Why I am an Amillennialist

Although it looks like I am in the minority, I wanted to share (although no one asked me to) the reasons why I believe Amillennialism is the best Biblical way for understanding the end times. The main opposing view to Amillennialism is Pre-Millennialism (Pre-Mil from now on). I respect the great number of Pre-Mil teachers and theologians (oh, and my family members also - J) who hold the Pre-Mil viewpoint. And as I grow in my knowledge of Scriptures, I hope I am open to learn more, and possibly even changing my mind on my end-times view.

But here goes. Here are three quick reasons why I believe Amillennialism is the best method for understanding the Bible's description of the end-time events:

First, How should we understand the Book of Revelation? Here's the issue –Pre-Mil's (I will use Pre-Mil as being the same as the largest group of today's Christians who believe in a Pre-Trib, Pre-Mil Rapture) view the Book of Revelation as a chronological book that is to be read as a straight sequence of future events. This means that Pre-Mil's understand the 7 Seals (Revelation 6) are one set of events followed by the 7 Trumpets (Revelation 8-14), then followed by the 7 Bowls (Revelation 16). While the Amillennialists believe the Book of Revelation describes repeating sequences of events that grow in the power of their effects (also called Recapitulation).

The repeating cycles used in Revelation make it similar to a song with a repeating refrain that grows in volume. Lowery, Robert, Revelation's Rhapsody, College Press (2006). I remember the first time I read Revelation, I thought it was odd that in Revelation 6:8 after the 4^th Seal is opened one-fourth (1/4) of the earth is killed. But in Revelation 9:15 one-third (1/3) of mankind is killed after the 6^th Trumpet is blown. My suspicion that something was going on was confirmed when I heard the explanation of Recapitulation which answered my suspicions. Here is a good summary of how the different cycles are repeating in Revelation:

A correlation between the seven trumpet judgments and the seven bowl judgments has often been observed, suggesting the possibility of parallelism between the sections:

A. The first of each affects the earth (Rev. 8:7; 16:2).

B. The second of each affects the sea (Rev. 8:8; 16:3).

C. The third of each affects the rivers (Rev. 8:10; 16:4).

D. The fourth of each affects heavenly bodies (Rev. 8:12; 16:8).

E. The fifth of each affects men (Rev. 9:1; 16:10).

F. The sixth of each affects the Euphrates (Rev. 9:13; 16:12).

G. The seventh of each is the end (Rev. 11:15; 16:17).

Revelation, Four Views : a parallel commentary, S. Gregg, Introduction.

 

The Second reason why I am an Amillennialist is because of the Second Coming. Remember that most Pre-Mil's believe that Jesus comes secretly to rapture believers, unknown to the rest of the world, then comes back 7 years later to lead the saintly armies in the Battle of Armageddon and set up His earthly millennial Kingdom (Revelation 19:11-20:6; famous Pre-Mil author T LaHaye, Bible Prophecy – A Quick Reference Guide, q. 3-4). I do not believe that the Bible describes Jesus coming to Earth three times. Instead, Hebrews 9:28 states that Christ will appear a "second time". I take this wording on its face, and believe that there will be one Second Coming of Jesus, and not a second followed by a third appearance of Christ. Amillennialists believe this because when Jesus comes back a "second time", it will not be only to rapture believers, but also to resurrect those dead in Christ, and ultimately to resurrect all people to face Him at the Great White Throne Judgment Seat (Rev. 21:1-8). This all takes place on the Biblical term referred to as the "Last Day". I understand that Pre-Mil author Tim LaHaye describes Jesus' return as being in phases – the first phase is the Secret Rapture of believers. While the second phase is the resurrection of the rest of the world which is post-Millennium and before the Great White Throne Judgment, 1,007 years later. Two phases of Christ's return 1,007 years apart? I'm sorry I don't see that, or read anything that even hints that this is possible anywhere in the Bible.

