Sunday, August 30,
2008 pm
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STUDIES ON THE END OF TIME
Premillenialism Examined (1)
Tonight we continue
our study of events associated with the end of time.
Because of the many speculations dealing with what will happen as
the world come to an end, it is important that we understand what the
word of God actually says about when this will happen and what will
occur at that time. This study is designed to examine some of the false
theories being advanced concerning the return of our Lord AND notice
what will actually happen.
Over the past few months we have
examined (from time to time) some lessons that will help us in this
study. We have talked about
what the expressions “the Last days” and “the day of the Lord” mean, as
they are actually used in scripture.
We also introduced the doctrine of Premillenialism in July and
established why it is a flawed and unscriptural theory.
There are other key concepts that we should give consideration to
in answering false doctrines about the end of time such as:
1.
The proper
interpretation of Old Testament prophecy and figurative language (both
rules and times of fulfillment);
2.
The
relationship of the Church and the Kingdom (they are the same thing);
3.
The
fulfillment of promises to physical Israel (they have been fulfilled);
4.
Prophecies
in the New Testament concerning the destruction of Jerusalem (i.e.
Matthew 24, etc.);
5.
An
understanding of how to interpret the book of Revelation.
It is my recent
studies in the book of Revelation that has prompted me to engage in this
study, along with the speculative abuse that is so prevalent today. And
there is a need for us to know the truth with enough detail that we see
why false theories are indeed false and hopefully be prepared to teach
the truth to others (1 Peter 3:15).
We have mentioned many of the above key concepts in what we have
studied thus far – it is NOW time to begin examining in detail the false
theory of premillenialism. The next few weeks we are going to present a
series of lessons on this topic.
In the process of so doing, I hope to accomplish two things:
1.
Establish
how every element of the theory of Premillenialism is founded on error
2.
Help us
learn to properly apply all of scripture – including the difficult
passages.
a.
Simply
stated it is a THEORY that we are
living in a period of time prior to the fulfillment of the events of the
book of Revelation and other prophecies.
It is a theory that teaches that Christ is coming back to reign
upon the physical throne of David in a newly restored physical Jerusalem
for 1000 years. The
foundation of this rests in the fact that our Lord came to this earth to
restore physical Israel to its proper glory (and in the process
establish a kingdom on earth) but because they were not ready (i.e.
unwilling) to accept Him as He planned He established the church
temporarily in place of the kingdom.
He has gone back to heaven and will return to establish that
kingdom and reign for 1000 years.
After that there will be a judgment.
A chart helps explain the various events associated with this theory (at
least one author’s rendition).
b.
A
point of emphasis: There
is great disagreement as to what order various events will occur as
everything unfolds. The
reason for this is the lack of clarity in scripture as to what
will happen and when. NOTICE
how I mention the lack of clarity!
That is because it is NOT taught in scripture
. To achieve this
theory one has to twist and speculate on all sorts of scriptures, many
of which clearly point to a different fulfillment than this theory.
a.
Christ
did establish His kingdom when He came
or else He is NOT all powerful (cf. Mark 9:1, etc.).
Scriptures actually point to the kingdom being in existence as
the New Testament was written (Col. 1:13, Heb. 12:28).
b.
His
kingdom was NOT of this world.
It was NEVER intended to be so.
John 18:36, Luke 17:20-21, Romans 14:17, etc.
c.
The
church was NOT an afterthought.
Ephesians 3:10-11 – it was in His plans from the beginning,
before the foundation of the world.
d.
Nowhere
does scripture teach Christ will return to this earth to reign!
It says we will be caught up in the air to always be with Him (1
Thess. 4:15-18).
e.
The
Bible does NOT teach multiple resurrections.
John 5:28-29, Matthew 25:31-46, etc.
a.
In our
previous lesson, “Are we living in
the last days?” we established that the last days as used in the New
Testament refers to the time from the establishment of the
Kingdom/church (in Acts 2) til today.
Hebrews 1:1-2 is an example.
In the Old Testament it usually looked forward to the time of
Christ, unless the text indicated otherwise (cf. Gen. 49:1, Deut. 4:30,
etc.) - Consider Acts 2:17, which quoted Joel 2:28-31.
b.
In
our lesson “What is the day of the
Lord?” we examined several Old Testament passages noting the term
simply meant a day of judgment.
The fulfillment of the day at hand was determined by the context
(cf. Isa. 13:6 – against Babylon; Joel 1:15 – against Judah, etc.)
We also noted there are passages in the Old Testament that looked
forward to fulfillment in the time of Christ – See Acts 2:20, (cf. Joel
2: 31). Also Malachi 14:1
speaks of John the Baptist (Elijah).
And for what it is worth, we
noted that there IS a day of the Lord yet future (1 Thess. 5:2,
2 Peter 3:10, etc. The text
of these passages prove it to be an event that HAS TO BE yet future.
To my knowledge, there is NO Old
Testament passage that speaks of the day of the Lord OR similar
expressions that was not fulfilled either before (at an appointed time)
or during the time of Christ and the establishment of the church and
kingdom in the first century.
c.
Concerning
events dealing with the end time, Mark Copeland gives 2 suggestions for
interpreting Old Testament prophecies.
1.
“Look to
Jesus and His apostles for the proper interpretation.”
Luke 24:44 -45 where Jesus opened the understanding of His
apostles concerning prophecies about Him.
Understand that even when He was with them – they misunderstood
many things.
When Jesus explained things – it cleared them up.
