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Hoyte Nelson's Poems/ Reflections & Biblical Essays
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Essay Theological Truths about Eschatological Matters “And
ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).
In
this article it is my desire to reflect upon several fundamental passages of
scripture that are of special interest to me. I believe that a correct
understanding of them could aid in a better understanding of “eschatological
facts: 1). God’s secret revealed: “Even
the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations,” (Colossians
1:26,27) The “mystery” that was kept secret in ages past is that the Jew and
the Gentile would forever be ONE as the Church of the Lord Jesus: Paul wrote,
“For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle
wall of partition between us”
(Ephesians 2:14). Again, “That the
Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his
promise in Christ by the gospel” (Ephesians 3:6). “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of
this mystery (concerning Jew and Gentile as one in Christ), lest ye should be
wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until
the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.” (And when they have come into the
fold as ONE in Christ, then, as ONE “all Israel shall be saved.” (Romans
11:25,26). Comment: Isn’t it a fact that only a “remnant”
from the people called “Israel” as referenced by the Apostle Paul
(Prophesied by Isaiah), will be saved? (Romans 9:27); therefore, when the
“mystery” (Jew and Gentile as ONE), are brought into the kingdom, “All
Israel will be saved” (Romans 11: 26,33-36). 2). God’s mystery concerning
the Martyred Saints revealed: “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and
judgment was given unto them: and I saw
the souls of them that were beheaded
for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped
the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and
they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the
dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is
the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is
he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no
power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him
a thousand years” (Revelation 20:4-6). Comment: The “souls” of all
the “resurrected” martyrs-saints is the audience about whom this passage of
scripture is addressed. Neither Israel, nor the Jews, (or the Gentile) are
referenced in this passage. And since this is called “the first
resurrection,” the earth is not a part of God’s purpose in the millennium
because there is no mention of an “earthly reign of Christ” in the
millennium passage. Yes, the prophets had been given insights in to the eternal
kingdom of Christ (2 Peter 3:13), but to my knowledge all the OT Prophets looked
only for an eternal Kingdom. 3). God’s Mystery in the
Tribulation: Rev.
1:9a “I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation…”
Rev.
7:14 “… These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed
their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Comment: Revelation 1:9,
presents the fact that the first century Christians were in tribulation.
(History also confirms this fact), and Revelation 7:13-17 picture’s them as
having been redeemed form their trails. God is always faithful to His people in
spite of their Trials. 4). God’s mystery of the Resurrection: “But I would not have you to
be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not,
even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose
again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him”
(1Thessalonians 4:13,14). Comment: The central truth of
the above passage is the facts that that in the resurrection the living shall
not proceed those who have died as we meet the Lord in the air. Generally
speaking, in matters concerning the after life, no one passage of scriptures
gives us more than a simple glimpse into the wonders of the resurrection;
however, in the second letter to the Thessalonians the Apostle Paul has given
unto us a more complete insight as to the larger picture of that day when he
writes: “These (the lost) will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away
from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when
He comes to be glorified in His saints on
that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed—for our
testimony to you was believed” (2 Thessalonians 1: 9,10, NASV). The judgment
of the lost, and the rewarding of the saint – “on that day,” Meaning,
“the day of the Lord.” Comment: I
have read several “statements of faith” in documents establishing Baptist
Churches, and all had one thing in common: A belief in a “general
resurrection.” |