Signs of the New Millennium
EndTimes
Bible Report Quarterly - Fall 1999 Edition
by permission
Sacred
Name / The Millennium is Here Essays
/ Commentaries All
Sermons
Snyder
Bible Home Email
of comments appreciated
When is the Millennium?
The
second coming of Messiah ben David? Worldwide trouble and the end of the world as we
know it? With all the speculation and expectation over the coming
Millennium, we, as religious people, must consult the Bible to know the truth on
this important topic.
Only
two Scriptures in the New Testament mention a 1,000-year period (a
millennium). The first is 2 Peter 3:8—the latter is Revelation 20:2-7.
Neither of these two Scriptures alone indicates the calendar year 2000 as
having any prophetic significance. So, why is there so much expectation
over this date? Most religious people believe it is the start of the second
Millennium from the birth of Messiah ben David. But is it? Many Bible commentators
have placed Yahshua’ birth at 4 B.C. Two thousand years after 4 B.C.
brings us to A.D. 1996 (four years earlier than A.D. 2000). The most
accurate dating for Yahshua’ birth is 2 B.C. Two thousand years after 2
B.C. brings us to A.D. 1999. (No year zero.) According to proper Bible
dating, we have already passed the 2,000 year mark from Yahshua’ birth!
Furthermore, the Word of Elohim places no prophetic significance upon the
2,000th year from Messiah ben David’s birth. (For an accurate dating of the birth
of the Messiah, go to B.
Wayne Dean’s essay on the subject.)
Careful
study of the Scriptures teaches that the Bible Millennium is the seventh
1,000-year period from the entrance of sin and death upon the human family
through father Adam. That is to say, since Adam sinned, 6,000 years of
suffering, dying and death have passed over his offspring, the entire
human race. When considering creation in Genesis, we notice that Elohim
worked for six days (Hebrew: epochs or periods of time) and rested on the
seventh. In like manner, the nation of Israel was required to work six
days in the week and rest on the seventh. We will use this same
pattern—six days of toil followed by the seventh day of rest—to help
us locate the Bible Millennium.
How
long is an epoch day to Yahweh? The Apostle Peter supplies us with the
answer in 2 Peter 3:8, "…be not ignorant of this one thing, that
one day is with Yahweh as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one
day." Applying this knowledge to the divine pattern, we learn that
the six 1,000 year long days of mankind toiling under the burden of sin
and death are to be followed by the seventh 1,000 year long day for the
purpose of resting from sin and death and for removing this curse. We see
then that 7,000 years are required, from the entrance of sin and death, to
its complete eradication.
This
same 1,000-year day is spoken of as the time in which the saints will
reign with Messiah ben David. (Rev. 20:4) Paul tells us that the purpose of this
1,000-year reign is to put all enemies under Messiah ben David’s feet. The last
enemy of mankind (as a result of sin) is death, and this, too, will
Messiah ben David
destroy. (1 Cor. 15:25, 26) This 1,000-year period or Millennium is
described in Acts 3:19-21 as "the times of restitution of all
things." In other words, it is the period of time in which mankind,
as well as the earth, will be brought back (restored) to their original
perfect condition. Gen.1:27,31 By carefully considering Bible chronology,
we can pinpoint the very year Adam sinned to be 4126 B.C. Six thousand
years from this date brings us to A.D. 1874—the time for the great 7th
1,000-year day, the Bible Millennium, to commence. So, we have actually
been in the Bible Millennium for the past 125 years!
What
are the Signs of the Millennium
The
Apostle Peter states that,
"The
day of Yahweh will come as a thief in the night; in the which the
heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt
with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be
burned up. Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens
and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." 2 Pet. 3:10-13
These
and many other scriptures reveal that this 1,000-year day does not begin
peaceably, but with trouble—terrible trouble. This Millennial Day
arrives as a thief in the night. That is, it comes quietly, unobserved by
the sleeping world. We should observe that we are in fact living in the
beginning of this Day of Yahweh. Furthermore, we should note that the
Bible is clear that this trouble is brought about by the return of Yahshua
at his second coming. He has arrived as a thief (Matt. 24:43) and the
world is totally unaware of it. Remember that Yahshua said he would return
to the earth’s atmosphere not as a man but as a glorious invisible
spirit being. As Peter
reveals, our Lord was, "put to death flesh, quickened [resurrected]
spirit." (1 Pet. 3:18) Paul teaches us that our Lord is no longer in
the flesh, because he says, "flesh and blood cannot inherit the
Kingdom of Elohim." 1 Cor. 15:50
What
Does the Messiah Accomplish During his Invisible Presence?
