Sunday, September 7, 2008 pm
PREMILLENIALISM EXAMINED (2)
Exposing some of its pillars
Last week we began a
study of the doctrine of premillenialism.
In that lesson we defined what the doctrine involves and noted
some flawed consequences of this doctrine.
We also asked a thought provoking question: Why bring Jesus back
to earth? The truth is Jesus
accomplished everything He needed to accomplish when He came the first
time. It served as an introduction to what this theory is about,
including WHY we should be concerned (because of fascination with the
time of the end, and the manipulation of various prophetic and
apocalyptic passages to promote an exciting story about what is yet to
come). But according to
scripture, the only thing that remains is His coming in a final
judgment.
In this series we
want to examine and expose several key concept associated with the
actual unfolding of the events of premillenialism.
Today we will begin by noting some of the premises that serve as
background for the need for Christ to return to this earth and reign.
Some of these things have been mentioned, but we need to
understand them and thus we present them for your consideration.
Today, I want take some time to deal with the nation of Israel
and fulfilled promises. We
want to examine, did God intend
to restore Israel to a physical kingdom after the Assyrian and
Babylonian captivities?
a.
The
promise to Abraham Gen.
12:1-3. In that text God
made a three-fold promise to Abraham.
He promised to 1) A land promise (though here he is only told to
go to a land, in vs. 7 He says, “To your descendants I will give this
land”), 2) Make his a great
nation and name, and 3)In them bless all families of the earth.
While it is acknowledged that they received the land originally, and
that they became a great nation (under David and Solomon), because they
were cast out (again) they reasoned that this promise was not ultimately
fulfilled. Even during the
time of Christ they were looking for the physical kingdom established in
Jerusalem.
Remember that one of the reasons they rejected Jesus is because He was
not the king they wanted.
b.
Premillenialists also hold to this premise.
They believe, like the Jews, that God intended to establish His
kingdom on earth with Jesus reigning as their king.
A major pillar of this doctrine is the return of Christ –
reestablishment of the throne of David in Jerusalem (rebuilt and
restored to physical Israel).
c.
Passages used to substantiate this view.
1.
Isaiah 11:11 – set in a
passage dealing with “the offspring of Jesse” (1, 10) this verse says, “It
shall come to pass in that day that the Lord shall set His hand again
the second time to recover the remnant of His people who are left, from
Assyria and Egypt, from Pathos and Cush, From Elam and Shinar,
From Hamath and the islands of the sea.”
They contend that the first restoration happened 70 years after
the captivity (restored from Babylon) and the second restoration will
occur at His second coming.
Like this passage,
Jeremiah 29:14 notes that
they would be brought back from captivity and gathered from all the
nations.
2.
Jeremiah 30:24 – which
makes reference to “the latter days.”
Premillenialists contend that this statement refers to the time
just before the Lord’s second coming.
They take many passages which make reference to “the last days”
and say that has to refer to the time of the end (just before the Lord
returns).
3.
Zechariah 8:1-8.
This passage has similar language promising a restored Israel.
Because this is written AFTER their return from Babylon (actually
around 516 B.C.) they reason it has not yet been fulfilled.
4.
Luke 21:24 – Jerusalem
would be “trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles is fulfilled.”
They contend that this is yet to be fulfilled.
5.
2
Thess. 2:4 – speaks of the
temple of God being sat upon by the son of perdition.
Since this passage speaks of a time future to the destruction of
Jerusalem, it is contended that the temple must be rebuilt.
6.
Matt. 19:28 speaks of a
generation when “the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you
would who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the
twelve tribes of Israel.”
They say this is yet to be fulfilled.
7.
Romans 11:25-27 speaks of
the blindness of Israel lasting “until the fullness of the Gentiles has
come in.” Then the text
says, “And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written…” A text from
Isaiah 59:20-21.
The premise is that Israel will be restored.
8.
1
Corinthians 10:32
speaks of Christians giving no
offense, “either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God.”
The premise is that since a distinction is made in this text
between Jews and Gentiles AND the church that God still intends to
bestow his favor on two groups, the church and the Jews (as opposed to
the Gentiles).
d.
