Tags
What Will the Church Do With Such A Man?
Suppose, for a moment, that there is a preacher who is teaching that after Christ Jesus comes again, you will have time for repentance and you can be saved from the eternal, and just, wrath of God for rejecting the Gospel offered through His Son, Jesus Christ.
What would you think of such a man?
If it were in your means to do anything, what would you do? Would you tell others about this preacher? Would you warn others that what he is proclaiming is not in accord with the Word of God?
Or, would you admire and praise him and his books, and laud him with praises for his long-time service to the Church?
What should the Church do with such a man? There’s a question.
The Bible is quite clear that repentance has a time limit, specifically, that opportunity for repentance and salvation ends the very moment Christ Jesus appears. In fact, Scripture stresses that today, quite literally, is the season for repentance, over and over again.
Here’s a few:
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. – Proverbs 27:1
“Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near;
let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. – Isaiah 55:6-8For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. – 2 Corinthians 6:2
Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” – Hebrews 4:6-7
Since before the canon of Scripture was closed, it has been a clear message from God, to man, that today, the present moment, is the day of salvation, and there is no later time promised. You may die tonight. If that’s the case, it’s too late for repentance. Scripture is clear.
In the New Testament, it’s made clear that when the Son of God, Jesus, returns again, it is too late for repentance and salvation. There will be none to be had. Only a fearful expectation of judgment.
So, back to the original question, what would you think of a preacher who promises people otherwise? What would you think of a man who basically says, “Don’t worry about the second coming of Christ. When He comes again, you’ll see the error of your ways, you can, and will, repent when you see the Lord coming, and be saved from eternal punishment”?
Would you cry out? Would you label such a man as a heretic? Would you warn others that this man is to be avoided? Would you call this man a liar? A false prophet? Or should we, as the Church bring him to correction in love and concern, not only for himself, but for the glory of God and His truth, as well as the souls of men?
What would you do with such a man? Where does your loyalty lie? – with God, or man?
It is a twisted exegesis that concerns the very souls of men. We are not dealing with some theological nuance here, nor partaking in a futile exercise of hermeneutical nit-picking. We are talking about redemption of the souls of men by faith alone in Christ before His return, the central focus of the entire record of Scripture.
So, what will the Church do with such a man?
Here’s just one case for you to consider; the following quote is from John MacArthur’s study bible:
God, in His own perfect time and by His own power, will sovereignly act to save Israel…Israel’s repentance will come because they look to Jesus, the One whom they rejected and crucified, in faith, at the Second Advent. (emphasis mine, ed.)
– from John MacArthur’s comment in his footnotes on the passage of Zechariah 12:10 in the MacArthur Study Bible.
Here’s more:
In a sermon on Zechariah 12:1-14, he states this concerning the Jews:
While their spiritual eyes are up and they’re thinking about God and how He has delivered them, they’re going to see God incarnate, Jesus, coming. They’re going to look on Him….they recognize that the very one who came back as their deliverer, was the same one they killed and they pierced when He came the first time. That’s why they mourn. And now that’s the anguish of true repentance, beloved.
He goes on:
And then Israel is going to receive salvation, look at 13:1, “In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.” God’s going to wash the nation from its sin.
First, they’re going to cry “My Lord and my God,” when they see Jesus. They’re going to realize it was God they pierced. And then God’s going to turn the fountain loose and wash them and pour out His Spirit.
What ever happened to Sola Fide?
Well, what will you think now Christian?
Related Posts:
5 Pt. Salt 
Knock me down with a feather, I never knew that Macathur held such views. If MacArthur is so wrong on this , where else does he err?
Im not dispensational (to begin with). The view in its self has inconsistencies. But dont we all have a few things that are not straight regarding our eschatology (whether its premill or amillenial or post mill)? No body can stand with all boldness and say “This is that which was prophesied…” as the events are yet to come. But when the Lord returns we shall all be perfected (in theology and eschatology) even as He is perfect. Till then I am still….fallible me. Fallible…. standing by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone for the glory of God alone.
Post-modernism = “We can’t be sure of anything”
While there is much in what Mac has taught that I value, I have refused to follow him much and have avoided gaining a free study Bible with his name on it. His growth from a mythical 4 point Calvinist to a allegedly Calvinist view is good, but we all know Calvinism is a sub-set of Reformed Theology – and Mac’s dispensationalist bigotry is well known; and it is dangerous – as the quote from his study Bible above reveals.
Considering how he spent most (90%?) of his time preaching one verse at a time and only this year finished preaching the New Testament, one wonders how much time he has spent in the Old Testament – and how he could have an informed view of its redemptive message?
Perhaps he doesn’t.
MacArthurs take on this event,
And then Israel is going to receive salvation, look at 13:1, “In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.” God’s going to wash the nation from its sin.
First, they’re going to cry “My Lord and my God,” when they see Jesus. They’re going to realize it was God they pierced. And then God’s going to turn the fountain loose and wash them and pour out His Spirit.
The Apostle Pauls take on this event
1 Cor 15:51
Behold I show you a mystery, we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall all be changed.
Did MacArthur somehow overlook this verse ?, unless folks can blurt out a ” sinners prayer ” in the twinkling of an eye, then this man stands guilty of preaching another gospel. The curse of dispensationism!!!!
‘Sinners prayer’, care to show me that in scripture?
Many thanks for adding the additional quotes from MacArthur, from a sermon Zechariah 12. This makes the error of Mac’s dispensational theology much more apparent – and heretical.
You’re welcome. Apologies for any confusion. I think we’re on the same page here.
Pingback: What Will the Church Do With Such A Man? | Sola Dei Gloria
and such go you that try and spiritualize the Bible to fit your convoluted system of replacement theology
I don’t buy into replacement theology. It’s silly.
Tim
There is nothing convoluted about looking at that passage from Zec 13:1 in its true context. The word of God has defined who Israel are and what constitutes Jerusalem, but if one persists in reading these verses literally , then the only outcome is the one that MacArthur postulates. If on the other hand we accept that not all Israel are of Israel [ Romans 9:6] and that Jerusalem is that which is from above [Galatians 4:26], then it becomes clear that the fulfillment of Zec 13:1 is not a future event , but one that was fulfilled in Christ when He died.
The fountain that was opened for the cleansing of sin is the same gospel that has gone out for all , Jews and Gentiles.
Amen, Ray.
Quote
‘Sinners prayer’, care to show me that in scripture?
Bill,
I can’t, but neither can one show dispensationalism from scripture
Thanks for the honesty, Ray. Studying how His-story plays out throughout the Bible can provide a dispensational view. Fodder for the theologians among you.
Bill, the only thing that provides a dispensational view my friend, is an absolute twisting of scripture. Exalting Israel of the flesh attempts to reduce the centrality of Christ in History.
Well, Mr Joel, opinions vary as do interpretations which is why this type of discussion happens. It isn’t important to me whether you agree or disagree. Stating that Israel, the family, will be converted at that hour does not change the centrality of Christ in any way. If God chooses to convert the entire nation of Moldova it is His to do.
Amen, Joel!
MacArthur is not teaching dual covenants or alternative means of salvation. You are being really divisive to the body of Christ because this is not heresy or a damnable doctrine. As a Calvinist Dispensationalist, I am deeply troubled by this and I feel like your attacking my views as if I am a heretic because I believe that Israel is distinct from the Church.You have not proven that point.
You’ve not been attacked here by anyone.
All dispensationalists, whether they know it or not, and whether they admit it or not hold a dual covenant belief system. It is a virtual requirement of dispensationalism. One plan for “the church” and another plan for “Israel”
The idea that God has set the Jews “on the back burner” during the church age says implicitly that their rejection of the gospel is not fatal and God is going to try something else with them. There must be some other way to get then into the kingdom. Perhaps it is a temporary return to the law and the rebuilding of the physical temple. Perhaps it is simply looking upon Him who they pierced. Whatever method they come up with, the preaching of the gospel seems always to be excluded or at least of secondary concern.
So the question that must be asked of all dispensationalists is this: How shall they call on him on whom they have not believed and how shall they believe unless they hear and how shall they hear unless there is a preacher and how shall they preach except they be sent?
ToddSm
Mac’s dispensational views are in themselves a serious concern , but veiled within those views is a much more serious issue, and that is that he preaching a different gospel. All this retorting about not teaching a different covenant or gospel is mere obfuscation . To each and every sinner throughout the age the gospel message has remained constant ;
As Paul reminds those at Corinth in 2Cor 6;2
Behold , now is the favorable time, behold , now is the day of salvation
and also in Hebrews 3:13
Today , if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion
………….
Do either of those writers promise a tommorrow, i think not , then neither should Mac be making such antitheical proclamations. Do we need to be reminded of Pauls warning in Galatians;
Gal 1:8
But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you , let him be accursed.
I don’t believe that anyone can understate the seriousness of what is going here, MacArthur is lauded far and wide as being a stoic orthodox teacher , and yet on this most fundamentally important doctrine of salvation , he is found to be preaching another gospel. I dare say the wolves are no longer at the gate, the’re in with the sheep.
Okay , this is where this where this becomes difficult.The question is , what do we do with a man that brings a different gospel . We really have no other option except to do that which Paul instructs us to , and that is to mark those that cause division , and avoid them. Fine , i’ve never met the man , nor am I likely to ever do so, but if I was in possession of any teaching material that came via Mac’s ministry, then into the trash they go. For me this is the easy part, but what I really find hard to comprehend is the level to which this false hood goes.You see , MacAurthur , is lauded for exposing the likes of Bentley ,Wagner and co , and rightly so , but right here is man exposing falsehood, who in reality is as much a part of that same falsehood. The enemy is a lot smarter and a whole lot more cunning that perhaps 90% of the church give credit for.Its just as well that we are told to make disciples and not friends , because exposing this sort of false teaching from this man [Mac] is more than likely going to result in the loss of what few friends one may have. Its probable that on this point the sheep and goats will sort themselves out , the sheep will defend the gospel , while the goats wiil back the man .
Perhaps I’m overeacting, I don’t know, but I do know that the father of lies will stop at nothing in order to separate the sheep from the sheperd, not even lying against himself.
Every single respected bible teacher I know of (John Piper, James Macdonald, Chuck Swindoll, David Jeremiah, Charles Stanley, Adrian Rodgers, Paul Washer, Jerry Falwell, John Macarthur, R C Sproul) has something that people within the body of Christ have attacked them over and even written the name of “heretic” over their ministry. One of the qualities that I believe God wants in his children is the ability to respect brothers within the body who may differ on their particular veiw of an issue. The bible holds many seemingly contradictory issues, man’s free will and predestination, works and faith, law and grace, love and truth. These issues are like two ends of a sling shot – they are meant to be kept in tension with one another. If you try to teach one and deny the other, you are going to get slapped in the face with a rubber band. I believe it is a mark of maturity when we are able to listen to someone who holds a little different veiw on these issues and learn from them. Prov. 18:2 says, “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding but only in expressing his opinion.” Is your opinion that important? Humble yourself down and try to understand were these spiritual giants are coming from. You may be suprised to find out that they are probably not the heretics that some would have you believe. Prov 6:16-19 says that one of the things that the Lord hates is one who sows discord among brothers. Is that what this blog is about? Truth that doesn’t lead you to love the Lord more and love your brothers in Christ more is just fuel for pride (1 Cor 8:1-3).
Teaching more than one way of salvation is not serious enough for you? Mangling the doctrine of justification not serious enough? What, pray tell, is serious enough to warrent sounding an alarm?
Please actually explain how there is another gospel being taught. If man is saved by faith alone through grace alone through Christ alone; by the Sovereign Choice of God, then how is the remnant of Israel at the end times not saved by the exact means? If you haven’t done an in-depth listen already into what MacArthur has to say about it, I would suggest the 6 part teaching, “Why Every Calvinist should be a Premillennialist.”
It’s one thing to treat differences gently and nudge an ignorant believer to more of God’s truth, but when a man like MacArthur stands above his people with the microphone and blasts them regularly with an out-and-out lie, that’s a horse of a differnt color. Not many should be teachers because teachers will receive a stricter judgment comes to mind. We are to judge false teaching especially in those who lead us into God’s word. Where is the love of God and others when you can’t come to the right conclusion about God’s word time and time again? I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed but I can see the broad side of a barn. The holy spirit can’t be dumbed down. So why isn’t MacArthur getting it?