Millennial Debate
Liberty University
The Millennial Debate
A RESEARCH PAPER
SUBMITTED TO
Prof. Hoseok Park
TO FULFILL THE REQUIREMENTS OF BIBL 450
IN CANDIDACY FOR THE DEGREE OF
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES
BY
Bubba
November 20, 2010
Contents
Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...……………………...2
Amillenialism…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..2
Premillenialism………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..3
Postmillenialism………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………3
Similarities and Differences………………………………………………………………..……………………………………………………4
Israel and the Church…………………………………………………………………..………………………………………………………….5
Timeline of the Millennial Kingdom…………………………………………………………………………………………………………6 …show more content…
Premillenialism (Most Accurate)……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..7
Conclusion…………………………………………………………….………………………………………………………………………………..9
Bibliography 3
INTRODUCTION The numerous ideologies in regard to a millennial system and the return of our Lord and Savior is of the utmost importance to doctrinal beliefs. It is the intent of this research paper to do three individual things. First it is paramount that we have an understanding of the most common beliefs in regard to a millennial kingdom. Second we have to identify the differences and similarities of each belief and its associated cause and effect on the theological debate. Third and perhaps most important is the ability to make a Biblical stand on which system is most supported and influenced by the text contained within the Bible itself.
AMILLENNIALISM
Amillennialism teaches that the writings of John in Revelation regarding a thousand year reign of Christ with prosperity and peace is a symbolic teaching rather than literal. The thought that Christ will return and reign for a thousand years is not needed or warranted. This belief brings much of the prophetic apocalyptic events described in Revelation’s into a threefold simplistic timeline. First Christ will return at an unspecified time and place. This fulfills Christ’s statement in Revelation 16:15 “Behold, I am coming like a thief,” reinforcing His warning to the churches of Sardis and Laodicea. Second will be the resurrection of all, righteous and unrighteous, for the final and third event, the judgment.
PREMILLENNIALISM Premillennialists believe that Christ’s return will take place prior to the establishment of the millennial kingdom. There are two distinct views within this doctrinal belief. One is by the dispensational premillenialist and the other is held by historical premillennialists.
Dispensationalists believe that the return of our Lord and Savior will be comprised of two unique stages. The first stage will be marked by the rapture and tribulation followed by Christ’s return as noted within the verses of Revelation 19:11-21. Historical premillenialists believe that Christ’s return is a single event that will occur prior to the establishment of His millennial kingdom at the end of the tribulation.
POSTMILLENIALISM
Postmillennialism was promoted widely at the beginning of the twentieth century by two key figures, Hodge and Strong. This doctrinal belief was based on evidence that the world was progressively becoming a better place. Because of this we would see it reach a utopian plateau in which Christ would eventually establish His kingdom on earth. This thought process was well based on the idea that preaching the gospel to the world would make a perfect world through the peace of Christ and His return would come at the end of the millennial kingdom. However with the ushering in of the twentieth century came two world wars and multiple high intensity conflicts that have killed millions. Along with this is the constant degeneration of values within society today. Immoral behavior ranging from pornography to murder and genocide is rampant and unchecked.
SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERNCES All three of these views in one way shape or form agree on one central theme, Christ’s return. Both Premillennialism and amillennialism believe in a kingdom of Christ, the difference is that amillennialism does not see this kingdom as being a literal kingdom here among us. The issue here is that in order for the Bible to remain inerrant, there has to be a physical kingdom of Christ here on earth. In Zechariah 14:4, the prophet states that “His feet shall stand on the mount of olives that lies before Jerusalem to the east.” In this passage we can not only see the literal body of the Lord on this earth but the power He shall bring with him as well when you read the rest of Zechariah’s vision. Many other instances of our Lord establishing His kingdom here among us can be found in the Old Testament as well. In 2nd Samuel 7:8-16 God makes the Davidic covenant with King David. God does not just state that the Messiah will be of David’s bloodline but that "He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” This verse is echoed later in 2nd Samuel 23:5 and Psalm 89:3-4, in these passages the covenant with David and the reign of the Messiah is reemphasized. One final key passage of the Old Testament indicating a literal earthly millennial kingdom is found in Jeremiah 23:5-8. These passages are indicative of Revelation 19:11-16 and the Son of God and his kingdom. He will ride on a white horse and carry the name “Faithful and True” and have written “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” on his thigh, what a glorious and wonderful image. Perhaps the most significant difference between the three main thoughts presented is that of the post-millennial doctrine when it is compared to the other two. The idea that Christ will return after we, the Church, have built the Kingdom for Him is humanistic and arrogant. Ever since the fall in the Garden we have been messing it up, constantly turning our backs on our Heavenly Father. Even our most righteous works are but mere rags to Him, so how could we prepare anything for Christ that was worthy of His character.
ISRAEL AND THE CHURCH It is without question that Israel and the Church are part of the millennial kingdom. In chapter seven of Revelation we see the first indication of this with the announcement of the hundred and forty four thousand and the great multitude that could not be numbered. There are two theories as to the twelve tribes. One of these theories is that the actual selection of the tribes and the order they are listed has significance in regard to the church. The other theory is of a pretribulation rapture where Christ’s Church will be taken up to him prior the tribulation. The main passage used to support this thought is chapter three, verse ten when John is writing Christ’s message to the church of Sardis. The issue that many contend with is that Christ is specifically addressing one church and it does not relate to the others in Revelation. An example of this discrepancy is revealed in verse ten of chapter two where Christ informs the church of Smyrna that they will endure ten days of tribulation. So having these two verses it is plausible that there may not be an actual pretribulation rapture in the context of what some think. The other theory regarding Israel and the church is that the order and selection of the tribes described in verse five through nine of chapter seven. In these verses it has been stated that perhaps the actual tribes of Israel represent a new “International Israel.” This would mean that the number of tribes and its representatives are not merely just one hundred and forty four thousand but that it is possible that the number could be of a “great multitude that cannot be counted.” Either view still supports a God that remains faithful to those who remain faithful to Him. He will protect the faithful from His just wrath when He brings it upon the world. In closing, thoughts of Israel and the church it is hard to hold to the amillennialist view that the church is a “spiritual fulfillment of covenant blessings promised [to] Israel in the Old Testament.” If this was the case then God and His word would inevitably be fallible.
TIMELINE OF THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM Based upon the evidence gathered from the reading of Revelation and supporting scripture it is impossible for an individual to give a timeline for the return of our King. The second coming of Christ has been noted throughout the New Testament as a time unknown to us. Christ will return like a “thief in the night.” Having said this, Christ gave specific instructions on how to live prior to His return. We are to live as if the hour is at hand and His arrival will be at any moment. The return of our King will be marked by many indisputable signs, but more importantly His actions described by John will be visible and undeniable. If the bible is inerrant in its entirety then the images John witnessed when he was “in the Spirit” will be presented to all. There will be no doubt as to the events when they are unleashed. Death, famine, and destruction cannot be oppressed from the view of the masses. God’s wrath on this world will be complete and undeniable.
PREMILLENIALISM (MOST ACCURATE) As I look at these different views I find myself trapped in a corner. Each view has valid points and support but if I was to choose I would have to favor premillennialism. The Bible if inerrant has got to be trusted to be just that, the flawless word of God. Because of this I find an overwhelming amount of supporting scripture contained within not just the book of Revelation but numerous other autographs as well. In Revelation 20 we observe John witnessing the beginnings of the thousand year reign of Christ. In verse one John saw an angel descend from heaven with “the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain.” This is no ordinary angel and it is not Christ either, it is Michael. He comes down and seizes or arrests the dragon or Satan and binds him for a thousand years. Michael binds Satan, almost as if he is now a prisoner awaiting the death sentence. The next verse is quite clear that when Satan is thrown into the pit, he is sealed up completely so that he can no longer deceive the nations. In Matthew12:26-29 Jesus tells us that in order to enter the house of a strong man you must first tie him up. This is exactly what is going on here with the angel Michael; he’s tying up the strong man preparing the house for Christ’s arrival. In support of a premillennialist view, Dr James M. Gray Stated, “If Satan is bound today then it must be with a really long chain.” This statement refutes a postmillennialist view that this world is being prepared by the church for His return. The next few verses of Revelation twenty continue to add to the debate between the three millennialist views; however the premillenist view is once again more accurately depicted.
