Amillennial End-times Chart

Two things I’m talking about today. First, a cool Amillennial end-times chart from the Riddleblog (http://kimriddlebarger.squarespace.com/the-latest-post/2008/12/2/cool-an-amillennial-eschatology-chart.html). If you have previously seen an end-times chart of the events involved with the Last Days, it almost certainly came from the Pre-Trib viewpoint. It’s nice to see the Amillennialists are fighting back:

Let’s see if I can shed some light on what the chart is trying to show. So the resurrection of the dead, the judgment of all mankind, and the renewal of the entire cosmos will all occur at one single point in time - This is the time of Jesus' return, which is the day of the Lord The arrows show how the various Scripture passages connect all these "end-times" events as happening at one-time - at the second coming of Christ. The beauty of using this end-times view is that it fits together all of these descriptions so simply, and cleanly – all of these events happen on the Day of the Lord, the Day of our Lord’s return! And no separation of any of these events by 7 days, 7 years, or even 1,000 years is needed. I hope you find this helpful in having a better understanding of the Amillennial view.

2) And on a completely unrelated topic, here is a story that should make you SMILE! WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Happiness is contagious, researchers reported on Thursday.

The same team that demonstrated obesity and smoking spread in networks has shown that the more happy people you know, the more likely you are yourself to be happy. And getting connected to happy people improves a person's own happiness, they reported in the British Medical Journal.

And a cheery next-door neighbor has more effect on your happiness than your spouse's mood. So says a new study that followed a large group of people for 20 years — happiness is more contagious than previously thought. So here’s the easy application: An optimist is the human personification of spring. So let’s be ‘spring’ to those around us this week.

The Mid-Tribulation Viewpoint

The Mid-Tribulation, Pre-Millennialism Viewpoint for the rapture of the Church is held by someone very near and dear to me, and so I thought I would take a look at the reasons why it is held. The beginning point for today's Christian view of Jesus' return is by looking at Daniel 9:27, the prophetic "70^th Week", which most understand as a period of 7 years of tribulation. Those holding the Mid-Trib view understand the 7years Tribulation as taking place in two parts: Satan's Wrath followed by God's Wrath. Mid-Tribbers understand that the first three and one-half (3 ½) years is that of Satan's wrath against the world, after which the Church's elect are raptured by the first phase of Christ's return, which is then directly followed by three and one-half (3 ½) years of God's Wrath against the world. The starting point for understanding the Mid-Trib view is Revelation 13:5, which says:

 

13:1, :5 - And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads… And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to
exercise authority for forty-two months.

 

As with most references in the Book of Revelation, there is an Old Testament background for this 42 month (or 3 ½ year) period. In this case it is in the Old Testament Book of Daniel. First, let's take a look at Daniel 7:23, :25, which are speaking of the Fourth Beast in Daniel's vision. You may remember the Four Beasts in Daniel 7 being a Lion with Eagle's wings (Babylon), the 2^nd is like a bear (Persia), the 3^rd is like a leopard (Greece), and the 4^th Beast has iron teeth and 10 horns (symbolized by ancient Rome). Here is what Daniel 7:23, :25 say about the 4^th Beast:

 

'The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, Which shall be different from all other kingdoms, And shall devour the whole earth, Trample it and break it in pieces. … ²⁵ He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time. (Dan. 7:23, :25, NKJV).

 

The use of the phrase "a time, times and half a time" is considered by most Christians as speaking again of a 3 and ½ year period (see, Rev. 12:14; see also, Dan. 12:7, :11-:12, Rev. 11:2, :3, 12:5). And so, this verse in Daniel arguably speaks of a Beast to come who devours the whole Earth, speaks blasphemies against God, and persecutes Christians. This lines up nicely with what is contained in the description in Revelation 13:5 of the Beast from the Sea who is given authority over the Earth for 3 and ½ years. There is one 'Beast of the Sea' who is given all of Satan's power, throne, and authority (Rev. 13:2). And so this 'Anti-Christ' Beast of the Sea will persecute Christians during these 42 months, and make life an intense Tribulation during this time.

