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SHORT ARTICLES BY TOM ELSEROAD
	2020-06-17	Why Pre-Millennial Theology Matters
		Premillennialism teaches that at Christ's second coming He will deliver the righteousness and judge the ungodly (1Th.5:2-4). The righteous will enter a period described as 1,000 years (Rv.20:2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7). Jesus will establish on earth His physical kingdom which will include a restored nation of Israel. Israel will recognize Jesus as her Messiah at this time. All nation swill worship Jesus as King and Lord. This will be a time of peace and righteousness. When we discuss the Millennial Kingdom we must begin in Revelation 19, not chapter 20. A-Millennialist do this all the time. This is important because the narrative context has a cause and effect action taking place. This is the victory of Jesus at the battle of Armageddon which will cause the defeat of the 3 enemies of God. Namely, (1) the beast [i.e., Antichrist]; (2) the false prophet; and (3) Satan. Satan's immediate punishment will be his binding in the Abyss for 1,000 years (aka, the Millennium). Allow me to offer 4 reasons why Pre-Millennialism theology is important. 1. Satan is not bound (limited) during the church age. Right now Satan is like a roaring lion (1Pe.5:8). When Satan is bound it will affect his activities (Rv.20:1-6). During the church age we take seriously the spiritual warfare from Satan and other demonic beings (Ep.6:12). Today, Satan's kingdom is this world (2Co.4:4). He is not bound. We long for our righteous Lord's return to defeat His enemies (Ps.2:9). 2. Pre-Millennialism considers the complex nature of God's dealings with His people just before Jesus returns. A-millennial theology sees Christ's return as a one day event where everything will suddenly be ushered into the eternal state. The pre-millennial view understands a complex and comprehensive whole in which God will fulfill His redemptive purposes through stages. God has used stages throughout human history. There was the pre-patriarchal period, then the patriarchal era, Israel, now the church age. Christ is going to be glorified when He returns, and there will be many things He will do which includes the Day of the Lord judgments (2Th.1:5-10). There is a complex series of events in bringing Israel to salvation. New heavens and new earth. Satan's final defeat. 3. Pre-Millennialism does not believe that the world will get better (Christianized) before Christ returns. Pre-Millennialism recognizes that the world is going to increase in wickedness (1Tm.4:1-3; Ti.3:1-5; 2Pe.3:3; Jd.1:17-18) Only Christ Himself will usher in the age of righteousness. Persecution will be so bad that many will apostatize (2Th.2:1-3) 4. Pre-Millennialism affirms the unconditional promises to national Israel God is going to remain faithful to His promises to national Israel. A-millennialism and post-millennialism deny a future for Israel as distinct from the church. Thus, they deny God's faithfulness to Israel. Or at best they re-define the promises and apply them to the church instead. Pastor Tom Elseroad

 

An Evangelical Free Church of America

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