Appendix:

The Kingdom of Heaven and The 'Millennial' Reign

By Gerry Watts

 

   The system of Biblical interpretation known as Pre-Millennial Dispensationalism is very popular today, as well as its inevitable offspring of Christian Zionism. I was greatly influenced by this system for many years, largely due to the teachings of Hal Lindsey and others. In recent years, after researching the subject both biblically and historically, I have seen the errors of this system, and have therefore rejected it. Even Adolf Knoch and the Concordant Publishing Concern, from whom I've received much teaching over the years, and for whom I still have much respect, were, and are, very ultra-dispensational in their understanding of various subjects, particularly in regard to Biblical prophecy and the role of the apostle Paul.

   In March 2003, I published a book entitled Ancient Prophecies Unveiled: The Times of the Nations, (which I'm still very proud of), but although it contains much truth, I have since had to alter some of my views on a number of important points, and because of this, and due to the 'pre-millennial dispensational' viewpoint that pervaded my book, I've since had to withdraw it from print. I really felt the need to do this for the sake of truth, because, as I've stated, in recent years I've become enlightened to the fact that this system of interpretation is incorrect.

   You'd be forgiven for thinking that this pre-millennial dispensational viewpoint (which teaches that there will be a Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the church, a 7 or 3 1/2 year Tribulation leading to the final war of Armageddon, followed by the Return of Christ to set up a 1000 year reign centered in Jerusalem in Palestine, with a rebuilt temple, with the Jews being the central focus again, etc, etc) had been the overwhelming traditional orthodox interpretation of scripture from the early centuries of Christianity - but you'd be wrong. It may be popular today, but this modern Dispensationalism wasn't the prevailing viewpoint amongst the early church or the Greek Church Fathers.[1]

   Even though I believe that the Kingdom of God will be manifested in fullness on the earth (on a new restored earth to be exact) when Christ returns, I do not believe that this will be the 'Millennial age' of Revelation 20. This is because 'Satan's Loosing' could not occur in the New Creation age with the people of God being attacked by the kingdom of darkness - again - as it states in Revelation 20! Yet if these things are applied symbolically to this present age, all makes sense.

   All of this has a great bearing on the subject of this book, which has to do with the Secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven and Christ's reign. I felt the need to write this Appendix to clarify some important truths on what the NT teaches about God's chosen people, Christ's 'Millennial' Reign, and conditions at the end of this age. I hope that this somewhat brief appendix will help to bring some balance and clarity to the subject of Christ's Kingdom and End-Time Prophecy. For further study of these things, see the section The Great Prophetic Plan Revealed.

The Secrets of the Kingdom

   The main theme of this book has been about the secrets of the kingdom that Jesus spoke about in various parables. We have seen that He revealed to His original apostles and disciples, and through them to us, that the gospel of the kingdom would go out to the whole world, establishing God's kingdom on the earth through His 'Church.' 

   This would occur during the Times of the Nations, as opposed to the Times of the Hebrews, during which time Israel after the flesh, that is, the Jews, would be scattered throughout the nations, while Jerusalem would be trampled on by the nations until the end of this age, when the Times of the Nations will end or be fulfilled. These things were to fully take effect after the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 AD, when the Old Covenant era was officially closed (see Luke 21:20-24).

   It must be understood that, in many of His parables, Jesus referred to 'the Kingdom of the Heavens' or 'the Kingdom of God' as existing in this present age, during His absence, while He is ruling from the spirit realm. In fulfillment of all prophecy, particularly the prophecies of Daniel, the New Testament declares that the Messianic Kingdom of the Heavens has now arrived and has already been established on earth, as well as in the heavens. 

   Jesus Christ is already ruling the nations with a 'rod of iron' from the throne room of heaven, having defeated Sin and Death, and the powers of Darkness, in His death and resurrection and ascension. He has fulfilled the prophecies of the greater son of David who would take the throne of Israel and the world. Christ is the One who has tied up the strong man (Satan) with the spiritual chains of the Kingdom of Heaven (cp. Revelation 20:1-3).

   These few scriptures testify to the above.

"But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

 Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house."

(Matthew 12:28-29 NIV)

"I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."

