PREMILLENIALISM PREPARED BY LARRY CURRY CRESTWOOD, IL 2009

Transcription

1 PREMILLENIALISM PREPARED BY LARRY CURRY CRESTWOOD, IL 2009 For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His dear Son. (Colossians 1:13)

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS LESSON PAGE OVERVIEW OF PREMILLENIALISM 01 THE CHURCH AND THE KINGDOM 05 THE RAPTURE AND THE TRIBULATION 09 THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON 13 THE MILLENIUM 16 CHART: PREMILLENIAL SCHEME OF WORLD EVENTS 19 CHART: ISRAEL IN RELATION TO THE CHURCH AGE 20 CHART: ISRAEL IN THE PREMILLENIAL SEQUENCE OF WORLD EVENTS 21

3 OVERVIEW OF PREMILLENIALISM INTRODUCTION I. THIS SUBJECT IS SOMETIMES NEGLECTED IN BIBLE STUDY A. Sometimes it is true because some feel we should just study the Bible. B. At other times, it is just unintentionally overlooked. II. YET, WE SHOULD NOT BE IGNORANT OF THIS SUBJECT A. Many religious people believe and teach this error. B. We must be prepared to teach them. III. OUR OBJECTIVES IN THIS LESSON ARE TWO-FOLD A. We will begin to examine the various parts of the doctrine. B. Additionally, we will notice some of the logical consequences of premillenialism. BODY I. THE PREMILLENIAL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS (CHART) A. Christ came to establish an earthly kingdom. 1. This is based on misinterpretation of O.T. prophecies concerning the Messiah. 2. This view demands a literal interpretation of all scriptures. B. Christ was rejected and the Kingdom was postponed. 1. The Jews were looking for an earthly king and kingdom to bring them freedom. 2. Thus, they rejected the nature of Christ s Kingdom. C. God made a last-minute substitution of the church into His plan. 1. This implies that the Church was not in God s plan from eternity. 2. Also, this means that the mission of the Church is to call only a few who are to reign with the Lord during His earthly Kingdom. D. Christ will return for His saints in the rapture. 1. This signals the end of the church age. 2. This also signals either the beginning, middle, or end of the tribulation. E. The great tribulation period is next. 1. This is a time of intense persecution for seven years. 2. Some premillenialists believe that the saints are already in heaven, having been judged and rewarded. 3. The marriage feast of the Lamb takes place according to their view of Revelation 19, and the antichrist appears to deceive the 144,000 Jewish converts. F. Christ will return with His saints. 1. Those converted during the tribulation are claimed. 2. The judgment of the nations takes place according to their view of Matthew The kingdom is established in Palestine with Christ on the throne of David. 4. The battle of Armageddon occurs and Satan is bound. G. The millennium, or 1,000 year reign of Christ, now begins. 1. This idea is obtained by perverting Revelation 20: It is to be a time of unparalleled peace since Satan is now bound. 3. Satan is released at the end for a little season to test those who have been converted. -1-

4 4. After the Battle of Gog and Magog, led by Satan, the Great White Throne Judgment takes place. (Revelation 20:11-15) H. The end of the world now comes. 1. Satan, the beast, the false prophet, and all who have chosen to follow him are sent to their doom. 2. The righteous are sent to heaven. II. OBSERVATIONS AT THIS POINT A. There is no clear scriptural basis for the doctrine. 1. The scriptures that are used are taken out of context. 2. It makes for a fascinating tale of intrigue. B. Notice some logical consequences of premillenialism. 1. God failed the first time! 2. More than one judgment, Gospel, and resurrection are required. 3. The present gospel was/is not powerful enough. 4. It makes God a respecter of persons. 5. It makes the kingdom of God materialistic. III. EXAMINATION OF THE PREMILLENIAL IDEA OF THE KINGDOM A. God's Kingdom was rejected by the Jews. 1. They expected and desired an earthly kingdom. (John 6:15; 18:36, 37) 2. The Church was substituted at the last minute. a. However, the Church was the subject of numerous Old Testament prophecies. (Isaiah 2:2-4; Daniel 2:31-45; Joel 2:28-32; Micah 4:1-4) b. Peter quoted from Joel. (Acts 2:16) c. The Church was a part of the eternal purpose of God. (Ephesians 3:10, 11) d. James quoted the prophet Amos with regard to the rebuilding of David's tabernacle, and applied it to the preaching to the Gentiles in his day. (Amos 9:11, 12; Acts 15:16-18) 3. It denies the power of God in the mission of the Church. (1 Timothy 3:15) 4. It nullifies the great commission. (Matthew 28:18-20) B. The Kingdom has been established as noted previously. 1. Paul was in it. (Colossians 1:13) 2. We can enter it, and we have received it. (John 3:3, 5; Hebrews 12:28) CONCLUSION I. WE WILL CONTINUE REFUTING THE DOCTRINE IN THE NEXT LESSON II. WE MUST ALL BE EQUIPPED TO FIGHT THIS DOCTRINE -2-

