A Brief Outline of Some of the Ways
Dispensational Premillenialism
Contradicts the Scriptures
Prophecies concerning the Messiah were interpreted by many prior to the days of Jesus Christ, as portending a literal earthly kingdom. But Jesus himself refused to be made their king, and plainly taught that his kingdom was not of this world. His kingdom, however, did come, and is a spiritual kingdom, which has existed among the Gentiles until now, although it appears the fulness of the Gentiles must be rapidly approaching. God's people should not be looking for a literal earthly kingdom now, or to come, as the spiritual kingdom of Jesus Christ is already here on earth, and has been for nearly 2000 years.
Dispensational Premillennialism is based on an inconsistent "literal" interpretation of scriptures (some of which are prophecies, some not), rather than allowing for a figurative, symbolic, or spiritual interpretation. It applies much of the old and new Testaments to a supposed reestablishment of a literal earthly national Israel, rather than to the spiritual Kingdom or church of Jesus Christ which has already taken place.
Premillennialism teaches that Israel being restored as a nation in 1948 is a prelude to the Battle of Armageddon, or of Gog and Magog, and the establishment of an earthly kingdom of Israel by Jesus Christ, rather than acknowledging him as having already established His Spiritual kingdom over which He has been reigning at the right hand of God for nearly two thousand years.
Premillennialism teaches that the Second Coming of Christ will occur in stages, and that the Resurrection of the Dead, both of the Just and Unjust, will occur in two or more stages, rather than one resurrection of the just and of the unjust in the same hour.
Premillennialism teaches that a secret rapture will precede a seven-year period of Great Tribulation, during which there will be a series of twenty-one plagues, prior to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ to reign on a new earth, rather than teaching that the Great Tribulation occurred at the time of the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the age of the law service, with the fulfilment of the first covenant and the establishment of the new covenant of grace.
- Rather than a "secret rapture," the Apostle taught that the Lord would come with a SHOUT, with the voice of the archangel, with the TRUMP OF GOD (the last trump). Rather than Jesus Christ coming to earth for a thousand years and leaving those who are already in heaven alone, without Him in heaven, we are told that we shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
- The seven-year period of the Great Tribulation is based upon misapplication of the seventieth week, in the prophecy of Daniel, chapter nine, which relates to the first coming, and the three-and-one-half year ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the three-and-one half year period of the Apostles' ministry to the Jews. In Daniel chapter two, it is prophesied that in the days of those kings, the God of Heaven shall set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed (the spiritual kingdom or church). That kingdom has been in the world for nearly 2,000 years already.
- The Great Tribulation idea itself is based on a misapplication of the Saviour's prophecy in Matthew chapter 24, concerning the period of tribulation which would come upon the Jews in A. D. 70 with the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple.
Premillennialism teaches that when Jesus Christ returns to reign on earth, the present world will be destroyed, and replaced with a new heaven and new earth. The language instead teaches that the old covenant passed away, and the new covenant, which is better, took its place, in the visible worship of God, nearly two thousand years ago.
Premillennialism teaches that Jesus Christ failed to establish an earthly kingdom during His first coming, but will set Himself up as a King over literal earthly Israel with His government at Jerusalem, and that the Temple will be rebuilt and sacrifices will be resumed, when He comes the second time, rather than teaching that the first service was abolished, and that He is and has been our King ever since he set up His kingdom, and that He gave all the laws, ordinances, needed for all time to the people of His visible spiritual kingdom. Jesus refused to be their King, in His first coming, and also testified that His kingdom was not of this world.
Premillennialism teaches that Christ and the resurrected saints, and those alive at His coming, will reign for a thousand literal years on the new earth, and will all sit on a literal throne in the New Jerusalem, in that new earth.
Premillennialism teaches that Satan will be bound for a thousand literal years, and then released for a time at the end of a literal thousand year reign of Jesus Christ on earth. The thousand years reign described in Revelation 20 is not stated to be on earth. He has been reigning in Heaven at the right hand of God, and will reign until the end of time, when He comes again to receive all of His purchased possession up into glory. He has reigned in heaven with the saints there, ever since he ascended up on high, and He will not cease to reign until He has delivered the whole kingdom up to God the Father, and overcome all principalities and powers.
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