The Eschatology Of The Lord’s Supper

   The ordinance of the Lord’s supper is a sacred institution.  Like baptism, it contains deep truths regarding salvation and eschatology.  The more we study, the more we begin to understand how the plan of Christ’s salvation is fulfilled.  It is a mistaken notion that “all things” may be fulfilled in a very short period.  The scheme of redemption was unfolded gradually, and it is just as gradually accomplished–not at once, but in stages and gradations, which correspond in reverse order to the progress of development. 

   Irenaeus writes: “For the New Covenant having been known and preached by the prophets, He who was to carry it out according to the good pleasure of the Father was also preached, having been revealed to men as God pleased; that they might always make progress through believing in Him, and by means of the successive covenants, should gradually attain to perfect salvation.  For there is one salvation and one God; but the precepts which form the man are numerous, and the steps which lead from man to God are not a few.” (Against Heresies, IV. ix. 3).

   The promise of salvation was first made to Adam in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3: 15). And it was further unfolded through a series of covenants: Noachian, Abrahamic, and Mosaic.  As the promises made in these covenants are fulfilled, each in its own order, so we move closer toward the fulfillment of the original promise.  This is a key point to bear in mind. For there be some who confound the Mosaic and Adamic covenants.  This leads to the heresy that salvation was fully accomplished when the Jewish (Mosaic) temple was destroyed in A.D. 70.  But that is not true!  The Mosaic covenant was the last made and the first to be fulfilled.  But its annulment does not affect the previous covenants.

   In Galatians, Paul reveals that a later covenant has no power to abrogate an earlier one (Gal 3: 17).  In the Book of Hebrews, he uses this argument to show that, because the priesthood of Melchizedec had priority, it superseded the Aaronic priesthood (Hebrews 7).  The Mosaic constitution only sub-served the preceding covenants.  Take this constitution away, and the other covenants remain in force.  In fact, the church is built upon the “faith of Abraham,” and receives the promises made to Abraham.  What are these promises?  They include inheritance in the land of Canaan & dominion with Christ over the entire earth (Romans 4: 13).

   This is not an idle ‘pipe dream,’ as some would have it, but is contained in the clearest declarations of Holy Writ.  After Abraham and Lot parted separate ways, God said to Abraham: “Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art, northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed forever” (Gen.  13: 14).  From this we infer that the land was promised to Abraham personally, and to his “seed,” which is Christ and His church (Romans 4: 16; Galatians 3: 16, 29).

   The promise was later repeated to Abraham (Gen. 15: 7-8; 17: 8), and ratified by a solemn covenant (Gen. 15: 9 ff.).  But Abraham never entered into personal possession of the land.  As Stephen said: “And He gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet He promised that He would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child” (Acts 7: 5). 

   These facts tell us that the land-possession still holds good.  The reason it hasn’t been fulfilled is because God is still gathering children unto Abraham.  The faith of Abraham continues today.  The Holy Spirit still circumcises sinners in heart, that they may be baptized into Christ & enter the inheritance promised to them.  The promise will be fulfilled in the “First Resurrection.”  As in A.D. 70 certain Mosaic promises were fulfilled, so in the Millennium the Abrahamic promises will be fulfilled. 

   Again, lest we should err concerning the purposes of God, note that the same promise was repeated to Jacob after he fled from Esau.  “And he dreamed, and behold, a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold, the angels of God ascending and descending on it.  And behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed” (Gen. 28: 12-13).

   Christ alluded to this promise when he said to Nathanael: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man” (John 1: 51).  This is not a Mosaic promise, but a Millennial (Abrahamic) promise.  During the Millennium, Ezekiel’s Temple shall be situate 17,500 reeds–perhaps twelve or fourteen miles–northward from the rebuilt city of Jerusalem (Ezekiel 48).  This temple will be the house of God in which the Prince shall dwell (Ezek. 43: 7; cf. Gen. 28: 16-17).  It will probably rest in the air above the site of Bethel.  The saints shall serve God day & night in His temple (Rev. 7: 15).

