Eschatology

4/3/2014

Sometimes, I feel, when we take a stance on millennialism, people become hardhearted and will not listen to another view. I personally find that each view has merit. Here’s a thought: we are living through the millennium, right now. Since I said it, what view do you think I sway towards?

A key text for the millennium: Revelation 20:1-6 (see footnote below)

Premillennialism maintains that the millennium will begin on earth immediately after the second coming. Satan will be bound. Earlier Jewish saints and all Christian saints will live in heaven during the millennium. Christ will rule the earth from a throne in Jerusalem during the millennium. The millennium will last for a 1,000 years. The millennium will end with a rebellion led by Satan and another return of Christ with judgment. The first return by Christ (prior to the millennium) will be preceded by a seven-year period of great tribulation. Dispensationalists typically believe that Christians will be spared most of the suffering of the great tribulation by being secretly raptured from the earth. The second coming of Christ will occur in two or three stages over a 1,000+ year period.

Postmillennialism maintains that the millennium will begin on earth sometime during the period between the first coming of Christ and the second coming and will end shortly before the second coming of Christ. The millennium will begin when the church has won the majority of the world for Christ. Satan will be “bound” in the sense that his influence will be in the minority. Christians who are alive during the millennium will enjoy spiritual blessings on earth. The millennium will last for a long age (“1,000 years” is symbolic). The millennium will end with a rebellion led by Satan and the (only) second coming of Christ with judgment

Amillennialism maintains that the millennium began at the resurrection and ascension of Christ and will end shortly before the second coming. Satan was “bound” at the resurrection of Christ in the sense that he will not be allowed to stop the church from preaching the gospel message of Christ’s death and resurrection to the nations (Matt. 12:28-29; Acts 26:16-18). Christians now enjoy spiritual blessings during the millennium: A spiritual resurrection in baptism (Rom. 6:4-6; Col. 2:12-13), Reigning with Christ as his ambassadors on earth, operating the “keys of the kingdom” (Matt. 18:17-18; Eph. 2:4-7), Serving as a spiritual priesthood in Christian service (Heb. 13:15-16; 1 Pet. 2:5-9). The millennium will last for a long age (“1,000 years” is symbolic). The millennium will end with a rebellion led by Satan and the (only) second coming of Christ with judgment.

Amillennialism: it is the eschatology that makes sense, is simple (but not simplistic) and elegant in comparison to other views. The amillennial view is most consistent with my study of theology and the context of the whole book of Revelation. Revelation presents a cyclical pattern of recapitulation rather than a chronological order of eschatological events. In the biblical record, human history begins in a garden and ends in the eternal city. It begins with tragedy and ends in triumph. It begins with man's failure and ends with his exaltation. In between, there stands a cross! And on that cross, Jesus Christ changed the course of human history forever.

FOOTNOTE: Revelation 20:1-6 (NIV): The Thousand Years “20 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. 2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3 He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.

4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.”

A response:

“Amillennialism puts the focus of Christ reign throughout this church age, and negates the idea of there being a one thousand year reign. This theory also does not hold the tribulation, as spoken of in Revelation, to a certain period of time. Rather the trials and persecution will simply increase until Christ comes back the second time. The weakness here is found in how the amillennialist has to justify (or second guess) each bowl being of wrath being poured out. There are so many natural disasters or terrorist attacks that could “fit” with a specific bowl. How does one know to identify these bowls being ‘spread out’ over time?

Amil

4/5/2014 12:35:58 am

I have to lean towards Amillennialism.

Friday, April 4, 2014, 08:17 PM

I have looked at the different millennial viewpoints and have arrived at the Amillennial position. I take this position because I believe that Jesus bound Satan when he came the first time. It began when he cast out demons, when his disciples were given power over demons, and when Jesus was resurrected. At that point, his power over Satan was clearly demonstrated. Why is there still death, sickness and sin if Jesus bound Satan? Hebrews 2:14 states "so that by his death he might destroy him who holds power over death-that is the devil". Jesus did destroy Satan's power over us if we make him Lord of our life. We can enjoy eternal life. We're given the Holy Spirit to withstand sin and grow in holiness.

I also believe that Revelation, as apocalyptic literature, has much symbolism. The Amillennialism viewpoint views the 1000 year reign started with Christ's first visit and will run until shortly before he comes again. It just won't be a literal 1000 years. The Bible also teaches us that we won't know for sure...there may be signs, but even the Son doesn't know the exact time. 1 Thes. 5:1-3 states: "Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape." A literal 1000 years would mean it would be predictable. That would not be biblical. The church must spread the Gospel to each nation and wait.

One main reason I disagree with Postmillennialism is because verses such as 1 Tim 4:1-3. 2 Tim 3:1-9, 13 and 2 Peter 3:1-4 give us the impression things will be spiritually worse, not better. Regarding Premillennialism, I don't see any biblical basis for a secret rapture, and I believe based on scripture, Christ will come back one time and it will be very visible.

Could say so much more, but that would be a paper! These comments are but a scrape on the surface.