5 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS PREMILLENIALISM First Coming BIBLE First Coming Kingdom Postponed Kingdom Established Church Age Second Coming Second Coming- First Stage Judgment Tribulation End Second Coming- Second Stage Eternity Millennium End Eternity -3-

6 REVIEW QUESTIONS 1. According to the doctrine of premillenialism, it was necessary for God to postpone the. 2. Do premillenialists believe that the church was in the mind of God from eternity? 3. How long do those who accept premillenialism believe the great tribulation will last? 4. Their doctrine demands that Jesus return one time His saints, and another time His saints. 5. From where do they believe Jesus will reign on the earth? 6. State some of the logical consequences of premillenialism. _ 7. What kind of kingdom were the Jews expecting God to establish? 8. Name some Old Testament prophecies which tell us where and when the Kingdom would be established. 9. Who quoted from the prophet Amos, and applied its fulfillment to the Gentiles entering the church? 10. In what passage of Scripture did Paul say that he was in the Kingdom? -4-

7 THE CHURCH AND THE KINGDOM INTRODUCTION I. MUCH IS SAID ABOUT THE KINGDOM BY PREACHERS OF ALL KINDS A. Many references are made to it in both the Old Testament and New Testament 1. It was the subject of a number of Old Testament prophecies. 2. It was generally considered by most Jews to be an earthly kingdom. B. However, there is false teaching concerning the Kingdom. 1. Most, but not all, denominations have perverted what the Bible says about it. 2. They have made the same mistake the Jews made. II. LET'S EXAMINE THE EVIDENCE IN THE BIBLE A. We will learn what the Old Testaments were talking about. 1. Did they speak of a time when Israel would once again rule on the earth? 2. Was the long awaited Messiah to come in and overthrow all the opposition? B. The lack of references in the Old Testament to the church has led many to teach error. 1. They do not believe that the church and the kingdom are one and the same. 2. In their mind, the church was a last-minute substitute. (Ephesians 3:10, 11) BODY I. IS THE CHURCH THE SAME AS THE KINGDOM? A. Notice the usage of each word. 1. Church- (Gk.- eklesia) means those who are called out. a. Such are called by the Gospel. (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14) b. They are called out of darkness. (1 Peter 2:9) c. It is a heavenly calling. (Hebrews 3:1) 2. Kingdom refers to the type of government. a. Jesus was born to be King. (John 18:36, 37) b. He was declared to have authority. (Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1:23) c. The promise to David was fulfilled. (2 Samuel 7:12-14; Acts 2:29-33, 36) B. Jesus himself made no distinction. 1. He declared His intention to build His Church. (Matthew 16:13-18) 2. The keys to the Kingdom were given to Peter and the rest of the apostles. (Matthew 16:19; 18:18) C. Paul made no distinction. 1. His letter to the Corinthians is addressed to those in the church who are called saints. (1 Corinthians 1:2) 2. His letter to the Colossians is addressed to those in the Kingdom called saints. (Colossians 1:2, 13) D. The entrance to both is the same. 1. One must be born of water and Spirit to enter the Kingdom. (John 3:3, 5) 2. One must be baptized in order to be added to the Church. (Acts 2:47) -5-