   Land possession, however, is only one part of the promise.  Dominion over the earth is also included.  This was revealed when Isaac blessed Jacob.  He said: “Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine.  Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee; be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother’s sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee” (Gen. 27: 28-29). 

   This promise was never fulfilled in Jacob’s lifetime.  Therefore, it remains future.  Dominion over the earth is intimated in several passages of the Apocalypse, most notably where our Lord says: “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations” (Rev. 2: 26).  Christ Himself promises He will give His faithful servants jurisdiction over the earth, & make them rulers together with Him (Matt. 24: 45-47; Luke 19: 17-19; Rev. 3: 21).  “Do ye not know,” said Paul, “that the saints shall judge the world?” (1 Cor. 6: 2).  Thus it is seen that in the “anastasei twn dikaiwn,” the saints, long persecuted and harassed, shall be exalted to glory.

   But what has this to do with the Lord’s Supper?  Well, it has quite a deal of relevance.  For the Supper looks forward to both the land promises & restoration of the kingdom.  JESUS CHRIST, the same night in which He was betrayed, instituted the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.  “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread and blessed it, and brake it, and gave to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body: And He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is the blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.  But I say unto you, I will not drink hencefroth of the fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom” (Matt. 26: 26-29).

   Note that the bread and wine symbolize the body and blood of the Lord.  Christ said: “Whoso eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise Him up at the last day” (John 6: 54).  To eat and to drink the body & blood of the Lord means to have fellowship in the Cross.  For eating and drinking denote fellowship. As the Lord is in heaven now, & we in the wilderness, our nourishment is of a heavenly and spiritual nature.  Partaking of the true manna & keeping the Lord’s commandments will guarantee our placement in the “First Resurrection.”

   But when the Lord returns we shall be made partakers of His glory (Colossians 3: 4; 1 John 3: 2).  And then we shall fellowship with Him in person.  Christ says: “Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when He cometh shall find watching: verily, I say unto you, that He shall gird Himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them” (Luke 12: 37).  So, the Lord’s Supper looks forward to fellowship with Christ in His Millennial kingdom.  Until then, we remain in the wilderness, looking forward to our entrance into Canaan (1 Cor. 10:1-11).  And this will be accomplished in the resurrection of the just.

   Perhaps the best way to confirm these truths is to find out whether there are any typical indications in the Old Testament that deal with the Lord’s supper.  And there certainly are.  For remember that after the “battle of the kings” (Genesis 14), Abraham, upon his passage through the Valley of Jehoshaphat, was met by Melchizedec, King of Salem, who “brought forth bread and wine” (Genesis 14: 18).  Paul informs us that Melchizedec is Jesus Christ.

   After the battle of Armageddon, when the “kings of the earth” that gather against the seed of Abraham (Rev. 19: 19) are defeated, Salem (i.e. peace) shall be established worldwide through the assumption & full display of Christ’s kingly prerogatives (Rev. 15: 4). The Lord’s supper shall be fulfilled in the kingdom of God, and the saints shall have personal fellowship with their Savior–in the very land which was promised to Abraham.  This is what the “marriage supper of the Lamb” is all about (Rev. 19: 7, 9).  It is the perfect antitype of the “battle of the kings” and its attendant events.

   It is obvious, then, that a true fulfillment of the Lord’s Supper looks forward to the confirmation of the Abrahamic promises–and not to the abrogation of the Mosaic economy.  Remember that Christ’s plan of salvation is accomplished in stages.  As the Millennium ties up the Abrahamic economy, so the Gog and Magog rebellion will witness the reversal of the Noachian dispersion (see Gen. 10: 2); then the “new heavens and new earth” will comprise the perfect fulfillment of the Adamic promises.  All things work according to an established order.  And remember, prophecy ultimately looks forward to the Edenic restoration.