4/5/2014 12:37:32 am

Friday, April 4, 2014, 05:37 PM
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Paul great response here. Based on your post you hold to the Amillennialism view. So I have a few questions and thoughts to share.

First, can you from a plain normal reading of scripture support the amillennial position? I say you cannot. Amillennialism can only be supported by spiritualizing prophetic passages and I think that is in error.

Second, can we really say Satan is bound now? The world seems to be getting worst for Christians as time marches on into the future. I believe the devil is not bound yet, but active and busy in his role as the enemy of man.

Third, what about the first resurrection in Revelation 20:4-6? It says when Christ comes back the resurrected will reign with him for a thousand years (a millennium). Christ has not come back yet so the millennium will happen in the future and not now as this view says.

Let me know your thoughts? God Bless You!

Amil

4/5/2014 12:38:35 am

Friday, April 4, 2014, 09:13 PM

KB, I'd like to address a couple of your questions. I believe the Bible teaches things will get much worse. One good example of this is 2 Timothy 3:1-9: "3 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money,boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. 6 They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7 always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. 9 But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone."

Sadly, sounds alot like the times we live in now. Also, as I stated in my post, Hebrews 2:14 clearly states Jesus' purpose in his first coming: "so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death-that is, the devil." He did destroy Satan's power when he showed he could control the demons, his disciples were given the power to cast them out, and Jesus was resurrected. His resurrection gave us hope of eternal life. It showed that he clearly did destroy Satan's power over death if we give our lives to Christ.

Regarding the Amillennial viewpoint, I'd recommend Dr. Jack Cottrell's The Faith Once For All. He makes very sound arguments for the Amillennial argument, but takes just about 26 pages to do it...a little more space than what we have.

I am not sure what you mean by spiritualizing prophetic passages so I can't respond to it.

One thing I don't see is a secret rapture or a second chance found in the Premillennial position. The second chance idea, as popularized by the Left Behind series, must be thoroughly vetted. With all the differences we've all voiced, somebody is going to be right and somebody will be wrong. I recently talked to a guy that actually told a friend that died something to the effect he'd better get it right during that second chance. To me, that is the riskiest and saddest position taken. Not sure how you feel about that. The Amillennial position takes the approach that you need to get it right this side of death. I find that position totally biblical.

Mil

4/5/2014 12:41:05 am

Premillennialism holds the view that Christ will come before the beginning of the millennium, which is a literal 1000 year reign. The basis of the literal time period is prophecy throughout the Old Testament, including God’s promise to David that He will establish His Kingdom through the line of David. God also told David, in 2 Samuel 7, that He would establish David’s kingdom forever – a promise that will be fulfilled when Christ comes again. I believe that this literal view is the only one that fits with what God has said in His Word.

Amillennialism says that the 1000 year reign of Christ is figurative, not literal. Those holding this view believe that we are in the millennial period now; when Christ returns, the final judgment will occur and the new heavens and earth will be be created after the destruction of the existing heaven and earth. I don’t see any strength to this view because I believe we must take the prophecy of God’s kingdom on earth literally. God’s promise to David that “I will establish your offspring forever, and build your throne for all generations” (Psalm 89:4) was a literal one, as were many other promises which tell us that His kingdom is a literal Kingdom on earth. We can’t pick and choose what is literal and what is not – if the Kingdom is literal, then the length of Christ’s reign is literal – there is no reason to believe that it is not.

Postmillennialism also holds that the 1000 year reign of Christ is a figurative rather than literal period of time – however, they believe the 1000 years represent “a long period of time.” During this time, it is believed that a majority of those living will accept Christ, and when His Kingdom is established on earth, Christ will return. Again, as with Amillennialism, Postmillennialism does not line up with the rest of Scripture – Paul tells us about the Godless behavior of men in the end times (2 Timothy 3) and we also know that Christ, not the Church, establishes the Kingdom of God on earth.

Interesting

4/5/2014 12:44:06 am

I've never encountered someone who held those beliefs. I, of course, have some questions about your post and reasons for holding this particular eschatology.

1. Your first reason for holding this view is the prophecy in the OT making reference to David's reign and his line. Jesus is in the line of David, as pointed out by two genealogies. The problem I have with your view, though is, are you not making the very same mistake that the Jews made when looking for the messiah? Are you not assuming a political over hall of the world where Christ comes and reigns on a throne thus making his kingdom a local, physical kingdom? It seems that the Pharisees and Jews made this same mistake which led them to miss the bigger picture. That God's kingdom is not a visible one but an invisible one. It is bent on moral reform, social justice, and righteousness through its individual members and yet as a community as a whole. What you are saying does not match the gospel's description of the Kingdom of God to me. Can you elaborate on this?

In your last paragraph you mention the Kingdom of God being established by Jesus and not the church. What makes you think that the church is not a part of the Kingdom of God? It would certainly make sense that it is at least part of the Kingdom that was established with Jesus came to earth the first time. We are fulfilling God's will on earth as it is in heaven through our preaching and teaching of the gospel (with the direction of the spirit obviously).

