an ethical challenge to Reformed Eschatology by Barry E. Horner
Eschatology, or end time events,
is a biblical subject that rightly should occupy the serious study of
any Christian. Of course such a pursuit is fraught with many a dangerous
reef or rip tide. It is granted that the return of Jesus Christ is the
great focal point of the end of this age, hence all the three main prophetic
schools of amillennialism, postmillennialism, and premillennialism, are
grounded upon that glorious climactic future appearance in world history.
Furthermore the interpretation of Revelation 20:1-10 is also significant
in this regard because of its "six-fold" emphasis upon a "thousand
year" reign of the Son of God, especially in the light of the context
of Revelation 19. However, while these passages in the Word of God are
of great importance, yet this writer is convinced that, notwithstanding
his premillennial convictions, the even more important matter that coalesces
with the return of Jesus Christ concerns Israel and the Jewish people,
and not preeminently the subject of the millennium. Mind you, it is also
this writer's conviction that, given a right understanding of Israel
in
relation to the Christian church, a premillennial eschatology will result
that incorporates Revelation 20.
To begin with, the reader is encouraged to read some of the appendices since they will provide a broad appreciation of the major thrust of this work. In particular, the Annotated Bibliography should be consulted with a view to obtaining some historical perspective of the relationship between Israel and the Church.
To begin with, the reader is encouraged to read some of the appendices since they will provide a broad appreciation of the major thrust of this work. In particular, the Annotated Bibliography should be consulted with a view to obtaining some historical perspective of the relationship between Israel and the Church.
