Theological Issues - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Theological Issues

WAR & PEACE

Trinity International University

© John Stevenson, 2009

• To apply interpretation of passages in Revelation to the issues of the Kingdom of God, War and Peace, and the nature of Christian discipleship.
• To inquire into the nature of Christian ethics as it relates to Christian theology and to ecclesiology (the nature of the church).
• To revisit the Sermon on the Mount and consider again ways that it might be lived out in Christian community

• To will learn how one’s eschatology relates to one’s Christian ethics.

• Idealist View: Sees the book as showing the spiritual battle between good versus evil.
• Preterist View: Focuses on the first century fall of Jerusalem as the backdrop of the prophecies of this book
• Historical View: Sees the prophecies as depicting the course of history in this age
• Futurist View: Sees most of the events of the book as taking place in a time of future tribulation followed by the Second Coming

1-3

4-7

8-11

12-16

17-19

20

21-22

Revelation

Throne of God & Scroll with seven seals

Seven trumpets

Christ, the Dragon & the Seven Bowls

The Harlot on Seven Hills & the Bride

The King reigns

New Heaven & New Earth

Vision of Jesus and Seven letters to seven churches

Each ends with a promise of 2nd Coming

Christ wipes away every tear (7:17)

Christ will reign forever & ever (11:15)

Fall of the nations

“It is done” (16:17)

Rider on the White Horse (19:16)

Judge &

Lake of Fire

I am coming quickly (22:20)

Eschatological Views

• Revelation 20 literally
• Takes the language of “the last day” figuratively

Second

Coming

Judgment

(“Rapture”)

Church Age

Eternal

State

Millennium

Tribulation

Rev. 1-3

Rev. 4-19

Rev. 20

Historic Premillennialism

Second

Coming

“Rapture”

Judgment

Eternal

State

Eschatological Views

• Artificially separates between different comings of Christ
• Tries to segregate Israel and church

Church Age

Millennium

Tribulation

Rev. 1-3

Rev. 4-19

Rev. 20

Dispensationalism

Eschatological Views

• Views Revelation 20 as symbolic language
• Takes the language of “the last day” literally

Second

Coming

“Rapture”

Judgment

Church Age

(Tribulation)

Eternal

State

(Millennium)

Rev. 1-20

Amillennialism

Eschatological Views

• Envisions the gospel as being victorious
• Takes the language of “the last day” literally

Second

Coming

“Rapture”

Judgment

Church Age

Eternal

State

Millennium

Rev. 1-19

Rev. 20

Postmillennialism

Eschatological Views

• Denies any future Second Coming of Christ
• All prophecy fulfilled in the year 70 A.D.

Second

Coming

“Rapture”

Judgment

Church

Church

(Eternal State)

Short

Millennium

70

A.D.

Rev.

Preterism

Group Project

• What is the reality that is being depicted by the author?
• In what sense is this portrayal in Revelationa “drama”?
• What do these chapters reveal about the Kingdom of God?
• How do these chapters relate to the issue of War and Peace?

• Old Testament Allusions
• One like the Son of Man
• Lion of the Tribe of Judah

• Old Testament Allusions
• One like the Son of Man
• Lion of the Tribe of Judah
• The Four Horsemen

• Old Testament Allusions
• One like the Son of Man
• Lion of the Tribe of Judah
• The Four Horsemen
• The Two Witnesses

• Old Testament Allusions
• One like the Son of Man
• Lion of the Tribe of Judah
• The Four Horsemen
• The Two Witnesses
• Temple language

• Old Testament Allusions
• One like the Son of Man
• Lion of the Tribe of Judah
• The Four Horsemen
• The Two Witnesses
• Temple language
• Jesus with the Lampstands

• Old Testament Allusions
• One like the Son of Man
• Lion of the Tribe of Judah
• The Four Horsemen
• The Two Witnesses
• Temple language
• Jesus with the Lampstands
• The 24 Elders
• The Crystal Sea

• Old Testament Allusions
• One like the Son of Man
• Lion of the Tribe of Judah
• The Four Horsemen
• The Two Witnesses
• Temple language
• Jesus with the Lampstands
• The 24 Elders
• The Crystal Sea
• The ark of the covenant

Group Project

• If Christ is depicted as employing violence (Rev. 19:13-15) does that sanction the use of violence by Christians today? Is this at odds with the Christ of the Sermon on the Mount?
• How do these chapters relate to the issue of Christian discipleship now?

Revelation 19:11-13

And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. 13He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.

Revelation 19:14-15

And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. 15 From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.

Revelation 19:20-21

And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. 21 And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh.

Homework Discussion

What are the Primary Issues to Consider when thinking theologically about the issue of War and Peace?

• Which issues are most crucial to consider?
• Which Biblical texts did you deem most relevant to the issue?
• Did you list any important sociological or historical factors?

Open Theism

“God only knows that which is possible to know.”

“God is so confident in His sovereignty, He does not need to micromanage everything.”

 Gregory Boyd

Isaiah 40:27

Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD,

And the justice due me escapes the notice of my God”?

Isaiah 40:28

Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth

Does not become weary or tired.

His understanding is inscrutable.

Psalm 147:4-5

He counts the number of the stars;

He gives names to all of them.

Great is our Lord, and abundant in strength;

His understanding is infinite.

Matthew 10:29-31

Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Therefore do not fear; you are of more value than many sparrows.