2. You say that the kingdom is literal therefore the 1000 years must be literal. We cannot pick and choose. Again, I question the hermeneutical benefits to this understanding. First, you are replacing author's intended meaning with a literal rendering. By doing this, you can also miss the occasion for writing, the situation of the empire, and the audience to whom the author is writing to. In the case of Revelation, we find people suffering under the persuasion of Dominion in the 90s. Perhaps John uses the time of Nero as a tool to remember the deliverance from persecution then and applies it their situation in the 90s. Revelation would then not be a case of what is going to happen, but what happens. This is a distinction made by a Prof who used to teach at Ozark . When taking a literal interpretation you miss out on these other literary nuances that can help fill in the whole picture. I think it is important that we pick and choose very carefully what is literal and what is not because otherwise we are not being good stewards of the different genres in the Bible.

3. You say that Amillennialsim and Postmillennialsm do not hold up with the rest of scripture. I find that Premillennialsim also does not hold up with the rest of scripture. The doctrine of Premillennialsim refers to the rapture being the beginning of the millenium. 1 Thess. 4:17 (to me) does not refer to us being taken away but rather *Meeting* Jesus in the air and then returning with him to earth. So on his way to the earth/ground/whatever we are taken into the sky with him and finish the journey to earth with him. There is no going away. And when Jesus returns that is the end.

Lit

4/5/2014 12:46:16 am

I believe that Christ is reigning from heaven. David's promise has been fulfilled through Jesus and his reign lasts forever. Acts 2:32-36 supports this. 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, “‘The Lord said to my Lord:“Sit at my right hand 35 until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”’ 36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

I too agree that Jesus will have a literal kingdom on earth and that kingdom is now being reigned from heaven. The church is his emissary. When he comes again, there'll be a new earth. The old one will be gone, and the new will appear.

Israel has fulfilled its purpose. It was to deliver the savior of the world. As nations watched it, they saw the successes and failures of this nation tied directly to its worship and obedience of the Lord. Once Jesus was here, Israel rejected Jesus. But Israelites can be grafted back into the New Israel, Jesus' earthly kingdom right now. Paul repeatedly warned the Jews to not count on there bloodline to save them...only Jesus could. To me, prophecies have been fulfilled. Israel, the country, is now no different than Norway or China.

Paul B

4/5/2014 12:50:03 am

“there being a one thousand year reign”

the 1,000 years is symbolic.

“does not hold the tribulation, as spoken of in Revelation, to a certain period of time”

Correct! Matthew 24:21; Matthew 24:29; Revelation 2:10. The two events foresaw there, the destruction of Jerusalem and the Second Coming, are the two mountain peaks in the prophetic perspective, while the time in between is indefinite. The first event begins the Great Tribulation; the Second event brings it to a close with His triumphant appearance. Hence the multitudes of martyrs and confessors who have suffered throughout the Gospel era have endured the Tribulation. See the vision of the redeemed saints in heaven, Rev.7:14. They have come out of great Tribulation - during the Gospel era. This assessment is in line with history: prior to 70 A.D. persecution came only from Jews, as recorded in Acts. Afterwards, the Church was on its own, and came under the scrutiny of a hostile (Roman) state, while Jewish persecution ceased (well... lessened to almost none). Since then, persecution has been from one Gentile power after another, and from two main types of source: a corrupt ecclesiastical authority; or a hostile state. Jesus describes the features of the Gospel age/tribulation era in Matt.24:4-8. He sees all the troubles as "the beginning of the birth pangs" (v.8), Now birth pangs are just that part of a woman's labour when contractions begin, but as labour progresses the contractions get both more frequent, and more intense. Hence I would agree that the current Tribulation will intensify on a world-wide scale as the end approaches, and then Divine intervention will suddenly shred the earth apart and Christ will appear.

“or second guess) each bowl being of wrath”

Then there are the seven seals. Seven happens over and over in the scripture. It is thought to mean “completion” since God in the Bible created in six days and finished or completed his job on the seventh day. In this case Revelation has multiple sevens; seven churches, seven lamp stands, seven stars, seven torches, seven seals, seven horns, seven angels, seven trumpets, seven thunders, a seven headed dragon, seven plagues, seven golden bowls, seven mountains, seven dwarfs, . . . (oh wait that is a different book, sorry) progressive parallelism… Maybe. The consecutive series of seals, trumpets, and bowl judgments of Revelation detail God’s judgment upon unbelievers, climaxing in the triumphant return of Christ to earth with His bride, the church (Rev. 19:11–21).

“How does one know to identify these bowls being ‘spread out’ over time”

"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a witness to all the nations, and then the end shall come." (Matthew 24:14 NAS)

"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Mark 13:32-33 NIV)

“So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Matthew 24:43-44 NIV)

Paul B

4/5/2014 11:27:32 pm

Premillennialism: The second coming of Christ will occur in two or three stages over a 1,000+ year period.

Postmillennialism: The millennium will end with a rebellion led by Satan and the (only) second coming of Christ with judgment

Amillennialism: The millennium will end with a rebellion led by Satan and the (only) second coming of Christ with judgment.

What is the common denominator:

Just like the T-800 in first Terminator movie...

Jesus promised, in the end, that he would be back...

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