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PARADISE RESTORED

A Biblical Theology of Dominion

David Chilton

Dominion Press

Tyler, Texas

 

"It would be easy to show that at our present rate of progress the kingdom of this world never could become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ. Indeed, many in the Church are giving up the idea of it except on the occasion of the advent of Christ, which, as it chimes in with our own idleness, is likely to be a popular doctrine. I myself believe that King Jesus will reign, and the idols be utterly abolished; but I expect the same power which turned the world upside down once will still continue to do it. The Holy Ghost would never suffer the imputation to rest upon His holy name that He was not able to convert the world."

-Charles Haddon Spurgeon

 

 

 

David Chilton is the author of several pioneering works on biblical prophesy including The Days of Vengeance, a massive and highly acclaimed commentary on the Book of Revelation. Other titles include The Great Tribulation, Productive Christians in an Age of Guilt-Manipulators, and Power in the Blood: A Christian Response to AIDS. He died in 1997 at the age of 45.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE

Part One: AN ESCHATOLOGY OF DOMINION

  1. The Hope

    Part Two: PARADISE: THE PATTERN FOR PROPHECY

  2. How to Read Prophecy
  3. The Paradise Theme
  4. The Holy Mountain
  5. The Garden of the Lord
  6. The Garden and the Howling Wilderness
  7. The Fiery Cloud

    Part Three: THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM

  8. The Coming of the Kingdom
  9. The Rejection of Israel
  10. The Great Tribulation
  11. Coming on the Clouds
  12. The Rise of Antichrist
  13. The Last Days
  14. The Restoration of Israel
  15. The Day of the Lord
  16. The Consummation of the Kingdom

    Part Four: STUDIES IN REVELATION

  17. Interpreting Revelation
  18. The Time Is at Hand
  19. A Brief Summary of Revelation
  20. The Beast and the False Prophet (Revelation 13)
  21. The Great Harlot (Revelation 17-19)
  22. The Kingdom of Priests (Revelation 20)
  23. The New Creation (Revelation21-22)

    Part Five: TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH

  24. Fulfilling the Great Commission

APPENDIX A — T he Eschatology of Dominion: A Summary

APPENDIX B — Josephus on the Fall of Jerusalem

SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY

SCRIPTURE INDEX

INDEX

PREFACE

This book was written as a general introduction to both a Biblical eschatology and a way of reading the Bible; the former, I believe, grows naturally out of the latter. It also serves as a prologue to my larger work (in progress), a commentary on the Book of Revelation.

For this reason, the present book does not claim to answer every conceivable question about prophecy. Those who wish to find out more about the perspective presented here should consult the bibliography. In addition to my commentary, several other works on eschatology are in various stages of preparation, most notably by the Rev. James B. Jordan (Matthew 24) and the Rev. Ray Sutton (Daniel).

Many readers will (I hope) find the material on the Garden of Eden fascinating, as I did when I first heard Jim Jordan's lectures on the subject in 1977. They will be happy to hear that his book Trees and Thorns, a comprehensive survey of the Edenic patterns, is nearing publication. I highly recommend this work. Another scholar whose studies have influenced mine is Dr. Meredith Kline; his book Images of the Spirit is a masterpiece of Biblical Theology. (I hasten to point out, of course, that he should not be held responsible for any of my conclusions.)

The Bible quotations are generally from the New American Standard Version, including its marginal notes; on occasion I have altered the quotations slightly in favor of a more literal rendering.

I am very grateful to a number of good friends who gave me their counsel and assistance during the writing of this book. First among these is my publisher, Dr. Gary North, who originally asked me to write it, and whose suggestions were consistently fruitful and challenging. The manuscript was read by the pastors of Westminster Presbyterian Church (Tyler, Texas): the Rev. Lewis Bulkeley, the Rev. Robert Dwelle, the Rev. James B. Jordan, and the Rev. Ray Sutton; their theological insights have influenced virtually every page of the book.

Others who read the manuscript and gave valuable comments are the Rev. Mark House, pastor of First Presbyterian Church (Manhattan Beach, California); Spencer Roundtree, a ruling elder of the Church of the Redeemer (Placerville, California); James Whitacre, a fellow member of Westminster Presbyterian Church; and the Rev. George Grant, pastor of Believers' Fellowship (Humble, Texas). In addition to his helpful criticisms (which he offered with reckless, prodigal abandon), George designed the book cover; the artwork was done by Randy Rogers, also of Believers' Fellowship. I would also like to thank Oakton Reformed Fellowship (Oakton, Virginia) for their help in the publication of this book.

In ways too numerous to mention, I am indebted to the patient and dedicated work of two efficient secretaries at the Institute for Christian Economics: Mrs. Maureen Peters and Mrs. Brenda West. At every stage of production their aid has been invaluable, and is deeply appreciated.

Finally, I am grateful to my wife, Darlene, who graciously assisted me throughout the project. Because her love is a continuing token of Paradise Restored, this book is dedicated to her.

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