premillennialism – La Vista Church of Christ https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms Thu, 26 Mar 2026 22:25:25 +0000 en hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.4 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/cropped-LaVistaBanner-Copy-1-32x32.png premillennialism – La Vista Church of Christ https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms 32 32 157465916 Are the unsaved left behind? https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/are-the-unsaved-left-behind/ Thu, 26 Mar 2026 22:25:25 +0000 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=94795

Question:

Are the people who are not saved left here on earth when the event in I Thessalonians 4:17 occurs? Will they be burned up according to II Peter 3?

Can you help with this? Thank you.

Answer:

"But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words" (I Thessalonians 4:13-18).

To understand a passage, we must first understand why it was written. There were Christians in Thessalonica who worried that brethren who died would not make it to heaven since they would not be alive when Christ returned. There was a very strong Greek belief that once a person dies, he cannot return to life. This is why the Greek philosophers scoffed when Paul mentioned the resurrection of Jesus (Acts 17:32). It appears the Thessalonians accepted that Jesus arose, but they didn't realize that it meant they would rise as well. Therefore, in this context, Paul focuses on what happens to Christians after they die. What happens to the wicked is not under discussion.

It is an easy mistake to assume that if the wicked are not mentioned, they must not rise; however, we have to avoid assumptions. Our assumptions are not inspired and can easily be wrong. Jesus stated, "Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment" (John 5:28-29). There is a single moment ("an hour") when all will rise -- both the good and the evil. The good will continue on to life, and the wicked will face punishment. "But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats ... These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life" (Matthew 25:31-32, 46). God doesn't discuss multiple resurrections. At Jesus' coming, there will be a single resurrection, and, in the Judgment, the good and the bad will be separated for different destinies. "So just as the tares are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear" (Matthew 13:40-43).

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad" (II Corinthians 5:10).

]]> 94795 Will Christ Reign on Earth for a Thousand Years? https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/will-christ-reign-on-earth-for-a-thousand-years/ Sat, 23 Aug 2025 17:59:01 +0000 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=89638

by Samuel Matthews

Loved ones, the doctrine of Premillennialism teaches that, when Christ returns, there will be a resurrection of the righteous. Then there will be a seven-year rapture (the righteous taken to heaven) while there are seven years of tribulation on earth (during which the antichrist reigns).

At the end of the seven years, there will be a judgment of the saints, the battle of Armageddon, the kingdom will be established, the temple will be rebuilt, and the Jews will return to Palestine. Christ will return to sit on His literal throne for a thousand years. At the end of the thousand years, the wicked will be raised, and then the judgment (Read Revelation 20:2-7).

Basic elements of the doctrine…

  1. The kingdom is yet to be established.
  2. The kingdom will be a literal, material kingdom.
  3. Christ will come back and reign on a literal throne in Jerusalem.
  4. There will be a thousand-year reign of Christ on earth.
  5. The Jews will return to Palestine.

Let's consider several reasons why it is false to teach that Christ will reign on earth for a thousand years.

The Teaching Is Not in the Bible.

Quite often, those who believe in error will ask us to disprove their doctrine (which can be done). However, the burden of proof rests upon the one who believes a doctrine to prove it by the Scriptures.

We must believe and teach only what is found in the Bible. Paul made an appeal to believe and speak according as it is written (II Corinthians 4:13). Peter urged us to speak as the oracles of God (I Peter 4:11).

We must always check what we are taught against the Bible. Never accept what anyone teaches without checking it against the Bible. The Bereans were commended because they searched the Scriptures to see if what they were taught was so (Acts 17:11).

John wrote, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (I John 4:1). How that is done is revealed five verses later: “We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error” (I John 4:6). If the doctrine agrees with the apostles' teachings, it is truth; if not, it is error.

The doctrine that teaches that Christ will return and reign on earth for a thousand years is just not found in the Bible. Without biblical evidence, we cannot accept it as true.

The Kingdom Has Been Established

Premillennialists teach that the kingdom is to be established in the future. If we can show that the kingdom has already been established, then the doctrine is false.

Daniel prophesied that the kingdom would be established during the Roman Empire (Daniel 2:44). Daniel interpreted a dream that the Babylonian king had. Daniel told the king what his dream was:

“Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. This image’s head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, his legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king” (Daniel 2:31-36).

Then he explained the dream:

"Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold. And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth. And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise” (Daniel 2:37-40).

Four world empires were represented in the dream. They were: the Babylonian Empire (gold), the Medo-Persian Empire (silver), the Greek Empire (Bronze), and the Roman Empire (iron and clay). The prophet then said, "And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever" (Daniel 2:44). Thus, God’s kingdom would be established in the days of the Roman Empire. Therefore, it has already been established.

Some in the time of Christ would live to see the kingdom (Matthew 16:28; Mark 9:1). If the kingdom had come in the time of those then living, it would have already been established. If it has not come, there are some mighty old disciples still walking around on the earth.

