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Tract 107
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WILL THERE BE A MILLENNIUM?
The theory of MILLENNIUM - ONE thousand years reign of CHRIST up on earth. After HE comes, and that there be an earthly reign of righteousness, this is NOW in this MODERN age of time strongly advo cated, by numerous DIVIDED creeds, and holiness factions.
From the book of EUSEBIUS EC CLESIASTICAL HISTORY, we learn that the Millennium doctrine, FIRST be gan with an ungodly heretic named CERINTHUS, who lived in the FIRST century.
The idea of a Millennium reign proceeded out of Judaism. The Jews generally believed that the MESSIAH would establish a LITERAL, or EARTHLY kingdom, and the MESSIAH would reign a thousand years upon earth. This imagination the Jews produced, and as the Church APOS TATED it crept into Christianity.
CERINTHUS was the First to at tempt to introduce this. Again
I quote, written in EUSEBIUS EC CLESIASTICAL HISTORY, Book III, C 28. 98 A.D. - 117 A. D. CAIUS words - CERINTHUS by means of Revelation which he pretended were written by a Great Apostle, also falsely pretended to wonderful things as if they were showed him by angels, asserting that AFTER the RESURRECTION, there would be an earthly kingdom of Christ and that flesh of men again inhabit Jerusalem, would be subject to de sires and pleasures, being also an enemy to the divine scriptures, with a view to deceive men. He said that there would be a space of a Thousand years for celebrating Nuptial Festivals.
DIONSYSIUS in Second Book on Promises refers to the same character says: But it is highly probable that Cerinthus the same that established the heresy that bears his name, designedly affixed the name of John to his own forgery. For one of his doctrines that he taught was, that Christ would have an earthly kingdom.
But IRENAEUS in his First Book against HERESIES, adds certain false doctrines of the man, though kept more secret, and gives a his tory in his Third Book that deserves to be recorded, as received by tradition from POLYCARP Bishop of SMYRNA. He says that John the Apostle once entered a Bath to wash; but ascertaining Cerinthus was within, leaped out of the place, and fled from the door, not enduring to enter under the same roof with him, and exhorted those with him to do the same, saying: Let us FLEE, lest the bath fall in, as long as Cerinthus, that en emy of the truth is within.
We read again circumstances re lated of POLYCARP an Apostolic man, 161 A.D.-180 A.D. EUSB. ECCL. HIST. B: IV, C 14. The same POLYCARP coming to Rome under the EPISCOPATE of Anicotus, turned many from the aforesaid heretics to the CHURCH of GOD. Proclaiming the ONE, and only TRUE FAITH that he had Re ceived from the Apostle which was delivered by the CHURCH and there are those still living who heard him relate that JOHN the disciple of the Lord went into a bath at Ephesus and seeing Cerinthus with in, ran out without bathing and exclaimed, ‘Let us flee, lest the bath should fall in, as long as Cerinthus, that enemy of truth is within.”
Further we read of NEPOS and his SCHISM, 260 A. D. - 268 A.D. EUSP. ECCL. HIST. B: VII, C 24. Besides these there are two works of his, on the Promises. The occasion of which was NEPOS, Bish op of Egypt, he taught that the “Promises” given to holy men in the scriptures, should be under stood more as the JEWS understood them, and supposed that there would be a certain Millennium of sensual luxury on this earth, thinking therefore, that he could establish his own opinion by Rev elation of John. He composed a book on this subject with the ti tle - REFUTATION OF ALLEGORISTS. This was warmly opposed by DIONYSIUS in his Book on the Promises in B: VII, C 25 260 A. D. After this he proceeds further to speak of the REVELATION of John as fol lows: Some indeed, before us have set aside, and have attempted to refute the whole book, criticising every chapter and pronouncing it without sense and without reason. They say that it has a false title, for it is not of John. Nay, that it is not even a Revelation, as it is covered with such dense and thick veil of ignorance, that not one of the apostles, and not one of the Holy Men, or those of the Church could be its author.
But that Cerinthus, the founder of the sect of Corinthians so called from him, wishing to have reputable authority for his own FICTION, prefixed the title, for this is the doctrine of Cerinthus that there will be an earthly reign of Christ and so he was lover of the body, and altogether sensual in those things which he so eagerly craved.
From Eusehius Ecclesiastical History we find that the Millen nium doctrine started by an ungod ly heretic - Cerinthus that lived in the First Century.
