On May 14, 1948, Israel was officially declared a state. Supporters of Premillennialism look to this moment as a sign of the beginning of the end. This was further encouraged by the Six Day War in June of 1967 when Israel would triple its possession of land. Premillennialism also promises a return of the Jews that is yet unfulfilled, that Jews will once again occupy sacred cites, rebuild the temple and restore their ancient worship. Specific beliefs vary between religious groups but that is the basic theory.
God’s covenant with Abraham included three Promises. First, God promised Abraham and his descendants land. In Genesis 15:18, God told Abraham "to your descendants I have given this land, from the River of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates."
Inspired witnesses say the land promise has been fulfilled. Joshua, in Joshua 21:43-45 said, "the Lord gave Israel all the land which He had sworn to give unto their fathers and they possessed it and lived in it. Solomon reigned over the correct boundaries, 1 Kings 4:21. Moses gave instruction concerning cities of refuge in Deuteronomy 19:7-9 that were to be kept only if God fulfilled his promise. Joshua 20:7-9 confirms that those cities were built.
Retention of the land was always conditional, based on Israel’s obedience, Joshua 23:12-13, 15-16. The land was an everlasting possession. However, the word everlasting in Hebrew meant "age lasting", meaning there was no guarantee that possessing the land would be forever and possession could come to an end. The same word is used for other covenants, like circumcision in Galatians 5:1-4 and the priesthood in Hebrews 7:11-25, that were abolished at the Cross.
Second, God promised Abraham "I will make you a great nation" in Genesis 12:2. In Genesis 15:5; 22:17, God promised to "multiply his seed as the stars of heaven and as sand by the seashore."
Genesis 21:3, 12 confirms that Isaac was the son in whom this promise was fulfilled. Though Israel was destroyed and later driven from the promised land because of sin, they were never totally destroyed. According to Jeremiah 25:11; 29:10; 30:11, Israel was promised "a full end" would not be made of them as of other nations. A remnant would return after 70 years. God fulfilled the nation promise to Abraham and kept His promise to restore the remnant in Nehemiah 1:3-11.
Isaiah prophesied the Lord would set His hand "the second time" to recover the remnant of His people in Isaiah 1:10-11. The first time was when they returned from Babylonian captivity in Ezra 1. The second time is in the church age according to Paul’s quote and applications of this verse, Romans 15:12. There is no promise of a third time. In Christ a remnant of Israel is saved as well as any Gentiles who obey by faith. Therefore, the Church is the spiritual remnant of Israel, according to Grace, Romans 11:5.
Third, God promised Abraham that "in you all families of the earth will be blessed", Genesis 12:3. In Genesis 22:18, God said, in your seed all nations will be blessed because thou hast obeyed my voice."
According to Galatians 3:8-16, Christ is the seed. God’s blessing upon Israel was not for their sakes alone, but in order that "all nations would be blessed." According to Galatians 3:26-29, all who obey Christ are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise." Christians are now the spiritual Israel of God, Galatians 6:16; Romans 9:7-8. Therefore, Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of this covenant and the hope of Israel, Acts 26:6-7; 28:20.
The theory of Premillennialism is a false teaching based on many misused Bible passages. A thorough study of the Bible leaves no room for a literal "1000 year reign." There is no warning of his coming by predictions of the world events or tribulations that will precede the event of His coming. His coming will be sudden, unexpected and without warning. Therefore we must be ready. Let us remember the warnings of adding to what is already written, Revelation 22:18, 19 and "prove all things" by the scriptures.
God’s covenant with Abraham included three Promises. First, God promised Abraham and his descendants land. In Genesis 15:18, God told Abraham "to your descendants I have given this land, from the River of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates."
Inspired witnesses say the land promise has been fulfilled. Joshua, in Joshua 21:43-45 said, "the Lord gave Israel all the land which He had sworn to give unto their fathers and they possessed it and lived in it. Solomon reigned over the correct boundaries, 1 Kings 4:21. Moses gave instruction concerning cities of refuge in Deuteronomy 19:7-9 that were to be kept only if God fulfilled his promise. Joshua 20:7-9 confirms that those cities were built.
Retention of the land was always conditional, based on Israel’s obedience, Joshua 23:12-13, 15-16. The land was an everlasting possession. However, the word everlasting in Hebrew meant "age lasting", meaning there was no guarantee that possessing the land would be forever and possession could come to an end. The same word is used for other covenants, like circumcision in Galatians 5:1-4 and the priesthood in Hebrews 7:11-25, that were abolished at the Cross.
Second, God promised Abraham "I will make you a great nation" in Genesis 12:2. In Genesis 15:5; 22:17, God promised to "multiply his seed as the stars of heaven and as sand by the seashore."
Genesis 21:3, 12 confirms that Isaac was the son in whom this promise was fulfilled. Though Israel was destroyed and later driven from the promised land because of sin, they were never totally destroyed. According to Jeremiah 25:11; 29:10; 30:11, Israel was promised "a full end" would not be made of them as of other nations. A remnant would return after 70 years. God fulfilled the nation promise to Abraham and kept His promise to restore the remnant in Nehemiah 1:3-11.
Isaiah prophesied the Lord would set His hand "the second time" to recover the remnant of His people in Isaiah 1:10-11. The first time was when they returned from Babylonian captivity in Ezra 1. The second time is in the church age according to Paul’s quote and applications of this verse, Romans 15:12. There is no promise of a third time. In Christ a remnant of Israel is saved as well as any Gentiles who obey by faith. Therefore, the Church is the spiritual remnant of Israel, according to Grace, Romans 11:5.
Third, God promised Abraham that "in you all families of the earth will be blessed", Genesis 12:3. In Genesis 22:18, God said, in your seed all nations will be blessed because thou hast obeyed my voice."
According to Galatians 3:8-16, Christ is the seed. God’s blessing upon Israel was not for their sakes alone, but in order that "all nations would be blessed." According to Galatians 3:26-29, all who obey Christ are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise." Christians are now the spiritual Israel of God, Galatians 6:16; Romans 9:7-8. Therefore, Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of this covenant and the hope of Israel, Acts 26:6-7; 28:20.
The theory of Premillennialism is a false teaching based on many misused Bible passages. A thorough study of the Bible leaves no room for a literal "1000 year reign." There is no warning of his coming by predictions of the world events or tribulations that will precede the event of His coming. His coming will be sudden, unexpected and without warning. Therefore we must be ready. Let us remember the warnings of adding to what is already written, Revelation 22:18, 19 and "prove all things" by the scriptures.
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