 

But the 3 and ½ years of the Beast's reign of terror takes place during the first half of the 7 year Tribulation (Dan. 9:27). Mid-Tribbers then understand the Rapture of the elect will take place, followed by the second half of the 7 year Tribulation – where God's Wrath is unleashed upon the world. The Mid-Trib view meshes nicely with Bible verses like Rev. 3:10 (to the Church in Philadelphia) "I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world", showing that God will protect the elect from His own Wrath. Finally, Mid-Tribbers explain Jesus' Words in the Olivet Discourse in Matt. 24:31 that He will come for the saints after the Tribulation, as meaning that He will rapture the Church after Satan's Tribulation.

 

OK, if I have left anything out, please help me to clean up this explanation. Otherwise, let me leave any Mid-Tribbers of you that are out there with this thought: Revelation uses many symbols throughout the Book, including at least sometimes the symbolic use of numbers (see as an example, Rev. 1:4 describing the "seven spirits" before the throne of God, is a clear description of the one Holy Spirit.) So is it possible that the use of "42" months (equal to 1,260 days or 3 and ½ years) is a symbolic use by the Apostle John? To help you explore whether or not this is possible, take a look at Rev. 12:5, which says:

12:5 - She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne, and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days.

 

The woman fleeing from the horrible red dragon is Israel, and her Son is, of course, Jesus Christ. And so, Rev. 12:5 speaks of Israel fleeing into the wilderness to a place prepared by God for this same period 1,260 days/42 months/3 and ½ years. Is it clear that Israel did not hide out for only 1,260 days, and that the use of this number may simply be a period of time of intense distress and persecution? If you have time, please also take a look at Rev. 11:2, where John is told that the Gentiles will trample the holy city/Jerusalem for 42 months. Why do you think this period was also chosen?

 

May God's blessings be upon you and your family's health, your ministries, and your relationships, in Christ. Amen.

A Fun Bible Study on the End Times

Here is a Bible Study I put together on the subject of what does the Bible say must take place before our Lord Jesus Christ's Second Coming. This is the kind of Bible Study I like – you look up one or two verses that looks for only piece of information. If there is a clamor, I'll provide my answers. Otherwise, have fun looking up the verses that teach us what is to precede the Second Coming. My hope is that you will see that our Lord's return can occur more quickly than we expect, and we need to be prepared. Here is the Bible Study on what prophesied events are to take place before Jesus' return:

 

 

First, did Jesus say He would return?

Read John 14:1-:3, and Acts 1:9-:11. Does God's Word say that Jesus will return one day? _____________________________________________________;

Read John 14:6. If Jesus does not return, can we rightly say that Jesus is "the truth"? Do you believe Jesus will return one day? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________;

Read 2 Peter 3:8-:9. Why hasn't Jesus returned before now?___________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

 

 

List the different events that are prophesied in God's Word to take place before Jesus' return:

 

2 Thess. 2:3-:4 - ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________;

2 Thess. 2:8-:10 - ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________;

Matt. 23:37-:39 - ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________;

Romans 11:23-:26 - _________________________________________________________________________________________________________;

Luke 21:24 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________;

Acts 1:8 - ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________;

Matt. 24:14 - _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________;

2 Thess. 2:7 - _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________;

1 Timothy 4:1-:5 – ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________;

2 Timothy 3:1-10 – ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________;

Jude 16-19 - ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________;

2 Peter 3:3-:4 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________;

Luke 18:8 - ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________;

Rev. 6:11 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________;.

 

Read 2 Thess. 2:7 and 1 John 2:18. Do you think these verses show that the events spoken of could be viewed as having been faced by the Church in the past, as well as today? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

 

Many verses in the New Testament say that the coming of our Lord Jesus is "at hand". As an example, see, James 5:7-:9 and 1 Peter 4:7.

 

How should we be living our lives given that our Lord's return is imminent?

 

Matt. 24:42, 25:13 - _______________________________________________________________________________________________________;

1 Thess. 4:1-:8 - ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________;

2 Peter 3:10-13 - ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________;

 

 

What will you do, or stop doing today, if you know He returns tomorrow?

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

Why I am an Amillennialist

Although it looks like I am in the minority, I wanted to share (although no one asked me to) the reasons why I believe Amillennialism is the best Biblical way for understanding the end times. The main opposing view to Amillennialism is Pre-Millennialism (Pre-Mil from now on). I respect the great number of Pre-Mil teachers and theologians (oh, and my family members also - J) who hold the Pre-Mil viewpoint. And as I grow in my knowledge of Scriptures, I hope I am open to learn more, and possibly even changing my mind on my end-times view.

