Article Archives

The Meeting in the Sky

Thomas D. Ice — Fri, 08 May 2009 12:06:27 PDT

A Biblical Basis for Social and Political Involvement within a Traditional Dispensational Framework

Thomas D. Ice — Fri, 08 May 2009 12:05:22 PDT

Traditional dispensationalism1 has the reputation of lack of interest in social and political involvement. This may or may not be a fair perception. I think it has largely been true with some notable exceptions.2 However, I do think that dispensational theory, whether developed and applied or not, is capable of producing a theology of social and political involvement that is consistent with the principles of dispensational theology. The goal of this paper is to layout a broad outline of just such a theology. The biblical covenants provide a framework by which we can know how God wants us to behave in every area of life. Since the early covenants in Genesis are related to Adam and his descendants (i.e., all mankind), it makes sense that the jurisdiction of these covenants apply to all humanity. How so?

From A Garden To A City

Thomas D. Ice — Fri, 08 May 2009 12:02:51 PDT

Alleged Irvingite Influence on Darby and the Rapture

Thomas D. Ice — Fri, 08 May 2009 12:01:34 PDT

Israel

Thomas D. Ice — Fri, 08 May 2009 12:00:33 PDT

What do you think of the modern state of Israel? Hardly a day passes without seeing this small country, about the size of New Jersey, in the newspaper or on television news. Why? Because Israel is God’s elect nation and He is preparing her and the world for “a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever shall” (Matt. 24:21). The emphasis is upon preparing, because we are still in the church age and not yet in the seven-year tribulation.

Is It Time for the Temple?

Thomas D. Ice — Fri, 08 May 2009 11:59:37 PDT

The current situation in Israel is one of constant tension and turmoil. Yet in the midst of Arab aggression and opposition, it appears that Jewish interest in rebuilding their Temple continues to grow. In the last few months there have been a number of events that have taken place that appears to be ratcheting up the interest level of the Temple movement in Israel among Jews. One of the more interesting developments has been the reestablishment of the Sanhedrin after 1600 years of absence.

Scary Gary and Y2K

Thomas D. Ice — Fri, 08 May 2009 11:58:30 PDT

What you believe about Bible prophecy greatly impacts how you live in the present. Even though this is true, it does not appear to by widely believed or understood by the majority of American Christians. Bible prophecy beliefs today are too often thought to be peripheral matters of personal preference. Yet, 60% of the New Testament cannot be expounded without making interpretative decisions about matters relating either directly or indirectly to Bible prophecy. A current case-in-point is Reconstructionists1 Gary North and his predictions about the impending Y2K computer problem.

God's Purpose for Israel During the Tribulation

Thomas D. Ice — Fri, 08 May 2009 11:56:21 PDT

I recently engaged in a debate (May 26, 2006) against preterist Gary DeMar on the topic of “The Great Tribulation: Past or Future?” One of the points I made in favor of the tribulation as a future time was that one of the biblically defined purposes for that seven-year period, as it relates to Israel, did not occur in the first century. So just what is God’s purpose for Israel during the tribulation?

Happy Birthday Israel

Thomas D. Ice — Fri, 08 May 2009 11:54:10 PDT

The Glorious and Incomparable Promises of the Bible

Thomas D. Ice — Fri, 08 May 2009 11:52:50 PDT

During the first half of World War II General Douglas MacArthur was forced to leave the Philippines in the Pacific Theater by the Japanese. Upon his departure he made a promise to the Philippino people: “I will return.” General MacArthur, through the strength and power of the American military was able to keep his promise. If humanity can make and keep promises of rescue and deliverance, how much more will our great God keep the glorious and incomparable promises He has made in His Word! Indeed, He has told us that He will one day return and fulfill the great and many promises about the glorious future in store for those who know Him as their Savior. Why are promises important to God? Promises are important to God’s plan for history, because God keeps His word. History is a record of God’s faithfulness to keep His promises. Thus, God delights in making seemingly impossible promises so that He, through the most difficult circumstances, demonstrates that He keeps His promises. Think of God’s record of faithfulness next time you are tempted by circumstances to go back on your word. There are three great promises that God has made to His people that I want to examine in this chapter. These promises are Israel’s permanence, Christ’s second coming, and eternal life to all believers.

What Is Progressive Dispensationalism?

