CONFERENCES CONFERENCES CONFERENCES
Another one?
It is probably true to say that the vast majority of those who profess a Christian faith have very little to no understanding of biblical prophecy and eschatology (last things) based on personal apprehension of the Word of God. This is unacceptable as the deception is too great in this day and hour. Believer, you must know what you believe. As globalism is rapidly becoming the norm in every sphere of society it is of the utmost importance to understand, according to scripture, whether or not the the Church of Jesus Christ is to be fitted into this global system. The aim here is to get to the root of the issue and begin to shed some light on the question.
Very briefly as a starting point, all the various end-time scenarios can be reduced to a basic level of understanding as being that of two very opposite views. Any further questions cannot be dealt with until this point has been determined. Here then is the first and most important issue, and where the battle is being fought, and where each person will have to make a decision. These two views concerning the prophetic portions of scripture may be best described as the 'futurist' view and the 'preterist' and /or 'amillennial' view. The futurist view holds the eschatological position that the prophecy of the tribulation, the Antichrist, etc. is all yet to come, while the preterist (meaning 'past') takes the position that all these things have already occurred in past history, hence they are of no concern and so therefore we must take 'dominion' of the earth ourselves. The 'amillennialist' basically spiritualizes away all the prophecies of the Revelation and for all practical purposes is really no different than the preterist. Both simply do away with anything that doesn't fit their scheme.
The implications of these two opposite positions, 'future' or 'past', are the crux of the matter. Very simply, the futurist position is that the Word of God teaches the final end of man as culminating in utter rebellion against the Lord, with the result being consequent judgments, e.g. the earth ravaged, and over half the population destroyed, etc., after which the Lord Jesus returns to put down the rebellion and then establishes the 'Kingdom of God' all by Himself.....whereas the 'kingdom-building' preterists (dominionism) portrays the very opposite, with man overcoming the evils of the world himself and then has the Lord returning to to a victorious church in control of the earth. No tribulation, Antichrist, etc. as these do not fit the scenario.
How do 'dominionists' explain their view?
Here, from conference website in their own words; Theology Page: The Dominion Process [ here ]
"Definition: Dominion Eschatology is the examination of future events through the lens of the dominion mandate in Genesis 1:28 and in Matthew 28:19-20. It assumes the influence of the church will increase on earth until Jesus returns. This view stands against some opposing views which see the influence of the church waning in the last days. It does not intend to imply absolute dominion, as in a sinless earth, but a preparatory dominion, as in the earth being prepared for the return of the King."
quote: "It assumes the influence of the church will increase on earth until Jesus returns."
Very briefly as a starting point, all the various end-time scenarios can be reduced to a basic level of understanding as being that of two very opposite views. Any further questions cannot be dealt with until this point has been determined. Here then is the first and most important issue, and where the battle is being fought, and where each person will have to make a decision. These two views concerning the prophetic portions of scripture may be best described as the 'futurist' view and the 'preterist' and /or 'amillennial' view. The futurist view holds the eschatological position that the prophecy of the tribulation, the Antichrist, etc. is all yet to come, while the preterist (meaning 'past') takes the position that all these things have already occurred in past history, hence they are of no concern and so therefore we must take 'dominion' of the earth ourselves. The 'amillennialist' basically spiritualizes away all the prophecies of the Revelation and for all practical purposes is really no different than the preterist. Both simply do away with anything that doesn't fit their scheme.
The implications of these two opposite positions, 'future' or 'past', are the crux of the matter. Very simply, the futurist position is that the Word of God teaches the final end of man as culminating in utter rebellion against the Lord, with the result being consequent judgments, e.g. the earth ravaged, and over half the population destroyed, etc., after which the Lord Jesus returns to put down the rebellion and then establishes the 'Kingdom of God' all by Himself.....whereas the 'kingdom-building' preterists (dominionism) portrays the very opposite, with man overcoming the evils of the world himself and then has the Lord returning to to a victorious church in control of the earth. No tribulation, Antichrist, etc. as these do not fit the scenario.
How do 'dominionists' explain their view?
Here, from conference website in their own words; Theology Page: The Dominion Process [ here ]
"Definition: Dominion Eschatology is the examination of future events through the lens of the dominion mandate in Genesis 1:28 and in Matthew 28:19-20. It assumes the influence of the church will increase on earth until Jesus returns. This view stands against some opposing views which see the influence of the church waning in the last days. It does not intend to imply absolute dominion, as in a sinless earth, but a preparatory dominion, as in the earth being prepared for the return of the King."
quote: "It assumes the influence of the church will increase on earth until Jesus returns."
Well, of the two possibilities, which is true? Increase of influence, or the biblically predicted apostasy? Exactly opposite outcomes and cannot possibly be both true. This is the whole matter right here, it's critical, and a decision is required. Do you personally know scripture well enough to know the truth, that is the question? It's time to learn, and to ask.....
What saith the scripture?
.....just one for now:
"I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth....Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." (Rev. 3:15-16,21)
That verse should be read carefully. The futurist interpretation of the passage where this scripture is found sees a foretelling and a warning that the end state of the Christian church, 'Laodicea', will be apostate and be rejected, spued out of the mouth of the Lord Jesus Christ as something unsavory.....who by the way, as shown above, is found just before that time outside of the church knocking on the door, calling out to see if any can still hear His voice! Note that He is outside, not inside....that is to say, not involved with what is going on inside!
The claim of the dominionists completely contradict this passage, so they have simply devised new interpretations (you can read them on their theology page linked above if you wish). To put it bluntly though, "Dominion Eschatology" is a lie, and is in reality robbing the Church of her "heavenly calling" (Heb. 3:1) and replacing it with an earthly.
What saith the scripture?
.....just one for now:
"I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth....Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." (Rev. 3:15-16,21)
That verse should be read carefully. The futurist interpretation of the passage where this scripture is found sees a foretelling and a warning that the end state of the Christian church, 'Laodicea', will be apostate and be rejected, spued out of the mouth of the Lord Jesus Christ as something unsavory.....who by the way, as shown above, is found just before that time outside of the church knocking on the door, calling out to see if any can still hear His voice! Note that He is outside, not inside....that is to say, not involved with what is going on inside!
The claim of the dominionists completely contradict this passage, so they have simply devised new interpretations (you can read them on their theology page linked above if you wish). To put it bluntly though, "Dominion Eschatology" is a lie, and is in reality robbing the Church of her "heavenly calling" (Heb. 3:1) and replacing it with an earthly.
Here is the important thing to understand, the bigger picture of what is really going on. The dominionist movement is in fact only a part of a much bigger agenda and is designed as a means to an end, that being to incorporate Chrisitianity along with the world's religious institutions into the coming global system. (see here on 'sustainable development'/regional government and you may be able to start connecting the dots)
Which way will you go?
Come out of her, my people. He is outside...knocking...will you open the door?
"For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Phil. 3:20)
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