More biblical proof that supports Amillennialism

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rwb

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It's not insane. You just need to be more reasonable in dealing with other viewpoints.

In your system the 2 Comings of Christ are viewed differently. You annul the Jewish view of the 1st Coming and think Premils perpetuate the Jewish view in their expectation of the 2nd Coming. I understand that. But no, it's not "insane."

Premils like myself do embrace a proper Jewish view of both the 1st and 2nd Comings. The believing Jews ultimately accepted the right expectation of Jesus' 1st Coming, but did not deny the future salvation of Israel, both politically and spiritually. And I would add to this that although the original Church may not have fully appreciated the expansion of the Gospel ministry into many nations, beyond Israel, that certainly has been the case. Like Israel, many nations have become virtual Christian theocracies!

For me as a Premil, the 2nd Coming will be the completion of this process. The nations that have been "seeded" as Christian nations, or "called" nations, will be restored to their original calling. Both Israel and Christian nations, which have fallen, will be restored and properly preserved as such for a thousand years.

The 2nd Coming will see the binding of Satan, which will enable this promise to be completed. Nothing about this is "insane." It is the fulfillment of God's word, not reading back into the 1st Coming the completion of all God's promises, nor reading into the present age the same.

The current age is seeing, as predicted, a colossal religious failure. Christ comes back to save us, to finish His word. This is a completely reasonable proposal, based on the same Scriptures you use to propagate your own views. Calling other Christians' views, as such, "insane" does nothing to further understanding between the different schools.

There is nothing reasonable when it comes to millennialists!
 
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WPM

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I'm not "confused" about this--we just disagree. I fully understand your pov--the success and advance of the Gospel was made possible by the "binding of Satan," as you see it.

I, on the other hand, acknowledge the victory of Christ in making possible the Gospel success in the world. People are saved because Jesus saved us at the cross.

But in my view this is only the 1st step in the process. The 2nd Coming will bind Satan so that not only will present saints obtain their goal, but the world will also see prophetic fulfillment that is as yet impossible in the present age.

We've discussed the "strong man," which in my view is different from the "binding of Satan" in Rev 20. The binding of a strong man was applied to demon exorcism. The thought is that any time God wishes to force an issue, resistance must be dealt with. Though the Kingdom of God does advance for the purpose of Salvation in the present age, I do not see Satan as "bound" in the sense of an "imprisonment."

Zech 12 relates to the 2nd Coming. We see that in Rev 1.7. I don't see them as 2 different events.

Hello! The binding of the strongman is the binding of Satan. All objective commentators accept that. The reality is: this exposes your theology and timeline, thus you have to reject it. Satan (the strongman has been bound since and through the First Advent. Satan’s will get a short season at the end, when the mystery of iniquity is released to delude people. There may be good reason to believe we are there now. Things are in swift and disturbing free-fall globally. Restraint seems to have been removed.
 
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WPM

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Zech 12 relates to the 2nd Coming. We see that in Rev 1.7. I don't see them as 2 different events.


You are not just fighting with all Amils, you are fighting with the OT prophets, Jesus and the NT writers. You wrongly apply Zechariah 12 to the Second Advent rather than the First. “In that day” appears six times in that chapter thus indicating the harmonious nature of it. Matthew quoted from it explaining how it explicitly related to the First Advent and specifically the cross.

I think that Zechariah's audience, focus and responsibility was Jews as he lived in the Old Testament era, that did not mean the Gentile wasn't in view in regard to the new covenant only they were merely secondary at this juncture in history. Zechariah 13:1 and Zechariah 12:10 connect. Israel's Redeemer/Messiah and Lord already came 2,000 years ago - many believed, many didn't.

The first time that Jesus came He came as Savior. The next time He comes He is coming as judge. If men are not ready, then they will be punished and sent to the lake of fire. There will be no time to repent when He comes. It will be too late. We will deliver His people before destruction (as in Noah and Lot's day) in 1/20th of a second (the twinkling of an eye). All left will be destroyed.