Now, I'm just getting warmed up (sorry, this I hope is my last 'Princess Bride' reference). The third reason why I am an Amillennialist is the problem with the Pre-Mil position on the Resurrection / and the Day of the Lord. This is similar to the Pre-Mil problem on Jesus' Second Coming where Pre-Mil's believe in essentially there being two separate, future return appearances of Christ, The Resurrection problem is this – Pre-Mil's believe there is one Resurrection for believers in Christ (see, 1 Thess. 4:16-:17, the Lord Himself will descend from heaven and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then also those who are alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord.) and a second Resurrection taking place after the Millennium and before the Great White Throne Judgment. While Amillennialists believe there is only one Resurrection that takes place for both believers and unbelievers at His Second Coming before the Great White Throne Judgment. I believe the Biblical support for only one Resurrection of the living and the dead is very strong: As one example of both the rapture of believers taking place at the same time with the Resurrection of the world is contained in 1 Corinthians Chapter 15:

Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? ¹³ But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised…

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. ²¹ For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. ^22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. ^23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming. ^24
Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 1 Cor. 15:12-:13, 20-24.

My reading of these verses tells me in verse 23 that Jesus comes for those who are His at the Second Coming. And then comes the end, when Jesus delivers the Kingdom to God the Father. Again, it takes quite a stretch to read in a 1,007 year separation for these two events. This is also related to the Biblical term 'Day of the Lord'. Here are some other descriptions of what takes place on the 'Day of the Lord':

• The Day of the Lord - For the ungodly:
  
  • A Day of Decision – Joel 3:14
    
  • A Day of God's Wrath – Isa. 2:6-22; Romans 2:5
    
  • A Day of Righteous Judgment – Romans 2:5
    
  • Heavens will pass away at the Day of the Lord – 2 Peter 3:7,10
    
  • Earth will pass away, melt at the Day of the Lord – 2 Pt. 3:7, 10
    
  • It is a Day of Judgment and utter destruction/eternal damnation (perdition) for the ungodly – 2 Peter 3:7
    
  • It is a Day of sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman – 1 Thess. 5:3
    
  • It is a Day from which there is no escape – 1 Thess. 5:3
    
  • A frequent metaphor for the Day is war – Isa. 13:4
    
  • All nations will recognize Yahweh – Joel 3:17; Phil. 2:10
    
  • Day of the Lord – But for the Elect:
    
    • A day where we rejoice for not having run in vain - Phil. 2:16
      
    • It is a day where God's promises are fulfilled; 2 Peter 3:13
      
    • It is a Day when Israel will be saved – Joel 2:32; Zeph.3:14-18
      
    • It is the Day when we are gathered with our Lord – 2 Thess. 2:1-3
      
    • It is a day of our salvation; 1 Thess. 5:8-9
      
    • It is a day when we begin to live with Jesus – 1 Thess. 5:10
      
    • The end comes right after the resurrection of those in Christ. 1 Cor. 15:22-24
      
    • At least saved Israel will trample the wicked – Mal. 4:3
      

And so, on the 'Day of the Lord' there is a resurrection of both believers and unbelievers. For unbelievers, this Day is a Day of Judgment (2 Peter 3:7). While for believers, the Day of the Lord is when believers are gathered with our Lord (2 Thess. 2:1-3). And all of the other descriptions of the Day of the Lord also include pictures of Believers being separated from unbelievers (see, for example separation of wheat and tares/chaff (Matt. 3:12/Luke 3:17), at harvest time weeds and wheat gathered together (Matt. 13:30), and the separation of sheep and goats (Matt. 25:31-46), with judgment following for the unbelievers. So the Pre-Mil understanding of the Rapture of believers is the dead in Christ rise first, then those in Christ are also raptured (1 Thess. 4:16-17). But this Pre-Mil understanding means that there is a 1,007 year separation of the resurrection of believers and unbelievers. It appears to me that the Pre-Mil understanding is difficult (but not impossible) to reconcile with the verses speaking of the separation of wheat and tares taking place at the same time, and this happening at the time of judgment. Also, John 5:29 and Acts 24:15 speak of an hour coming when the resurrection will take place, with the elect to a resurrection of life, and those who had done evil to a resurrection of judgment. Again these verses speak of the resurrection taking place at the same time, with no mention of a 1,007 year separation for these events as Pre-Millers would have us believe. Therefore, I agree with the Amillennialist position that says that the Resurrection of saints and sinners, the living and the dead takes place at the same time, followed by judgment.

Well, this is my long-winded explanation of why I am an Amillennialist. My take away thought for you who are thinking about Jesus' return is this: Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-:25.

