The teaching knows as “Millennialism” is based on a text which does not have the all-important key word, “earth!” As in, “We shall live and reign with Christ on earth for a thousand years.” Yet, we need to have some understanding of the teaching. Why? Because so many people believe it! Then, more importantly, the “millennial” teaching changes the beginning and the nature of the kingdom of Christ! It changes the spiritual kingdom into a phyiscal one! Then it puts the kingdom in the future. Therefore, it also changes the hope, the expectation, as it relates to the kingdom of Christ. Finally, “millennialism” denies that you are now in the kingdom of Christ!
There are two ends of “Millennialism:” 1) “Pre-Millennialism,” teaches: “that the Lord Jesus Christ will return before the millennium, the thousand years or the kingdom of God, and His return will usher in this earthly reign of righteousness;” and 2) “Post-Millennialism,” teaches “that Christ will return after (post) the thousand-year period. At that point he will judge unbelievers and establish the new heavens and new earth.” Here is a clear statement as to what both teach, the differences being will Christ return to “earth” before or after the thousand years: “The Christian Scriptures (New Testament) in particular talks extensively about the return of Jesus Christ to this earth.” The word “earth” has been bolded as this is the key word in both teachings; as in “pre” and “Post” millennialism. So, let it be pointed out once more, the word “earth,” which is the key word in all millennial teachings, does not appear in their favorite text, Revelation 20. It should cause one to question a teaching when the key word in the teaching is missing from the favorite passage.
Both of these teachings have the kingdom of Christ being established either before or after the thousand years. This means that no one from the first Pentecost after the ascension of Christ through today is in the kingdom of Christ. However, this is against the teaching of the New Testament and prophesies of the Old Testament. All believe the Old Testament prophesied of a kingdom being established in the future, from the Old Testament time. However, let it be clearly understood, contrary to the “Millennial” teaching, the New Testament does not teach, “clearly” or “extensively” “about the return of Jesus Christ to this earth.” In fact, the New Testament never teaches such!
On the other hand, Paul did write to the Colossians the following: “Who (God, frw) hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Col. 1:13). It should go without saying, that you cannot be “translated” into something that does not exist. Clearly Paul and the Colossians were in the kingdom of Christ, “God’s dear Son,” at the time he wrote these words. It may sound simple, but you cannot be in a kingdom that which does not exist! But, this is not all; John wrote: “I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Rev. 1:9). Once more, John “clearly” said he was in the kingdom as he wrote the Revelation. So, let us keep it simple, John could not be in a kingdom that did not exist! Therefore, the kingdom did exist in the first century and it exists today!
Let us now return to the favorite text of the “millennial” teaching: “they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” (Rev. 20:4). It may be to the point of being boring, but the key word of all “millennial” teaching is the word “earth” and it is not in the text! Without the “earth,” the foundation of all “millennial” teaching is dead! Yes, the New Testament teaches the second coming of Christ; in fact, some of the most beautiful words in the New Testament address the subject: “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:16-17). What a gloriest moment, “a shout,” and the “voice of the archangel, and the trump of God,” and the Lord shall “descend from heaven.” However, there is not one word about Jesus coming to earth. In fact, the text says, those who are living at the time, shall “meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
Friends, there is no room for the doctrine of the “millennial” teachings in the words of Paul. The New Testament never teaches that Jesus will return to the “earth,” and without this, all “millennial” teaching is dead!
— Frank R. Williams