Some in Paul's day were already in the kingdom (Colossians 1:13). These were translated from darkness into the kingdom of Christ. If they were in the kingdom, it has been established.

Jesus promised to build His church/kingdom (Matthew 16:18-19). The church and the kingdom have the same head. Christ is the head of the church (Colossians 1:18) and the king of the kingdom (Colossians 1:13). They have the same subjects and territory. People from all nations come into the church (Romans 1:5) and into the kingdom (Acts 2:39). The terms of entrance are the same. By the directions of the Holy Spirit, one is baptized into the church (I Corinthians 12:13) and born of the water and the Spirit to enter the kingdom (John 3:3, 5). The gospel is the law of the church (Romans 1:15-16) and the law of the kingdom (Matthew 4:23). The Lord's Supper is a memorial for the church (1 Corinthians 11:23-26) and in the kingdom (Luke 22:29-30).

Jesus used the terms "church" and "kingdom" interchangeably. "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" (Matthew 16:18-19). If I said, "l will build my house, and I will give you the keys to my dwelling," you understand that "house" and "dwelling" are the same. Why would Jesus build one thing and give the keys (terms of entrance) to something else?

Christ Is on David's Throne in Heaven

The throne on which Christ sits is in heaven. Daniel foretold that the Son of Man received a kingdom when He ascended to the Ancient of Days (Daniel 7:13-14). Furthermore, Christ would be a king and a priest on his throne (Zechariah 6:12-13). If He were on earth, He could not be a priest (Hebrews 8:4). Thus, if He were on earth, He could not be a king! The Psalmist said David's throne is established forever in heaven (Psalms 89:35-37, KJV).

Christ is on His throne now. Remember, He is a king and priest on His throne (Zechariah 6:12-13). Thus, He is a king and a priest at the same time. He is a priest now (Hebrews 4:14-15; 9:11). Thus, He is a king now. Peter's sermon declared that He is now sitting at the right hand of God (Acts 2:30-36).
If Christ is on His throne in heaven, then His kingdom is not in the future and here on earth.

The Second Coming Ends Christ's Reign

No one knows the day or the hour Christ will return (Matthew 24:36; Mark 13:32). He will come as a thief in the night (I Thessalonians 5:2; II Peter 3:9-10). When he does come, that will bring an end to His reign.

When Christ returns, His reign on His throne will end as He delivers the kingdom to the Father. Paul said, "But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death" (I Corinthians 15:23-26). The second coming ends His reign rather than begins His reign.

The earth and all things will be burned up at the second coming. Peter said, "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up" (II Peter 3:9-10).

There Is No Promise That the Jews Will Return to Palestine

The land of Palestine was promised to Abraham and his seed (Genesis 13:15; 15:18; 17:7-8). The premillennialists teach that the promise is yet to be fulfilled. The promise has been fulfilled. Joshua tells us that all the land was given as promised.

“And the Lord gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein. And the Lord gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the Lord delivered all their enemies into their hand. There failed not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass” (Joshua 21:43-45).

“And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof. Therefore it shall come to pass, that as all good things are come upon you, which the Lord your God promised you; so shall the Lord bring upon you all evil things, until he have destroyed you from off this good land which the Lord your God hath given you. When ye have transgressed the covenant of the Lord your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the Lord be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you” (Joshua 23:14-16).

The territory over which Solomon reigned shows that the land promise had been fulfilled (I Kings 4:21; II Chronicles 9:26). There is no promise in the Bible that the Jews will return to Palestine or that the land is theirs.

Revelation 20 Does Not Teach It

Those who believe that Christ will return to earth and reign in His kingdom for a thousand years appeal to Revelation 20:4 which says, "And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.”

This is signified (symbolic) language. The book begins with a note that it is written in figurative language (Revelation 1:1). Therefore, everything in the book should not be taken literally.

There are several aspects of Revelation 20 that are not to be taken literally. There is a bottomless pit and a great chain (Revelation 20:1), a dragon and a serpent (Revelation 20:2). If these are not literal, why should the thousand years be literal?

Things not found in Revelation 20: There are several things that would be part of the premillennial concept that are not found in this context. They include: the Second Coming, a bodily resurrection, the reign of Christ on earth, the Jews returning to Palestine, Christ's return to set foot on earth, Jerusalem, and a literal throne of David.

This doctrine cannot be established from Revelation 20:4.

Consequences

Every doctrine has consequences that the believer must accept or else give up the doctrine. Those who accept premillennialism face the following consequences.

  • Christ is not a priest now (Zechariah 6:12-13). If He is not king now, He cannot be priest now.
  • One cannot observe the Lord's Supper since it is for those in the kingdom (Luke 22:29-30).
  • One cannot be born again now (John 3:3, 5). If the kingdom does not exist yet, then one cannot be born again.
  • All are in darkness now (Colossians 1:13). Since one who is delivered from darkness is in the kingdom, and the kingdom is yet future, then all are in darkness now.
  • None are being converted now (Matthew 18:3). When one is converted, he enters the kingdom. However, if there is no kingdom yet, then none are being converted.

