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The Truth
About Dispensational Truth TRUTH DEFINED
First of all, let us ask the question that Pilate asked
Jesus, "WHAT IS TRUTH?"
How do we recognize truth when it is presented? How do we sort
out truth in religion when theology confronts us with thousands
of claims, counter claims, conflicting and often confusing
dogmas, which apparently sincere individuals assert and
sometimes vehemently expound as truth? What IS truth?
Truth is a very rigid word. Courts require witnesses to tell
the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Truth is
akin to reality. It is an ultimate, alone and separate from any
rival. Rogert's Thesaurus enlightens us with truth being
veracity, fact, naked, plain, exact, intrinsic and honest as
well as fidelity. Truth is accurate, constant, unerring,
unimpeachable, definite, scrupulous, meticulous and tangible,
along with many other meanings. Kenneth Wuest, in his "Word
Studies," defines truth from the Greek words that mean
unconcealed, unhidden… that which will stand scrutiny or
investigation. Further he cites the gospel of John, which uses
the word more than all the rest of the New Testament, as
meaning, "That which has not only the name and semblance,
but the real nature corresponding to the name."
According to the above definition, there is no such thing as
Dispensational "truth." There may be Dispensational
doctrine, teaching, interpretation, dogma or theories, but TRUTH
will not accommodate itself to any such adjective. Jesus said,
"I am the Way, the Truth and the Life." He did not
say, "The Dispensational Truth," for that would
destroy the meaning of truth. Jesus told us that one way to
identify truth is by what it does, "Ye shall know the truth
and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32. Truth is the
opposite of error and has an opposite effect. Truth is simple
and profound. Error is mysterious and complicated. The farther
truth is pursued the easier it is to maintain, which error
multiplies its weaknesses and eventually crushes the ones who
support it. Error is temporary while truth is eternal.
Perhaps it is only fair to give a definition of what
so-called Dispensational truth really is. Very briefly, it is
allied with Pre-millennialism although the Dispensational
emphasis of the doctrine did not originate until 1840. Its first
followers were known as Irvingites and Darbyites, and later on
as Brethren. Today you will find Dispensationalists among many
denominations where they make bold claims of being
fundamentalists. In this article we are not concerned so much
about who they are or where they are, but we are concerned about
their claim to bring dominant teaching of the New Testament and
of the early church during the first three hundred years of its
existence.
Dr. John Walvoord, in his book called, "The Millennial
Kingdom," makes the following statements: "For most
sober students of the Scriptures, the basic question in regard
to the millennium is whether the Bible itself teaches decisively
one view or the other." P. 37. This is definitely a fair
statement for God's Word is the final arbiter concerning faith
and doctrine regarding believers. Mr. Walvoord follows this
statement with these quotations: "The New Testament bears
no record of a millennial dispute." P. 38. We do not
question this statement. Quote: "For 150 years after the
crucifixion of Christ, the millennarians have only one disputed
exponent -- Barnabas…such is the void that faces those seeking
evidence of a-millennialism." P. 44. Quote: "Origen in
the first half of the third century was the first to raise an
influential voice against the pre-millennial view." P.24.
Quote: "The second century, like the first, is devoid of
any testimony whatever for a-millennialism, except at its
close." P. 43. Quote: "In the first two centuries only
the disputed (a-millennial) testimony of Barnabas can be
cited." P. 46. Mr. Walvoord credits Augustine as being the
chief scholar to promote the a-millennial doctrine, which was in
the fourth century after Christ.
While the foregoing list of Pre-millennial champions in the
early church is somewhat impressive, it is not convincing
because A-millennial writers can counter with an equally
imposing number of A-millennialists and claim that the only
Millennarian in the first century was a man names Cerinthus, who
was branded as a heretic. The strange thing about this phase of
the argument is that both Pre-millennialists and A-millennialists
will claim the same church Fathers as their champions. Since no
layman can possibly know which side is correct we must dismiss
this evidence as irrelevant, and return to the Word of God for
our answer. Remember, we are seeking for an answer to "The
truth about Dispensational Truth."
The Source of Truth
The proper place to seek truth is always at its source.
There, if nowhere else, truth bubbles forth unadulterated,
uncontaminated and undiluted. The fountain of truth concerning
the teaching of the New Testament is found in Acts 2 where Peter
enunciated the first gospel message under the anointing of the
Holy Ghost. Here the truth poured forth clear and so
understandable that every listener knew exactly what it meant
and what he was required to do. It is the claim of
Dispensationalists that Peter was a Pre-millennialist and that
A-millennialism did not appear during the first 350 years of the
early church history. This would guarantee, then, that Peter was
a Pre-millennialist, as well as all the Apostles. This being the
case we would expect the sermon on the Day of Pentecost would be
a typical Dispensationalist message since it was to set the
pattern of preaching for the entire church age. We will assume,
therefore, that Peter was a Dispensationalist and that he would
say what their doctrine teaches.
