Letters 

TO AN AMILLENNIALIST

Dear S. W.                                                                                                       March 16, 1991

       ...(When I said the Social Security Number in this country is a presager of the international mark of the beast), I was not a little amused when you derided me about "the futurist theory", and then applied the number in Revelation 13 to "...the control by the Roman Catholic system of all its adherents. ..." We both know there was no Roman Catholic church when the book of Revelation was penned. So, even the preterist, amillennialists use a futuristic interpretation when it is convenient.

       Prophecy is by its very nature "futuristic." But, D. B. was wrong in branding me a "Scofieldite" ...I left Scofieldism because I could not maintain a good conscience and manipulate the Scriptures to fit the view; but I am not about to exchange it for an amillennial position that requires at least as much manipulation of Scripture by allegorizing it to fit that system.

Dear D. W.                                                                                                           May 2, 1992

       You use your reasoning as a smoke screen to excuse yourself from the obedience every creature owes his Creator. The Holy Spirit, speaking through the Apostle Paul, declares, "not many wise men after the flesh ...are called" (I Corinthians 1:26). For this reason, you better beware lest your machinations lead you to damnation.

     D., there is such a thing as "truth." Any man who is constantly running after new ideas is an unstable individual, and one who does not know what to believe. One has to have a point from which to reason that is greater than himself, or else, his opinions are as good as the next man's opinions, and both fall into the ditch.

     God reveals to some, and hides from others. When God teaches a man by His Spirit through His Word, it would be extreme ingratitude if that man thought so little of the truth he has learned that he bartered it away for the machinations of every would-be teacher. Humility is the one thing necessary in order to learn. James wrote, "Be not many masters (teachers) knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation" (3:1). It is one thing for a man to reject truth, but it is much more damnable if he encourages others in rejecting truth with him.

     D., have you ever seen yourself in the light of God's holiness? Have you ever acknowledged the fact that if God were to leave a man to himself to perish in his sins, God is still good? Have you ever been taught that unless Christ does all for us in the matter of salvation, we are lost, and will "go away into everlasting punishment" (Matthew 25:46)? Have you ever humbled yourself before the Lord having been smitten by a contrite heart? D., I want you to go with me to heaven; and it is not through any goodness of our own that will allow us to enter there. We can only be saved by the grace of God.

    D., consider Matthew chapters 24 and 25 in their entirety. It is known as "The Prophetic Discourse."

I. The Destruction of Jerusalem, and the Second Coming of Christ, and of the End of the World  

     A Certain things must transpire before the two great crises are accomplished (Matt. 24:4-18; Mark 13:1-16; Luke 21:5- 21)

         1. He warns against misleading signs (Matt. 24:4-14; Mk. 13:5-13; Lk. 8-19)

 a. Messiah pretenders, false teachers (4-5)                                       b. Wars, famines, and earthquakes (6-8)                                             c. Persecutions, false prophets and transgressions (9-13)

2. Jesus adds a corrective to the false signs (Matt. 24:14; Mk. 13:10)

       B. The one great sign in Jerusalem which would warn them of impending destruction of Jerusalem (Matt. 24:15)

1. He warns them what to do at the appearance of that sign 16-18)                       2. He warns them there would be great tribulation in those days (19-21)                 3. He warns them not to think the second coming was at hand, and be deluded by Messiah pretenders (23-28)

        C. The Manner and time of the Second Coming (Matt. 24:29-36; Mk. 13:24-32; Lk. 21:28-33)

1. There will be visible and unmistakable signs in the heavens (Matt. 24:29-31; Mk. 13:24-27; Lk. 21:25-28)                                                                                       2. These signs will be sufficient to indicate His near approach (Matt. 24:32-36)

II. The Subject of the Destruction of Jerusalem fades in the second main division of the discourse (Matt. 24:37-25:13; Mk.13:3-37; Lk. 21:34-36)

       A. This is first evidenced by the reference to the times of Noah (Matt. 24:37-44)

        B. Readiness is next urged by a series of parables (Matt. 24:43-25:13; Mk. 13:33-37; Lk. 21:34-36). The refrain of all is "Watch, therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour."

 l. Mark gives the parable of the Porter (See: I Timothy 3:7; II Tim. 2:26)                 2. Matthew gives the necessity of faithfulness and vigilance in two parables (24:43-51)

a. The parable of the Master of the Home                                           b. The parable of the Wise versus the Unfaithful Upper Servant

3. The parable of the Ten Virgins (25:1-13)

a. True preparedness is based on the inward condition of character and not on the outward appearance and profession                             b. Crises reveal preparedness or the lack of it                                   c. Such preparedness for the second coming cannot be transferred from one to another                                                                          d. True preparedness is an ample supply

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