(Matthew 16:28 NIV)

It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

(1 Peter 3:21-22 NIV)

   The Apostle Paul also revealed that the Body of Christ Ecclesia (or Church), the sons of God, may be on earth in the flesh, but we are also seated amongst the heavenly powers in Christ! Hence in fulfillment of Jesus' own words, the Twelve are already on thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel in Christ's kingdom.

"And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

(Matthew 16:18-19 NIV)

"I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

(Matthew 19:28 NIV)

That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way...

...And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

(Ephesians 1:19-23; 2:6-7 NIV)

   Now when we come to the vision of Revelation we should seek to understand it in the light of these clear scriptures and the main teaching of the NT. We should also take careful note of the fact that the book was addressed to those living at that time in the 1st century AD, when the things contained within it were to shortly be fulfilled (Revelation 1:1-3). We do not have to wait until the end of this age to see the vast majority of the vision of Revelation fulfilled, as many teach! 

   There is also compelling evidence, both internally and externally, that Revelation was written before 70 AD. This becomes the key to unlocking its initial interpretation - it was the ultimate apocalyptic vision prophesying the end of the Old Covenant system, and the judgment upon Israel and Jerusalem, followed by the victory of Jesus Christ and His people, the true Israel of God, in a New Creation.

   Now if we approach the details in Revelation 20, which talks about the 1000 year 'Millennial' Reign and Satan's binding and loosing, etc, keeping all of the above in mind, we can see that this is an allegorical story board for the present era of Christ's heavenly Reign. This doesn't rule out the fact that there is going to be a greater manifestation of these things yet to come on a New Earth after Christ returns, but He's already been ruling with His people for a symbolical period of 1000 years (10 x 10 x 10 = the perfection of divine order), during which time Christianity has triumphed over the Beast of the Roman Empire and continues to expand amidst great Apostasy! These are the very things that were prophesied in the teachings of Jesus and the writings of the Apostles.

   So, simply stated, the present age of 'the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven' that Jesus so often spoke about is one and the same as the 'Millennial' Reign of Christ and the First Resurrection saints described in Revelation 20. This prophetic allegory also shows that, towards the end of this age, there will be a short period of 'Satan's loosing' before Christ returns in judgment with fire from heaven. This 'loosing' will cause a huge increase in the powers of the kingdom of darkness amongst the nations, whereby they will seek to surround God's people with lawless deception and the ancient mystery religions. 

   This will be a final assault upon the true Israel of God, the true Christians, understood as an allegorical fulfillment of the 'Gog and Magog' battle that was fulfilled in ancient Israel. This would indicate that Satan will seek to return the world to a pre-Christian pagan era, but the faithful remnant of God's people will overcome until the ultimate Day of the Lord arrives.

   I now wish to briefly consider three main points below, all of which are intimately connected. They are:

a) That Israel according to the flesh are no longer the chosen people of God

b) To consider the clear prophetic indications of conditions at the end of this present age, which involves Satan's loosing; and

c) To consider the length of the Times of the Nations

 

A) The Israel of God

   The original Abrahamic covenant was the basis for all the promises and covenants given to Israel, and this included the addition of the Mosaic covenant (that is, the Law of Moses, the Torah). That is to say, the Law incorporated the original promises given to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob concerning the fleshly nation of Israel (the Seed; Abraham's descendants, the Circumcision), which included the promise of the Land of Canaan, and the promise that all mankind would be blessed through them. (See Genesis 12:1-3; 15:1-21; 17:1-16; Leviticus 26:40-46; Galatians 3:17-19).

   The Promised Land and the Holy City of Jerusalem, the Temple and the Aaronic priesthood, the kingdom and kings of Israel and Judah, etc, were all an integral part of the Law Covenant 'package.' (See Deuteronomy 1:8; 7:6-11; 9:5-6; 12:1-7; 30:19-20).

   These things were subsequently enlarged upon in the Davidic/Solomonic Covenant (see 2 Samuel 7). All these things were to lead to the coming of the Messiah, the greater Son of David.

