Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 21
September 11, 1969
NUMBER 19, PAGE 6b

Premillennialism Versus The Bible

Gene Lyles

Premillennialism is the theological theory that Christ, at his second coming, will set up an earthly kingdom in the city of Jerusalem and reign one thousand years on the earth prior to the Judgment. This theory was extensively promoted by Charles Taze Russell — founder of the Watchtower Bible And Tract Society — who taught it as a means of giving sinners who rejected the gospel a second chance for salvation. It has since been modified by such men as C. I. Schofield and Herbert W. Armstrong, and accepted by small segments of practically every Protestant group in America, dividing them even further into warring sects. This theory has been promoted on a fallacious interpretation of Revelation twenty. It is in direct conflict with many plain passages of scriptures, which we shall now point out in this article.

Most premillennialists hold that Christ came to establish an earthly kingdom, but because the Jewish nation as a whole rejected him, he postponed the kingdom and established the church as a temporary substitute. In the first place Jesus clearly stated that his kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36), nor would it come by physical observation so that one could say lo it is here or lo it is there. (Luke 17:20). In the second place, the Jews would have eagerly accepted him as an earthly king, and even attempted to make him such, but Jesus refused their materialistic concept of the kingdom (John 6:14-15). In the third place, this idea that the church was an afterthought or a substitute is in conflict with Eph. 3:9-11, which clearly indicates that the church was a part of God's eternal purpose from the very beginning of the world. In the fourth place, Jesus spoke of the church and the kingdom being one and the same (Matt. 16:18-19). This synonymy is also seen in the parables of the kingdom of heaven being liken unto the sower, the mustard seed, leaven, hidden treasure, goodly pearls, the net and the householder (Matt. 13) None of these parables would even slightly fit into the premillennial theory, but they do fit the church.

Premillennialists say the Lord failed to establish his kingdom, thus admit that he failed in his primary purpose for coming. This idea not only conflicts with the Lord's statement in Mark 9:1, but also conflicts with the fact that the kingdom of Christ was spoken of as a reality in Col. 1:12-13 and Rev. 1:9.

Premillennialists say that only the righteous will see the Lord at his second coming — the wicked will have to wait a thousand years, but the Bible teaches that at his coming "every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him..." (Rev. 1:7)

Premillennialist say that only the righteous will be raised at his second coming, but the Bible teaches that all the dead shall hear his voice and come forth at this hours. (John 5:28-29).

Premillennialists say that the wicked will not be destroyed until a thousand years after his coming, but the Bible teaches that the wicked will be destroyed at his coming. (II Thess. 1:8-10)

Premillennialists say that the Lord will establish his kingdom on the earth at his second coming, but the Bible teaches that the earth, and all the works therein shall be burned up at his coming (II Pet. 3:10-11).

Premillennialists admit that Christ is to be a priest on his throne (Zech. 6:9-13), but Heb. 8:4 says, "For if he were on earth, he should be a priest," thus his throne cannot be on the earth. They also admit that He is now a priest, thus if he is to be a priest on his throne, it necessarily follows that He must now be on His throne in heaven.

Premillennialists say that the Lord is to receive his kingdom at his second coming, but the Bible teaches that he will deliver the kingdom back to the Father at his coming, when he shall have put down all rule, authority and power (I Cor. 15:23-24).

When one honestly considers the conflicts between the doctrine of premillennialism and the Bible, it is extremely hard to understand how anyone ever got carried away with such a fallacious theory. Our advice to the premillennialists is to get your Bible out and start studying it instead of the writings of Charles Taze Russell, C. I. Schofield or Herbert W. Armstrong.

— P.O. Box 711, Plymouth, N. C 27962