The Jews

[jcr4runner]

Most amillennial and post millennial theologians throughout the centuries took Paul's prophecy literally: "And all Israel will be saved." In that as their casting away was national, so will their conversion be national.

I personally don't think that "all" means 100 percent, but something like "it will be unusual to find a Jew that doesn't believe in Jesus.

Charles Hodge explained the "common church view" in his Systematic Theology.

All Christians agree that the church, called "the Bride" and "the New Jerusalem" in Revelation 20, exists both in heaven and on earth prior to the Second Coming. We agree that Revelation 20 describes the final attack of Satan's forces against Christ and the church. All Christians agree that Christ will return in bodily form at the end of history to judge the living and the dead.

We also agree that the events that are to precede the Second Advent are as follows:

1. The universal diffusion of the Gospel will occur in history; or, as our Lord expresses it, the ingathering of the elect; this is the primary calling and purpose of the church.

2. The conversion of the Jews is to be national. (As their casting away was national, although a remnant was saved; so their conversion will be national, although some may remain hardened.)

3. After the Great Commission is fulfilled, there will be a general apostasy, which will occur for a brief time prior to the Second Coming of the Lord.

We agree that the events of the Second Coming are as follows:

1. The resurrection of the dead, of the just and of the unjust.

2. The final judgment.

3. The end of the world.

4. The consummation of Christ's kingdom.

This is called the "common church doctrine," because it has been the prevalent idea among all Christians for 2000 years. For the first few hundred years of church history, the common doctrine did not even have a name. There was no elaborate differentiation of millennial theories such as is found among today's Bible scholars. It was simply the broad statement of faith of the Apostle's Creed and the teachings of the church fathers.

For more information on the common church view see:

http://forerunner.com/eschatology/X0003_3._Premil_Rebuttal.html