But First…
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Premillennialism is a doctrine that teaches Christ will return and establish an earthly kingdom and rule for a thousand years in the city of Jerusalem. Satan will be bound at the time. The earth, we are told, will be in an absolute state of peace. The Jews and Judaism will be reinstated to their “rightful place” in the world as the chosen of God.
Often discussions of doctrines take quite some time to develop and defeat. Therefore, it is often a good idea to present some quick arguments against the teaching before digging deeper into the various arguments that are made for it.
In this article, let’s consider “Five Quick Replies to Premillennialism.”
#1 - Jesus’ Kingdom is a Spiritual Kingdom
The first reply involves a verse containing the words of Jesus.
The context of the passage finds Jesus in the judgment hall of Pontius Pilate. He has been delivered unto the governor by the Jews. They have made several accusations against the Christ. One accusation that intrigued Pilate involved Jesus’ claim to be a king. This caused Pilate to ask Jesus:
“Art thou the King of the Jews?” (John 18:33).
Jesus did plainly declare to this Roman leader that He was a King. However, He did talk about the nature of His kingdom.
“Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence” (John 18:36).
Jesus made it plain that His kingdom “is not of this world.”
Jesus NEVER came to establish a physical kingdom. It is a spiritual kingdom that exists throughout the entirety of the world. It wages spiritual warfare as it fights for the hearts of all men (Luke 17:21). The kingdoms of men come and go. This kingdom is eternal in nature. It will continue long after the affairs of this earth have been terminated.
Dear friends, to argue for a physical kingdom is to set oneself at odds with the Son of God.
#2 - Jesus’ Kingdom Has Come, and He is Currently Reigning
Second, the Bible is clear that the kingdom is here and Jesus is reigning over it at this present time. Paul told the Colossian Christians that they had been translated into the kingdom in Colossians 1:13.
“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.”
It is impossible to be in something that does not exist. If the kingdom has yet to be established, how was it possible for the Colossians to be in it? The kingdom is here. Jesus is reigning over it.
According to Paul, He will continue to reign until He returns and resurrects the dead. At that time, He will deliver the kingdom back to the Father.
“For he (Jesus) must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death” (1 Cor. 15:25-26).
#3 - The Old Testament Prophesied the Establishment of Jesus’ Kingdom
Third, the prophecies of the kingdom found in the Old Testament reveal that the kingdom has been established if they are interpreted correctly.
In Daniel 2, Daniel interprets the dream of Nebuchadnezzar. The image that Nebuchadnezzar dreamed about represented four kingdoms. Babylon was the first. The fourth was the Roman Empire. When Daniel spoke about that fourth kingdom, he said:
“And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever” (Dan. 2:44).
If Daniel is a true prophet, his words should have come to fruition as they were spoken (See Deut. 18:22). If the premillennialists are correct, the prophecy did not come to pass. The kingdom was not established in the days of the Roman kings. Therefore, Daniel was a fraud and none of his prophecies should be of any concern to us.
It is interesting to watch the Premillennialists try to manufacture an interpretation for Daniel’s words: “For in the days of these kings…” They would have us to believe that this now refers to the present day oversight of the European Union.
This is a stretch to say the least. At best, it is the desperate attempt of individuals who teach a false doctrine attempting to deceive the public with their man-made interpretations of God’s Word.
#4 - Jesus’ Parables Prove His Kingdom is Currently in Existence
Fourth, a simple study of what some refer to as “kingdom parables” proves the kingdom is presently in existence. While on earth, one of the common features of Jesus’ teaching was the parable (Matt. 13:3).
Several parables begin with words similar to these: “The kingdom of heaven is liken unto…” (Matt. 13:24, 31, 33). These parables DO NOT apply to a future, earthly kingdom.
These parables applied to the time immediately following Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection, and ascension into Heaven. These parables applied to the kingdom that came into existence on the day of Pentecost when the apostles received the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4, 47; Matt. 16:18-19).
Listen to the words of just one such parable.
“Another parable put he forth unto them saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among the herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.”
The application of this parable has been taking place from the time the first gospel sermon was preached (Acts 2:22ff) until this present time. The seed of the kingdom has been planted into good and honest hearts (Luke 8:11, 15). What began as a small seed has developed into a spiritual kingdom filled with multitudes of people.
Jesus taught these parables during His earthly ministry because He knew the kingdom was soon to be established. He proclaimed that very fact.
“From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 4:17).
#5 - Proof Texting Problems from Revelation
Fifth, when a person turns to the major proof-text of the thousand year reign, that is Revelation 20:1-6, there are some points that some have not considered.
Revelation is figurative in nature.
First, this passage is interpreted in a literal sense even though the book is apocalyptic, that is, figurative in nature.
In Revelation 1:1, we learn that Jesus “sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John.” Do a word study on the word “signified.”
Things which must shortly come to pass.
Second, the first chapter and closing chapter of the Revelation reveal that John is discussing things which must shortly come to pass.
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass…” (Rev. 1:1).
And again:
“And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done” (Rev. 22:6).
No mention of Jesus’ return in Revelation 20.
Third, when a person reads Revelation 20, there is not a single mention of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
This is injected into the text because of a preexisting belief that some have about a millennial kingdom.
Literal interpretation problems from Revelation 20:4.
Fourth, the description of those who will be living during the millennium is given in Revelation 20:4. If the interpretation is to be taken literally, it will involve a very unique group of people.
One of the limitations is that one will have been “beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God.” Only a few Christians would fall into such an elite group of people.
Premillennialism has a huge hold on the denominational and evangelical world. When world events flare up, the doctrine is pushed in such a way that one would believe that the teachers know Jesus will come at any moment.
The Bible, however, is clear. No one knows when Jesus will come with His holy angels to judge the world.
“Watch therefore; for ye know neither the day nor the hour when the Son of man cometh” (Matt. 25:13).
Victor M. Eskew preaches for the Oceanside church of Christ in Atlantic Beach, Florida.
The church offers a variety of free Bible study courses for anyone interested in studying God’s word. They also have a large archive of videos on their YouTube channel. I appreciate Victor’s teaching in this article!