We regard this platform as fair because if Dispensationalism
is the truth today it will have to conform to the original truth
proclaimed at Pentecost where the original pattern and blue
print of truth was announced. To quote Dr. Walvoord again, he
says, "The testimony of history unites in one river of
evidence that the theology of the Old Testament and the Theology
of the early church was not only pre-millennial, but
pre-millennialism was practically undisputed except by heretics
and skeptics until the time of Augustine. The coming of Christ
as a prelude for the establishment of a kingdom of righteousness
on earth in fulfillment of the O. T. prophecies was the almost
uniform expectation of the Jews at the time of the incarnation
and of the early church. …Pre-millennialism is founded
principally on the interpretation of the Old Testament."
Millennial Kingdom, pp. 113, 114. We readily concur with Dr.
Walvoord that Pre-millennialism is based on the INTERPRETATION,
(namely their "interpretation) of the Old Testament. Now if
their interpretation is the truth, it must correspond with the
truth which Peter declared under the anointing of the Holy Ghost
on the Day of Pentecost. We will have to concede that Peter was
a Dispensationalist according to the claims that only heretics
preached anything but Pre-millennialism during the first three
centuries. That being the case, let us listen to what Peter
would have said according to the highest theological exponents
of Dispensational TRUTH today. Remember "truth" does
not change. What was true on the day of Pentecost, is still true
today.
The Perversion of Truth
Now if Peter were a Dispensationalist his sermon on the Day
of Pentecost would correspond with so-called Fundamentalism and
Dispensational truth today. His Pentecostal sermon, therefore,
would be somewhat as follows: I'm glad to see such a crowd of
people out to this religious rally. How many in this great
audience are Jews?…I see by the hands that everyone present is
a Jew. That is good for the Jews even in unbelief are still
God's chosen people, and will always be known as the People of
God. (Scofield Ref. Bible, p. 1337.) I know that you are
wondering about the Messiah and the earthly kingdom which He is
to set up. You are absolutely right about that, just as your
Talmud says, for the Messiah is coming back to set up that
Kingdom yet. In fact He would have set it up during His ministry
but you rejected His offer and when you crucified Him you
stopped God's clock. There won't be another tick on God's clock
until He starts dealing with you again. (Copied from
Blackstone's Jesus is Coming and H. A. Ironside's Great
Parenthesis, P. 23.)
I have a great announcement to make. We are about to enter
into The Great Parenthesis, a period of time which was not
revealed to your prophets. It is a HIDDEN INTERVAL known as the
mystery of the church age, or age of grace. Even poor Daniel
missed this Dispensation, as did all the other prophets. We must
not be too hard on these men, though, for they did not have the
advantage of Dispensationalism to help them "rightly divide
the Word of Truth." All that they saw was the earthly
kingdom in the far future, but they entirely missed the church
age, which was to intervene. (Great Parenthesis, p. 12 et al).
Let me ask you this question, "Could we, by any
possibility, realize through reading Isaiah 61:9-11, that there
was a great parenthesis between the two clauses, "The
acceptable year of the Lord," and "The day of
vengeance of our God?" Only a comma separates these clauses
and yet the entire church age is inserted in that hidden
interval." Just think of that! (Great Parenthesis, p. 34.)
Perhaps I should explain just what it means by the statement
that you stopped God's clock. You will recall that Daniel
prophesied that there were Seventy Weeks Determined by God on
our people. However, since "Nothing can be found in history
that provides a literal fulfillment of the seventieth week (of
Daniel), many take this to mean that a postponement of the
seventieth week is imperative. Now IF this is correct, then a
parenthesis of the coming age is indicated." (The
Millennial Kingdom, John Walvoord, p. 227). It bothers me a
little to tell you Daniel's prophecy had to be postponed in view
of the fact that Deuteronomy 18:22 says, "When a prophet
speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor
come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken,
but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shat not be
afraid of him." However, IF our interpretation of the Old
Testament is correct and there is nothing in history to provide
a LITERAL fulfillment, then a postponement has to be invented by
discovering a HIDDEN interval. Just how you discover a HIDDEN
interval or measure HIDDEN time, I am not prepared to say.