   So, what is our conclusion?  As long as the Millennial blessings remain future, we still have to look forward to the defeat of Satan and the extirpation of the curse.  The abrogation of the Mosaic “law of bondage” in A.D. 70 had nothing to do with the fulfillment of Gen. 3: 15, & did not even fulfill the promises made to Abraham.  So, before deciding which prophecies are truly realized, we need to take a closer look at their covenantal context.  The Lord’s Supper is just one of many doctrines which help point the way to a clearer and more Scriptural view of eschatology. 

How Christians Fall Into Heresy

   From its earliest history the church has been vexed by heresy.  We often wonder, why do heresies exist?  Paul, writing to the Corinthians, said: “For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you” (1 Cor. 11: 19).  That is, heresies exist for the trial and refinement of the saints. They are a “necessary evil.”   The wheat and the tares must grow together until the harvest (Matt. 13: 30).  In a great house there are many vessels– some of gold & silver, others of wood & earth (2 Tim. 2: 20). 

   But though heresy is no new thing, it has been controlled and even suppressed in past ages. In recent years, however, a number of “strange and divers doctrines” have made themselves felt in certain sectors of the Christian community.  These doctrines have caused turmoil and upheaval in the lives of others, preventing many from exercising evangelical (i.e. saving) faith.

   Lest more souls led into error, it is essential to know how to deal with these problems when they come along.  As with any disease, having the right vaccinations is required.  But this presupposes that we understand all of the “risk factors” involved in accepting heresies.  This article will deal with the question: “How do Christians fall into heresy?“

   In a way I am apt to deal with this issue, for in 2005 I accepted the heresy of Hyper-Preterism, & became immersed in spiritual error and apathy for a year-and-a-half.  When I look back at this unfortunate period, I realize that my decline into heresy was gradual and insidious.  It was not something I embraced at once.  I had first to espouse a number of false premises which determined my actions.  As a result my practical policies became molded along different lines–lines which led me straight into heresy.

   I feel that it is important to tell Christians how they can prevent themselves from making the same mistake.  In pursuance of this goal, I have identified a few salient “risk factors.”  How do Christians come to identify with heresy?  As I see it, there are five “easy step” signs which we must guard against. Each of these steps forms a lower grade in the descent into error. Things to watch out for are:

   #1: When we practice our Christianity inside a historical vacuum.

   #2: When we espouse a false conception of “Sola Scriptura.”

  #3: When we accept Alexandrian/esoteric methods of Bible-interpretation.

   #4: When we remove ourselves from the local church environment.

   #5: When we refuse to listen to the admonitions of others.

   The First error (#1) comes into play more often we think.  As an Independent Baptist, I was “prime pickings” for the incursions of predatory teachers.  I had been taught that my ‘denomination’ was completely separate and distinct from the church as a historic body.  In fact, I was even told that we were not a denomination & did not belong to Protestantism.  I knew nothing about church history other than the “Blood trail.”  I had vague & shadowy notions that Baptists had always existed, & that the Roman Catholic church had always been the enemy. 

   It is clear to me now that, however positive certain aspects of my faith were, I was practicing my religion inside a historical vacuum.  Thus, when doctrinal novelties started to come my way, I did not ask the simple question that might have prevented me from embracing error: “Do these doctrines have any historical validity?“  If I had been taught the truth–namely, that the church has a real continuity throughout all ages of history, from the very moment of its first constitution by Christ & His apostles–if I had been taught these things, I would never have fallen into heresy.

   But because of the historical vacuum in which I was, I had come to identify with another error (#2).  This was the false concept of the doctrine of “Sola Scriptura” which is prevalent among many Protestants.  It is the belief that “Sola Scriptura” means “My interpretation over yours.“   Let us face the painful fact that the Protestant church has gravely abused the principle of “private judgment.” This has gone on to such an extent that the same doctrines may mean something different to every person you ask.  This breaks down the idea that there is any “absolute truth” in the Word of God, and paves the way for “emergent” and relativist tendencies in religion.

