The word “Eschatology” is from the Greek ἔσχατος/ἐσχάτη/ἔσχατον, eschatos/eschatē/eschaton meaning “last” and -logy meaning “the study of”, first used in English around 1550[1]. It is the part of theology, physics, philosophy, and futurology concerned with what are believed to be the final events of history, the ultimate destiny of humanity — commonly referred to as the “end of the world” or “end time“(1)
Anyone who reads this blog knows that I have an interest in eschatology. There are many different views about “the end of the world.” I recently ran across an article that perked my interest. It was reprinted in a blog that I respect for helping me understand many of the crazy things some of our “churches” are teaching today.
The blog is called Appraising Ministries and its creator is Pastor Ken Silva.
The title of the article is THE RISE OF APOCALYPITIC PAGANISM IN THE CHURCH: BIBLE PROPHECY IN CRISIS. The original is found in a publication named Herescope. The article criticizes another pastor whom I respect: Gary Stearman.
I respect Pastor Stearman because of his great knowledge and because of his support of the nation of Israel. He believes that Israel is “God’s Timepiece” and I’m inclined to agree with him.
The Herescope article contends that Gary Stearman and many of his guests rely upon ancient apocryphal literature that is corrupted. The example given is Gary’s observations of the Book of Enoch.
I have a copy of the Book of Enoch, but I have never read it. I am not a scholar on the subject so I would have to do some studying before I ever made a conclusion about who is closer to the truth on apocryphal lit.
I have posted things from Pastor Silva and I have posted items from Pastor Stearman. I think they both have their good points and bad points just like I do. I went back and reviewed most of the posts I put up from Prophecy in the News (Gary is the Editor). Israel is the subject of most of the podcasts I have posted. I don’t think there are any posts of interviews with people listed in the Herescope article. I may be wrong.
The men mentioned in the Herescope article are Doug Woodward, Tom Horn, L.A. Marzulli, and Doug Hamp. I have seen Pastor Stearman interview all of these guys. Do I agree with everything these guys are saying? Of course not. I can’t recall the topic, but an interview with Mr. Hamp was particularly off. Much of the literature written by these authors is advertised in the Prophecy in the News monthly magazine, which I receive.
Gary Stearman wrote a very good article in the March’s Prophecy in the News magazine entitled “The Mind of Christ.” I agree with Gary’s assessment that there will not be another Major revival until after the rapture.
So, do we throw the baby out with the bath water? (Gary is anything but a baby; he is brilliant.)
It is true that many of the books advertised by Prophecy in the News are questionable. At the same time, I have read many thought-provoking articles by Pastor Stearman.
I could go on about other issues where I don’t know if I agree with the Prophecy in the News folks. There is the idea that certain years line up with certain Psalms. There is the Dispensational view. Gary and most of this persuasion think there will be 7 time periods or Dispensations throughout history. Dr. Charles Ryrie, whose name is on The Ryrie Study Bible, agrees with Dispensationalism but after listening to an interview with him I’m not sure how many Dispensations he believes in.
I could also find areas where Mr. Silva and I differ. I’m not quite as Calvinist as he is.
So who is right? I know that this article is all over the place but I do have a few conclusions:
I like Gary Stearman. I like Ken Silva. I like Charles Ryrie. I think they are all saved. None of them are always right and none are always wrong. I look in the mirror and see someone just like them except less knowledgeable.
Dr. Mark Cain of Village Bible Church says: “Some hills are worth dying on and some aren’t.”
When prophetic speculation reaches the level of paganism, then it is serious. However, just because someone is wrong doesn’t make them pagan. I would fit the definition in that case.
I’m not saying that “we should all just get along.” I’m saying that the discussion should be civil. Thus far, I have never seen Gary Stearman act otherwise.
May God bless us all as we study His word and await His coming.
Chris Reimers
(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eschatology
The interview with Charles Ryrie looks like an old Japanese monster movie.
Posted by Chris 
Wings of the Wind 
GOD OF WONDERS
April 23, 2013“I’m so excited to find God of Wonders at YouTube! Just in case there are some of you who have not yet seen this great video (or have but would like a fresh reminder), make yourself a cool lemonade (or a hot cup of tea for those of you Down Under) and behold the precise, intricate, altogether lovely works of our powerful, awesome, magnificent Holy God, Creator and Redeemer, Jesus Christ our Lord!”
These are the words of Pearl of the former blog “Be Thus Minded.” Pearl went on to quote Psalm 19 in its entirety. Unfortunately, this documentary was removed when Pearl had her blog up. Fortunately, I found it back up on You Tube.
Pearl and I have very similar tastes. Three posts before she finished her blog she added “Who Am I,” an inspiring piece of music that was recently posted here.
I am thankful that I still have access to “Be Thus Minded” where I can find great stuff like God of Wonders.
CR
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