But here goes. Here are three quick reasons why I believe Amillennialism is the best method for understanding the Bible's description of the end-time events:

First, How should we understand the Book of Revelation? Here's the issue –Pre-Mil's (I will use Pre-Mil as being the same as the largest group of today's Christians who believe in a Pre-Trib, Pre-Mil Rapture) view the Book of Revelation as a chronological book that is to be read as a straight sequence of future events. This means that Pre-Mil's understand the 7 Seals (Revelation 6) are one set of events followed by the 7 Trumpets (Revelation 8-14), then followed by the 7 Bowls (Revelation 16). While the Amillennialists believe the Book of Revelation describes repeating sequences of events that grow in the power of their effects (also called Recapitulation).

The repeating cycles used in Revelation make it similar to a song with a repeating refrain that grows in volume. Lowery, Robert, Revelation's Rhapsody, College Press (2006). I remember the first time I read Revelation, I thought it was odd that in Revelation 6:8 after the 4^th Seal is opened one-fourth (1/4) of the earth is killed. But in Revelation 9:15 one-third (1/3) of mankind is killed after the 6^th Trumpet is blown. My suspicion that something was going on was confirmed when I heard the explanation of Recapitulation which answered my suspicions. Here is a good summary of how the different cycles are repeating in Revelation:

A correlation between the seven trumpet judgments and the seven bowl judgments has often been observed, suggesting the possibility of parallelism between the sections:

A. The first of each affects the earth (Rev. 8:7; 16:2).

B. The second of each affects the sea (Rev. 8:8; 16:3).

C. The third of each affects the rivers (Rev. 8:10; 16:4).

D. The fourth of each affects heavenly bodies (Rev. 8:12; 16:8).

E. The fifth of each affects men (Rev. 9:1; 16:10).

F. The sixth of each affects the Euphrates (Rev. 9:13; 16:12).

G. The seventh of each is the end (Rev. 11:15; 16:17).

Revelation, Four Views : a parallel commentary, S. Gregg, Introduction.

 

The Second reason why I am an Amillennialist is because of the Second Coming. Remember that most Pre-Mil's believe that Jesus comes secretly to rapture believers, unknown to the rest of the world, then comes back 7 years later to lead the saintly armies in the Battle of Armageddon and set up His earthly millennial Kingdom (Revelation 19:11-20:6; famous Pre-Mil author T LaHaye, Bible Prophecy – A Quick Reference Guide, q. 3-4). I do not believe that the Bible describes Jesus coming to Earth three times. Instead, Hebrews 9:28 states that Christ will appear a "second time". I take this wording on its face, and believe that there will be one Second Coming of Jesus, and not a second followed by a third appearance of Christ. Amillennialists believe this because when Jesus comes back a "second time", it will not be only to rapture believers, but also to resurrect those dead in Christ, and ultimately to resurrect all people to face Him at the Great White Throne Judgment Seat (Rev. 21:1-8). This all takes place on the Biblical term referred to as the "Last Day". I understand that Pre-Mil author Tim LaHaye describes Jesus' return as being in phases – the first phase is the Secret Rapture of believers. While the second phase is the resurrection of the rest of the world which is post-Millennium and before the Great White Throne Judgment, 1,007 years later. Two phases of Christ's return 1,007 years apart? I'm sorry I don't see that, or read anything that even hints that this is possible anywhere in the Bible.

Now, I'm just getting warmed up (sorry, this I hope is my last 'Princess Bride' reference). The third reason why I am an Amillennialist is the problem with the Pre-Mil position on the Resurrection / and the Day of the Lord. This is similar to the Pre-Mil problem on Jesus' Second Coming where Pre-Mil's believe in essentially there being two separate, future return appearances of Christ, The Resurrection problem is this – Pre-Mil's believe there is one Resurrection for believers in Christ (see, 1 Thess. 4:16-:17, the Lord Himself will descend from heaven and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then also those who are alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord.) and a second Resurrection taking place after the Millennium and before the Great White Throne Judgment. While Amillennialists believe there is only one Resurrection that takes place for both believers and unbelievers at His Second Coming before the Great White Throne Judgment. I believe the Biblical support for only one Resurrection of the living and the dead is very strong: As one example of both the rapture of believers taking place at the same time with the Resurrection of the world is contained in 1 Corinthians Chapter 15:

Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? ¹³ But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised…

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. ²¹ For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. ^22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. ^23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming. ^24
Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 1 Cor. 15:12-:13, 20-24.

