Last month I mentioned a paper I wrote for Ethnos360 called “The Coming Millennial Kingdom.” In the first section of that paper, I began by outlining the battle between God and Satan for the theocratic kingdom. God created man and held them responsible for managing the planet on His behalf. In simple terms, they were the “theocratic administrators” of the whole world. Sadly, they forfeited that position because of their sin. At that time, Satan became the “god of this world (2 Cor. 4:4).” Almost immediately after Satan took control of the world system for his kingdom, God delivered a prophecy about Satan’s ultimate defeat (Gen. 3:14-15). God predicted that the Redeemer would ultimately defeat Satan, even though Satan would inflict harm upon Him. This was God’s way of conveying that, as a result of Satan’s actions, the promised Redeemer would experience death as a means to conquer Satan. Later scriptures further revealed that through His sacrificial death, the Redeemer would atone for humanity’s sin, leading to the removal of sin (Is. 53:4-6, 10-12; Jn. 1:29; 1 Pet. 2:24). This, in turn, made it possible for God to reverse the consequences of human rebellion.
Satan had launched an assault against God’s kingdom, aiming to usurp it. For God to retain His supreme authority, He needed to defeat Satan and his kingdom. Not only that, to demonstrate His supreme authority God needed to defeat Satan in the very arena in which the enemy seemingly won his greatest battle against the Sovereign Creator of the universe.
Dr. J. Dwight Pentecost explained: “Apart from the reign of Christ…here on earth…And apart from this rule, God’s purpose for man would never be brought to conclusion. God’s purpose for the earth would be unrealized and the problem generated by Satan’s rebellion would never be resolved. Thus, the physical, literal reign of Christ on the earth is a theological and biblical necessity—unless Satan is victorious over God.”
The children of Johann Sebastian Bach had a unique way of waking him up. They would go to the piano and begin to play a composition. When they would get to the last note, they would stop without playing the last note. He would get up from his sleep, go to the piano, and play the final chord. He couldn’t stand to leave it unfinished. Similarly, we are all waiting for the last note on the final page of God’s song of victory. God will not leave His grand composition without striking the final note. That final note is the messianic kingdom of Jesus Christ. This is a powerful argument against kingdom now theology and for the Premillennial return of Christ.
Your prayers are much appreciated as we continue this writing project.
Blessings,
Bob
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Christ’s Literal Return
Christ will come again to this world with power and great glory. He will gather the scattered tribes of Israel, and place them once more in their own land. As He came the first time in person, so He will come the second time in person. As He went away from earth visibly, so He will return visibly. So also will He come, literally set up a Kingdom and literally reign over the earth, because the Scripture has said it shall be so. — J.C. Ryle