The Two Main End-Times Views

Bryan asked a good question as a comment to my last post: Is anyone else a pre-mil (Pre-Millennialist) with him? To help you in deciding, here is my way too simplistic description to help you decide whether or not you are a Pre-Mil.

 

Read the first six verses of Revelation 20. It's a short read. Go ahead, I'll wait. J In this short section, it speaks of Jesus reigning 1,000 years on earth while Satan is bound. This earthly reign is after the Battle of Armageddon, and after Jesus arrives with His army and totally destroys the armies and leaders of the Anti-Christ (Revelation 19:11-:21). After this 1,000 year reign of Jesus and the saints, Satan is freed and deceives the nations of the saints, and gathers Gog and Magog in a second final battle, and Satan himself is defeated (Revelation 20:7-:10). Then the Great White Throne Judgment takes place of all the dead (Revelation 20:11-15). If You believe in the literal 1,000 reign between the defeat of Anti-Christ's armies and Satan's armies, You are likely a Pre-Millennialist.

 

If instead, You believe there are repeating cycles described the Book of Revelation (for example the 7 Seals (Revelation 6) is similar to the 7 Trumpets (Revelation 8-14), which is similar to the 7 Bowls (Revelation 16)), and You hold to the traditional view that believes the 1,000 year Millennium is not a literal period of time that will happen in the future, but is instead a description of the age of the Church Triumphant, then You may be an Amillennialist. Here is a little further description that I hope is helpful in understanding the difference between the two views:

 

    Jesus Christ plans on returning to set Creation back in order one day, even if there are serious divisions among Christians as to when this will take place. In studying the Book of Revelation, there are two main methods (each with different sub-groups) that theologians have used. There are intelligent and godly teachers in each camp who have different views in studying this Book. And so, my hope for you is that as you study and learn more about Jesus' Second Coming and the Book of Revelation, that you have an attitude of grace and humility for those who hold a different view than you. Phil 2:3. There are no trophies for whoever has the best understanding of Revelation at His return. The center-point of division over the interpretation of Revelation is focused on Revelation 20:1-:6, called the Millennium. The Millennium is commonly understood to be an ideal time with evil being defeated at the Battle of Armageddon, where Satan is bound, and the saints reign over the world with Jesus Christ.

    A. Pre-Millennialism.

    The first and today's most popular method used in studying Revelation is called Pre-Millennialism. Pre-Millennialists understand the Millennium to come after the three sets of Judgments of Revelation (the Scroll and Seven Seals, the Seven Trumpets, and the Seven Bowls), and the Battle of Armageddon in Rev. 19:11-:21. In putting together a timeline of end-time events, Pre-Millennialists generally agree on the following sequence:

1. A Secret Rapture of Believers from the Earth to go with Jesus;
   
2. The Great Tribulation, 7 Years in length;
   
3. Battle of Armageddon;
   
4. Return of Christ with His Saints, The Second Coming;
   
5. The 1,000 Year Millennium (Rev. 20:1-:6).
   

Such wonderful theologians/teachers holding the Pre-Millennial view include John MacArthur, C. I. Scofield, Chuck Swindoll; Hal Lindsay, Tim LaHaye, and John Hagee. Here are a few of the keys generally held in Pre-Millennial understanding:

 

1. They hold to a sequential view of the Book of Revelation. Just as in the other books of the Bible, everything in the Book is to be understood as coming in the direct order and sequence that is contained in the Book;
   
2. This means that the Revelation 20:1-:6 Millennium is a future event that is a 1,000 year earthly reign, that takes place before the Judgment Seat of Christ, and the coming of the New Jerusalem;
   
3. Pre-Millennialists understand that there is seven years of Tribulation from Daniel 9:20-:27. This tends to match-up with the Tribulation period discussed in the Olivet Discourse (Matt. 24:15-:28) and Rev. Chapters 6 through 16;
   
4. Another area of dispute among Christians studying the end-times is when the Rapture of believers to heaven will take place. In the Pre-Millennial camp there are three major sub-groups. they are confusingly called: Pre-Trib (meaning the Rapture takes place before any Tribulation); Mid-Trib (Rapture takes place three and one-half years after the start of the Tribulation); and Post-Trib (local Pastor John Piper holds the Post-Trib view).
   

Yes, this means that you can be called Pre-Millennial, Pre-Trib; or Pre-Millennial, Mid Trib; etc. Yuck!

