Thursday, November 10, 2011
John 18:36 "My kingdom is not of this world!"
MILLENNIALISM
Much of Christianity has been infected with the false belief that when Christ returns he will establish a 1000 year visible reign on earth. There are many facets to this idea, but the gist of it is that the world will enjoy a golden era of peace and prosperity as Christ and the believers rule from Jerusalem. This false doctrine is known as millennialism.
While Revelation 20 does speak of a 1000 year rule, a careful reading of the chapter clearly shows that it's speaking of souls ruling with Christ. Souls rule in heaven, not on earth. Revelation 20, in fact, says nothing about anyone ruling on earth.
What about the reference to the 1000 years? A study of Revelation shows that the book uses numbers in a figurative sense. The 1000 years refers symbolically to the entire New Testament era. (By the way, Revelation 20 is the only place in the Bible which speaks of any kind of 1000 year rule.)
Millennialists also like to cite certain Old Testament prophecies, which they claim point ahead to a future golden era for Israel, which they say will come to pass during the millennium. But a careful reading of the New Testament shows that these "restoration" prophecies were either fulfilled with the establishment of the New Testament Church or will be fulfilled in heaven (Compare Isaiah 9:1-7 with Matthew 4:15-17; Isaiah 61:1-2 with Luke 4:18-21; Ezekiel 47:1-12 with Revelation 22:1-2).
In order for the millennialists to keep their story straight, they must have *more than one Last Day.* (The Last Day, for example, would include both the day Christ establishes his 1000 year rule and Judgment Day.) But an unbiased reading of Scripture shows that there is only one Last Day, a day in which all people will be raised from the dead, judged, and in which the world and universe as we know it will pass away. For example, the Bible never speaks of Christ's comings, but only of His coming (1 Thessalonians 4:15-16). Also, teaching that *the very Last Day* will take place after the 1000 years flies in the face of Scripture's claim that only God knows when that day will arrive (Mathew 24:44).
Finally, the teaching of a millennium is dangerous to simple faith because it takes one's focus off of Jesus, the forgiveness of sins, and eternal life in heaven. The millennium false doctrine, in fact, is very appealing to our sinful nature's love for power and earthly riches. Let us abide in the clear Word of God, which sets our minds on things above, not on things on earth (Colossians 3:1-2). Come, Lord Jesus, and take us out of this world to our home in heaven!
