The End of Time

Topic

Introduction: Rev. 20:1-5 (There is a theory today regarding future events and end time events. This theory is called Premillennialism. It holds that Christ second coming is before (pre-) his thousand year reign on earth (millennialism). This view or a variation of this view is held by many denominations. Below is a brief sketch of elements of this view we will discuss in our study. The text in Revelation is often used to promote this idea. Please note it says nothing about Christ reigning on earth for a thousand years.)

A____B______C________________________________D____E

    A. This represents today on the above time line.

    B. This view alleges some time in the near future there will be a rapture (resurrection) of saints only out of this world, leaving sinners on earth. The following seven years will be a time of tribulation.

    C. This view alleges at the end of the tribulation the saints will return with Christ and fight the battle of Armageddon. This battle will set up Christ s thousand year reign on earth.)

    D. At the end of the thousands years, Satan is supposed to rebel for a little season.

    E. At the end of this little season the wicked will be resurrected and the world will be destroyed.

1. The Rapture: (The rapture is said to be a secret resurrection of saints only. Note how the Bible contradicts this.)

    A. Only One Resurrection: Jn. 5:28-29 (Jesus clearly taught there would be one resurrection of both good and evil. This contradicts the premillennial idea of at least two separate resurrections, one of good, the other of evil.)

    B. Only One Judgment: Acts 17:31, Mt. 25:31-46 (These verses picture only one judgment. The premillennial view has at least two judgments.)

    C. At One Time: Jn. 12:48, Jn. 6:39-40 (These passages says the good will be resurrected and the wicked will be judged on the last day. That is at the same time, not two separate times.)

2. The Tribulation: (The tribulation is supposed to last for seven years after the rapture. Note why this doctrine cannot be true.)

    A. The Day Of The Lord: I Thes. 4:16-18 (This passage says when we are resurrected with Christ, we will be with him forever, not for just seven years.)

    B. The Day Of The Lord: I Thes. 4:16-5:3, II Pet. 3:10 (These verses refer to the resurrection of the good and the destruction of the earth as happening on the same day, the day of the Lord. How can there be seven years tribulation on earth if it has been destroyed?)

3. The Thousand Year Reign: (At the heart of Premillennialism is the belief in a thousand year reign of Christ on earth. The following scriptures show this doctrine cannot be true.)

    A. Christ s Kingdom Not Worldly: Jn. 18:36, II Cor. 10:3-4, Lk. 17:20-21 (All these scriptures show that Christ s kingdom is not worldly. It is not established by carnal warfare such as the so called battle of Armageddon.)

    B. Christ s Kingdom Not Temporary: Lk. 1:33, II Pet. 1:11 (These and other passages show Christ s kingdom will be forever, not just a thousand years.)

    C. Christ s Kingdom Not Future: Mk. 9:1 (This passage says some of them wouldn t die until they had see Christ s kingdom come. Therefore the kingdom must have come in the first century.)

4. The Priesthood: (Premillennialism also holds the Levitical priesthood of Moses law will be established during the thousand year reign.) Zech. 6:12-13 (This prophesy says Christ would be priest the same time he would be king.) Heb. 8:4 (While on earth, under the Mosaic system, Christ could not be priest because he was not of the tribe of Levi. Therefore, he can t have a literal kingdom on earth with a Levitical priesthood.)