Pre-millennial/Pre-Tribulational Rapture: Considerations from the Millennium to Eternity

Consider This...

Theological Thoughts to Encourage the Heart & Stir the Mind

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Volume I                  June 2011                  Issue 26

The Millenium and Eternity

           

The literal Word of God is authored and inspired by the Living God Himself. What God has said, he will do. He has made his word plain and simple for every person to read and benefit from. So why the confusion of how things began? Or how they will end? I am convinced, by experience and the Word itself, that all man’s questions can be answered from the Bible. So why are there so many opinions or interpretations regarding the end of this world and eternity as explained in Scripture? It is sad to observe today that certain beliefs are no longer held as truth or have strong foundations in the minds of people who read the Bible. Baptists, Presbyterians, and other Protestant groups hold to unorthodox views that they once abhorred. It all comes down to asking if you believe the Word of God and how it speaks for itself. Or are you hanging your convictions on what others are saying about the Word of Truth and not examining the Scriptures for yourself?

            As you read this article today, consider what you believe about the Millennium. Do you know the different views held regarding this doctrine? I hope this article will stir your mind and encourage you to dive deep into the Word of God and be persuaded by what the very word of Christ teaches you rather than by man's opinion.

            The Millennium, according to a literal interpretation, is the one thousand year reign of Jesus Christ on earth. This will take place after he returns in glory to vanquish all his foes as prophesied in Revelation 19. I hold this position as literal for many reasons. One of them is because six times within chapter 20 of the book of Revelation, John the Apostle wrote, “a thousand years.” Satan was bound for a thousand years (v. 2); the resurrected martyrs came to life and lived with Christ for a thousand years (v. 4); believers shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with him a thousand years (v.6). These six statements of a thousand years bring to mind Christ and his words. In the gospel of John, Christ said," truly, truly I tell you..." He emphasized the word truly. This was to assure us that his word was truth and will be done...literally! How much more should we take a thousand years literally as it is repeated and demanded in the verses quoted above?

            During the time of the Millennium, all nations will submit to the authority of Christ Jesus. He will be the King of the Earth reigning in Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:16-19). People who have entered the Millennium when Christ returns will have children and continue to decide whether to live for Christ or to reject him (Isaiah 65:20-23). Could you imagine people actually beholding the living Christ and yet not being converted? The Saints of God will also rule with Christ during this time (Revelation 20:6).

            Before the Millennial reign of Christ, right after his return to earth, Satan will be bound and shut up for the one thousand years that Christ will rule. But, as noted previously, men who have not been transformed and redeemed will still have rebellion in their hearts. Once Satan is released at the end of the Millennium, he will gather these unredeemed people to make war with the saints and the Christ. It is at this time that fire will come down from heaven and consume all of these enemies (Rev. 20:9).

            There are a few different views regarding the one thousand year reign of Christ on earth. Some hold to a position called Postmillennialism. The good news will triumph on earth, and Christ will establish through the Church an age of peace on earth. Then Christ will return, and inaugurate his eternal kingdom (eternal state).¹ I have yet to see the peace of Christ ruling on this earth, over the whole earth. Actually, the earth becomes worse and worse rather than better and peaceful.

            Another view that takes a metaphoric stance of the one thousand year reign of Christ is what is known as Amillennialism. This view states we are in the Millennium right now! This is with Christ ruling in our hearts at this moment. It also declares we are ruling with him spiritually. This began at his first advent and continues until his second coming. Those who hold this view believe the Millennium is a long, certain period of time, not a literal 1000 years. When Christ returns, we are ushered into the eternal state. As quoted in Zechariah 14:16-19, all nations will come to Jerusalem to worship the King Jehovah. This is not happening right now or has happened in the past. Scripture confirms Satan will be bound for one thousand years during the Millennium. Satan is the prince of the power of the air, the ruler and father of those who are disobedient to Christ. If he is currently bound in a symbolic thousand years (as Amillennialists would believe), why do we still see him at work on this earth at the present time?