   Because of the widespread abuse of private interpretation, many have felt, and some have even ventured to assert, that nothing can be known for sure.  Of course the error lies in the assumption itself.  If it is true that nothing can be known, then it must be known that nothing can be known.  But if it is known that nothing can be known, then something can be known.  Therefore, it is false that nothing can be known.  Since there are absolute truths in Scripture, we must seek to learn them.  And since Christ’s church has functioned for 2,000 years, as “pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim. 3: 15), then we are sure to find them running throughout all ages of Christian history. 

   It is bad enough to exercise Christianity inside a historical vacuum.  But when we embrace the false idea that Sola Scriptura means “my private interpretation of Scripture,” we break away from the “one body” and “one faith.”  We assert that our newfangled views are unequivocally correct, & that the historical church has always been wrong.  This false premise has caused many to err from the paths of unity, to become schismatics who sow division.

   In getting rid of Papal infallibility the Reformers made a wise move.  But their nominal successors, which include Christian “teachers” of our own time, have run to the opposite extreme.  Whether they realize it or not, they have embraced the wormwood philosophy of “personal infallibility.”  Obviously there is a middle ground which we as Christians have refused to follow.  Those who reject the pope’s authority for their own are perfect candidates for heresy.

   Collateral to the above errors is another (#3) which caught me about the same time.  That was the acceptance of an Alexandrian/esoteric method of Biblical interpretation.  This is a kind of hermeneutics which, knowingly or unknowingly, mixes Christianity with Greek philosophy.  Its concept can be traced back to Pythagoras, who divided his students into two classes– exoteric and esoteric.  The exoteric group has to be content with the outward meaning of the text, while to the esoteric ones the more advanced doctrines are confided. 

   Christians who accept this mindset are elitists who perceive the Bible as a series of “higher mysteries” to which only they have the keys.  The apparent meaning of words is only an outer garb of something abstruse & inaccessible to the majority of Christians.  When practically carried out, Scripture is made to mean anything the interpreter wants it to mean.  Here is where heresy enters.

   The first-century Gnostics used this method to attack the Christian doctrine of the resurrection of the body.  Gnostic Christians have always existed, and continue to follow the footsteps of their ancient founder Simon Magus.  Gnosticism also allies itself with Greek philosophy to advocate the notion that matter is evil.  And therefore Gnostics teach that “resurrection” is a release or escape from the bondage of matter. 

   Origen, the foremost proponent of the Alexandrian school, promoted this view when he taught that the body is the prison-house of the soul.  The idea has always been prominent more or less among rationalistic thinkers, and is a chief article of assent among metaphysicians & poets.  Nevertheless, it bears certain similarities to heretical Gnosticism. The Pythagorean view of esoteric teaching makes it easy for men to spiritualize and allegorize the plainest declarations of Holy Writ. 

   But this Alexandrian/Gnostic mindset has grave errors.  In the sermon entitled “Faith,” Henry Van Dyke writes: “Religion is full of mysteries.  The object of the Bible is not to increase them, but to remove them.  If a certain amount of mystery remains, it lies in the subject, and not in the way in which it is treated.  For the most part, the teachings and rules of Scripture are so clear and direct that the wayfaring man, though a fool, need not err therein; they shed light and not darkness; they disperse the clouds to reveal the sun.”

   How I realize this now!  But when I adopted the Alexandrian mode of interpretation, I lost site of the facts, wandering deeper & deeper into the labyrinth of Gnostic Christianity.  This enabled false teachers to impress their views upon me that the historic church had it wrong for 2,000 years.  When I finally did accept heresy, I had already imbibed the misconception that only a small number of men can ever arrive at “the truth” of Scripture.  I thought I was advancing in knowledge, but I was really going backwards. Had I kept in mind that Scripture was written to Galilean fisherman and simple-minded folk, I would never have fallen into error.