8 II. WHEN WAS THE KINGDOM ESTABLISHED? A. Premillenialists claim that it has not been established yet. 1. We will study this in greater detail in succeeding lessons. 2. They have concluded that the Jewish rejection of Jesus Christ meant that God could not set up the Kingdom as He planned to do. 3. Furthermore, they see the church as a last minute substitute, something to take up time until Jesus can return and set up His Kingdom in Israel. B. The Old Testament prophesies tell us when and where. 1. Consider the prophesies of Isaiah, Micah, and Joel. a. Last days (Isaiah 2:2-4; Joel 2:28-32; Micah 4:1-3; Acts 2:16, 17; Hebrews 1:1, 2) b. Jerusalem (Luke 24:47, 49; Acts 1:8, 12) 2. Consider the prophecy of Daniel. (Daniel 2) a. The dream and interpretation is given by Daniel. (vv ) b. There would be four world-wide kingdoms, or empires. (1) Babylonian: Nebuchadnezzar, represented by the head of gold B.C. (2) Medo-Persian: Cyrus of Persia and Darius of Media, represented by breasts and arms of silver. (Daniel 8:20) B.C. (3) Greek: Alexander the Great, later divided among his four generals in 323 B.C., represented by the belly and thighs of brass. (Daniel 8:21) B.C. (4) Roman: Octavius Caesar, represented by the legs of iron and feet of clay. 146 B.C.-476 A.D. c. The Kingdom would be established in the days of these kings. (v. 44) d. John the Baptist preached that the Kingdom was at hand. (Matthew 11:11; Luke 3:1, 2) e. Jesus said it would come in that generation. (Mark 9:1) C. It began on Pentecost in 33 A.D. (Acts 2) 1. The apostles were in Jerusalem as instructed. 2. They preached the fulfillment of the prophets. III. WHAT IS THE NATURE OF THE KINGDOM? A. The Jews were looking for an earthly kingdom. 1. They resented being a conquered people. 2. They remembered their great history under David, Solomon, etc. B. Jesus declared the nature of His Kingdom to be spiritual. 1. He rejected an earthly crown. (John 6:15) 2. He told Pilate that His kingdom was spiritual. (John 18:36) 3. Consider the nature of the Christian's armor. (Ephesians 6:10-18) 4. Jesus now reigns. (Acts 2:25-35) 5. He will reign until the Kingdom is delivered up to the Father. (1 Corinthians 15:24, 27) IV. HOW CAN ONE BECOME A CITIZEN OF THE KINGDOM? A. One is added to the Church or Kingdom by God. (Acts 2:47) 1. One must hear the Gospel. (Romans 10:17) 2. Believe the Gospel. (Hebrews 11:6; Mark 16:15,16) 3. Repent (Luke 13:3) -6-

9 4. Be baptized. (Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:21) 5. Live faithfully. (2 Peter 2:20, 21) B. After Pentecost, the Kingdom was always spoken of as being in existence. 1. The Colossians were in the Kingdom. (Colossians 1:13) 2. We have received a Kingdom which cannot be moved. (Hebrews 12:28) 3. The apostle John was in the Kingdom. (Revelation 1:9) CONCLUSION I. THE OLD TESTAMENT PROPHETS FORETOLD OF THE KINGDOM A. They did not always understand their own prophecies. (1 Peter 1:10-12) B. We look to the teaching in the New Testament to understand them. II. THE NEW TESTAMENT TEACHES IT'S ESTABLISHMENT IN THEIR DAY A. Jesus and John the Baptist taught that the kingdom was at hand. B. The apostles wrote as if it had come. -7-

10 REVIEW QUESTIONS 1. In what passage does Jesus refer to the church and the Kingdom? 2. How is a person called by God? 3. What promise did Peter say was fulfilled? 4. Was the authority to bind and loose given only to Peter? 5. According to the prophecies of Isaiah, Joel, and Micah, the kingdom would be established in the days in the city of. 6. The four world empires represented in Nebuchadnezzar s dream are the,,, and. 7. According to Daniel s prophecy, God would set up a kingdom which would never be. 8. What kind of kingdom were the Jews expecting and why? 9. Give some verses in the New Testament where the kingdom is spoken of as being in existence. 10. Nicodemus was told that one must be in order to enter the kingdom. -8-