            In a literal view of Scripture, yes, there are some things that are symbolic. Yet, to categorize certain doctrines and beliefs as symbolic (Covenant Theology, The Millennium) opens the door to allegorize the whole Word of God. There are men who consider the creation account in Genesis to be "poetry." There are cults that would say Christ rose from the dead "figuratively." All of this is because the Word is not taken literally. God has magnified his Word above his name. If the Word is more symbolic and allegorical than literal, what does it say about God? What do we believe or symbolize about him?

            The final area of this article considers the eternal state. Once the Millennium has finished and Satan is cast into the lake of fire with all who have rejected Christ in the second resurrection, God ushers in a new heaven and a new earth. No more tears, death, or sin! It is at this time that the New Jerusalem comes down from heaven. It is no longer a city built on the earth in a certain location, but a city whose builder is God Almighty; filled with the Saints of God who have believed in his name. The eternal state involves serving our Lord and maker and dwelling in the light of his countenance. We shall see God's face! We shall see it because we no longer have sin in our lives or the threat of ever being ensnared by it again. Oh, the precious promise and great comfort of a new heaven, new earth, and New Jerusalem.

            J. Hampton Keathley III gives a complete list of how the eternal state will be lived out, and the privilege we will have as the redeemed of Christ Jesus. He writes:

 In summary of this section of Revelation, what do we have in the eternal and blessed city of the New Jerusalem?

(1) Perfect restoration (no more curse, paradise regained),

(2) Perfect administration (the very throne of God and the Lamb shall be on it),

(3) Perfect subordination (His servants shall serve Him),

(4) Perfect transformation (the saints shall see His face and we shall be like Him [1 John 3:2]),

(5) Perfect identification (His Name on our foreheads),

(6) Perfect illumination (He Himself shall illumine us),

(7) Perfect exaltation (we shall reign forever and ever).

     Here are seven perfect conditions pointing to one absolutely perfect state. Hallelujah, what a Savior! How great is our salvation in Christ!!!²

            I heartily agree with this list and believe that all of these things also will be literal!

- Ed Delgado

^{1.The NLT Study Bible.2008 Tyndale Publishing Inc.}

^{2.J Hampton Keathley III. Bible.org}

Pre-Millennial/Pre-Tribulational Rapture: Considerations from the Rapture to the Millennium

Consider This...

Theological Thoughts to Encourage the Heart & Stir the Mind ___________________________________________________

Volume I                  June 2011                  Issue 25

“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.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 KJV

            In my opinion, these are some of the most wonderful words Paul ever penned.  At the end of the current age or the “Last Days,” we are promised that Jesus is going to come and take his children home with him so we shall EVER be with the Lord. 

            With the Rapture of the Saints, a timeline is set in motion. This timeline begins with the Rapture and ends at the Millennium. Immediately following the Rapture, believers will be involved in the Judgment Seat of Christ.  This judgment is only for believers and is a time when Christ evaluates the works of his own people (1 Corinthians 3:11-4:5). 2 Corinthians 5:10 speaks especially of this judgment. It is important to point out that this judgment has no bearing on salvation since that has been settled. Rather, this is an assessment of works of the believer and is a time of reward for the believer based on the value of those works. 

Following this Judgment seat or Bema Seat and before the Second Coming of Christ, we, as believers, will be eternally united with our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, through the marriage of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9).

            Those who remained behind on earth will begin what is commonly called the Tribulation Period.  In his book, Understanding End Times Prophesy, Paul Benware suggests that it is possible some time may pass before the seven year Tribulation period begins, while necessary alignments and developments take place. According to Daniel 9:24-27, the Antichrist will sign a treaty with the nation of Israel.  The signing of this treaty will begin the Tribulation.  The Tribulation is broken into two halves, each being 3½ years in length, totaling 7 years. 

