Matthew: Thy Kingdom Come***op***: A Commentary on the First Gospel

The book was in great shape, and the content was just what I need. I am taking on online class about the book of Matthew, so this will be helpful.

Prewrathers Robert Van Kampen & Rev. Roger Best in their article (...) ....ask us who believe in Pretribulationalism "ARE MATTHEW AND REVELATION FOR THE CHURCH OR UNSAVED ISRAEL?"....they make the following charges... [P]retribulationism views substantial sections of New Testament Scripture as having no application to the Church (in fact, many pretribulationists find it necessary to eliminate the entire Book of Matthew). For this reason, the applicability of the Beatitudes to the Church is denied, as well at the Great Commission in order to protect pretribulationism from the plain and obvious teachings concerning the timing of Christ's return as given in the Olivet Discourse! Dr. Walvoord writes from the Dispensational/Pretribulational/ Premillennial view point and answers their challenge with a brief, non-technical commentary on the Gospel of Matthew. He explains the purpose of Matthew writing this gospel for the Jews and why Jesus is the fulfillment of their Messianic expectation, because He fullfilled the prophecy of the Old Testament. He explains that Jesus was offering Israel the kingdom promised to them if they would receive Him as their King. But the Sanhedrian rejected the offer and blasphemied the Holy Spirit by say that Jesus was demon possessed and insane. Once Jesus knew His time was short, then He spoke of the Church that was to be (future tense) built upon the Rock that "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:18). Thus he squarely places the Gospel of Matthew as primarily applying to the Jews in the dispensation of Law, with secondary application to the Church. Paul stated that the Old Testament (of which the Gospel's occur)...Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. So from reading this commentary you will find their statement falasious that "...many pretribulationists find it necessary to eliminate the entire Book of Matthew..."

Walvoord interprets through a Premillennial, Pretribulational, Dispensational grid, and I personally appreciate this. This is a very solid work. It falls somewhere between a survey and thorough commentary. Although Walvoord leaves a lot of questions unanswered, he does establish and deal with the clear pattern of Matthew, the Kingdom offered, rejected, the mystery form of the kingdom and the church age announced, details of Christ's second coming, and then the commission to spread the gospel to all the world.This will provide the Bible student with an understanding of Matthew's flow and answer many questions, especially reguarding eschatology. For the pastor who wants a thorough, verse by verse work, however, this volume would not be ideal.