The Second Coming Of Our Lord Jesus Christ

I have posted on a number of threads the following Doctrines regarding the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ as they have been held throughout Baptist History until some Baptists were seduced by the Darby/Scofield error called dispensationalism. I do not believe that any dispensationalist has as yet given any response to justify discarding historic, and most importantly Biblical Doctrine, in order to embrace dispensational error.

This is a rather long OP but I am certain that the dispensationalists on this Forum in their diligent search for the truth will take time to read and respond.

The following is taken from Abstract of Systematic Theology by James P. Boyce, one of the founders of the first Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

"When the original charter of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary was adopted in 1858, it contained the following statement which continues as a part of the “fundamental laws.” Every professor of the institution shall be a member of a regular Baptist church; and all persons accepting professorships in this seminary shall be considered, by such acceptance, as engaging to teach in accordance with, and not contrary to, the Abstract of Principles hereinafter laid down, a departure from which principles on his part shall be considered grounds for his resignation or removal by the Trustees, to wit:

Articles 19 & 20 of the Abstract of Principles

XIX. The Resurrection
The bodies of men after death return to dust, but their spirits return immediately to God—the righteous to rest with Him; the wicked, to be reserved under darkness to the judgment. At the last day, the bodies of all the dead, both just and unjust, will be raised.

XX. The Judgment
God hath appointed a day, wherein He will judge the world by Jesus Christ, when every one shall receive according to his deeds; the wicked shall go into everlasting punishment; the righteous, into everlasting life."


The following are taken from Baptist Confessions of Faith by William L. Lumpkin

The Midland Association Confession [1655]

Article 16 [page 200, Lumpkin].

“That at the time appointed of the Lord, the dead bodies of all men, just and unjust shall rise out of their graves, that all may receive according to what they have done in their bodies, be it good or evil.”


The Somerset Confession [1656]

Article XL [page 214].

“That there is a day appointed, when the Lord shall raise the unjust as well as the righteous, and judge them all in righteousness, but every man in his own order, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, whose punishment will be everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord.”

The Standard Confession [1660]

Article XX [page 231].

“That there shall be [through Christ who was dead but is alive again from the dead] a Resurrection of all men from the graves of the earth, both the just and the unjust, that is, the fleshly bodies of men, sown into the graves of the earth, corruptible, dishonourable, weak, natural, [which so considered cannot inherit the Kingdom of God] shall be raised again, incorruptible, in glory, in power, spiritual, and so considered, the bodies of the Saints [united again to their spirits] which here suffer for Christ, shall inherit the Kingdom, reigning together with Christ.”

Article XXI [page 231].

“That there shall be after the Resurrection from the graves of the earth, An eternal Judgment, at the appearing of Christ and His Kingdom, at which time of judgment which is unalterable, and irrevocable, every man shall receive according to the things done in his body.”bb


The Second London Confession [1677, 1689]

Chapter XXXI. Of the State of Man after Death and of the Resurrection of the Dead [page 293]

“1. The Bodies of Men after Death return to dust and see corruption; but their souls [which neither die nor sleep] having an immortal subsistence, immediately return to God who gave them; the Souls of the righteous then being made perfect in holiness, are received into Paradise where they are with Christ, and behold the face of God in light and glory; waiting for the full redemption of their bodies; and the souls of the wicked, are cast into hell; where they remain in torment and utter darkness, reserved to the judgment of the great day; besides these two places for Souls separated from their bodies, the Scripture acknowledgeth none.

2. At the last day such of the Saints as are found alive shall not sleep but shall be changed; and all the dead shall be raised up with the self same bodies, and none other; although with different qualities, which shall be reunited with their Souls again forever.

3. The bodies of the unjust shall by the power of Christ be raised to dishonour; the bodies of the just by His Spirit unto honour, and be made conformable to His own glorious body.”

