The Christ in Prophecy Journal

We Need a Sixth Fundamental in 2012

Tim Lahaye

What Lamb & Lion Means To Me

Tim LaHaye: Nathan, congratulations on the great milestone of producing over 1,000 articles in your prophecy blog. I have long enjoyed your vision and faith to use every technology available as the vehicle to the mind with your faithful message warning millions to prepare to meet their God before the Rapture so they will not be left behind… and that you faithfully use your considerable writing, researching and preaching gifts to His glory. It is an honor to be your friend and colleague in spreading “the gospel of our great God” who has promised many times to return and take us to Heaven (John 14:1-6).

Guest Article: “We Need a Sixth Fundamental in 2012”

My friend and editor of the thriving WORLD magazine that is attuned to the news most Christians want to read today has written an excellent article in the January issue on what constitutes “fundamentalists” of yester year and those of the secular media. In it he quotes the brilliant theologian J. Gresham Machen, the Presbyterian and reformed scholar who defined the “five fundamentals” written shortly after the turn of the century, around the 1920s.

A study of religious life in America during those days disclosed the gross liberalizing of many denominational seminaries, particularly in what the media calls the “main-line” churches. He defined the minimum core beliefs of the fundamental church as follows:

“…the inspiration and inerrancy of the Bible, the virgin birth of Christ, the atoning work of Jesus’ death, the physical resurrection of Jesus, and the historical reality of Christ’s miracles. Those ‘fundamentals’ were seen by orthodox believers as foundational to their Christian faith — as the girders on which the rest of the structure rested.”1

Machen was a great defender of the faith, particularly the inspiration of Scripture and the virgin birth of Jesus. Some of his debates with liberals in his own denomination were legends for most of us who attended conservative Christian colleges, Bible schools, and seminaries. I shudder to think what Christianity would be today had Machen and his generation of fundamentalist preachers, scholars, writers, and those in higher Christian education not taken up the cudgel and fought the battles of the pre-60s wars that caused the liberal theologians and secular media to taunt, distort, and degrade them so. The voice of true Christianity would have all but died had they not taken an aggressive stand for truth.

Fortunately, the Holy Spirit guided them and the many other men and women of God who took the Bible literally and built Bible-believing churches, Christian colleges, and faithful seminaries which sprang up helping to return the church into a vital force in America where today almost 70 million citizens openly claim to have had a “born again” experience with Jesus Christ. These Bible-believing churches are springing up everywhere, so much so that at election time this year many politicians openly seek the “evangelical” vote.

While we can gratefully thank God for their valiant work for Him during the first half of the last century, today’s Church should take up the cause of the sixth fundamental they unfortunately omitted or neglected. That is the teaching of Jesus’ Second Coming — His promise to rapture His saints to heaven before the seven years of Tribulation followed by His Glorious Appearing when the Savior will establish His Kingdom of peace over which He will rule as “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” for one thousand years. He will bind Satan for that entire period, after which it gets even better. He will take all His saints, or those who have put their faith in His sacrificial salvation for our sins, and take us all to heaven forever.

The reason I say this Second Coming teaching is an integral part of the cardinal doctrines of the early church is because it was the earliest teaching of the first century believers and has been since the days of the Apostle Paul. His first two books, I and II Thessalonians, may have been the first two books of the New Testament. It is thought by many scholars to have been written about eighteen years after Pentecost to the young church he founded in Thessalonica. It was a strong, Greek city filled with pagan religious thought. Paul ministered to these young Christians only three weeks before jealous Jews drove him from the city. Read all eight chapters and underline all the references to Christ’s Second Coming, and you will find it mentioned in every chapter.

Dr. Mark Hitchcock has a new book on prophecy coming out soon in which he mentions that there are more than 300 references to the Lord’s coming in the New Testament, which has only 260 chapters. Prophecy makes up twenty-eight percent of the Bible. There are over 300 prophecies concerning Christ’s Second Coming in the New Testament — one out of every 30 verses. He also states that there are 109 prophecies of His first coming (which He fulfilled completely), yet there are 224 that forecast His Second Coming. Twenty-six books of the New Testament refer to the promise of His coming, and three of those were personal letters to individuals. The rest highlighted this important doctrine that was preached in the earliest days of the church.

I have read that every church counsel from the first century until today referred to our Lord’s return. So I am on good ground referring to it as a cardinal doctrine of the Church that should have been included by Dr. Machen and his friends. We can understand his reluctance to bring this point up, for in the Reformed church it did not play an important position in their view of “the faith once delivered to the saints.” Most reformed brothers have followed the line of Augustine who in the sixth century taught that while the Bible was to be taken literally, prophecy should be interpreted symbolically or allegorically — or spiritualized. Unfortunately, this tends to confuse the body of Christ about the all important fundamental teaching that He will come again as He promised and return us to His Father’s House — John 14:1-3 and many other scriptures.

Personally, I think that is the reason so many believers have strayed into amillennialism or postmillennialism and even from midtribulationalism into posttribulationalism. These are hope-stealing, false teachings about prophecy based on the faulty idea that prophecy cannot be understood.

Which broaches the subject of how can Rev. 1:3 be fulfilled — that reading the Book of Revelation can be a blessing — if you cannot understand it? It can’t! Why would God inspire the prophecies in the Bible unless they are for our understanding and edification? He wouldn’t! This is why I believe the sixth fundamental of the faith should be the promise that Christ is going to keep His and the disciple’s word by coming back one day as the apostle Paul described it in I Thess. 4:13-18 and again in I Cor. 15:50-58.

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thess. 4:13-18)

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed — in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Cor. 15:50-58)

I have been in the ministry of the Lord for 65 years and have observed that those who have this “blessed Hope” in His return, and those churches that stand for and preach it as a cardinal doctrine of their life and that of their church have a fire in their heart to win others to Christ. This truth has an unparalleled effect on those who read, study, and chart their life course by it; they live a more evangelistic life and anticipate meeting their Lord in Heaven.

That could be this year.

Though it is doubtful, for Satan has already stirred up a drive through the Mayan calendar that ends in late December 2012. That cannot be right, for God alone knows the day and the hour when He will say to His Son, the Lord Jesus, what the songwriter coined in his great Second Coming song, “These are the days of Jehovah…Son, go gather My children!” He alone knows the day and the hour.

Notes

1) Belz, Joel, “The New Fundamentalists”, World Magazine, January 28, 2012, p. 3

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Dr. Nathan E. Jones

As the Internet Evangelist at Lamb & Lion Ministries, Nathan reaches out to the over 4.5 billion people accessible over the Internet with the Good News of Jesus Christ. He also co-hosts the ministry's television program Christ in Prophecy and podcast The Truth Will Set You Free.

25 CommentsLeave a Comment

  • I wish there were more Churches out there that wanted to teach about the second coming and the rapture, but most pastors shy away from it.

    • That's why I stick to TBN and God TV preachers for the most part these days… Chuck Missler, John Hagee, Hal Lindsey, Jack and Rexella, cept I don't trust them two as much anymore… Look up Pastor Mike Hoggard of Bethel Church… All of his Watchman Video Broadcasts are on YouTube for free… He's hardcore Old King James, exposing the free masons and illuminatti… I love the guy! Good sense of humor too!

  • Congratulations, Jeremy! This article is indeed the 1,000th, and for being the first to comment you get to pick two items from our online resource center.

    Please email me at webminister@lamblion.com with your f/l name, mailing address, and the links to two of the items you chose. Dr. David Reagan will then sign them.

    Thank you all for celebrating with us! We have more guest articles coming next week as we finish out this celebration. Praise to the Lord!

  • Please pray for my wife in the hospital again.

    When she came out of dialysis yesterday the transport guy who walked her out, left her standing alone briefly while he went to bring the van over. She fainted and bashed her forehead on the sidewalk. She was taken to the nearest hospital where I met her and she had a 3" diameter goose-egg in the middle of her forehead and a gash on the bridge of her nose.

    Due to a steady stream of people being brought in by EMTs, after more than 6hrs, they finally decided, that altho the CatScan showed no concussion, but due to her being on a blood thinner + the extra one they use in the dialysis process, to hold her overnite for observation in case the overall blunt-trama force begins to leak into a concussion.

    I expected to pick her up this AM and when I checked, I found out that they are keeping her 2 more days. They are discussing the possibility of doing surgery on one of her arteries so that she is less likely to pass out.

    Now we have to wait for a 'consultation' with a Cardiologist…

    Thank you Bros' & Sis' for your for your faithfulness in the Lord!

