BY DR. JOHN SULLIVAN
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR-TREASURER
FLORIDA BAPTIST CONVENTION

Pre-millennialism offers pragmatic view of Scripture

This is the second in a two-part series on the Doctrine of the Second Coming, a fundamental doctrine for the Christian. In the past week’s issue, we defined the four categories of interpretation of the last things and many of the terms used when discussing the Second Coming.

This week, we will provide a basic outline of millennial views based on Revelation 20:1-7, explaining the characteristics of the three primary views.

Post or (Historical) Millennial View
• Revelation is a history of the church.
• 1,000 years of peace precedes the coming of Christ, not follows.
• As the gospel is preached the world becomes more Christian until it becomes almost entirely Christian; then Christ comes.
• The Jews return to Palestine preceding the 1,000 years.
• Satan is bound by the preaching of the gospel.
• The battle of Armageddon--battle of good and evil—is currently being fought.
• Satan is loosed because of a backsliding church.
• A general resurrection and general judgments.
• After the judgments, the eternal order begins.

A Millennial View
• Most of the book of Revelation is already fulfilled.
• The world is a mixture of good and evil.
• No rapture of church occurs, instead a gathering takes place on earth.
• The Lord’s return not dependent on prophecy.
• When the Lord returns, there will be a general resurrection; those alive will be changed to never die (translated); general judgment; and eternal order.

Pre-Millennial View
• The book of Revelation deals with the end of time not the church in history.
• Jesus came to establish a kingdom and the Jews rejected Him. The church is the link in the eternal plan of God until the Kingdom comes. More than a parenthesis in history.
• The rapture of church will occur at the end of the church era.
• Seven years of tribulation will be directed toward Jews.
• At end of seven years of tribulation the Battle of Armageddon will be fought.
• Christ will save the Jews. It will be a nation saved in a day.
• Satan is bound.
• 1,000 years reign of peace.
• Satan loosed a little while.
• Great white throne for wicked dead.
• Eternal age to come.

I approach the Second Coming through a pre-millennial interpretation for several reasons.

First of all, pre-millennialism offers a pragmatic confirmation of scripture. It is amazing the number of prophecies of the Old Testament relating to Israel that receive additional light in the New Testament. So much prophecy is fulfilled in the life, ministry and death of our Lord. This not only links the doctrine of Christ with divine inspiration but also illustrates pragmatic confirmation of the Word.

Secondly, I think world events must be considered in the light of Revelation. This would consider the restoration of Israel as a nation, the attitude of nations toward the Jews; the Arab uprising and oppression; international political arena; international religious coalition; the undisciplined church; and war.

Also, certain scripture cannot be ignored if we consider scripture authoritative. (Joe T. Ole, “Is Christ Coming Soon?”) These are:
Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)
Sudden Coming (Matthew 24:27)
All shall see (1 Thessalonians 5:2)
One taken—one left (Matthew 24:40)
Saved to reign with Christ (Revelation 20:4)
Christ to reign (Revelation 19:6)
Satan bound (Revelation 20:1)
Lake of fire (Revelation 20:10)
Tribulation (Matthew 24:21)
Antichrist (2 Thessalonians 2:3-10)
Armageddon (Revelation 16:16)
Judgment of Nations (Matthew 25:31ff)
Judgment of Christians (2 Corinthians 5:10)
Judgment of Lost (Revelation 20:11-15)
Destruction on earth (2 Peter 3:10-12)
Unique salvation of Israel (Zechariah 12:10)
New heaven—earth (2 Peter 3:13)

And finally, the pre-millennial approach is the most literal and consequentially most functional of all the views. Literal meaning is the normal approach to any language and makes exegesis more natural. All secondary meanings are dependent on the literal meaning of a passage. The Bible makes greater sense when literally interpreted. The literal approach is not blind to symbolism, it checks the imagination of men. The literal approach is most consistent with inspiration.

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