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The "Spirit-wrought discernment " and answer you seek are now available! Jun 06, 2008
In this book, on p. 3, Gary asks, "Is there no answer to this pitiful dilemma?" This is in regards to the current condition of evangelical Christianity in America, as he also discusses later on in pp. 327-329. God's answer is so glaringly obvious that it is very easy, apparently, to let it slip right by us, hardly noticed at first, and, even second, glance. It is so glaringly obvious to each and every true Christian that the church has essentially missed its great significance and import for almost 2000 years of history, apparently. Perhaps, most specifically, it has not given it the total kind of attention that it surely deserves. And this has caused problems down through history. Obviously the church has indeed noticed the existence of the new covenant, but has it really given it the kind of in-depth attention that it deserves? We read the various elements time and again, those of us who do read our Bibles, that is, and we don't understand at first the great far-reaching significance and importance of what we read. I think this happens in our course of more casual reading in which we are not really organizing our thoughts very well as we read, and, apparently nobody has ever really organized these extremely important matters and the important, far-reaching signification of them in the life of the Christian. Until now!
Yet, when we stop to think in a more analytical way of the content we just read, and we start adding up the points on paper, we soon start to recognize a definite pattern that emerges, and that ultimately leads us onward to a momentous conclusion. It is strange to me why anybody has never done this before, but it appears they haven't, at least not very well, or not nearly well enough!
This pattern, so clear and so prevalent, involves the element of time on the earth, and how it is to proceed from the focal point of the apostles onward. I believe that the key factor, among many fine factors, revolves primarily around the element of time. It is the clincher that solidifies all else that transpired previously, or say, from Genesis to Christ's actual coming into the world. Time is most essential and important, for it confirms God's plan of the ages in Christ. It establishes and confirms God's ultimate truth beyond any further question! When placed alongside all of the other elements that sacred Scripture makes so very clear, it becomes a mighty mountain replete with resounding thunderings which ring down through the annals of time!
In all reality, God has made things very clear beyond any valid question whatsoever. It is the very finding of this and embracing it that profoundly changes us for all time! It is also profoundly sufficient and satisfying in every sense! It's finding unleashes the most sublime joy, peace and tranquility, comfort and satisfaction unequalled anywhere else, or in any other thing, in all of life, or in the clinging to one millennial position or another. I guess one would have to say that this is an example, indeed, of the Holy Spirit's role as our Instructor and Comforter, as He reveals to us the awesome truths of God's Word! He makes God's answer powerful and profound in every way to our hearts in their every hope and longing!
In His presence we are led to the conclusion, centered in God Himself! And in this, we feel his powerful and profound exclamation point that is sufficient to answer all our needs! It is this very revelation that, like our Savior and Lord Himself, propels us onward into eternity with Himself! For it takes us upward, spiritually, like no other, and sets us upon what I like to call God's lightsome way! It mightily confirms that all those who come to Him are freed from their grievous burden (Mt.11:28) as they walk along the upward way with Him who becomes their all in all. It is within the vehicle, or the credential, of the new covenant wherein we find our ultimate destiny with God!
It is these truths that transcend all earthly bounds! And it is the Spirit's good pleasure to take us there. It is the ultimate reward for faithfulness to God Himself! It supplies the completely sufficient answer to the dilemma that Gary sees, and that I have seen also.
And I feel that it is a really good thing to observe and study all that Gary has so industriously and brilliantly compiled in his valuable book Context! Evangelical Views on the Millennium Examined. I 'm sure that a background study in these positions helps us to better identify with the whole issue before us. Then, when the discovery does come, it is all the more significant and magnificent in its impact upon the heart that has been searching and longing for such wondrous truths for a time, and most especially for a very long time! I agree that Seminary classes all over the country ought to utilize such tools that stimulate such spiritual hunger within before it finally becomes satisfied with that one great truth. It is a really good lesson in truth's ultimate value!
Today we do not have to look very far to realize what truth's absence has done to our world. It is most deplorable, "this pitiful dilemma" that Gary recognizes that permeates modern evangelical Christianity. But, yes, Gary, the "Spirit-wrought discernment" and answer "in light of the context of Holy Writ" (p. 4) I am most happy to tell you I do most strongly feel is ours at long last! I hope you'll be most happy to hear this from me!
What our world now needs is more people to wake up and face it forthrightly. It is this failure or loss in the area of this basic Christian truth that has now brought us to the brink of total disaster. For mankind's continuing failure in this one vital area of truth has wrought catastrophic results upon our entire world in many ways. Nor will it now be entirely "an easy fix"! But it does desperately need to be applied to the current problem, and right quickly, as we are truly in a state of catastrophe and even meltdown now over these prophetic matters! It is far better than just standing by and watching everything collapse into the kingdom of antichrist, which is not so very far off at all either! Certainly now the stage is set for the world to descend into his darkness like never before. I believe that this one issue has contributed much to helping its realization. The thought is abhorrent and reprehensible to any caring person.
There Is A Kingdom, by me, Anita Whalley (on Amazon.com), lays the answer to this "pitiful dilemma" all out before us. The Scripture content of this book can easily free us from all of the "strong delusion" (II Tim 2:11) so prevalent out there today and for at least the last 50 years. Only it can set our feet upon God's higher ground! The time cannot be any more urgent than it is now. ---Anita J. Whalley.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Context: Evangelical Views on the Millennium Examined Mar 31, 2008
Written as a textbook for Bible college students and seminarians, Context examines six views of the millennium of Revelation 20. One chapter is devoted to each of the following views: historic premillennialism, dispensational premillennialism, progressive dispensationalism, postmillennialism, amillennialism, and new covenant non-premillennialism. In each chapter Long describes and explains one of the respective positions using primary source material from the chief proponents of that view. Then Long examines the view in light of New Testament maxims which Long believes should guide the interpretation of Bible prophecy. The first five views, Long posits, disagree with one or more of these maxims. New covenant, non-premillennialism he presents as being in harmony with all of the maxims. As a textbook in eschatology, Context is clear, well-written, and well-documented. Its charts, questionnaire on prophecy, bibliography, and indices of authors and Scripture references are helpful. Those interested in eschatology, millennial movements, and interpretation of Revelation will find it useful. Professors of New Testament and systematic theology may consider it as a text for their students, and it will be a good addition to the eschatology section in seminary libraries. For, its discussion of the millennium, expanding beyond the "three views" and "four views" books to a thorough examination of six views, makes it unique. In addition, it is the first major treatment of the new covenant, non-premillennial position.
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