Perspectives on the Millennial Doctrine

[LexingtonPethead]

Here's an interesting study I found that is put out by Direction Inc., a non-denominational organization. It will be interesting to see what pre-mill-ers and post-mill-ers have to say about it...

Discussion

The term "millennium" means one thousand years. When used in theology it refers to an expected earthly reign of righteousness for a period of one thousand years. As we will see in this lesson there is no such teaching in the Bible even though many present day ministers are promoting a millennial doctrine.

We will look at three things:

1. the history of the millennial doctrine
2. the teachings of the millennial doctrine
3. Bible rebuttal proving the untruth of millennial doctrine


History Of The Millennial Doctrine

Christians borrowed the idea of a millennial reign from the Jews although the idea did not originate with them. Several heathen nations including Egypt, Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome taught the idea of a future golden age without any evil on earth.

Zorastrianism, the religion of the Iranian people, taught a one thousand year period that would follow the downfall of hostile powers.

The Jews advanced the doctrine from their teachings of the Old Testament as they interpreted the Messianic prophecies to be a judgment on the enemies of Israel when the Messiah would establish the throne of David in Jerusalem with great power and splendor. Their doctrine suggested that Israel would rule over all the Gentiles and that their land would flourish, the wild animals would become tame, and wars would cease among men. The Jews literal interpretation required a Messiah who would establish an earthly kingdom to overthrow their earthly enemies. That is why Jesus was rejected by the Jews ... He did not fulfill their expectations of an earthly Messiah. He neither promised or established an earthly kingdom... his teachings being non-millennial.

All the New Testament teachings of Christ and His followers taught a spiritual kingdom that was present at the time of Christ and remains to this day. No earthly kingdom was ever suggested by Christ, including a kingdom to come when He returned to earth to redeem His children.

Those who are familiar with church history realize that the millennial doctrine was introduced into Christian teaching by early heretics beginning with the Ebionites, a Judaizing sect who held strongly to Jewish tenets while rejecting parts of Christ's teachings. The Ebionites were very strong advocates of the millennial teaching, rejecting the inspired teachings of Paul. But never in the early church was their teachings accepted nor was it accepted in advancing church history for several centuries.

Later in history the Roman Catholic church used the doctrine to disquiet the criticisms of the reformation Protestants who challenged the Catholic teaching of purgatory.

In current times the doctrine of millennialism has been revived by religious leaders who seek to offer some hope to their constituents in a world of increasing trouble. Throughout history the millennial teachings seem to resurface during times of trouble and crisis...such as with the case of our current times.

Today the millennial teaching is being heavily promoted although there are various interpretations to its meaning. Two millennial theories are now being presented as Biblical truth without Biblical basis. Those two theories are "post millennial" and "pre millennial". The post millennial theory suggests that Jesus will return after the one thousand years while the pre millennial theory suggests the return of Jesus to be before the one thousand years. When one listens to the confused teachings of both these theories it is evident that neither can be supported or justified by real Biblical investigation. The more this doctrine is taught the more the Bible is comprised to justify the teachers.

Rather than waste time and space to review these opposing theories at length, we will simply offer a brief summary of pre millennialism before identifying what the Bible really teaches.


The Primary Points Of The Pre Millennial Theory

NOTE: the following theory is not the belief of this researcher or many other Bible scholars.

1. The kingdom of God is not yet in existence in its fullness

2. The kingdom of God will arrive at the return of Christ

3. The present gospel dispensation was not expected or intended to convert the world to Christ

4. The world is getting worse and will continue to do so until the return of Christ

5. The return of Christ is imminent and could occur at any moment ... although the "anti-Christ" world leader is not currently on the scene as defined by this theory.

6. There will be a rapture (removal from the earth) of the believers when Christ returns, leaving the world filled with only sinners.

7. There will then be a great tribulation on earth while the saints hover in the air over the earth with Christ. During the tribulation sinners are given a second opportunity to repent.

8. After the tribulation period God will pour out judgment on the wicked. Then Christ and the "raptured" saints return again to the earth.

9. Then comes the "revelation period" when Christ binds satan and casts him into a pit for one thousand years. During this time Christ conquers all wickedness on earth and sets up His earthly kingdom throne in Jerusalem.

10. During the "revelation period" the Jews are gathered back to Palestine and the ancient sacrifices are restored in Jerusalem.

11. Christ and His resurrected followers rule over the world for 1000 years with a world-wide kingdom of holiness.

12. After the 1000 years (millennium) there will again be an outbreak of wickedness as satan is released. The wicked dead will then be resurrected (second resurrection) at which time God will pass His final judgment.

13. Finally, the world comes to an end.

Many questions arise from such a theory. Does it really make any sense that God would remove the saints from the earth to let the sinners have their day...then come back and set up a kingdom in Jerusalem? Why would the Jews at that time return to Palestine and why would the ancient sacrifices be reestablished when the blood sacrifice of Christ has already replaced the blood of animals 2000 years ago?

And why would Christ reign on earth only for 1000 years and then allow wickedness to recapture the earth? None of this makes any real sense in light of Biblical teaching...yet it is being taught by some of the most popular ministers in our land.


The Biblical Rebuttal To The Millennial Theory

FIRST...The kingdom of God was established 2000 years ago when Christ was here the first time. Christ's kingdom is a spiritual kingdom and was never intended to be an earthly kingdom where Christians ruled the world.

"In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Matthew 3:1-2

"From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Matthew 4:17

"Blessed are the poor in spirit: theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3

"And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here (2000 years ago), which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power." Mark 9:1

"And when Jesus was inquired of the Pharisees when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, "The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you." Luke 17:20-21

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God... Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." John 3:3-5

"Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence." John 18:36

SECOND...This present gospel dispensation is intended to convert the world to Christ.

(words of Jesus) "Therefore go and make disciples in all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and then teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you; and be sure of this--that I am with you always, even to the end of the world."

Matthew 28:19- 20 (TLB)

THIRD...There are two resurrections. The first resurrection is a spiritual one that takes place when we are born-again. We were once spiritually dead in our trespasses and sins but through the new birth we are spiritually resurrected to a new life in Christ. The second resurrection is a physical resurrection when both the saints and the sinners who are dead at Christ's return shall be brought our from their graves to face the final judgment. There is no suggestion found in the Bible that there will be a "rapture" or resurrection of the righteous alone.

FOURTH...A one thousand earthly reign of Christ where satan is bound and righteousness rules on earth is nowhere found in the Bible. The reference to this theory comes from the 20th chapter of Revelation where the vision is taken literally. But if the 20th chapter is to be taken literally in the Revelation then all other chapters are to be taken literally ... which Bible scholars are well aware cannot be possible. The Revelation is a book of symbols, easily understood when properly interpreted as the Bible does for us. The one thousand year period when satan is bound has already been fulfilled in history. For an in-depth study, go to the Revelation web site at http://www.siscom.net/~direct/revelation

FIFTH...The Anti-Christ already exists and has existed for several centuries. There is no future world leader yet to come with all the characteristics of exaggerated millennial teaching. Again, we refer you to the above Revelation site that identifies the Anti-Christ with perfect clarity.

[Shell]

That is interesting...I printed it out and I'm going to read it carefully.

[LexingtonPethead]

Yeah, it's pretty deep stuff. No wonder people get confused by it.