Renewal of All Things: Understanding the Millennium Perspectives

32. The Return of Christ and the Renewal of All Things

Introduction The Bible speaks of history moving to the return of Christ Delay allows for the preaching of the gospel to all nations Matt 24:14 [Jesus:] this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. The second coming of Christ will not be hidden but public Matt 24:27 [Jesus:] For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Christians are exhorted to live with hope, watchfulness & readiness Tit 2:13 - We wait for the blessed hope the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, Matt 24 - [Jesus:] 42 Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.... 44So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

The Millennium Rev 20 - 1And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. 2He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time. 4I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5(The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years. 7When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8and will go out to deceive the nations in the 4 corners of the earth Gog & Magog to gather them for battle.

Different Views of the Millennium 1. Historic Premillennialism Christ s return preceded by a great persecution (tribulation) & rise of the Antichrist Dead Christians are raised, and along with living believers are transformed Antichrist & his army are defeated, Israel is restored, & Christ rules for 1,000 years At end of 1,000 years, wicked are resurrected, the last judgement, & the new age 2. Dispensational Premillennialism Christ returns twice: first, to have a secret rapture of believers, and then, after the tribulation, he returns with believers to rule over all the non-believing nations He rules as OT theocracy with a restored temple from Jerusalem for 1,000 years Then, Christ defeats a revolt by Satan & non-believers; last judgement, & new age Both views have literalistic view of Revelation with many problems

Different Views of the Millennium 3. Preterism Rev 1-19 describes events that occurred in the first century Great persecutions and antichrist rule under emperor Nero Rev 20-22 describes events in the future when Christ returns Numerous problems in interpreting Rev 1-19 in this way 4. Amillennialism & Postmillennialism 1,000 years refers to time between 1st & 2nd comings of Christ Both see gospel advancing amid persecution until Christ s return Postmillennialism is more positive on gospel s impact on the world

Conclusion on Millennial Views Note: There are variations within each of these views Amillennialism appears to make the best sense of Rev. Symbolism of numbers (numerology) key to interpret Revelation 12 - allusion to 12 tribes & 12 apostles; 1,000 fullness of time, 6 the number of man (the beast is 666), 7 completeness, etc. Rev 5 is key chapter to understand the rest of the book Scroll with 7 seals in the right hand of God on his throne No one in heaven or on earth is worthy to open the scroll The Lamb who was slain is worthy to take the scroll and open it Rev 1-5: John s visions of heaven, and letters to 7 churches Rev 6-22 reveals what is now and what will take place later. Salvation history between the 1st and 2nd comings of Christ is revealed

A New Heavens and A New Earth Rev 21 - 1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, Look! God s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 2 Peter 3:13 - But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. God dwells among his people on the renewed earth The church is the new Jerusalem fully redeemed in new age

The Renewal of All Things: Consummation Rev 21-22 are highly symbolic: God is in the midst of his people, the new Jerusalem (21:3) The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple (21:22) All will live by the light of the glory of God and the Lamb (21:24) The water of life is the life-giving Spirit of God (22:1) The tree of life provides fruit for eternal life Its leaves heal the nations (22:2) God s redeemed people will see his face beatific vision His name on their foreheads owned by God & reflecting his likeness (22:4)

Characteristics of the New Age to Come 1. No more sin, suffering or death: end of fallen world & people [God] will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away (21:4) Isaiah 11:9 - They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea [See also Is. 65] Isaiah 2:4 - They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.

Characteristics of the New Age to Come 2. Humans are glorified, and their lives are greatly enriched What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, & what no human mind has conceived - the things God has prepared for those who love him (1 Cor 2:9) 3. The cosmos is fully redeemed Destruction of the world by appeal to 2 Pet 3:10? the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth & everything done in it will be laid bare. No basis for destruction of this world and a creation of a new one 2 Pet 3:6 refers to the world deluged and destroyed by the flood Jesus speaks of the renewal of all things (Matt 19:28) Rom 8:21 the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. Rev 21:5 - He who was seated on the throne said, I am making everything new!

Characteristics of the New Age to Come 4. Humans will rule over the renewed cosmos under Christ Psalm 8 - 4 what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? 5You have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings, and crowned him with glory and honor. 6You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet Heb 2:5-9 quotes Ps 8 stating that the world to come will be subject to Christ In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him (2:8) God s plan: renewed humans will rule the renewed creation under Christ Eph 1 8 With all wisdom and understanding, 9[God] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. Rev 22:3 The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.

Characteristics of the New Age to Come 5. Everlasting Union and Communion with Christ 1 Thess 4:7 we will be with the Lord forever Rev 21:3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, Look! God s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them & be their God Rev 22:4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads To see God s face is to experience the beatific vision direct encounter of God God told Moses that no one could see his face and live (Exod 33:20,23) But fully redeemed believers will be able to experience God in his glory God s name on their foreheads refers to: Ownership by their God they belong to him Reflect the likeness of the glory of God

Rev. 22: Live with Hope & Expectation Jesus encourages his people with these words: 12"Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. 13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. 17The Spirit and the bride say, Come! And let the one who hears say, Come! Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. 20He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God s people. Amen.

Thank you!