Darrell Six

We're continuing on in our series on Revelation!  In this episode we look at the outcomes of Revelation!

Find info on Kenneth Gentry Jr. here: http://www.kennethgentry.com

End of the Old Covenant

Mt. 26:28

Heb. 12:26-28

Ga. 4:21-5:1

Rev. 18:2-4

Heb. 8:13

A New Bride

1 Pe. 2:10

Ga. 6:15-16

Ph. 3:3

Ro. 2:28-29

Rev. 2:9; 3:9

Jn. 3:3,7

Heb. 12:22

Rev. 21:2, 9, 22-27; 22:14-15

1 Cor. 6:9

The Thousand Years

Rev. 20:1-4

1 Sam. 18:7

Ex. 20:6

Dt. 1:11

Ps. 50:9

Ps. 84:10

The Dragon Chained

Jn. 12:31-32

1 Jn. 5:19

Col. 2:14-15

Mt. 12:28-29

Rev. 20:6

People Seated on Thrones

Rev. 1:6

1 Pe. 2:9

Heb. 2:14-15

Lk. 10:19-20

Opposition to the Early Church Overcome!

In this episode we unpack the story of Revelation: what in the world is going on?!  

God is on His throne passing judgement.  Who is He judging?  What is He judging them for?  What is the scroll that only the Lamb is worthy to open?  Seven seals, seven bowls, seven trumpets.... 

Let's get into it!

For more information on Kenneth Gentry check out: http://www.kennethgentry.com/.

In this episode we're learning about four of the main characters in the Book of Revelation: the beast, the harlot, the Lamb and the Bride.  

As we dive into the Book of Revelation one of the keys to unlocking its mysteries is understanding the author, his intended audience, his purpose for writing, etc..

In this episode we begin to reveal Revelation by looking at who is writing to whom, when he is writing and why.

Why is the book of Revelation so challenging to understand (and so easy to misunderstand)?

Reading a 2,000 year old book composed of symbols from a foreign culture in a completely different era of human history translated from a different language makes for some hurdles in our comprehension!

In this episode we look at some considerations we should keep in mind as we prepare to dive into Revelation.

In this episode (session four from "The End of the World and Sex Conference") I will be presenting a brief overview of four main eschatological frameworks:

1. Historicism- This is the idea that the book of Revelation describes events unfolding on a historical timeline between the establishment of the church and the end of the world.  This was the belief held by the majority of the Protestant Reformers: Martin Luther, John Calvin and John Knox just to name a few.  Since current events are always changing, the historicists’ timeline also requires frequent updating.  Historicist Charles Wesley predicted the end of the world in 1794.  Later, his brother John Wesley adopted a new chronology that the millennial reign of Jesus would begin in 1836, after which then the devil would be unleashed for 1,000 years and then Christ’s final return would happen.  Many other (respectable) historicists have offered dates for the end of the world.  To list them might appear as ridicule (since they are in the past), but that is not my intent.  The historicist view is held by the Seventh Day Adventist denomination.

2. Futurism- This is the mainstream view of modern evangelicalism (think Left Behind).  This view interprets the book of Revelation as future events in a literal, global context.  In his 1585 commentary on Revelation, the Jesuit priest Francisco Ribera proposed the futurist view (in no small part to combat assertions by the Protestant Reformers that the Pope was the anti-Christ).  Ribera proposed concept of the Antichrist as a single individual who would appear in the future and (among other things) rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.  John Nelson Darby (founder of the “Exclusive Brethren”) popularized this view (along with dispensationalism) in the 1800s when his teachings were included in the Scofield Reference Bible which became very influential among American ministers.  If you grew up in an evangelical denomination or watched any Christian television this is probably the view you've heard with three main variations: pre-tribulation rapture, mid-tribulation rapture and post-tribulation rapture.

3. Preterism- This eschatological view interprets some or all prophecies of the Bible as events which have already happened.  This view was first systematically put forth by Jesuit Luis de Alcasar in 1614 (also in part as a response to the Protestant Reformers).  There are two camps: partial and full.  Partial preterists believe that the prophecies in Daniel, Matthew 24, and Revelation (with the exception of the last two or three chapters) have already been fulfilled in the first century AD.  Full preterists (of which there aren’t many) believe all Bible prophecy has been fulfilled.  (Full preterism is considered beyond the scope of orthodoxy by partial preterists.)  Some high profile preterists would include R.C. Sproul, N.T. Wright, Hank Hanegraaf and Kenneth Gentry.  The preterist view is held by the Presbyterian denomination. 

4. Idealism- This is a nonliteral or allegorical approach that suggest all the imagery of Revelation is symbolic.  It is supposed Renaissance theologians initially offered this framework as an explanation for the “now and not yet” tension of the present state of the Kingdom of God.  This view has been adopted by some advocates of the “Social Gospel” as they see “the Beast” manifest in earthly injustices that the saints in the Kingdom of God must overcome.  This view does not take the prophecies as being fulfilled in a literal sense either historically or in the future (except among some adherents as to regard to the Second Coming and Final Judgement), but it is an allegory of good vs evil for all Christians in all eras.

All of these views are within the scope of “orthodoxy” and affirm essential, core tenants of Christianity: the physical return of Jesus to the earth, the resurrection of the dead, final judgement and His eternal reign.  However, they disagree over what certain Scriptures mean and the details of these realities. 

About six years ago I began studying eschatology to figure out what I believe the Word of God teaches.  I have landed at the partial preterist view; not only does it seem to me to fit naturally in the overall narrative of Scripture, I think it also encourages a life abandoned to see God’s Kingdom established on earth through loving and serving others.  But, I could be wrong!  

My goal in studying eschatology is not to indoctrinate others on a certain system of interpretation or make them agree with me, but to help us appreciate several orthodox views that exist within the Body of Christ and to consider with the guidance of the Holy Spirit you believe.  You are powerful to choose your own view!

At the end of the day, the study of end times can bring us all to one conclusion: Jesus is coming again and when He returns we want to be ready.  

In the tradition of Paul, my intention is to lay out some big theological ideas (eschatology, the end of the world, the Kingdom of God) and then discuss some practical applications: i.e., “So what?”  In this episode we do a very "high altitude" overviews of these four views as we prepare to dive into the book of Revelation.

We're laying the foundation for understanding the Book of Revelation: we've tackled Matthew 24 and now we're diving into Matthew 25! 

These sessions are the content from "The End of the World and Sex Conference," a weekend long advance that took place in Xiamen, China.  Arguably the best themed conference of that weekend, we unpacked ideas around the themes of eschatology (the study of end times) and Biblical sexuality.  

We're screaming through these passages as we do a "high altitude" overview to inspire our hearts to be more in love with Jesus and more surrendered to His purposes on planet earth.

This one is not for the faint of heart!  We're laying the foundation for understanding the Book of Revelation by first tackling Matthew 24 line by line.  (Make sure you listen to "The End of the World and Sex Conference Pt 01" to get the context!)

Mt. 24

Mt. 21:33

Ac. 11

Dt. 28:56-57

Ac. 4

Ga. 4:28

Lk. 21:20

Mk. 13

Lk. 21

Heb. 12:26-28

Is. 13:10; 34:4

Ez. 32:7

Jo. 2:10

Am. 8:9

Gen. 37:9

Ps. 18:7-15; 104:3

Is. 19:1

Zeph. 1:4, 15

(from the Manthanos//Kairos "End of the World and Sex Conference")

A few weeks ago we had our Manthanos//Kairos Spring Advance.  Our theme: the end of the world and sex! (Sounds like a pretty fun conference, right?)

I know I’m not walking in the fullness of the New Convent when my prayers start, “God, I’m so sorry. . . .”  When I’m feeling guilty and I’m focused on what I haven’t done (or the wrong I have done), basically I’m at the center and it’s all about me.

When I’m walking in the revelation of the New Covenant, my prayers usually start something like this: “Father, thank You so much. . . .”  He's at the center and it's all about Him.

If you’re like me, not applying an understanding of the covenant you have with God in Christ will cause you to miss out on the provision of joy and peace God has made for us.

I encourage you to change the way you think and align your thinking with God’s! 

This is the final episode in our series Christ, Kingdom and Covenant.

Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Galatians 5:4

You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.

Romans 14:17

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.