Category Archives: Index

The Revelation: Riddles and Enigmas (“the things that must soon take place”)

Twice in the Revelation, John is told that the vision’s events “must soon take place.” And yet all but the full Preterists interpret the vision as reaching far into the future. (Rev. 1:1 ESV) The revelation of Jesus Christ, which … Continue reading

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The Revelation: Summary to this Point and a Peek Ahead, Part 3

Post-millennialism This was Alexander Campbell’s view and the prevailing view in the early 19th Century among most Protestants. He (and many others) saw the founding of the American republic as a major step toward the Millennium. He did not teach … Continue reading

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The Revelation: Summary to this Point and a Peek Ahead, Part 2

Historicist In my youth, the view that the history of the Western church was being prophesied was popular in the Churches of Christ, and I was originally open to the possibility. But things sure seemed forced in places. It really … Continue reading

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The Revelation: Summary to this Point and a Peek Ahead, Part 1

Theories There are just a whole lot of theories about how to interpret the Revelation. And no one is going to hell or ought to be barred from preaching over their opinion on this question. This is not a salvation … Continue reading

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CENI: Is CENI a Hermeneutic? A Question from the Contact form

A reader posted an anonymous question in the Contact form. (Which is fine, but I’d really prefer that comments on posts be posted in the comments to that post — even if you think your comment will make me look … Continue reading

Posted in CENI, Uncategorized | 91 Comments

Question from a Reader

I get emails — I really enjoy your stuff. The first thing I read of yours I had to stop and see where you grew up I thought it was the church I grew up in. I am still at … Continue reading

Posted in Baptism | 42 Comments

The Revelation: Riddles and Enigmas (the Millennium, Part 5)

Verse 5 (Rev 20:5 ESV) The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. This is a highly controverted passage. The text implies that the faithful were resurrected … Continue reading

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The Revelation: Riddles and Enigmas (the Millennium, Part 4)

Verse-by-verse We continue going verse by verse — Verse 4 (Rev 20:4 ESV)  4 Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who … Continue reading

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The Revelation: Riddles and Enigmas (the Millennium, Part 3)

Verse-by-verse Let’s now consider chapter 20 one verse at a time. Verses 1-3 (Rev 20:1-3 ESV) Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain.  2 … Continue reading

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The Revelation: Riddles and Enigmas (the Millennium, Part 2)

The 1,000-year reign can’t refer to an earthly kingdom (John 18:36 ESV)  36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be … Continue reading

Posted in Revelation, Revelation, Uncategorized | 29 Comments