Despite what our Premillennial friends like Tim LaHaye, Jack Van Impe and Hal Lindsey tell us, the kingdom of Christ is now. We aren’t waiting for it to be established at the end of time. It was established on Pentecost in Acts 2. Interestingly enough, Premillennialists tell us at Christ’s return the kingdom will be established. However, Paul tells us something different. 

In I Corinthians 15:23-24, Paul explains that at the resurrection of Christ’s people the end takes place. That is when Jesus hands His kingdom back to the Father. Premillennialists tell us that when the resurrection occurs it is not the end, but the beginning of the kingdom. They tell us there will be 7 years of tribulation and then 1000 years of Christ’s kingdom.

Somehow, LaHaye, Impe, Lindsey and others press 1007 years between vs. 23 and vs. 24. I’m not sure where they get it, other than just that is the way they have to do it to make sure their doctrine is still taught. So much for taking every verse literally unless absurd. What I have found that mantra means is “Take every verse literally unless doing so demonstrates Premillennialism is wrong.”

The kingdom is here and now, if you wait until the end to get into it, there is no second chance (Kirk Cameron movies notwithstanding). There is no adventure awaiting us if we ignore Jesus until He returns. After that, there is only the certainty of judgment. Get into Christ’s kingdom now. When He returns, we will be resurrected and handed over to God, the rest will be judged (cf. II Thessalonians 1:8-10).

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC