Overview of Retreat 2010

1. Welcome to “Retreat 2010” Learning and Living the God-centered Life www.learningandlivingtheword.com February 5, 2009

5. Genesis Revelation Purpose = “the glory of God” Plan = God’s unfolding and progressive redemption of mankind The key to seeing and understanding the plan of redemption in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation is “the kingdom of God.”

6. Roots in Genesis New Testament Kingdom Consummated Kingdom Inaugurated Creation - Fall - Redemption - Restoration The Bible is written mostly in a narrative language that shows us that God is headed to an end. It is God’s unfolding and progressive plan of how He intends to redeem mankind. Kingdom Pattern Kingdom Promise Kingdom Pre-figured

7. God’s unfolding and progressive redemption of mankind Gen 1-2 Gen 3 Gen 12 Exodus Malachi Matt Rev Kingdom Pattern Phase 1 Kingdom Promise Phase 2 Kingdom Pre-figured Phase 3 Kingdom Fulfilled Phase 4 Kingdom consummated Kingdom inaugurated 400 years Teaching sessions Friday night and Saturday morning Overview and definitions

8. The details can override the big picture approach to the Bible The problem of starting with the details instead of the overall big picture of the Bible can lead to “proof texting.” What exactly does “proof texting” mean Watch this short video from Dr. Jim White

9. Teaching video on dangers of “Proof Texting”

10. For example: Turn to 1 Thessalonians 4:17 this has often been used as a proof text for the rapture An important view in the pre-millenial and pre-tribulation position is the idea that Jesus will come for His church prior to the seven year period tribulation in order to “rapture” believers out of the present world.

11. JESUS COMES TO RAPTURE THE CHURCH JESUS IN HEAVEN BELIEVERS IN CHRIST THE DEAD THE LIVING

12. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Observation for proper interpretation This does not appear to be a secret rapture from the context The key word to study here is “MEET” which is apantesis in the Greek and occurs 4 times in the NT Matthew 25:1, 25:6 Acts 28:15 The word means to leave from Point A and then continue to one’s destination of Point B. It never means returning to original point of departure but rather to continue on the destination Point B.

13. JESUS IN HEAVEN THE SECOND COMING OFJESUS BELIEVERS IN CHRIST THE DEAD THE LIVING CAUGHT UP WITH CHRIST RETURN TO PLANET EARTH

19. Dispensational

20. The amillennialists who do not believe in a Christ who will set up rule on this earth. For them, Christ simply comes, judges, and establishes the new heaven and earth. For them there is no rapture. The post-millennialists who believe that the world, through the preaching and teaching of the church, will become more godly, peaceful, and prosperous and that the new age will be essentially like the present with the church ruling for a period of time. At the end Christ returns and judges the world. The post-millennialists also have no place for a rapture.

21. Dispensationalist believe that Jesus Christ will return to the earth prior to His literal reign on the earth for 1000 years. It believes that this will happen at the second coming, at the glorious visible return of Jesus Christ at the end of this age. Hence it is called Premillennialism, believing in a premillennial return of Jesus Christ. Three groups include the following: 1. Post-tribulationists believe that the rapture will not occur until the end of the seven year tribulation, just prior to the beginning of the millennial kingdom. 2. Mid-tribulationists believe that the rapture will occur three and one half years into the tribulation, at beginning of the three and one half year great tribulation. 3. Pre-tribulationists believe that the rapture will occur prior to the seven year tribulation, but not necessarily immediately before the tribulation.

22. Instead of looking at puzzle pieces, let’s understand the big picture from Genesis to Revelation Two excellent approaches to studying the Bible Biblical Doctrine = circle Biblical Theology = line Illustration - the box top (Biblical theology) and the borders of jigsaw puzzle (Bible doctrine) Bible Doctrine is a complete look at all the Scripture in the area of God, man, Christ, Spirit, salvation, church or the word Whereas Biblical theology is a linear progression in the story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation (a tree laying sideways)

23. The Bible is difficult for us to read and understand because: We have to learn how to stand in the language community of those separated from us by thousands of years The Old Testament makes up 2/3’s of our Bible and many aren’t sure how it relates to the New Testament The Bible is set up like a narrative that is progressing toward an end. The Bible is not a myth, it is the inspired record in history in which God Himself was at work through the authors in the history of redemption. A story has a beginning, middle and the end. Therefore we need a good hermeneutical grid to help us interpret the Scriptures properly.