Beyond the Sunset What about the millennium?

Agenda Millennialism defined Common end-time beliefs What we believe Opinion or doctrine?

Millennialism defined Belief in some form of a 1,000 year reign of Christ Based on Revelations 20:1-7 Belief dates back to 1 st Century AD

Common end time beliefs The “isms” – Pre-Millennialism – Post-Millennialism – Amillennialism – Preterism – Pan-Millennialism Common themes – Crucifixion – 1,000 year reign – Christ’s return – Final judgment – End of the world

Pre-Millennialism Literal 1,000 year reign Includes tribulation and rapture Second Coming and Last Judgment separated Matthew 24:21 I Thessalonians 4:16-18; I Corinthians 15:50-58

Post-Millennialism Some think literal, some symbolic 1,000 year reign Second Coming and Last Judgment together Good eventually overcomes Evil Symbolic Millennium

Amillennialism Symbolic 1,000 year reign Second Coming and Last Judgment together Evil eventually overcomes Good

Preterism Symbolic 1,000 year reign Second Coming already occurred Full-Preterism – all prophecies fulfilled in AD 70 Partial-Preterism – most prophecies fulfilled, a final judgment still to come AD 70 Second Coming Symbolic Millennium Last Judgment Preterism

Pan-Millennialism It will all “pan out” in the end.

Which one? Discussion: Which view do you think the Westside Church of Christ espouses? AD 70 Second Coming Symbolic Millennium Last Judgment Preterism Symbolic Millennium

What we believe Crucifixion Figurative 1,000 year reign The fall of Jerusalem in AD 70 fulfilled some things that Jesus prophesied There will be one “second-coming” of Christ There will be a Final judgment The world will come to an end

Unsupported Views Definitely not Pre-millennialism Denies Christ’s kingdom was only spiritual – John 18:36; Mark 9:1 Denies all resurrected at same time – John 5:28-29 Denies all judged at the same time – Acts 17:30-31; Matthew 25:31-46 Denies end of the world follows Christ’s return – 1 Cor 15:20-28; 2 Peter 3:4-13

Unsupported Views Definitely not Full-Preterism Denies need for communion – 1 Corinthians 11:26 Denies a bodily resurrection – 1 Thessalonians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 Denies visible return of Christ – Acts 1:9-11; Revelation 1:7 Denies end the of the world – 2 Peter 3:10-13

Opinion or doctrine? Discussion: Are end times beliefs matters of opinion or matters of salvation? – 2 Tim 2:16-18

Conclusion Our view of the millennium must not change our readiness Our view of the millennium must not lead others astray Our focus must be on evangelism and not furthering our views