week I'm going to provide

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 mostly the historical background

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 and a theological overview of the millennium.

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 And then next week we're going to get

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 into the nitty-gritty exegetical details

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 of the passage itself.

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 So normally I don't like to do something like this.

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 I like to be close to the text.

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 But a friend of mine who's a pastor

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 said he took four weeks to do it.

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 So you guys, I'm sparing you guys of that.

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 And he said he did that

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 and had all the qualifications

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 and still at the end of the four weeks

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 some people decide to leave the church

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 because of this.

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 And so that's why I think it's important

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 to give this kind of context and background.

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 I don't think that's going to happen in our church

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 but I can surprise myself.

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 We'll see what happens here.

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 Now, I think a controversial passage like this

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 is in Scripture

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 and God gives us passages like this

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 as a way of keeping us humble.

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 It reminds us that we don't have all the answers.

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 So I can be so prideful

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 with the little knowledge that I have.

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 Imagine what kind of prideful monster I would be

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 if I had all the knowledge.

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 Perfect knowledge.

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 Knew everything.

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 And so I think this is intended to keep us humble.

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 It reminds us that in this age

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 before the second coming of Christ

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 and the new heavens and the new earth

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 we know in part

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 and we prophesy in part

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 as it says in 1 Corinthians 13.9.

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 It reminds us that knowledge puffs up

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 but love builds up.

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 This is in 1 Corinthians 8.1.

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 So the doctrine of the millennium

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 is not a matter of indifference

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 that Paul speaks of in Romans 14.

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 But his exhortation there to us

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 about protecting one another's liberty,

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 freedom of conscience

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 is still helpful for us.

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 So I'm going to read that before we start.

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 It says in Romans 14,

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 as for the one who is weak in faith,

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 welcome him,

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 but not to quarrel over opinions.

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 One person believes he may eat anything

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 while the weak person eats only vegetables.

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 One person esteems one day as better than another

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 while another esteems all days alike.

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 Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.

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 So Paul's using this example.

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 He clearly has an opinion about it

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 because he says that people who only eat vegetables

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 are the ones who are weaker in faith.

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 He has an opinion about it.

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 But he says that this is a matter of indifference.

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 It's not something that really matters.

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 And so when he was dealing with believers

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 who by their conviction believed

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 that they should only eat vegetables

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 or should never eat meat

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 that had been sacrificed to idols,

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 he would accommodate them humbly

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 because it's a matter of indifference.

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 There are some things

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 that are not worth quarreling over.

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 And in those cases,

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 and I think this millennium,

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 I don't think it's that kind of matters of indifference.

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 I think it's important and consequential.

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 But it's still something

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 that I think people can have the freedom of conscience

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 to disagree about

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 and be faithful Christians in.

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 So that raises the question, however,

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 how do we determine

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 what is something to divide over

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 and what isn't something to divide over?

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 What's essential doctrine

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 and what's not essential doctrine?

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 If you walk into an emergency room,

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 the doctors and nurses

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 assess the severity of your illness

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 and determine the order of priority

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 in which you should be treated.

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 Every time I've gone to the emergency room

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 for something,

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 I've had to wait many, many hours,

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 which tells me that

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 they clearly don't think

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 that my problem is as severe

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 as I think it is, right?

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 And so this is,

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 you have to use the process of triaging

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 in order to determine

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 who should be treated first.

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 And similarly, we need a process

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 for theological triaging.

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 And to that end,

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 there's a really helpful book

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 that I recommend to all of you

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 by Gavin Ortlund entitled

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 Finding the Right Hills to Die On.

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 In the book, he argues

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 that we should avoid

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 both doctrinal minimalism

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 and doctrinal sectarianism.

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 As the old saying goes,

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 quote,

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 there is no doctrine

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 a fundamentalist won't fight over

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 and no doctrine

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 a liberal will fight over, right?

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 So that's painting in broad strokes

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 and not entirely fair

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 to either fundamentalists or liberals,

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 but you get the point.

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 Doctrinal sectarianism

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 is when we find too many reasons

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 to separate from Christian brothers

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 and sisters with whom

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 we share a profound spiritual unity

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 and not allowing them

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 the liberty of conscience

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 that Paul spoke of in Romans 14.

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 Titus 3, 9 to 11 describes this.

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 It says,

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 but avoid foolish controversies,

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 genealogies, dissensions,

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 and quarrels about the law,

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 for they are unprofitable and worthless.

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 As for a person

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 who stirs up division

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 after warning him once

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 and then twice

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 have nothing more to do with him,

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 knowing that such a person

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 is warped and sinful,

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 he is self-condemned.

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 That's doctrinal sectarianism.

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 Doctrinal minimalism

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 is when we find

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 the lowest common denominator,

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 doctrinal denominator,

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 and say, in essence,

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 that most other doctrines

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 basically don't really matter.

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 But theology is important.

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 It shapes the way we live.

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 We cannot obey

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 what we do not know

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 and what we do not understand.

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 We're supposed to be transformed

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 by the renewal of our mind,

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 it says in Romans 12, 2,

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 that by testing,

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 we may discern

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 what is the will of God,

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 what is good

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 and acceptable and perfect.

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 Philippians 3, 15-16 says,

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 let those of you

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 who are mature

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 think this way.

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 And if in anything

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 you think otherwise,

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 God will reveal

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 that also to you.

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 Only let us hold true

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 to what we have attained.

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 As God reveals

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 more and more

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 of what we ought to think,

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 we mature in accordance

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 with the knowledge

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 we have attained.

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 So we need to steer clear

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 of both of these

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 equal and opposite errors,

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 doctrinal sectarianism

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 and doctrinal minimalism.

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 And then Gavin Ortlin

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 delineates four helpful categories

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 in which we can prioritize

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 our theological doctrines.

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 The first category is primary.

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 The Bible itself uses this language,

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 1 Corinthians 15, 3-4.

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 It says,

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 The Bible teaches us

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 that the gospel of Jesus Christ,

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 this doctrine that Jesus

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 is the Son of God

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 and Son of Man

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 who died as the atoning sacrifice

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 for our sins,

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 and He was raised on the third day

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 to be victorious

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 over sin and death

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 so that we can all be forgiven.

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 Those who put their trust in Jesus

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 and repent of their sins

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 can be forgiven

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 and have eternal life with Him.

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 That's the doctrine

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 that is of first importance.

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 The doctrines

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 in the primary category

00:11:16.399 --> 00:11:17.019
 are doctrines

00:11:17.019 --> 00:11:17.899
 that are essential

00:11:17.899 --> 00:11:18.779
 for the gospel.

00:11:19.620 --> 00:11:20.539
 People who don't believe

00:11:20.539 --> 00:11:21.299
 these doctrines

00:11:21.299 --> 00:11:22.819
 are not Christians at all.

00:11:23.799 --> 00:11:24.819
 So these doctrines

00:11:24.819 --> 00:11:26.000
 unite the entire

00:11:26.000 --> 00:11:26.859
 universal church.

00:11:27.599 --> 00:11:28.500
 These are doctrines

00:11:28.500 --> 00:11:29.719
 that we must fight for

00:11:29.720 --> 00:11:31.779
 and be willing to die for

00:11:31.779 --> 00:11:33.600
 with courage

00:11:33.600 --> 00:11:34.700
 and conviction.

00:11:36.560 --> 00:11:37.820
 Other primary doctrines

00:11:37.820 --> 00:11:39.700
 include our belief

00:11:39.700 --> 00:11:40.320
 in the Trinity

00:11:40.320 --> 00:11:41.660
 because without the Trinity

00:11:41.660 --> 00:11:42.620
 you lose the gospel

00:11:42.620 --> 00:11:43.720
 if Jesus is not

00:11:43.720 --> 00:11:44.340
 the Son of God.

00:11:45.040 --> 00:11:45.920
 The incarnation

00:11:45.920 --> 00:11:47.120
 because if Jesus

00:11:47.120 --> 00:11:48.379
 is not also the Son of Man

00:11:48.379 --> 00:11:49.639
 we also lose the gospel.

00:11:50.279 --> 00:11:51.120
 And the atonement

00:11:51.120 --> 00:11:52.120
 of Jesus on the cross.

00:11:52.540 --> 00:11:53.899
 Our belief in the inspiration

00:11:53.899 --> 00:11:55.060
 and authority of Scripture

00:11:55.060 --> 00:11:56.100
 because if the Scripture

00:11:56.100 --> 00:11:57.460
 is not the inspired testimony

00:11:57.460 --> 00:11:57.899
 of God

00:11:57.899 --> 00:11:58.580
 how do you even know

00:11:58.580 --> 00:11:59.019
 the gospel?

00:11:59.759 --> 00:12:00.919
 This is what makes us

00:12:00.919 --> 00:12:02.240
 this is what it's able

00:12:02.240 --> 00:12:03.019
 to teach us

00:12:03.019 --> 00:12:05.220
 and able to make us wise

00:12:05.220 --> 00:12:06.480
 for salvation in Jesus Christ.

00:12:07.199 --> 00:12:08.120
 So that's primary.

00:12:08.819 --> 00:12:10.279
 The secondary doctrines

00:12:10.279 --> 00:12:12.199
 are not direct gospel issues

00:12:12.199 --> 00:12:13.620
 and genuine Christians

00:12:13.620 --> 00:12:15.480
 do at times disagree

00:12:15.480 --> 00:12:16.899
 about them.

00:12:17.340 --> 00:12:18.460
 However, they are nonetheless

00:12:18.460 --> 00:12:19.960
 urgent for the church

00:12:19.960 --> 00:12:22.259
 because they have implications

00:12:22.259 --> 00:12:23.039
 for the gospel.

00:12:24.079 --> 00:12:26.399
 Differences in secondary doctrines

00:12:26.399 --> 00:12:27.960
 have significant impact

00:12:27.960 --> 00:12:29.139
 on our life

00:12:29.139 --> 00:12:29.840
 how we live

00:12:29.840 --> 00:12:30.720
 and on our doctrine

00:12:30.720 --> 00:12:31.460
 what we believe.

00:12:32.019 --> 00:12:32.759
 And for that reason

00:12:32.759 --> 00:12:33.540
 disagreements

00:12:33.540 --> 00:12:34.720
 along these lines

00:12:34.720 --> 00:12:35.620
 I do think

00:12:35.620 --> 00:12:36.200
 they warrant

00:12:36.200 --> 00:12:37.320
 formal division

00:12:37.320 --> 00:12:38.440
 along denominational

00:12:38.440 --> 00:12:39.860
 or ecclesiastical

00:12:39.860 --> 00:12:41.060
 local church lines

00:12:41.060 --> 00:12:42.519
 because they raise

00:12:42.519 --> 00:12:43.180
 urgent issues

00:12:43.180 --> 00:12:43.960
 of faithfulness

00:12:43.960 --> 00:12:44.440
 to Scripture

00:12:44.440 --> 00:12:45.379
 because if you don't

00:12:45.379 --> 00:12:46.259
 agree on these things

00:12:46.259 --> 00:12:47.160
 you can't be faithful

00:12:47.160 --> 00:12:47.639
 to Scripture

00:12:47.639 --> 00:12:49.320
 according to your conviction.

00:12:51.220 --> 00:12:52.160
 Secondary doctrines

00:12:52.160 --> 00:12:53.019
 include our belief

00:12:53.019 --> 00:12:54.340
 in the believer's baptism

00:12:54.340 --> 00:12:55.980
 that only people

00:12:55.980 --> 00:12:56.920
 who are mature enough

00:12:56.920 --> 00:12:57.960
 to give a credible

00:12:57.960 --> 00:12:58.840
 profession of faith

00:12:58.840 --> 00:13:00.139
 which necessarily

00:13:00.139 --> 00:13:01.139
 excludes infants

00:13:01.139 --> 00:13:02.360
 should be baptized.

00:13:02.639 --> 00:13:03.460
 That's our church's

00:13:03.460 --> 00:13:04.440
 position on that.

00:13:04.860 --> 00:13:05.360
 This doctrine

00:13:05.360 --> 00:13:06.399
 protects the gospel.

00:13:07.860 --> 00:13:08.440
 Complementarianism

00:13:08.440 --> 00:13:09.080
 is another one.

00:13:09.379 --> 00:13:09.840
 Our belief

00:13:09.840 --> 00:13:10.860
 that God created

00:13:10.860 --> 00:13:11.420
 men and women

00:13:11.420 --> 00:13:12.120
 as equal

00:13:12.120 --> 00:13:13.399
 co-heirs

00:13:13.399 --> 00:13:14.580
 of the grace of life

00:13:14.580 --> 00:13:15.399
 that is in Christ

00:13:15.399 --> 00:13:16.259
 but that they

00:13:16.259 --> 00:13:16.639
 nonetheless

00:13:16.639 --> 00:13:17.800
 have distinct

00:13:17.800 --> 00:13:19.400
 and non-interchangeable

00:13:19.400 --> 00:13:20.480
 roles within the household

00:13:20.480 --> 00:13:21.200
 of the family

00:13:21.200 --> 00:13:22.120
 and within the household

00:13:22.120 --> 00:13:22.519
 of God,

00:13:22.600 --> 00:13:22.919
 the church.

00:13:23.740 --> 00:13:24.620
 This doctrine

00:13:24.620 --> 00:13:26.179
 depicts the gospel

00:13:26.179 --> 00:13:27.840
 because the husband's

00:13:27.840 --> 00:13:29.019
 love for his wife

00:13:29.019 --> 00:13:29.679
 and the wife's

00:13:29.679 --> 00:13:30.539
 submission to him

00:13:30.539 --> 00:13:31.240
 is supposed to be

00:13:31.240 --> 00:13:32.200
 a picture of Christ's

00:13:32.200 --> 00:13:32.740
 love for the church

00:13:32.740 --> 00:13:33.259
 and the church's

00:13:33.259 --> 00:13:34.060
 submission to Christ.

00:13:35.379 --> 00:13:36.519
 I also would consider

00:13:36.519 --> 00:13:37.500
 continuationism

00:13:37.500 --> 00:13:38.899
 to be a secondary doctrine

00:13:38.899 --> 00:13:40.720
 because our belief

00:13:40.720 --> 00:13:41.480
 that the gifts

00:13:41.480 --> 00:13:42.460
 of the Holy Spirit

00:13:42.460 --> 00:13:43.659
 that even the miraculous

00:13:43.659 --> 00:13:45.220
 and supernatural ones

00:13:45.220 --> 00:13:46.560
 continue to this modern day

00:13:46.560 --> 00:13:47.399
 and did not seize

00:13:47.399 --> 00:13:48.139
 with the apostles

00:13:48.139 --> 00:13:49.919
 it flows out of the gospel.

00:13:50.759 --> 00:13:51.919
 It flows out of our belief

00:13:51.919 --> 00:13:52.699
 that Jesus is the one

00:13:52.699 --> 00:13:53.519
 who secured the gift

00:13:53.519 --> 00:13:54.259
 of the Holy Spirit

00:13:54.259 --> 00:13:54.839
 for us

00:13:54.839 --> 00:13:55.699
 and that continues

00:13:55.699 --> 00:13:56.279
 to this day.

00:13:57.259 --> 00:13:59.039
 And so during my first year

00:13:59.039 --> 00:13:59.559
 in seminary

00:13:59.559 --> 00:14:00.339
 I was part of a

00:14:00.339 --> 00:14:01.299
 Presbyterian church

00:14:01.299 --> 00:14:02.539
 but my convictions

00:14:02.539 --> 00:14:03.779
 about continuationism

00:14:03.779 --> 00:14:05.219
 and believer's baptism

00:14:05.219 --> 00:14:06.819
 led me to the conclusion

00:14:06.819 --> 00:14:08.179
 that I could not be

00:14:08.179 --> 00:14:09.039
 a thriving member

00:14:09.039 --> 00:14:11.199
 let alone a pastor

00:14:11.199 --> 00:14:12.679
 in that denomination

00:14:12.679 --> 00:14:14.000
 and that's why

00:14:14.000 --> 00:14:15.360
 I left that denomination

00:14:15.360 --> 00:14:16.599
 in search of

00:14:16.599 --> 00:14:17.219
 a denomination

00:14:17.219 --> 00:14:18.120
 where I can have

00:14:18.120 --> 00:14:19.500
 a church home

00:14:19.500 --> 00:14:19.980
 and that's how

00:14:19.980 --> 00:14:20.879
 I found our current

00:14:20.879 --> 00:14:21.279
 denomination

00:14:21.279 --> 00:14:22.240
 sovereign grace churches

00:14:22.240 --> 00:14:23.019
 for which I am

00:14:23.019 --> 00:14:23.860
 very grateful.

00:14:24.899 --> 00:14:26.159
 So that's secondary category.

00:14:26.379 --> 00:14:26.919
 Then there are

00:14:26.919 --> 00:14:28.059
 tertiary categories.

00:14:28.579 --> 00:14:29.519
 The tertiary doctrines

00:14:29.519 --> 00:14:30.240
 these are doctrines

00:14:30.240 --> 00:14:31.279
 that are neither essential

00:14:31.279 --> 00:14:32.419
 for the gospel

00:14:32.419 --> 00:14:33.379
 nor urgent

00:14:33.379 --> 00:14:34.179
 for the church

00:14:34.179 --> 00:14:35.120
 but because

00:14:35.120 --> 00:14:36.620
 they still pertain

00:14:36.620 --> 00:14:37.819
 to life and doctrine

00:14:37.819 --> 00:14:38.579
 of the Christian

00:14:38.579 --> 00:14:40.019
 they are still

00:14:40.019 --> 00:14:41.179
 consequential.

00:14:42.240 --> 00:14:43.279
 They're tertiary

00:14:43.279 --> 00:14:44.100
 but they're still

00:14:44.100 --> 00:14:44.980
 consequential

00:14:44.980 --> 00:14:45.860
 and important.

00:14:46.699 --> 00:14:47.839
 Included in this category

00:14:47.839 --> 00:14:48.699
 will be things like

00:14:48.700 --> 00:14:49.660
 how should men

00:14:49.660 --> 00:14:50.040
 and women

00:14:50.040 --> 00:14:50.640
 dress

00:14:50.640 --> 00:14:51.280
 and wear

00:14:51.280 --> 00:14:51.759
 their hair.

00:14:53.640 --> 00:14:54.120
 Now

00:14:54.120 --> 00:14:54.860
 this might be

00:14:54.860 --> 00:14:55.740
 a controversial opinion

00:14:55.740 --> 00:14:57.180
 but I don't think

00:14:57.180 --> 00:14:58.040
 women should dress

00:14:58.040 --> 00:14:58.480
 in a manner

00:14:58.480 --> 00:14:58.980
 that makes them

00:14:58.980 --> 00:14:59.640
 look like men

00:14:59.640 --> 00:15:01.280
 and I don't think

00:15:01.280 --> 00:15:02.200
 that men should dress

00:15:02.200 --> 00:15:02.580
 in a manner

00:15:02.580 --> 00:15:03.100
 that makes them

00:15:03.100 --> 00:15:03.759
 look like women

00:15:03.759 --> 00:15:05.900
 because God

00:15:05.900 --> 00:15:06.980
 designed humanity

00:15:06.980 --> 00:15:07.800
 to be men and women

00:15:07.800 --> 00:15:08.580
 and to be distinct.

