FROM PASTOR TIM JOHNSON:
I am so glad so many of our flock are learning a great deal in this series on Premillennialism. But remember, read your Bibles for yourselves. I am very fallible, but the Word of God is without error.
To that end, I hope you are all reading, and re-reading Revelation 20, 1 Corinthians 15, and now Isaiah 24. For this Sunday, you would do well to read Romans 9-11 carefully and I will concentrate on the end of Revelation 11.
Many denominations divide over eschatology (the study of the End Times) in large measure because of how one views the future, or non-future of Israel. Some think that the unfulfilled promises offered to Israel in the Old Testament are now fulfilled in the church.
Others, like me, argue that those promises will still be fulfilled for Israel in the future. It comes down to how one interprets the prophets, and, New Testament references to Israel. Not many Christians read the prophets carefully, or at all.
In the end, a far less biblically-literate culture that simply does not read their
Bibles, particularly the Old Testament, is less prepared to know how to treat
these kinds of issues. I can’t help but think that one of the reasons we are
dealing with this issue in the 21st Century is that Bible literacy is at an all-time low.
So, my forever plea to my Rock Valley Chapel flock is to spend more time reading the inspired Word of God, and less time watching TV or things on the web, or, even slumbering through Facebook. Read your Bibles. Be informed of what God has designed us to know.
Emily has made several resources available at our website for you to consult as you join us in learning and praying about this issue including a brief paper I
wrote on behalf of, and with the consent of, the Elders. It is our official
position at this point and well worth your reading.
Rescued by Christ,
Pastor Tim