Through the free gift of God’s grace by Jesus’ blood (Ephesians 2:8; Revelation 1:5) and your obedient faith (Romans 1:5; 10:17; 16:26), salvation is offered.

If you have any questions or would like to comment, please don't hesitate to do so. Lord willing, a Bible answer will be provided for every Bible question. The God of Heaven and Earth is good, and His love reaches all. We love you with the love of the Lord (John 13:34-35).

]]> 89638 Get Right or Get Left https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/get-right-or-get-left/ Fri, 15 Aug 2025 19:06:12 +0000 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=89438

by David Gibson

The bumper sticker said, “Get Right or Get Left.” It had a Scripture reference to a verse which says, “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord” (I Thessalonians 4:17 NASB).

According to this theory

The premillennial view of the Rapture is that Christ will first come only for His own. The righteous dead will be raised, and they, along with the righteous living, will be caught up to meet Christ in the air.

The Latin translation of “caught up” in this passage is rapiemur, and it is from this word that the term "rapture" comes.

Many believe that when Christ comes, those who are unprepared will be left wondering what happened to all those who suddenly vanished into thin air! In other words, the bumper sticker means: Get right with God, or you will miss the Rapture and be left here on earth.

According to the Scriptures

“Get Right or Get Left” is clever, but is it scriptural? Indeed, Jesus is coming to claim His own, but on that same occasion, He will deal with the unrighteous. All the dead will be raised on the same day (John 5:28-29; 6:39-40; 12:48; Acts 24:15). The text referred to on the bumper sticker focuses only on the righteous at His coming. In other passages, Paul discusses the end of the wicked (I Thessalonians 5:1-10; II Thessalonians 1:6-10).

The Rapture has captured the interest of millions through dramatic novels and movies. Let’s make sure what we believe about His coming is really what His word actually says.

And above all, be ready!

]]> 89438 If the Kingdom of God Has Come … and It Has https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/if-the-kingdom-of-god-has-come-and-it-has/ Wed, 18 Jun 2025 17:23:56 +0000 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=87899

by Zeke Flores

If the kingdom of God has come — and the Bible emphatically states that it has — then the theory of premillennialism is heretical

King Jesus isn't coming back to establish His kingdom; He's already done it. His sacrifice has provided a once-for-all remedy for sin, and the Spirit has provided and preserved the word of God so we can know it and do it. His resurrection has emphatically declared His status as the Son of God. Furthermore, King Jesus reigns now as He sits at the right hand of God until the time when He terminates the earth, brings time to a close, and takes His saved ones home to heaven.

No, the next time He appears will be in the air and not on earth, and it will be for judgment; a judgment of salvation for some, and condemnation for others.

We had better be ready.

"He rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son in whom we have redemption" (Colossians 1:13-14).

"When Jesus comes, it will be 'to give relief to you who are afflicted' ... when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angles in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus" (II Thessalonians 1:8).

]]> 87899 The Rapture https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/the-rapture/ Thu, 05 Jun 2025 20:30:15 +0000 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=87505

by Mark Bass

In the last twenty to twenty-five years, we have heard a great deal about the rapture. In the de-nominational world, book after book has been printed dealing with this mysterious subject. Denominational preachers spend a lot of their pulpit time addressing this topic. Granted, such topics make for interesting sermons and books, but what does the Bible say on the subject? That should be our concern.

As I recall, I was in the ninth or tenth grade when a friend in school asked me if we (the church of Christ) believed in the rapture. I did not know what she was talking about, so I asked her to explain. She didn't know much more than I did about it, because she said it meant that Jesus would come back to earth at the end of time. In my ignorance, I asked her if she meant like the judgment, and she said "yes." I was too ignorant to understand the difference. Since that time, I have come to a better understanding of what the rapture is all about. But what are we talking about when we speak of the rapture?

Briefly speaking, the rapture theory says that one of these days (real soon), Christ is going to come silently and invisibly and will raise the righteous dead, and all the righteous living will mysteriously disappear (be raptured). Supposedly, they will disappear into thin air. The wicked dead will remain in the grave, and the wicked living will remain on earth. According to premillennialists, this will occur at the beginning of the seven-year tribulation.

This theory is based on I Thessalonians 4:16-17 (A most unlikely context to prove such a theory). In this text Paul says, "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."

In verse 17, notice the words "caught up." Rapture theorists say that the saints will be raptured or caught up at the return of Christ. How? It will be silent, invisible, and mysterious. Whoever came up with this idea had not read these verses carefully. In verse 16, Paul affirms that the Lord "himself" shall appear (that's a personal, visible appearance of Christ). Notice also that he shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God. That does not sound like Christ is going to come silently. As brother Wayne Jackson said, "That's the noisiest verse in the Bible!"

Notice also II Peter 3:10, where Peter is talking about the same day - the day the Lord will come again. Among other things, he says that "the heavens shall pass away with a great noise." Does that sound like a "silent" return of our Lord?

