I was baptized and raised in the Anglican church of Ireland but got busy with life and put it on the backburner for a very long time. Quite recently and now living in the United States. I have been working on rekindling my faith and was mind boggled by all the different denominations here that represent Protestantism. That said, I have been watching videos from about every single one of them in efforts to find a fit for me. It is really starting to look like the Lutheran church is where I should begin and listening to this fellow here, has had a big impact on that decision.
Our family checked out the Anglicans and the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS), and landed at the LCMS. I find them quite compatible. Also in America there are quite a few more LCMS churches than Anglican, and the LCMS tend to reliably be both traditional and conservative.
So I have antibaptist roots that go back to the 1600's, as a teen I was yanked out of that into a Presbyterian church as an adult I planted and spent a lot of times in Bible churches, Went to a Mennonite college to get a BS in ministry, spent two years studying in a program started by John MacArthur. I landed in an LCMS church after all of that and I am home being part of the one true catholic church. This church most resembles what the church believed for 1500 years before the reformation as far as doctrine and practice, and it never gets old Gods graces imparted to us every Sunday through the word and the sacrament.
I tell my adult Bible study class that Revelation can be summed up in two words: "God wins." While we can look at the 2nd coming of Christ (as well as Revelation) from a variety of views, the main point (as Luther mentioned), is simply to be ready at any time.
Oh my gosh, this is fabulous! I was raised LCMS and went all the way through the system as far as schools go graduating from Concordia Irvine. I was surrounded by all the different thoughts on revelation, post mil, a\-mil, pre-mil you name it I heard it. This is so good with all these little visual aids. I love it! Just so you're aware there is a Baptist (yes, I said Baptist) pastor in Hendersonville, Tennessee at Long Hollow church who is doing a study of Revelation. Guess what? It's Lutheran theology! You should check it out. So cool that people that truly seek to interpret the scripture with scripture are coming to the Historical viewpoint of the church on this. Thank you for a great overview of this. It was wonderful! God bless.
Thank you ,l come from coptic orthodox faith and this is exactly what our church teaches ,God bless you and speak through you , for His truth and glory.
Thank you Bryan, that was the most understandable teaching on the end times that ive seen,it was so confusing before, but now you have made it clear for me. Ive been looking at a denomination to cling to and im definitely sold on Lutheran but there isnt a church within 30 miles of me here in the UK, i dont drive either. But thanks again for the lecture. 🇬🇧🙏🙏🙏
Thank you so much for this. I was raised Pentecostal and had rapture and all the premil teachings drilled into me for decades. I have questioned it for several years now and this was the clearest, most understandable presentation of these passages. Very slowly I am becoming less jaded about the book of Revelation and more excited about God's promises of end times.
Pastor Bryan, I am LCMS. I studied Greek and Hebrew. For the last 15 years now I have studied the "end times." In the last 10 years I have been involved with TH-cam and Facebook groups. I did this because there is very little discussion of the end times in the Lutheran church. It seems that every time a congregation wants to study the last days, they request the book of Revelation. However, it requires a great amount of understanding of the rest of Scripture to even begin to understand the Revelation. When I first started searching the internet, I was shocked to hear that people actually believed that Jesus returned in 70 AD. Wow! What a crazy belief. I have to say that if it weren't for my Greek, I could honestly see how that could have swayed me to believe this nonsense. As I continued to defend the faith against this heresy, my faith grew ever stronger. It seems strange to say, but Preterism, because it is so challenging with all the time statements, has actually helped me to understand my own view of the end times better, which is Amillennialism. After more than 4 years of discussions, I am now convinced more than ever that we need more clarity when discussing our beliefs. I noticed that you use the term "church age." Although I understand the term, I think it originated with Premillennialism so as to distinguish it from another age - the post-Parousia Millennium. Why, instead of calling it "the church age," do we not call it what it is, "The age of the Messiah" or "The Messianic age"? In Galatians 4:4 and Ephesians 1:10 says that "the fullness of time" came when Jesus was born. Because the word for time (kairos) is plural in Ephesians, it means that the fullness of the ages had arrived in God's plan of redemption. What is "the last time" or age? The Messianic age. As I continued this study I learned about what Paul calls "the long ages past" (Romans 16:25; Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:26). So, there were multiple ages in the past and now the fullness (the end goal) of those ages has resulted in the Messianic age. Notice how this understanding shows the weaknesses of both Preterism, with its view of the so-called "Mosaic age." and Premillennialism with its post-Parousia Millennium. If there are only 1) multiple ages in the past, 2) the present evil age, and 3) the age to come, why do people insist on other ages? The reason Postmillennialists are often Preterist is because they believe in "the pseudo- Mosaic age." Such an age is never mentioned in Scripture. Often they think that this age ended in 70 AD, therefore, the Old Covenant must have ended in 70 AD. But if this is true, then the New Covenant was not in effect at the cross, which is absurd. Either that, or you have some overlapping of the Old and New Covenants, which is easily disproven (Hebrews 8:13; 9:8; 10:9). The defeat of Satan was at the cross (Romans 7:1-4; Ephesians 2:14-16; Colossians 2:13-15; Hebrews 2:14). Premillennialism is also easily shown to be a misunderstanding of Scripture. Many Premillennialists are forced to admit that Jesus is presently reigning, but they say that it is not in a governmental way. Huh? How can they say this when Psalm 110:1-4 and Hebrews 1:13 state that Jesus is ruling in the midst of His enemies now. Also, in Hebrews 10:13, it states that since that time (the time of the Ascension when Jesus sat down at the right hand of God), He waits for His enemies to be made His footstool. I know that Amills believe in a two-age model. That is a different way of looking at things and it is not wrong, but I think we also have to realize that there were multiple ages in the past (5 to be exact) and multiple ages to come (Ephesians 2:7). These are really ages within ages. That explains the "long ages past" in Paul's epistles. But most importantly it explains the age in which we live - the Messianic age. There is another term we can use for this "Messianic age." It is the age in which the RESTORATION of all things takes place. In Isaiah, we see that the last age is the consummation of all the ages (1 Corinthians 10:11; Hebrews 9:26), which began with Jesus' first advent. Needless to say, I have a whole new appreciation of Christmas now. No wonder the angels sang "Glory to God in the Highest. And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased" (Luke 2:14). And when I read all the Christmas narratives in Matthew and Luke, I am overflowing with joy. The new age had arrived (Matthew 4:16). This restoration is seen especially in the fulfillment of Isaiah 49 and 61, but there are many others. Isaiah 49 is quoted by both Jesus and Paul (Matthew 4:16-21; 2 Corinthians 6:2). Jesus called it "the year of the Lord's favor" (the year of Jubilee) when captives would be set free. Paul tied it to "the ministry of reconciliation" (2 Corinthians 5:17-18) and the restoration that would take place in "the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2). I believe the reason this is talked about so little is because people do not understand the importance of Jesus' first advent. They often have very little understanding of what Jesus was actually doing. Yes, he was dying for our sins, but there was much more happening. He was defeating Satan and taking away his power. He was casting down "the accuser of the brethren" (Revelation 12:7-11) and binding the strong man (Matthew 12:29; Mark 3:27; Luke 11:21) and bringing in the kingdom (Matthew 12:28, 32). Isaiah 49 speaks of the restoration. It also shows how that restoration is possible: " Can the prey be taken from the mighty man, or the captives of a tyrant be rescued? Surely, thus says the LORD, “Even the captives of the mighty man will be taken away, and the prey of the tyrant will be rescued; For I will contend with the one who contends with you, and I will save your sons" (Isaiah 49:24-25). Yours in Christ, Jeff
Just want to agree with all those who have found your presentation very clear and helpful. I have shared it among friends who remain in dispensational darkness. *Thank you very much*
Lk. 21:24 Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles (aka Muslims), until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled". Apparently, JESUS was in Dispensationalism darkness.
Thank you pastor , you gave some great insights I didn’t see before . I came out of dispensationalism and it’s a confusing system to say the least . Amill is not only biblical but makes the most sense of a two kingdom already not yet approach to reading the scriptures . Maranatha
I attended a dispensational, premillennial Bible college. I started to become disillusioned with the concept when people holding to this theological view were more interested in “end times” prophecy conferences then they were in sharing the gospel.