In
addition to this, Premillenialists cite the current events of the past
60 years beginning with the reestablishment of Israel after WW2 (May 14,
1948). They city numerous
wars since then that Israel has won and how Israel controls Jerusalem.
a.
The
promise to Abraham has been completely fulfilled
i.
The nation
promise was fulfilled. As
Israel left Egypt they were described as “a great nation.”
(Deut 4:6-8, Judges 2:20, 2 Samuel 7:23).
While not the largest of nations, God viewed them as His nation
and fought for them (when they were faithful to Him).
ii.
The Seed
promise – a reference to Christ.
Truly in Him (who was of the seed of Abraham and of David) all
nations are blessed (Acts 3:25-26, Gal. 3:8-9, 16).
Respect for scripture leads no other possibility.
iii.
The land
promise – this is the promise that Premillenialists say has not
ultimately been fulfilled.
Some believe it was fulfilled and lost temporarily, but others see it as
never having been fulfilled.
They base their doctrine on passages such as, Genesis 13:15 which says,
“For all the land which you see I
give to you and your descendants forever.”
They also note Genesis 17:8 which says, “Also
I give to you and your descendents after you the land in which you are a
stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I
will be their God.”
But consider the following:
1.
The
promise is said to have been fulfilled
– Josh. 21:43-45 says it clearly that all the Lord had promised He
fulfilled. Note vs. 43
mentions God giving them all the land.
2.
The
promised borders – Genesis
15:18, the borders of the land are given to Abraham – “from the river of
Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates.”
NOTE that this is the same text where he is told his descendents
would be in a foreign land for 400 years.
During the reign of Solomon, the borders of Israel were extended to
their greatest point – 1 Kings 4:21 says, “So
Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the River to the land of the
Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt.”
The very borders promised were achieved during the greatest reign
of Israel.
3.
The
Psalmist many years later acknowledges this –
“For he remembered His holy promise, and Abraham His servant.
He brought out His people with joy, His chosen ones with
gladness. He gave them the
lands of the Gentiles, And they inherited the labor of the nations…”
(Psalm 105:42-45)
4.
Furthermore, was the land promise unconditional?
The promise to RECEIVE the land was – Deut. 9:5
Keeping it was up to them - Joshua 23:15-16.
When Israel was cut off it was because they had rejected and left God.
He gave them multiple opportunities to repent and do right.
They chose to reject Him.
And even after 70 years in Babylon, He took them back (though
differently). It was until
they murdered Jesus and His followers that He cut them off once and for
all. They undid themselves.
5.
What about “forever” and “Everlasting”?
The word “forever” can mean many things.
A couple of examples would be,
One’s lifetime” – Exodus
21:6 a servant could agree to serve his master “forever”
Joshua 24:2 says, “Joshua
said to all the people, “Thus says
the Lord God of Israel: ‘Your fathers, including Terah, the father of
Abraham and the father of Nahor, dwelt on the other side of the River in
old times, and they served other gods.”
The term “in old times” is the same Hebrew word as “forever” in
Gen. 13:15.
The word “everlasting” found in Genesis 17:8 is a word that can mean,
“age lasting.” The word is
found in other texts such as, Gen. 17:13 speaking of circumcision being
“an everlasting covenant”,
Exodus 12:14 described the Passover as, “an everlasting ordinance”
Exodus 31:16-17, speaks of the Sabbath being a perpetual covenant.
It is interesting how the land promise had to be “everlasting” but we
are not bound by these things as well.
Again, as with “last days” and “day of the Lord” the context determines
the meaning. The word does
not have to mean forever as we view the word.
b.
Examining
the texts.
We have mentioned numerous texts used to supposedly teach the nation of
Israel is yet to be restored.
Let us examine the texts mentioned:
i.
Isaiah 11:11 – the various
nations from which the remnant would return does not have to refer to a
future generation. The fact
is that after Babylon fell (some 200+ years later) Jews from all over
the empire were PERMITTED to return.
Could it be that this was the FIRST return? And the 2nd
return could have reference to Christ’s coming to this earth WHEN HE DID
to claim His people WHICH HE DID!
Note how it speaks of the remnant and a kingdom of peace.
