50 ways that Rapture & premillennialism contradicts the Bible
See our main Rapture page here.
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Rapture
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Introduction:
1. See our main Rapture page here.
2. Rapture so clearly contradicts the Bible in so many ways, we are puzzled how any Christian can think any of it comes from the bible.
3. Rapture doctrine is widely believed today, but it did not exist before it "popped" into John Darby's head in 1830 AD. If you believe in the Rapture, you probably wrongly assumed it was a historic Bible doctrine, when in fact it was born in the era of the cults (1830-1880 AD). Rapture doctrine is one of the most recent "new doctrines" in the history of the Church. The only doctrine more recent is the invention of the sinner's prayer for salvation by Billy Sunday in 1930, which was made popular by Billy Graham in 1935.
4. Here are 50 ways that Rapture doctrine contradicts the Bible.
5. Christians reject the rapture and rely upon the pages of the Bible alone as a sole source of conduct and doctrine. . Find a church that exposes the Rapture as a heresy in your own home town.
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A. False assumptions of Rapture and premillennialism.
1. False: The kingdom is something distinct from the church. Truth: The kingdom is the church which was established on the day of Pentecost in 33 A.D. We are in the kingdom now: Col 1:13; Rev 1:6,9.
2. False: Reviving the Roman empire to keep time prophecies of Dan 2,7,8,9 from failing. Truth: The final kingdom Daniel saw was Rome. God set up his kingdom during the Roman empire which began in 30 BC and was destroyed in 397 AD. The kingdom is the church which was started on Pentecost.
3. False: Daniel saw 13 kingdoms: Truth: Daniel saw only 4 kingdoms: Babylon, Medo-persia, Greece and Rome. The last kingdom had ten horns/toes, representing 10 Caesars/rulers/kings not 10 additional kingdoms for a total of 13 kingdoms.
4. False: Christ will return in one generation from the time Israel became a nation in 1948. Truth: Mt 23:34; 24:34 speak about how the Herodian temple in Jerusalem will be destroyed within one generation. This indeed came to pass with the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD by Titus. Notice the parallel: "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near. " (Luke 21:20)
5. False: Israel never possessed all the land promised to Abraham and must return to fulfill this promise. Truth: God made three promises to Abraham and all three were fulfilled at the time of Joshua - Solomon. "And the LORD gave them rest on every side, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers, and no one of all their enemies stood before them; the LORD gave all their enemies into their hand. Not one of the good promises which the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass. " (Joshua 21:44-45) Here is a detailed outline showing that Israel possessed all the land promised Abraham.
6. False: The Mosaic Old Testament temple will be rebuilt on the temple mount in Jerusalem complete with animal sacrifices and Aaronic priests. Truth: The Old Testament was nailed to the cross and abolished: Heb 8:13. To go back to animal sacrifices is to deny Christ: "And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. " (Galatians 5:3-4) Restoring animal sacrifices nullifies the sacrifice of the blood of Christ on the cross which was the last blood sacrifice for all future eternity: "Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, " (Hebrews 10:11-12)
7. False: Entering the 7th millennium in 2000 AD Truth: The bible indicates that the world is about 6119 years old in 2011. See this creation time chart and chronology.
8. False: Y2K bug of 1999 AD Truth: Wild speculation that TV preachers and Rapturists used to whip up end time predictions. It was a non-event... again.
9. False: The prophetic clock stopped in the 69th week of Daniel's prophecy when the Jews rejected Christ as their earthly king because God wasn't expecting the Jews to reject Jesus. Each of the first 69 weeks was a period of seven years, but he last week has already been almost 2000 years. The prophetic clock starts ticking again at the "Rapture" which is the beginning of the 70th week of Daniel. There will be 3 ˝ years of peace followed by 3 ˝ years of tribulation. Truth: God foresaw everything just as it happened in the gospels. A prophecy clock cannot stop or slow down or change rate of time passing. The 70th week continued and came to and end before 40 AD. Rapturists believe that the entire New Testament period is something that God had to think up on the fly when the Jews rejected Jesus as their king. So God had to think up the church age as a stop gap measure until God could try a second time to get the Jews to accept Jesus as king during the millennium. Notice that the "prophetic clock stops" when the Jews crucified Jesus and it starts at the Rapture. The reason the clock had to stop, is because of all the time prophecies were supposed to be fulfilled at the first advent of Christ, but the Jews thwarted God's plan. Notice the clock stops at the 69th week of Daniel 9 which was happily ticking at a constant pace since it began with the decree of Cyrus which was 483 years (69 x 7 years). Then 2000 years pass and the clock suddenly starts ticking down the final 7 years. This is nothing short of incredible, but in fact, this entire concept of God failing to foresee the Jews rejecting Jesus as King is the cornerstone of Rapture and Premillennial theology.
10. False: The church is a temporary after thought while the prophetic clock is stopped. The church is not prophesied in the Old Testament and will be abolished at the second coming. The prophetic clock starts ticking again at the "Rapture" which is the beginning of the 70th week of Daniel. There will be 3 ˝ years of peace followed by 3 ˝ years of tribulation. Truth: The church is part of God's eternal purpose and will endure forever into the future: "so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, " (Ephesians 3:10-11) God will be glorified in the church for all future eternity: "to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. " (Ephesians 3:21) Those who believe the church is a temporary stop gap measure, fail to comprehend that the church is the bride of Christ and that the wedding day is the second coming. "that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. " (Ephesians 5:27) Rapturists teach that the church ends at the second coming, when in fact the church continues forever as the bride of Christ. Those who believe the church was thought up at the last minute when the Jews rejected Jesus as their king fail to realize that our salvation is inside the church, which is the body of Christ and will continue forever. If the church ends at the second coming, then so does the body of Christ. So Rapture and premillennialism is rank heresy invented by John Darby in 1830 AD.
11. False: The Bible tells us when the Rapture/second coming of Christ will occur. Truth: "The Bible Guarantees it" as a sure thing makes a mockery of Christ and causes people to lose faith in the Bible.
12. False: There is a secret number code in the bible that can be used to predict the second coming by using combinations of 2, 3, 3 ˝, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12, 13, 17, 23, 30, 37, 40, 43, 66, 70, 230, 280, 666, 980, 1000, 1200, 1260, 1290, 1335, 2520, 2300, 6000, 7000 etc. These numbers are randomly assigned various time units including minutes, hours, days, weeks, years, millenniums. Truth: Endless numerology has been used randomly to make endless date predictions which have all failed but sold a lot of books and made a lot of con artists rich.
13. False: Special illumination from God others do not possess Truth: If any man claims special revelation from God who directly communicates with him, let him show this by performing miracles. Bible prophets always proved it by their power, not their words. "But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I shall find out, not the words of those who are arrogant but their power. For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power. " (1 Corinthians 4:19-20) Until men like Camping perform a miracle, he is a candidate for stoning according the Old Testament law he believes will be restored.
14. False: New Doctrines are being revealed today that were not understood even 20 years ago. Truth: Continuous revelation: "Early and latter rains", "new light". For example, Harold Camping said, "The Biblical evidence is too overwhelming and specific to be wrong. The scriptural evidence needed to know the exact day could not be known before 1988, the year the 'Church age' ended. The Bible indicates prior to this year that date could not be known." The Jehovah's Witnesses are trained to ignore past false predictions by claiming new light that "gets brighter and brighter". Rather it is "black light" or flickering/contradictory light. Camping uses this "new light" "latter rain" theology to justify his previous prediction of 1994 failing. Incredibly Camping says: "In the nineteen years since "1994?" was written, the biblical evidence for 2011 has greatly solidified. Today there is no longer any question, May 21, 2011 is the day in which Jesus Christ will return.
