Toward a Pentecostal Eschatology Journal of Pentecostal Theology Supplement Series 39 General Editor John Christopher Thomas ISSN 0966 7393 Deo Publishing Toward a PENTECOSTAL ESCHATOLOGY Discerning the Way Forward Larry R. McQueen deo Journal of Pentecostal Theology Supplement Series, 39 ISSN 0966 7393 Copyright © 2012 Deo Publishing P.O. Box 6284, Blandford Forum, Dorset DT11 1AQ, UK All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, translated, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission from the publisher. The Odyssea Greek font used in the publication of this book is available from Linguist’s Software, Inc., www.linguistsoftware.com, PO Box 580, Edmonds, WA 98020-0580 USA, tel. (425) 775-1130. Printed by Henry Ling Ltd, at the Dorset Press, Dorchester, DTI 1HD, UK British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library ISBN 978-1-905679-22-5 With loving appreciation, I dedicate this work to my parents, Bobby and Georgia McQueen, who first modeled for me the Pentecostal faith. Their prayers and support through the years have been a constant source of inspiration and encouragement. Contents Ac kno wledgme nts.....................................................................................xi Abbreviations..........................................................................................xiii Chapter 1 Introduction I. The Task.......................................................................................1 II. The Method.................................................................................3 III. The Flow of the Study.................................................................4 Chapter 2 Pentecostal Eschatology in Bibliographic Review: From Retrieval to Revision Introduction...................................................................................5 I. The Role of Eschatology in the Formation of Pentecostal Thought.....................................................................5 II. Eschatology in Early Pentecostalism and Beyond....................11 III. Biblical Contributions to Eschatology by Pentecostal Scholars....................................................................20 IV. Constructive Contributions to Pentecostal Eschatology.........33 A. Introduction: G.T. Sheppard’s Critique...............................33 B. The Continuing Influence of Classical Dispensationalism..................................................................35 C. Toward a Consistent Pentecostal Eschatology.....................42 V. Summary and Conclusion...........................................................57 A. The Role of Classical Dispensationalism..............................57 B. Multiple Trajectories..............................................................57 C. The Implications of Revision...............................................58 D. A Way Forward......................................................................59 Chapter 3 Early Pentecostal Eschatology: The Wesleyan Holiness Stream Introduction................................................................................60 I. The Earliest Witnesses: The Apostolic Faith..............................61 viii Toward a Pentecostal Eschatology Introduction................................................................................61 A. The Dynamics of Discernment............................................62 B. Holistic Spirituality................................................................63 C. The Bride of Christ and the Marriage Supper.....................65 D. Baptism in the Spirit as the Seal of God in the Forehead................................................................................68 E. Suffering and Reigning.........................................................69 F. Old Testament Typology......................................................70 G. Apocalyptic Spirituality and the Foretaste of the Future.....................................................................................71 H. Power for the Present Mission.............................................72 I. Summary and Conclusion.....................................................73 II. Early Southern Voices: The Bridegroom's Messenger..................74 Introduction................................................................................74 A. Discernment and Pentecostal Hermeneutics.......................75 B. The Bride of Christ as the Overcomer................................77 C. Rapture, Tribulation, and the Great War...........................81 D. The Jews and the Times of the Gentiles.............................86 E. Millennial Visions and the New Creation...........................87 F. Pentecostal Dispensations?....................................................89 G. Eschatological Prayer............................................................94 H. Summary and Conclusion.....................................................95 III. The Church of God in Christ: The Whole Truth......................97 Introduction................................................................................97 A. Discernment in the Spirit......................................................97 B. Living in the Last Days.........................................................99 C. Conclusion...........................................................................100 IV. Opposing Visions: The Church of God Evangel...................... 101 Introduction...............................................................................101 A. Discerning Eschatology and the Restored Church..........101 B. Tomlinson and Lee Compared...........................................103 C. Zion, the Church of God, and the Bride of Christ.........112 D. The Marriage Supper and the Tribulation........................116 E. Millennial Glory and the Dispensations.............................119 F. Summary and Conclusion...................................................121 V. Toward Uniformity: The Pentecostal Holiness Advocate and Its Predecessors....................................................................123 Introduction...............................................................................123 A. The Holiness Advocate...........................................................123 B. The Apostolic Evangel.............................................................124 C. The Pentecostal Holiness Advocate..........................................127 Introduction.........................................................................127 1. Discernment and Editorial Policy...................................127 2. A Uniform Script.............................................................130