Furthermore, when Paul wrote Second Thessalonians (which was to correct some of the false ideas that brethren had gotten from his first letter), he said in II Thessalonians 1:7 (talking about the return of Christ), "And to you who are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels." Notice, Paul says the Lord will be "revealed." He will not come back invisibly, but He will be "revealed" - He will be seen. I Thessalonians 4:16 affirms that the "Lord himself shall descend." That sounds like a visible, personal appearance.

As you can see, the whole rapture concept is entirely false. The Bible never speaks of Christ returning to this old earth. It speaks of our meeting him in the air when he returns for judgment (I Thessalonians 4:17).

It's disheartening that many people have such a limited understanding of what the Bible clearly teaches on the subject of the end of time. As Christians, we need to study so that we can teach the truth on this subject. It doesn't take a lot of study to learn how to deal with these errors. The doctrine of premillennialism is much like a row of dominoes standing on end - when one falls, they all fall. Once you topple a couple of the dominoes of premillennialism, the others will soon follow.

Remember - the truth has nothing to fear! Remember - the truth has nothing to fear!

]]> 87505 The End-Times, David Jeremiah, and Pre-Misapplicationalism https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/the-end-times-david-jeremiah-and-pre-misapplicationalism/ Sun, 24 Nov 2024 22:14:35 +0000 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=80036

by Terry Wane Benton

It sounds like a very complicated subject (premillennialism), but it is complicated by a bunch of puzzle pieces put in the wrong places. The pieces selected are strung out in a series of misapplied events in the future. It would be like taking these six events and making them all part of a future plan:

  1. A Great Flood will come before,
  2. A Great Plague of Frogs, which will start
  3. A Thousand Year Reign of Christ in which
  4. a man named Joshua will lead us into the promised land, after which
  5. there will be the rise of four kingdoms, which will bring about
  6. the coming of the Messiah to destroy all of them and the earth.

All I have done in the above six points is string together random Bible topics and misapplied them. I randomly pulled six events from their context, some of which had already happened and some of which were still in the future, and I pretended that this was all part of God’s plans for our future. If you know nothing about the Bible and don’t care to study it, I can convince people that this is the last days and a Great Flood will alert us, signaling the last phase of earth's history. Some would object, saying that the Great Flood already happened, but some would find a verse in Revelation, say, Revelation 12:15, and show that the devil will cause a great flood in the future. It says the serpent will cause it. They could then say, “The book of Revelation tells us about a flood and frogs and a 1000-year reign.” But you don’t know the Book of Revelation, and these people seem to have it together, so they can easily deceive people with the above six misapplied Bible topics.

This is basically what has happened with the modern premillennial scheme. They have taken random topics, some of which happened already in the first century, and assembled an elaborate scheme that they tie together as near-future events. They talk of a great tribulation period, but that already happened before the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70. They have a “rapture” (caught up) happening, but that is at the end, not before a great tribulation period. They misapply Daniel’s 70th week and use that week as if it is still in the future. They look for signs from Matthew 24:1-34 (which were to be before the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70) and have people looking for these signs in modern times, which led to religious hysteria in the times of WWI and then the times of WWII and they never seem to learn their lesson about misapplied prophecy. So, in summary, what we see in “The Left Behind” series and in David Jeremiah’s books are assortments of misapplied prophecies. It is Pre-Misapplicationalism! “Pre” means “before,” “Misapplication” means that prophetic scriptures are misapplied, and “ism” means it is a doctrine based on an assortment of misapplied Bible topics.

Until we get our heads out of social media and get them into actual careful Bible study, we can think highly of people teaching misguided ideas, and we won’t know any better. That is how Satan captures religious people and gets them on course to hell while they think they are on course to heaven. Beware! Be like the Bereans and check it out by the scriptures to see what is and is not so (Acts 17:11). It does matter!

]]> 80036 Will the Tribulation Come After the Rapture? https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/will-the-tribulation-come-after-the-rapture/ Wed, 09 Oct 2024 21:14:04 +0000 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=70236

by Terry Wane Benton

Be careful not to assume that what you hear about the tribulation and the rapture is grounded in sound biblical exegesis. Reading into the Scriptures and twisting the Scriptures can mean destruction to you and others (II Peter 3:16). So, make sure you are not following someone blindly into the ditch. What often happens is that texts have been mishandled and forced into a doctrine far removed from the original context.

The modern teaching of the “tribulation” and “the rapture” are classic examples of biblical abuse and distortion. Add hype, fear, and imagination; the combination means the error can spread like cancer.

The “tribulation” was before the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70, and Jesus described it in Matthew 24:3-35. That context is about the temple in Jerusalem being destroyed in that very generation. The tribulation was the hard times leading to that destruction in AD.66-70. To take it out of that generation, that event, and that context and apply it to things happening now is a misuse of the Scriptures. There is no prophecy about a period of tribulation that marks out anything in our day. But, despite the context of Jesus’ words in Matthew 24, people today are looking at wars, earthquakes, and tribulations and applying those scriptures to modern events.