This idea - Millenniun Reign, proceeded out of Judaism. The Jews believed that MESSIAH would establish a LITERAL or earthly kingdom and that the MESSIAH would reign a thousand years upon earth. This was the product of Jewish im agination that crept into Christ ianity when the Church apostated. Cerinthus was the first to attempt to introduce it into Christianity.
Fragments of Caius writing -Eusb. Eccl. Hist. B: III, C 28 - about the Second Century, gives account of Cerinthus’ heresy. Cerinthus pretended that marvelous things were shown to him by angels; he asserted that after the Resur rection, the Kingdom of Christ IS TO BE on earth. Being an enemy of the scriptures of GOD and desiring to deceive men, said there will be a space of Thousand years for Marriage Festivities. One of the doctrines he taught was that Christ would have an Earthly Kingdom.
This is the true origin of the Millennium doctrine.
CAIUS seems to have believed the orthodox teaching of the scrip ture that Christ’s kingdom WAS SET up at HIS FIRST COMING.
Cerinthus lived in the time of John the beloved Apostle. John revealed bitter attitude toward the Millennium teacher.
The theory of a LITERAL kingdom and reign on the earth, was gath ered from JEWISH FABULOUS. The vain (worldly expectation) was that the MESSIAH would establish a LITERAL kingdom, caused the Jews to REJECT Christ, and His SPIRITUAL KINGDOM - therefore they rejected and crucified the blessed beloved SON of GOD.
When the Church began to APOS TATIZE, and lost the GLORY of the SPIRITUAL KINGDOM - Old Jewish am bition desired a LITERAL Kingdom.
CLAIM OF MODERN MILLENNIUMISTS
First this doctrine of Millen iun has been, and is bolstered up upon the REVELATION of JOHN - and John regarded its founder Cerin thus, an enemy of the truth.
They based their claim upon Revelation 20:4. “They lived and reigned with Christ a Thousand years.” This chapter is a purely symbolical part of the vision John saw concerning the Church, passing through a period from its MORNING time through its EVENING time and on to the General Judgment.
When we analyze this chapter on the Thousand Years reign, even if it’s taken LITERALLY, it gives no room to claim it to be in the FU TURE. John said, And I SAW (past tense) the SOULS of them that WERE (past tense) beheaded.. .They LIVED (past tense, not going to reign) with CHRIST a Thousand Years. Rev elation 20: and in the 2nd verse we have the DRAGON that OLD SER PENT, which is the Devil and Satan, in the First Verse. The angel with a great chain in his hand - 2nd verse - bound him a Thousand years. This GREAT DRAGON in Revelation 12:9 is the same symbol and is called the Devil and Satan. The Devil is the instigator of the DRAGON power. This is a symbol of that PAGAN RE LIGION power with which MICHAEL the ARCHANGEL fought. So there WAS WAR in Heaven. Conflict between CHRISTIANITY and PAGANISM. This is what was revealed unto John. The DRAGON BOUND, that is PAGANISM, bound during the DARK AGES after the apostacy which was from 270 AD. The Thousand Years followed from 530 A.D. to 1530 A.D. - 1000 years. John refers to the souls of them that WERE martyred during the MORNING time of the Church.
In Revelation 12: 5 John SAW a MAN-CHILD, caught up unto GOD and HIS THRONE. MAN-CHILD is the OFF SPRING of the CHURCH in its in fancy. There are TWO phases to the CHURCH. This First Part, the OFF SPRING, was martyred. Thus souls caught up unto GOD - the Second Part, the WOMAN, which is the CHURCH - FLED into the wilderness. Revelation 12: 6-14, to a state of obscurity, during the DARK AGES. This John SAW. Revelation 20:5. But the REST of the dead, lived not again, until the Thousand Years were finished.
During the long period of DARK ENED time, the DIVINE CHURCH did not enjoy the reigning peace, it was only with departed souls in PARADISE with Christ.
In the whole 20th chapter of Revelation there is NOT ONE single word nor hint, NOT ONE, stating - to REIGN with Christ on EARTH LIT ERALLY.
MILLENNIUMIST claim that Isaiah 11: 6-9 will be the period of this blissful time when - the WOLF also shall dwell with the LAMB and the LEOPARD shall lie down with the KID, and the CALF and the young LION and the fatling together; and a LITTLE CHILD shall lead them. They shall not hurt nor destroy in ALL MY HOLY MOUNTAIN.
