Premillennialism (Part 5)

This is a continuation of a series of articles written by Wayne Jackson on this topic. This one appeared in the June 1973 edition of the "Christian Courier", published by the East Main Street Church of Christ in Stockton, California.

Based primarily upon a misunderstanding of Revelation 20:1-6 (to be discussed in a later article) premillennialists urge that there will be two resurrections of the dead. The first will occur at the time of Christ's coming and will consist of the righteous only. Following this, it is contended, will be the 1,000 year reign of Christ on Earth. Terminating this will be the second resurrection (of the wicked) and the judgment. There is no real support for this view; in fact, it contradicts numerous verses of clearest meaning. The Scriptures teach that when the Lord Jesus comes: (a) time will end; (b) all of the dead will be raised at the same time; (c) the judgment will occur; (d) eternity will commence.

THE END - In I Corinthians 15:23 Paul speaks of the "coming" of Christ. With reference to that even, he says, "then cometh the end..." (24). It is obvious that the return of Christ is not to begin as earthly reign; rather, it will bring an end to earthly affairs! Some contend that the adverb "then" (Greek  eita) demands an interval which allows time for a millennium. Such is not the case however. Note the use of eita in connection with eutheos (immediately) in mark 4:17. Noted scholor Wick Broomall declares, "The usage of eita shows conclusively that the premillennial view is erroneous."

THE DAY - Jesus spoke of "the day" in which He would be revealed (the day of His coming). In presenting this truth, the Lord referred to two divine destructions of former ages (Luke 17:26-30). Observe that on "the day" that Noah entered the ark, the antediluvian world was destroyed. Further, in "the day" that Lot departed Sodom, the people of the plain cities were destroyed. So, contends Christ, "In like manner shall it be in the day that the Son of Man is revealed." The clear implication of this passage is that the wicked will be destroyed in "the day" of Christ's coming; certainly there is no room for a 1,000 interval here. (Compare Matthew 13:40,49; 25:31-46; II Thessalonians 1:7-9.)

THE HOUR - "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). This passage thoroughly negates the "two resurrections" theory. Professor David Brown wrote, "It is hardly possible to conceive a plainer statement of the simultaneousness of the resurrection of both classes." (Christ's Second Coming, p. 190) See also Acts 24:15 where Paul makes it clear that there "shall be a resurrection (singular) both of the just and unjust." Thus, a single resurrection involving two classes.

Certainly there are contexts in which only the resurrection of the righteous is under consideration (John 6:54; II Thessalonians 4:13-18, etc.) but these do not cancel the plain force of verses affirming a general resurrection. Additionally, the symbolic language of the Book of Revelation (20:1-6) must be brought into harmony with these literal New Testament declarations of the coming of Christ, the resurrection and the judgment. It is most definitely not a sound hermeneutical principle to force numerous inobscure verses into harmony with a solitary symbolic reference.