INTRODUCTION

A. Introductory Thoughts

       Probably no other doctrine is any more misleading than that of premillennialism. Some contend that it matters not what you believe concerning the timing of and events surrounding the coming of Christ; it matters not if you believe in the rapture or disbelieve. They assert that it does not matter if you believe Christ is going to literally reign a thousand years on earth in Jerusalem or not. To them it is only important that you believe Jesus is the Son of God. Such people are not merely out in the world of religion; they are sometimes in our Bible classes as students and even as teachers. Beyond the doors of our church building, belief in premi lien nial ism is a way of life for many. Because premillennialism is the language of friends and coworkers, it becomes part of the vocabulary of some Christians. Every leader in Christ's church needs to be aware of this language, what it means, and what the truth is, or, how else will he guard the ears of the innocent and stop the mouths of those caught up in this language?

B. Language and Perspective

       "Every area of study, every profession, every vocation, every discipline has its own vocabulary that is used to define concepts, clarify differences, and provide a common means of dialogue" (F.F. p. 5). So states the introduction to Fast Facts on Biblical Prophecy a summary or dictionary of important words and phrases concerning Biblical prophecy, especially as it has to do with the language of premillennialism. As its authors state: "The theological perspective throughout the book is that of premillennialism and pretribulationism. Although we recognize that this is not the only position embraced by evangelical Christians, we believe it is the most widely held perspective. It is also our conviction that premi lien nialism, specifically pretribulationism, best explains the prophetic plan of God as revealed in the Bible" (F.F. p. 6).

       Though we seek to understand the positions and convictions of others, we must understand that God has only one perspective?the correct one. As difficult as it may seem, man can come to the knowledge of truth--truth that conforms to the whole of God's counsel. We must not depend upon what is "the most widely held perspective," but totally look to God's word and in so doing refute the widely held errors of premillennialism and remain faithful to the precepts of divine revelation.

DISCUSSION

TWO MAJOR VIEWS OF MILLENNIALISM.

       A. Amillennialism.

       One major view of Biblical prophecy and events having to do with Christ's kingdom and his second coming is amillennialism. Amillennial means "no thousand years." The authors of the Fast Facts book state: "According to amillennialism, there will be no literal, future 1000--year reign of Christ on earth; however it holds that there is a present spiritual form of the kingdom" (F.F. p. 12).

       The authors suggest: "Ami lien nialism was not present in the earliest church; at least there is no positive record of its existence. It appears to have risen first as a result of opposition to premillennial literalism and then later developed into a positive system" (F.F. p. 12). The authors go on to say: "It is no exaggeration to say that among the church's leadership (including the majority of Protestant reformers during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries) amillennialism has been the most widely held view for much of the church's history" (F.F. pp. 12, 13). We might add: "Rightly so!"

       Christ's intent was not to conquer through physical fighting as is taught in premi lien nialism concerning Armageddon. Christ clearly stated: "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight" (John 18:36).

       In writing to the "saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse," Paul reminded them of their current glorious state: The Father "has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated [or transferred] us into the kingdom of his dear Son" (Colossians 1:2,13). "Through faith in the working of God" they had been "buried with [Christ] in baptism" (Colossians 2:12); thus they were already in Christ and in His kingdom. They were not looking for Christ's kingdom to come; He was ruling in their hearts and minds at that very moment.

       B. Premillennialism.

       The most widely held and talked about view of Biblical prophecy and events having to do with Christ's kingdom and His second coming is premillennialism. It asserts that the second coming of Christ to the earth and the establishment of His kingdom will take place before the 1000 year kingdom of Revelation 20:1?7.

       The authors of the book under consideration write: "There are hundreds of millennium references in the Old Testament that speak of the time of Israel's end?time restoration to the land in blessing. However, it is not until John receives his revelation on Patmos that the length of Messiah's earthly reign is specified" (F.F. p. 152).

       "Dispensational premi Ilen nialism (the majority premillennial view) holds that there will be a future, literal, thousand?year reign of Jesus Christ upon the earth following the events of the rapture, tribulation, and second coming."

       The authors claim that "Premi Ilennialism, or chiliasm, as it was known in the early church, was the earliest of the three millennial systems to arise" (F.F. p. 153). They offer proof of this through a quote from the book, History of the Christian Church. Within that quote is a key sentence: "it was indeed not the doctrine of the church embodied in any creed or form of devotion, but a widely current opinion of distinguished teachers" (History of the Christian Church, Vol. 2, p~ 614). A red flag should go up every time we hear: "a widely current opinion of distinguished teachers." Our authors use phrases like: "major views," and "the majority ... view." This proves nothing, but that "distinguished teachers" do not always have the correct answer, for there can be but one correct answer   with God--"God is not the author of confusion but of peace" (I Corinthians    14:33).

