The Olivet Discourse (Matt 24–25; Mark 13; Luke 21:5–38) determines biblical prophecy. If we misunderstand it, we will distort “the gospel of the kingdom” that is “a witness to all the nations” (Matt 24:14). This distortion will affect our view of the Great Commission. Jesus said, “Go into all the…
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I published Elder Michael Ivey’s essay on the Olivet Discourse in two previous posts (here and here). It contradicts my prophetic framework (i.e., inmillennialism) and, therefore, my view of Paul’s “rapture passage” (1 Thess 4:13–5:11). I am responding to that essay: last week’s post contained Part 1; here, I will…
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I published Elder Michael Ivey’s essay on the Olivet Discourse in my last two posts (here and here). It contradicts my prophetic framework (i.e., inmillennialism) and, therefore, my view of Paul’s “rapture passage” (1 Thess 4:13–5:11). None of the popular prophetic models accept my thesis regarding the Olivet Discourse (Matt 24–25;…
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Tight wires frighten me. I heard a speaker tell about a daredevil who stretched one across Niagara Falls. Before walking across, he asked the audience, “Do you think I can do this?” Yes!, came the unanimous reply. After his return, he put a wheelbarrow on the wire. “Who thinks I can…
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Incidental evidence can provide satisfying confirmation of an assertion. Such is the case as I conclude my remarks on Paul’s “rapture passage” (1 Thess 4:13–5:11). In my last post, I summarized the inmillennial view—Paul used figurative language to describe the Mosaic-age-to-messianic-age transition. The dead in Christ would “rise first,” then the…
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In my Tidying Up post, I promised to summarize Paul’s “rapture passage” (1 Thess 4:13–5:11) from my prophetic perspective (i.e., per inmillennialism). I missed my self-imposed deadline but am now ready to fulfill the promise. My previous posts have provided background information that anticipated this moment. The following synopsis of them…
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Paul expected “mighty acts” of God in his generation and declared that expectation in his writings. The other apostles did, too. They based their anticipation on Jesus’ statements, especially his Olivet Discourse. He had said the worldwide preaching of the gospel, the abomination of desolation, the great tribulation, his coming,…
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“I hope he finds a wife, but it won’t be me.” Betty blurted the semi-oath. The older sisters at Grace Chapel were teasing her. A young man from Alabama was coming to the annual church meeting during the third week of July. They thought he might be the one for…
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“You need to clarify some things in your last post,” says a friend. I promised him I would do so this week. This pledge prompted me to use this post to do some tidying up. I will address the two items he mentioned and then sort out some points I…
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Paul’s “rapture passage” (1 Thess 4:13–5:11) does not imply that he envisioned physical bodies flying through the air in his generation. He was addressing a specific concern among the Thessalonians. Would those who lived to see the end of the Mosaic age and subsequent parousia (presence) of Christ in the…