            There are two reasons for the Tribulation. The first portion is to save the nation of Israel.  It is intended to bring the nation to a point in which they will respond in a positive way to God’s salvation. There will also be Gentiles coming to Christ during this time as is evidenced in Revelation 7:9-17. The second portion of the Tribulation is a time of trouble and judgment on this earth, such as the world has never seen.   Matthew 24:4-28 speaks of this time.  In a series of 3 separate judgments, nearly 80 percent of the earth’s population will die.  Matthew 24:22 states, “And except those days should be shortened, there would no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” In other words, if the time were to continue, the devastation and judgment would be so severe that no one would survive. 

            This is also a unique time for Satan as he will attempt to destroy God’s people who are saved during the Tribulation.  His hatred of God will be focused on the people of God during this time.  Benware states, “Satan will successfully deceive many on the earth through his use of amazing and powerful signs and wonders, and multitudes will follow him (Matt. 24:21-24; 2 Thess. 2:1-12, and Rev. 13:1-18). But all this will be to no avail. When the time is right, the Lord Jesus will return to the earth and seize control over this planet ONCE AND FOR ALL!”

This time of Tribulation will end when Christ comes to the earth to inaugurate the Millennial Kingdom of the Messiah. 

This will be a wonderful time for those believers that are “caught up” with Christ in the Rapture.  We will finally see our Savior and daily struggles with sin will have ended.  We will finally be with our Savior for all eternity. 

            How should this knowledge affect our daily lives now? As we think of the Tribulation time, we should be praising God daily that He not only allows His own to escape the eternal judgment of Hell but he also allows us to avoid the terrible time of the Tribulation. 

            Also, this is going to be a horrible time for those left behind.  We are to spend our time now witnessing to those around us, warning them of the punishment to come.  Mark 16:14–17, Luke 24:44–49, Acts 1:4–8, and John 20:19–23 all admonish us to GO and teach to those we come into contact with.  Teach the gospel, minister to the lost, be examples as believers to a lost and dying world. Matthew 24:36  says, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” Our time to go and our time to teach is now.

Jonathan Halk

J. Dwight Petecost, Things to Come: A Study in Biblical Eschatology (Grand Rapids, MI: Dunham Publishing Company, 1958). 135

Paul N. Benware, Understanding End Times Prophesy: a comprehensive approach (Chicago, IL : Moody Publishers, 1995)

Pre-millennial/Pre-Tribulational Rapture: Considerations from the Church to the Rapture

Consider This...

Theological Thoughts to Encourage the Heart & Stir the Mind ___________________________________________________

Volume I                  June 2011                  Issue 24

Eschatological studies are often seen as being a subject that has little bearing on the current state of reality. Many have a minimalist grasp on their view and tend to view the End Times as a flip of the coin, could be one way or another. We just know that in the end, we win. There is a tendency to focus on the theological aspects that are most tangible in the moment. This was the way with many Reformers. While they were focused on the Salvific Theologies, they simply followed what the great Church father, St. Augustine, taught concerning Eschatology, A-millennialism. However, it must be understood that ones view of Eschatology has implications for the whole of theology as well as immediate application in practical living. It is the goal of this article, in the next few paragraphs, to look at these implications and application in light of a Pre-tribulation/ Pre-millennial position.

           

            In light of the dispensation of Grace, the establishment of the Church is a mystery. Why God interrupted His work with Israel, allowed them to be blinded, and then used the Church to spread the message of redemption is something that will be unknown on this earth.[1] However, it is by understanding that this is true that this present Age has Eschatological purposes. The first question to ask then is what does this present Age look like?

            The last days of the Church are clearly explained throughout the New Testament. Even though these references are speaking to a restricted time, it is wholly within this present Age.[2] II Timothy 3:15 gives a list of attributes that will accompany the false teachers of this age. As the passages says, there will comes times of difficulty (vs.1). This is not a single event, but a progress. I Timothy 4:1-2 speaks of how this same progress will inflict the Church with Apostasy.

