Brother Doug, thank you for this ministry! I think these passages in Zach have escatalogical implications. Jesus is ruling since his coronation. We wait for him to sum up all things in him with the consummation of the Kingdom. We serve him in victory! I think the Amillinial perspective has weight. I understand that believers have different points of view when it comes to his second coming and the things that proceed his coming. It is a good thing to study the different perspectives. I have found that Sam Storms interview on Remnant radio, and North Ave Church ministry (both on UA-cam) to be helpful with this perspective. North Ave Church in GA has a Progressive Covenental theological view of scripture, basically New Covenent theology. Hope this helps y'all who want to broaden perspective on eschatology in light of Zach teaching and Revelation coming soon. Peace and blessings, sincerely, Paul
Truly I pray you find this as interesting as I did! This study has truly opened my eyes too our Lord at work! Seeing the sovereignty of God through biblical and historical context : the King is on His throne Historical Context of Isaiah 10 Scriptural Reference: Isaiah 10:5-19: Here, Assyria is portrayed as the "rod of God's anger" to punish Israel for its sins. The prophecy not only predicts the Assyrian conquest but also their subsequent downfall due to pride. Historical Narrative: Rise of Assyria: From around 911 BC, with significant expansion under leaders like Tiglath-Pileser III (745-727 BC), Assyria became a formidable empire, known for its military might and the use of deportation as a control mechanism. Fall of Israel: In 722 BC, Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, was captured by Sargon II, leading to the exile of the ten tribes as described prophetically in Isaiah's writings. Assyria's Punishment: Later, Assyria's overreach and pride led to its own downfall by 609 BC, with the Babylonian and Medean forces sacking Nineveh in 612 BC, aligning with Isaiah's prophecy of divine retribution. Jeremiah 3:8 speaks of God's judgment on Israel for spiritual infidelity, which historically manifests through the Assyrian conquest. Opium Wars and Christian Missions in China Historical Data: First Opium War (1839-1842): Triggered by the Qing Dynasty's attempt to suppress the opium trade, which was largely controlled by British traders, with opium sourced from British India. The war ended with the Treaty of Nanking, which ceded Hong Kong to Britain and opened several Chinese ports to foreign trade. Second Opium War (1856-1860): Involved more European powers including France, and again, resulted in further concessions from China, including the legalization of the opium trade. Religious Aspect - Christian Missions: Missionary Activity: The treaties post-war allowed for increased missionary presence in China. Figures like Robert Morrison and Hudson Taylor entered China, leading to the establishment of churches and the spread of Christianity despite the tumultuous times. Rise and Fall of Chinese Religious Order: The traditional Chinese religious landscape, dominated by Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, was challenged by Western Christian influences. However, the Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901) was a violent backlash against foreign influence, including missionaries, though Christianity continued to grow, especially in the 20th century. American Families and Military Involvement: American Families: The Perkins and Forbes families, among others, were involved in the opium trade, making fortunes that later influenced American commerce and philanthropy. US Military: While the US did not directly control the opium trade, American naval presence in the Canton area (notably through the USS Warren) was part of the broader Western push for trade rights and protection of their citizens, indirectly supporting the opium trade system. Comparative Analysis with Isaiah 10: Sovereignty of God: Just as God used the Assyrian army to discipline Israel, one could interpret the tumultuous events of the Opium Wars as setting the stage for the spread of Christianity in China. Despite the negative aspects like addiction and war, the opening of China led to profound religious changes. Isaiah 10:12: "When the Lord has finished all his work against Mount Zion and Jerusalem, he will say, 'I will punish the king of Assyria for the willful pride of his heart and the haughty look in his eyes.'" This can be paralleled with the eventual fall of Western influence in China, where pride and greed led to both moral and geopolitical consequences. Christianity's Rise: The introduction of missionaries during this time, amidst conflict and trade, mirrors the theme of God using adverse situations to achieve divine purposes, as seen with the spread of Christianity in China, which continued to grow despite various suppressions. In conclusion, just as in the biblical narrative where God uses heathen nations to enact His will, the historical events surrounding the Opium Wars can be seen as a complex canvas where divine providence might have been at work, leading to the eventual flourishing of Christianity in China, despite the initial destructive elements of the opium trade.
great discussion today, made me think of a possible topic for a free-form Friday...freedom of religion in America. Europe has been taken over by the Muslim faith, is that a result of religious freedom? is that what's happening with an open border? Should Christians be open to those from other faiths? John said don't even invite them into your home, I struggle with these questions...thanks!
Turns out "nation" is a very deep subject difficult to define but looks like basically people groups bound by history or culture or religion or whatever they agree to live together by. Country may be a better word to describe multiple people groups within a boundary and common government. Nation in the Bible generally refers to non-Israel or gentiles. Maybe you could cover this more tomorrow? The simplest answer would be people?
Wonderful, glory to God 🙏 truly a great discussion and the whole study of Zechariah was awesome
Brother Doug, thank you for this ministry!
