These Last Days: Four Millennial Views David P Murray › users › faithpcacheraw_org › Endtimes_Q_A_by_Davi… · and which will be concluded with these coincidental climactic

Endtimes Q&AThese Last Days: Four Millennial Views

David P Murray

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Introduction

This ebook is an expanded version of “The Four (Main) Millennial Views,” which I presented at the 2010 Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology in Grand Rapids.

Allow me a few explanatory remarks about the format and content. First, in the interests of clarity, precision, simplicity and brevity, the material is presented in question and answer (or “catechism”) format.

Second, I’ve used pictures to illustrate and highlight many points. The link between text and picture is not always obvious, but will be all the more memorable if you can work it out!

Third, I’ve kept proof texts to a minimum, and those I have used are placed in the footnotes to avoid clutter. Many other eschatology books will give you all the necessary scriptural references.

Fourth, as this is only an introduction to the four main millennial views, I have kept things brief. I have also focussed on the mainstream of each view rather than all the variations within each.

Fifth, although I have tried to fairly represent the four main millennial views as well as setting out the strengths and weaknesses of each, I am biased toward amillennialism. My original address was somewhat tilted in favor of amillennialism. This book is more obviously tilted in that direction. However, whatever your millennial view, I hope that this ebook will help you to understand the alternatives better. If I have misrepresented any of the millennial views, I will gladly receive correction.

I am working on an expanded version of this ebook which will deal with the full range of eschatological subjects: death, intermediate state, Qinal judgment, heaven, hell, etc. Check back at my blog, www.headhearthand.posterous.com in the coming months for the full version.

May I thank Dr Rick Phillips for his kind invitation to give this address. It was a privilege to co‐labor with Rick and his colleagues at the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals.

David P Murray(March 2010)

These Last Days (PCRT 2010: Grand Rapids, MI) Four Millennial Views

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1. What is the millennium?

The millennium is the 1000 year reign of Christ and his saints following the binding of Satan, and which, because of many diverse interpretations, has become central to eschatology.

The millennium is the 1000 year reign of Christ and his saints, following the binding of Satan,

A“millennium”isathousandyearperiodoftime(fromLatinmille,thousand,andannus,year).ItistheEnglishtranslationoftwoGreekwordsci,lia e;th,usedsixtimesinRevelation20:1‐7,andnowhereelseintheBible.

…and which, because of many diverse interpretations,

Therearediverseinterpretationsbecauseof:• Differentapproachestotheinterpretationofprophecy:literal,typological,spiritual,acombination,etc.

• DifferentviewsoftherelationshipbetweentheOldandNewTestaments:complementary,contradictory,commentary,etc.

• DifferentwaysofreadingRevelation:sequential,cyclical,symbolic,literal,pasthistory,thepresent,thefuture,etc.

• Desireforsimplicityversuscomplexity

...has become central to eschatology

Thestudyofeschatologyincludesdeath,theintermediatestate,theresurrection,theRinaljudgment,heaven,hell,andthenewheavensandthenewearth.But,becauseofthediversityofviews,themillenniumhastakenupadisproportionateamountoftimecomparedtothesemoreimportantsubjects.

ItwasRandyAlcornwhopointedouthowReformedtheologianshaveespeciallyneglectedheavenintheirwriting.Calvincommendedmeditationonheavenbuthewrotelittleaboutit.WilliamShedd’sthree‐volumeDogmatic Theologyhaseighty‐sevenpagesonhellbutonlytwoonheaven.LouisBerkhof’sSystematic Theologydevotesbutonepageoutof737totheeternalstateofheaven.


1

The millennium is the 1000 year reign of Christ and his saints, following the binding of Satan, and which, because of many diverse interpretations, has become central to eschatology.

2. What are the four main millennial views

The four main millennial views are amillennialism, postmillennialism, historic premillennialism, and dispensational premillennialism.

The four main millennial views are amillennialism,

Thepre'ixespost‐,andpre‐refertoChrist’ssecondcoming.TheydescribethetimingofChrist’sreturntoearth.Willitbeafterthemillennium(post‐millennialism),orbeforethemillennium(pre‐millennialism)?

Amillennialismissometimescalled“now‐millennialism”becauseitbelievesthatthemillennialkingdomisnow.Itbeganwiththe'irstcomingofChristandwillendwithHissecondcoming.

...postmillennialism,

ThefuturemillennialkingdomwillbeagoldenperiodofChristianityonearth,followedbythereturnofChrist.


2

Millennial Kingdom

First Coming of

ChristSecond

Coming of Christ

Second Coming of

ChristMillennial Kingdom

First Coming of

ChristNow

Now

...historic premillennialism,

Christwillreturntosetupagloriousmillennialkingdomonearth

...and dispensational premillennialism.

Likehistoricpremillennialism,dispensationalpremillennialismalsoseesthereturnofChristbeforethemillennialkingdom,butisconsiderablymorecomplicatedinits“timetable”ofevents.


3

Millennial Kingdom

The four main millennial views are amillennialism, postmillennialism, premillennialism, and dispensational premillennialism.

First Coming of

ChristNow

Second Coming of

Christ

3. Are there any similarities between these very different views?

Though these views differ signi1icantly, yet they share important fundamental beliefs, and they have all been held by good and godly Christians.

Though these views differ signi:icantly,

Themaindifferencesconcern:• ThetimingandnatureofChrist’sKingdom• ThetimingandnatureofChrist’ssecondcoming

…yet they share important fundamental beliefs,

Whenhighlightingthedifferences,wewanttorememberhowmuchweshareincommonwiththosewhoholdopposingviews:• TheScripturesaretheinspired,inerrant,andauthoritativeWordofGod• ThedeathofChristwasasacri@icetosatisfydivinejustice• Christistheonlywayofsalvation• SalvationisbygracethroughfaithinChrist• ChristandhisChurchwillconquerthedevilandhisangels• Therewillbeafuture,visible,personalcomingofChrist• Everyindividualwillreceivearesurrectionbody• EveryonewillstandbeforethejudgmentseatofChrist• Therighteouswillberewardedinheavenandthewickedpunishedinhell

...and they have all been held by good and godly Christians.

Whetherwelookatthepastorthepresentwecan@indgodlyChristianswhoheldtoallthedifferentviews:• AmillennialistsincludeAugustine,LouisBerkhof,GeerhardusVos,AbrahamKuyper,WilliamHendriksen.

• PostmillennialistsincludeCharlesHodge,WilliamShedd,RobertDabney,BenjaminWar@ield,IainHMurray.

• PremillennialistsincludeJohnGill,AndrewBonar,RobertMurrayMcCheyne,CharlesSpurgeon,FrancisSchaeffer,GeorgeLadd,DonCarson,AlMohler.

• Premillennialdispensationalistsinclude:JohnWhitcomb,JohnMacarthur,DallasSeminaryFaculty.


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Though these views differ signi1icantly, yet they share important fundamental beliefs, and they have all been held by good and godly Christians.

4. What are the fundamental differences between the four (main) millennial views?

The four (main) millennial views differ in these 8 areas: the length of the 1000 years, the nature of Christ’s kingdom on earth, the relationship between Israel and the Church, the role of the Devil, the tribulation, the endtime signs, the number and timings of the resurrections and of Christ’s coming(s).

The four (main) millennial views differ in these eight areas:

Thereareotherdifferencesbetweentheseviews,andtherearedifferenceswithintheviews,butwearefocusingonthemaindifferencesbetweenthemainstreamrepresentativesofeachview

...the length of the 1000 years,

Isthisasymbolicalnumberforalongperiodoftime,oraliteral1000years?

...the nature of Christ’s kingdom on earth

Isitspiritual,physical,orboth?

...the relationship between Israel and the Church,

IstheChurchtheful>illmentofIsrael,areplacementforIsrael,identicalwithIsrael,ordistinctfromIsrael?

...the role of the devil,

Whenheisbound,whenheisletloose,andwhatcanhedo?

...the tribulation,

Whenisitandwhogoesthroughit?


5

...the endtime signs,

Aretheypast,present,orfuture?Whatistheorderandintensity?

...the number and timings of Christ’s coming(s).

Howmanycomingsandwhatorder?


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The four (main) millennial views differ in these 8 areas: the length of the 1000 years, the nature of Christ’s kingdom on earth, the relationship between Israel and the Church, the role of the Devil, the tribulation, the endtime signs, the number and timings of the resurrections and of Christ’s coming(s).

5. What is amillennialism?

Amillennialism believes that the 1000 years of Revelation 20 is a 6igurative term for Christ’s present kingdom on earth and in heaven between his 6irst and second comings, during which the devil is signi6icantly bound, and which will be concluded with these coincidental climactic endtime signs: the second coming of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, the 6inal judgment, and the everlasting kingdom.

Amillennialism believes that the 1000 years of Revelation 20 is a :igurative term

Revelationisapocalypticliterature,agenrewhichaboundsinsymbolismandimagery.Therefore,amillennialistsregardthe1000yearsofRevelation20>iguratively.Itisalongperiodoftime,thoughnotanunlimitedperiod.

Amillennialismmeansliterally“no‐1000years,”whichseemstoimplythatamillennialistsdonotbelieveinany“1000years.”Theydo,buttheydonotbelieveinaliteral1000yearperiodsometimeinthefuture.That’swhysomeargueforamillennialismtobecalled“now‐millennialism,”becausetheyviewthepresentaspartofthe1000years.

...for Christ’s present kingdom on earth and in heaven

ThekingdomofChristhascome,iscoming,andwillcome.1OldTestamentpropheciesofthekingdomofGodarealreadybeingful>illedasChrist’skingdomcomesonearth,andalsoasHereignsinheaven.

... between his :irst and second comings,

ThereareonlytwocomingsofChristtothisearth,the>irstwaswhenhecameinhumiliation,andthesecondwhenhewillcomeinglorytojudgetheuniverse.Therearenofurthercomings,andthereisnoideaofonecomingintwophases.

...during which the devil is signi:icantly bound,

Christ’s>irstcomingdidbindthedevilsigni>icantly,butnotfullyorforever.Therewillbeafuturebriefunloosingofthedevil.


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1Luke17:20‐21;Matt.12:28;Rom.14:17

...and which will be concluded with coincidental and climactic endtime signs:

ThoughthesignsofthetimesarewithusinthewholeperiodbetweenChrist’s>irstandsecondcomings,thesesignswillintensifyandclimaxbeforethesecondcomingofChrist.Theconclusionoftimewillinvolveaclusterofconcurrentevents:thesecondcomingofChrist,theresurrectionofthedead,the>inaljudgment,andthenewheavensandthenewearth.

...the second coming of Christ,

Christwillcometotheearthonlyonemoretime;toendtimeandtojudgetheworld.

...the resurrection of the dead,

Therewillbeoneresurrection,ageneralresurrectionofallthedead,2whilelivingbelieverswillbetransformedandglori>ied.

...the :inal judgment,

Atthe>inaljudgment,unbelieverswillbeconsignedtoeternalpunishment,whilebelieversinheriteternallifeinthenewheavensandearth.Believerswillalsobejudgedbutnotastodestiny,onlyastothelevelofreward.

...and the everlasting kingdom.

Allthesemajorevents(secondcoming,resurrection,>inaljudgment)willoccurimmediatelybeforethenewheavensandtheneweartharerevealed.


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2John5:28‐29,Acts24:15;Dan.12:2

Amillennialism believes that the 1000 years of Revelation 20 is a 6igurative term for Christ’s present kingdom on earth and in heaven between his 6irst and second comings, during which the devil is signi6icantly bound, and which will be concluded with these coincidental climactic endtime sign: the second coming of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, the 6inal judgment, and the everlasting kingdom.

6. How does an amillennialist interpret Daniel 9:2427?

Daniel 9:2427 is apocalyptic literature that uses 7igurative language to predict the nature, timing and consequences of Christ’s work at His 7irst coming.

Daniel 9:2427

DanielwaswrittenfortheIsraeliteswhohadbeenlivingascaptivesinBabylonforalmostseventyyears.Itwasabout540BCanditlookedasiftheBabyloniangodshaddefeatedtheGodofIsraelandtheIsraelofGod.Eighty‐two‐year‐oldDanielwrotetocorrectthisfalseimpression.Thestructureofthebookis:

• Chapters 16:Faithfullivingineviltimes(historicalnarrativesaboutDaniel’sgodlylifeinBabylon)

• Chapters 712:Forwardlookingineviltimes(dreamsandvisionsaboutthefuture)

Oneday,asDanielwasreadingtheprophecyofJeremiahaboutaseventy‐yearexileforIsrael,1theangelGabrielappearedtohimwithamessageaboutanotherseventy.Ineffect,Gabrielsaid,“Daniel,you’vebeenthinkingabouttheseventyyearsofexileforGod’speople.Wellthat’snottheonlyseventyinGod’sprogramforJerusalem.Inseventyperiodsofseven,Jerusalemwillwitnessevengreaterthings.”

...is apocalyptic literature

Ezekiel,DanielandRevelationarefullofapocalypticlanguage,characterizedbysymbolism,visions,allegories,parables,andsymbolicactions.Usuallythereisasharpdistinctionbetweentheheavenlyandearthyspheres.Theliteraturetakesapessimisticviewoftheearthlysphere,andusuallycentershopeintheheavenlyrealm,fromwhichsalvationwillcome.

...that uses @igurative language

TheBibleuses“seven”asaUigureofperfection,and“ten”asaUigureofcompletion.Therefore,Daniel’s“seventysevens”isaperfectandcompleteperiodoftime.JustasforgivingseventytimessevenisaUigureforcompleteandperfectforgiveness,soDaniel’s“seventysevens”isthe“decreed”periodinwhichthegreatestworkofGodisbroughttocompleteperfection.


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1 Jeremiah25:8‐11;29:10‐14

...to predict the nature...of Christ’s work at His @irst coming.

DanielportraysthisgreatestworkofGod,Christ’sredemption,withthreenegativesandthreepositives.2

Thenegatives• ToUinishthetransgression:sinwillbroughtundercontrolsothatitnolongerreignstothesameextent

• Tomakeanendof(lit. sealup)sins:sinwillbesecurelylockedup• Tomakereconciliationfor(lit. cover)iniquity:Whensiniscovereditisatonedfor

Thepositives• Tobringineverlastingrighteousness:Godwillbeinginarighteousnessfromwithout,eternalinoriginandduration

• Tosealup(lit. authenticate)thevisionandprophecy:God’sWordwillbeaccreditedandattestedbytheseevents

• ToanointtheMostHoly:GodwillqualifyandenableHisSon,the“HolyofHolies”forhiscentralroleandhugeresponsibilitiesinthisgreatworkofredemption.

...to predict the timing...of Christ’s work at His @irst coming

Danieldividesthe“seventysevens”intothreedivisions3

• 7 sevens:Amediumperiodoftime(@460to410BC)whichbeganwhenArtarxerxesgavethecommandtorebuildJerusalem.Danieldescribesthisas“thegoingforthofthecommandmenttorestoreandtobuildJerusalem.”ThisrestorationandrebuildingoccurredunderEzraandNehemiah.

• 62 sevens:Amuchlongerperiodoftime(@410BCto30AD)whichbeganwithJerusalemrebuiltandrestored,andUinishedwithChrist’sUirstcomingand,morespeciUically,withthebeginningofHispublicministry.

• 1 seven:Arelativelyshortperiodoftime(@30AD)whichbeganwithChrist’sUirstcoming(especiallythebeginningofHispublicministry)andincludedHislife,deathandresurrection.


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2Daniel9:243Daniel9:25‐27

...and to predict the consequences of Christ’s work at His @irst coming.

After7+62sevens(69sevens),orinthemiddleoftheseventiethseven,“Messiahwillbecutoff,”aphraseusedbothfordeathandforratifyingacovenant.This“cuttingoff”willbeforthebeneUitofothers,“notforhimself,”anditwill“conUirmthecovenantwithmany.”Thecovenantofgrace,asrevealedthroughthecovenantswithAdam,Noah,Abraham,Moses,andDavid,andasfurtherprophesiedbyJeremiah,willbefulUilledbytheMessiah.

Inthemiddleoftheseventiethseven,Messiahwillcausethewholetempleworshiptocease,toberenderedunnecessarybyHisdeathandresurrection.ThetemplesacriUicesdidnotactuallyceaseuntilJerusalemwasdesolatedbyTitusin70AD,butthatwasreallyjusttheoutwardmanifestationofwhathadalreadyhappenedinGod’seyes.InGod’seyes,Christ’sdeathrenderedthesacriUicialsystemunnecessaryandover.So,althoughtheJewscontinuedtorejectChrist’ssacriUiceandofferanimalsacriUices,Godviewedthisas“theoverspreadingofabominations,”forwhichHewouldpunishthemwithdesolation.“Thepeopleoftheprincethatshallcomeshalldestroythecityandthesanctuary:andtheendthereofshallbewithaUlood.”4


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4Daniel9:26

Daniel 9:2427 is apocalyptic literature that uses 7igurative language to predict the nature, timing and consequences of Christ’s work at His 7irst coming.

7. How does an amillennialist interpret Matthew 24?

In Matthew 24, Jesus uses the classic prophetic methods of foreshortening and typology to predict not only the near judgment of Jerusalem, but also the continuing course of world history, and the climactic judgment of the world.

In Matthew 24, Jesus uses the classic prophetic methods of foreshortening

Whenyoulookatamountainrangefromadistance,mountainpeakswhichareseparatedbymanymilescansometimeslookasiftheyarerightbesideoneanother.It’sonlywhenyougetclosertothepeaksthatthedistancebetweenthembecomesmoreobvious.

Inasimilarmanner,whentheOldTestamentprophetslookedaheadtheysometimessaweventsseparatedbymanyyearsasiftheywererightbesideoneanother.It’sonlyastimegetsclosertothepredictedeventsthatthedistancebetweenthembecomesobvious.Thisissometimescalled“propheticforeshortening.”“Thewidelyseparatedmountainpeaksofhistoriceventsmergeandareseenasone.”1

InMatthew24,JesuspresentsthefuturefallofJerusalemin70ADandtheendoftheworldasintertwined.ButastimegetsclosertothepredictedfallofJerusalem,theeventsareseenasseparatedbytime.

...and typology to predict

OneofthereasonswhyJesusandtheprophetsusedpropheticforeshorteningwastoteachthattheKirsteventwasa“type”ofthelatter.Itwasasmallerpropheticpictureofalargerfutureevent.WhentheKirsteventoccurred,thenwecouldlearnbetterwhatthelargereventwouldbelike.Forexample,theOldTestamentprophetsusedtheexodusofIsraelfromEgypt,asatypeoftheexodusofIsraelfromBabylonin538BC.

InMatthew24,JesuspresentstheeventssurroundingtheendofJerusalemin70ADasatype,apropheticpicture,ofthechurch’sexperienceinallages,climaxingintheeventssurroundingtheendoftheageitself.Usingthepaletteandcolorsofimminentevents(thedestructionofJerusalembytheRomans),Jesuspaintedavividpictureofthefuture:ongoingenemyoppositiontogetherwithongoingdivinejudgmentsontheseenemies,oppositionanddestructionthatwouldclimaxandreachitshighestheightattheendoftime.


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1WHendriksen,Commentary on Matthew,846.

...not only the near judgment of Jerusalem,

JesusisdeKinitelyreferringtojudgmentonthephysicalcityofJerusalem.“LetthemwhichbeinJudaeaKleeintothemountains.”2

...but also the continuing course of world history,

JesusmovesbeyondJerusalemandbeyondHisagetotellthedisciplesthat“thisgospelofthekingdomshallbepreachedinalltheworldforawitnessuntoallnations.”3ButthefuturewillnotjustseeongoingexpansionoftheGospelKingdom,therewillalsobewars,famines,earthquakes,persecution,falseprophets,andapostasy.“Buttheendisnotyet,”and“thesearethebeginningofsorrows.”4Inotherwords,theseeventswillcontinuethroughoutallhistory.Theywillnotjustmarktheendofhistory.However,theywillincreaseandintensifytowardstheendofhistory.

...and the climactic judgment of the world.

JesusdoesnotstopeitherwiththefallofJerusalemorcontinuingcourseofworldhistory.Hegoesontospeakoftheendofallworldcitiesandallworldhistory.“Thenshalltheendcome...AndthenshallappearthesignoftheSonofmaninheaven:andthenshallalltribesoftheearthmourn,andtheyshallseetheSonofmancominginthecloudsofheavenwithpowerandgreatglory.Andheshallsendhisangelswithagreatsoundofatrumpet,andtheyshallgathertogetherhiselectfromthefourwinds,fromoneendofheaventotheother.”5

WemustrememberthecontextofthisprophecywasJesus’predictionofthetemple’sdestruction,andthedisciple’squestions:“Tellus,whenshallthesethingsbe?andwhatshallbethesignofthycoming,andoftheendoftheworld?”6So,wecanexpectananswerthatwilldealnotjustwiththedestructionofJerusalem,butalsooftheendoftheworld.Andthat’sexactlywhatweget,withtheonebeingatypeoftheother.Thedisciplesconnectthetwoeventschronologically,butJesusconnectsthemtypologically.ThatalsoKitsthemainemphasisofMatthew24‐25whichisthenecessityofreadiness.


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2Matt.24:163Matt.24:144Matt.24:6,85Matt.24:14,29‐316Matt.24:2,3

WemaystructureMatthew24:1‐51asfollows:

v. 13: TheBigQuestionv. 414: TheRestofHistoryinOutlinev. 1528: TheRestofHistoryinDetailv. 2931: TheEndofHistoryv. 3251: Application:Beready

Eachofthesesectionsconcludewithafocusontheendoftheworld,butasthesectionsprogress,theendcomesmoreandmoreintoview.

ThegreatestdifKicultywiththisinterpretationishowtointerpretJesus’concludingwords:“VerilyIsayuntoyou,Thisgenerationshallnotpass,tillallthesethingsbefulKilled.”7Therearefourwaysofexplainingthis.

First,“thisgeneration”isallmankind(orallbelievers)and“allthesethings”iseverythinguntilChrist’ssecondcoming.However,itwouldseemsuperKluoustosaythatmankind,orbelievers,orallthingswouldcontinueuntiltheynolongercontinue.

Second,“thisgeneration”isallpeoplelivingatthattimeand“allthesethings”aretheendofJerusalemortheendoftheworld.ThisinterpretationimpliesthatJesusmadeamistake.IfHemeanttheendofJerusalem,thenHismistakewasinsayingthattheGospelwouldbepreachedtoallnationsbeforethen.IfHemeanttheendoftheworld,thenHismistakewasinsayingthatpeopleofthatgenerationwouldstillbealivethen.WerejectbothpossibilitiesbecauseJesus,asGod,couldnotmakeamistake.

Third,“thisgeneration”meanstheJewsasaraceofpeople,and“allthesethings”aretheend‐timesigns.However,ifJesusmeantthis,HecouldhavechosentheGreekwordmostcommonlyusedfora“raceofpeople,”or“successivegenerations,”ratherthanthemoreambiguouswordhediduse.

Thefourthinterpretation,andtheoneIfavor,isthat“thisgeneration”meanstheJewsofChrist’sdayand“allthesethings”islimitedtotheendofJerusalem.Thisrequiresaswitchoftimezonesbetweenverses35and36.

ThatdoesKitthewidercontext,asJesushasalreadybeenswitchingfromonetimezonetoanother,fromtheneardestructionofJerusalemtothemoredistantendoftheworld,withtheformerbeingatypeforthelatter.So,ashemovestoapplication,fromverse32onwards,heswitchesagainbetweentheknownperiodofJerusalem’sdestruction(v.32‐35),totheunknowndayoftheworld’sdestruction(v.36ff).

Theimmediatecontextalsosupportsthisdistinction.LookathowJesusintroducestheswitch:“Butofthatdayandhourknowethnoman,no,nottheangelsofheaven,butmyFatheronly.”HeiscontrastingtheknownandnearerJerusalemdestruction(v.32‐35)withtheunknownandmoredistantdestructionoftheworld(v.36ff).ItisalsosigniKicantthathetalksoftheworld’sendasa“dayandhour”whichKitsthelastdayandhourmorethanthedestructionofJerusalemwhichwasovermanydaysandhours.


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7Matt24:34

Insummary:

v. 3235BereadybecausetheimminentdaysofJerusalem’sendisknownv. 3651Bereadybecausethedayoftheworld’sendisunknown


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In Matthew 24, Jesus uses the classic prophetic methods of foreshortening and typology to predict not only the near judgment of Jerusalem, but also the continuing course of world history, and the climactic judgment of the world.

8. What is the message of the book of Revelation?

The message of Revelation is that Christ and His Church will defeat the Devil and his armies.

RevelationwaswrittenbytheApostleJohnafterthefallofJerusalem,sometimearound80‐90AD.TheearlyChurchfatherIrenaeustestiCiedthatitwaswrittennotlongbeforehisownday“towardtheendofDomitian’sreign”(81‐96AD).Bythen,theRomanEmpirehaddevelopedintothegreatopponentandpersecutoroftheChurch,1andJohnhadbeenbanished,averycommonformofpersecutionduringDomitian’sreign.ThelaterdatealsoreClectstheagewhenEphesushadalreadylostitsCirstloveandSardiswasalready“dead.”

ButdespitealltheoppositiontotheChurch,bothfromwithinandwithout,ChristandHisChurchwillconquerallenemies:death,hell,thedragon,thebeast,thefalseprophet,andthemenwhoworshipthebeast.AnddespitetemporaryafCliction,theChurchwillemergewashed,victorious,triumphantandreigninginthenewheavensandthenewearth.

RevelationwaswrittennotonlyforJohn’sgenerationbutforallsubsequentgenerationsofChristians,whoalsowouldsufferintheongoingafClictionsoftheChurchinthisworld.


16

1Rev.17:9

The message of Revelation is that Christ and His Church will defeat the Devil and his armies.

9. What is the structure of the Book of Revelation?

Revelation is composed of seven parallel sections describing the period between Christ’s 8irst and second comings.

WilliamHendriksendividedRevelationintothefollowingparallelsections:1

1. Christ in the midst of the seven candlesticks: the church in the world (chs. 13) Assevenisthebiblicalnumberforcompleteness,thesevenchurchesrepresentthecompletechurchofChristthroughtheages.Thesevenchurchesarenotsevenperiodsoftimebutsevenspiritualconditionswhichareconstantlyrepeatedinthelifeofeverychurch.

2. The book with seven seals: the church persecuted by the world (47) Aseachsealisopened,God’sprovidencerevealssufferingandpersecutionforthechurch.HoweverthisisagainstthebackdropofChrist’svictoriousdeathandresurrection,2andendswiththetwosidesofGod’sEinaljudgment.3

3. The seven trumpets of judgment: the church victorious over the world (811)Thissectionpresentsthechurchasavenged,protectedandultimatelyvictorious.ItclimaxesagainwiththeEinaljudgment.4

4. The woman, the child, the dragon: Christ persecuted by the devil and his helpers (1214)ThissectionbeginswithChrist’sEirstcomingasSavior,5andendswithHissecondcomingasJudge.6Inbetween,theEiveenemiesofthechurchareintroduced:thedragon,thebeastoutofthesea,thebeastoutoftheearth,thegreatharlot,andthementhathavethemarkofthebeast.

5. The seven bowls of wrath: Christ judging the devil and His helpers (1516)Thereareveryclearparallelsbetweenthetrumpetsinthethirdsectionandthebowlshere,7indicatingthatthisisthesameperiodoftimepresentedindifferentimagery.Liketheprevioussections,thisonealsoconcludeswiththeEinaljudgment.8

6. The fall of the harlot and beasts: Christ defeating the dragon’s helpers (1719)BabylonrepresentstheworldwithoutGodandtheworldagainstGod.Butsheandallhersupportersshallfall,especiallyatthesecondcomingofChristandtheEinaljudgment.9


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1WilliamHendriksen,More than Conquerors.25:5,636:12‐17;7:9‐17411:15,18512:5614:14‐157Trumpet/bowlparallel:Earth(8:7,16:2),sea(8:8,16:3),rivers(8:10,16:4),sun(8:12,16:8),pit/abyss/throneofbeast(9:1‐2,16:10),Euphrates(9:14,16:12),secondcomingtojudge(11:15,16:16‐17)816:20919:11,19,20

7. The judgment on the dragon: Christ victorious over the dragon (2022)Justaschapter11endedwiththeEinaljudgment,andchapter12tookusbacktotheEirstcomingofChrist,sochapter19endswiththeEinaljudgmentandchapter20takesusbackagaintotheEirstcomingofChrist.JustassectionsEiveandsixendedwithreferencestoaEinalbattle,sothislastsectionalsoreferstoTHEbattle.10

ConclusionThebookofRevelationconsistsofsevensections,eachdescribingthesameperiodoftime‐startingwiththeEirstcomingofChristandconcludingwithHissecondandEinalcoming.However,thoughthesectionsdescribethesameeventsinthesameperiodoftime,thereisdevelopmentwithinthebook.First,thougheverysectionconcludeswiththeEinaljudgment,thereisanincreasinglyintensefocusonitasthebookunfolds.Second,thebookmovesfromthevisiblesurfaceconElictbetweenthechurchandtheworldinsections1‐3,tothemoreinvisibleunderlyingconElictbetweenChristandthedragoninsections4‐7.


17

1016:14;19:19;20:8

Revelation is composed of seven parallel sections describing the period between Christ’s 8irst and second comings.

10. What are the biblical presuppositions for the amillennial interpretation of Revelation 20?

Amillennialists believe in the spiritualliteral ful3illment of the Old Testament prophecies, the synchronization of endtime events, and a belief in one unchanging and unfailing plan of God.

Amillennialists believe in the spiritualliteral ful<illment of the Old Testament prophecies,

OldTestamentpropheciesportraythefutureKingdomofGodinveryphysicalterms.Amillennialistshavebeencriticizedforinterpretingthesedescriptionsinapurelyspiritualorheavenlyway.Amillennialistshaverespondedtothiswithamorenuancedinterpretationofthesepassages.Theybeginwithspiritualful>illmentatthe>irstcomingofChrist.1Buttheygoontoseenotjustspiritualbutalsophysicalful>illmentasthekingdomofChristspreadsthroughouttheearth.Andtheyconcludewithaveryliteralandphysicalful>illmentwithChristandHispeoplereigningoverthenewheavensandthenewearth.

...the synchronization of endtime events,

Amillennialistsseeonlytwoages,thepresenttemporaryage,andthe>inaleternalagetocome.Theydonotseeanyageinbetweenthese.TheybasethisontheverseswhichteachthatthesecondcomingwillbeimmediatelyfollowedbythesecondcomingofChrist,thedissolutionoftheoldearth,andthecreationofthenew.2

...and a belief in one unchanging and unfailing plan of God.

AmillennialistsdonotseedifferentmessagesintheOldandNewTestament.Theydonotseedifferentmessagesfordifferentpeoplegroups.TheyseeonemessageintheOldandNewTestamentandonemessageforbothJewsandGentiles.GoddidnotchangeHisplans.


19

1Luke17:20‐212Matt.25:31‐46;Acts3:19‐21;2Pet.3:10‐13

Amillennialists believe in the spiritualliteral ful3illment of the Old Testament prophecies, the synchronization of endtime events, and a belief in one unchanging and unfailing plan of God.

11. When are the “1000 years” of Revelation 20?

The “1000 years” is .igurative language for the period and events between Christ’s 1st and 2nd comings, both on earth and in heaven.

The “1000 years” is 9igurative language

Nomillennialviewbelievesinaliteralkeyorchain,becauseyoucannotbindaspiritwithsomethingphysicallikeachain.1OtherScripturepassagesalsouse“1000”@iguratively.2

...for the period and events between Christ’s 1st and 2nd comings,

10anditsmultiplesaresymbolsofcompleteness(e.g10commandments,10plagues,etc.).So1000yearsisthelengthycompleteperiodbetweenChrist’s@irstandsecondcomings.

(and events) both on earth and in heaven.

Revelation20:1‐3describe“1000years”ofthedevil’sactivityonearth,havingbeenbound.Verses7‐10focusonthedevil’sactivityonearth,havingbeenbrie@[email protected]‐6areaparenthesisdescribingwhathappensinheavenduringthe“1000years.”ThereisnottheslightesthintthatthispassageisconnectedwiththeOldTestamentpropheciesofnationalgloryforIsrael.Whatwehaveisacontrastbetweenthegloriousexperienceofthemartyrsinheavenwiththetribulationthatbelieversonearthhavetopassthroughforatime.


20

1Rev.20:1‐22Deut.7:9;Ex.20:5‐6;Ps.50:10‐11;Ps.84:10

The “1000 years” is .igurative language for the period and events between Christ’s 1st and 2nd comings, both on earth and in heaven.

12. What happens during the 1000 years on earth?

Christ’s death and resurrection devastates the devil’s ability to deceive the nations until close to the end of time.

Christ’s death and resurrection devastates the devil’s ability

Johnsays,“Isawanangel...”1Therearefourreasonstoviewthis“angel”astheSonofGod.First,“angel”isliterally“messenger.Sothisisaheavenlymessengerwithamessage.Second,theSonofGodappearsasan“angel”elsewhereinRevelation.2Third,Hecomeswithakeyandagreatchain,symbolsofjudicialauthorityandability.Fourth,atitanicbattleispresentedbyusingthe“SonofGodversusSatan”languageofMatthew12:28‐29.3

InMatthew12:28‐29,Christdevastatesthedevil’sabilitiesbybindinghimandcastinghimout,thesametwoverbsusedtodescribetheworkofthe“angel”inRevelation20:2‐3.ThisviewofhowChrist’slifeanddeathdevastatedthedevilisalsoechoedbytheapostles.4

SoRevelation20:1‐10describethetwoclimacticpointsinChrist’svictoryoverSatan:victoryatHisQirstcoming(thecross),andvictoryathissecondcoming(theend).

...to deceive the nations

“But,”yousay,“theDevilseemsfarfromboundandcastouttome!”That’swhyitisimportanttoconsiderthestatedearthlyeffectofthebinding:itstopshimfromdeceivingthenations.5Thedevilisdevastatedbutnotyetdestroyed.HeisboundinsomesigniQicantways,butnotinothers.Heisgreatlyrestricted,butnotparalyzed.Hecanstilltroublesoulsanddodamage,buthecannolongerpreventtheinternationalspreadoftheGospel,hecannotdestroythechurch,andhecannotunitethenationsunderantichrist(yet).Heisnotpowerlessnorinactive.Herageslikeachaineddog.Butinsteadofthenationsconqueringthechurch,thechurchspreadsthroughthenationsbytheGospel(incontrasttomuchmorelimitedspreadpre‐Christ).ThisdoesnotmeanthattheworldwillbeChristianized,northattherewillbea1000yearperiodofworldpeaceandprosperity.Theworldwillbeamixtureofgoodandevil,warandpeace,untilChristreturns.6However,thekingdomiscominginawaythatitneverdidnorcouldbeforeChrist’sdeath.


21

1Rev.20:12Rev.1:13‐15;10:13cf.John12:31‐3241Cor.15:26;Heb.2:14‐15;1John3:85Rev.20:36Matt.13:24‐43;24:37‐39

...until close to the end of time.

Thischaininglasts“untilthethousandyearsshouldbefulQilled:andafterthathemustbeloosedalittleseason.”7Neartheendoftime,Godwillreleasethedevilfromhischainandallowhimto“goouttodeceivethenations”again.8But,attheend,thebindingwillbemadeperfectandcomplete.9


22

7Rev.20:3,78Rev.20:89Rev.20:9‐10

Christ’s death and resurrection devastates the devil’s ability to deceive the nations until close to the end of time.

