One of the most life-changing studies I ever did was an extensive study on the kingdom of God. I realized that Biblically, I cannot build, advance, or strengthen the kingdom in any way because the kingdom of God is future and physical and related to the nation of Israel, not the church.
With this new understanding of the kingdom, I realized that the church today has a fundamental flaw: believing that we are somehow in the kingdom of God today. With this “in the kingdom” thinking, they build a missional outlook based on kingdom building.
I have found myself at times the only person in the room who was shaking my head at what I was hearing from so-called conservative evangelicals, and becoming more uncomfortable with the mixture of law and grace that has become standard fare in evangelicalism.
I have become increasingly aware of the emotionalism, manipulation, and pop-psychology within the church today. Cultural conformity is not necessary for church growth or health. The church today does not have to chase every church-growth fad, or need the latest “Christian” music. Sound biblical preaching and teaching, rightly dividing the Word of truth, is what is necessary, but is lacking.
Let me say that I am a dispensationalist, and I don’t see how legalism of any kind is compatible with rightly dividing the Word of truth. Legalism is built on a flawed understanding of the purpose and place of the Law. Legalism believes that a right standing with God comes from righteous living. A right standing with God comes through faith in Jesus Christ and salvation. We have failed to divide the dispensation of Grace from that of the Law.
I hold a Free Grace position both for salvation and for sanctification. we are complete in Christ, not because of anything that we have done, but by God’s grace alone. When we place our faith in the finished work of Jesus on the cross two things happen. First, we are born again and have the Holy Spirit indwelling our spirit and the Bible states we are sealed unto the day of redemption. But we also receive the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ in that at the moment of salvation all our sins eternally are under the blood of Jesus Christ and we are now seen through the righteousness of Jesus by a loving heavenly Father.
As it relates to future events and the book of Revelation I am a pre-millennialist, futurist standpoint. Chapters two and three, the seven churches, cover the present Church age. Beginning with chapter four all of the remaining Book of Revelation is still future. In my study, teaching, and writing on this great Book I have sought with fear and trembling to clearly present the mind of Christ as revealed in the Book, keeping in mind the curse to which every expositor of this great Book could expose himself to.
I feel that I must take a stand and teach on what the Bible tells us historically and reject many of the modern day misguided teaching being preached in our churches and taught in our so called seminaries of higher learning. Thus the impetus for this blog
We have gone so far astray from the truth of God’s Holy Word. For instance, what about Christ’s death and resurrection. The Bible states in Matthew 12:40: “for just as Jonah was three days and three nights (72 hours) in the belly of the sea monster, so shall the Son of Man (Jesus) be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” Friday afternoon to Sunday morning is NOT 72 hours. Some may feel the Bible has some errors because of such traditions, but once again tradition is wrong and the Scripture is right. This blog will attempt to set the record straight on this and many other topics.
I fully realize some will not agree, some will be critical, some will accept what they have been taught in their churches and seminaries without prayerfully reconsidering the truth. I don’t care. I am 73 years old and am getting closer and closer to the day I will be standing before the Judgment Seat of Christ and then the only thing that will count will hopefully be for Him to say “Well done good and faithful servant, you have been faithful in a few things, come, I will make you ruler (in the Kingdom Reign) over much.”
To God, and Him alone, be the glory!