The
Binding of Satan:
Yahshua’ first work is to bind Satan who is the Elohim of this present evil
world. (Rev. 20:1-3; 2 Cor. 4:4; Gal. 1:4) Satan must first be bound if
his house (dominion—this present evil world) is to be spoiled
(destroyed—Mark 3:27). This means the removal of false religions and
oppressive governments (the heavens) and the present selfish social order
(the earth) as described in 2 Peter 3:10-13 quoted above. Does our Lord
use a literal chain and throw Satan in an actual pit? No, Satan is not
flesh and blood, but a spirit being. Since he cannot be physically
restrained, it is his great influence ruling in tyranny over mankind that
is gradually being bound. The chain our Lord is using to render Satan
powerless is truth. This truth has shone forth from the time of our
Lord’s presence at the beginning of the Millennium. It is dispelling
darkness, ignorance, superstition, and the errors of the dark ages. Light,
knowledge, understanding and truth shining upon both spiritual and
temporal matters, are exposing and weakening the leading ruler of
darkness, Satan. Eph. 6:12.
Satan,
like an animal, caught in a trap, is fighting for his life! His weapons
are the errors of higher criticism, greed, evolution, immorality and gross
violence. These weapons have been forged to attack the increasing light of
this Millennial Day. This is the reason that unprecedented trouble is
sweeping over the world. The wicked one (Satan) is being destroyed with
the spirit of his (our Lord’s) mouth (the truth). But Satan does not go
down in defeat without a fight. He responds with all power, signs and
lying wonders. 2 Thess. 2:8-12
Increased
Knowledge and Travel: Daniel spoke of this Millennial Day over 2,500
years ago calling this day "the time of the end [when] many will run
to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." (Dan. 12:1-4) Have
these signs had their fulfillment in our day? Is man running to and fro?
Do we have evidences that knowledge (light—the chain used to bind Satan)
has increased since 1874? The following list of revolutionary advances in
both knowledge and travel indicates clearly that since 1874, Daniel’s
prophecy, in conjunction with our Lord’s return, has begun to take
place.
"Knowledge
Shall Be Increased"
1874
Invention of light bulb
1876 Telephone, gas engine
1877 Phonograph
1884 Motor car
1887 Celluloid film
1888 Kodak camera
1889 First skyscraper in USA
1890 Data processing cards
1893 Cinematography
1894 Steam turbine ship
1895 Wireless radio, x-ray
1896 Radioactivity
1900 Quantum theory
1902 First Gramophone record
1920 Radio broadcasting
1926 Television invented
1927 Talking pictures
1928 Penicillin
1938 Nylon invented
1939 Calculator
1942 Nuclear reactor
1944 Digital computer
1945 Microwave oven
1946 Electronic digital computer
1948 Transistor invented
1953 Polio vaccine
1953 DNA discovered
1957 Space satellite
Israel – Elohim’s Time Clock
Our
Lord indicated that at the time we begin to see the restoration of Israel,
the Kingdom of Elohim will be nigh at hand. (Luke 21:29-32) Prior to 1874,
the nation of Israel had been scattered and persecuted throughout the
world, for over 1,800 years. Consider the following list and read in
amazement how Elohim is again working in Israel—a direct fulfillment of
prophecy as it relates to the Bible Millennium.
1878 Berlin Congress of Nations decreed Jews could own land in Palestine.
1878 First Jewish settlement, Petah Tiqvah
1882 25,000 Jews entered Palestine in 11 years
1897 First Zionist Congress
1897 Concept of a Jewish State developed
1917 Balfour Declaration asserted that the British Government looks
favorably upon a Jewish homeland in Palestine
1917 General Allenby frees Jerusalem from the Muslim Turks
1939 British issue white paper prohibiting Jewish immigration to
Palestine, trapping Jews in Nazi Europe and Stalinist Russia
1940 In five years, the Holocaust kills six million Jews. This prompts in
the minds of survivors a desire to seek Israel as a refuge
1948 Israeli statehood—six Arab countries attack
1956 Jewish - Arab War
1967 Six-Day War ends with Israel gaining control of the Old City of
Jerusalem
1973 Yom Kippur War-Israel gains more territory
1989 Fall of Communism, numerous countries establish diplomatic relations
with Israel
1990 Jewish immigration soars to over 100,000 a year, the most in over 40
years
1991 Scud missile attacks from Iraq
1993 Wye “Peace” accord
2001 Israel civil war
Trouble
and Tribulation
The
beginning of this Age of blessing is a transition period. Elohim is setting
up his Kingdom "in the days of these kings" (Dan. 2:44), meaning
that he must remove the present Kingdoms—and that means trouble. How
does the world react to the setting up of Elohim’s Kingdom? Do they rejoice
and receive it with open arms? On the contrary, they are angry and fearful
because they do not understand why their world is crumbling around them.
