A Final Move of God?
by Charles Pinkney
Pre Trib Rapture Viewpoint

Kingdom Now or Preterist Escatology

Index of all titles by the author

Will a massive world-wide revival bring billions of souls around the world into local churches?
Will the "glorious church" be realized within mega ministry centers?
Will a system of apolstolic leadership appoint those who will disciple thousands and thousands?
Or:
Is this notion of a GLORIOUS CHURCH just a re-issuing of an institution like the Roman Church?
Will church mission outreaches complete the Lord's commission to evangelize the world?
Will the church's efforts reshape the cultural institutions of the world?
Or
Is it time to redefine the Glorious Church?
When we read the accounts of church's beginnings in the days of Christ's apostles we are told to contend for that faith that was first delivered by those fathers of Christianity. (Jude v.3) Should we not then, return to the roots of Christianity that was denoted by the presence and power of God. The apostolic age saw a spirit of love that forged intimate bonds of fellowship among believers. The earliest believers sought the Kingdom of God and great grace was upon them when they gathered continuously to share the gift and to share their testimonies freely.

Current Trends in Christian Religious Practice

In recent years, we have seen a time of sifting and shaking of doctrines and practices of the Christian life. Discussions have arisen about the nature of Christian outreach, evangelsim and revival. There are ongoing new revelations being taught by some Charismatic leaders. Some tell us that God is in the process of restoring the power and the"glory" of the church enabling it to soon sweep and transform every nation. Many of these declare that this church will overcome the world by converting all the nations and bringing every institution under Christ's dominion.

Meanwhile we find some fervent and sincere believers who have been burned out by familiar and traditional religious forms and practices. They are rethinking the very nature of the institution of Christianity abandoning formal church attendance in favor of intimate fellowship groups. For many there is a deep restlessness and yearning for greater, more intimate fellowship with fellow believers. Many long for greater freedom within spiritual communities. The hungry and thirsty press in to find that precious way to God where the heart may flourish and our soul may be satisfied. These hunger for that which is vibrant and alive and turn away from the things that do not satisfy. God, for many, is causing things of this world to appear more empty and foolish. We have a witness of the vanities of impermanent things. These are coming to nothing and shall soon pass away. God knows who are his own and who were called to follow him fully. Our hearts groan in discontent with the way of the world and a society that does not know God. Formalistic institutional religion has borrowed too much from this world. I believe our hearts never cease and find seek and find fulfillment in him who loves us. We know that He is our sole refuge, and our place of repose when the things of this world fade into nothingness.

We also are seeing a disturbing trend among some main-line denominations where "Jesus Seminars" question long-held orthodoxy. Theologians discuss issues of an "Emergent Church" that seeks to blend and homogenize elements from divergent religions and practices. The result is a view of Christianity that is more tolerant of differences being more inclusive and ecumencial, drawing the best from many religions.

But for the great majority we call Christians, there are few questions that demand an examination of long-held traditions practiced for a lifetime. To be sure, there is comfort in practicing the familiar patterns of religious life. The multitude of nominal Christians have no concerns or questions about how the Kingdom of God should look.

Questions addressing the church and it historic foundations in Judaism

As we study the Bible, we come to understand the chronology and continuity of God's plan for this world. There is a path that reveals a beginning and a future culmination of God's work with humanity. The 'end times' or escatology found in scripture is a demanding area of study, and conclusions are open to debate.

There are many Christian theologians who dismiss the importance of the Jews (Israel as a nation) as a player in God's covenants and future plan. How will they address the future of Israel and her place in the world and prophecy? Is the nation of Israel unique from others in the community of nations? There are two opposing view points, both can not be right. One view, Replacement Theology, declares that the Church has taken over the role of the elect, people of covenant. The other, the Dispensational View, believes that the church, for a season, is under the light of God's favor, (Isaiah 61:1) but physical Israel though temporarily set aside due to her offenses, will finally resume her full position as the people of God as declared in myriad verses of Psalms and prophetic writing.

Christians are an off shoot of the root of Judaism. In reality Christianity was always meant to be Messianic Judaism! Yeshua, Jesus was and is the Jewish Messiah. The apostles were all Jews. Salvation is of the Jews. The oracles of God and the covenants with Israel are the warp and weft of the past 4000 years of Bible  history. The Feasts of Israel recorded in the books of Moses are called everlasting memorials. These Jewish festivals foreshadow and portray Jeshua Messiah in various roles that have been fulfilled or are yet to be fulfilled. Prophetic accuracy in matters fulfilled give us confidence that the same accuracy may be expected in regard to God's promises for Israel and the soon-to-come Kingdom Age that will be in place for a millenium. Since Abraham it has been established that those who bless Israel shall be blessed and those who curse her, shall be accursed.

