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What is your take on amillennialism?
The kingdom of God has begun but Satan still has control over this world and when Christ comes back, he will be bound. If the Church is Israel, what is the role of Israel?In the light of amillennialism, how the Church (believers) must engage the present world?
If the millennium has started, then the role of believers has a great responsibility to reach out to others with the message of God’s love. Jesus is King and the kingdom of God has begun in the hearts of believers. A gradual progression that the world will be a better place through the active work of believers in all aspects of society with kingdom values.Dear Hema, I agree with you that there are many points we cannot accept in the pre-millennium view. The important role of the Church (though now it seems not doing too well) has a great role to play. We have God’s Spirit to help us understand his ways. Let’s hope for the best to come through the Church.
Dear John Jayaseker, Premillennium views have many areas we do not agree with as you stated. You mentioned in Titus 2:14 “…Jesus Christ gave himself … to purify for himself a people that are his very own…” We can be assured that the word of God will help us to understand his ways through the Holy Spirit as we wait for his return.
What is your take on Premillennialism?
Premillennialism believes that the Church is not central to God’s plan but Israel. This leads to the importance of Israel rather than the Church. Believers look forward to the second coming of Christ but its emphasis is on Israel and what is happening in the political scene. We read In 1 Cor 12:13, “… all baptized by one Spirit into one body, whether Jews or Greek…” All are equal in God’s sight.In the light of Premillennialism, how the Church (believers) must engage the present world?
The coming rapture excites believers and keeps them alert and to be ready to meet the Lord. The sharing of God’s love to others which when done will be rewarded. Because of the importance of Israel, much focus is on what is happening there will be of great value.
As Alan Hultberg stated, what is essential (Jesus coming again, resurrection) and what is non-essential (when and how, new heaven and earth). We should not be carried away with the non-essentials.Dear Hema, Agree with you that at present, many churches are in a sad state. Believers not taking their faith seriously and living it out. We, the church have a long way to go. This is not in agreement with postmillennium.
Dear Suresh, Yes, the postmillennium view is very optimistic indeed, in many areas like gospel transformed and impact society, world system becomes more righteous and peace and prosperity increased and so on. All this will happen before Christ’s return but now this world is going in another direction and many Christians are persecuted in many countries. Yes, waiting to discover more about the various views.
Dear John Jeyasekar, Yes, I agree with you the importance of practical implications in the view which we believe in.
Post Millennium believe that Christ’s rule has taken place in the hearts of people and the power of the Holy Spirit can transform society which will lead to a golden peroid. At present we see more wickedness and evil in all aspect of life. So how or when will it get better? We also see the earth environment gradual decay from bad to worst. I find this view difficult to accept.
In the light of post millennium, how the church (believers) must engage the present world?
Mission and evangelism must increase in all aspect of society and there is great motivation in doing so as with God’s Holy Spirit it can be done to transform all life. Believers are called to shine as light and be as salt in such a way that their lives will bring glory to God.Dear Hema, I too had this question, “Why God gave Satan a second chance to deceive people..” Some passage of the bible are not easy to understand. I too hope that our question will be answered in the coming lessons.
Dear John Jeyasekar, I agree with you on the several views and it’s good to know the differences. Also you mentioned about the basic truth remains the same about Christ’s return.. Indeed we should be waiting and watching for his return no matter what people say or believe.
What are my expectations on the study of the millennial views?
A thousand years reign of Christ is written in the bible in Rev 20:4. My expectation on the study of the milllennial views is to discover in detail what it means and to understand it’s meaning.
In the past, there were great men of God who had different views of the millennium. How did they come to the conclusion? What did it mean to them during their time? Now the time is very different. How are we suppose to see all these various view in the light of our time now? Looking forward to learn more in the coming lessons.Dear Karl Dennis, many years ago, the topic of the second coming of Christ was scary and some of my friends were not sure if they will go to heaven because they are not sure of their salvationy. Yes, I guess our sins, real or imaginary were right in front of us! We were much younger than and our understanding in these matters were not clear.
Dear Suresh, When one does good deeds, without knowing Jesus, he will not be saved, as you mentioned. This is very sad. Hopefully they will come to know Jesus someday in their doing good.
Well said – The Son of man came to seek and to save the lost… We too should save others.Dear Hema, Our human mind cannot fully understand what God has prepared for us in the future. Yes, our God is awesome indeed, revealing a glimpse of what is to come.
Agreed with you the importance of life reflecting Jesus.In the light of the glourious future prepared for believers in the new heaven and earth, how should we prepare ourselves now?
Jesus warning to his disciples – watch out, be on your guard, be prepared about false prophets, natural disasters, persecutions, family disharmony etc. We need to be ready at all times, not knowing the Master’s return. To use our time wisely, our speech and actions will be tested by fire. To live simply and in the light of eternity. This life is preparing us for the life to come with God in eternity. John Piper said about “marvelling Jesus” when he comes to be glorified 2 Thess 1:10 Learning to live my life for Jesus and to marvel him in all aspect of my life, to give him all the glory and honor, even in suffering, knowing that God is in control and he knows what is best for me. Our human nature is sinful and we are prone to be selfish, we need to surrender our life constantly and be conscious of his mercy and grace.In the light of eternal damnation of the wicked, what should we do about it now?
There will be increase wickedness and man’s heart will be more evil and there is no fear of God. It will not be easy but we need to press on and cried out to God for his mercy, to open the eyes of the wicked. Our life style must be a witness and find ways to share the gospel when the need arises. -
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