  11. TWO WORDS THAT CAPTURE THE ATTENTION OF MEN.

       A. Rapture.

       What visions does this mystical word "rapture" conjure up in your mind? Do you see automobiles speeding down 1?85 and suddenly the drivers of several are ejected from their seats and sent on their way toward the clouds? This is the picture painted for us by the bumper stickers of premillennialists.

       It is the belief and teaching of premillennialists that "all Christians will be taken in the rapture before the beginning of the seven year tribulation," and that "this rapture could happen at any moment, without warning, since no signs must precede it. The rapture is that event which ends the current church age, enabling God to finish His plan of redemption with national Israel during the tribulation" (F.F. p. 155). We must understand that to the premillennialist the rapture is not the second coming of Christ, but the end of the church age at which time the seven years of tribulation begin, followed by the second coming of Christ and His thousand year reign on earth.
 

While we might be quick to argue that the word rapture is never used in the Bible, the premillennialist would suggest, "While it is true of most English versions,  Latin translators of the Greek New Testament did use the word tapere, whish is the root of the English term rapture" (F.F. p. 163).  They argue that Latin was the accepted language of theological discussion throughout much of the history of the Western church, therefore it is naive to dismiss the word rapture on the grounds of language.

       Premillennialists look to the Greek word harpazo and find in it the rapture.  This word means to "size upon with force" or "to snatch up."  The authors state: "The teaching of the rapture is most clearly presented in I Thessalonians 4:13-18" (F.F. p. 163).
 

       But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.(I Thessalonians 4:13-18).

       Please note that the text under consideration makes no comment about the lost, whether living or dead.  The Holy Spirit is not here revealing what will become of them or when it will take place.  This text is meant to comfort the living who misunderstood the state and outcome of those who had recently died.  God is assuring the living that those "who sleep in Jesus" will not miss the reward of faithfulness but will be resurrected, and with the faithful living, will be "caught up" in the clouds to meet Jesus and thus "always be with the Lord."  

       When we turn to other passages we find both the faithful (the saved souls) and the unfaithful (the lost souls) are being considered together. The premillennialists claim, "Though we often hear the phrase 'judgment day,' it is not Biblically accurate because there are several future judgments in God's prophetic plan" (F.F. p. 117).

      Passages such as Daniel 12:2, Matthew 25:31?46 and Hebrews 9:27 reveal that the awakening from the dead of the righteous and the unrighteous is simultaneous and the judgment will immediately follow for both. Oh yes, souls will be "caught up"; caught up to be with Jesus in everlasting life, or caught up in shame and everlasting contempt.

     B. Armageddon.
 

We are living, we are dwelling,
  In a grand and awful time,
In an age on ages telling,
  To be living is sublime.
Hark! the waking up of nations,
  Gog and Magog to the fray;
Hark! what soundeth? Is creation 
  Groaning for her latter day?

       Perhaps no other word in the vocabulary of premillennialism captures the imagination of its disciples any more than that of "Armageddon." The claim is: "Armageddon will be the last great world war of history and will take place in Israel in conjunction with the second coming of Christ" (F.F. p. 23). The premillennialists say that Daniel 11:40?45; Joel 3:9?17; Zechariah 14:1?3; and Revelation 16:14?16 describe this great military campaign. It might be good to note the words of Revelation:

        In the view of the premillennialists, the Antichrist will gather his forces from the east and the west in the Valley of Megiddo for an attack on Jerusalem, the "Antichrist's 'final solution' to the 'Jewish problem"' (F.F. p. 24). He will move to destroy newly revived Babylon and turn his forces toward Jerusalem. Just when all hope is lost, "God will intervene and Jesus Christ will return to rescue His chosen people, Israel" (F.F. p. 24).

       The authors of Fast Facts explain, "In a sense, Armageddon is a battle that never really takes place" (F.F. p. 25).  That is what amillennialists have been trying to get people to see for decades; Revelation's language is symbolic. not literal.  The premillennialist says that the battle does not take place in accordance with its original human intent, that is, to destroy Israel.  The premillennialist claims: "Jesus Christ chooses this moment in history for His return to earth--to thwart the Antichrist's attempted annihilation of the Jews and to destroy the armies of the world..."(F.F. p.24),

        The authors close the section on Armageddon with the statement: "And so it is that history is moving toward Armageddon."  We might suggest: first, that Christ is already doing battle against the forces of Satan through the preaching of the gospel and the godly living of His saints on earth; second, if what the premillennialists claim will be a literal battle in Palestine, then those living when it is ablut to begin can know that Christ's return is more than merely furture, it is upon them.

       It is interesting that Christ Jesus spoke in the same terms in Revelation 16:15 in warning that man would not know when His return would be.
 

     "Behold, I am coming as a thief.  Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame"  (Revelation 16:15).

      "But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.  Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him"(Matthew 24:43,44).