I think these passages in Zach have escatalogical implications. Jesus is ruling since his coronation. We wait for him to sum up all things in him with the consummation of the Kingdom. We serve him in victory!
I think the Amillinial perspective has weight. I understand that believers have different points of view when it comes to his second coming and the things that proceed his coming. It is a good thing to study the different perspectives.
I have found that Sam Storms interview on Remnant radio, and North Ave Church ministry (both on UA-cam) to be helpful with this perspective.
North Ave Church in GA has a Progressive Covenental theological view of scripture, basically New Covenent theology. Hope this helps y'all who want to broaden perspective on eschatology in light of Zach teaching and Revelation coming soon.
Peace and blessings, sincerely,
Paul
Truly I pray you find this as interesting as I did! This study has truly opened my eyes too our Lord at work! Seeing the sovereignty of God through biblical and historical context : the King is on His throne
Historical Context of Isaiah 10
Scriptural Reference:
Isaiah 10:5-19: Here, Assyria is portrayed as the "rod of God's anger" to punish Israel for its sins. The prophecy not only predicts the Assyrian conquest but also their subsequent downfall due to pride.
Historical Narrative:
Rise of Assyria: From around 911 BC, with significant expansion under leaders like Tiglath-Pileser III (745-727 BC), Assyria became a formidable empire, known for its military might and the use of deportation as a control mechanism.
Fall of Israel: In 722 BC, Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, was captured by Sargon II, leading to the exile of the ten tribes as described prophetically in Isaiah's writings.
Assyria's Punishment: Later, Assyria's overreach and pride led to its own downfall by 609 BC, with the Babylonian and Medean forces sacking Nineveh in 612 BC, aligning with Isaiah's prophecy of divine retribution.
Jeremiah 3:8 speaks of God's judgment on Israel for spiritual infidelity, which historically manifests through the Assyrian conquest.
Opium Wars and Christian Missions in China
Historical Data:
First Opium War (1839-1842): Triggered by the Qing Dynasty's attempt to suppress the opium trade, which was largely controlled by British traders, with opium sourced from British India. The war ended with the Treaty of Nanking, which ceded Hong Kong to Britain and opened several Chinese ports to foreign trade.
Second Opium War (1856-1860): Involved more European powers including France, and again, resulted in further concessions from China, including the legalization of the opium trade.
Religious Aspect - Christian Missions:
Missionary Activity: The treaties post-war allowed for increased missionary presence in China. Figures like Robert Morrison and Hudson Taylor entered China, leading to the establishment of churches and the spread of Christianity despite the tumultuous times.
Rise and Fall of Chinese Religious Order: The traditional Chinese religious landscape, dominated by Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, was challenged by Western Christian influences. However, the Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901) was a violent backlash against foreign influence, including missionaries, though Christianity continued to grow, especially in the 20th century.
American Families and Military Involvement:
American Families: The Perkins and Forbes families, among others, were involved in the opium trade, making fortunes that later influenced American commerce and philanthropy.
US Military: While the US did not directly control the opium trade, American naval presence in the Canton area (notably through the USS Warren) was part of the broader Western push for trade rights and protection of their citizens, indirectly supporting the opium trade system.
Comparative Analysis with Isaiah 10:
Sovereignty of God: Just as God used the Assyrian army to discipline Israel, one could interpret the tumultuous events of the Opium Wars as setting the stage for the spread of Christianity in China. Despite the negative aspects like addiction and war, the opening of China led to profound religious changes.
Isaiah 10:12: "When the Lord has finished all his work against Mount Zion and Jerusalem, he will say, 'I will punish the king of Assyria for the willful pride of his heart and the haughty look in his eyes.'" This can be paralleled with the eventual fall of Western influence in China, where pride and greed led to both moral and geopolitical consequences.
Christianity's Rise: The introduction of missionaries during this time, amidst conflict and trade, mirrors the theme of God using adverse situations to achieve divine purposes, as seen with the spread of Christianity in China, which continued to grow despite various suppressions.
In conclusion, just as in the biblical narrative where God uses heathen nations to enact His will, the historical events surrounding the Opium Wars can be seen as a complex canvas where divine providence might have been at work, leading to the eventual flourishing of Christianity in China, despite the initial destructive elements of the opium trade.
great discussion today, made me think of a possible topic for a free-form Friday...freedom of religion in America. Europe has been taken over by the Muslim faith, is that a result of religious freedom? is that what's happening with an open border? Should Christians be open to those from other faiths? John said don't even invite them into your home, I struggle with these questions...thanks!
Turns out "nation" is a very deep subject difficult to define but looks like basically people groups bound by history or culture or religion or whatever they agree to live together by. Country may be a better word to describe multiple people groups within a boundary and common government. Nation in the Bible generally refers to non-Israel or gentiles. Maybe you could cover this more tomorrow? The simplest answer would be people?
Hey Doug! Have you heard any of Greg Bahnsen’s lectures on postmillennialism?? I’m not a theonomist but agree with him on the postmill position.
"Biblical Eschatology" by Jonathan Menn changed my life forever and your description of amillenialism is not at all the way I understand it.