They believe those born into Jewish households could be circumcised in anticipation of the Jewish faith in which they would be raised, therefore those in the New Testament, those born in Christian households, can be baptized (sprinkled) in anticipation of the Christian faith in which they will be raised.

One biblical text that certain advocates of infant baptism frequently cite to support this position is Colossians 2:10-12:

And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

First, there is neither precept nor precedent for the modern practice of infant baptism in all the scriptures, and in fact, this practice is in violation of the scriptures. The historic record apparently offers no clear proof of such practice prior to about 256 A.D., when it is known to have been observed in North Africa. “It was in the early centuries exclusively reserved for sick and infirm persons too weak to be submitted to immersion. There is evidence to show that those who received the rite in this form were somewhat despised” (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Revised Edition under Baptism, Aspersion).

The Bible word “baptize” means to immerse. Thayer’s lexicon on BAPTIZO says, “to dip, immerse, and submerge.” There are other Greek words for “sprinkle” (RANTIZO) or “pour” (CHEO). Had God wanted to authorize these, the words were available, but instead He chose a word that never means sprinkle or pour.

Paul settled the issue when he said, “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead” (Col. 2:12; cf. also Rom. 6:3-5). Even Martin Luther urged, in opposition to the standard practice of pouring, that baptism should be by immersion. He pointed out that the word in the Greek language means “To plunge something entirely into the water, so that the water closes over it,” and urged that immersion should be the mode of baptism (A Compend of Luther’s Theology, p. 167, via Handbook of Religious Quotations, p. 11).

The practice was perpetuated and finally dogmatized by the Roman Catholic Church. This unscriptural rite is also seen in many Protestant churches, who inherited it from their Roman ancestors. While the leaders of the Reformation can generally be credited with zeal toward scriptural compliance in matters of doctrine, their tendency was to neglect the scriptures in matters of church practice, opting instead for the vain traditions of men (Mark 7:5-13).

And He said to them, Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me. But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men (Mark 7:6-7).

Second, we are convinced no one would have ever seen such a thing in this text had they been reading it through unsoiled glasses. Their argument is manifestly erroneous at several points. If baptism replaced circumcision, then why are they both still in force in this text? Paul wrote, “ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God.”

An examination of the full context shows that the timing of the circumcision and baptism are relative to the words, “And ye are complete in him.” That is, they were circumcised and baptized as of the time they were complete in him.

Nowhere in Colossians 2:11-12 (nor anywhere else in the Bible) do we learn that “baptism replaces circumcision” In Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he merely stated that when they became Christians they were “circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh” (2:11). Paul mentioned circumcision, but only to make the point that when the Colossians obeyed the Gospel, they were circumcised spiritually. It is a circumcision of the heart and is performed by the Spirit (Rom 2:29).

The practice of sprinkling the infant is clearly condemned by this scripture because it speaks of being buried with Him in baptism, thereby demanding immersion. “The covenant of circumcision” (Acts 7:8) was confined to descendants of Abraham, and Jacob, and those converted to Judaism (Gen. 17:12-13; Ex. 12:48), but baptism was commanded for all nations (Matt. 28:19-20; Mk. 16:15). Circumcision was confined to males; baptism is for both males and females (Gal. 3:26-28).

The NIV weakens the argument for infant baptism when it says “…raised with him through your faith in the power of God,” because a baby cannot be taught and thereby believe or have faith. Paul says, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17).

Jesus told his Apostles, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matt. 28:19). This text shows who is to be baptized: It is someone who had been taught. We are to teach first, then baptize next.

Jesus also said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mk 16:16). Again, a person is to believe first, then be baptized next.

Accordingly, those converted on the day of Pentecost gladly received the word and were then baptized (Acts 2:36-41). Further, Philip gave the Ethiopian eunuch the condition for being baptized: “If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest” (Acts 8:37). Philip obviously presented this as a necessary condition. If the eunuch had not believed with all his heart, then he could not have been baptized.

Under the New Testament when a person has been taught the gospel, believes that Jesus is the Christ, repents of his/her sins, and is baptized for the remission of sins, then in the act of baptism God performs surgery by cutting off the old man of sin by spiritual circumcision in the process of cleansing one by the precious blood of Jesus Christ, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace” (Eph. 1:7).

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Calvinism teaches that all humans have inherited a corrupt spiritual nature due to the sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Due to this marred and perverse nature, the human heart is desperately deceitful, and man’s nature is therefore evil, according to Calvinism. This doctrine is referred to as “total depravity.” Due to this inherited spiritual depravity, babies are born with a corrupt nature and therefore are in a “lost” state. The only way for babies to be saved is for them to be one of “the elect”—a predetermined few whom God arbitrarily decided to save while condemning all others. Hence, free will does not enter into the question of salvation according to them. The Calvinist maintains that people cannot choose to receive salvation but must wait for the direct operation of the Holy Spirit to save them.

The prophet Ezekiel stated the very opposite of Calvinism:

The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father’s iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son’s iniquity; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself (Ezek 18:20 NASB).

Jesus also demonstrated the spiritually safe condition of children when He stated:

Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Matt 18:3-4 NASB).