   III.    TWO CHURCH CONCEPTS.

           A. Church (The Premi Ilen nialists' View).
          
           The premillennialists assert that "the true church is made up of Jews and Gentiles who genuinely know Christ as their Savior and have had their sins forgiven. Beginning on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2 and continuing to the rapture, all believers are part of Christ's body, the church" (F.F. p. 41).

           They see two church realms. There are the "true believers" and the "mere professors." Both groups are viewed under the broad scope of "Christendom." They teach that "true believers" (the wheat) will be raptured and be with the Lord, and the "mere professors" (the tares) "will be left behind to enter into the tribulation period as Satan's harlot"(F.F. p. 42).

           Premillennialists see the church as unique in the plan of God and separate from His plan for Israel. They twist certain scriptures and say the "New Testament teaches that the church was an unrevealed mystery in the Old Testament (Romans 16:25,26; Ephesians 3:2?10; Colossians 1:25?27), which is why it began suddenly, without warning (Acts 2), and why this age will end suddenly and mysteriously at the rapture" (F.F. p. 43).

            B. Church (Christ's View),

           Was the church an "unrevealed mystery in the Old Testament," or a yet to be understood institution of God? Did it truly "begin suddenly, without warning?" To put forth such doctrine reveals either a void of knowledge or a willingness to deceive on the part of the premillennialist.

           Peter confessed that Jesus was "the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16). With that fact established, Jesus said, uOn this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 16:18b, 19a). The premillennialist rightly asserts that the church began on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2, however he clearly misses the mark when he states that it "began suddenly, without a warning." Jesus had been preparing his disciples for the coming of the church/kingdom for three and a half years. And it is certain that baptized believers were forgiven of sins and added to His church/kingdom (Acts 2:47; Colossians 1:13, 14).

           If space and time allowed we could show how the coming of Christ and the church were both revealed in prophecy. We could go to passages like Isaiah 2, Daniel 2, and Joel 2 and show how the establishment of the church was in prophecyprophecy fulfilled on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2.

           From the Garden of Eden till the last Old Testament prophet spoke and wrote, God was unveiling His plan to redeem man; a plan which included a King (Jesus) and a kingdom (the church). When the age of the church ends, true believers will be taken by Jesus to always be with Him; pretenders, along with those who do not know God and have not obeyed the gospel of Jesus will experience the wrath of God. There will be no years of second chances. The time is now. "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of Salvation" (11 Corinthians 6:2b).

   CONCLUSION

           As the twentieth century draws to a close and the year two thousand draws near, what language will be heard in the pulpits and classrooms of Christ's church? Will we learn to speak the language of premillennialism or will we continue to "speak as the oracles of God" (I Peter 4:11 a)? Does it really matter what language of religion we speak?
 

      In those days I also saw Jews who had married women of Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. And half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod, and could not speak the language of Judah, but spoke according to the language of one or the other people.
      So I contended with them and cursed them, struck some of them and pulled out their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, "You shall not give your daughters as wives to their sons, nor take their daughters for your sons or yourself. Did not Solomon King of Israel sin by these things? Yet among many nations there was no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel. Nevertheless pagan women caused even him to sin. Should we then hear of your doing all this great evil, transgressing against our God by manying pagan women?"
      And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Efiashib the high priest, was a son?in?law of Sanballat the Horonite; therefore I drove him from me. Remember them, 0 my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites. Thus cleanse them of everything pagan (Nehemiah 13:23?30a).

          In these days we must contend with those who speak the language of premi Ilen nialism, therefore we may need to understand the language, but we must never marry into the family. We must make sure our language is of God, cleanse ourselves of everything foreign, and never defile the covenant of the priesthood, lest we also be driven out.

          Within the ranks of premillennialists there is much disagreement and confusion concerning the timing and order of events, which are made evident as one reads the book Fast Facts on Bible Prophecy. Where there is disagreement with God and His word, confusion will be multiplied. Where there is confusion, one, who is masterful with words and appears to understand the secret things of God, will be the teacher people listen to and take delight in. And isn't it amazing that the simple things of God concerning the gospel plan of salvation, instructions in right living, and how man is to approach God in worship?these things become misunderstood, even to denial by those who delight in revealing the supposed mysteries of God!

       We make this worthy appeal to all, especially to those who teach God's word:

      Flee also youthful lust, but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will (11 Timothy 2:22?26).

        Fast Facts on Biblical Prophecy, Thomas Ice and Timothy Demy, Copyright Q 1997 by Pre?Trib Research Center, Published by Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, Oregon 97402, Price paid?$8.99
 
 

        From A to Z there are many other words and phrases used by premillennialists in the discussion of their doctrine. The Fast Facts book defines and explains these words and phrase and gives their place and purpose in the thoughts of the premillennialists. Neither time nor space allows a study of all of them here. It is hoped that the material presented will aid you in your study and be a stepping stone to a better understanding of and defense against the language of premillennialism.
 

Bob Burt
4842 Serene Shores Drive
Gainesville, GA 30506