I am glad to announce to you, however, that the Messiah is
coming back again. He will land on the Mount of Olives with such
force that the mountain itself will cleave in two. This
spectacular even will cause the Jews in the surrounding area to
believe in the Messiah after all. The Jewish news agency will
seize on the advent with screaming headlines and blare the news
around the world and whole nations will be converted. The
Messiah, it seems, will get King David out of his tomb to help
Him manage things acting as a prince under the Messiah. (The
Millennial Kingdom, p. 300 and Israel in Prophecy, p. 121.) John
Walvoord.
I know you will be interested in knowing what conditions will
be like during the millennium. I am sorry I don't have the
latest Almanac or seed catalog handy, but according to
pre-millennial forecasts on crop and weather reports, there will
be ample rainfall and abundant crops. This copious rainfall
together with unprecedented crop yields, will provide a life of
ease and economic security for all. (Israel In Prophecy, John
Walvoord, p.127). The spiritual needs of the people during the
millennium will not be forgotten for a magnificent temple will
be erected in Jerusalem, on the altars of which memorial animal
sacrifices will be offered continually under a new priesthood. (Scofield
Ref. Bible p. 890.)
I see my time is gone. You have been a wonderful audience to
listen so patiently. Before closing, however, I am going to take
time for one or two questions. Does anyone have a question? Yes,
the brother over here wants to know when all this is going to
happen. A very penetrating question indeed! Let me answer by
saying that it will happen when the Gentile age comes to an end.
We don't know exactly when that will be, but according to Rex
Humbard's book called The Absolute Certainty of Jesus' Coming
Again on page 54, he says, "No devout believer in the
inspired Word of God will ignore the FACT that earthquakes UNDER
CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, are to be regarded as a sign, FROM THE
VERY LIPS OF JESUS, of the end of the Gentile times and the
close of this age of grace." Mr. Humbard does not enlighten
us as to where or when the lips of Jesus uttered these words nor
what the circumstances are that indicate which earthquakes
reveal the end of the age. All I can say is, Keep your eye on
earthquakes. One of them is sure to be right.
There's Just time for one more question. Yes, the brother
over here wants to know how the Millennial rule will end. The
answer is that after the glorious rule of the Messiah for a
thousand years, Satan will be paroled again, and he will subvert
the followers of Christ in the Millennial Kingdom like the sand
of the sea. As a result of this insurrection there will be a
civil war with bloodshed on a scale never equaled before in
history. Blood will flow, or be spattered as high as the horses
bridle for a distance of 200 miles. The carnage and slaughter
will be greater than all the warmongers of all time, but Christ
will gain an overwhelming victory. This is the last time anyone
will ever oppose Christ. He will then hang up His dripping sword
and the saints will go and enjoy heaven for all eternity.
(Alford).
That's all the time I have today for questions. I want you
all to attend the synagogue of your choice and come back praying
for this wonderful revival. If anyone wants further information
we ask you to sign the visitor's cards being passed out, or just
ask for literature and we will send it free of charge, telling
you all about the things mentioned in my sermon. Let us pray!
Truth Declared
Let me ask one question. Is that Acts 2? Every statement
attributed to Peter is quoted from Dispensational literature. If
Peter were a Dispensationalist he could not say something
different from the Dispensational TRUTH for truth does not
change. And yet, when we compare these statements with what
actually transpired on the Day of Pentecost, we not only find
that they do no correspond, but in almost every detail, they are
the very opposite to what Peter said.
Let us examine the evidence. Peter said nothing about a
parenthesis, a hidden interval or of the prophets knowing
nothing of the church age. Instead Peter said, "THIS IS
THAT which was spoken of by the prophet Joel." Acts 2:16.
When Peter confirmed Pentecost with an appeal to the prophets,
he was following Christ's example in Luke 24:44-47,
"…That all things must be fulfilled which were written in
the law of Moses, AND IN THE PROPHETS and in the Psalms,
concerning Me. Then opened He their understanding that they
might understand the Scriptures. "…that repentance and
remission of sins be preached in His name…" exactly what
Peter did.
Peter did not say the Kingdom of God depended on a Jewish
plebiscite, which rejected Him, but rather on God's Sovereign
Will which declared Him to be both Lord and Christ by
acclamation. Acts 2:36. Peter did not see Christ's Kingdom
postponed to the unknown future, but rather he proclaimed that
he was an "eyewitness to HIS MAJESTY." 2 Pet. 1:16.
Blackstone, in Jesus Is Coming says, "The Millennium as the
teaching of the Old Testament…was the view most frequently
expressed in the TALMUD." Then he says, "We can
consistently, with the Jews, base our conclusions…on the great
week of the Millennium." pp 38, 39. Paul warned both Titus
and Timothy to beware of fables, especially "Not giving
heed to JEWISH fables." Titus 1:14. Peter said, "For
we have not followed cunningly devised fables…" 2 Pet.
