End times: amillennialism and dispensationalism | Acts 15:1-35 (Part 2) | Join The Journey Podcast

All right. All right. Join the Journey All right. All right. Join the Journey family, friends, and guests. You're family, friends, and guests. You're family, friends, and guests. You're listening to Join the Journey podcast listening to Join the Journey podcast listening to Join the Journey podcast with your host, Emma Daughter. Thanks with your host, Emma Daughter. Thanks with your host, Emma Daughter. Thanks for joining. This week, we're reading for joining. This week, we're reading for joining. This week, we're reading Acts 15:1-35. Acts 15:1-35. Acts 15:1-35. And today, we're answering the question, And today, we're answering the question, And today, we're answering the question, why was James quoting Amos? And what's why was James quoting Amos? And what's why was James quoting Amos? And what's all this talk about a tent? Now, I want all this talk about a tent? Now, I want all this talk about a tent? Now, I want you to pause and consider. Have you ever you to pause and consider. Have you ever you to pause and consider. Have you ever reread a book or rewatched a movie that reread a book or rewatched a movie that reread a book or rewatched a movie that you loved as a kid and realized there you loved as a kid and realized there you loved as a kid and realized there were entire layers to the story that you were entire layers to the story that you were entire layers to the story that you completely missed the first time? completely missed the first time? completely missed the first time? Honestly, I remember rereading The Honestly, I remember rereading The Honestly, I remember rereading The Chronicles of Narnia as an adult and Chronicles of Narnia as an adult and Chronicles of Narnia as an adult and suddenly realizing, "Oh, this isn't just suddenly realizing, "Oh, this isn't just suddenly realizing, "Oh, this isn't just about magical wardrobes and talking about magical wardrobes and talking about magical wardrobes and talking lions." As a kid, perhaps you're focused lions." As a kid, perhaps you're focused lions." As a kid, perhaps you're focused on the adventure, but later you start on the adventure, but later you start on the adventure, but later you start noticing sacrifice, redemption, noticing sacrifice, redemption, noticing sacrifice, redemption, resurrection, imagery, kingship, resurrection, imagery, kingship, resurrection, imagery, kingship, betrayal, restoration, all these deeper betrayal, restoration, all these deeper betrayal, restoration, all these deeper themes CS Lewis had woven into the story themes CS Lewis had woven into the story themes CS Lewis had woven into the story from the beginning. The clues were from the beginning. The clues were from the beginning. The clues were always there. You just might not have always there. You just might not have always there. You just might not have noticed them as a little kid. Well, noticed them as a little kid. Well, noticed them as a little kid. Well, something similar is happening in Acts something similar is happening in Acts something similar is happening in Acts 15. The apostles begin reading the Old 15. The apostles begin reading the Old 15. The apostles begin reading the Old Testament through the lens of Jesus. And Testament through the lens of Jesus. And Testament through the lens of Jesus. And suddenly passages like Amos start making suddenly passages like Amos start making suddenly passages like Amos start making sense in a deeper way. And what makes sense in a deeper way. And what makes sense in a deeper way. And what makes this passage specifically so fascinating this passage specifically so fascinating this passage specifically so fascinating is that followers of Jesus have spent