My reading of these verses tells me in verse 23 that Jesus comes for those who are His at the Second Coming. And then comes the end, when Jesus delivers the Kingdom to God the Father. Again, it takes quite a stretch to read in a 1,007 year separation for these two events. This is also related to the Biblical term 'Day of the Lord'. Here are some other descriptions of what takes place on the 'Day of the Lord':

• The Day of the Lord - For the ungodly:
  
  • A Day of Decision – Joel 3:14
    
  • A Day of God's Wrath – Isa. 2:6-22; Romans 2:5
    
  • A Day of Righteous Judgment – Romans 2:5
    
  • Heavens will pass away at the Day of the Lord – 2 Peter 3:7,10
    
  • Earth will pass away, melt at the Day of the Lord – 2 Pt. 3:7, 10
    
  • It is a Day of Judgment and utter destruction/eternal damnation (perdition) for the ungodly – 2 Peter 3:7
    
  • It is a Day of sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman – 1 Thess. 5:3
    
  • It is a Day from which there is no escape – 1 Thess. 5:3
    
  • A frequent metaphor for the Day is war – Isa. 13:4
    
  • All nations will recognize Yahweh – Joel 3:17; Phil. 2:10
    
  • Day of the Lord – But for the Elect:
    
    • A day where we rejoice for not having run in vain - Phil. 2:16
      
    • It is a day where God's promises are fulfilled; 2 Peter 3:13
      
    • It is a Day when Israel will be saved – Joel 2:32; Zeph.3:14-18
      
    • It is the Day when we are gathered with our Lord – 2 Thess. 2:1-3
      
    • It is a day of our salvation; 1 Thess. 5:8-9
      
    • It is a day when we begin to live with Jesus – 1 Thess. 5:10
      
    • The end comes right after the resurrection of those in Christ. 1 Cor. 15:22-24
      
    • At least saved Israel will trample the wicked – Mal. 4:3
      

And so, on the 'Day of the Lord' there is a resurrection of both believers and unbelievers. For unbelievers, this Day is a Day of Judgment (2 Peter 3:7). While for believers, the Day of the Lord is when believers are gathered with our Lord (2 Thess. 2:1-3). And all of the other descriptions of the Day of the Lord also include pictures of Believers being separated from unbelievers (see, for example separation of wheat and tares/chaff (Matt. 3:12/Luke 3:17), at harvest time weeds and wheat gathered together (Matt. 13:30), and the separation of sheep and goats (Matt. 25:31-46), with judgment following for the unbelievers. So the Pre-Mil understanding of the Rapture of believers is the dead in Christ rise first, then those in Christ are also raptured (1 Thess. 4:16-17). But this Pre-Mil understanding means that there is a 1,007 year separation of the resurrection of believers and unbelievers. It appears to me that the Pre-Mil understanding is difficult (but not impossible) to reconcile with the verses speaking of the separation of wheat and tares taking place at the same time, and this happening at the time of judgment. Also, John 5:29 and Acts 24:15 speak of an hour coming when the resurrection will take place, with the elect to a resurrection of life, and those who had done evil to a resurrection of judgment. Again these verses speak of the resurrection taking place at the same time, with no mention of a 1,007 year separation for these events as Pre-Millers would have us believe. Therefore, I agree with the Amillennialist position that says that the Resurrection of saints and sinners, the living and the dead takes place at the same time, followed by judgment.

Well, this is my long-winded explanation of why I am an Amillennialist. My take away thought for you who are thinking about Jesus' return is this: Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-:25.

The Two Main End-Times Views

Bryan asked a good question as a comment to my last post: Is anyone else a pre-mil (Pre-Millennialist) with him? To help you in deciding, here is my way too simplistic description to help you decide whether or not you are a Pre-Mil.

 

Read the first six verses of Revelation 20. It's a short read. Go ahead, I'll wait. J In this short section, it speaks of Jesus reigning 1,000 years on earth while Satan is bound. This earthly reign is after the Battle of Armageddon, and after Jesus arrives with His army and totally destroys the armies and leaders of the Anti-Christ (Revelation 19:11-:21). After this 1,000 year reign of Jesus and the saints, Satan is freed and deceives the nations of the saints, and gathers Gog and Magog in a second final battle, and Satan himself is defeated (Revelation 20:7-:10). Then the Great White Throne Judgment takes place of all the dead (Revelation 20:11-15). If You believe in the literal 1,000 reign between the defeat of Anti-Christ's armies and Satan's armies, You are likely a Pre-Millennialist.

