Millennial Series: Part 3: Amillenniallism in the Ancient Church

Bible. org ^ | 1949 | John F. Walvoord

[wmfights]

I’ve spoken to many who don’t want to hear; many that do.

It seems to me that the tears God will wipe away were shed for those friends and family we tried to share The Gospel with who just refused to believe. All we can do is keep sharing The Gospel.

[wmfights]

There’s no way Israel will let them put them on missiles. Their very survival will be immediately at stake.

It sure does seem imminent, but we don't know.

[CynicalBear]

>> I think that as more and more eyes are closed, the prophecy is able to go forward.<<

It’s amazing to me how fast this country has fallen into total depravity. The lies that have been evidently believed by that masses is stunning. It is true it did have to happen for prophecy to move forward in that if more understood so much of what is happening today would not have been allowed.

>> Blindness seems to be spreading to the church as we are experiencing a falling away.<<

Indeed it is. It doesn’t seem to matter what denomination or sect either.

[CynicalBear]

>>A literal reading of Scripture has been devalued and I hate to say it, but Premillennialists have contributed to the problem by getting caught up in date setting.<<

If Satan can’t keep us from believing he will work to cause us to go beyond what is written. He is cunning. I’m not sure it’s those who set dates who discredit the view of Premillennialism but they do give an opening for the scoffers.

[wmfights]

If Satan can’t keep us from believing he will work to cause us to go beyond what is written. He is cunning. I’m not sure it’s those who set dates who discredit the view of Premillennialism but they do give an opening for the scoffers.

Look how the "scoffers" try to claim that Premillennialism is new. The claim is often made that this belief started in the 1800's, but just from the first three articles we see Premillennialism was the view held in the Apostolic Era and the century that followed.

At the very close of the second century and the beginning of the third we come upon the first bona fide amillennialists, Gaius (or, Caius) who wrote early in the third century; Clement of Alexandria, a teacher at the school there from 193 to 220; his pupil, Origen (185-254); and Dionysius (190-265). It was from these men that premillennialism suffered its first vocal and effective opposition. The nature of this opposition, its exegetical grounds, and the effect upon premillennialism are all significant.

What's even more stunning is how quickly the exegesis shifted as a State backed hierarchy emerged.

I don't think it's a coincidence that most of the conservative churches are premillennial and the liberal churches are amillennial. It's as simple as do you look first at the literal WORD, or do you spiritize it till it's lost all meaning. As you point out so well "If Satan can’t keep us from believing he will work to cause us to go beyond what is written.

[Seven_0]

As you point out so well "If Satan can’t keep us from believing he will work to cause us to go beyond what is written.

Rightly interpreting the parables is going beyond what is written. An example, just before the harvest you can tell the difference between the wheat and the tares. The wheat will bow down under it's own weight and the tare will stand tall. Its time to harvest.

Seven

[Iscool]

There is no question in my mind that the systematic theology of Premillennialists which places the literal understanding first and recognizes that GOD is not done with Israel is correct, but when we set dates we diminish our credibility.

Certainly we can't set a day and a month but we are told to not be ignorant of the times and seasons...

Mat 24:32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
Mat 24:33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
Mat 24:34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

[Iscool]

And there’s no way they’re gonna sit still when they do. There’s no way Israel will let them put them on missiles. Their very survival will be immediately at stake.

I have a feeling that Bibi is saying, 'oh, oh...I waited too long'...

An attack on Iran right now would be suicidal for Israel...But yet if they do nothing, it will be suicidal as well...

[Seven_0]

An attack on Iran right now would be suicidal for Israel...But yet if they do nothing, it will be suicidal as well...

It is not looking good for Israel especially since the United States has switched sides. They can't look to Christ for help before the rapture or they would be taken with the church. Interesting to watch.

[boatbums]

I think Dr. Walvoord does a great job of explaining how amillennialism was not the view of apostolic era Christians, or the century immediately following. The view held was premillennial.

Those who deny a one thousand year reign of Christ ON earth ruling the nations with a "rod of iron" have the burden of determining when to allegorize far more Scripture than the literalist does. The early believers were looking for an imminent return of Christ and was why Paul warned some in Thessalonika, who had sold everything they had and sat around waiting for Christ to come back, forcing others to work to feed them. He said, "If a man doesn't work, he shouldn't eat.". But I believe they ALL understood that Christ would return and would set up His millennial kingdom.

[boatbums]

And then, it will be on like Donkey Kong. Gonna need some European to negotiate a ‘peace deal’.

Yep...and it won't be "donkey ears" (Obama). ;o)

[ravenwolf]

Why do you believe the verses you noted popint to no millennial reign on Earth? Excuse me if I misread your post.

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I do believe that the ones who were in the first resurrection has lived an reigned with Christ a thousand years here on earth and were kings and priests.

[wmfights]

I do believe that the ones who were in the first resurrection has lived an reigned with Christ a thousand years here on earth and were kings and priests.

Do you think there would be some historical record of this reign on Earth?

[wmfights]

The early believers were looking for an imminent return of Christ and was why Paul warned some in Thessalonika, who had sold everything they had and sat around waiting for Christ to come back, forcing others to work to feed them. He said, "If a man doesn't work, he shouldn't eat.". But I believe they ALL understood that Christ would return and would set up His millennial kingdom.

Great point!

The Apostolic Era and the century that followed did not have any great controversy in it's millennial view. It was Premillennial. The thinking changed when the Alexandria school began to teach Amillennialism. The Supersessionists (the church has replaced Israel) preceded this and Amillennialism is a logical extension of this erroneous belief. Turning away from literal understanding first has been leading us to the great heresies we see today.