After having been a member of a Lutheran church, I was introduced to a Calvary Chapel, where I learned to take the Bible far more literal, ( like those 1000 years,) but also I changed my view to dispensational pre-millenialism. But my family members are still Lutheran. I'm sad, that somehow I have never been taught in the Lutheran church what this pastor just showed, Thank you, Pastor, now I can really compare the two, study like the Bereans and know for myself!
@@sewdutch2That’s funny, I’ve had the opposite experience! Been involved Calvary Chapel for 20 years but am now delving deeper into Confessional Lutheranism. I personally ascribe to premillennialism still but have turned away from dispensationalist theology, and am receptive to the idea of amillennialism as Wolfmueller explains here.
I rejected this five also when I researched Nelson Darby and the Niagara bible conferences in the 1800's. One thing I did find out is the Antichrist will wear out the Saints, 2 thes
@@bike.brigade you believe satan has been bound a thousand years? I say his time is short after accusing my brethren 2000 years. Rev. 12:5 is the Rapture of the man child aka the Body of CHRIST. Verses 7-10 is a war of railing accusations over the Pre-Trib Raptured Church. He is rebuked by the blood of CHRIST in verse 11. We rejoice and dwell in heaven the 7 yeas and woe to the inhabitants on earth satan knows his time is short.
@@notmycircus1240 I think point of perspective is of utmost importance here. It could certainly be construed as Kabbalist to a mystic. However, I’m not a mystic. If I were a bonafide mystic with true earthly faith, I wouldn’t be here listening to pastor Wolfmueller stir a thankfulness in Christ. I guess my question would be, “why are you here”? There is certainly no Kabbalah here but much about Christ. Perhaps you missed it but I’m thinking you didn’t. Personally, I think Christ of the Bible can draw a crowd. He’s amazing that way. Thanks for the reply. All my best.
@@rickhuntling7338 It's not literally 1000 years. It's as long as the Lord chooses to take. 1000 is a number used to represent a great mass, not an arithmetically precise unit.
@@JS_Guitar09 Is Joshua 3:4 "about 2000 cubits" a cubit of years "GAP". The HOLY SPIRIT says yes. You see, the Ark is the Testimony of JESUS CHRIST passing by Israel until a 2000 cubit of years is obtained. That would be 2031 AD. Is 1260 years something different you invent from out of your head? What is 1335 years? Or 1290?
I became convinced of Amillennialism during my undergraduate work at Liberty University, which was also, interestingly enough, during a time when I was newly switching over to Lutheranism. One thing that both the Pre- and Post- Millennial formulas do is assume finite entropy on eternity, which is why they literalize the 1,000 year reign. The bottom line is, the ‘Day of the Lord’ began on the day Christ’s resurrection and we’ve been in that “Day” ever since. This video was a very helpful tool as far as mapping Amillennnialism out properly. The only thing this video did not cover that I was hoping for was what and who the antichrist is from ch. 12-13 of Revelation. I think we live in an age of over-realized eschatology, where people are looking for ways to connect the dots and be alert of signs of the end times. “Obama’s the Antichrist!” “No, Trump’s the Antichrist!” “No, Biden‘s the Antichrist!” Maybe do a video on the Lutheran view of the Antichrist next?? God’s Peace Be With You, Pastor Wolfmueller
Thank you, yes I asked for the same thing. World events are as if we're entering the G Tribulation now. A communist one world government is fast rising to great power, saying they want all of us MARKED (after the vaccine), right as the Pope mixes all regions into one. Too freaky. My church taught this in the 80s, when I was a kid, and I never forgot. It's hard to fathom it's *not* Biblical prophecy.
@@LilacDaisy2 Throughout the history of the church there have been people who have looked at world events and concluded that prophecies were being fulfilled and Jesus was coming back soon. A well known example would be the Millerites during the 1800s. The failure of Jesus to return when predicted was known as The Great Disappointment. John Hagee was making end-time predictions about six years ago based on lunar eclipses, but nothing seems to have come from these predictions. There have been "wars and rumors of wars" since the time of Jesus, but none of these have accurately predicted His return.
@@sarco64 Oh, you misunderstood my meaning. I was not predicting His return (or far less: date-setting -- shudder). I was saying unprecedented world-wide events (not guesses of events) are actually happening that look just like the start up of the worldwide 7 year Great Tribulation. I've been there for a lot of fear-mongering, and I even fell for the "Obama is riding a donkey (his party symbol) through the same gates that Jesus rode a donkey -- the gates that are closed to most people." That was a huge wake up call to be more careful and discerning, so nothing moved me to seeing end times prophecy or seek out such videos. Until the worldwide deception of a pandemic that isn't, and world leaders saying all the same lines, that we'll need vax passports for basic freedoms, and eventually a mark (all signs = to buy and sell, since cash is being phased out, with a digital currency coming in). No TH-cam video was needed to translate it for me, it was so plain. Funnily enough, non-religious economists are explaining this world take-over and ringing the bells: th-cam.com/video/7fXs3t3mQj8/w-d-xo.html A popular Atheist argument is that Christianity can't be true, because look at how many religions there are -- with that much error, how can one be true? Your comment reminds me of this false dichotomy. Can I please ask for your view of the Book of Rev? I in no way have everything figured out.
@@sarco64 Exegetically, I think this is partly because mainstream voices of the church have hardly ever conceded that the “beast” of Revelation 13 would’ve had an immediate reference to Emperor Nero.
Thanks, pastor! Regarding the two reserrections Romans 6 is a good text. It is also interesting to look at John 5 were two resurrections are mentioned (one is being given eternal life when coming to faith, the other is the resurrection on the last day), and it is said that those who believe (that is, those who have partin the first resurrection) have passed from death to life and do not come under the condemnation. I think that is an even more close parallel to Revelation 20.
Thank you🙏 so much for explaining this as you did. I watched a different video explaining it and got a bit confused on some things, but this video helped me to understand the matter much better. Thank you🙏!
Loved this video. I've never been particularly interested in the end times, so I sort of allowed it to become this Fuzzy mass of "Probably bad things" that I wasnt really sure of. So the whole second half of this video was just Eureka after Eureka.
Thank you Bryan Wolfmueller. For me, the A Millennial view has CLEARLY been the correct view for 42 years now. When the Holy Spirit was given to man in Acts 2, Peter preaches one message and about three thousand are saved. The Holy Spirit in man was the binding of Satan " so that he could not deceive the nations " any more resulting in the gospel going out into the whole world. When he is loosed it's only for a "short time" of tribulation. We are going home soon my brother!!!
My wife's comments! "He's easy to understand!" That is important! I have taught her about the difference between "exegesis" and "eisegesis." When we went through the study by Ken Klaus on Revelation, as good as it was, my wife recognized what she felt was him "bringing his thoughts to Scripture." That was especially apparent with his thinking on "codes" in the Bible related to numbers, 10 and 1000 and 12 and 144,000 and 666. "Where is that in the Bible?" she asked. The grotesque artwork in his Revelation study was also on the level of "offensive" to contemporary sensibilities. Of course, we can't compromise truth because of contemporary sensibilities. On the other hand, the medieval scare tactics in the arts to create submission to the Vicar of Christ and the church, is not what the Scriptures communicate. Teaching the LHM study by Klaus on Zoom, I decided to supplement the teaching with this straightforward teaching by Pastor Wolfmueller. An exegetical study by any measure. Good one!
Numerology is a real practice that was used by biblical writers. While I think it is possible to disagree that they might be symbolic, or what they symbolize, you can interpret with good faith and it could be good exegesis to understand why John used specific numbers by looking at what these numbers were used to represent in other passages.
Thank you Pastor Wolfmueller. One sticking point I have with this interpretation is the parable of the fig tree in Matthew 24. I've been on the post-mill side for several years but this is giving me pause: The characteristic of the fig tree is that it produces fruit twice in its season - once at the beginning of the season, and again at the end. I take this to mean that the days leading to the end of the church age will be like unto the days of the end of the mosaic age and the siege of Jerusalem. How do you see the second coming?
