151118 Lesson 6 - Premillennialism - The Kingdom (Church) Has Been Established and Jesus is On His Throne

Lesson #6: Kingdom/Church Established and Jesus Is On His Throne Introduction: Premillennialist asset Christ will return to earth with the raptured saints, call the Jews back to Palestine (they will be in the process of returning, but this will complete the return), resurrect the righteous dead, and sit on David’s throne to establish the 1000-year reign in the millennium. Since premillennials are convinced that Christ's kingdom is yet in the future they are forced to account for the existence of the church and explain what role the church plays in God's kingdom plan. Premillennialism tries to account for the church by what is sometime called the "Gap Theory" the "Postponement Theory" or "The Church Age."God had a plan for a spiritual kingdom before the foundation of the earth (Ep. 1:4-5). Passages look FORWARD to the immanent establishment of Christ's kingdom before Pentecost. AFTER Pentecost, the kingdom is spoken of as being established, NOT awaiting some future establishment (Col. 1:13-19). Promises to restore fleshly, national Israel were fulfilled (Jer. 29:10-12; Neh 1:8-10). Premillennial Position: (Hal Lindsey "Late Great Planet Earth" pg. 92) "Daniel 7:19...speaks of the first phase of the forth kingdom. In phase one, this kingdom gains world authority (as Rome did), and then disappears to emerge again Just before Christ returns...In phase two of the forth kingdom, Rome, will be in the form of a 10 nation confederacy. " (Late Great Planet Earth, pg. 28) "...Israel is to be the leading nation of the world under the reign of the Messiah who would bring universal peace, prosperity, and harmony among all peoples of the earth." “Because of an anticipated future literal fulfilment, certain facts present themselves concerning Israel’s future. 1. First of all, Israel must be preserved as a nation. 2. Israel must have a national existence and be brought back into the land of her inheritance. Since David’s kingdom had definite geological boundaries, and those boundaries were made a feature of the promise to David concerning his son’s reign, the land must be given to this nation as the site of their national homeland. 3. David’s son, the Lord Jesus Christ, must return to the earth, bodily and literally, in order to reign over David’s covenanted kingdom. The allegation that Christ is seated on the Father’s throne reigning over a spiritual kingdom, the church, simply does not fulfill the promises of the covenant. 4. A literal earthly kingdom must be constituted over which the returned Messiah reigns. 5. This kingdom must become an eternal kingdom. Since the “throne”, “house”, and “kingdom” were all promised to David in perpetuity, there must be no end to the Messiah’s reign over David’s kingdom from David’s throne.” (Things to Come, Pentecost, J. Dwight, Grand Rapids, Zondervan Publishing House, 1964, p.114-115). Questions for Discussion (Biblical Position):Kingdom Prophecies  1. What promise was made to David (2 Sm. 7:12-13)?  2. How would the decedents of David know God remembered His promise (Is. 7:13-14)?  3. When would the kingdom be established (Da. 2:44-45)?