11 THE RAPTURE AND THE TRIBULATION INTRODUCTION I. RECALL THE MAIN POINTS OF OUR STUDY SO FAR A. This doctrine denies the present existence of the Kingdom. (Colossians 1:13) B. The prophecies of the Old Testament are misinterpreted in an effort to find support in the scripture for a material kingdom. II. IN THIS LESSON WE WILL CONTINUE TO DISCUSS THIS FALSE DOCTRINE A. Our first objective will be to set forth, as briefly as possible, the concepts of the rapture and the tribulation period. B. Secondly, we will demonstrate from the Scriptures why the doctrine is false. BODY I. THE RAPTURE: A SECRET RETURN? A. A two-stage return of Christ is required except for those who believe in a post-tribulation rapture. 1. The first stage is a secret coming of Christ for His church. a. Only the righteous, both living and dead, take part in this return. b. Once taken to heaven, they are judged and rewarded. 2. The second stage is a coming of Christ with His saints to set up the millennial kingdom. a. This occurs after the tribulation period. b. At this time, the Judgment of Living Nations, based on their view of Matthew 25:31-46, will take place. B. Let's examine their proof text. 1. We must consider the context carefully. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18) 2. Notice some key phrases in the passage: a. phrases such as with a shout, voice of the archangel, and the trump of God do not fit in with the idea of a secret coming. (v. 16) b. The phrase so shall we ever be with the Lord does not fit the idea of coming back for 1,000 years. (v. 17) C. An unwarranted distinction is made between coming (Gk. parousia) and appearing. (Gk. epiphania) 1. Coming for the saints in 1 Thessalonians 4:15, 16 is the rapture, we are told, because of parousia. 2. Coming with the saints in 1 Thessalonians 3:13 is a visible appearance, we are told, because of epiphania. 3. However, both words are used in 2 Thessalonians 2:8 in the phrase...destroy with the brightness (epiphania) of His coming (parousia). 4. Paul made no distinction, and neither should anyone else. D. The theory of the rapture contradicts other plain Bible passages. 1. Every eye will see His return. (Revelation 1:7) 2. There is to be one resurrection of all men. (John 5: 28, 29; Acts 24:15) 3. One day of judgment is appointed for all men. (Acts 17:31, 32) -9-

12 4. The punishment of the wicked and the glorifying of the saints occurs at the same time. (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10) 5. The world and everything in it will be destroyed at the return of Christ. (2 Peter 3:10-12) II. TRIBULATION FOR SEVEN YEARS? A. The millenialists are divided over the time of the rapture. 1. Pre-tribulation premillenialists believe the rapture is to occur before the tribulation begins so that the saints will be spared. 2. Mid-tribulation premillenialists believe the rapture is to take place halfway through the tribulation so that some of the saints are spared. 3. Post-tribulation premillenialists believe the rapture will occur after the tribulation takes place, but they will somehow be protected during it. B. Let s examine their proof text. 1. The main one in the Old Testament is the one referred to as the 70 weeks of Daniel. (Daniel 9:24-27) a. The 70 weeks are considered to be 70 periods of 7 years or 490 years. b. The premillenial breakdown is as follows: (1) It begins in 445 B.C. with the decree of Artaxerxes. (Nehemiah 2:1) (2) The end of the 69th week would then be 483 years later or 32 A.D. using 360 days a year. (3) The 70th week was postponed, and will take place after the church age. c. Actually, all attempts to place the 490 years into the 70 weeks fail. d. Only two things can be definitely established from Scripture. (1) The beginning point was the command to rebuild Jerusalem. (v. 25) (2) The ending point was the destruction of Jerusalem according to Jesus. (v. 27; Matthew 24:15) e. The events of the 70 weeks are as follows: (1) Finish transgression and make an end of sin. (Hebrews 10:12-14; Ephesians 2:15) (2) Bring everlasting righteousness. (Romans 3:21-26) (3) Make reconciliation for iniquity. (Colossians 1:20; Hebrews 2:17) (4) Anoint the most Holy. (Luke 3:18-22; 4:18, 19; Acts 4:26, 27; Hebrews 1:8, 9) (5) The Messiah will be cut off. (Isaiah 53:8; Acts 8:32, 33) (6) The destruction of the city and the sanctuary. (Matthew 24) (7) Confirm a covenant with many. (Acts 10:34, 35; Romans 9:30) (8) Seal up vision and prophecy. (Zechariah 13:2; 1 Corinthians 13:8-10) f. The final week is postponed by premillenialists. (1) There is no reason to make such a gap. (2) The covenant was confirmed by Christ. (Matthew 26:28) (3) The desolation decreed by Christ was carried out in 70 A.D. (Matthew 23:37-24:51) -10-