This passage relates to when Messiah appeared nearly 2,000 years ago. As predicted, salvation flowed out from the Cross – firstly to Israel, then to the nations. Many, many Jews have accepted Christ and His sacrifice for sin since then. Many came to a personal faith in Christ after the resurrection. Since then, countless Gentiles have entered into the joy of sins forgiven. The cross is man’s only hope; it is the only means by which sinful man (Jew or Gentile, pre-Calvary or post) can enter into union with God. It is the only way that man can be reconciled onto sinful creatures and experience the wonderful quickening “spirit of grace.” The Holy Spirit came like rivers of living water to all who would believe in Christ. Jews by the thousands, as well as new Gentile converts were the welcome recipients of this following Calvary.

John 19:30-37 says, “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken (speaking of Psalms 34:20). And again another scripture (speaking of Zechariah 12:10) saith, they shall look on him whom they pierced.”

Jesus nails it for us. There is no room for further debate, personal opinion, speculation to fit man's paradigms, when He locates it.

You can explain away the sacred text all you want but the Holy Ghost has already located this at the cross.

Sorry. I takes Jesus interpretation and application of this before your bias mistaken Premil one. You are fighting with Jesus here.
 

Randy Kluth

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Scripture expressly refutes your position. Revelation 12:5-11 says...

Here is when he got his eviction notice, and here is "when" salvation came to the "whole world" - not just one nation Israel. The deception enveloping the Gentiles was lifted - praise God. They are now without excuse, just like those in the OT that rejected salvation. Salvation has now come to the nations. But Satan had to first be cast down. He had to be defeated. Christ’s life, death and resurrection safely secured that. As a result the Church becomes a militant overcoming organism.
We see Rev 12 differently. I think the passage does deal with Christ's 1st Coming, but I think it is projecting to the 2nd Coming, as well. The demise of Satan is therefore, in my view, a projection into the future when wholesale deception will no longer be the norm on earth, as it is today. Satan will be bound and imprisoned both.
1 Corinthians 15:22-24 tells us: “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.”

Here you have it: “all rule and all authority and power” are “put down” at “Christ's … Coming.” It is that simple, and that clear. Those who take a clear, objective and literal straightforward reading of this text will see that it spells the end of all rebellion.
In my view this is talking about the end to all resistance to the coming of God's Kingdom, as indicated in Dan 7. The "Little Horn" is viewed there as attacking God and His people, or as such, His Kingdom. He is opposed to the coming of the Son of Man who will establish this Kingdom. That is, the Kingdom is *not yet!*

To put down this resistance, even *all* resistance, is not the same thing as saying the Sin Nature is excised from all of humanity, nor is it saying that the entire sinful world is annihilated. It is simply saying that the opposing forces are completely defeated, which will certainly be the case when Christ comes and establishes God's Kingdom on the earth. We both agree on this but look at it in different ways.
Paul then reminds us:

1 Corinthians 15:25-26: “For he must reign (present, active infinitive), till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.”

Here he shows that Christ is reigning now. It is written in the present, active infinitive sense. How long does he reign? He confirms: “till he hath put all enemies under his feet.” Again, this couldn’t be clearer! Every last enemy will be subjugated and subdued at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. The last enemy is identified as death!
Yes, Christ is Lord and Ruler of the universe, of all creation. But he does not yet rule with his Kingdom upon the earth. This is not saying he is failing to be ruler, nor is it saying he is failing to rule the earth. It simply applies technically to the establishment of God's Kingdom on earth, requiring the satanic world to be defeated and brought under control, or restraint.

Jesus was "ruler" even during his earthly ministry. And yet he died! Does that mean he ceased to be divine Ruler? No! It just means that he allows sin and satanic influence to continue in the present age until people can get saved. Apparently "seeding" salvation on earth is necessary before the Kingdom comes to destroy those who resist that Kingdom. And that's because many of those who presently resist the Kingdom require the opportunity to hear the Gospel and to repent.

In another post I explain that "rule" requires different definitions in different contexts.
 

The Light

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The 6th seal is the wrath of God. Read the text. It totally demolishes the Premillennial scheme. It shows the conflagration and the destruction of all the wicked. This relays the Amil position. Let us look at the text in Revelation 6:12-17, says, “And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; and the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?”
Thank you for your response. OK, now let me ask you to read the text.

