Category Archives: Eschatology

Evangelicals and the Doctrine of Eternal Punishment

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Historically, the major Christian denominations have taught that those who die outside of Christ will suffer eternal punishment in hell. Many religious leaders today either deny this or aren’t sure. While a denial of hell has been a characteristic of theological liberalism and of the cults, its de-emphasis and denial are now the positions of noted evangelical leaders as well. The late 1960s and early 1970s saw a new Statement of Faith adopted and published by Fuller Theological Seminary in which the old Statement’s language of Christ “assigning unbelievers to eternal punishment” was changed to state that “the wicked shall be separated from God’s presence.”

Is Rosenthal Right About the Rapture?

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A long time ago, Solomon opined that “of the making of many books there is no end” (Ecc. 12:12). If this was true in the 10th century before Christ, it is even more true in the 20 th century after Christ. Prompted by the volatile world situation, there is especially a proliferation of prophetic publications. Most books have little impact. Not so one recent book, The Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990). This all-out attack on the pretribulational rapture position is making a splash on the theological scene.

Prophetic Guidelines for the Persian Gulf

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Like a desert sandstorm, the self-proclaimed master of Mesopotamia swept into Kuwait and came dangerously close to usurping by brute force one half of the world’s oil supply. This swirling storm has meanwhile engulfed the Middle East and may well sweep the rest of the world into its maelstrom. Saddam Hussein’s conquest of Kuwait and threats against Saudi Arabia and Israel graphically demonstrate the volatile nature of the Persian Gulf region. In less than two weeks a multinational army under American command, larger than anything seen since World War II, has been deployed to contain the madman.

Prophetic Portents in Eastern Europe?

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The world has watched with utter amazement the unexpected political changes in Eastern Europe during the final weeks of 1989. Believers are especially interested in what is transpiring. Many of them are enquiring about the prophetic and practical implications of the dramatic developments. In response to numerous questions about the changes and challenges in the Communist camp, the following observations are offered: I. The Profound Revolution in Communist Countries. A. Changes in Government: In a matter of weeks Soviet vassal states have crumbled: Poland fell August 18–19; Hungary, October 7; East Germany, November 9; Bulgaria, November 10; Czechoslovakia, November 29; and Romania, December 22.

How Soon the Rapture?

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Before me is a humorous “Casey” cartoon recording a conversation between Joe, the taxi driver, and Casey. “Casey, you know the guy who told me the world would end August 30?” “Yeah, Joe…” “..today he tells me it’s been moved up to November 4th…” “How come?” “…he said he changed religions.” This comic strip expresses a tragic truth: everyone seems to have a special date for end-time events. The 1980s seem especially destined to be the decade of the date-setters. Many are speculating concerning the dates of the Rapture and Second Advent.

The Rapture: A Hope or a Hoax?

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Each summer I have the privilege of ministering to Iron Curtain believers in East Germany and Czechoslovakia. I am asked by pastors to way a word of encouragement to their people. What does one tell believers who have been enslaved by Communism for four decades? One truth that never fails to bring comfort and courage to their hearts is the certainty of the any moment return of Christ. What a delight to be able to share with them passages such as John 14 and 1 Thess.