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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:

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Why We Reject Premillennialism

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  1. Why We Reject Premillennialism Some thoughts from Tom Miller

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. Premillennialism Misunderstands the Natureand 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

  5. Premillennialism Misunderstands the Natureand 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)

  6. Premillennialism Misunderstands the Natureand 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)

  7. 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)

  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

  9. 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

  10. 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)

  11. 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)

  12. 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)

  13. 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)

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