00:15:08.580 --> 00:15:10.240
 Now

00:15:10.240 --> 00:15:11.139
 that also means

00:15:11.139 --> 00:15:11.600
 I don't

00:15:11.600 --> 00:15:11.920
 you know

00:15:11.920 --> 00:15:13.759
 if that sounds

00:15:13.759 --> 00:15:14.460
 crazy to you

00:15:14.460 --> 00:15:15.759
 read 1 Corinthians 11

00:15:15.759 --> 00:15:16.800
 and you can listen

00:15:16.800 --> 00:15:17.900
 to my sermon on that

00:15:17.900 --> 00:15:18.860
 when you get home.

00:15:20.620 --> 00:15:22.800
 But I will never use

00:15:22.800 --> 00:15:23.180
 however

00:15:23.180 --> 00:15:25.560
 my pastoral authority

00:15:25.560 --> 00:15:26.820
 to demand

00:15:26.820 --> 00:15:28.960
 that a man

00:15:28.960 --> 00:15:29.900
 cut his hair short

00:15:29.900 --> 00:15:31.000
 or a woman

00:15:31.000 --> 00:15:31.940
 grow out her hair long.

00:15:32.980 --> 00:15:33.460
 Why?

00:15:33.660 --> 00:15:34.300
 Because this is

00:15:34.300 --> 00:15:35.220
 a tertiary issue

00:15:35.220 --> 00:15:36.560
 and I believe

00:15:36.560 --> 00:15:37.460
 that faithful Christians

00:15:37.460 --> 00:15:38.480
 can disagree on this.

00:15:38.820 --> 00:15:39.300
 And be members

00:15:39.300 --> 00:15:39.800
 of the same

00:15:39.800 --> 00:15:40.480
 faithful members

00:15:40.480 --> 00:15:40.800
 of the same

00:15:40.800 --> 00:15:41.360
 local church

00:15:41.360 --> 00:15:42.160
 together.

00:15:45.220 --> 00:15:46.100
 They are still

00:15:46.100 --> 00:15:46.660
 important

00:15:46.660 --> 00:15:47.840
 and they are not

00:15:47.840 --> 00:15:49.000
 issues to divide over

00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:50.240
 but they still

00:15:50.240 --> 00:15:51.040
 have consequences

00:15:51.040 --> 00:15:51.860
 for how we live

00:15:51.860 --> 00:15:52.620
 and obey God.

00:15:53.060 --> 00:15:53.940
 Tithing I think

00:15:53.940 --> 00:15:54.759
 is in this category.

00:15:55.480 --> 00:15:56.100
 Is tithing

00:15:56.100 --> 00:15:56.879
 giving 10%

00:15:56.879 --> 00:15:57.660
 of our income

00:15:57.660 --> 00:15:58.460
 is that still

00:15:58.460 --> 00:15:58.980
 a legal

00:15:58.980 --> 00:15:59.820
 biblical requirement

00:15:59.820 --> 00:16:00.840
 or is that something

00:16:00.840 --> 00:16:01.259
 that has been

00:16:01.259 --> 00:16:02.420
 fulfilled by Christ?

00:16:02.640 --> 00:16:03.700
 Churches disagree on this.

00:16:04.220 --> 00:16:04.980
 I'd also include

00:16:04.980 --> 00:16:06.759
 philosophy and ministry issues

00:16:06.759 --> 00:16:07.720
 like how often

00:16:07.720 --> 00:16:08.240
 should the church

00:16:08.240 --> 00:16:09.379
 celebrate the Lord's Supper.

00:16:10.680 --> 00:16:12.120
 I think that the church

00:16:12.120 --> 00:16:13.080
 to celebrate the Lord's Supper

00:16:13.080 --> 00:16:14.379
 I think is more of a secondary

00:16:14.379 --> 00:16:15.440
 a higher order issue

00:16:15.440 --> 00:16:16.899
 but how often to celebrate

00:16:16.899 --> 00:16:18.159
 exactly how to celebrate

00:16:18.159 --> 00:16:18.700
 I think those are

00:16:18.700 --> 00:16:19.600
 tertiary issues.

00:16:21.399 --> 00:16:22.820
 Should a local church

00:16:22.820 --> 00:16:23.799
 in normal times

00:16:23.799 --> 00:16:25.080
 offer a live stream

00:16:25.080 --> 00:16:26.340
 of the church's service

00:16:26.340 --> 00:16:26.940
 online?

00:16:28.220 --> 00:16:29.600
 That's a tertiary issue.

00:16:30.100 --> 00:16:31.019
 What does that teach

00:16:31.019 --> 00:16:32.580
 about what a local church is?

00:16:32.580 --> 00:16:35.220
 What Christian community

00:16:35.220 --> 00:16:35.980
 is meant to be?

00:16:36.139 --> 00:16:37.300
 What does live streaming

00:16:37.300 --> 00:16:38.500
 services teach

00:16:38.500 --> 00:16:39.280
 about worship?

00:16:40.120 --> 00:16:41.200
 Are these questions

00:16:41.200 --> 00:16:42.100
 consequential?

00:16:43.160 --> 00:16:43.700
 Absolutely,

00:16:43.840 --> 00:16:44.540
 they're consequential

00:16:44.540 --> 00:16:45.740
 but these are not issues

00:16:45.740 --> 00:16:46.680
 to divide over

00:16:46.680 --> 00:16:48.400
 and believers may have

00:16:48.400 --> 00:16:49.400
 differences in these matters

00:16:49.400 --> 00:16:50.300
 yet maintain the unity

00:16:50.300 --> 00:16:50.800
 of the spirit

00:16:50.800 --> 00:16:52.000
 in the same local church.

00:16:52.639 --> 00:16:53.200
 So primary,

00:16:53.460 --> 00:16:53.720
 secondary,

00:16:53.879 --> 00:16:54.780
 and tertiary issues

00:16:54.780 --> 00:16:56.200
 are not something

00:16:56.200 --> 00:16:57.540
 that we can be agnostic

00:16:57.540 --> 00:16:58.940
 or neutral about

00:16:58.940 --> 00:17:01.320
 because they have consequences

00:17:01.320 --> 00:17:02.380
 for our life and doctrine.

00:17:03.040 --> 00:17:04.360
 Even if you don't take

00:17:04.360 --> 00:17:05.960
 a position in your thoughts,

00:17:06.299 --> 00:17:07.700
 you're going to end up

00:17:07.700 --> 00:17:08.580
 taking a position

00:17:08.580 --> 00:17:09.539
 by default

00:17:09.539 --> 00:17:10.559
 in your actions

00:17:10.559 --> 00:17:12.600
 because they determine

00:17:12.600 --> 00:17:13.580
 how we obey God

00:17:13.580 --> 00:17:14.940
 and how we're faithful to Him.

00:17:14.980 --> 00:17:15.820
 So these are not issues

00:17:15.820 --> 00:17:16.980
 you can just be neutral about.

00:17:17.039 --> 00:17:18.200
 You do have to make a decision.

00:17:19.640 --> 00:17:20.400
 Then finally,

00:17:20.500 --> 00:17:20.960
 there are matters

00:17:20.960 --> 00:17:21.880
 of indifference.

00:17:23.440 --> 00:17:24.559
 That's the fourth category.

00:17:24.700 --> 00:17:26.420
 Things that don't actually matter.

00:17:27.400 --> 00:17:28.779
 Things that are immaterial

00:17:28.779 --> 00:17:29.420
 that the Bible

00:17:29.420 --> 00:17:30.519
 is not concerned about

00:17:30.519 --> 00:17:31.639
 such as what kind of church

00:17:31.639 --> 00:17:32.839
 building to worship in.

00:17:33.119 --> 00:17:34.539
 Whether those who distribute communion

00:17:34.539 --> 00:17:35.899
 should wear gloves or not.

00:17:37.119 --> 00:17:37.940
 Believe it or not,

00:17:38.019 --> 00:17:38.799
 churches disagreed

00:17:38.799 --> 00:17:39.359
 on these issues.

00:17:40.039 --> 00:17:41.019
 Whether the pastor

00:17:41.019 --> 00:17:42.240
 should wear a suit or not.

00:17:43.299 --> 00:17:44.940
 So we once had a church member

00:17:44.940 --> 00:17:45.579
 in our church

00:17:45.579 --> 00:17:47.460
 that believed that

00:17:47.460 --> 00:17:48.279
 I as a pastor

00:17:48.279 --> 00:17:49.339
 should not wear shorts

00:17:49.339 --> 00:17:50.700
 to our Wednesday prayer service.

00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:55.160
 And I disagreed with her.

00:17:55.799 --> 00:17:56.000
 I mean,

00:17:56.039 --> 00:17:56.740
 it's in my house.

00:17:56.740 --> 00:17:57.299
 Right?

00:17:58.920 --> 00:18:01.359
 But I disagreed with her.

00:18:01.579 --> 00:18:02.099
 But I actually,

00:18:02.339 --> 00:18:03.720
 during the entire time

00:18:03.720 --> 00:18:04.259
 that this church member

00:18:04.259 --> 00:18:04.740
 was in our church,

00:18:04.819 --> 00:18:05.779
 I did not wear shorts

00:18:05.779 --> 00:18:06.559
 to the prayer service.

00:18:07.160 --> 00:18:08.400
 Because it's a matter

00:18:08.400 --> 00:18:09.180
 of indifference.

00:18:09.500 --> 00:18:10.220
 It doesn't matter.

00:18:10.859 --> 00:18:11.599
 So it doesn't matter.

00:18:11.680 --> 00:18:12.200
 Okay, sure.

00:18:12.339 --> 00:18:13.500
 Like, I can do that.

00:18:13.519 --> 00:18:14.400
 That's easy for me to do.

00:18:14.440 --> 00:18:15.000
 Does that make sense?

00:18:15.120 --> 00:18:15.240
 Yeah.

00:18:15.279 --> 00:18:16.279
 So these are matters

00:18:16.279 --> 00:18:17.420
 of indifference.

00:18:18.859 --> 00:18:19.599
 And in matters

00:18:19.599 --> 00:18:20.240
 of indifference,

00:18:20.440 --> 00:18:21.420
 out of humility,

00:18:21.420 --> 00:18:22.200
 we should be willing

00:18:22.200 --> 00:18:23.319
 to adapt ourselves

00:18:23.319 --> 00:18:24.200
 for the sake of others.

00:18:24.200 --> 00:18:25.480
 And that's what Paul writes about

00:18:25.480 --> 00:18:26.420
 in chapter 9

00:18:26.420 --> 00:18:27.480
 of 1 Corinthians.

00:18:28.160 --> 00:18:29.740
 For though I am free from all,

00:18:29.880 --> 00:18:30.660
 I have made myself

00:18:30.660 --> 00:18:31.740
 a servant to all

00:18:31.740 --> 00:18:32.740
 that I might win

00:18:32.740 --> 00:18:33.420
 more of them.

00:18:33.799 --> 00:18:34.380
 To the Jews,

00:18:34.500 --> 00:18:35.559
 I became as a Jew

00:18:35.559 --> 00:18:36.680
 in order to win Jews.

00:18:36.980 --> 00:18:37.880
 To those under the law,

00:18:37.940 --> 00:18:38.720
 I became as one

00:18:38.720 --> 00:18:39.400
 under the law,

00:18:39.519 --> 00:18:40.519
 though not being myself

00:18:40.519 --> 00:18:41.160
 under the law,

00:18:41.480 --> 00:18:42.279
 that I might win

00:18:42.279 --> 00:18:43.160
 those under the law.

00:18:43.580 --> 00:18:44.700
 To those outside the law,

00:18:44.759 --> 00:18:45.519
 I became as one

00:18:45.519 --> 00:18:46.299
 outside the law,

00:18:46.480 --> 00:18:47.580
 not being outside the law

00:18:47.580 --> 00:18:47.980
 of God,

00:18:48.039 --> 00:18:49.140
 but under the law of Christ,

00:18:49.480 --> 00:18:50.259
 that I might win

00:18:50.259 --> 00:18:51.440
 those outside the law.

00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:52.360
 To the weak,

00:18:52.359 --> 00:18:53.240
 I became weak,

00:18:53.319 --> 00:18:54.379
 that I might win the weak.

00:18:54.740 --> 00:18:56.199
 I have become all things

00:18:56.199 --> 00:18:57.019
 to all people,

00:18:57.099 --> 00:18:57.939
 that by all means

00:18:57.939 --> 00:18:58.979
 I might save some.

00:18:59.379 --> 00:19:00.199
 I do it all

00:19:00.199 --> 00:19:01.240
 for the sake of the gospel,

00:19:01.379 --> 00:19:02.459
 that I may share with them

00:19:02.459 --> 00:19:03.259
 in its blessings.

00:19:03.339 --> 00:19:04.319
 That's what we do

00:19:04.319 --> 00:19:05.319
 for things that are

00:19:05.319 --> 00:19:06.379
 matters of indifference.

00:19:07.879 --> 00:19:08.719
 Now, having established

00:19:08.719 --> 00:19:09.339
 these categories,

00:19:09.539 --> 00:19:11.159
 what criteria should we use

00:19:11.159 --> 00:19:12.759
 to triage our doctrines?

00:19:13.459 --> 00:19:14.500
 Orland asks four

00:19:14.500 --> 00:19:15.679
 very helpful questions

00:19:15.679 --> 00:19:16.179
 in the book.

00:19:16.559 --> 00:19:17.259
 First question is,

00:19:17.339 --> 00:19:19.000
 how clear is the Bible

00:19:19.000 --> 00:19:20.000
 on this doctrine?

00:19:20.000 --> 00:19:22.339
 I think clarity

00:19:22.339 --> 00:19:23.180
 would be affected

00:19:23.180 --> 00:19:24.079
 by how often

00:19:24.079 --> 00:19:24.839
 it is addressed

00:19:24.839 --> 00:19:25.599
 in Scripture,

00:19:26.359 --> 00:19:30.019
 how clearly

00:19:30.019 --> 00:19:30.579
 it is taught,

00:19:30.660 --> 00:19:31.339
 or whether it's something

00:19:31.339 --> 00:19:32.299
 that people

00:19:32.299 --> 00:19:34.180
 have not been able

00:19:34.180 --> 00:19:34.740
 to agree throughout

00:19:34.740 --> 00:19:35.160
 the history.

00:19:36.220 --> 00:19:37.140
 What is the doctrine's

00:19:37.140 --> 00:19:38.279
 importance to the gospel?

00:19:38.400 --> 00:19:39.140
 That's the second question

00:19:39.140 --> 00:19:39.559
 to ask.

00:19:40.640 --> 00:19:40.940
 Third,

00:19:41.039 --> 00:19:41.920
 what is the testimony

00:19:41.920 --> 00:19:43.240
 of the historical church

00:19:43.240 --> 00:19:44.140
 concerning the doctrine?

00:19:44.240 --> 00:19:44.920
 I think this one's

00:19:44.920 --> 00:19:45.859
 particularly important,

00:19:46.660 --> 00:19:47.660
 not more important

00:19:47.660 --> 00:19:48.299
 than the other questions,

00:19:48.420 --> 00:19:49.000
 but important because

00:19:49.000 --> 00:19:52.240
 every generation

00:19:52.240 --> 00:19:53.339
 has its own blind spots.

00:19:53.980 --> 00:19:54.900
 Because of our own

00:19:54.900 --> 00:19:55.900
 cultural context,

00:19:56.000 --> 00:19:57.160
 we have our own blind spots

00:19:57.160 --> 00:19:58.000
 that we can't see

00:19:58.000 --> 00:19:58.559
 some things.

00:19:58.960 --> 00:20:00.099
 And people from other cultures

00:20:00.099 --> 00:20:00.839
 who didn't have

00:20:00.839 --> 00:20:02.500
 those blind spots

00:20:02.500 --> 00:20:03.839
 but had different blind spots

00:20:03.839 --> 00:20:04.880
 can help us.

00:20:04.920 --> 00:20:05.920
 We can help each other see.

00:20:06.859 --> 00:20:07.720
 So what is the testimony

00:20:07.720 --> 00:20:08.619
 of the historical church

00:20:08.619 --> 00:20:09.480
 concerning this doctrine?

00:20:09.619 --> 00:20:10.079
 And then finally,

00:20:10.240 --> 00:20:11.619
 what is the doctrine's effect

00:20:11.619 --> 00:20:12.980
 upon the church today?

00:20:13.819 --> 00:20:14.700
 I think these are really

00:20:14.700 --> 00:20:15.460
 helpful questions

00:20:15.460 --> 00:20:16.039
 to keep in mind.

00:20:16.039 --> 00:20:18.339
 It's because of my answers

00:20:18.339 --> 00:20:20.299
 to these triage questions

00:20:20.299 --> 00:20:21.740
 that I consider,

00:20:22.019 --> 00:20:22.460
 so for example,

00:20:22.519 --> 00:20:25.200
 two doctrinal stances

00:20:25.200 --> 00:20:25.779
 of our church

00:20:25.779 --> 00:20:27.279
 that I get the most questions

00:20:27.279 --> 00:20:28.720
 about at membership interviews

00:20:28.720 --> 00:20:30.339
 is continuationism,

00:20:30.440 --> 00:20:31.579
 our belief that the gifts

00:20:31.579 --> 00:20:32.019
 of the Holy Spirit

00:20:32.019 --> 00:20:32.619
 continue today,

00:20:32.879 --> 00:20:34.099
 and complementarianism,

00:20:34.159 --> 00:20:35.059
 our belief in the roles

00:20:35.059 --> 00:20:37.399
 of distinct but non-interchangeable

00:20:37.399 --> 00:20:38.339
 roles of man and woman.

00:20:38.339 --> 00:20:40.279
 Now, I consider these,

00:20:40.500 --> 00:20:41.679
 based on my answers

00:20:41.679 --> 00:20:42.699
 to these triage questions,

00:20:42.839 --> 00:20:44.159
 to be secondary doctrines

00:20:44.159 --> 00:20:46.159
 that warrant dividing over

00:20:46.159 --> 00:20:47.119
 along denominational

00:20:47.119 --> 00:20:48.359
 and ecclesiastical lines

00:20:48.359 --> 00:20:50.699
 rather than as tertiary doctrines

00:20:50.699 --> 00:20:51.839
 of indifference.

00:20:52.399 --> 00:20:52.619
 Why?

00:20:52.720 --> 00:20:53.559
 Because they have clear

00:20:53.559 --> 00:20:54.339
 biblical support

00:20:54.339 --> 00:20:56.579
 and they have urgent implications

00:20:56.579 --> 00:20:57.859
 for our life and doctrine,

00:20:58.439 --> 00:21:00.079
 and because the church universal

00:21:00.079 --> 00:21:01.899
 had unanimous agreement

00:21:01.899 --> 00:21:03.000
 on these issues

00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:04.699
 until the 16th century

00:21:04.699 --> 00:21:05.720
 for continuationism

00:21:05.720 --> 00:21:07.220
 and 19th century

00:21:07.220 --> 00:21:08.360
 for complementarianism.