In verse four and five we are privy to John’s vision of thrones with individuals appointed authority to judge. These are the same individuals spoken of in chapter four verses four. They are representative of “the elders of Israel or the church or a combination of both (twelve scribes and twelve apostles” according to Hindson. In verse five we are enlightened to the first resurrection. This begins with the Resurrection of Christ and includes those that believed in Him prior to the rapture and those in Him at the time of the rapture. We can identify two individual events here. One is the resurrection and the fact that there will be two. The first will consist of the believers that carry the seal of the lamb and the second will be for those that denied him and are awaiting judgment. With this we can also identify two deaths one that is physical and one that is eternal. The fear that comes with a physical death should be (but often is not) overshadowed by an eternal death. Everyone dies to their physical body but here John is speaking of an eternal death. Where are you going to spend
eternity? The final verses of chapter twenty paint two pictures that are complete polar opposites of each other. On the one hand you have a thousand year period that ushers in Christ’s millennial kingdom. This period of time will be complete with His peace, love, grace and mercy. On the other side of the spectrum you have the end of the millennial kingdom and the complete destruction of Satan and those who follow him. It is sad to think that given the book of Revelation and its warnings and truths people will still deny Christ. The tribulation is not the end but the beginning of the end. Christ’s compassion and mercy will not be taken away until the end of the tribulation. Many will still have the opportunity to accept His gift, yet many will continuously rebel against His absolute authority.
CONCLUSION
Many hold that the premillennialist view is unsupported by biblical accounts. I have come across numerous articles denouncing the thought of an actual earthly kingdom; however there is much evidence to support this concept. One individual, Wayne Jackson, has used scripture haphazardly to convey his view of amillennialism as accurate. In Mr. Jackson’s paper he presents numerous verses as reason to devalue the thoughts and beliefs of premillennialist’s. This kind of research is detrimental to the progress of the church as a whole. Because of this I find myself in a position to dismantle his thoughts in support of premillennial concepts. One verse used by Mr. Jackson is Mark 9:1, “I tell you the truth, there are some standing here who will not experience death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.” He states “that either the kingdom came within the lifetime of those to whom He referred, or they are getting very old.” What Mr. Jackson fails to do is give the whole picture and setting of this verse. When you read further you will see that this passage is six days prior to the transfiguration on the mount. In my opinion there is no debate here, Christ said they would see the kingdom of heaven and here for a brief moment they get to see a glimpse of it, Elijah and Moses speaking with the King. Another issue brought up by Mr. Jackson is that of the resurrection. He states that there is no real support in regards to two actual resurrections. He states that “the scriptures teach when the Lord Jesus returns Time will end, all of the dead will be raised at the same time, the judgment will occur and eternity will commence.” But his ideas are in direct confliction with the word of God. In verse six of chapter twenty in Revelation we read that “Blessed is he who that hath part in the first resurrection.” But if you look at verse five you see that the “rest of the dead did not come to life until the end of the thousand years.” Again the bible is the inerrant word of God and it does not get much clearer than this, the first resurrection followed by a thousand years and then the second resurrection for the spiritually dead. Mr. Jackson does not stop with Revelation when trying to sway the reader into compromise for a positive view of amillennialism. Mr. Jackson goes to the book of Acts chapter twenty four verse fifteen. Here he states that “Paul makes it clear that there “shall be a resurrection [singular] of the just and unjust.” The issue is a matter of translation, the Greek word used here is te. This is a participle that indicates “both” and is translated as “not only” or “but also.” So in regards to this simple translation the passage states a resurrection of “not only the just but the unjust as well”, dual resurrections. I find it comical that with the wisdom we have today and the revealing of God in our lives, we can still be as dumb as a box of chocolates. I found myself thoroughly perplexed at many of the images brought about by John in his vision of the end of times. I researched and studied adamantly to get to the bottom of the book of Revelations. Every time I thought that I had a firm grasp on what was being presented by God through the apostle John the rug was pulled out from underneath me. It was about three quarters of the way through Hindson’s book that I got down on my knees and prayed for discernment. It is amazing what can happen when you go to God with a humble spirit and admit that you do not have the ability to understand His thoughts presented in His word. And sometimes He surprises you with a glimpse of what it is you need to get through. If there is one clear indication that the Bible stands true it is the repetition that can be found within. There are numerous passages written within that repeat at a later time with spans greater than a thousand years. It is no wonder that many have had a difficult time in completely grasping the literal thoughts of the author. You can see within the pages of our sacred and holy text the dynamics of a living and breathing organism. You cannot take one part out and have it be able to survive as a whole. Just like our own bodies not being able to continue its existence without a heart, so does the Bible when you take God’s influence out of it and replace it with mans interpretation. I do not have the capabilities to understand God’s intent in all the verses of the Bible; however He has blessed me with the discernment to understand the basics of His love, patience, grace and mercy.