1. To add to the confusion and exasperation caused by the use of excessively long nametags in eschatology, is that Pre-Millennialists also tend to follow the Biblical interpretational method of Dispensationalism. John Nelson Darby (of the Darby Bible fame) is the first to do a systematic articulation of Dispensationalism. This method understands that there a number of "dispensations" where God has different salvation epochs or eras for different groups. The clearest example is Israel being under the old covenant which was a dispensation of law, while New Testament believers are under the dispensation of Grace. The essence of Dispensationalism is the distinction between Israel and the Church. Newcombe, Jerry, Coming Again, But When? p. 33-34.
   
2. Pre-Millennialists hold that God has not finished with the nation of Israel, and that one day, Israel will be restored. The motivating force for Israel's restoration is thought to be the Great Tribulation, also called "Jacob's Trouble" in Jeremiah 30:7, and that Israel will be "saved out of it". There is also an understanding that one day Israel will return to the practices under the Law, including the use of Old Testament sacrifices and the rebuilding of the Jerusalem Temple. As such, the Church age is viewed as a "parenthesis" in the program of God and Israel;
   
3. Pre-Millennialism tends to be pessimistic, viewing evil in the world as growing.
   

 

1. Amillennialism.
   

The second major view in interpreting the Book of Revelation is Amillennialism, which literally means "no millennialism". It is a completely different view from Pre-Millennialism. Amillennialism is the traditional view of the Church, with both Roman Catholics and Protestant churches having held this view for over 1,400 years. Newcombe, Jerry, Coming Again, But When?, p. 33. At the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD the Church Council condemned as superstition the belief in a literal, future thousand-year reign on earth. S. Grenz, The Millennial Maze, p.44. The Amillennial view is not only held in the past by the major parts of the Christian Churches, but a similar view to Amillennialism was held by such wonderful Church Fathers as Saint Augustine, Martin Luther, and John Calvin, as well as the current view of Amillennialism by current theologians such as G. C. Berkouwer, Kim Riddlebarger, (the late) D. James Kennedy, and J. I. Packer.

Amillennialism also has a similar, yet distinctive chronology, for the return of Jesus Christ.: After Jesus Christ's First Advent and His Ascension, the Church Age began. This was also understood as the beginning of the spiritual reign of Christ in the Millennium. As one writer describes Christ's Millennial reign: "…the kingdom of evil will continue to exist alongside of the kingdom of God until the end of the world…The so-called "signs of the times" have been present in the world from the time of Christ's first coming, but they will come to a more intensified, final manifestation just before His Second Coming. The Amillennialist therefore expects the bringing of the gospel to all nations and the conversion of the fullness of Israel to be completed before Christ's return. He also looks for an intensified form of tribulation and apostasy as well as for the appearance of a personal antichrist before the Second Coming." Sproul, The Last Days According to Jesus, p. 195, quoting Anthony Hoekema, The Bible and the Future, p. 174 (Eerdmans 1979).

Here are a number of the notable positions held by Amillennialists:

1. The view understands Rev. 20:1-:6, the Millennium as being a time of spiritual reign by Christ. The Millennium is the time between the first and second advents of Christ, with the Church Militant and Triumphant (the concept coming from Saint Augustine, who was the first to make popular the understanding that the Millennium is between the first and second Advents of Christ) with the Church free to spread the Gospel. Satan is bound to prevent his deceiving of the nations (Rev. 20:3), and the Gospel is spread throughout the world. The period described as a 'Thousand Years' is a symbolic reference, not a literal time period;
   
2. The Rapture takes place at the same time as the Resurrection. And there is only one Resurrection of believers and non-believers alike which happens altogether on the Last Day;
   
3. There is a single Return Jesus Christ, visible to the entire world at His one and only Second Coming. Thus, the judgment of non-believers happens on the Last Day as well as the resurrection of believers. There is no separation of time in between Jesus returning for believers and non-believers;
   
4. Things are getting better and worse simultaneously. Both the Kingdoms of Light and Darkness are growing simultaneously. Toward the end, evil's growth will accelerate.
   