1:16. The Pulpit Commentaries link the fables referred to with
the Talmud, which it says is full of them. Yet this Talmud which
Christ said, "Made the Word of God of none effect," is
the greatest original authority for Dispensationalism.
Peter did not tacitly blaspheme the Holy Ghost by suggesting
He made an error and telling his audience that "God's clock
stopped." ALL Scripture is given by inspiration of
God…" 2 Tim. 3:16. The only clocks that can stop are the
ones that belong to people who have clocks, like Dispensational
clocks, for instance. God does not need a clock, or a Jewish
"sun dial," for He dwells in eternity and "Known
unto God are ALL His works from the beginning of the
world." Acts 15:18.
Peter did not come before his audience to announce a PATHETIC
apology, suggesting that the prophets did not foresee the age of
grace. Instead he came with a PROPHETIC assurance of fulfillment
of God's promises. Peter did not see the church as a church
(crutch) for God to hobble through an embarrassing parenthetic
period unforeseen by the prophets, (and therefore, unforeseen by
God Himself since He inspired prophecy) but he hailed the church
as a glorious fulfillment of Christ's design and purpose as He
said, "I will build MY church."
Peter did not say that God would rouse David from his tomb to
assist Him in managing His Kingdom, but he said, "David is
in his sepulcher, but that God would raise (resurrect) up Christ
to sit on David's spiritual throne," which he called HIS
throne. Acts 2:29-32. Nor did Peter say that Christ was coming
back to Jerusalem to set up His Kingdom, but that He is NOW
"By the right hand of God EXALTED" (past tense) and
that God HATH made (past tense) Him both Lord and Christ."
That is both King and Messiah. Peter didn't portray future
earthly bumper crops and social security comparable to the
promises one hears in election campaigns, nor did He predict the
weather report for the Millennium like an Almanac as
Dispensationalists do, but Peter proclaimed God's Kingdom
through repentance and forgiveness. Peter did not preach future
events, but he proclaimed present principles. Peter's message
was not speculations about the future but regulations for the
present Kingdom.
Peter did not see the Old Testament prophecies postponed to a
future age. If Peter had have preached a Dispensational sermon a
Pentecost, Judaism would have been the TOMB of Christianity
instead of the WOMB, the age of Grace. Peter heralded the truth
that the Old Testament promises were being realized in the
gospel and were bursting into reality with awe-inspiring dynamic
power, supported with "many infallible proofs." Thus
Christ is introduced as the new Moses, raised (resurrected) up
in accordance with Deut. 18:15, as the Divine lawgiver of the
Kingdom of God. Acts 3:22. He saw Christ leading the NEW EXODUS,
not from Egypt to Canaan, but from the thralldom of sin and
Satan's kingdom into the glorious liberty of the Kingdom of God.
Col. 1:13. He saw Christ restoring our inheritance which was
lost through the fall. This new exodus commenced on the Day of
Pentecost when the first contingent of the Remnant followed
Christ through repentance and surrendered to His rule. These are
the ones God calls His people. This Israel never ceased from
being a nation. 1 Pet. 2:9. Christ is the new Joshua leading His
followers to rest and peace in the Canaan of the New Testament
after the conquest of vice and evil. Christ is the New Testament
Samson. Samson was imprisoned in Gaza and he escaped by taking
the gates off their hinges and hiding them where they were never
found again. In like manner Christ unhinged the tomb, destroyed
its terror, and left it as a gateway to glory rather than as a
prison of despair. Christ is the New Testament Melchizedek, our
eternal High Priest and mediator between man and God. He is the
New Testament sacrifice, once and for all. We not only do not
need such a MEMORIAL in the millennium -- how can we forget HIS
sacrifice. A restoration of animal sacrifices would be an insult
to Him when that is the very thing He came to abolish with His
sacrifice.
Much can be said, but we must add this statement. Peter did
not proclaim a millennium in which an insurrection would break
out and involve Christ in a carnal warfare. Perish the thought!