Bibliography
Hill, Jonathan. Handbook to the History of Christianity. Grand Rapids: Lion Publishing, 2006.
Phillips, Jonathan. Holy Warriors, A modern History of the Crusades. New York: The Random House Publishing Company, 2009.
Riley-smith, Jonathan. The Crusades, A history Second Edition. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2005.
Boyd-Eddy, Gregory. Across the Spectrum. Grand Rapids: Baker Academics, 2009
Courson, Jon. Application Commentary, New Testament, Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2003
English Standard Version, The Holy Bible. Wheaton: Crossway Bibles, 2007
Hindson, Edward. The Book of Revelation: Unlocking the Future. Canada: Scofield Minstries, 2002
Jackson, Wayne. Christian Courier. February 1, 2001
Kistemaker, Simon. New Testament Commentary, Revelation. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007
Lea-Black, Thomas. The New Teastament, Its Background and Message. Nashville: B&H publishers, 2003
New King James Version, Holy Bible. Minneapolis: Word Publishing, 1991
Towns, Elmer. Theology for Today. Mason: Cengagee Learning, 2008
Wiersbe, Warren. The Bible, Exposition Commentary NT volume II. Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 2008
The Millennial Debate
A RESEARCH PAPER
SUBMITTED TO
Prof. Hoseok Park
TO FULFILL THE REQUIREMENTS OF BIBL 450
IN CANDIDACY FOR THE DEGREE OF
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES
BY
Bubba
November 20, 2010
Contents
Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...……………………...2
Amillenialism…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..2
Premillenialism………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..3
Postmillenialism………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………3
Similarities and Differences………………………………………………………………..……………………………………………………4
Israel and the Church…………………………………………………………………..………………………………………………………….5
Timeline of the Millennial Kingdom…………………………………………………………………………………………………………6 …show more content…
Premillenialism (Most Accurate)……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..7
Conclusion…………………………………………………………….………………………………………………………………………………..9
Bibliography 3
INTRODUCTION The numerous ideologies in regard to a millennial system and the return of our Lord and Savior is of the utmost importance to doctrinal beliefs. It is the intent of this research paper to do three individual things. First it is paramount that we have an understanding of the most common beliefs in regard to a millennial kingdom. Second we have to identify the differences and similarities of each belief and its associated cause and effect on the theological debate. Third and perhaps most important is the ability to make a Biblical stand on which system is most supported and influenced by the text contained within the Bible itself.
AMILLENNIALISM
Amillennialism teaches that the writings of John in Revelation regarding a thousand year reign of Christ with prosperity and peace is a symbolic teaching rather than literal. The thought that Christ will return and reign for a thousand years is not needed or warranted. This belief brings much of the prophetic apocalyptic events described in Revelation’s into a threefold simplistic timeline. First Christ will return at an unspecified time and place. This fulfills Christ’s statement in Revelation 16:15 “Behold, I am coming like a thief,” reinforcing His warning to the churches of Sardis and Laodicea. Second will be the resurrection of all, righteous and unrighteous, for the final and third event, the judgment.
PREMILLENNIALISM Premillennialists believe that Christ’s return will take place prior to the establishment of the millennial kingdom. There are two distinct views within this doctrinal belief. One is by the dispensational premillenialist and the other is held by historical premillennialists.
