Premillennialism is a doctrine advocating that Christ will return to earth for one thousand years and reside at Jerusalem in Israel. As a religious doctrines It is one of the most popular of our times. Many churches hold common bond to this belief, not all teach exactly alike, all though have major points of agreement.
The second coming of Christ will take place “before” the millennium, a latin word for one thousand years. The prefix “pre” means before; thus, the second coming of Christ will take place “before” the millennium begins. Premillennialism then means before the millennium.
But before we get into Premillennialism the first stage of The second coming of Christ is called the Rapture.Fore a more in depth review about the Rapture see:
Is the Rapture Doctrine Taught in the New Testament?
Origination of Dispensationalism: Biblical history can be understood as a series of dispensations, or separated time-periods in the Bible. Each dispensation can represent a time period relating in how God deals with man.
Dispensationalism is a term associated with John Nelson Darby and encompasses the Rapture (the second coming of Christ), a Tribulation, then leading into the millennial where Christ will rein a thousand years at Jerusalem in Israel..
John Nelson Darby a British preacher,) is usually linked with the Rapture and is noted for coming up with it in 1830. Darby was a Plymouth Brethren minister, and lived from 1800 to 1882. He came to believe in a future salvation and restoration of Israel. While being enrolled at Trinity College in Dublin (1819). Darby based on his study of Isaiah 32 and Daniel 9:24-25 concluded that Israel, in a future dispensation, would once again be reestablished and would become a place for a millennial kingdom.
Hal Linzy name is mentioned here because he was an influential contributor to Premillennialism. Popularized by such best-selling books as The Late Great Planet Earth some sources estimated sold over 35 millions copies, and helped in writing the movie, (The Late Great Planet Earth) starting Orson Wells. Of course Premillennialism is complete utter nonsense. this made up doctrine is false and contradicts bible teachings, contributing to overly well meanings christian church groups into Believing a false teachings.
The Premillennialism theory is based on a passage in Revelation 20:1-6, First it needs to be mentioned that [The book of Revelation is highly figurative and symbolical. For example note this scripture: which is highly figurative, Revelation 12:3-4:
- 3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
- 4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
Now let us look at this highly figurative passage which his is the foundation passage of the Premillennialism theory: Revelation 20:1-6.
- 1 “And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand.
- 2 And he laid hold on the dragon, the old serpent, which is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years,
- 3 and cast him into the abyss, and shut it, and sealed it over him, that he should deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years should be finished: after this he must be loosed for a little time.
- 4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and such as worshipped not the beast, neither his image, and received not the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand; and they lived, and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
- 5 The rest of the dead lived not until the thousand years should be finished. This is the first resurrection.
- 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: over these the second death hath no power; but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years”
It is admitted by Premillennials that many expressions in this chapter are figurative and symbolical and cannot be taken literally, but a literal one thousands years is insisted.
As we see the advocates of this theory read many things into the passage that are absolutely not there. Note for instance:
- There is no mention of a second coming.
- No mention of a bodily resurrection.
- No mention of a literal throne of David.
- No mention of Jerusalem or Isreal.
- No mention of Christ returning and reigning for a thousand years on earth.
Again this view that Christ will return and reign in Israel for a thousand years, is corroborated by their interpretation of Revelation 20:1-6.
Note When theorists read into the passage things that are not there, they add to the Word of God, and are rewarded accordingly. Revelation 22:18-19.
- 18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
- 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Many times a good preacher on TB is sounding very interesting when all of a sudden he brings up Premillennialism, a doctrine far from the truth., then it’s time to turn the dial.
Two topics that tie together with this one: