Millennial Dilemmas. The Last Judgement by Gustave Doré

Millennial Dilemmas The Last Judgement by Gustave Doré

Millennial Dilemmas

Millennial Literature

Questions to discuss How can the way we imagine the future unfolding affect - the way we live? - the way we pray? - how we witness?

Christ s Return / The Second Advent Scripture informing our view of Christ s Return Matt 24:27 1 Thess 5:2 6 Matt 24:37-42 2 Peter 2: 10 Matt 25:31-34, 41 Rev 6:14-17 John 14:1 3 Rev 19:11-16

Come, Lord Jesus, Come. Are you interested in Eschatology (the study of the final events and judgment of mankind)? Why or why not? Are there times when you wish the end would come? Why? Are there times when you dread it? Why?

Where do Millennial theories find their In six verses in the book of Revelation. Rev 20: 2 7 origin? John writes of 1000 years millennium is Latin for 1000 years. Mille =1000 annus = year Whole system of understanding the flow of history built around one phrase, in six verses. (DOTE,p. 333)

Why is this important? The way you view the world & future can shape which millennial view you are drawn to. The millennial view that you adopt and the value you ascribe to it can affect your view of the world & future.

Three major interpretations Though I shouldn't have been surprised, I was stunned to see that so many people who have both good intentions and deep respect for the biblical scriptures walk away with such divergent ideas about what the Old and New Testaments prophesy about the end times. - Bill Halloway, author of the Armageddon Code: One Journalist s Quest for End-Times Answers, quoted in Christianity Today, May 18, 2016

3 major interpretations proposed by serious scholars of the Bible Pre-millennialism - Jesus comes again and breaks through before the Millennium. A-millennialism Jesus is reigning right now. The thousand years is symbolic of the Church Age. Post-millennialism Jesus comes again or breaks through after the Millennium.

Keep in mind This is not a Liberal/Conservative divide All three theories are proposed by serious Biblical scholars who are dedicated to understanding the text. All agree that Jesus returns in power and glory. The future belongs to Him Amen!

Pre-millennialism

Dispensationalism & Pre-millennialism Dispensationalism is a hermeneutic: way of reading the Bible. Identifies 7 dispensations in God s plan for humanity. A view of the uniqueness of Israel as separate from the church in God s plan. A more consistently literal interpretation of Scripture including Bible prophecy.

The Great Tribulation Scripture informing views on Tribulation: Daniel 12:1 Matt 24: 21 22 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 Scripture informing views on a Rapture: Acts 1: 9 11 1 Thessalonians 4: 16 17

Grant R. Jeffrey John Hagee

Rapture: Pre-trib, Mid-trib or Post-trib? A Pre-tribulation rapture is a theory dating to the 19 th century where Christians are taken up/raptured before the period known as the Great Tribulation It is based on three verses (John 14:3; 1 Thess. 4:17; 1 Cor. 15:52) where it is described without reference to the Tribulation.

The Great Tribulation Post-Tribulation proponents believe in a Rapture but claim that it will happen at the end of the Great Tribulation. They claim that just because the Tribulation is not mentioned in those verses does not mean that the Rapture precedes it. (Moody) A Mid-Tribulation view is informed by Matt 24: 22 (shortened tribulation) and by other Biblical events where God intervened mid-event.

A-millennialism

A-Millennialism The millennium is symbolic - not a literal 1000 years and began at the Ascension It is the current church age It affirms that the evil one was defeated at the Resurrection & he cannot stop the gospel from going to all nations Rev 20: 3 & 7 indicate a period of tribulation for the church before Christ s triumphal return & judgement

A-Millennialism St. Augustine defined/systematized a-millennialism in the 4 th century It is the position of the Roman Catholic Church and most of the Eastern Orthodox Church. John Calvin was an a-millennialist. Lutheran, Reformed, Anglican and Messianic Jewish congregations/believers.

Post-millennialism

Post-millennialism There is only one final coming of Jesus He comes after a literal or non-literal millennium of an expanding Kingdom World is transformed by the spread of the gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit Prominent interpretation in the United States in the 19 th and 20 th Century and during the Great Awakening

C&MA Canada Statement of Faith Second Coming of Christ The second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is imminent and will be personal and visible.24 As the believer s blessed hope, this vital truth is an incentive for holy living and sacrificial service toward the completion of Christ's commission.25 24. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 25. 1 Corinthians 1:7; Titus 2:11-14; Matthew 24:14; 28:18-20

Keep in mind There is no reason for disappointment on the part of theorists if their interpretation turns out to be incorrect. "But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Matt 24:36 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. Luke 12:40

Now how shall I live? In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, charity. - Robertus Meldenius (att. St. Augustine) In which category do millennial dilemmas fall?

Points Where We Should Agree The 1000 years - like all the numbers in the book of Revelation - is not a statistic but a symbol. Jesus is in control and reigning now Matt 28:18 Acts 2: 36 Eph 1:20 22 Rev 1:5

Points Where We Should Agree The church is not a helpless victim to history. The gospel changes things. If we disagree on the time or shape of the millennium, we need to disagree agreeably.