James t: as one who received his B. A. In biblical studies from a SBC university ( Palm Beach Atlantic, W.P.B., FL) and now. a LCMS pastor, that view simply does not comport with sound, biblical exegesis. It ignores the literary genre of Revelation and therefore the biblical imagery from that genre. Though I mean no offense, you are hanging on to your Baptist’s bias. Pax.
Thank you, I went from Dispensationial Premillinalism to Amillinalism by the grace of God through God's Word and had one heck of a pile of books and diagrams to get rid of, hahaha. God's peace be with you
@@surikat-q9i You mean baby baptism that aren't biblical and if you didn't know eschatology isn't theology. If you believe in the biblical gospel, then you are not the only true ones. lol In fact, you've only shared your opinion.
@@His-Story.ForHisGlory Faith is a free gift from God, it is God's work, not our own, Faith is the Holy Spirit inside you. Consequentially even infants, and "fetuses" can have Faith. In Acts, entire households are baptized, that would include the very young. It was not the norm in the early Church because most Christians were adult converts. Also, for us Gentiles, it replaces the sign of the old covenant.
Praise God! Which ever way it works out, it Will be gods plan, and that's the way it will be. We should just all be confident that we have salvation through Christ. There are many things that we currently do not need to know. We should just keep our eyes trained upon the goal.
This is the best thing I've seen all week. The last few nights I've been worrying, due to reading summaries of those end-times fiction books. There is peace that comes through God's Word and I appreciate a pastor who helps me understand it. Thank you, Pastor Wolfmueller, for this teaching. I do want to ask, is the common end-times teaching from fiction books and movies (the premillennial dispensational teaching) considered to be false teaching? Is it in the same category as say, false Christology? Because there is a lot of damage being done through these books and movies that cause people like myself to worry and fear. I look forward to seeing more of your teaching, which is comforting since it is backed up by actual Scripture.
Hey Roy i just want to agree that worry and fear is not what Christ brought or taught us. I concur very much and when I was being sent all the end time videos during the start of COVID I weighed them by that. Are they peddling fear? Then it is not of Christ. It is nice to look forward to His return even when things happen or get worse I heard somewhere it is a time for us to rejoice, not over the people that may be hurt, but over Christ’s eminent return.
Pastor Bryan, I'm just pondering thru the text...It is mentioned in Rev. 20:3, that the devil/satan will be released for a little while...does this mean It will lead to a much greater tribulation that the church had gone thru...or this tribulation points out to a much larger scale involving the non-believing world? Which is God also mentioned in the Revelation the bowls of God's wrath. Thank's and God Bless!
Amillenialism is the simple truth that we confess in the creeds. "He will come again to judge the quick and the dead" None of the convoluted stuff about reigning in an earthly kingdom for awhile and whatnot.
@@His-Story.ForHisGlory Wait, don't tell me, you're also gonna tell us that God owning the cattle on a thousand hills means he only has precisely one thousand hills, amirite?
Excellent way to explain it. One thought though. The weirdness of things lately make me really wonder if this isn't the time of Satan being loosed. That sure would explain 2020 events. Your thoughts?
Pastor, thank you, I appreciate the graphical view of the events in a timeline form. I would like to understand the Lutheran view of what happens to a person as soon as he or she dies and then the resurrection, what happens then.
I agree the amillenial view makes a lot of sense and I'm pleased to know that is the Lutheran view, since I've been going to a Lutheran church. Do you also hold to a partial preterist view, that most of the book of Revelation was fulfilled in 70 AD? I also think that makes a lot of sense though presenting some difficulties of interpretation.
The use of visual tools is wonderful and a great teaching aid. On another note the - old earth camp also latches onto 2 Peter 3:8 (..one day is like a thousand years..) to undermine the seven days of creation in Genesis as historical narrative. In my Heremeneutics framework an overarching principle is that the three most important interpretation rules are context, context, context. The 2 Peter verse is linked to Psalms 90:4 - providing insight that Apostle Peter’s readers should not lose heart because God seems slow at fulfilling His promises because He is patient, and also because He is not bound by time as we are. Therefore, I don’t see 2 Peter 3:8 as pertaining to Genesis or Revelation. If the Scripture has more than one meaning it has no meaning at all - John Owen When exegeting verses we have to be careful or you can turn God into a cosmic chicken (Psalm 91:4).
This is actually far more important than just wondering about the time of the lord's return. One's view on this shapes their understanding of the Church's role in the world. Why are we here? What does the Lord expect or demand from us collectively? This telos or purpose will drive literally everything. It shapes our prayer life, sets our priorities, allows us to tell the difference between success and failure. It orients us in the present and to the future, motivating the sacrifices we make to realize that future. Get this wrong and you'll wind up aiming at the wrong thing or worse yet aiming at nothing. In short it's kind of a big deal.
If a study of the end times doesn't cause one to appreciate the Gospel even more, then it is not a balanced view. Thank you Pastor for teaching that Satan must be bound for the Gospel to be preached. Satan must be bound before the restoration can begin.
I am sad that the interpretation of Revelation divides us Christians, and that how we interpret it -has dire affects on evangelism, local and global politics, including racism and injustice. I have always felt a dissonance when listening to preachers, but couldn’t put my finger on it. Why did it feel like they were preaching a different gospel, when they were using the same words and scripture that I love and follow? I feel like we let our young people down when we tell them to read their Bible, but then we don’t teach them the art of interpreting it. - 40 years lutheran, and nobody ever taught me this. Thank you. Now lets equip the saints through the power of the internet and the Holy Spirit!
The key hermeneutical principle - as given by Jesus in Luke 24:44-47 - is his life, death, and resurrection. End times prophecy contains the promise and assurance of the Gospel, in our 1st resurrection - the resurrection of baptism. We are already sitting in heavenly places, and watching end times unfold before us.
I enjoyed the video BUT it was a BIT CONFUSING with the 'little notes' being moved around. PERHAPS if you had each view point of the end times listed on a sheet compared with the other view along with the TEXTS and how it applies to each view might might make the whole thing more understandable>...:):):)
If the 1000 years is the church age and represents the time immediately post-ascension, that implies that all of revelation prior to chapter 20 was pre-ascension, before Revelation was written. Is that the Lutheran position?
I guess I must be living in an alternate reality, cause I see deception all around me, in the secular world as well as in the churches. In fact what woke me up out of atheism was the realization that there's true evil in this world. So, I find it hard to believe that satan is bound right now. Verses like 1 Peter 5:8 (Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour) and 2 Corinthians 2:11(...so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.) show that the church of Christ should be aware that satan is still active after Christ's resurrection. The Lord Jesus Christ defeated satan through the cross and the resurrection, but that does not necessarily mean that he was bound at the moment of resurrection. God, for reasons only known to Him, allows satan to still roam the earth. One example of satan's deception nowadays is the new age movement, which is not fringe at all, it's very popular. New age embraces satan's first lie, that we can be like God. Regarding the millenium, I understand that not everything is literal in the Bible, but when a timeline is used in prophecy shouldn't it be taken literally? Else, what's the purpose of mentioning specific number of days, weeks or years? Also, isn't it excessive to interpret the millenium in the OT, eg in Isaiah, as spiritual and not literal? Amillenianism just doesn't make sense to me. Though I do appreciate different views.
That is probably when the false prophet, antichrist, and mark of the beast show up. Btw, I'm not even close to a Bible expert; but I do think that as symbolical as Revelation is, some of it is Prophecy, that was foreshadowed in the First Century Church's sufferings. The technology for the mark of the beast exists now. RFID chips, and quantum doting.
Very good teaching, brother Bryan! Thank you for sharing with us. I still struggle with Amillenialism because of the evils that happen yet in this world. However, this was a good explanation. Maybe this evil still occurs due the fact that not all Jesus' enemies were put under His feet, there are some principalities and rulers of this world that are free. Also the sin is at free. I think we MUST preach the gospel so that we will be able to get rid of these evil power and bring worldwide people to the Reign of Jesus. Another question I have: In your opinion, when is gonna happen "blind Israel" awakening? What is the meaning of the "plenty/fullness of the gentiles", according to Romans 9, 10 and 11?
