Turn on any Christian TV program; read any popular Christian
book or magazine on the End Times at there is a view expressed that is so
widespread and so ingrained in Church culture that to express a contrary
opinion is treated with shear shock and dismay. To even question the modern notion of a
refurbished Israeli state, a secret rapture of the Church, a seven-year
Tribulation to purify the Jewish nation, a literal 1000 year reign of Christ on
the earth culminating in a war to end all wars, prior to the Second Return of
Christ is treated with derision.
Unfortunately that view, although sprinkled through some
early church fathers was never popularized until the 1900s with the rise of the
Plymouth Brethren movement and established by the modern academy of Dallas
Seminary. This view, although varied to
some degree, is known as Pre-Millennial Dispensationalism. It is without doubt
the default view of many evangelical congregations. In my short, on-line bio, I offer an
alternative viewpoint. In somewhat of a
cumbersome description I call it an inaugurated eschatological viewpoint with a
partially realized millennial view, and a New Covenant lens. I use this
cumbersome rhetoric because I don’t like the shorthand. In short I am a partial
preterist embracing amillennialism.
This view enjoys the favour of Biblical theology and
historical support, contrary to this contemporary attraction. It is devoid of the complicated schemes of
Pre-Millennial Dispensationalism that have to be forced upon the text of
Scripture. I am committed to this view
for at least 5 reasons:
#1. The big picture (meta-narrative) of the Bible (biblical
theology) demands that the New Testament provide the interpretative grid for
the Old Testament. This reveals in the
clearest of ways that Jesus Christ the Messiah has fulfilled each and every
promise, type and shadow foretold in the Old Covenant. This includes the Seed of Abraham, the
Levitical sacrifices, the Sabbath, the Davidic dynasty, the Law, the Land and
the Temple. Christ is the fulfillment of
the Nation of Israel. To re-invent what
has been superseded by the greatest fulfillment is inexplicable to me.
#2. There is only one plan of redemption for God’s people
and there is only one group that can claim to be God’s people. There is no plan for the state of Israel and
a plan for the Church. This flies in the
face of the clear exposition of the New Testament epistles. There is one "man" in Christ. True Israel, the true people of God, form the
Church, both Jew and Greek. When
Gentiles were added to the Church, this fulfilled the re-building of David’s
house prophesied in Amos.
#3. Every New Testament reference to the Second Coming of
Christ is accompanied by the follow-up of a general resurrection of all and
coming judgment. There is not one single
exegetical support for a prior coming in secret for only a select few. The
Kingdom parables allow no room for a second-chance purging for Israel.
#4. The Great Tribulation that disturbs so many people has
clearly been completed at A.D. 70. At that
time the kingdom of Israel was finally and completely dismantled and rejected
by God. The destruction of the Temple ended the Old Testament economy.
#5. The so-called Millennial reign is real and any careful
student of Revelation 20 will see without doubt that the 1000 year reign is presently
ongoing, and its ongoing in Heaven with Christ and the saints. There is no
earthly millennium taught in the New Testament and any illusion in the Old
Testament is precisely speaking of the eternal state. The Book of Revelation was written for us but
not to us. It was written to Christians
in Asia Minor speaking, in the most part, of ongoing events, both earthly and
celestial, to encourage them in the sovereign reign of our risen Savior.
Such parameters in the study of God’s Word cause it to be
unifying, cohesive and lucid. Such an
interpretation gains the support of inspired Scripture and the validation of
Church history. I find it curious that
so many Christians have rushed, unwittedly into the confusion of pre-millennialism. But to those who do, I call them my brothers
and sisters and pray for their enlightenment.
My humility comes when I remember that I too championed their viewpoint
and taught it with great confidence.
“He who
testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord
Jesus!” (Revelation
22:20, ESV)
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