Now how shall I live? Can we have an unhealthy focus on millennial dilemmas? What does that look like? What would a healthy attitude look like? 2 Peter 3:13

Quote Far too much time and energy are spent hashing out minute and ultimately unimportant details regarding events surrounding the second coming of Christ, when our hearts should be united in the expectation of his return. Failing to grasp what Scripture says on this and other related topics has led many in church history into either fanaticism or fatalism. Sam Storm, author of Kingdom Come, the Amillennial Alternative. Quoted in Christianity Today

They become either aggressive activists who frighten Christians with end-time scenarios that have no basis in the biblical text

or passive naysayers who miss out on the lifechanging and sanctifying influence of genuine hope. - Sam Storm, author of Kingdom Come, the Amillennial Alternative. Quoted in Christianity Today

How now shall I live? What is our priority as Christians? Matt 28: 18-20

C&MA Canada Statement of Faith Second Coming of Christ The second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is imminent and will be personal and visible.24 As the believer s blessed hope, this vital truth is an incentive for holy living and sacrificial service toward the completion of Christ's commission.25 24. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 25. 1 Corinthians 1:7; Titus 2:11-14; Matthew 24:14; 28:18-20

Titus 2:11-14 (NIV) 11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.12 It teaches us to say No to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Now how shall I live? Is preparing our hearts for Christ s return any different than preparing our hearts for our eventual death?

So what about Non-Christians? Have you ever been asked by a non-believer about the Second Coming or Judgement Day? What should a non-believer walk away with from your conversation?

Who are you reading? Who are you following? Who are you listening to?

In Christ Alone No power of hell, no scheme of man Can ever pluck me from his hand Til He returns or calls me home Here in the power of Christ, I stand.

Now how shall I live? The Watchful servant (Luke 12:35 40) What is the importance of being ready/anticipating the return of the Master? Should the servant be trying to guess when the master will return? If the servant convinces himself that the master won t return until midnight, what could be his temptation at sundown? What is Luke trying to tell us?

Now how shall we live? "But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise as some count slowness, but is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Pet. 3:8 9

Now how shall we live?.... Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of persons ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be kindled and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire! But according to his promise we wait for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you wait for these, be zealous to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace" 2 Pet. 3:11-14

Images Cited Christus Pantocrator in the apsis of the cathedral of Cefalù https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/file:cefal%c3%b9_pantocrator_retouched.jpg C&MA Westbourne Alliance Logo (image) http://westburnechurch.com/wpcontent/uploads/2014/08/dsc_0118.jpg Countdown to Armageddon. (image)lindsay, Hal. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sgyulzoqcga/rc- 4ZIl_XJI/AAAAAAAAACM/oFwCp0X503c/s200/1980s+countdown.jpg] Discipleship on the Edge (image) Johnson, Darryl. https://images-na.ssl-imagesamazon.com/images/i/41bjj1dn7-l._sx331_bo1,204,203,200_.jpg Family Radio Billboard. (image) The New York Times. https://static01.nyt.com/images/2013/12/18/us/obit-camping-2/obit-camping-2- master1050.jpg Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory (image) http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/heavenhell-and-purgatory/349111

Works Cited I survived judgment day t-shirt (image) http://rlv.zcache.com/judgement_day_may_21_2011_t_shirtr097566346eda40b0ac6420df947f01e3_jy59n_324.jpg Icon of the last judgment (image) http://www.acoantioquena.com/sites/default/files/galerias/iconos/dia-deljuicio.gif The Last Judgement by Gustave Doré (image) https://www.pinterest.com/explore/gustave-dore/ Late Great Planet Earth (image). Lindsay, Hal. https://images-na.ssl-imagesamazon.com/images/i/51fhboauvjl._sx329_bo1,204,203,200_.jpg Left Behind:The Movie (image) https://cdn.parables.tv/wpcontent/uploads/2015/02/leftbehindthemovie_420x600.jpg

Works Cited Left Behind:The Movie (image) https://cdn.parables.tv/wpcontent/uploads/2015/02/leftbehindthemovie_420x600.jpg Left Behind: The End Begins (image) https://i.ytimg.com/vi/-gfokqn9454/maxresdefault.jpg Matt 24: 6 8 (image) https://s-media-cacheak0.pinimg.com/236x/20/39/3e/20393e154b84068152e56847bc75b365.jpg Millennial Charts (image) End Times Viewpoints https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/millennial_views.gif 2 Timothy 4:2 (image) http://www.biblecenter.com/images/illustrations_banner.jpg Saint John on Patmos (image) File:Johannes op Patmos Saint John on Patmos Berlin, Staatlichen Museen zu Berlin, Gemaldegalerie HR.jpg Witness (image) https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/uploaded_images/article/916ec17d35f3985306ce39 4e119d1efa.jpg