It’s important to note that just about every postmil today has the same exact interpretation as you do, they just believe the great commission will eventually be completely filled and the world will come to Christ and be saved.
I'm not Lutherin, but I like learning all this different stuff from the different Christian denominations. As long as a denomination has the basic Gospel as their platform to build from, I don't feel the need to argue about a lot of the other things since so many others still need Christ - why bother argue why each other is wrong when we are all doing our best to serve Christ as we are directed to and to tell others of Christ as we go along? :)
Love your video’s. I am a baby Christian in as I have always been a believer but fell out of faith and am trying to become a follower. My personal struggle is pretty damning at the moment. I urn for a relationship with Christ and want to make sure I do not fall away again. I am married and my husband is a Lutheran by birth, and has expressed a willingness to go back to the Lutheran Church. Because I know so little I have been binging your videos to make sure I don’t join a church home that isn’t following the gospel - I am thrilled to see that you do. My issue is that I don’t know how to feel about religion. Do Lutheran’s believe that the only people going to heaven are Lutheran? And of the Lutheran that are the “woke” - what is the opinion on them and their faith? Does the Holy Spirit find a way to get in their hearts and turn them away? If everyone goes to heaven, then why not join a faith that allows everyone to be able to do anything? I don’t believe that way, but I know a lot of people who do. I want MEAT in my diet - I don’t want a dessert church. Sorry for the ramble but I hope someone here can help me.
Hello Jennifer. I can say, you will not be disappointed in an LCMS church. I recommend finding one and attending the new member classes, where they should have lots of great info and you may be able to get your hands on Luther's Catechism - which is a great resource for understanding what Lutherans are about. I would say, the biggest reason I am a Lutheran is because the Word of God is the reference; wr are encouraged to check every belief against the Bible. Secondly, a second summary would be that we believe we are saved by Grace Alone, through Faith Alone, through Christ Alone - this cannot come from ourselves, but it is the free gift from Christ Jesus our Lord. Happy to hear your journey is leading you here, and I hope you find a church home to be able to plug into a fellowship of Believers soon!
@@peterprints Thank you so much. It was funny that before I began searching for truth in religion (the church) my inlaws, all LCMS, were visiting (albeit rarely) the ELCA near our home. It never dawned on any of us how different these churches are. I have found a church and plan to visit soon and hopefully it is indeed an LCMS. Thank you again for taking the time to reply - it indeed matters!
I was born Missouri Synod, but when I was 25, I attended an excellent outreach program that asked why most "regular" religious organizations don't honor the Seventh Day as Sabbath. I've never seen, nor have I ever heard, of any explanation as to why the vast majority of churches continue to ignore the fact that the Commandment that requires us to honor the true Sabbath, the Seventh Day. So, why do people IGNORE the seventh day and continue to worship on "Sunday", the FIRST day of the week? Even our calendars show Saturday as the Seventh Day. "The book of Genesis-the name means “beginnings”-speaks almost immediately about the subject of the Sabbath-the seventh day of the week. It is as though God wanted this issue clearly established in the minds of the Bible’s readers from the outset of their study of Scripture. "Near the book’s beginning, immediately after the “Creation chapter” concludes, the Bible states this: “Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made; and He RESTED on the seventh day from all His work which He had made. And God BLESSED the seventh day, and SANCTIFIED it: because that in it He had RESTED from all His work which God created and made”.
Greetings brother. I think you will see the answer to your question in John 5, especially beginning with verse 15. God rested, yes. But since the fall, the entire Bible is about God's "restoration" of His creation. Jesus says "the Father is working util now, and I am working, and the Sabbath rest in the Lord is now everyday for Christians. (See Hebrews 3 and 4 especially 4:9) The day of the week chosen for worship is simply for order in the church, and there is no requirement for a certain day. If your church chooses Saturday, or even Wednesday, that is fine, but it is not Law. Most churches now choose Sunday because that was the day of His resurrection. I hope this helps answer your question.
Amillenials mark Revelation 19-20, but what about Revelation Ch’s 1-19? Partial Preterism, Historicism, or Idealism? Where does the Lutheran church stand today?
Louis Brighton’s Commentary on Revelation by Concordia Publishing House or for the best, easy to read and the clearest biblical presentation is the issue on Revelation by Good News Magazine out of St. Louis, MO. IT IS WONDERFUL! and so beautifully illustrated. Pax.
So... 1. the time of Jacob's Trouble/Tribulation will be during this 1000 years? or it doesn't exist? Or it's already happened? 2. The 1000 years is not specifically 1000 years but a "general era" until such time that Jesus returns?
Nice job explaining the 3 different "millenialisms" and love the note cards/post-its (and you have great handwriting!). I know you were restricted by length of video but as others asked, how can there be more than one "Second" Coming"? Wouldn't it then be 3rd (if you don't count the Rapture) and/or 4th Coming? I am not being funny, I am truly confused. I thought Christ's first coming was to spread the faith/"salvation" and the second is the "judgement" (and end of time and new heaven and new earth)? Maybe you could do an in depth video to cover more?
I was baptized and raised in the Anglican church of Ireland but got busy with life and put it on the backburner for a very long time. Quite recently and now living in the United States. I have been working on rekindling my faith and was mind boggled by all the different denominations here that represent Protestantism. That said, I have been watching videos from about every single one of them in efforts to find a fit for me. It is really starting to look like the Lutheran church is where I should begin and listening to this fellow here, has had a big impact on that decision.
peep Western Rite Orthodoxy 👀
nah good luck on your journey. I wish I had been raised in an old church
Be careful which Lutheran Church you choose. The LCMS and ELCA are very different.
Our family checked out the Anglicans and the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS), and landed at the LCMS. I find them quite compatible. Also in America there are quite a few more LCMS churches than Anglican, and the LCMS tend to reliably be both traditional and conservative.
You found the original Christian church.
So I have antibaptist roots that go back to the 1600's, as a teen I was yanked out of that into a Presbyterian church as an adult I planted and spent a lot of times in Bible churches, Went to a Mennonite college to get a BS in ministry, spent two years studying in a program started by John MacArthur. I landed in an LCMS church after all of that and I am home being part of the one true catholic church. This church most resembles what the church believed for 1500 years before the reformation as far as doctrine and practice, and it never gets old Gods graces imparted to us every Sunday through the word and the sacrament.
I tell my adult Bible study class that Revelation can be summed up in two words: "God wins." While we can look at the 2nd coming of Christ (as well as Revelation) from a variety of views, the main point (as Luther mentioned), is simply to be ready at any time.
I heard a saying "show me a man whos bible is falling apart and ill show you a man whos life is together"
Oh my gosh, this is fabulous! I was raised LCMS and went all the way through the system as far as schools go graduating from Concordia Irvine. I was surrounded by all the different thoughts on revelation, post mil, a\-mil, pre-mil you name it I heard it. This is so good with all these little visual aids. I love it! Just so you're aware there is a Baptist (yes, I said Baptist) pastor in Hendersonville, Tennessee at Long Hollow church who is doing a study of Revelation. Guess what? It's Lutheran theology! You should check it out. So cool that people that truly seek to interpret the scripture with scripture are coming to the Historical viewpoint of the church on this. Thank you for a great overview of this. It was wonderful! God bless.
Thank you ,l come from coptic orthodox faith and this is exactly what our church teaches ,God bless you and speak through you , for His truth and glory.
Thank you Bryan, that was the most understandable teaching on the end times that ive seen,it was so confusing before, but now you have made it clear for me. Ive been looking at a denomination to cling to and im definitely sold on Lutheran but there isnt a church within 30 miles of me here in the UK, i dont drive either. But thanks again for the lecture. 🇬🇧🙏🙏🙏
What city to you line in? Send me a note. www.wolfmueller.co/contact
Thank you so much for this. I was raised Pentecostal and had rapture and all the premil teachings drilled into me for decades. I have questioned it for several years now and this was the clearest, most understandable presentation of these passages. Very slowly I am becoming less jaded about the book of Revelation and more excited about God's promises of end times.
These lessons are like a wonderful breath of fresh air. ✔️
Thank you, Pastor.
Pastor Bryan, I am LCMS. I studied Greek and Hebrew. For the last 15 years now I have studied the "end times." In the last 10 years I have been involved with TH-cam and Facebook groups. I did this because there is very little discussion of the end times in the Lutheran church. It seems that every time a congregation wants to study the last days, they request the book of Revelation. However, it requires a great amount of understanding of the rest of Scripture to even begin to understand the Revelation.
When I first started searching the internet, I was shocked to hear that people actually believed that Jesus returned in 70 AD. Wow! What a crazy belief. I have to say that if it weren't for my Greek, I could honestly see how that could have swayed me to believe this nonsense. As I continued to defend the faith against this heresy, my faith grew ever stronger. It seems strange to say, but Preterism, because it is so challenging with all the time statements, has actually helped me to understand my own view of the end times better, which is Amillennialism.
After more than 4 years of discussions, I am now convinced more than ever that we need more clarity when discussing our beliefs. I noticed that you use the term "church age." Although I understand the term, I think it originated with Premillennialism so as to distinguish it from another age - the post-Parousia Millennium. Why, instead of calling it "the church age," do we not call it what it is, "The age of the Messiah" or "The Messianic age"?
In Galatians 4:4 and Ephesians 1:10 says that "the fullness of time" came when Jesus was born. Because the word for time (kairos) is plural in Ephesians, it means that the fullness of the ages had arrived in God's plan of redemption. What is "the last time" or age? The Messianic age. As I continued this study I learned about what Paul calls "the long ages past" (Romans 16:25; Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:26). So, there were multiple ages in the past and now the fullness (the end goal) of those ages has resulted in the Messianic age.
Notice how this understanding shows the weaknesses of both Preterism, with its view of the so-called "Mosaic age." and Premillennialism with its post-Parousia Millennium. If there are only 1) multiple ages in the past, 2) the present evil age, and 3) the age to come, why do people insist on other ages? The reason Postmillennialists are often Preterist is because they believe in "the pseudo- Mosaic age." Such an age is never mentioned in Scripture. Often they think that this age ended in 70 AD, therefore, the Old Covenant must have ended in 70 AD. But if this is true, then the New Covenant was not in effect at the cross, which is absurd. Either that, or you have some overlapping of the Old and New Covenants, which is easily disproven (Hebrews 8:13; 9:8; 10:9). The defeat of Satan was at the cross (Romans 7:1-4; Ephesians 2:14-16; Colossians 2:13-15; Hebrews 2:14).
Premillennialism is also easily shown to be a misunderstanding of Scripture. Many Premillennialists are forced to admit that Jesus is presently reigning, but they say that it is not in a governmental way. Huh? How can they say this when Psalm 110:1-4 and Hebrews 1:13 state that Jesus is ruling in the midst of His enemies now. Also, in Hebrews 10:13, it states that since that time (the time of the Ascension when Jesus sat down at the right hand of God), He waits for His enemies to be made His footstool.
I know that Amills believe in a two-age model. That is a different way of looking at things and it is not wrong, but I think we also have to realize that there were multiple ages in the past (5 to be exact) and multiple ages to come (Ephesians 2:7). These are really ages within ages. That explains the "long ages past" in Paul's epistles. But most importantly it explains the age in which we live - the Messianic age.
There is another term we can use for this "Messianic age." It is the age in which the RESTORATION of all things takes place. In Isaiah, we see that the last age is the consummation of all the ages (1 Corinthians 10:11; Hebrews 9:26), which began with Jesus' first advent. Needless to say, I have a whole new appreciation of Christmas now. No wonder the angels sang "Glory to God in the Highest. And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased" (Luke 2:14). And when I read all the Christmas narratives in Matthew and Luke, I am overflowing with joy. The new age had arrived (Matthew 4:16).
This restoration is seen especially in the fulfillment of Isaiah 49 and 61, but there are many others. Isaiah 49 is quoted by both Jesus and Paul (Matthew 4:16-21; 2 Corinthians 6:2). Jesus called it "the year of the Lord's favor" (the year of Jubilee) when captives would be set free. Paul tied it to "the ministry of reconciliation" (2 Corinthians 5:17-18) and the restoration that would take place in "the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2). I believe the reason this is talked about so little is because people do not understand the importance of Jesus' first advent. They often have very little understanding of what Jesus was actually doing. Yes, he was dying for our sins, but there was much more happening. He was defeating Satan and taking away his power. He was casting down "the accuser of the brethren" (Revelation 12:7-11) and binding the strong man (Matthew 12:29; Mark 3:27; Luke 11:21) and bringing in the kingdom (Matthew 12:28, 32). Isaiah 49 speaks of the restoration. It also shows how that restoration is possible:
" Can the prey be taken from the mighty man,
or the captives of a tyrant be rescued? Surely, thus says the LORD,
“Even the captives of the mighty man will be taken away,
and the prey of the tyrant will be rescued;
For I will contend with the one who contends with you,
and I will save your sons" (Isaiah 49:24-25).
Yours in Christ,
Jeff
Just want to agree with all those who have found your presentation very clear and helpful. I have shared it among friends who remain in dispensational darkness. *Thank you very much*
Lk. 21:24 Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles (aka Muslims), until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled". Apparently, JESUS was in Dispensationalism darkness.
I had never linked those verses to baptism before. Thank you for the insight!
Thank you pastor , you gave some great insights I didn’t see before . I came out of dispensationalism and it’s a confusing system to say the least . Amill is not only biblical but makes the most sense of a two kingdom already not yet approach to reading the scriptures .
Maranatha
I attended a dispensational, premillennial Bible college. I started to become disillusioned with the concept when people holding to this theological view were more interested in “end times” prophecy conferences then they were in sharing the gospel.
Studying the end times prompts one to evangelize.
After having been a member of a Lutheran church, I was introduced to a Calvary Chapel, where I learned to take the Bible far more literal, ( like those 1000 years,) but also I changed my view to dispensational pre-millenialism. But my family members are still Lutheran. I'm sad, that somehow I have never been taught in the Lutheran church what this pastor just showed, Thank you, Pastor, now I can really compare the two, study like the Bereans and know for myself!
@@sewdutch2That’s funny, I’ve had the opposite experience! Been involved Calvary Chapel for 20 years but am now delving deeper into Confessional Lutheranism. I personally ascribe to premillennialism still but have turned away from dispensationalist theology, and am receptive to the idea of amillennialism as Wolfmueller explains here.
I rejected this five also when I researched Nelson Darby and the Niagara bible conferences in the 1800's. One thing I did find out is the Antichrist will wear out the Saints, 2 thes
@@bike.brigade you believe satan has been bound a thousand years? I say his time is short after accusing my brethren 2000 years. Rev. 12:5 is the Rapture of the man child aka the Body of CHRIST. Verses 7-10 is a war of railing accusations over the Pre-Trib Raptured Church. He is rebuked by the blood of CHRIST in verse 11. We rejoice and dwell in heaven the 7 yeas and woe to the inhabitants on earth satan knows his time is short.
Thank you. I have been wanting to see this topic presented by a Lutheran pastor. Great work. Adding the Bible verses made this outstanding.
Thank you for that email Pastor!! I was waiting anxiously for this video! Thank you for all your time that you give to us.
Hill 1001. Fred's hill. Love it!
Hills 1002-10023 are BLM land...
😂🤣😂🤣😂
Wow!!! The points of light as faith was a brilliant visual. Really stirred thankfulness for my hope in Christ. Thanks pastor.
I think the phrase 'points of light' is kabbalistic.
@@notmycircus1240 I think point of perspective is of utmost importance here. It could certainly be construed as Kabbalist to a mystic. However, I’m not a mystic. If I were a bonafide mystic with true earthly faith, I wouldn’t be here listening to pastor Wolfmueller stir a thankfulness in Christ. I guess my question would be, “why are you here”? There is certainly no Kabbalah here but much about Christ. Perhaps you missed it but I’m thinking you didn’t. Personally, I think Christ of the Bible can draw a crowd. He’s amazing that way. Thanks for the reply. All my best.