"For the great day of His wrath is come and who is able to stand."

The day of wrath lasts one year.

Isaiah 34
8 For it is the day of the Lord's vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion.
 

WPM

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We see Rev 12 differently. I think the passage does deal with Christ's 1st Coming, but I think it is projecting to the 2nd Coming, as well. The demise of Satan is therefore, in my view, a projection into the future when wholesale deception will no longer be the norm on earth, as it is today. Satan will be bound and imprisoned both.

You see every passage through the lens of your faulty interpretation of Rev 20. That causes you to change the meaning of every end-time passage to suit your partiality. That is a sad, dangerous and unwise way to approach all Scripture.

Revelation 12 places the defeat of Satan at the resurrection/ascension: "And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death."

Previous to Satan's eviction, God was Israel's God, not the Gentiles God. Satan ruled the nations. But through this casting out of Satan, after man's penalty had been paid in full, he no longer had anything to accuse the elect over. It was indeed finished! The powerful spread of the Gospel to the Gentiles lifting the deception that kept them bound. Satan was now bound. The boot was on the other foot. With the global expanse of the great commission the Gentiles now are without excuse. The ignorance is gone. The veil is lifted. The means by which God lifts deception is the preaching of the Word of God. This has now been successfully ongoing throughout the nations for 2000 years.

Satan's defeat came through His sinless life, His atoning death and His glorious resurrection. Here is when He got His eviction notice, and here is "when" salvation came to the "whole world" - not just one nation Israel. The deception enveloping the Gentiles was lifted - praise God. They are now without excuse, just like those in the OT that rejected salvation. Salvation has now come to the nations. But Satan had to first be cast down. He had to be defeated. Christ’s life, death and resurrection safely secured that. As a result, the Church becomes a militant overcoming organism.

Christ predicted shortly before He destroyed the power of Satan at the cross, in John 12:30-33: Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die.”

Christ’s death, burial and resurrection were the decisive blows against Satan. His defeat has already been wrought. This passage plainly shows the powerful result of Calvary and the deep impact it had upon Satan. It shows us that Satan is now under Christ’s feet and is now subject to His Sovereign will. Satan and his minions are barred from heaven. They have been banished after they were defeated 2,000 years ago.

Before being cast out of heaven through Christ’s victorious assault on his kingdom the devil had access to both heaven and earth. He had the ability to come before God to accuse the brethren of their sins. When he was cast down he no longer had access to heaven but only to earth.

Revelation 12:11 tells us that they (the Church) overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony.” Satan can be overcome in this life.

Satan is curtailed when the Church operates in and under the anointing and authority of the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ’s life, death and resurrection have opened the door and bust the devil aside. As ambassadors of another nation (a more powerful heavenly nation), we have been given authority over the devices of the enemy. We can defeat in our lives and through the spread of the Gospel.
 
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WPM

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Thank you for your response. OK, now let me ask you to read the text.

"For the great day of His wrath is come and who is able to stand."

The day of wrath lasts one year.

Isaiah 34
8 For it is the day of the Lord's vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion.

That does not suggest the wrath lasts for 1 year. Premils do not even believe that. You are pulling at staws here. It is talking about the time of recompense has arrived. The wrath of God is sudden and totally destructive. No one survives as this passage tells us. I Thessalonians 5:2-7 the enormity of this climactic event: the day of the Lord will come (or appear or arrive) as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.”
  1. Do you literally believe Christ is coming suddenly and unexpectedly "as a thief in the night" as the Bible says (1 Thessalonians 5:2)?
  2. Do you literally believe the wicked will experience "sudden destruction" from His appearance as the Bible says (1 Thessalonians 5:3)?
  3. Do you literally believe the wicked "shall not escape" as the Bible says (1 Thessalonians 5:3)?
The “wrath” of God is here linked with the “sudden destruction” that befalls those that are in the dark when Jesus comes. Significantly the whole context of this reading is the destruction of those who abide in darkness and the rescue of those who are in light. There is no third group that is half enlightened. Despite the destruction that hits all left behind the writers reassures the believer that they will escape this awful fate.

