Theological Basis for Millennium: Part 3

In part one I gave Old Testament evidence for the defense of a premillenial belief and in part two evidence was given from a New Testament perspective. Below you will find a brief theological basis for the support of the premillenial view.

First, God would lose the war of history if Premillenialism is not true. God started by creating people in a literal paradise in Genesis 2. Everything was perfect and good. It had a specific location, which is thought to be between the Tigris and Euphrates (Iraq), which makes it even more interesting why there is always so much turmoil over there, but I digress. Unfortunately, they were kicked out by God for sinning and were condemned to die. The tempter won a battle here and brought death and fear upon mankind – Hebrews 2:14, “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil.”

If paradise lost is paradise gone then God has lost the war. If physical death is not defeated with physical resurrection then Satan obtains victory over God. If literal perfection is not gained then God has lost and His promises will not be fulfilled. Fortunately, God is immutable and omnipotent and will reverse the curse and have victory over Satan. He did this through Christ, who defeated death and was the perfect man. He does this through a literal resurrection and soon a literal reign during the millennium. He will continue to do this until death is actually defeated – 1 Cor. 15:24-27; Rev. 20:4-6.

History will not have consummation if Premillenialism is not true. Without a literal millennium then there is no real end to history. Ammillenialism sees history as just ceasing to be and never really having a climax. Premillenialism sees the millennium as the final chapter of history and not the first chapter of eternity. It is the time when sin, suffering and death will be overcome by Christ’s reign, 1 Cor. 15:24-25, literally.

Premillenialism actually adds urgency to evangelism of the world, especially those within your demographic of outreach. Knowing the imminence of Christ’s return creates an urgency to get the word out to the world. Knowing that Christ can come at any moment and that there are souls in eternal balance heightens the realization that this moment may be the last moment to reach someone for Christ. It is no coincidence that a large percentage of people who were part of the modern missionary movement were premillenial in their view: William Carey – 1761-1834, David Livingstone 1813-1873, John Wesley 1703-1791, D.L. Moody 1837-1899, Billy Sunday 1862-1935, Billy Graham 1918 –.

Premillenialism adds an incentive for Holiness. 1 John 3:2-3, “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” 2 Peter 3:10-11, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness.” If we do not know when Christ is coming, then we sure better be walking what we believe and be truly believing what we say.