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Amillennialism:
 
 A Word Direct From The Scriptures
by Tony Warren
 
INTRODUCTION
What position we take on the millennial reign of Christ's kingdom is veryimportant to the Church. Despite the many voices of denial, eschatologicalagnosticism is akin to blindfolding ourselves to part of the scripture concerningthe kingdom of God. And it is doing so while endeavoring to preach on the natureof that very same kingdom. The reality is, whatever God has inspired written is arevelation to us, and thus cannot ever be looked upon as a non-essential or asunimportant. As good Christians we should have the mindset that all of God'sword is essential and necessary for sound growth in living to the glory of God inthis world. This is the way that I believe we should approach eschatology.Eschatology, or the Biblical study of God's plan of the last or final events ofhistory, can be a very complex subject. However, it is also very spirituallyprofitable and rewarding for us. The reason that this subject can "seem" ratherconfusing is due to the different scriptures that may appear to strongly supportone point of view or the other. And because these scriptures are often usedhaphazardly (and yes, even deceitfully), the time is not taken to harmonize them.Thus the end times are often viewed in a rather insular fashion, wherein parts ofthe scriptures are in conflict with other parts. As a result, we have competinggroups, unwisely building their eschatology upon their favorite passages, apartfrom the big picture of the entire Biblical record.The four major theologies of the eschatology of Christ's reign are called,Amillennialism, Premillennialism, Postmillennialism, and Praeterism (Preterism),and are incompatible with each other. Therefore at best only one of theseeschatological positions can be the truth of scripture. So it is incumbent uponthose who desire truth, to search out the scriptures and earnestly contend for thefaith that was once delivered to the saints. True understanding comes throughthe diligent study of God's word (2nd Timothy 2:15), via the Spirit, and is born ofthe faith of Christ. Nothing that God has planned and foretold in His wordconcerning the human race, is insignificant to our sojourn on earth. Nor can it bewithout some planned spiritual bearing on our lives. God didn't inspire thedoctrines of the millennial reign of Christ to be penned and incorporated intoscripture just to take up space. They are there because the Lord wants us to
 
know about the
things to come,
and glean how they are intimately identified withboth the
things that have been,
the and
things that are.
Thus, whatever is inGod's word is basic, necessary, and even essential for living a good Christian lifeaccording to the will of God. The bible is the blueprint, the guidebook, and therevelation of what God has given us to know of these things. So in order to havea truly accurate understanding of eschatology, we must search these inspiredscriptures, rather than the dogmas of men. Whatever prophecy is recorded "in"scripture, is the true eschatology that God inspired. While whatever propheciesare from "outside" of the scriptures, are of personal interpretations, and thus aneschatology of private interpretation, supposition and speculation. As the prophetJoseph so rhetorically and wisely asked, "
Do not interpretations belong to God? (- Genesis 40:8)
" ...indeed they do!With this sound "Principle" of exegesis in mind, I can tell you that Amillennialismis not a word that you will find in the scriptures. That is to say, unless you knowexactly what the word delineates. Then you will discover that (
like the word trinity 
), though it's not a word actually written in scripture, it is clearly a word thatis used to describe sound biblical doctrine that is. Therefore, what the wordrepresents is taken "directly" from the pages of the word of God. What we willsee in this study is that everything that Amillennialism stands for is explicitlyexpressed on the pages of Holy Canon. And in this exposition, we will endeavorto show this conclusively, and without ambiguity. For what is today commonlycalled Amillennialism, is
"nothing more" 
than what the scriptures themselvesplainly declare. Amillennialism in it's pure form, is the undeniable, biblicallyvalidated truth that the prophesied coming of Messiah, Deliverance of Israel,Binding of Satan, Peace, Safety, Government, Rule, Temple Building,Righteousness, Prosperity, Kingdom and Reign of Christ, has indeed alreadycome. And if this is the truth, then Amillennialism is simply the testimony to thewitness of the word of God itself. It is nothing more than a declaration of God'skept promises, and their ultimate fulfillment in the extension of Christ's Kingdomof heaven, on earth.
Millennial Positions
 So that we can better understand the debate, we will start with a brief definition of the fourmajor millennial positions in the Church today. Because in understanding these differenteschatologies, we will get a better awareness of how each doctrine views the Church'smandate, plan, and final victory in accomplishing its mission.
Amillennialism
The word millennium is a Latin term meaning one thousand years. It's fromthe root words [
mille
], meaning thousand, and [
annum
], meaning years. InGreek (
 yes Greek, not Latin
), placing the letter "a" before a word negates theword. So a-millennial literally means "no millennium."
 
However, we should note that contrary to false claims, Amillennialists do in
 fact 
believe there is a millennial reign of Christ, but not on an temporalphysical throne upon this sin cursed earth. They believe that the Messiah hascome to reign upon the throne of David in the Kingdom of heaven. So theword Amillennial itself is literally accurate as it is understood to mean, "
nomillennial reign on an earthly or worldly throne
." Use of this word in anysense other than a "no future earthly kingdom reign," would be a misnomer.This view of eschatology maintains that the present reign of Christ(Revelation 20:4), began with His ascension to the throne of God, and thatthis is what the apostle Peter was speaking about in Acts 2:30-32. Christinstituted His kingdom reign by His death, resurrection, and ascension to thethrone of David, and it will be fully realized and manifested at His secondcoming.Amillennialism does not support the idea that the Kingdom of Christ is anintangible, but that it is incontrovertibly real, effectual, substantive, factualand essential. The kkingdom is of a spiritual, rather than worldly (earthly) orcarnal nature. They believe that the Kingdom of Christ on earth is now beingextended and advanced through the preaching of the gospel of Christ, by Hisservants.
Premillennialism
By contrast, the term Premillennialist identifies Christians who believe thatthe thousand year reign spoken of in Revelation chapter 20 is
earthly
orphysical in nature. It is where Christ literally returns to earth as potentate, toset up a temporary kingdom where the saints will rule with him. Pre-millennial literally means
before millennium
, or before the thousand years.This doctrine teaches that sometime in the future Christ will return, but willnot execute the last judgment at once. He will begin a literal one thousand-year reign upon a literal throne in the Middle East. In this eschatology Christwill reign and govern from physical Jerusalem, and peace will rule on earthfrom the nation of Israel. Generally, Premillennialists believe in two separateand unequal programs. A national or racial (
rather than individual
) salvationplan for the Jewish people, and another separate plan for everyone else (
anynon-Jew or Gentile
). They hold that future redeemed Israel will be the centerof government and the spreading of the gospel to the nations of the world. Inthis, they generally reject the contention that Christ has already come toredeem and deliver Israel, and that He is already presently the center of ruleand Government.
of 00

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Ifechukwu U. Ibeme

Ignoring all views/theories and taking Scripture plain: God's kingdom is one from eternity (http://www.scribd.com/The-Kingdom-or-.... After the tribulation, Christ shall come to Resurrect the saints and Reign with them. Then the final Judgment and Eternity.Bible Study Outline on the End Times (ESCHATOLOGY)

reply12 / 09 / 2010
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