   The NT reveals clearly that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah (or Christ), the ultimate Anointed One, the ultimate Prophet, High Priest and King. He has established the New Covenant, promised through Jeremiah, and this covenant has superceded and replaced the Law covenant (because Jesus fulfilled the Law and the Prophets), and the Law covenant is now termed the 'Old Covenant.' (See Hebrews 8-9).

   The Abrahamic covenant, and all of the promises originally given through Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, have been ultimately fulfilled in Christ - and by extension, to all those who belong to Him as the true Israel of God. (See Galatians 3:6-29; Romans 4:9-17; Matthew 5:17).

   During His final week of ministry before His death, Jesus stated that the judgment upon Jerusalem and the Temple and the people of Judea (which occurred in 66-70 AD) would be 'the days of vengeance in fulfillment of ALL that has been written' (i.e. that which was written in the Law and the Prophets). (See Luke 21:20-24; cf. Deuteronomy 28:45-68).

   Jesus taught that the unbelieving Jews, as subjects of the kingdom and as the original tenants of the land of promise, would be cast out, and another nation would take their place in the kingdom of God who would bear the right fruit (Matthew 8:11-12; 21:43).

   The inheritance of the earthly land of Israel has been replaced by a spiritual, heavenly land, an inheritance that has been enlarged to include the whole earth, even the universe! (Hebrews 2:5; 4:8-11; 11:39-40). [2]

   The old Jerusalem has been replaced by the heavenly New Jerusalem, which ultimately represents the true Israel of God under the authority of the 12 tribes of Israel (OT) and the 12 Apostles of the Lamb (NT). Nowhere does it state in the NT that earthly Jerusalem will be restored to its ancient position as the holy city of God's people. In fact, Jesus prophesied the opposite, in that it would be trampled down by the nations throughout this present age.

   The same goes for the Holy Temple that once stood in Jerusalem. It is not God's will that it should be rebuilt! The middle wall of partition, the fleshly barrier keeping Gentiles out, has been torn down in Christ! It is a reversing of God's purposes to try to erect the wall again! (Ephesians 2:11-22; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:19-20).

   Every covenant and promise to Israel has been fulfilled in the history of Israel and Judah, and all are ultimately fulfilled in Christ Jesus and His people (1 Corinthians 10:11; 2 Corinthians 1:18-20; Romans 15:4-9; 1 Peter 2:4-10).

   God will never go backwards in His purposes, so all the 'fleshly, worldly' things of the Old Covenant, including that which belonged to the promises given to Abraham, such as circumcision and the land, have been fully superceded by the New Covenant in Christ. This doesn't mean that Israel as a nation, i.e. the Jews, are cast off completely. Like those of other nations, they can still be grafted back in again to the kingdom tree, even more so as the Olive Tree was originally their own! But this Olive and Vine is the kingdom of heaven represented in Messiah Jesus - He is the true Vine and Olive tree. There is no life or fruit outside of Christ (Romans 11).

   God's choice (or election) and gifts and calling and promises, etc, originally given to the Hebrew patriarchs, have not been nullified or revoked, because they are irrevocable! They have been fulfilled in Christ and the New Covenant, and the believing remnant of grace out of both Israel and the nations. This 'called out group' or Ecclesia is the Israel of God.

   In Romans 9:6-7, Paul made a distinction between Israel according to the flesh (the Jews) and Israel according to the Spirit (the true spiritual nation). Therefore, the goal of Paul's discourse in Romans 11:26, that 'all Israel will be saved' at the return of Christ, is referring to the spiritual Israel of God in Christ Jesus - which includes Jew and Gentile alike. This Church is not a 'parenthesis' in God's plan, as some teach, which will then take a back seat to fleshly Israel again - it is the goal of it!

   Christ is the end of the Law so that all who believe in Him can be made righteous - whether Jew or Gentile (Romans 10:4).

   The NT writings, and early church history, leads me to conclude that virtually all the OT prophecies have been fulfilled in and through ancient Israel, leading right through to the time of Jesus and the apostles in the 1st century, and up to the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 70 AD. The ultimate spiritual fulfillment of these things are found in Christ and His people. 