Dispensationalists believe that the return of our Lord and Savior will be comprised of two unique stages. The first stage will be marked by the rapture and tribulation followed by Christ’s return as noted within the verses of Revelation 19:11-21. Historical premillenialists believe that Christ’s return is a single event that will occur prior to the establishment of His millennial kingdom at the end of the tribulation.
POSTMILLENIALISM
Postmillennialism was promoted widely at the beginning of the twentieth century by two key figures, Hodge and Strong. This doctrinal belief was based on evidence that the world was progressively becoming a better place. Because of this we would see it reach a utopian plateau in which Christ would eventually establish His kingdom on earth. This thought process was well based on the idea that preaching the gospel to the world would make a perfect world through the peace of Christ and His return would come at the end of the millennial kingdom. However with the ushering in of the twentieth century came two world wars and multiple high intensity conflicts that have killed millions. Along with this is the constant degeneration of values within society today. Immoral behavior ranging from pornography to murder and genocide is rampant and unchecked.
SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERNCES All three of these views in one way shape or form agree on one central theme, Christ’s return. Both Premillennialism and amillennialism believe in a kingdom of Christ, the difference is that amillennialism does not see this kingdom as being a literal kingdom here among us. The issue here is that in order for the Bible to remain inerrant, there has to be a physical kingdom of Christ here on earth. In Zechariah 14:4, the prophet states that “His feet shall stand on the mount of olives that lies before Jerusalem to the east.” In this passage we can not only see the literal body of the Lord on this earth but the power He shall bring with him as well when you read the rest of Zechariah’s vision. Many other instances of our Lord establishing His kingdom here among us can be found in the Old Testament as well. In 2nd Samuel 7:8-16 God makes the Davidic covenant with King David. God does not just state that the Messiah will be of David’s bloodline but that "He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” This verse is echoed later in 2nd Samuel 23:5 and Psalm 89:3-4, in these passages the covenant with David and the reign of the Messiah is reemphasized. One final key passage of the Old Testament indicating a literal earthly millennial kingdom is found in Jeremiah 23:5-8. These passages are indicative of Revelation 19:11-16 and the Son of God and his kingdom. He will ride on a white horse and carry the name “Faithful and True” and have written “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” on his thigh, what a glorious and wonderful image. Perhaps the most significant difference between the three main thoughts presented is that of the post-millennial doctrine when it is compared to the other two. The idea that Christ will return after we, the Church, have built the Kingdom for Him is humanistic and arrogant. Ever since the fall in the Garden we have been messing it up, constantly turning our backs on our Heavenly Father. Even our most righteous works are but mere rags to Him, so how could we prepare anything for Christ that was worthy of His character.
ISRAEL AND THE CHURCH It is without question that Israel and the Church are part of the millennial kingdom. In chapter seven of Revelation we see the first indication of this with the announcement of the hundred and forty four thousand and the great multitude that could not be numbered. There are two theories as to the twelve tribes. One of these theories is that the actual selection of the tribes and the order they are listed has significance in regard to the church. The other theory is of a pretribulation rapture where Christ’s Church will be taken up to him prior the tribulation. The main passage used to support this thought is chapter three, verse ten when John is writing Christ’s message to the church of Sardis. The issue that many contend with is that Christ is specifically addressing one church and it does not relate to the others in Revelation. An example of this discrepancy is revealed in verse ten of chapter two where Christ informs the church of Smyrna that they will endure ten days of tribulation. So having these two verses it is plausible that there may not be an actual pretribulation rapture in the context of what some think. The other theory regarding Israel and the church is that the order and selection of the tribes described in verse five through nine of chapter seven. In these verses it has been stated that perhaps the actual tribes of Israel represent a new “International Israel.” This would mean that the number of tribes and its representatives are not merely just one hundred and forty four thousand but that it is possible that the number could be of a “great multitude that cannot be counted.” Either view still supports a God that remains faithful to those who remain faithful to Him. He will protect the faithful from His just wrath when He brings it upon the world. In closing, thoughts of Israel and the church it is hard to hold to the amillennialist view that the church is a “spiritual fulfillment of covenant blessings promised [to] Israel in the Old Testament.” If this was the case then God and His word would inevitably be fallible.
