Revelation Week Six

VII. Covenant Premillennialism AKA: The “Combination Approach”, the “Synthesis View”, the “Prophetic-apocalyptic Perspective”, the “Moderate Futurist View”, the “Historical View”, the “Historic Premillennial Approach”, (Whew! They need to pick one dang name!)

Cont. Main idea: Revelation was written to encourage, inform, and challenge first century Christians and Christians in every generation. Furthermore, it teaches Eternal Theological Principles and Portrays the Last Days of History and Beyond.

Key elements of Covenant Premillennialism 1. Revelation has meaning for first century Christians. 2. Revelation also has implications for each and every generation. 3. Revelation describes in broad perspective the last days of history. Reading (106)

Criticisms of the Covenantal Approach: 1. Neglects the imminence of Christ’s Return. Newport’s answer: We need to examine Christ’s command to “watch.” This does not mean imminence, but rather preparation. George Ladd argues that “watch” refers to Christ’s second coming and not to a secret rapture of the saints.

Cont. 2. There is a lack of Biblical Support and necessity for the millennium. (basically, what’s the point of Christ ruling here on earth for 1000 years?) Newport’s Answer: The millennium plays a crucial role In God’s plan. Paul leaves room for the millennium in I Cor. 15:23-26 Paul saw three stages in Christ’s triumph over death in these verses (the resurrection, the second coming, and the end.)

Cont. The millennium is necessary b/c it calls for a demonstration of God’s power here on earth. 2. This view neglects the teachings of the Jews in the Great Tribulation. (essentially, this view “spiritualizes” the references of “Israel” in Rev. to always mean “The Church.”)

Cont. Newport’s answer: In Romans 11 Paul did not indicate how or when the Jews would come to Christ. He left this task up to his sovereign Lord. 4. This view has a lack of conviction: Newport’s answer: “Because this view considers fine nuances of meaning and precise definitions in eschatology to be less important than Dispensationalism (cont.)

“…it does not stress the intensive study that Dispensationalism does. In the desire to avoid hair-splitting, the moderate covenantalists, have, at times, overreacted and have failed to emphasize sufficiently the great central eschatological facts.” (an honest statement)

Strengths of Covenantalsim 1. Strong view of the Bible 2. It is generally a positive and optimistic viewpoint. (Although the days of tribulation await the Church, the thrust of the model is the Christian’s hope for victory and assurance of protection.) Ben’s thought: Is there “protection” if the Church is going to be part of the tribulation?

Cont. 3. The view encourages Christian involvement. Reading (111) 4. It has a strong future orientation. (This view has preserved something of a genuine sense of mystery in the Biblical Revelation) The argument is that the dispensationalists try to figure every event out, leaving nothing to the mystery of Scripture.

Cont. 4. It has a long history. (It can be traced back to the patristic era of Church History) 5. It is both present and future. Reading (111) Conclusions? Reading (112)

An Overview of the Book of Revelation: Remember: “Think Paragraphs” Reading (112) 1. Chapters 1-2 Prologue and John’s Visions 2. Chapters 2-3 Letters to the seven churches

Cont. 3. Chapters 4-5 Vision of Heaven and the Dominant Theme 4. Chapter 6 The Dynamics of Church History 5. Chapter 7 The First Interlude-Encouragement of the Church

Cont. 6. Chapters 8-9 The Seven Trumpet Judgments 7. Chapters The Second Interlude-Call to Witness 8. Chapters The Third Interlude-Satan’s Defeat and Activity

Cont. 9. Chapters The Vengeance of Babylon 10. Chapters The Seven Bowl Judgments, the return of Christ, the Millennium, and the Final State

What are the Eternal and Abiding Truths of Revelation? 1. A vivid sense of the Majesty of God and the Centrality of Jesus Christ who Triumphed Through his Vicarious Sacrifice 2. A realistic Statement of the Reality and Power of Evil 3. A Strong Implication that the Christian Churches Should Take a Stand Against the Collective Forces of Evil.

Cont. 4. The Truth of the Doctrine of the Antichrist Reading (119) 5. The Portrayal of the Church as Embattled 6. An Emphasis on the Fact that Suffering in the World Is the Reverse Side of Fellowship with Christ is Glory

Cont. 7. A Strong Emphasis on Worship 8. An Emphasis on the Fact that History is Linear and Not Cyclical and is Moving Toward the Divine Destiny Reading (120) 9. A Strong Emphasis on Judgment 10. An important emphasis on the Separation of True from False Worship

Cont. 11. Implications for Political Perspective, Christian Social Action, and Christian Humanization 12. Assurance of Triumph Reading (122) 13. The Emphasis on a Christian Philosophy of the Meaning of History