Sowing the Seed Series
Class 15 – Premillennialism Part 2

I.              The Rapture (1 Thess 4:13-17)

A.   The belief is that Christians will be with the Lord during a time of tribulation

                                          i.    In addition, the rapture is said to be done in secret

                                        ii.    Paul says there will be a shout and a trumpet (v16)

B.   First of all, Paul says, “so shall we ever be with the Lord” (v17)

C.   Secondly, this contradicts Peter’s account (2 Peter 3:12)

                                          i.    The “coming” of Jesus is the end of this Earth

D.   Thirdly, the wicked will be raised with the righteous (John 5:28-29)

E.   Fourthly, this doesn’t fit in with the last day principle (John 6:39-54)

                                          i.    The day we are raised from the graves is the last day

                                        ii.    Furthermore, the last day is when we are judged (John 12:48)

II.            The Battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16:16)

A.   The belief is that a great war will take place just before Christ’s reign

B.   First of all, everything prior to verse 16 is very figurative

                                          i.    Furthermore, chapter 16 is not yet discussing the end

                                        ii.    Therefore, Armageddon most likely is symbolic

C.   “Armageddon” would literally translate into mount of Megiddo

                                          i.    The valley of Megiddo (or Jezreel) was a famous battleground

a.    Deborah defeated Sisera here (Judg 4:15-16, 5:19-20)

b.     Gideon defeated the Midianites here (Judg 6:33)

c.    Saul and Johnathon died here (1 Sam 29:1,11)

d.    King Ahaziah and Josiah also died here (2 Kings 9:27, 23:29-30)

III.           The Thousand Year Reign (Revelation 20:1-6)

A.   The belief is that Christ and His saints will literally reign for 1,000 years

B.   First of all, notice who will reign with Christ

                                          i.    These martyrs are also seen in Revelation 6:9-11

C.   Secondly, notice where they reign with Christ

                                          i.    Earth is not mentioned at all because these are not bodies

a.    They are dead souls reigning with Him in the spirit realm

D.   Thirdly, notice when they reign with Christ

                                          i.    It begins at the end of Rome based upon chapter 19

                                        ii.    The reign ends when Satan is released for a little time (v3)

a.    This little time seems to be his transfer to Hell (v10)