is that followers of Jesus have spent is that followers of Jesus have spent centuries discussing exactly how these centuries discussing exactly how these centuries discussing exactly how these promises are being fulfilled. Most of promises are being fulfilled. Most of promises are being fulfilled. Most of us, we know what it feels like to live us, we know what it feels like to live us, we know what it feels like to live through seasons where we cannot fully through seasons where we cannot fully through seasons where we cannot fully understand what God is doing. You pray understand what God is doing. You pray understand what God is doing. You pray for something and the answer seems for something and the answer seems for something and the answer seems delayed or is delayed. A door closes and delayed or is delayed. A door closes and delayed or is delayed. A door closes and it doesn't make any sense to you. A it doesn't make any sense to you. A it doesn't make any sense to you. A relationship changes. A job shifts. A a relationship changes. A job shifts. A a relationship changes. A job shifts. A a hard season drags on longer than you hard season drags on longer than you hard season drags on longer than you expected. And in the moment, all you can expected. And in the moment, all you can expected. And in the moment, all you can see are disconnected pieces. But see are disconnected pieces. But see are disconnected pieces. But sometimes years later, you look back and sometimes years later, you look back and sometimes years later, you look back and and realize, "Oh, God was doing and realize, "Oh, God was doing and realize, "Oh, God was doing something much bigger than I understood something much bigger than I understood something much bigger than I understood at the time." And candidly, that's kind at the time." And candidly, that's kind at the time." And candidly, that's kind of what's happening here in Acts 15. The of what's happening here in Acts 15. The of what's happening here in Acts 15. The apostles are watching the Gentiles come apostles are watching the Gentiles come apostles are watching the Gentiles come to faith and suddenly realizing that the to faith and suddenly realizing that the to faith and suddenly realizing that the prophets had been pointing toward this prophets had been pointing toward this prophets had been pointing toward this moment all along. God was not moment all along. God was not moment all along. God was not improvising. He was unfolding a plan improvising. He was unfolding a plan improvising. He was unfolding a plan that had been in motion. It had been his that had been in motion. It had been his that had been in motion. It had been his plan for generations.

plan for generations. plan for generations. Passages like Acts 15 remind us that Passages like Acts 15 remind us that Passages like Acts 15 remind us that even when we cannot fully see or even when we cannot fully see or even when we cannot fully see or understand what God is doing in the understand what God is doing in the understand what God is doing in the present, we can trust that he is present, we can trust that he is present, we can trust that he is faithfully weaving together a much faithfully weaving together a much faithfully weaving together a much larger and beautiful story than we can larger and beautiful story than we can larger and beautiful story than we can currently understand. So, let's jump currently understand. So, let's jump currently understand. So, let's jump into today's text. I think one of the into today's text. I think one of the into today's text. I think one of the most fascinating interpretive challenge most fascinating interpretive challenge most fascinating interpretive challenge questions about Acts chapter 15 is questions about Acts chapter 15 is questions about Acts chapter 15 is today's what is it what is James doing today's what is it what is James doing today's what is it what is James doing when he quotes Amos chapter 9 because when he quotes Amos chapter 9 because when he quotes Amos chapter 9 because depending on your theological background depending on your theological background depending on your theological background followers of Jesus can land in different followers of Jesus can land in different followers of Jesus can land in different places depending on how they believe places depending on how they believe places depending on how they believe this prophecy is being fulfilled. So this prophecy is being fulfilled. So this prophecy is being fulfilled. So before your eyes glaze over at phrases before your eyes glaze over at phrases before your eyes glaze over at phrases like dispensationalism and a like dispensationalism and a like dispensationalism and a millillennialism, millillennialism, millillennialism, let me slow it down for us. Those big let me slow it down for us. Those big let me slow it down for us. Those big fancy words are terms used by believing fancy words are terms used by believing fancy words are terms used by believing scholars to describe theological systems scholars to describe theological systems scholars to describe theological systems or to explain how events in the Bible's or to explain how events in the Bible's or to explain how events in the Bible's big storyline fit together. especially big storyline fit together. especially big storyline fit together. especially questions about Israel, the church, the questions about Israel, the church, the questions about Israel, the church, the kingdom of God, and the end times.

