S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

Amillennialism is the name given to the belief that there will not be a literal 1000-year reign of Christ. The people who hold to this belief are called amillennialists. The prefix "a-" in amillenn...

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July 01 2013 • 3 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Gerritt Schuitema Supporter Persecutor & Mocker transformed to Faithful Believer

First as Christians, we should all unite on the 'FACT' that Christ will come again, not on 'when' or 'how'. This is an area of much division in the church today and that is a shame. 

And to be frank, I pray the pre-mellienialists like Michael are right. I will be most happy to concede my ignorance on that great day as we go to meet Him in the air.

But as I don't see a more complete explanation as to 'why we believe what we believe' I will attempt to explain. Note, I have never read a book on amellienialism, or listened to sermons on it, I've only read the bible. It was only after discussing with a pastor that he told me this was my understanding. So there is no doubt much to be left unearthed here. Forgive me for my brevity, and may our God reveal unto you that which is in accordance to His Word and protect you from that which is not. 

I do believe there issue is when we position spiritual realities against literal realities, as if there is some sort of difference in God's eyes. God is Spirit. I am sure the spiritual is quite 'literal'. Amellienalists don't have broken hermeneutics.

A common method of interpretation, extremely common, in terms of prophecy is a concept known as 'already and not yet'. That is, God's Word has the same nature as God Himself (I don't think this is debatable, Philippians 2:6, John 1:1), and God tells His nature personally, twice. Exodus 3:14 and Exodus 34:5-8, in your free time compare these two with Jesus Christ and His life and enjoy the depth of and majesty of our God. But for the sake of hermeneutics, Exodus 3:14, the Hebrew for 'I AM THAT I AM' is 'Ehyeh-Asher-Ehyeh' and in short, the 'most full' interpretation of this can be found in Revelation 1:4,8, that is 'Him which is, which was, and which is to come'. So in terms of prophecy, 'already and not yet'. 'It was true, it is true, and will be true'. This is the method I subscribe to and I hope this helps you understand what I am about to speak of. 

In point of fact, quite literally is Christ the King of His church today. This is accomplished by 'regeneration', or the 'first resurrection' (Rev 20:6, compare with John 5:25 [different than John 5:28-29, context is key, 'the time is coming, AND NOW IS'], John 3:3-8; Ezekiel 37:1-14, Ezekiel 36:25-28). Quite literally does He reign over all of heaven and earth (Matthew 28:18). And the more we 'die to self' (John 12:24-26), the more we will 'be raised to life' with Him (Phil 3:10-14, Isaiah 60, read the context of this carefully and compare with Rev 21:1-7, remember the 'promise of the Father', God, the Holy Spirit). For this is our great calling, Christ, living in His people by His Spirit (Col 1:27, Philippians 1:27-30). So per the gospel, we are restored to the 'presence of God' now by His Spirit, and in that great day, God in all His fullness in Jesus Christ. Read the prophets carefully, this 'restoration' happens when the 'atonement' has been made, when God 'comforts' His people. The 'new heavens and new earth' ARE inaugurated at His resurrection, when God does 'a new thing' that will confound the wise. Think about this, He literally breaks the natural laws of physics etc when Christ rises from the dead. The world is now, new. 

To the extent in which we suffer with Him and are moved by His Spirit to take part in His death, we experience His resurrection. He reigns over His church. We walk with Him and talk with Him (via prayer, His revealed word {scriptures}, and His Spirit in our hearts} and He leads us unto rivers of living waters. But we must 'suffer with him'. We must, in the words of Ravenhill, 'not just go to the cross, but get on the cross' that we might know Him and the 'power of His resurrection'. To experience the 'new heavens and new earth' and to 'walk with God', to 'know Him' and 'be known by Him'. This is all by God's grace in granting faith by the 'new birth', as Paul said, 'Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.' (2 Cor 5:17)

Some sideline this entire reality of God's Kingdom by saying the lion has yet to lie down with the lamb, a reference to Isaiah 11. But notice Isa 11:9, the Spirit says, 'in all MY HOLY MOUNTAIN' and remember 'already and not yet'. Is it not true when Christ's true church is gathered together, that this is the case? Are not Jew and Gentile, gathered together as one? Servant and master? Black and white? Man and woman? In one spirit of peace and joy? Is this not how the writer of Hebrews interprets these things? (Heb 12:18-24) Read the context of Hebrews 12, note it comes right after Hebrews 11, note the reference back to Hebrews 3 and 4, which is a reference back to the Exodus. Read carefully the literal/spiritual connotations of what this writer is saying, and the powerful way in which all these things come to an end. Test it 
verse what has been said above.