5. Replacement Theology. In the past, Amillennialists held the view that the Christian Church had replaced the nation of Israel, and that all of God's promises were now meant only for the Church. This has led to the charge that Amillennialists were anti-Semitic. Although, Replacement Theology is no longer part of mainstream Amillennialism, it is still used as a common attack against it by those in the Pre-Mil camp;
   
6. Recapitulation. Amillennialists read the Book of Revelation as a series of recapitulations - Recapitulation means repetition with intentional progression. It is a strategy of describing the same events in different ways and with ever-increasing intensity. The triad of the seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls in Revelation is an example of recapitulation, showing progressive intensification. R Lowery, Revelation's Rhapsody, Glossary of Terms. Another example is the Battle of Armageddon which is arguably described separately in at least four separate parts of Revelation: Rev. 13:7, Rev. 16:16, Rev. 19:11-:21, and Rev. 20:7-:10. This leads Amillennialists to understand Revelation properly read as repeating cycles, and so should not be read sequentially, as do Pre-Millennialists.
   

 

Whew! I know I've included a lot of information here. But please remember this is only intended as a basic summary with many parts left out, including the other sub-groups of each view. I hope it encourages you to want to study more on the subject. I have also left out discussing the view of Preterism (held by Hank Hanegraff and R. C. Sproul). Perhaps I'll discuss Preterism in a separate post. If anyone has any additions or corrections, or if you feel I have treated one of the views unfairly, please let me know. Thanks, and may God bless you with a greater appreciation of Jesus' sacrifice for your sin on the Cross this Good Friday.

Odds n’ Ends

Hi everyone,

 

Happy Maundy Thursday, and yes, happy opening day of the NCAA Basketball Tournament. Oh Baby (I hope you do a better Dick Vitale impression than I do). If you are going to watch just one game, tune in tonight at 6:00 pm on WCCO/CBS to the USC vs. Kansas State game. In this game you will see two 'Diaper Dandies' (to use Dickey V's lingo), which means two super freshman: Michael Beasley for Kansas State, who is a great scorer, rebounder, and will likely be the 1^st pick in the NBA. USC has super frosh OJ Mayo. I'd like to see more of Michael Beasly, so I'm cheering for Kansas State and taking the 2 points (for entertainment purposes only.)

 

Here is an interesting March 18^th story for the Pre-Millennialists of you out there. For the first time in 1,938 years the linen garments of the lay priests are being produced in preparation for the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple. A total of 120 garments are in the process of being made. The last priestly garments to have been worn were those worn by the priests who were martyred by the Roman legions who brutally invaded and destroyed the Holy Temple on the ninth day of the month of Av, in the year 70 A.D. Here is the link for the story: http://www.templeinstitute.org/garment_manufacture.htm.

My Favorite Bible Verse

My favorite Bible verse of all time could be Ephesians 2:8-9, which is a foundational verse for the Protestant Reformation. Let me share it with you:

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ^9 not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9 – NIV; See, Romans 3:24 and Galatians 2:16).

So this verse is one that is a centerpiece for Protestants showing us that being a good person won't save you. And doing nice things does nothing to get us to heaven. Instead, it is God's grace that gives us salvation. Through our faith and trust that Jesus is our Savior, and that He paid the entire price for any punishment that is owed for the wrong things we have done in our life. I find an interesting question coming up from the second part of this verse, after the dash – namely, what is "the gift of God"? In the first portion of Ephesians 2:8, the "gift of God" could be one of three things: Is it God's grace, which is the subject of the preceding sentence? Or is our 'faith' given by God as a gift? Or it could even be our salvation that is the gift. Anyway, that's how my brain works – questions are more interesting than answers.

But let me raise one additional point from this verse – namely, that it is Christ's righteousness, not our own righteousness that provides us with our salvation. This point is made clear in 1 Corinthians 1:30-31, which says:

He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom, and our righteousness, and sanctification and redemption. Therefore, as it is written, "Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord." (1 Cor. 1:30-31).

And so, Jesus is our righteousness, our good deeds, our attempts at righteous living is viewed by God as 'filthy rags' (Isa. 64:6). And so, Paul rightly points out that we cannot boast in our own righteousness, but we can only boast in the Lord. (1 Cor. 1:31).

