Why do Dispensationalists teach Separation Theology?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

iamsoandso

Senior Member
Oct 6, 2011
8,048
1,609
113
I wonder if anywhere he speaks on the imminent return

I would go back to where you stopped reading (ch.16 post 456) and read to the end. I think your thinking "imminent return" in a 21'st century frame of mind. If you read from ch.16 to the end Irenaeus describes the 10 horns as future(to him in 170ad),Rome as present tense,,the MoS as future tense,,,

So which is why I said that he was post trib.(thinks the Church will go through it),,,pre wrath(caught up before Gods wrath begins),,pre millennial( Mo S,trib, and then wrath come prior to Mill.). So your looking for him speaking of "immanent return" and not seeing what he is saying.
 

Hevosmies

Well-known member
Sep 8, 2018
3,612
2,633
113
I wonder if anywhere he speaks on the imminent return
That trips me up when reading the ECF writings.

Try reading the DIDACHE. One time they are saying be ready, could happen any time. Then they say first antichrist, then this and list a buncha signs.

My view: They are historic premill. Meaning, post-trib
 

Hevosmies

Well-known member
Sep 8, 2018
3,612
2,633
113
I decided to show yall what i meant in my previous post up there ^ Lets see now, we talking about the DIDACHE, one of the earliest documents we have (outside the bible) on this topic:

16:1 Watch concerning your life; let not your lamps be quenched or your loins be loosed, but be ye ready, for ye know not the hour at which our Lord cometh.

^This here sounds like an imminent return verse, right? Pre-tribbers should be all over that!

16:5 Then shall the creation of man come to the fiery trial of proof, and many shall be offended and shall perish; but they who remain in their faith shall be saved by the rock of offence itself.
16:6 And then shall appear the signs of the truth; first the sign of the appearance in heaven, then the sign of the sound of the trumpet, and thirdly the resurrection of the dead
16:7 -- not of all, but as it has been said, The Lord shall come and all his saints with him;
16:8 then shall the world behold the Lord coming on the clouds of heaven.

^This here sounds like a buncha stuff gotta happen first. right? Post-tribbers gonna be quoting this.

EDIT: Here is a bonus bit, you wanna talk about WORKS SALVATION? Try verse 2:
16:2 But be ye gathered together frequently, seeking what is suitable for your souls; for the whole time of your faith shall profit you not, unless ye be found perfect in the last time.

Thats tough! PERFECT? Im out for the count already!
 

TheDivineWatermark

Well-known member
Aug 3, 2018
10,887
2,113
113
^ I can't speak to the Didache, but I'm always saying that Matthew 25:1-13 and Luke 12:35,36-37,38,39,40,42-44 (both passages about the "lamps lit") are in the contexts of [/regarding] His Second Coming to the earth (not our Rapture). ;)



[and, yes, I've pointed out that those in the trib (those of Israel included) must come to faith before the point in time of His Second Coming to the earth (i.e. His "RETURN"); for (to wait until) AT THAT POINT in time, will be too late]
 

TheDivineWatermark

Well-known member
Aug 3, 2018
10,887
2,113
113
^ the Luke 12 passage I referred to there ^, for example, starts with: "Let your waist be girded about, and the lamps burning." [see also Matt25:1-13]… Both "Second Coming to the earth" passages (not our Rapture)


[i.e. both of them ^ "fitting" in the "IN THE NIGHT" context of "the Day of the Lord [TIME PERIOD ("DARK"/"DARKNESS" portion)]" (7 yr tribulation period--THAT portion; its ARRIVAL and duration)]
 

calibob

Sinner saved by grace
May 29, 2018
8,268
5,516
113
Anaheim, Cali.
Have you ever read any of the early Church letters(Justin Martyr,epistle of Barnabas,Against Heresies ect ? Why I ask is they spoke of the seven Millennial days(some more in depth than others). This is why I say it is similar to the dispensational approach of the modern day but also a little different. Look at AH book 5,chapter 28 and 29(is speaking of the six millennials and the seventh) from an ad170 point of view. John the Apostle set Polycarp over Smyrna(from Revelation) and Irenaeus grew up listening to Polycarp saying what he heard from John, http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book5.html
So what? If it's not in the bible it dosn't count! It's an opinion by someone a long time ago someone that's not in the word of God. Non biblical writings have no validity beyond that of opinions. Calvin, Luther, Westly and some Popes may have good men but they are not in the inspired word of God. They are no more to be honored than Menon, Martin Luther King, Billy Graham or Reverend Little Richard. Nothing they said has any authority vs. the Bible. The Bible is the measuring rod in every circumstance.
 

