BeFree Church: Barrington

Jesus was emphatic the time of His return cannot be calculated:

- like a thief in the night, totally unexpected
Mat 24:23/1Thess 5:2/2Peter 3:10/Rev 16:15

- like lightening at night, powerfully displayed, seen by everyone
Matt 24:27/Rev 1:7

American Dispensationalism: The Prescription Lens Popularized

God has two distinct people and programs: national Israel and spiritual Church
A literalist interpretation of OT prophecy and Revelation
Church is raptured before a literal 7yr Tribulation (enjoys marriage feast of Lamb)
God uses the Tribulation to bring Israel to faith in Jesus as Messiah
Jesus returns at end of 7yrs to destroy Antichrist and establish 1000-year reign
During the literal 1000-year rule, God fulfills OT prophecy to Israel re: Temple worship
At end of 1000-year reign, Satan loosed for final rebellion
A great white throne Judgement and lake of fire
God creates a new heaven and earth

History: A New Kid in Town
Dispensationalism rose from the Plymouth Brethren in England in early 1800’s.
Popularized in America by John Darby and C.I. Schofield Bible mid 1800’s, evangelists late 1800’s.
20th century rise of seminaries, bible colleges, radio preachers, conferences, books popularize the view

Critique
- Old Covenant Israel as priority over the New Covenant Church
- The Return of Christ and Rapture of Saints are Contemporaneous (same event)

Historic Premillennialism: The Earliest Lens the Church Had

Jesus Christ and His New Covenant People: the Church fulfill OT prophecy to Israel
The return of Jesus and the rapture of believers living and dead are same event
The Great Tribulation and final Antichrist is a period of time just prior to Christ’s return
The Church will go through the Tribulation and God will turn hearts of Israel to Christ
Jesus returns to establish the Kingdom of God on earth for literal or figurative 1000 years
God judges the living and the dead, cast Satan and death and unrepentant into hell
God creates a new heaven and earth

History
The Didache 125 AD - a time of antichrist, tribulation and Christ’s return
Shepherd of Hermas 150 AD - persevering through the time of tribulation
Justin Martyr 150 AD - be prepared for tribulation hoping in Christ’s return
Irenaeus 170 AD - tribulation will purify the church as it waits for Jesus

Critique
What about the Scripture that teaches at the return of Christ:
- all people will face the one final Judgement Mt 13:41-43
- an immediate Judgment for eternal reward or punishment Mt 25:31

Amillennialism: The Majority Lens of Biblical Scholarship

The NT has interpretive priority over the OT (NT explains OT)
No future 1000 yr earthly reign, Christ now reigns on earth in Church
The Church age between Resurrection and Return of Jesus is Kingdom of God
Revelation 20 is a symbolic description of the church age not futuristic
The Church is the new Israel, all promises and blessings are fulfilled in Christ
The Church age is in the end times tribulation with many antichrists until a final one
Christ’s return will simultaneously accomplish many things mentioned in Scripture:
- The Church meets Jesus in the air,
- Jesus vanquishes the forces antichrist, Satan, death,
- the resurrection of all unbelievers to final judgment
- the creation of new heaven and earth for God’s people

History
After the writings of Augustine 5th century amillennialism became predominate view of eschatology.
The legacy of the 16th century Reformation and reformed theology continues to hold an amil view.
The primary view of European Christianity and scholarship
Current resurgence of amil view in American evangelical seminaries and scholarship

Critique
Does the amil view rightly interpret the difficult passages of Scripture regarding the return of Christ as in Revelation 20?

So What?

“Christians need to remember the ultimate, “bottom line” purpose of biblical eschatology: to make us better Christians here and now.”
Doug Moo, NT professor TEDS/ Wheaton College