Program 254
A New Look at Prophecy

Far from being a future, literal time period, the millennium is a symbolic time period stretching from Yahushua’s ascension to his return.

Welcome to WLC Radio, a subsidiary of World’s Last Chance Ministries, an online ministry dedicated to learning how to live in constant readiness for the Savior's return.

For two thousand years, believers of every generation have longed to be the last generation. Contrary to popular belief, though, Christ did not give believers “signs of the times” to watch for. Instead, he repeatedly warned that his coming would take even the faithful by surprise. Yahushua urgently warned believers to be ready because, he said, “The Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” [Matthew 24:44]

WLC Radio: Teaching minds and preparing hearts for Christ's sudden return.

* * *Part 1: (Miles & Dave)

Miles Robey: Amillennialism. What is it and is it true, or just another lie of the devil?

Hi, I’m Miles Robey and you’re listening to World’s Last Chance Radio where we cover a variety of topics related to Scripture, prophecy, practical piety, Biblical beliefs, and living in constant readiness for Yahushua, either in death or at his sudden return.

Today, Dave Wright is going to be sharing with us why he believes Scripture supports amillennialism. And, judging by his notes, we’ve got a lot of material to cover.

To start with, though, I’d like to clarify some terms. Dave? Could you please define for us what “amillennialism” is? I mean, the term is a bit confusing. Are you now saying that there is no millennium?

Dave Wright: No, I’m not saying that. Scripture itself repeatedly refers to a millennium, but it’s a fair question and I’m glad you’ve asked.

The prefix, a-, typically negates the word. For example, if a country is “apolitical,” they are neutral. If we say a person is “amoral,” that means they lack morals.

But that’s different with the word “amillennial.” The position here of amil actually signifies the millennium is “realized.” Or, to put it another way, “amillennialism” simply means “millennium now.” This is actually one of the oldest beliefs in church history, reaching back to the first century.

So to summarize: amillennialism views Christ’s first coming as the setting up of the kingdom of Yahuwah and his return as the consummation of that kingdom. This is a different kingdom from the one that shall last forever over which Yahuwah will reign. We’ll get into that in part 3 of today’s program.

Miles: So you’re saying we’re already in the millennium?

Dave: I’m saying that the millennium, like many other things in Scripture, is a symbol for the Christian era, stretching from Christ’s first coming until his return. So, yes. Satan was bound at the time of Christ’s death. Consequently, we are, even now, symbolically living and reigning with Christ during this time period.

So let’s dive into it. I believe by the end of today’s program, you’ll agree that amillennialism is the most logical, convincing, and biblically consistent position to take.

First, I want to give credit where credit is due. A pastor and professor by the name of Sam Storms wrote a book called Kingdom Come: The Amillennial Alternative. In there, he looks at the evidence for the millennium being a symbolic time period and it’s quite compelling. At the end of the book, he gives 30 reasons that support amillennialism. I don’t know if we’ll have time to get to all of them, but we’ll get to as many as we can.

Miles: What’s it called again?

Dave: Kingdom Come: The Amillennial Alternative by Sam Storms. I know it’s in English; I don’t know if it’s been translated into other languages yet or not.

Okay. One reason I believe amillennialism is true is that it’s the best explanation for all of the types used in Scripture.

Miles: What do you mean?

Dave: Well, a “type” is a symbol of a reality that is still future. It points forward to it. An “anti-type” is the reality that the types point toward to.

Miles: So the sacrificial lambs were the “types” and Yahushua, as the Lamb of Yah, was the “anti-type.”

Dave: Correct. And that’s just one type-and-anti-type that you find in Scripture. There are a lot more. The Old Testament is filled with not only symbols (such as the lamb sacrifices) but also with people and even events that are all types pointing forward to a fulfillment during the life of Christ and the early years of the gospel going to the world. Amillennialism is the best explanation for that. It’s consistent.