Adults must become like children if they wish to be saved! Children can hardly be spiritually depraved! Jesus also said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matt 19:14-15 NASB). If, at conception, God forms “the spirit of man within him,” (Zech. 12:1), why would anyone wish to insist that man’s spirit is corrupt.

The Bible clearly teaches that people are responsible for their own actions, not for those of their ancestors. Sin is a willful act of rebellion against God on the part of an individual (Rom. 3:19-23; cf. Rom. 14:12). Clearly, an infant or young child is not capable of such a willful act of transgressing God’s law (I Jno. 3:4). At this point, one must be careful not to confuse bad behavior on the part of children with sin. Such behavior does not indicate that a young child has knowingly sinned against God. Children cannot be accountable for their actions until they have a knowledge of good and evil, until they know to refuse the evil and choose the good.

Jacob and Esau had no original sin; they did not sin with Adam when he transgressed. We know this because they were not sinners while in the womb of their mother, Rebecca. Paul wrote, “For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth” (Rom 9:11 KJV). Since the Bible says Jacob and Esau had done nothing good or evil up to this time, we must assume that they became moral agents at some later time, after they were born. There are numerous verses like this in the Bible which show the doctrine of original sin to be false, and which also teach, either directly or indirectly, the doctrine of an “age of accountability.” Let us look at some of them.

When Noah came out of the Ark and built an altar to God and offered sacrifice to God, we read:

And the LORD smelled the soothing aroma; and the LORD said to Himself, “I will never again curse the ground on account of man, for the intent of man’s heart is evil from his youth; and I will never again destroy every living thing, as I have done” (Gen 8:21 NASB).

As Moses was telling the Israelites that they would not go into the Promised Land he said:

Moreover, your little ones who you said would become a prey, and your sons, who this day have no knowledge of good or evil, shall enter there, and I will give it to them, and they shall possess it (Deut 1:39 NASB).

God did not hold the children accountable for the sins committed by their parents because they had no knowledge of good and evil. A small child doesn’t understand the difference between right and wrong. The child is dependent upon his or her parents to guide him or her in doing the right thing. Such is illustrated by Israel’s rebellion against God in the wilderness.

Likewise, God declared that the King of Tyre, like everyone else, had come into the world without guilt, but had become sinful due to his own choices. “You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you” (Ezek 28:15 NKJV). Paul tells us when iniquity is found in us. “Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?” (Rom 6:16 NASB). One becomes responsible when one is able to choose to serve sin (Satan).

The Bible doesn’t speak of a particular age when a child becomes knowledgeable of good and evil because it varies from child to child. To exercise this choice, one must be able to make certain distinctions. One must be aware they have chosen to do wrong and be able to repent of that rebellious lifestyle and therefore stand in need of salvation. This requires the ability of transferring trust to Jesus as their Savior and Lord and being willing to pattern their life after the example of Christ (Rom. 10:9-14). It should be obvious that an infant or young child cannot make these distinctions and therefore cannot be responsible for making such choices.

Interestingly, Jesus determined that He needed to be about His Father’s business at the age of 12. At this age, His Father’s will was more important to Him than the will of His parents (Luke 2:41-52). In Jewish law and tradition, a boy who turns thirteen is known as a Bar Mitzvah (“one to whom the commandments apply”), and is from that point obligated to fulfill Jewish commandments. Similarly, a girl who reaches the age of twelve is known as a “Bat Mitzvah”. The general practice among Conservative and Reform Jews is to mark this event with a religious service essentially the same as that held for boys. Also, in modern culture, a thirteen-year old Jew is not truly treated as an adult (for example, in Israeli law, as in that of most other countries, he or she is still considered a minor for several additional years).

There comes a time in the life of each child when that boundary of responsibility to God is crossed. A child invariably sins (Romans 3:23) and stands in need of Christ. However, it is impossible to set a particular age when this will occur. Indeed, each child will vary in reaching that time. Various factors influence spiritual maturing. Since children mature at different rates, some will be spiritually aware at a younger age. They also receive a varied religious education because of parents, teachers, and other significant adults to whom they are exposed. Children exposed to television and other modern technology will mature at a faster rate because of the teaching ability of such technology.

Of course, some never reach the age of accountability. Some are born with mental handicaps that leave them child-like throughout their lives. Nehemiah speaks of an assembly of those able to understand (Nehemiah 8:2-3). However, most come to understand their responsibility to live right during their teenage years.

Here are some questions to ask in order to help you determine if your child is ready, from an article by Matt Hennecke and Al Diestelkamp published in Sentry Magazine, September, 2005:

1. Is your child only afraid of going to hell at night? Or, do they express their fears and need during the light of day as well? Someone truly convicted will have concerns beyond the “night fears” that are common to children.
2. Does your child want to put off getting baptized until some future day–at worship, for instance? If so, then they may not see the urgency of baptism. Someone truly convicted will not want to delay (Acts 22:16).
3. How long have they discussed the subject? Do they bring it up on their own or is it prompted by you or some other event (like someone else being baptized)? We need to be wary of the “bandwagon” effect.
4. What sins do they claim to have committed? Have them write down all the reasons they feel they should be baptized. Keep their reasons for some future date when they may question whether they were baptized for the right reason.
5. Ask them what would have been the Ethiopian’s reaction if Philip said he could NOT be baptized (Acts 8:36)? If they realize he would have had to had it done anyway, then ask them, “What if I said ‘no’ to you about being baptized?” Do they feel as if they would have to do it anyway? Are they willing to do God’s will before their parent’s will?
6. Ask them, “how will your life be different when you become a Christian?” Do they have an “old man of sin” they need to crucify (Romans 6:6)?

