Does eschatology matter?

[12strings]

Lets assume I was a staunch dispensationalist. How would it positivly or negativly affect my actualy christain walk?

Or if I was firmly in the Covenant theology Camp? What actual difference would it make in how I went about following Christ?

Does it matter if one is Pre-Mil, Post-mil, or A-mil?


Please try to focus your answers not merely on which one is right, but what effect that particular would have, either good (for you own view), or bad (for "those other people").

Thanks!

 

[Tom Bryant]

I am pre-mill. But does that make me more spiritual or walk closer to the Lord? I don't think so.

There are lots of people who disagree about eschatology whose walk with the Lord is living and vibrant. I don't live for Jesus because He might come back at any moment in the rapture. I love Jesus and live for Him because He is my Savior and Lord. I can't imagine it would be any different for a-mill or post-mill believers.

 

[preachinjesus]

It is immensely important to remember that Jesus is returning and that at the consumation of the age there is a lot of our existence and theology which are wrapped up in that stage. Eschatology (broad sense) is extraordinarily important in its concepts and expression.

The man made details about how it happens (pretrib, posttrib, premil, amil, etc) don't matter as much.

 

[kyredneck]

In the original essay, 'The Israel Lobby and U.S. foreign Policy', by John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt, two reasons are cited for the 'stranglehold' that “The Lobby” (also referred to as the 800 lb gorilla in the room that everyone pretends isn't there) has on Congress, and those reasons are 'American indifference, and evangelicals' [read dispensationalists]. I've read estimates as high as 65 million Americans hold to a dispensational premillenial 'last days' view of the nation Israel, and these people have carried considerable political clout in the past. The Iraq War was fought for Israel. The upcoming Iran War will also be fought for Israel. Therein lies the real danger of dispensationalism and it's 'Doomsday Dementia'.

You better believe eschatology matters. Dispensational premillenialism may have been seen at one time as benign on the level of 'the Christian walk', but has since it's origins for the most part morphed into a Christian Zionism that gives preeminence to a foriegn country at our highest level of government, and that at staggering costs to us and our children and their children's children......

Yes, eschatology matters.

 

[12strings]

It is immensely important to remember that Jesus is returning and that at the consumation of the age there is a lot of our existence and theology which are wrapped up in that stage. Eschatology (broad sense) is extraordinarily important in its concepts and expression.

Very good point, We sometimes get caught up with this life that we do not keep our hope and faith centered on the much better life to come.

To flip around the old saying: "We are so earthly minded that we are no heavenly good"...and no earthly good either for that matter.

 

[12strings]

Dispensational premillenialism may have been seen at one time as benign on the level of 'the Christian walk', but has since it's origins for the most part morphed into a Christian Zionism that gives preeminence to a foriegn country at our highest level of government, and that at huge costs to us and our children and their chidren......

but couldn't one be dispensational and also reject the idea that it is our government's job always side with Israel?

 

[kyredneck]

but couldn't one be dispensational and also reject the idea that it is our government's job always side with Israel?

IMO, that's not the norm. Most hold that they're 'God's Chosen People', and that it is paramount for our well-being as a nation to give Israel unconditional support.

So what would YOU think if the next president and congress were to bring Israel down to the same status as any other country and refuse any unconditional support for her?

 

[Tom Bryant]

IMO, that's not the norm. Most hold that they're 'God's Chosen People', and that it is paramount for our well-being as a nation to give Israel unconditional support.

So what would YOU think if the next president and congress were to bring Israel down to the same status as any other country and refuse any unconditional support for her?

First off, I can believe that Jews are still God's chosen people and not give them unconditional support.

Second, I am going to support Israel against the nations that surround it because those countries who hate Israel also hate the US.

You have decided that anyone who is pre-mill puts Israel first. We don't. We are as much American patriots as our a/post-mill brethren. But I am not going to persuade you.

 

[revmwc]

Lets assume I was a staunch dispensationalist. How would it positivly or negativly affect my actualy christain walk?

Or if I was firmly in the Covenant theology Camp? What actual difference would it make in how I went about following Christ?

Does it matter if one is Pre-Mil, Post-mil, or A-mil?


Please try to focus your answers not merely on which one is right, but what effect that particular would have, either good (for you own view), or bad (for "those other people").

Thanks!