Realize that the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus gave to guide them into all
truth (John 16:13).
For example: Matthew 2:15 is a fulfillment of Hosea 11:1.
Speaking of God’s Son being called out of Egypt.
The Holy Spirit made that evident to Matthew.
2.
“Do NOT
base end time scenarios solely on OT prophecies”
Without NT clarification, OT prophecies are conjecture at best.
d.
Premillenialism bases some of its theory on Old Testament prophecies.
We shall see some of these as we examine the various events of
the theory (e.g. Armageddon, Christ reigning, etc.).
a.
Like O.T.
prophecy, the book of Revelation is the playground upon which
premillenialism is based. It
is how they BEGIN to formulate a timetable for the various events.
But remember, there is vast disagreement as to order and what happens
because the text is NOT clear!
And don’t forget, the reason the text is not clear is because it
is NOT what Revelation is about!
b.
Some
things to remember about the book of Revelation.
1.
This
book is unique.
It is different from EVERY OTHER book of the New Testament.
You cannot approach it the same way you do other books of the New
Testament (Though you MUST approach it with reverence and as the word of
God).
2.
It is
described as a REVELATION or
revealing of things hidden (Rev. 1:1).
It was signified – a word which means to be made known in signs
(or visions).
3.
It was
written to the seven churches of Asia
(1:4) and designed to take place “shortly” (1:1. 3).
Whatever interpretation one gives to this book, it had to be of
some consolation to these Christians who were suffering, some severely
for their faith. It has to
address the persecutions they are enduring AND those who were
persecuting them.
ONE of the problems with assigning the majority of events in this
book to some future time (e.g. premillenialism, the continuous
historical view, etc.) is that it was of little or no comfort to the
brethren in Asia to whom John was writing.
In addition to the unscriptural consequences of the premillenial
date it ignores the accountability and retribution of those who
persecuted Christians back then, which DID happen.
That is why I hold to a view that the majority of the teachings of
this book dealt with the persecutions of the Roman Empire against
Christians and how God held them accountable.
History shows the rise and fall of the Roman Empire with events
that could easily be compared to the various events throughout
Revelation (The preterist view).
And while we may not be able to peg these events with exactness
(though I firmly believe those to whom it was written had a clearer
understanding)
this view satisfies the needed
hope and encouragement to those brethren as they suffered for the cause
of Christ.
c.
The
book is highly figurative.
It is a book filled with creatures in heaven, scenes in heaven and
places where those who have already died have gone, beasts and dragons
and harlots. You read of
horses, a scroll with 7 seals, trumpets blowing, bowls of wrath, and
disasters. Throughout you
see a battle between the forces of good and the forces of evil, both on
earth and in heaven. The
ultimate message is that GOD wins!
NOTE: One of the problems with premillenialism is that they hold the
book of Revelation to be mostly literal.
But they will take the same passage and make some events literal
and other figurative. They
do this at random!
d.
According
to Revelation, Premillenialism brings Christ back to this earth to finish the job He
could not complete when He came the first time.
And I have a BIG problem with that!!!!
a.
We will
conclude our study today with this question.
Premillenialists want to bring Christ back to earth.
I ask WHY? For what
purpose? Let us briefly
consider what Christ accomplished when He came to earth the first time.
b.
As a
result of His first coming, Jesus:
i.
Completed His mission of redemption
– Col. 1:13-14, Ephesians 1:7-10 – He did this “in the dispensation of
fullness of the times.”
John 17:4 – He said that is plain words, “I
have glorified You on the earth.
I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.”
ii.
Made provisions to complete His revelation
–
Hebrews 3:1-3 – In these last days God has spoken to us through His Son.
Jude 3 speaks of “the faith once
for all delivered to the saints”
Again, John 16:13 says that Jesus gave His apostles “all truth.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 – we are complete with His message
iii.
Received complete authority
– Matthew 28:18-20.
What more authority will He have if He comes back?
Colossians 1:15-18, The firstborn of all creation, He is before all
things, In Him all things consist, He is the head of the body – the
church,…”that in all things He may have the preeminence…”
iv.
Receives a name above all
– Ephesians 1:20-21, Philippians 2:9-11
v.
Was
glorified by the Father –
1 Peter 1:20-21, John 17:5, 24, Heb. 1:3 – Christ is the brightness of
His glory.
Even Revelation 5:9-14 which describes the lamb in heaven who was worthy
to open the scroll shows His glory.
Creatures and angels and elders in heaven praise Him.
Vs. 12 says, “Worthy is the lamb who was slain, To receive power and riches and wisdom
and strength and honor and glory and blessing!”
What event caused Him to be worthy of glory?
His death for us!
vi.
Completed His church –
Ephesians 1:22-23, Christ is head of the church, His body.
vii.
Conquered and bound Satan
– Heb. 2:14-15 – through death He destroyed the devil.
1 John 3:8, “For this purpose the
Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”
viii.
Now
reigns on His throne in heaven
-
Acts 2:30-36 – Christ is
sitting on the throne of David
1 Cor. 15:23-25 – Christ is now reigning and will continue till death is
destroyed.
Remember that there is one thing Jesus CANNOT do according to scripture,
and that is reign on earth in Judah.
Because He is a descendent of Coniah (see Jeremiah 22:30, Matt.
1:11)
And thus we
introduce the subject of premillenialism.
Next week we will begin examining the details of premillenialism.
Again our hope is to give us a better understanding of God’s word
concerning what WILL happen when He returns and how to answer those who
teach otherwise. Brethren,
think!