A new statement has appeared from the same group demanding answers from Gary. Scripture verses have finally been included, giving him a place to begin interacting with both the original three questions and the statement. Modern writers from all different eschatological positions are beginning to recognize the historical fact that preterist interpretations of John’s visions are not a novelty that h [...]
With AD30 in the rear-view mirror and AD70 still to occur, the New Testament documents are written during a short time period with a high level of expectancy and imminency. Kim Burgess continues his look at Romans 11, especially verses 25-26. Salvation comes to the Gentiles through the Jews, not in spite of them. Paul says he was in chains “for the hope of Israel” in Acts 28:20. So wha [...]
The FIRST of several podcasts about the “Three Questions Letter” controversy has been made public for all the world to see. By scrolling down to the end of this article, you will find the link. I will be recording a SECOND podcast to be posted soon after. Depending on how far I get in the SECOND podcast, there will most likely be a THIRD. What I can guarantee is some very interesting i [...]
We repeatedly find prophecy writers who try in vain to apply Old Testament fulfilled prophecies to current events. What’s surprising is that they claim to interpret the Bible literally. For them horses mean “horsepower,” bows and arrows mean “missile launchers and missiles,” and chariots mean “tanks.” But in the case of Ezekiel 38-39, these prophecy speculators really get things wrong. The God and [...]
Biblical eschatology has been studied, discussed, and debated for millennia. No chapter is more pivotal—and controversial—than Romans 11. It has been used for nearly every future scenario and scheme in biblical prophecy. Oddly, with as much focus as there seems to be on Israel in most systems, they usually miss the point Paul is making and the context of what he is actually saying throughout the e [...]
A post on a Facebook page has an interesting discussion on Luke 17 and its relationship to Matthew 24-25 and Greg L. Bahnsen’s view of that relationship. Dr. Bahnsen took the view that Luke 17:22-37 refers to the Second Coming while Matthew 24:1-34 refers to the judgment on Jerusalem that took place before that first-century generation passed away (24:34). Kenneth Gentry agrees with Dr. Bahnsen. K [...]
Kim discusses Hebrews 9, Acts 2-3, 2 Peter 3, and other NT and OT passages regarding the biblical understanding of Israel. Building on what he’s already taught in earlier podcasts, he continues his exegetical case for covenant hermeneutics. The consummation of Israel’s eschatology opened the door for the restoration of the nations, which is still ongoing today. Click here for today’s e [...]
Gary responds to recent article by John Piper, which is an excerpt of his new book, Come, Lord Jesus. The biblical writers are straightforward in their claim that certain prophetic events were to happen “soon” for those who first read the prophecies. The eschatological events were near for them. No other interpretation is possible if the words are taken in their “plain, primary, ordinary, usual, o [...]
(The following is the preface to a new edition of Left Behind: Separating Fact from Fiction. The book is currently in production and will be available in print next month.) I thought we were done with the Left Behind film franchise that started in 2000 with Kirk Cameron who played Buck Williams in three films, a television journalist investigating the sudden disappearances of millions of people. L [...]
There’s a debate going on about the translation of the Greek word mellō. Depending on the context, mellō can mean “about to” and “on the point of being done.” At times mellō is not translated and has the meaning of “necessity.” By reading some (most?) translations, the reader unfamiliar with Greek would never know mellō is used in some passages since it is often untranslated. For example, in Revel [...]
I received the following in an email: The Vatican is pushing for the establishment of “a supranational authority” with worldwide scope and “universal jurisdiction” to guide economic policies and decisions. (i.e., a one world bank) I know that some of you will be mad at what you are about to read. That’s OK. I don’t mind. Now is the time to prepare for what may be some very difficult living conditi [...]
Gary answers a listener question about the difference between how the word “age” is understood in Matthew 13 and Matthew 24. Typically, the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares in Matthew 13 is often understood as describing the full course of redemptive history leading to the end of our world. It seems, however, that everything in Matthew’s Gospel — from fleeing the wrath that was “abou [...]
Gary responds to a listener from Australia that asks about how certain Greek words are translated in the new Legacy Standard Bible. An indispensable rule in Bible interpretation is understanding a text in terms of its original setting and audience, always asking the question, “How would those who first picked up copies of the gospels and epistles have understood what they were reading?” Louis Berk [...]
Gary responds to a listener question regarding the “man of lawlessness” spoken of in 2 Thessalonians 2. In his description of the man of lawlessness, Paul makes it clear that he had a contemporary figure in mind. First, he tells the Thessalonians that “the mystery of lawlessness is already at work” (2 Thess. 2:7). Second, the Thessalonians knew what was presently restraining the man of [...]
Gary discusses a new movie being released from the Left Behind series of books, directed by and starring actor Kevin Sorbo. The antichrist of today’s speculative theology combines the characteristics of Daniel’s “prince who is to come” and other features from the book of Daniel (9:26; 7:7–8, 19–26; 8:23–25); elements from Matthew and Daniel’s “abomination of desolation” (Matt. 24:15; Dan. 9:27); P [...]
Gary discusses a post on Facebook recently where he was accused of sounding “popish” because of what he said about Mary. The Hope of worldwide conquest for Christianity has been the traditional faith of the Church through the ages. This fact can easily be demonstrated again and again. We can see it in the words of St. Athanasius, the great Church Father of the fourth century whose clas [...]
Facebook is not the place to find the best information and/or rebuttals to biblical content. The same can be true of the Internet in general. Here’s one I found interesting. When someone like the following person engages in personal attacks, be on your guard. You are about to be thrown a pile of theological manure passed off as food for thought. The following is so bad that I believe it’s necessar [...]
Gary summarizes the two recent interviews with Kim Burgess and what we can look forward to in ongoing discussions with him. The Bible is literature. God speaks to us in words and themes that can be understood. Not all literature can be interpreted in the same way. The Bible is one book even though it consists of 66 books written over thousands of years by different authors and yet there is a conne [...]
Gary continues his interview with Kim Burgess about the complete story of the Bible. Ancient and medieval literature abounds in numerical symbolism, large parallel structures, intricate chiastic devices, astral allusions, sweeping metaphors, typological parallels, and symbolism in general. Modern literature, whether fiction or non-fiction, is almost always written in a straight line. You don&rsquo [...]
Gary and Kim Burgess discuss eschatology and how all the pieces of the Bible fit together as a comprehensive whole. In the Western world for several centuries, men have assumed that the proper way to express truth is by means of abstract, philosophical language. Wherever we find imagery, parable, symbolism, or typology, we ought to translate such language into proper abstractions. This, however, i [...]