Speaking of which, another reason I believe in amillennialism is that it makes the most sense for why the prophecies of the Old Testament are fulfilled in:

• Christ
• In his life
• In his death
• In his followers,
• And in his body, the Church of called out ones.

Miles: Are you saying, then, that the promises of a glorified Israel do NOT point to the restoration of Israel as a nation in a literal millennium, ruling over the gentiles, but are promises to believers?

Dave: To Yahushua and his new covenant people.

The apostles understood this. Turn to Galatians 3 and read verses 16 and 29. We don’t have time to read the whole thing, but these two verses really make it clear. Galatians 3, verses 16 and 29.

Miles:

The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ.

If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Dave: You can’t get clearer than that. “The promises were spoken to Abraham and his seed . . . who is Christ.” And if you’re Christ’s, then you’re Abraham’s seed and heirs of the promise.

The Jews like to think that the promises are just for them, but we have right here in Scripture that the promises made to Abraham—and by extension, Israel, because Israel is Abraham’s seed—are actually promises made to Christ and believers.

Miles: Like Paul says in . . . I think it’s Romans: believers are grafted in.

Dave: Yahuwah’s promises have always been for the obedient. So, it makes sense that they would be fulfilled in believers rather than in Jews—actual descendants of Abraham or otherwise—who persist in rejecting Yahuwah’s Messiah.

And this brings me to my next point: When you read through the Old Testament prophecies, it quickly becomes apparent that the prophets were describing the future using imagery taken from their culture and the world around them.

Miles: Okaaay?

Dave: To put it another way, they revealed Yahuwah’s purposes for the future—which are very real promises—by describing what a perfect world in Palestine would look like. They didn’t describe what perfection on the steppes of Russia would look like. They didn’t describe the Pampas of Argentina or the African savanna. Instead, the prophets described it drawing on the animals and plant-life of Palestine. That’s what they and their audience were familiar with.

Miles: That’s interesting. And that seems to underscore that Yahuwah’s plans are for a very real future in a very real world. What I mean is, sometimes the promises are explained away so much that people get this mental image that the future is nothing more than sitting around on fluffy clouds, strumming harps. But you’re saying the prophets were describing a very real future in the earth made new, taken from their perspective in the Middle East.

Dave: Yes.

Now. Another point that gets overlooked is that when the Old Testament says that Yahuwah will recreate the earth to usher in a glorious future, it never . . . I’m going to repeat that . . . never says that this comes after a thousand-year time period.

Miles: Really? Not a single time?

Dave: Not a single time. Turn to Isaiah 65 and read verses 17 to 22 for us, please.

Miles:

See, I will create
new heavens and a new earth.
The former things will not be remembered,
nor will they come to mind.
But be glad and rejoice forever
in what I will create,
for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight
and its people a joy.
I will rejoice over Jerusalem
and take delight in my people;
the sound of weeping and of crying
will be heard in it no more.

Never again will there be in it
an infant who lives but a few days,
or an old man who does not live out his years;
the one who dies at a hundred
will be thought a mere child;
the one who fails to reach a hundred
will be considered accursed.
They will build houses and dwell in them;
they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
No longer will they build houses and others live in them,
or plant and others eat.
For as the days of a tree,
so will be the days of my people;
my chosen ones will long enjoy
the work of their hands.

Dave: Again: a very real world in a very real future is being described here. There’s nothing symbolic in this passage and nowhere in the entire chapter does it say this comes after a millennium.

This is consistent with the description of the New Earth given in Revelation 21 and 22. Again: no mention there of a millennium.

Miles: What about Revelation 20? John sees an angel come down from heaven. He binds Satan for a thousand years. Isn’t this arguable a millennium that precedes the New Earth?

Dave: Why don’t you go ahead and turn there and read that for us? Revelation 20 and start with verse 1.

