Friday, January 17, 2014

The Three Horsemen of Dispensationalism


As each of you know by now, a concept of the Kingdom of God has laid hold on me in a hard and fast manner, which is somewhat different from the view that is commonly held by most Pentecostal authorities. (Of course, I mention Pentecostal authorities, because, for the past several generations our family has been a very large part of that particular movement.) However, history testifies that the common view (in most Pentecostal and mainline Evangelical churches), now called Dispensationalism, is actually rather new, and therefore neo-orthodox, to say nothing of not being apostolic. The apostolic view of the Mystery of God (see Rev. 10:7), as it was believed by most Christians before the American Civil War, was the view of Kingdom Theology, as I have now come to embrace. It seems that the present view of Dispensationalism took root in American evangelicalism and spread throughout the world by means of Evangelical missionary activity. 


Before the American Civil War (1861-65) most Christian bodies viewed God’s plan for the ages (the Mystery of God–Rev 10:7) as that of Kingdom dominion: namely, the converting of the world to Christ Jesus! However, this particular war (which took the lives of more Americans than all other wars, even up to this present time) fought by our nation, where the Christian North and the Christian South killed one another in such wholesale manner, caused the religious teachers to rethink their position on the Kingdom of God. The world, to them, was not getting better, but worse. It appeared that the end was near, and Christ would surely return soon. About this time, an English minister by the name of  John Nelson Darby (Plymouth Brethren) first popularized the view now called Dispensationalism.

Coming on the heels of the American Civil War was the Great War (1915-1917), or World War One, as it came to be called after the Second World War (1941-1945). These two great world conflicts seemed to give validity to Dispensationalism’s call for the imminent and physical return of Christ, and the appearing of the Antichrist. It was in the midst of all this that an American Bible expositor by the name of Cyrus I. Scofield wrote his famous Study Bible which carries his name, to this very day. Mr. Scofield’s Study Bible contains notes that are both Dispensational and Calvinistic. This particular study source was widely used by evangelical preachers and Bible colleges throughout the last half of the twentieth century.  (My first serious Bible-study tool was a Scofield Study Bible, given to me by my pastor. I think the year was 1962.) Giving a visual concept to dispensationalism was Clarence Larkin, of Philadelphia. Larkin was an Episcopalian mechanical engineer, turned Baptist minister, who employed his skill as a professional draftsman to give Dispensationalism a visual concept.  Adding to this has been the troubled events of the world for the last fifty, or so; years that have been touted as the “signs of the times,” which presage the end of time.

Though this may seem like sound reasoning at first thought, when one applies oneself to rightly dividing the Scripture, it seems far more likely that the shaking and trembling of the earth, for the last 150 (or so) years, are not signs of the end.  Instead, they should more correctly be understood as birth pangs of something new—namely, the consummation of the Kingdom of God.

In this consummation of God’s Kingdom, the earth will be united under the theocracy of the one true God of Heaven. All men will live in a community of peace and love as set forth by the New Testament. The New Testament has many names for this community which we will discuss later. To arrive at that place, the Church should begin now to establish micro communities throughout the earth. These communities should be established on the principle of Christian order, under Christ as the one and only Principality.



                              
  

John Nelson Darby, Born Nov 18, 1800, Died April 29, 1882



                                      



Cyrus I. Scofield, Born Aug 19, 1843; Died July 24, 1921



                                         



 Clarence Larkin, Born Oct 28, 1850; Died Jan 24, 1924

With Darby’s theology, Scofield’s Study Bible,  and Larkin’s drawings, American evangelicalism  was in position to spread Dispensationalism around the world.
Apostolically Speaking
☩☩ Jerry L Hayes
(Mar David Ignatius)
Read other epistles from the Bishop on eschatology:

God’s New Covenant With Israel
https://bishopjerrylhayes.blogspot.com/2019/05/gods-new-covenant-with-israel.html

Apostolic Eschatology
https://bishopjerrylhayes.blogspot.com/2013/02/apostolic-eschatology.html

The Prophets Speak of the Church
https://bishopjerrylhayes.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-prophets-speak-of-church.html

Apostolic Kingdom Theology vs Futurism

Dating the Book of Revelation

Prophecy and the Spiral Staircase
https://bishopjerrylhayes.blogspot.com/2013/04/bible-prophecy-and-spiral-staircas.html

The Three Horsemen of Dispensationalism
https://bishopjerrylhayes.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-three-horsemen-of-dispensationalism.html

Correct Method of Interpreting the Book of Revelation
http://bishopjerrylhayes.blogspot.com/2015/07/correct-method-of-interpreting.html

Joel's Messianic Kingdom (The Church of Jesus Christ)
https://bishopjerrylhayes.blogspot.com/2019/06/joels-messianic-age-church-of-jesus.html

Biblical Eschatology
https://bishopjerrylhayes.blogspot.com/2019/09/biblical-eschatology.html

Millennial Reign of Christ
http://bishopjerrylhayes.blogspot.com/2019/09/millennial-reign-of-christ.html

All These Things (A Study on Matthew 24)
http://bishopjerrylhayes.blogspot.com/2019/09/all-these-things-kingdom-teaching-of.html

Second Coming of Christ Jesus
https://bishopjerrylhayes.blogspot.com/2019/09/second-coming-of-christ-jesus.html

The Crux of the Matter (What Did Jesus Mean By "The Generation"?)
https://bishopjerrylhayes.blogspot.com/2019/09/the-crux-of-matter-what-did-jesus-mean.html

The Apocalypse, is the introduction to the biblical book of Revelation. Here Bishop Hayes also gives a verse by verse commentary of the first three chapters of the Apostle John's Revelation of Jesus Christ, covering the letters addressed to the seven churches of Asia Minor. The Bible student will thrill at the Bishop's easy evangelistic style of presenting deep and unique truths never before published. In this study a wealth of information will be shared with the disciples of Christ on each verse of this great manuscript.
After spending over forty years in the dispensational doctrine, and having raise my children in that theological framework, I became a convinced adherent to a "kingdom" theology that recognizes the Church as the Israel of God, and that the first century actually saw the fulfillment of most of Matthew chapter 24. "Letters to My Children on Apostolic Kingdom Theology" is a compilation of twenty four letters written to my children explaining my journey. These "Letters" provide a systematic approach to Apostolic Eschatological study of Scripture. It is sure to interest all students of Scriptures.
Order your personal copy today from the link provided here:

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT BY PURCHASING MY BOOKS FOR YOUR LIBRARY. -JLH



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