kingdom of God, and the end times. kingdom of God, and the end times. Basically, theologians love giving very Basically, theologians love giving very Basically, theologians love giving very long names to very big questions about long names to very big questions about long names to very big questions about the Bible. And after listening to Peter, the Bible. And after listening to Peter, the Bible. And after listening to Peter, Paul, and Barnabas describe Gentiles Paul, and Barnabas describe Gentiles Paul, and Barnabas describe Gentiles coming to faith in Jesus, James stands coming to faith in Jesus, James stands coming to faith in Jesus, James stands up and quotes Amos 9 11-12, which reads, up and quotes Amos 9 11-12, which reads, up and quotes Amos 9 11-12, which reads, "Afterward, I will return and restore "Afterward, I will return and restore "Afterward, I will return and restore the fallen house of David. I will the fallen house of David. I will the fallen house of David. I will rebuild its ruins and restore it so that rebuild its ruins and restore it so that rebuild its ruins and restore it so that the rest of humanity might seek the the rest of humanity might seek the the rest of humanity might seek the Lord, including the Gentiles. All those Lord, including the Gentiles. All those Lord, including the Gentiles. All those I have called to be mine." That's Acts I have called to be mine." That's Acts I have called to be mine." That's Acts 15:16-1 17 in the NLT. Now, the fallen 15:16-1 17 in the NLT. Now, the fallen 15:16-1 17 in the NLT. Now, the fallen house or tent of David refers to the house or tent of David refers to the house or tent of David refers to the kingdom and royal line of David that kingdom and royal line of David that kingdom and royal line of David that appeared to collapse after exile and appeared to collapse after exile and appeared to collapse after exile and centuries without a Davidic king ruling centuries without a Davidic king ruling centuries without a Davidic king ruling on the throne in Jerusalem. The prophets on the throne in Jerusalem. The prophets on the throne in Jerusalem. The prophets had promised that one day God would had promised that one day God would had promised that one day God would restore David's kingdom through the restore David's kingdom through the restore David's kingdom through the coming Messiah. So James is connecting coming Messiah. So James is connecting coming Messiah. So James is connecting this promise in Amos directly to Jesus.

this promise in Amos directly to Jesus. this promise in Amos directly to Jesus. The son of David has come. The Messiah The son of David has come. The Messiah The son of David has come. The Messiah is reigning and now Gentiles are is reigning and now Gentiles are is reigning and now Gentiles are flooding into the people of God. But flooding into the people of God. But flooding into the people of God. But this is also where followers of Jesus this is also where followers of Jesus this is also where followers of Jesus sometimes land in different places. sometimes land in different places. sometimes land in different places. Some believers often called Some believers often called Some believers often called amillennialists amillennialists amillennialists believe many Old Testament kingdom believe many Old Testament kingdom believe many Old Testament kingdom promises are being fulfilled right now promises are being fulfilled right now promises are being fulfilled right now through Jesus reigning spiritually and through Jesus reigning spiritually and through Jesus reigning spiritually and through the church being made up of Jews through the church being made up of Jews through the church being made up of Jews and Gentiles. In other words, these all and Gentiles. In other words, these all and Gentiles. In other words, these all millennialist believers would see Amos 9 millennialist believers would see Amos 9 millennialist believers would see Amos 9 as being largely fulfilled in the church as being largely fulfilled in the church as being largely fulfilled in the church as God builds one united people through as God builds one united people through as God builds one united people through Christ. On the other hand, there's Christ. On the other hand, there's Christ. On the other hand, there's dispensationalists. dispensationalists. dispensationalists. These followers of Jesus emphasize a These followers of Jesus emphasize a These followers of Jesus emphasize a stronger distinction between Israel and stronger distinction between Israel and stronger distinction between Israel and the church. They believe many Old the church. They believe many Old the church. They believe many Old Testament promises to Israel, including Testament promises to Israel, including Testament promises to Israel, including aspects of David's kingdom, still await aspects of David's kingdom, still await aspects of David's kingdom, still await a future earthly fulfillment a future earthly fulfillment a future earthly fulfillment specifically for Israel, for the Jewish specifically for Israel, for the Jewish specifically for Israel, for the Jewish people when Christ returns to reign. So, people when Christ returns to reign. So, people when Christ returns to reign. So, these believers would typically these believers would typically these believers would typically understand James as saying, "The Gentile understand James as saying, "The Gentile understand James as saying, "The Gentile mission is consistent with Amos' mission is consistent with Amos' mission is consistent with Amos' prophecy, even if the full restoration prophecy, even if the full restoration prophecy, even if the full restoration Amos describes has still yet to come."

