Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The National Association of Evangelicals recently put out a press release about the extent of Premillennialism among evangelicals in the United States. I was encouraged to see that many are beginning to realize that the gospel is not advanced by prediction addiction. Here is the press release:
Hollywood has a long history of films about the last times, heaven and the afterlife, precisely because thousands flock to them. From 1996-2007, Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins published 16 books in the fast selling “Left Behind” series that popularized dispensational premillennialism among many Americans. The Christian doctrine of “last things” is called “eschatology” although many simply refer to it as prophecy.
“It’s in our human nature to want to prepare ourselves – physically, emotionally, spiritually – for what might be ahead,” said Leith Anderson, President of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE). “Among evangelicals, the most popular strand of eschatological thought is premillennialism, but even within premillennialism there varieties of views and beliefs.”
The January Evangelical Leaders Survey showed that 65 percent identify with premillennial theology, 13 percent with amillennial and 4 percent with postmillennial. Seventeen percent responded “other.”
The various millennial views stem from different interpretations of Revelation 20, which speaks of the binding of Satan and the reign of Christ and his followers on earth for 1,000 years (a “millennium”).
Premillennialism, which received wide acceptance by many evangelicals through the publishing of the Scofield Reference Bible in 1909, teaches the belief that Jesus Christ will come to earth for the second time after a period of tribulation, followed by a literal 1,000 year period in which Christ and his followers reign on earth. Premillennialists disagree on whether believers will rise and join Jesus (an event called the “rapture”) before, during or after the tribulation period.
Amillennialists believe that the non-literal millennial reign of Christ is happening now as Christ reigns at the right hand of the Father. Postmillennialists believe Christ’s second coming occurs after the 1,000 year period during which humanity gradually improves under the reign of Christ.
Jeff Farmer, President of Open Bible Churches, said that within the Open Bible movement, opinions are varied regarding eschatology. During his tenure as president, Open Bible Churches amended its Statement of Faith to give ministers and constituents greater freedom in teaching eschatology. Farmer also commented that he hears relatively little preaching about the millennium in churches today.
Many who included comments with their response noted that focusing on the specifics of the end times can be a distraction from living faithfully in the present. Roy Taylor, Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church in America, expressed this sentiment by saying, “As far as predicting the approximate time of Christ’s Second Advent is concerned, I have resigned from the Planning Committee and have joined the Welcoming Committee.”
The Evangelical Leaders Survey is a monthly poll of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Evangelicals. They include the CEOs of denominations and representatives of a broad array of evangelical organizations including missions, universities, publishers and churches.
Philippines
From Pastor Doming Trilles:
Pastor Reuel Pamor, Mr. Erenio Tapan, my wife and two youths attending our local congregation in Pili distributed gifts to the Oyango tribe at Santa Teresita, Iriga City. The gifts came from Canada, courtesy of Pastor Boni and Caring Gonzales, who were used by God to plant this local church, which is composed of Oyango tribesmen. We repacked the items composed of brand new clothes of all sizes, candies, chocolates, toiletries and other basic needed items. The distribution was done after the worship service. Former tribal chieftain Celio Lumabi led the closing prayer and thanksgiving prayer.
Prayer Requests and Updates
Dennis Lawrence sent this update:
I am home from the hospital now, having completed 10 rounds of chemotherapy, 12 radiation treatments, and the stem cell transplant over the past nearly 11 months. It is a matter of healing now, getting back energy and getting back to living again with only weekly medical checkups for a while. They cannot pronounce on my “healing” until about the end of May. I was in remission when I went in for the transplant; the tumors and cancer were under control. So I hope that this is only more final now.
I don’t know how anyone goes through such as this without faith, and I didn’t find anyone in the hospital without faith of some sort. I know that I have been surrounded with thousands of people around the world in prayer for me, attested by hundreds of cards I have received. I want to thank all of them for their love, attention, and concern. And thank you for your patience as I sometimes struggled a lot through these months and wondered what was going to happen to my life as I know it. I’m looking forward to summer, to sailing and barbecuing again, and to getting back into the middle of the life of the two congregations I serve.
Cards may be sent to:
211 De L’ile Blvd
Pincourt, PQ J7V 3R6
CANADA
Hinkles’ grandson
Larry wrote: Great news! Miraculously, our grandson Coty came home from the hospital yesterday without the need for additional oxygen or a feeding tube, and just in time to not lose his disability benefits through the state agency, CAPP. Thanks so much again for all of you who have been praying for Coty, and for all the cards and emails of support.
Effie Pendergraft
Effie wrote: Chad and I were amazed by all the prayers, cards and care packages coming from seemingly everywhere. To update all of you wonderful fellow Christians, I have not had any more NMO (Neuromyelitis Optica) episodes since September. NMO (also known as Devi’s disease, related to MS) is an autoimmune disease that is not curable. Though I will need treatment about every six months, I am at home now able to see and walk, and I am delighted to be taking care of my little girls without a caretaker. Words cannot express the depth of the love we experienced from our church family. Thank you.
Chad and Effie Pendergraft
962 Country Crossing
Webb City, MO 64870
Remember that prayer is the battleground where we fight the good fight of faith. Let’s encourage everyone to join together in prayer, for we belong to Christ, and by the Spirit it is in Christ that we pray. Prayer and other spiritual activities help keep our hearts in tune with God and remind us of who we are in Christ. He is our all in all, and in him we are eternally beloved of the Father and blessed to share his good news with others.
Love from my family to yours,
Joseph Tkach
