THE ROCK & THE MILLENNIUM
THE FUTURE IS JESUS!
Posted by Rick | The End Is Near | newtestamentpattern.net/
In the previous post we noted that there were two commonly held interpretations of Daniel’s seventy weeks. One of these two views dovetails completely with one of the four views of Revelation (chapters 4-19).
For those who hold to the ‘traditional’ view of Daniel’s seventy weeks they will hold one of three alternate views of Revelation (chapters 4-19).
Today we are going to consider the next chapter of Revelation – chapter 20 – which refers to (uniquely in The Bible) a period of time known as The Millennium.
Once again there is a direct interpretive link between something in Daniel (chapter 2) and this portion of Revelation (chapter 20). This time I refer to ‘The Rock’ (cut without hands) that smashes into the feet of that previously mentioned statue. There are two views concerning the timing of The Rock – i.e. the time in history that is in view when it comes and strikes the statue’s feet.
One of these views will lead to two possible (albeit, similar) understandings of the meaning and nature of ‘The Millennium’ and a second view of the timing of The Rock will lead to a third way to understand the Millennium period.
(PLEASE NOTE: As with all previously offered interpretations there are all kinds of variations WITHIN these schemes but I am trying to keep things as simple as possible. If you think I have misunderstood or omitted anything fundamental in any of my simplistic interpretations please do email me and let me know).
THE LEGS, THE FEET & THE ROCK – VIEW ONE
The legs, feet and toes of the statue represent the Roman Empire – as it is classically understood. I.E. It all combines to give an overall snapshot of the historic, imperial Roman Empire – being mostly strong but in various places or at later stages somewhat fragmented.
The Rock is Christ AT HIS FIRST COMING. From the time of Jesus’ baptism and ministry He began to build His Kingdom here on earth and He is continuing to do so today – The Kingdom of God is within us – it is a spiritual kingdom.
THE LEGS, THE FEET & THE ROCK – VIEW TWO
The legs are the historic imperial Roman Empire (just as in view one) but the feet and toes represent something that is ‘partly’ from that empire – some kind of later ‘extension’ to it / ‘continuation’ of it. We’ll explore what that may or may not be a little later but suffice to say for now, whatever exactly the feet and toes represent it is considered to be part of our world today.
The Rock is Christ AT HIS SECOND COMING. The Kingdom is therefore a more literal/outward kingdom – as yet, still to come (maybe soon!)..
LINKING THE ABOVE TO REVELATION 20 & THE MILLENNIUM
I am hoping that this next part will be easy to grasp even though it is going to require some long words! View one above leads to two different (yet similar) ‘Millennial’ outlooks. View two above couples with a third view of The Millennium.
- POSTMILLENNIALISM
(The Rock is Christ AT HIS FIRST COMING)
The belief that The Kingdom of God is growing and will continue to grow ‘successfully’ and eventually everyone in the world will become a Christian – or at least live quietly and acceptingly under Christian ‘rule’ and world dominance. There will be a 1000 years – either literally or this is figurative of an undefined period of time – where ‘world peace’ and respect for The Lord and His Christ will prevail, after which time Jesus will return – hence ‘POST’-Millennial – He comes AFTER The Millennium.
- AMILLENNIALISM
(The Rock is Christ AT HIS FIRST COMING)
The ‘A’ in A-Millennial means ‘without’ – like ‘Atheist’ means literally ‘without God’. The A-Millennial view is very similar in many ways to the above Post-Millennial view except it does not necessarily anticipate a ‘glorious’ period of Christian growth and dominance in the world prior to Christ’s return. The ‘Kingdom’ is still seen as being a ‘spiritual’ kingdom – that began to be established at Christ’s first coming and as with the Post-Millennial view it does not expect there to be a literal, ‘physical kingdom’ at any time. The ‘Millennium’ in Revelation chapter 20 is simply figurative of ‘The Church age’.
- PREMILLENNIALISM
(The Rock is Christ AT HIS SECOND COMING)
PreMillennialism is, in simple summary, a more literal, physical understanding of The Kingdom of God. Whilst there is acknowledgement of The Kingdom being here and growing spiritually it views the Rock in Daniel 2 as being Christ at His second coming – when He physically returns to earth – literally stands on the mount of Olives, enters Jerusalem and begins direct rulership and governance of the entire earth from this location. He therefore comes and establishes His Kingdom rule for literally 1000 years – at the end of which there are a few final events that culminate in the new earth being formed.
To my mind, all three above ‘proposals’ are entirely rational positions to hold. There are strengths and weaknesses in all these views. There is both sound logic and persuasive Scriptural grounds for holding any of these views. There are good and Godly men, both past and present, who take these differing positions.
My above summaries are not designed to provide enough detail for anyone to come to any kind of conclusion about these matters. You have a lot of serious research to do if you want to arrive honourably at a firm conclusion on this. I do of course have my view about this, as with previous ‘options’ I have presented to the reader. In my next article I will talk more about how I see those feet of iron and clay and you will begin to see how this all relates back to my earlier posts of current day ‘politics’ – Brexit, Trump and the world events that seem to be falling into place!