13 2. The main one in the New Testament is Matthew 24. a. This is the great tribulation chapter for them. (1) However, notice that the days were shortened for the sake of the elect who were supposedly raptured. (v. 22) (2) The events of the chapter were to occur within the lifetime of those listening to Jesus. (v. 34) (3) Daniel's statement concerning the abomination of desolation is applied to the destruction of Jerusalem. (v. 15; Daniel 9:27) b. There is no support for their theory here! C. What about the Antichrist? 1. He is to appear in order to establish the revived Roman empire. a. The Antichrist is to be a world dictator during the tribulation who will pretend to make peace in the Middle East with Israel. b. He will proclaim himself to be God according to their view of Daniel 7, 2 Thessalonians 2:4, and Revelation 13. c. He will wage war with those converted during the tribulation. 2. The Antichrist has a three-fold purpose. a. He will enact world peace. b. He will increase persecution during the tribulation. c. His efforts will bring about the battle of Armageddon. 3. Consider Revelation 13 and Daniel 7 a. The phrase things which must shortly come to pass must be considered. (2 Timothy 4:9; Revelation 1:1) b. Both Daniel and John were speaking of oppression during the Roman rule of the world in the first century. c. The term three and one-half is symbolic of an indefinite period of time. d. Revelation was written to encourage those to whom it was sent. 4. What does the New Testament say about the antichrist? a. John said the spirit of antichrist existed already. (1 John 2:18) b. Anyone who denies Christ is the antichrist. (1 John 2:22; 4:3) CONCLUSION I. THE SCRIPTURES DO NOT SUPPORT THEIR THEORY II. WE WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK AT THE DOCTRINE IN OUR NEXT LESSON -11-

14 REVIEW QUESTIONS 1. In premillenialism, the Lord is to return one time the saints and another time the saints 2. What is the context of 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, and how does it fit the doctrine of premillenialism? 3. List some plain passages of Scripture that contradict the doctrine of premillenialism. 4. Are premillenialists in agreement over the time of the rapture with relation to the tribulation? 5. What two things with respect to time can be established from Daniel's seventy weeks? 6. According to premillenialists, the 70th week was postponed and we are now in the. 7. To what did the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel refer? 8. According to Jesus in Matthew 24, the days of distress would be shortened for the sake of the. 9. Give a brief description of the premillenial idea of the antichrist. 10. In the Revelation letter, John was writing of things which must. -12-

15 THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON INTRODUCTION I. WE HAVE NOW LOOKED AT THE RAPTURE AND THE GREAT TRIBULATION A. The doctrine of premillenialism is built upon a false foundation B. The texts which they use are always taken out of context. II. WE WILL NOW CONSIDER THE EVENTS OF THE TRIBULATION PERIOD A. The first event we will study is the Battle of Armageddon. B. The second event, to occur after the battle, is the binding of Satan. BODY I. WHAT ABOUT THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON? A. Premillenialists say it will be a final battle between Satan and Christ. 1. The forces of Satan will be led by the Antichrist, assisted by the Beast and the False Prophet of Revelation The results are to be as follows: a. Christ will be victorious, and cast the Beast and the False Prophet into the lake of fire. (Revelation 19:20) b. Satan will be bound for 1,000 years. (Revelation 20:2) c. The armies of the earth are slain, and their flesh eaten. (Revelation 19:17, 18) 3. The supposed location of this battle is in north central Palestine in the plains of Esdraelon, site of several battles in Old Testament times, on the Hill of Megiddo. a. Deborah and Barak were victorious over the Canaanites. (Judges 4, 5) b. Gideon was here victorious over the Midianites. (Judges 7) c. Saul was killed here by the Philistines. (1 Samuel 31:8) d. Ahaziah was slain here by Jehu. (2 Kings 9:27) e. Josiah was killed here by the Egyptians. (2 Kings 23:29, 30; 2 Chronicles 35:22) B. Here are the participants in the battle according to their view of Daniel The king of the West is the head of the revived Roman empire in the form of the ten-nation confederacy headed by the Antichrist, and believed by some to be those in the European Common Market. 2. The king of the North is Russia seeking the riches in Egypt and the Middle East. 3. The king of the East is China who crosses the Euphrates River after it was dried up by an angel. (Daniel 11:44; Revelation 16:12) 4. The king of the South is the Arab states who are angry at the restoration of the Jews. C. What is Daniel 11 actually talking about? 1. Notice the historical background to Daniel 11 and 8. a. Daniel 11 tells what happens when the fourth Persian king confronts Greece, the four in order being Cyrus, Cambysses, Darius I, and Xerxes. b. Daniel 8 tells what happens when Greece wins over Persia, eventually resulting in the division of Alexander the Great's kingdom upon his untimely death. (1) Ptolemy I of Egypt is the king of the South. (2) Seleucius I of Syria is the king of the North. -13-

