The sermon of this post is from the YouTube site, MLJTrust.
My brief intro:
Please read the sermon description by MLJTrust, of course. I only wanted to add, that in this sermon, MLJ clearly explained the origins of dispensationalism and compared it to the biblical teaching found in Daniel 9:24-27. In the next sermon of this series, he will provide further biblical teaching from 3 other places in the Bible, noted in the sermon breakdown found below the sermon.
I hope that after hearing this sermon, readers will see the value of hearing this series by MLJ. It covers foundational biblical doctrines that all Christian ought to know. See MLJ’s motivation for the series pasted in at the end of this post.
The playlist from which the video of this post came (#45 in that series):
Great Biblical Doctrines playlist: • The Eternal Decrees of God (Remastered)
Sermon Description [by MLJTrust]:
Is the secret rapture of the church a true biblical teaching?
In this sermon, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones focuses on Daniel 9 as a passage frequently used in the discussion of the end-times, yet the language it employs is often mysterious and open to debate over its meaning.
At the center of the debates are verses 24–27 which refer to various weeks that the events will fall on. Some interpret these events as still awaiting fulfillment, but Dr. Lloyd-Jones makes his case for why he believes the events to have been fulfilled with the life of Jesus Christ, the destruction of the temple, and defeat of the Jewish people in 70 A.D.
Dr. Lloyd-Jones also provides a commentary on a topic that has been steadily gaining traction in evangelical circles: the rapture of Christians.
He posits that many people are surprised to learn that this theological idea is not commonly found until after the 1800s.
How should Christians approach this topic?
Listen to this sermon as Dr. Lloyd-Jones provides an alternative view of Daniel 9, and a biblical foundation for understanding the idea of an end-times rapture of the global church.
Sermon Breakdown [by MLJTrust]:
- The sermon continues a series on the second coming of Christ and prophecy. Dr. Lloyd-Jones aims to consider different views on prophecy to expand horizons.
- Daniel 9:24-27 is discussed. There are three main views: 1) It’s history, not prophecy, 2) There is a gap between the 69th and 70th week, and the 70th week is in the future. 3) It was fulfilled in 70 AD. Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues for the third view.
- Verse 24 refers to finishing transgression, ending sin, reconciling iniquity, bringing righteousness, sealing prophecy, and anointing the holy. Dr. Lloyd-Jones says this happened through Jesus.
- Verse 25 presents no difficulty. Verse 26 refers to the Messiah being cut off after 69 weeks. This happened with Jesus’s death.
- Verse 27: “He” refers to the Messiah, not the prince. The Messiah confirmed the covenant for one week, then caused sacrifice to cease by his death. The abominations and desolation refer to the destruction of the temple in 70 AD.
- The “gap theory” is inconsistent in how it treats the divisions of 7 and 62 weeks versus 69 and 70 weeks. The 70 weeks follow sequentially after the 69 weeks.
- Another view discussed is the “preliminary rapture” – that Jesus will come secretly to rapture believers before the tribulation. This view started in 1830.
- The preliminary rapture view says Jesus’s coming and appearing are different. His coming is only for the church, in secret. His appearing is with the church, to defeat the Antichrist.
- The origin of the preliminary rapture view is traced to prophetic utterances in Edward Irving’s church, as stated by scholar Tregellis. Teachings from supposed revelations should be viewed with suspicion.
- Not all early Brethren leaders accepted the preliminary rapture view, e.g. B.W. Newton, George Muller.
- 1 Thessalonians 4-5, 2 Thessalonians 1-2, and 1 Corinthians 15 are suggested as passages to consider regarding the preliminary rapture view.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones urges careful, prayerful consideration of these matters with guidance from the Holy Spirit.
MLJ’s motivation for his Great Biblical Doctrines sermon series [emboldening and underscoring mine.]:
Desiring that his congregation would be more grounded in core biblical doctrines, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones embarked upon this series of 81 sermons on the great doctrines of the Bible in January 1953, culminating in May 1955. Indeed, this was the first of his Friday night in depth, instructional sermon series that initially took place in an ancillary room at Westminster chapel, London, before moving to the main church building, which seated 2,000 people, due to capacity restraints. Unfortunately, this audio sermon series is incomplete due to quality problems with the original tapes, and the fact that some tapes were missing. The content of the missing 26 audio sermons, can be found, however, in Dr Lloyd-Jones book, “Great Biblical doctrines”.
Within these sermons, you will encounter the richness and depth of biblical doctrine, exploring a wide range of theological truths that are both awe-inspiring and practical for our daily lives. Dr. Lloyd-Jones’s sermons on Bible doctrine delve into the fundamental tenets of the Christian faith, such as the nature of God, the person and work of Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit, the doctrine of salvation, the sovereignty of God, sermons on eschatology and so much more. These sermons provide clarity, biblical accuracy, and practical application, enabling you to grasp the significance of these Bible doctrines.
Links that accompanied video at YouTube:
Playlist-page link: https://www.youtube.com/@MLJTrust/playlists
Video-page link: https://www.youtube.com/@MLJTrust/videos
Posted at YouTube: Oct 30, 2024
A sermon by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Daniel 9 and the Secret Rapture https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons/grea…