Ask Rob
Dialog on Angels for WCA
October 18, 2011 | 
Author Had a great time at Wake Christian Academy today. I was able to take part in a chapel series on topics from Systematic Theology. My topic was angels.
We had a question and answer time after the high school chapel, but I know there are more questions.
This post is to provide a place for those to ask those questions. Just post your question and then check back for the answer.
Let’em rip!
Posted in Ask Rob, Lessons Repository | 
Tags: angels, devil, God, Jesus, Lucifer, Satan, Spirit, spiritual warfare | 
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Question on Dispensationalism, Israel and Continuity, part 2
Meagan wrote:
Rob,
how would you reply to the notion that dispensationalism is a relatively new (just over 100 years old according to some) belief, and that it is not biblical in origin? Also, why is it
so important to clarify whether the Bible is referring to Jews or Christians ( or both) when it speaks of the “church”?
Lastly, is 1 Cor. 15:52 the only passage from which to build a theology of the rapture, and specifically a pre-tribulational rapture?
ANSWER:
This second one is a very important question, in my opinion. The first answer must be that it is only important if the Text seems to make it important. I think the Text does indeed do this.
From the inception of the nation of Israel through Abram of Ur, God had designed a people to be distinct. For certain purposes, God made an “us and them” situation between Israel and everyone else. This distinctive puts Israel in a unique light by definition. Now, Paul works some of that out in Romans 3 by way of a side argument. This intersects what God is doing through the Gospel more in Romans 9-11. It is this intersection that many interpret the “mystery” that Paul speaks of very often being the Church producing Gospel. This is heightened by Romans 11:25 that indicates a time and position distinction for Israel, offset from the Gentiles (everyone else).
The key is always remembering that when you say “Jew”, you must think of both the individual AND the nation. Read the rest of this entry »
Question on Dispensationalism, Israel and Continuity, part 1
Meagan wrote:
Rob,
how would you reply to the notion that dispensationalism is a relatively new (just over 100 years old according to some) belief, and that it is not biblical in origin? Also, why is it
so important to clarify whether the Bible is referring to Jews or Christians ( or both) when it speaks of the “church”?
Lastly, is 1 Cor. 15:52 the only passage from which to build a theology of the rapture, and specifically a pre-tribulational rapture?
ANSWER:
AskRob: Question on the use of Scripture for “Life Verses”
Question:
I need to understand in detail how to use Gods word correctly for hope, strength and encouragement. I know you mentioned about how some life verses are not verses to use for life verses. The verse that keeps me going and full of hope is Galatians 6:9. I use this verse because it reminds me that there is a bigger picture and that I need to press on till the end.
So how do we use Gods word for encouragement and hope?I know that I have though about this question too long and I have just determined that this will be one that I will think about for years and revise my understanding of it along the way. For now, let me give you my thoughts on it.
As we think about using verses of Scripture – for any purpose – it is assumed that the Scripture has a purpose and is to be used. Both of these premises are absolutely true. (2 Tim. 3:16-17) The question is how and how much? By this I mean, what is the purpose of Scripture and how are we to use it?
Well, let’s start with some other premises:
– Scripture is vast an contains a lot of verses, books and content
– It is implied that since we have a book full of stuff that He wants us to use all the Book
– It has a primary purpose of revealing God to us –
– We know that knowing God correctly is the very most important thing in our lives
– There is always four contexts to every passage – thought, book/author, testament, Bible
These are just a few important thoughts that get me to this point:
AskRob: Question on the Resurrection and Heaven
Q. Hey Rob,
Okay, my cage is rattled again. It's about your stance on people not
recognizing each other in the resurrection. I'll be surprised if mine is the
only e-mail you get about this. First, I agree with you completely that we
probably won't even care and that just being in God's presence and seeing
Him in all His glory will be all-consuming and probably overwhelm any other
thought or feeling.
That said, I have to wonder if your position is entirely correct when I
think about instances like when King Saul paid the medium to call up Samuel:
Saul recognized Samuel from the medium's description. In Jesus' parable
about the rich man and Lazarus, the rich man recognized both Lazarus and
Abraham. In the Matt. 17 account of Jesus' transfiguration, Peter, James and
John recognized Moses and Elijah. Whether this was from ancient drawings,
maybe, or some God-granted telepathy-type thing, we don't know, but they
obviously were recognizable as those specific Biblical figures. In Matt. 22,
Jesus tells us He's the God of the living, not the dead, and names Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob. This implies that they're still known by those names and
recognized as those people even after death. In this same chapter, Jesus
tells us there will be no marriage, but rather that we'll be like the angels
in heaven. Is it taking that verse too far to suppose we'll be known by
names and recognizable as the angels Michael and Gabriel clearly are? The
most persuasive example to me is that of Jesus Himself after His death, who
was immediately recognized by His disciples when He appeared to them in the
locked room. Scripture even depicts Him retaining the wounds of the
crucifixion. There's the obvious delineation between our humanity and His
deity, but we're told that we will be like Him.
As far as having memories, if we are to give an account after death (Rom.
14) of the acts done in this life, we would surely be able to remember them,
along with the others' whose lives are included in the memories of what
we've done.Thanks for your time. Oh yeah, and who were the Nephilim? (Just kidding)
A pre-Abraham Boy-Band. (Just Kidding)
Here you Go:
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