The Millennial Reign

  

True Site of Calvary - Map
The Millennial Reign - A Doctrinal Statement

Part 1. The Millennialist View : Historic Millennialism can be sub-divided into 4 categories.

1) Pre-tribulation Rapturists.  2) Mid-tribulation Rapturists, and 3) Post-tribulation Rapturists.  4) A forth view... Dispensational Millennialism has captured the hearts and minds of many seminarians and teachers in recent years.  This becomes especially curious when one examines this doctrine in light of its shockingly short history.

For the purpose of simplicity, we will point out the common threads of these views.  We will examine their accompanying proof texts.  Then we will view both the threads and their texts through the filter of scripture.  

All four views mentioned above share several common tenets.  All expect a future physical earthly reign of Christ.  This is supposedly based on 1st Thessalonians 4: 13-18.  Revelation 20 1-10, 1st Corinthians 15: 51-58, and Matthew 24.  The Dispensationalist position will be dealt with separately since it enjoys the current popular position.

All 4 of these views also teach the establishment of the throne of Christ set up in Jerusalem.  Many books and series of novels have been published suggesting that there will be a physical restoration of the kingdom during which Christ will sit on the throne in Jerusalem and execute judgment.  These ideas are based on several Old Testament prophecies that had Israel not rebelled and disobeyed God, would have been fulfilled.  

The Dispensationalist takes his position several steps further.  Based primarily on C.I. Scofield and his Scofield

Reference Bible, the Dispensationalist believes and teaches that God has 2 peoples, 2 plans of salvation, and 2 futures for each of God's peoples.

Remember, the idea of a physical, earthly kingdom is not a new one.  First century Jewish leaders and teachers were looking for and expecting this very thing.  Present day pious Jews are of the same belief.  More distressing is the fact that many 21st Century evangelicals are expecting the same thing.  Apparently disregarding Daniel's prophecy regarding Christ's kingdom.  Also ignoring John the Baptist's preaching.  And most distressing is their total disregard for Christ's own preaching.  Even the apostle to the church, Paul, is ignored when these otherwise intelligent believers position themselves with present day millennialism.  Christ was rejected because he preached, "my kingdom is not of this world", and "the kingdom of God is within you".  The gospel of Jesus changed the world because of the foundational doctrine preached by Paul that "the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost".

The doctrine of Dispensational Millennialism was unheard of until a young Scottish girl named Margaret McDonald had a dream, which she related to her pastor, Edward Irving.  Who in turn related it to a visiting preacher name John Nelson Darby.  (Founder of the Plymouth Brethren).  Darby made it part of his theology.  A student and friend of his, C.I. Scofield, incorporated this idea into his Scofield Reference Bible (SRB).  The SRB became standard issue at several Bible schools, particularly Moody Bible Institute. 

The only time in 18 centuries of church history that this concept was heard of prior to this was in a novel written by Jesuit priest under the assumed name of a Jewish Rabbi.  Emmanuel Lacuna, also, Rabbi Ben Ezra.  From these humble beginnings it has become a foundational doctrine of the pre-millennial 1000 year reign of Christ.  

Just imagine, no one, not our Lord, not the apostles, not the church fathers, not Augustine, regarded as the greatest theologian the church has ever had, not Luther, Calvin, Knox or Wesley or any other of the reformers ever even suggested such a laughable idea.  And yet it has permeated into the mainstream of New Testament theology.  This is not to say that new revelation is not possible.  But they must pass the tests outlined in the accompanying introduction.  This doctrine of the 1000 year earthly reign does not.

Let us begin our examination Pre-Millennialism by giving 6 reasons why it could not possibly be validated with scripture.  

1)  It makes Christ's kingdom a physical, earthly one.  Jesus himself clearly and repeatedly said it was not.  John  18:36, Luke 17-21.

2)  It denies Christ's present kingdom.  Matthew. 28:18, Matthew 12:28 - 29th, Revelation 1:18 

3)   It denies the Judgment Resurrection of the just and the unjust at the same time.  John 5:28 - 29th, II Thessalonians 1: 7-10

4)  It teaches a distinction between the Jews and Gentiles.  Ephesians. 2:11-22, Ephesians 3:26-29.

5)  It relegates Christ's church to replacement, substitute status.  Jesus Christ himself said "...the gates of Hell would not prevail against It"  Paul said, Christ "gave himself for it".