Just finished a paper for theology class about eschatology and this is the first video that pops up!
Nice job on this Bryan. (First time I watched this one.)
🤣 "What kind of pit doesn't have a bottom? That's a tube."!!! I'm dyin' over here!
Black whole.
When has 2000 years since the ✝️changed to Rev. 20's 1000.
@@rickhuntling7338 It's not literally 1000 years. It's as long as the Lord chooses to take. 1000 is a number used to represent a great mass, not an arithmetically precise unit.
@@JS_Guitar09 Is Joshua 3:4 "about 2000 cubits" a cubit of years "GAP". The HOLY SPIRIT says yes. You see, the Ark is the Testimony of JESUS CHRIST passing by Israel until a 2000 cubit of years is obtained. That would be 2031 AD.
Is 1260 years something different you invent from out of your head? What is 1335 years? Or 1290?
Love Dr. Louis Brighton's book, Revelation. Keep up the videos Rev. Wolfmueller.
Thanks so much for bringing these pieces together.
Superb job, Brian. And I like the movable cards, your compact Bible, and seeing how much use it's been through.
Truly compelling and clear. Thank you.
When you see these things come to pass, lift up your heads for your redemption draws nigh! ☺
We are certainly in bad times today. So maybe judgement day is coming soon? I hope so in my lifetime. But only the Father in Heaven knows.
Thanks!
This is one of the best teaching on edn times. It is fab to know we are living in the millienimum time. Praise God. ❤
This is what I have always believed through my own studies. So good to hear it so clearly put forth. Wish more people could see the simple truth.
Amen! Come Lord Jesus!
This is so wonderfully instructive! Thank you brother!!
I became convinced of Amillennialism during my undergraduate work at Liberty University, which was also, interestingly enough, during a time when I was newly switching over to Lutheranism. One thing that both the Pre- and Post- Millennial formulas do is assume finite entropy on eternity, which is why they literalize the 1,000 year reign. The bottom line is, the ‘Day of the Lord’ began on the day Christ’s resurrection and we’ve been in that “Day” ever since.
This video was a very helpful tool as far as mapping Amillennnialism out properly. The only thing this video did not cover that I was hoping for was what and who the antichrist is from ch. 12-13 of Revelation. I think we live in an age of over-realized eschatology, where people are looking for ways to connect the dots and be alert of signs of the end times. “Obama’s the Antichrist!” “No, Trump’s the Antichrist!” “No, Biden‘s the Antichrist!”
Maybe do a video on the Lutheran view of the Antichrist next??
God’s Peace Be With You, Pastor Wolfmueller
Thank you, yes I asked for the same thing. World events are as if we're entering the G Tribulation now. A communist one world government is fast rising to great power, saying they want all of us MARKED (after the vaccine), right as the Pope mixes all regions into one. Too freaky. My church taught this in the 80s, when I was a kid, and I never forgot. It's hard to fathom it's *not* Biblical prophecy.
@@LilacDaisy2 Throughout the history of the church there have been people who have looked at world events and concluded that prophecies were being fulfilled and Jesus was coming back soon. A well known example would be the Millerites during the 1800s. The failure of Jesus to return when predicted was known as The Great Disappointment. John Hagee was making end-time predictions about six years ago based on lunar eclipses, but nothing seems to have come from these predictions. There have been "wars and rumors of wars" since the time of Jesus, but none of these have accurately predicted His return.
@@sarco64 Oh, you misunderstood my meaning. I was not predicting His return (or far less: date-setting -- shudder). I was saying unprecedented world-wide events (not guesses of events) are actually happening that look just like the start up of the worldwide 7 year Great Tribulation.
I've been there for a lot of fear-mongering, and I even fell for the "Obama is riding a donkey (his party symbol) through the same gates that Jesus rode a donkey -- the gates that are closed to most people." That was a huge wake up call to be more careful and discerning, so nothing moved me to seeing end times prophecy or seek out such videos. Until the worldwide deception of a pandemic that isn't, and world leaders saying all the same lines, that we'll need vax passports for basic freedoms, and eventually a mark (all signs = to buy and sell, since cash is being phased out, with a digital currency coming in). No TH-cam video was needed to translate it for me, it was so plain.
Funnily enough, non-religious economists are explaining this world take-over and ringing the bells: th-cam.com/video/7fXs3t3mQj8/w-d-xo.html
A popular Atheist argument is that Christianity can't be true, because look at how many religions there are -- with that much error, how can one be true? Your comment reminds me of this false dichotomy.
Can I please ask for your view of the Book of Rev? I in no way have everything figured out.
@@sarco64 Exegetically, I think this is partly because mainstream voices of the church have hardly ever conceded that the “beast” of Revelation 13 would’ve had an immediate reference to Emperor Nero.
For an understanding of the Antichrist I recommend you read about “it” (not necessarily “him”) in The Lutheran Confessions. Pax.
Thanks, pastor!
Regarding the two reserrections Romans 6 is a good text. It is also interesting to look at John 5 were two resurrections are mentioned (one is being given eternal life when coming to faith, the other is the resurrection on the last day), and it is said that those who believe (that is, those who have partin the first resurrection) have passed from death to life and do not come under the condemnation. I think that is an even more close parallel to Revelation 20.
Very helpful, thank you. I think this view makes a lot of sense biblically.
Thank you🙏 so much for explaining this as you did. I watched a different video explaining it and got a bit confused on some things, but this video helped me to understand the matter much better. Thank you🙏!
Funny that I'm watching this video exactly one year after publication.
Thanks brother Bryan!
Loved this video. I've never been particularly interested in the end times, so I sort of allowed it to become this Fuzzy mass of "Probably bad things" that I wasnt really sure of. So the whole second half of this video was just Eureka after Eureka.
This is an excellent, biblical explanation - and I'm not Lutheran! Many, many thanks!
I shared this on Twitter and Facebook for all my evangelical friends.
I shared recently...thankful for my Lutheran minded friends. Got my evangelical and protestant family upset🙏 No surprise really 🙏
Thank you for the video, pastor
Thanks Pastor! Good teaching! 👍
Thank you Bryan Wolfmueller. For me, the A Millennial view has CLEARLY been the correct view for 42 years now. When the Holy Spirit was given to man in Acts 2, Peter preaches one message and about three thousand are saved. The Holy Spirit in man was the binding of Satan " so that he could not deceive the nations " any more resulting in the gospel going out into the whole world. When he is loosed it's only for a "short time" of tribulation. We are going home soon my brother!!!
Thank you so much. I’m just now trying to figure all this out. ❤
My wife's comments! "He's easy to understand!" That is important!
I have taught her about the difference between "exegesis" and "eisegesis." When we went through the study by Ken Klaus on Revelation, as good as it was, my wife recognized what she felt was him "bringing his thoughts to Scripture." That was especially apparent with his thinking on "codes" in the Bible related to numbers, 10 and 1000 and 12 and 144,000 and 666. "Where is that in the Bible?" she asked.
The grotesque artwork in his Revelation study was also on the level of "offensive" to contemporary sensibilities. Of course, we can't compromise truth because of contemporary sensibilities. On the other hand, the medieval scare tactics in the arts to create submission to the Vicar of Christ and the church, is not what the Scriptures communicate.
Teaching the LHM study by Klaus on Zoom, I decided to supplement the teaching with this straightforward teaching by Pastor Wolfmueller. An exegetical study by any measure. Good one!
Numerology is a real practice that was used by biblical writers. While I think it is possible to disagree that they might be symbolic, or what they symbolize, you can interpret with good faith and it could be good exegesis to understand why John used specific numbers by looking at what these numbers were used to represent in other passages.
Thank you Pastor Wolfmueller. One sticking point I have with this interpretation is the parable of the fig tree in Matthew 24. I've been on the post-mill side for several years but this is giving me pause: The characteristic of the fig tree is that it produces fruit twice in its season - once at the beginning of the season, and again at the end. I take this to mean that the days leading to the end of the church age will be like unto the days of the end of the mosaic age and the siege of Jerusalem. How do you see the second coming?
Fascinating and beautiful explanation. God bless!