I Thessalonians 5:2-7 confirms that it isn’t just Christ’s coming that is sudden but also the destruction that accompanies. Likening Christ’s return to “a thief in the night” capably serves to impress the surprising nature of His coming for the lost. It shows that the wicked are caught abruptly in their folly at the apocalypse. The “sudden destruction” is so impactful that none escape. That is explicit in the narrative. Furthermore, we learn that the speed that the pain of childbirth hits a woman will be like the destruction of the wicked. It is not saying that 'the whole child-birth experience is like the coming of the Lord' which would be needed to allow for the Premil understanding. After all, they have to stretch the judgment out over centuries, but it is not found in this text. In doing this they diminish the sudden nature of the destruction.

The coming of Christ is here (as 2 Peter 3) likened to the appearance of “a thief in the night.” Moreover, the narrative demonstrates that the judgment that accompanies this climactic event is instantaneous and that it involves “sudden destruction.” Its focus is directed fully and entirely upon the sum-total of the wicked, not merely a percentage of them. This group that is referred to as “they” who “shall not escape” relates to the aggregate Christ-rejecting community alive at His return. They are later described as those who are “of the night” and “of darkness.” It is they alone that experience immediate and “sudden destruction” which “cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child”; and “they shall [assuredly] not escape.” This climactic event pulls down the curtain on time and concludes the affairs of this life.
 

GerhardEbersoehn

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Jesus went to prepare a place, and said if He returned it would not be to stay but rather that where He is, we might be also.
It is good to understand and apply Jesus' referring to his going away in Luke (22 et al x 4 Gospels) to prepare a place for his redeemed, to the Last Day of Judgement and His Second Coming, but Jesus was speaking in these Scriptures in the first place of his imminent Suffering, Death and Resurrection as the Foundation and Beginning of His Eternal Reign "on earth as it is in heaven". He taught his disciples to pray "Thy Kingdom come" in more than one way and on more than one occasion.
 

Randy Kluth

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Revelation 12 places the defeat of Satan at the resurrection/ascension: "And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death."
As I said, this passage does initially speak of the 1st Coming. But it alludes to the 2nd Coming, primarily. From John's pov, the birth of Christ had already happened. So the focus was on the future 2nd Coming, which had not happened yet.

Satan has been deceiving the nations in the present age, and not just in the OT era, when Israel was the only nation called by God. The deception of Satan ends when Satan is imprisoned in the bottomless pit, as indicated in Rev 20. As I said, we see things very differently.
Previous to Satan's eviction, God was Israel's God, not the Gentiles God. Satan ruled the nations. But through this casting out of Satan, after man's penalty had been paid in full, he no longer had anything to accuse the elect over. It was indeed finished! The powerful spread of the Gospel to the Gentiles lifting the deception that kept them bound. Satan was now bound. The boot was on the other foot. With the global expanse of the great commission the Gentiles now are without excuse. The ignorance is gone. The veil is lifted. The means by which God lifts deception is the preaching of the Word of God. This has now been successfully ongoing throughout the nations for 2000 years.

Satan's defeat came through His sinless life, His atoning death and His glorious resurrection. Here is when He got His eviction notice, and here is "when" salvation came to the "whole world" - not just one nation Israel. The deception enveloping the Gentiles was lifted - praise God. They are now without excuse, just like those in the OT that rejected salvation. Salvation has now come to the nations. But Satan had to first be cast down. He had to be defeated. Christ’s life, death and resurrection safely secured that. As a result, the Church becomes a militant overcoming organism.

Christ predicted shortly before He destroyed the power of Satan at the cross, in John 12:30-33: Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die.”
I think Jesus was declaring Satan's ultimate judgment, to be put into effect at the 2nd Coming. What Christ would do at the cross would prepare the way for what he will do at his 2nd Coming.
Christ’s death, burial and resurrection were the decisive blows against Satan. His defeat has already been wrought. This passage plainly shows the powerful result of Calvary and the deep impact it had upon Satan. It shows us that Satan is now under Christ’s feet and is now subject to His Sovereign will. Satan and his minions are barred from heaven. They have been banished after they were defeated 2,000 years ago.

