Re: Hey guys, I've finally found the antichrist!!

"Whatever this or that church father taught about the millennium from the 2ndC onwards must always be tested against the primary source - the Bible, and especially the NT."

I agree with that!

And I agree with the Wm E Cox quote that the writings of the early church fathers, even though they were much closer to the inspired Bible writers, does not make them authoritative.

I will admit that the Finalist view (yes that term sounds good to me :)) logically makes sense to me. Because like you, I believe everything is fulfilled in Christ.

Gal. 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

But still some things the bible says doesn't seem to add up with the Finalist view, or again, maybe I'm just still not understanding, which could certainly be the case since I'm pretty new to a lot of this.

But take this passage for example:

Romans 11:

25Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written,

“The Deliverer will come from Zion,
he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”;
27“and this will be my covenant with them
when I take away their sins.”

28As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. 29For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, 31so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. 32For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.

Has the fullness of the gentiles already come in? If not, this (however it will unfold) still seems like a future prophecy to me.






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