6)  It uses inconsistent interpretation and "exegesis" with regard to its application of the above-mentioned passages of scripture.

Perhaps the most damning indictment against this fallacy is the method of interpreting scripture that must be employed to reach these conclusions.  Typically evangelicals pride themselves in taking God at His word.  When trying to provide scriptural foundation for this doctrine, however; God's word apparently doesn't mean what it says but means something these Millennialists imagine it means.

Now, we will examine individually the aforementioned proof texts and let "scripture interpret scripture".

1)  I Thessalonians 4:13-18.  (13) "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.  (14)  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.  (15) For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.  (16) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  (17)  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  (18)  Wherefore comfort one another with these words."

This passage is crucial to the Millennialist's argument that Christ will return twice in the future.  They teach that Christ returns to "catch away" his church to spare them from the tribulation...then returns again to set up his kingdom.  The text however does not separate the resurrection of the dead from the changing of the believer by 7 years, 1000 years, or 1 second.

2)  Revelation 20:1-10.  (1) AND I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.  (2)  And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,  (3) And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.  (4)  And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.  (5) But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.  This is the first resurrection.  (6)  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.  (7)  And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,  (8) And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Ma'-gog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.  (9)  And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.  (10)  And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

The importance of this passage to the Millennialist's position should be clear.  Their contention is that this period of time is a physical 1000-year time.  Let's just for a moment suppose that to be true.  If that is a literal span of time, wouldn't we then have to accept the rest of this passage, indeed the entire chapter, or better yet, all 22 chapters of this book to be literal in their context?  Not even the most liberal dispensationalist would presume this book to be taken literally in it's entirety.  But, if we have a doctrine that cannot be defended otherwise, then we must remove one verse from this passage full of symbolism and figurative imagery and apply it literally.  Further, if this passage is taken literally, then we must preach that the devil was not defeated at the resurrection of Christ.  Christ did say that all power was given to him, both in heaven and earth.  Finally, if this period of time were a future 1000-year time, this would deny the first resurrection of Christ.  As you read Matthew 27, you will understand that at Christ's resurrection, he was the firstborn of many brethren.  The final mistake Millennialists make is to apply this passage to the beginning if the reign of Christ, when in actuality it must be at the end of it.

3)  I Corinthians 15:51-58.  (51) Behold, I show you a mystery;  We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, (52) In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  (53)  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  (54) So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality , then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.  (55)  O DEATH, WHERE IS  THY STING?  O GRAVE, WHERE IS THY VICTORY? (56)  The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.  (57) But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  (58) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.  

Millennialists can't seem to agree on the meaning of this passage.  Some believe it refers to the first second coming and others believe it refers to the third appearance of Christ.  Neither of these arguments is valid when one reads the 24th, 25th and 26th verses.  Paul said Christ would "deliver up" the kingdom at the end...not set up the kingdom 1000 years before the end.  Also of significance in the 51st thru 58th is the description of events that occur at Christ's return.  "We shall all be changed"...remember that the author of this letter also wrote the letter to the church at Thessalonica.  Have you ever wondered why Paul did not use the same language here that he used there?  If he described a secret catching away of the saints in I Thessalonians, why did he not use the same language here?  Because he did not intend that meaning that is why.  Millennialists must change the meaning in both passages to arrive at their conclusions.  

4)  Matthew 24:  This chapter begins with the disciples asking our Lord some questions.  He answered these questions as any good teacher would.  Before he began his response, he charged them with the words, "Take heed that no man deceive you".  We would do well to heed that advice.  Christ spent some time going into great detail regarding the fulfillment of his prophecy.  Actually the next 30 verses contain a description of the destruction of Jerusalem he prophesied.  Then Jesus changes thoughts in verse 36.  Here, he begins to answer the second question.  The remainder of this chapter contains his foretelling of his return.  He does so with illustrations and O.T. scriptures the disciples would easily understand.  Millennialists for 160 years have denied actual 1st Century history by assigning this entire chapter to Christ's return.  Moreover, he specifically and clearly states who would be taken and who would be left.  Again, this is a clear example of selective interpretation and application.  Millennialists must misinterpret and misapply this passage to defend their position.  Instead of allowing scripture to determine the theology, they arrive at their theology then pick and chose parts of select passages to support it.  

In part 2 of this paper, we will examine scripture and let it determine our position on this doctrine.

THIS CONCLUDES PART 1 OF THIS PAPER

By Assistant Pastor:  Dale Brewer

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