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When you come into the land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD, and because of these abominations the LORD your God drives them out from before you. You shall be blameless before the LORD your God. For these nations which you will dispossess listened to soothsayers and diviners; but as for you, the LORD your God has not appointed such for you. –Deuteronomy 18:9-14 NKJV

Many of the practices of some of the Eastern Religions and of New Agers come under these headings. “Abominations” is also applied to adultery in Leviticus 18:17-27. Homosexuality is also included in the list. “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind; it is abomination” (vs. 22).

Dishonest business practices are named as an “abomination” in Deuteronomy 25:13-16, Proverbs 11:1 and Proverbs 20:10. Honest business practices are required of any professing to be the Lord’s people.

Oppressive treatment of others and a haughty attitude are considered as “abomination” in Proverbs 3: 31-32, and a “perverse heart” (one who is obstinate in that which is wrong) is mentioned in Proverbs 11:20.

A list of six “abominations” is also given in Proverbs 6: 16-19:

These six things doth the LORD hate:
yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
A proud look, a lying tongue,
and hands that shed innocent blood,
An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations,
feet that be swift in running to mischief,
A false witness that speaketh lies,
and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Prayer is even added to the list of “abominations,” if it comes from one who turns his ear from hearing the law in Proverbs 28:9.

He who turns away his ear from listening to the law,
Even his prayer is an abomination. NASB

An “abomination” refers to something the Lord “hates” — something totally out of harmony with His character of purity and love. If we take the biblical record as a whole, we find that pride and self-sufficiency are mentioned more often than any other qualities as being distasteful to God. And no wonder. Pride feels no need, therefore, there’s nothing even God can do for a self-sufficient sinner. That’s why Jesus said that He came to save sinners and not the “righteous.” Given that the Bible is clear that there is “none righteous,” (Eccl. 7:20; Rom. 3:23) Christ’s statement indicates as clearly as any other that a self-righteous spirit excludes its bearer from the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus actually used the key word “abomination” in describing such a spirit. Luke gives this account in Luke 16: 15-16:

And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. And he said unto them, “Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.”

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Calvinism has been popularized under the acrostic “T-U-L-I-P.” Let’s look at each point carefully.

1. T – Total Depravity: Calvin taught, like Augustine, that man by virtue of the Fall of Adam and Eve in Genesis chapter 3 has a depraved and sinful nature from the point of conception. This doctrine holds that the entire human race has inherited the guilt of Adam’s sin, and this guilt is passed on to succeeding generations at birth. All are “born sinners” – “hereditarily, totally depraved.” Inherent in this doctrine is the idea of the total inability to do good toward their own salvation. Some Calvinists say that unregenerated men can do nothing that is good at all! Everything they do is said to be evil! Relative to salvation, man is totally passive. Salvation is solely, wholly, and totally of God, according to Calvinism.
2. U – Unconditional Election: This tenet holds that God decreed from Eternity (before Creation) all things whatsoever to come to pass, both evil and good. Hence the fatalistic phrase “what will be will be.” It says that God’s decree has predetermined or predestinated some men and angels to eternal life, without condition or cause, and all others to eternal damnation or “reprobation.” This is all done as a sovereign act of God. Some Calvinists hold that such is purely arbitrary as well. The number of them who are elected to be saved is set and secure and will never change. Those who are subject to “reprobation,” cannot do anything at all about their plight. They cannot be saved, even should they desire to be! This decree of God therefore is said to be UNCONDITIONAL, INDIVIDUAL, AND UNCHANGEABLE.
3. L – Limited Atonement: In keeping with the preceding tenet, this views the blood atonement of Jesus Christ as being limited only to those who are unconditionally elected. The atonement in scope is not universal, but limited, according to Calvinism. It implies consequently that Christ did not die for everyone, as the Scriptures clearly teach. The atonement is viewed as being effectually only for the elect, as proscribed by Unconditional Election.
4. I – Irresistible Grace: This doctrine maintains that the elect cannot resist the decree of salvation and the subsequent “call” of God for their salvation. They will receive a direct and immediate infusion of saving grace into their soul by the operation of the Holy Spirit before and without the agency of the Word of God! Calvinism involves the idea of a direct, immediate, and miraculous influence of the Spirit on the heart of the alien sinner. Conversion itself is miraculous, with the naked Spirit of God, as it were, operating on the naked heart of man! The Holy Spirit through the baptism of the Holy Spirit then takes control in justification and sanctification. The operation of the Spirit continues to work in the life of the elect, directly after initial salvation, by sanctifying and preserving him throughout life, and this despite what he does or wants to do!
5. P – Perseverance of the Saints: This part of the doctrine holds that because the number of the elect is set and secure and will not change, then one who has been elected can NEVER be lost. Calvinists contend that the elect can do nothing to be saved, and, therefore, can do nothing to be lost. Their salvation is unconditional and so is their preservation unto God. The same Holy Spirit who miraculously and irresistibly regenerated them is the same Spirit who miraculously and irresistibly keeps them! They will persevere regardless. They cannot so sin as to be eternally lost. Some Calvinists go as far as to affirm that the elect once saved cannot even commit one act of sin, despite I Jno. 1:7-10! Others say that the body may sin, but the spirit of the elect is still sinless and pure, despite his attitude toward the sin thus committed!

The doctrine of Calvinism is not a doctrine to be taken lightly. The doctrine of total hereditary depravity or original sin has been accepted by the majority of churches of today. This doctrine becomes the foundational point of Calvinism and its five tenets as discussed above. The other four tenets are destroyed when the doctrine of total depravity is proven false, for Calvinism is a “logical” arrangement of error with each tenet dependent on that point.

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Isaiah’s prophecy is declaring that the coming of the Messiah would introduce a new spiritual and moral order or arrangement. Paul speaks of this new order: “that in the dispensation (arrangement) of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth– in Him” (Eph 1:10 NKJ). Isaiah’s new heavens and new earth are the new arrangement to which Paul refers, and before which all old dispensations must pass away. The entire system of Judaism, animal sacrifices, and ceremonial rites, will pass away and make room for Christianity.

Chapter 65 begins with the great prophecy of the calling of the Gentiles. This is an undeniable reference to the beginning of the Christian age when the Gospel was to be taken to all the nations, to the entire world, and to the whole creation—manifestly to the Gentiles (Matt. 28:19; Mk. 16:15). It is evident from the remainder of chapter 65 that the Lord is speaking symbolically of this new order under Christ in contrast to the old under the Law of Moses for He says: “The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD” (Isa 65:25 KJV). The “holy mountain” of which Isaiah speaks is Zion of Messiah’s rule (Isa. 2:2-4). Isaiah was not writing of the new heaven and new earth of John’s vision (Rev. 21:1), but of the new creation and order under Christ—the new dispensation we are now under.

The Book of Revelation is a broad declaration of the ultimate, universal, and final triumph of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ over all the forces and power of Satan which he exercised in this world. When the Son of God ascended to the right hand of the Father on high, all power, sovereignty, dominion, Lordship and rule in the divine government over the universe was given unto Him (Matt., 28:18; Eph. 1:22, 23). The government of Christ shall consummate itself in total conquest and absolute victory in the putting down of all rebellion and wickedness of opposition to the Majestic dignity of heaven and the holiness of God, the Father. All of this is why Christ is now reigning in the heavens. His kingdom is an everlasting government, a government which no power on earth or otherwise is capable of shaking or causing to fall (Heb. 2:12-28).

When His rule is completed in the accomplishment of all the divine plans and purposes of the Father, then He will return unto His Father the government of the universe. Paul declared in reference to that victory day:

Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. –1 Corinthians 15:24-28 KJV

This ultimate victory is what is described in the highly symbolic language in the Book of Revelation.

This final conquest and overthrow of Satan, and his wicked rebels and agents, together with death, and hades were cast into the lake of fire and brimstone as recorded in the closing portions of the 19th and 20th chapters. Revelation 21 begins by picturing the vision in which “the holy city, the new Jerusalem,” is seen coming down out of heaven from God, adorned, prepared, or made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. It was at this appearance of the holy city that the voice out of the throne announced, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God” (Rev 21:3 KJV). Let it be noted that this scene and the accompanying announcement was not made until after several very important things had already been recorded as finalized by the power of the reigning Lord:

1. The devil was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, wherein the false prophet and the beast had already been delivered for torment forever (Rev. 19:20; 20:10).
2. The existing heaven and earth, and the sea were all passed away (Rev. 20:11; 21:1; 2 Pet. 3:10-13).
3. The judgment takes place of all the dead and living; every man being sentenced according to his life’s choice while on the earth (Rev. 20:12-13; 15).
4. Then death and hades were cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:14).

It was not until John had been shown the final and complete victory by Christ over Satan and death that he was shown the vision of the tabernacling of God, HIMSELF, with His people. This is the new heaven and the new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness (2 Pet. 3:13). This blessed state is described as: “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Rev 21:4 KJV). John pictures the nations “walking therein,” bringing in only their glory.

Excluded, however, will be all who are unclean and evil. “And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Rev 21:24-27 KJV).

Finally, the vision of the saved at home with God closes with this wonderful promised blessing: “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city” (Rev 22:14 KJV). The “new heaven and new earth” is the heavenly city of God and the righteous will dwell forever in this blessed state. This agrees with all other passages regarding the blessed state of the righteous.

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And I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is {the book} of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one {of them} according to their deeds. And death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. –Rev 20:11-15 NAS

Having shown how God would bring the church through her trials and persecutions, John then turns to show that at the final judgment the Lord’s people will be ushered into heaven where they will celebrate their victory forever while the wicked will be lost in the place designed for the eternal punishment of Satan and his angels. In the vision, John sees a great white throne with Jesus Christ sitting upon it (Matt. 25:31; 2 Cor. 5:10). Jesus is sitting upon this white throne that symbolizes holiness and purity.

In regard to the day of judgment, Paul states:

Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead. –Acts 17:30-31 NAS

Paul also wrote to Timothy about the judgment to come. “I solemnly charge {you} in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom…” (2 Tim 4:1 NAS).