TIMELINE OF THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM Based upon the evidence gathered from the reading of Revelation and supporting scripture it is impossible for an individual to give a timeline for the return of our King. The second coming of Christ has been noted throughout the New Testament as a time unknown to us. Christ will return like a “thief in the night.” Having said this, Christ gave specific instructions on how to live prior to His return. We are to live as if the hour is at hand and His arrival will be at any moment. The return of our King will be marked by many indisputable signs, but more importantly His actions described by John will be visible and undeniable. If the bible is inerrant in its entirety then the images John witnessed when he was “in the Spirit” will be presented to all. There will be no doubt as to the events when they are unleashed. Death, famine, and destruction cannot be oppressed from the view of the masses. God’s wrath on this world will be complete and undeniable.
PREMILLENIALISM (MOST ACCURATE) As I look at these different views I find myself trapped in a corner. Each view has valid points and support but if I was to choose I would have to favor premillennialism. The Bible if inerrant has got to be trusted to be just that, the flawless word of God. Because of this I find an overwhelming amount of supporting scripture contained within not just the book of Revelation but numerous other autographs as well. In Revelation 20 we observe John witnessing the beginnings of the thousand year reign of Christ. In verse one John saw an angel descend from heaven with “the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain.” This is no ordinary angel and it is not Christ either, it is Michael. He comes down and seizes or arrests the dragon or Satan and binds him for a thousand years. Michael binds Satan, almost as if he is now a prisoner awaiting the death sentence. The next verse is quite clear that when Satan is thrown into the pit, he is sealed up completely so that he can no longer deceive the nations. In Matthew12:26-29 Jesus tells us that in order to enter the house of a strong man you must first tie him up. This is exactly what is going on here with the angel Michael; he’s tying up the strong man preparing the house for Christ’s arrival. In support of a premillennialist view, Dr James M. Gray Stated, “If Satan is bound today then it must be with a really long chain.” This statement refutes a postmillennialist view that this world is being prepared by the church for His return. The next few verses of Revelation twenty continue to add to the debate between the three millennialist views; however the premillenist view is once again more accurately depicted.
In verse four and five we are privy to John’s vision of thrones with individuals appointed authority to judge. These are the same individuals spoken of in chapter four verses four. They are representative of “the elders of Israel or the church or a combination of both (twelve scribes and twelve apostles” according to Hindson. In verse five we are enlightened to the first resurrection. This begins with the Resurrection of Christ and includes those that believed in Him prior to the rapture and those in Him at the time of the rapture. We can identify two individual events here. One is the resurrection and the fact that there will be two. The first will consist of the believers that carry the seal of the lamb and the second will be for those that denied him and are awaiting judgment. With this we can also identify two deaths one that is physical and one that is eternal. The fear that comes with a physical death should be (but often is not) overshadowed by an eternal death. Everyone dies to their physical body but here John is speaking of an eternal death. Where are you going to spend
eternity? The final verses of chapter twenty paint two pictures that are complete polar opposites of each other. On the one hand you have a thousand year period that ushers in Christ’s millennial kingdom. This period of time will be complete with His peace, love, grace and mercy. On the other side of the spectrum you have the end of the millennial kingdom and the complete destruction of Satan and those who follow him. It is sad to think that given the book of Revelation and its warnings and truths people will still deny Christ. The tribulation is not the end but the beginning of the end. Christ’s compassion and mercy will not be taken away until the end of the tribulation. Many will still have the opportunity to accept His gift, yet many will continuously rebel against His absolute authority.
