A Conference on Biblical Eschatology
The Christian Hope in a Rebellious World
Featuring Dr. Kenneth L. Gentry Jr., Th.D.
"Should God’s people be pessimistic or optimistic concerning the direction of history prior to the Second Coming of Christ?"
This conference covers the doctrine known as eschatology. Merriam-Webster defines eschatology as “a branch of theology concerned with the final events in the history of the world or of mankind.” This definition is accurate, but unfortunately it restricts the doctrine to what takes place right at the very end of time. Eschatology also, rightly understood, concerns the direction of history.
We believe that due to the death, resurrection, and ascension/coronation of King Jesus, Christians should be filled with hope and optimism as they pray “thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” and seek to disciple the nations, fulfilling the Great Commission. Jesus has not sent us on a fool’s errand.
“All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.” —Psalm 86:9
For all attendees, we simply ask that like the Bereans in Acts 17 you will receive the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things are true. Come with your Bible, your questions, and an open heart.
On behalf of the elders and congregation of Fox Lake Community Church, I would like to welcome you to our End Times Examined conference, with featured guest speaker Dr. Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.
This conference covers the doctrine known as eschatology — and the question at hand is this: Should God’s people be pessimistic or optimistic concerning the direction of history prior to the Second Coming of Christ?
We believe that due to the death, resurrection and ascension/coronation of King Jesus, Christians should be filled with hope and optimism as they pray “thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” and seek to disciple the nations, fulfilling the Great Commission. Jesus has not sent us on a fool’s errand. “All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name” (Ps. 86:9).
We simply ask that like the Bereans in Acts 17 you will receive the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things are true. If you have any questions, there will be a session for Q & A.
Dr. Gentry has also agreed to speak Sunday morning during our worship service that begins at 10:30 am. His message is titled: Why Study Prophecy? We would love to have you join us Sunday as well.
Th.D., summa cum laude · Retired Presbyterian Pastor · Author · Conference Speaker
Dr. Kenneth L. Gentry Jr. is one of the foremost contemporary defenders of Post-Millennialism. A graduate of Tennessee Temple University (B.A., cum laude, Biblical Studies), Reformed Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and Whitefield Theological Seminary (Th.M.; Th.D., summa cum laude, New Testament), he also attended Grace Theological Seminary for two years while a dispensationalist. He has authored or contributed to more than thirty books on eschatology, covenant theology, theonomy, and Christian ethics.
His landmark work Before Jerusalem Fell presents the scholarly case that Revelation was written before AD 70, during Nero’s reign — with profound implications for how we read the entire Apocalypse. He Shall Have Dominion remains the most comprehensive modern defense of Post-Millennialism in print. His most recent magnum opus, The Divorce of Israel, offers an orthodox-preterist interpretation of Revelation across two volumes totaling over 1,800 pages.
M.Div. · Senior Pastor, Fox Lake Community Church · Since 1998
Pastor Wayne Christensen has served as Senior Pastor of Fox Lake Community Church since 1998. He holds a B.A. in Bible Theology from Moody Bible Institute and a Master of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and is currently pursuing his Doctorate at Whitefield Theological Seminary — the same institution where Dr. Gentry earned his Th.D. He is a Senior Fellow for the By Every Word Foundation, a foundation for the advancement of applied Christian ethics, and has served in a variety of teaching capacities in local Christian schools and organizations.
Wayne is the author of The Way of Wisdom: Proverbs — A Handbook for Rearing Wise Sons and Daughters. He is a committed confessionalist, holding firmly to the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Larger and Shorter Catechisms as subordinate standards to the Word of God.
Wayne and his wife Michele have five children and two grandchildren — so far.
Each session builds the biblical and theological case that God’s people have every reason to face the future with confidence in the advance of Christ’s kingdom.
Eschatology is more than a map of the end times — it concerns the direction of history and shapes everything about how Christians live today. Pastor Christensen opens the conference by grounding our inquiry in Scripture, exploring why the study of last things matters for the life of the church and the individual believer right now.
The seeds of postmillennial hope are planted in the earliest pages of Scripture. Dr. Gentry traces the foundations of biblical optimism through God’s purposes in creation, the covenant with Abraham, and the sweeping prophetic vision of Isaiah 2:2–4 — showing that the advance of Christ’s kingdom was foretold long before the New Testament era.
Turning to the New Testament, Dr. Gentry examines the kingdom hope proclaimed by Christ and the apostles. From Christ’s declaration in John 12:31–32 to Paul’s argument in 1 Corinthians 15, the New Testament presents a vision of Christ reigning until every enemy is placed under his feet — before the resurrection and return.
The Great Commission is not a holding action — it is a conquest mandate. Dr. Gentry examines Matthew 28:18–20 in its full scope: Christ’s universal authority, the command to disciple (Gk. matheteuo) all nations — not merely to witness or preach to them — and the promise of his abiding presence to the end of the age. The Great Commission is God’s guarantee that the gospel will prevail in history.
Can postmillennialism survive its critics? Dr. Gentry addresses the most common biblical and theological objections — the “narrow way,” the parable of the tares, Luke 18:8, 2 Timothy 3, and the question of imminence — showing that each, carefully examined, is compatible with or even supportive of the postmillennial hope.
Fox Lake Community Church · 25 W Big Hollow Road (SW Corner of Routes 12 & 134), Fox Lake, IL 60020
A special message by Dr. Kenneth L. Gentry Jr.
during our regular Sunday morning worship service
No registration required — all are welcome to join us for worship.
Attendance is free and open to all. We ask for a suggested donation of $10 per person to help cover speaker fees and hospitality. Register below and we’ll send confirmation and updates by email or text.
Questions? Reach us at conference@flcc.church or call 847-587-1331
Thank you for registering for End Times Examined, Saturday September 26 in Fox Lake. Watch your inbox for a confirmation. Consider making your suggested donation below.
This conference is offered free to the community. A suggested gift of $10 per person helps cover speaker honorarium, materials, and hospitality.
Fox Lake Community Church is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Donations may be tax-deductible.