Incidentally, this misuse was done in every unsettling period. Misguided religious preachers looked at the events of WWI, WWII, the Gulf War, etc., and told people in those days that we were in “the great tribulation” or that we were about to enter it, and every time, they were wrong. They misused scripture that applied to the first-century destruction of Jerusalem and deceived themselves and others about modern events being foretold.

There is no “rapture” except being “caught up” when Jesus comes for His people at the end (I Thessalonians 4:13-18). There is no schedule of events to let you know when the final day of the Lord will catch His people away. The text says it will be at some unexpected time, “like a thief in the night.” (I Thessalonians 5:1-ff). So, in answer to the question, the tribulation Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24 already happened by AD 70, and the “caught up” of I Thessalonians 4:13-18 will have no precursor signs to warn us.

The doctrine of the rapture is false. It says there will be a secret snatching away of some while events go onward on the earth. This text says the coming will be heard and seen and lends no credence to the idea of raptured folk coming back here after seven years. When Jesus comes and takes His people home, we will “ever be with the Lord,” and the earth will be burned up (II Peter 3:7-12). There is no snatching away and then coming back here. So, don’t get caught up in the hype of misused scriptures.

The Lord will return and deliver those in His kingdom to the Father in heaven. No signs allow you to wait to get ready at the last moment. Get ready now because there will be no second chances. You must be wise with your time now. Either you know Jesus is worth getting ready for now, or death will catch you unprepared, or the coming of the Lord will catch you on the wrong side, the rejected side, which will not be good for you and those you influenced to be like-minded. Today is the accepted time to prepare to be on the winning team of the wise disciples of Jesus Christ.

]]> 70236 When Is the 1000-Year Reign of Christ? https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/when-is-the-1000-year-reign-of-christ/ Sun, 11 Aug 2024 01:42:53 +0000 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=69242

by Robert Harkrider
via Timberland Church of Christ

One of the most highly publicized teachings today in the religious world is the 1,000-year reign of Christ. Phrases such as “It’s a sign of the times,” “The rapture is coming,” and “The kingdom of God on earth is about to be established” are flung at people from every source of mass news media. Because of the excitement stimulated by premillennial prophets, many have been led to believe the Bible must teach it. However, the foundation of the premillennial concept is based on many misused passages, and its basic conclusions contradict many of the clear truths of the Bible.

Revelation 19 and 20 have been the paradise of the advocates of this doctrine. Indeed, it bristles with questions. When is the battle of Armageddon? What is signified by the 1,000-year reign? Why must Satan be loosed after he has once been sealed? Whatever answers we give, let us be certain they are consistent with the theme and purpose of Revelation, i.e., a relevant message for the first-century Christian (Revelation 1:1-2; 22:6,10). Furthermore, ensure we are not in conflict with the clear teaching of the rest of the Bible.

Remember the Curse for Adding to This Book (Revelation 22:18-19)

Things that Are Not Mentioned in Revelation 20:1-10

  1. This is the only chapter in the Bible that mentions Christ's 1,000-year reign. Because modern preachers emphasize this subject, one might think it is found more often in the Bible with clearer descriptions than herein.
  2. Premillennialists make many claims to justify their doctrine that are not even mentioned in this passage. We must not add more than is there! For example:
    1. It does not mention the second coming of Christ.
    2. It does not mention a bodily resurrection.
    3. It does not mention a reign of Christ on earth.
    4. It does not mention the literal throne of David.
    5. It does not mention Jerusalem of Palestine.
    6. It does not mention us. “They lived and reigned with Christ ....”
    7. It does not mention Christ on earth.
  3. On what grounds can we teach a doctrine from this passage that is not mentioned?

Is This to Be Understood Figuratively or Literally?

  1. The Book of Revelation is unlike any other book of the New Testament because it is written in signs and symbols. However, the premillennialist must interpret this chapter differently if there is to be a literal 1,000-year reign with Christ.
  2. The problem is in being consistent. Even the premillennialist wants some of the terms to be understood symbolically. For example, consider his problem if these terms are literal:
    1. Key
    2. Chain
    3. Bottomless Pit
    4. Dragon, that old Serpent
    5. Seal upon the Devil
    6. Souls of the Beheaded
  3. In this book, wherein numbers are used symbolically throughout, no rule of interpretation would justify making this number literal in Revelation 20. The number is a multiple of 10, which is the number meaning fullness or completeness. This reign with Christ indicates an unbroken and full period of rule.

Armageddon, the Battle of That Great Day of God Almighty

The “King of kings and Lord of lords” Comes Forth to Battle (Revelation 19:11-16)

  1. At this point in the Revelation letter, we are prepared to witness a great struggle. We have learned much about the power of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet (see Revelation 12, 13). We are now given a striking description of the strength of the King of kings.
  2. Christ is pictured riding a white horse and coming to judge and make war.
  3. The devil has also gathered his army to fight at a “place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon” (Revelation 16:12-16).