13. What happens during the 1000 years in heaven?

The souls of glori-ied saints are spiritually resurrected to live, reign, and judge with Christ in perfect holiness and happiness, while the rest of the dead experience the second death.

The souls of glori:ied saints...

Withthewords,“AndIsawthrones...”1Johntransitionsfromanearthlyscenetoaheavenly.“Throne”ismentioned47timesinRevelation,andallbutthreeofthesearesituatedinheaven.TheheavenlylocationisconBirmedbyJohnsayinghesaw“thesoulsofthemthatwerebeheadedforthewitnessofJesus.”Sometimes“souls”canmeanwholepersons,2butthe“souls”inRevelation20havebeenbeheadedandarenolongerinthebody.And,althoughthecontextualfocusisonthemartyrsofJohn’sday,theyarerepresentativeofallthereigningsaintsintheintermediatestate‐thatblessedconditionbetweenearthlydeathandfullheavenlygloriBicationinthebody.ThepromiseofRevelation3:21isbeingfulBilled:“TohimthatovercomethwillIgranttositwithmeinmythrone,evenasIalsoovercame,andamsetdownwithmyFatherinhisthrone.”

are spiritually resurrected to live with Christ

TheseChristian“souls”hadlivedanddiedfortheGospel.HavingrefusedtogiveupthetestimonyofJesus,ortoreceivethe“markofthebeast,”theywereputtodeath.However,Johnraiseshiseyesfromthatsceneofearthlybloodshedtoheavenlygloryandseesthesesame“souls”nowlivingandreigningwithChrist.Theyarecontrastedwith“therestofthedead”inverseBive.Boththesoulsthat“livedwithChrist”and“therestofthedead”haddied,buttheirexperienceafterdeathcouldnotbemoredifferent.

AfterdeaththeChristiansouls“lived,”whichcanmean“theycametolife.”Comparedtoearthlyexistence,enteringheavenislikeacomingtolife,likearesurrection,asthesoulleaves

thisworldofdeath,ispurgedfromsin,andisBittedforheavenlycommunion.ItistruethattheGreekverbbehind“lived”isoftenusedforbodilyresurrection.However,itisalsousedfornon‐bodilyorspiritualresurrection.3ThusJohndescribesthiscomingtoheavenofbelieversas“theBirstresurrection.”“Onsuchtheseconddeathhathnopower.”4TheBirstdeathisthephysicaldeathofthebeliever.Theseconddeathisthesoulineternaltorments.ThebelieverpassesthroughtheBirstdeath,butneverthesecond.Insummary,justasBirstandseconddeathrefertodifferentdegreesofdeath,sotheBirstandsecondresurrection


23

1Revelation20:42Acts2:413Luke20:38;Rev.13:14;John5:254Rev.20:6

describedifferentstagesofeternallife.Bodilyresurrection,thesecondresurrectionforbelievers,ismentionedlaterinthechapter,5whenthe1000yearsends.

...to reign and judge with Christ,

ChristiansreignwithChristinheaven.Theyshareintheglory,beneBitsandactivitiesofHisreignthroughoutthe1000years.TheyalsojudgewithChrist.InHisroleasjudge,Christsharesinformationwiththem,consultsthem,andevenperhapsdelegatessomejudgmenttothem.

...in perfect holiness and happiness,

“BlessedandholyishethathathpartintheBirstresurrection.”6Whatarewardafterthesufferingsofthislife!Tolive,reignandjudgewithChrist!

...while the rest of the dead experience the second death.

Incontrastwiththedeadwho“lived,”whoexperiencedthisBirstresurrection,the“restofthedeadlivednotagainuntilthethousandyearswereBinished.”7“Until...”doesnotmeanthattherestofthedeadwereunconsciousornon‐existent.Andneitherdoesitmeanthattheirconditionchangedattheendofthethousandyears.Itsimplymeansthattheydidnotcometoenjoythelifethatbelieversenjoyedwhentheydied,andthatlosslastedthroughouttheperiodbetweenChrist’sBirstandsecondcomings.Johnisonlyspeakingofwhathappensinthethousandyears,notwhathappensafterward.

Tosummarize,thebelieverexperiencesonedeaththentworesurrections‐theBirstspiritual,thesecondphysical.Theunbelieverexperiencestwodeaths‐theBirstphysical,thesecondspiritualandeternal‐andoneresurrection‐whenthebodyisresurrectedtojoinhissoulineternaldeath.


24

5Rev.20:11‐136Rev.20:57Rev.20:5.

The souls of glori-ied saints are spiritually resurrected to live, reign, and judge with Christ in perfect holiness and happiness, while the rest of the dead experience the second death.

14. What will happen at the end of the 1000 years?

At the end of the 1000 years, the devil will be released to deceive and stir up the nations against the church, but the Lord will return to deliver the church, resurrect all, and ;inally and fully bind the devil.

At the end of the 1000 years the devil will be released, to deceive and stir up all nations against the church,

Neartheendofthe1000years,thedevilwillbetemporarilyreleasedwithminimalrestriction.1Christwillunbindhimandlethimgoforatime.Thiswillresultinseriousdeceptionandseverepersecution.GogandMagogweretwowell‐knownpagankingswhofoughtagainsttheJewsinOldTestamenttimes.InRevelation20:8theyareusedassymbolsfortheIinalattackofthedevilandhisarmiesagainsttheChurch.AntichristwillrisetoleadtheforcesofevilinaviolentpersecutionofChristianity,2whichwillresultinlarge‐scaleandwidespreadapostasyfromtheChristianfaith.3Thiswillallclimaxinonelastbattle,alreadyreferredtoinRevelation.4Intheseearlierreferences,welearnedwhatwouldhappentotheheathenkings,andtothefalseprophet.ButherewediscoverwhathappenstoSatanasaresultofthebattle.

...but the Lord will return to deliver the church,

Attheclimaxofthislastbattle,whenitappearsthatSatanandhisarmiesareonthevergeofvictory,Christwillappearintriumphantglory,5todeliverthechurchanddestroyallhisenemies.

...resurrect all,

Afterwinningthisclimacticbattle,theLordwillraiseallpeoplefromtheirgravesfortheIinaljudgment.6Thisbodilyresurrectionisasingleeventforallpeople.


25

1Rev.20:3,7‐92Rev.20:9;Matt.24:6‐14,21,2232Thess.2:3‐12;1Tim.4:1‐2;2Tim.3:1‐6;Lk.18:84Rev.20:8;16:14;19:19.5Rev.20:9ff;Matt.24:306Rev.20:10‐15

...and ?inally and fully bind the devil

SohistoryendswiththedefeatofSatan,andChristonHisgreatwhitethrone.Thegreatestmanifestationofwickednesswillformthebackdroptothegreatestmanifestationofgrace.


26

At the end of the 1000 years the devil will be released to deceive and stir up the nations against the church, but the Lord will return to deliver the church, resurrect all, and ;inally and fully bind the devil.

15. What are the strengths of amillennialism?

Amillennialism is relatively simple, it interprets the obscure in the light of the clear, does justice to the powerful effect of Christ’s <irst coming, <its “few <ind it” language, and represents the Kingdom of God as eternal not temporal.

Amillennialism is relatively simple,

AfterthedetailinthelastfewQ&A’s,itmaynotseemsimple.However,believeme,comparedtosomeofthemillennialviews,thisiselementaryschoollevel!WheneverourinterpretationoftheBiblegetsover‐complicated,weshouldbeasking,“DidGodintendtheBibleonlytobeunderstoodbylearnedscholars?”

...it interprets the obscure in the light of the clear,

AmillennialismdoesnotbuilditswholetheologyononequiteobscurepassageinRevelation20.Itisnotaconclusiveargumentagainstadoctrinetosaythatitonlyappearsononeplace.Evenifitonlyappearsinoneverse,weshouldbelieveit.However,itisvalidtoseriouslyquestionifGodwouldreallyhaveleftsuchavitallyimportantdoctrineasafuturemillennialreignofChristonearthtoonelate(andhighlydebated)chapteroftheBible.Itisbettertostartwithmultipleclearversesandinterprettherarerobscurepassagesinthelightofthat,ratherthanviceversa.

...does justice to the powerful effect of Christ’s Airst coming,

SomemillennialviewsthatemphasizeafuturegloriouskingdomofChristonearth(spiritualorphysical),tendtominimizetheimpactofChrist’sSirstcomingonthedevil,theworldandthechurch.Amillennialismgivesastrongeraccountofthis,withitsemphasisonthedevilbeingboundandthekingdomofGodalreadygrowingandspreadingthroughoutthenations.


27

...Aits “few Aind it” language,

ThereareverseswhichseemtoteachthatrelativelyfewatmostpointsinhistorywillSindthenarrowwaytoChrist.1Also,JesushimselfasksifhewillSindfaithontheearthwhenhereturns.2Amillennialismdoesnotruleouttimesofrevival.NeitherdoesitruleoutafuturereturnoftheJewstoChrist,whichwillhavearevivingeffectonthechurch.However,itislessoptimisticabouttheprospectofsomefuturegoldenageofChristianityontheearth.

...and represents the Kingdom of God as eternal not temporal.

TheBiblepresentsthekingdomofGodaseternalnottemporal.3ThisviewofthekingdomalsoSitsthegeneralthemeofRevelationwhichistolookup,beyondthisworld;andtolookahead,beyondtime.


28

1Matt.7:142Luke18:831Sam.9:7;Dan.7:14;Lk.1:33;Heb.1:8

Amillennialism is relatively simple, it interprets the obscure in the light of the clear, does justice to the powerful effect of Christ’s <irst coming, <its “few <ind it” language, and represents the Kingdom of God as eternal not temporal.

16. What are the weaknesses of amillennialism?1

Amillennialism has been criticized for misinterpreting Revelation 20 and Matthew 24, for underestimating the devil’s present power, and for cultivating unbiblical pessimism and careless complacency.

Amillennialism has been criticized for misinterpreting Revelation 20,

Thiscriticismisusuallyfocusedin3iveareas:

1.AmillennialistsmaketoomuchofthemillenniumonlybeinginonechapteroftheBible

TheBibleonlyneedstoteachsomethingonceforustobelieveit,andprogressiverevelationexplainswhythiswasleftuntiltheend.Alsothereareotherpassageswhichspeakofabetterstatethanthis,butwhichfallsshortoftheeternalage.2

2.Obscurityisaresultofspiritualizingtheliteral

Theallegedobscuritythatamillennialistssaythey3indinRevelation20istheresultofspiritualizingwhatistobetakenliterally.

3.TheeventsofRevelationalltakeplaceonearth

Theangelcamedownfromheaventoearthandclearlydoesworkintheearthlyrealm(v.1‐3).

4.Twodifferentinterpretationsof“lived”

“...andtheylivedandreignedwithChristathousandyears”(v.4).“Therestofthedeadlivednotagainuntilthethousandyearswere3inished”(v.5).Asamillennialistssayversefourmeans“believerscometoheavenlylife,”dotheybelievethatthetherestofthedead,theunbelievers,“cometoheavenlylife”attheendofthethousandyears?

5.“Resurrection”nevermeansthesoulgoingtoheaven

“Resurrection”isalwaysusedofthebody.ThisexactverbisusedofJesus’bodilyresurrectioninRevelation2:8.

and (misinterpreting) Matthew 24

ItrequiresexegeticalgymnasticstomakeMatthew243itamillennialism.Insteadofonesustainedandchronologicalnarrative,itrequiresmultipleswitchbacksfrompresenttofutureandbackagain,fromJerusalemtoworldandbackagain.