Chapter XXXII. Of the Last Judgment [page 294]

“1. God hath appointed a Day wherein He will judge the world in Righteousness, by Jesus Christ; to Whom all power and judgment is given of the Father; in which Day not only the Apostate Angels shall be judged; but likewise all persons that have lived upon the Earth, shall appear before the tribunal of Christ; to give an account of their thoughts, Words, and Deeds, and to receive according to what they have done in the body, whether good or evil.

2. The end of Gods appointing this Day is for the manifestation of the glory of His Mercy, in the Eternal Salvation of the Elect, and of His Justice in the Eternal damnation of the Reprobate who are wicked and disobedient; for then shall the Righteous go into everlasting life, and receive the fullness of Joy, and Glory, with everlasting reward in the presence of the Lord; but the wicked who know not God, and obey not the Gospel of Jesus Christ, shall be cast into Eternal torments, and punished with everlasting destruction, from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power.

3. As Christ would have us to be certainly persuaded that there shall be a Day of judgment, both to deter all men from sin and for greater consolation of the godly, in their adversity; so will he have that day unknown to Men, that they may shake off all carnal security, and be always watchful, because they know not at what hour, the Lord will come; and may ever be prepared to say, Come Lord Jesus, Come quickly, Amen.”

The Philadelphia Confession of 1742 is essentially the same as the Second London Confession.


The Orthodox Creed [1679]

Article XLIX. Of the State of man after Death and of the Resurrection of the Dead [page 333]

“The bodies of men after death return to dust and see corruption; but their souls, or spirits, which neither die nor sleep, having an immortal subsistence, immediately return to God who gave them; the souls of the righteous then being made perfect in holiness, are received into paradise where they are with Christ, and behold the face of God in light and glory; waiting for the full redemption of their bodies; and the souls of the wicked, are cast into hell; where they remain in torment and utter darkness, reserved to the judgment of the great day. And besides these two places for souls separated from their bodies, the holy scripture mentions none. At the last day such of the saints as are found alive shall not sleep but be changed; and all the dead shall be raised up with the self same bodies and none other; although with different qualities, which shall be reunited with their souls forever and forever, but the bodies of the unjust shall by the power of Christ, as a severe and just judge, be raised to dishonour; and the bodies of the just and righteous by His Spirit, as He is the head of the catholic Church, unto honour, and be made conformable with His glorious body, and shall enjoy everlasting life; in singing perpetual praises and hallelujahs to God for ever and ever. Amen.”

Article L. Of the last Judgment [page 334]

“And lastly, we believe God hath appointed a day, wherein He will judge the world in righteousness, by Jesus Christ, to Whom all power, and judgment is given of the Father; in which day, not only the Apostate Angels shall be judged; but likewise all persons that have lived upon the Earth, shall appear before the tribunal of Christ; to give an account of their thoughts, words, and deeds, and shall receive a just sentence, according to what they have done in their bodies, whether good or evil, when God according to His purpose, will manifest the glory of His mercy, in the salvation of His elect, and of His justice in the eternal damnation of the wicked and disobedient; for then shall the righteous go into everlasting life, and receive the fullness of joy and glory, but the wicked who know not God, nor obey the gospel offered them in Christ, shall be cast into everlasting torments, and punished with everlasting destruction, from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power. Amen.”


The New Hampshire Confession [1833]

Article XVIII. Of the World to Come [page 367, Lumpkin]

“We believe that the end of this world is approaching: that at the last day, Christ will descend from heaven, and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution; that a solemn separation will then take place; that the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment and the righteous to endless joy; and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness.”

 

The Abstract of Principles and the various Confessions cited above teach a general resurrection of all the dead and a general judgment when Jesus Christ returns, consistent with John 5:28, 29. It follows from the doctrine of a general resurrection and judgment that there will be no earthly millennial reign of Jesus Christ on the present earth. Rather upon the return of Jesus Christ and the judgment of Satan and his followers there will be a new heavens and new earth where all the redeemed will dwell in the presence of the Triune God eternally. Dispensationalism teaches that there will be multiple resurrections and judgments and, therefore, is in disagreement with all the above statements..