The Battle of That Great Day (Revelation 19:17-21)

  1. Like the 1000-year reign, “Armageddon” is mentioned in only one chapter of the Bible (Revelation 16:16). Like the 1000-year reign, its context indicates it is to be understood figuratively.
    1. If the battleground is a literal place, the generals fighting for the devil will look like frogs! (Revelation 16:13)
    2. Furthermore, there must be space for one of the armies to have 200 million horsemen (Revelation 9:16).
    3. There will also be a great river of blood 200 miles long (Revelation 14:20).
  2. Armageddon means “hill of Megiddo,” which was literally in the Valley of Jezreel, where many famous battles were fought. Historically, It stood as a famous battleground between the forces of good and evil.
    1. At Megiddo, Barak and Deborah overthrew the kings of Canaan (Judges 5:19); Gideon defeated the Midianites (Judges 6:33); Saul was defeated by the Philistines (I Samuel 31:8); Ahaziah died of Jehu’s arrows (II Kings 9:27); and here Pharaoh-Necho overthrew Josiah (II Kings 23:29-30).
    2. In Revelation, it stands symbolically for the battleground where the army of God finally clashes with Satan’s and overcomes.
  3. This place described in Revelation is not located on the Earth's maps. The battle is between righteousness and evil, and righteousness is the victor! The whole thrust of Revelation is to assure the saints of this victory and to keep them from giving in to the pressures of emperor worship (Revelation 16:15).
  4. The Battle of Armageddon was over when the persecuting Roman Empire fell, and the false emperor worship ceased. The beast and the false prophet were “taken” (Revelation 19:20-21).

The 1000 Year Reign of Christ Is Now Being Fulfilled

The Binding of Satan (Revelation 20:1-10)

  1. When Christ came and then arose from the grave, He bound Satan so far as limiting his power over sin and death (Matthew 12:28-29; Hebrews 2:14-15; Ephesians 4:8).
    1. Through Christ, we can now resist and be delivered from the power of Satan (I Peter 5:8-9; James 4:7).
    2. This does not mean sin came to an end, but the bondage of sin was broken, and men now choose which lord they shall serve (Romans 6:16-18,23).
  2. However, the binding of Satan in Revelation 20 describes the limiting of Satan’s power in yet another way. He shall never abolish the church! Revelation 20 occurs after the cross and during a period when the church is under severe persecution. At Armageddon, the beast and false prophet have been defeated (Revelation 19), and now the scene turns to the victory over Satan.
  3. This binding seems to represent the vindication of the cause of Christ in overcoming this Roman persecution. Never before nor since has the church been put under the severe test it suffered under this world rule, which tried to enforce emperor worship.

They Lived and Reigned with Christ for a Thousand Years

  1. The cause of Christ is vindicated, and the kingdom shall never be destroyed. This is “the first resurrection.“ Revelation was written when the cause of Christ was about to be crushed, or so it seemed. Those who refused to worship the emperor as Lord were being persecuted, some to the point of death. Instead of the cause for which they died being abolished, the persecutors shall be brought to an end, and the cause of the Lord shall be resurrected.
  2. Therefore, the first resurrection is the emergence of Christ's cause out of apparent defeat (like in Ezekiel 37:14). Those who participated in this period of struggle shall be joyously and victoriously rewarded (Revelation 2:7, 10, 11).
  3. The thrones John saw were occupied by those who had been beheaded for the witness of Jesus and the word of God. They had not worshipped the beast nor his image, nor had they received the mark of the beast.

Conclusion

The 1000-year reign of Christ taught in Revelation 20 represents a full and complete period of time now in progress. Neither Satan nor any other force can alter God's purposes (Hebrews 12:28).

]]> 69242 The Saving of Israel https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/the-saving-of-israel/ Mon, 13 Nov 2023 00:23:59 +0000 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=17459

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton

Text: Romans 2:17-29

 

I.         In these days of troubled times in the middle East, those who believe that physical Israel is central to God’s plans for the future have come to the forefront.

            A.        “Readers of the Bible know that the Book of Revelation tells of a time when Messiah himself will engage in unparalleled acts of warfare prior to establishing his rule from Jerusalem. (Revelation 19:21). The Bible also indicates Messiah will only return following the rebuilding of Israel's temple to the Almighty (Malachi 3:1, Ezekiel 43:2-5)” [Ryan Jones, JNW Headline News, 10/24/2005]

            B.        I recently received a letter scolding me. “How can you explain what is happening in Israel today? Is not Jerusalem, as God said it would be, become a cup of trembling, a burdensome stone? Replacement theologists such as yourself cannot possibly understand what is happening in Israel today except allegorically...which is how you must stretch the Scriptures to fit your Romanist view of God's chosen people (by whom He will show the fallen world His power and glory - the Jews). The defining line between true and false believers in these last days will be the stance that each takes on His people, Israel. ... Israel is blinded for a time, but Israel will never be relinquished by God (Romans 11), we Christians (thank God) are but grafted in to the vine, the Jews are the natural branches. Yes, they still require salvation by Jesus, but when the fulness of the Gentiles is brought in, God will concentrate His attention only on Israel. They will look upon Him whom they have pierced...He is their Messiah, although those who die without Christ are still lost. Please don't insult me with quotes of 'neither Jew nor Greek,' or of 'raising sons of Abraham from stones' - clearly, they rejected Jesus the first time, but they will not the second time. He will return to save Israel (real Israel, not your allegorical Israel) from annihilation, although only a third will survive - of these, all will receive Him and be saved. ... The promises to Israel are to Israel; the promises to the church are quite separate. God is very clear on this.”

