The End-Time Church: Midrash Bible Studies, #2

By Raymond Creed

This study examines the question, 'what will be the condition of the church immediately before Christ's return?' It employs a number of New Testament texts to argue: -
1) The Bible does not (and never has) promised an end-time global revival with the Church governing the nations (and transforming society) in preparation for Christ's return. Any so called 'reformation' or 'movement' within today's Church which seeks to accomplish these goals is not based on Scriptuture/.
2) The New Testament warns of a global deception which many naive Christians will equate with revival. However, the very opposite will take place – with Christians actually being persecuted for their faith. Every branch and tradition of the Church will be affected.
3) Bible prophecy would suggest that aberrant forms of Christianity (rather than atheism) will be the main challenge facing the Church in the period of Christ's return.
4) Christians need to adopt a more realistic approach to world events. Should they continue to ignore what's going on around them they risk of turning against the faith when times become excessively difficult.
5) Analysing and understanding the nature of apostasy is one way of not succumbing to it

• Language: English
• Publisher: Raymond Creed
• Release date: Jan 7, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393467397

Raymond Creed

Published Under the Pen Name of Raymond Creed On Lulu Publications Facing the Unthinkable (2010) (What the Jewish People May Feel When They Find their True Messiah) The 52 Attributes of God (2011) (A Bible-Based Analysis of the Attributes of God – With Particular Reference to the Relationship between Divine Holiness and Divine Love) The Leeds Liturgy (2010) (A Prayer Book enabling Christians to ‘Worship God in Spirit and in Truth’) The Phantom Conflict (2010) (Bible teaching on the relationship between divine holiness and divine love in connection with Christian idolatry and the need for a balanced Christian life) Reaching Across the Chasm (2019) (An Unlikely Dialogue between a Male Religious Conservative and a Christian Lesbian Writer) Ancient Passions (2020) (Exploring the Spiritual Crisis of our Time) How I Became  Christian Regarding becoming Christian I was: - 1. Led by the Revd Richard Bolt to ask Jesus Christ into my life at a boys’ camp in Croyde North Devon, during August 1968 (and in late August 1969 and 1970 because I lacked assurance) 2. Finally re-born through receiving a direct vision of Christ at a Student Christian Union meeting (held in a student flat in Newcastle upon Tyne) on Saturday, 18th October 1975 (around 8.00p.m) 3. Baptized in the Holy Spirit at a prayer meeting on Thursday, 27th November 1975 (began to pray with tongues the following Monday evening) 4. Given a full immersion (Trinitarian) water baptism on the evening of Sunday, 5th September 1976.

Book preview

THE END-TIME CHURCH  

(A Homiletic Midrash on the Great Apostasy in the Church before Christ’s Return)

Copyright © the Author 2008

All Rights Reserved, The Moral Right of the author has been asserted.

Contents

Key Concept

Introduction

Bible Readings

Outline of Main Points

Teachings

Application

Conclusion

Summary

Questions

Before You Go

Key Concept

Homiletic Midrash:   A Midrash offering simple doctrinal instruction by using a four-part structure comprising: -

a. An introductory formula e.g. ‘as it is written.’

b. A Harez (or ‘pearl stringing’) of a diverse collection of Bible passages; all gathered together in order to illustrate a key theme.

c. A commentary showing how this collection of Bible passages confirms and explains the major theme under scrutiny.

d. A final conclusion made to sum up key points and to encourage practical application.

A particular example of this Midrash can be found in Romans 3:9-20.

Introduction

To use scripture as a source for clear and unambiguous teaching it’s necessary to ensure that: -

1) Any such teaching is grounded