Christ is Deity. The millennium of the Dispensationalists ends
in the most colossal fiasco of the ages. The declension of
subjects from Christ to Satan is not equaled in the annals of
time. The barbarous means Christ uses to quell the insurrection
are without parallel in history. A doctrine that "paints
itself into a corner" where the Christ they serve is
portrayed as a vindictive tyrannous anti-Christ bathed in human
blood He has spilled before He can enjoy eternity defies every
Christian concept of the Christ of the gospels and the Christ of
Calvary. The teaching is not so revolutionary as it is
revolting! A doctrine so bereft of the right conclusion must be
construed to have the wrong premise to start with. A doctrine
that errs so far from the PATTERN of truth cannot be truth. You
can call it Dispensational trash or trumpery or Dispensational
interpretation, but it is not truth. Truth does not contradict
itself. A Kenneth Wuest defines the word; Truth is "That
which has not only the name and semblance, but the real nature
corresponding to the name. Truth is unconcealed and unhidden.
You do not find it in "hidden intervals," injecting it
into clauses separated by commas, not in subtle mysteries, which
can only be discerned by experts, so-called.
Truth Verified
Peter's message on the Day of Pentecost was simple, clear,
understood by all, straight forward, lucid and above all it left
no doubt as to its authority. Peter's message would not be
recognizable in Dispensational terms. Therefore, we must label
the Dispensational claim that Peter was a Pre-millennialist as
false. That the early church was Pre-millennial in doctrine is
also false. There is no such evidence. That Pre-millennialism is
in harmony with Jewish theology and thought as well as the
Talmudic interpretation of the Old Testament, we readily agree.
But this is the interpretation Jesus said "Made the Word of
God of none effect." Mark 7:13.
It is further observed that "Pre-millennialism is
founded principally on the interpretation of the Old
Testament." Walvoord, The Millennial Kingdom, p. 114. We
heartily agree with this statement. But we must add that the Old
Testament is no longer in force. It was annulled, abrogated,
superseded and it was done away. Hebrews chapter 8 leaves no
doubt that the Old Covenant was cancelled and revoked. Its heirs
were under redemption when the New Covenant came into effect.
Any doctrine that is founded on a document such as this Old
Covenant has no claim on God's truth for God's truth
emphatically says that THAT Covenant does not exist any longer.
A-millennialists are the literalists in fact, for they do not
postpone the Kingdom. They accept the promises of God and the
Kingdom of God as delivered by God to His saints. A-millennialists
do not change God's Word to suit their doctrine.
You may ask if this suggests that Dispensationalists do
change God's Word. I refer you to the statement of Rex Humbard
where he quoted Jesus as saying earthquakes are a sign of the
end of the Gentile age. Try to find it! Jesus did not say that!
In Walvoord's book, The Millennial Kingdom it says on page 38,
"The positive testimony of Revelation 20 with its six
references to a reign of Christ ON EARTH for 1,000 years, while
hotly disputed and denied significance by a-millennialists, is
nevertheless their stubborn foe." I reply that there is not
one single solitary reference to a reign of Christ ON EARTH in
Revelation, nor even the entire New Testament. Being literal
does not license any person to ADD to God's Word in order to
prove his position. Revelation 20 says that those who reign with
Christ are the ones who participate in the FIRST RESURRECTION
and that on such the Second Death hath no power. We all know
that the Second Death is permanent separation from God and it
has nothing to do with the physical demise of a person. The
Second Death is the penalty for sin. Now the First Resurrection
is in apposition to the Second Death, and since the second death
is spiritual death, the first resurrection has to be a spiritual
resurrection. As Paul said, "You hath He quickened (made
alive) who were dead in trespasses and sins…and hath raised
(resurrected) us up and made us sit together in heavenly places.
Eph. 2:1, 6. a-millennialists accept this Scriptural
resurrection in Rev. 20, and they also accept the spiritual
reign with Christ which ensure.
In our search for TRUTH we should accept the obvious meaning
and refuse the devious. Truth has a fountainhead and we should
go to the Source for it. Truth is not a mystery, nor a maze.
Bible TRUTH does not have to zigzag its way through seven
judgments, four gospels, multiple resurrections infinitesimal
hair splitting definitions about Jews and Gentiles, endless
detours to get around road-blocks needing experts to
"rightly DIVIDE the truth." Truth is simple. God meant
for ordinary people to understand it in its most apparent
meaning. We reject Dispensationalism because it does not
correspond to any of the meanings of truth either in the Word of
God or in the Dictionary. We accept A-millennialism because it
does correspond to both.
Truth is integrated. What was true for Moses was true for
Peter and the TRUTH Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost will
be true until the end of time. The gospel is not a postulation
but a proclamation. It is not a postponement theory but Divine
authority. It is not a future conjecture but a present reality.
The Bible says, "This is the LAST time. This would not be
true if there were a future millennial age. A-millennialists
simply accept TRUTH. Jesus said, "I am the way and THE
truth and the life." This we believe! This we proclaim!
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