   Then, too, the more detached I became from mainstream, historic Christianity, the more I disparaged the importance of the local church in the life of the believer.  And this pushed me into error #4.  In drifting away from the  local church, I appealed to my privileges in the “church universal.”  Most Christians who dissociate themselves from organized Christianity do the same.  This is a grave mistake. 

   Of course it is often difficult to find a church that is truly a center of spiritual grace & worship. However, we are exhorted not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together (Hebrews 10: 25).  In addition, only a local assembly can baptize believers in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  The local church is needed to keep the ordinances and sacraments of Christianity.  Thus it should occupy an important place in the life of each Christian.

   The real trouble of leaving a local church environment is that it releases one from any kind of church discipline. How can we discipline those who aren’t under any type of church authority?  This is very difficult, if not impossible.  Therefore, while we may combat their false doctrines, we must acknowledge that as long as heretics operate outside the confines of organized Christianity, they have a right to freedom of speech.  I guess the real question is, do they pose a danger to others in this capacity?  The answer is yes–but only if you listen to them, & take their teachings to heart. Otherwise they have no power over you.

   Error #4 generally works alongside error #5.  As I cut loose from the local church, naturally I didn’t feel myself obliged to listen to anyone else.  Ironically, on looking back now, I see that there was really no admonition from others.  My pastor was having personal problems regarding his salvation, & was in no position to counsel me on the dangers of false teaching.  I had already found a “teacher” who claimed he had “the truth.”  And because I had accepted a number of false premises, this teacher found a ready listener when I came to visit him that memorable day in November 2005.

Had I received Scriptural admonition, however, it is likely I would have turned.  Then again, perhaps I would have remained steadfast in my views.  It is impossible to tell now.  As a rule it is very difficult for one who has set his mind on heresy to listen to the counsel of others–especially when he sees himself as having superior knowledge/understanding of Scripture.  That is why when one has embraced the four above errors, it is a simple matter for him to sink into error #5.  And once he does so, leaving heresy is something that only God can convince him to do (2 Tim. 2: 25-26).

   Irenaeus wrote: “They must be opposed at all points, if perchance, by cutting off their retreat, we may succeed in turning them back to the truth. For, though it is not an easy thing for a soul under the influence of error to repent, yet, on the other hand, it is not altogether impossible to escape from error when the truth is brought alongside it.” (Against Heresies, III. i. 3).

   Luckily, I had that inner voice that told me the doctrines I had accepted were wrong.  Although I ignored the promptings of that voice many a time, eventually the spiritual apathy in which I fell convicted my heart that a return to truth was needed.  It never ceases to amaze me in how many ways I’ve come back “full circle” to the same Gospel I was taught.  At any rate, I know full well that by identifying all of the risk factors involved in heresy, I see more clearly than ever how easy it is for Christians to get sucked into a false system. 

   So, having discussed all of the risk factors, what is our recommended mode of vaccination?  There are five things we can do to help prevent ourselves and others from accepting heresy.  They are:

   1. To ensure that our teachings are in harmony with 2,000 years of orthodox Christianity.

   2. To develop a correct view of “Sola Scriptura” which keeps individual interpretation within the “rule of faith.”

   3. To interpret the Bible in its most natural & obvious sense, unless something in the text itself warrants a figurative interpretation.

   4. To maintain (if and when possible) communion with a Scripturally-organized local church.

   5. To remember that we are “subject one to another” (1 Peter 5: 5), and may be held accountable for our actions.

   These, then, are some active measures we may take to prevent ourselves from being caught by heresy.  False doctrine is insidious and soul-damaging, & so there is no such thing as being “too cautious” in our protective armor.  Just remember that removing ourselves from a risky environment will greatly lessen our chances of being ensnared by wolves in sheep’s clothing.  Then let us get inoculated against these errors, that we may stand in the truth, steadfast & immoveable.  And once firmly established, nothing that anyone says will ever cause us to fall again.