Miles:

Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while. [Revelation 20:1-3]

Dave: When you read through the descriptions of the New Earth, it’s clearly using very literal language. By contrast, this is using symbolic language. A dragon, cast into a bottomless pit with a seal set upon him. This is all symbolic. It’s explaining that the devil’s power to deceive is largely removed during this time period, but to take out that one element—the thousand years—and say that it’s literal when everything else in this passage is symbolic, is inconsistent.

After Christ’s death on the cross revealed the depths of Yahuwah’s love for the human race, Satan’s lies, his hold on the minds of men, has largely been broken. He can’t deceive to the same extent he could before.

Miles: Yeah, I can see that. I’ve been confused before about some of the things people believed about Yahuwah in the Old Testament. Take the book of Job, for example: how could people believe such things of Yahuwah as Job’s friends did?

Dave: Well, Yahushua hadn’t died yet. Satan’s power to deceive, to twist the truth, was much stronger then than it is now.

Another reason I believe amillennialism makes more sense is that it provides a clearer and more logical explanation for salvation history that is consistent with the New Testament.

Miles: How so?

Dave: With amillennialism, Death—physical death—ends at Yahushua’s return. This is consistent with Scripture.

Premillennialism, on the other hand, tries to say that physical death occurs after Yahushua’s return. This contradicts clear statements in Scripture.

What does Isaiah 25 verses 7 to 9 say? Here, he’s describing the end of death caused by sin. Go ahead.

Miles:

On this mountain he will destroy
the shroud that enfolds all peoples,
the sheet that covers all nations;
he will swallow up death forever.
The Sovereign Yahuwah will wipe away the tears
from all faces;
He will remove His people’s disgrace
from all the earth.
Yahuwah has spoken.

Dave: This is consistent with what Paul states in 1 Corinthians 15 verses 51 to 54. Read that next.

Miles:

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

Dave: You can’t have death swallowed up in victory at Christ’s return . . . and then have people—the wicked along with Satan and his angels—destroyed a thousand years after Christ returns.

Miles: Huh! That’s a new thought to me. I never really thought about it before, but you’re right. If Yahushua’s return is the event that brings about a cessation of death, you can’t have more death a millennium later!

Dave: Exactly. And Paul is very clear on this point. He actually quotes Isaiah 25. Verse 8 says, “He will swallow up death forever.” Paul says: “When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.’” He’s referring back to Isaiah 25 verse 8.

Miles: Yeah, I see that. In my Bible, it even has that as the marginal reference.

Dave: Paul clearly places this victory at the time of the Second Coming. The significance is huge: this means that no physical death can occur after that point in time. To say the judgment occurs after that, that Satan and his demons and the wicked are destroyed after that, is to contradict the clear outline of events as presented in Scripture.

What else does Isaiah 25:8 say that Yahuwah will do at the time death is destroyed?

Miles: Uhhh … “The Sovereign Yahuwah will wipe away the tears from all faces”?

Dave: Where else do we find that action described?

Miles: Um, Revelation?

Dave: Correct. Revelation 21, which is a prophecy of the New Earth. Revelation 21 verse 4 says, “And [Yahuwah] will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

Now what makes this such a compelling argument in favor of amillennialism is that Paul reveals Isaiah 25:7 to 9 is to be fulfilled at the Second Coming of Yahushua. You combine that with Revelation and you see that the “new heavens and the new earth” also “come” when Yahushua does, not a thousand years later.

Miles: Death is destroyed, the earth is made new, and Yahuwah wipes all tears from our faces at the return of Christ.

Dave: Yes. That is the timeline laid out in Scripture. We’ve extrapolated from the symbolism of Revelation 20 and inserted a thousand-year time period in there but, when you take Scripture just as it reads, that’s not what the Bible teaches.

Death is destroyed with the return of Yahushua. After his return, history as we know it is over. A new epoch begins with the righteous inhabiting the earth made new. Yahushua’s return is a … um, an “event horizon,” if you will, beyond which neither sin nor the consequences of sin (which is death) can reach. This is what Scripture clearly states, and this is why I am an amillennialist.