We face a cross road. Shall believers embrace Israel and its prophetic prominence or reject it? I believe it is prudent for the sake of our spiritual lives and the well-being of the nation to embrace and support Israel. We have been grafted into the root of Israel by God's grace and mercy. It was Jewish believers in Israel who first experienced the "new creation." The apostles ministered within the walls of synagogues, although with great resistance. Paul fulfilled prophecy when he took the message of a "New Creation" beyond the Elect of Israel to the Gentiles. Meeting forms of the first 'churches' were quite different from what we might be familiar with as they gathered informally in synagogues or homes. Men and women believed the message and shared the Jewish gospel that Jesus (Yeshua) was truly the Messiah, the son of God and The Savior of all and the King to govern the nations.  Sadly, I believe those Christian leaders who teach Replacement theology eliminating God's covenant people are dismissing enormous amounts of the Bible and over spiritualizing too much of the apostolic New Covenant scripture.

Redefining the Glorious Church
Here are a few statements address my understanding of what the glorious church truly is. The glorious church is comprised of individual, believing men and women, world wide, from any denomination, church fellowship or no denomnation. These men, women and children have experienced the reality of God's presence both individually and corporately. These know well how God will be present Himself among his people revealing his nature and wisdom. Among these men and women there is that unique spirit, denoted by zeal, compassion, gentleness, meekness, yet confidence. They will be known for their acceptance and recognition that God is among them in unity. They seek no personal greatness nor contend for supremacy. In the glorious church, God's presence manifests in power in various kinds of anointings and signs.

The mission of the Gospel of the Kingdom is about bringing greater evidence of heavenly substance to earth. The "kingdom of heaven" breaks through as the body finds itself in unity (oneness.) Signs and revelations will transpire but when they do, these must conform to the whole body of Scripture. The voice of the Spirit of God speaks to us in personal ways, persuading tens of thousands to join Him in the heavenly place of intimacy. Discontent and restlessness in a stagnant religious environment prompts those called by God to become full participants in an environment that offers acceptance and liberty. He presents us with the key to the kingdom the inner witness which opens to reveal his majestic glory.

Many voices affirm the desire to pursue their own unique gift and are called to fully participate among a community of believers free of human domination. Messengers are being revealed, people called of God, chosen and prepared in solitary places. These messengers are not be called to be professional theologians, nor religious celebrities, but simple men and women who are Christ's disciples. God has called and reserved true disciples for this very time. One may say they are coming forth out of their own caves of obscurity as David with his faithful remnant in days of old. Few voices in the wilderness have been joined with a multitude who cry out, "Prepare the Way of the Lord most high, make His way straight in the desert, prepare the way for a people to go forth and meet him, we set forth to meet him in the high places, heavenly Zion, the "Mountain of the Lord."

Now, we do not know many who share that spirit of zeal and passion couched in meekness. But we will recognize them when we share fellowship with them. Our spirit bares witness to theirs. We feel their openness, warmth and accessibility. They of the glorious church do not hide behind religious titles that are too often a barrier to intimacy with the common people. As in the bible account of Jesus when he was in his mother's womb, a common spirit caused the unborn John the Baptist to leap in the presence of the savior, and as the travelers to Emmaus felt their hearts burn within them, we will recognize and welcome those having the right spirit.

The glorious church therefore is not a place. It is not a megachurch ministry with a dynamic pastor nor a charismatic leader who attracts more and more devotees to the meetings. It is not heirarchical with an elect at the head. It recognizes that the Kingdom of God at this time to be spiritual and is resident within the souls of men and women who have received the gift of life and salvation. It does not seek to conquer nations using methods of domination and control to bring political and economic systems into submission. I believe that the glorious church has no walls and has no shepherd other than Jesus through his Holy Spirit.

THE GREAT COMMISSION (MATTHEW 24)

Jesus delivers the outline of the times of the end. Jesus declares prophetically that there will be a resolution of the conflict between good and evil. The old testament prophets deal with this time of revolution, sorrow and chaos under the description, "Day of the Lord." Forces of evil will be subdued with finality and the Kingdom of righteousness will be established, revoking all previous forms of human government.
The Great Commission is introduced in Matthew 24:9 and finalized at the time of the Lord's ascension from the mount. (Matthew 28:16Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. 18And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen )
When Jesus addresses the disciples in chapter 24. He is speaking not just to them in the context of their lives and times. He is in fact speaking for all who will follow after and face the same tribulation and hope in centuries to follow. These prophetic words will always be in force and relavent in times of trial and tribulation until the end of the age. (cozmos current world system)

Matt 24:9 - - “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come."

The disputes and discrepancies seem to address this matter of the duty of the church to bring in the end of the age through it's formalized and varied outreach and missionary efforts. What I am hearing from most Evangelical Christians is that it is the church and missions which will bring the Gospel of the Kingdom to the world until "the end."

There is, I think, a more Biblically correct understanding that we call dispensational. In this view, the church has an allotted time to act and the world a time to respond to the Gospel message proclaimed by believers and church ministries. This term will conclude at a time that God has appointed. The world has always withstood and resisted the Holy Spirit. Jesus and the apostles affirmed that righteousness is not going to be fully realized through our best outreaches during this church-age dispensation. So what does the Bible mean in saying 'the Gospel of the Kingdom will be proclaimed to all the world and then the end will come?

