Time statements

The last paragraph of Paul’s first letter to Timothy shows his underlying prophetic perspective. As I’ve said, the pastoral nature of this epistle keeps this viewpoint in the background, but it sometimes crops out. The Apostle’s conclusion (1 Tim 6:13–21) is such a place. In this post, I will discuss…

I want you to consider inmillennialism, a model for interpreting prophecy based on the Olivet Discourse and 1 Corinthians 15. This view supports an optimistic view of the kingdom of God—Jesus Christ is reigning and is subduing all His enemies. His ultimate conquest will be over death, in the bodily resurrection…

Unintended consequences plague Elder Michael Ivey’s division of the Olivet Discourse. After Jesus foretold the temple’s fall, the disciples asked two questions: when would it happen and what signs would precede it (Matt 24:1–3). The Lord answered by giving the signs (Matt 24:4–31) and their timeframe (Matt 24:32–36). He then…

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…

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…

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;…

Introduction (by Mike Rogers) Elder Michael Ivey responded, in a Facebook group, to my recent blog posts on Paul’s “rapture passage” (1 Thess 4:13–5:11). In them, I claimed that “the word of the Lord” (1 Thess 4:15) in that passage is Jesus’ Olivet Discourse (Matt 24–25; Mark 13; Luke 21:5–38).…

Introduction (by Mike Rogers) Elder Michael Ivey responded, in a Facebook group, to my recent blog posts on Paul’s “rapture passage” (1 Thess 4:13–5:11). In them, I claimed that “the word of the Lord” (1 Thess 4:15) in that passage is Jesus’ Olivet Discourse (Matt 24–25; Mark 13; Luke 21:5–38).…

Commentators often make interesting interpretive adjustments when they encounter certain words and concepts in prophetic contexts; they do not allow them to keep the meaning they have elsewhere. Our present passage in 1 Thessalonians furnishes two examples important for our understanding of God’s prophetic word: (1) Paul’s desire to be…

We have now come to the last five days of Jesus’s life on earth. Philip later used Isa 53:7–8 to show the Ethiopian eunuch what happened next: He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He opened not His mouth.…