The Millennium
The Millennium Series was taught by Dr. James Modlish

Lesson One

The Biblical Record of the Return of Christ

 

The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ will again return to earth, personally, bodily and visibly to reign on earth for one thousand years. In (Jn. 14:3) Jesus said,"...I will come again."

On the day of the ascension of Christ the disciples asked Jesus this question: "Lord, wilt thou at this time restore the Kingdom to Israel?" Jesus did not deny the fact that this would happen, he merely said, "It is not for you to know the times or seasons..." At this point Jesus was taken up into heaven and the disciples were told by two men dressed in white apparel that, "This same Jesus ... shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." (Acts 1:6-11)

See (Zech. 14:1-4; 1 Thess. 4:15), "unto the coming of the Lord; "when he shall appear... for we shall see him...", (1 Jn. 3:1-3); "the glorious appearing", (Tit. 2:11-13).

The Psalms and the Prophets in the Old Testament are filled with references to the Second Coming of Christ. It is true that the Old Testament prophets could not clearly distinguish between this first and Second Coming of Christ. (1 Pet. 1:10, 11). As far back as Enoch, (Gen. 5), the Second Coming was prophesied, "Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints." (Jude 14; Read Psa. 24:7-10; 72:7-11; Jer. 23:5-8 and Zech 14:1-4), once more.

The New Testament: (Matt. 24:27-31; Rev. 19:11-16). Is it not strange since the Bible is so plain that many refuse to believe in the Lord's return?

Let us for a moment examine some of the false views that are taught concerning the Second Coming of Christ.

[1]. Some say that death is the Second Coming of Christ.

[2]. Some teach that the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost was the Second Coming of Christ.

[3]. Satan's most subtle attack is the teaching that we are not to believe in the literal fulfillment of that promise. Modernism emphasizes the symbolical rather than the literal.

[4]. The Jehovah's Witnesses teach that Christ returned in 1914 and that the theocracy is now being established on earth by the Witnesses.

The Bible teaches us that we cannot know the day or hour of the Lord's return, (Matt. 24:36), but we are to discern the signs of the times. From the very beginning of the Christian dispensation it has been the will of God for every Christian to maintain an attitude of constant expectation for the coming of Christ.

Definition of Terms:

Bible believing Christians are divided into five schools of thought as to what Christ will do when He comes again.

[1]. Pre-millennialist

[2]. Post-millennialist

[3]. A-millennialist

[4]. Pro-millennialist

[5]. Realized millennialist

The word millennium comes from two Latin words "mille" which means 1,000 and "annum" which means year. The millennium is a one thousand year period of time. "Pre" means before; "post" means after; "a" means no or not, and "Pro" means for. The realized millennialist thinks that we are now in the millennium.

A-millennialism is the view of the last things which holds that the Bible does not predict a 'Millennium' or a period of World-Wide peace and righteousness on this earth before the end of the world. (A-millennialism teaches that there will be a parallel and contemporaneous development of good and evil, God's Kingdom and Satan's Kingdom, in this world which will continue until the Second Coming of Christ. At the Second Coming the resurrection and judgment will take place, followed by the eternal order of things, the absolute perfect Kingdom of God, in which there will be no sin, suffering or death.

Pre-millennialism is that view of the last things which holds that the Second Coming of Christ will be followed by a period of worldwide peace and righteousness, before the end of the world, called the 'Millennium'. This is found spoken of in Matthew as the Kingdom of Heaven, as opposed to the Kingdom of God. During this period of time Christ will literally reign in person here on earth.

Post-millennialism is that view of the last things which holds that the Kingdom of God is now being extended in the world through the preaching of the gospel and the saving work of the Holy Spirit, that the world eventually will be Christianized, and that the return of Christ will occur at the close of a long period of righteousness and peace commonly called the Millennium. This view is to be distinguished from that optimistic view presented by liberals and modernists of humanism and social reform. Postmillennialism was introduced by a Unitarian, Daniel Whitby (1638-1726). For many years this was considered to be a dead issue. Two world wars and the threat of nuclear holocaust have made most Post-mils, A-mills.

The pro-millennialist says, "I'm all for it, I just don't know what it is."

The realized millennialist says, "We're living in the millennium today"; example, the J.W.'s.

Of these five views only Pre-millennialism and A-millennialism merit serious consideration. In determining which of these views is correct the student of the Word of God must decide five basic questions:

[1]. Is the Bible to be interpreted literally or allegorically?

[2]. Are the covenants in the Bible conditional or unconditional?

[3]. Is the church spiritual Israel?

[4]. Is the Kingdom present or future.

[5]. Is there a difference between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven?

 

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