Before being cast out of heaven through Christ’s victorious assault on his kingdom the devil had access to both heaven and earth. He had the ability to come before God to accuse the brethren of their sins. When he was cast down he no longer had access to heaven but only to earth.

Revelation 12:11 tells us that they (the Church) overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony.” Satan can be overcome in this life.

Satan is curtailed when the Church operates in and under the anointing and authority of the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ’s life, death and resurrection have opened the door and bust the devil aside. As ambassadors of another nation (a more powerful heavenly nation), we have been given authority over the devices of the enemy. We can defeat in our lives and through the spread of the Gospel.
We have limited power over Satan in the present age, just as Jesus limited his own rights during his earthly ministry. Jesus allowed himself to be opposed, and he allowed himself to be put to death.

We also can be resisted and put to death. We may cast out devils, but we may also be persecuted by devils. Until Satan is bound we continue to suffer the oppression of the Enemy.
 

Randy Kluth

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You are not just fighting with all Amils, you are fighting with the OT prophets, Jesus and the NT writers. You wrongly apply Zechariah 12 to the Second Advent rather than the First. “In that day” appears six times in that chapter thus indicating the harmonious nature of it. Matthew quoted from it explaining how it explicitly related to the First Advent and specifically the cross.
I'm not fighting with anybody. You're the one doing the "fighting!"

I'm just giving you my opinion and my informed interpretation of these passages. Zech 12 is being referred to in Rev 1, such that they are the *same event.* You may not agree--too bad!
 

Randy Kluth

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Hello! The binding of the strongman is the binding of Satan. All objective commentators accept that.
You are diverting. I did not say the "strongman" could not apply to Satan. I said it was being applied to the exorcism of demons--not just Satan!

The point I was making is the prevailing over Satan in the NT era is not the same thing as complete victory over Satan. While God prevails with each success of the Gospel being preached, demons are bound, to some extent. But Satan is *imprisoned* at the 2nd Coming. The point is, there is a very big difference between being *imprisoned* and being "bound" for a particular activity.

Where are we told that "binding the strong man" is permanent in the case of exorcism? On the contrary, we are told that a demoniac can be exorcised and then have 7 more demons return. So there is no sense here of a permanent binding, such as we have with an "imprisonment!"
 

Randy Kluth

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(1) There is a big difference between time and eternity, reigning for 1000 years and forever. Sorry you cannot see that.
Are you kidding? I was the one who just explained that to you!
(2) The Messiah has already come 2000 years ago. He has already introduced His kingdom. Sad that you know nothing experientially and intellectually of this. Many here have already entered it. He is already ruling with all authority in heaven and earth over mortal man. There is nothing that is not under His feet. He is king over all creation! He opens and no man closes. He closes and no man opens! Hello! He is the lion (king) of the tribe of Judah.
I've already explained this to you. Jesus "rules" in the context of God ruling His creation, whether over rebellious mortals or over obedient subjects. But the kind of "ruling" that Jesus and the glorified saints do during the Kingdom Age has to do with judgment, and with suppressing the rebellion of mortals.

This is the big difference between the thousand years and Eternity. One is a rule over potentially rebellious mortals. And the other is God's position as Creator, which naturally rules over all of His creation, rebellious or not.
 

WPM

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As I said, this passage does initially speak of the 1st Coming. But it alludes to the 2nd Coming, primarily. From John's pov, the birth of Christ had already happened. So the focus was on the future 2nd Coming, which had not happened yet.

Yea right! There is such a lack of objectivity with you. There is no mention of the second coming in Rev 12. Where is it? Nowhere! You have to add unto Scripture to make it happen. Sad!