   Nowhere does the NT clearly state that fleshly Israel are still the chosen people of God who are still to be given the land, the city of Jerusalem and the temple in accordance with the Old Covenant promises. That is because all these things have already found fulfillment in the past history of Israel, and in the coming of Christ and the establishing of His kingdom.

   The OT has to be understood and interpreted in the clear light of the NT, and not the other way around. If the NT is read with purely OT eyes, wrong conclusions and great error will inevitably result. The NT should not be understood as though God were going backwards into OT prophecy again. The NT is a forward progression, not backward.

   As far as the events of the 1st century before 70 AD are concerned, it must be understood that the 'Acts period' was an era of transition from the Old to the New, as well as being a gracious era of probation for Israel, to give them time to repent, and for the gospel to go out to all the nations across the Roman Empire.

 

B) The End of the Age and Satan's Loosing

 

   Most Christians would be surprised to know that right now there aren't that many specific prophecies left to be fulfilled, and that the NT gives us only a few clues as to what the condition of the world and the Church will be like at the end of this age before the sudden return of Christ. These 'conditions' can be divided into three groups as follows.

  This was also the general time of the latter rains which symbolises a time of spiritual refreshment. Peter spoke of this time of refreshing in Acts 3:19-21. Paul also hinted of a time when many Jews would be grafted back in again to the kingdom Olive tree just before Christ returns (Romans 11:12, 22-31). So this is a time of spiritual fruit bearing and harvest, a time of spiritual rain.

  Yet in the parable of the Wheat and the Darnel, Jesus also indicated that 'the sons of the wicked one' within Christendom and the world would also grow to fruition to be judged at the time of the great Harvest. So this reveals that the Harvest involves good fruit and bad fruit growing to fruition at the same time.

  Also, the letters to the seven Churches in Revelation 2-3 can be understood as symbolically portraying the entire 'Church era' of 'the Times of the Nations.' This is known as Historical Parallelism. Generally speaking, the eras can be broken down as follows:

  

The Ephesus Church (33 - 64 AD)

The Smyrna Church (64 - 313 AD)

The Pergamum Church (313 - 529 AD)

The Thyatira Church (529 - 1517 AD)

The Sardis Church (1517 - 1776 AD)

The Philadelphia Church (1776 - 1948* AD)

The Laodicean Church (1948 - ? AD - the Coming of Christ)

 

  Hence, the Laodicean Church is describing the 'end of the age' Church, which indicates that the Church (or Christendom) in general will be in a state of great prosperity and material riches, boasting in its health and wealth, and what it thinks is great spiritual insight! But in reality it is poor and blind and naked, and this 'comfortable position' will lead to a lukewarm, indifferent attitude (Revelation 3:17-18). Yet the discipline of God will shake it up before Christ returns to reward His people with true rulership in the age to come[3]

  This spiritual war of 'Armageddon' will manifest as an invasion of eastern religion with ancient idolatrous roots. The true people of God, as those who belong to the heavenly Jerusalem, will feel surrounded by the kingdom of darkness as the 'Gog and Magog' war clouds of all nations gather for a final onslaught against the Israel of God (Cf. Ezekiel 38-39).

  Yet this spiritual attack will ultimately be thwarted by the fiery judgment of God from heaven - that is, the coming of Christ in flaming fire.

 

C) The Times of the Nations

  Thirdly, it can be shown that there are time patterns within Biblical history that can reveal the probable length of the present Church Era, also known as The Times of the Nations. Simply stated, there was the Times of the Pre-Hebrew Nations (or the Ancient Patriarchs); followed by the Times of the Hebrews; followed by the Times of the Nations.

   The chronological data for these eras can be calculated with a high degree of accuracy by combining the biblical and historical information together.[4] It must be noted though that the early genealogies of humanity, from Adam to Abram, recorded in Genesis 5 & 11 (cf. 1 Chronicles 1 & Matthew 1), are not necessarily to be understood as complete. There are evidently some gaps in the genealogies. Nevertheless, the time spans that are recorded there have great spiritual and symbolical meaning, even though it is likely that they are not absolute and complete as far as the actual chronological history is concerned. (See Biblical Genealogies elsewhere on this website for further information).

   The chronological eras can be shown thus.

