Classic Premillennialism
What is Classic Premillennialism?
Classic Premillennialism (also known as Post-Tribulationalism, Chiliasm, Millennialism, Covenatal Premillennialism) might be new to you, it is because it gets very little exposure. Most of the people who have written on the subject, have their writings pass into obscurity. While some of its tenets may sound familiar, Classic Premillennialism was the original teaching of the "Church" (Jew & Gentile), after the Apostles.
Classic Premillennialism was stamped out by the Alexandrian School, as evident in Eusebius' Ecclesiastical History as Bishop of Nepos was forced to recant his belief in the physical 1000 year reign of Christ which had been taught and written about for the first 300+ years.
Classic Premillennialism alone comprehensively brings togther all the teachings and descriptions of the scripture, connecting them corporately into a cohesive whole understanding of God's covenanted plans.
Classical Premillennialism has been a minority position since the 4th Century AD. You will find many of its champions coming from a wide variety of Christian backrounds. They encompass all denominations at different periods of time. It has remined obscure for too long, and this web site is dedicated to reintroducing this teaching to Christ's Body.
The Biblical-Classical teaching covenanted by God, handed down through the Prophets, preached by Christ, prepetuated by the Apostles and propogated in the first 3 centuries of the Christian Church. A brief overview includes (I plan to have sections on each event in the future):
THE KINGDOM - There is only ONE Kingdom spoken of in scripture which fulfills the revealed divine purpose. That is the future, covenanted Theocratic Kingdom embracing the throne, kingdom, land and nation of David. This Theocratic Kingdom will include the redeemed from"every nation and all tribes, and peoples and tongues", who are engrafted into the"holy nation"by God Himself. (Romans 11).
TRIBULATION - In the future, as prophesied and promised, there will be a period known as "The Great Tribulation", PRIOR to the Second Advent of Messiah, (Daniel 12:1, Joel 2:2, Matthew 24:21) "such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will". The Anti-Christ (or "man of lawlessness" or "son of destruction" as in 2 Thess. 2:3) will be revealed directly threatening the destruction of the Kingdom by seeking to destroy God's people.
PAROUSIA, FIRST RESURRECTION & TRANSLATION - At the close of "The Great Tribulation"(or Post-Tribulational), Jesus, the Messiah, will return (His Parousia or Second Coming), destroy the anti-christ, bodily resurrect the sleeping (dead) believers, while SIMULTANEOUSLY changing (translating) the living believers into glorified bodies as Jesus exemplified following His bodily resurrection (Daniel 12:2, 1 Corinthians 15:12-57. The"new heavens and the new earth"are part of His Parousia.
1000 YEARS/MILLENNIAL KINGDOM - After His Parousia, Jesus, the Messiah, will have Satan imprisoned for 1000 years (The Millennium, The Theocratic Kingdom) and Messiah will reign with His people, as covenanted, in Jerusalem, forever.
FINAL REBELLION - After the 1000 years ("after many days...in the latter years"Ezekiel 38:8), Satan will be released and inspire one final revolt (Gog and Magog) against Messiah and His people. Satan will be cast into the Lake of Fire, tormented day and night forever (Revelation 20:10).
SECOND RESURRECTION & FINAL JUDGMENT - Upon the final defeat of Satan, the Second Resurrection of the unbelieving dead and Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-14) will commence. Those whose names are not written in the Lamb's book of life will be bodily resurrected to endure the"second death"- final judgement and being cast into the Lake of Fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.
FINAL STATE - The glorified saints will live with our King and Savior Lord Jesus, in the presence of Our Father and Our LORD, forever and ever! AMEN!
OUR AVAILABLE SECTIONS AND LINKS TO OTHERS:
Patrisitic Writers - Early Patrisitic (Ante-Nicene) who believed and defended Classic Premillennialism.
The Theocratic Kingdom - George NH Peter's propositions from his three volume work. His propositions and observations are in logical order. (*.doc and *.pdf)
Harmony of Prophecies - a compilation of Biblical Prophecies arranged by subject matter to show their unity of message. As time progresses, I will be adding more Scripture highlighting comments.
Interpreting Revelation - some points on interpreting Revelation.
Charts, Books, Etc. - chart of chronology, recommended books and links.
The Covenants of Scripture - the covenants as written in Scripture.
The Coming Prince by Sir Robert Anderson - Anderson's comments on the 70th Week of Daniel (this is a link to another website).
Interpretative definitions of Prophecy (particularly Revelation) in brief:
IDEALIST - symbolizes prophecy as one continuous struggle between good and evil.
PRETERIST - limits prophecy to its fulfillment during Jesus' earthly ministry, the first century AD and/or prior to 70 AD (Fall of Jerusalem and the Jewish Revolt).
HISTORICIST - interprets prophecy as symbolic of Church history from the times of the Apostles to the return of Christ.
FUTURIST - holds that the majority of the prophecies concerning a future state have yet to be realized. THIS IS OUR POSITION.
Millennial positions in brief (in other words, the definitions are not exhaustive):
A-Millennialism - 1000 years symbolic, one general resurrection of the just and unjust, no transition period for the reign of Christ, Church=Kingdom.
POST Millennialism - kingdom of God present reality in the"Church", gradual growth of the Kingdom of God, world-wide spread of the Gospel, long time of peace termed the millennium (not literally 1000 years), there will be a time of tribulation.
DISPENSATIONAL Premillennialism - basic premise is the eternally separate distinction between Israel and the Church in future prophetic manifestations.