Premillennialism

[Phidippides]

Donnie, do you believe in Premillennialism?  I thought you said you did a while back but I could be wrong.

[Donald Baker]

Just saw this post a week after you made it.  Sorry.

I lean pre-millennial regarding the Rapture of the Church, however, I think it prudent to be prepared in case we have to go through the Tribulation.  But as to whether Jesus will physically return before the Millennial Kingdom, He has to because He shortens the days of the Tribulation otherwise no flesh would survive...meaning He returns and establishes His 1000 year reign.  Basically, He descends from Heaven and ends the Battle of Armageddon destroying all who oppose Him with the Brightness of His Coming.  The Antichrist and his False Prophet are cast into the Lake of Fire and Satan is bound for the duration of the Millennial Kingdom only to be released again tempting the nations to rebel against Jesus one last time. 

What is your take?

[Phidippides]

Wow, ok I think I was thinking it had to do with the existence of the State of Israel as well.  I saw a comment on Twitter from a person who said she heard someone talk about some Christians who thought the existence of Israel was a political necessity to precipitate the Coming of Christ, but that she had never heard of any Christians who believed such a theory.  I immediately thought of you because I thought you had made such a comment at some point years ago.  I thought this fit into "premillennialism", but I could be wrong.

It does make me wonder how the belief by Christians in the theological necessity of Israel's existence has influenced strong Western support for Israel.  In fact, I recall that George W. Bush was possibly in this theological camp? 

[Donald Baker]

Israel had to be re-established in order for the prophetic timeline to commence.  Israel becoming a nation again in 1948 fulfilled the Valley of Dry Bones in Ezekiel Chapter 37.  Then, during the 7 Year Tribulation, Israel is surrounded by its enemies which is called the time of Jacob's Trouble.

A great website for understanding prophetic timelines is http://www.thepropheticyears.com.  I pretty much agree with the website owner's views on this topic.

[Phidippides]

I find it surprising how little attention that premillennialism gets in our national discourse given that it seems to form such a significant basis for American foreign policy toward Israel.  I must admit that I do not agree with premillenialism theologically, and practically-speaking, I think it results in Israel using America for its convenience - almost like a mercenary.  Some politicians on the right (including ones of which I am generally a fan of) seem to place Israel's well-being ahead of America's, which seems kind of bonkers to me.

[Donald Baker]

I find it surprising how little attention that premillennialism gets in our national discourse given that it seems to form such a significant basis for American foreign policy toward Israel.  I must admit that I do not agree with premillenialism theologically, and practically-speaking, I think it results in Israel using America for its convenience - almost like a mercenary.  Some politicians on the right (including ones of which I am generally a fan of) seem to place Israel's well-being ahead of America's, which seems kind of bonkers to me.

Yes, mainline Catholicism does not interpret many parts of the Book of Revelation the same as Protestants do. For example, the Catholic Church believes Antiochus Epiphanes fulfilled the Abomination of Desolation when he entered the Temple and held pagan sacrifices to the god Jupiter.  However, Revelation was written around 100 A.D. long after Antiochus Epiphanes died (164 B.C.) so John's vision could not have been about him.  Protestants believe Antiochus Epiphanes was a foreshadowing type of the real Antichrist.

As to your comments about Israel First politicians, you do have a point.  The Jewish lobby is quite robust and the lingering memory of the Holocaust still pervades our minds enabling pro-Israel lobbyists a sympathetic ear that is rewarded with coin for the coffers.

[Phidippides]

I was not familiar with the "Abomination of Desolation" so had to look that one up, along with the Catholic Church's interpretation of it.  In my experience, in general the Catholic Church is reluctant to pinpoint specific items to Revelation, so this seemed a bit odd.  What I found was that there are no official teachings within the Catholic Church that make such a claim.  There are some Catholic theologians, though, who pinpoint Antiochus IV as being the fulfillment of the original "Abomination of Desolation" from Daniel, but as a foreshadowing (in the typological sense) of the Antichrist.  In other words, Antiochus IV's actions serve as a prefigurement of future events, such as those associated with the Roman destruction of the Temple, as well as the Antichrist.