John is talking about the ongoing warfare that involves the Church and Satan since Satan was actually cast out of heaven because he no longer had authority to accuse the elect day and night. The penalty for sin had been fully paid. There was no more condemnation for the redeemed. It shows the protection on the Church and their power over Satan since his binding. Rev 12 shows the Gospel going out to the nations as predicted in Rev 20. This strongly reinforces the Amil position. Here is when he got his eviction notice, and here is "when" salvation came to the "whole world" - not just one nation Israel. The deception enveloping the Gentiles was lifted - praise God. They are now without excuse, just like those in the OT that rejected salvation. Salvation has now come to the nations. But Satan had to first be cast down. He had to be defeated. Christ’s life, death and resurrection safely secured that. As a result the Church becomes a militant overcoming organism.

Revelation 12:5-11 and Revelation 20 describe the overthrow of Satan after the resurrection. The casting of Satan and his minions out of heaven toward earth John 12:31-33 and Revelation 12:5-11 correlates with him being cast into the abyss (Jude 6, 2 Peter 2:4, Revelation 9 and Revelation 20). The abyss is a place of restraint.

The nations of the world that were once blinded before the cross have now have been opened up to the light and truth of the Gospel - and there is nothing Satan can do to stop it. Satan (the accuser) has been soundly defeated by Christ. His firing pin has been taken away. He has been shackled in regard to his previous widespread spiritual power over the Gentiles. He is now powerless and impotent to stop the people of God advancing the Gospel commission in the will of God. His power over the saints has been demolished through the blood of Christ. That is why he has no more access to heaven and no power to accuse the elect.
  • Satan is already judged – his fate is sealed.
  • The false accuser is already cast down.
  • The devil has no more access to heaven.
  • He has lost his ability to bring charges against God's elect.
  • God's people are totally and eternally forgiven through the blood of Jesus.
  • He doesn’t have anything on us anymore. Past, present and future sin has been paid for.
  • The militant Church is a resistance movement against Satan and his lies as they spread the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ.
  • Satan’s playing field - the Gentile nations - is enlightened.
  • The Gentiles are now without excuse.
  • Believers now overcome Satan by the power of the blood of Jesus made personal in their life.
  • Satan knows his time is short.
Satan has been deceiving the nations in the present age, and not just in the OT era, when Israel was the only nation called by God. The deception of Satan ends when Satan is imprisoned in the bottomless pit, as indicated in Rev 20. As I said, we see things very differently.

Through the defeat, injury and spiritual restraint of Satan, the Church has been bequeathed power to invade the nations and cripple Satan by shining the Gospel light on darkened Gentiles (who he controlled wholesale). With the global expanse of the great commission the nations are now without excuse. The ignorance is gone. The veil is lifted!

I think Jesus was declaring Satan's ultimate judgment, to be put into effect at the 2nd Coming. What Christ would do at the cross would prepare the way for what he will do at his 2nd Coming.

You are an expert at twisting Scripture. You should have been a lawyer, trying to make black white and white black. That is Premil in a nutshell. Clear and straightforward passages that are plainly located to particular events in the NT are explained away to support the Premil error. You do not want to know the truth because it would force you to change, something you are not prepared to do. Some people are ignorant to the truth and hold to Premil ignorantly. You know the truth but choose to reject it. It is pointless engaging with you. This passage is a classic reason why Amils will never convince you. You are so blinded by Premil no other passage makes sense to you. That is a willful rejection of truth.

Christ uses the same type of language in John 12 as He did in Revelation 12:31-33, when, shortly before the cross, He predicted the historic and eternal downfall of Satan through the cross. Jesus prophesied, now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out (ekballo). And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die (John 12:31-33).

Is Jesus going to die again at the second coming? No. That is the implication of your Premil teaching. Here again we have another clear confirmation as to the timing of the banishment of Satan. Christ deliberately connects the time of His death to the time when Satan “the prince of this world” would finally be “cast out.” There, He gloriously dethroned Satan from his previous, largely unchallenged, global earthly rule and his place of accusation in heaven. Satan’s movement, liberties and sway on earth and in heaven received a severe blow.
 
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WPM

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We have limited power over Satan in the present age, just as Jesus limited his own rights during his earthly ministry. Jesus allowed himself to be opposed, and he allowed himself to be put to death.

