Sunday, June 29, 2008 pm
A STUDY OF PREMILLENIALISM
Introduction
Tonight I want to begin an
ongoing study that will be addressed in the coming three months from
time to time. I want to talk
about the subject of premillenialism.
There are a couple of reasons why I want to begin this study:
1)
We are living in troubling times which is causing many to think about
“the end times” as they relate to the Bible.
Is the end near? Is there reason to be alarmed? What should our
reaction as Christians?
2)
Over the past 100 years or so, speculations about what will happen when
the Lord returns has continued to increase and intensify.
Lately we have seen more and more speculations.
For example: Some have speculated the Lord’s return tied to millennium a
few years ago. Some saw
significance in the date, June 6, 2006 (06/06/06).
A few years ago, Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins produced a series of
books called, “The Left Behind Series” in which they, in a story
fashion, told how they believed this world is going to end with their
interpretation of this doctrine.
The series consists of 16 novels which began in 1995 and has sold
over 65 million copies (www.leftbehind.com).
There is another book out that is gaining popularity entitled, “2008
God’s Final Witness” by Ronald Weinland.
In this book he claims to be a prophet from God and even says
that if the events of his book do not take place then he admits he is a
false prophet. This book
states that this year (2008) the United States will collapse by this
fall and World War III, the final war will take place killing billions.
On his website,
www.the-end.com
professes to be a prophet sent to the three major world religions,
Christianity, Judaism and Islam, “whose roots are in the God of
Abraham.” He believes we are
witnessing the seven thunders of the book of Revelation 10:3-4.
3)
How should we react to such “prophecies”?
How will we answer those who profess to believe these things?
What do we know about “the end times”?
4)
A Personal Reason: In addition to this, I am about to begin a study of
Revelation. I intend to
present some sermons to correspond with my class and the events in
Revelation that are used by those who teach premillenialism.
I believe these lessons are useful and needed by all.
NOTE: There will be other lessons in addition to these on the
subject as it covers many passages and subjects outside of Revelation.
I.
What Is Premillenialism?
A.
Based on the doctrine that we are living in the age before (pre) the
thousand year reign (millennial) of Christ.
One preacher said of the “ism” – it means, “It ain’t so!”
B.
Based on facts that:
1. God never fulfilled all
of His land promise – Genesis 12:1-3
2. Christ’s first coming was
to fulfill that promise, BUT He was rejected by the Jews.
3. Christ set up the church
in place of the kingdom.
4. When Christ returns, He
will set up His kingdom once and for all and reign for 1000 years in
Jerusalem on the physical throne of David. (Revelation 20 is the proof
text)
C.
Associated with the “end times”, the following things will happen: (See chart)
1.
The Rapture -
Christians being caught up in the air to meet Christ when He returns, as
mentioned in passages like Matthew 24:40-41, or 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.
There is debate as to when this
will happen in the course of events.
2.
The Antichrist will arise
–
early after the rapture of the saints.
Mentioned in 1 John 2.18.
Also 2 Thessalonians 2.1-10 describes the man of perdition and
the Beast in Revelation 13.
3.
The Great Tribulation –
Global suffering for 7 years.
Matthew 24 and most of Revelation explain what will happen.
4.
Then Jesus' Return – He
will
physically coming back to Earth. Revelation 19.
5.
The Battle of Armageddon –
Revelation – a war between good and evil forces (Revelation 16:16, etc.)
6.
The New Heaven and New
Earth -
Revelation 21-22, God creates new heavens and a new Earth. The Church
will live on the New Earth.
7.
The Millennium -
The key passage is Revelation 20, Satan bound and Christ reigns for 1000
years in
8.
Final Judgment Day – This
is the final judgment (premillenialism teaches several judgments,
distinguishing between when the righteous and the unrighteous will be
judged. Here Jesus
judges everyone who ever lived. You get to be with God forever or go to
Hell. One of many mentions is at the end of Revelation 20.
A.
It is based upon speculation.
Books (such as Revelation, Daniel, Ezekiel and Zechariah, as well
as Matthew 24, 1 Thessalonians 5, etc.) used to formulate this theory.
Often fragments of figurative language.
Interpreting the book of Revelation can be summarized in Revelation
1:1-3 – signified and things which must “shortly take place.”
B.
Did God fulfill His promise to Abraham? See Joshua 21:43-45.
NOTE how it says that not a single word failed of all God had
promised. He kept His
promise. Israel KEEPING the
land was CONDITIONAL upon their obedience.
Moses warned of that in Deuteronomy.
So did Joshua and others.
They are also a nation – Deuteronomy 4:6-8, 26:5
C.
Did Jesus come to establish an earthly kingdom? NO!
Consider John 18:36 – My kingdom is NOT of this world
Luke 17:20-21 – the kingdom does not come with observation. It is WITHIN
you.
Romans 14:17 – it is not eating and drinking
D.
The kingdom was eminent.
Matt. 3:12, Mark 9:1 – Jesus taught it would happen soon!
Present as apostles preached - Col. 1:13, Heb. 12:28
E.
Did Jesus ever want to be a physical king? NO!
John 6:15, Zech 6:12-13 (He was a priest).
He could NOT be a priest on earth because He was of
Jeremiah 22:28-30 – Coniah (last king) written childless.
NOTE: He had children, but none reigned physically on the throne
of David in
F.
Was the church an afterthought?
NO!
Ephesians 3:10-11 – planned before the foundation of the worlds.
Matthew 16:18-19 – Jesus ties the church and kingdom together.
G.
Is Christ now reigning?
YES!
Acts 2:33-36, 4:37 – sitting at the right hand of God.
Also He has been made LORD and Christ. Revelation 1:5 – ruler of
all kings of the earth
1 Corinthians 15:22-25 – “He must reign – present tense verb till all
enemies under Him, including death.
H.
Does Revelation 20 teach Christ will return to earth?
NOTE what is missing:
1.
The 2nd coming of Christ.
NOTE: Christ WILL return – 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, 2 Peter
3:10-13, etc. But WHERE does
it EVER say He will reign on the earth?
2.
The bodily resurrection.
NOTE: We will be raised – 1 Corinthians 15:50-55.
But where does it say we will THEN reign on the earth with this
new body?
3.
A literal reign on earth.
Where does it EVER say Christ will return to
4.
A literal throne of David in
5.
Physical
6.
Christ reigning on earth.
NO!
III.
Consequences of Premillenialism
A.
Makes Jesus & God a failure when He came OR a liar – Mk. 9:1
Did Jesus complete His work?
See John 17:4.
B.
How do we know He will succeed the next time?
C.
Minimizes importance of church.
It is NOT an afterthought!
D.
Removes Jesus from the throne now where we have shown He is.
E.
Why preach to Jews now?
Nullifies great commission – Mark 16:15-16.
F.
Teaches a second chance for some (those spared the disaster).
Conclusion: The book of Revelation can be summarized in two words: GOD WINS! The theory of premillenialism is filled with Biblical inaccuracies and speculations. It requires inserting the rapture into the events of Revelation (since it is nowhere mentioned there) AND it turns a spiritual message into something physical. Let us not fall for this trap. Instead, PREPARE to meet God NOW.