UnitedWithChrist

Well-known member
Aug 12, 2019
3,739
1,928
113
Here's some really good series on end time theologies by Brian Borgman, who is an ex dispensationalist.

My strong conviction is that premillennial dispensationalism is the worst end times view, other than full preterism.

I don't consider it to be heretical, but it's probably the last position I would hold.

https://www.sermonaudio.com/search....SpeakerOnly=true&includekeywords=&ExactVerse=

https://www.sermonaudio.com/search....SpeakerOnly=true&includekeywords=&ExactVerse=

If you listen to these sermon series, realize that you need to start from the bottom (the oldest ones) and go upward.
 

UnitedWithChrist

Well-known member
Aug 12, 2019
3,739
1,928
113
So what? If it's not in the bible it dosn't count! It's an opinion by someone a long time ago someone that's not in the word of God. Non biblical writings have no validity beyond that of opinions. Calvin, Luther, Westly and some Popes may have good men but they are not in the inspired word of God. They are no more to be honored than Menon, Martin Luther King, Billy Graham or Reverend Little Richard. Nothing they said has any authority vs. the Bible. The Bible is the measuring rod in every circumstance.
It is true that Scripture is the ultimate authority, but I place a heavy weight on church history myself. Dismissing the teachings of men of God over history is not wise. The church is a community that stretches across time. Of course, their teachings need to be carefully evaluated, but I am much more careful regarding modern day guys who stumble on the scenes thinking God has told them to straighten out the Church.

By the way, if you want to see a hilarious example of this, check out "Pastor" Ramon Wilson, who has a website where he is telling people if they don't join his church, they are going directly to hell. He says it is free but charges $100/month. He says that God has called him to show everyone how to follow Christ correctly, and that no one has know this for the last 1900 years.

 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,776
113
My strong conviction is that premillennial dispensationalism is the worst end times view, other than full preterism.
Well that is quite unfortunate, since your *strong conviction* is more prejudice than anything else. You have yet to show FROM SCRIPTURE that you have anything of substance in this matter.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,776
113
If you listen to these sermon series, realize that you need to start from the bottom (the oldest ones) and go upward.
Why don't you PERSONALLY present your case from the Bible itself? So far you have been misinterpreting and misapplying Scripture.
 

PennEd

Senior Member
Apr 22, 2013
13,584
9,104
113
The misunderstandings of those who committed atrocities is not a legitimate apologetic for your system. I could just as easy discount all of Christianity due to the activities of various Christians throughout time.

I don't believe that the occupation of Palestine by Jews is significant in terms of prophecy, and that it is only through the lenses of dispensationalism that it becomes significant.

Just a breathtakingly horrible post!

To say " The MISUNDERSTANDINGS of those who committed atrocities" is far WORSE than Congresswoman Ilhan Omar saying " Some people did something" while referring to the Muslim attacks on 9/11.

CANNOT believe people actually liked this post. Shame on all of you!
 

ComeLordJesus

Senior Member
Dec 26, 2017
372
39
28
Where does the Bible say that just before the return of Jesus Jewish sinners will embrace the Gospel message of Jesus on mass and be saved from the judgement to come???
Matt.23:39.......from now on you will not see Me until you say, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord"

At His second advent, the saved Jewish remnant (the nucleus of the millenial kingdom) will recognize their once-rejected Messiah King and will welcome His return to set up His earthly rule over Israel and the nations.
 
Mar 28, 2016
15,954
1,528
113
I would go back to where you stopped reading (ch.16 post 456) and read to the end. I think your thinking "imminent return" in a 21'st century frame of mind. If you read from ch.16 to the end Irenaeus describes the 10 horns as future(to him in 170ad),Rome as present tense,,the MoS as future tense,,,

So which is why I said that he was post trib.(thinks the Church will go through it),,,pre wrath(caught up before Gods wrath begins),,pre millennial( Mo S,trib, and then wrath come prior to Mill.). So your looking for him speaking of "immanent return" and not seeing what he is saying.
We are experiencing the wrath of God by reason of suffering called hell it is revealed from heaven . . .we are still under the Sun. believer have rest from the suffering being yoked with Christ.

The final wrath. . death on the last day .The letter of the law that kills will be cast into the judgment of God never to rise and condemn a whole creation forever more.

The word of God is not only inspired from heaven but signified language in Revelation is needed to rightly divide the parables using the formula in 2 Corinthians 4:18 to find the unseen spiritual understand. . . the gospel, hid from natural unconverted mankind.

