Millennialists and "The Tribulation" by West End Church of Christ

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Millennialists and "The Tribulation" For the past few weeks this program has been dedicated to refuting some of the speculations of the millennialists and dispensationalists who continue making spiritual capital of what is going on in the Persian gulf. The speculations often border on the absurd. Just last week a national radio preacher from Dallas, Texas was heard to say that "Gomer, in Ezekiel 38:6 refers to Germany." After a few stutters, he then added, "Of course that is East Germany, part of the communist block of Eastern Europe." The stuttering was likely due to sudden recognition that he was reading from either a manuscript or notes that were prepared several years ago. How could anyone not be aware that East Germany is no more -- there is just Germany and communism is not the dominant political philosophy in that country? But this is a sample of the type of speculative horror being spread by those who are convinced that we are in the last days, the end time, and that Armaggedon is upon us. Today, we will continue looking at such things, focusing on what is called "The Great Tribulation." Stay with us. But first, the West End Church of Christ presents these fifteen minute sermons each Sunday. We have only one reason for doing it -- we want to preach the truth of God's word without being restricted by human doctrines, creeds, and wisdom. That is why we repeatedly ask anyone who listens to communicate with us if you do not agree with what we teach on this program. This is not done out of a spirit of dare, or challenge, but in sincerity and in the interest of being absolutely right about the most important issue of this life and of eternity. We also want to invite you to attend our services. Bible study begins at 9 a.m. Sunday morning. We have classes for all ages in which the Bible is discussed and made relevant to living in this world today. At 10 each Sunday morning we assemble to worship -- we honor God in the reading and teaching of His word, several prayers, gospel songs, giving of our means, and partaking of the sacred memorial feast of the Lord's Supper. Sunday evening we assemble for worship at 6 p.m. and mid-week Bible study is each Wednesday night at 7 p.m. We publish a monthly paper called "The Voice of West End." There is no subscription price to it -- no donations are asked or accepted for it -- it is the freest thing you will ever receive in the mail. So, if you want to get it and read it write or call West End Church of Christ. Our address is 1609 Parkside Drive, Bowling Green, KY. 42101 and our phone number is 842-7880. I will repeat that at the end of today's lesson. The premillennial agenda calls for several rather fantastic events which must take place. Should there be any mix-up or change in this agenda, the whole theory should be rejected. Already, the millennialists and dispensationalists have a huge problem caused by Russia. You see they have all, with unison, argued that Russia is really the ugliest, the meanest, and the most prominent party in the unfolding drama of what they call "the end time." Hal Lindsey said, "We have seen that Russia will arm and equip a vast confederacy. This powerful group of allies will lead an attack on restored Israel. However, Russia and her confederates will be destroyed completely by an act that Israel will acknowledge as being from their God. This act will bring many in Israel to believe in their true Messiah" (and cites Ezekiel 38:15ff). The Late Great Planet Earth, page 60. I mentioned earlier a national radio preacher claiming that "Gomer is East Germany." Very likely he read Lindsey's book also. Lindsey said, "The conclusion is that Gomer and its hordes are a part of the vast area of modern Eastern Europe which is totally behind the Iron Curtain. This includes East Germany and the Slovak countries." Ibid., page 58. Surely, any intelligent student of both the Bible and current events can see that these are the conclusions of men whose minds are predisposed toward a false view of the end of time. All of this rests on nothing more than very forced and strained conclusions -- not a bit of it rests on solid biblical principle. We call on anyone who thinks there is any biblical basis at all for such ideas to produce it or give it up. The imaginary invasion by Russia and those other countries behind the "Iron Curtain" which no longer exists, is to usher in what these speculators call "The Great Tribulation" period. To get a clear picture of what millennialists think on this point, listen to Mr. Richard DeHaan. "Jesus spoke of this event (The Great Tribulation) in Matthew 24. He said, "For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be..." During that time God will deal in a very special way with the nation of Israel. Over a third of the earth's population will perish under the supernatural judgments of God. MULTITUDES will die as martyrs because of their faith in Christ. "This time of tribulation will come to a close when the nations assemble for event number four: The Battle of Armageddon." The Middle East -- Watch It, pages 27-28). Please notice very carefully, dear friend. There is absolutely no such thought found anywhere in the Bible. The one passage to which millennialists appeal is Matthew chapter 24, which is interpreted in such a piecemeal fashion that it becomes distorted beyond recognition. One very simple reply shows the fallacy of the millennial view. Jesus also said, "Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away" (verse 34). The most obvious question we should deal with is, how can this imaginary tribulation be yet future, when Jesus said it would be fulfilled before that generation passed away. The reference in Matthew 24 is set in the context of a two questions Jesus was answering. The disciples had just asked, "Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming and of the end of the world?" (verse 3). You see, Jesus had just told them that the temple, the most sacred site in all Israel, was to be utterly destroyed. Naturally, His disciples were concerned about such a catastrophe and wanted to know when it would happen. The disciples may have thought that if the temple and Jerusalem were to be destroyed, surely the end of time would accompany such a calamity. So, let's listen to the answer Jesus gives. We will see that He divided it into two parts. First, He responded to the question of the destruction of Jerusalem. Second, He responded to their question as to the sign of His coming and the end of time. Jesus responded first that the temple and the city of Jerusalem would be destroyed before their generation would pass away (verse 34). Second, He said that there would be no sign of His coming, affirming that of the day and hour, none but the Father knew. Listen to verse 36: "But of that day and hour knoweth no one, not even the angels of heaven, neither the Son, but the Father only." We, in the Bowling Green area, ought to be reminded of the blunder made just a little over two years ago. Who can forget that there was a very wide distribution made of Edgar Whisenant's book, "88 Reasons Why The Rapture Will Be In 1988?" Neither the Rapture nor the Great Tribulation took place. What was wrong? Those who made this prophetic utterance were simply wrong both in their interpretation of the Bible, and of their application of Jesus' statements. Some premillennialists and dispensationalists argue that the term "generation" refers to the entire Jewish race, rather than a chronological period of time. The calamity was to fall upon some "generation." Which was it? Only the Jewish people? The premillennial view of what God has in store for Israel is quite the opposite. They argue over and again that God will restore Israel to its place of favoritism and prominence. The calamity Jesus had in mind embraced the generation, or the multitude of people living at the same time as Jesus and the disciples. But if you took the premillennial definition of "generation" there is still a discrepancy. If the calamity was to be on the Jewish nation, it missed the generation of Jews living before this illusive "end time." The "tribulation period" could not possibly be what Jesus had in mind in Matthew 24. The millennialists argue that none of the saints will be on earth during the tribulation; they will be away somewhere in another fanciful idea of the millennial program, The Rapture. Jesus had a different set of instructions for the saints. He told them to "flee Jerusalem" which would have been impossible had they already been taken away to this thing called The Rapture. So, dear friends, do not be misled about the Tribulation -- it is no more scriptural and real than the Armageddon, Rapture, Millennium, and other speculations of the millennialists. If you have any question at all about this topic, or if you would like extra study materials on it, contact us. If you would like to receive the Voice of West End call or write West End Church of Christ, 1609 Parkside Dr., Bowling Green, KY. 42101. Until the next time we have this opportunity to be with you by radio, may God richly bless you and yours. Good bye. Radio Sermon No. 51, Page 1