Challenge; find one premillennial passage in the gospel or Epistles other than from the Pharisees. Jesus taught Amillennialism and Peter preached it (the gospel of the kingdom) at Pentecost.
You will not believe it anyway, because you are already convinced you have the full picture, but because you decided that it will be funny to force me to go into it, I'll take up the challenge (only partially - because this post is going to be long enough without my going into this in detail):-
So here goes one part of it:
1 Cor 15 - note the Greek word for
"then" in verse 24 and where else it is found. Then compare this with the second part of Jesus' statement in John 18:36: "But now (Greek: nun, "of present time") My kingdom is not from here." and the second part of the statement in Hebrews 2:8: "But now (Greek: nun, "of present time") we see not yet all things put under him."
21 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
22 for even as in Adam all die, so also in the Christ all shall be made alive,
23 But each in his own order: Christ the first-fruit, and afterward they who are Christ's at His coming;
24 then (Greek: eita) is the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He makes to cease all rule and all authority and power.
Let's see where else the Greek word eita in verse 24 appears in the New Testament:
Strongs: G1534
εἶτα eita i'-tah
Of uncertain affinity; a particle of succession (in time or logical enumeration) then moreover: - after that (-ward) furthermore then. See also G1899.
eita:
"And let these also first be proved; then (eita) let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless." 1 Tim 3:10
"And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward (eita), when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended." Mark 4:17
"After that (eita) he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded." John 13:5
"For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then (eita) the ear, after that (eita) the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come." Mark 4:28-29
See also the following:
"Ask of Me, and I shall give the nations for Your inheritance; and the uttermost parts of the earth for Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel." Ps 2:8-9
Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would fight so that I might not be delivered to the Jews. But now (Greek: nun, "of present time") My kingdom is not from here." John 18:36.
"And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever." Rev 11:15.
"When I look at Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars which You have established;
what is man that You are mindful of him, and
the son of man, that You visit him?
For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and have crowned him with glory and honor.
You made him rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet:" (Ps 8:3-6).
"And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over all the creepers creeping on the earth." Gen 1:26
"But now (Greek: nun, "of present time") we see not yet all things put under him." Heb 2:8b
"But now (Greek: nun, "of present time") My kingdom is not from here." John 18:36b.
"And she brought forth a man child, who was to (Greek: mello), "rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne."
Strongs: G3195 μέλλω mellō mel'-lo
A strengthened form of G3199 (through the idea of expectation); to intend that is be about to be do or suffer something (of persons or things especially events; in the sense of purpose duty6
necessity probability6
possibility or hesitation): - about after that be (almost) (that which is things + which was for) to come intend was to (be) mean mind be at the point (be) ready + return shall (begin) (which that) should (after afterwards hereafter) tarry which was for will would be yet.
The Greek word mello does not mean that
all of what is expected
has already come to pass. Jesus is seated in heaven
now at the right hand of God
now and all authority in heaven and earth and under the earth belongs to Him
now - but the fact that Hebrews 2:8 tells us that nun (now) "of present time" we do not YET see all things under His feet most certainly
implies that He has not returned yet to ESTABLISH His rule IN FULL (unless of course we choose to ignore this REALITY).
DOES THIS PROVE A LITERAL MILLENNIUM?
No. NONE of the above PROVES
EITHER a literal or symbolic millennium - but there are a great many facts and realities that make a symbolic interpretation of the millennium look pretty ridiculous (because you have to
ignore reality and a great many facts in order to maintain the position).