00:21:09.900 --> 00:21:10.799
 So also,

00:21:11.059 --> 00:21:12.200
 it's helpful to know,

00:21:12.259 --> 00:21:12.860
 this is another thing

00:21:12.860 --> 00:21:13.440
 to think about,

00:21:13.660 --> 00:21:15.000
 that the more intimately

00:21:15.000 --> 00:21:16.720
 and closely you partner

00:21:16.720 --> 00:21:17.980
 with someone in ministry,

00:21:18.420 --> 00:21:19.799
 the higher the level

00:21:19.799 --> 00:21:20.960
 of agreement you need.

00:21:22.360 --> 00:21:23.059
 So for example,

00:21:23.680 --> 00:21:25.220
 can I partner with Jews

00:21:25.220 --> 00:21:26.059
 and Muslims

00:21:26.059 --> 00:21:27.180
 in distributing food

00:21:27.180 --> 00:21:27.700
 to the poor

00:21:27.700 --> 00:21:28.279
 in our neighborhood?

00:21:29.140 --> 00:21:29.640
 Absolutely.

00:21:30.720 --> 00:21:31.900
 That's a common cause

00:21:31.900 --> 00:21:33.000
 that I can join them in,

00:21:33.140 --> 00:21:33.960
 gladly join them in,

00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:34.920
 to do that work.

00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:37.320
 Now, can I sit around

00:21:37.320 --> 00:21:37.980
 the circle with them

00:21:37.980 --> 00:21:38.920
 and sing worship songs

00:21:38.920 --> 00:21:39.600
 and pray with them?

00:21:40.759 --> 00:21:41.580
 Absolutely not.

00:21:42.180 --> 00:21:43.480
 Because we would not be praying

00:21:43.480 --> 00:21:44.360
 to the same God

00:21:44.360 --> 00:21:45.580
 and there would be no way

00:21:45.580 --> 00:21:46.700
 to sing songs

00:21:46.700 --> 00:21:47.600
 to our God

00:21:47.600 --> 00:21:49.460
 without offending them deeply.

00:21:51.120 --> 00:21:52.720
 I'd have to witness

00:21:52.720 --> 00:21:53.740
 and be part of,

00:21:53.840 --> 00:21:54.320
 in some way,

00:21:54.400 --> 00:21:54.940
 idolatry

00:21:54.940 --> 00:21:56.460
 if I were forced to do that.

00:21:57.740 --> 00:21:59.140
 Now, can I sit around

00:21:59.140 --> 00:21:59.480
 the circle

00:21:59.480 --> 00:22:00.340
 and sing songs

00:22:00.340 --> 00:22:02.080
 and pray with

00:22:02.080 --> 00:22:03.560
 other Christians

00:22:03.559 --> 00:22:04.659
 with whom I disagree

00:22:04.659 --> 00:22:06.159
 on secondary doctrines?

00:22:06.960 --> 00:22:07.399
 Absolutely.

00:22:08.139 --> 00:22:09.139
 I'd be glad to do that.

00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:11.000
 But can I be

00:22:11.000 --> 00:22:12.039
 a member

00:22:12.039 --> 00:22:13.240
 of a same local church

00:22:13.240 --> 00:22:14.379
 with those same Christians

00:22:14.379 --> 00:22:15.159
 that disagree

00:22:15.159 --> 00:22:16.179
 on secondary doctrines?

00:22:16.299 --> 00:22:16.700
 No.

00:22:17.779 --> 00:22:19.059
 Because if the church

00:22:19.059 --> 00:22:19.599
 were governed

00:22:19.599 --> 00:22:20.960
 according to their convictions

00:22:20.960 --> 00:22:22.000
 on these secondary matters,

00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:23.079
 every week

00:22:23.079 --> 00:22:23.919
 I would be sitting there

00:22:23.919 --> 00:22:25.159
 having my conscience violated

00:22:25.159 --> 00:22:25.759
 and feeling like

00:22:25.759 --> 00:22:26.500
 I'm in disobedience

00:22:26.500 --> 00:22:26.940
 to scriptures.

00:22:28.139 --> 00:22:28.259
 Right?

00:22:28.399 --> 00:22:28.839
 Do you guys see

00:22:28.839 --> 00:22:29.220
 the difference,

00:22:29.359 --> 00:22:30.099
 the rising level

00:22:30.099 --> 00:22:31.079
 of intimacy and partnership

00:22:31.079 --> 00:22:32.019
 and the more degree

00:22:32.019 --> 00:22:32.679
 of agreement

00:22:32.679 --> 00:22:33.460
 and clarity you need?

00:22:34.059 --> 00:22:34.779
 Now, can I,

00:22:35.220 --> 00:22:35.779
 well, you know,

00:22:35.960 --> 00:22:36.119
 if,

00:22:36.599 --> 00:22:37.859
 can I then be

00:22:37.859 --> 00:22:38.519
 the same member

00:22:38.519 --> 00:22:39.359
 of the same local church

00:22:39.359 --> 00:22:40.159
 with Christians,

00:22:40.299 --> 00:22:40.740
 other Christians

00:22:40.740 --> 00:22:41.279
 who disagree

00:22:41.279 --> 00:22:42.419
 on tertiary matters?

00:22:42.799 --> 00:22:43.559
 Yes, absolutely.

00:22:45.139 --> 00:22:45.579
 But,

00:22:46.319 --> 00:22:47.099
 can I be

00:22:47.099 --> 00:22:47.859
 on the same

00:22:47.859 --> 00:22:48.599
 local church

00:22:48.599 --> 00:22:49.379
 eldership

00:22:49.379 --> 00:22:51.059
 with Christians

00:22:51.059 --> 00:22:51.839
 who disagree

00:22:51.839 --> 00:22:53.339
 on these tertiary matters?

00:22:53.659 --> 00:22:54.639
 In some cases,

00:22:54.819 --> 00:22:55.240
 no.

00:22:56.179 --> 00:22:57.240
 Because if we had

00:22:57.240 --> 00:22:58.199
 a church elder

00:22:58.199 --> 00:22:58.699
 in our church

00:22:58.699 --> 00:22:59.259
 who, for example,

00:22:59.480 --> 00:23:00.179
 thought that,

00:23:00.180 --> 00:23:00.759
 you know,

00:23:01.259 --> 00:23:02.759
 having live streaming

00:23:02.759 --> 00:23:03.220
 our service

00:23:03.220 --> 00:23:04.200
 is the best way

00:23:04.200 --> 00:23:05.200
 to reach the lost.

00:23:06.340 --> 00:23:07.500
 And they wanted

00:23:07.500 --> 00:23:07.980
 to do that

00:23:07.980 --> 00:23:08.779
 every single week.

00:23:09.140 --> 00:23:10.360
 And I'm convinced

00:23:10.360 --> 00:23:11.680
 from my convictions

00:23:11.680 --> 00:23:13.039
 that that would be

00:23:13.039 --> 00:23:13.420
 detrimental

00:23:13.420 --> 00:23:14.060
 to the health

00:23:14.060 --> 00:23:14.500
 of the church

00:23:14.500 --> 00:23:15.620
 because it communicates

00:23:15.620 --> 00:23:16.320
 false ideas

00:23:16.320 --> 00:23:17.400
 about what a church is

00:23:17.400 --> 00:23:17.980
 because to me,

00:23:18.080 --> 00:23:19.120
 church is by definition

00:23:19.120 --> 00:23:19.799
 a gathering.

00:23:20.440 --> 00:23:21.320
 And you don't gather

00:23:21.320 --> 00:23:22.539
 when you're watching

00:23:22.539 --> 00:23:23.140
 a service,

00:23:23.220 --> 00:23:23.860
 you're consuming.

00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:25.120
 Right?

00:23:25.779 --> 00:23:26.080
 And so,

00:23:26.180 --> 00:23:27.100
 that's a significant

00:23:27.100 --> 00:23:27.480
 disagreement

00:23:27.480 --> 00:23:27.940
 that affects

00:23:27.940 --> 00:23:28.620
 the life of the church.

00:23:28.720 --> 00:23:29.019
 So, like,

00:23:29.160 --> 00:23:29.440
 yes,

00:23:29.440 --> 00:23:30.180
 I can be,

00:23:30.360 --> 00:23:31.059
 if you think that,

00:23:31.100 --> 00:23:31.600
 you can be a member

00:23:31.600 --> 00:23:32.200
 of our church,

00:23:32.500 --> 00:23:33.440
 but can I have someone

00:23:33.440 --> 00:23:34.559
 who thinks differently

00:23:34.559 --> 00:23:35.019
 from me

00:23:35.019 --> 00:23:35.640
 be on the same

00:23:35.640 --> 00:23:36.580
 local church eldership?

00:23:36.620 --> 00:23:37.279
 Probably not.

00:23:38.240 --> 00:23:38.740
 And so,

00:23:38.820 --> 00:23:39.400
 that's what I mean.

00:23:39.519 --> 00:23:40.240
 These are things,

00:23:40.400 --> 00:23:40.920
 the higher,

00:23:41.039 --> 00:23:41.720
 the more intimacy

00:23:41.720 --> 00:23:42.559
 of partnership,

00:23:42.920 --> 00:23:43.940
 the more agreement

00:23:43.940 --> 00:23:44.700
 you need.

00:23:45.620 --> 00:23:46.019
 Now,

00:23:46.080 --> 00:23:46.820
 let's ask these

00:23:46.820 --> 00:23:48.120
 theological triage questions

00:23:48.120 --> 00:23:48.940
 of our passage

00:23:48.940 --> 00:23:49.480
 this morning,

00:23:49.920 --> 00:23:50.700
 Revelation 20,

00:23:50.860 --> 00:23:51.480
 1-6,

00:23:51.720 --> 00:23:52.160
 the doctrine

00:23:52.160 --> 00:23:52.799
 of the millennium.

00:23:53.779 --> 00:23:54.600
 How clear

00:23:54.600 --> 00:23:55.220
 is the Bible

00:23:55.220 --> 00:23:55.980
 on this doctrine?

00:23:55.980 --> 00:23:58.779
 It's not very clear.

00:23:59.940 --> 00:24:00.059
 Yeah.

00:24:01.539 --> 00:24:01.940
 Because,

00:24:02.620 --> 00:24:03.559
 when one of the main

00:24:03.559 --> 00:24:03.980
 difficulties

00:24:03.980 --> 00:24:04.599
 is that this is

00:24:04.599 --> 00:24:05.640
 the only passage

00:24:05.640 --> 00:24:06.980
 in all of Scripture

00:24:06.980 --> 00:24:08.259
 that explicitly

00:24:08.259 --> 00:24:09.460
 talks about

00:24:09.460 --> 00:24:10.200
 the millennial reign

00:24:10.200 --> 00:24:10.579
 of Christ.

00:24:10.759 --> 00:24:11.579
 It's the only one.

00:24:12.539 --> 00:24:12.819
 And so,

00:24:12.900 --> 00:24:13.380
 if you disagree

00:24:13.380 --> 00:24:14.339
 on this one passage,

00:24:14.440 --> 00:24:15.140
 then you really kind of

00:24:15.140 --> 00:24:16.000
 have nowhere else to go.

00:24:16.360 --> 00:24:16.500
 Right?

00:24:16.559 --> 00:24:16.700
 So,

00:24:16.700 --> 00:24:17.880
 it's not that clear.

00:24:18.620 --> 00:24:18.839
 Now,

00:24:19.059 --> 00:24:20.279
 what is this doctrine's

00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:21.360
 importance to the gospel?

00:24:21.359 --> 00:24:23.399
 It's neither essential

00:24:23.399 --> 00:24:24.500
 nor urgent

00:24:24.500 --> 00:24:25.279
 to the gospel.

00:24:25.799 --> 00:24:27.599
 It is consequential,

00:24:27.799 --> 00:24:28.459
 and I'll talk about

00:24:28.459 --> 00:24:29.119
 the implications

00:24:29.119 --> 00:24:29.859
 of it later on.

00:24:30.659 --> 00:24:31.699
 What is the testimony

00:24:31.699 --> 00:24:33.439
 of the historical church

00:24:33.439 --> 00:24:34.359
 concerning this doctrine?

00:24:35.199 --> 00:24:36.000
 The church

00:24:36.000 --> 00:24:37.039
 has had at least

00:24:37.039 --> 00:24:38.479
 two differing positions

00:24:38.479 --> 00:24:39.279
 on this doctrine

00:24:39.279 --> 00:24:40.059
 since at least

00:24:40.059 --> 00:24:41.459
 the second century A.D.

00:24:42.439 --> 00:24:42.959
 Already,

00:24:43.439 --> 00:24:44.659
 writing in the second century,

00:24:44.859 --> 00:24:45.299
 church father

00:24:45.299 --> 00:24:46.019
 Justin Martyr

00:24:46.019 --> 00:24:47.119
 speaks of the belief

00:24:47.119 --> 00:24:48.199
 that Christ will return

00:24:48.199 --> 00:24:48.699
 to establish

00:24:48.699 --> 00:24:49.479
 the millennial kingdom

00:24:49.479 --> 00:24:49.959
 this way.

00:24:49.960 --> 00:24:51.900
 I and many others

00:24:51.900 --> 00:24:53.120
 are of this opinion

00:24:53.120 --> 00:24:54.360
 and believe that

00:24:54.360 --> 00:24:55.480
 such will take place

00:24:55.480 --> 00:24:56.380
 as you assuredly

00:24:56.380 --> 00:24:56.920
 are aware,

00:24:57.380 --> 00:24:58.319
 but on the other hand,

00:24:58.400 --> 00:24:59.299
 I signify to you

00:24:59.299 --> 00:25:00.680
 that many who belong

00:25:00.680 --> 00:25:01.420
 to the pure

00:25:01.420 --> 00:25:02.600
 and pious faith

00:25:02.600 --> 00:25:04.360
 and are true Christians

00:25:04.360 --> 00:25:05.940
 think otherwise.

00:25:07.920 --> 00:25:08.140
 So,

00:25:08.220 --> 00:25:08.640
 already,

00:25:08.880 --> 00:25:10.299
 in the second century,

00:25:11.079 --> 00:25:11.940
 the church fathers

00:25:11.940 --> 00:25:12.860
 recognized that

00:25:12.860 --> 00:25:13.900
 there was a diversity

00:25:13.900 --> 00:25:14.340
 of views

00:25:14.340 --> 00:25:15.299
 on the millennium

00:25:15.299 --> 00:25:16.440
 and that it was not

00:25:16.440 --> 00:25:17.620
 something to divide over.

00:25:18.700 --> 00:25:19.259
 It's very different

00:25:19.259 --> 00:25:19.759
 from some of these

00:25:19.759 --> 00:25:20.559
 other secondary issues

00:25:20.559 --> 00:25:21.180
 I mentioned to you.

00:25:21.819 --> 00:25:23.400
 What is this doctrine's

00:25:23.400 --> 00:25:24.440
 effect upon the church today?

00:25:24.500 --> 00:25:25.140
 It does have some

00:25:25.140 --> 00:25:26.000
 significant effect

00:25:26.000 --> 00:25:26.819
 upon the church today

00:25:26.819 --> 00:25:27.579
 and I'm going to discuss

00:25:27.579 --> 00:25:28.559
 those later on

00:25:28.559 --> 00:25:29.019
 in my sermon.

00:25:29.980 --> 00:25:30.259
 However,

00:25:30.359 --> 00:25:30.740
 because,

00:25:30.859 --> 00:25:31.460
 as we have seen,

00:25:31.900 --> 00:25:32.339
 this doctrine

00:25:32.339 --> 00:25:33.839
 is not very clear,

00:25:34.420 --> 00:25:35.759
 does not have implications

00:25:35.759 --> 00:25:36.599
 for the gospel,

00:25:37.180 --> 00:25:38.000
 and it has been

00:25:38.000 --> 00:25:38.599
 disagreed upon

00:25:38.599 --> 00:25:39.920
 since the early church age.

00:25:40.200 --> 00:25:40.779
 That's why

00:25:40.779 --> 00:25:41.480
 I consider

00:25:41.480 --> 00:25:41.920
 the doctrine

00:25:41.920 --> 00:25:42.420
 of the millennium

00:25:42.420 --> 00:25:44.180
 to be a tertiary doctrine

00:25:44.180 --> 00:25:44.980
 over which

00:25:44.980 --> 00:25:46.279
 we should not divide.

00:25:46.279 --> 00:25:47.680
 So,

00:25:47.759 --> 00:25:48.720
 if you don't agree

00:25:48.720 --> 00:25:49.099
 with me

00:25:49.099 --> 00:25:49.740
 at the end

00:25:49.740 --> 00:25:50.519
 of my sermon today

00:25:50.519 --> 00:25:51.639
 and the sermon next week

00:25:51.639 --> 00:25:52.920
 on exactly

00:25:52.920 --> 00:25:54.019
 what the millennium is,

00:25:54.759 --> 00:25:55.279
 that's okay.

00:25:56.899 --> 00:25:57.700
 Please don't leave

00:25:57.700 --> 00:25:58.299
 the church for that.

00:26:01.259 --> 00:26:02.180
 As is the case

00:26:02.180 --> 00:26:03.279
 with other doctrines,

00:26:03.399 --> 00:26:04.240
 people can tend

00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:05.460
 toward doctrinal

00:26:05.460 --> 00:26:06.160
 sectarianism

00:26:06.160 --> 00:26:07.099
 or doctrinal minimalism

00:26:07.099 --> 00:26:07.539
 when it comes

00:26:07.539 --> 00:26:08.220
 to the millennium

00:26:08.220 --> 00:26:08.759
 as well.

00:26:08.759 --> 00:26:10.400
 And I'm on

00:26:10.400 --> 00:26:12.079
 too many mailing lists

00:26:12.079 --> 00:26:13.220
 and once in a while

00:26:13.220 --> 00:26:14.220
 I get an email

00:26:14.220 --> 00:26:15.400
 from some organization

00:26:15.400 --> 00:26:16.480
 that's emailing

00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:17.480
 all the local church pastors

00:26:17.480 --> 00:26:18.099
 that can find

00:26:18.099 --> 00:26:19.779
 with openings,

00:26:19.859 --> 00:26:20.619
 a list of openings

00:26:20.619 --> 00:26:22.059
 for other pastoral jobs.

00:26:22.779 --> 00:26:23.720
 I have never searched

00:26:23.720 --> 00:26:24.740
 for a different pastoral job,

00:26:24.879 --> 00:26:25.299
 so don't worry.

00:26:25.379 --> 00:26:26.119
 I've never searched

00:26:26.119 --> 00:26:26.740
 for another job,

00:26:26.799 --> 00:26:26.980
 period.

00:26:28.079 --> 00:26:29.539
 But they send me those

00:26:29.539 --> 00:26:30.200
 and it's interesting

00:26:30.200 --> 00:26:31.059
 to read those sometimes

00:26:31.059 --> 00:26:32.539
 because they'll tell you

00:26:32.539 --> 00:26:33.500
 what they're looking for

00:26:33.500 --> 00:26:33.960
 in a pastor

00:26:33.960 --> 00:26:35.019
 and sometimes

00:26:35.019 --> 00:26:36.220
 they're oddly specific.