I personally believe that the ‘Rock’ (Dan 2) represents Christ at His Second coming and therefore tend towards a ‘PreMillennial’ (see previous articles) view of Revelation chapter 20. (Those in the ‘famous names’ list above held slightly varying views in this respect). So, just for the ‘technical’ record… I therefore incline toward the belief known as ‘Historic PreMillennialism’. It’s a not a title or terminology I am proud of in any way and it will never, on my part, be a grounds for who I can and cannot have fellowship with but it does have an outworking in the way I see the world we live in. Just as holding to any of the other interpretations will affect your world view – and most importantly, what we think we see coming next…
IRON MINGLED WITH CLAY – HOW STRONG IS THAT?
If we see the tops of the iron legs – the thighs (a biblical symbol of strength) – as equating with Rome at its visibly strongest then somewhere toward the end we arrive at the feet and toes where the iron is said to be mingled with clay – this can only represent a later, much weaker time in the power of this fourth kingdom. What is the iron? Well, that’s simple, in this statue it is symbolic of Rome but more broadly speaking, iron represents rulership – when Christ returns He will rule the nations with a rod of iron. But what about the clay? It may be that the mingled clay represents the ‘partly Roman’ European nations that never wholly hold fast together.
Down the centuries there have been multiple attempts to unite Europe – through wars, through military and marital alliances and most recently through more subtle, bureaucratic, political means. This could be it. On the other hand, thinking out loud, could it be that the clay represents the ‘people’? Adam was made of “dust” – i.e. ‘clay’. In Scripture, men are said to be “earthen vessels” – i.e. ‘clay pots’. I wonder if we, the people, are the clay and what we are witnessing in this very day, in Brexit/Trump, is the lack of adhesion to the iron – the rulers. T he rulers and the ruled are coming apart. The iron is losing its grip. It started losing its grip when the French revolution rejected despotic monarchy and the ecclesiastical rule of Rome. Oh, there has been plenty of water under the bridge since those days and there have been gains and losses to the establishment since that time but in the wider sweep of history, Rome cracked under the Reformation, and cracked again under the aforementioned French revolution.
Now, again today, for good or for ill, the common folk are rejecting elitist rulership. Some of this is being facilitated by the fact that ordinary people are getting their ‘news’ from sources outside of the established media. Just as when Christ came first time, there is an unprecedented communication system in place – the likes of which has never been here before. Common people like me can read, listen, learn and communicate with other ordinary men and women around the globe and the clay and the iron are coming apart.
THE END GAME – THE END IS NEAR!
Perhaps my ‘clay’ theory isn’t correct? Perhaps I’m onto something only in part? But boy, it sure does look like the world is coming unstuck right now and for clay to overthrow iron there must be help from above. The letter to the Hebrews tells us that The Lord’s angels (messengers) are sent forth to work on the behalf of those who are God’s people. It seems to me that they have been working overtime of late and it’s certainly making me feel like we are getting prepared for something (or someone!) very special.
Now, I am not offering any timetables or charts detailing the order of events to come but I truly hope that I am offering some hope, and an emboldening, to my brothers and sisters whose hearts long for the coming of the Lord and whose minds are prepared to enquire more diligently into the things that I have been saying throughout this series.
It may not all be the way you have been told! It may be that instead of the entire world being given over to a coming ‘Antichrist’ that God has reserved the right of total, true, world-wide rule for another! Perhaps the ‘end game’ is a little more mixed than you’ve been led to believe. Perhaps God, as the undefeated Grand Master, has many pieces still in play – including not only individuals but entire nations. Maybe this is why we are witnessing the ‘rebirth’ of the ‘nation states’ across Europe and the ensuing collapse of final attempts of complete globalisation.
How near is near!?
Well, it won’t surprise you to hear that I’m not for playing that game. No date setting or predictions of what is coming next but just think about this… We see light and feel warmth from the sun even though it is many miles away and I personally ‘feel’ the coming of The Lord. That’s not very theological I know and what I currently ‘feel’ could simply be an upturn in the current circumstances (for some parts of the world). But if I can convey just one thing to you… whatever the exact order of events of the near future… know this, things are not ‘falling apart’ they are instead simply ‘falling into place’… God has a plan… and we should be looking up – for the Day of His glorious appearing and our redemption is drawing near!
THE FUTURE IS JESUS!
Luke 20:17-18 " But Jesus looked at them and said, “What then is this that is written:
‘THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED,
THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone’?
“Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust.”
James 2:5 " Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?"
2 Timothy 4:1 " I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:"
Matthew 25:31 " But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne."
Luke 12:40 "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
Mark 13:33 " Be on your guard and stay alert! For you do not know when the appointed time will come."
Luke 21:36 "So keep watch at all times, and pray that you may have the strength to escape all that is about to happen and to stand before the Son of Man."
Matthew 24:44 " For this reason, you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect. "
THE FUTURE IS JESUS!
The following video is a superb, high-quality presentation of the prophecy and histories surrounding ‘Daniel’s statue’. I just came across it on YouTube and am so impressed with everything about it! It’s an hour and a half long in full HD.
Daniel Unsealed : World History's Response to Biblical Prophecy
Psalm 118:8-9 " It is better to take refuge in the LORD Than to put confidence in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD Than to put confidence in princes.
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