CONCLUSION
Many hold that the premillennialist view is unsupported by biblical accounts. I have come across numerous articles denouncing the thought of an actual earthly kingdom; however there is much evidence to support this concept. One individual, Wayne Jackson, has used scripture haphazardly to convey his view of amillennialism as accurate. In Mr. Jackson’s paper he presents numerous verses as reason to devalue the thoughts and beliefs of premillennialist’s. This kind of research is detrimental to the progress of the church as a whole. Because of this I find myself in a position to dismantle his thoughts in support of premillennial concepts. One verse used by Mr. Jackson is Mark 9:1, “I tell you the truth, there are some standing here who will not experience death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.” He states “that either the kingdom came within the lifetime of those to whom He referred, or they are getting very old.” What Mr. Jackson fails to do is give the whole picture and setting of this verse. When you read further you will see that this passage is six days prior to the transfiguration on the mount. In my opinion there is no debate here, Christ said they would see the kingdom of heaven and here for a brief moment they get to see a glimpse of it, Elijah and Moses speaking with the King. Another issue brought up by Mr. Jackson is that of the resurrection. He states that there is no real support in regards to two actual resurrections. He states that “the scriptures teach when the Lord Jesus returns Time will end, all of the dead will be raised at the same time, the judgment will occur and eternity will commence.” But his ideas are in direct confliction with the word of God. In verse six of chapter twenty in Revelation we read that “Blessed is he who that hath part in the first resurrection.” But if you look at verse five you see that the “rest of the dead did not come to life until the end of the thousand years.” Again the bible is the inerrant word of God and it does not get much clearer than this, the first resurrection followed by a thousand years and then the second resurrection for the spiritually dead. Mr. Jackson does not stop with Revelation when trying to sway the reader into compromise for a positive view of amillennialism. Mr. Jackson goes to the book of Acts chapter twenty four verse fifteen. Here he states that “Paul makes it clear that there “shall be a resurrection [singular] of the just and unjust.” The issue is a matter of translation, the Greek word used here is te. This is a participle that indicates “both” and is translated as “not only” or “but also.” So in regards to this simple translation the passage states a resurrection of “not only the just but the unjust as well”, dual resurrections. I find it comical that with the wisdom we have today and the revealing of God in our lives, we can still be as dumb as a box of chocolates. I found myself thoroughly perplexed at many of the images brought about by John in his vision of the end of times. I researched and studied adamantly to get to the bottom of the book of Revelations. Every time I thought that I had a firm grasp on what was being presented by God through the apostle John the rug was pulled out from underneath me. It was about three quarters of the way through Hindson’s book that I got down on my knees and prayed for discernment. It is amazing what can happen when you go to God with a humble spirit and admit that you do not have the ability to understand His thoughts presented in His word. And sometimes He surprises you with a glimpse of what it is you need to get through. If there is one clear indication that the Bible stands true it is the repetition that can be found within. There are numerous passages written within that repeat at a later time with spans greater than a thousand years. It is no wonder that many have had a difficult time in completely grasping the literal thoughts of the author. You can see within the pages of our sacred and holy text the dynamics of a living and breathing organism. You cannot take one part out and have it be able to survive as a whole. Just like our own bodies not being able to continue its existence without a heart, so does the Bible when you take God’s influence out of it and replace it with mans interpretation. I do not have the capabilities to understand God’s intent in all the verses of the Bible; however He has blessed me with the discernment to understand the basics of His love, patience, grace and mercy.
Bibliography
Hill, Jonathan. Handbook to the History of Christianity. Grand Rapids: Lion Publishing, 2006.
Phillips, Jonathan. Holy Warriors, A modern History of the Crusades. New York: The Random House Publishing Company, 2009.
Riley-smith, Jonathan. The Crusades, A history Second Edition. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2005.
Boyd-Eddy, Gregory. Across the Spectrum. Grand Rapids: Baker Academics, 2009
Courson, Jon. Application Commentary, New Testament, Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2003
English Standard Version, The Holy Bible. Wheaton: Crossway Bibles, 2007
Hindson, Edward. The Book of Revelation: Unlocking the Future. Canada: Scofield Minstries, 2002
Jackson, Wayne. Christian Courier. February 1, 2001
Kistemaker, Simon. New Testament Commentary, Revelation. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007
Lea-Black, Thomas. The New Teastament, Its Background and Message. Nashville: B&H publishers, 2003
New King James Version, Holy Bible. Minneapolis: Word Publishing, 1991
Towns, Elmer. Theology for Today. Mason: Cengagee Learning, 2008
Wiersbe, Warren. The Bible, Exposition Commentary NT volume II. Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 2008