The Throne Of David

   In this present age there is a great deal of false information being spread regarding the “throne of David“.  The establishment of this throne on earth is the culmination of all the Messianic prophecies relating to both Israel and the Church.  However, subversive elements within Gnostic/subjective Christianity have denied that Christ will physically reign over a renewed creation.  Naturally, this causes complications, essentially rejecting true fulfillment of the Messianic promises.  It also hopelessly divides Israel and the Church, preventing them from being united as “one body,” which Christ came to accomplish.

   The throne of David is not where Christ is sitting now.  Christ is presently sitting at the right hand of His Father.  In Revelation, Christ says: “To Him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne” (Rev. 3: 21).  When the Lord returns to judge mankind and resurrect His saints, He will not exalt the saints to His Father’s throne, but will place us on His throne.  The misconception that there is only one throne, where Christ is sitting now, prevents us from properly viewing the nature of the Messianic prophecies.  We see the Messianic reign as being forever in the heavens, when that is not the case at all!

   When the Lord returns, He will restore all things as the Second Adam.  The First Adam was given dominion over the creation, but lost it on account of sin.  But Christ, through the sacrifice of Himself, purchased the creation with His own blood.  When He returns from the heavens, He shall not only redeem us, but also restore the heavens and earth that became subject unto bondage on our account.  This is an important doctrine.  What else does the “crown of thorns” signify, but Christ’s redemption of the sin-accursed creation?  When the times are filled up, and the anti-typical days complete, then shall arrive the perfected kingdom of Christ. 

   It is necessary to know that man’s place is on earth, not in heaven.  In his classic work, The Typology of Scripture, Rev. Patrick Fairbairn, D.D. writes: “We deem it incredible, that with the grant of the earth so distinctly made to man for his possession, and death so expressly appointed as the penalty of his yielding to the tempter, he should, as a subject of restoring grace, have looked for any other domain as the result of the Divine work in his behalf, than the earth itself, or for any other mode of entering on the recovered possession of it, than through a resurrection of the dead.  For how should he have dreamt of a victory over evil in any other region than that where the evil had prevailed?  Or how could the hope of a restitution have formed itself in his bosom, excepting as a prospective reinstatement in the benefits he had forfeited?  A paradise such as he had originally occupied, but prepared now for the occupation of redeemed multitudes–made to embrace, it may be, the entire territory of the globe–wrested forever from the serpent’s brood, and rendered through all its borders beautiful and good: that, and nothing else, we conceive, must have been what the first race of patriarchal believers hoped and waited for, as the objective portion of good reserved for them.”

   Thus, it is to the “restitution of all things” (Acts 3: 21) that the Messianic promises look forward–not to some vague, subjective salvation in which the moral state of man remains forever in the midst of evil–but to a release (jubilee) from the bondage of sin and corruption.  To enter his glorified state man must be rid of the temptations of sin, that he may be fully sanctified (Eph. 5: 27).  Since salvation is inseparably connected with moral experience, it is false to say that sanctification can be anything of a subjective or “covenantal” nature.  When Christ returns, we shall “see Him as He is,” for we shall “be like Him” (1 John 3: 2).  We shall “see face to face” and “will know, even as we are known” (1 Cor. 13: 12).  The struggle between the flesh and spirit will cease, when Christ comes to “change our vile body, that it may be fashioned unto His glorious bodies, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself” (Col. 3: 21).  These doctrines involve physical realities which will be verifiable by exprience.

   But if the consummation of our redemption is real and not subjective, than the placement of the throne of David in the midst of the renewed earth must be real as well.  We are not to look for a hypothetical and invisible coming of Christ, but for a personal, visible, and glorious return.  This Peter avowed when He said: “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming (parousia) of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye-witnesses of His majesty.  For He received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to Him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.  And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with Him in the Holy Mount” (2 Peter 1: 16-18).  Peter is affirming that Christ will return in the same glorious body in which He appeared on the Mount of Transfiguration. 