16 2. Daniel 11:1-12:13 refers to the struggles of these two families with Palestine in the Middle. a. The king of the North is Antiochus IV (also known as Antiochus Epiphanies) who persecuted Israel. b. Premillenialists make an unwarranted break after v. 35, and postpone some events. c. The best view of the events from 11:36-12:13 is to consider it to be referring to the activities of Antiochus Epiphanies and his cruel oppression of the Jews. d. During this time period between the Old and New Testaments, the Maccabean revolt takes place as some sought to purge Israel of iniquity among its own as well as fight the cruel Antiochus. D. What about Revelation 16-19? 1. It refers to a struggle between right and wrong, but not to an end-of-the-world struggle. 2. Keep the events within the time frame suggested by John in Revelation 1:1. II. WHAT ABOUT THE BINDING OF SATAN? A. According to premillenialists, this takes place prior to the start of the millennium. 1. Satan is to be bound for 1,000 years, and at the end be loosed for a "little season" to deceive the nations once again. 2. Eventually he is to be cast into the lake of fire where the beast and the false prophet were cast earlier. (Revelation 20:1, 2) B. Satan is already bound by Christ. 1. Jesus taught that he had bound the strong man. (Matthew 12:24-29) 2. The prince of the world was cast out. (John 12:31) 3. Christ triumphed over him. (Colossians 2:15) 4. He destroyed him who had the power of death. (Hebrews 2:14) 5. He resisted him as we can. (Matthew 4:1-10; James 4:7) 6. Demon possession no longer takes place. (Zechariah 12:10; 13:1-9) CONCLUSION I. ONCE AGAIN, WE FIND THAT SCRIPTURE DOES NOT UPHOLD THIS DOCTRINE II. IN OUR NEXT AND FINAL LESSON WE WILL CONSIDER THE MILLENNIUM III. HOW MUCH APPRECIATION DO WE SHOW FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD? -14-

17 REVIEW QUESTIONS 1. According to Premillenialism, the Battle of Armageddon takes place at the end of the. 2. Who is the leader of the forces of Satan, and who helps him? 3. Name some of the significant events which took place on the hill of Megiddo. 4. How does the European Common Market fit into their scheme of things? 5. What is the historical background of Daniel 8? 6. What is Daniel 11 really describing? 7. The name of the king who is the subject of much of Daniel 11 is. 8. According to John, the events he described are those which will come to pass. 9. According to premillenialists, Satan is to be bound for a period of years. 10. List some examples of how Satan is bound already. -15-

18 THE MILLENIUM INTRODUCTION I. BRIEFLY REVIEW THE DOCTRINE A. Recall that the doctrine demands a postponement of the kingdom. (Colossians 1:13) B. The kingdom is to be set up on earth according to them, and is to last 1,000 years. II. IN THIS LESSON WE WILL STUDY THE MILLENIUM A. We will see whether or not the Scriptures support their concept of the millennium. B. We also want to show that the proper fulfillment is found in the Church. BODY I. THE MILLENNIUM ACCORDING TO PREMILLENIALISTS A. By definition it refers to a 1,000 year period of time. 1. The Scriptural basis offered for such is Revelation 20: Is that what is in view in the passage? B. According to them this 1,000 year reign is what was foretold by the prophets. 1. We are told that an earthly kingdom with Christ ruling on the literal throne of David in Jerusalem is a must. (Isaiah 2; Daniel 2; Joel 2; Micah 4) 2. It would be a time when Israel would finally receive all that God had promised them. 3. It will be a time of unprecedented peace on the earth. 4. Satan will be released at the end of the millennium, and the forces of evil will attack Jerusalem in the battle of Gog and Magog. (Ezekiel 38 & 39) 5. The final judgment, called by them the Great White Throne Judgment, will take place at the end of the 1,000 years. II. WHAT ABOUT AN EARTHLY KINGDOM FOR 1,000 YEARS? A. The length of the reign is figurative and not literal. 1. The one thousand indicates completeness. (Deuteronomy 7:9; Psalms 50:10) 2. If 1,000 is to be taken literally, then what about the rest of Revelation 20:1-7? a. Will the saints in the kingdom be only those who were beheaded? b. Is there a literal bottomless pit, chain, and mark? 3. Also, if the reigning ends after 1,000 years, then so does the living. (v. 4) 4. It is not a thousand year reign of Christ, but rather a reigning and living with Christ. B. The place of the reigning is not the earth. (v. 4) 1. The earth is not mentioned in the text. 2. Christ now reigns. (Acts 2:29-36; Psalms 89:37; Daniel 7:13, 14) 3. Christ cannot reign on earth. (Jeremiah 22:28-30; Matthew 1; Luke 3) a. None of Coniah s seed can reign prosperously. (Jeremiah 24:8-10; Ezekiel 21:24-27) b. Christ, as a descendant of Coniah, could not have a prosperous reign. 4. Christ, who is our High Priest, could not be a priest on the earth. (Hebrews 4:14; 8:4) a. He was prophesied to be King and Priest at the same time. (Zechariah 6:12, 13) b. Christ is the Branch. (Isaiah 11:1; Romans 15:12) 5. It is contrary to Jesus teaching of the nature of the Kingdom. (John 18:36) -16-