  • I wouldn't redeem anything even if I won it… I'd email Nathan back and tell him to give it to someone else… Anything this ministry has to offer is needed far more by someone else than I…

  • Praying for you and your wife, DrNofog. Somehow I thought the gift was 1 million dollars (just kidding folks). Congrats Jeremy and Lion and Lamb, was
    great to read this article by Dr. Lahaye too. I'm definitely being fed on them all.

  • What the heck…Susie…you win, too!

    Pick out a Lamb & Lion book or video and let me know in these comments which item you want. I'll call L&L and pay for it and you can call L&L with your address and they can send it to you. (Will that work, Nathan? Okay with you?)

    From Billy, a friend in Christ. (This is one of my good deeds that you can thank Jesus for. Remember, He gets all the credit for my good deeds).

    • Billy…. im speechless… i didnt look at this blog until this morning…. i feel like allowing this would somehow .. be.. wrong… i seriously am teared up at ur thoughtfulness…

  • Susie,

    I called L&L this morning to arrange this. Call L&L and you can place your order. I spoke to Kathy. You can purchase up to $40.00 in items. (Their numbers are 972-736-3567 or 800-705-8316)

    Thanks and God bless you for the kindness you've shown me.

  • We here at L&L are praying for you and your wife, DrNoFog. So good to hear you guys are drawing close to the Lord during these difficulties.

    Billy, Cathie just told me about your kind offer to Susie. Sounds like she's ready for her call. Very nice, Man!

  • Billy, my heart is filled with gratitude that u thot of me like this. I pray the Lord will in turn bless u… good measure.. presses down… shaken together to overflowing:):):) love, in Yeshua, sus

  • Billy, i am going to call and order two resources i am very excited about! A dvd on the prophet hosea, and the dvd on the pilgrimage to the Holy land (a dream of mine:))…. thank u again for such a blessing .. im really blown away by this! (Just a side note, my bday was just a couple days ago !! Haha) thanks brother

  • I agree with the article.
    My question would be, if Christians deny the Rapture, is that considered heresy?

    Definition of HERESY
    1
    a : adherence to a religious opinion contrary to church dogma b : denial of a revealed truth by a baptized member of the Roman Catholic Church c : an opinion or doctrine contrary to church dogma
    2
    a : dissent or deviation from a dominant theory, opinion, or practice b : an opinion, doctrine, or practice contrary to the truth or to generally accepted beliefs or standards.

    Should those who believe these 6 fundamentals, charge those who do not, with heresy?

    Did Paul stand up to the religious rulers with such passion, unafraid of offending the religious rulers?
    Are we afraid of offending fellow believers who deny the pre-trib Rapture?

    Is the denial of the Return, heretical? Should we call "a spade a spade"?

  • I believe in the rapture…it's a clear Scriptural doctrine. I once believed in a "secret rapture" but upon further searching the Scripture for myself, I find no evidence given by God's Word. Paul's letters, ESPECIALLY in 1 Thessalonians, depicts quite a different scenario! I'm surprised, that in this article, 1 Thessalonians 5 was not referred to which directly correlates with chapter 4! Verses 1-4 read:

    But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

    2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

    3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

    4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

    The absolute VITAL verse is verse 4!! "…that THAT DAY should overtake you as a thief." What's "that day" but the LORDS coming in His wrath to those that don't believe?? Remember, 1 Thessalonians (or any letter for that matter) was not separated into chapters originally! All of 1 Thessalonians teaches one story in context!

    I don't want to cause any type of argument, but just wanted to present the Scripture for what it is! I pray that whoever reads this comment would FIRST pray to God to be taught by the Holy Spirit, and not by a doctrine taught by man! Second, how about researching the "secret rapture"….this was not a FUNDAMENTAL teaching! The rapture, yes, but not the so-called secret rapture! God bless.