* * *

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* * *Part 2: (Miles & Dave)

Dave: I know that amillennialism is a new concept for many. Most Christians believe in some form of literal millennium. The disagreement is on when it occurs. Some people believe Christ takes believers back to Heaven for a thousand years, after which Satan and his angels as well as all of the wicked will be judged and sentenced.

Miles: I’ve been believing that the millennium was the first thousand years after Yahushua’s return during which sinners would have one final chance to repent.

Dave: I believed that, too, right up until I took a long, hard look at the evidence.

The problem with that, though, is that each of those beliefs requires the existence of sin and sinners past the return of Christ and, depending upon the individual belief, in some cases it pushes back the recreation of the earth to after a literal millennium as well.

Well, there’s a problem with both of those beliefs: they contradict Scripture.

Let’s take a look at Romans 8. Paul links the recreation of the earth with the restoration of our bodies. Read Romans 8 verses 18 to 23, please.

Miles:

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of [Yah]. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of [Yahuwah]. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.

Dave: Just as the whole of creation is suffering the consequences of sin, so are we. We eagerly await … what?

Miles: “The redemption of our body.”

Dave: And when does that occur? At the Second Coming? Or a thousand years later.

Miles: When Christ returns.

Dave: 1 Corinthians 15:51 to 52: “We will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”

Our bodies are transformed at the Second Coming and, according to Romans 8, it’s then that the earth is made new, too. Sin cannot exist in the holy atmosphere of the earth made new.

And it’s not just Paul saying this. Peter concurs. Turn to 2 Peter chapter three and start with verse 8.

Miles: “But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” [2 Peter 3:8-9]

Dave: He’s saying, “Don’t take this time period literally. To Yahuwah, a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years are like a day.” How can you take that literally?

Okay. Go on. Verses, um … verse 10.

Miles: “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.”

… You want me to keep going?

Dave: Yeah, uh … through verse 13.

Miles:

Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of [Yahuwah], because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

Dave: The “new heavens and a new earth” are here clearly linked to Yahushua’s return. At his return, the present heavens and earth will be dissolved, “being on fire,” Peter says. I would guess it has to do with the pure energy flowing from holy beings. There’s nothing left! It’s been destroyed.

Miles: That’s a good point. There’s nothing here that suggests there’s anything left at all. So, of course you’d need the earth to be recreated immediately or else what are you going to live on? What’s the holy city going to rest on when Yahuwah brings it down from Heaven?

Dave: Exactly. There’s nothing here to suggest that a thousand years of nothing but ash must occur before the earth is made new. In fact, just the opposite.

Peter says we “look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” If the millennium were a thousand-year time period following Christ’s return in which sinners would be given a final opportunity to repent, it couldn’t honestly be said that righteousness was dwelling then, could it?

Miles: Not really.

Honestly, you’re making me feel a bit foolish for ever believing that.

Dave: No, that’s not necessary. I did, too, for a while. All any of us can do is to live up to all the light we have, but this underscores why it’s important to keep on studying. None of us should ever “rest on our laurels” and decide we’ve got all the truth available–

Miles: Or sufficient truth to be saved.

Dave: We’re going to be learning for all eternity! In this life, we’re just scratching the surface, but we do need to keep studying, keep considering new ideas; digging for new layers of truth.

Miles: Would you say that the amillennialst stance is superior to the premillennial position because premillennialism—the belief that Yahushua comes before the millennium—claims that sin and sinners exist during that time?

Dave: Absolutely. As we’ve seen from Scripture, this belief—which I was raised believing, too—actually contradicts very clear statements from Scripture. Sin ends with Christ’s return. Sinners are no more. They’re not even destroyed only to be resurrected a thousand years later for punishment. It’s over. Fini. Done. So, in that amillennialism is consistent with Scripture and premillennialism is not, yeah. I’d say amillennialism is superior.