If you are interested in learning more about eschatology may I suggest the book The Meaning of the Millennium edited by Clouse. It briefly presents the four major viewpoints regarding the return of Jesus Christ. For more indepth study I would recommend the Bible and the Future by Anthony A. Hoekema. Hoekema, who discusses the Millennium in Clouse's book from an amillennial viewpoint, also covers the four major doctrines of the Second Coming.

I believe very strongly that the amillennial doctrine of the Second Coming is more attuned to both the teaching of Scripture and the Historic Baptist Faith. However, I also wish to state unequivocably that one's understanding of the events concerning the return of Jesus Christ has nothing to do with their salvation.

 

Ed

I am asking for justification for rejecting historic Baptist doctrines not taking a poll. Also when it comes to matters of Scriptural interpretation the majority is never right.

 

I know where the word rapture comes from but I never did trust the Romanists. What I would like some dispensationalist to do is present the justification for being seduced by Darby/Scofield away from Biblical and Historic Baptist Doctrine.

 

Amillennialists agree, there is no kingdom. But I must point out that while Mr Boyce says that all the dead will be raised up on the last day, my bible says different:
Revelation 20:5
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

Clearly some people will be raised up at the first resurrection and some people will be raised up a thousand years later. So Mr Boyce is wrong. </font>[/QUOTE]Please tell me what the Bible records as the FIRST and only resurrection to date.

Also the Abstract of Principles is still in effect at Southern Seminary. Boyce was only one of three founders of the Southern Seminary, originally at Greenville, South Carolina, now at Louisville, Kentucky. The other two were John A. Broadus and Basil Manly, Jr., from which comes the name Broadman Press, so the Abstract of Principles is not simply an invention of Boyce.

Also you ignored the teachings on the many Confessions of Faith that I presented which also teach a general resurrection and judgment. Do you suppose the divines who wrote these Confessions, as well as Boyce, Broadus, and Manly, were ignorant of Revelation 20:5?

May I also point out that John 5:28, 29, which is clearly written to be interpreted literally, teaches a general resurrection and judgment. Revelation 20:5 is contained in an apocalyptic book written primarily in language which makes use of metaphors, similies, etc..

 

It is important to note that the implications of a general resurrection and judgment are not trivial in today’s theological climate.

A general resurrection and judgment means that there is no secret rapture of the church prior to any period of great tribulation, and no millennial reign. The Church will remain on earth until they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory [Matthew 24:30, KJV] and every eye shall see him, and they [also] which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen [Revelation 1:7, KJV]. Whatever tribulation comes before that time the Church will endure just as Jesus Christ taught and just as the history of the Church bears witness. In fact Scripture teaches repeatedly that tribulation is the norm of life for the Saints, the true believers.

John F. Walvoord, the preeminent dispensationalist theologian and former president of the Dallas Theological Seminary confesses that the validity of the pre-tribulation ‘rapture’ depends on the definition of the Church [Major Bible Prophecies, page 282]. Before presenting Walvoord’s remarks concerning this question it is worthwhile to consider the definition of the Church as presented in The Baptist Faith and Message [Section VI] adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention in Atlanta, Georgia on June 14, 2000.

“The New Testament also speaks of the church as the Body of Christ which includes all the redeemed of all ages, believers from every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation.”

Walvoord writes, regarding the definition of the church, [Major Bible Prophecies, page 282]:

“If the question be asked: Will the church be raptured before end-time events? it becomes very important to define the church as an entity that is distinct from Israel or saints in general. In prophetic passages concerning the Tribulation, both Israelites and Gentiles are described, and some of them have faith in Christ and form a godly remnant. If they are part of the church, then the church is in the Tribulation, and the whole question as to whether the church goes through the Tribulation becomes moot."

We see that, according to Walvoord, the Southern Baptist Faith and Message is contrary to a pre-trib rapture.