29

1IfyourefertopreviousQ&A’syouwill3indthesecriticismsanswered.2Ps.72:8‐14;Isa.11:2‐9;65:20;1Cor.15:23‐24;Rev.2:27;12:5

...for underestimating the devil’s present power,

Thedevilisdescribedas“bound,”“castout,”“shutup,”“sealed,”whichseemsmoreextensivethanthepastorpresentresultsofChrist’s3irstcoming.Itismorelikeatotalremovalfromin3luenceontheearth.ButSatan’sactivityontheearthisstillverystrong.3Evenifweaccepttheamillenniallimitationtothedeceptionofthenations,thatalsoishappeningevennow.

...and for cultivating unbiblical pessimism

SomecriticspointtoRomans9‐11andprotest,“HowcanthefutureconversionoftheJewsbelifefromthedeadandbringuntoldblessingstotheworldifthingsarealwaysgettingworseandworse?”

and careless complacency.

Perhapsthemostpowerfulcriticismofamillennialismisthedif3icultyofpreservingasenseoftheimminenceofChrist’ssecondcoming?IftherearestillthingstohappenliketheconversionoftheJews,theriseofantichrist,orthemuchgreaterintensi3icationofthesignsofthetimes,howcanyouavoidChristians(andevenunbelievers)slippingintocarelesscomplacency?


30

31Pet.5:8;1Jn.4:3;5:19

Amillennialism has been criticized for misinterpreting Revelation 20 and Matthew 24, for underestimating the devil’s present power, and for cultivating unbiblical pessimism and careless complacency.

17. What is postmillennialism?

Postmillennialism believes that many of the signs of the times have been ful3illed, and that the thousand years is a 3igurative term for a future golden age of Christianity on earth, when the devil will be almost totally bound and the earth almost totally Christianized, followed by a brief period of Satanic loosing and the Lord’s return to earth for the 3inal judgment.

Postmillennialism believes that many of the signs of the times have been ful9illed,

Mostpostmillennialistsbelievetherewillbea2inalapostasyattheendofhumanhistory,althoughitdoesnottendtobeasseriousorsigni2icantasthatenvisagedbyamillennialistsbeforeChrist’ssecondcoming.

Aminorityofpostmillennialistsrejectanypossibilityofa2inalapostasyandbelievethattheGospelconquestwillbesocompletethatnotoneunbelieverwillbeleftintheworld.

Postmillennialistswhowanttoeliminateorminimizethe2inalapostasymayteachthatMatthew24describesthesignspresentduringthegreattribulationbeforeandduringthedestructionofJerusalemin70AD.1TheymayalsoteachthatRevelationwaswrittenbefore70ADandalsoreferstotheimminenteventssurroundingthedestructionofJerusalem2‐Nero’spersecutionsandtheRoman‐Jewishwar.Thegreatapostasy3andtheriseoftheantichristarepast.4

Somepostmillenialistshavemodi2iedtheir“past‐tense”interpretationofMatthew24andRevelation.Theysaythatalthoughmostofthesignshavepassed,theremaybeafewjustbeforetheveryendofthe1000yearsonearth.

...and that the thousand years is a 9igurative term for a future golden age of Christianity on earth,

Althoughsomepostmillennialistshaveheldtoaliteral1000years,mostnowtakeittobeaverylongperiod,butnotanexact1000yearperiod.Somesaythatthe1000yearswillhappensuddenly,whileothersseethepresentagegraduallymergingintothegoldenmillennialage.Duringthatlonggoldenage,theKingdomofGodwillbegreatlyextended.Social,economic,politicalandculturallifewillbevastlyimproved.Prosperityandpeacewillabound.

TurningtoRevelation20,the“2irstresurrection”isaspiritualregeneration,arevivaloftheelectonearth.Likeamillennialists,postmillennialistsdonotseethemillenniuminvolvingavisiblereignofChristfromanearthlythrone.


31

1Matt.24:21,342Rev.1:1,3;22:7,10,1232Thess.241John2:18,22;4:3;2John7

...when the devil will be almost totally bound,

Althoughthedevilisboundtoalimitedextentthroughthepresentage,sothatSatanisnotabletodeceiveandcontrolallthenations,thisismovingtowardsatotalandperfectbindingwhenallwillbeunderChrist’scontrol.Evilwillbesubduedandreducedtonegligibleproportions.

...and the earth almost totally Christianized,

Thoughnoteveryonewillbeconverted,allwillbe“Christianized,”theworldwillbecontrolledbyChristians,andmanybelievethattherewillbealarge‐scaleconversionoftheJews.SomepostmillennialistsseethishappeningbythepreachingoftheGospelinthepoweroftheHolySpirit,whileothersseeitascomingaboutthroughpoliticalandsocialchangefromthetopdown.

ThisgoldenageisbasedonnumerousOldTestamentpropheciesoftheMessianicKingdombringinguniversalpeaceandspiritualprosperity.5ItisadmittedthattherearenotmanyNewTestamentreferences,becausetheNewTestamentemphasisisnotonpeace,butwarfare;notprosperity,buttribulation.However,therearethe“mustardseedtogreattree,”and“littleleaventowholelump”passagesaboutChrist’sKingdom.6Thegreatcommissionisalsoappealedtoforevidenceofnotjustgospel

announcement,butapromisethatthenationswillbesuccessfullyevangelized.Romans11describestheeffectoftheJews’conversionasbeinglifefromthedead.Other“majoritysuccess”textsareJohn12:31‐32andRevelation7:9‐10.Postmillennialism,likepremillennialism,seesalargelyearthlyrealizationoftheKingdomofGodduringpresenthistory.

...followed by a brief period of Satanic loosing,

Mostpostmillennialistsdoacceptthatgoldenthoughthisfutureagewillbe,Satanwillbeunloosedforashorttimeagainstthechurch.7Therewillbeabriefperiodofapostasyandterriblecon2lictbetweengoodandevil,thoughthiswillnotreallyharmthechurch.


32

5Gen.15:1‐5;Ps.2:7,8;Isa.2,11;Isa.65:17‐256Matt.13:31‐337Rev.20:7‐9

...and the Lord’s return to earth for the 9inal judgment.

Likeamillennialism,postmillennialismseesChristreturningafterthe1000years.ThenChristwillappeartodestroythedevilandtoestablishtheeternalkingdom.HewillreturntoalargelyChristianizedworld,resurrectallthedead,conductthe2inaljudgmentandassignallpeopletheirpermanenteternaldestiny.Atthispoint,Christ’smillennialkingdomwillcometoanend,andhewillturnoverthekingdomtoHisFather.8Thus,postmillennialistsseefourages:thepastage,thepresentage,thegoldenage,andtheeternalage.Inthissensetheyaresimilartopremillennialistswhobelievethemillenniumisstillfuture.


33

81Cor.15:22‐28

Postmillennialism believes that many of the signs of the times have been ful3illed, and that the thousand years is a 3igurative term for a future golden age of Christianity on earth, when the devil will be almost totally bound and the earth almost totally Christianized, followed by a brief period of Satanic loosing and the Lord’s return to earth for the 3inal judgment.

18. What are some of the weaknesses of postmillennialism?

Despite some attractions, Postmillennialists are overoptimistic about the future of the Gospel, underpessimistic about the future rise of evil, and unrealistic about the present reign of Christ.

Despite some attractions,

SurelyeveryChristianwishesthatpostmillennialismwastrue!WewouldalllovetoseeChristhavevisibleandnumericalvictoryonearth,andtoseethevastmajorityofourfellowmenandwomenconverted.Thatisanextremelyattractiveprospect.

...postmillennialists are overoptimistic about the future of the Gospel,

TheBibledepictstheendoftheagesnotasanincreasingtriumphofgoodoverevil,butasanincreasingbattlebetweengoodandevil.1WecanexpecttheworldwidespreadoftheGospel,butnottheChristianizingoftheworld.WecanexpecttheGospeltobringmanyblessingstotheworld,butnottheconversionoftheworld.2WecanexpectvisiblemanifestationsofChrist’skingshipintheworld,butnotavisibleworldwidedominion.Christ’skingdomisprimarilyspiritual,notearthly;intheindividualandthechurch,ratherthanintheworld.3Thechurch’shopeistobefocussedonthereturnofChrist,4notona“goldenage”ofChristianity.5

Sowheredidpostmillennialistsgettheideaofafuturegoldenage?HermanBavinckarguedthatmuchofthepostmillennialist’soptimismcomesfrominterpretingtheNewTestamentinthelightoftheOld,insteadoftheOldTestamentinthelightoftheNew.ItcannotbedeniedthattheOldTestamentcontainsmany“goldenage”propheciesofworldwidepeace,prosperity,happiness,andvictory.Thequestionishowtointerpretthem.AretheytobetakenliterallyorTiguratively?DotheyspeakofaliteralfuturegoldenageonearthbeforeChrist’ssecondcoming,oraretheyTigurativedescriptionsofworldwideGospelblessingsfollowingChrist’sTirstcoming?ItissurelysigniTicantthatnoneoftheeschatologicalpassagesoftheNewTestament(Matthew24,1Corinthians15,2Peter3,Revelation)makementionofagoldenearthlyagebeforeChrist’sreturn.NoneoftheOldTestamentpsalmsorpropheticpassagesareeverappliedtoagoldenagebyNewTestamentwriters.ThiswouldleadustothinkthattheNewTestamentwritersdidnotinterpretthesepassagesliterallybutratherTigurativelyoftheblessingsoftheGospelage.


34

1Gen.3:15;Matt.13:36‐432Matt.24:37‐39;Luke18:83Jn.18:36;Rom.14:174Titus2:13;1Pet.1:3‐752Pet.3:11‐13

ThepostmillennialappealtoNewTestamentpassagessuchasthe“greatcommission”todisciplethenations,andthealsothemustard‐seedandleavenmetaphorsarenotconvincing.Thegreatcommissiondoesnotguaranteethemajorityinanynationwillbediscipled,andwearenottoldthatthemustardtreeTilledtheearth.

...underpessimistic about the future rise of evil,

Manypostmillennialistsseemanyifnotmostofthe“signsofthetimes”ashavingbeenalreadyfulTilledinthegreattribulationsurroundingthefallofJerusalemin70AD.TheylaygreatemphasisonJesus’wordsthat“thisgenerationshallnotpassawaytillallbefulTilled.”ThesameapproachisoftentakentothebookofRevelationandother“tribulation”passages.TheywerewrittenbeforethefallofJerusalemandpredictedit.Thustheworstoutbreakofevilisinthepast,andthefutureisoneofincreasingrighteousness.

TherearedifTicultieswiththisinterpretationofMatthew24.Itspeaksofatribulationsuchashasnotbeenseenfromthebeginningoftheworldandneverwillbe(v.21).Awfulthoughitwas,itisdifTiculttoTitthe70ADJerusalemtribulationintothisbox.Also,verses29‐30linkthegreattribulationwiththecomingoftheSonofMan.PostmillennialistsmakethelinkbyarguingthattheSonofmancameinjudgmentonJerusalemin70AD.TheangelsgoingouttothefourcornersoftheearthareinterpretedasthepreachersoftheGospelgoingouttothethen‐knownworld(v.31),andtheheavenlysignsofaresymbolsofGod’sjudgment(v.29‐31).“Alltribesoftheearthwillmourn”(v.30),istakenasdescriptiveofthefamiliesscatteredbyRomanpersecutionthroughthethen‐knownworld.Christ’scomingonthecloudsofheaven(v.30)isnotHisreturnbutHiscomingtotheFatherinheaventoreceivevindicationandauthority.

RatherthangettinglostindetailedexegesistorebutthisinterpretationofMatthew24,itisbettertofocusonthemainthemesoftheBible,andthenaskifourinterpretationofindividualpassagessuchasMatthew24Titthat.

