"Premillennialism Review and Refutation"
by Larry Hafley

Premillennialism, the doctrine which says Christ will return to Jerusalem, restore the Jews to their land, and rule on a literal, material throne for 1,000 years, pervades all segments and sections of sectarianism.

The promises to the Jews as a nation appear in one of three categories: (a) Literal fulfillment, as in the promise of land (Josh. 21:43-45). (b) Conditionally appropriated and perpetuated, dependent upon Israel’s obedience, as in the retention and restoration of the nation (Jer. 18:7-10). (c) Spiritual application, fulfilled in Christ by the gospel, as in the promise to David that his seed would be raised up to sit on his throne (2 Sam. 7:12, 13; Heb. 1:5; Psa. 2:6; 132:11; Acts 2:30- 36; 13:32-39).

In Genesis 12:1-7, God promised Abraham that he would show him a land, "make of thee a great nation.... and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed" (cf. Gen. 15:6-21; 26:3, 4; 28:13-15). Have these promises been fulfilled?

(1) The Land Promise Fulfilled: The specific borders and boundaries of the land promised to Abraham are given in Genesis 15:18-21. Joshua, Nehemiah and David said the promised land had been given (Josh. 21:43-45; 2 Chron. 9:26; Neh. 9:8; Psa. 105:9-11, 44). At one point, David "went to recover his border at the river Euphrates" (2 Sam. 8:3). How could he "recover" a border he never had? Further, in Acts 7:17, Stephen said the time for the fulfillment of the land promised to Abraham "drew nigh" while Israel was in bondage "in Egypt." If, in our day, that land promise has not been met, how could it have been drawing near when Israel was "in Egypt" 3,000 years ago?

"But," it is objected, "Israel lost that land and God promised to restore it to them again." Indeed, Israel forfeited her right to that land, even as God warned (Deut. 4:25-27; 28:1-32:52). And, yes, she was to be restored to it (Ezek. 36:24). The fulfillment of that pledge occurred, not in our day, but in the days of Ezra. In fact, Nehemiah cited the threats of the book of Deuteronomy in his prayer for rebuilding (Neh. 1:8, 9; Cf. Jer. 25:11-13; 29:10-14; 2 Chron. 36:17-23; Ezra 1:1-4).

The recovery and reformation of Israel was contingent upon their obedience (Deut. 4:29-31; Neh. 1:8, 9). "If thou shalt hearken...and if thou turn unto the Lord thy God with all thy heart," "then the Lord thy God will return thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the Lord thy God hath scattered thee" (Deut. 30:1- 10). Note, first the repentance and reformation, then the restoration (Cf. Jer. 18:7-10). However, premillennialists often reverse the order. They say Israel will be restored and then converted, but that is not the Bible order or sequence.

Is the physical nation of Israel penitent today? Is she seeking to walk after the ordinances and offerings of the Old Testament? Is she fed and led by the officers and offices of the Mosaic system? No; hence, even if these texts were applicable to Israel today, she would not be qualified to meet their terms and receive their benefits (1 Chron. 28:8, 9; Isa. 24:5).

(2) The Nation Promise Fulfilled: As the fulfillment of the land promise shows, Israel became a mighty nation (Ex. 19:6; Josh. 2:9-11; Psa. 80:8). In accord with the prophecies of Jesus, the nation of Israel was utterly ruined; its desolation and destruction were complete (Matt. 21:42; 22:7; 23:37-24:34).

Observe the parable of the vineyard (Matt. 21:33-46). What happened after the son was slain by the wicked tenants? Their lease was terminated, and they were destroyed (v. 41). What is the application of the parable? "The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof" (v. 43). The Jews knew that Jesus was speaking of them (v. 45). God’s "holy nation" today is his "spiritual house", "the church" (1 Tim. 3:15; 1 Pet. 2:5, 9). Those in Christ are the church, the Israel of God; citizenship in the kingdom is not determined by fleshly lineage (Rom. 2:28, 29; Gal. 3:26-29; 6:16; Phil. 3:3-6, 20).

(3) The Blessing Of All Nations Through The Seed Of Abraham: Paul and Peter quote the "seed promise" and apply it to Christ (Acts 3:25; Gal. 3:8, 16). The promised blessing is the forgiveness of sins (Acts 3:26; 13:23-39; Gal. 3:8-29). "All things" promised by the prophets, Peter said, "foretold of these days" (Acts 3:18, 21, 24). The prophets did not speak of a future time, Peter says, but of "these days" (Cf. 1 Pet. 1:10-12).

"All nations," Jews and Gentiles are included "in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2;13). Forgiveness of sins and justification are available unto all men (Acts 2:38, 39; 10:34, 35; 13:26; 26:16-18; Rom. 1:16; 10:13). This justification and forgiveness is "the blessing of Abraham" (Gal. 3:8, 14). It is only "in Christ" that one can receive the inheritance, be forgiven, justified, be Abraham’s seed, and an heir according to the promise of Genesis 12 (Gal. 3:29; Eph. 1:7, 11; 2:13). With all that, and with all the purposes and promises of the prophets fulfilled "in Christ" (See Eph. 1:9-11; Col. 1:19, 20), the question of the rich, young ruler is apropos--"What lack (we) yet?"

What Lack (We) Yet?

Do we lack Christ to sit on David’s throne? No (Lk. 1:32, 33; Acts 2:30-36). Do we lack the throne, or the kingdom of David? No (Mk. 11:10; Lk. 1:32, 33; Acts 15:15-17; Rom. 1:1-4; 10:12, 13; 2 Tim. 2:8). Do we lack the fulfillment of the prophecies of the Old Testament prophets? No (Acts 2:31; 3:18, 24-26; 13:32, 33; 1 Pet. 1:10-12). Do we lack citizenship in the kingdom of God? No, not if we have been born again (Jn. 3:3, 5; Eph. 2:19-22; Col. 1:13). Do we lack any spiritual blessing in Christ? Are we yet incomplete in him? No (Eph. 1:3; Col. 2:10).

What does Christ lack? Does he lack "all authority"? No (Matt. 28:18; Eph. 1:20-23; Col. 1:18). Does Christ yet await his coronation as King of kings and Lord of lords? No (Psa. 2:6, 7; Acts 13:32, 33; Heb. 1:5, 8; 1 Cor. 15:24; 1 Tim. 6:14, 15). "Wherefore, we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: for our God is a consuming fire" (Heb. 12:28, 29).

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