And here’s another point: only amillennialism is consistent with Yahushua’s teaching that the resurrection of the lost occurs at the time of his return, not a thousand years into the future.

Miles: Where do you get that from?

Dave: It’s in John 5. Let’s read it. John 5 verses 28 and 29. The context is that Yahushua is explaining the Father has committed the work of judgment to the Savior. Go ahead: John 5 verses 28 and 29.

Miles: “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.”

Dave: That’s good. Do you have another translation you can read it in?

Miles: Sure! Give me just a sec . . .

“Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.”

Dave: So the wicked dead are raised at the same time as the righteous dead. There is nothing, anywhere in Scripture, that points to yet another resurrection, a second resurrection, a thousand years after the first. But that’s what premillennialism teaches.

And this brings me to my next point. If you believe in premillennialism, you must believe that the judgment and destruction of sinners occurs a thousand years after Yahushua’s return. The problem with this belief is that it contradicts the Bible.

What does 2 Thessalonians 1, verses 6 to 10 say? And as you read, I want you to notice just where Paul places the judgment and destruction of the wicked in the timeline of events.

Go ahead.

Miles:

[Yahuwah] is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Yahushua is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know [Yahuwah] and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Yahushua. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.

Dave: Paul lays it right out: the wicked are “punished with everlasting destruction … on the day he comes.” If Christ’s return were to be followed by a thousand years and then another resurrection and the punishment of the wicked, this would have been the place to give that information, but that’s not what he says. Instead, he says the wicked are punished on the day he comes.

You can’t get any clearer than that.

Miles: How come we never saw this?

Dave: It’s really easy, when studying Scripture, to gloss over anything that doesn’t fit your paradigm. We do it without even realizing it. This is why we need to keep studying.

Yahushua taught this, too. Turn to Matthew 25. Here, Yahushua is describing the judgment day when he returns. Start with verse 31.

Miles: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.”

Dave: This is describing the judgment: the separation of the sheep and the goats, the wheat and the tares, the righteous from the unrighteous. When were the wise and foolish virgins separated? After the wedding supper?

Miles: No. When the bridegroom arrived.

Dave: It happens when he returns. Matthew 25 is the passage where the righteous ask, “Lord, when did we see you hungry, and naked and in need?” And he says—

Miles: “In as much as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you’ve done it unto me.”

Dave: And when the wicked say, “When did we see you sick, or hungry, or thirsty and didn’t help you?” what does he say? Verses 45 and 46.

Miles: “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

Dave: “Then.” At that time, they will be punished. And when does Yahushua say this will occur?

Miles: When he returns.

Dave: That’s right. Not a thousand years into the future. When. He. Returns.

Now. When Yahushua returns, what does he do? What’s his work?

Miles: Well … he sets up Yahuwah’s kingdom on earth.

Dave: Right! Now, if you’re a premillennialist—if you believe Yahushua comes before the millennium, you’ve got a problem because in 1 Corinthians chapter 15, Paul gives us a very important caveat. Let’s read it. Turn again to 1 Corinthians 15 verses 50 to 57.

Miles: “I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.” [Verse 50.]

Dave: Okay, that’s the context. That’s the foundational statement on which this entire passage rests. Keep reading. Verse 51.

Miles:

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound,the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to [Yahuwah]! He gives us the victory through our Lord Yahushua Christ.

Dave: All believers are familiar with this passage. We quote it whenever we preach on the Second Coming. But the foundational statement is that none of the wicked, none of the lost, shall see the kingdom of Yahuwah.

Now, put that together with what else we’ve learned today: The heavens and the earth are destroyed by fire at Yahushua’s return. That’s when the wicked are destroyed. There’s nothing left. That’s why Yahuwah, at that point in time, recreates the heavens and the earth and then Yahushua sets up Yah’s everlasting kingdom. This is a different kingdom from the one Yahushua set up after his ascension. The symbolic millennial kingdom has Christ and believers ruling. It ends at Christ’s return when Yahuwah’s everlasting kingdom is set up. We’ll get more into that later.

