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THE DIFFERENCES OF OPINION IN REGARD TO BIBLE MILLENNIUM

31/8/2019

THE DIFFERENCES OF OPINION IN REGARD TO BIBLE MILLENNIUM

Revelation 20:1–6 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time. I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended) This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and reign with him for a thousand years.
The differences of opinion in regard to the order of events during the second coming of Christ have to do with the relationship between that second coming and the Millennium.

Let’s sum these differences up with three questions :-
1) Will the coming of the Lord be BEFORE the Millennium?
2) Will the coming of the Lord be AFTER the Millennium?
3) Is the Millennium just a SYMBOL? (which means then that it is NOT a definite period of time)

It is from the answers to these questions that the three different interpretations of the text appear.
Question 1 answer - The coming of Christ will be BEFORE the Millennium.
Question 2 answer - The coming of Christ will be AFTER the Millennium.
Question 3 answer - The Millennium mentioned in Revelations is a symbolical expression.

Note the word Millennium itself refers to a period of 1,000 years which will be characterized by peace and justice on the earth.
The doctrine of the Millennium is called MILLENNIALISM.

The belief that Jesus will return BEFORE the Millennium of peace and justice is called PRE- MILLENNIALISM, means before 1,000 years.

The belief that teaches that Jesus will return AFTER the Millennium of peace and justice is called POST – MILLENNIALISM means after 1,000.
The belief that the Bible does NOT predict a period of universal peace and justice on earth, but that we should understand the Millennium in a SYMBOLIC way like the other prophecies in Revelations is called A MILLENNIALISM.

Those who hold the PRE- MILLENNIAL position not only teach that the second coming of Christ will be followed by a Millennium of peace and justice, but also that during those 1,000 years, Christ will reign in person on the earth. It is after this 1,000 year reign that the end of the world will come. (the Christ Apostolic Church official position)
Those who believe in the POST- MILLENNIAL position teach that the world will get better and better until it will become Christian toward the end, before the return of Christ. The second of Christ is said to take place after a Millennium of universal peace and justice upon the earth. Christ will then return and the end of the world will come at last.
MILLENNIALISM teaches that Revelations 20:1–6, like the rest of Revelations, is a passage which is full of symbolism. For this reason, it is not to be interpreted literally. According to Amillennialism, the Bible does not predict a time of worldwide peace and justice. The Millennium is a symbol which is used for the development of the spiritual kingdom of Jesus Christ by means of the preaching of the Gospel among the nations. It is through this preaching that Satan is bound by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Then will come the second coming of Jesus with a general resurrection of the dead, the last judgment, and the end of the world, all more or less at the same time.
Instead of becoming involved in fruitless discussions on this matter, you should be busy making yourself ready for the second coming of Jesus Christ.
At least, we all and surely agreed about the importance of this point, « the Jesus Christ second coming.”

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JESUS:THE SON OF MANAND THE SON OF GOD

24/8/2019

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JESUS: THE SON OF MAN AND THE SON OF GOD

Matthew 24:26–30, So if anyone tells you, There he is, out in the desert, do not go out ; or, Here he is, in the inner rooms, do not believe it. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever there is a carcas, there the vultures will gather. Immediately after the distress of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of sky, with power and great glory.

What Jesus says is going to happen before the coming of the Son of Man (His second coming)

1.      The sun will darkened.
2.      The moon will not give light.
3.      The stars will fall.

Jesus is to return again, He will come at a specific moment in time – Matthew 24 : 36, No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. There are many today, who are making predictions about the time of Jesus’ return. We must always remember that this is something which only God knows. However, the Bible also teaches that His return should not be a surprise to believers. Verse 44 of the same Matthew 24 advises to be ready. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.

Jesus Christ demands that as faithful servants, we should be ready and that we long for His coming.

Jesus gives the example from the days of Noah in Matthew 24:37–42, As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark ; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. These examples describe the behavior of men at the time of His second coming, means that people will carry on life as usual but you be ready, looking for His return.
Let’s read Matthew 24:31, And He will send His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. Also read Matthew 24:40–42, Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. Now compare them carefully with 1st Thessalonians 4:16 and 17, For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

1.      What will the angels do on the day of the return of Jesus? They will gather His elect (believers)
2.      What will happen to believers who have died before the coming of the Lord? – They will be raised from the dead to meet the Lord.
3.      What will happen to true believers who are alive at the time Jesus return?

They will be taken up to meet the Lord.

But according to the parable of the sheep and the goats which is found in Matthew 25:31, and following, what else again will take place - There will be a judgment of the nations. Read 2nd Peter 3:12–13, As you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

Peter mentions three of the events which will take place at the “day of God”

That, the earth and the heavens that we know will be destroyed. A new heaven and a new earth will be created. And perfect justice will rule in all of the new creation.
Revelation 20:1–6, And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time. I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

It is true that this passage in Revelation 20:1–6 is difficult to understand. Many of the differences of opinion which are found with regard to the coming of the Lord have to do with different ways of understanding this passage and different methods of interpretation which are applied to it.

To be continued next week.

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THE DIFFERENCES OF OPINION IN REGARD TO BIBLE MILLENNIUM

JESUS:THE SON OF MANAND THE SON OF GOD

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