PMT 2013-035b by Dr. Jeffrey K. Boer
Sharon OPC
Formal church membership is a covenantal obligation for the Christian, as Dr. Boer notes in the following message. Continue reading
Author Archives: Kenneth Gentry
Why Must We Join the Church? (1)
TEMPORAL EXPECTATION IN REVELATION
PMT 2013-034 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.
The opening words of Revelation are absolutely essential for its proper interpretation. Unfortunately, too many prophecy enthusiasts leap over the beginning of Revelation, never securing a proper footing for the treacherous path ahead. But stealing a line from Isaiah, the preterist asks: “Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning?” (Isa. 40:21). The preterist insists that the key to Revelation is found in its front door.
We see this very clearly in John’s introduction:
“The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place . . . . Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. (Rev. 1:1a, 3)”
Here — before the dramatic visions flash on the scene and the highly-wrought imagery confound the reader — John provides an indispensable clue for interpreting his book: The events of Revelation “must soon [Gk.: tachos] take place” (v. 1) because “the time is near” [Gk.: eggus] (v. 2).
Greek lexicons and modern translations agree: these terms indicate temporal proximity. Continue reading
An Interview on Wine Drinking
PMT 2013-034b by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.
I have been interviewed on Christian radio programs regarding the Christian an alcoholic beverages. I will post a synopsis of one interview I had awhile back.
Aren’t there two kinds of wine in Scripture? Continue reading
AUDIENCE RELEVANCE IN REVELATION
PMT 2013-033 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.
When interpreting any biblical book of the Bible it is important to understand the audience to which it is directed. The evangelical interpreter should understand a passage’s grammar in light of its historical context, not despite it. At least three factors in Revelation emphasize the original audience and their circumstances. These are quite important for and relevant to the preterist position.
Historic Churches
First, in Revelation John is writing to particular, historic, individual churches that exist in his day. Revelation 1:4 provides a common epistolary opening: “John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace [be] unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come.” In verse 11 he specifically names the seven churches to whom he writes: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodifcea. We know these cities as historical places containing actual churches. Continue reading
Quick Response to Homosexual Defenses
PMT 2014-033b by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.
In this posting I will summarize some quick responses to popular arguments in defense of homosexuality. Perhaps you have heard some of these arguments supporting tolerance of homosexual conduct.
I. POPULAR ARGUMENTS
A. Personal Preferences
“I prefer to quote Scriptures that support life for my fellow man.”
- What does this preference have to do with reality? Do you get your preferences?
- What does our personal preferences have to do with universal moral principles?
- Christ often warned of woes upon evil doers, such as the seven woes upon the Pharisees in Matthew 23. In fact, he taught more on Hell than anyone else in Scripture. Continue reading
Church and State in Israel and America
PMT 2013-032b by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr., Th.D.
Common misperceptions hold that the application of God’s Law in modern society would entail some sort of union of church and state. Continue reading
DISPENSATIONALISM AND DANIEL’S GAP (Part 2)
PMT 2013-031 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.
I am continuing a critique of dispensationalism’s gap theory for Daniel’s Seventy Weeks prophecy. In my last posting I presented four of their arguments with my rebuttals. I will continue now with the fifth and final dispensational argument.
Fifth, the order within the prophecy: “In the record of the prophecy, the destruction of the city [v. 26b] is placed before the last week [v. 27a].” 1 Since this occurs in A.D. 70, we must allow a gap to account for it.
This argument overlooks the peculiarities of Hebrew poetic style. Oriental expression often confounds the Occidental concern for chronological succession; the Western framework may not be foisted upon the passage. This “revelational pattern” 2 allows a parallel rehearsal and expansion of the topic without requiring actual succession in time. Even classic dispensationalists understand that some prophetic passages do not flow chronologically. 3 A better understanding of the relation between verses 26 and 27 is given above. Continue reading
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