Power Point Show
Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
(Outline from article by Mike Willis, Premillennialism, Truth Magazine, April 2020)
Premillennialism
Intro.
Premillennialism: A speculative and false theory about future events and the end of the world that gives false hope to millions of souls.
I. DEFINE TERMS. (Also called “dispensationalism”)
A. Premillennialism: “the doctrine that the reappearance of Christ on earth will precede the millennium” (Webster).
B. Postmillennialism: “the belief that the second coming of Christ will follow the millennium” (Webster).
C. Amillennialism: “denies such a thousand-year reign: . . . stresses that the Apocalypse normally treats numbers symbolically. The binding of Satan for a thousand years simply means that he is completely bound; this has been effected through the victory of Calvary” (The New International Dictionary of the Christian Church, J.D. Douglas, editor, 36).
-We are amillennialists in our convictions about the end times.
II. SUMMARY OF THE THEORY OF PREMILLENNIALISM.
When Jesus came to the earth, He came with the intention of establishing an earthly kingdom.
The Jews rejected Jesus and had Him crucified.
God instituted an alternative plan, to establish a spiritual kingdom, the church.
The church age will last until the earthly kingdom is established.
At some time in the near future, Jesus will come back and silently raise the righteous dead and rapture the living saints from the earth.
Seven years of tribulation will be experienced on earth when Satan is loosed for a little season.
Jesus will return to earth, bringing His saints with him. The battle of Armageddon will be fought. Satan will be defeated. Jesus will establish an earthly kingdom over which He will reign for 1000 years.
At the end of the 1000-year reign, the wicked dead will be raised and judgment will be given to all men.
The righteous will go to heaven and the wicked will go to hell.
III. WHAT IS WRONG WITH PREMILLENNIALISM?
A. It Teaches Christ Came to Establish an Earthly Kingdom.
1. He came to establish a spiritual kingdom, Luke 17:20-21; John 18:37-38; 3:3-5; Rom. 14:17.
2. The kingdom is the church, Matt. 16:18-19.
a. Established on Pentecost, Mark 9:1; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4, 47.
b. In this respect, the kingdom has come, Acts 8:12; 28:23, 31.
c. Redemption and forgiveness are in the kingdom, Col. 1:13-14.
B. It Teaches God Withdrew the Kingdom Offer (When Israel Rejected Christ) and Substituted the Church.
1. When the Lord withdraws the offer of the Kingdom to the Jews He “announces the inception of an entirely new, unheralded, unexpected program – THE CHURCH” (Things to Come, Dwight J. Pentecost, 463-464; cited in The Lion and The Lamb on Planet Earth, Rodney M. Miller, 45).
2. Christ did not fail His mission, Psalm 2; Acts 13:32-34.
3. The church is integral to God’s eternal purpose, Eph. 3:10-12, 21.
C. By Logical Extension, If the Kingdom of Christ Does Not Presently Exist, then . . .
1. Christ is not presently reigning as king, 1 Tim. 6:15 (Acts 2:29-36; Rev. 3:21).
2. How can one become a citizen of a non-existent kingdom? John 3:3-5
3. Jesus’s death on the cross was not His intended purpose for coming to earth, Matt. 1:21; Luke 19:10; 1 Tim. 1:15.
D. The Scriptures Show That:
1. Jesus is reigning on the throne of David (Isa. 9:6-7; Luke 1:32-33; Acts 2:29-31).
2. Christ has the key of David (Isa. 22:22; Rev. 3:7).
3. He rules in the midst of His enemies (Psalm 110:2). His is not a reign in total utopia.
4. Jesus has all authority (Matt. 28:18; Eph. 1:19-22; Col. 2:16, 18).
E. It Teaches an Imminent Coming of the Lord Based on a Misinterpretation of Matthew 24 (great tribulation, etc.).
1. Repeated claims the coming of Christ is near: Wm. Miller, March 23, 1843, March 23, 1844, and October 22, 1844; Ellen G. White (reinterpreted Miller to mean activities in heaven); Charles T. Russell (1914; JW’s in 1975; etc.); Edgar C. Whisenant (mailed a book to every church in U.S., 88 Reasons Why the Rapture Could Be in 1988); Today re. current events . . .
2. Matthew 24 a description of God’s judgment against Jerusalem, Matt. 24:1-4, 34-35 (A.D. 70).
F. It Has Many Problems of Incorrect Bible Interpretation.
1. Demands several resurrections (rapture, after tribulation (trib. saints), then after the millennium (general resurrection). Bible teaches one resurrection, John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15.
2. Teaches more than one “second coming.” Heb. 9:28
a. Invisible coming for saints (the rapture), who will be returned to earth after seven years.
b. Visible coming of Jesus to establish His earthly kingdom.
3. It gives “last day” a new meaning. Resurrection and judgment occur on the last day (John 6:39-40). Premillennialism says there is a 1,000-year reign of Christ between resurrection (of the righteous) and judgment. That demands 365,000 “last days.”
4. It offers salvation to people after the second coming (Jesus on earth for 1,000 years).
a. Day of grace is over when Christ comes again, Matt. 25:6-10 (13).
b. Christ’s return will be the day of judgment, Heb. 9:27-28.
Conclusion
1. Premillennialism is a speculative approach to Bible prophecy that contradicts many plain statements of Scripture. It must be rejected.
2. Today is the day of salvation, 2 Cor. 6:2.
By: Joe R. Price
Posted July 25, 2024