Five False Claims of Premillennialism that should be LEFT BEHIND Premillennialism makes FIVE CLAIMS that are in contradiction to the Scriptures. This lesson is designed to help us understand the claims and (more importantly) the Bible truths that the claims contradict.

What is Premillennialism? Premillennialism is the belief that “At the close of the age…Christ will return for his church, meeting her in the air, which event, called the rapture or translation, will usher in a seven- year period of tribulation on the earth. After this the Lord will return to the earth to establish His kingdom on the earth for a thousand years, during which time the promises to Israel will be fulfilled.” (Charles Ryrie, The Basis of Premillennial Faith, p. 12)

The Five False Claims: God has not yet fulfilled His promise to give Israel the Land. The Kingdom has not yet come. There will be a seven-year rapture of the church. An evil world ruler, the Antichrist, will be the source of the great tribulation on earth. The Battle of Armageddon is to be a literal, physical World War.

Will There Be a Rapture? Premillennial beliefs about the rapture: Jesus will first come to raise the righteous dead and rapture the righteous living. The rapture is generally described as a secret event (millions suddenly disappear!) This will occur either before, during, or at the end of a 7 year period of tribulation The rapture, if true, would require multiple resurrections.

Will There Be a Rapture? The Bible contradicts rapture doctrine The events of 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 are not secret! 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 and 21-24 plainly associate “the last trump” and “the end” with what premillennialists say is the rapture! There will be one resurrection of believers and unbelievers occurring together (John 5:28-29; 6:39-54; Acts 24:14-15)

Is the Antichrist Coming or has He Already Come? Premillennialists claim he is coming: “The Antichrist: God has forewarned us of a time when the man of sin, a super human dictator known as the Beast, will be given power over all kindred, tongues and nations. All that dwell upon the earth shall worship him (except the saints), and he will cause all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive his mark, number or name, in order to work, buy or sell. (See 2 Thess. 2:4, and Revelation 13:7,8,16,17). [BiblelineMinistries.org]

Is the Antichrist Coming or has He Already Come? The Bible teaches he already came The prophecies of the Book of Revelation were to “shortly take place” for “the time is at hand.” (Revelation 1:1, 3; 22:6; 22:10) The Antichrist came in the first century (1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 7)

Is the Battle of Armageddon Physical? Premillennialists affirm that it is: Billy Graham wrote, “There is no doubt that global events are preparing the way for the final war of history, the great Armageddon.” (Till Armageddon, p. 15) Hal Lindsey said, “Two great spheres of power (are) left to fight the final climactic battle of Armageddon: The combined forces of Western Civilization united under the leadership of the Roman Dictator, and the vast hordes of the Orient, probably united under the Red Chinese war machine.” (The Late Great Planet Earth, p. 162)

Is the Battle of Armageddon Physical? What does the Bible say about Armageddon? It is a gathering place for battle in Revelation 16:16 The word “Armageddon” is Hebrew for “Mount Megiddo.” A battle takes place here in John’s visions in Revelation 19:19-21 Remember that Revelation uses many Old Testament elements. – “Of the 404 verses in Revelation, 278 contain references to the Old Testament” (H.B. Swete, The Apocalypse of St. John) Megiddo is mentioned 12 times in the Old Testament.

Is the Battle of Armageddon Physical? What does the Bible say about Armageddon? A number of important battles occurred at Megiddo in the Old Testament. Barak and Deborah overthrew the kings of Canaan, (Judges 5:19) Ahaziah died there (2 Kings 9:27) Josiah was killed by Pharaoh Necho (2 Kings 23:29)

Armageddon (Mt. Megiddo) In the OT, a place of conflict between God’s people and their enemies (Judges 5:19; 1 Kings 9:15; 2 Kings 23:29)

Mount Megiddo

Is the Battle of Armageddon Physical? What does the Bible say about Armageddon? A number of important battles occurred at Megiddo in the Old Testament. Barak and Deborah overthrew the kings of Canaan, (Judges 5:19) Ahaziah died there (2 Kings 9:27) Josiah was killed by Pharaoh Necho (2 Kings 23:29) The battle of Armageddon could not be a physical battle using modern warfare, even if we allowed the Premillennialists to take the passages in Revelation literally. (Revelation 19:11, 14, 21; Hebrews 4:12)

Jesus is Victorious! “These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” (Revelation 17:14)