 

Times of the Pre-Hebrew Nations

From Adam to the Abrahamic Covenant (in 1877 BC) = 2018 years

 

Times of the Hebrews

From the Abrahamic Covenant to the official end of the Old Covenant

That is, from the Covenant (in 1877 BC) till the Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple (in 70 AD) = 1948 years

(NB. Adding 1 year crossing from BC to AD)

 

Times of the Nations (or Gentiles)

Now if the length of the Times of the Nations is exactly the same as the length of the Times of the Hebrews then we come to the following conclusion:

From 70 AD + 1948 years = 2018 AD

Or put another way

The modern Israeli State was formed in 1948 AD + 70 years = 2018 AD

  

   Now according to these calculations, from the 'birth' of the First Adam to the Abrahamic Covenant was 2018 years!

  Now it is possible that from the birth of the Second Adam (Jesus, in 2 BC) to the full manifestation of the Kingdom promised in the covenants will be 2018 years - which would take us to 2017/2018 AD!

  I have to clearly emphasise here that in no way at all am I attempting to set dates for the Return of Christ. I just wish to put forth my own observations in this regard for the reader to decide. There is no doubt at all that there are intriguing time patterns here which cannot be ignored, nevertheless, I would advise caution in taking this too literally. The earlier time span from Adam to Abraham is probably not to be taken as concrete history, chronologically speaking, that is. The same could be said of the present Times of the Nations.  It may just be symbolic. And also, virtually every system of chronology has some 'holes' somewhere, I'm sure!

  Be that as it may, taken as a whole with all of the other points above, I believe this gives further weight to the probability that we are very near the end of this age, when a far greater manifestation of the Kingdom of Heaven will arrive. Either way, there's a New Creation coming - and it's not too far away!

[1]  See the following links:

Chiliasm of the Early Church Fathers

Early History of Millennium Teaching

Why the Early Church Finally Rejected Premillennialism

 

[2]  There are those who emphasise the point that the Abrahamic promises were unconditional and were 'everlasting' in scope. This is used to support the belief that the Jews should still be given the land of Palestine/Israel because it's theirs 'forever.' The true meaning of the Hebrew words and phrases translated as 'everlasting' and 'eternal' and 'forever and ever' is not that of a literal absolute meaning of 'never-ending.' The Hebrew word Olam refers to indefinite time; that which is obscure on the horizon of time. Hence, depending on the context, 'everlasting' can mean someone's lifetime or many generations or thousands of years or time indefinite. It essentially has to do with the ages of time, which in Greek, is termed Aeonian. For further information, see Examples of Olam (Eon or Eonian) Concerning Things That Are NOT Everlasting

 

[3]  I am largely indebted to Dr Stephen E. Jones for the layout of these epochs of Church history, as interpreted using the Historical Parallel method, which is taken from his book The Seven Churches (revised edition 2004). I hasten to add, though, that I do not share his belief, stated in his book, that there is a Post-Church era after the Laodicean era. In my opinion, this goes beyond what is written - particularly as he claims that this era has already begun! The Laodicean era is clearly the seventh, and last, one before Christ returns. I would also differ slightly on the interpretation of some of the details of the Laodicean church letter in regard to its historical fulfillment, as well as the date of the end of the Philadelphia era and the beginning of the Laodicean era. (*1948 is my own calculation which highlights the world-changing event of the founding of the modern State of Israel. This event followed the worldwide 'hour of trial' (Revelation 3:10) of the rise of Communism and Nazism, and the two World Wars).

Some would argue that these interpretations are very arbitrary, nevertheless, there is a general pattern within the details of these seven letters that does suggest that the main characteristics of Church history throughout this era are symbolically contained within these letters. Of course, it is only with a measure of hindsight that these things can be seen and understood from history. I would not say that these things are the primary interpretation of the seven letters, but it is a valid secondary interpretation that adds further light to God's Word. Ultimately, the true Church of God will triumph.

 

[4]  My own chronology and calculations are largely based on the biblical/historical chronology of Dr Stephen E. Jones available in his book Secrets of Time (revised edition).

 

 

Copyright © Gerry Watts 2009

 

 

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