After discussion with my colleagues, we have decided to expand our planned writings on the overall topic of the doctrine concerning the millennium. This is the second week of a 4-week post. Last week we discussed the history and briefly defined each of the main three teachings around the millennium. This week we are going to more specifically define amillennialism and discuss how this belief influences a person’s worldview. If you have not read my entire post from last week, I would encourage you to do so at https://threeinthefire.com/2197-2/. By taking the time to read it, you will hopefully understand my systematic train of thought. We will discuss the other two views in the coming weeks.
Regarding a person’s worldview, I will add this. There are many variations of beliefs around the millennium. So, as I discuss these views, it is not my intent to encompass the innumerable nuances of every belief on the topic. Now let’s turn our attention to how amillennialism would influence our worldview.
The amillennialist does not believe there is a literal millennium. They believe that the details of Satan being bound in Revelation 20:1-6 have already occurred. This allows the church to preach the gospel to the whole world in the current church age, because Satan’s influence over the nations has been greatly diminished. They believe those reigning with Christ in Revelation 20:6 are those believers who have already died and are in heaven. They believe that the “thousand years” is a figure of speech so the church age is not limited to an actual “thousand years.” Christ will return when God’s plan and purposes are perfected. See my other comments from last week’s post.
The amillennialist worldview is one of allegorical interpretation of the millennium. However, this allegorical view does not stop with the millennium. This allows the amillennialist to treat the whole of Scripture allegorically. In other words, they treat the entire Bible as symbolic or metaphorical. So, the amillennialist will read the events of creation, the patriarchs, the judges, the kings; the birth, life and death of Jesus Christ, etc. and read them as symbolic children’s stories instead of the true historical events that they are.
The amillennialist believes that Jesus Christ is returning and that they are called to share the gospel with all that they meet. As a Christian, we are called to love everyone. The greatest way that we can show love to any individual is by sharing the gospel with them. This trials and tribulations of this world are only temporary, however salvation or separation from God is eternal and we should not want a single person to be eternally separated from God.
Looking at the amillennialist view there are some difficulties reconciling the belief. First, if Satan has been bound then you would think that the gospel would spread quickly without interference from governments and society. That surely is not happening as persecution of Christians around the world continues and is becoming more common in the US and other countries. Second, the allegorical treatment of Scripture is contrary to scriptural teachings. Third, none of the Apostles or their direct students ever wrote or taught the amillennial view. See my post from last week. These difficulties lead me to reject amillennialism as a plausible view of the millennium.
So, to wrap this up. Fellowship should not be broken whatever one’s view of the millennium is as long as they believe the following: First, Jesus Christ was born, He lived and He died on the cross to save us from our sins; He was raised on the third day and He sits at the right hand of the Father. Second, Jesus Christ is going to return. Third, upon the return of Christ the lost has no more chance at salvation. Finally, as Christians we should love everyone and not want anyone to be eternally separated from God. It is therefore our calling and responsibility to share the gospel with everyone.
In Christ,
Don