B. The Kingdom is the church: The Bible Vs. Premillennialism:
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The Kingdom begins |
Premillennialists say |
Already fulfilled in the Bible! |
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Kingdom begins in the Last days Pentecost 33 AD Dan 2, Isa 2 |
Last days 1947 AD |
The last days began with the ministry of Christ and continue to the second coming. Last days is the period of time between the first and second comings of Christ: Joel 2:28 + Acts 2:17; Heb 1:2; 1 Pe 1:20 |
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Kingdom begins when Roman empire exists: Dan 2:44 |
When United Nations Exist, Revived Roman empire in USSR and Russia |
The church began at Pentecost during the Roman empire, precisely fulfilling Old Testament prophecy: Lk 2:1. The Roman Empire went forever extinct in 397 AD. Any effort to extend the Roman Empire to the present through a series of successive nations is ridiculous. If we applied this same reasoning to the Babylonian kingdom, we could argue the Mede, Grecian and Roman empires were merely the Babylonian empire! Think about it! |
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Kingdom begins before disciples of Jesus died: Mk 9:1 |
Kingdom coming postponed when the Jews rejected Jesus as their King to the surprise of God. |
The Kingdom began at Pentecost. "And Jesus was saying to them, "Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not die until they see the kingdom of God, after it has come with power. (Mark 9:1) How much clearer can it get? |
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Kingdom was "Near" when Jesus began his ministry: Mk 1:15 |
Kingdom coming postponed when the Jews rejected Jesus as their King to the surprise of God. |
Jesus said the time is fulfilled for God to set up his Kingdom which began at Pentecost: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." (Mark 1:15) How much clearer can it get? |
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Christ becomes King of Kingdom at the ascension: Dan 7:13; Lk 19:11 |
Jesus is not a king right now and doesn't become king until the second coming. |
Jesus is king now and is the king of His kingdom, which is the church: Acts 1:8-9 |
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The Kingdom of old Testament Prophecy |
Kingdom won't exist until second coming |
The Bible clearly states that the kingdom existed in the first century. Any baptized believer was in the kingdom since Pentecost: "For God rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, " (Colossians 1:13) Mt 16:18; Col 1:13; Heb 12:28; Rev 1:6,9 |
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"The end" is at the second coming and resurrection. |
The end is not until 1007 years after the second coming and 1007 years after the resurrection. |
The second coming is the end, when all the dead (good and bad) are raised. "But each [will be resurrected] in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ's at His coming, then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death. " (1 Corinthians 15:23-26) |
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Jesus gives up his kingdom to God at 2nd coming |
Jesus starts his kingdom at the second coming. |
Jesus is reigning now and will abolish the last enemy (death) at the second coming when the dead are raised. Then Jesus will give up the kingdom to God: 1 Cor 15:23-27 |
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Death abolished at 2nd coming |
death exists after the second coming and during the millennium |
Death will be abolished at the second coming and resurrection of the dead: 1 Cor 15:23-26 |
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No signs of 2nd coming |
many signs (misapplied) |
"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. " (Matthew 24:36) |
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Earth destroyed (uncreated) at second coming |
Earth lasts 1007 years longer after the second coming and may exist forever. |
"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. " (2 Peter 3:10) "Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. " (Revelation 20:11) |
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Church was foreordained before the foundation of the world |
God thought up the church after the Jew rejected Jesus as their king, invented at cross |
"so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, " (Ephesians 3:10-11) |
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Church will last forever. |
The church is a temporary "stop-gap" measure. |
Notice that God will be glorified in the church the same length of time as God has glory in Christ. Forever! "to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. " (Ephesians 3:21) |
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The wicked and the righteous will be raised from the dead at the same moment |
Good raised at the return of Christ and the wicked are raised 1007 years later. |
""Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment. " (John 5:28-29) |
Steve Rudd
C. 14 ways that Premillennialism contradicts the bible:
- It conflicts with the timing indicators in the book of Revelation. Rev. 1:1 "must shortly come to pass." 1:3, "the time is at hand." 2:10, "ye shall have tribulation 10 days." 2:25, "hold fast till I come" (is there even still a church in Thyatira today that could "hold fast"?). 3:11 "I come quickly, hold fast". 6:10 "how long...yet a little while". 12:12 "a short time." 16:15 "Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments..." 17:10 "and they are seven kings, the five are fallen, the one is, the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a little while." (The events being described were in the midst of being fulfilled even as it was written). 22:6 "shortly come to pass" 22:7 "And behold, I come quickly" 22:10 "the time is at hand" 22:12 "Behold I come quickly". 22:20 "I come quickly." Certainly terms like "shortly" or "quickly" are relative time indicators. But one must find their meaning by considering the time context in which they are used. The addressees would surely think of a time period of 1900 years before their fulfillment as being a LONG time, rather than a short time. Which brings me to my second point...somewhat similar to the first.
