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Don't be put off by amils and premils and those who don't believe in a future national conversion of the Jews when they say that we don't know when Christ is returning and so since He could be returning tonight we can't say that there will be a national conversion of the Jews.
Many amils and premills have embraced the notion that the world could end tonight or tomorrow morning as a fundamental article of faith.
Even some postmils and those who believe in a national conversion of the Jews hold to it. Maybe they feel that they are thus being tentative in their interpretations of difficult eschatalogical Qs.
A careful examination of all the Scriptural data, shows that although we don't know when Christ's Advent at the Eschaton is to be, He Himself has given indications to His people in Scripture when it is not to be.
The Second Advent of Christ, anyway, partakes of "the already ....not yet" of biblical eschatology, and even in some of Christ's parables the day of reckoning is indicated to be for some (many) at their death.
Christ only comes as a thief in the night - whether at death or at his Parousia at the Eschaton - for unbelievers, and not for believers (I Thess. 5:4-5).
This passage is presenting Pentecost as the restoration of the Kingdom of Israel. Isn't that amazing?
Richard,
I don't see these two points as contradictory: A. that a great conversion of the ethnic Jews, and of all nations is prophesied before Christ returns (Romans 11) and B. Christ's return is immanent, even at the door. God is able to make a nation born anew in one day. I don't pretend to know at the moment whether or not God has regenerated the entire citizenry of political Israel this morning while I was in the office. Therefore I can't say whether or not Christ will come before I get home.
Richard,
I don't see these two points as contradictory: A. that a great conversion of the ethnic Jews, and of all nations is prophesied before Christ returns (Romans 11) and B. Christ's return is immanent, even at the door. God is able to make a nation born anew in one day. I don't pretend to know at the moment whether or not God has regenerated the entire citizenry of political Israel this morning while I was in the office. Therefore I can't say whether or not Christ will come before I get home.
It's contradictory to believing that Antichrist (the Papacy) will be overthrown, the Jews converted, all nations converted, a long period of Christian ascendency and world conversion, statist and ecclesiastical persecution brought to an end, world peace and prosperity and then a final apostasy, will all happen before the Second Advent and the Eschaton.
But this is what I believe. See e.g. Hodge's and Dabney's Systematic Theologies.
A long period of Gospel blessedness when the Apostate Church is removed, when the Church is mature in all nations, when the Jews are converted, when all the nations are deeply Christianised and recognise Christ and His laws, when there is World peace, and then at the end there is a final apostasy, by its very definition requires a long period of time. See e.g. Dabney's account of it.
You can't have a long period of Gospel blessedness and fruition overnight.
We don't know when Christ is returning physically and visibly, and we don't know when He is returning for us in death, but we know that He's not returning physically and visibly until He has put all His enemies under His feet by the Gospel.
This teaching that the world might end in the next moment - as I'm typing this - is part of premillennial and amillennial dogma.
Dabney's Systematic Theology is online.
The Apostle Paul says the conversion of the Jews will be like life from the dead for the Gentiles, and will compare favourably with the effect on the Gentiles of their falling away. I don't see how this could happen overnight?
The Book of Isaiah teaches that the nations will turn their swords into ploughshares. To be removed, either this has to be completely spiritualised with no wider implications, or launched into the eternal realm.
Quote Originally Posted by Richard Tallach View Post
Dabney's Systematic Theology is online.
The Apostle Paul says the conversion of the Jews will be like life from the dead for the Gentiles, and will compare favourably with the effect on the Gentiles of their falling away. I don't see how this could happen overnight?
I don't see any reason why it couldn't. That's all I'm saying. God is powerful enough to do this overnight, if he so wills.
I am postmilennial, but I don't believe in a future "golden age." For all I know, the return of Christ could be tomorrow, and I would not be surprised.
I'll have to check out Dabney some time. I do not own his systematic theology.