Kingdom Now and Preterist theology is of an understanding that the Church will grow in spiritual empowerment until the whole world will be transformed in righteousness. The Seven Mountains movement of Christian evangelism and intercession is looking to transform the broad reaches of society, family, political, educational, arts, media etc. (See Seven Mountains of Culture.)

We must not fail to take into consideration Israel and its full purpose and place in the fulfillment of God's plan for the end time we have greater understanding. Most old testament prophets spoke of the the coming of Messiah, Israel and Jerusalem and the plan of bringing the Kingdom of God to earth at the end of the age after a time of great tribulation and trial referred to as the "Day of the Lord." Jesus, the Messiah has come and if we believe in the dispensational view we believe he will come again in great glory and power and himself will destroy the evil ruler (antichrist) with his coming. But before this second coming Israel and the Jews will do the greatest amount of evangelism and proclaiming the "Gospel of the Kingdom:" We have the two witnesses described in Revelation chapter 10 who will preach, and bear testimony to Jesus and his kingdom for three and a half years. (The middle point of the 7 year tribulation period). Coninciding with the ministry of the two witnesses and perhaps a direct result of their ministry we have 144 thousand evangelists who are set forth and these represent the 12 tribes of Israel. It is these who will continue to proclaim the everlasting gospel. Finally the book of Revelation tells us that just before the time of Christ's return there will be Gospel Angels, who literally bring the message to every nation and people group. Revelation 14:6 Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people—7 saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”
I believe the scriptures above bear investigation for your own understanding. If you read the Bible rather than have some tell you what is in the Bible you will not be found ignorant. I believe that we are on the threshold of the Day of the Lord and at the very end of the church age. The past few years and months have seen things transpire prophetically that could not be imagined ten or even five years ago.

The Manifold Expressions of Grace
Column 1 and 2 - - Previous expression through past religious dispensations
Column 3: The restoration of foundations, The final move of God.

The chart below describes graphically the levels of Christian experience experienced from the past to the present. Categories may not include all churches or entire congregations. Some well organized religous bodies though repleat in doctrine, depart seriously from the true gospel of Grace and salvation through Christ Jesus.

Column one is experienced by those who have been "Born of the Spirit" having become"new creations." They have entered the gateway, the entry point to a life in God (In Christ Jesus.) These progress spiritually according to the doctrines taught by the religious authorities of that body with whom they have fellowship. Those within that doctrinal framework by no means experience all that they can experience in the Kingdom of God, since they are constrained by the paradigms of their leaders.

Column two is descriptive of those who have a higher, more active experience in the Spiritual life. These believers, often more by chance than choice, find themselves in a place to experience more of God and have with God's grace, pressed in to experience the activation of the Holy Spirit Baptism with its subsequent access to witness God's reality. Those who have come out of the fundamentalist strand of Christian tradition, have already been labeled as out of order, out of compliance and essentially apostate with respect to their prior doctrines.

The Pentecostal - Charismatic movement of the past hundred or more years while having some active expressions of the charis (gifts) of the Spirit, still retain the format of the institutional church which keeps members as observers (congregations) whose principle job is to support the institutional structure and the vision of the leadership as informattional source and authority in matters of doctrine. Fellowship exists on a mostly social level. Though there is/was a degree of liberty the individuals members for the most part are not active participants in "ministry." Nor are they activated to be doers of the word. The "laity" is an active reality in such religious bodies. Laity as described in column two are still still regarded as subordinate in all functions of ministry. Credentialed leadership and possibly a board of elders are the guiding authority on doctrinal and programmatic matters.

Column three denotes those who are beginning to experience the highest manifestation of the church age. In this model, spiritual leaders may come from the highways and the byways. Many are unknown, without reputation they may or not have formal credentials. These are often the simple and plain minded men and women who have one thing in common, that they have been with Jesus in the way or have felt a continual dissonance with the programs and formalism of the waning human led religious movements. They are described hereafter by various authors who are expressing the same discontent with old religious ways, meaning the religiosity of pentecostal and charismatic bodies described in column two whose purposes and programs were mingled with human forms and methodology. Column three are outside of legalism.  They are outside institutionalism. They do not need to go to a "church" whose primary concern is paying off their expensive mortgage and pay for the salaries of clerical professionals. They know that they are the church.

They do not aspire to become famous or to have famous world outreach ministries. They give away that which was freely given to them. They meet without credentialed leaders who have church growth strategies as their true agenda. The Holy Spirit has control of these groups. All in fellowship are taught to participate. They are empowered to practice and grow in their gifts, while seeking to know God in his presence. They realize that each person is called to become complete in him, and this completeness will bring divine approval into his or her life. They do not stray from the word of God which each knows and knows well, for these guiding principles were those of the apostles in the beginning. The word of God is quick and powerful in their lives; they know the rhema word by which we eat and live.

E Book 1:
The Gospel Without Religion

E Book 2:
A Disciples Handbook

E Book 3:
Mysteries in the Bible

Index to all Charles Pinkney Christian Titles