00:26:37.319 --> 00:26:37.619
 And so,

00:26:37.779 --> 00:26:38.480
 one of those things

00:26:38.480 --> 00:26:39.740
 I saw was

00:26:39.740 --> 00:26:40.500
 that the pastor

00:26:40.500 --> 00:26:41.120
 has to be a

00:26:41.120 --> 00:26:43.059
 pre-tribulational rapture

00:26:43.059 --> 00:26:44.559
 dispensationalist

00:26:44.559 --> 00:26:45.539
 premillennialist.

00:26:46.079 --> 00:26:46.160
 Right.

00:26:46.519 --> 00:26:46.880
 So,

00:26:47.640 --> 00:26:49.539
 that was a requirement.

00:26:50.779 --> 00:26:51.000
 Now,

00:26:51.480 --> 00:26:52.440
 you guys laugh

00:26:52.440 --> 00:26:53.140
 but some churches

00:26:53.140 --> 00:26:54.160
 take this very seriously.

00:26:55.079 --> 00:26:57.000
 That church is using,

00:26:57.160 --> 00:26:57.519
 I think,

00:26:57.579 --> 00:26:58.680
 a tertiary issue

00:26:58.680 --> 00:27:00.400
 as a litmus test

00:27:00.400 --> 00:27:01.920
 for pastoral faithfulness.

00:27:03.079 --> 00:27:03.880
 And I don't think

00:27:03.880 --> 00:27:05.059
 that's good for the church.

00:27:05.740 --> 00:27:06.579
 They're ruling out

00:27:06.579 --> 00:27:08.420
 many faithful,

00:27:08.700 --> 00:27:09.099
 godly,

00:27:09.339 --> 00:27:09.960
 gifted pastors

00:27:09.960 --> 00:27:11.099
 by insisting on something

00:27:11.099 --> 00:27:12.059
 that the Bible talks about

00:27:12.059 --> 00:27:12.599
 only once.

00:27:13.980 --> 00:27:14.759
 It's not healthy,

00:27:14.900 --> 00:27:15.420
 in my opinion.

00:27:15.860 --> 00:27:16.480
 That's an example

00:27:16.480 --> 00:27:17.599
 of doctrinal sectarianism.

00:27:18.099 --> 00:27:18.799
 On the other hand,

00:27:18.860 --> 00:27:19.660
 we should also avoid

00:27:19.660 --> 00:27:20.099
 the pitfalls

00:27:20.099 --> 00:27:21.259
 of doctrinal minimalism

00:27:21.259 --> 00:27:22.000
 when it comes to this.

00:27:22.420 --> 00:27:23.059
 There are some people

00:27:23.059 --> 00:27:23.539
 who say,

00:27:23.960 --> 00:27:24.980
 post-millennial,

00:27:25.220 --> 00:27:25.920
 pre-millennial,

00:27:26.079 --> 00:27:26.599
 amillennial,

00:27:26.799 --> 00:27:27.880
 I have no idea,

00:27:28.220 --> 00:27:29.839
 I'm a pan-millennialist.

00:27:30.200 --> 00:27:30.940
 What does that mean?

00:27:31.160 --> 00:27:32.519
 It's all going to pan out

00:27:32.519 --> 00:27:32.960
 in the end.

00:27:32.960 --> 00:27:35.160
 I've heard a pastor

00:27:35.160 --> 00:27:35.779
 tell this joke,

00:27:35.819 --> 00:27:36.380
 it's pretty funny.

00:27:39.120 --> 00:27:40.519
 I see the appeal

00:27:40.519 --> 00:27:41.759
 of that kind of attitude,

00:27:42.019 --> 00:27:42.559
 but our view

00:27:42.559 --> 00:27:43.140
 of the millennium

00:27:43.140 --> 00:27:44.539
 has significant effects

00:27:44.539 --> 00:27:45.860
 upon the church today.

00:27:46.380 --> 00:27:47.319
 And we should cherish

00:27:47.319 --> 00:27:48.500
 and study

00:27:48.500 --> 00:27:49.600
 and obey

00:27:49.600 --> 00:27:51.079
 all of God's word.

00:27:52.380 --> 00:27:53.220
 Throwing our hands up

00:27:53.220 --> 00:27:53.600
 in the air

00:27:53.600 --> 00:27:55.059
 and not doing the hard work

00:27:55.059 --> 00:27:56.279
 of thinking deeply

00:27:56.279 --> 00:27:57.220
 about difficult

00:27:57.220 --> 00:27:58.120
 theological issues

00:27:58.119 --> 00:27:59.599
 is not a virtue.

00:28:01.359 --> 00:28:02.739
 So let's do some hard thinking

00:28:02.739 --> 00:28:03.699
 about Revelation 20.

00:28:04.879 --> 00:28:06.000
 There are four main views

00:28:06.000 --> 00:28:06.579
 on the meaning

00:28:06.579 --> 00:28:07.879
 of the binding of Satan

00:28:07.879 --> 00:28:09.079
 and the reign of Christ

00:28:09.079 --> 00:28:09.819
 during the millennium,

00:28:10.419 --> 00:28:12.279
 with much intramural debate

00:28:12.279 --> 00:28:12.959
 within each of them.

00:28:13.239 --> 00:28:14.439
 And so if I have the,

00:28:14.759 --> 00:28:15.799
 there are four views.

00:28:16.319 --> 00:28:18.679
 First is historic pre-millennialism.

00:28:19.000 --> 00:28:19.239
 Second,

00:28:19.359 --> 00:28:21.079
 that's the view I hold today.

00:28:21.299 --> 00:28:22.079
 So just so you know

00:28:22.079 --> 00:28:24.419
 how difficult this issue is,

00:28:24.479 --> 00:28:25.879
 I began the sermon series

00:28:25.879 --> 00:28:26.239
 in Revelation

00:28:26.239 --> 00:28:27.299
 as an amillennial,

00:28:27.299 --> 00:28:28.319
 number four.

00:28:28.940 --> 00:28:29.859
 And then by the time,

00:28:29.940 --> 00:28:30.819
 by the time we got

00:28:30.819 --> 00:28:31.339
 to this point

00:28:31.339 --> 00:28:32.180
 of our sermon series,

00:28:32.259 --> 00:28:33.019
 I'm now a historical

00:28:33.019 --> 00:28:33.539
 pre-millennial.

00:28:33.799 --> 00:28:34.680
 So this is a,

00:28:35.779 --> 00:28:36.460
 so if you don't know

00:28:36.460 --> 00:28:36.879
 what you think

00:28:36.879 --> 00:28:37.500
 about these issues,

00:28:37.740 --> 00:28:38.279
 I understand.

00:28:38.899 --> 00:28:39.480
 That's where I am.

00:28:40.279 --> 00:28:40.859
 The second,

00:28:40.960 --> 00:28:41.960
 dispensational pre-millennialism,

00:28:42.059 --> 00:28:43.200
 third, post-millennialism,

00:28:43.419 --> 00:28:43.680
 and fourth,

00:28:44.099 --> 00:28:44.619
 amillennialism.

00:28:44.680 --> 00:28:45.460
 I'm going to talk about

00:28:45.460 --> 00:28:46.359
 each of those.

00:28:46.419 --> 00:28:47.259
 Here's a diagram

00:28:47.259 --> 00:28:49.799
 that our one and only

00:28:49.799 --> 00:28:51.119
 John Buckley made for us

00:28:51.119 --> 00:28:52.339
 on short notice

00:28:52.339 --> 00:28:54.220
 this week.

00:28:54.759 --> 00:28:55.500
 This is now,

00:28:55.720 --> 00:28:56.700
 so yesterday,

00:28:57.299 --> 00:28:58.659
 Ed and I got some

00:28:58.659 --> 00:28:59.399
 good laughs looking

00:28:59.399 --> 00:29:00.159
 at the diagrams

00:29:00.159 --> 00:29:01.319
 on the different views

00:29:01.319 --> 00:29:02.319
 of the millennium online

00:29:02.319 --> 00:29:04.639
 because Christians

00:29:04.639 --> 00:29:05.139
 who are serious

00:29:05.139 --> 00:29:05.980
 about the Bible

00:29:05.980 --> 00:29:06.859
 are not always serious

00:29:06.859 --> 00:29:07.859
 about beautiful graphics.

00:29:08.859 --> 00:29:10.619
 And so this is now

00:29:10.619 --> 00:29:12.319
 officially the best-looking

00:29:12.319 --> 00:29:13.819
 diagram on the four views

00:29:13.819 --> 00:29:15.039
 of the millennium online.

00:29:15.039 --> 00:29:15.740
 Yeah.

00:29:17.139 --> 00:29:18.839
 And so,

00:29:19.319 --> 00:29:20.500
 thank you, John.

00:29:21.899 --> 00:29:24.180
 The historic pre-millennialism

00:29:24.180 --> 00:29:25.619
 is called historic

00:29:25.619 --> 00:29:27.399
 because it most closely

00:29:27.399 --> 00:29:28.359
 resembles the view

00:29:28.359 --> 00:29:28.980
 of the millennium

00:29:28.980 --> 00:29:30.019
 that the church fathers,

00:29:30.180 --> 00:29:31.480
 the majority of the church fathers,

00:29:31.559 --> 00:29:31.779
 held,

00:29:32.639 --> 00:29:34.279
 including Apostle John

00:29:34.279 --> 00:29:34.559
 who wrote,

00:29:34.899 --> 00:29:36.099
 I don't know,

00:29:36.619 --> 00:29:37.480
 I'm not saying

00:29:37.480 --> 00:29:38.119
 Apostle John held.

00:29:38.359 --> 00:29:39.200
 Apostle John's the one

00:29:39.200 --> 00:29:39.899
 who wrote Revelation.

00:29:39.900 --> 00:29:41.180
 Apostle John's

00:29:41.180 --> 00:29:42.140
 disciple Papias

00:29:42.140 --> 00:29:43.220
 and Polycarp

00:29:43.220 --> 00:29:44.100
 and Polycarp's

00:29:44.100 --> 00:29:45.120
 disciple Irenaeus

00:29:45.120 --> 00:29:46.700
 as well as other

00:29:46.700 --> 00:29:47.580
 notable church fathers

00:29:47.580 --> 00:29:48.500
 like Justin Martyr,

00:29:48.580 --> 00:29:49.140
 Tertullian,

00:29:49.480 --> 00:29:50.200
 Pseudo-Barnabas,

00:29:50.280 --> 00:29:50.759
 Methodius,

00:29:50.880 --> 00:29:51.519
 Lactantius,

00:29:51.700 --> 00:29:52.380
 Comodianus,

00:29:52.480 --> 00:29:53.060
 Theophilus,

00:29:53.180 --> 00:29:53.560
 Melito,

00:29:53.720 --> 00:29:55.000
 Hippolytus of Rome,

00:29:55.460 --> 00:29:56.540
 Victorinus of Petau,

00:29:56.680 --> 00:29:57.040
 Nepus,

00:29:57.140 --> 00:29:58.280
 Julius Africanus,

00:29:58.740 --> 00:29:59.140
 Tatian,

00:29:59.340 --> 00:30:00.060
 and Montanus.

00:30:00.140 --> 00:30:00.920
 They all believed

00:30:00.920 --> 00:30:01.519
 in historic

00:30:01.519 --> 00:30:02.240
 pre-millennialism.

00:30:03.100 --> 00:30:03.259
 Now,

00:30:03.380 --> 00:30:04.540
 the prefix pre-

00:30:04.540 --> 00:30:05.620
 means before.

00:30:06.220 --> 00:30:07.259
 So pre-millennialism

00:30:07.259 --> 00:30:07.720
 is the belief

00:30:07.720 --> 00:30:08.980
 that Christ will return

00:30:08.980 --> 00:30:09.799
 in his second coming

00:30:09.799 --> 00:30:12.019
 before the millennium reign.

00:30:12.839 --> 00:30:13.440
 He's going to come

00:30:13.440 --> 00:30:14.120
 to establish

00:30:14.120 --> 00:30:14.799
 the millennium reign.

00:30:15.500 --> 00:30:15.599
 So,

00:30:16.480 --> 00:30:18.099
 the people that,

00:30:18.380 --> 00:30:19.480
 I think this is what

00:30:19.480 --> 00:30:20.660
 makes the best sense

00:30:20.660 --> 00:30:22.420
 of the scriptural data,

00:30:22.880 --> 00:30:24.039
 but there's still

00:30:24.039 --> 00:30:25.019
 a lot of questions

00:30:25.019 --> 00:30:26.799
 and uncertainties

00:30:26.799 --> 00:30:27.240
 around it.

00:30:27.660 --> 00:30:28.599
 The most prominent

00:30:28.599 --> 00:30:29.620
 modern proponents

00:30:29.620 --> 00:30:30.420
 of this view

00:30:30.420 --> 00:30:31.480
 are D.A. Carson,

00:30:32.059 --> 00:30:32.880
 John Piper,

00:30:33.279 --> 00:30:34.140
 and Jim Hamilton,

00:30:34.259 --> 00:30:34.680
 among others.

00:30:36.680 --> 00:30:37.360
 Dispensational

00:30:37.360 --> 00:30:38.480
 pre-millennialism

00:30:38.480 --> 00:30:40.039
 shares the name

00:30:40.039 --> 00:30:40.940
 pre-millennialism

00:30:40.940 --> 00:30:41.720
 with historic

00:30:41.720 --> 00:30:42.440
 pre-millennialism

00:30:42.440 --> 00:30:43.700
 because it also says

00:30:43.700 --> 00:30:44.839
 that Christ's second coming

00:30:44.839 --> 00:30:46.079
 will take place

00:30:46.079 --> 00:30:48.160
 before the millennial reign,

00:30:48.259 --> 00:30:49.099
 so pre-millennial.

00:30:50.019 --> 00:30:50.799
 But then,

00:30:51.099 --> 00:30:51.519
 after that,

00:30:51.539 --> 00:30:52.559
 it departs sharply

00:30:52.559 --> 00:30:53.380
 from historic

00:30:53.380 --> 00:30:54.120
 dispensationalism.

00:30:54.940 --> 00:30:55.940
 Dispensational pre-mill

00:30:55.940 --> 00:30:56.880
 argues not only

00:30:56.880 --> 00:30:57.860
 that Christ will return

00:30:57.860 --> 00:30:58.940
 before the millennium,

00:30:59.259 --> 00:30:59.980
 but also

00:30:59.980 --> 00:31:01.140
 that he will return

00:31:01.140 --> 00:31:02.120
 for a secret

00:31:02.120 --> 00:31:02.980
 second coming

00:31:02.980 --> 00:31:04.299
 prior to that

00:31:04.299 --> 00:31:05.460
 to rapture

00:31:05.460 --> 00:31:05.900
 the believers.

00:31:05.900 --> 00:31:09.060
 so that they

00:31:09.060 --> 00:31:09.880
 don't have to endure

00:31:09.880 --> 00:31:10.580
 what they believe

00:31:10.580 --> 00:31:11.160
 is seven years

00:31:11.160 --> 00:31:11.740
 of tribulation,

00:31:12.220 --> 00:31:12.980
 the great tribulation.

00:31:14.580 --> 00:31:15.320
 And it's only

00:31:15.320 --> 00:31:16.500
 after that secret

00:31:16.500 --> 00:31:16.860
 rapture,

00:31:16.940 --> 00:31:18.019
 that secret second coming,

00:31:18.380 --> 00:31:18.960
 and then the

00:31:18.960 --> 00:31:19.660
 great tribulation,

00:31:20.000 --> 00:31:20.880
 and then he will

00:31:20.880 --> 00:31:21.700
 come in public,

00:31:21.820 --> 00:31:23.019
 in a public second coming,

00:31:23.540 --> 00:31:24.360
 to bring about

00:31:24.360 --> 00:31:25.200
 the millennium.

00:31:25.300 --> 00:31:25.840
 That's what

00:31:25.840 --> 00:31:27.180
 dispensational

00:31:27.180 --> 00:31:27.800
 pre-millennialism

00:31:27.800 --> 00:31:28.100
 believes.

00:31:28.900 --> 00:31:29.120
 So,

00:31:29.640 --> 00:31:30.500
 if you can't tell,

00:31:30.580 --> 00:31:31.519
 so that's the first picture,

00:31:31.680 --> 00:31:32.820
 is Christ on the cross,

00:31:32.920 --> 00:31:33.440
 first coming,

00:31:34.039 --> 00:31:34.660
 and that

00:31:34.660 --> 00:31:35.759
 the middle here,

00:31:35.860 --> 00:31:36.440
 that's the secret

00:31:36.440 --> 00:31:36.900
 second coming

00:31:36.900 --> 00:31:37.779
 for church only,

00:31:38.000 --> 00:31:38.759
 it's raptured,

00:31:39.019 --> 00:31:39.900
 and then the tribulation,

00:31:40.400 --> 00:31:41.140
 the second coming,

00:31:41.240 --> 00:31:41.700
 that's the picture

00:31:41.700 --> 00:31:42.880
 of Christ on his white horse

00:31:42.880 --> 00:31:44.299
 from Revelation 19,

00:31:44.519 --> 00:31:45.380
 and then the millennium,

00:31:45.500 --> 00:31:46.380
 and then the final judgment.

00:31:46.680 --> 00:31:47.279
 So that's the picture.

00:31:48.240 --> 00:31:48.980
 It's beautiful.

00:31:51.980 --> 00:31:52.559
 The most,

00:31:52.920 --> 00:31:54.299
 this dispensational

00:31:54.299 --> 00:31:55.180
 pre-millennialism

00:31:55.180 --> 00:31:55.980
 began in earnest

00:31:55.980 --> 00:31:57.440
 with the 19th century

00:31:57.440 --> 00:31:58.299
 Plymouth Brethren

00:31:58.299 --> 00:31:58.940
 pastor named

00:31:58.940 --> 00:32:00.180
 John Nelson Darby,

00:32:00.240 --> 00:32:00.740
 you may have heard

00:32:00.740 --> 00:32:01.320
 his name before,

00:32:01.319 --> 00:32:02.859
 and became prominent

00:32:02.859 --> 00:32:03.740
 due to the influence

00:32:03.740 --> 00:32:05.179
 of Dallas Theological Seminary

00:32:05.179 --> 00:32:06.419
 and the popularity

00:32:06.419 --> 00:32:07.679
 of Hal Lindsay's book,

00:32:07.799 --> 00:32:09.079
 The Late Great Planet Earth,

00:32:09.379 --> 00:32:11.059
 and the Left Behind series,

00:32:11.159 --> 00:32:11.980
 which I mentioned to you before,

00:32:12.259 --> 00:32:12.799
 Tim Leahy

00:32:12.799 --> 00:32:13.599
 and Jerry B. Jenkins.

00:32:14.119 --> 00:32:15.159
 The most prominent

00:32:15.159 --> 00:32:16.539
 proponent of this view

00:32:16.539 --> 00:32:17.220
 nowadays is

00:32:17.220 --> 00:32:17.879
 John MacArthur,

00:32:18.359 --> 00:32:19.339
 who describes himself

00:32:19.339 --> 00:32:21.419
 as a leaky dispensationalist.

