Originally posted by OldRegular:
Then I suggest you read the text of the following Scripture:
John 5:28,29, KJV
I dealt with this several pages ago, right after I responded to your inappropriate personal attack on me. I already showed how your understanding of "one resurrection" is a denial of Rev 20 that specifies at least two resurrections (one before the 1000 years and one after the 1000 years for the "rest" that were not raised at the first), and that same passage specifies that that is the "first resurrection" something utterly meaningless if there is only one. If there is only one resurretcion, there is absolutely no point in calling it the "first resurrection." Your position doesn't even make sense.
This passage is very straightforward with nothing to indicate that it is to be interpreted any way other than literally.
I agree, but find it strange that you all of the sudden want to appeal to the "literal" when you have spent so much time denying it in other passages. I think it shows that you use the Scriptures to support your position, and will treat it however you need to (whether literal or non-literal) to arrive at your preconceived conclusion.
The word translated hour is from the Greek word hora and occurs 108 times in the New Testament.
I hate to tell you, but this is completely irrelevant. It's good material, and it's correct. It just doesn't have anything to do with this topic. This passage nor this doctrine hangs on the idea of "hour." That is a red herring.
Jesus Christ in the passage from the Gospel of John [5:28, 29] teaches that in the same hour, this brief, specific period of time, all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, And shall come forth. What else can this mean but a general resurrection.
I completely agree, but as I pointed out, look at what the text says: "all that are in teh graves." What about those who are not yet in the grave? Or what about those who are no longer in the grave? You see, Rev 20 clearly teaches a resurrection of some, and "the rest" (20:5) are still in the graves. Then who will be raised? "All who are in teh graves." But it won't include those who are already raised. So quite clearly, Scripture itself proves your own point wrong.
1. The Bible is its own interpreter.
Which is exactly what I have done, for instance, using REv 20 to clarify John 5.
2. We must interpret the Bible literally - as it is written.
Absolutely, which makes it confusing as to why some would say that the OT references to an earthly kingdom should not be interpreted literally. If Sproul followed his own rules, he would be a dispensationalist.
3. The Bible is to be interpreted like any other book.
I have said this all along.
4. Obscure parts of the Bible are to be interpreted by clearer parts.
Again, what I have said all along, which is why I hold the position I do.
5. The implicit is to be interpreted in light of the explicit.
Which is why the "explicit" teaching of two resurrections in Rev 20:4-6 overrides your own interpretation of "one resurrection" in John 5. YOu have to note that John 5 does not specify "one" or "two" or "100" resurrections. IT specifies a resurrection for all in the graves, without reference to those "not yet" in the grave, or those "no longer" in the grave. Both are a possibility, depending on what one things John 5 refers to. What we can dogmatically say is that John 5 is not the only resurrection. There are explicitly revealed to us to be at least two resurrections separated by 1000 years (unless you violate rule #2)
6. The rules of logic govern what can reasonably be drawn or deduced from Scripture.
Yes, but remember the depravity of the human mind. Logic is at best flawed by human reasoning because our minds are darkened by sin. Logic demands that miracles such as the feeding of the 5000 be false. Scripture demands that it be true, and therefore, we place Scripture above logic, and logic in subservience to the revealed word of God.
In short, you have six great principles, all of which lead to a dispensational view if you actually use them.
Now the Scripture passage John 5:28, 29, interpreted literally, is very clear regarding the resurrection of all that are in the graves in the same hour, a brief specific period of time. There is nothing obscure about this passage and it is very explicit in its message.
Yes, but see above and several places earlier for the things you miseed that change the necessary consequence.
Comparatively speaking the passages 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 or 2 Thessalonians 2:1ff are much less clear. In fact the resurrection is not even mentioned in these passages.
The resurrection is mentioned in 1 Thess 4 which is in the basic context of 1 Thess 5, so you are wrong on that point, but nonetheless, these passages are not explicitly clear and demand some actual thinking rather than raw repetition. Which is why I say that pretrib and postrib are not explicit teachings. There is support for both. Overall, the support for pretrib better handles the Scriptures and recognizes key theological issues.
Any conclusion regarding the resurrection must be implicit which must yield to the explicit teaching of John 5:28, 29. That teaching is a General Resurrection and Judgment.
Why do you ignore Rev 20 and its teaching on what appear to be at least three resurrections? You can't get more explicit than some are raised at the beginning of the 1000 years, "the rest" at the end of hte 1000 years, and that is the first resurrection, clearly implying at least a "second resurrection" (otherwise why point out "first"?). You have shown your use of Scripture to be one of convenience for your position, while you overlook the Scripture that causes problems for you. You cannot have a doctrine of hte resurrection until you incorporate Rev 20. I would urge you to do so in light of rule #2 that you cited above. It is a great rule that you should use.