Why We Reject Premillennialism Some thoughts from Tom

Why We Reject Premillennialism Some thoughts from Tom Miller

What Is Premillennialism? • Pre (before) millennium (1, 000 years) claims that Christ will return to the earth just prior to a literal, earthly 1, 000 year reign • The basic tenets are as follows: – Christ came to earth to set up his kingdom, but the unbelief of the Jews thwarted his purpose

What Is Premillennialism? • The basic tenets continued – Christ established the church as a stop-gap measure – When Christ returns, he will raise only the righteous dead, restore national Israel, sit upon David’s throne and reign for 1, 000 years – The resurrection of the unrighteous dead and the judgment will follow the 1, 000 years

Premillennialism Misunderstands the Nature and Coming of the Kingdom • Premillennialism has a purely materialistic view of the kingdom – Jesus was clear in saying that the kingdom was never intended to be an earthly kingdom (John 18: 36) – The Jews also had a materialistic view of the kingdom which was actually responsible for their rejection and crucifixion of the Messiah

Premillennialism Misunderstands the Nature and Coming of the Kingdom • Premillennialism makes the kingdom a future event and not a past reality – Prophecy clearly specified when the coming of the kingdom would occur (Dan. 2: 44) – John the Baptist and Jesus both indicated the coming of the kingdom was near (Mt. 3: 2; 4: 17; 10: 7; Mk. 9: 1) – Paul and John affirmed that they and others were already in the kingdom (Col. 1: 13; Rev. 1: 9)

Premillennialism Misunderstands the Nature and Coming of the Kingdom • Premillennialism makes the kingdom a future event and not a past reality (continued) – Premillennialism has Christ taking up reign at the very time Scriptures teach he will lay it down (1 Cor. 15: 20 -28) – The same process which puts one into the kingdom also puts one into the church (Jn. 3: 5; Acts 2: 38, 41, 47; 1 Cor. 12: 13)

Premillennialism Minimizes the Importance of the Church • Premillennialism makes the church an afterthought with God – Yet, Scripture reveals that the church is a part of God’s eternal purpose (Eph. 3: 10 -11) – The death of Christ and the shedding of his blood, which would purchase the church, were known before the foundation of the world (Acts 20: 28; 1 Pet. 1: 19 -20; Rev. 13: 8)

Premillennialism Minimizes the Importance of the Church • Premillennialism makes salvation accidental – The church is the body of saved people (Eph. 5: 23) – If the church is accidental, then the implication is that salvation is accidental – The truth is that the church/kingdom was a part of God’s original plan for the salvation of mankind

Premillennialism Misapplies Scripture • Premillennialism misapplies Revelation 20: 1 ff – George Murray calls this passage “the very citadel and bulwark of premillennial eschatology” (Millennial Studies 175) – It must be kept in mind that Revelation is apocalyptic literature and that it is characterized by signs and figures (cf. Rev. 1: 1) – The things Premillennialism needs to be in this chapter are not there (second coming, establishment of a kingdom, earthly or bodily reign, throne of David, no indication of the Jews being regathered to Palestine

Premillennialism Misapplies Scripture • Premillennialism misapplies the promise to Abraham (Gen. 12: 7) – Premillennialism says this promise was never totally fulfilled – The Scriptures say it was (Josh. 21: 43; 1 Kings 4: 21; Neh. 9: 7 -8)

Premillennialism Misapplies Scripture • Premillennialism misapplies a number of Old Testament passages which refer to the spiritual kingdom, i. e. the church, and not to a literal, fleshly kingdom – Isaiah 2: 2 -4 – Isaiah 11: 1 -16 – Hosea 2: 14 -23 – Amos 9: 11 -15)

Premillennialism Misapplies Scripture • Premillennialism misapplies 1 Thessalonians 4: 13 -18 – There will not be two resurrections (John 5: 2829) – The unrighteous are not under consideration in 1 Thessalonians 4 – Paul’s teaching is that the living righteous will have no advantage over the righteous dead – Christ will never set foot on earth again (1 Thes. 4: 17)

Conclusion • Premillennialism is not a benign doctrine which should simply be left in the realm of opinion • It is a false theory that misunderstands the kingdom, minimizes the church and misapplies Scripture • Our future is in heaven, not on earth (Col. 3: 1 -4)