- It renders the meaning of the book as having much less practicality and personal significance to those to whom it was addressed. Given the amount and degree of direct persecution these churches were facing (or soon would be), there was a very pragmatic purpose to reassuring them that this fierce threat would be short-lived and the perpetuity of the church was certain. Were this book to be describing events 19 centuries (or more) into the future, it would seem unlikely that it would be addressed so specifically to the seven churches of Asia. Ask yourself, not what interpretation best "fits" OUR interests or OUR applicability...but what interpretation best fufills the purposes and needs of those directly addressed by John. We today of course can still benefit by making an indirect application to ourselves (as we must do with most of the prophecies and accounts of scripture). The modern Premillennial view would only have confused and frustrated those 1st Century christians. The images and figures used fit very well the characters and events of which they were familiar in their own time. But according to Premillennial, they would be wrong to understand them in that way.
- Futurists claim to be "literal" in their interpretation of the book...but then arbitrarily pick and choose when to "go figurative." This need to interpret some of the images and events as being figurative is shared by BOTH the Past and Futurist views. Neither can claim superiority in ease of interpretation based on one being entirely literal while the other is figurative. The only reason the Futurist can maintain the assertion that there will be literal fulfillments of some of the wild and incredible scenes (if viewed literally that is) given...is because "anything is possible and could be literal in the future." But any Past fulfillment REQUIRES that many of the images be understood as being figurative.
- It promotes the tendency for some to rashly and falsely prophesy that we are seeing fulfillment in the events of today. There have been probably dozens (if not hundreds) of announcements that Christ's coming is just around the corner as a result of this faulty interpretation. Yet, we are told that "of that day and hour no one knows" and it will come "as a thief in the night."
- 5. It ignores the clear time indicators in other passages. Dan. 9:25-27 speaks of 70 weeks, which most agree refers to a time period of 490 years (70 "weeks of years" where 1 day = 1 year.) That amazing prophecy finds easy and clear fulfillment when one sees that the exact YEAR of Christ's beginning of His ministry and His crucifixion are identified. And yet, the Premillennial view must short circuit this approach when it comes to the 70th week. Rather than staying with the day = year methodology, the Premillennial must invent a "parenthesis" of time between the 69th and 70th weeks...a time period of 1900+ years! Daniel also identified that the establishment of Christ's ETERNAL kingdom would come during the time of the Roman empire, Dan. 2. To Premillennial's that did NOT happen and it awaits some mythical resurrection of the old Roman empire, thus requiring a twisting of plain scripture to fit their distorted view. John the Baptist informed that "the kingdom of heaven is AT HAND." Mk. 1:14-15. Yet Premillennial's would say the kingdom is yet to arrive. Jesus said the same in Lk. 10:9. Lk. 11:20, expresses that "the kingdom of God (is) come upon you" when Christ cast out demons...which He did in His lifetime. Lk. 21:31-32, "know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all things be accomplished." Mt. 24 predicts the coming destruction of the city of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. according to my view. To most Premillennial's it speaks of some future events near the time of Christ's Second Coming. And yet, 24:34 clearly identifies the time frame...ONE GENERATION from when Jesus spoke. "This generation shall not pass away, till all these things be accomplished." Mt. 10:23, Jesus speaks to His disciples saying, "Ye shall not have gone through the cities of Israel till the Son of man be come." Mk. 9:1 "There are some here of them that stand by who shall in no wise taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God come with power." This was essentially repeated in Acts 1:6-7 "Lord, dost thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? And He said unto them, It is not for you to know times or seasons, which the Father hath set within His own authority. But ye shall receive power when the Holy Spirit is come upon you." Clearly, the coming of the kingdom would be at Pentecost.
- It denies Christ's present Kingship. We saw passages which looked FORWARD to the immanent establishment of Christ's kingdom before Pentecost. AFTER Pentecost, the kingdom is spoken of as being established...NOT awaiting some future establishment. Col. 1:13; Rev. 1:10; Heb. 12:28. Pilate asked Jesus if He was King of the Jews and He answered affirmatively, Lk. 23:3. He IS (not WILL BE) indeed, "King of Kings and Lord of Lords! (I Tim. 6:15). How can a King be a King NOW without having a KINGDOM NOW?
- It makes Christ's kingdom an earthly one. He told us plainly that it was NOT. John. 18:36.
- It disregards that scripture identifies for us that the "last days" had come with the events of Pentecost. Acts 2:16-17. That day was in fulfillment of Joel 2, a passage describing "the day of the Lord" when the "sun would be turned to darkness and the moon into blood." This is figurative language for the end of the Jewish order, rather than literal events at the end of time. We KNOW this because Peter told us when it was fulfilled.
- It maintains a distinction between Jew and Gentile...with advantages given to Jews. Gal. 3:26-29 and Eph. 2:11-22 tells us that God no longer recognises differences between Jew and Gentile.
- It denies the fulfillment of all of God's land promises made to physical Israel. Josh. 21:44-45.
- It asserts that the OT order of animal sacrifices and temple worship will be reinstituted. Yet Christ's sacrifice was to do away with these. Heb. 9:10 refer to these as "carnal ordinances" which were "imposed until a time of reformation". 9:11- 10:10 described how Christ accomplished that "reformation." Premillennials would say that these "shadows" and "types" will once again be brought back to replace what Jesus instituted as "antitypes". Christ's was a sacrifice "once for all...there is no more offering for sin." To return to the bloody sacrifices of animals on a physical altar in Jerusalem is an insult to the blood of Christ.
- It denies that the dead...good and bad...will all come out of their graves at the same hour. John 5:28-29. That will result in the righteous being taken to "ever be with the Lord" in heaven, I Th. 4:17, and the wicked being immediately destroyed, II Th. 1:6-9. THE day of the Lord is the same day that the earth will be destroyed by fire, II Pet. 3:10-13. There is no second opportunity after Christ's return for the wicked to repent as Premillennial asserts.
- It poses the ridiculous idea that man could thwart the intent of God by rejecting Christ and His intention of setting up an earthly kingdom when He first came to earth. To a Premillennial, Christ had to go to "Plan B" after "Plan A" failed. That isn't very reassuring that "Plan B" will succeed either! Christ's first coming, His rejection and crucifixion was foreseen and was in accordance with the eternal purpose of God.
- It belittles the glorious church which Christ purchased with His blood. To a Premillennial, the church was a substitute...a temporary "band-aid fix" for the failure of Christ to succeed in establishing his kingdom. The church is rather the ultimate fulfillment of God's spiritual purposes for His people. Eph. 3:10, "to the intent that now unto the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places might be made known THROUGH THE CHURCH the manifold wisdom of God, according to the ETERNAL PURPOSE which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord." :21, "unto Him be the glory IN THE CHURCH and in Christ Jesus UNTO ALL GENERATIONS FOR EVER AND EVER, AMEN."
By Dave Willis
D. Top Ten Errors of Pre-tribulation Rapture and Premillennialism
1. Premillennialism questions the power and fore knowledge of God when it says that Jesus came to establish His Kingdom, but because the Jews rejected him, had to establish the church instead. Daniel 2:44, Job 42:2
2. Premillennialism makes God a respecter of persons when it assigns a special favor of God to the Jew today. It fails to recognize that all believers, whether Jew of Gentile, are now God's chosen people and that this has always been His plan. Galatians 3:28-29, Acts 10:34
3. Premillennialism rejects the plain statements of Jesus when it insists that Jesus came to establish a material, earthly kingdom. John 18:36, Luke 17:21
4. Premillennialism denies the present existence of God's kingdom when it insists that the kingdom is yet to be established, and they still look forward to its establishment and a millennial reign. Colossians 1:13
5. Premillennialism denies that Jesus is now ruling as king when it contends that Jesus is still to come and establish a kingdom in the future. Acts 2:33
6. Premillennialism makes the church of Jesus Christ an afterthought and a temporary substitute when it contends that Jesus failed to establish His kingdom, so established the church instead. Ephesians 3:11
7. Premillennialism denies the plain statements of the Old Testament when it contends that God has not yet kept his promises (to the fathers) concerning the land promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Joshua 21:43-45
8. Premillennialism teaches error when it teaches that there are going to be several resurrections instead of only the one resurrection that the Bible teaches. John 5:28-29
9. 9. Premillennialism fails to recognize the true nature of the judgment and Christ's return when it teaches that Jesus will return several times. Hebrews 9:28
10. Premillennialism denies Bible prophecy when it teaches that Jesus will rule the earth from Jerusalem during the millennium. Jeremiah 22:30, Matthew 1:11
By Ney Rieber
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PREMILLENNIALISM is a false Doctrine not found in the Bible Introduction: 1. Now, what is Premillennialism? No two groups teach exactly alike, but all have major points of agreement. a. The kingdom of the Old Testament prophecies has not been established, and we now have the "church phase." b. God's promises to Abraham to make his seed a great nation are not yet fulfilled c. Christ came to set up his kingdom, but he was thwarted in this, so set up the church instead, intending to return later to set up his kingdom. d. The Jews as a nation will be converted and restored to Palestine. e. Christ will return to earth, establish his kingdom, and reign for 1,000 years on David's literal throne in Jerusalem. There are many other factors, but these are the core ideas that drive Premillennialism. 2. Thus this theory drives the US government to prop up Israel so that we might help God fulfill his purpose. Nearly every protestant denomination is infested with this teaching—some more so than others. This is a part of the doctrines of Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, Jehovah's Witness, Church of God and Seventh Day Adventist denominations, etc. Radio and TV preachers daily send this error into the homes of the unwary, and thus lead them astray. Some, such as the Jehovah's Witnesses, send people into homes and further spread this erroneous doctrine. Ergo, we need to understand the Bible, lest we also be misled, and so that we can help others to a correct understanding. I. Premillennialism teaches that god has guaranteed to restore the Israelites to Canaan and that not until then will the kingdom of Old Testament prophecy be set up or established Premillennialism teaches that the Jews never occupied all the land God promised to them. Therefore, the Old Testament kingdom of Israel will have to be restored with the Jews in Palestine, so that God's promise can be redeemed and fulfilled. But God's Word says they did receive the full promise. "So Jehovah gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein" (Joshua 21:43). Premillennialism teaches that Abraham's
descendants are "in the flesh" rather than "in faith." But note that the
gospel teaches that there is now no more distinction between Jew and Gentile
in God's sight, but that the true descendant of Abraham is the Christian. "For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh" (Romans 2:28-29). The point is carried further in Galatians 3:7: "Know therefore that they that are of faith, the same are sons of Abraham?" And later in the chapter he writes: "For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ. There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one [man] in Christ Jesus. And if ye are Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, heirs according to promise" (26-29). Paul clearly points out that the true sons of God are now related by a spiritual connection, not by being born into a Jewish family. II. Most premillennialists teach that Christ intended to set up his kingdom while on earth, but the Jews would not allow him to do so. Ergo he returned to the father, set up the church as a substitute, and when the Jews are ready, he will return and establish the original kingdom But look at John 6:15: "Jesus therefore perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force, to make him king, withdrew again into the mountain himself alone." Actually, the Jews wanted an earthly kingdom, and tried to help Christ establish it. But the Premillennial theory denies this. We see in Ephesians 3:10-11 that the
church was in the eternal purpose of God, and not a mere "afterthought" or
"substitute." God has revealed his will "to the intent that now unto the
principalities and the powers in the heavenly places might be made known
through the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal
purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord." Do you see the point?
The existence of the church was "according to the eternal purpose" of God.
Yet Premillennialism denies this, saying the church would not have been set
up if the Jews had only received the kingdom when Christ came. "I glorified thee on the earth, having accomplished the work which thou hast given me to do." Here Jesus claims he accomplished the mission of the Father as prophesied in many Old Testament passages. One of them is Dan. 2:44. As Daniel is interpreting the dream of Babylon's King Nebuchadnezzar, he describes the four world kingdoms that succeed one another. The fourth kingdom was to be the great Roman Empire. Look at what Daniel said by inspiration from God: "And in the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall the sovereignty thereof be left to another people; but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever." God says that during the Roman Empire, his kingdom would be established. Christ said he fulfilled what he was given to do. But Premillennialism denies this, claiming Christ failed in his mission. Question: If Christ failed the first time, what would keep him from failing the second, third or fourth time? If he has all power, but didn't have enough power to overcome Satan then, where will he get more power to overcome the next time? III. Premillennialism teaches that the righteous dead will be raised when Christ returns, and that the unrighteous dead will be raised at the end of his reign, at least 1000 yrs later There are some serious problems with this idea, and John 5:28-29 points out one such problem. "Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment." Christ says all will hear, and all will come forth when the hour (not two hours) cometh. But Premillennialism denies this, separating the coming forth by one thousand years. Matt. 25:31-34, 41 teach that the good and bad are to be judged at the same time. "But when the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the angels with him, then shall he sit on the throne of his glory: and before him shall be gathered all the nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats; and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world...Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels." Does the picture presented here allow a
thousand years between? In no way. But the Premillennial view separates the
judgments by one thousand years. "Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matt, 28:19). If the Premillennial theory is true, the
gospel is only for Gentiles now, and not for all. Thus we see how
Premillennialism tries to patch up its contradiction with one passage and
winds up contradicting another, and so it is with all false prophets. "Behold, he cometh with the clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they that pierced him; and all the tribes of the earth shall mourn over him." Premillennialism says that when Christ comes only the righteous shall see him first, and the unrighteous later. But this verse says that every eye shall see his return. Which shall we believe? IV. Premillennialism teaches that after the 2nd coming, Christ and his saints will reign over all the earth for 1000 yrs. They read in Revelation 20 a one thousand year reign. "And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, the old serpent, which is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and cast him into the abyss, and shut it, and sealed it over him, that he should deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years should be finished: after this he must be loosed for a little time. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and such as worshipped not the beast, neither his image, and received not the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand; and they lived, and reigned with Christ a thousand years. The rest of the dead lived not until the thousand years should be finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: over these the second death hath no power; but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years" (Rev. 20:1-6). This is the foundation passage of the P. theory: "It is on this passage that the whole doctrine of the millennium as such has been founded. It is true that there are elsewhere in the scriptures abundant promises that the gospel will ultimately spread over the world; but the notion of a millennium as such is found in this passage alone" (Albert Barnes, noted Presbyterian commentator). I don't propose to unravel all the mystery of the passage, but consider this: Premillennials admit that many expressions in the chapter are figurative and symbolical and cannot be taken literally, but they insist on a literal one thousands years. The advocates of the theory read many things into the passage that absolutely are not there. Consider the fact that in the passage there is: a. No mention of second coming b. No mention of a bodily resurrection c. No mention of a reign on earth d. No mention of a literal throne of David e. No mention of Jerusalem or Palestine f. No mention of us g. No mention of Christ on earth When theorists read into the passage things that are not there, they add to the Word of God, and are rewarded accordingly. "I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto them, God shall add unto him the plagues which are written in this book: and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book" (Rev. 22:18-19). Another Scripture that gives these mistaken teachers a problem is I Thessalonians 4:17. The apostle Paul is writing concerning some false conceptions the readers had about the Lord's return, and assures them: "For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we that are alive, that are left unto the coming of the Lord, shall in no wise precede them that are fallen 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 that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (15-17). These verses clearly teach that those in
the graves will be caught up together with the saved of those alive to meet
the Lord in the air, and thus ever to be with the Lord. It does not say one
word about Christ ever setting foot on this earth, or the saints returning to
the earth. But Premillennialism teaches a round trip, saying these shall
return to the earth to reign after a short time. "My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence." This verse shows that Christ was not
anticipating an early rule or an earthly kingdom, and therefore the charges
against him were mistaken. If they were mistaken, the modern theorists are
also mistaken. "but this is that which hath been spoken through the prophet Joel: And it shall be in the last days, saith God, I will pour forth of My Spirit upon all flesh: And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, And your young men shall see visions, And your old men shall dream dreams" (Acts 2:16-17). Thus the age of the last days is not a
period of time in the future, and this does not allow the Premillennial idea
of an age on earth to follow this present age. "As I live, saith Jehovah, though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were the signet upon my right hand, yet would I pluck thee thence; and I will give thee into the hand of them that seek thy life, and into the hand of them of whom thou art afraid, even into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of the Chaldeans. And I will cast thee out, and thy mother that bare thee, into another country, where ye were not born; and there shall ye die. But to the land whereunto their soul longeth to return, thither shall they not return. Is this man Coniah a despised broken vessel? is he a vessel wherein none delighteth? wherefore are they cast out, he and his seed, and are cast into the land which they know not? O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of Jehovah. Thus saith Jehovah, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days; for no more shall a man of his seed prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling in Judah." What is the significance of this prophecy? Christ cannot occupy a throne, ruling in Jerusalem in Judah, since he is of the lineage of David and of the tribe of Judah. The first chapter of Matthew goes to great lengths to prove Christ's genealogy. Now, if Coniah was the last of David's seed to sit on a throne in Judah, there is no way that those who teach Premillennialism can get Christ to sit on David's throne and rule for a thousand years in Jerusalem. God says it won't happen! Rather, Christ is now King of kings and Lord of lords, ruling from heaven. "I charge thee in the sight of God, who giveth life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed the good confession; that thou keep the commandment, without spot, without reproach, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: which in its own times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; who only hath immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power eternal. Amen" (I Tim 6:13-16). Notice that this speaks of Christ's reigning in the present tense, not in the future as the Premillennial theory would have us believe. Conclusion: These are not all, but just a few of the glaring contradictions between Premillennialism and the Bible. Let us not be misled by materialistic, Christ-dethroning and Scripture-denying theories and speculations of men. But let us serve him who is now King of kings, who is reigning over his kingdom, and preparing a place for his people. (John 14:1-3) By serving him now, we will be prepared for the judgment to come. "And inasmuch as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this cometh judgment" (Heb 9:27). There will be no second chance—this will happen once. Jefferson David Tant |
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