AP

The Last Thing on my Mind

Who wants to talk about eschatology – it’s all too complex; it is not a salvation issue; respected Reformed theologians and others take different positions; so maybe we should just forget about it and wait until we get there. Well, let me try and shed some light at the end of the eschatological tunnel.

Boldly, I will confess to believing that Amillennialism is the simplest of the eschatological frameworks that are on offer. Furthermore, the Amill position seems to be the one that is most easily defended from Scripture.

Probably, most Reformed theologians are Amillers and those who aren’t are post-millennial. The question is: “Which model best fits the scriptural evidence?” The “a” at the front of the word translates “not’ as in asymmetrical or atypical. The predominant feature of the amill position is that the millennium mentioned in Revelation 20 is symbolic and not meant to be literal.

The sequence of events in the Amillennial timetable is as follows:

1. The Cross of Christ, followed by the Resurrection, Ascension, Pentecost, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and the binding of Satan) (Acts 2:1-4, Rev.20:2, Matt.12:29);
2. The period from the Cross to the second coming of Christ declared as the last days, the end of the ages, the church age (Acts 1:17; Heb.1:2);

3.   The destruction of the temple in AD 70 (Matt.24:1,2,15-28);

4.   The evangelisation of all the nations. (Matt.28:18-20.)  Satan is bound but still active in the world. He cannot stop the spread of the gospel to every nation (Rev.20:2, Matt.12:29).  This outreach will be predominantly successful, but the last days will be marked by outbursts of persecution of Christians. Heralding the second coming will be the mass conversion of the Jews (Rom.11:26), the elevation of the the man of lawlessness (the personified Antichrist) (2Thess.2:3,4), the release of Satan for a short period and a time of tribulation (Rev.20:7,8), and the battle between Gog and Magog (Rev.20:7,8, Ps.2:9);

5.    The return of Christ. Jesus will return from the clouds with those dead saints who have been with Jesus as disembodied spirits in Heaven and there be a general resurrection of believers and unbelievers when their spirits will be reunited with their bodies. Those believers who are alive when Jesus returns, will have their bodies changed, immortalised in the twinkling of and eye (1Cor.15:51,52);

6.  Jesus will now assert His authority over the whole earth and everyone in it. Believers and unbelievers will stand before the judgment seat of Christ, the Great White Throne and receive either their reward or punishment. (1Cor.3:14; 2Cor.5:10; Matt.25:21,22);

7.  Satan and his demons and all unbelievers will be cast into hell, the lake of fire. There will be degrees of punishment based on the nature of their offences and they will remain there for all eternity ( Luke 12:47,48);

8.   The deeds of believers will be made public, (Luke12:1-3), and rewards will be made appropriate to their actions. (1Cor.3:14, 2Cor.5:10) They will then enter the new heavens and the new earth prepared by God for those who have repented and placed their faith in Christ, and they will remain there for all eternity. The new heavens and the new earth will be both physical and spiritual in character.

Having said all this, the question arises: “How are we as Christians to view ourselves?” What does the Amillennial position contribute to our self-image? Anthony Hoekema calls himself an optimistic amillennialist, believing that church growth will progress in the church age, leading to the successful evangelisation of all nations. Yet sin remains, and the Apostle Paul describes himself as the worst of sinners (1Tim.1:15). There is a double-sidedness about life in this world.

Christians are both positive and negative with regard to their self-image, seeing themselves as children of God, having crucified the flesh (Gal.5:24), as temples of the Holy Spirit (1Cor.6:19), and seated with Christ in heavenly places (Eph.2:6). Yet we continue as sinners deserving of punishment (Rom.3:23). Neverthelss, our emphasis should be on the positive since this is where our true identity lies. (Gal.2:20)

The Amillennial position then encourages us to be optimistic whilst acknowledging that there may be turbulent times  for us to experience which may intensify before we reach our eternal home in the new heaven and the new earth that our heavenly Father has prepared for His children.  (Rev.21:1-4)

To God be the glory.

– Ron Norman