So awesome was the judgment scene that the earth and the heaven fled away. Peter affirms that in the day of the Lord, “….the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up” (2 Pet 3:10 NAS). This is because the saved will dwell in “a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth are passed away” (Rev. 21:1). It is called a new heaven and a new earth because it will be the dwelling place of both God and man. Every one must admire the sublimity of this image; no one can contemplate it without being awed by the majesty and glory of the final Judge of mankind.

John also sees “the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne.” In this chapter the dead are mentioned three times. In verse 4 we see the souls on thrones, those who died for the Lord; in verse 5 the rest of the dead who are not allowed to live and reign with Christ, the wicked, and now in verse 12 both of these groups are seen before the throne of Jesus Christ. The whole of mankind is composed of the “small and great.”

Thus, in other language, the same idea might be expressed by saying, the young and old; the rich and poor; the bond and free; the sick and well; the happy and the unhappy; the righteous and the wicked; for all the human family might, in these respects, be considered as thus divided. It is the judgment of all the dead.

As both the righteous and the wicked are to be in this judgment scene, it follows that they are all to be resurrected at the end of the thousand years mentioned in the chapter. This agrees with what Jesus said about the resurrection. “Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; those who did the good {deeds} to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil {deeds} to a resurrection of judgment” (John 5:28-29 NAS).

Paul likewise said there is to be “a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked” (Acts 24:15 NAS). There will not be two bodily resurrections, one for the righteous and another one thousand years later for the wicked. Paul teaches very clearly (2 Thess. 1:5-10) that “when the Lord shall be revealed from heaven” is “that day” when the wicked (those who know not God and who have not obeyed the gospel) “shall be punished with everlasting destruction,” yea “when He shall come to be glorified in His saints.” There is something to be done for both saint and sinner alike on that Day of Judgment. Both are to be recompensed at the same time! The wicked “shall be punished” “WHEN He shall come to be glorified in His saints.” Then, as if to show us that there is no parenthesis–as Premillennialism teaches–between the two, Paul adds, “in that day!”

Observe next that John saw “books were opened…and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds.” The books may represent the different laws under which people have lived such as the Patriarchal, Mosaic, and Christian. Or, the books may be the recorded deeds in the life of each person. The opening of the book of a person’s life is simply the revealing of one’s whole life and judging him/her accordingly.

Next, John saw “another book was opened, which is {the book} of life.” This would be the book in which are recorded the names of the saved, the elect (cf. Rev. 3:5). The meaning here is that John saw not only the general books opened containing the records of the deeds of people, but that he had a distinct view of the list or roll of those who were the followers of the Lamb.

It would seem that in regard to the multitudes of the impenitent and the wicked, the judgment will proceed “on their deeds” in general; in regard to the righteous, it will turn on the fact that their names had been enrolled in the book of life. That will be sufficient to determine the nature of the sentence that is to be passed on them. He will be safe whose name is found in the book of life because they were washed in the precious blood of Christ (Eph. 1:7); no one will be safe who is to have his eternal destiny determined by his own deeds. “And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire” (Rev. 20:15).

Finally, John saw “death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.” Death is called the last enemy (1 Cor. 15:26). Hades is the unseen abode of the dead. So when these two are cast into the lake of fire, the last enemies of the people of God have been destroyed. John then wrote “This is the second death, the lake of fire.” According to this chapter in verse 10 this is the place where the devil and his accomplices, the beast and the false prophet were placed, and where they are to be tormented for ever and ever.

Death and Hades are personified here as enemies of God’s people and the conclusion is that all of their enemies have been destroyed and there is nothing left for them to fear. The first death is physical death, the death of the body and is only for a little while. The second death is for eternity and is the separation of the spirit from God forever. All humanity suffers the first death, except those living at the time Jesus comes (I Cor. 15:51, 52); but the second death cannot touch those who are the faithful of God.

Therefore, the doctrine of Premillennialism is false from the beginning to end because it is not taught in God’s word and because it contradicts passage after passage. If they cannot sustain their theory in Revelation chapter 20, then they cannot sustain it at all.

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Please notice first what is NOT mentioned in this passage that is so vital to the Premillennial theory:

1. Christ’s second coming
2. the establishment of a kingdom
3. an earthly kingdom or reign on earth
4. Christ sitting on David’s throne
5. the Jews return to Palestine
6. a bodily resurrection
7. Jerusalem or Palestine

The general purpose of the book of Revelation was to set forth in symbolism the struggles and triumph of the early church in conflict with the Jewish and Roman persecuting powers. To be successful in understanding this text, we must bear in mind that we are dealing with an apocalypse in which truth relative to “things which must shortly come to pass” (Rev. 1:1; ch. 1:19; 4:1; 22:6) were signified to John (1:1). The persecutors are presented under the figures of beasts having many heads, horns, and tails. The persecutions are signified under the figures of famine, pestilence and the pouring out of vials of wrath upon the earth in the form of wars and disasters.

These forces were unleashed against the church as the climax to the age-long struggle between the Lord and Satan, between light and darkness. Just as God preserved a remnant of the seed of Abraham throughout the Old Testament in spite of all Satan could do to prevent the coming of the Lord, and even as Christ prevailed over all Satan could do to keep the kingdom from being established, even so the church/kingdom would come forth from the persecutions triumphant. Throughout all of the symbolism we can see that the victory belongs to God and His people and we receive the encouragement we need to persevere.

