Faith & Reason Nexus

Premillennialism is a belief that teaches Christ will return before a literal thousand-year reign on earth, often characterized by a future period of peace and prosperity. However, several points of Scripture challenge the validity of this doctrine, pointing to the truth that Christ is already reigning and that the promises of God are fully realized in the present dispensation.

1. Denies that Christ is Reigning Now

• Revelation 1:5: “And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth…”
• Revelation 5:9-10: “And they sang a new song, saying, ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation… You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.’”

Truth: Christ is already reigning as King now in heaven, and His kingdom has already been established.

2. Annuls This Dispensation as the Last Days

• Hebrews 1:1: “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son…”
• Acts 2:17: “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.”

Truth: The “last days” began with the first coming of Christ, and we are still living in this present age.

3. Makes God False to His Promises

• Mark 1:14-15: “After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. ‘The time has come,’ he said. ‘The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!’”

Truth: God’s promises regarding the kingdom were fulfilled in Christ’s first coming, not delayed for a future reign.

4. Alternates Judaism and Christianity

• Hebrews 8:5-7: “They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: ‘See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.’ But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one…”
• Hebrews 9:9-10: “This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper.”

Truth: Christianity, through Jesus, has replaced the Old Covenant and the Jewish system, fulfilling God’s plan.

5. Minimizes the Gospel and Belittles the Church

• Ephesians 3:5-11: “This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.”

Truth: The gospel and the church are central to God’s plan; they are not merely a stepping stone to a future earthly kingdom.

6. Revokes the Great Commission

• Matthew 28:18-20: “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.’”

Truth: The Great Commission is to be carried out now, not delayed until a future time when Christ will rule on earth.

7. Nullifies the Salvation of the Gentiles Now

• Acts 15:14-18: “Simon has described to us how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles…”

Truth: Salvation is already available to both Jews and Gentiles, and the church is the body of believers who experience that salvation.

8. Demotes Christ from Heaven’s Throne to Earth’s Footstool

• Hebrews 1:3-13: “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven…”

Truth: Christ reigns in heaven at the right hand of God, not as an earthly ruler.

9. Makes the First Coming of Christ a Failure

• Galatians 4:4: “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law…”
• John 17:1-14: Jesus speaks of His completed work and the fulfillment of God’s mission, not a future unaccomplished reign.

Truth: Christ’s first coming was not a failure; He accomplished everything necessary for salvation and established His reign.

Conclusion: “Thy Word is Truth” (John 17:17)

• The Bible is not determined by men’s doctrines: God’s Word stands as the ultimate authority.
• Men’s doctrines should be determined by the Bible: We must align our beliefs with what Scripture teaches.
• False doctrines do not change truth: The truth of God’s Word remains, regardless of false teachings.
• Truth disproves false doctrines: The truth, as revealed in Scripture, corrects and refutes errors.
• Accept only what is established by the Scriptures: We must remain faithful to the clear teachings of God’s Word.