   The promise will be fulfilled at the “end of the age,” when the Lord sits on the throne of His glory to judge all nations.  Then shall the throne of David be established on earth.  It is a throne of delegated authority, entirely distinct from the throne of the Father.  When Christ leaves His Father’s throne to sit on the throne of David, He shall relinquish His purely Messianic session in the heavens, and will come to reign on earth.  Then will the New Jerusalem come down from heaven and be placed in the midst of a redeemed multitude.  “And the nations of them that are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it” (Rev. 21: 24).  Should any man claim that this prophecy was fulfilled in the past, he must be prepared to affirm that there was a wholesale salvation of entire nations.  But we know that isn’t the case.

   There is an ancient Jewish tradition that the Lord had His throne originally placed in Eden before man’s fall and exile.  The legend been preserved for us in the Apocryphal “Revelation of Moses.”  Now, what does Messianic restoration entail but the reinstatement of Christ’s throne in the midst of the entire earth?  There will a subjugation of all enemies when Messiah comes to reign.  Once evil is abolished, then will Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob be allotted their inheritance in the land of Canaan–which they never possessed on earth, although it was personally promised to them (Gen. 13: 14-15; 15: 7; 26: 3).

   When will Abraham and his seed inherit the promised land?  Only in the resurrection.  And the resurrection can only occur after evil is subdued.  Lactantius writes: “But the resurrection cannot take place while unrighteousness still prevails.  For in this world men are slain by violence, by the sword, by ambush, by poisons, and and are visited with injuries, with want, with imprisonment, with tortures, with proscriptions.  Add to this that righteousness is hated, that all who wish to follow God are not only held in hatred, but are harassed with all reproaches, and are tormented by manifold kinds of punishments, and are driven to the impious worship of gods made with hands, not by reason of truth, but by the dreadful laceration of their bodies.  Ought men therefore to rise again to these same things, or to return to a life in which it is impossible for them to be safe?  Since the righteous, then, are so lightly esteemed, and so easily taken away, what can we suppose would have happened if any one returning from the dead had recovered life by a recovery of his former condition?  He would assuredly be taken away from the eyes of men, lest, if he were seen or heard, all men with one accord should leave the gods and betake themselves to the worship and religion of the one God.  Therefore it is necessary that the resurrection should take place once only when evil shall have been taken away, since it is befitting that those who have risen again should neither die any more, nor be injured in any way, that they may be able to pass a happy life whose death has been annulled.”  (Divine Institutes, VII. xxii).

   But will evil ever be vanquished?  Not according to some.  Because of their adherence to the Alexandrian mode of Biblical interpretation, they allegorize, spiritualize, and water down all of the prophecies whose doctrinal significance they cannot understand, and render them purely subjective in nature.  In the end, they even make the abolition of evil and the reign of Christ hypothetical events.  It is to be expected, therefore, that these men deny the fulfillment of the Abrahamic promises. 

  Perhaps the real reason men hate the Throne of David is because they are Anti-Semitic.  They do not want the Messiah to reign on earth over His elect people–both Jews and Gentiles alike–but would like to see Israel cast off forever, that themselves only may inherit the promises of God.  Gavin Finley, M.D., a keen observer on these trends, writes:

