David Pawson Ministry Podcast

Part 5. The Lord's Table Drawing on his experience of pastoring a church that modelled itself on the New Testament church, David Pawson argues that the latter’s governance was not that of a democracy but was instead founded on “corporate leadership”. This structure enables a church that adopts it to “become not only self-governing but also self-supporting”. David states that “the scriptural pattern for the church is elders with a distinction recognised between pastor elders and teacher elders,” including “a presiding elder”, and “elders and deacons” working “together”, crucially with Christ as head of the church. David regards this as a model for the modern church. To those who view churchgoing as an optional extra, or select their church based on preference rather than proximity to their home, the emphasis on corporate leadership with an involved membership may come as a shock. It is a focus on structure and discipline that differs markedly from the approach taken in some denominations. In the New Testament church, the membership will experience every facet of church life with the goal of enabling the church body to worship as one, have fellowship with each other, evangelise, and establish the building as a prominent place of worship in the community. This requires obedience to God and the elders who serve him. The emphasis on discipline and obedience (to God and the leadership) will surprise some readers (and churchgoers) who are used to other approaches to governance. There are further surprises. In tackling the issue of money, David discusses legitimate and illegitimate ways of earning for members of the church. In addressing the issue of giving, he critiques modern tithing, arguing that instead members should give in proportion to their wealth rather than a set sum. Giving, which he sees as a form of worship, must be motivated by a sense of gratitude towards God—a feeling that is also experienced when receiving communion. This is a vision of an inclusive church that enables fellowship between people from diverse backgrounds who are brought together as one body in Christ.

Part 8. Will Christ Reign Here? David Pawson regards the book of Revelation as “probably the most important book in the New Testament for the Church to be studying right now for the very practical purpose for which it was written”, namely, to be “a manual for martyrdom”. Jesus provides encouragement to Christians facing persecution, exhorting them to endure and overcome. The book has present and future relevance for believers, and while it is addressed to the believers in the first-century AD, Jesus’ words and the prophecies (some yet to be fulfilled) speak just as powerfully to Christians and the Church today. The many competing interpretations have caused confusion, particularly in relation to prophetic symbolism and the timings and nature of future events. If there are “as many riddles as there are words” here, then David demystifies and solves the book’s riddle by explaining the more controversial, widely debated, and variously interpreted middle chapters, while also advocating reading Revelation in the plainest sense where possible. Jesus, in his compassion, has warned believers to prepare for his Second Coming. They are to remain faithful by upholding morals, resisting corruption, and identifying and opposing deception (false teaching), and, if necessary, enduring persecution. David unpacks Revelation’s symbolism while addressing divisive subjects. Regarding the (Secret) Rapture, he argues that the book prepares believers to live through the Big Trouble (Tribulation), and adopts a pre-millennial position. Jesus promises to return to avenge the blood of the martyrs, while warning that backsliding believers will lose their place in the Book of Life and the New Jerusalem. Yet faithful overcomers will receive their inheritance. God is in control and Christians must ready themselves for Christ’s return. Revelation’s message is not just that “Jesus wins” but that he wants every believer to win” with him.

Part 6. Is There a Secret Rapture? David Pawson regards the book of Revelation as “probably the most important book in the New Testament for the Church to be studying right now for the very practical purpose for which it was written”, namely, to be “a manual for martyrdom”. Jesus provides encouragement to Christians facing persecution, exhorting them to endure and overcome. The book has present and future relevance for believers, and while it is addressed to the believers in the first-century AD, Jesus’ words and the prophecies (some yet to be fulfilled) speak just as powerfully to Christians and the Church today. The many competing interpretations have caused confusion, particularly in relation to prophetic symbolism and the timings and nature of future events. If there are “as many riddles as there are words” here, then David demystifies and solves the book’s riddle by explaining the more controversial, widely debated, and variously interpreted middle chapters, while also advocating reading Revelation in the plainest sense where possible. Jesus, in his compassion, has warned believers to prepare for his Second Coming. They are to remain faithful by upholding morals, resisting corruption, and identifying and opposing deception (false teaching), and, if necessary, enduring persecution. David unpacks Revelation’s symbolism while addressing divisive subjects. Regarding the (Secret) Rapture, he argues that the book prepares believers to live through the Big Trouble (Tribulation), and adopts a pre-millennial position. Jesus promises to return to avenge the blood of the martyrs, while warning that backsliding believers will lose their place in the Book of Life and the New Jerusalem. Yet faithful overcomers will receive their inheritance. God is in control and Christians must ready themselves for Christ’s return. Revelation’s message is not just that “Jesus wins” but that he wants every believer to win” with him.

Part 4. How is it Interpreted? David Pawson regards the book of Revelation as “probably the most important book in the New Testament for the Church to be studying right now for the very practical purpose for which it was written”, namely, to be “a manual for martyrdom”. Jesus provides encouragement to Christians facing persecution, exhorting them to endure and overcome. The book has present and future relevance for believers, and while it is addressed to the believers in the first-century AD, Jesus’ words and the prophecies (some yet to be fulfilled) speak just as powerfully to Christians and the Church today. The many competing interpretations have caused confusion, particularly in relation to prophetic symbolism and the timings and nature of future events. If there are “as many riddles as there are words” here, then David demystifies and solves the book’s riddle by explaining the more controversial, widely debated, and variously interpreted middle chapters, while also advocating reading Revelation in the plainest sense where possible. Jesus, in his compassion, has warned believers to prepare for his Second Coming. They are to remain faithful by upholding morals, resisting corruption, and identifying and opposing deception (false teaching), and, if necessary, enduring persecution. David unpacks Revelation’s symbolism while addressing divisive subjects. Regarding the (Secret) Rapture, he argues that the book prepares believers to live through the Big Trouble (Tribulation), and adopts a pre-millennial position. Jesus promises to return to avenge the blood of the martyrs, while warning that backsliding believers will lose their place in the Book of Life and the New Jerusalem. Yet faithful overcomers will receive their inheritance. God is in control and Christians must ready themselves for Christ’s return. Revelation’s message is not just that “Jesus wins” but that he wants every believer to win” with him.

Part 2. Why Was It Written? David Pawson regards the book of Revelation as “probably the most important book in the New Testament for the Church to be studying right now for the very practical purpose for which it was written”, namely, to be “a manual for martyrdom”. Jesus provides encouragement to Christians facing persecution, exhorting them to endure and overcome. The book has present and future relevance for believers, and while it is addressed to the believers in the first-century AD, Jesus’ words and the prophecies (some yet to be fulfilled) speak just as powerfully to Christians and the Church today. The many competing interpretations have caused confusion, particularly in relation to prophetic symbolism and the timings and nature of future events. If there are “as many riddles as there are words” here, then David demystifies and solves the book’s riddle by explaining the more controversial, widely debated, and variously interpreted middle chapters, while also advocating reading Revelation in the plainest sense where possible. Jesus, in his compassion, has warned believers to prepare for his Second Coming. They are to remain faithful by upholding morals, resisting corruption, and identifying and opposing deception (false teaching), and, if necessary, enduring persecution. David unpacks Revelation’s symbolism while addressing divisive subjects. Regarding the (Secret) Rapture, he argues that the book prepares believers to live through the Big Trouble (Tribulation), and adopts a pre-millennial position. Jesus promises to return to avenge the blood of the martyrs, while warning that backsliding believers will lose their place in the Book of Life and the New Jerusalem. Yet faithful overcomers will receive their inheritance. God is in control and Christians must ready themselves for Christ’s return. Revelation’s message is not just that “Jesus wins” but that he wants every believer to win” with him.