Amos describes has still yet to come." Amos describes has still yet to come." And honestly, what's important to And honestly, what's important to And honestly, what's important to remember is that faithful believers land remember is that faithful believers land remember is that faithful believers land in different places. The disagreement in different places. The disagreement in different places. The disagreement isn't about whether God saves Gentiles. isn't about whether God saves Gentiles. isn't about whether God saves Gentiles. Everyone in Acts 15 stacks hands Everyone in Acts 15 stacks hands Everyone in Acts 15 stacks hands together and says, "Yes, the gospel is together and says, "Yes, the gospel is together and says, "Yes, the gospel is for people of all tribes, tongues, for people of all tribes, tongues, for people of all tribes, tongues, nations." This question is more about nations." This question is more about nations." This question is more about how all the covenant promises throughout how all the covenant promises throughout how all the covenant promises throughout the Old Testament scriptures and the the Old Testament scriptures and the the Old Testament scriptures and the kingdom themes fit together across the kingdom themes fit together across the kingdom themes fit together across the storyline of the Bible leading to the storyline of the Bible leading to the storyline of the Bible leading to the end times. end times. end times. But regardless of where believers land But regardless of where believers land But regardless of where believers land on those larger theological systems and on those larger theological systems and on those larger theological systems and questions, James's main point in Acts 15 questions, James's main point in Acts 15 questions, James's main point in Acts 15 is very clear. The salvation of Gentiles is very clear. The salvation of Gentiles is very clear. The salvation of Gentiles should not surprise anyone who has should not surprise anyone who has should not surprise anyone who has carefully read the prophets. Let me say carefully read the prophets. Let me say carefully read the prophets. Let me say that again. The main point is that the that again. The main point is that the that again. The main point is that the salvation of the Gentiles shouldn't salvation of the Gentiles shouldn't salvation of the Gentiles shouldn't surprise anyone who's read the prophets. surprise anyone who's read the prophets. surprise anyone who's read the prophets. God always intended for the nations to God always intended for the nations to God always intended for the nations to come to him and specifically for the come to him and specifically for the come to him and specifically for the nations to come to him through the nations to come to him through the nations to come to him through the Messiah. That promise stretches all the Messiah. That promise stretches all the Messiah. That promise stretches all the way back, all the way back to Genesis 12 way back, all the way back to Genesis 12 way back, all the way back to Genesis 12 when God told Abraham that all the when God told Abraham that all the when God told Abraham that all the families of the earth would be blessed families of the earth would be blessed families of the earth would be blessed through him. Isaiah repeatedly through him. Isaiah repeatedly through him. Isaiah repeatedly envisioned the nations worshiping the envisioned the nations worshiping the envisioned the nations worshiping the Lord. The Psalms anticipate all peoples Lord. The Psalms anticipate all peoples Lord. The Psalms anticipate all peoples praising God. And now in Acts 15, the praising God. And now in Acts 15, the praising God. And now in Acts 15, the apostles are watching those promises apostles are watching those promises apostles are watching those promises unfold in real time as the gospel has

unfold in real time as the gospel has unfold in real time as the gospel has been spreading and the stories of it been spreading and the stories of it been spreading and the stories of it spread are being told. Acts 15, spread are being told. Acts 15, spread are being told. Acts 15, specifically James words in Acts 15 specifically James words in Acts 15 specifically James words in Acts 15 remind us that the Bible is one big remind us that the Bible is one big remind us that the Bible is one big unified true story. Sometimes we read unified true story. Sometimes we read unified true story. Sometimes we read scripture like disconnected stories and scripture like disconnected stories and scripture like disconnected stories and random prophecies and isolated commands, random prophecies and isolated commands, random prophecies and isolated commands, but God has always been unfolding one but God has always been unfolding one but God has always been unfolding one redemptive plan centered on King Jesus redemptive plan centered on King Jesus redemptive plan centered on King Jesus and extending outward to the nations. and extending outward to the nations. and extending outward to the nations. Apparently, God was building a global Apparently, God was building a global Apparently, God was building a global rescue plan long before the apostles and rescue plan long before the apostles and rescue plan long before the apostles and the Jewish people fully realized how the Jewish people fully realized how the Jewish people fully realized how massive and inclusive it would become. massive and inclusive it would become. massive and inclusive it would become. Maybe one of the most comforting or Maybe one of the most comforting or Maybe one of the most comforting or relatable things about Acts 15 is relatable things about Acts 15 is relatable things about Acts 15 is realizing that the apostles themselves realizing that the apostles themselves realizing that the apostles themselves didn't fully understand what God was didn't fully understand what God was didn't fully understand what God was doing in real time. We know this because doing in real time. We know this because doing in real time. We know this because throughout Acts, they repeatedly seem throughout Acts, they repeatedly seem throughout Acts, they repeatedly seem surprised by the scope of the Gentile surprised by the scope of the Gentile surprised by the scope of the Gentile mission. For example, in Acts 10, Peter mission. For example, in Acts 10, Peter mission. For example, in Acts 10, Peter is amazed when the Holy Spirit falls on is amazed when the Holy Spirit falls on is amazed when the Holy Spirit falls on Gentiles in Cornelius's house. In Acts Gentiles in Cornelius's house. In Acts Gentiles in Cornelius's house. In Acts 11, he had to defend himself to Jewish 11, he had to defend himself to Jewish 11, he had to defend himself to Jewish believers for even entering a gentile believers for even entering a gentile believers for even entering a gentile home. And by Acts 15, we read that the home. And by Acts 15, we read that the home. And by Acts 15, we read that the church is still engaged in sharp debate church is still engaged in sharp debate church is still engaged in sharp debate over whether gentile believers needed over whether gentile believers needed over whether gentile believers needed circumcision in the Mosaic law. The very