I was raised in a Baptist church. I became Lutheran 5 years ago. I believe more in dispensation millennium. I wish you well, God bless you!
James t: as one who received his B. A. In biblical studies from a SBC university ( Palm Beach Atlantic, W.P.B., FL) and now. a LCMS pastor, that view simply does not comport with sound, biblical exegesis. It ignores the literary genre of Revelation and therefore the biblical imagery from that genre. Though I mean no offense, you are hanging on to your Baptist’s bias. Pax.
Keep that belief. Why would God allow his people to endure the wrath of judgment he has for this world?
@@trinitylutheranchurch-lcms2691 Okay, I appreciate your input.
@@butterflywings370 He told us that if we endure til the end we are saved so why worry.
Thank you, I went from Dispensationial Premillinalism to Amillinalism by the grace of God through God's Word and had one heck of a pile of books and diagrams to get rid of, hahaha. God's peace be with you
That's sad, you used outside books rather than the word of God. You read a mans books, not God's books. I feel sorry for you.
Love you, brother. Lutheran theology is the only true one, based on the gospel, on the truth.
@@surikat-q9i You mean baby baptism that aren't biblical and if you didn't know eschatology isn't theology. If you believe in the biblical gospel, then you are not the only true ones. lol In fact, you've only shared your opinion.
tsak yes indeed!
@@His-Story.ForHisGlory
Faith is a free gift from God, it is God's work, not our own, Faith is the Holy Spirit inside you. Consequentially even infants, and "fetuses" can have Faith.
In Acts, entire households are baptized, that would include the very young. It was not the norm in the early Church because most Christians were adult converts. Also, for us Gentiles, it replaces the sign of the old covenant.
Praise God! Which ever way it works out, it Will be gods plan, and that's the way it will be. We should just all be confident that we have salvation through Christ. There are many things that we currently do not need to know. We should just keep our eyes trained upon the goal.
Was just thinking about the end times from a lutheran perspective 2 hours ago
Helpful words for navigating notoriously muddy waters. Thank you!
This is the best thing I've seen all week. The last few nights I've been worrying, due to reading summaries of those end-times fiction books. There is peace that comes through God's Word and I appreciate a pastor who helps me understand it. Thank you, Pastor Wolfmueller, for this teaching. I do want to ask, is the common end-times teaching from fiction books and movies (the premillennial dispensational teaching) considered to be false teaching? Is it in the same category as say, false Christology? Because there is a lot of damage being done through these books and movies that cause people like myself to worry and fear. I look forward to seeing more of your teaching, which is comforting since it is backed up by actual Scripture.
Hey Roy i just want to agree that worry and fear is not what Christ brought or taught us. I concur very much and when I was being sent all the end time videos during the start of COVID I weighed them by that. Are they peddling fear? Then it is not of Christ. It is nice to look forward to His return even when things happen or get worse I heard somewhere it is a time for us to rejoice, not over the people that may be hurt, but over Christ’s eminent return.
Pastor Bryan, I'm just pondering thru the text...It is mentioned in Rev. 20:3, that the devil/satan will be released for a little while...does this mean It will lead to a much greater tribulation that the church had gone thru...or this tribulation points out to a much larger scale involving the non-believing world? Which is God also mentioned in the Revelation the bowls of God's wrath. Thank's and God Bless!
Amillenialism is the simple truth that we confess in the creeds. "He will come again to judge the quick and the dead" None of the convoluted stuff about reigning in an earthly kingdom for awhile and whatnot.
It's true that you confess and believe it to be true and that's okay :)
May God bless your sweet little confused heart!
@@His-Story.ForHisGlory , if Weeaboo is confused as you claim, would you care to state what your position is?
@@sidwhiting665 Yeah I will help you. How much is a millennial?
@@His-Story.ForHisGlory Wait, don't tell me, you're also gonna tell us that God owning the cattle on a thousand hills means he only has precisely one thousand hills, amirite?
@@AugsburgAugustinian What prophecy of Jesus wasn't literal?
Compelling and very helpful. Thank you.
I love that your Bible is in pieces.
How do dispensational premil people explain to Christians in Muslim lands, China, and N. Korea that we are not in the tribulation now?
Thank you for this, Pastor! For the first time, I understand why we are amillennialists.
I believe this. Thank you.
Thank you Pastor Bryan!
Very helpful! My question : Are we in the time now where the devil has been unbound?
Excellent way to explain it. One thought though. The weirdness of things lately make me really wonder if this isn't the time of Satan being loosed. That sure would explain 2020 events. Your thoughts?
Pastor, thank you, I appreciate the graphical view of the events in a timeline form. I would like to understand the Lutheran view of what happens to a person as soon as he or she dies and then the resurrection, what happens then.
I agree the amillenial view makes a lot of sense and I'm pleased to know that is the Lutheran view, since I've been going to a Lutheran church. Do you also hold to a partial preterist view, that most of the book of Revelation was fulfilled in 70 AD? I also think that makes a lot of sense though presenting some difficulties of interpretation.
Such a nice Bible! Hard to fine new ones like that! The paper is different and the print isn’t as bold. Even the LSB by Concordia has skinny print
Excellent
The use of visual tools is wonderful and a great teaching aid.
On another note the - old earth camp also latches onto 2 Peter 3:8 (..one day is like a thousand years..) to undermine the seven days of creation in Genesis as historical narrative.
In my Heremeneutics framework an overarching principle is that the three most important interpretation rules are context, context, context. The 2 Peter verse is linked to Psalms 90:4 - providing insight that Apostle Peter’s readers should not lose heart because God seems slow at fulfilling His promises because He is patient, and also because He is not bound by time as we are. Therefore, I don’t see 2 Peter 3:8 as pertaining to Genesis or Revelation. If the Scripture has more than one meaning it has no meaning at all - John Owen
When exegeting verses we have to be careful or you can turn God into a cosmic chicken (Psalm 91:4).
This is actually far more important than just wondering about the time of the lord's return. One's view on this shapes their understanding of the Church's role in the world. Why are we here? What does the Lord expect or demand from us collectively? This telos or purpose will drive literally everything. It shapes our prayer life, sets our priorities, allows us to tell the difference between success and failure. It orients us in the present and to the future, motivating the sacrifices we make to realize that future. Get this wrong and you'll wind up aiming at the wrong thing or worse yet aiming at nothing. In short it's kind of a big deal.
If a study of the end times doesn't cause one to appreciate the Gospel even more, then it is not a balanced view. Thank you Pastor for teaching that Satan must be bound for the Gospel to be preached. Satan must be bound before the restoration can begin.
Thanks, this was great. I love the theological arts and crafts. Now for the glue. 😆
Very interesting- wow they have alot of recreation opportunities there!
Like the segment in the office much better than driving.
I am sad that the interpretation of Revelation divides us Christians, and that how we interpret it -has dire affects on evangelism, local and global politics, including racism and injustice. I have always felt a dissonance when listening to preachers, but couldn’t put my finger on it. Why did it feel like they were preaching a different gospel, when they were using the same words and scripture that I love and follow? I feel like we let our young people down when we tell them to read their Bible, but then we don’t teach them the art of interpreting it. - 40 years lutheran, and nobody ever taught me this. Thank you. Now lets equip the saints through the power of the internet and the Holy Spirit!
Pastor, what’s your take on everyone recently talking about the Euphrates drying up and unleashing the angels that God chained underneath it?
The key hermeneutical principle - as given by Jesus in Luke 24:44-47 - is his life, death, and resurrection. End times prophecy contains the promise and assurance of the Gospel, in our 1st resurrection - the resurrection of baptism. We are already sitting in heavenly places, and watching end times unfold before us.
Nice Overview👍 Maranatha!
I enjoyed the video BUT it was a BIT CONFUSING with the 'little notes' being moved around. PERHAPS if you had each view point of the end times listed on a sheet compared with the other view along with the TEXTS and how it applies to each view might might make the whole thing more understandable>...:):):)
If the 1000 years is the church age and represents the time immediately post-ascension, that implies that all of revelation prior to chapter 20 was pre-ascension, before Revelation was written. Is that the Lutheran position?
@Dr. Jordan B Cooper is this accurate for the Lutheran belief?