00:32:22.299 --> 00:32:23.240
 The fact that

00:32:23.240 --> 00:32:24.980
 this is a modern innovation

00:32:24.980 --> 00:32:26.500
 is an argument against it.

00:32:26.879 --> 00:32:27.599
 This view

00:32:27.599 --> 00:32:29.319
 is not attested

00:32:29.319 --> 00:32:30.619
 among any of the church fathers.

00:32:32.279 --> 00:32:32.720
 Moreover,

00:32:32.899 --> 00:32:33.460
 the idea

00:32:33.460 --> 00:32:34.599
 of a rapture

00:32:34.599 --> 00:32:36.119
 is not found

00:32:36.119 --> 00:32:37.240
 anywhere

00:32:37.240 --> 00:32:38.220
 in the book of Revelation.

00:32:39.339 --> 00:32:40.019
 It's based,

00:32:40.079 --> 00:32:40.779
 people who believe it

00:32:40.779 --> 00:32:41.299
 based it on

00:32:41.299 --> 00:32:42.159
 1 Thessalonians 4,

00:32:42.200 --> 00:32:42.919
 16 to 17,

00:32:43.419 --> 00:32:43.859
 which says,

00:32:44.059 --> 00:32:44.899
 For the Lord himself

00:32:44.899 --> 00:32:45.879
 will descend from heaven

00:32:45.879 --> 00:32:46.899
 with a cry of command,

00:32:47.240 --> 00:32:47.859
 with the voice

00:32:47.859 --> 00:32:49.159
 of an archangel,

00:32:49.299 --> 00:32:50.039
 and with the sound

00:32:50.039 --> 00:32:51.000
 of the trumpet of God,

00:32:51.139 --> 00:32:52.359
 and the dead in Christ

00:32:52.359 --> 00:32:53.259
 will rise first.

00:32:53.720 --> 00:32:54.879
 Then we who are alive

00:32:54.879 --> 00:32:55.379
 who are left

00:32:55.379 --> 00:32:56.839
 will be caught up together

00:32:56.839 --> 00:32:58.179
 with them in the clouds

00:32:58.179 --> 00:32:59.480
 to meet the Lord

00:32:59.480 --> 00:33:00.099
 in the air,

00:33:00.099 --> 00:33:01.379
 and so we will always

00:33:01.379 --> 00:33:02.339
 be with the Lord.

00:33:02.740 --> 00:33:04.019
 So dispensational premils

00:33:04.019 --> 00:33:05.259
 argue that that's

00:33:05.259 --> 00:33:06.179
 meeting the Lord

00:33:06.179 --> 00:33:06.899
 within the air

00:33:06.899 --> 00:33:07.919
 refers to us

00:33:07.919 --> 00:33:09.299
 being caught up in heaven

00:33:09.299 --> 00:33:10.259
 to live with Jesus.

00:33:10.419 --> 00:33:11.339
 That's a secret rapture.

00:33:12.419 --> 00:33:12.719
 However,

00:33:12.779 --> 00:33:13.359
 I've mentioned this

00:33:13.359 --> 00:33:13.879
 to you before,

00:33:13.980 --> 00:33:14.799
 that the Greek word

00:33:14.799 --> 00:33:15.719
 translating meet

00:33:15.719 --> 00:33:18.019
 has a very specific meaning.

00:33:18.379 --> 00:33:19.059
 It's a word

00:33:19.059 --> 00:33:19.959
 that is used

00:33:19.959 --> 00:33:20.740
 in Greek literature

00:33:20.740 --> 00:33:22.459
 to mean going out

00:33:22.459 --> 00:33:23.559
 to meet someone

00:33:23.559 --> 00:33:24.679
 who is already

00:33:24.679 --> 00:33:26.079
 on his way to you.

00:33:26.079 --> 00:33:27.339
 So it's a way

00:33:27.339 --> 00:33:27.859
 of going out

00:33:27.859 --> 00:33:28.339
 to meet,

00:33:28.460 --> 00:33:28.939
 to welcome,

00:33:29.099 --> 00:33:30.240
 and escort them back

00:33:30.240 --> 00:33:31.419
 to where you're going

00:33:31.419 --> 00:33:31.879
 together.

00:33:33.379 --> 00:33:34.579
 Or if your enemy

00:33:34.579 --> 00:33:35.299
 is coming out

00:33:35.299 --> 00:33:35.839
 to meet you

00:33:35.839 --> 00:33:36.460
 and you go out

00:33:36.460 --> 00:33:37.019
 to meet them

00:33:37.019 --> 00:33:37.399
 who's already

00:33:37.399 --> 00:33:38.359
 on their way to you,

00:33:38.399 --> 00:33:39.039
 it's about meeting

00:33:39.039 --> 00:33:40.139
 halfway so that

00:33:40.139 --> 00:33:41.240
 you can come back.

00:33:41.319 --> 00:33:43.019
 So it's not a word

00:33:43.019 --> 00:33:43.740
 that describes

00:33:43.740 --> 00:33:44.399
 meeting him

00:33:44.399 --> 00:33:44.899
 and then going

00:33:44.899 --> 00:33:45.519
 away somewhere.

00:33:45.960 --> 00:33:46.460
 It's a word

00:33:46.460 --> 00:33:46.939
 that describes

00:33:46.939 --> 00:33:47.579
 meeting Jesus

00:33:47.579 --> 00:33:48.079
 in the air

00:33:48.079 --> 00:33:48.839
 as a way of

00:33:48.839 --> 00:33:50.399
 greeting an important

00:33:50.399 --> 00:33:50.919
 dignitary

00:33:50.919 --> 00:33:52.240
 and then coming back

00:33:52.240 --> 00:33:53.319
 to where you guys

00:33:53.319 --> 00:33:54.059
 are going together.

00:33:54.939 --> 00:33:56.759
 And so that's,

00:33:56.839 --> 00:33:57.279
 I don't think,

00:33:57.359 --> 00:33:58.220
 the right interpretation

00:33:58.220 --> 00:33:59.039
 of that word,

00:33:59.639 --> 00:34:01.179
 of that passage

00:34:01.179 --> 00:34:01.639
 in general.

00:34:02.659 --> 00:34:03.500
 And another passage

00:34:03.500 --> 00:34:04.119
 that's often used

00:34:04.119 --> 00:34:04.939
 to argue for the rapture

00:34:04.939 --> 00:34:05.819
 is John 14,

00:34:05.899 --> 00:34:06.339
 1-3,

00:34:06.759 --> 00:34:07.419
 where Jesus says,

00:34:07.519 --> 00:34:08.279
 Let not your hearts

00:34:08.279 --> 00:34:08.759
 be troubled.

00:34:08.920 --> 00:34:09.559
 Believe in God.

00:34:09.679 --> 00:34:10.639
 Believe also in me.

00:34:11.079 --> 00:34:12.019
 In my Father's house

00:34:12.019 --> 00:34:12.779
 are many rooms.

00:34:12.920 --> 00:34:13.639
 If it were not so,

00:34:13.719 --> 00:34:14.440
 would I have told you

00:34:14.440 --> 00:34:15.159
 that I go to prepare

00:34:15.159 --> 00:34:15.920
 a place for you?

00:34:16.279 --> 00:34:17.360
 And if I go and prepare

00:34:17.360 --> 00:34:18.159
 a place for you,

00:34:18.239 --> 00:34:19.079
 I will come again

00:34:19.079 --> 00:34:20.159
 and I will take you

00:34:20.159 --> 00:34:21.000
 to myself

00:34:21.000 --> 00:34:22.219
 that where I am

00:34:22.219 --> 00:34:22.960
 you may be

00:34:22.960 --> 00:34:23.340
 also.

00:34:23.460 --> 00:34:24.320
 That's another passage

00:34:24.320 --> 00:34:25.679
 that people point to

00:34:25.679 --> 00:34:26.260
 as an example

00:34:26.260 --> 00:34:26.880
 of the rapture,

00:34:26.960 --> 00:34:27.820
 the secret second coming

00:34:27.820 --> 00:34:28.199
 rapture.

00:34:29.800 --> 00:34:30.240
 However,

00:34:30.360 --> 00:34:31.460
 I do think this passage

00:34:31.460 --> 00:34:32.119
 is talking about

00:34:32.119 --> 00:34:32.920
 Jesus' return.

00:34:33.659 --> 00:34:34.280
 But I think it's

00:34:34.280 --> 00:34:35.280
 talking about

00:34:35.280 --> 00:34:36.559
 his final second coming

00:34:36.559 --> 00:34:37.039
 and I think there's

00:34:37.039 --> 00:34:38.579
 only one second coming

00:34:38.579 --> 00:34:39.119
 in the Bible

00:34:39.119 --> 00:34:40.659
 when Jesus brings about

00:34:40.659 --> 00:34:41.260
 the new heaven

00:34:41.260 --> 00:34:41.880
 and the new earth,

00:34:42.260 --> 00:34:43.420
 establishes the holy city

00:34:43.420 --> 00:34:43.960
 in New Jerusalem

00:34:43.960 --> 00:34:45.159
 which comes down

00:34:45.159 --> 00:34:46.119
 out of heaven

00:34:46.119 --> 00:34:46.820
 from God.

00:34:47.480 --> 00:34:48.119
 And so Jesus

00:34:48.119 --> 00:34:49.260
 returns to the Father

00:34:49.260 --> 00:34:50.659
 and prepares these rooms,

00:34:50.820 --> 00:34:51.980
 places for his disciples

00:34:51.980 --> 00:34:53.420
 and then in his second coming

00:34:53.420 --> 00:34:54.320
 he brings down

00:34:54.320 --> 00:34:55.159
 the heavenly Jerusalem

00:34:55.159 --> 00:34:56.139
 where he will take

00:34:56.139 --> 00:34:56.679
 his people

00:34:56.679 --> 00:34:57.780
 to dwell with him.

00:34:58.059 --> 00:34:58.860
 I think that makes

00:34:58.860 --> 00:34:59.420
 the best sense

00:34:59.420 --> 00:35:00.320
 of John 14.

00:35:00.980 --> 00:35:02.400
 Nowhere does John 14

00:35:02.400 --> 00:35:03.240
 say that this is

00:35:03.240 --> 00:35:04.480
 speaking of Christ's

00:35:04.480 --> 00:35:05.280
 secret return

00:35:05.280 --> 00:35:06.940
 prior to his second coming.

00:35:07.360 --> 00:35:08.019
 I just don't think

00:35:08.019 --> 00:35:08.599
 that doctrine

00:35:08.599 --> 00:35:09.300
 is in scripture

00:35:09.300 --> 00:35:10.019
 at all.

00:35:10.880 --> 00:35:11.920
 All that to say,

00:35:12.099 --> 00:35:12.699
 arguments for

00:35:12.699 --> 00:35:13.420
 the secret return

00:35:13.420 --> 00:35:13.880
 of Christ

00:35:13.880 --> 00:35:14.699
 to rapture

00:35:14.699 --> 00:35:15.320
 the saints

00:35:15.320 --> 00:35:15.920
 are few

00:35:15.920 --> 00:35:17.360
 and I think

00:35:17.360 --> 00:35:18.199
 not very strong.

00:35:18.199 --> 00:35:19.579
 but the reason

00:35:19.579 --> 00:35:20.139
 why people

00:35:20.139 --> 00:35:20.779
 subscribe

00:35:20.779 --> 00:35:21.639
 to dispensational

00:35:21.639 --> 00:35:22.179
 premio

00:35:22.179 --> 00:35:23.639
 is not primarily

00:35:23.639 --> 00:35:24.219
 because they're

00:35:24.219 --> 00:35:24.859
 persuaded by

00:35:24.859 --> 00:35:25.779
 these proof texts,

00:35:25.899 --> 00:35:26.399
 they're not that

00:35:26.399 --> 00:35:26.939
 persuasive,

00:35:27.299 --> 00:35:27.859
 but because

00:35:27.859 --> 00:35:28.619
 they have bought

00:35:28.619 --> 00:35:30.059
 into dispensationalism

00:35:30.059 --> 00:35:31.339
 as a theological

00:35:31.339 --> 00:35:32.079
 system,

00:35:32.419 --> 00:35:33.099
 as a system

00:35:33.099 --> 00:35:33.579
 of biblical

00:35:33.579 --> 00:35:34.259
 interpretation.

00:35:35.839 --> 00:35:36.419
 Dispensationalism

00:35:36.419 --> 00:35:37.059
 is the belief

00:35:37.059 --> 00:35:37.500
 that God

00:35:37.500 --> 00:35:37.939
 has ordered

00:35:37.939 --> 00:35:38.759
 human history

00:35:38.759 --> 00:35:39.779
 into seven main

00:35:39.779 --> 00:35:41.079
 dispensations

00:35:41.079 --> 00:35:42.319
 or administrations

00:35:42.319 --> 00:35:43.779
 and one of its

00:35:43.779 --> 00:35:44.679
 main tenets

00:35:44.679 --> 00:35:45.659
 of dispensationalism

00:35:45.659 --> 00:35:46.699
 is their literal

00:35:46.699 --> 00:35:47.279
 hermeneutic,

00:35:47.280 --> 00:35:47.720
 the way they

00:35:47.720 --> 00:35:48.720
 interpret the Bible

00:35:48.720 --> 00:35:49.640
 literally

00:35:49.640 --> 00:35:51.060
 wherever possible.

00:35:51.860 --> 00:35:52.660
 And because of that,

00:35:52.720 --> 00:35:53.320
 it's a system

00:35:53.320 --> 00:35:54.200
 that is very

00:35:54.200 --> 00:35:54.820
 attractive

00:35:54.820 --> 00:35:55.880
 to theological

00:35:55.880 --> 00:35:56.560
 conservatives

00:35:56.560 --> 00:35:57.880
 who have

00:35:57.880 --> 00:35:58.740
 a very high

00:35:58.740 --> 00:35:59.300
 view of scripture,

00:35:59.500 --> 00:35:59.880
 which is me.

00:36:01.100 --> 00:36:02.120
 And for this reason,

00:36:02.200 --> 00:36:02.840
 they expect

00:36:02.840 --> 00:36:03.780
 the Old Testament

00:36:03.780 --> 00:36:05.180
 prophecies about Israel

00:36:05.180 --> 00:36:06.200
 being restored

00:36:06.200 --> 00:36:07.160
 to the land of Canaan,

00:36:07.240 --> 00:36:07.660
 for example,

00:36:07.940 --> 00:36:08.880
 and about the temple

00:36:08.880 --> 00:36:10.260
 being restored,

00:36:10.380 --> 00:36:10.800
 for example.

00:36:11.180 --> 00:36:12.040
 They see these

00:36:12.040 --> 00:36:13.519
 as not being fulfilled

00:36:13.519 --> 00:36:14.420
 figuratively

00:36:14.420 --> 00:36:15.140
 and spiritually

00:36:15.140 --> 00:36:16.220
 in Jesus Christ,

00:36:16.580 --> 00:36:17.260
 but as they

00:36:17.260 --> 00:36:17.780
 believe that those

00:36:17.780 --> 00:36:18.260
 things will be

00:36:18.260 --> 00:36:19.080
 literally and

00:36:19.080 --> 00:36:20.180
 physically be fulfilled

00:36:20.180 --> 00:36:21.640
 in the land of Israel

00:36:21.640 --> 00:36:23.340
 in the physical

00:36:23.340 --> 00:36:24.340
 temple on Mount Zion.

00:36:24.800 --> 00:36:25.560
 So they maintain

00:36:25.560 --> 00:36:26.760
 a strict distinction

00:36:26.760 --> 00:36:27.660
 between Israel,

00:36:27.860 --> 00:36:28.620
 which is made up

00:36:28.620 --> 00:36:29.360
 for ethnic Jews,

00:36:29.460 --> 00:36:30.260
 and the church.

00:36:31.320 --> 00:36:32.320
 That's why I think

00:36:32.320 --> 00:36:32.960
 they find this

00:36:32.960 --> 00:36:34.280
 system persuasive.

00:36:34.800 --> 00:36:35.060
 However,

00:36:35.120 --> 00:36:36.160
 a problem with this view

00:36:36.160 --> 00:36:37.060
 is that the Bible

00:36:37.060 --> 00:36:38.340
 itself understands

00:36:38.340 --> 00:36:39.440
 some of the Old Testament

00:36:39.440 --> 00:36:40.520
 prophecies concerning

00:36:40.520 --> 00:36:41.540
 the nation of Israel

00:36:41.540 --> 00:36:43.220
 as being fulfilled

00:36:43.220 --> 00:36:44.680
 spiritually in Jesus Christ.

00:36:44.679 --> 00:36:45.940
 For example,

00:36:46.099 --> 00:36:47.099
 Revelation 2, 9,

00:36:47.159 --> 00:36:47.699
 and 3, 7

00:36:47.699 --> 00:36:48.239
 that we saw,

00:36:48.679 --> 00:36:49.719
 Jesus denounced

00:36:49.719 --> 00:36:50.879
 those who say

00:36:50.879 --> 00:36:51.879
 that they are Jews

00:36:51.879 --> 00:36:52.539
 and are not,

00:36:52.719 --> 00:36:53.419
 but are a synagogue

00:36:53.419 --> 00:36:54.000
 of Satan.

00:36:55.239 --> 00:36:56.480
 This was a condemnation

00:36:56.480 --> 00:36:57.819
 of ethnic Jews

00:36:57.819 --> 00:36:58.539
 who rejected

00:36:58.539 --> 00:36:59.139
 their Messiah,

00:36:59.319 --> 00:36:59.519
 Jesus,

00:36:59.659 --> 00:37:00.759
 and persecuted Christians.

00:37:01.440 --> 00:37:02.440
 Those who believe

00:37:02.440 --> 00:37:03.500
 in Jesus Christ,

00:37:03.579 --> 00:37:04.319
 according to Revelation,

00:37:04.519 --> 00:37:05.719
 are the true Jews,

00:37:05.980 --> 00:37:06.779
 not those who are

00:37:06.779 --> 00:37:07.460
 merely ethnic

00:37:07.460 --> 00:37:08.519
 descendants of Israel.

00:37:09.199 --> 00:37:10.219
 The promises

00:37:10.219 --> 00:37:11.079
 that God gave

00:37:11.079 --> 00:37:11.519
 to the Jews

00:37:11.519 --> 00:37:12.219
 in the Old Testament

00:37:12.219 --> 00:37:13.459
 do not belong

00:37:13.459 --> 00:37:14.119
 to the children

00:37:14.119 --> 00:37:15.039
 of the flesh,

00:37:15.199 --> 00:37:15.899
 as Paul writes,

00:37:16.059 --> 00:37:16.739
 but to the children

00:37:16.739 --> 00:37:17.759
 of the promise

00:37:17.759 --> 00:37:19.279
 in Romans 9, 6-8.

00:37:19.939 --> 00:37:20.980
 It's the spiritual

00:37:20.980 --> 00:37:22.599
 descendants of Israel,

00:37:22.839 --> 00:37:23.839
 not the physical

00:37:23.839 --> 00:37:24.799
 descendants of Israel,

00:37:24.899 --> 00:37:25.459
 ethnic Jews,

00:37:25.639 --> 00:37:27.539
 who make up true Israel.

