(May 31, 2025) Dr Robert McQuillan shares…

I had a question of my own recently when I read what someone had written about animals being sacrificed by converted Jews after Jesus returns. Quoting scriptures from Ezekiel and several other Old Testament prophets, it was concluded that these millennial Israelite sacrifices will be a graphic honouring of what Jesus accomplished in His previous visit here… ultimately leading to His crucifixion. That on genuine repentance only the blood of Christ can atone for sin.

Could this be so, I was wondering. Maureen suggested that I query it with renowned Bible scholar friend Dr Jim McClure who regularly contributes Teaching category articles to our E-Mag. (Do read his challenging new series this month— Malachi-prophet who revealed God’s answers to people’s questions-part 1/… it’s so timely!).

The following is Dr Jim’s reply (which I trust will bless many):

Hi Robert. Thanks for the question you sent. I hope my reply helps in some way…
Dispensationalism within the church has led to multiple sensationalist interpretations. Clearly the scriptures reveal that God has interacted with humanity in multiple ways both before and after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ— and obviously that interaction continues today and into the future. 

Various Bible books contain insights into some of those events yet to come. 

• However, unravelling the accurate meaning of those revelations has led to many different/speculative/ spectacular interpretative theories. 
• Among the more common ones are found in three opposing categories— Premillennialism, Postmillennialism and Amillennialism.
• Also, the different theories regarding animal sacrifice are presently rather confusing (and often the product of a lively imagination) so I hold the position of ambiguity.

Regrettably among many Christians there has been reflected what I would describe as an unhealthy fascination (and also, in some, an obsession) in ‘End-Time’ events. Indeed, some preachers make such preaching a dominant aspect of their preaching and teaching!

My personal view is quite simple— I just don’t know precisely what will happen, the order in which it will happen or when it will happen!  Certainly we have been given insights into the future within the Bible and in some of those insights there is an extensive use of symbolism.  And with regards to the question of whether or not there will be animals offered in sacrifice when Jesus returns, I have no opinion!

Consequently, I await with eager anticipation the glorious return of our Lord Jesus Christ. I don’t have all the information or a full understanding of that wonderful coming event, or about all that will happen after the event.

The ‘information’ that the Bible contains will, I believe, make perfect sense when the various events occur. I may lean into some interpretative suggestions more than some others, however, I hesitate fully to embrace or to affirm any interpretative exposition as absolute truth.

So, I wholly agree with the hymn writer Dora Greenwell (1873) who wrote:
I am not skilled to understand
what God has willed, what God has planned;
I only know that at His right hand
is One who is my Saviour!

Shalom! Jim

Footnote: Dr Jim’s comments above blessed me. Regarding the three opposing categories he mentions above, decades ago I personally decided not to be any of these but to be a Panist. In other words, ‘It’ll all pan out in the end!’ (According to God’s will of course!).
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Got a question for Dr Robert or Pr Maureen McQuillan? Email: OnlinerConnect@gmail.com
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