The first article of this series reviewed the scenario many suggest for the end of time. In the previous two articles, we have denied five elements of that theory:
In this final article, we deny two more elements of pre-millennialism: that the end is preceded by a terrible battle called Armageddon and that Christ returns to reign on earth a thousand years.
Hal Lindsey says "Armageddon" in Revelation 16:16 predicts the final battle in a war over Israel involving 300 million soldiers, centered in the valley beside Migeddo. Earlier we saw that Jesus returns like a thief; thus no signs to warn of His return. If, however, a "rapture" comes seven years before His return, and a war of huge magnitude just before His return, His coming would surely not be unexpected, like a thief.
But to Revelation 16:16. This highly figurative passage tells of a dragon, a seven-headed beast and a beast with two horns like a lamb sending frogs from their mouths to gather kings of the earth to Armageddon. With all the figures in this context, the word "Armageddon" must be figurative also. It is a reference to a valley near Migeddo where many in Israel's history fought critical battles: Gideon, Deborah, Saul and Jonathan, Amaziah, and Josiah. So "Armageddon" means figuratively to "make a final stand." Just as one can "meet his Waterloo" without going to Waterloo, one can make his "Armageddon stand" without actually being there.
In Revelation, John told early Christians that the dragon (Satan) will use a beast (the Roman Empire) to persecute the church out of existence. To turn Rome against the church, Satan will use the lamb-like beast to promote worship of the Emperors. Since Christians will not worship emperors, the emperor worship cult will turn the Empire to persecution of the church in an effort to destroy it.
Early in chapter 16, John says God will end the persecution by destroying the Roman Empire and its cult of emperor worship. Pouring the bowls of wrath on the beast and his followers suggests God's use of nature's destructive powers, Rome's own internal decay (darkness), and attacks from beyond Rome's borders (the Euphrates River). As the Satan, Rome and Emperor worship see God's destruction working against them, they will resist God. Thus, in this symbolism, they gather their forces to Armageddon. Before any war is actually said to occur, however, the seventh bowl is poured out and "it is finished." Their resistance does not stop God's plan to bring them to defeat.
Revevlation 16, then, is not speaking of the end of the world. In the storyline of Revelation, the subject here is God's retribution on the Roman Empire and a prediction of how He will bring them to defeat. The message here is not about the end of the world at all. Neither this passage, nor any other, predicts a terrible battle in Israel just before the return of Christ. That Christ's second coming will come like a thief shows there will not be a marker event such as war in Israel as a prelude to the second coming.
Finally, the last of our six issues. The pre-millennial theory says Christ will return to reign on earth for a thousand years in the kingdom he meant to establish at His first coming. The first article showed that Christ came to establish a spiritual kingdom, not a physical one, and that He fulfilled His mission. Colossians 1:13 says Christians have been translated into Christ's kingdom and John says he and early Christians were in it (Revelation 1:9).
But what of the thousand-year reign of Revelation 20:4-6? Four questions: Who? Why? Where? When?
Who reigns with Christ a thousand years? Souls of those "beheaded for the testimony of Jesus" and "who have not worshiped the beast or his image." In its context, this refers to early Christians who refused to worship the Emperor and stood for their faith in Christ. They were martyred and their souls would live and reign with Christ for a thousand years. No one else is said to take part in this reign.
Why would these martyrs reign with Jesus? At the end of chapter 19, the beast (Rome) and the false prophet (the cult of emperor worship) are cast into the lake of fire--symbolizing final defeat. With their enemies gone and their cause surviving, what would the martyrs to do? Celebrate! So "the thousand year reign" symbolizes their reward for faithfulness during terrible persecution.
Where is this celebration? The passage does not say. So we must learn from the context. Those reigning are "souls," not in bodies. Thus, this is an "after-life" experience and not on the earth. Christ has appeared in heaven since chapter five and the martyrs have appeared in heaven since chapter six. So this reign symbolizes the martyr's victory celebration in the spirit realm after the persecuting powers go down to defeat. When is the celebration? Since chapter 19 ends with the fall of Rome, about 475 AD, that's when the events of chapter 20 begin. The "thousand years" symbolizes a length of time sufficient to fill the time until Christ's return. So the thousand-year reign represents the victory celebration of the martyrs of the Roman persecution, the heroes of Revelation, as they rejoice with Christ. This reign of Christ cannot be after His return for at His coming He ends His reign and returns the kingdom to God (1 Corinthians 15:24).
We have briefly examined seven elements of the pre-millennial theory and found all of them contrary to scripture. Since the predictions of those holding such views have often failed, it is time to see that this entire approach is fatally flawed and is not taught in scripture.
--Stafford North