circumcision in the Mosaic law. The very circumcision in the Mosaic law. The very existence of the Jerusalem Council shows existence of the Jerusalem Council shows existence of the Jerusalem Council shows the early church was still working the early church was still working the early church was still working through the implications of Jesus's through the implications of Jesus's through the implications of Jesus's death, resurrection, and what life death, resurrection, and what life death, resurrection, and what life looked like because of what he'd looked like because of what he'd looked like because of what he'd accomplished on the cross. So hopefully accomplished on the cross. So hopefully accomplished on the cross. So hopefully this reality can encourage us because this reality can encourage us because this reality can encourage us because sometimes we assume that if we cannot sometimes we assume that if we cannot sometimes we assume that if we cannot fully see or understand what God is fully see or understand what God is fully see or understand what God is doing, then maybe he's not working at doing, then maybe he's not working at doing, then maybe he's not working at all. But Acts 15 again, it reminds us all. But Acts 15 again, it reminds us all. But Acts 15 again, it reminds us that God is often accomplishing things that God is often accomplishing things that God is often accomplishing things far bigger than we can presently far bigger than we can presently far bigger than we can presently comprehend. comprehend. comprehend. The apostles or the Jewish believers The apostles or the Jewish believers The apostles or the Jewish believers specifically might not yet have specifically might not yet have specifically might not yet have understood or been able to foresee how understood or been able to foresee how understood or been able to foresee how far the gospel would spread. They far the gospel would spread. They far the gospel would spread. They couldn't fully imagine Christianity couldn't fully imagine Christianity couldn't fully imagine Christianity reaching across continents, cultures, reaching across continents, cultures, reaching across continents, cultures, and even centuries. But God could. And and even centuries. But God could. And and even centuries. But God could. And the same God who was faithfully the same God who was faithfully the same God who was faithfully unfolding his redemptive plan then is unfolding his redemptive plan then is unfolding his redemptive plan then is still faithfully at work today. So if still faithfully at work today. So if still faithfully at work today. So if you're walking through a season where you're walking through a season where you're walking through a season where life feels uncertain, life feels uncertain, life feels uncertain, delayed, unresolved, delayed, unresolved, delayed, unresolved, maybe Acts 15 is an invitation to maybe Acts 15 is an invitation to maybe Acts 15 is an invitation to remember.

remember. remember. Just because you cannot see the whole Just because you cannot see the whole Just because you cannot see the whole story doesn't mean God has stopped story doesn't mean God has stopped story doesn't mean God has stopped writing it. He sees you. He loves you. writing it. He sees you. He loves you. writing it. He sees you. He loves you. And he cares deeply about you. That's And he cares deeply about you. That's And he cares deeply about you. That's all we've got time for today. But as all we've got time for today. But as all we've got time for today. But as always, I'm so glad we're all on this always, I'm so glad we're all on this always, I'm so glad we're all on this journey abiding in Jesus together.