First,JesusandtheApostlesteachatheologyofthecross,ratherthanatheologyofglory.TheChristianlifeinthisworldisusuallyalifeofChrist‐likecross‐bearing,sufferingandhumiliation,ratherthanearthlyvictory,triumphandglory.Second,theNewTestamentfocusisnotonafuturegoldenagebutonthesecondcomingofChrist.6Thatisourblessedhope.Third,theBiblepresentsthetransitiontotheeternalageascatastrophic,notabarelyperceptiblemovefromagoldenageonearthtoagoldenageinthenewheavensandnewearth.AspecialinterventionofGodwillbringtheruleofSatanonearthtoanendandwillusherintheKingdomthatcannotbeshaken.7Thechangewillbesogreatthatitiscalledtheregeneration.8

Postmillennialism’sgoldenagedoesnotTitthesethreemajorbiblicalthemes.Asaresult,ithasthepotentialtolullbelieversintoafalsesenseofsecurity.ItdoesnotwarnbelieversaboutthecomingconTlict,leavingthemunprepared.Thoughmanypostmillennialistsdoacceptafuturetimeoftroubleforthechurch,justbeforetheend,theyminimizeitsothatitwillnotaffectthegeneralupwardtrendorresultinananticlimax.


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61Thess.1:9‐10;Titus2:12‐13;Heb.9:28;James5:7;1Peter1:13;2Peter3:11‐127Matt.24:29‐31;Heb.12:26,27;2Pet.3:10‐138Matt.19:28

...and unrealistic about the present reign of Christ.

PostmillennialismtendstominimizethepresentimpactofChrist’svictoryoverthedevil.ItdeniesthatweareseeingmuchofChrist’svictoryonearthinthepresenttime.However,Christ’skingdomiscoming,Hisreignisspreading,sinnersarebeingsaved,andchurchesarebeingestablishedacrosstheworld.HeisalreadytheexaltedKing.91Corinthians15:22‐26teachesthatafterChrist’sresurrectionhewasinstalledasKingandpresentlyreignsuntilallhisenemieswillbebroughtunderhisfeetThereisnosuggestionofamillennialageinterveningbetweenthepresentageandtheeternalage.


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9Phil.2:9‐12;Eph.1:22‐23;Heb.1:3

Despite some attractions, Postmillennialists are overoptimistic about the future of the Gospel, underpessimistic about the future rise of evil, and unrealistic about the present reign of Christ.

19. What is historic premillennialism?

Historic Premillennialism believes that after the end time signs, including the great tribulation, Christ will return to earth to bind Satan, resurrect His people, and reign on earth for 1000 years; after which Satan will be released for a little season before the resurrection of all at the ?inal judgment, and the return of the Kingdom to the Father.

Historic premillennialism believes that after the end time signs,

Historic(orclassical)premillennialismissonamednotonlytodistinguishitfrommorerecentdispensationalpremillennialism,butalsobecausetheviewdatesbacktoearlychurchfatherssuchasJustinMartyrandIrenaeus.Itisaviewfoundthroughoutchurchhistoryandhasbeenheldbymanyeminenttheologians.Premillennialiststendtohavearatherpessimisticviewofthispresentage.Thoughtheybelievethenationsarebeingevangelized,theyseethingseventuallygettinggraduallyworseandworse,climaxingwiththesignsofapostasy,theantichrist,persecution,etc.

...including the great tribulation,

HistoricpremillennialismisdistinguishedfromitsdispensationalrelativebyaDirmconvictionthatthegreattribulationwillprecederatherthanfollowthesecondcomingofChrist.1ItisduringthegreattribulationthatverymanyofIsraelwillbeconvertedtoChrist.


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1Matt.24:29‐30

...Christ will return to earth to bind Satan,

ThesignsofthetimesandthegreattribulationaredescribedinRevelation10‐19.Revelation20followschronologicallyanddescribesChrist’ssecondcoming,whenhewillreturntobindSatananddefeatantichristandhisarmies.

...resurrect His people,

Onedistinctiveofpremillennialismisthebeliefintworesurrections.TheDirstcoincideswithChrist’sreturntoearth.2Atthatpoint,Christwillraisealldeadbelieversandglorifythemtogetherwithalllivingbelievers.BothgroupswillmeettheLordintheair,3andthendescendwithHimtotheearth.ThereturnofChrist,andtheresurrectionandraptureofbelieversarealloneevent.

...and reign on earth for 1000 years;

Aftermeetingresurrecteddeadbelieversandtransformedlivingbelieversintheair,Christwillproceedtotheearth,setupHisKingdomwithHispeople,andruletheworldfor1000years(whichmaybeliteralorsymbolic).4

HistoricpremillennialisminsistsononechurchofChristcomprisingbothJewsandGentiles.However,itreservesaspecialplacefortheJewishpeopleandnationinthemillennialkingdom.Havingbeenconvertedinthegreattribulation,theywillbeasourceofgreatblessingtothechurchandtheworld.Theworldwillenjoyatimeofunprecedentedpeaceandprosperity.


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2Rev.20:431Thess.4:174Luke19:17,19;1Cor.6:3;Rev.2:26‐27

ThisbeliefinafuturemillennialkingdomonearthisbasedonanumberofOldTestamentpassageswhichdescribeanagebetterthanthispresentagethoughnotsogreatnorasperfectastheeternalkingdom.5ImportantNewTestamentpassagesapartfromRevelation20,areRevelation2:26‐27and1Corinthians15:23‐25.Inthelatterpassage,premillennialistsseethreestagesofworldhistory:Christ’sresurrectionisfollowedalongtimelaterbythebeliever’sresurrection(v.23),followed,manyyearslaterbytheresurrectionofall(v.24).

...after which Satan will be released for a little season,

Neartheendofthemillennialkingdom,SatanwhowasboundatChrist’sreturntotheearth,willbeloosedtogooutanddeceivethenationsagain.6SatanwilljoinforceswithmanyunbelieverswhoonlyoutwardlysubmittedtoChristbutwhoremainedenemiesintheirhearts.ThesewilljoinwiththerebelliousnationsforthebattleofGogandMagog,theDinalattackuponthecampofthesaints.

...before the resurrection of all at the Binal judgment,

AfterDirecomesdownfromheaventodestroyalltherebelliousnations,andSataniscastintothelakeofDire,thesecondresurrectionwilltakeplace‐thatofthewickedfromallagesandthebelieverswhodiedinthemillennialage.7

Premillennialistsarguethatalthoughsomepassagesseemtoteachonlyoneresurrection,theydonotexcludetworesurrections.Theysimplydonotstatewhetherornottheresurrectionofbothbelieversandunbelieverswillbeseparate.ThesepassagesmustbeinterpretedinthelightofRevelation20.AfterthissecondresurrectiontherewillbetheGreatWhitethronejudgmentofbelieversandunbelieversfollowedbythenewheavensandnewearth.

...and the return of the Kingdom to the Father.

1Corinthians15:23‐25teachesthathistoryhasthreestages:theChristianChurch‐Christ’sreignlargelyhidden;themillennium‐Christ’svisiblereign;theeternalkingdom‐thekingdomrevertstothefather.


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5Isa.65:20;11:6‐9;Ps.72;Zech.14:5‐176Rev.20:3,77Rev.20:8‐15

Historic Premillennialism believes that after the end time signs, including the great tribulation, Christ will return to earth to bind Satan, resurrect His people, and reign on earth for 1000 years; after which Satan will be released for a little season before the resurrection of all at the ?inal judgment, and the return of the Kingdom to the Father.

20. What are the problems with historic premillennialism?

Though historic premillennialism has some strengths, it tends to be pessimistic, it misconnects Revelation 19 and 20, it adds living believers to Revelation 20, it sees time where there is only order in 1 Corinthians 15, it reverses Christ and His people’s gloriAication, and it adds a third era to the two found in the New Testament.

Though historic premillennialism has some strengths,

Historicpremillennialism,unlikeitsdispensationalcousin,viewsthesecondcomingasonesingleevent.ItalsoseesbelieversinboththeOldandNewTestamentsasonepeoplewithonewayofsalvationandonedestiny.Thesignsofthetimesarepresentinallages,butintensifybeforethesecondcomingofChrist.Itacceptsthatthechurchdoesgothroughthegreattribulation.TheKingdomofGodisbothpresentandfuture,sothatthepresentchurchisenjoyingeschatologicalblessingsalready.

...it tends to be pessimistic,

PremillennialismdoesnotexpecttheworldwidepreachingoftheGospeltobeveryeffective.AlthoughMatthew24:14saysthatthegospelwillbepreachedasawitnesstoallnations,thatsimplyspeaksofthepreachingoftheGospelwithoutsayinganythingaboutitseffects.Thingsaregoingfrombadtoworse;somuchsothatwereallyneedtowaituntilChrist’sreturnbeforewewillseegreatthingsonthisearth.

Thisisanover‐pessimisticviewofthepresentage,whichcannotbutimpactmotivationandaction.ChristisalreadypresentinHiskingdom,theleavenisleavening,andthemustardseedisgrowingintoatree.ThoughtheysaythattheKingdomhasalreadycome,itistoaverylittledegree.

...it misconnects Revelation 19 and 20,

PremillennialismtakesamorechronologicalviewofRevelation,sayingthatRevelation19precedesRevelation20intime.However,asamillennialistshavepointedout,thereisstrongevidenceforviewingRevelationascyclical,ratherthanchronological.Revelation19endswiththesecondcomingofChrist,whereasRevelation20cyclesusbacktotheQirstcomingofChrist.1


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1SeeVenema’sChrist and the Future,111‐118

...it adds living believers to Revelation 20,

PremillennialistssaythattheQirstresurrection2isoftheChristianswhohaddiedbeforeChristreturned.TothemareaddedthebelieverswhowerestilllivingwhenChristreturned.ThesetwogroupsthenreignwithChristovertheearthfor1000years.TheproblemisthatRevelation20saysnothingaboutlivingbelieversbeingaddedtoresurrectedbelievers.Also,asthosewhodoexperiencetheQirstresurrectionarecontrastedwith“therestofthedead,”wemayconcludethattheQirstresurrectiongroupwerealsooncedead.HowcanlivingbelieversQitintothatgroup?Furthermore,thereisnoindicationintheseversesthatChristandhissaintsareseenreigningontheearth.OtherpassagesinRevelationwouldseemtoindicatethatthesceneisinheaven.3

...it sees time where there is only order in 1 Corinthians 15,

InourdeQinitionofpremillennialismwenotedhow1Corinthians15:23‐24isusedbypremillennialiststoestablishthreeages(resurrectionofChrist,resurrectionofbelievers,resurrectionofunbelievers),withsigniQicanttimeintervalsbetweeneach.However,theseversesaremoreaboutlogicalandtheologicalorderthantimeperiods.Infact,unbelieversarenotmentioned,neverminda1000yearperiodbetweentheirresurrectionandthatofbelievers.InotherplacesthesameGreekexpressionsdescribecloselyconnectedeventswithnoprotractedtimeinbetween.4Infact,intheimmediatecontextof1Corinthians15(v.5‐7),thesamewordsdescribeasimplesequenceofevents.ThecomingofChristandtheendarecloselyconnectedeventsintheBible.

...it reverses Christ and His people’s gloriDication,

Christhasalreadywonthedecisivevictoryagainsthisenemiesandalreadyreigns.5IsHereallycomingbackformoreQightingandforaperiodofonlyqualiQiedpeaceandblessing?Revelation21tellsusthatChristandHisChurchwilltakeuptheirdwellingonearthafterheavenandearthhavebeenrenewed,notbefore.

HowwillsinnersandsaintsstillintheQleshbeabletostandinthepresenceofthegloriQiedChrist.RememberPaulandJohn


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2Rev.20:53Rev.4:4‐5;6:94Luke8:12;Mark4:175Heb.1:3

werecompletelyoverwhelmedbyhim.6OtherpassageslinkthecomingofChristwithuniversaljudgmentofallpeople,livinganddead,withtheissuesbeingeternallifeoreternalpunishment.7

ThereturnofgloriQiedbelieversandagloriQiedChristtoearthwouldviolatetheQinalityoftheirgloriQication.Whatananticlimaxtocomebacktoaworldofthewicked,includingsinanddeath!

...and it adds a third era to the two found in the New Testament.

