General Resurrection, Judgment at 2nd Coming

Driving home: Now never forget that. The purpose of God in prophecy is not to give us an inspired crystal ball.

Martin uses the analogy of three mountain peaks appearing as one from a distance to explain how prophets saw future events. This illustrates that while prophecy may present events as simultaneous, history often reveals periods of time between them, but this does not warrant inventing time gaps not explicitly taught in scripture.

And I have some prophecy charts this morning. You never thought you'd see the day when I would have prophecy charts. But they're not the kind that perhaps you've seen in the past. And if I had my blackboard, I'd use it, but I don't, so I scratch these off.

6:19 - 6:30 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin introduces an analogy of mountain peaks to explain how prophets saw future events as close together, though history reveals time gaps. He argues that while some details…

Martin references a nationally known evangelist's recent sermon that taught a secret rapture, tribulation, millennium, and then final judgment. This serves as a contemporary example of the dispensational view he is refuting, highlighting its prevalence and the need to examine its scriptural warrant.

Does scripture give us any warrant, this side of the fulfillment, to stick at least 7 years Capturing the saints, judging the ungodly, and a thousand years between that and the final judgment when the devil will be let loose for a while and cause havoc in the thing, in the whole business. Does scripture warrant us to put seven years in here, or three and a half years, and another thousand years here? Stating infallibly that there will be no time periods in any of these events. I am asking the question, does scripture warrant us to teach that there will be? Last night, a nationally known evange...

9:39 - 10:51 Read in full sermon

Driving home: I submit to you that anything that fits within the framework of apostolic preaching is within. The framework of the faith once we're all delivered to the saints and the apostolic preaching has the mood and flavor of a ge…

Martin recounts a story of a dear friend who was denied candidacy for a mission church because he questioned the idea of separate resurrections and was beginning to embrace a general resurrection. This illustrates the practical, often divisive, impact of differing views on eschatology within evangelical circles.

Candidated for a mission church out in Michigan and they had no problems with his basic doctrinal perspective or his gifts to preach or his passion to see a work established for God. But when they found out that he was questioning the idea there would be separate resurrections and he said, frankly, I'm beginning to see in scripture a concept of general resurrection. They cut that brother off and said, sorry, want nothing to do with it. And I could.

17:02 - 17:30 Read in full sermon

Driving home: I submit to you that anything that fits within the framework of apostolic preaching is within. The framework of the faith once we're all delivered to the saints and the apostolic preaching has the mood and flavor of a ge…

Martin mentions the split within the Conservative Baptist Association over eschatological issues, specifically the belief in separate resurrections and the pre-tribulation rapture. This serves as another example of the real-world consequences and controversies surrounding these doctrinal points.

I go on to be a sordid story of how many fellowships have been rent. The conservative Baptist Association was split, not right down the middle. It was a smaller segment, but had a nationwide rumble over this issue because some people felt if you don't believe in separate resurrections and the thousand year period and the church out before the tribulation, that's tantamount to denying the faith. I submit to you that anything that fits within the framework of apostolic preaching is within.

17:30 - 18:00 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin asserts that this understanding is not a new discovery but the historic faith of the people of God, as evidenced by ancient creeds like the Apostles' Creed and various…

Martin quotes from a Mennonite creed from the 1580s, which describes Christ's visible return, the resurrection of all men (just and unjust), and the subsequent judgment and separation into eternal life or hell. This quotation provides historical evidence that the concept of a general resurrection and judgment at Christ's return is part of the historic Christian faith.

Very briefly. The first one. Is from a creed. That was drawn up in the 1580s.

42:54 - 43:01 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin asserts that this understanding is not a new discovery but the historic faith of the people of God, as evidenced by ancient creeds like the Apostles' Creed and various…

Martin quotes from a confession by John Smith, a persecuted Puritan, stating that after the resurrection, all will stand before Christ's tribunal to be judged according to their works, leading to eternal life for the righteous and eternal torments for the wicked. This further reinforces the historical consensus on a general judgment.

A confession drawn up. By a John Smith. Who was a persecuted Puritan. Who went over to Europe.

44:37 - 44:49 Read in full sermon

The point: Be certainly persuaded that there shall be a day of judgment to deter from sin and for greater consolation in adversity.

Martin reads from the Westminster Confession of Faith's section on the last judgment, which emphasizes the practical importance of being persuaded of a day of judgment to deter sin, console the godly, and promote watchfulness. This quotation highlights the pastoral and ethical implications of the doctrine.

And I read now from the last paragraph. In the Westminster confession. Page 689 in our hymnals. If you want to follow.

46:01 - 46:08 Read in full sermon

The point: Find consolation in the Day of the Lord as the day of full inheritance, reunion with loved ones, and eternal union with Christ.

Martin alludes to a hymn writer's expression, 'Great God what do I see in here. The end of things created,' to convey the solemnity and finality of Christ's return and judgment, aiming to impress its practical effect on the listeners.

Great God what do I see in here. The end of things created. You see that's what the hymn writer was expressing. May God grant that it shall have its practical effect upon you.

47:53 - 48:06 Read in full sermon

The point: Examine what you are engaging in now that would be embarrassing or seem stupid in the light of Christ's imminent return.

Martin recalls an old writer who prayed, 'Oh God bring near that day. Help me to live in the light of it.' This quote serves as an example of how a proper understanding of the Day of Judgment should influence a believer's daily life and priorities.

In that day. One of the old writers. Wrote something that is stuck in my mind. He spoke about bringing near the day of judgment.

49:11 - 49:24 Read in full sermon