00:37:28.059 --> 00:37:28.539
 For,

00:37:28.939 --> 00:37:29.779
 it says in Romans 2,

00:37:29.819 --> 00:37:30.659
 27-28,

00:37:31.079 --> 00:37:31.939
 no one is a Jew

00:37:31.939 --> 00:37:32.459
 who is merely

00:37:32.459 --> 00:37:33.359
 one outwardly,

00:37:33.439 --> 00:37:34.239
 nor is circumcision

00:37:34.239 --> 00:37:35.119
 outward and physical,

00:37:35.539 --> 00:37:37.219
 but a Jew is one inwardly,

00:37:37.279 --> 00:37:37.859
 and circumcision

00:37:37.859 --> 00:37:39.139
 is a matter of the heart

00:37:39.139 --> 00:37:40.019
 by the spirit,

00:37:40.259 --> 00:37:41.219
 not by the letter.

00:37:41.219 --> 00:37:42.599
 And that's why

00:37:42.599 --> 00:37:43.459
 in James 1-1,

00:37:43.579 --> 00:37:45.119
 it addresses all Christians,

00:37:45.259 --> 00:37:46.439
 both Jews and Gentiles,

00:37:46.779 --> 00:37:47.559
 as dispersed

00:37:47.559 --> 00:37:49.799
 12 tribes of Israel.

00:37:49.939 --> 00:37:50.599
 We are the true

00:37:50.599 --> 00:37:51.359
 Israel of God.

00:37:52.619 --> 00:37:53.099
 Likewise,

00:37:53.319 --> 00:37:54.519
 the ultimate restoration

00:37:54.519 --> 00:37:55.759
 of the Jerusalem temple

00:37:55.759 --> 00:37:57.059
 does not happen

00:37:57.059 --> 00:37:58.500
 before Christ's return,

00:37:58.779 --> 00:38:00.179
 but after Christ's return,

00:38:00.259 --> 00:38:00.859
 as we see

00:38:00.859 --> 00:38:02.359
 in Revelation 21.

00:38:02.699 --> 00:38:03.719
 And it describes

00:38:03.719 --> 00:38:04.659
 the people of God,

00:38:04.739 --> 00:38:05.419
 the old covenant

00:38:05.419 --> 00:38:06.139
 people of God,

00:38:06.459 --> 00:38:07.039
 represented by

00:38:07.039 --> 00:38:08.559
 the 12 tribes,

00:38:09.039 --> 00:38:09.919
 the 12 sons of Jacob,

00:38:09.920 --> 00:38:11.079
 and the 12 apostles,

00:38:11.139 --> 00:38:11.659
 the New Testament

00:38:11.659 --> 00:38:12.480
 covenant people of God,

00:38:12.579 --> 00:38:13.980
 represented by the 12 apostles,

00:38:14.340 --> 00:38:15.280
 they make up

00:38:15.280 --> 00:38:16.180
 this new city

00:38:16.180 --> 00:38:16.920
 of Jerusalem.

00:38:18.059 --> 00:38:18.920
 So Revelation itself

00:38:19.619 --> 00:38:20.940
 does not insist

00:38:20.940 --> 00:38:21.559
 on maintaining

00:38:21.559 --> 00:38:22.440
 a strict distinction

00:38:22.440 --> 00:38:23.079
 between Israel

00:38:23.079 --> 00:38:23.539
 and the church.

00:38:24.300 --> 00:38:25.360
 Revelation unites them

00:38:25.360 --> 00:38:26.139
 as the people of God,

00:38:26.360 --> 00:38:27.059
 and this is why

00:38:27.059 --> 00:38:27.639
 I don't find

00:38:27.639 --> 00:38:28.659
 dispensational premill

00:38:28.659 --> 00:38:29.720
 to be persuasive.

00:38:30.559 --> 00:38:31.940
 But why does this matter?

00:38:31.940 --> 00:38:35.079
 Many dispensational

00:38:35.079 --> 00:38:36.280
 premillennialists

00:38:36.280 --> 00:38:37.860
 follow Hal Lindsey's view

00:38:37.860 --> 00:38:38.519
 in the late

00:38:38.519 --> 00:38:39.619
 great planet Earth

00:38:39.619 --> 00:38:41.059
 and believe

00:38:41.059 --> 00:38:42.260
 that, for example,

00:38:42.380 --> 00:38:43.679
 the Arab-Israel war

00:38:43.679 --> 00:38:44.940
 and the establishment

00:38:44.940 --> 00:38:46.079
 of the state of Israel

00:38:46.079 --> 00:38:47.599
 in 1948 in Palestine,

00:38:48.099 --> 00:38:49.460
 as well as Israel's victory

00:38:49.460 --> 00:38:50.579
 in the Six-Day War

00:38:50.579 --> 00:38:51.780
 and regaining control

00:38:51.780 --> 00:38:52.800
 of the Sinai Peninsula

00:38:52.800 --> 00:38:53.599
 and, most importantly,

00:38:53.720 --> 00:38:54.500
 city of Jerusalem,

00:38:54.840 --> 00:38:55.500
 they believe that

00:38:55.500 --> 00:38:56.380
 these are literal

00:38:56.380 --> 00:38:57.119
 fulfillments

00:38:57.119 --> 00:38:58.420
 of Old Testament prophecy.

00:38:58.420 --> 00:39:00.599
 They also believe

00:39:00.599 --> 00:39:01.099
 that a literal

00:39:01.099 --> 00:39:01.900
 physical temple

00:39:01.900 --> 00:39:02.639
 will eventually

00:39:02.639 --> 00:39:03.240
 be rebuilt

00:39:03.240 --> 00:39:03.880
 on Mount Zion

00:39:03.880 --> 00:39:04.400
 where currently

00:39:04.400 --> 00:39:05.240
 the Dome of the Rock,

00:39:05.360 --> 00:39:06.700
 the Islamic mosque, sits.

00:39:08.139 --> 00:39:08.880
 So in other words,

00:39:09.019 --> 00:39:09.920
 dispensational premill

00:39:09.920 --> 00:39:10.980
 leads Christians

00:39:10.980 --> 00:39:12.519
 to see the nation

00:39:12.519 --> 00:39:13.220
 of Israel

00:39:13.220 --> 00:39:14.200
 as a fulfillment

00:39:14.200 --> 00:39:15.420
 of biblical prophecy

00:39:15.420 --> 00:39:16.820
 and therefore support

00:39:16.820 --> 00:39:18.619
 Israel as a political entity.

00:39:21.320 --> 00:39:22.559
 Now, please don't hear

00:39:22.559 --> 00:39:23.579
 what I'm not saying.

00:39:23.980 --> 00:39:24.700
 I'm not saying

00:39:24.700 --> 00:39:25.360
 that God doesn't have

00:39:25.360 --> 00:39:26.240
 any future plans

00:39:26.240 --> 00:39:27.059
 for the Jewish people.

00:39:27.260 --> 00:39:28.000
 I think he does,

00:39:28.000 --> 00:39:30.079
 according to Romans 11, 25 to 26.

00:39:30.179 --> 00:39:30.699
 I think there will be

00:39:30.699 --> 00:39:31.659
 a softening of the hearts

00:39:31.659 --> 00:39:32.360
 of the Jewish people

00:39:32.360 --> 00:39:32.920
 and many of them

00:39:32.920 --> 00:39:33.699
 will come to faith,

00:39:33.860 --> 00:39:35.059
 saving faith in Jesus Christ

00:39:35.059 --> 00:39:36.199
 in the end times.

00:39:37.579 --> 00:39:39.019
 I love the Jewish people.

00:39:39.559 --> 00:39:41.119
 We have some Messianic Jews

00:39:41.119 --> 00:39:42.019
 in our church.

00:39:42.440 --> 00:39:43.539
 I love the Jewish people

00:39:43.539 --> 00:39:45.139
 even if for no other reason

00:39:45.139 --> 00:39:46.239
 than the fact

00:39:46.239 --> 00:39:47.119
 that my King

00:39:47.119 --> 00:39:48.559
 and my Savior is Jewish.

00:39:49.519 --> 00:39:50.980
 If Jesus weren't born

00:39:50.980 --> 00:39:52.260
 among the Jews,

00:39:52.380 --> 00:39:53.039
 then I would still

00:39:53.039 --> 00:39:54.079
 be condemned in my sin

00:39:54.079 --> 00:39:55.940
 for salvation is from the Jews,

00:39:56.059 --> 00:39:57.420
 Jesus said in John 4, 22.

00:39:58.000 --> 00:40:00.219
 And so this is not my,

00:40:00.500 --> 00:40:01.440
 I'm not trying to share

00:40:01.440 --> 00:40:02.239
 a political opinion

00:40:02.239 --> 00:40:03.159
 on what's going on

00:40:03.159 --> 00:40:04.159
 with Israel and Palestine.

00:40:04.659 --> 00:40:05.920
 I'm very supportive

00:40:05.920 --> 00:40:06.619
 of the Jewish people

00:40:06.619 --> 00:40:07.460
 and love the Jewish people.

00:40:07.559 --> 00:40:09.000
 However, with that said,

00:40:09.719 --> 00:40:11.219
 the state of Israel

00:40:11.219 --> 00:40:13.139
 is not a fulfillment

00:40:13.139 --> 00:40:14.579
 of the promises of God

00:40:14.579 --> 00:40:15.119
 to his people.

00:40:16.300 --> 00:40:17.739
 The church of Jesus Christ

00:40:17.739 --> 00:40:18.460
 is the fulfillment

00:40:18.460 --> 00:40:19.420
 of God's promises

00:40:19.420 --> 00:40:20.260
 to his people.

00:40:20.880 --> 00:40:22.599
 So the true temple of God

00:40:22.599 --> 00:40:23.860
 is not one

00:40:23.860 --> 00:40:25.380
 that will be physically rebuilt

00:40:25.380 --> 00:40:26.099
 on Mount Zion.

00:40:26.099 --> 00:40:27.940
 It is the people of God

00:40:27.940 --> 00:40:28.699
 who are indwelled

00:40:28.699 --> 00:40:29.619
 by the Holy Spirit.

00:40:29.799 --> 00:40:30.579
 That's why Paul writes

00:40:30.579 --> 00:40:31.440
 about how we are

00:40:31.440 --> 00:40:32.819
 the temple of the Holy Spirit.

00:40:33.960 --> 00:40:34.839
 So the Jews

00:40:34.839 --> 00:40:37.059
 are not our brothers

00:40:37.059 --> 00:40:37.559
 and sisters

00:40:37.559 --> 00:40:38.420
 in the family of God.

00:40:39.460 --> 00:40:40.819
 The Messianic Jews are.

00:40:41.699 --> 00:40:43.519
 And the Palestinian Christians are.

00:40:43.900 --> 00:40:44.839
 They are our brothers

00:40:44.839 --> 00:40:46.059
 and sisters in Christ.

00:40:46.139 --> 00:40:46.659
 You guys understand

00:40:46.659 --> 00:40:47.059
 what I'm saying?

00:40:47.259 --> 00:40:48.940
 So it has significant implications

00:40:48.940 --> 00:40:49.880
 for how we understand

00:40:49.880 --> 00:40:50.500
 what's going on

00:40:50.500 --> 00:40:51.079
 in the world today.

00:40:52.299 --> 00:40:53.279
 People who subscribe,

00:40:53.480 --> 00:40:54.079
 so I'm going to go

00:40:54.079 --> 00:40:54.880
 to Postmill now,

00:40:54.960 --> 00:40:55.639
 people who subscribe

00:40:55.639 --> 00:40:56.779
 to Postmillennialism

00:40:56.779 --> 00:40:57.980
 argue that Christ's

00:40:57.980 --> 00:40:58.599
 second coming

00:40:58.599 --> 00:41:00.579
 will be after the millennium.

00:41:00.719 --> 00:41:02.119
 That's why it says post,

00:41:02.299 --> 00:41:03.440
 which means after.

00:41:04.279 --> 00:41:05.460
 So Postmillennialists

00:41:05.460 --> 00:41:06.639
 believe that Christ

00:41:06.639 --> 00:41:07.259
 will return

00:41:07.259 --> 00:41:08.480
 after the millennium.

00:41:09.719 --> 00:41:10.239
 Generally,

00:41:10.619 --> 00:41:12.079
 some people believe

00:41:12.079 --> 00:41:13.259
 that the millennium

00:41:13.259 --> 00:41:14.860
 is already happening,

00:41:15.440 --> 00:41:16.699
 and others believe

00:41:16.699 --> 00:41:17.920
 that there will be

00:41:17.920 --> 00:41:19.360
 an amazing spread

00:41:19.360 --> 00:41:19.900
 of the gospel

00:41:19.900 --> 00:41:20.840
 and an infiltration

00:41:20.840 --> 00:41:21.619
 of the values

00:41:21.619 --> 00:41:22.099
 of the kingdom

00:41:22.099 --> 00:41:24.259
 and scriptural principles

00:41:24.259 --> 00:41:25.339
 at all levels

00:41:25.339 --> 00:41:25.920
 of society,

00:41:26.079 --> 00:41:27.380
 and then a true millennium

00:41:27.380 --> 00:41:28.440
 where there's peace

00:41:28.440 --> 00:41:29.619
 and harmony

00:41:29.619 --> 00:41:30.639
 and faithfulness

00:41:30.639 --> 00:41:31.460
 to God all around

00:41:31.460 --> 00:41:32.400
 will take place

00:41:32.400 --> 00:41:33.059
 later on,

00:41:33.259 --> 00:41:34.759
 closer to the end.

00:41:34.799 --> 00:41:35.880
 That's what some people believe.

00:41:37.500 --> 00:41:38.400
 And Postmill

00:41:38.400 --> 00:41:39.699
 believe that there

00:41:39.699 --> 00:41:40.659
 will eventually be

00:41:40.659 --> 00:41:42.219
 a pervasive influence

00:41:42.219 --> 00:41:42.880
 of the gospel

00:41:42.880 --> 00:41:43.900
 at all levels

00:41:43.900 --> 00:41:44.880
 of human society

00:41:44.880 --> 00:41:45.400
 and government

00:41:45.400 --> 00:41:46.859
 before Christ returns.

00:41:46.860 --> 00:41:49.500
 They often cite

00:41:49.500 --> 00:41:50.680
 Habakkuk 2.14

00:41:50.680 --> 00:41:51.860
 and Isaiah 11.9

00:41:51.860 --> 00:41:52.800
 saying that the earth

00:41:52.800 --> 00:41:53.640
 will be filled

00:41:53.640 --> 00:41:54.240
 with the knowledge

00:41:54.240 --> 00:41:54.760
 of the Lord,

00:41:55.000 --> 00:41:55.599
 glory of the Lord

00:41:55.599 --> 00:41:56.140
 as the waters

00:41:56.140 --> 00:41:56.820
 cover the sea.

00:41:57.240 --> 00:41:57.760
 They believe

00:41:57.760 --> 00:41:58.660
 that the Great Commission

00:41:58.660 --> 00:41:59.460
 teaches that

00:41:59.460 --> 00:42:02.160
 the Great Commission

00:42:02.160 --> 00:42:03.200
 anticipates a time

00:42:03.200 --> 00:42:04.180
 when most people

00:42:04.180 --> 00:42:04.640
 in the world

00:42:04.640 --> 00:42:05.740
 will become Christians.

00:42:05.840 --> 00:42:06.539
 That's what they believe.

00:42:07.640 --> 00:42:09.500
 Because Matthew 24.14

00:42:09.500 --> 00:42:10.420
 tells us that

00:42:10.420 --> 00:42:11.480
 the gospel of the kingdom

00:42:11.480 --> 00:42:12.840
 will be proclaimed

00:42:12.840 --> 00:42:14.260
 throughout the whole world

00:42:14.260 --> 00:42:15.019
 as a testimony

00:42:15.019 --> 00:42:15.780
 to all nations,

00:42:15.780 --> 00:42:16.860
 and then the end

00:42:16.860 --> 00:42:17.440
 will come.

00:42:18.120 --> 00:42:19.019
 Postmails think

00:42:19.019 --> 00:42:20.420
 that before Christ's

00:42:20.420 --> 00:42:21.019
 second coming,

00:42:21.460 --> 00:42:21.820
 there will be

00:42:21.820 --> 00:42:23.380
 an unprecedented spread

00:42:23.380 --> 00:42:24.100
 and acceptance

00:42:24.100 --> 00:42:24.840
 of the gospel

00:42:24.840 --> 00:42:25.820
 and the most of the world

00:42:25.820 --> 00:42:26.340
 will be converted

00:42:26.340 --> 00:42:26.840
 to Christianity.

00:42:27.680 --> 00:42:28.120
 However,

00:42:28.240 --> 00:42:29.440
 that verse does not say

00:42:29.440 --> 00:42:30.200
 that the gospel

00:42:30.200 --> 00:42:30.680
 of the kingdom

00:42:30.680 --> 00:42:31.680
 will be accepted

00:42:31.680 --> 00:42:32.680
 throughout the whole world.

00:42:33.760 --> 00:42:34.320
 It says that

00:42:34.320 --> 00:42:35.180
 the gospel of the kingdom

00:42:35.180 --> 00:42:36.040
 will be proclaimed

00:42:36.040 --> 00:42:37.380
 throughout the whole world.

00:42:38.300 --> 00:42:38.740
 In fact,

00:42:38.820 --> 00:42:39.280
 in the immediately

00:42:39.280 --> 00:42:40.160
 preceding verses,

00:42:40.480 --> 00:42:41.820
 Matthew 24.9-13,

00:42:42.400 --> 00:42:43.300
 Jesus prophesies

00:42:43.300 --> 00:42:43.840
 that Christians

00:42:43.840 --> 00:42:44.620
 will be delivered

00:42:44.619 --> 00:42:45.980
 up to tribulation

00:42:45.980 --> 00:42:47.519
 and put to death

00:42:47.519 --> 00:42:48.519
 and be hated

00:42:48.519 --> 00:42:49.460
 by all nations

00:42:49.460 --> 00:42:50.619
 for Christ's name's sake

00:42:50.619 --> 00:42:51.460
 and that many

00:42:51.460 --> 00:42:52.279
 will fall away

00:42:52.279 --> 00:42:53.639
 and betray one another

00:42:53.639 --> 00:42:54.480
 and that many

00:42:54.480 --> 00:42:55.179
 false prophets

00:42:55.179 --> 00:42:56.000
 will arise

00:42:56.000 --> 00:42:57.440
 and lead many astray.

00:42:58.380 --> 00:42:59.019
 Jesus continues,

00:42:59.159 --> 00:43:00.139
 because lawlessness

00:43:00.139 --> 00:43:00.799
 will be increased,

00:43:00.900 --> 00:43:01.420
 the love of many

00:43:01.420 --> 00:43:02.239
 will grow cold,

00:43:02.559 --> 00:43:03.179
 but the one

00:43:03.179 --> 00:43:04.400
 who endures to the end

00:43:04.400 --> 00:43:05.239
 will be saved.

