Realized Millennialism

 I can't buy all that some postmill authors such as Greg Brahnsen say. Greg Bahnsen writes, "Thus we conclude that Reformed theology was launched with a postmillennial perspective, a heart-felt confidence in the promises of Scripture to the effect that Christ would subdue the whole world with the gospel. The dogmatics, commentaries, and prayers of Calvin form a beautiful and orchestrated presentation of an eschatological hope which would become a doctrinal distinctive and motivating power throughout the history of Reformed Christianity." But Calvin did not write on Revelation and I feel that Brahnsen is reading into Calvin's writings for his own viewpoint. Kim Riddlebarger says that amil is historical and so the opposing camps can claim any position from history when in history the terms postmil and amil were not used.

The choice between postmil and amil has been the underlying topic of this blog and finally I want to come out with my choice. I feel comfortable with amil, or "realized millennialism" after much reflection and reading Jay E. Adams' "The Time is at Hand" pictured here. It just doesn't seem that every day the world is getting better and better and that Christianity is being heralded all over the globe. 

Both postmil author Gentry and amil author Adams point out that Revelation had to have been written before 70 AD and here is where Adams gets his "realized millennialism". The kingdom of God is at hand we read in Revelation, happened shortly, and most (Rev. 1-19 and some of 20), but not all, of Revelation has happened.

Christ is on the throne on high and remains there until he puts all enemies under Him--with the last enemy being death, defeated at His second coming. This kingdom of God, the millennium which is only mentioned once in Scripture, really means an extended period. Christ can come at any time, and doesn't have to wait for the earth to be Christianized as postmil believe. This is my conclusion. Even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly.

Criteria for Picking a Viewpoint

Could I possibly pick a viewpoint? At the beginning of 2009 I was leaning towards Parital Preterism/Postmillennialism after attending a conference in the fall of 2008. Now I am not so sure I want to be dogmatic about any viewpoint. I just want the blessings of studying Revelation.

The Reformers cried, "Sola Scriptura!" Strangely they did not get into this debate. Calvin and Luther were mild, not wild about their Amillennialism. On the Pilgrim Board I read where someone had asked R. C. Sproul about his viewpoints and he said that he was not a Dispensational Premillennialist, but saw positives and negatives about the three other views.

While listening to the Daily Audio Bible on my iPod yesterday, Brian Hardin read from Deuteronomy 4:2:, You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it; that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

I thought about Proverbs 30:5,6 which reads Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you, and you be found a liar.

Then of course there is the warning that ends Revelation about not taking away from Revelation nor adding to it. While it is so important to find prophecy in all of Scripture, I want to think about which eschatology viewpoint adds to Scripture.

Israel in Prophecy or Just in the News This Week?

Chief amillennial spokesman Kim Riddlebarger writes in "A Case for Amillennialism": "Much like modern dispensationalists expect Jesus to reign over the nations in the future millennial kingdom, the Jews expected the Messiah to establish a political kingdom whereby Israel would rule over the Gentile nations. This explains why the Jews rejected Jesus as their Messiah. The New Testament, however, equates Israel's restoration, prophesied in the Old Testament, with Jesus' kingdom--a kingdom not of this world (John 18:26)."

He writes earlier in the book: "Another significant eschatological theme in the Old Testament is the promise that the nation of Israel will be gloriously restored in the distant future. Leading dispensationalists believe these prophecies refer to national Israel even though the authors of the New Testament apply them to the church."

Meanwhile I wonder how dispensationalists this week take Secretary of State Clinton's encouragement of two states for Israel and Palestine.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5840294.ece

Still wondering how it will all turn out and grateful for my faith, that is faith, that doesn't have all the answers.