InThe Endtimes Made Simple, SamWaldronhashighlighted16clearversesthatshowthereareonlytwoagesleft‐thisageandtheeternalage.Thisageandtheagetocomeexhaustalltime.Theyarequalitativelydifferentstatesofhumanexistence,dividedbytheresurrectionofallandthejudgmentofall.Thereisnothirdage.


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6Acts26:12‐14;Rev.1:177Matt.25:31‐46;Rom.2:1‐6;2Pet.3:1‐18

Though historic premillennialism has some strengths, it tends to be pessimistic, it misconnects Revelation 19 and 20, it adds living believers to Revelation 20, it sees time where there is only order in 1 Corinthians 15, it reverses Christ and His people’s gloriAication, and it adds a third era to the two found in the New Testament.

21. What is traditional dispensationalism?

On the basis of a largely literal interpretation of the Bible and a fundamental distinction between Israel and the Church, traditional Dispensationalism teaches that God has divided history into seven periods, each with a different test of human obedience to God’s will, though one way of salvation.

On the basis of a largely literal interpretation of the Bible,

DispensationalismbeganwithJohnNelsonDarbyinthemid‐1800’s.Itwassigni=icantlyadvancedbythestudynotesintheScoAield Reference Bible,=irstpublishedintheearly1900’s.LewisSperryChafer’sSystematic Theologyorganizedit,andtheLeft Behind seriesofbookspopularizedit.

Oneofthemottosofdispensationalismis“literalunlessludicrous.”Theymakemuchoftakingwordsintheirplainandnormalsenseunlessametaphororsimileisclearlyindicated,oritisimpossibletotakeliterally.Prophecyshouldbeinterpretedashistorywrittenbeforehand.

...and a fundamental distinction between Israel and the Church,

Godhastwodistinctpurposesfortwodistinctpeoples.Hehasanearthlypurposeforanearthlypeople(Israel),andaheavenlypurposeforaheavenlypeople(Christians).Thisissometimesexpressedasfollows:

PlanAIsrael’sgoldenageoftheDavidicKingdomwasaforetasteoftheKingdomoftheMessiah,whichwouldhavebeenfullyrealizedbyIsraeliftheyhadnotprovenunfaithful,resultingintheiroverthrowandexile.ProphetsbroughtmessageofhopeforIsraelthatiftheyrepented,thethroneofDavidwouldbere‐establishedandtheKingdomofMessiahwouldcomeinglory.

PlanBChristofferedanearthlybutgloriousDavidicKingdomtotheJewsthroughfaithintheMessiahandSermonontheMountmorality.However,theyrejectedit,resultinginthepostponementoftheKingdomuntilthemillennium.

PlanCChristintroducedthemystery(previouslyunknownandunpredicted)formofthekingdomtotheGentilesresultingintheChristianChurchofwhichChrististheHead(butnotKing).Thisisoftencalledthe“parenthesisofgrace”andisseenasoccurringbetweenthe69thand70thweeksofDaniel9.Duringthisperiod,reallyfromPentecostonwards,theChurchhasthetaskofdeclaringtheGospeloffreegracethroughoutthenations.God’spromisesandcovenantsarepartiallyandspirituallyful=illedinbelievers’lives,butaremainlyandphysicallycovenantsandpromisesforIsrael.


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ReturntopostponedPlanBThe1000yearreignofChristonearthbeginsinthe70thweekofDaniel9,whenChristwillreturntoearthtodealspeci=icallywiththenationofIsrael.Israelwillbere‐gatheredinCanaan,enjoyremarkablepeaceandprosperity,haveaspecialandprivilegedplaceabovethenations,andwillliveundertheperfectruleoftheMessiah.Israelresumesitsleadingrole,whilethechurchisbutaninterlude.

SomedispensationalistsusethePlanA/B/Clanguage.OthersdislikeitandsaythatalthoughGodchangedHisplans,Hehadplannedtochangehisplans.

...traditional Dispensationalism teaches that God has divided history into seven periods,

“Dispensation”originallyreferredtothewayahouseholdwasadministered.ThetermdescribesvariousarrangementsinthehistoryofredemptionbywhichGodregulatedman’srelationshiptohimself.ThesevendispensationseachadvanceGod’spurposes:

1. Pre‐fall:Innocence2. ToNoah:Conscience3. ToAbraham:Civilgovernment4. ToMoses:Promise5. ToChrist:Law(leadingdispensationofOT)6. FromChristtorapture:Grace(7yearpersecutionoftheJews)

7. Toend:Millennial

...each with a different test of human obedience to God’s will,

Eachdispensationtestedman’sobedienceregardingaspeci=icrevelationofGod’swill.


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...though one way of salvation.

ThoughthedispensationsdifferinthewayGodrevealsHiswill,theseareneitherseparatenorcontradictorywaysofsalvation.Throughoutthedispensations,manisreconciledtoGodbyHisgracethroughtheworkofChristtocome.Pre‐ChristfaithwasinGodandexpressedthroughobediencetoHiswill.Post‐Christfaithisspeci=icallyinChrist.


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On the basis of a largely literal interpretation of the Bible and a fundamental distinction between Israel and the Church, traditional Dispensationalism teaches that God has divided history into seven periods, each with a different test of human obedience to God’s will, though one way of salvation.

22. What is dispensational premillennialism?

Dispensational premillennialism teaches that Christ’s second coming will occur in four phases: Christ’s rapture, Christ’s revelation, Christ’s reign, and Christ’s renewal.

23. What is Christ’s rapture?

Without any precursory signs, Christ will return for His church, resurrect all dead believers, transform all living believers, meet them in the air, and return to heaven with them, while the 70th week begins on earth.

Without any precursory signs,

DispensationalpremillennialistsbelievethatChristcanreturnatanytime.Therearenopredictedsignstoprecedethis.ThisisthoughttobetheonlywaytomaintaintheexpectancyandwatchfulnessexpectedofChristians.

...Christ will return for His church,

DispensationalpremillennialistscallthisreturnofChristforHisChurchtheparousia(oneoftheGreekwordsforChrist’scoming).Intheparousiacoming,Christdoesnotcomeallthewaytotheearth,butstopsshort.

...resurrect all dead believers,

Attheparousia,Christwillresurrectalltruebelieverswhohavedied(thoughnotOldTestamentbelievers).ThisistheFirstresurrection.

...transform all living believers,

Allbelieversaliveatthetimeoftheparousia,bothGentilesandtheJewishremnant,willbegloriFied.

...meet them in the air,

TheresurrecteddeadandthetransformedlivingbelieverswillallbecaughtupinthecloudstomeettheLordintheair.ThisiscalledtherapturefromtheLatinrapiomeaning“seize,snatch,carryaway.”Therestrainermentionedin2Thessalonians2:1‐12istheHolySpiritindwellingthechurch.Hemustremovethechurchbeforethetribulationbegins.1Hencethisiscalled“thepre‐tribulationrapture.”(Somepremillennialdispensationalistshaveheldtoamid‐tribulationrapturewhichteachesthatChristwillcomebackinthemiddleofthesevenyearstorescuebelievers.)ItisthoughttobeinappropriateforbelieverstobeonearthduringthepouringoutofGod’swrathinthegreattribulation.

...and return to heaven with them,

TherapturedallreturntoheavenwithChristtocelebratethemarriagesupperofthelambforsevenyears.


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1Revelation3:10

...while the 70th week begins on earth.

ManyJewswillrepentandturntoChristduringthesesevenyears.ThisistheseventiethweekpredictedbyDaniel.

69th week Christ’sFirstcoming

(Church Age) 70thweekpostponeduntilaftertherapturebecauseJewsrejectedChrist

70th week DeadandlivingChristiansrapturedtoheaven

Part1:GreatConversionsonEarth

ThousandsofJewsconvertedwhopreachtheGospeloftheKingdomtoGentileswithgreat blessing

NationofIsraelre‐gatheredintoPalestine

Part2:GreatTribulationonEarth

AntichristmadecovenantofpeacewithIsraelfor3.5yearsbutnowturnstopersecuteher intimeofgreattribulation(Jacob’strouble)

Antichristreignsanddemandstobeworshipped

GreatjudgmentsfallontheearthclimaxinginArmageddonwhereChristhasFinaltriumph overtheAntichrist,thebeast,theprophetandalltheirarmies.


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Without any precursory signs, Christ will return for His church, resurrect all dead believers, transform all living believers, meet them in the air, and return to heaven with them, while the 70th week begins on earth.



24. What is Christ’s revelation?

At the end of the 70th week, Christ will return to the earth in glory with His church, win Armageddon, bind the devil, resurrect tribulation martyrs and Old Testament saints, and then judge the nations.

At the end of the 70th week,

Thegreattribulationisatitsheightandallseemslost.

...Christ will return to the earth in glory with His church,

Attheendofthe7yearsofthe70thweek,ChristwillreturninglorywithhischurchandthistimeHewillcomeallthewaytoearth.Thisiscalledthe“revelation”orapokalupsiscoming(withHisChurch)indistinctionfromtheearlierparousiacoming(forHisChurch).

...win Armageddon,

Christwilldestroyantichristandhisforcesatthelastgreatbattle.

...bind the devil,

ThemillenniumofRevelation20nowbeginswiththedevilbeingboundandcastintothepitfor1000years.

...resurrect tribulation martyrs and Old Testament saints,

Saintswhodiedduringthe7‐yeartribulationwillberaisedfromthedeadtogetherwiththeOldTestamentsaints.However,theywillnotenterthemillennialkingdomwhichisabouttobeestablishedonearth.Rathertheywilljointherisenandtranslatedsaintswhoconstitutetherapturedchurchinheaven.

...and then judge the nations.

Thisjudgmentwillhavetwoparts.FirstthereisthejudgmentoflivingGentiles1whichwilltesthowindividualGentilestreatedChrist’sbrethren(theJewsandtheconvertedGentiles)duringthetribulation.Thesheepwillbethosewhopassthetest.Theywillbeleftonearthtoenterthemillennialkingdom.Thosewhofail,thegoats,willbecastintoeverlastingOire.SecondtherewillbethejudgmentonIsrael.2Rebelswillbeputtodeathandnotallowedtoenjoythemillennialkingdom.ThosewhoturnedtotheLordwill.


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1Matt.25:31‐462Ezek.20:33‐38

At the end of the 70th week Christ will return to the earth in glory with His church, win Armageddon, bind the devil, resurrect tribulation martyrs and Old Testament saints, and then judge the nations.



25. What is Christ’s reign?

Christ will reign on earth from Jerusalem with mainly Jewish believers for a thousand blessed years, although they will be concluded with the Devil’s ultimately unsuccessful little season.

Christ will reign on earth

Christwillre‐establishareal,visible,terrestrialandmaterialDavidickingdom.

...from Jerusalem

ThethroneofChristestablishedatJerusalemwillbecomethecentralplaceofworship.Thetemplewillbere‐builtonMtZionandthealtarwillonceagainbeusedforsacri@ice.

...with mainly Jewish believers

ChristianbelieversareinheavenwhilemainlyJewishbelieversareintheearthlymillennialkingdom.

...for a thousand blessed years,

Sinanddeathwillstillclaimtheirvictimsbutitwillbeatimeoflongerlives,increasedfruitfulnessandgreaterprosperity.Theworldwillbespeedilyconverted.

although they will be concluded with the Devil’s ultimately unsuccessful little season.

Afterthemillennium,thedevilwillbeloosedforalittleseasontoleadthehordesofGogandMagogagainsttheholycity.Christ’senemieswillbedevouredbyheavenly@ire,andSatancastintothebottomlesspittojointhebeastandthefalseprophet.


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Christ will reign on earth from Jerusalem with mainly Jewish believers for a thousand blessed years, although they will be concluded with the Devil’s ultimately unsuccessful little season.



26. What is Christ’s renewal?

After raising and judging the wicked dead and the saints who died in the millennium, Jesus will renew and reign over the new heavens and the new earth.

After raising and judging the wicked dead

Thewickeddeadareraisedupandappearinjudgmentbeforethegreatwhitethrone(Rev.20:11‐15).

