Contrary to the notion that Christ will come back and set up an earthly kingdom for 1,000 years, the Bible seems to point out that the kingdom of God is an internal state of being. My discussion of the amillennial understanding of the millennium will include the following topics: the interpretation of the book of Revelation, the interpretation of Revelation 20:1-6, a look at two Old Testament passages commonly viewed as predicting an earthly millennial kingdom, a brief sketch of amillennial eschatology and a summarizing statement of some of the implications of Until the root of amillennialism is discovered, the only conclusion that can be drawn is that until Augustine, it was not an established doctrine of the Catholic Church or he would not have Hence the term realized millennialism is an apt description of the view here defended if it be remembered that the millennium in question is not an earthly but a heavenly one. Though it is possible to understand the thousand years of verses 4-6 as describing a period of time different from the thousand years of verses 1-3, there is no compelling reason why we should do so. The fact that the kingdom of God is present in one sense and future in another implies that we who are the subjects of that kingdom live in a kind of tension between the already and the not yet. We are already in the kingdom, and yet we look forward to the full manifestation of that kingdom; we already share its blessings, and yet we await its total victory. Most Online 523 Jan 14th, 2020. 1:7-10.) These words about the second death imply that the first resurrection which John has just mentioned is not a bodily resurrection. And when, in the light of this New Testament teaching, we now read Amos 9:15 (And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be plucked up out of their land which 1 have given them, saith Jehovah thy God [ASV]), we do not feel compelled to restrict the meaning of these words to national Israel and the land of Palestine. As presented it describes the millennial earth. The clue has already been given in verse 4a. Indeed there is. and ed. After that, he must be set free for a short time. A common criticism of amillennial eschatology is that it is too negative, spending its strength primarily in opposing and refuting eschatological systems with which it does not agree. The dragon, here clearly identified as the devil, Or Satan, is said to be bound for a thousand years and then cast into a place called the Abyss. The purpose of this binding is to keep him from deceiving the nations any more until the thousand years were ended.. Amillennialists do not expect to see the perfect society realized during this present age. This teaching should certainly bring comfort to those whose dear ones have died in the Lord. "[17] Amillennialism is also common among Protestant denominations such as the Lutheran, Reformed, Anglican, Methodist, and many Messianic Jews. It is an eschatology which gives us an inspiring vision of the lordship of Christ over history and of the ultimate triumph of his kingdom. In this vision we see the church suffering trial and persecution against the background of the victory of Christ. He attended Calvin College (A.B. What is this mark? And the Apostle John told his readers that they were already living in the last hour (1 Jn. A proper kingdom vision, it seems to me, will help us to keep our balance on this question. D. H. Kuiper I n the past two articles the theories of Postmillennialism and Premillennialism have been defined and briefly discussed. The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Amillennialism and the Mark of the Beast: Portal Forums Calendar Active Threads: Forum Search: Member Spotlight: Tom Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. Since the lake of fire mentioned in verses 10, 14 and 15 is obviously a description of the place of final punishment, the Abyss mentioned in verses 1 and 3 must not be the place of final punishment. Although the final judgment has already been announced in 1:7 and has been briefly described in 6:12-17, it is not set forth in full detail until we come to 20:11-15. A Forgotten Fact about the Earliest Christian Movement. A Case for Amillennialism -- Expanded Edition 2013. That the millennial reign described in verses 4-6 occurs before the Second Coming of Christ is evident from the fact that the final judgment, described in verses 11-15 of this chapter, is pictured as coming after the thousand-year reign. John sees the risen and glorified Christ walking in the midst of seven golden lampstands. However, many amillennialists do believe in the literal fulfillment of Biblical prophecies; they simply disagree with Millennialists about how or when these prophecies will be fulfilled. Let us now look closely at Revelation 20:1-6 itself. 235.59). 4:18). This fact should certainly be a source of encouragement to the church on earth. (21) And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. In these verses we have a description of the binding of Satan. Members 973. 11-13). Needless to say, evangelism bringing people into the kingdom of God is one of the essential tasks of the church. The last section, for example, takes us further into the future than the other sections. Amillennialism is sometimes associated[by whom?] From Pauls letter to the Galatians we learn that all those who are in Christ are included in the seed of Abraham (Gal. But in order to do so he will have to overcome a rather serious exegetical obstacle. The rest of the section describes the continued opposition of the dragon (who stands for Satan) to the church. Premillennialism appeared in the available writings of the early church, but it was evident that both views existed side by side. 12:28, NIV). We see no scriptural evidence for such multiple resurrections.4. For the Christian doctrine regarding Jesus Christ's reign in heaven, see Session of Christ and Intercession of Christ.For an overview of the earthly reign of the messiah in Abrahamic religions, see Messianic age. So understood, the passage says nothing about an earthly reign of Christ over a primarily Jewish kingdom. and Princeton Theological seminary (Th.D., 1953). You can either use the [. A Case for Amillennialism -- Expanded Edition 2013. Rev 13:16-17 He causeth 'all ' both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand or in their foreheads . A notorious figure listed in the book of Revelation is called The Beast. So who is the beast identified in the book of Revelation? The expression the first resurrection implies that there will indeed be a second resurrection for these believing dead the resurrection of the body which will take place when Christ returns at the end of the thousand-year period. (24) And it shall come to pass that, before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. It means only what John says here: While Satan is bound he cannot deceive the nations in such a way as to keep them from learning about the truth of God. (1966), Holy Spirit Baptism (1972), The Bible and the Future (1979) and was a contributor to The Meaning of the Millennium from which these are articles were taken (1977). Amillennialism. Walvoord, in similar fashion, understands Isaiah 65:17-19 as describing the eternal state7 and verses 20-25 of this chapter as describing conditions during the millennium.8. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. Meanwhile, the kingdom of God demands of us all total commitment to Christ and his cause. Interestingly enough, the word used by Matthew to describe the binding of the strong man is the same word used in Revelation 20 to describe the binding of Satan. The second half of the book, however (chapters 12-22), gives us the deeper spiritual background of this struggle, describing the persecution of the church by the dragon (Satan) and his helpers. Man of Sin - Uncovering the Truth About Antichrist. http://thetruthabout.net/video/Mark-of-the-BeastIn the doctrine of Premillennialism, there is the concept of the Mark of the Beast. This section also introduces us to the two beasts who are the dragons helpers: the beast out of the sea and the beast out of the earth. The sixth section, chapters 17-19, describes the fall of Babylon and of the beasts. This interpretation, we believe, gives us a richer, wider and more relevant understanding of those prophecies than that which restricts their meaning to a description of an earthly millennium which shall precede the final state. "[3], Many proponents dislike the term "amillennialism" because it emphasizes their differences with premillennialism rather than their beliefs about the millennium. At the end of this verse we hear an echo of what is found in 11:9, They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.9 Truly a beautiful description of the new earth! But amillennialism says the beast only represents a system or abstract conception. Some Implications of Amillennial Eschatology. Mark of the Beast Fulfillments It is believed there was a literal, physical stamped or etched mark of the beast placed on all people who lived under the judicial and religious reign of the Jewish Great Sanhedrin prior to 70 AD (see The Little Horn & the Clay are Jewish ). It describes the seven bowls of wrath, thus depicting in a very graphic way the final visitation of Gods wrath on those who remain impenitent. Amillennialism, Trumpets, and the Seven Days Question #1: Sir, what a pleasure to commensurate with a knowledgeable Bible We might be able to have a real discussion. The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Amillennialism and the Mark of the Beast: Portal Forums Calendar Active Threads: Forum Search: Member Spotlight: Anthony C. NJ/PA. . Nothing is said in verses 4-6 about the earth, about Palestine as the center of this reign or about the Jews.5 The thousand-year reign of Revelation 20:4 is a reign with Christ in heaven of the souls of believers who have died. We conclude, then, that the binding of Satan during the gospel age means that, first, he cannot prevent the spread of the gospel, and second, he cannot gather all the enemies of Christ together to attack the church. Conversely, believers who remained faithful to their Lord are described as those who were victorious over the beast (15:2) or who did not worship the beast or his image (13:15). PART II: The Interpretation of Old Testament Prophesy. The signs of the times have both present and future relevance. If one should ask how John could see the souls of those who had died, the answer is, John saw all this in a vision. 9:18; Rom. Let us further assume that what is presented in Revelation 20 must necessarily follow, in chronological order, what was described in chapter 19. I will list a few that seem to be the It will be for 1,000 years. There is a basic difference in the method of biblical interpretation employed by premillennialists and amillennialists. 3. The use of the word until does not imply that these unbelieving dead will live and reign with Christ after this period has ended. John sees the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. At the same time, however, the church must continue to plan and work for a future on this present earth which may still last a long time. At the time of Christs return, there will be a general resurrection, both of believers and unbelievers. This sketch will cover two areas: first, what amillennial eschatology teaches with regard to inaugurated eschatology, and, second, what it teaches with reference to future eschatology. From the fourth chapter of the book of Hebrews we learn that Canaan was a type of the Sabbath-rest of the people of God in the life to come. The Second Coming of Christ will be a single event. The amillennial position on the thousand years of Revelation 20 implies that Christians who are now living are enjoying the benefits of this millennium since Satan has been bound for the duration of this period. 5:5). She loved the Jewish people, and some of her family members lost their lives because they wouldn't kill the Jews. John now says, in verse 6, Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The next words give the reason for this blessedness: The second death has no power over them. The second death, as we saw, means eternal punishment. They shall then worship and serve God throughout all eternity in sinless perfection with glorified bodies on the new earth. Surely the defeat of Satan began with the first coming of Christ, as has already been clearly spelled out in chapter 12:7-9. 5:5; 2 Tim. with Idealism, as both schools teach a symbolic interpretation of many of the prophecies of the Bible and especially of the Book of Revelation. From 1958 to 1979, when he retired, he was Professor of Systematic Theology at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Because the exact time when Christ will return is not known, the church must live with a sense of urgency, realizing that the end of history may be very near. During this same time, however, the other nations of the world did not know that truth, and were therefore in ignorance and error (see Acts 17:30) except for an occasional person, family or city which came into contact with Gods special revelation. This implies, as Abraham Kuyper, the renowned Dutch theologian and statesman, once said, that there is not a thumb-breadth of the universe about which Christ does not say, It is mine.. All Rights Reserved, Ignorance, Unteachableness, Obstinacy and Carelessness Cannot be Conquered any Otherwise than by the Spirit of God, Monergism eBooks on Amazon in Kindle Format, Do Not Despise the Day of Small Beginnings, 14 Ways that God is Far More Excellent than Men, Those in Bondage to Sin are Still Duty Bound to Obey God. 1:23 and 2 Cor. And given the breakneck pace of the advance being made in all forms of technology, it is only natural that futurists would see Johns reference to the mark of the beast as somehow connected to the technological advantage by which the beast and false prophet will enslave the inhabitants of the world and deceive them into worshiping the Antichrist.As futurists see it, when John speaks of the mark of the beast, hes essentially predicting that some future form of technology will be utilized by Antichrist to dominate and control the worlds population. When we do so we shall see that the premillennial interpretation of these two representative passages is by no means the only possible one. For if believers should here be thought of as having been physically raised, with glorified bodies, they would already be enjoying the full and total bliss of the life to come, and it would not need to be said that over them the second death has no power. 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