Having determined that Pre-millennialism offers the most straightforward, consistent, and comprehensive treatment of final events in scripture,2 we will now consider that view in more detail.3
1. God will pour out His wrath on unrepentant man (Rev 6:15-17; 9:20-21; 16:21).4
- This will trigger a reaction from Satan, whom angelic forces will drive out of heaven (Rev 12:7-9; cf. Luke 10: 18).5
- Satan, realizing that time is running out, will launch a last-ditch counter-offensive against Israel (= Great Tribulation) but will fail to destroy God's people (Rev 12:1017).6
- Satan will gather his armies at Armageddon to face the messiah (Jesus), who is the embodiment of God's wrath (Rev 19:11-16,19; cf. Joel 3:3, 9-16).7
2. Jesus will appear to establish God's kingdom on earth (Rev 19:11-16).8
- Israel will recognize Jesus as the messiah and repent (Zech 12:10-14; Rev 1:7); whereupon God will restore the kingdom to them (Dan 7:27), exceeding its former glory in all respects.10
- Israel will build a new temple (Ezek 43:10-11; Isa 2:1-4; 60:7b), and the divine presence will return (Ezek 43:1-5).11
- All nations will be in submission to the messiah (Dan 7:13-14; Zech 14:9, 16-19; Rev 19:11-16) and to his people (Isa 60:1-22; Dan 7:27).12
- Israel will fulfill its priestly function and manifest God's glory among the nations (Isa 61:6; perhaps including some gentiles, cf. 66:19-21; Rev 1:5b-6; 5:9-10; 20:6).13
- At this same time, God will raise the righteous from the dead (1 Cor 15:23; Rev 20:4)14 who, after undergoing careful scrutiny (2 Cor 5:10), will also enter the kingdom (Rev 5:10).15
- The Messianic Age (1000 years) will be a time of unprecedented peace and prosperity (Isa 2:3-4; 11:19).16
- Note: People will continue to be born and must make the choice of whether or not they will join the believing community.
3. At the end of this period, Satan will be released from the abyss (Rev 20:7).17
- He will succeed in deceiving many gentiles (Gog and Magog) and will attempt another attack against Israel (Ezek 38:8-9; Rev 20:8).18
- Jesus again will defeat Israel's enemies, slaughtering the invading armies (Ezek 39:3-6; Rev 20:9) and casting Satan into the "lake of fire" (Rev 20:10), thus terminating Satan's role in the Drama.19
4. God will then sit in final judgment (Rev 20:1 1).20
- He will raise the rest of the dead (the unrighteous) and will consign them with Satan to the "lake of fire" (Rev 20:1215).21
- He will destroy the earth with fire (2 Pet 3:7, 10-12; Rev 21:1).22 5.. God will renew the creation, with a special place for His people (New Jerusalem) and will usher in eternity (Isa 65:17-18; 2 Pet 3:13; Rev 21:1-3)23
And they will all live happily ever after.24
For the Bibliography and extensive Endnotes, see the pdf here.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Relevant and civil comments are welcome. Whether there will be any response depends on whether Dr. Manuel notices them and has the time and inclination to respond or, if not, whether I feel competent to do so.
Jim Skaggs