            C.        He immediately sent a second letter apologizing for saying my teaching was unsound, but he still insists that “The promises to Israel are to Israel; the promises to the church are quite separate.”

            D.        A denominational televangelist, John Hagee, said that to suggest that the promises of God to Israel have carried over to the church is false doctrine. “We need to cease emphasizing respect for dead Jews like Abraham and David and honor living Israel today, the Jewish people.” To prove his point, he claimed Genesis 22:17 where God said, “multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven” referred to the heavenly Jerusalem or the church, but “as the sand which is on the seashore” meant the physical nation of Israel since sand and sea shores are on the earth. He went on to say that if he had a 28-foot chart and chalk, he could explain it all.

II.        Is it that difficult to understand?

            A.        There is no salvation outside of Christ

                        1.         Only through Jesus can men be saved - Acts 4:12

                        2.         Jesus is the way, the only way - John 14:6

            B.        There is no special favor toward physical Israel

                        1.         Lineage means nothing to God - Luke 3:8

                        2.         What is important is the heart, not physical things such as circumcision - Romans 2:28-29

                        3.         The Jews have been just as guilty of sin as the Gentiles - Romans 3:9-10

                        4.         The same gospel saves both Jew and Greek - Romans 1:16

            C.        Jews and Gentiles have been brought into one body

                        1.         Reconciled into one body - Ephesians 2:11-18

                        2.         The past mystery has been revealed - Ephesians 3:6

                        3.         There is only one body (Ephesians 4:4), and that body is the church - Ephesians 1:22-23

            D.        Equality in the body

                        1.         All were condemned under sin, so that belief could become the standard - Galatians 3:22

                        2.         The law, which created the nation of Israel, was only until the Seed should come - Galatians 3:19. That seed is Christ - Galatians 3:16

                        3.         The law preserved people until Christ came and then the law ended - Galatians 3:24-25

                        4.         Now, in Christ, we are all one - Galatians 3:25-28

                        5.         Thus, by belief – not physical lineage – we become descendants of Abraham - Galatians 3:29

                        6.         Hence, in writing to the churches of Galatia (Galatians 1:2-3), Paul pronounces blessings upon the Israel of God - Galatians 6:15-16

III.       The parable of the vineyard - Matthew 21:33-46

            A.        Notice what Jesus said. Because the Jews would kill God’s Son, the kingdom would be taken from them - Matthew 21:43

            B.        The Pharisees understood the parable was about them - Matthew 21:45

IV.      Did Paul say the Jews, as a nation, would be restored to God’s favor?

            A.        Was Israel completely rejected? Paul argues no, as he is living proof that some have been accepted - Romans 11:1

                        1.         God has always had a faithful core - Romans 11:2-4

                        2.         That has continued to the time of Paul - Romans 11:5-7

                                    a.         Notice that the elect now has God’s grace or favor

                                    b.         It is Christians who are the elect - I Peter 1:1-2; Colossians 3:12; II Timothy 2:10

                                    c.         Thus the remnant of Israel are those who became a part of the election of God in the church

            B.        The fall of the majority of Israel was necessary in order to bring in the Gentiles - Romans 11:8-11

            C.        But if their fall was hard, their return, if it happens, will be all that more glorious - Romans 11:12-15

            D.        The allegory of the branches

                        1.         Some, not all, of the branches were broken off - Romans 11:16-18

                        2.         They were broken off because of unbelief - Romans 11:19-20

                        3.         God treats the natural branches (the Jews) and the grafted branches (the Gentiles) equally - Romans 11:21-24

                                    a.         Unbelief brings removal

                                    b.         Belief brings reinstatement – even for the Jews who were broken off

            E.        The mystery is that even fallen Jews can be saved - Romans 11:25-27

                        1.         They are enemies, but concerning the election they can be beloved - Romans 11:28

                        2.         God’s gift are given equally. They cannot be revoked for one group - Romans 11:29

                        3.         God condemned all under sin that all can be shown mercy in the same way - Romans 11:30-32

            F.        Thus Paul said that not all Jews were lost at the changing of the covenant, because some through faith switched over to the church. The fall of the majority, though, showed their sins and allowed God to show equal treatment by accepting only those who believed, whether they were Gentile or Jew.

                        1.         Nowhere does Paul relegate this conversion of the Jews to the distant future. Nor does he state that their conversion is connected with Jesus’ second coming.

