The Second Law of Thermodynamics and Dispensational Premillennialism Revisited
September 8th, 2008
Several of you responded directly to me via e-mail about my musings on the approach that sees Revelation mirroring today’s newspaper headlines, an approach that tends toward chaos, at least in my opinion. Some have said they agreed and not a few have disagreed. The disagreements have been more emotional than rational. And I am disappointed.
Let me repeat: The Book of Revelation is not about predicting the future in great detail but rather it is about how disciples of Jesus are to live in light of a future that belongs to God. Let me elaborate:
- Revelation helps us make sense of the flow of history in a general way. There is considerable repetition in Revelation because John wants to describe what has happened, what is happening, and what will happen. And yet there is progression. Kingdoms come and kingdoms go and someday all earthly kingdoms will disappear and there will only be God’s perfect, complete rule.
- The Bible as a whole and Revelation in particular do not present a precise summary of where history is going. There is going to be an end to human history but we do not know when. I do not feel under pressure to give a comprehensive account of the signs of the times and when I think it is going to end. I do not feel such pressure because the Bible does not permit me to create such pressure and the repeated failures of those who have taken such an approach shows me the futility of such efforts. But if you believe that the Bible and Revelation do give us signs then you will feel obligated to explain what has happened, what is happening, and what will happen.
- Far too often interpreters are so intent to prove that their reading of the Bible was/is correct that they too quickly accept what appears to be corroborating evidence. They grab at the headlines describing the events and people of the day and proclaim: See this is fulfilling biblical prophecy! (It was recently announced by well-known prophecy experts that Barack Obama is not the Antichrist. Now, breath a sigh of relief. But then can those experts really be trusted. I mean, they have been wrong on so much else perhaps they are wrong on this most recent proclamation!)
- Isn’t it a bit suspicious when you trust those (often non-Christians, if not anti-Christians!) in the news industry/business/entertainment business to provide the headlines that reflect what the editors think important? Gee, doesn’t our God often reveal himself in headlines that would be overlooked by editors and news agencies? Think: Christmas story. I wonder if the birth was noted by the prophecy experts of the day and heralded in The Jerusalem Times?
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The Second Law of Thermodynamics and Dispensational Premillennialism
September 11th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Can I just say that I agree with you here, Dr. Lowery. I know that the approval of a senior in undergrad is not the most coveted thing for anyone, except maybe High School and Jr. high students, and even then you’re pushing it. However, having once been a High Schooler in Sunday School I can all to often remember teachers refusing to the cover the book of Revelation because of all the confusing metaphors. Now then, I am not one to say I understand them, since coming to my current perspective I have not made a hardline study of the book of Revelation, though I will be soon. Nevertheless, an interpretation which has its foundation on modern headlines is an interpretation doomed to failure. I wish that more people would see Revelation as an approachable book, just like any other book of the Bible and that what is necessary is understanding its background and genre. If there is a place where I feel many churches fail it is in the area of teaching people how to read and understand their Bibles. Not teaching them what to think, but how to think and come at the Bible in order to make their own conclusions. If we could just do that better then we would not have the Bible literacy problem that we have today.
September 14th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
David, I am honored that you visit my website and delighted at your observations. You demonstrate a maturity beyond your years and I pray God’s richest blessings on you as you continue to walk in His Grace and Truth.
Remain an overcomer, by God’s grace.
Bob
September 15th, 2008 at 7:32 am
Like you, I’ve been around long enough to see the various predictions of the future from those who read Revelation as a “predictive” work.
Here in our city we have a number of folk who are so caught up in dispensational premillenialism they cannot think for themselves, but are attracted to “charts and maps” which tell them who, what, when, and where Jesus will return. But so often these same folk do not live like they believe Jesus will return.
I appreciate your words, your articles, and your first volume on Revelation. I am recommending it to many of our people who need to “think for themselves” about this marvelous writing of John.
If God’s people will live in radical faithfulness then the world’s people will choose to follow Christ. But when empty predictions and scare tactics are our forms of evangelism people will either ignore us or laugh at us.
However, it’s hard to laugh when someone is washing your feet, giving you a drink of cold water, or ministering to you in prison. Slowly we are seeing the changes in our community because we are living as members of the kingdom of God.
Thanks for your faithfulness and clear biblical insights.