00:43:05.960 --> 00:43:06.859
 Before the end

00:43:06.859 --> 00:43:07.339
 of the world

00:43:07.339 --> 00:43:08.159
 and the second coming

00:43:08.159 --> 00:43:08.639
 of Christ,

00:43:09.119 --> 00:43:09.579
 lawlessness

00:43:09.579 --> 00:43:11.299
 will not decrease,

00:43:11.420 --> 00:43:12.579
 it will increase.

00:43:12.579 --> 00:43:14.119
 and the love of God

00:43:14.119 --> 00:43:15.639
 will not grow hot,

00:43:15.739 --> 00:43:16.799
 it will grow cold

00:43:16.799 --> 00:43:17.420
 among many.

00:43:18.259 --> 00:43:19.119
 But the one

00:43:19.119 --> 00:43:20.440
 who endures to the end

00:43:20.440 --> 00:43:21.059
 will be saved.

00:43:21.920 --> 00:43:22.619
 Matthew 7,

00:43:22.779 --> 00:43:24.000
 Jesus teaches very clearly

00:43:24.000 --> 00:43:25.079
 that many enter

00:43:25.079 --> 00:43:26.559
 by the wide gate

00:43:26.559 --> 00:43:27.880
 and the easy way

00:43:27.880 --> 00:43:28.920
 that leads to destruction,

00:43:29.340 --> 00:43:30.579
 but that only a few

00:43:30.579 --> 00:43:32.440
 enter by a narrow gate

00:43:32.440 --> 00:43:33.639
 and a hard way

00:43:33.639 --> 00:43:34.500
 that leads to life.

00:43:35.559 --> 00:43:36.639
 And speaking of his return

00:43:36.639 --> 00:43:37.639
 in Luke 18.8,

00:43:37.719 --> 00:43:38.480
 Jesus asks

00:43:38.480 --> 00:43:39.799
 a rhetorical question.

00:43:39.800 --> 00:43:41.720
 When the Son of Man comes,

00:43:41.860 --> 00:43:43.320
 will he find faith

00:43:43.320 --> 00:43:43.860
 on the earth?

00:43:44.360 --> 00:43:45.500
 The implied answer

00:43:45.500 --> 00:43:46.280
 is no.

00:43:46.760 --> 00:43:47.780
 He will not find

00:43:47.780 --> 00:43:48.660
 faith on the earth.

00:43:49.660 --> 00:43:50.480
 So today,

00:43:50.740 --> 00:43:51.740
 there has been

00:43:51.740 --> 00:43:53.019
 a minor resurgence

00:43:53.019 --> 00:43:55.260
 of postmillennialism

00:43:55.260 --> 00:43:57.380
 due to theologians

00:43:57.380 --> 00:43:58.700
 like R.J. Rushdooney,

00:43:58.840 --> 00:43:59.700
 who's passed now,

00:43:59.780 --> 00:44:00.360
 but he's considered

00:44:00.360 --> 00:44:01.240
 the father of Christian

00:44:01.240 --> 00:44:02.660
 reconstructionism.

00:44:03.760 --> 00:44:04.840
 And he was the inspiration

00:44:04.840 --> 00:44:05.360
 of the modern

00:44:05.360 --> 00:44:06.180
 homeschooling movement.

00:44:06.539 --> 00:44:07.360
 I don't have anything

00:44:07.360 --> 00:44:08.039
 against homeschooling.

00:44:08.100 --> 00:44:08.600
 I've homeschooled

00:44:08.599 --> 00:44:09.219
 my kids before,

00:44:09.599 --> 00:44:10.420
 but it did come

00:44:10.420 --> 00:44:11.400
 from this postmill.

00:44:11.960 --> 00:44:12.619
 It was inspired

00:44:12.619 --> 00:44:13.420
 a postmill mindset.

00:44:14.039 --> 00:44:14.960
 The most prominent

00:44:14.960 --> 00:44:15.980
 proponent of postmill

00:44:15.980 --> 00:44:16.920
 nowadays is probably

00:44:16.920 --> 00:44:18.099
 Pastor Douglas Wilson,

00:44:18.679 --> 00:44:19.980
 who is highly influential

00:44:19.980 --> 00:44:20.839
 among the ranks

00:44:20.839 --> 00:44:22.059
 of Christian nationalists.

00:44:22.900 --> 00:44:23.799
 He is a pastor

00:44:23.799 --> 00:44:24.980
 who did an interview

00:44:24.980 --> 00:44:26.059
 with Tucker Carlson

00:44:26.059 --> 00:44:27.239
 on Christian nationalism.

00:44:27.940 --> 00:44:28.559
 And the Christian

00:44:28.559 --> 00:44:29.319
 book publisher

00:44:29.319 --> 00:44:30.400
 he started

00:44:30.400 --> 00:44:31.199
 Canon Press

00:44:31.199 --> 00:44:32.259
 steadily pushes out

00:44:32.259 --> 00:44:33.159
 books that espouse

00:44:33.159 --> 00:44:34.039
 postmillennialism,

00:44:34.480 --> 00:44:35.279
 including The Case

00:44:35.279 --> 00:44:36.239
 for Christian Nationalism

00:44:36.239 --> 00:44:37.079
 by Stephen Wolf.

00:44:37.079 --> 00:44:39.299
 The allure

00:44:39.299 --> 00:44:42.099
 of postmillennialism

00:44:42.099 --> 00:44:43.460
 is that it focuses

00:44:43.460 --> 00:44:44.199
 our attention

00:44:44.199 --> 00:44:45.079
 on the world

00:44:45.079 --> 00:44:45.980
 here and now

00:44:45.980 --> 00:44:46.539
 rather than

00:44:46.539 --> 00:44:47.639
 on the world to come.

00:44:48.599 --> 00:44:49.920
 It promises victory

00:44:49.920 --> 00:44:50.719
 for Christians

00:44:50.719 --> 00:44:52.500
 and about ushering in

00:44:52.500 --> 00:44:53.619
 an age of godliness.

00:44:54.880 --> 00:44:55.179
 However,

00:44:55.259 --> 00:44:56.619
 as Pastor Jeremy Sexton

00:44:56.619 --> 00:44:57.519
 notes in his

00:44:57.519 --> 00:44:58.480
 D'Amelios article

00:44:58.480 --> 00:44:59.920
 on postmillennialism,

00:45:00.000 --> 00:45:00.719
 a biblical critique,

00:45:01.179 --> 00:45:01.619
 he writes,

00:45:01.619 --> 00:45:03.139
 postmillennialism's

00:45:03.139 --> 00:45:04.599
 disworldly conception

00:45:04.599 --> 00:45:05.559
 of Christ's kingdom

00:45:05.559 --> 00:45:07.039
 lays the theological

00:45:07.039 --> 00:45:08.359
 and spiritual seedbed

00:45:08.359 --> 00:45:10.179
 for a culture warriorism

00:45:10.179 --> 00:45:11.420
 characterized by

00:45:11.420 --> 00:45:12.319
 carnal warfare

00:45:12.319 --> 00:45:13.839
 and worldly stratagems.

00:45:14.920 --> 00:45:16.759
 If you look at Christians

00:45:16.759 --> 00:45:18.000
 who are the most

00:45:18.000 --> 00:45:20.019
 strident political activists

00:45:20.019 --> 00:45:21.359
 in the U.S. today,

00:45:21.639 --> 00:45:22.159
 many of them

00:45:22.159 --> 00:45:22.900
 are postmills.

00:45:23.659 --> 00:45:25.199
 But we must remember

00:45:25.199 --> 00:45:26.099
 what Jesus said

00:45:26.099 --> 00:45:27.779
 in John 18, 36.

00:45:27.780 --> 00:45:30.040
 My kingdom is not

00:45:30.040 --> 00:45:31.060
 of this world.

00:45:31.740 --> 00:45:32.580
 If my kingdom

00:45:32.580 --> 00:45:33.700
 were of this world,

00:45:33.800 --> 00:45:34.400
 my servants

00:45:34.400 --> 00:45:35.460
 would have been fighting

00:45:35.460 --> 00:45:36.680
 that I might not

00:45:36.680 --> 00:45:37.480
 be delivered over

00:45:37.480 --> 00:45:38.140
 to the Jews.

00:45:38.420 --> 00:45:39.160
 But my kingdom

00:45:39.160 --> 00:45:41.220
 is not from the world.

00:45:42.019 --> 00:45:42.760
 And according to

00:45:42.760 --> 00:45:44.040
 Revelation 11, 15,

00:45:44.260 --> 00:45:46.019
 the kingdom of the world

00:45:46.019 --> 00:45:47.400
 becomes the kingdom

00:45:47.400 --> 00:45:48.260
 of our Lord

00:45:48.260 --> 00:45:49.360
 and of His Christ

00:45:49.360 --> 00:45:50.040
 when?

00:45:51.280 --> 00:45:52.840
 Not when we

00:45:52.840 --> 00:45:54.560
 Christianize the world,

00:45:55.180 --> 00:45:57.360
 but when Christ returns

00:45:57.360 --> 00:45:58.300
 in His second coming.

00:46:00.940 --> 00:46:01.380
 Now,

00:46:01.980 --> 00:46:02.940
 this doesn't mean

00:46:02.940 --> 00:46:04.059
 that we stop

00:46:04.059 --> 00:46:04.900
 loving our neighbors

00:46:04.900 --> 00:46:06.460
 or stop doing good

00:46:06.460 --> 00:46:07.000
 to everyone

00:46:07.000 --> 00:46:07.440
 as the Bible

00:46:07.440 --> 00:46:08.480
 commends us to do.

00:46:09.079 --> 00:46:10.039
 Political involvement

00:46:10.039 --> 00:46:10.860
 can be a form

00:46:10.860 --> 00:46:11.579
 of loving our neighbor

00:46:11.579 --> 00:46:12.320
 and doing good

00:46:12.320 --> 00:46:12.940
 to our neighbors.

00:46:13.780 --> 00:46:14.000
 Moreover,

00:46:14.160 --> 00:46:15.099
 we should continue

00:46:15.099 --> 00:46:16.360
 to pray the Lord's prayer,

00:46:16.720 --> 00:46:17.579
 your kingdom come,

00:46:17.680 --> 00:46:18.400
 your will be done

00:46:18.400 --> 00:46:19.260
 on earth

00:46:19.260 --> 00:46:20.720
 as it is in heaven.

00:46:21.000 --> 00:46:22.000
 We pray for that

00:46:22.000 --> 00:46:23.039
 and we should seek that

00:46:23.039 --> 00:46:23.940
 and strive to see

00:46:23.940 --> 00:46:24.500
 the will of God

00:46:24.500 --> 00:46:25.059
 done on earth

00:46:25.059 --> 00:46:25.800
 as it is in heaven.

00:46:26.039 --> 00:46:26.800
 So I'm not denying

00:46:26.800 --> 00:46:27.340
 these things.

00:46:27.360 --> 00:46:28.760
 But we should go about

00:46:28.760 --> 00:46:29.660
 doing good works

00:46:29.660 --> 00:46:30.700
 and loving our neighbors

00:46:30.700 --> 00:46:32.300
 with our ultimate hope

00:46:32.300 --> 00:46:33.460
 in the return

00:46:33.460 --> 00:46:34.519
 of our king

00:46:34.519 --> 00:46:36.300
 rather than

00:46:36.300 --> 00:46:37.079
 in the election

00:46:37.079 --> 00:46:38.380
 of your preferred president.

00:46:39.720 --> 00:46:40.480
 Do you guys see

00:46:40.480 --> 00:46:40.860
 what I'm saying?

00:46:42.240 --> 00:46:43.260
 If we see it

00:46:43.260 --> 00:46:44.660
 as our primary duty

00:46:44.660 --> 00:46:45.640
 to bring about

00:46:45.640 --> 00:46:46.559
 the millennial kingdom,

00:46:47.019 --> 00:46:47.680
 then we're going

00:46:47.680 --> 00:46:48.320
 to be prone

00:46:48.320 --> 00:46:49.200
 to taking things

00:46:49.200 --> 00:46:50.059
 into our own hands

00:46:50.059 --> 00:46:51.140
 and we're going

00:46:51.140 --> 00:46:52.680
 to value success

00:46:52.680 --> 00:46:53.539
 and win

00:46:53.539 --> 00:46:54.700
 in the culture

00:46:54.700 --> 00:46:56.240
 over faithfulness.

00:46:56.239 --> 00:47:00.379
 Next is

00:47:00.379 --> 00:47:01.519
 amillennialism.

00:47:02.579 --> 00:47:03.699
 A is an alpha

00:47:03.699 --> 00:47:04.139
 privative.

00:47:04.259 --> 00:47:05.000
 It's a prefix

00:47:05.000 --> 00:47:05.959
 that negates.

00:47:06.479 --> 00:47:06.839
 For example,

00:47:06.939 --> 00:47:07.619
 if you say

00:47:07.619 --> 00:47:08.479
 that you're an atheist

00:47:08.479 --> 00:47:10.579
 and you're not a theist,

00:47:10.639 --> 00:47:11.259
 you don't believe

00:47:11.259 --> 00:47:11.839
 in God.

00:47:12.139 --> 00:47:13.299
 So amillennialism

00:47:13.299 --> 00:47:15.279
 means no millennium

00:47:15.279 --> 00:47:15.699
 or at least

00:47:15.699 --> 00:47:16.779
 no literal millennium.

00:47:17.039 --> 00:47:17.619
 It's not

00:47:17.619 --> 00:47:19.359
 exactly an accurate term

00:47:19.359 --> 00:47:20.579
 because amillennialists

00:47:20.579 --> 00:47:21.599
 do not deny

00:47:21.599 --> 00:47:22.639
 that there is a millennium

00:47:22.639 --> 00:47:23.419
 because it's in the Bible.

00:47:23.420 --> 00:47:24.500
 You have to believe

00:47:24.500 --> 00:47:24.960
 the millennium.

00:47:25.099 --> 00:47:25.720
 It's in the Bible.

00:47:25.840 --> 00:47:26.820
 You just disagree

00:47:26.820 --> 00:47:27.820
 on what it looks like.

00:47:28.380 --> 00:47:29.400
 So amillennialists

00:47:29.400 --> 00:47:30.619
 believe that the millennium

00:47:30.619 --> 00:47:31.639
 is happening right now.

00:47:31.740 --> 00:47:33.059
 The entire church age

00:47:33.059 --> 00:47:34.119
 between the first coming

00:47:34.119 --> 00:47:34.980
 and the second coming

00:47:34.980 --> 00:47:35.380
 of Christ

00:47:35.380 --> 00:47:37.260
 is the figurative millennium

00:47:37.260 --> 00:47:37.820
 is the way

00:47:37.820 --> 00:47:40.139
 amillennials believe it.

00:47:40.240 --> 00:47:41.440
 So some people

00:47:41.440 --> 00:47:42.159
 call it instead

00:47:42.159 --> 00:47:44.000
 inaugurated millennium.

00:47:44.300 --> 00:47:45.280
 We might call it

00:47:45.280 --> 00:47:46.300
 inmillennialism

00:47:46.300 --> 00:47:47.220
 because in

00:47:47.220 --> 00:47:47.780
 is the prefix

00:47:47.780 --> 00:47:48.599
 that means now

00:47:48.599 --> 00:47:49.260
 or present

00:47:49.260 --> 00:47:49.760
 or in.

00:47:49.760 --> 00:47:51.200
 And so if that

00:47:51.200 --> 00:47:52.080
 ever catches on

00:47:52.080 --> 00:47:53.440
 that was coined here

00:47:53.440 --> 00:47:54.220
 so you heard it

00:47:54.220 --> 00:47:54.620
 here first.

00:47:55.400 --> 00:47:56.160
 It's not going

00:47:56.160 --> 00:47:56.600
 to catch on.

00:47:57.460 --> 00:47:58.920
 Like Postmill

00:47:58.920 --> 00:47:59.500
 and Amill

00:47:59.500 --> 00:48:00.800
 like Postmill

00:48:00.800 --> 00:48:01.880
 Amill also says

00:48:01.880 --> 00:48:02.520
 that the devil

00:48:02.520 --> 00:48:03.820
 is presently

00:48:03.820 --> 00:48:04.980
 imprisoned in the abyss

00:48:04.980 --> 00:48:06.040
 but they believe

00:48:06.040 --> 00:48:06.900
 that this binding

00:48:06.900 --> 00:48:08.480
 is more limited

00:48:08.480 --> 00:48:09.200
 than the way

00:48:09.200 --> 00:48:10.500
 Postmill's understand it.

00:48:11.240 --> 00:48:12.300
 And so even though

00:48:12.300 --> 00:48:12.820
 there will be

00:48:12.820 --> 00:48:13.440
 a long period

00:48:13.440 --> 00:48:13.900
 during which

00:48:13.900 --> 00:48:15.000
 the gospel will spread

00:48:15.000 --> 00:48:15.560
 bringing about

00:48:15.560 --> 00:48:16.480
 spiritual flourishing

00:48:16.480 --> 00:48:17.220
 throughout the world

00:48:17.220 --> 00:48:18.300
 they believe

00:48:18.300 --> 00:48:19.140
 Amill's believe

00:48:19.139 --> 00:48:19.719
 that the gospel

00:48:19.719 --> 00:48:20.839
 influence will not

00:48:20.839 --> 00:48:21.900
 penetrate all levels

00:48:21.900 --> 00:48:22.519
 of society

00:48:22.519 --> 00:48:23.659
 and human government.

00:48:24.339 --> 00:48:25.359
 So in a sense

00:48:25.359 --> 00:48:26.019
 this is the way

00:48:26.019 --> 00:48:27.679
 Paul, one of our elders

00:48:27.679 --> 00:48:28.480
 described it

00:48:28.480 --> 00:48:29.039
 that Amill

00:48:29.039 --> 00:48:30.179
 is a more cynical

00:48:30.179 --> 00:48:31.619
 version of Postmill.

00:48:32.739 --> 00:48:33.719
 They're very similar.

00:48:34.339 --> 00:48:35.159
 I think this is

00:48:35.159 --> 00:48:36.179
 the next most

00:48:36.179 --> 00:48:37.199
 plausible interpretation

00:48:37.199 --> 00:48:38.739
 of Revelation 21-6

00:48:38.739 --> 00:48:39.519
 after historic

00:48:39.519 --> 00:48:40.920
 premillennialism

00:48:40.920 --> 00:48:41.559
 and there's a number

00:48:41.559 --> 00:48:42.759
 of very strong arguments

00:48:42.759 --> 00:48:43.239
 that I'm going to

00:48:43.239 --> 00:48:43.839
 share with you

00:48:43.839 --> 00:48:44.460
 next week

00:48:44.460 --> 00:48:46.679
 about that support

00:48:46.679 --> 00:48:47.359
 Amillennialism.