Millenniumist idea is, there will be a time when these vicious and domestic animals will lie down PEACEABLY together and a little CHILD shall lead then, and that they are to be in the Holy Moun tain. This was ISAIAH’S figurative form of speech in describing the SPIRITUAL KINGDOM - HOLY Mountain is the Mount Sion, the ONE divine CHURCH we ARE NOW in. Hebrews 12:22, 23.
In Isaiah 35: 8, 9, here he speaks of the WAY of HOLINESS… NO LION shall be there, nor any RAV ENOUS beast shall go up there on, it shall NOT be found there: but the REDEEMED of the Lord shall walk therein.
Where is the sense of seeing vicious devouring beasts on the WAY of holiness? Is such things supposed to live holy lives? This undoubtedly means spiritually and NOT literally. People of evil vicious nature when they are brought into the KINGDOM of GRACE are changed through the blood of Christ and REDEEMED unto GOD by the blood of CHRIST, will then REIGN SPIRITUALLY with CHRIST and will possess His Lamb-like nature and He said, “Ye are MY SHEEP.”
When HE said, GO tell that FOX, HE referred to HEROD. Herod was not a FOX, but Christ knew the cunning nature of Herod.
It is certain we are NOW in the KINGDOM OF GRACE, REIGNING NOW with CHRIST, since being saved by GRACE, REDEEMED unto GOD are NOW REIGNING in LIFE by one Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17. This kingdom of God we are NOW IN is NOT meat and drink; but RIGHTEOUSNESS and PEACE and JOY in the HOLY GHOST. Romans 14:17.
GOD’S PLAN of REDEMPTION was NOT for the animal world, but for the human world. It is surely for redemption of the SOULS of the world.
In ALL the Gospels and Epistles NOT once has it been stated that Christ will COME BACK to EARTH AGAIN. Jesus said, I WILL COME AGAIN, John 14:3. And they shall SEE the SON of MAN COMING in the CLOUDS of Heaven with power and GREAT GLORY, Matthew 24:30; Mark 13:26; Luke 21:27, also in Acts 1: 7, 10, 11. “He was taken up and a CLOUD received HIM out of their sight and while they looked stead fastly toward Heaven, behold, TWO men stood by them in WHITE APPAREL, which also said, Ye men of GALILEE, why stand ye gazing up into Hea ven? This same JESUS which is tak en up from you into Heaven SHALL SO COME AGAIN in like manner as ye have seen Him go into Heaven.”
MILLENNIUMISTS CLAIM this part of first chapter of ACTS, that Je sus WILL COME BACK to EARTH . Here it does NOT give that reason to claim, it does not say, HE WILL COME TO EARTH AGAIN. JESUS WILL COME in the CLOUDS and every eye shall SEE HIM.
The Apostle PAUL made clear statement in his epistle in I Thessalonians 4th chapter from verse 13. First he speaks to the breth ren of the THESSALONIAN CHURCH “Sorrow not even as others, which have no hope,” he said, “that WE which ARE alive, and renain unto the COMING of the LORD, shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the LORD Himself shall DESCEND from Heaven with a SHOUT, with a VOICE of an ARCHANGEL and the TRUMP of GOD: and the dead in CHRIST shall rise first.
THEN - we which are ALIVE, and remain, shall be CAUGHT UP together with them in the clouds to MEET the LORD in the AIR, and SO shall we EVER BE WITH THE LORD. I Thes salonians 4:15,16,17. The apostle speaks here, only to the Thessalon ian Church, the brethren, he does not speak of two literal resurrec tions. The DEAD IN CHRIST SHALL RISE FIRST. That is FIRST, before those ALIVE, be caught up TOGETHER with them in the clouds, to MEET THE LORD in the AIR - NOT to RETURN or that CHRIST COMES to EARTH again, but up TOGETHER, and EVER BE with the LORD.
BE NO TIME FOR MILLENNIUM
The general RESURRECTION will be at the LAST DAY, for ALL in the GRAVES shall HEAR His voice, and shall come forth. John 5:28,29. Jesus said, I will RAISE it up at the LAST DAY. John 6:39. Again, and I will RAISE him up at the LAST DAY, 40th verse. Also the same in verse 54. At the LAST DAY the mysteries of GOD shall be finished, and there BE TIME NO LONGER. Rev elation 10: 6,7.