The main importance is the rewards we receive. If we want to receive the Crown of Righteousness for instance. The preterist says Christ came in 70 A.D. and there is no other return yet Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing
The Crown of Righteousness is awinting all who love His appearing, but if He will no longer be appearing we can't win that crown today.
Now the amil camp sees Him returning but not in aPre-trib coming. Not sure where they fit the judgement (Bema) seat in with their belief. Since Revelation mentions nothing about it at his return in chapter 19 the only judgement we see there is the Great White Throne and that is the judgement of unbelievers.
So eschatology drives our service in looking for the eternal rewards we can win, Preterism gives us no hope of recieving any of the 5 crowns. Amil may have a teaching on when the judgement seat takes place one from the at camp will need to answer that. But the Pre-mill camp sees the rewards and the judgement seat as taking place when the church is snatched away and the bride adorning herself for the marriage. The rewards at the judgement seat 1 Cor 3 speaks of our being rewrded for our service. So the eschatalogical belief drives at least our service and looking for eternal rewards.

 

[kyredneck]

First off, I can believe that Jews are still God's chosen people and not give them unconditional support.

Second, I am going to support Israel against the nations that surround it because those countries who hate Israel also hate the US.

You have decided that anyone who is pre-mill puts Israel first. We don't. We are as much American patriots as our a/post-mill brethren. But I am not going to persuade you.

Tom, I'm persuaded. I'm not the hard head you're impying that I am. I've always believed this about you since you told me once before. You corrected me about a 'newspaer theology' comment that I made once, and it stuck.

 

[12strings]

So what would YOU think if the next president and congress were to bring Israel down to the same status as any other country and refuse any unconditional support for her?

I think they should do that.

Frankly, Even if I should not be, I'm one of those people who doesn't hardly are at all what our government's policy is on anything. I know those policies affect real people, including me, but I have very little faith that they will make very many correct decisions, except by accident.

 

[Tom Bryant]

Tom, I'm persuaded. I'm not the hard head you're impying that I am. I've always believed this about you since you told me once before. You corrected me about a 'newspaer theology' comment that I made once, and it stuck.

Thanks, i am sorry for the implication and i should have known better.

 

[kyredneck]

Thanks, i am sorry for the implication and i should have known better.

No problem brother (fact is I CAN be a hard head and at times need correction); you have my respect.

 

[Greektim]

Lets assume I was a staunch dispensationalist. How would it positivly or negativly affect my actualy christain walk?

Or if I was firmly in the Covenant theology Camp? What actual difference would it make in how I went about following Christ?

Does it matter if one is Pre-Mil, Post-mil, or A-mil?


Please try to focus your answers not merely on which one is right, but what effect that particular would have, either good (for you own view), or bad (for "those other people").

Thanks!

My thoughts are that if there is a portion of theology that we will have a complete understanding of one day, it is eschatology as we see it unfolding in history. That fact alone puts it at a much lower level of importance than things such as the mysterious triune God and his great salvation. Things as magnificent as that deserve more time and study in my estimation. They will be contemplated by saints for eternity never to arrive the the full conclusion of the matter. I would prefer to start now basking in the infinite majesty of God. And that is only revealed in a small way in eschatology. But one day, it will hardly be a by-word on our mouths as we discuss God's glory.

 

[plain_n_simple]

"Does eschatology matter?"

It's not about doctrines and lines drawn and endless hairsplitting statements that lead to divided groups. It's about becoming like Him. Denying ourselves to be like Him. To think like He thinks, to respond like He responds, to see through His eyes.

 

[Martin Marprelate]

On one level, God knows what He's going to do and He's not going to ask our opinion about it and we can't stop Him so don't worry about it.

On another level, it does matter. If our eschatology leads us to believe that everything is only going to get worse and worse until Christ comes, perhaps we won't be praying for revival and we won't be planning outreach, but just trying to hold fast. On the other hand, if our eschatology tells us that Christ won't be coming back any time soon and that things are going to keep getting better and better until He comes, then we may fall into the attitude of the servant in Matt 24:48ff.

I wrote elsewhere that I don't fall out over eschatology with anyone who believes in the physical return of Christ, and I don't. I'm just saying that these are possible attitudes that need to be guarded against.

:flower:

Steve

 

[quantumfaith]

I am as they say a "pan millenialist". From my perspective, we as christians should have some sense of urgency to our lives, urgency to live and share our faith in our communities, professions etc.

 

[kyredneck]

Sixteen best-selling novels, 'Left Behind' series. Yea, eshatology matters.

The sensationalism of it all. What a sell it was to the general public.