 

If instead, You believe there are repeating cycles described the Book of Revelation (for example the 7 Seals (Revelation 6) is similar to the 7 Trumpets (Revelation 8-14), which is similar to the 7 Bowls (Revelation 16)), and You hold to the traditional view that believes the 1,000 year Millennium is not a literal period of time that will happen in the future, but is instead a description of the age of the Church Triumphant, then You may be an Amillennialist. Here is a little further description that I hope is helpful in understanding the difference between the two views:

 

    Jesus Christ plans on returning to set Creation back in order one day, even if there are serious divisions among Christians as to when this will take place. In studying the Book of Revelation, there are two main methods (each with different sub-groups) that theologians have used. There are intelligent and godly teachers in each camp who have different views in studying this Book. And so, my hope for you is that as you study and learn more about Jesus' Second Coming and the Book of Revelation, that you have an attitude of grace and humility for those who hold a different view than you. Phil 2:3. There are no trophies for whoever has the best understanding of Revelation at His return. The center-point of division over the interpretation of Revelation is focused on Revelation 20:1-:6, called the Millennium. The Millennium is commonly understood to be an ideal time with evil being defeated at the Battle of Armageddon, where Satan is bound, and the saints reign over the world with Jesus Christ.

    A. Pre-Millennialism.

    The first and today's most popular method used in studying Revelation is called Pre-Millennialism. Pre-Millennialists understand the Millennium to come after the three sets of Judgments of Revelation (the Scroll and Seven Seals, the Seven Trumpets, and the Seven Bowls), and the Battle of Armageddon in Rev. 19:11-:21. In putting together a timeline of end-time events, Pre-Millennialists generally agree on the following sequence:

1. A Secret Rapture of Believers from the Earth to go with Jesus;
   
2. The Great Tribulation, 7 Years in length;
   
3. Battle of Armageddon;
   
4. Return of Christ with His Saints, The Second Coming;
   
5. The 1,000 Year Millennium (Rev. 20:1-:6).
   

Such wonderful theologians/teachers holding the Pre-Millennial view include John MacArthur, C. I. Scofield, Chuck Swindoll; Hal Lindsay, Tim LaHaye, and John Hagee. Here are a few of the keys generally held in Pre-Millennial understanding:

 

1. They hold to a sequential view of the Book of Revelation. Just as in the other books of the Bible, everything in the Book is to be understood as coming in the direct order and sequence that is contained in the Book;
   
2. This means that the Revelation 20:1-:6 Millennium is a future event that is a 1,000 year earthly reign, that takes place before the Judgment Seat of Christ, and the coming of the New Jerusalem;
   
3. Pre-Millennialists understand that there is seven years of Tribulation from Daniel 9:20-:27. This tends to match-up with the Tribulation period discussed in the Olivet Discourse (Matt. 24:15-:28) and Rev. Chapters 6 through 16;
   
4. Another area of dispute among Christians studying the end-times is when the Rapture of believers to heaven will take place. In the Pre-Millennial camp there are three major sub-groups. they are confusingly called: Pre-Trib (meaning the Rapture takes place before any Tribulation); Mid-Trib (Rapture takes place three and one-half years after the start of the Tribulation); and Post-Trib (local Pastor John Piper holds the Post-Trib view).
   

Yes, this means that you can be called Pre-Millennial, Pre-Trib; or Pre-Millennial, Mid Trib; etc. Yuck!

1. To add to the confusion and exasperation caused by the use of excessively long nametags in eschatology, is that Pre-Millennialists also tend to follow the Biblical interpretational method of Dispensationalism. John Nelson Darby (of the Darby Bible fame) is the first to do a systematic articulation of Dispensationalism. This method understands that there a number of "dispensations" where God has different salvation epochs or eras for different groups. The clearest example is Israel being under the old covenant which was a dispensation of law, while New Testament believers are under the dispensation of Grace. The essence of Dispensationalism is the distinction between Israel and the Church. Newcombe, Jerry, Coming Again, But When? p. 33-34.
   
