The 2012 Northern Virginia Conference was on The Mountaintops of Scripture, giving a dispensational overview of the Bible.
The goals of this study are three-fold: first, to help the Bible student “think through” the Bible story along the lines of God’s promises and their fulfillment in the Person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ. The second objective is for us to gain a sense of how to “rightly divide” the Word of God, according to its own inherent pattern. In so doing, we are able to see its unity and minimize supposed contradictions. Finally, this overall grasp of Scripture will enable us to “tell the story” to others, keeping the focus where it belongs—on Jesus Christ the Savior.

The Mountaintops of Scripture – Northern VA 2012

Gene Cunningham - September 7, 2019

AZ 2019 Lesson 4

AZ 2019 Lesson 4

In the parables of Matthew, Jesus is not addressing faithful/unfaithful believers, but an unbelieving Jewish nation. Matthew 13 Jesus introduces a new state to His Kingdom, namely a mystery state (e.g., "...the kingdom of heaven is like...") In Matt 22:1-14 the parable of the wedding feast depicts the pre-Kingdom preparations (i.e., still the Jewish age) and lunchtime for invitees, not the inaugeration of it that includes the Bridegroom's coming and His wedding to the bride/church with a dinner feast. See pages 22-26 of the Conference Notes. Everyone is "called" or invited, but few are "chosen", because only a few respond with belief (Matt 22:14, 1Pet 5:5, Rom 9-11)

Scripture References: 1 Peter 5:5, Psalms 112:1-10, Luke 14:12, Luke 11:38, Matthew 13:1-58, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 22:1-14, Matthew 22:14

From Series: "Shedding Ancient Light on the Outer Darkness Controversy"

Summary of the 2019 Arizona Conference 1. The theme running all through Matthew is the presentation of the King, His rejection by Israel, and the justice of the coming judgment. 2. All of the parables/teachings we have studied are consistent in the promise of reward to those who believe and warning of eternal judgment to those who reject their King. In light of this, how significant is the act of Pilate in posting over Jesus’ head the crime for which He was crucified, “This is Jesus the King of the Jews” (Matt. 27:37; Mark 15:26; Luke 23:38; John 19:19)? 3. The term “outer darkness” was well understood by the Jews of Jesus’ time to refer to Gehenna/Hell. 4. Though the Jews assumed a right to enter the kingdom based on their lineage, Jesus makes it abundantly clear that each one “must be born again” by faith in Him. 5. Nowhere in these passages is the focus on the Church, nor are they describing events at the Bema Seat of Christ. 6. Sound biblical interpretation demands that passages be studied in the light of their literal, historical, grammatical, and cultural setting.

Conference Notes

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