Transcript Why We Reject Premillennialism

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 20:1ff
– 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
5:28-29)
– 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)