For now, just note that there’s definitely a timeline of events, but none of the wicked survive the destruction of the earth by fire to see the earth made new and the setting up of Yahuwah’s kingdom. They certainly aren’t resurrected a thousand years later!

But with premillennialism, that’s exactly what you’ve got.

Miles: Ohhhh! It just struck me: amillennialism actually answers a question I’ve had as a premillennialist, and that is: what’s supposed to happen to believers—sinners who repent—during the millennium on earth? Those who believe Yahushua will reign on earth for a thousand years believe the Old Testament teaches that repentant sinners will die during the millennium.

Soooo . . . what then? As you’ve said, Scripture doesn’t teach a second resurrection. It happens at Christ’s return and at no subsequent time.

Amillennialism takes care of that problem: there aren’t two resurrections, and no one dies only to be resurrected a thousand years later, after Christ returns.

Dave: As you can see, amillennialism is the only way to reconcile these very clear statements of Scripture regarding the events that take place at the time of the Second Coming.

We’ve got to quit reading into Scripture what isn’t there.

Miles: We really do.

We’re going to take a quick break and then let’s look at some more evidence when we return.

We’ll be right back.

* * *

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* * *Part 3: (Miles & Dave)

Miles: Based on your study, what would you say is the greatest argument in support of the millennium being a symbolic time period, rather than a literal thousand years following Yahushua’s return?

Dave: That’s a good question …

I guess I’d have to say that amillennialism is consistent. It’s consistent with the Old Testament; it’s consistent with the New. It’s consistent with how symbols are used, and it’s consistent with the many statements, by Christ and the apostles, concerning what happens at his return.

Miles: Okay, but …

You say it’s “consistent.” The problem I have with that is that the millennium, as a specific, thousand-year time period, isn’t even mentioned in the Old Testament. So how can you say a symbolic millennium is “consistent”?

Dave: I meant that interpreting the millennium as a symbolic time period is consistent with other things the Old Testament reveals about Christ’s return. For example, Isaiah 25:7 to 9, talking about Death being destroyed at the time of Christ’s return, rather than a thousand years later. Amillennialism is consistent with what Isaiah teaches, while premillennialism is not.

But you’re right: as a specific time period, the millennium is not mentioned in the Old Testament. It’s definitely mentioned in the New, though, so let’s look at the evidence in the New Testament that reveals this is a symbolic time period. This body of evidence is the biggest argument in favor of amillennialism.

With few exceptions, the book of Revelation is almost entirely symbolic. Yes, the messages to the churches were sent to literal churches in Asia Minor, but it’s a book full of symbology and the millennium is no different.

Okay. Ever since his ascension, Yahushua’s been sitting on the right hand of the Father, and he’ll remain in that position of authority until all of his enemies are subjugated under his feet.

Miles: You mentioned earlier that the millennium actually started after Yahushua’s death?

Dave: Yes. At his death, he triumphed over sin and the grave. When he ascended to heaven, the millennium, as a symbolic period of time in which he and the saints rule, began. Satan’s power to deceive was largely destroyed at the cross. This is why the saints, with Christ, can now rule and judge the world.

Miles: Okay, but help me out here. I guess in my mind, I always saw this ruling and judging as very literal. How do the saints rule and judge when we’ve still got our fallen natures? We’re still living in a world of sin. What does “ruling and judging” look like when interpreted symbolically?

Dave: That’s a great question. Paul speaks of believers judging in 1 Corinthians 6. In verse 2 he says, “Do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world?”

The way believers “judge” (or condemn) the world is by their godly behavior. Turn to Hebrews 11. What does verse 7 say?

Miles: “By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.”

Dave: This is an important point: Noah “condemned the world” . . . how?

Miles: By faith.

Dave: This is how the world has always been condemned. What does verse 4 say?