The binding of Satan is set forth in the first three verses of chapter 20. The angel is clearly acting by divine authority. He comes from heaven which is God’s throne room and he is commissioned with divine power to lay hold on Satan and to bind him for a thousand years. This binding was to keep him from deceiving the nations.

Jesus had discussed entering Satan’s house, binding him and spoiling his goods (Matt. 12:29). This was to be accomplished by exercising His power over Satan in casting out demons. Remember, Christ was the seed of woman who in coming would bruise Satan’s head (Gen. 3:15; cf. I Jno. 3:8). Satan has now been bound by the word of God and by what Jesus accomplished by means of His first coming. The Lord further bound Satan as He brought to an end the Jewish and pagan persecutions which hindered the church. Satan still has influence but those who serve him do so out of their own volition.

In the next three verses John envisions thrones and those who occupy them. Judgment powers are extended to the occupants on the throne. Notice John saw “the souls that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus” (cf. Rev. 6:9-11). He sees souls, not bodies. There is not a single word about a resurrection of bodies. These are the souls of them that had been beheaded. They are on the thrones because of their sincere dedication to God and their refusal to bow in submission to Satan’s efforts. They were under the altars crying out “how long, O Lord” (Rev. 6:9-11), but now they are on thrones and reigning with Christ now for a thousand years in heaven (not on earth) where Christ is (Heb. 1:3; 10:12; I Cor. 15:24). Their cause now flourishes.

The doctrine of premillennialism says this living and reigning will take place on earth after Jesus comes back. But nothing is said about the coming of Jesus and nothing is said about these souls being on earth. They are reigning on thrones in heaven not on the earth. Therefore, there is no proof here for the premillennial doctrine of the reign of Christ on earth.

The first and second resurrections are not of two entirely different groups of people but of two entirely different events. The first resurrection is only for the saved who die in the Lord (Rev. 14:13). It enables them to sit on thrones and reign with Christ while earthly life continues on earth (Rev. 20:4-6). It is a spiritual resurrection. The second resurrection, though never actually called this, is for the saved and lost alike (Dan. 12:2; Jno. 5:28-29; Acts 24: 15). It enables them to stand before the judgment throne of God after the earth has “fled away” (Rev. 20:11-12).

The “second death” which is mentioned here is symbolical of eternal separation, eternal punishment in the lake of fire. The martyrs who are pictured triumphant are blessed because they have passed the first death (physical), and the second death (eternal separation from God) has no jurisdiction over them. Their cause triumphs with them.

“The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed” (Rev 20:5 NAS), refers to all other people who died; hence, the unbelieving dead—lived not until the thousand years were finished. When that period is finished, then there is a change. Then they enter “the second death.” In other words, they receive everlasting punishment; not only—as heretofore—for the soul but now also for the body. On the other hand, those who have part in the first resurrection–already explained—are blessed and holy. Over them the second death has no power. As priests of God and Christ they shall reign. The idea of reigning is dominant here just as the idea of binding is the prominent concept in the first three verses.

Satan shall be loosed out of his prison (vs 7-10) when the thousand years are finished. The thousand years represents the Christian age and not a literal period of time. Just when Satan appears to be forever bound, he breaks out in a new effort at deceiving the nations into lining up with him to persecute Christians. By means of the contrast between the “short time” (vs. 3) and the “thousand years,” we know that the duration of this period will be brief.

The terms Gog and Magog are used to represent the nations and they recall ancient enemies of God’s people (Ezek. 38). The devil’s efforts are unsuccessful because “fire came down from heaven and devoured them” (Rev 20:9 NAS). It was not worldly power but heavenly power that finally brings to an end the evil work of Satan and his people. He is cast into the lake of fire and brimstone to suffer torment with all of the persecutors and unrighteous souls of all time:

And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. –Rev 20:10 NAS

The forces of evil and the forces of good have met; the battle has been fought; the forces of good have won. God and His people are victorious having triumphed over Satan and the forces of evil.

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First, God never promised an earthly reign for Christ! It is true that prophecies of the promised Messiah were interpreted by materialistic-thinking Jews to mean that the Christ would rule the world upon David’s earthly throne (John 6:14-15), but the Jews totally misunderstood the prophecies and the nature of the kingdom of the Messiah.

This is obvious when we consider that all prophecies concerning the Messiah necessarily had to be fulfilled in Jesus (Luke 24:44; 24:25-27). The inspired record affirms that all those prophecies were fulfilled in and by Him:

But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ should suffer, He has thus fulfilled. –Acts 3:18 NAS

If this is true and Christ did not reign of earth, then it is apparent that an earthly reign was not promised. Add to this the declaration of Jesus that the destruction of Jerusalem, which was to take place during the lifetime of the generation then living (Luke 21:32), would constitute “days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled” (Luke 21:22), and you have the formula which demands that everything God promised in the Old Testament be fulfilled totally by 70 A.D. when Jerusalem was destroyed. If an earthly kingdom was contemplated according to Old Testament prophecy, then that kingdom had to be established no later than 70 A.D. Since an earthly reign of Christ was not in evidence by that date, it is apparent that none was intended. The fact is, God never promised an earthly reign!

