Premillennialism And Its Effects -- No. 2
What Happens When Christ Comes?
The Bible teaches that when Christ comes, both good and bad will be raised in one hour, one period of time, from the dead. "Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment.' (John 5:28-29)
At this time Christ will separate the good from the evil. "But when the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the angels with him, then shall he sit on the throne of his glory: and before him shall be gathered all the nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats; and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goat on the left.' — Matthew 25:31-33 The good will be rewarded and at the same time the wicked will be punished also. "And to you that are afflicted rest with us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire, rendering vengeance to them that know not God and to them that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus:"
2 Thessalonians 1:7, 8 "Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:" — Matthew 25:34 The evil are sent down to the "lake of fire." "Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels:" — Matthew 25:41 The same thought is found in Revelation 20:11-15 and Revelation 21:8.
The earth will be burned up. "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in the which the heavens shall be dissolved with fervent heat and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up." — 2 Peter 3:10 According to this passage of scripture, the earth would be a hot place in which to reign at this time.
Reasons why premillennialism is false teaching. First, it is not in harmony with the Bible teaching concerning the priesthood of our Lord. The scriptures tell us that if Christ "were on earth, he would not be a priest at all seeing there are those who offer the gifts according to the law.' Again, we are told that Christ is a priest forever, in Hebrews 7:17 "for it is witnessed of him Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek." If these scriptures are true, and they are, premillennialism is a false teaching.
Second: The premillennialists teach that our Lord will begin a thousand years reign shortly after his coming, but the Bible teaches that Christ has already received his kingdom and is reigning over that kingdom right now. Christ told the apostles more than nineteen hundred years ago that some of them would not see death till he would come in his kingdom. — Matthew 16:28 According to our. Lord's teaching he began to reign while the apostles lived. Again, Christ says, "My kingdom is not of this world." —John 18:36 Now if Christ did come and sit on a literal throne in old earthly Jerusalem, his kingdom would be of this world. In looking further we find that all Christians have been translated into the kingdom of God's Son. "Who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love;' — Col. 1:13 Of course we know that it would be impossible to be in Christ's kingdom unless he now reigns as king. The Holy Scriptures tell us that when Christ returns, he will deliver up the kingdom to God. "Then cometh the end when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have abolished all rule and all authority and power." Our premillennialist friends would have us believe that Christ will begin reigning at his coming but the Bible teaches that he will cease reigning at that time. The doctrine of premillennialism nullifies too many passages of scripture.
When people are taught that Christ is coming immediately to set up an earthly kingdom at earthly Jerusalem, and that the righteous dead will be raised to reign with him a thousand years, three dangerous things usually happen: First, the followers of this doctrine feel like it is useless to plan work, educate themselves or their children. They sit down and wait for the Lord to come. They do not even try to convert souls to Christ. However, they teach premillennialism. Second, some have given away or wasted what possessions they did have. They thought they would not need them very long. Many of these folks have suffered in their old age. Finally when these things did not happen as the premillennialists had planned them, many of their converts have given up their belief or faith, in God.
Premillennialism has the same effect on young people as the thought of death does to an old person. They feel like they will not be here much longer so they do not work too hard.
It is true that God intends for His people to be ready for death or for the coming of Christ, but God also intends for His people to work and provide for their families, the church and the needy. The Lord intends for man to work as long as he is able. Jehovah has no place in His church for a lazy person.
Therefore, the things that premillennialism leads to are against God's will and progress. And this false teaching will send your soul to hell.