[mohansunderaraj]

Dear Adam Samuel, reference to your comment “I feel it is as though they are the ones who are scheduling and executing the End Times!” I found Prof. Alan Hultberg’s comment (see additional, resource material) very useful. He states, things indisputably taught in Scripture and central to our faith are essential; things less clearly taught are non-essential. That Jesus is coming again to vindicate his church and judge the enemies of God is the big essential. That is the blessed hope of the church. When and how are not as essential” Further, he states, “Essentially, in my opinion, the Bible teaches the “unknowability” of the timing of the rapture, not its “any moment imminence.” Mohan Sunderaraj.

[mohansunderaraj]

Dear Lavanya, about your comment, “I am not able to think that Church is an afterthought to God’s plan”, I like to add, Apostle Paul sees the Church chosen by God, “before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. (Eph. 1:4). Further, Apostle Peter states of the Church, “foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you (1 Pet. 1:20). How do we explain afterthought if he had planned things even before the foundation of the world? Mohan Sunderaraj

[mohansunderaraj]

What is your take on premillennialism?

The historic premillennial view that the Church is the fulfillment of Israel is based on Matt. 8:12; 21:43 and other passages, seems to be a convenient idea. However, this is my take on the issue is:
First, as per Paul’s comment, the “hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in (Rom. 11:25) seems to suggest this is a temporary phenomenon.
Secondly, Jesus’ first faithful followers were Jews along with many other Jews who need to be given weight.
Thirdly, Jesus in Matt. 19:28 states, at the renewal of all things they will sit in twelve thrones ruling and judging gives credence to the fact that they enjoy a unique place.

In the light of premillennialism, how the church (believers) must engage the present world?

• The advent of rapture helps us not to put down roots in this world and be attracted to materialism but seek the soon-coming kingdom of God
• Though in the eyes of the world we are nobody, the hope of reigning with Christ gives us a unique identity to be ambassadors in the present world.
• We face suffering, hardships, pain with an attitude of triviality in the light of the glorious future ahead.
• There is an urgent, compelling effort to put all our talents, possessions at the disposal of God for the extension of God’s kingdom on earth.
• To be active witnesses so that we will influence and save some by all means despite the rejection and the scorn we may have to face.

[mohansunderaraj]

Dear John Jeyaseker, your point, ‘how does the church transform the environmental conditions and make the lion and the sheep cohabit? is a very pertinent question. However, in the context of diverse meanings of the millenial rule we’ve seen and will see in the coming lessons, we must abstain from the temptation to hold onto regid positions. This is not an important issue to our salvation and it should not create an unnecessary division in the body of believers in the context of an already divided Church. Mohan Sunderaraj

[mohansunderaraj]

Dear Dhanaseelan, your citing of Jesus words, in Matthew 24: 37 – 39. that at the coming of the Son of Man, people will be like in the days of Noah … buttresses the the fact that the post millenial view of the second coming is utopian. With more and more so called ‘Christian nations’abandoning their biblical foundations, increasing worldwide persecution of the Church of God and the rise of the islamic world do not speak well for a global Christianity envisioned by the post millenial idea of the second coming. Mohan Sunderaraj

[mohansunderaraj]

What is your take on postmillennialism?

The idea that the present Church age, (before the second coming of Jesus), will progressively be transform under the power of the gospel it difficult for me to swallow. If it happens it would be an ideal situation but the idea of gradual renewal in farfetched. My perception is more aligned to what Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy,
1-5 Don’t be naive. There are difficult times ahead. As the end approaches, people are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, coarse, dog-eat-dog, unbending, slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God (2 Tim. 1)

In the light of postmillennialism, how the church (believers) must engage the present world?

Of course, the postmillennial view gives a positive spin to engage the present world in many ways.
• Creates great enthusiasm for the Church to accomplish the Great commission of our Lord Jesus Christ, particularly to reach the majority of the unreached people in the 10/40 window.
• It reduces the preoccupation of ‘waiting for the kingdom to come’ mindset and be more involved as ‘salt and earth’ to transform every sphere of the world.
• It envisions global Christianity and aspires for political leadership to transform the earth.

[mohansunderaraj]

Dear John Jeyaseker, reference to your comment, “There can be several views based on how one understands the text. However that does not make one a heretic”, the study has opened my eyes to see different shades of meaning to the passages involved. Certainly it has been very enlightening to see the different perspectives and the issues involved. One scholar from whom which I learnt more was Dr. RC Sproul. His thoughts on the passage on Jesus statement ‘veryily this generation will not pass away’ in the olivet discourse was very enlightening. Mohan Sunderaraj.