   “After the Second Coming of Messiah the Throne of David will be established upon this earth. Messiah will both minister and reign in righteousness in the two offices of Melchizedek for a thousand years. This is the coming Millennium of Messiah. The spirit of Belial, or rebellion, hates and loathes His coming rule with a passion. (See King David’s song in Psalm 2.) So a hidden spiritual war is being conducted against the Throne of David which is inside the Jewish House of Judah. Evil powers, angelic and human, are targeting Jews, Israelis, Evangelicals, and all who bear testimony to the future rule of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Yeshua Hamashiach our coming Jewish Messiah. This is the root cause and the essential essence of all anti-Semitism. It is a seething hatred against the rulership of the coming “Son of David”. This is the real reason for the raging of the Gentiles, the (heathen), against Israel and Jews. This hostility against the Throne of David and the loathing of the message of Messiah’s Second Coming is purveyed by wicked men agitated by their dark angels. Their hatred is quite understandable. These ruling powers are short timers. They are in stark terror of the pending judgment they are about to face with the coming of Messiah. This is the quintessential root of all Anti-Semitism whether it be the carefully cloaked acts of high government officials, high church dignitaries, or the more blatant and brutish outrages committed by skinheads and neo-Nazis. The word “Anti-Semitism” is clearly an obfuscation. It is a smokescreen hiding something else. The word is a misnomer designed to mislead the unwary. “Anti-Semitism”, at its heart, is really “anti-Throne of David-ism” or “Anti-Messiah-ism”. It is, in fact, the “anti-Jewish”, “Anti-Judah” arm of the spirit of Anti-Christ.“

   Do you believe that the Throne of David will be established?  Or are you a Gnostic/ subjective Christian?  Your own conscience will give you an answer.  But however you decide the question, only know that the Lord’s promises will not fail, nor will Jesus Christ be accounted a false prophet, as you blindly suppose.  Bow down and pay homage to the Lord Jesus Christ.  Admit your lies and distortions of His Holy Word.  For this a Crusade that we are fighting, and the Lord giveth the victory unto them only who keep His faith whole and undefiled. 

What Warfare Entails

   Christian warfare sometimes involves taking hits from those who are hypocritical enough to use Christ’s name to support their heresies. The current rage against sound orthodoxy has only strengthened my position against the spiritual wickedness with which we must contend. In a recent live discussion with Jason Bradfield of “Reign of Christ Ministries” (http://www.thereignofchrist.com/), he and I spoke on the topic of Hyper-Preterism. I pointed out to him that Hyper-Preterism is a heresy that has absolutely no historical support. I asked him to look at the evidence, and to weigh the probabilities of such a system being true.

   Although he failed entirely to defend his position, he now has the chutzpah to claim that I am being “inconsistent,” and endorsing “Three different views of eschatology.” What he is really doing is twisting my position in which I clearly stated that the Millennium is not a ground of Biblical orthodoxy. There isn’t a single creed or confession that preserves the correct doctrine of the Millennium. Therefore, honest differences of opinion must be allowable within the rule of faith. If you listen to our podcast you will hear me state this position again and again. Then hear how many times Jason brings up the topic of the Millennium. His is a losing battle.

   It is evident that the Hyper-Preterist position is getting weaker every day. I took my best shot, and did some serious damage. Now it’s ‘rest up’ time, as the “pity party” sends forth ambulances with kind words and soothing ointments. “Just believe in Jesus, Jason.” Of course, it doesn’t make any difference to them whether you believe in the correct system of Christ’s teachings or not. According to their view, all the martyrs that ever went to the stake died in vain. For they could have believed just “any ol’ thang” and been saved. Perhaps when we do get to heaven, Simon Magus will waddle forth to greet us. Wouldn’t that be something?

   In no way are these people being reverent when they allege that the Holy Spirit withheld His teaching influence for 2,000 years. Where is their Biblical support for this view? Also, if 2,000 years of Christian teachers were mistaken on eschatology, then can these folks prove that they are correct? As a matter of fact, they can’t. Or if they do, they must kindly ask God to now resume His throne after such a long vacancy.

   Dear Saints: Paul warned us that perilous times would come (2 Tim. 3: 1); affirming that, “In the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils” (1 Tim. 4: 1). He warned us to beware of divers doctrines, and said “Brethren, be ye followers of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample” (Phil. 3: 17). Make no mistake, friends. These people are not following the Christianity of the New Testament. Can their faith save them? Will heresy bear out their professions? Will their novel errors prevail over the true teachings of 2,000 years? God forbid! On the contrary, the truth will break the teeth of this system. And Christian warfare entails riding out to battle every day. Onward to victory!