He most certainly did. "Since a generation of judgment is forty years and the Tribulation period lasts seven years, I believe the Lord could come back for His Church any time before the Tribulation starts, which would mean any time before 1981. (1948 + 40 – 7 = 1981)." And, "I’m convinced that the Lord is coming for his church before the end of 1981." Rapture in 1981 followed seven years later by Christ’s return in 1988. It was the same tune sung my Hal Lindsey and Edgar ("88 Reasons") Whisenant. While he may have used guarded terms in an attempt to deflect future criticism, the faithful knew exactly what he meant.
Dallas and Grace. What’s hard to understand about that?
But Dallas and Grace are not the dispensational institutions they were one or two decades ago. In fact, many dispensationalists that judge "the norm" by the likes of Lewis Chafer, Charles Ryrie, and John Walvoord believe that both Dallas and Grace have sold out to covenant theology in some very important areas.
How is it that the dispensationalism of modern Dallas and Grace are almost unrecognizable wrt to the classic dispensationalism of earlier generations? From what I know of the Calvary Chapel types, they would butt heads with the modern scholars at DTS. What is it about the teaching at modern Dallas or Grace that we should regard it as "the norm"?
BTW, I’m not trying to put you on the spot. I just appreciate your responsiveness.
Wrong again about Chuck Smith.
Chuck Smith said that he could be wrong but that it was a heartfelt opinion of his that Jesus would return within a generation of 1948 start of the nation of Israel.
That is not by any means the picture that’s normally painted:
Prophet in flowing robes, Chuck Smith, stood in the nation’s capital and said, “Thus saith the Lord, I will return to rapture my church by 1981.” (1948 +40 = 1988 - 7 = 1981 (pre-trib rapture)
First, it was clearly stated “I COULD BE WRONG.”
He CAREFULLY pointed out something he clearly explained as HIS OPINION of scritural research and analysis. He said, “I Could Be Wrong.”
So, unless prepared to give all the facts, then quit with the disinformation campaign.
Smith says he never taught his personal opinion as scriptural doctrine.
There are any number of people unwilling to speculate on scriptural ideas and possibilities. I’m not one of them. With Smith, I will CAREFULLY point out that I mean one thing when I say, “The Scripture Says.” and I mean another when I say, “My opinion....this is Xzins, do with it what you like...is XYZ.”