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PART IINTRODUCTION:THE SINE QUA NON OF FELLOWSHIPTo one who is open-minded, a fair and candid presentation of the controversialquestion of the Millennium, however it may differ from one's own opinion is always of interest and worthy of attention.In recent years, however, the unfortunate trend in the discussions of themillennial question has been the serious mistake of some, in their zeal, to identifyFundamentalism with Premillennialism, and to make the Premillennial interpretation of Bible prophecy the criterion of orthodoxy. It is to be regretted that in this day of revived pagan ideologies, humanistic modernism, and atheistic materialism that there are thoseamong the brethren who make their Premillennial shibboleth the sine qua non of Christian and Church fellowship.The testimony of a notable Christian servant confirms the development of thistrend in recent years. "Not all those who hold to the interpretation of the prophecieswhich goes under the name of 'premillennialism' are guilty of such discrimination againstthose who hold the view of prophetic truth called amillennialism,' but a sufficiently largesection of them do so discriminate, to warrant the attempt to justify the view in question,according to sound exegetical canons of Biblical interpretation." ("The Basis of Millennial Faith," by Floyd E. Hamilton, p. 18.)Dr. T. T. Shields, a distinguished servant of Christ, wrote to me his experienceas follows: "My fellowship for the greater part of the time had been chiefly with thosewho held what is usually known as the premillennial view. As I believed them to besound in the basic principles of evangelical Christianity, I welcomed them to my pulpit.Even when they preached their pretribulation rapture theory I did not contradict them, butexercised my right in the course of my own ministry to teach what I believe. As soon asmany of these brethren discovered that I did not pronounce their shibboleth, if I was notanathemized, I was certainly ostracized. It has been a matter of observation with me for along time that truth is never at variance with truth, and those who hold the truth, whosedoctrinal position can be clearly substantiated from Scripture, will never be found persecuting others. The persecutor will invariably be found to be one who loves darknessrather than light. I have come now to believe that the postponement theory, and the pre-tribulation rapture notion are very definite and dangerous heresies. Indeed, I should probably go much farther than you would be disposed to go. I believe the wholemillennial question needs reconsideration."My correspondent did not know how far I had gone, for I had many misgivingsas to the details of the prophetic program which I then held. For many years, I was amilitant and ardent premillennialist, the possessor of large charts, and a teacher in Bibleclasses and Bible Institutes in cities large and small. I reconsidered the postponement and pre-tribulation rapture theories, and eventually my rethinking the millennial questioncompelled me to abandon modern dispensationalism and the futurist interpretation of Rev. 20.This might prejudice some on the principle that I now destroy what once I built.But let all such consider that Divine Revelation is final and complete; but illumination is progressive. A man can do no other than change his views, if there are good reasons for doing so, unless he violates his conscience. It is better to tear down what one has once built up, if it is contrary to the Word of God, than to rebuild the middle wall of partitionwhich God has broken down; or to be an advocate of a "worldly sanctuary" (Heb. 9:1)."carnal ordinances" (Heb. 9:10), and the 'weak and beggarly elements" of the OldCovenant (Gal. 4:8-11 ). which the Holy Spirit has said is done away forever (Heb. 8:13).My search for a satisfactory explanation of the Millennium in harmony with thewhole tenor of Scripture was facilitated by the process of elimination. Guided by ruling principles of revelation I was able to say what it was not, and by such elimination mysearch was narrowed down. This procedure increased the possibility of arriving at an
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