I guess I must be living in an alternate reality, cause I see deception all around me, in the secular world as well as in the churches. In fact what woke me up out of atheism was the realization that there's true evil in this world. So, I find it hard to believe that satan is bound right now. Verses like 1 Peter 5:8 (Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour) and 2 Corinthians 2:11(...so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.) show that the church of Christ should be aware that satan is still active after Christ's resurrection. The Lord Jesus Christ defeated satan through the cross and the resurrection, but that does not necessarily mean that he was bound at the moment of resurrection. God, for reasons only known to Him, allows satan to still roam the earth.
One example of satan's deception nowadays is the new age movement, which is not fringe at all, it's very popular. New age embraces satan's first lie, that we can be like God.
Regarding the millenium, I understand that not everything is literal in the Bible, but when a timeline is used in prophecy shouldn't it be taken literally? Else, what's the purpose of mentioning specific number of days, weeks or years?
Also, isn't it excessive to interpret the millenium in the OT, eg in Isaiah, as spiritual and not literal?
Amillenianism just doesn't make sense to me. Though I do appreciate different views.
thank you scripture so wonderful and men that teach good sound doctrine
"Does that mean the the cows on hill 1001 belong to Fred?" Haha
Listening to this and my eleven year old son says, “ is that the guy that talks about licking tires?”... Grappling with Philippians😂
I have heard all of these and the arguments for them. Yours is very compelling and really very simple. How do Lutherans handle evangelism?
I would love you to do a videoe on dispensationalisum. What is it and is it biblical.
Do you have an answer for “then he must be released for a time” In revelation 20:3?
That is probably when the false prophet, antichrist, and mark of the beast show up.
Btw, I'm not even close to a Bible expert; but I do think that as symbolical as Revelation is, some of it is Prophecy, that was foreshadowed in the First Century Church's sufferings.
The technology for the mark of the beast exists now. RFID chips, and quantum doting.
Yes, a 'short' time. And then 'he goes around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, because his time is 'short.'
Very good teaching, brother Bryan! Thank you for sharing with us. I still struggle with Amillenialism because of the evils that happen yet in this world. However, this was a good explanation. Maybe this evil still occurs due the fact that not all Jesus' enemies were put under His feet, there are some principalities and rulers of this world that are free. Also the sin is at free. I think we MUST preach the gospel so that we will be able to get rid of these evil power and bring worldwide people to the Reign of Jesus.
Another question I have: In your opinion, when is gonna happen "blind Israel" awakening? What is the meaning of the "plenty/fullness of the gentiles", according to Romans 9, 10 and 11?
It’s important to note that just about every postmil today has the same exact interpretation as you do, they just believe the great commission will eventually be completely filled and the world will come to Christ and be saved.
I'm not Lutherin, but I like learning all this different stuff from the different Christian denominations. As long as a denomination has the basic Gospel as their platform to build from, I don't feel the need to argue about a lot of the other things since so many others still need Christ - why bother argue why each other is wrong when we are all doing our best to serve Christ as we are directed to and to tell others of Christ as we go along? :)
Love your video’s. I am a baby Christian in as I have always been a believer but fell out of faith and am trying to become a follower. My personal struggle is pretty damning at the moment. I urn for a relationship with Christ and want to make sure I do not fall away again. I am married and my husband is a Lutheran by birth, and has expressed a willingness to go back to the Lutheran Church. Because I know so little I have been binging your videos to make sure I don’t join a church home that isn’t following the gospel - I am thrilled to see that you do. My issue is that I don’t know how to feel about religion. Do Lutheran’s believe that the only people going to heaven are Lutheran? And of the Lutheran that are the “woke” - what is the opinion on them and their faith? Does the Holy Spirit find a way to get in their hearts and turn them away? If everyone goes to heaven, then why not join a faith that allows everyone to be able to do anything? I don’t believe that way, but I know a lot of people who do. I want MEAT in my diet - I don’t want a dessert church. Sorry for the ramble but I hope someone here can help me.
Hello Jennifer. I can say, you will not be disappointed in an LCMS church. I recommend finding one and attending the new member classes, where they should have lots of great info and you may be able to get your hands on Luther's Catechism - which is a great resource for understanding what Lutherans are about. I would say, the biggest reason I am a Lutheran is because the Word of God is the reference; wr are encouraged to check every belief against the Bible. Secondly, a second summary would be that we believe we are saved by Grace Alone, through Faith Alone, through Christ Alone - this cannot come from ourselves, but it is the free gift from Christ Jesus our Lord. Happy to hear your journey is leading you here, and I hope you find a church home to be able to plug into a fellowship of Believers soon!
@@peterprints Thank you so much. It was funny that before I began searching for truth in religion (the church) my inlaws, all LCMS, were visiting (albeit rarely) the ELCA near our home. It never dawned on any of us how different these churches are. I have found a church and plan to visit soon and hopefully it is indeed an LCMS. Thank you again for taking the time to reply - it indeed matters!
@@jenniferschade7553 glad to hear it! God's blessings!
I was born Missouri Synod, but when I was 25, I attended an excellent outreach program that asked why most "regular" religious organizations don't honor the Seventh Day as Sabbath. I've never seen, nor have I ever heard, of any explanation as to why the vast majority of churches continue to ignore the fact that the Commandment that requires us to honor the true Sabbath, the Seventh Day. So, why do people IGNORE the seventh day and continue to worship on "Sunday", the FIRST day of the week? Even our calendars show Saturday as the Seventh Day.
"The book of Genesis-the name means “beginnings”-speaks almost immediately about the subject of the Sabbath-the seventh day of the week. It is as though God wanted this issue clearly established in the minds of the Bible’s readers from the outset of their study of Scripture.
"Near the book’s beginning, immediately after the “Creation chapter” concludes, the Bible states this: “Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made; and He RESTED on the seventh day from all His work which He had made. And God BLESSED the seventh day, and SANCTIFIED it: because that in it He had RESTED from all His work which God created and made”.
Greetings brother. I think you will see the answer to your question in John 5, especially beginning with verse 15. God rested, yes. But since the fall, the entire Bible is about God's "restoration" of His creation. Jesus says "the Father is working util now, and I am working, and the Sabbath rest in the Lord is now everyday for Christians. (See Hebrews 3 and 4 especially 4:9) The day of the week chosen for worship is simply for order in the church, and there is no requirement for a certain day. If your church chooses Saturday, or even Wednesday, that is fine, but it is not Law. Most churches now choose Sunday because that was the day of His resurrection. I hope this helps answer your question.
Excellent answer brother. Very clear and biblical!
Amillenials mark Revelation 19-20, but what about Revelation Ch’s 1-19? Partial Preterism, Historicism, or Idealism? Where does the Lutheran church stand today?
Great video Pastor. Would you recommend some books on the end times from a Lutheran point of view. Thanks
Louis Brighton’s Commentary on Revelation by Concordia Publishing House or for the best, easy to read and the clearest biblical presentation is the issue on Revelation by Good News Magazine out of St. Louis, MO. IT IS WONDERFUL! and so beautifully illustrated. Pax.
What does the lcms say about the 2 beast mentioned?
Would you consider posting these videos on Rumble too?
What about the thief on the cross he wasn't baptized but Jesus said today you will be with me in paradise
So...
1. the time of Jacob's Trouble/Tribulation will be during this 1000 years? or it doesn't exist? Or it's already happened?
2. The 1000 years is not specifically 1000 years but a "general era" until such time that Jesus returns?
Excellent video!!
Wait I'm confused so is this teaching saying the mark of the beast already happened?
Genesis 3:15 and Job
The devil had to approach God to inflict pain on Job, that sounds like a short chain, right?
Nice job explaining the 3 different "millenialisms" and love the note cards/post-its (and you have great handwriting!). I know you were restricted by length of video but as others asked, how can there be more than one "Second" Coming"? Wouldn't it then be 3rd (if you don't count the Rapture) and/or 4th Coming? I am not being funny, I am truly confused. I thought Christ's first coming was to spread the faith/"salvation" and the second is the "judgement" (and end of time and new heaven and new earth)? Maybe you could do an in depth video to cover more?