Questions about Mennonite denominations

[JayP]

I concur that both fellowship and eastern do NOT require a particular view on revelation. In fact last I heard a bishop discuss it in Eastern he was rather pointed that while ministry can preach what they like it should always be emphasized that either view is not doctrinal.

That said I would say Eastern is more pre-trip in general, varying in extent congregation by congregation. NWF also is probably stronger on one view in each congregation just do to the influence of that congregation’s preaching.

Oddly, I cannot remotely imagine this topic impacting thinking on joining such a group.
This confirms my pov about the topic. If someone was serious about joining a certain congregation and the ONLY reason stopping or confirming that decision is this topic…..you need to rethink.

[Soloist]

I concur that both fellowship and eastern do NOT require a particular view on revelation. In fact last I heard a bishop discuss it in Eastern he was rather pointed that while ministry can preach what they like it should always be emphasized that either view is not doctrinal.

That said I would say Eastern is more pre-trip in general, varying in extent congregation by congregation. NWF also is probably stronger on one view in each congregation just do to the influence of that congregation’s preaching.

Oddly, I cannot remotely imagine this topic impacting thinking on joining such a group.
This confirms my pov about the topic. If someone was serious about joining a certain congregation and the ONLY reason stopping or confirming that decision is this topic…..you need to rethink.

While I agree in principle, I think the impact on children cannot be ignored. There are certain aspects that tend to connect with certain doctrines that play out in the seriousness or lack there of.

[JohnH]

I concur that both fellowship and eastern do NOT require a particular view on revelation. In fact last I heard a bishop discuss it in Eastern he was rather pointed that while ministry can preach what they like it should always be emphasized that either view is not doctrinal.

That said I would say Eastern is more pre-trip in general, varying in extent congregation by congregation. NWF also is probably stronger on one view in each congregation just do to the influence of that congregation’s preaching.

Oddly, I cannot remotely imagine this topic impacting thinking on joining such a group.
This confirms my pov about the topic. If someone was serious about joining a certain congregation and the ONLY reason stopping or confirming that decision is this topic…..you need to rethink.

To be fair, the Catholic church teaches amill. doctrine as sound doctrine and doesn't really have much room for "alternative" belief systems (other than that in general, some Catholic people personally hold to doctrines that are at odds with official church teaching in many areas).

The Holdeman Mennonites consider amill. eschatology part of sound doctrine. In instruction class it is part of the lesson on the Lord's return. It is considered a cause for concern if someone drifts away from that into other teachings. If a preacher does so, that will be considered teaching "false doctrine" and he would be removed from the ministry and not permitted to ever preach again.

[Southerner]

[ken_sylvania]

Oddly, I cannot remotely imagine this topic impacting thinking on joining such a group.
This confirms my pov about the topic. If someone was serious about joining a certain congregation and the ONLY reason stopping or confirming that decision is this topic…..you need to rethink.

I think how a congregation teaches about prophecy would matter more to me than which flavor is preferred.
If every fourth message is a prophecy message it would be a downside as far as I'm concerned.

[JayP]

I would reclassify again that while accurate that the Catholic Church holds to amil, it does not really mean the phrase quite the same way an Anabaptist does. The same is true for Orthodoxy, if not more so.

The two Churches shake their heads at folks pasting literal meanings into the book of the Apocalypse.

[JohnH]

I would reclassify again that while accurate that the Catholic Church holds to amil, it does not really mean the phrase quite the same way an Anabaptist does. The same is true for Orthodoxy, if not more so.

The two Churches shake their heads at folks pasting literal meanings into the book of the Apocalypse.

My own church’s position seems to be pretty much identical to the Catholic position.

[Ken]

Oddly, I cannot remotely imagine this topic impacting thinking on joining such a group.
This confirms my pov about the topic. If someone was serious about joining a certain congregation and the ONLY reason stopping or confirming that decision is this topic…..you need to rethink.

I think how a congregation teaches about prophecy would matter more to me than which flavor is preferred.
If every fourth message is a prophecy message it would be a downside as far as I'm concerned.

Is eschatology actually addressed in any Mennonite confession of faith? In my lifetime of church attendance I can't recall a single sermon ever dedicated to the prophesy contained in Revelations. Maybe there was one and I just zoned out that day or it wasn't memorable. But it certainly isn't a center of focus for any church I have ever attended, Mennonite or otherwise.

Prophesy is covered, just not the end of the world prophesy from Revelations. For example, every Christmas we hear the prophesy from Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

[mike]

Oddly, I cannot remotely imagine this topic impacting thinking on joining such a group.
This confirms my pov about the topic. If someone was serious about joining a certain congregation and the ONLY reason stopping or confirming that decision is this topic…..you need to rethink.

I think how a congregation teaches about prophecy would matter more to me than which flavor is preferred.
If every fourth message is a prophecy message it would be a downside as far as I'm concerned.

Is eschatology actually addressed in any Mennonite confession of faith? In my lifetime of church attendance I can't recall a single sermon ever dedicated to the prophesy contained in Revelations. Maybe there was one and I just zoned out that day or it wasn't memorable. But it certainly isn't a center of focus for any church I have ever attended, Mennonite or otherwise.

This is what the 1921 Garden City confession states, which is what our church uses, or possibly bases its confession on.

Article XVI
OF THE COMING OF CHRIST
We believe in the personal, imminent coming of our Lord as the blessed hope of the believer; that we who are alive and remain, together with the dead in Christ who will be raised, shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the he air and thus ever be with the Lord, Jno. 14:2, 3 Acts 1:11; Mt. 24-44; Heb. 10:37; Tit. 2:11-13; I Thes. 4:13-18.

Article XVII
OF THE INTERMEDIATE STATE
We believe that in the interval between death and resurrection, the righteous will be with Christ in a state of conscious bliss and comfort, but that the wicked will be in a place of torment, in a state of conscious suffering and despair. Lk. 16:19-31; 23:43; Phil. 1:23; II Cor. 5:1-8; I Thes. 5:10; II Pet. 2:9

[mike]

The Dordrecht confession on the end times:

XVIII. Of the Resurrection of the Dead, and the Last Judgment
Finally, concerning the resurrection of the dead, we confess with the mouth, and believe with the
heart, according to Scripture, that in the last day all men who shall have died, and fallen asleep,
shall be awaked and quickened, and shall rise again, through the incomprehensible power of
God; and that they, together with those who then will still be alive, and who shall be changed in
the twinkling of an eye, at the sound of the last trump, shall be placed before the judgment seat
of Christ, and the good be separated from the wicked; that then everyone shall receive in his own
body according to that he hath done, whether it be good or evil; and that the good or pious, as the
blessed, shall be taken up with Christ, and shall enter into life eternal, and obtain that joy, which
eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath entered into the heart of man, to reign and triumph
with Christ forever and ever. (Matt. 22:30, 31; Dan. 12:12; Job 19:26, 27; Matt. 25:31; John 5:28; II Cor. 5:10; I Cor. 15; Rev.
20:12; I Thess. 4:15; I Cor. 2:9).

And that, on the other hand, the wicked or impious, as accursed, shall be cast into outer darkness,
yea, into the everlasting pains of hell, where their worm shall not die, nor their fire be quenched,
and where they, according to holy Scripture, can nevermore expect any hope, comfort, or
redemption. (Mark 9:44; Rev. 14:11).

May the Lord, through His grace, make us all worthy and meet, that this may befall none of us;
but that we may thus take heed unto ourselves, and use all diligence, that on that day we may be
found before Him unspotted and blameless in peace. Amen.