2. Pre-Millennialists hold that God has not finished with the nation of Israel, and that one day, Israel will be restored. The motivating force for Israel's restoration is thought to be the Great Tribulation, also called "Jacob's Trouble" in Jeremiah 30:7, and that Israel will be "saved out of it". There is also an understanding that one day Israel will return to the practices under the Law, including the use of Old Testament sacrifices and the rebuilding of the Jerusalem Temple. As such, the Church age is viewed as a "parenthesis" in the program of God and Israel;
   
3. Pre-Millennialism tends to be pessimistic, viewing evil in the world as growing.
   

 

1. Amillennialism.
   

The second major view in interpreting the Book of Revelation is Amillennialism, which literally means "no millennialism". It is a completely different view from Pre-Millennialism. Amillennialism is the traditional view of the Church, with both Roman Catholics and Protestant churches having held this view for over 1,400 years. Newcombe, Jerry, Coming Again, But When?, p. 33. At the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD the Church Council condemned as superstition the belief in a literal, future thousand-year reign on earth. S. Grenz, The Millennial Maze, p.44. The Amillennial view is not only held in the past by the major parts of the Christian Churches, but a similar view to Amillennialism was held by such wonderful Church Fathers as Saint Augustine, Martin Luther, and John Calvin, as well as the current view of Amillennialism by current theologians such as G. C. Berkouwer, Kim Riddlebarger, (the late) D. James Kennedy, and J. I. Packer.

Amillennialism also has a similar, yet distinctive chronology, for the return of Jesus Christ.: After Jesus Christ's First Advent and His Ascension, the Church Age began. This was also understood as the beginning of the spiritual reign of Christ in the Millennium. As one writer describes Christ's Millennial reign: "…the kingdom of evil will continue to exist alongside of the kingdom of God until the end of the world…The so-called "signs of the times" have been present in the world from the time of Christ's first coming, but they will come to a more intensified, final manifestation just before His Second Coming. The Amillennialist therefore expects the bringing of the gospel to all nations and the conversion of the fullness of Israel to be completed before Christ's return. He also looks for an intensified form of tribulation and apostasy as well as for the appearance of a personal antichrist before the Second Coming." Sproul, The Last Days According to Jesus, p. 195, quoting Anthony Hoekema, The Bible and the Future, p. 174 (Eerdmans 1979).

Here are a number of the notable positions held by Amillennialists:

1. The view understands Rev. 20:1-:6, the Millennium as being a time of spiritual reign by Christ. The Millennium is the time between the first and second advents of Christ, with the Church Militant and Triumphant (the concept coming from Saint Augustine, who was the first to make popular the understanding that the Millennium is between the first and second Advents of Christ) with the Church free to spread the Gospel. Satan is bound to prevent his deceiving of the nations (Rev. 20:3), and the Gospel is spread throughout the world. The period described as a 'Thousand Years' is a symbolic reference, not a literal time period;
   
2. The Rapture takes place at the same time as the Resurrection. And there is only one Resurrection of believers and non-believers alike which happens altogether on the Last Day;
   
3. There is a single Return Jesus Christ, visible to the entire world at His one and only Second Coming. Thus, the judgment of non-believers happens on the Last Day as well as the resurrection of believers. There is no separation of time in between Jesus returning for believers and non-believers;
   
4. Things are getting better and worse simultaneously. Both the Kingdoms of Light and Darkness are growing simultaneously. Toward the end, evil's growth will accelerate.
   
5. Replacement Theology. In the past, Amillennialists held the view that the Christian Church had replaced the nation of Israel, and that all of God's promises were now meant only for the Church. This has led to the charge that Amillennialists were anti-Semitic. Although, Replacement Theology is no longer part of mainstream Amillennialism, it is still used as a common attack against it by those in the Pre-Mil camp;
   
6. Recapitulation. Amillennialists read the Book of Revelation as a series of recapitulations - Recapitulation means repetition with intentional progression. It is a strategy of describing the same events in different ways and with ever-increasing intensity. The triad of the seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls in Revelation is an example of recapitulation, showing progressive intensification. R Lowery, Revelation's Rhapsody, Glossary of Terms. Another example is the Battle of Armageddon which is arguably described separately in at least four separate parts of Revelation: Rev. 13:7, Rev. 16:16, Rev. 19:11-:21, and Rev. 20:7-:10. This leads Amillennialists to understand Revelation properly read as repeating cycles, and so should not be read sequentially, as do Pre-Millennialists.
   

 

Whew! I know I've included a lot of information here. But please remember this is only intended as a basic summary with many parts left out, including the other sub-groups of each view. I hope it encourages you to want to study more on the subject. I have also left out discussing the view of Preterism (held by Hank Hanegraff and R. C. Sproul). Perhaps I'll discuss Preterism in a separate post. If anyone has any additions or corrections, or if you feel I have treated one of the views unfairly, please let me know. Thanks, and may God bless you with a greater appreciation of Jesus' sacrifice for your sin on the Cross this Good Friday.

Endtime Views - Strengths and Weaknesses

Hi Everyone,

On these cold and long winter days (long in the sense of boring), I thought I would share with you the views of Pastor Kim Riddlebarger whom I admire. He writes today on the topic of the strenths and weaknesses of the various endtime views, and Jesus Christ's promised return. Pastor Riddlebarger supports Amillenialism, and is a Reformed preacher, along the lines of John Calvin. Here are his thoughts on the two main endtime views, Premillianism (This is the view of the 'Left Behind' book series - Jesus raptures believers up to heaven, followed by tribulation for the rest of the world, Jesus then sets up a 1,000 year Milleniall Kingdom, Satan causes a worldwide revolt, and the final Judgment), and Amillenialism (where Jesus returns once on Judgment Day, with the Judgment seat being rewards for believers, and just punishment for non-believers.) Here are Pastor Riddlebargers thoughts on the two main endtimes views, Premillenialism and Amillenialism:

Lëmi asks (October 31, 2007): "Could you explain briefly all the millennial positions pointing out their main strengths and weaknesses?"
Thanks for the question Lëmi...

Lets start with premillennialism. As for its strengths, there seem to be two. One is the fact that Revelation 19 depicts the return of Christ, while Revelation 20:1-10 depicts the reign of Christ on the earth. If these chapters describe consecutive events (a point with which I would take issue) then this would place the millennial age after Christ's return. A second apparent strength is that a number of church fathers state that this was the teaching passed on to them by the eyewitnesses to the ministry of the apostles, although this was not the only view in the early church (book citation omitted.)


There are several serious weaknesses with premillennialism. The first weakness is that premillenniarians have to explain how it is that people make it through the return of Christ and yet remain in natural bodies. Jesus taught that his return marks the end of the age (Matthew 13:39) and that after his return, people no longer marry or are given in marriage (Luke 20:34-36). At Christ's return, he judges the world, making it tough for someone to be judged and yet not eternally condemned or rewarded with eternal life (Matthew 25:31-46). This is especially problematic for premillennarians, since they claim that their view is based upon a "literal" interpretation of prophecy. Where, then, is the one-thousand year gap between the return of Christ and the judgment (which, according to premillennarians takes place at the end of the millennium) when Jesus teaches that judgment takes place at his return? Those who take the Bible "literally" find themselves having to insert a gap into the biblical text which isn't there.

The other problem with premillennialism is, if it be true, there is a great apostasy on the earth after one thousand years of Christ's rule (Revelation 20:7-10). If there cannot be people on earth in natural bodies during the thousand years (which supposedly comes after Christ returns), then who are the people who revolt against Christ at the end of the millennium? And that after Christ's own rule? It makes much more sense to see Revelation 20:1-10 as a description of the entire inter-advental age, since the scene takes place in heaven where the thrones are (vv. 1-6), before shifting to the earth in verses 7-10...

As for amillennialism, it has no weaknesses whatsoever, since it is the biblical position (I'm being facetious). In all seriousness, Amillennialism's strength is its understanding that imminent return of Christ is the consummation of all things and marks the fullness of both the kingdom of God and the age to come. Christ will return to judge the world (Matthew 13:36-43; Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9), raise the dead (1 Thessalonians 4:14-17; 1 Corinthians 15:54-57) and make all things new (2 Peter 3:3-15). He does not return to set up a kingdom (as in premillennialism), but to usher in the eternal state and create a new heaven and earth--the final consummation.

The biggest weakness of amillennialism is in the details--what does John mean by the binding of Satan? Can we really say Satan is bound now? (I say "yes"). What about the first resurrection in Revelation 20? Is John referring to regeneration, or the bodily resurrection? These things require a fair amount of explanation, especially since most American evangelicals know only the premillennial view.

Pastor Riddlebarger's full thoughts can be found at http://kimriddlebarger.squarespace.com/. Anyone have any thoughts about Jesus' return?