OK, I was just kidding. Allow me to make one more comment about the process of sanctification – is sanctification our responsibility? Sanctification is the process where born-again Christians (John 3:3) are turned from wretched sinners into people who grow to act more and more like Jesus. No again, I understand that sanctification is also the work of God. The verse I like to show this is Philippiansc2:12b-13, which says: "…work out your salvation with fear and trembling, ^13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." This verse shows that God works in a believer's desires and their will to act the way God desires. And so, as we approach Palm Sunday and Holy Week, my take away thought as we close Lent is this - if God gives us His Son in payment for our sins, and gives us a desire to appreciate all of what Jesus did, and is even completely responsible for cleaning up our actions through sanctification, can we take any credit for our growing obedience? I think the Apostle Paul already answered this: Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord! (1 Cor. 1:31, above). Have a happy and blessed holy week.

ELCA Report on Homosexuality

Here is a March 13^th news report on the compromise by the ELCA on the homosexuality issue:

 

http://www.onenewsnow.com/Church/Default.aspx?id=71217

Authority of Jesus – Part 2

Top of the day to you (that's my best Irish accent, as St. Patrick's Day is approaching.) I thought I would deal with a challenging subject for this post: Demons, Evil and Unclean Spirits. In the Gospels we see that Jesus dealt repeatedly with these forces of evil. I count Jesus having six separate encounters casting out and rebuking demons in the Gospel of Matthew alone. In the Book of Acts, the Apostles also have stories where they encounter, cast out and rebuke these forces of evil. So today's post looks at Jesus' authority over demons, evil spirits, and unclean spirits, and whether or not Jesus has provided His authority over these evil beings to His followers in 21^st century America.

What does Jesus have authority over? It is clear from Matthew 28:18 that Jesus Christ, the Son of God has authority over all things:

Matthew 28:18 - And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

The Messiah having this kind of power was prophesied about in Daniel chapter 7, where Daniel wrote: "to the Son of Man was given dominion… his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away." (Daniel 7:14-15).

There are also a number of other references to the Authority of Jesus (this is a great topic study, if you have the time):

• All things handed over to Jesus (Matthew 11:27);
  
• The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand (John 3:35);
  
• God has put all things in subjection under his feet (1 Cor. 15:27; Eph. 1:22; Hebrews 2:8);
  
• At his name every knee should bow (Phil. 2:10);
  
• It was given to him authority to execute judgment (John 5:27).
  

Jesus healed many people from being tormented by demons and evil spirits. As examples of Jesus' freeing people are the following verses:

• He healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits (Luke 7:21);
  
• When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word (Matt. 8:16);
  
• Two demon possessed men at Gergesenes who were cast out by Jesus into a herd of swine (Matt. 8:28-:34/See Mark 5:2/Luke 8:29);
  
• He healed a demon possessed man causing him to be blind and mute (Matt. 12:22-30);
  
• He healed Canaanite woman's severely demon-possessed daughter (Matt. 15:22-28);
  
• He healed a man's son who suffered from epileptic seizures caused by a demon that the apostles could not remove (Matt. 17:14-:18);
  
• Other examples are also contained in Mark and Luke. And so, one of Jesus' main ministries was to free people from being tormented by demons and evil spirits.
  

Jesus gave his authority over demons to the apostles:

• And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him,
  He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out (Matt. 10:1);
  
• Peter and the apostles healed all those with unclean spirits (Acts 5:16);
  
• Phillip cast out and healed those who were possessed by unclean spirits (Acts 8:7);
  
• Paul cast out evil spirit in a fortune teller (Acts 16:18);
  
• Even Paul's handkerchiefs and aprons cast out and healed people from evil spirits (Acts 19:11-:16);
  

Jesus gave authority over demons to the additional 72 followers of Jesus:

• The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." ^18 He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. ^19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. ^20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." (Luke 10:17-19)
  

Our enemy is not people of different views, ideologies, or religions. Instead, our only enemy are the spiritual enemies around us (Eph 6:12 - For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.)

 

So do we in 21^st century America have this same authority that the apostles were given over demons and evil spirits? My answer is I don't know, this is one issue that is hard to be certain of. But God's Word says that Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:10). And if it is Jesus' authority that demons fear, then we may have the same authority given by Jesus to the 72 followers of Jesus in Luke 10:17. The 72 followers of Christ described in Luke 10:17-19 were not super-Christians. They did not have special powers – they were not special exorcists. They were simply people who called Jesus their Lord and Savior, and it was Jesus' authority that did the rest. And because Jesus' authority has not changed, it seems that we also can use this power for God's glory.

