Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on the Second Coming: Questions and Answers

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones believe is the most important attitude to have when studying end-time prophecies?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, dogmatism is "never less justifiable than it is with regard to this subject" of end-time prophecies. His main concern is not to present a specific viewpoint but to persuade his listeners that absolute certainty on these matters is inappropriate. He finds it "tragic" when people have "cut and dried theories" about end-time events which they consider "absolutely and inevitably right." He emphasizes that many "saintly, godly, scholarly, consecrated men throughout the centuries have grappled with this problem and have arrived at very different conclusions."

What evidence does Dr. Lloyd-Jones present about the complexity of studying biblical prophecy?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes four volumes of a work called "The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers" that total over 3,650 pages (900+ pages in volume one, 800+ in volume two, 750 in volume three, and 1,200 in volume four). These volumes represent research on what different teachers in the Christian church have thought about prophecy throughout history. He confesses that despite studying this subject for 25 years, "if there is any department or realm of truth in which I feel that I am but a child, it is in this one." This underscores his point that simplistic or brief treatments of prophecy cannot possibly be comprehensive.

What are the three possible interpretations of "all Israel shall be saved" in Romans 11:26?

The three interpretations Dr. Lloyd-Jones presents are: 1. "All Israel" means the completed Christian church consisting of both Jews and Gentiles who are saved. 2. "All Israel" refers to Israel as a people and nation, with two sub-views: a) A large number of Jews will be converted, essentially constituting the nation's conversion, though not every individual. b) Every single Jewish individual alive at that time will be converted, with some even suggesting past Jews will be resurrected for a second chance. 3. "All Israel" means the total number of elect Jews, the sum of chosen saved Jews from every generation until the end.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones interpret the Old Testament prophecies about Israel?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that many Old Testament prophecies that seem to refer exclusively to the physical nation of Israel are applied to the Christian church in the New Testament. He gives two key examples: 1. Peter's sermon at Pentecost (Acts 2), where he claims the outpouring of the Spirit fulfills Joel's prophecy that originally seemed to apply only to Israel. 2. James's statement in Acts 15:14-18, where he applies Amos 9:11 about rebuilding "the tabernacle of David" to the inclusion of Gentiles in the church. This demonstrates that even seemingly material references like "the tabernacle of David" are given spiritual interpretations in the New Testament.

What is Dr. Lloyd-Jones's conclusion about the meaning of "all Israel shall be saved"?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones concludes that "all Israel shall be saved" means "the total of all believing Jews in all ages and generations." He bases this on Paul's consistent argument about the "remnant" throughout Romans 9-11 and the key statement in Romans 9:6 that "they are not all Israel that are of Israel." He believes this means God's promises never applied to the entire physical nation but to the spiritual Israel, the remnant chosen by grace. While he believes there may be "large numbers of conversions amongst the Jews" before the end, they won't be in a special position separate from the church but will enter the kingdom through the same means as everyone else—"by repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ."