Doctrine of A Millennial Ism

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Doctrine of Amillenialism

1. A common criticism of amillennial eschatology is that it is too negative, spending itsstrength primarily in opposing and refuting eschatological systems with which it does notagree.2. Leaving aside the question of whether this criticism is true or false, I would like at thispoint to counteract the negativism of some amillennial eschatologies by sketching brieflysome positive affirmations made by amillennialist theologians.3. In this way we shall be able to see amillennial eschatology in its totality, rather than justas a certain interpretation of the millennium of Revelation 20.4. This sketch will cover two areas: first, what amillennial eschatology teaches with regardto

inaugurated eschatology

, and, second, what it teaches with reference to

futureeschatology

.5. By

inaugurated eschatology

I mean that aspect of eschatology which is already presentnow, during the gospel era.6. The term

inaugurated eschatology

is preferred to realized eschatology because, while theformer term does full justice to the fact that the great eschatological incision into historyhas already been made, it does not rule out a further development and finalconsummation of eschatology in the future.7. When we speak of “inaugurated eschatology” we are saying that for the New Testamentbeliever significant eschatological events have already begun to happen while othereschatological occurrences still lie in the future.8. As regards

inaugurated eschatology

, then, Amillenialism affirms the following:



Christ has won the decisive victory over sin, death and Satan.

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By living a sinless life and by dying on the cross as the sacrifice of atonement for oursin, Christ defeated sin.

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By undergoing death and then victoriously rising from the grave, Christ defeateddeath.

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By resisting the devil’s temptations, by perfectly obeying God, and by his death andresurrection, Christ delivered a deathblow to Satan and his evil hosts.

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This victory of Christ’s was decisive and final.

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The most important day in history, therefore, is not the Second Coming of Christwhich is still future but the first coming which lies in the past.

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Because of the victory of Christ, the ultimate issues of history have already beendecided. It is now only a question of time until that victory is brought to its finalconsummation.



The kingdom of God is both present and future. Amillennialists do not believe thatthe kingdom of God is primarily a Jewish kingdom which involves the literalrestoration of the throne of David. Nor do they believe that because of the unbelief of the Jews of his day Christ postponed the establishment of the kingdom to the time of his future earthly millennial reign.



Amillennialists believe that the kingdom of God was founded by Christ at the time of his sojourn on earth, is operative in history now and is destined to be revealed in itsfullness in the life to come. They understand the kingdom of God to be the reign of God dynamically active in human history through Jesus Christ. Its purpose is toredeem God’s people from sin and from demonic powers, and finally to establish thenew heavens and the new earth. The kingdom of God means nothing less than thereign of God in Christ over his entire created universe.9. The kingdom of God is therefore both a present reality and a future hope. Jesus clearlytaught that the kingdom was already present during his earthly ministry:

“But if I driveout demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you” (Mt.12:28, NIV).

10. When the Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God was coming, he replied,

“Thekingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, `Lo, here it is!’ or `There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you” (Lk. 17:20-21).

11. But Jesus also taught that there was a sense in which the kingdom of God was still future,both in specific sayings (Mt. 7:21-23; 8:11-12) and in eschatological parables (such asthose of the Marriage Feast, the Tares, the Talents, the Wise and Foolish Virgins).

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Matthew 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into thekingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

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Matthew 8:11-12 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west,and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall beweeping and gnashing of teeth.

12. Paul also makes statements describing the kingdom as both present.

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Romans 14:17For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

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1 Corinthians 4:19-20 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know,not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. 20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.

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Colossians 1:13-14 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hathtranslated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemptionthrough his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

and future

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1 Corinthians 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

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Galatians 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of thewhich I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do suchthings shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

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Ephesians 5:5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

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2 Timothy 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserveme unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

13. The fact that the kingdom of God is present in one sense and future in another impliesthat we who are the subjects of that kingdom live in a kind of tension between the

“already”

and the

“not yet.”

14. We are already in the kingdom, and yet we look forward to the full manifestation of thatkingdom; we already share its blessings, and yet we await its total victory.15. Because the exact time when Christ will return is not known, the church must live with asense of urgency, realizing that the end of history may be very near.16. At the same time, however, the church must continue to plan and work for a future onthis present earth which may still last a long time.17. Meanwhile, the kingdom of God demands of us all total commitment to Christ and hiscause.

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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