Pre-millennialists believe that the Bible given in the language of men must be interpreted by such rules as govern that language; that the literal meaning of a word be retained until it be de termined that the language is figurative. Proph ecy frequently appears in symbolic form, but most Scripture symbols are explained in the Scrip tures.
In addition to Old Testament predictions is New Testament promise inciting millennial ex pectation. Several hundred texts emphatically and inferentially teach that our Lord will return vis ibly, bodily, audibly, gloriously, and that the world's condition at the time of his arrival pre cludes all possibility of a millennium prior to that event. The age of Noah and the days of Lot pre figure our time-end, thereby harmonizing with parabolic and didactic teaching. The field of wheat and tares, the flock of sheep and goats, the net of good and bad fish prove that evil is not minimized as the age approaches its consumma tion. Accordingly, the last days, and the latter times are vividly sketched in their woeful de generacy (i Tim. iv:1-3; 2 Tim. iii:1-5). There fore, pre-millennialism holds out no hope of a converted world before the Parousia. Results of the Advent will include the resurrection of be lievers unto glory, life to dead Israel, and liberty for groaning creation. The new kingdom will be clean from Satan's presence when the glory of Jehovah will be revealed, and the will of God be done on the earth, even as it is done in heaven. The shekinah will again appear in the Holy Land when the pierced feet of our glorious Lord shall stand on the Mount of Olives (I Thess. iv:15 i8 ; Rom. viii :15, 22-23 ; Rev. xx :1-3; Is. iv:5; Zech. xiv :4). G. C. N.
2. Post-Millennialism. Ever since the days of the Apostles the Church has looked forward to a better day, when the reigning powers of idola try and superstition. and all forms of false re ligion, shall give place to the kingdom of God, and when Jesus Christ will be confessed as Lord among all the nations of the earth. It is impos sible to interpret the Scriptures without antici pating a universal diffusion of the knowledge of God and of his Son Jesus Christ, to the extent that the religion of the Bible shall become the religion of mankind throughout the earth. But when shall this better day dawn? By what agen cies shall it be brought about? (1) Difference of Opinion. The great divi sion of the Church is into classes known as Pre millenarians and Post-millenarians—a division which does not follow denominational line, or imply serious differences upon evangelical doc trines or on questions of vital piety and practical godliness. It is a difference in belief as to
whether Christ's second coming will take place at the beginning or the ending of the millennial period; and, of course, it involves different ideas of the character of the millennium—for a millen nium with Christ present in person, with the saints of all ages living in the resurrection state, is widely different from one where Christ reigns spiritually in the hearts of his people, who yet live in their mortal bodies while he remains in heaven. It is to this division of sentiment our minds are turned in considering the second com ing of the Son of man. Will Ile come in person and raise the righteous dead, and establish a literal kingdom in this world. and reign a thousand years, and thus subdue the world to himself ? Or will he come at the end of time and raise the dead and judge the world, and thus finish the history of earthly life by introducing the eternal state of retribution? Pre-millennialists assert the former, and Post-millennialists the latter.
(2) Basis of Pre-millennial Theory. The Pre-millennial advent theory is based entirely upon a Scripture which is acknowledged by all to be very obscure, in addition to being found in the book of Revelation, in the midst of symbols extremely difficult of explanation and application (Rev. xx :1, 8).
It is assumed by some that the "angel" which had "the key of the bottomless pit, and the great chain in his hand," was none other than Christ himself. But there is absolutely no intimation whatever in this celebrated passage of Scripture, that Christ descends from heaven at the beginning of this "thousand years." (3) Condition of the World. But what of the millennium, if the idea of the coming of Christ at the imprisonment of Satan be abandoned ? To state precisely the condition of the world at the coming of Christ, whether that coming be at the beginning or ending of the millennium in ques tion, is one of the most difficult tasks the exposi tor of the Scriptures is called to perform. Turn as he will, there are seeming contradictions to be encountered. To admit this is due to candor. and where it is not admitted we suspect the presence of prepossessions unfavorable to impartial exe gt.sis.