Thomas D. Ice — Fri, 08 May 2009 11:51:09 PDT

Two Dallas Theological Seminary professors have edited a major new book calling into question previous formulations of dispensationalism, while at the same time attempting to develop a new kind of dispensationalism. This new approach has been labeled by its advocates “Progressive Dispensationalism” (PD) in 1991. PD is often critical of older dispensationalism while incorporating elements from theological systems which in the past have been in opposition to traditional dispensational understandings of the Bible.

Dr. Craig Blaising teaches Systematic Theology at Dallas and Dr. Darrell Bock is in the New Testament Greek Department. Their new book is Dispensationalism, Israel and The Church: The Search For Definition, (DIC) (Zondervan, 1992), which was released in late September 1992. It will not take those attempting to read this new book long to find that this book is difficult to read because of it’s erudite and technical style. This is a marked change from a previous generation of dispensationalists, often typified by Dr. Charles Ryrie, who were known for their clear, direct, and concise brand of scholarship. In DIC it is sometimes hard to get a grip on what is being said, even after reading a passage several times.

Why I Believe the Bible Teaches Rapture Before Tribulation

Thomas D. Ice — Fri, 08 May 2009 11:49:35 PDT

The Khazars and the Jews

Thomas D. Ice — Fri, 08 May 2009 11:22:50 PDT

One of the tactics used by some anti-Christian Zionists is to say that most modern Jews are not true descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This errant theory is based upon wrong conclusions that they have drawn from the history of a medieval nation in which some converted to Judaism. Khazaria was a nation composed largely of Turkish stock that lived between the Black and Caspian Seas during the seventh to tenth centuries.1 Some holding to replacement theology and many neo-Nazis are attracted to this theory in which they conclude that the Jews are not really Jews.

The Earth Dwellers of Revelation

Thomas D. Ice — Fri, 08 May 2009 11:14:28 PDT

Revelation 3:10 is rightly know as a passage that supports the pre-trib rapture doctrine, but the second half of the verse introduces us to the first use of the term “earth dwellers.” “Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell upon the earth.” 3:10 is the first use in Revelation of a phrase I call “earth dwellers” but usually translated “those who dwell upon the earth.” This phrase is used eleven times in nine verses in Revelation (3:10; 6:10; 8:13; 11:10 2xs; 13:8, 12, 14 2xs; 14:6; 17:8). “Earth dwellers” is a designation for persistent unbelievers during the tribulation.

Dispensational Hermeneutics

Thomas D. Ice — Fri, 08 May 2009 11:12:51 PDT

Myths of the Origin of Pretribulationism (Part 1)

Thomas D. Ice — Fri, 08 May 2009 11:11:23 PDT

A history of the rapture is of necessity a history of pretribulationism, since most other views do not distinguish between the two phases of Christ's return—the rapture and second advent. The partial rapture and midtribulationism have been developed only within the past 100 years.

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb

Thomas D. Ice — Fri, 08 May 2009 11:09:56 PDT

Recently at a prophecy conference I was ask if there was a difference in the Bible between the marriage of the bride (the church) to the Lamb and the marriage supper of the Lamb. I answered that I believe that Scripture indicates that there is a difference in these things and that they are two events that will take place at two different times in history. Let me show you why I think this way.

The Battle For Jerusalem

Thomas D. Ice — Fri, 08 May 2009 11:06:58 PDT

Why is the world so interested and focused upon Jerusalem? There are a lot of different reasons at the moment. There are social, political, economic, and let’s not forget the religious importance. Whatever the individual reasons, Jerusalem is constantly in the news and at the center of the world’s attention.

I am writing this article while on a trip to an Arab country when the recent riots over the Temple Mount erupted. Every day in the local Arab-English newspaper, Israel is blamed for the events in what they always call “occupied Jerusalem.” Daily, Ariel Sharon is vilified for having had the audacity to have gone upon the Temple Mount. This is said to be provocative to the Arab and Muslim world. This, in spite of the fact that the Temple Mount is the most holy place for Jews. Apparently, most of the world thinks that it is unfair for Jews to have access to their own holy site in their own homeland. Well, such are the dynamics of the world in which we currently live.

On Solid Ground

Thomas D. Ice — Fri, 08 May 2009 10:38:11 PDT

Stage-Setting For The Last Days: an Approach To Consistent Futurism

Thomas D. Ice — Fri, 08 May 2009 10:34:18 PDT