Category Archives: New Testament

OUR POSTMILLENNIAL SAVIOR

New Testament April 29, 2015 1 Comment

Christ LambPMT 2015-052 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

One of the greatest postmillennial teachers was the person who made the postmillennial hope possible: our Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord. Though postmillennialism seems to some Christians to depend mostly on the Old Testament, Jesus himself has much to say to encourage us to hope for the conversion of the world.

And this was the case even as his ministry opened.

The Kingdom Announced

Christ is introduced to Israel and the world through the ministry of John Baptist, who was prophesied in the Old Testament to be Messiah’s forerunner (Isa 40:3; Matt 3:3). John prepares the way for him by preaching: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt 3:2). Jesus picks up this theme in Mark 1:14–15:

And after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the gospel.”

I will note three crucial aspects of this declaration. Continue reading →

2 TIM 3 (# 7): THE “LAST DAYS”

Interpretation, Last Days, New Testament, Pessimism January 26, 2015 Leave a comment

Evil men (Dr Evil)PMT 2015-012 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

2 Tim 3 seems to undermine the postmillennial hope with it’s warning of “difficult times” (v 1), “arrogant revilers” (v 2), and “men of depraved mind” (v 8). But it actually does not — when properly interpreted.

In my last article I argued that Paul was specifically warning Timothy about evil people he is facing. In addition, I noted that the evil he must expect was not from external persecution, but internal defection by false teachers in the Ephesian church (as was Titus’ situation in Crete). And I observed that this is precisely what Paul predicted to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:29–31:

“I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears.”

In 2 Tim 3:2-5 Paul presents a vice list which, as we will see, applies to the “savage wolves” who are “speaking perverse things” in the Ephesian church “to draw away the disciples after them” (Acts 20:29–31). Continue reading →

2 TIM 3 (# 5): THE “LAST DAYS”

Last Days, New Testament, Pessimism January 21, 2015 Comments: 5

Ups DownsPMT 2015-010 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

I am engaged in a running exposition on 2 Tim 3. This is one of the most widely used passages urged against the postmillennial position. It seems to present a negative view of the future flow of history. But a careful study of the passage wholly removes it as a stumbling block to postmillennialism. It certainly does not positively present postmillennialism, but neither may it be used against this optimistic eschatology.

So let us move on in our explanation of 2 Tim 3:1:

But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.

Continue reading →

2 TIM 3 (# 4): THE “LAST DAYS”

AD 70, Last Days, New Testament, Pessimism January 19, 2015 Comments: 2

TodayPMT 2015-009 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

Is 2 Timothy 3 contrary to the postmillennial hope? Not when studied in its own literary and historical context. I have carefully introduced 2 Timothy 3 in the last three posts. Let’s now enter into the exposition of the passage verse-by-verse. I will begin with (surprise!), 2 Timothy 3:1.

2 Tim 3:1: “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.”

(1) The time of the “last days”

Many — perhaps most — Christians see Paul’s reference to “the last days” as speaking of the very close of human history. Continue reading →

2 TIM 3 (# 3): PAUL v POSTMILLENNIALISM?

Last Days, New Testament, Pessimism January 16, 2015 Comments: 6

End timesPMT 2015-008 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

Introduction
The postmillennial hope is optimistic regarding the historical long-run. But it is frequently rejected on the basis of current world events. Yet current conditions should not undermine this hope. We must remember: postmillennialism is a theological construct that is built up from Scripture — not from the newspapers.

Postmillennialists clearly recognize and sadly accept the current dismal world conditions. But we respond by noting the actual definition of postmillennialism. Continue reading →

ISRAEL & TIMES OF REFRESHING (2)

Israel, New Testament April 14, 2014 Leave a comment

Sunrise on wheatPMT 2014-045 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

In this article I am concluding a two-part study of Acts 3:21. Please consult PMT 2014-043 for previous material.

As we continue, perhaps the Jews would lament their having destroyed the only One who could bring them divine consolation — a fear much like Peter had encountered before (Acts 2:37). In order to circumvent such, the Apostles sets a promise before them. That promise is that Christ will yet come to them in salvation: ‟and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you” (Acts 3:20 NASV). It is true that He is in heaven physically away from them; in fact, ‟heaven must receive [Him] until the times of restoration of all things” (3:21). Still, there is the promise that God will send Him to them in salvation. Though He is in heaven He is not beyond their reach, for He comes to dwell in those who have faith in Him (John 14:23). As the gospel is preached, the hearers discern the voice of the living Christ (Eph. 2:17).

Continue reading →

ISRAEL & TIMES OF REFRESHING (1)

Israel, New Testament April 11, 2014 Comments: 5

PMT 2014-044 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.refreshing

Acts 3:19-21, a favorite passage for the dispensational search for a special future for Israel in the New Testament record, is thought to establish the premillennial expectation against all others. This passage reads:

Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; 20 and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, 21 whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.

Continue reading →