Episode 32: A Review of The Doctrine of the Last Things

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Bible Prophecy Under the Microscope-32

Gary reviews a new book by Dr. Sam Waldron about eschatology called “The Doctrine of Last Things.”

Like a number of commentators, John Murray argues that the disciples were confused about the “end of the age” (Matt. 24:3), believing that when the temple was destroyed, it would also mean a final eschatological end. Murray writes:

In view of the terms of the parallel verses in Mark and Luke— ‘when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things come to pass’ (Mark 13:4)—we should most probably regard the disciples as thinking of the destruction of the temple and the coming (παρουσία) as coincident, and the sign, in their esteem, would be the sign of all three events specified in Matthew 24:3—destruction of the temple, the coming, and the consummation of the age (2:387).

Sam Waldron also believes the disciples were mistaken in combining the three events. If they were mistaken, why didn’t Jesus say so? He had corrected the disciples on a number of occasions (Matt. 8:23-27; 16:21- 23; Mark 9:30-33; Luke 9:37-56; John 12:15-17; 13:7-13; 16:18; 20:9; Acts 1:6-8), but not on this very significant point. Murray and Waldron assume what must be proved. They heard Jesus apply what was about to happen to them: “You will be hearing … they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name … when you see” (Matt. 24:6, 9, 15, 33).

As we’ll see, language about the end of this or that is common, and did not often if ever refer to the end of planet Earth, the cosmos, or temporal history. Anyone familiar with the Old Testament prophets would know this…

Prophecy Wars: The Biblical Battle Over the End Times

If you’re willing to take the Bible at its word, the study of prophecy can strengthen your faith, but if your trust is in man’s speculations, you will be disappointed every time. And that is why Bible prophecy is such a crucial area for apologetics. Skeptics of all stripes have condemned the Bible as inaccurate merely because various well-meaning Christians have been in error about the End Times.

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Gary reviews a new book by Dr. Sam Waldron about eschatology called The Doctrine of Last Things. Waldon basically follows John Murray’s amillennialism and doesn’t really deal with much of the material that presents a different view. While Dr. Waldron offers his views on preterism, he doesn’t actually interact with any of their writings and dismisses it as a Catholic heresy.

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