Conference: 2003 Pre-Trib Study Group
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Scripture: Psalm 2:1-12 Introduction & Usage of Terms The word "millennial" isfrom the Latin - meaning "a thousand years" a term which occurs in Revelation 20:2-7 a totalof 6 times. The word"Pre-Millennial" refers to the belief that Jesus Christ will come again at theend of the tribulation and destroy all nations who will come against Israel andJerusalem and will occur before the thousand years begin and the kingdom of theMessiah is established upon the earth.
Other terms relating tothis discussion include the following: "kingdom" - used 184 times in OT; 158 in NT "kingdom of God" - used 69 times in NT "kingdom of heaven" - used 32 times - only in Matthew "kingdom of our Lord& Savior Jesus Christ" -once "kingdom of Christ andof God" - once "king" or "kings" - used 2471 times in OT; 119 in NT "rule" or "ruleth" - used 80 times in the Bible "reign" or "reigneth" - used 181 times in OT; 19 in NT "dominion" - used 51 times in OT; 11 in NT
The Bible speaks of an "everlastingkingdom" 4 times and uses thewords "kingdom for ever" 4times. The Bible speaks of ourLord's "reign for ever and ever"4 times and that He has an "everlasting dominion" (used twice) and His "dominion for ever" - used 3 times.
The disciples asked ourLord in Acts 1:6: "Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom toIsrael?" Our Lord's answer dealt with the timing involved and neverdenied the fact of that future restoration promised by the Hebrew prophets. 1A. It is the theology thatbelieves that the 1000 years ofRevelation 20 should be taken literally as a futureperiod of time.
2A. It is the theology that believes that aliteral kingdom has been promised to arestored Israel. Isaiah 11:9-16; 60:18-21
3A. It is the theology that believes thatthe land promised to Abraham, Isaac, andJacob and their descendants will be given tothem forever. Genesis17:7-8;26:3-4; 28:13-15; 35:9-12; Psalm 105:8-11
4A. It is the theology that believes thatGod's covenant with Israel has never beenforfeited or cancelled. Leviticus 26:40-44; Psalm89:30-37
5A. It is the theology that believes thatthe nation of Israel will come back to lifeand exist forever. II Samuel 7:23-24; Ezekiel37:1-14; Jeremiah31:35-37
6A. It is the theology that believes thatthe Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christwill result in the establishment of a literalkingdom upon the earth. Revelation 11:15
7A. It is the theology that believes afuture temple of worship will be built by theMessiah of Israel and Jewish celebrations of worshipwill be practiced. Isaiah 2:1-4; Zechariah6:12-13; 14:16 8A. It is the theology thatbelieves that the temple of Ezekiel's vision in chapters40-48 will be a literal temple in the coming kingdom ofthe Messiah. Daniel 9:24 - "to anoint themost Holy (place)."
9A. It is the theology that believes that aredeemed Israel and a redeemed churchwill rule and reign with Jesus Christ on the earthas He promised. II Timothy 2:12; Revelation1:6; 5:10; 20:4-5
10A. It is the theology that believes thepromises of God concerning Jerusalem will all be fulfilled literally. Psalm132:13-14; Isaiah 49:7-16; 51:11; 62:1-2, 11-12; 65:17-25; 66:10-13
11A. It is the theology that believes theliteral throne of David will be set up in Jerusalem with the Messiah of Israel, the son of David, ruling upon it in a future kingdom on earth. II Samuel 7:12-13, 16; Luke 1:32-33
WHAT ARE THE POSITIVEASPECTS OF BELIEVING THESE TRUTHS?
(1) We can interpretthe Bible as it was written. (2) We can believethat what God promises He will accomplish. (3) We can supportIsrael's right to its promised land. (4) We can rejoice inthe coming kingdom of our Lordthat will be set up on earth. (5) We can befaithful in our service for our Lord knowingthat we will be rewarded for it in the futurekingdom on earth. (6) We can rememberthat our "politics" are in Heavenand that the only hope for this planet isthe coming kingdom of the Messiah. (7) We can make thekingdom of God our priority inlife and seek to reach as many people as we possiblycan with the gospel of our Lord and SaviorJesus Christ.
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