Speak for yourself. Yes, in your false teaching, not in the teaching of the NT. Your teachers have deceived you. Premil has a big devil and a small God. Premil has a big devil and an impotent powerless church. Amils have the opposite. They have a conquering Christ who has empowered the Church to invade Satan’s territory and see him defeated everywhere the light of the Gospel is received throughout the nations.

Your defeatist theology is an awful slight on Christ and what He achieved through His sinless life, His atoning death and His glorious resurrection.

With the coming of Christ to this earth came the introduction of His spiritual kingdom. With the introduction of His spiritual kingdom came a direct challenge to the power and influence of Satan on planet earth. With the direct challenge to the power and influence of Satan on planet earth came the spiritual empowerment of the people of God to confront and overcome Satan and his demonic angels.

Wherever the Church advances, the work of Satan is bound!!!

Christ said, to the disciples in Luke 10:19, “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

When you are tuned into heaven, when you are connected to heaven, all things are possible. God is big and the devil is small. The light is shining and the darkness is dispelled. Peace prevails and the power ensues.

Jesus said in Matthew 16:18-19: “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys (or authority) of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

God has entrusted power and authority to the Church in this age that the devil cannot in any way deal with or thwart. As Christians the highest authority existing on this earth has been delegated to us. Jesus Christ has commissioned us to enforce His will on this corrupt planet. He has filled us with His power. He has anointed us with His authority. We possess divine authority. That is why we come in His name.

Darkness cannot handle the light. When light shines, darkness must go. As the Church of Jesus Christ spreads the good news (or light of the Gospel) throughout the world the devil is exposed for who he is: he is stupid, he is a fool, he is a loser.

We have power over Satan since the cross! If you are walking in obedience, the devil has no authority over you. But you have much power over him. Think about this we have power over Satan and all his demons! He cannot do as he pleases against the people of God. There is much Scripture that says we have power over him.

Some Christians respond, but what about 1 Peter 5:8? Let us read it: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.The very next verse 1 Peter 5:9 affirms, “whom resist stedfast in the faith.”

The true Church of Jesus Christ is a resistance movement. While Satan resists us, the Bible says we have power to resist him, and subjugate his purposes against us. We resist the lawlessness and evil encroachments of the devil around us.

In fact, James 4:7 tells us what happens when you do resist, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

This is incredible! You resist, he must flee. When the devil plants a temptation, a doubt or a fear, you simply have to resist it, whereupon Satan must get his boots on and run. This word “flee” in the original means to escape, flee away or vanish. Now think about it. When you resist, he must disappear. The conflict today for the Church is not an earthly battle to possess an earthly territory but a spiritual battle to possess spiritual territory.

Do you cause Satan sleepless nights or does he cause you sleepless nights?

1 John 2:14: "I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one."

By resisting Satan, standing upon the Word of God, and staying steadfast, we have enormous individual impact upon the kingdom of darkness; we curtail the expansion of its evil designs.

We also can be resisted and put to death. We may cast out devils, but we may also be persecuted by devils. Until Satan is bound we continue to suffer the oppression of the Enemy.

Satan is bound. The strongman is bound. You are blind to this. You make Jesus out to be a liar. Satan had power and influence over the nations before the cross. The Gentiles were deceived. The Gentiles were in darkness. But since the First Advent the devil has been bound, curtailed, and limited in his power and influence, and is unable to curtail the enlightening of the Gentiles as a whole.

It is just like a gang leader in prison. He has power and influence in his own world. He has the ability to kill, steal, destroy, rape and embezzle in prison. But the governor and officers control his life and limit his movement and freedom. He cannot do his own thing. Regardless of what that prisoner thinks, he has no real power or authority. He is actually under authority. His life is regulated by rules and regulations that he does not agree with or appreciate. That does not diminish his restrained status.

It is the same with a controlling mother-in-law. What if she moved into your house with you and she was constant and ongoing trouble? She could challenge your authority. She could try to cause division and strife. She could shout and yell. She could manipulate and intimate. She can make your life miserable. That does not negate your authority over her. Regardless of what she thinks, your mother in law has no power or authority over you or your family. If you were to set rules, you have the authority to implement and to even cast her out of the house if need-be. It frankly doesn't matter what she thinks.
 