19 IV. WHAT ABOUT THE PROMISES MADE TO THE ISRAELITES? A. First, consider the land promise to Abraham and his seed. (Genesis 15:18) 1. It was fulfilled. (Joshua 21:43; Nehemiah 9:8) 2. It was recovered after being lost. (2 Samuel 8:3) 3. Solomon reigned over it. (1 Kings 4:21) 4. God performed all His promise. (Nehemiah 9:7, 8) B. Next, consider the promise of God to restore them to the land. 1. The promise was made through Isaiah. (Isaiah 44:28; 45:1) 2. It was kept 150 years later in the decree of Cyrus. (2 Chronicles 36:20-23; Ezra 1:1-4) C. Of particular importance to us is the spiritual promise. (Genesis 12:3) 1. It was promised to Abraham and his seed. 2. According to Paul, it was fulfilled in Christ. (Galatians 3:8, 14, 16, 26, 27) D. There are definite difficulties associated with the premillenial view of the restoration. 1. The promise was based on their keeping the Law of Moses which is now done away. (Deuteronomy 30:1-10; Ephesians 2:14-16) 2. Inheritance rights were based on one s genealogy which can no longer be established. (Ezra 2:10) 3. The ten northern tribes no longer exist as a distinctive group. (Hosea 1:1-11) 4. The earthly throne is extinct. (Jeremiah 22:24-30) IV. WHAT ABOUT UNPRECEDENTED PEACE ON THE EARTH? A. Their peace is based on a perversion of Isaiah s prophecies. (2:1-4; 9:7; 11:1-10) 1. The "Prince of Peace" was to be so forever, and not just a thousand years. (9:6, 7) 2. The place of peace would not be the world, but rather in God's Holy Mount. (Isaiah 2:2-4; Hebrews 12:22-28) B. All of these had their fulfilment in the Church. 1. Christ brought it about. (Ephesians 2:14) 2. The place is the Church. (1 Timothy 3:15; Hebrews 12:22, 23) 3. The message was preached to every creature. (Matthew 28:19, 20; Colossians 1:6, 23) 4. The time of the fulfilment is now, not the future, according to Paul. (Romans 15:8-12) CONCLUSION I. CONSIDER THE COMING RESURRECTION AND JUDGMENT OF ALL MEN II. THIS IS A FALSE DOCTRINE GIVING A FALSE HOPE TO MILLIONS III. ARE WE EQUIPPED TO HELP THEM? -17-

20 REVIEW QUESTIONS 1. What is meant by the word millennium? 2. What happens to Satan toward the close of the millennium? 3. Will peace prevail on the earth during the millennium according to premillenialists? 4. What is there in Revelation 20:1-7 that leads to the conclusion that the 1,000" is not to be taken literally? 5. What are some of the reasons that would prevent Christ from reigning on the earth? 6. Show from the Scriptures that God fulfilled all of His promises to fleshly Israel. 7. Paul identified the seed through whom the promise to Abraham would be fulfilled to be. 8. Was Israel restored to their land? 9. Where was peace to be found according to Isaiah? 10. Where in the New Testament is the application of Isaiah 11 made to the age in which we live? -18-

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