How do we fight our enemy? First, we have the full armor of God described in Ephesians 6:10-18. Start also with prayer, ask God for discernment of what is from God and what is from the enemy. Next, use the name of Jesus and His authority through stern words (Luke 4:35), with rebukes (Mark 1:25), and sometimes even with prayer and fasting (Mark 9:29). Perhaps this is what James meant when he said that we should submit to God and resist the enemy (James 4:7). There is also power in God's Word, by remembering verses and even saying them aloud. If you are feeling overwhelmed with the battles that you facing, it may be a spiritual battle you are facing. Our enemies are not the people around us, but instead our enemies are the unseen evil forces around us (Ephesians 6:12). So the next time you sense evil spiritual forces attacking you or your family, try something new and get into the spiritual battle with the weapons and armor that the Lord has provided. God please be with us in the battles we are facing.

Authority from Jesus – Part 1

Hi everyone, I hope this day finds you in good health and in a good spirit. I wanted to write today on the problem of children leaving the faith of their parents, along with a possible way to help. First, the statistics: in a recent study called the PEW study (http://www.onenewsnow.com/Church/Default.aspx?id=68377) the study found that 44 percent of adults have left the denomination of their childhood for another denomination, another faith, or no faith at all. According to the 2005 study on youth entitled, "National Study of Youth and Religion," thousands of non-religious teenagers were interviewed who said they were raised to be religious but had become "non-religious." The teenagers were asked, "Why did you fall away from the faith in which you were raised?" They were given no set answers to pick from; it was simply an open-ended question. The most common answer (32%) was intellectual skepticism. http://www.christianworldviewnetwork.com/article.php/77/Sean_McDowell

 

So children leave the faith of their parents, and even leave faith altogether because of intellectual skepticism. But is there anything parents can do to help combat their children's lack of faith? I believe at least one part of the solution is that parent's are given spiritual authority over their children, with this power going unused. Let me explain with two Biblical examples:

 

First, we know of the example of Moses and the disobedient people of Israel, as set out in the Books of Exodus and Numbers. In Numbers 14, we see that the people of Israel rebelled against Moses and Aaron as they are about to enter the Promised Land of Canaan, and the reports of the spies come back of the inhabitants being giants. And the people of Israel ask that a new leader be appointed and that they return to Egypt (Numbers 14:4). But Moses, as God's appointed leader over Israel was able to intercede on behalf of Israel, and ask God's forgiveness:

 

(Moses said) Please pardon the iniquity of this people, according to the greatness of your steadfast love, just as you have forgiven this people, from Egypt until now."

 

²⁰ Then the Lord said, "I have pardoned, according to your word. (Numbers 14:19-:20.)

 

This story shows all of Israel's sins were forgiven based upon the authority of its leader (Moses) and his plea to God for forgiveness. Let's not touch the topic of what this story means for who we should vote for in the next election, but let's see if this story has any application for parents. Do parents also have this kind of authority to ask for forgiveness of their children's sins? I think the story of Job shows that they do.

 

In Job, we see that Job is an upright man who shunned evil (Job 1:1). At the beginning of the story, Job and his wife have 10 children. And apparently these children were adult children who held parties of their own (Job 1:13). Yet, Job would offer burnt sacrifices for each of his children early in the morning after any celebration of feats, to "purify them" (Job 1:5, NLT). Job did this in case any of his children sinned by cursing God in their hearts (Job 1:6). And Job did this all the time for his children (Job 1:6).

 

Now, how much more powerful would our intercessions for our children be under the new Covenant of Jesus Christ? Though Job made repeated sacrifices of animals on his children's behalf, we have a much better sacrifice, the Lamb of God Himself, Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross. And so, as Hebrews 9:14 teaches, just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds, compared to the ceremonial sacrifices offer in the Old Testament. Therefore, I am saying that we can ask for forgiveness for our children by the blood of Jesus, just as Job repeatedly made sacrifices for his children.

 

Will our asking God for forgiveness of our children, grandchildren, godchildren, cause them to stop leaving their faith? No, not by this alone. But I like the chances of a child who is prayed for over the one who is not. So my take away application for those reading this, is that God has given us authority through our role as parent, godparent, grandparent, and others. Use your authority today and offer a sacrifice of praise and a prayer for forgiveness for others, as Moses and Job did before use. Thanks be to God.