Does All This Really Matter?

Introduction:

Over the last four weeks we have discussed some of the various ideas persons have concerning end time events. Are you a Premillennialist, A-millennialist; or Post-millennialist? Sounds deep, confusing, and the kind of stuff left for preachers and theologians to figure out. Is this a subject we can dismiss? There are some real consequences to premillennialism that we need to be aware of.

I. Premillennialism makes the church of Jesus Christ an accident.

A.     Mt. 12:23-24 – Jesus is rejected by the Pharisees & Jews.

1.     We are told that the Jewish rejection of Jesus was an unexpected happening which altered the plans of God.

B.     So what does premillennial theory leave us with?

1.     Will we conclude that we serve a God who, in His almighty wisdom, did not plan on being rejected by Jews and then had to come up w/an alternate plan?

C.    Was the rejection of the Christ something unexpected?   No!

1.     Isa. 53:1; John 12:37-38; Psalm 118:22

D.    Paul asserted that the church was no afterthought or unexpected event.

1.     1 Cor. 2:6-7 – God’s plan was in His mind before creation!

2.     Eph. 1:9-10; 3:9-10

II. Premillennialism degrades the Godhead in its work.

A.     Shall we accept the idea that God failed in His eternal purpose?

1.     Gal. 4:4 – was God mistaken about the fullness of time?

2.     If Jews (mere men) could thwart an eternal purpose of God – then it DEGRADES the power/office of God the Father.

B.     Shall we accept the idea that Jesus failed in His mission?

1.     Did Jesus FAIL to establish His kingdom?

2.     Did Jesus lie in Matthew 28:18? Premillennialism robs Him of His authority.

a)     He is our lawgiver w/legislative power.

b)     He is our King w/executive power.

c)      He is our judge w/judicial power.

3.     See 1 Tim. 6:15; Eph. 1:20-22; 1 Pet. 3:22

C.    Shall we accept the idea that the Holy Spirit failed in His mission?

1.     Did the Holy Spirit came at the wrong time?

2.     Joel 2:28; Acts 2:17 – HS coming in the last days. Were both Joel & Peter mistaken?

III. Shall we return to an inferior covenant?

A.     During the millennial reign, millennialists claim that we will go back under the system of the Old Testament law/rule.

1.     Shall we reject the spiritual for the fleshly? Heb. 8:4-6; 9:6-10; 10:1-4.

2.     Shall we go back to an old/inferior system?  Why?

a)     Why go back to animal sacrifices? Heb. 9:11-12; 10:4; 11-14

3.     Why move Jesus back to earth? He has all of heaven to dwell in!

4.     Heb. 9:23-24

Conclusion:

A.     Does all of this really matter? Absolutely.

B.     Jesus will return someday.

C.    Are you prepared to meet the Lord in the air?