Discussions that last

Last week I was watching “A night of eschatology” on Desiring Gods website. The 4 panelist's Doug Wilson, Sam Storms, Jim Hamilton and John Piper (I count him even though he was the host because he did offer a little discussion). It is a wonderful discussion on the millennium where 3 guys are sharing their views and thoughts on scripture and their end time views. There was actually a bit of heated discussion that happened as certain scriptures turned up and each person had a different interpretation of it and how it is effected by other passages.


Listening to the discussion it made me curious what it would be like if these guys didn't “get along” as well as Augustus Toplady and John Wesley. Toplady and Wesley both disagreed on the issue of Calvinism. Toplady was known to have said “I believe him to be the most rancorous hater of the gospel-system that ever appeared on this island” about Wesley. That phrase was what reminded me of the debate on the dg website due to the heated discussion. The main differences is that these guys all seemed to be very loving and civil toward each other afterwards

In the disagreement's that Wesley and Toplady had, Toplady wrote an article about Gods forgiveness, meaning for it to be a jab at Wesley. He wrote;

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee,
Let the water and the blood,
from Thy wounded side which flowed,
be of sin the double cure,
save from wrath and make me pure.

Such a wonderful song that was birthed from a disagreement over scriptures. I can't wait to see what comes from the round table discussion at Bethlehem Baptist. If nothing else it has made me look closer into scriptures that I never paid close attention to, and to praise God that He gave us the drive to study His inspired word close enough that we even care about these issues.

Even though these types of things can be devastating to our views at times if we are shown to be incorrect... isn't that the goal anyways, to be closer in His image and humbled?

All that was said to basically tell you how this song came to mind for sharing this morning.


Rock of Ages

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure;
Save from wrath and make me pure.

Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyes shall close in death,
[originally When my eye-strings break in death]
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.

The Raptor

Matthew 24

36"But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. 37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. 42Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

If you are anything like me then you probably have the same reaction when someone that you enjoy talking to says those lovely words “what do you believe about end time events” or something of the like. For the most part everybody seems to feel the same way, which I have found that to be either that they are alone in their belief (or at least that there are few that totally agree with them). Or they think everyone is on the same page with them which seems to come from people who haven't looked into it very much. The age old argument of the timing (pre, mid, post), is relevant (in the proper times) because often times it is shaped by or from your view of other scriptures. However, it doesn't seem to be wise to use all your energy on these points missing the end result entirely.

I am no scholar in this area (or most areas). There is little for me to offer except the wonderful words that Christ will return. So many of us dive into end times hoping to find a great ending or more to the story than we knew was there, when yes, we do have the end of the story! Christ returns Triumphantly (1 Tim. 6:14-16). He comes to bring a glorious end for His glory (not for ours, which is a way better party to attend). He does not create earth, manage it for a bit and then leave it as it is. Christ returns, and when He does it will be a day of celebration when our blessed hope comes to redeem His people and we can worship Him in His presence.

Our belief on the end times might be irrelevant for this post (Since I'm not going to tell you my belief's), but I am in no way attempting to direct your attention away from the passages that speak on end times. In fact quite the opposite, if it is in the bible it needs to be studied. I will say that I find it beneficial while looking into the end times to keep the rest of the passage from Matthew 24 in mind which is where I personally was attempting to direct attention to.

45"Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 47Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 48But if that wicked servant says to himself, 'My master is delayed,' 49and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, 50the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know 51and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

This is the encouragement that I get... The Master will return. Glory will be given to Christ, Justice and Mercy have met at cross and will be reflected upon on that day when it is in the final state.

Lets work hard for Christ. I find time moves faster when I'm doing productive things.