Setting the interpretation style walking by faith the unseen as a introduction

Revelation 1 King James Version (KJV)1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and "signified" it by his angel unto his servant John:

We must be careful on how we hear. Horns are used to represent unseen kingdoms .Seven is used to represent one authority as the head in this case the father of lies. 10 like the word 100, 1000 represent all the kingdoms under the authority of the father of lies.

Christ own all the cattle, clean animals to represent believers on a thousands hills. . the kingdoms of this world will becomes the kingdoms of God in the new heavens and earth .

Christ will come as thief in the night at any moment . No sign need to be fulfilled. Jesus said its a evil generation, natural mankind that does seek after one .The sign of Jonas is fulfilled.
 

ComeLordJesus

Senior Member
Dec 26, 2017
372
39
28
Does not replacement theology declare that God is finished with the Jews and that God is now working with gentiles and not with the Jews...

How can the church include Jews and Gentiles in the replacement theology stance when that stance says that God is now only dealing with the gentiles ???
The Jews are earthly the Church is spiritual.
 

RickStudies

Active member
Sep 10, 2019
782
222
43
^ the Luke 12 passage I referred to there ^, for example, starts with: "Let your waist be girded about, and the lamps burning." [see also Matt25:1-13]… Both "Second Coming to the earth" passages (not our Rapture)


[i.e. both of them ^ "fitting" in the "IN THE NIGHT" context of "the Day of the Lord [TIME PERIOD ("DARK"/"DARKNESS" portion)]" (7 yr tribulation period--THAT portion; its ARRIVAL and duration)]
@ TheDivineWatermark. I couldn`t nail down anything on the hour = year thing. Must have been bad information I got years ago. I think I read it in a book. Theory was, this hour in Revelation is the only time antichrist has full power over the world.
 

UnitedWithChrist

Well-known member
Aug 12, 2019
3,739
1,928
113
The misunderstandings of those who committed atrocities is not a legitimate apologetic for your system. I could just as easy discount all of Christianity due to the activities of various Christians throughout time.

I don't believe that the occupation of Palestine by Jews is significant in terms of prophecy, and that it is only through the lenses of dispensationalism that it becomes significant.

I will also reiterate that dispensationalism is the reason why many dispensationalists were prophesying the return of Jesus in 1980 or so...where is he?

The reason that they believed that is because of Matthew 24 and the occupation of Palestine. Their interpretation is that Jesus would return approximately 40 years (one generation) from this time.

Damage control! Damage control!

We don't remember that...lol.
 

UnitedWithChrist

Well-known member
Aug 12, 2019
3,739
1,928
113
Well that is quite unfortunate, since your *strong conviction* is more prejudice than anything else. You have yet to show FROM SCRIPTURE that you have anything of substance in this matter.
Look at the many Scriptures in the Gospels and epistles that indicate Jesus will return, and a general resurrection will occur at that time, and death will be defeated PERMANENTLY.

Start with Matthew 25 and I Corinthians 15.

I know you guys try to squeeze a thousand years in between the return of Jesus and the defeat of death....good luck with that. :)

The problem is that you take one chapter in the Bible (Rev 20), and read your theology into it. I would suggest studying GK Beale's commentary on Revelation in this regard.

Jesus and the apostles did not teach dispensationalism in the sense that you guys believe it.
 

Hevosmies

Well-known member
Sep 8, 2018
3,612
2,633
113
Look at the many Scriptures in the Gospels and epistles that indicate Jesus will return, and a general resurrection will occur at that time, and death will be defeated PERMANENTLY.

Start with Matthew 25 and I Corinthians 15.

I know you guys try to squeeze a thousand years in between the return of Jesus and the defeat of death....good luck with that. :)

The problem is that you take one chapter in the Bible (Rev 20), and read your theology into it. I would suggest studying GK Beale's commentary on Revelation in this regard.
At the end of the day people are gonna believe what they wanna believe, BUT, my question is, HOW does dispensationalism effect the Church in PRACTICAL terms? What actual harm does it do?

I know the hyper-dispies do a lot of damage by robbing from us the teachings of Jesus and saying its "to Israel". Gotta love that gimmick, if its anything thats hard or I dont like "well thats to Israel".

Jesus and the apostles did not teach dispensationalism in the sense that you guys believe it.
TRUE. But neither did they teach covenant theology, all of these are MANMADE systems that came RECENTLY. No such thing as "systematic theology" in the Bible.
The BIBLE itself is a collection of VERY simple books, PEASANT LEVEL READING. It took theologians to come up with hypostatic unions and calvinism and arminianism and dispensationalism and covenentalism and baptismal regeneration and all that and now you got someone that just got born again and has NO CLUE whatsoever which way is where and whats right!