Second, the Scriptures precluded an earthly reign! The Scriptures not only do not promise an earthly reign, they teach that Christ will not reign on the earth.

Jeremiah’s prophecy regarding Coniah (an abbreviation of “Jeconiah”) and his seed (Jer. 22:28-30) helps us to understand that Jesus would not reign on the earth. Jeremiah said no man of his seed should prosper sitting on David’s throne and ruling any more in Judah.

Jesus Christ was of the fleshly seed of Coniah. The prophecy meant that even though Coniah had sons he would not have a successor on David’s throne; that Coniah would be the last man to occupy the fleshly throne of David.

Someone is saying “what about Zedekiah, who was placed on the throne of Nebuchadnezzar?” He was the appointee of the king of Babylon, a vassal of Nebuchadnezzar. Young Zedekiah was his prince and representative, but did not succeed to the earthly throne of David. Coniah was the last man to occupy the throne of David and David’s throne became extinct with Coniah—blotted out forever. Since Jesus Christ is a descendant of Coniah through Salathiel (Matt. 1:12, 16), then His (Christ) throne must therefore be somewhere other than Judah, or His kingdom would fail. This excludes an earthly reign of Christ from Jerusalem.

Zechariah’s prophecy concerning “The Branch” also teaches that Jesus would not reign on the earth.

And speak unto him, saying, “Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD: Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.” –Zech 6:12-13 KJV

Who is this man called “The Branch,” who should sit, rule, and be priest all at one and the same time on his throne? Isaiah says very clearly, “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots” (Isa 11:1 KJV). Paul wrote, “And again Isaiah says, ‘There shall come the root of Jesse, and He who arises to rule over the Gentiles, in Him shall the Gentiles hope’” (Rom 15:12 NAS).

Jesus Christ fulfilled this prophecy; in that He was the one who was called the Branch. Therefore, Zechariah’s prophecy is a prophecy concerning Christ on His throne. Jesus built the temple per Ephesians 2:19-20, He sits and rules on His throne according to Hebrews 1:3 and 8, and Hebrews 4:14 and 8:4 tell us He serves as our high priest in heaven. That means since He is now a priest on His throne that His reign as King cannot be on the earth!

The Jews readily admitted that Christ would be “The son of David” (Matt. 22:42). Therefore, Jesus presented them with a dilemma.

He said to them, “Then how does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord,’ saying, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, until I put Thine enemies beneath Thy feet”‘? “If David then calls Him ‘Lord,’ how is He his son?” And no one was able to answer Him a word, nor did anyone dare from that day on to ask Him another question. –Matt 22:43-46

The Jews could not answer because they did not understand the true nature of the kingdom. Yet, Peter explained its meaning on Pentecost (33 A.D.) when he said that Jesus was raised from the dead to sit on David’s throne at the right hand of God where He rules as Lord and Christ (Acts 2:29-36). David, Jesus and Peter understood that the reign of Christ would be in heaven at God’s right hand. Since Jesus is to reign at the right hand of God till the end, as stated in 1 Corinthians 15:24-26, then there can be no earthly reign of Christ.

The wonderful climax of all of these passages is the second chapter of Acts—the day of Pentecost. Having preached the life, death, resurrection, ascension, coronation and kingship, throne and authority of Jesus Christ, Peter said, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ– this Jesus whom you crucified” (Acts 2:36 NAS). His hearers were pricked in their hearts and cried out, “What shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). Peter responded by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit “Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38 NAS). When one does this the Lord will add him to the kingdom/church over which He (Christ) now reigns (Acts 2:41, 47).

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The primary passage used to support the idea of a “rapture” is found in a statement Paul made to the Thessalonians:

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. –1Thessalonians 4:13-18 KJV

This passage was not given to deal with the return of Christ. Its purpose was twofold:

1. To reassure the Christians that their deceased loved ones would be able to share in the Lord’s return
2. To inform Christians that those who are still living when Christ returns will have no precedence or advantage over those who have already died

This dual function of the text constitutes a very different emphasis from that imposed upon the text by premillennial people.

The theory asserts that Christ will come secretly and the saints, the living and the dead, will be quietly and mysteriously taken away. Notice, however, that the Biblical text states very clearly, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God.” Paul states that the Lord is going to descend with a shout and with the voice of the archangel and with the trump of God. Does that sound as if Christ is going to come secretly, quietly and mysteriously? The very passage premillennial people use to teach the rapture denies their theory.

The theory also has Jesus coming FOR the saints at the beginning of the Rapture. Then it has Jesus coming WITH the saints at the end of the Rapture. These are two comings of the Lord within a seven year period. But to fit the Premillennial persuasion, of which it is an integral part, Jesus will not raise the wicked dead until at the end of His thousand year reign from David’s throne in literal Jerusalem. But read carefully the statement by Jude: “Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him” (Jude 1:14-15 KJV). Thus called for is another coming of the Lord in judgment upon the wicked.

This fanciful theory calls for entirely too many comings of our Lord and too many final judgments. The Bible speaks of one final judgment “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:30-31 NAS cf. also 2 Thess. 1:6-10). Jesus said very clearly there shall be one resurrection both of the just and the unjust and NOT two resurrections separated by 1007 years. “Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; those who did the good {deeds} to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil {deeds} to a resurrection of judgment” (John 5:28-29 NAS).