Miles: “By faith Abel brought Elohim a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when Elohim spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.”

Dave: Abel’s example still “speaks.” In other words, he still condemns the world by his example of lived-out obedience by faith.

And that’s how believers, from the days of the apostles down to our day, have and continue to judge the world. Godly behavior is itself both a witness of righteousness and a condemnation of sinfulness.

Miles: I can see that.

Dave: And another point: Satan’s power over death has been destroyed. That is our reality now. It’s already happened. Not at some point in the future, but during this time period, this symbolic millennium. It’s already a reality.

Turn to Hebrews 2 and read verses 14 to 16.

Miles: “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants.”

Dave: Notice that’s past tense: it’s already been done. And it was done at Christ’s death. This is the reality we’re living in now.

For each one of us, Christ’s return is as near as our last breath. So, in that sense, for each of us, the millennium is an indeterminate time period. It represents the amount of time we have left before we enter eternity.

Miles: Okay. Okay. That makes sense. And since none of us know precisely when we’re going to die, and no one—not even Yahushua himself—knows when he’ll return, the thousand-year time period is indeterminate.

Dave: Exactly. Now in Psalm 110[:1], Yahuwah tells Yahushua, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” This happens during this symbolic time period, and it’s done largely through the witness and example of believers, just as it was done by Noah, and just as it was done through the witness and example of Yahushua during his life on earth.

Miles: So, how long does this reigning and ruling last?

Dave: Well, that’s another proof that the time period is symbolic. Since we don’t know when Christ will return, the time period is indefinite proving it’s symbolic. But we do know that it ends with Yahushua’s return. At that time he’ll set up … whose everlasting kingdom? His own?

Miles: No. Yahuwah’s.

Dave: That’s right. Yahushua will then surrender to the Father all the authority which Yahuwah had granted him. It was only ever granted on a temporary basis anyway. What does 1 Corinthians 15 verses 24 to 28 say? Could you read that for us, please?

Take your time: this is important.

Miles:

Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include [Yahuwah] himself, who put everything under Christ. When he has done this, then the son himself will be made subject to Him who put everything under him, so that [Yahuwah] may be all in all.

Dave: Notice that Yahushua’s ruling ENDS when he returns and sets up Yahuwah’s kingdom. If Yahushua and the saints live and reign during the millennium, and that time period ends when Yahushua surrenders all of the authority granted to him on a temporary basis, there’s no way the millennium can be considered a literal time period. It must be symbolic only.

Miles: Wow. Yeah, I can see that.

Dave: Here’s another point proving the millennium is a symbolic time period: the only time Christ and believers can reign and rule is during the millennium. Now we’ve seen how sin and sinners and even Death itself is destroyed at Yahushua’s return. So the only time period over which Christ and believers can rule and subjugate the enemies of Yahuwah is before his return.

Miles: Ahhh. Yeah. And as it’s already been over a thousand years since Yahushua returned to heaven, it’s clearly a symbolic time period.

Dave: The millennium has to be symbolic because, when you look at all the evidence, it can only occur between when Christ ascended to heaven and when he later returns to earth. It’s the only time period during which there are enemies to subjugate! It’s the only time period during which believers, like Noah of old, condemn the world, by faith, through their example of surrender and faith in Yahuwah. It’s the only way this all fits, so that’s why I said amillennialism is consistent. Amillennialism is the only interpretation that is consistent—that agrees—with all the evidence.

And there’s another area of consistency: the New Testament teaches that the promises made to ancient Israel as well as the prophecies regarding her restoration are fulfilled in the Church. Far more than premillennialism, amillennialism aligns with this truth.

Miles: Now when you say “Church,” you’re not referring to a specific denomination.

Dave: No. Our modern Bibles use the word “church” when, in the Greek, it was actually ekklesia, or the body of called-out ones. It’s the body of Christ made up of believers.

Miles: Okay! Just wanted to clarify that you weren’t changing your position on that.

