Article V

     (Having before noted that the land promise made by God to Abraham has been fulfilled, that God did not promise to restore Israel nationally to Palestine in some future time (but that he did what he promised in the Old Testament), that the kingdom of Daniel 2, Isaiah 2, and Micah 4 has been established (and that we know it as the church), and that Christ is now reigning on the throne of David, we turn our attention to the next false tenet of Premillennialism.  We have asked our readers to examine the evidences set forth in this series of articles and to draw only such conclusions as are warranted by the evidence offered.  We believe these things to be true, and we believe therefore that the doctrine known as Premillennialism concerning a return to the earth by Jesus to reign on a literal throne in Jerusalem is false.  ts)

IS THE CHURCH A "SUBSTITUTE" FOR A "POSTPONED" KINGDOM?

     In order for this pernicious doctrine of Premillennialism to be true, the teachers of the doctrine must do something with the first coming of Christ and the church.  If, as they contend, the Lord initially came to earth hoping to set up his kingdom but failed in such an effort due to the rejection of Him by his people, then, they further contend, the church was set up as a substitute institution until such time as the kingdom could be started.  But, is this taught in the scriptures?  This is a serious point, for if Christ failed the first time, how are we to know that he will succeed the next?  This point also calls into question the verity and reliability of the Word of God, for if God promised a kingdom and then failed to deliver, how may we know that he is telling us the truth on other matters?  The key to solving this "problem" will be in seeing if God knew before the coming of His Son into this world that the church would be established.  If he knew, then it would be a false charge to say that the church is a substitute for a postponed kingdom.  Also, since the Premillennialists contend that God thought Jesus would be accepted and allowed to set up his kingdom, if it can be shown that God knew about the rejection of Christ prior to his advent, this doctrine will be shown to be false.  We intend to show that 1) the church was fore-ordained to exist before the foundation of the world; 2) Christ was fore-ordained to suffer for Christians, the church; and 3) Christians (the church) are called by a holy calling purposed by God before the world began.  By showing these, we will demonstrate that God knew the church would be in existence prior to the coming of Christ and therefore it is not a substitute for a postponed kingdom.

     The church was fore-ordained to exist before the foundation of the world.  In Ephesians 1:3 we read, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ".  In Ephesians 1:22-23 we read, "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all."  And again, in Ephesians 1:4 we read, "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love".  All spiritual blessings are located in Christ.  To be in Christ is to be in the body of Christ, the church.  God determined, not after the rejection of Christ at the cross but before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without blame (saved) in him.  Therefore, God knew that the church would exist before the foundation of the world.

     Christ was fore-ordained to suffer for christians (the members of the church) before the world began.  This is key.  Can it be shown that God knew about the rejection of Christ prior to the world beginning?  If not, this tenet of premillennialism may not be shown to be false; but, if it can be demonstrated that God knew about the rejection and crucifixion of Christ before it happened, then the "substitute" theory will be forever proven false.  In I Peter 1:18-20 we read, "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:  Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you".  Before the foundation of the world God foreordained that we would be redeemed by the blood of Christ.  What about Isaiah 53 and his depiction of the "despised and rejected" one who would be "led as a lamb to the slaughter"?  Did not Philip tell the Eunuch of Acts 8 that this was the Christ?  Doesn't this tell us that God knew about the rejection of Christ before it happened?  And then what about Ephesians 3:3-11: "...How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which is other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:  Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.  Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:  To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord". The mystery therefore related to the salvation of the Jews and Gentiles eternally purposed for the church through Jesus Christ.  God knew from eternity that the church would come into existence through the suffering of Christ and that all men who come to salvation would so come through the church.

     Christians (members of the church) are called by a holy calling purposed by God before the world began.  Hear Paul:  "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel" (II Timothy 1:9-10).  God saved and called us with the gospel, and so intended before the world began.  Is this an afterthought?  How can it be, for it happened before the world began.

     The simple truth is that God was not taken by surprise by the rejection of his Son at the cross, but He knew about it all along.  That is why John recorded:  "He came unto his own, and his own received him not.  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" (John 1:11-12).  The church, being a part of the eternal plan of God, was not a "substitute" for a "postponed" kingdom.  (For more information on the kingdom and the church, see Article III of this series.)

     (Space is gone for now, but we plan to continue these thoughts in a future issue.)

 Tim Smith
 1272 Enon Road
 Webb, AL 36376

VOLUME XIX                June 23, 1996          Number 25

HOSPITAL NEWS:  Floyd Turk is in SAMC as of this printing, although we hope that he is home by the time you receive this paper.

RESPONSE:  Norma Deal responded to the invitation on Sunday, June 16, after the evening lesson.  We thank God for her dedication and tender heart, and let us remember to continue to pray for her.

HOMECOMING AND GOSPEL MEETING:  Brother Allen Ammons of Montgomery, AL will do the preaching for our annual Homecoming and Gospel Meeting beginning the third Sunday in July.  The dates are July 21-26, Sunday through Friday.  We plan to have lunch in the Annex after the Sunday Morning services as usual.  (Bring a dish from home).  The service times will be:
SUNDAY (7-26) 9:45 A.M.; 10:45 A.M.; 6:00 P.M.
MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 7:00 P.M.
Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend.

BILL BECK, Gospel Preacher at Elba, is recovering from back surgery.  Let us remember him and his family in our prayers.

BELLVIEW (PENSACOLA) LECTURES:  This years lectureship, on the theme of PREACHING GOD DEMANDS, was one of the finest series of lectures I have ever been privileged to attend.  Each speech was well prepared and delivered.  The elders and preacher (Michael Hatcher) were most gracious and accommodating to everyone.  You may order a book of the Lectures by calling me or Bellview (904-455-7595).  My family and I donated a copy to the Church Library, and you may check it out when it is available.