            It is these times that will seem to be a taste and preparation of what the Tribulation will hold. However, these two times are totally separate. The scriptural explanations of the Church’s “last days” are solely within the Church. There is not discussion of the political and national turmoil that plague the world during the Tribulation. As I Timothy 4:1-2 speaks, there will be departing from the faith. The trouble that is seen within the world is not certain evidence of its near end, but an outworking of the end. The end has been near for 2,000 years, and may continue to appear this way for another 2,000.

            In light of these passages, it is clear that moral progress is not an inevitable. Those that hold to the view that the Church will herald in the millennium, see that the world should at some point begin to become Christianized. This can be seen as both an actual 1,000 years or, as the A-mill view, it is the present age allegorized.

            With the description of the “Last Days,” the second question to be asked is what are we to do? It is clear in our present time that false teachers have entered the Church and have led many away from the faith.  History has shown that this has been the pattern since the beginning of the Church at Pentecost. Is there something that is not being done to prevent this? Or is the Church stumbling in the dark without instructions?

            The job of the Church in these “Last Days” is clearly laid out by the Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 28:19-20 which says,  

            Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,

            baptizing them in the name of the Father, and

            of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them

            to observe all that I have commanded you.

            And behold, I am with you always, to the end

            of this age. (ESV)

This passage is clear in its command to GO. It is the job of the Church to take the message of redemption to all people. It is the job of the Church to disciple and train them into people who will themselves go out.

            At the end of this passage, comes the great surety that Christ will be with us. The Church is not fueled by human energy and man’s philosophy, but by the Word of God and Jesus Christ. His plan will be accomplished, even when it appears to be defeated. This present age is filled with destruction and perilous times, but it is still in God’s control. We need not worry about when the end will be, but understand that these are the “Last Days”.

Soli Deo Gloria

John A Frey III

             

           

           

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[1] J. Dwight Petecost, Things to Come: A Study in Biblical Eschatology (Grand Rapids, MI: Dunham Publishing Company, 1958). 135

[2] Lewis Sperry Chafer, Systematic Theology, Vol. 4, 8 vols. (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregal Publications). 375

Introduction to Pre-Tribulation/ Pre-Millennial Rapture

Consider This...

Theological Thoughts to Encourage the Heart & Stir the Mind ___________________________________________________

Volume I                  June 2011                  Issue 23

Regarding the subject of eschatology, the doctrinal statement of our Church and national Fellowship (GARBC) reads as follows…

            We believe in the Pre-tribulational rapture of the church, an event that can occur at any moment, and that at that moment the dead in Christ shall be raised in glorified bodies, and the living in Christ shall be given glorified bodies without tasting death, and all shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air before the seven years of the Tribulation.1Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 51-54; Philippians 3:20, 21; Revelation 3:10

            We believe that the Tribulation, which follows the Rapture of the Church, will be culminated by the Pre-millennial return of Christ in power and great glory to sit upon the throne of David and to establish His kingdom upon this earth. Daniel 9:25-27; Matthew 24:29-31; Luke 1:30-33; Isaiah 9:6, 7; 11:1-9; Acts 2:29, 30; Revelation 20:1-4, 6

This month we will consider the events leading up to and corresponding with these two doctrinal positions. This article will introduce our arguments for and defense of the Pre-tribulational / Pre-millennial stand. So keep reading and… Consider This.

As stated earlier, we believe that Christ will come before the seven year tribulation period to catch away His church. This is referred to as the Pre-tribulational rapture.

Why Hold to a Pre-Tribulational Position?

1. The word church, mentioned in the first three chapters of Revelation, does not appear again until the final chapter (22:6).

2. The Church as a corporate body is not seen until the marriage of the Lamb to His wife (19:7).

3. The Church has been rewarded in Heaven before Christ actually returns to earth (19:7-16).

4. The phrase “unto the churches” (2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22) is absent in a similar admonition in 13:9 (The reason for this omission is the fact that the Church is not on earth to receive it).

