Path: utzoo!censor!geac!torsqnt!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!wuarchive!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!rpi!uwm.edu!bionet!apple!sun-barr!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: math1h3@jetson.uh.edu Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Millenium? Message-ID: Date: 19 Dec 90 09:40:18 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: University of Houston Lines: 48 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu In article , st0o+@andrew.cmu.edu (Steven Timm) writes: > > I don't know what Mr. Hix means by the doctrine of Millenialism. > Millenialism falls into two classic streams--postmillenialism which > teaches Christ will return after 1000 years of peace on the earth, and > premillenialists who teach that Christ's return precedes the 1000 years > of peace. > > Seventh-day Adventists believe that living and reigning with Christ > a thousand years will be in heaven, after which Christ will return with > his saints to the earth and create "new heavens and a new earth." > Thus we attach no particular political significance to the millenium, nor > do we attach any religious significance to the current turmoil in the > Middle East. I can understand how you might say this is not millenialism, because the living and reigning is in heaven and not on the earth. However from my point of view it is a kind of millenialism, because it puts a millenium where (IMHO) it does not belong. When Christ returns, he will judge the world, and his believers will inherit the kingdom, i.e., the new heavens and the earth. It may be, however, that what the Seventh-day Adventists believe on this matter is less harmful (IMHO) than some of the other theories that have been put forward. When I read the book, 'America in Prophecy' it appeared that Miller really tried to be responsible in his interpretation with Scripture. I think the main difference that I have with the Adventists, (and this may be the seventh-day variety) has to do with the observance of the law. The book cited above makes the claim that the church moved the Sabbath day from Saturday to Sunday, contrary to God's express command. What I believe is that we observe no Sabbath at all, for the Sabbath is part of the old covenant. Paul told us in no uncertain terms not to put ourselves under that covenant --see Galatians. To make it clear that we are not observing the old Sabbath, we in Christian freedom meet for worship on Sunday --and on other days as well. The Adventists (at least according to the book 'America in Prophecy', believe that by restoring the Sabbath to Saturday, they show their freedom from the papal antichrist. As a Lutheran I have to applaud their motive, but to put yourself under the Law (or to appear to do so) is moving in the wrong direction. (IMHO) But perhaps we can discuss that some other time. David H. Wagner a confessional Lutheran. My opinions and beliefs on this matter are disclaimed by The University of Houston.