Premillennialism

The Millennial Kingdom and Christ's Reign on Earth

The doctrine of the week for this Sunday is pre-millennialism. We've already covered the doctrine of the Millennial Kingdom, which is the 1 ,000 year reign of Jesus Christ upon the earth, as described in Revelation chapter 20.

But this term, pre-millennialism, is in reference to when Jesus returns in regard to that 1 ,000 year period. Revelation chapter 20, verse 6, says, Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection.

Over such, the second death has no power. But they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. And you notice right there, the saints reign with Christ, meaning Christ will be here on the earth reigning with his saints.

That's made very clear in Revelation 20, that it happens on the earth. Christ will be on earth reigning as king. John says the saints will reign with him. So, about this word pre-millennial, it's very simple to understand.

Pre means what? Before. So, the prefix pre means before. And the millennium is the 1 ,000 year kingdom. So, Jesus returns pre-millennial. He returns before the millennium. There are two other positions on this that some churches hold.

Amillennialism and Postmillennialism

One is called amillennialism. They say there is no literal kingdom. There will not be one. And then there is post-millennialism. That is the teaching. Jesus comes at the end of the millennium. This is not a salvation issue, but we do believe those to be false.

Christ Returns Before the Kingdom Is Set Up

So, this is very simple. This is one of the most simple teachings, I think, in all of the Bible. Jesus returns in Revelation chapter 19. The kingdom is set up in chapter 20. If you look at the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus returns in chapter 24.

The kingdom is set up in chapter 25. And you say, Pastor, is it really that simple? Well, if you take the Bible literally, yes it is. God wants us to know what he has in store. So, really when you think of Christ reigning upon the earth with his saints, earth's best days are still yet to come.