00:48:47.360 --> 00:48:49.380
 And Amillennialism

00:48:49.380 --> 00:48:50.880
 I think understandably

00:48:50.880 --> 00:48:51.660
 for this reason

00:48:51.660 --> 00:48:52.519
 like historic

00:48:52.519 --> 00:48:53.260
 premillennialism

00:48:53.260 --> 00:48:54.880
 has strong representation

00:48:54.880 --> 00:48:56.039
 among the church fathers

00:48:56.039 --> 00:48:58.099
 including Augustine

00:48:58.099 --> 00:48:59.120
 one of my favorites

00:48:59.120 --> 00:48:59.960
 Origen

00:48:59.960 --> 00:49:01.700
 Dionysius of Alexandria

00:49:01.700 --> 00:49:02.940
 Eusebius of Caesarea

00:49:02.940 --> 00:49:04.640
 Epiphanius of Salamis

00:49:04.640 --> 00:49:05.900
 Ephraim the Syrian

00:49:05.900 --> 00:49:07.660
 and Theodoret of Cyrus

00:49:07.660 --> 00:49:08.760
 another one of my favorites.

00:49:09.559 --> 00:49:09.840
 And so

00:49:09.840 --> 00:49:11.640
 I think that's why

00:49:11.640 --> 00:49:12.599
 I think Amill

00:49:12.599 --> 00:49:14.059
 if you guys walk away

00:49:14.059 --> 00:49:14.740
 either Amill

00:49:14.740 --> 00:49:15.700
 or historic premillennial

00:49:15.699 --> 00:49:16.719
 I think I'll be pretty happy.

00:49:18.279 --> 00:49:20.159
 And the most prominent

00:49:20.159 --> 00:49:22.059
 modern proponents of Amill

00:49:22.059 --> 00:49:23.219
 are G.K. Beale

00:49:23.219 --> 00:49:24.859
 and Sam Storms.

00:49:25.139 --> 00:49:26.000
 You guys have probably

00:49:26.000 --> 00:49:27.439
 heard those names before.

00:49:28.939 --> 00:49:30.419
 Now which millennium view

00:49:30.419 --> 00:49:31.059
 you hold

00:49:31.059 --> 00:49:32.139
 is not essential

00:49:32.139 --> 00:49:32.980
 to the gospel

00:49:32.980 --> 00:49:33.919
 nor urgent

00:49:33.919 --> 00:49:34.559
 for our life

00:49:34.559 --> 00:49:35.679
 and doctrine

00:49:35.679 --> 00:49:37.199
 but it is consequential

00:49:37.199 --> 00:49:38.179
 as we've seen.

00:49:38.899 --> 00:49:39.839
 And all the views

00:49:39.839 --> 00:49:40.759
 that I have mentioned

00:49:40.759 --> 00:49:42.579
 do fall within

00:49:42.579 --> 00:49:43.699
 the pale of orthodoxy.

00:49:43.699 --> 00:49:44.299
 orthodoxy.

00:49:45.000 --> 00:49:46.279
 But you should also be aware

00:49:46.279 --> 00:49:47.579
 that difficult passages

00:49:47.579 --> 00:49:48.439
 like this

00:49:48.439 --> 00:49:49.299
 and difficult books

00:49:49.299 --> 00:49:49.980
 like Revelation

00:49:49.980 --> 00:49:51.779
 are easy to twist

00:49:51.779 --> 00:49:53.099
 to our own purposes

00:49:53.099 --> 00:49:55.399
 and many cults

00:49:55.399 --> 00:49:56.299
 throughout the ages

00:49:56.299 --> 00:49:57.379
 have done that.

00:49:57.500 --> 00:49:58.859
 If you look at cults

00:49:58.859 --> 00:49:59.419
 and study

00:49:59.419 --> 00:50:00.259
 what they teach

00:50:00.259 --> 00:50:01.419
 many of them

00:50:01.419 --> 00:50:03.039
 their defining texts

00:50:03.039 --> 00:50:03.719
 are from Revelation.

00:50:04.500 --> 00:50:05.259
 For example

00:50:05.259 --> 00:50:06.139
 within the last year

00:50:06.139 --> 00:50:07.480
 we have had two people

00:50:07.480 --> 00:50:08.339
 visit our church

00:50:08.339 --> 00:50:09.480
 both of whom

00:50:09.480 --> 00:50:10.279
 were recently involved

00:50:10.279 --> 00:50:10.819
 in a cult

00:50:10.820 --> 00:50:12.240
 that twisted Revelation

00:50:12.240 --> 00:50:13.700
 into various

00:50:13.700 --> 00:50:14.400
 heretical beliefs

00:50:14.400 --> 00:50:16.019
 including claiming

00:50:16.019 --> 00:50:16.660
 that their respective

00:50:16.660 --> 00:50:17.460
 founders are the

00:50:17.460 --> 00:50:18.000
 second coming

00:50:18.000 --> 00:50:18.680
 of Jesus Christ.

00:50:19.380 --> 00:50:20.380
 So Shincheonji

00:50:20.380 --> 00:50:21.059
 Church of Jesus

00:50:21.059 --> 00:50:22.039
 it's a Korean cult

00:50:22.039 --> 00:50:23.640
 we had one person

00:50:23.640 --> 00:50:24.480
 come who was involved

00:50:24.480 --> 00:50:25.059
 in that before

00:50:25.059 --> 00:50:26.240
 known as the Temple

00:50:26.240 --> 00:50:26.980
 of the Tabernacle

00:50:26.980 --> 00:50:27.620
 of the Testimony

00:50:27.620 --> 00:50:29.019
 as well as Mormonism

00:50:29.019 --> 00:50:30.180
 also known as

00:50:30.180 --> 00:50:31.080
 the Church of Jesus Christ

00:50:31.080 --> 00:50:31.840
 of Latter-day Saints

00:50:31.840 --> 00:50:32.820
 both claim

00:50:32.820 --> 00:50:34.500
 that their founders

00:50:34.500 --> 00:50:36.200
 are the only people

00:50:36.200 --> 00:50:37.460
 who are capable

00:50:37.460 --> 00:50:38.260
 of deciphering

00:50:38.260 --> 00:50:39.100
 the symbols of Revelation

00:50:39.099 --> 00:50:39.980
 and making it known

00:50:39.980 --> 00:50:40.940
 to the followers of God.

00:50:42.219 --> 00:50:43.380
 So beware.

00:50:44.159 --> 00:50:45.339
 In 2 Peter 3

00:50:45.339 --> 00:50:46.179
 16-17

00:50:46.179 --> 00:50:47.239
 Peter speaks

00:50:47.239 --> 00:50:48.019
 of the letters

00:50:48.019 --> 00:50:49.500
 written by the Apostle Paul

00:50:49.500 --> 00:50:50.079
 in this manner.

00:50:50.940 --> 00:50:51.719
 There are some things

00:50:51.719 --> 00:50:52.059
 in them

00:50:52.059 --> 00:50:53.179
 that are hard to understand

00:50:53.179 --> 00:50:54.259
 which the ignorant

00:50:54.259 --> 00:50:55.139
 and unstable

00:50:55.139 --> 00:50:56.579
 twist to their own destruction

00:50:56.579 --> 00:50:57.559
 as they do

00:50:57.559 --> 00:50:58.699
 the other scriptures.

00:50:59.579 --> 00:51:00.179
 You therefore

00:51:00.179 --> 00:51:00.699
 beloved

00:51:00.699 --> 00:51:01.819
 knowing this beforehand

00:51:01.819 --> 00:51:02.880
 take care

00:51:02.880 --> 00:51:03.539
 that you are not

00:51:03.539 --> 00:51:04.179
 carried away

00:51:04.179 --> 00:51:04.860
 with the error

00:51:04.860 --> 00:51:05.779
 of lawless people

00:51:05.779 --> 00:51:06.639
 and lose

00:51:06.639 --> 00:51:07.940
 your own stability.

00:51:09.099 --> 00:51:10.679
 Not only does

00:51:10.679 --> 00:51:11.719
 this verse reveal

00:51:11.719 --> 00:51:12.819
 the apostolic

00:51:12.819 --> 00:51:13.779
 self-awareness

00:51:13.779 --> 00:51:14.679
 that the New Testament

00:51:14.679 --> 00:51:15.960
 apostles were writing

00:51:15.960 --> 00:51:17.000
 authoritative scripture

00:51:17.000 --> 00:51:19.259
 it also comforts us

00:51:19.259 --> 00:51:20.159
 by acknowledging

00:51:20.159 --> 00:51:21.219
 that some parts

00:51:21.219 --> 00:51:21.739
 of scripture

00:51:21.739 --> 00:51:22.799
 like some of the

00:51:22.799 --> 00:51:23.279
 letters of Paul

00:51:23.279 --> 00:51:23.940
 and like the book

00:51:23.940 --> 00:51:24.420
 of Revelation

00:51:24.420 --> 00:51:26.099
 are indeed hard

00:51:26.099 --> 00:51:27.059
 to understand.

00:51:28.299 --> 00:51:28.940
 So that's okay.

00:51:30.940 --> 00:51:32.159
 This calls for

00:51:32.159 --> 00:51:33.259
 extra vigilance

00:51:33.259 --> 00:51:34.360
 and extra care

00:51:34.360 --> 00:51:35.119
 in interpreting

00:51:35.119 --> 00:51:35.940
 the book of Revelation

00:51:35.940 --> 00:51:36.799
 and difficult passages

00:51:36.799 --> 00:51:38.019
 like chapter 20.

00:51:38.019 --> 00:51:39.519
 We must be

00:51:39.519 --> 00:51:40.400
 like the noble

00:51:40.400 --> 00:51:41.039
 Bereans

00:51:41.039 --> 00:51:42.420
 of Acts 17-11

00:51:42.420 --> 00:51:43.619
 who received

00:51:43.619 --> 00:51:44.019
 the word

00:51:44.019 --> 00:51:45.239
 with all eagerness

00:51:45.239 --> 00:51:46.780
 examining the scripture

00:51:46.780 --> 00:51:47.739
 daily to see

00:51:47.739 --> 00:51:48.559
 if these things

00:51:48.559 --> 00:51:49.599
 were so.

00:51:51.119 --> 00:51:51.239
 Right?

00:51:52.820 --> 00:51:53.860
 Andrew and Ed

00:51:53.860 --> 00:51:54.800
 and I spend

00:51:54.800 --> 00:51:56.400
 scores of hours

00:51:56.400 --> 00:51:57.780
 pouring over

00:51:57.780 --> 00:51:58.679
 the biblical text

00:51:58.679 --> 00:52:00.159
 every time

00:52:00.159 --> 00:52:00.820
 before we preach

00:52:00.820 --> 00:52:01.139
 a sermon.

00:52:02.500 --> 00:52:03.719
 Why do we do that?

00:52:04.320 --> 00:52:05.820
 Even really difficult passages

00:52:05.820 --> 00:52:06.440
 why do we

00:52:06.440 --> 00:52:07.200
 why do we do that?

00:52:07.240 --> 00:52:07.659
 Why am I

00:52:07.659 --> 00:52:08.320
 why don't I just

00:52:08.320 --> 00:52:08.800
 skip this?

00:52:08.860 --> 00:52:09.380
 That's what a lot

00:52:09.380 --> 00:52:09.880
 of people do

00:52:09.880 --> 00:52:10.599
 when they preach

00:52:10.599 --> 00:52:11.019
 Revelation.

00:52:13.559 --> 00:52:14.760
 It's not because

00:52:14.760 --> 00:52:15.920
 we just

00:52:15.920 --> 00:52:17.079
 I don't know

00:52:17.079 --> 00:52:17.700
 want to know

00:52:17.700 --> 00:52:18.740
 or know something

00:52:18.740 --> 00:52:19.659
 and teach something

00:52:19.659 --> 00:52:20.360
 like if we just

00:52:20.360 --> 00:52:20.920
 like teaching

00:52:20.920 --> 00:52:21.679
 and hearing our voices

00:52:21.679 --> 00:52:22.159
 we could do

00:52:22.159 --> 00:52:23.019
 a lot of other jobs.

00:52:24.720 --> 00:52:25.539
 It's because

00:52:25.539 --> 00:52:26.579
 it's God's word.

00:52:28.079 --> 00:52:28.860
 It's because

00:52:28.860 --> 00:52:30.280
 if you have

00:52:30.280 --> 00:52:31.179
 labored over

00:52:31.179 --> 00:52:32.079
 problem sets

00:52:32.079 --> 00:52:33.220
 and poured over

00:52:33.220 --> 00:52:33.960
 difficult books

00:52:33.960 --> 00:52:34.720
 that you have to read

00:52:34.719 --> 00:52:35.679
 for your job

00:52:35.679 --> 00:52:36.859
 or for your school

00:52:36.859 --> 00:52:38.239
 and if you have

00:52:38.239 --> 00:52:38.899
 done that

00:52:38.899 --> 00:52:39.919
 why would we not

00:52:39.919 --> 00:52:40.339
 do that

00:52:40.339 --> 00:52:41.159
 with the very

00:52:41.159 --> 00:52:42.439
 word of God?

00:52:44.279 --> 00:52:45.299
 He is the king

00:52:45.299 --> 00:52:45.719
 of kings

00:52:45.719 --> 00:52:46.559
 and lord of lords.

00:52:46.679 --> 00:52:47.319
 He's the creator

00:52:47.319 --> 00:52:47.859
 of all the earth.

00:52:47.939 --> 00:52:48.579
 Why would we not

00:52:48.579 --> 00:52:49.579
 pour over every word

00:52:49.579 --> 00:52:50.759
 that he has said to us?

00:52:51.299 --> 00:52:52.039
 If you received

00:52:52.039 --> 00:52:52.859
 a love letter

00:52:52.859 --> 00:52:53.579
 from the love

00:52:53.579 --> 00:52:54.319
 of your life

00:52:54.319 --> 00:52:56.219
 would you not

00:52:56.219 --> 00:52:56.939
 cherish it

00:52:56.939 --> 00:52:57.919
 and read every word

00:52:57.919 --> 00:52:58.899
 and memorize it

00:52:58.899 --> 00:52:59.719
 and read it again

00:52:59.719 --> 00:53:00.839
 and smile over it

00:53:00.839 --> 00:53:01.199
 as you're reading it?

00:53:01.619 --> 00:53:02.359
 Why do we not

00:53:02.359 --> 00:53:03.079
 do that with

00:53:03.079 --> 00:53:04.319
 the word of God

00:53:04.319 --> 00:53:04.920
 in which God

00:53:04.920 --> 00:53:06.079
 speaks to us?

00:53:06.739 --> 00:53:07.639
 Communicates his love

00:53:07.639 --> 00:53:08.179
 for us?

00:53:08.259 --> 00:53:09.400
 His salvation plan

00:53:09.400 --> 00:53:09.900
 to us?

00:53:10.480 --> 00:53:11.719
 That's why we do this.

00:53:13.239 --> 00:53:14.139
 Not so that we can

00:53:14.139 --> 00:53:14.739
 get into an argument

00:53:14.739 --> 00:53:15.639
 with somebody about it.

00:53:18.500 --> 00:53:19.659
 So let's be a people

00:53:19.659 --> 00:53:20.639
 who search the scriptures

00:53:20.639 --> 00:53:21.360
 with diligence

00:53:21.360 --> 00:53:22.739
 in humble faith

00:53:22.739 --> 00:53:23.460
 asking God

00:53:23.460 --> 00:53:24.500
 to grant us understanding

00:53:24.500 --> 00:53:25.739
 and let us engage

00:53:25.739 --> 00:53:26.279
 in careful

00:53:26.279 --> 00:53:27.159
 and responsible

00:53:27.159 --> 00:53:28.380
 theological triaging

00:53:28.380 --> 00:53:29.920
 relating to one another

00:53:29.920 --> 00:53:30.460
 and engaging

00:53:30.460 --> 00:53:31.059
 with different

00:53:31.059 --> 00:53:31.980
 theological positions

00:53:31.980 --> 00:53:33.280
 on tertiary matters

00:53:33.280 --> 00:53:34.460
 with appropriate

00:53:34.460 --> 00:53:34.920
 humility

00:53:34.920 --> 00:53:36.019
 and charity.

00:53:36.440 --> 00:53:37.199
 Let's pray together.

00:53:47.199 --> 00:53:47.800
 Father,

00:53:48.219 --> 00:53:51.639
 we thank you

00:53:51.639 --> 00:53:52.139
 for the gift

00:53:52.139 --> 00:53:52.699
 of your word.

00:53:52.699 --> 00:53:52.739
 Lord,

00:53:53.259 --> 00:53:57.359
 we thank you

00:53:57.359 --> 00:53:58.119
 that your word

00:53:58.119 --> 00:53:59.500
 teaches us

00:53:59.500 --> 00:54:01.379
 so that we might

00:54:01.379 --> 00:54:02.279
 know your will

00:54:02.279 --> 00:54:03.460
 and discern your good

00:54:03.460 --> 00:54:04.279
 and acceptable

00:54:04.279 --> 00:54:05.239
 and perfect will

00:54:05.239 --> 00:54:06.339
 and that we might

00:54:06.339 --> 00:54:07.199
 be transformed

00:54:07.199 --> 00:54:07.899
 by the renewal

00:54:07.899 --> 00:54:08.339
 of our mind.

00:54:08.419 --> 00:54:08.899
 We thank you

00:54:08.899 --> 00:54:09.239
 for that,

00:54:09.379 --> 00:54:09.460
 Lord.

00:54:10.659 --> 00:54:11.639
 But we thank you

00:54:11.639 --> 00:54:12.599
 also that through

00:54:12.599 --> 00:54:14.299
 passages that are

00:54:14.299 --> 00:54:15.219
 hard to understand,

00:54:15.879 --> 00:54:17.000
 you also humble us.

00:54:20.259 --> 00:54:20.839
 So, Lord,

00:54:20.840 --> 00:54:21.980
 help us to be a church

00:54:21.980 --> 00:54:23.019
 that combines

00:54:23.019 --> 00:54:24.760
 both clarity

00:54:24.760 --> 00:54:25.660
 and confidence

00:54:25.660 --> 00:54:27.079
 and humility

00:54:27.079 --> 00:54:27.740
 and charity

00:54:27.740 --> 00:54:29.360
 in the way

00:54:29.360 --> 00:54:30.760
 we hold

00:54:30.760 --> 00:54:31.380
 your word.

00:54:31.840 --> 00:54:32.300
 Grow us

00:54:32.300 --> 00:54:33.579
 in the way

00:54:33.579 --> 00:54:34.140
 we cherish

00:54:34.140 --> 00:54:34.579
 your word

00:54:34.579 --> 00:54:35.640
 and believe

00:54:35.640 --> 00:54:36.100
 your word

00:54:36.100 --> 00:54:36.620
 and study

00:54:36.620 --> 00:54:37.039
 your word.

00:54:38.800 --> 00:54:39.600
 Make us like

00:54:39.600 --> 00:54:40.420
 the noble Bereans,

00:54:40.559 --> 00:54:40.680
 Lord,

00:54:41.340 --> 00:54:42.079
 that we might honor

00:54:42.079 --> 00:54:43.120
 you in all of our lives.

00:54:43.820 --> 00:54:44.620
 In Jesus' name

00:54:44.620 --> 00:54:44.980
 we pray.

00:54:45.280 --> 00:54:45.559
 Amen.