In fact, note Romans 15:12
which quotes this verse, a text dealing with Gentiles having
hope. NOTE: Roman is a book
that points out that the Jews COULD be saved – the same way the Gentiles
were - by obeying the
gospel.
ii.
Jeremiah 30:24 – the
expression “the latter days” probably refers to Judah and Israel’s
return from Babylonian captivity some 50-70 years after this prophecy.
Jeremiah deals with that.
iii.
Zechariah 8:1-8 where the
argument is made that this was written after the return from Babylon.
That is true. This
book is written about 520 BC, as a contemporary of Ezra and designed to
encourage the people to finish building the temple.
Zechariah looks forward to better times – times fulfilled in the
days of Nehemiah (about 445 BC), Ezra (who came after the temple was
rebuilt – about 458 BC) and perhaps even looking forward to Christ
coming to establish His kingdom (when He came the first time).
iv.
Luke 21:24 – a passage
that speaks of Jerusalem being trampled until the times of the Gentiles
is fulfilled. Jesus is
speaking of the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.
The trampling takes place by the Gentiles (i.e. the Romans).
The results last until “the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled”
possibly a reference to this final dispensation.
The fact is that Jerusalem, though inhabited by many Jews is ALSO
inhabited by Moslems and others.
This does NOT have to describe an ongoing event yet to begin.
v.
2
Thess. 2:4 – speaking of
the lawless one (whom Premillenialists would say is the antichrist)
dwelling in the temple of God could easily have reference to the
spiritual kingdom. False
teachers and christs often claim power form God.
Just because it mentions the holy temple does not mean there need
to be a physical Jerusalem.
Consider Heb. 12:22 speaks of the heavenly Jerusalem and city of the
living God…
Also consider 1 Cor. 3:16-17 describes the church as “the temple of God”
vi.
Matt. 19:28 – the fact
that the apostles would sit and judge on twelve thrones does NOT mandate
a physical kingdom. The text
does NOT say that!
Over and over, Jesus taught a spiritual kingdom (which we will examine
next week). Having been
given the “keys to the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 16:19) they would
deliver the message of Jesus which WOULD judge all mankind in the end
(cf. John 12:48).
vii.
Romans 11:25-27.
The book of Romans is a book designed to let all know that there
is only ONE way of salvation – in Jesus Christ.
That applied to both Jews and Gentiles alike.
Now it is true that physical Israel was God’s chosen nation.
But we know that they have finished their purpose (cf. Gal
3:19-25). They had rejected
God in crucifying Christ.
BUT, there was still hope for them! (anyone in) Israel could still be
saved. How?
By obeying the gospel.
Furthermore, the expression, “And so” could properly be interpreted, “In
this manner all Israel will be saved.”
That manner was in Christ which Romans 11 describes as it quotes
Isaiah 59:20-21.
viii.
1
Corinthians 10:32 – This
text requires great twisting to come up with the argument that there is
a distinction between Jews and Gentiles as far as salvation is
concerned. This is a passage
dealing with liberties (things about which God is indifferent) and the
way Christians are to treat each other. What Paul says here is similar
to what he said in 1 Cor. 9:19-23 where he said he became all things to
all men.
ix.
In
all these, REMEMBER the significance of context.
We stress the importance of putting a verse in its proper context
– the immediate text, the text of the book and the overall theme of the
Bible. This is WHY we must
keep studying! It is simply
not an option if we want to give a defense for our hope.
a.
We have
here examples of the twisting of scriptures in such a way to diminish
the purpose of our Lord’s coming.
This doctrine distorts many passages and assumes a view that is
not implied in the text. In
fact, it requires a fanciful theory to plug them into.
b.
What does
this view say about the Old Law in our lives?
The Old Law was completed in Christ – Consider Matthew 5:17-18.
According to this saying of Jesus, the Old Law is still in
effect! If premillenialism
is true then we must reject the New Testament OR this saying of Jesus
(Did He lie? Did He fail?
Was He speaking with veiled language?).
Also consider Hebrews 8-10 which speaks of the Old Law being done away
with. Col.2:14 – nailed to
the cross.
c.
It
disregards passages like Ephesians 2:11-22 which speaks of removing the
barrier between Jew and Gentile.
That was accomplished in the first century.
See also Gal. 3:28-29