                        2.         Nowhere does Paul say it would be a complete conversion. He states that it was only if they believed.

                        3.         Nowhere does Paul state that God will ignore the Gentiles and focus only on the Jews.

V.        Can modern Israelites be saved?

            A.        Certainly! By the same manner we are saved - Galatians 3:25-29

]]> 17459 Were the Ten Tribes of Israel Really Lost? https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/were-the-ten-tribes-of-israel-really-lost/ Sun, 12 Nov 2023 20:32:05 +0000 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=7339

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton

Text: Ezekiel 37:15-28

 

I.         Hurlbut’s Story of the Bible: “As in their own land, the children of Israel had forsaken the Lord and had worshiped idols, so after they were taken to these distant lands, they sought the gods of the people of those lands and ceased to be Israelites; and after a time they lost all knowledge of their own God, who had given them his words and sent them his prophets. So there came an end to the Ten Tribes of Israel, for they never again came back to their own land, and were lost among the peoples of the far east.”

            A.        So many speak of the ten lost tribes of Israel.

                        1.         When Israel divided after King Solomon’s death. Ten tribes to the north followed Jeroboam and became known as the kingdom of Israel. The two southern tribes became known as Judah.

                        2.         The northern kingdom never faithfully followed God and eventually God sent the Assyrians in 722 B.C. to ransack the land. The people were led away into captivity.

            B.        Mormonism is founded on the belief that at least a portion of these ten tribes migrated over to America.

            C.        Some versions of premillennial theory are based on the ten lost tribes

                        1.         The belief is that these ten tribes were lost among the foreign nations.

                        2.         Since they lost their identity and did not return from captivity, it is believed that some of the Old Testament prophesies concerning them have not been fulfilled.

                                    a.         For example, Amos 9:14-15 is claimed to be unfulfilled.

                        3.         Hence it is believed to be fulfilled at some time in our future.

                        4.         The reason for the establishment of the current nation of Israel and the migration of Jews to that nation is suppose to encourage the fulfillment of these prophesies and signal the imminent return of Jesus to begin his millennial reign.

II.        When Judah returned from the Babylonian captivity, they did not come alone.

            A.        I Chronicles 9:1-3 - Notice in the roll taken on the return by Ezra are people of the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, two of the ten northern tribes.

            B.        Ezra 8:24-25 - Twelve priest carried the tribute from all Israel.

            C.        On their arrival in Jerusalem, 12 bulls were offered for all Israel - Ezra 8:35

            D.        When Ezra rebukes the people for marrying foreign wives

                        1.         Judah and Benjamin were listed as guilty - Ezra 10:9-10

                        2.         The Levites as well are listed among those pledged to put away their wives - Ezra 10:18-19

                        3.         But notice that it also included those of Israel - Ezra 10:25

            E.        All of this makes sense because God said that both kingdoms would return from captivity together - Jeremiah 3:18

III.       Some might object saying that Jeremiah 3:18 is a prophecy about the Christ

            A.        They might be right, but even if it deals with the time of Christ, notice that it still refers to both halves returning.

            B.        Many readers of the Bible missed the fact that several Old Testament prophesies had double fulfillment.

                        1.         For example Psalm 22 was written by David. It deals with his anguish as he is surrounded by his enemies.

                                    a.         The words have primary meaning to David and his situation.

                                    b.         Yet, at the same time they are prophetic of the suffering and death of Christ on the cross.

                                    c.         The words had both an immediate and future application.

                        2.         Another example is Ezekiel 34:11-13

                                    a.         It talks about God gathering his people out of their captivity.

                                    b.         Yet Ezekiel 34:23 is a prophecy about the great Shepherd, Jesus.

                                    c.         This is a two-part prophecy. The first speaks of the near-term return and the second part talks of a more distant event.

                        3.         Yet a third example is Ezekiel 37:15-21, which clearly states that God will join the divided nation back into one people.

                                    a.         Yet Ezekiel 37:22-24 obviously refers to the kingdom of Christ

            C.        If there were any doubt, consider Ezekiel 39:21-27

                        1.         Notice that God said he proves His power not only by sending Israel into exile, but also by returning them to their land.

                        2.         If the ten tribes did not return, then God’s promise was not kept and nothing was proven.

IV.      Further proof in the New Testament

            A.        Remember Anna, the prophetess? She was from the tribe of Asher - Luke 2:36-38

                        1.         Asher was one of the ten tribes

                        2.         People still traced their lineage to the tribes.

            B.        Luke 22:30 - Jesus spoke of the apostles judging the twelve tribes.

                        1.         Yes this is symbolic, but notice Jesus said twelve tribes and not two.

                        2.         All twelve were still known

            C.        Acts 26:7 - Paul said the twelve tribes were serving God night and day

V.        The ten tribes are not lost.

            A.        We are not waiting for God to return the ten tribes.

            B.        They didn’t wander off to the New World.

            C.        God had kept his word and restored them to their land.

            D.        God has always kept His promises - II Peter 3:3-14

                        1.         God has promised an end to this world and it will happen.

                        2.         Are you ready for that promise to be fulfilled?

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