BE NO PLACE FOR MILLENNIUM
According to II Peter 3:10, But the DAY of the LORD WILL COME, as a thief in the night, and in the 11th and 12th verses there it says of its destruction, the elements shall melt with fervent heat, and the earth also and the works that are herein shall be burned up, shall be dissolved, looking for and hasting unto the COMING of the DAY of GOD. In THIS there be No PLACE FOR AMILLENNIUM.
BE NO NEED FOR A MILLENNIUM
Now is the perfect and full SAL VATION offered, there will be NO SECOND CHANCE. Behold, NOW is the accepted TIME. Behold, NOW is the DAY of SALVATION. II Corinthians 6:2.
Those that reject Christ NOW, when HE comes again, He will re ject them, and they will be judged, and eternally doomed in the SECOND death - that ETERNAL separation - therefore there will be NO NEED of a Millennium.
Suppose Christ would come to EARTH, as the Millenniumists claim, would this professed divided re ligious world, in its present SECTISH form of worship, and so extremely full of confusion and massive CREEDS and FACTIONS, be prepared to receive HIM with which particular one would Christ have fellowship with, or would He have FELLOWSHIP with them ALL? Would HE SANCTION or approve, with all such divided claims while they SEEK their OWN GAIN from their OWN quarters, and WORSHIP according to their OWN will, and NOT the WILL and WORD of God, and how CAN they keep the whole truth, and practice it when they ALL do not believe the same way, as God’s Word demands?
The very most VITAL important purpose of CHRIST’S sacrifice was that GOD’S people be RECONCILED UN TO GOD, IN ONE BODY by the CROSS. Ephesians 2:16. For the ONE BODY is the ONE DIVINE CHURCH; ONLY ONE but ALL SECTS worship their own way, dividedly, and do not stand in the SAME MIND and SAME JUDGMENT. I Corinthians 1:10. And as Christ prayed in John 17th chapter, that they may be ONE; PERFECT in ONE.
Therefore for this cause GOD shall send STRONG DELUSION, that they believe a LIE, that they all might be DAMNED, who believed NOT THE TRUTH, but had pleasure in un righteousness. II Thessalonians 2:11,12.
If they ALL believed the WHOLE TRUTH and agreed together, then they would ALL be IN ONE BODY.
If the Millennium doctrine was SOUND doctrine, would it not ef fectively press to unite ALL GOD’S people into the ONE BODY? Being the masses of divided worshippers do not see the deep NECESSITY of GOD’S demand upon this fundamental TRUTH of the ONENESS of ALL TRUE people of GOD, as JESUS EARNESTLY prayed for in John 17th chapter, FIVE TIMES, that they may be ONE; PERFECT IN ONE.
Jesus said, But the hour cometh and NOW is, when the TRUE WORSHIP PERS, shall WORSHIP the FATHER in SPIRIT and in TRUTH, for the FATHER SEEKETH such to worship HIM.
God is a SPIRIT and they that worship HIM MUST worship Him in SPIRIT and in TRUTH. John 4: 23,24.
SATANIC plans are devised to de ceive the very ELECT, if possible, to cover up this glorious purpose of Christ and the cross. The cross destroys ALL division.
By so doing, he has produced somethimg to ease the mind of most that there will be a THOUSAND YEARS of blissful TIME, and a SECOND chance, after Christ comes.
The various innumerable forms of worship in this modern age, with its enlightened scientific know ledge and worship with dabbed, Untempered mortar, mixed with revelry of all things - bazaars, ban quets, dances, festivals, ball-teams with sect names, styles in pride and (extreme) pomp. Most anything to SUBSTITUTE the GLORY of the blessings of the SPIRITUAL kingdom we should be in, the KING DOM of GOD, in RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE and JOY IN THE HOLY GHOST. Romans 14:17,
Millenniumists can never pro duce anything to come on earth in the FUTURE better, nor can be com pared to the present experience the SANCTIFIED one got by the Holy Ghost, NOW.
Those dabbed with the THEORY of Millennium, will not endure SOUND doctrine, nor comprehend the mys tery of the FELLOWSHiP, Ephesians 3:9, which is the mystery of Christ, Ephesians 3:4.
Apostle Paul said, TIME will COME when they will NOT ENDURE SOUND DOCTRINE; but after their own lusts shall heap to themselves teachers having itching ears.
And they shall turn away their ears from the TRUTH, and shall be turned unto fables. II Timothy 4:3, 4. Jesus said, IF any man WILL DO HIS WILL, he shall KNOW of the DOCTRINE. John 7:17. If any man WILL NOT do His WILL, he shall NOT know the doctrine.
J. D. Llewellyn
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