NT Framework 114 Futurism

SBC Family,

I love you and am glad you are joining us to learn and grow. Fellowship before and after our meeting has grown too. This is a sign of good spiritual health. I want you to be doing well spiritually. If you have prayer requests or questions just let me know.

This years theme is “suffering well.” James said, “Count it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter trials….” A first step toward suffering well is being able to stop and say, “Lord, thank you for bringing this trial, suffering, difficulty into my life.” God is the one who is saying to respond this way. When we do He does supernatural things to solve our difficulty. When we don’t He doesn’t do anything and you just get whatever naturally happens. Let’s suffer well and learn more principles to doing so. It can change your whole life. Aren’t you tired of the same old? We suffer well knowing that the present sufferings cannot compare to the glory to come! It is so wonderful and amazing what God is going to do for us in a resurrected body fit for a renovated world! We have only tasted the good things to come.

Tomorrow in our study of Eschatology (Last Things) we will finally make it to Futurism. Futurism contrasts with preterism (past) and historicism (continuous). There are a lot of futurists in evangelical circles. Evangelicalism probably constitutes about 400,000-700,000 Christians worldwide, and its popularity has resulted in a lot of hate from other Christians. Preterists are especially vitriolic when it comes to futurism. They believe everything is already fulfilled and anyone who thinks God has a future for believing national Israel in the land with a new temple is a heretic, dangerous, rejecting Scripture, etc…. There are so many confusions and outright hate that it is difficult to understand why many who profess Christ have this hate. Maligning, scoffing, and name calling are commonly used against futurists. Our study will delve into some of what they disagree with and why we are steadfast in our futurism. It is without question that Paul predicted that things would go from bad to worse and that in the latter days Christian’s would reject sound doctrine and turn aside to myths. So, it is to be expected.

I have been through these views many times over many years. I think futurism is more complicated, but that is no reason to reject it. I think the way it handles the passages is the most consistent, logical, and respectful of God and His word. I see people criticize various views, but I really don’t see any convincing arguments even though opponents consider their views very convincing and our views totally ridiculous. There is a particular hatred by Christians against national, ethnic Israel. They think God is done with the nation Israel and there is no future for them. I have a big problem with this when I read the OT and portions of the NT such as the issue in Heb 11 where it states that Abraham never received the inheritance God promised him. If that is the case, and it is, then surely God will give Abraham his inheritance in the future. God will remember His covenant. “Has anything been done like this great thing, or has anything been heard like it?” NO. It is beyond the ability of man to even imagine what God will do with Israel. “For if their (Israel’s) rejection is the reconciliation of the world (Gentiles), what will their (Israel’s) acceptance be but life from the dead?” A whole new world is coming and when He comes He will “be marveled at among all who have believed—.”

See the attached.

Love,
Jeremy

Attachment:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1008IV74I2b22zZqWA6OQL5C2AFQcOOzi/view?usp=drive_link