[mohansunderaraj]

Dear Lee, reference to your comment “The whole millennial edifice is unfortunately built on a single passage Revelation 20. I would rather interpret Rev 20 based on other passages” makes me tread with utmost care!Unless the Lord sheds more light into this theme we have to confine ourselves to what we can collectively discuss and understand. Certainly, this theme has opened my eyes to many issues involved and look forward to understand more in the future. As you said, the key may be to understand this theme in the light of all the passages involved. Mohan

[mohansunderaraj]

What are your expectations on the study of the millennial views?

My expectations on the study of millennial views are only academic. I am also interested in the historicity in the evolving situation such as birth of the nation of Israel in recent history. Further, the study is helping me to understand the difficulties in interpretations of some of the passages involved. This will hopefully make me more understanding of the different views church fathers have held on the topic.

However, like all believers who wait on the Lord’s coming I will seek to prepare to depend more and more on God, be a good steward, develop a kingdom mind set, take risks and be transparent and accountable.

[mohansunderaraj]

Dear Suresh, your reference to the verse in James 1: 27 – to visit orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained from the world is very pertinent. We just don’t sit on our backs waiting the return of the Lord. We have a important job to perform until he returns. With the privilage of waiting to meet our Lord goes the responsibility to be a good steward of whatever he has entrusted to us like our talents, time, resources. It seems paradoxical but as Dr. Jonh Piper puts it in the additional reading material, “a glorious perplexity”. Mohan Sunderaraj

[mohansunderaraj]

Dear Danaseelan, the verse quoted by you, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him, but God has revealed it to us by His Spirit.” (1 Cor. 2:9-10) has been a wonderful motivation to me also in the wake of our present hardships in the world to look forward to the things God has prepared for us. I think the biblical theme of “hope” based on God’s word will help each believer to persevere during the hardships we face now and what we will face in the days to come. Mohan Sunderaraj.

[mohansunderaraj]

In the light of the glorious future prepared for believers in new heaven and earth, how should we prepare ourselves now?
In lesson 5, which dealt with Olivet discourse (Lk. 21) some of the key words that will help us to prepare for the second coming are:
See to it that you are not misled (v.8). We are forewarned about an era of delusion and therefore we are warned.
Be on guard (v.34), This verse calls for vigilance.
Straighten up and lift up your heads (v.28). Be expectant of the momentous event.
Keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, (v..36)
Be a “faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household slaves, to give them their food at the proper time? (Matt. 24:45).

In the light of the eternal damnation of the wicked, what should we do about it now?
We should have the same attitude that Jesus, “he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray. So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish (Matt 18:13-14). Similarly, Peter, states, “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. (2 Pet. 3:9).

[mohansunderaraj]

Dear Lee, reference to your idea that, he present earth would become unliveable and the new earth and heaven would be established and a new creation rather than a transformation of the existing world. It is difficult for me to see the world with all its beauty, splendor, a vast variety of plants, animals (despite the present environmental degradation) is going to be totally destroyed. This will be a sad end to God’s wonderful creative work. I think what could happen is a total renewal and restoration to bring back earth to be like an Eden atmosphere. Mohan Sunderaraj

[mohansunderaraj]

Dear Arul Sam Dilip, referenece to your observation about current preaching, studies based on the current events and the contemporary happenings and their certainity of ‘this is this’ … a prophecy is getting fulfilled, (which may not be the case). I like to add my observation. This phenomenon we see today is common among the newer churches and the older churches hardly emphasising the sencond coming of Christ. The pendulam is swinging to both extremes and I think we need to strike a balanced view. For this we need to be familiar with the biblical passages which it deals with the subject. Mohan Sunderaraj

[mohansunderaraj]

1. What were your views about the manner of the second coming of Jesus before taking this lesson?
I had the God given privilage of being the fourth generation Christian in our family line and since early childhood we were taught about the second coming from the Bible so my views are similar to what was taught in this lesson such as, it will be a special individual return for us those who believe, will be able to discerning him clearly, will see him in a bodily form and not in the form of a spirit which we know him, he will come when he is least expected and it is going to be a magnificent event.

2. Any changes in your views about the manner of Jesus’ return after completing the lesson? Please offer the reasons for the change of views or holding on to the same views.
In Matt. 24: 34 we read, “truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place”. I presumed that the generation could be the present generation of the Jews with the founding of the nation of Israel in 1948 and implying that his return could be imminent. However, I now realize this could be an embarrassingly wrong interpretation as Jesus’ return cannot be predicted and will happen when we least expect it.

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