Their laws (governments) and creeds are being exposed as failures. (Rev.
11:15-18)
Our
Lord indicates how great the trouble will become during this transition
period. He says that the trouble will be greater than any mankind has ever
experienced. (Matt. 24:21) Paul likens it to a woman with birth pains:
"For when they shall say, ‘Peace and safety’; then sudden
destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they
shall not escape." (1 Thess. 5:3) There are many indications that
this time of trouble, which will bring about the destruction of the old
order (present society), has begun. Revelation 20 indicates that mankind
will eventually revolt against an oppressive Anti-Messianic system—Satan’s
counterfeit to the true Church. This corrupt religious system and corrupt
civil governments will be torn down by these masses (Lord’s Great Army),
sending the world into anarchy—Armageddon. This is Elohim’s method of
purging the Earth of human corruption.
Jacob’s
trouble is the climax of the great time of trouble, when all nations will
come against Israel, and she will cry unto Elohim for help. (Jer. 30:7, Zech.
14:2) Elohim will then fight for Israel as He did in the days of old
resulting in a great victory. (Ezek. 38 & 39; Zech. 14:3) Afterward,
He will establish His New Covenant with the nation of Israel. Jer. 31:31
After the chaos, mankind with humble hearts will welcome the peace of
Elohim’s benevolent and just Kingdom which then will extend from Heaven to
Earth. Isa. 9:6
The
Dead Will Live Again
Sometime
after the establishment of the New Covenant with Israel, the resurrection
of mankind will begin. This is a time when the dead will return to
life—when all in their tombs will hear the voice of the Son of Elohim and
come forth. (1 Cor. 15:22; John 5:28, 29)
The
risen dead must then be educated. They must overcome their old habits and
improper character that they have developed during the present life. They
will be learning the benefits of keeping Elohim’s perfect law. (Isa. 26:9)
Isaiah describes this educational process as a highway leading to
holiness. (Isa. 35:8-10) In that day (during the peaceable phase of the
Millennial Kingdom) the educational program will be so complete that all
will hear its message. Jer. 31:34; Isa. 11:9 At the end of the 1,000-year
Millennial day, mankind will have been perfected by this process of
education and discipline. (Rev. 2:27) Then there will be a final test of
all mankind to see whether their obedience is of their own free will.
(Rev. 20:7-9) The vast majority will accept the Kingdom arrangements and
go on to live forever. The disobedient of mankind will die the second
death (oblivion) from which there will be no further resurrection. Rev.
20:14
When
the Bible Millennium is complete, all things will once again be in perfect
harmony with the Creator. At that time, Elohim will have wiped away all tears
from their (the people’s) eyes. (Rev. 21:4) Then Yahweh’s prayer
will be a reality: "Thy [Elohim’s] Kingdom [will have] come, Thy will
be done in earth, as it is in heaven." (Matt. 6:10) From that time
forward man will enjoy everlastingly peace, health, happiness, life and
security.
Peace:
"...they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears
into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither
shall they learn war any more." Isa. 2:4
Life:
"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that is athirst
come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."
Rev. 22:17
Health:
"And the inhabitant shall not say, ‘I am sick’: the people that
dwell therein shall be forgiven…" Isa. 33:24
Happiness:
"And Elohim shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall
be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any
more pain: for the former things are passed away." Rev. 21:4
Security:
"...they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree;
and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of Yahweh of Armies hath
spoken it." Micah 4:4
What
Is This World Coming To?
To
find out more and for free materials, books and tracts, contact
The Associated Bible Students of Central Ohio
P.O. Box 813 Westerville, OH 43086-0813
614-882-2126 or 888-77BIBLE
GospelPlan@aol.com
http://www.biblestudents.com