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A Quick Review Of Other Millennial Assertions.

Daniel 9:24-27 is supposed to represent a “prophetic clock” that stops ticking at the death of Christ and does not start ticking again until seven years of tribulation, recorded in the book of Revelation, at the “first phase” of the Second Coming of Christ.

Where is the gap?  Where does the Bible show that the “clock” stops for 2000 years before it resumes ticking?

Why not let the 70 weeks of Daniel be literal like the 1000 years of Revelation (dispensationalists commonly say the weeks are actually 490 years)?

Revelation 20:1-6 is alleged to show a literal 1000 year reign of Christ, on the earth, on David’s throne. Where is the earth mentioned in Revelation 20:1-6)?  Is Satan’s chain literal, and if not, why in a book of symbols should the 1000 years be literal?  Where is Jerusalem and David’s throne in Revelation 20:1-6?

The book of Revelation has the Father and the Son located in heaven (4:1; 5:1, 6; 6:9-11).  he slain of Revelation 6:9-11 were to wait in God’s presence until the full number of martyrs came in—the very thing that happens in Revelation 20:4. This is a heavenly scene.

What Christians Need To Be Doing As They Face The Millennium.

Matthew 24:42-51 makes it clear that since we do not know when Jesus will return, we should live in faith at all times.  alking in the light is the way of security (I Jn. 1:7).  Seeking God’s kingdom and His righteousness are first priorities (Matt. 6:33).  God gives glory to the quiet, everyday kind of faith (I Thess. 4:11-12).  Those who have relied on sensational things rather than on simple trust and obedience will be disappointed (Matt. 7:21-23).

WHAT ABOUT ISRAEL AND THE JEWS? (Acts 28:16-20)

INTRODUCTION

1. R.DeHaan said, “Following the Rapture of the church, God will gather Israel into Canaan, rebuild the temple, re-establish the Old Testament form of worship and sacrifices.”
   1. Christ then appears to set up the earthly kingdom with Jerusalem as its capital.
2. Hal Lindsey – “Late Great Planet Earth” pp. 42-47
   1. Uses Matthew 24 to teach a rebuilt temple.
   2. Israel restored to her land.
   3. Sacrificial system and Sabbath re-instituted.
3. According to Pre-Mill., the land promises God made to Israel have not been fulfilled, and were eternal in nature.
4. Questions to be answered:
   1. What were the promises God made to Israel?
   2. Have these promises been fulfilled?
   3. Were those promises conditional or unconditional?
   4. Where is the “Israel of God” today?

1. WHAT WERE THE PROMISES GOD MADE TO ISRAEL? (Gen. 12:1-7; 13:14-17).
   1. God promised Abram:
      1. A new land.
      2. Would be a great nation
      3. God would bless him and make his name great
      4. Through Abram, all families of the earth would be blessed.
      5. Physical and spiritual blessings.
   2. What land was promised?
      1. The land he traveled to upon the command of God (Gen. 12:6-7).
      2. The larger land of Canaan (Gen. 15:18; Ex. 23:30-31) to the river Euphrates.
      3. Promises made to Abraham and His seed (Gen. 17:8; Ex. 6:4-8).

 II. HAVE THESE PROMISES BEEN FULFILLED?

1. Land of Promise has been fulfilled (Deut. 1:7-8; Joshua 21:43-45; 2 Samuel 8:3; 2 Chron 9:26; Neh. 9:7-8).
2. When was this promise fulfilled?
   1. Following the bondage in Egypt as Moses let Israel to and Joshua lead them into the Canaan Land.
   2. Abraham himself received not one foot of Canaan – but his seed did.
   3. Pre-Mill. say that Abraham must be raised from the dead to enter millennial kingdom in order to possess the land.
   4. Stephen said “the time drew near” while Israel was in Egyptian bondage (Acts 7:17).

III. WERE LAND PROMISES CONDITIONAL OR UNCONDITIONAL?

1. Pre-Mill. say unconditional (Gen. 17:7-8). “Everlasting covenant”
   1. Word translated “everlasting” means “age-lasting.” Same for Sabbath and other O.T. rituals which are not kept today.
   2. As long as Law of Moses lasted, these things lasted. When Law of Moses ended, these things ended.
2. Notice the conditions of keeping the land (Deut. 8:19-20; 28:29-30, 63, 64; Josh. 23:14-16; 1 Kings 9:3-7).
3. Israel lost their land.
   1. Northern Kingdom carried away by Assyria.
   2. Southern Kingdom carried away by Babylon (2 Chron. 36:17-19).
4. Restoration promises (Deut. 30:1-3; Ezek. 37:11-22; Isa. 10:20-23 (remnant return) Jer. 30:3).
5. Has Israel been restored? (2 Chron. 36:20-23; Jer. 25:11-13; Ezra 9:9).
   1. All prophecies concerning the return to the land, rebuilding of the temple, etc., were made prior to 516 B.C. Since the rebuilding of the temple of that time – following a return to Palestine – there have been no prophecies concerning a return to the land or a rebuilding of the temple.

1. WHO ARE THE ISRAEL – JEWS OF GOD TODAY?

1. Jesus spoke of a “new kingdom” to the Jews of his day (Matt. 21:41-45; 23:38; 24:1-35).
2. Circumcision nor uncircumcision avail anything – but new creature (Gal. 5:6).
3. Christians are now God’s Jews – God’s Israel (Rom. 2:28-29; Gal. 3:26-29; Rom. 4:13-16; 9:7-8).
4. Conversion destroys nationality (Col. 3:10-11).
5. Paul’s allegory of two women (Gal. 4:21-31).
   1. Two women are two covenants – OLD AND NEW.
   2. Two sons – two nations – fleshly and spiritual.
   3. Hagar and Ishmael had nothing in common with Sarah and Isaac. National Israel has nothing in common with spiritual Israel.
   4. Final verdict – “Cast out the bondwoman and her son.” National Israel cannot have an inheritance with Spiritual Israel.  CHRISTIANS ARE THE ONLY ISRAEL GOD HAS TODAY!
6. Can Jews be saved today?
   1. Yes, all men come to God the same way, through Christ (Eph. 2:14-18).
   2. The same gospel is for all (Matt. 28:18-20).
   3. Great commission was for the Jews also (Acts 10:34-43).
   4. Paul’s prayer for Israel was “that they might be saved” (Rom. 10:1-4).
   5. No New Testament passages affirm or predict a return of Jews to Palestine and a second chance to accept Christ as Messiah. It is now or never!

CONCLUSION

1. God promised Israel the Canaan land and they occupied that land hundreds of years ago.
2. The nation God promised to make of Abram’s seed no longer exists as it did in Old Testament times.

(appreciation to Bill Craddock for much of this material)