...and the saints who died in the millennium,

Thisisthethirdresurrection.

...Jesus will renew and reign over the new heavens and the new earth.

TheheavenlyJerusalemdescendstorenewedearth.


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After raising and judging the wicked dead and the saints who died in the millennium Jesus will renew and reign over the new heavens and the new earth.

27. What are the main criticisms of dispensationalism?

The main criticisms are an unsustainable literalism, an unfounded postponement theory, an unjusti7ied separation of the 7inal events, a confusion between divine wrath and tribulation, an unlikely reversal of glori7ication, and a return to Old Covenant worship.

The main criticisms are an unsustainable literalism,

PremillennialdispensationalistsclaimthattheyinterpretOldTestamentpropheciesaboutIsraelandtheKingdomofGod100%literally.However,theprophetsthemselvesindicatethatatleastsomeoftheirpredictionswillbefulCilledspirituallyratherthanliterally.1Indeed,theprophetsuse“Zion”and“Jerusalem”inaCigurative(ornon‐literal)sense2todescribetheOldTestamentChurchofGod,ausethatpassesintotheNewTestament.3

WhenweturntotheNewTestamentwedonotCindanycleartextthatpointstothere‐establishmentoftheDavidickingdom.Infact,theNewTestamentconstantlypointstowardsthespiritualfulCillmentofOldTestamentpropheciesgiventoIsrael.4Forexample,Acts15seesAmos9:11‐12fulCilledinthesalvationoftheGentilechurch.

LiteralismalsoproducesmanyphysicalandtheologicaldifCiculties:greatancientworldpowers(Egypt,Babylon,Assyrians)reconstituted,5templerebuilt,6sonsofZadokservingaspriests,7sinandtrespassofferingssacriCiced,8nationscometoJerusalemforannualfeasts,etc.9

ThisreversalofredemptivehistoryseemssocontrarytoHebrews’teachingabouttheNewTestamentrenderingOldCovenantworshipobsolete.Infact,theultimatefulCillmentofOldTestamentpropheciesisinChristnotinIsrael.10

...an unfounded postponement theory,

PremillennialdispensationalistssaythatJohnandJesusproclaimedthattheKingdomwasathand,butbecausetheJewsdidnotrepentandbelieve,JesuspostponeditsestablishmentuntilHissecondcoming.ScoCieldmarksthispivotalpointasMatthew11:20.Priortothis,JesusissaidtohaveonlypreachedtheKingdomtoIsrael,andafterthatHedidnotpreachtheKingdombutratherpredicteditsfuturecoming.Inthemeantime,HeofferedresttothewearyofbothIsraelandtheGentiles.


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1Isa.61:6;Jer.3:16;31:33;Hos.14:22Isa.49:14;51:3;52:1,23Gal.4:26;Heb.12:22;Rev.3:12;21:94Matt.21:43;Acts2:29‐36;Rom.9:25,26;Heb.8:8‐13;1Pet.2:9;Rev.1:65Isa.11:14;Amos9:12;Joel3:196Isa.2:2,3;Mic.4:1,2;Zech.14:16‐227Ezek.44:15‐41;48:11‐148Ezek.42:13;43:18‐279Zech.14:16102Cor.1:20

However,JesusdidnotpreachtwoGospelsintwophases.HedidconcernhimselfwiththeGentilesbeforetheturningpoint,11andhedidpreachtheKingdomafterit.12BothChristandHisapostlespreachedtheKingdomwhichwastobebuiltbythepreachingoftheGospel.13Jesuscametoestablishaspiritualkingdom,ofwhichtheOldTestamentkingdomwasatype.14Andhedidestablishthekingdomasapresentreality.15

ThepostponementtheorydividesboththeBibleandtheChurch.ItdividestheBiblebysayingthattheOldTestamentwasthebookoftheKingdom,buttheNewTestamentisthebookoftheChurch.OldTestamentIsraelwillfulCillthepropheciesgiventoitandtheChurchwillfulCillthepromisesgiventoit.However,theBiblerepresentstherelationshipbetweenOldandNewTestamentsasthatoftype/antitypeorprophesy/fulCillment.Premillennialdispensationalismsaysthatwhilethatwastheoriginalaim,theoutcomewasquitedifferent.

ItdividestheChurchbecauseweendupwithtwopeoplesofGod,IsraelandtheChurch,theonenaturalandtheotherspiritual,theoneearthlyandtheotherheavenly.AndthatlineofseparationthroughouthistorycontinuesintotheCinalstateinwhichtheearthlyIsraelwillreceiveearthlyblessingsandthespiritualchurchspiritualblessings.

TherearesomanyverseswhichspeakofaunitedpeopleofGod.JesusspokeofoneClockandoneshepherd.16PaulsaidthattheGentilesweregraftedintotheoneolivetreeandtheJewswillbegraftedbackinagain.17PaulpresentstheOldTestamentchurchasachildandaNewTestamentchurchasthematureman.18ThenamesofOldTestamentIsraelareappliedtotheNewTestamentChurch.19JesusbrokedownthedividingwallbetweenJewandGentile.20OldTestamentIsraelwastheprediction,theNewTestamentChurchthefulCillment.TheChurchwasnotplanB,anafterthought,oraninterimproject,butthecentralaccomplishmentofChrist.JesusHimself,theforemostmemberoftheChurch,wasJewish,aswereallHisdisciples.

...an unjusti<ied separation of the <inal events,

Premillennialdispensationalistsendupwithtwo,threeorevenfourresurrections,andtwoorthreeCinaljudgmentsover1000years.However,theBiblepresentsthefutureeventsofChrist’ssecondcoming,thetranslationoflivingsaints,theresurrectionofthejust,theCinaljudgmentandtheendoftheworldassynchronizingatthecomingoftheLord.Theonlypossibleversesuggestingaseparationof1000yearsisRev.20:4‐6.

SometimesdispensationalpremillennialistswillarguethatthedayoftheLordmaybe1000yearslong,21andonthatbasissaythattheresurrectionofthesaintsandthejudgmentofthenationstakesplaceinthe


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11Matt.8:5‐13;Jn.4:1‐4212Matt.13:Lk.10:1‐1113Acts20:28;Matt.16:1914Matt.8:11,12;13:31‐33;21:43;Lk.17:21;Jn.3:3;18:36,3715Matt.11:12;12:28;Lk.17:21;Jn.18:36,3716John10:1617Romans1118Gal.4191Peter2:9,1Cor.3:16‐17;Heb.12:22‐2320Eph.2:14212Pet.3:8

morningofthatlongdayandtheresurrectionofthewickedandthegreatwhitethronejudgmentoccursattheeveningofthesameday.ButChrist’sreturnispresentedintheBibleastheconsummatingeventthatclosesthisage,resurrectsall,judgesall,andintroducesthenewheavensandthenewearth.22

PaulwrotethreechaptersonthefutureoftheJews(Romans9‐11),yetnotoncedoeshesayanythingaboutthepre‐millennialkingdomandtheJewsplaceinit.

Parousia(appearanceandpresence)andapokalupsis(revelation)areusedinterchangeablyintheNewTestament23andrefertothesinglereturnofChristtotheearthattheendofalltime.Theydonotdescribedifferenttimesbutdifferentaspectsoftheonereturn.

...a confusion between divine wrath and tribulation,

PremillennialdispensationalistssaythattheChurchisexemptfromdivinewrath(1Thess.1:10),especiallythegreattribulationofRevelation3:10.TheyarguethatthereisnomentionofthechurchinRevelation4‐18.

WeagreethatChristiansareexemptfromdivinewrath,butthevastmajorityofthetribulationpassagesrefertotribulationthatbelieverssuffer.Soexemptionfromwrathcannotmeanexemptionfromtribulation.Itmeansthattheywillbekeptinthemidstoftribulation.AllbelieverswillavoidGod’swrathbutthatdoesnotmeantheywillavoidallsufferingandhardship.

...an unlikely reversal of glori<ication,

LikeclassicalpremillennialismthisschemealsoendsupwiththegloriCiedChristandthegloriCiedsaintsbackonaless‐than‐gloriCiedearth.

...and a return to Old Covenant worship.

PremillennialdispensationalistsinsistthatOldTestamentpassagesthatspeakofarebuilttemple,thepriesthoodrestored,andsacriCicesofferedshouldbetakenliterally.ButthatisnothowtheNewTestamentinterpretsthesepassages.ItseestheOldTestamentprophetsspeakingofthefuturegloryoftheMessianickingdomintheirownlanguage.And,aswithanytype,whentherealitycomestheshadowfallsaway.


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222Thess.1:6‐10;1Cor.1:7,8;Phil.1:6,10;1Jn.2:28;1Tim.4:8;1Thess.4:13‐18;2Pet.3:13;John5:28,29;6:40;Acts24:14‐15231Thess.1:7‐8;3:13;4:15;2Thess.2:8;Matthew24:39;Luke17:30

The main criticisms are an unsustainable literalism, an unfounded postponement theory, an unjusti7ied separation of the 7inal events, a confusion between divine wrath and tribulation, an unlikely reversal of glori7ication, and a return to Old Covenant worship.

28. What is the practical value of eschatology?

Eschatology helps us to teach the church, worship God, serve with zeal, hope in the midst of trouble, prepare for judgment, and long for heaven.

Eschatology helps us to teach the church,

Eschatologyisoneofthemoreneglectedoftheologicalsubjects,especiallyintheReformedChurch.Thisvacuumperhapspartlyexplainswhysomanybizarreeschatologicalschemeshavetakenholdandspreadthroughmanychurches.

TheChurchneedsteachingonthissubject,notjustbecauseneglectisdangerous,butalsobecauseeschatologyisthecapstoneandcrownofsystematictheology.Itshedslightoneveryotherdoctrineandanswersquestionswhicheveryothersubjectraises.

TheChurchneedsabalancedviewofeschatologysothatitdoesnotomitthoughtoftheworldtocome,butalsosothatitdoesnotbecomeobsessedwiththeworldtocome.

...worship God,

Worshipshouldbetheendofalltheology,butespeciallyofeschatology.Whenwethinkoftheresurrection,thedefeatofSatan,thejudgment,thenewheavensandthenewearth,andeternalfellowshipwithChristandHisChurch,wesurelycannotbutamplifyourworshipofGod.

...serve with zeal,

Thefactthattheendisnighshouldnotmakeuspassivewaitersfortheinevitable.Itshouldnotinduceafatalisticinactivity.RathertheNewTestamentlinkszealousservicewithatruebeliefintheendofallthings.1


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12Peter3:11‐14

...hope in the midst of trouble,

Paulurgessufferingbelieverstohopebyremindingthemthatthesufferingsofthispresenttimearenotworthytobecomparedwiththeglorywhichshallberevealed.2Whetherwearesufferingdisease,familytrouble,nationalapostasy,orpersecution,wehavethesurehopethatitistemporaryandsmallcomparedtotheeternalandmassiveblessingsthatareroundthecorner.

...prepare for judgment,

EschatologyremindsusthatwemustpreparetomeetourGod.Wearegoingtobecalledtoaccountforthedeedsdoneinthebody.Andthisisespeciallyimportantforunbelievers.Theirliveswillnotgoonforever,andthisworldwillnotgoonforever.TheyneedtoseektheLordandbegformercybeforethatgreatdayoftheirend,oroftheworld’send.

...and long for heaven.

Whenwelearnaboutthenewheavensandthenewearth,inwhichdwellsrighteousness,weshoulddesireanaccelerationofthatgreatday.3WhenwethinkofthegloryofChrist’seternalreignourprayershouldbe,“Evenso,come,LordJesus.”4


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2Romans8:18‐2532Peter3:124Rev.22:20

Eschatology helps us to teach the church, worship God, serve with zeal, hope in the midst of trouble, prepare for judgment, and long for heaven.

Documents

These Last Days: Four Millennial Views David P Murray › users › faithpcacheraw_org › Endtimes_Q_A_by_Davi… · and which will be concluded with these coincidental climactic