by: Todd Clippard
Most millennialist
use passages from the books of Daniel, Ezekiel, and Revelation in support of
their doctrine. The passages to which
they often refer are highly symbolic and apocalyptic. That is, the texts use symbols and figures to represent spiritual
concepts. Admittedly, many of these
symbols and images are difficult to decipher.
Keep in mind that the Bible is one large book composed of 66 smaller
books. “God is not the author of
confusion” (I Cor. 14:40). Therefore, the Bible is uniform and
consistent in its teaching throughout.
One of the most
basic principles of interpretation is to interpret the difficult passages in
light of those easily understood. This method
of interpretation applies to the Bible or any other document. Unfortunately, many millennialists twist and
contort difficult passages and make them teach something in direct opposition
to easily understood scriptures.
The main points of
this outline are the most common beliefs in the millennial system. Although every millennialist may not be in
agreement on every point, the following summarization would garner the support
of most millennialists. Therefore, by
refuting the foundation principles of premillennialism, we refute the entire
system without having to address the minute details.
I. Initially, Jesus came to the earth to
establish an earthly kingdom in Judah,
was rejected by the Jews, and set up the
church instead until he came again.
(Millennialists view the church as a
"Plan B.")
The BIBLE says:
A. John 18:36 Jesus was no threat to Caesar (Eph. 6:17; Micah
4:2)
B. Ephesians 3:9-11 purpose and design of the church was eternal,
not secondary.
II. There will be a secret "catching
away" of the saints, both living and dead,
before "the
tribulation." This catching away is commonly referred to as
"the
rapture."
The BIBLE says:
A. John 5:28-29 ALL the dead shall be raised the same day
B. John 6:40 ALL believers will be raised the last day
C. Revelation 1:9 John was a companion in the tribulation (present
tense)
D. I Thessalonians 4:15-17 ALL the saints raised at the last day, the
dead in Christ first.
E. "rapture" a non-biblical term
III. The tribulation will last
approximately 7 years, during which time the Jews
will begin to rebuild the
temple. The Jews will also enter into a 7-year
agreement with "the
Anti-christ." After 3 1/2 years, "the Anti-christ" will
be
revealed, at which time he will stop the daily sacrifice and set up his
own
image in the temple.
The BIBLE says:
A. Acts 14:22 entrance into the kingdom with tribulation, not
after or apart from it.
B. Revelation 1:9 John a companion with 7 churches of Asia in
tribulation
C. the Antichrist?1. I John 2:18,22 MANY anti-Christs already present = a
signal of the "last days"
2. I John 4:4 "ye have overcome THEM"
IV. During this time, Jerusalem will be
trodden under foot, nations will unite
against the city and overcome it.
Great suffering will occur and many will
be carried into captivity; those
remaining will turn to Christ. When the
kings of Earth gather to battle
against the Christians, Jesus will descend
with the saints to deliver the
faithful and destroy the enemy. Thus ends the
tribulation and the power of
the Antichrist.
The BIBLE says:
A. Ephesians 6:10-17 Christians not fighting against flesh and
blood, but spiritual wickedness
B. II Peter 3:10-11 When Jesus comes again, the universe shall be
dissolved
V. Tribulation martyrs are raised to reign
with Jesus and the other saints for
1000 years, during which time Jesus will sit
on the throne of David, having
established his earthly kingdom in Jerusalem.
The BIBLE says:
A. John 18:36 my kingdom is not of this world
B. Jeremiah 22:28-30 no descendant of Coniah shall reign in Judah,
sitting on the throne of David1. Matthew 1:11 Jesus is a descendant of Jeconiah =
Coniah
2. Acts 2:29-31 Jesus is sitting on the throne of David =
resurrection from the dead
VI. The tribes of Israel are restored and
the Lord makes a new covenant with
them. The temple will be completely
rebuilt with Levitical sacrifices
re-established and continued throughout the
1000 year reign.
The BIBLE says:
A. Joshua 21:43-45 all promises to Israel fulfilled
B. Galatians 31. things spiritual (i.e. of Christ) not made complete by
the flesh (the old law) vv. 2-3
2. justification comes through Christ, who redeemed us
from the curse of the old law) vv. 10-14C. Hebrews 8:6-13 why would Jesus re-establish an imperfect,
faulty law which he came to abolish?
VII. After 1000 years - the final judgment will take place.
The BIBLE says:
A. Matthew 25:31-34, 41 the righteous and the wicked shall be
judged at his coming
B. John 5:28-29 all the dead will be raised together for the judgment
VIII. Other considerations:
A. This theory denies the authority of Christ: Matthew 28:18
B. This theory denigrates the importance of the church1. Acts 2:47 the saved are added to the church
2. Acts 20:28 the church was purchased with the blood
of Jesus Christ
3. Ephesians 5:a. Christ is the head of the church and saviour of
the body - v. 23
b. Christ gave himself for the church - v. 25
c. Christ nourishes and cherishes the church - v. 29C. This theory denies that the kingdom is the church
1. Matthew 4:17; Mark 12:34; Luke 10:9-11 kingdom is
nigh or close at hand
2. Matthew 16:28; Mark 9:1 - some would see it
established
3. Matthew 16:18-19; Matthew 18:18 If the kingdom
was not close to being established, why did Jesus give
Peter and the other apostles the keys to it?
4. From Matthew 1 to Acts 2, the kingdom is always
spoken of in the future tense. After Acts 2, it is
spoken of in the past tense. Thus, the kingdom
was established in Acts 2 = the church (v. 47).
5. Some were already in the kingdom in the first century:a. Paul: Acts 28:23 testified of it, not prophesied of it
b. Paul: has translated us into the kingdom - past
tense Colossians 1:13
c. John: a companion in the kingdom - Revelation 1:9
d. the Hebrews: receiving a kingdom which cannot be
moved - Hebrews 12:28