Now, onto more of Rev 20 (where this eschatological division occurs), Revelation 20:1-3, 'has literally happened', per Jesus' own word 'Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.' (John 12:31) this is in reference to Him being 'high and lifted up' (John 12:32; John 3:14; Isa 52:13; Gen 20:8; Gen 3:15). Christ conquered the forces of darkness when He bore all the power of sin and darkness and all the infinite wrath of Almighty God, and yet, rose victorious (also confirming His diety btw). Giving His people 'power' over their sin and the devil (His Spirit; Romans 8) this is the time God 'comforts His people' as the Spirit is called by Christ 'the comforter', and He gives them hope.

Lastly, Christ comes only twice, and this is why I wish to press this topic. 

Once meek and lowly riding on a colt, to put an end to sin and conquer death and Satan, establishing His Kingdom (physically on earth, as His feet touched down, literally on the mount of Olives {Luke 22:39}), and the second time, in all the glory of His Father (Mark 8:38), as a consuming fire (Heb 12:29; 2 Peter 3:7,10,12), a jealous Husband for His maltreated and abused bride (Heb 12:25-29; 2 Peter 3). Read Revelation 20:7-9. This leads directly to 'the great white throne' of judgment (Rev 20:10-15) I don't know other views, but does this sound like anyone will have a chance to repent after this? Is this not, the consummation of all things?

This is a brief summary, and my understanding. It all hinges on the importance of Christ's sacrifice and His work in 'regenerating' men and women. Birthing them from above by His Spirit, for His glory and the praise of His glorious grace, and the effectual power of God's grace in our lives. It magnifies God's grace to be both militant and triumphant. For all the promises are to 'those who overcome' by 'the blood of lamb' and 'the word of their testimony' to 'those who loved not their lives into death'. So die Christian, that we might live and reign with Christ.

May Christ be lifted high, and may God get all the glory. 

In the words of Spurgeon 'tarry a little longer Christian, a little more of battling and of warring against the flesh and evil desires within thee, and soon thou shalt put thy foot upon the neck of thy old corruptions, sin and self shall both be slain, and Jesus Christ shall reign, triumphantly'

Rest on one word, 'and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple' Malachi 3:1

Amen, even so come, Lord Jesus.

March 22 2016 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Andre Watson Watson Supporter

Once upon a time I was pan-millennial because I figured, "Hey! It's all going to pan out!" Then I figured, since God put the book of Revelation in the bible for a reason, and thus began my journey into eschatology.

Until one can answer the question: What is (fill in the eschatology you currently hold to), or answer the question, "Why I am (fill in the eschatology you hold to), you can't begin to answer a question such as this.

Take time and study the following:
Premillennialism and ask a premilliennialist why they are such.
Amillennialism
Postmillennilaism
Pre-tribulation
Mid-Tribulation
Pre-Wrath
Post-Tribulation
Historicism/Reformation
Idealism
Dispensationalism
Preterism (Full and Partial)
Just as you asked the premillennialist, their POV, ask the amill, postmill, pre-wrath,etc...the same question. Amillennialism is pronounced AH-Mill btw.

Then begin your journey into eschatology via the book of Revcelation and remember the LAMECH method, named after Noah's dad, Methuselah's son. Ask yourself, is what I'm reading:
L iteral
A llegorical
M etaphorical
E uphemism
C ommentary
H yperbole
S imile

Then you will get the consensus of the text. For me, Revelation is like a ferris wheel. You get a heavenly view, followed by an earthly view and so on.

Amill and Postmill are basically first cousins with Amill being the more realistic view of today's world and Postmill being more optimistic. Amill and Postmill put Christ at the center of eschatology while Dispensationalism puts Israel at the center. Dispensationalist are also sometimes referred to as Escapist or Retreatists, while Amills and Postmillls are referred to as Dominion Theology and Replacement Theology. This is name calling on both sides and should be summarily avoided. Leave it to Christians to use ammunition on their very own.

Today most of what you hear on the radio is via the dispensationalist position and what you hear on TV is of the postmill position. The Amill (AH-Mill) is mostly on YouTube.

Gerritt and Michael have both given a general synopsis for each pov, but the FACT remains, no one knows the day or the hour when Christ shall return and no one knows the new name of Christ, except Christ himself
when he returns and everyone needs to get the word out for everyone to Be Ready!

Personally, the Amillennial camp (Ah-Mill) is a better fit for me. 

Christ said "My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. "John 18:36. Paul echoes this sentiment in his writings by saying,"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost," Romans 14:17.

If one is still looking carnally for the kingdom, as the disciples were in Acts, to see the lion lying down with the lamb, the spiritual kingdom will continue to be hid from your sight. 

I invite you rather to look as Paul suggest in 2 Thessalonians 2:1,2 1Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 

Look for his coming and our gathering. It probably won't be in the newspapers, if they still exist. 

Revelation 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

February 21 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report