Are These the End Times?: A Conversation with W. Robert Godfrey, Burk Parsons, and Cornelis Venema

Chaos and moral confusion abound in our fallen world, causing many Christians to wonder if we are living in the end times. We’re streaming a recent conversation on eschatology with Drs. W. Robert Godfrey, Burk Parsons, and Cornelis Venema. Watch as they consider how God’s people find hope and strength to endure as we trust in the promise of Christ’s return.

Further your study with the following resources:

The Last Days according to Jesus with R.C. Sproul

Blessed Hope: The Book of Revelation with W. Robert Godfrey

3 Things You Should Know about Revelation by Dennis Johnson

The Millennium, a Resource Collection from Ligonier Ministries

[catherinebrown]

Thank you all for your expertise in this area . We must be ready at all times because Jesus will come as a thief in the night! We must be vigilant and ready to meet Him!

[aletheia]

I hope it’s the end. “Come lord Jesus come”

[kablammy]

thank you for this presentation - very informative and edifying

[robbieg.]

Wish RC Sproul were still here, he’d set y’all straight on eschatology. The ‘end of the age’ was clearly referring to the end of the sacrificial Jewish/old covenant age that was to be done away with by 70AD. In the olivet discourse, Jesus didn’t go from talking about the destruction of the temple, then jump suddenly to the end of the world. His entire talk with the disciples was regarding the coming judgement on Jerusalem for killing the Lord.

[joshj]

10:19 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

[HankF-pvwi]

This was a very thoughtful discussion by four Godly men - thank you, Ligonier! As always, you do a wonderful job.

I go to a Reformed PCA Church where most folks subscribe to Amillenialism. Unfortunately, eschatology is NEVER discussed. I do not disagree with anything said by these men, however, I would like to hear how a Reformed academic type explains away Isaiah 26:19-21. As I read the text, I see: 1) resurrection of the dead, 2) rapture of believers "for a little while" 3) while God pours out His wrath on the earth's unbelieving masses.

In the video, they discussed 2 Thessalonians 4 in their attempt to dismiss the idea of the rapture, however the MOST compelling verse supporting the idea that God raises the dead in Christ, raptures the Church to their Heavenly rooms for a short time, and pours out His wrath on earth is found in Isaiah 26:19-21. Read the verse for yourself below. I've included the ESV for a Reformed audience ;-)

19 Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise.
You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy!
For your dew is a dew of light,
and the earth will give birth to the dead.
20 Come, my people, enter your chambers,
and shut your doors behind you;
hide yourselves for a little while
until the fury has passed by.
21 For behold, the Lord is coming out from his place
to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity,
and the earth will disclose the blood shed on it,
and will no more cover its slain.

[theresaleskinen]

Luke 21:29-31 I think is saying that, just as you know by the fig tree what season is upon us, you will also know when the end is near by the things listed. That, plus the age of the earth being at the 6, 000 year mark now, seems like the end is right around the corner.

[patriciakinloch]

Many seem to forget all the prophecies about Israel that still have not been fulfilled. What is going on in Israel right now is very significant, also the re establishment of Israel as a nation in 1948, the resurrection of their obsolete language.

[bjqb]

The only redeeming part of this? The heavenly music honoring the Holy One!

[donalddalton]

Praying for Revival of our Nation and World! We have wars all around us and weapons of mass destruction that could wipe out billions of people. Men has expanded in our world that is falling apart more and more. God is Love and Yes our priority as believers is to Pray and Share the Gospel. No Good news in the World. Yes we will see His Glory and want others to see. Help us Lord.

[Dross-sn]

If most Christians cannot allow for a non literal interpretation of certain biblical passages of scripture concerning the end of things, they will inevitably end up with contradictory interpretations that cause massive divisions and even charges of heresy towards each other. That is absolutely insane. There's no nicer way to put it. Its INSANE.

[joshj]

22:35 Sounds to me you are still attempting date set eventhough you already know not to do it.

[Faithseekingcatholicity]

Are there even any partial preterist on this panel?

[dcccharles]

God's people have always been protected and excluded from His wrath and judgment reserved for the wicked and unjust.  This happened with Noah and his family when spared from the world flood which destroyed the remaining human race.  Again, God's people were spared his wrath when Abraham and his family were spared from God's wrath and judgment when He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.  

God's wrath is reserved for the wicked and impenitent.  We should not overthink what the Holy Bible clearly teaches about the Rapture.  Praise and Glory to our Lord God and Savior Jeus Christ.

For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.
Matthew 24: 38-41

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 Thessalonians 4:15-18

[PaulineConnolly-jrqc]

Sorry Cornelius is confusing me 😢 just need clarity not comparisons sorry brother

[Joe-lkoc]

The Bible is clearly based up dispensations. When the fulfillment of the gentiles is complete, God says he will deal with the Jews. The 'church' has not replaced Israel.

[jeffdaniels]

you guys cant see the forest for the trees...as academics are so prone to do

[solas]

For starters, check out the work from Dr. Ken Gentry.

[ERIK..-A.D.]

---- Sorry to say this to Ligonier, but this was simply the dispensationalist View Expanded upon, or an Exposition of that View, which is a total waste of time. i was expecting more, that is, for these teachers to give the various views and then share the opinions of each view. However, this was all a one sided Dispensationalist Presentation. I'm sorry, but many Christians have a very Different view of the End Times. i wish they had included us in their conversation. Sorry.

[willardconley]

lol...if he is bound...it's with a LONG long chain....