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The Light

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That does not suggest the wrath lasts for 1 year.
Certainly it does. Read it in context. The wrath of God lasts one year.

That said, in Revelation 6 we see just before wrath, that the heavens are rolled together as a scroll. We also see the stars fall from heaven who are the host of heaven, as a fig tree cast her figs.

Revelation 6
13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

So we see below that Isaiah is talking about the events of Revelation 6.

Isaiah 34
Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it.

2 For the indignation of the Lord is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter.

3 Their slain also shall be cast out, and their stink shall come up out of their carcases, and the mountains shall be melted with their blood.

4 And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree.

When we continue
reading, we see that the day of wrath is one year.

5 For my sword shall be bathed in heaven: behold, it shall come down upon Idumea, and upon the people of my curse, to judgment.

6 The sword of the Lord is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatness, and with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams: for the Lord hath a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Idumea.

7 And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness.

8 For it is the day of the Lord's vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion.

Premils do not even believe that. You are pulling at staws here.
Exactly, as most premils do not understand the difference between tribulation and wrath. The tribulation is over before the wrath of God begins.
It is talking about the time of recompense has arrived.
No. It is saying that recompense lasts for a year. There are more proofs than this.
 

WPM

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Are you kidding? I was the one who just explained that to you!

I've already explained this to you. Jesus "rules" in the context of God ruling His creation, whether over rebellious mortals or over obedient subjects. But the kind of "ruling" that Jesus and the glorified saints do during the Kingdom Age has to do with judgment, and with suppressing the rebellion of mortals.

This is the big difference between the thousand years and Eternity. One is a rule over potentially rebellious mortals. And the other is God's position as Creator, which naturally rules over all of His creation, rebellious or not.

No. There is no such thing as your future "kingdom age." There are only 2 ages, this age and the age to come. There is no age to come after the age to come. That is more fake news. That is another invention of your own mind. Where does it state this in Revelation 20? I will not hold my breath waiting on the answer. The answer will be like every other that I present to you. It will be ignored. That is because you foist so much on Rev 20 that does not exist in there. I add it to my list of your inventions and avoidances:
  1. Where in Revelation 20 or anywhere else in the New Testament does it say "the rule of the glorified Christ and his saints from heaven prevent the overt rebellion against God that we see in the present age"?
  2. Where in Revelation 20 or anywhere else in the New Testament does it teach "newly-converted Christians" are left "in charge of many Christian nations promised to Abraham thousands of years ago" in some future millennium?
  3. Where in Revelation 20 or anywhere else in the New Testament does it teach Jesus will be "crowned king *on earth* in the promised Kingdom of God."
  4. Where in Revelation 20 or anywhere else in the New Testament does it teach "human rebellion against God" will be "under better control than we now see it"?
  5. Where in Revelation 20 or anywhere else in the New Testament does it mention a "kingdom age"?
 

WPM

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Certainly it does. Read it in context. The wrath of God lasts one year.

That said, in Revelation 6 we see just before wrath, that the heavens are rolled together as a scroll. We also see the stars fall from heaven who are the host of heaven, as a fig tree cast her figs.

Revelation 6
13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

So we see below that Isaiah is talking about the events of Revelation 6.

Isaiah 34
Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it.

2 For the indignation of the Lord is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter.

3 Their slain also shall be cast out, and their stink shall come up out of their carcases, and the mountains shall be melted with their blood.

4 And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree.

When we continue
reading, we see that the day of wrath is one year.

5 For my sword shall be bathed in heaven: behold, it shall come down upon Idumea, and upon the people of my curse, to judgment.

6 The sword of the Lord is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatness, and with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams: for the Lord hath a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Idumea.

7 And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness.

8 For it is the day of the Lord's vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion.


Exactly, as most premils do not understand the difference between tribulation and wrath. The tribulation is over before the wrath of God begins.

No. It is saying that recompense lasts for a year. There are more proofs than this.

What happens at the coming of Christ occurs suddenly. It is totally destructive. I showed you the evidence. Is your tribulation period 1 year long after the second coming or is the 1st year of your millennium the wrath of God?