           

5. Christ is seen in Heaven in Revelation 4-19, whereas earlier He was on earth within the churches.

6. The elders, representing the church (4:4; 5:8-10), are already in Heaven before the great tribulation begins.

7. In the description of Christ’s return to earth after the tribulation, there is no mention of the translation of the living redeemed into His presence (19:11-16). (If the post-tribulational position were correct, then the rapture should have been declared at this point.)

It is clear that the Rapture is indeed pictured and stated in the book of Revelation and that church-age believers will be removed from the judgments of the great Tribulation upon the earth!

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The second position, Pre-millennialism, holds that the second advent of Christ will take place seven years after the coming of Christ in the air. At that time, He came for the believers. When He returns in glory, we, as believers, will return with Him!

Why Hold to a Pre-Millennial Position?

In an article on this topic, Dr. Thomas Ice, Executive Director of The Pre-Trib Research Center at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia presents a biblical basis for Pre-millennialism.

He writes…

            Even though the strongest support for Pre-millennialism is found in the clear statement of Revelation 20:1-7, where six times Christ's kingdom is said to last 1,000 years, the Old Testament and the rest of the New Testament also support a Pre-millennial understanding of God's plan for history. Jeffrey Townsend has given an excellent summary of the biblical evidence for Pre-millennialism in the following material:

Developed from the Old Testament

            "The OT covenants with Abraham and David established unconditional promises of an Israelite kingdom in the ancient land ruled by the ultimate Son of David. The OT prophets, from the earliest to the latest, looked forward to the establishment of this             kingdom. Its principle features will include: regathering of the Jews from the nations to the ancient land, mass spiritual regeneration of the Jewish people, restoration of Jerusalem as the principal city and her Temple as the spiritual center of the world, the reign of David's ultimate Son over the twelve reunited tribes dwelling securely in the land as the pre-eminent nation of the world. Based on OT Scripture, a this-earthly, spiritual-geopolitical fulfillment of these promises is expected.

Developed from the New Testament

            The NT writers do not reinterpret the OT kingdom promises and apply them to the church. Instead the church participates now in the universal, spiritual blessings of the Abrahamic, Davidic, and New Covenants without negating the ultimate fulfillment of the       covenant promises to Israel. The NT authors affirm rather than deny the ancient kingdom hope of Israel. Matthew, Luke, and Paul all teach a future for national Israel. Specifically, Acts 1 with Acts 3 establishes that the restoration of the kingdom to Israel takes place at the second coming of Jesus Christ. Romans 11 confirms that at the time of the second advent, Israel will have all her unconditional covenants fulfilled to her. First Corinthians 15 speaks of an interim kingdom following Christ's return but prior to the eternal kingdom of God during which Christ will rule and vanquish all His enemies. Finally, Revelation 20 gives the chronology of events and length of Christ's kingdom on this earth prior to the eternal state.

            In sum, the case for Pre-millennialism rests on the fact that the OT promises of an earthly kingdom are not denied or redefined but confirmed by the NT. The basis of Pre-millennialism is not the reference to the thousand years in Revelation 20. That is merely a             detail, albeit an important one, in the broad pattern of Scripture. The basis of Pre-millennialism is the covenant-keeping nature of our God, affirmed over and over again in the pages of Scripture. God will do what He has said He will do, for His own glory among the nations. And what He has said He will do is fulfill the Abrahamic, Davidic, and New Covenants to a regathered, regenerated, restored nation of Israel at the second coming of Jesus Christ, and for a thousand years thereafter, prior to the eternal kingdom of God."

Conclusion

Pre-millennialism is merely the result of interpreting the whole Bible, Genesis to Revelation, in the most natural way -- literally. Many of the critics admit that if the literal approach is applied consistently to the whole of Scripture, then Pre-millennialism is the natural result. If the Old Testament promises are ever going to be fulfilled literally for Israel as a nation, then they are yet in the future. This is also supportive of Pre-millennialism. Pre-millennialism also provides a satisfactory and victorious end to history in time as man, through Christ, satisfactorily fulfills his creation mandate to rule over the world.