The third thing to notice from the text (I Thess. 4:13-18) is the fact that Paul stated, “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” The premillennial theory has the Lord taking the saints somewhere for seven heavenly years before bringing them back to earth for one thousand (1000) years. But that is not what the Biblical passage says. It says, “so shall we ever be with the Lord.” According to the premillennial theory it should say, “so shall we be for seven years with the Lord.” Again the theory is false.

The fourth thing we are told by premillennial people is that the Lord will come for His saints (the rapture) and then He will come with His saints (a second coming). The first time the Lord will come He will not be seen or manifested to the eyes of the world, but He will be seen the second time. First, you must realize that no such distinction is made in the New Testament. John states, “Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. Even so. Amen” (Rev 1:7 NAS). There will be nothing secret about this matter because every eye will see the Lord when He comes with the clouds.

The rapture theory is completely false. If this teaching is true as premillennial people state then surely it would be clearly advocated and demonstrated in the Scriptures instead of contradicting so many passages. We encourage you to study carefully the Bible and reject any thing man teaches that contradicts God’s Word. As Paul said, “….yea, let God be true, but every man a liar” (Rom 3:4 KJV).

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It is important to recognize that Old Testament prophecies harmonize. They do not contradict one another. We must accept the New Testament interpretation of prophecy. We must not interpret prophecies, which are not directly interpreted in the New Testament, so as to contradict any New Testament teaching.

Premillennialists teach that Christ came to earth the first time for the express purpose of setting up an earthly kingdom in Jerusalem to reign on David’s throne. They claim that when the Jews did not accept Him as their earthly king, He then as an emergency strategy established the church, for the interim, until He returns the second time to set up a literal earthly kingdom.

This position could not be further from the truth, for God said, “My covenant I will not violate, nor will I alter the utterance of My lips. Once I have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David. His descendants shall endure forever, and his throne as the sun before me. It shall be established forever like the moon, and the witness in the sky is faithful” (Ps 89:34-37 NAS). If Christ did not establish the kingdom during His first advent then God did alter what went out of His lips. God did lie to David, and God’s promise to David that his kingdom would be “be established forever like the moon, and the witness in the sky is faithful” failed! Should we not be afraid to call God or His word a failure???

The Kingdom To Be Established While David Sleeps
God informed David through the prophet Nathan, “And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever” (2 Sam 7:12-13 KJV). This does not refer only to Solomon and his earthly kingdom, for that part of it was fulfilled in Solomon’s Day (I Kgs. 2:12; I Kgs. 8:20). Notice that the kingdom the prophets saw was to come into existence when “thou shalt sleep with thy fathers.” This completely destroys premillennialism, for their theory has the kingdom of 2 Samuel 7:12-13 being established after the resurrection of the saints, after David and his fathers are raised from the dead. This position completely denies the prophecy that the kingdom would be established when David “shalt sleep with thy fathers.”

The fulfillment of 2 Samuel 7:12-13 is interpreted by Peter when he said, “Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear” (Acts 2:29-33 KJV). Therefore, one can easily see that Christ began His reign while David was still sleeping with his fathers.

Zechariah and Jeremiah affirm that the Branch of David, the seed of David would sit and rule as a priest upon His throne. But, Christ now reigns as priest over God’s house (Heb. 10:21). The “kingdom that cannot be shaken” had been received (Heb. 10:28). The priesthood of Christ cannot be separated from the kingdom the prophets saw (Zech. 6:12-13; Jer. 23:5-6; Heb. 10:21; Col. 1:18).

The Time of the Kingdom
The prophet Daniel, writing ~580 B.C. foretold the establishment of God’s kingdom. As Daniel interpreted King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, he revealed that Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom would be followed by three great, but lesser, kingdoms. History has proven Daniel’s word to be true. Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom, Babylon, was followed by the Medo-Persian, the Macedonian and the Roman Empires. Daniel revealed that in the days of fourth (Roman) empire, God would set up a kingdom. “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever” (Dan 2: 44 KJV).

John and Christ came on the scene declaring that “the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” “The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you” (Matt. 3:2; Lk. 10:9). Jesus taught that “the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand.” (Mk. 1:15). The time of the establishment of the kingdom was on Pentecost in Jerusalem (Acts 2:1-47; 11:15). It is very significant that though the kingdom was established the Lord added those being saved to the church (Acts 2:41, 47), thus showing that the church and kingdom are the same institution (Col. 1:13; Heb. 12:28). Therefore, the Premillennialists find themselves in the very unenviable position of disputing and denying the fulfillment of prophecies made by Daniel, John the Baptist, and Jesus Christ.

Jesus also said, “Verily I say unto you, that there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power” (Mark 9:1 KJV). Before ascending into heaven Jesus commanded His apostles, “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49 KJV). In Acts 2:1-4, that promise was fulfilled as the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and received inspiration and power. So the kingdom was to come with power (Mk. 9:1). The power came on Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4). The church came into existence on Pentecost (Acts 2:47). Hence, the church is the kingdom and the kingdom is the church! Therefore, Premillennialists are wrong regarding the promise and also the establishment of the kingdom.

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