  • I would like to make a couple points concerning this teaching of a "secret rapture"…using the Words of the Bible and not mu own… Actually some of the same scripture quoted in this article.
    1.Neither place in I Thess or I Cor speak of a time of Christ return but just tells how it will be. Even though the author mentions II THess 4, for some reason he never mentions II Thess 2. In this Paul gives (2) stipulations that must happen before the return of Christ so men might not be deceived by people saying different.
    "2Th 2:3 "Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
    1. So you won't be deceived, 1: "that day shall Not Come Except there come a falling away first."
    2. "And the man of sin be revealed."
    The man of sin (the antichrist) has to be revealed even before Christ can return..Paul starts this chapter out by telling them "Let no man deceive you". Deceive you of what? Of Christ coming back to earth and for His Bride. No where does he mention a secret rapture or the return of Christ before the anti-christ…No where does he speak of the return of Christ being a a 2 or 3 time coming back in stages? Actually Jesus Himself told how He would return when asked and He never mentioned any secret rapture, but He did say this in Matt Ch24 after giving countless things that must happen before His return.
    Matt 24:29-30 "Immediately AFTER THE TRIBULATION of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: AND THEN shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and THEY SHALL SEE THE SON OF MAN COMING in the clouds of heaven WITH GREAT POWER AND GLORY." And he shall send his angels with a great SOUND OF A TRUMPET, and they shall GATHER TOGETHER HIS ELECT from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."
    This Trump would be the "last Trump" so easily also ignored by the author. There is no secret rapture mention in the Bible because there is now. Even the 7 Biblical Feast Days the Lord gave were all patterns of His FIRST and SECOND coming. He had a pattern laid out before the world begin. It is written plainly in His Word. My ideas nor anybody else can change that FACT. It has little to nothing to do with Salvation but a lot to do with being deceived as Paul warned because even in that day there were those who were teaching Christ had already come or was coming. Paul made it clear "we are not of the night but are of the day"….

  • MomOfMany – I enjoy that you mentioned those verses from 1 Thessalonians 5. But those verses refer to the Second Comming of Christ at the end of the Tribulation, not to the 'Calling Up' or Rapture of the Church before the Tribulation.
    And Ken, those verses are pertinent and if we observe the state of our American denominational churches right now, a great many of them have fulfilled this condition of falling away from the teachings in the Bible. They want the Bible to say what they believe and only tell others of that belief, not of what the full Bible says.
    Now – – – in this article, in the sixth paragraph – it ends: "He will take all His saints, or those who have put their faith in His sacrificial salvation for our sins, and take us all to heaven forever."
    I'm sorry, but that is NOT how I read Revelation 21:1-8.
    "21 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,”for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
    I for one will be very happy living on that New Earth!!!

  • Points taken, Ken. However, if you’ve spent enough time at TCIPJ you’d know that they’ve been answered. You can read Dave Guzik’s take on 2 Thess 2 at http://www.studylight.org/com/guz/view.cgi?book=2th&chapter=002

    Matt 24:31 coincides with Deut 30:3-4; Isaiah 11:12, 27:12-13 (note the trumpet). This is Israel’s final gathering back into the land. The elect is Israel (Rom 11:5, 7, 28). There is no mention of a resurrection which coincides with Paul’s last trump. In fact the disciples’ questions all related to Jewish concerns (the temple, destruction of Jerusalem etc). Verse 20 confirms that as does the mention of “tribes” in verse 30. Note that the word “nations” was not used.

    If the rapture timing isn’t a “secret” then why isn’t it mentioned at Rev 19 at Christ’s coming (or anywhere else)? How is it that trib martyrs are resurrected after Christ has already set foot on the earth (Zech 14; 1 Thess 4:17 and Rev 20:4) and after Satan has been incarcerated?

    Why isn’t God’s wrath in the seals given that Christ unleashes them on humanity (Compare Rev 6:8; Ezek 5 & Ezek 14:21)? What about the two witnesses as instruments of God’s wrath? How can the day of the Lord come as a surprise while people are running around as usual in peace and safety (1 Thess 5:3 & Matt 24:38-39) yet it allegedly occurs after the worst period in history (Matt 24:21-22) and after the 4th seal?

    Then we have Luke 13:34-35. Israel will not see the Lord until they say, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” But everyone will see the Lord when He comes (Rev 1:7). Connect the dots. The Lord’s second coming is contingent upon Israel asking Him. If that’s the case, then why aren’t they raptured along with church if the rapture occurs then? Speaking of which-if the rapture occurs at the end of the tribulation followed by the sheep & goat judgment, then how many non-physical people will make it into the millennium?

  • I noticed the praise Tim LaHaye had for World Magazine, which is run by a Moonie front group. Tim LaHaye is an unabashed and unrepentant friend of Rev. Moon.

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