Dave: I’m not. Even in the first century, even during Christ’s public ministry, there were hangers-on who came for the loaves and fishes. I’m talking about true believers. They may not all be united in their beliefs—yet—but what sets them apart is a sincere desire to know and follow the truth wherever it leads.

This was a truth that Yahushua understood, and which made him very unpopular with the people. Would you please turn to Matthew 8 and read verses 10 to 12? This is when the centurion expresses his faith that Yahushua could, with just a word, heal his servant. Let’s read Yahushua’s response.

Miles:

When Yahushua heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Dave: The point is clear: the subjects of the kingdom include far more than just the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Matthew 24:31 says: “He will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.”

Paul expounds on this point in Romans 9. Would you please turn there and read verses 22 to 26?

Miles:

What if [Yahuwah], although choosing to show His wrath and make His power known, bore with great patience the objects of His wrath—prepared for destruction? What if He did this to make the riches of His glory known to the objects of His mercy, whom He prepared in advance for glory—even us, whom He also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles? As He says in Hosea:

“I will call them ‘My people’ who are not My people;
and I will call her ‘My loved one’ who is not my loved one,”

and,

“In the very place where it was said to them,
‘You are not my people,’
there they will be called ‘children of the living God.’”

Dave: Again, the emphasis is on the fact that there are promises that will be fulfilled by spiritual Israel. Spiritual Israel is comprised of believers of all ages, regardless of the content of their DNA.

We can see this in the messages to the churches in Revelation. These were gentile churches. And what was the promise made to them? Read Revelation 2 verse 17.

Miles: “To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.”

Dave: And 3 verse 9?

Miles: “I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.”

Dave: And verse 12.

Miles: “The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name.”

Dave: This is a powerful promise. It’s made to the overcomers, to the “victorious.” And these weren’t Jews! They were gentiles.

And finally, a view of the future: Revelation 21, verses 1 to 3.

Miles:

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from [Yahuwah], prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of [Yahuwah] is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.

Dave: “The tabernacle of [Yahuwah] is with …”? Whom? The Jews?

Miles: No: men.

Dave: Men. The human race.

Now. There are plenty of premillennialists who also believe that the promises made to Israel will be fulfilled in spiritual Israel, but then they’re left with having to come up with an explanation for why there should be a kingdom that lasts only a thousand years following the Second Coming. What’s the purpose of that? What’s an explanation that is also consistent with the repeated statements by Christ and the apostles that the destruction of the wicked occurs at his return and not a thousand years later?

Miles: That’s true. And, in thinking about it, here’s another point: Hebrews 12. Let me find it really quickly …

Here we go. Um … verses 25 to 29. I want to get it in context. It says:

See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship [Yahuwah] acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”

This dissolution—the destruction of the heavens and the earth by fire—occurs, as you showed us, at the time of Christ’s return. There aren’t two future destructions, one at his Second Coming and the other a thousand years later. Nor is the shaking of the heavens and the earth split into two events, the earth being shaken at his coming and the heavens a thousand years later. There’s no insertion of a thousand-year time period in this passage.

And you’d think if there were, the New Testament writers would have inserted it. But they didn’t.

Dave: No, you’re right. Now, some people believe that the shaking referred to here refers to the transition between the Old and New Covenants. But however you interpret it, amillennialism provides the most logical explanation for this passage.

Miles: Wow. You’ve given us a lot to think about; things I’d never considered before.

I want to thank everyone for tuning in. We hope you can join us again tomorrow, and until then, remember: Yahuwah loves you . . . and He is safe to trust!

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In his teachings and parables, the Savior gave no “signs of the times” to watch for. Instead, the thrust of his message was constant … vigilance. Join us again tomorrow for another truth-filled message as we explore various topics focused on the Savior's return and how to live in constant readiness to welcome him warmly when he comes.

WLC Radio: Teaching minds and preparing hearts for Christ's sudden return.