Is Amillennialism Heretical?

[@BibleAnswerMan]

READ our in-depth, free article "Is Dispensationalism Indispensable?" www.equip.org/article/dispensationalism-indispensable/

[@icebucket18]

This was a really good answer. I myself am an amillennialist, but to let it divide me from fellowship with other believers would be a sin and a disgrace. My father is post-millennial, my pastor is pre-. My favorite teachers and pastors are mostly pre-. I glean from them, absorb their teachings, and love them immensely, yet disagree with their interpretations of the end times.

[@biblefloss]

Hank, you said you don't agree with the amillennial view but that you think the 1000 years in Revelation 20 is about a quality of time, not a quantity of time. But isn't that exactly what amillennialists believe? They don't affix 1000, 2000, 3000 years or any other period of time between Christ's first and second coming. They are just not interested in that question because they believe the "millennium" of Revelation 20 refers to the present age with the Kingdom of God, i.e. the quality.

[@shaneteel3815]

Well put! I am an amillenialist and certainly hold fast to this eschatological view as it is certain to be most biblically grounded in my opinion, but we should not be dividing on this issue! We should be able to discuss without ever even a single quickened heartbeat, and then be able to break bread merrily with one another knowing that whatever the outcome, great is our reward in heaven , and that we are ONE in christ!!

[@bboed4469]

Amillenials are in pretty good company, considering the reformers, the heroes of the protestant faith, were amillenialists! Not to mention even if you are a Catholic you have a tradition of millennialism going back to when Augustine who had been a historic premillenialist (not in the new "rapture" dispensationalist premillenialist) turned to call it a heresy. As an amillennialist you have everyone from Calvin, Edwards to George Mueller, these are some pretty awesome Christians!

[@elijahsmith6508]

I think Edwards was actually post-mil.

[@admiralmurat2777]

Calvinists are satanic.

[@3n1fss]

General Lee, you have no biblical understanding at all.

[@eagleclaw1179]

Cole Stockdale can you show any reformed teaching that is heretical? With using Scripture??

[@Voirreydirector]

Elijah Smith Edwards sort of had two phases in his career, complicated guy. So, I don’t think he falls into as firm a camp as one more get think. It has been so long since I studied him in depth, but of this I am sure, he made theological decisions early in his career that he regretted later.

[@lorichet]

St. Augustine was amil, and he was hardly a "heretic." It appears to me that Hank's view doesn't contradict amil eschatology. I read Hank's great book, the "Apocalypse Code," and I'm amil. So I can't see what in amil eschatology he disagrees with.

[@SpotterVideo]

Millennium Questions: Does your interpretation agree with all other scripture? Can the following questions be examined without ridicule, and condemnation, based on the New Covenant promised in Jeremiah 31:31-34, and found fulfilled in Hebrews 8:6-13, and Hebrews 10:16-18, and Hebrews 12:18-24? Based on the following scripture, will immortals and mortals both live on the earth for 1,000 years after the Second Coming of Christ? Will there be renewed animal sacrifices in earthly Jerusalem for 1,000 years after the Second Coming of Christ? Will Christ conduct funeral services for mortals killed in accidents many years after His Second Coming? Does an angel with a key open the bottomless pit in Revelation 9:1-2? Who is the king of the angels in the bottomless pit found in Revelation 9:11? Are some of the angels “bound” in some manner in Revelation 9:14? Is the “first resurrection” in Revelation 20 the first bodily resurrection in the Book of Revelation? (See the two witnesses in Rev. chapter 11.) Are there two different types of resurrections in John chapter 5? John 5:24 (Spiritual) John 5:27-30 The bodily resurrection and judgment of “all” the dead. Why did Jesus correct the woman at the well when she said earthly Jerusalem was the place to worship? See John 4:20-24. Who is the “strong man” who is bound in Matthew 12:26-29? How many mortals are left alive on the planet at the end of Matthew 25:31-46? What is the restitution of all things at the return of Christ in Acts 3:20-21? Will Christ's sacrifice at Calvary also reverse the curse, at His return? Does death die at the last trumpet in 1 Corinthians 15? Why did Paul say the Jerusalem above is our “mother” in Galatians 4:24-31? Who is the king of the bottomless pit in Revelation 9:11? Based on Revelation 9:14, have some of the angels already been bound in some manner? If the beast comes up out of the pit in Revelation chapter 11, where is the beast now? Was Paul expecting Christ to return "in flaming fire" taking vengeance on those who do not know God in 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10. How would mortals survive this fire? Does the fire come at the end of Revelation 20? Did Paul expect both the living and the dead to be judged at the appearing of Christ, in 2 Timothy 4:1? When is the judgment of the dead in Revelation 20? Is it the same judgment of the dead in Revelation 11:18? What is the inheritance of the Old Testament Saints in Hebrews 11:1-16? Is the third temple found in 1 Peter 2:4-10? Is this temple just as real as a temple made of earthly stones? What was Peter expecting on the day of the Lord when He comes as a thief, in 2 Peter 3:1-13? Do we find the judgment of both the living and the dead at the 7th trumpet, which is the last trumpet in the Bible, in Revelation 11:15-18? Why do most preachers ignore the time of the judgment of the dead, with reward for some, and destruction for others in Revelation 11:18? What does it prove about the chronology of the Book of Revelation?

[@BibleAnswerMan]

Of course. Christ establishes the new covenant.

[@RDMNCB]

mike ratliff, of course Hank gave a "real answer" to the question. The caller expressed that he thought the Amil. view was possibly heretical, and wanted to know what Hank thought on the subject. Hank said we should not call any view of the timing of eschatological events "heretical." He then explained briefly the Amil. and Premil. poasitions and his own view. How is that not answering the question? My difficulty with Hank over recent years is that I think I can answer most questions he answers - with the same words, inflection and cadence with which he answers them.

[@rtpricetag3536]

RDMNCB Regarding this area of Rev-20 and other scripture, there are many (different) teachings, yet in this specific teaching there is error. The Catholic church that began this 'Millennium' teaching divisions, strongly reject most common theories put out. They believe the Kingdom of Christ began with His ministry, and that 'saints reign with Christ NOW'. So you can see there is need for discernment of truth....For starters there is NO 'Millennium' in your English bible...none of the English bibles.

[@pbar1000]

Praise God that He gave mankind a code, a true code for the believers, in The Revelation of Jesus Christ. This is how we distinguish solid truth and fantasy journey.

[@MsVern01]

I think you are describing a hyperpreterist, not a partial preterist.

[@edwardaguilar6322]

I am so new to this and cannot absorb or understand ,though I am 61 years old does this mean the temple will not be built in our lifetime ?and be built after Christ comes,there is so much to learn because seems everyone has a view and I hate when we That love what Jesus suffered and died for us disagree

[@SpotterVideo]

The third temple is found in 1 Peter 2:4-10. It is just as real as any temple made of earthly stones.

[@communique15]

I'm kind of with you 1rmikeratliff. I listen to his radio shows now and have been wondering if it's just me not tracking with him, of if he really is dodging certain questions. Many times a caller will ask a question and Hank seems to go off on some other bent. He doesn't always seem to answer the actual question asked, but his prediction of what the caller really meant. I wonder if he's been doing this so long that he's impatient having to answer the same questions over and over again.

[@goscott2]

Mike. You took the words out of my mouth. I have noticed that he gives a lot of "non-answers" to many of the questions posed to him. He has a great vocabulary and gives elaborate explanations but many of his answers remind me of one that a politician gives having several shades of gray.

[@matthewvanmatre5137]

Maybe the answer allows for open-ended debate, since this topic is secondary at best. With most of the historical church leaning on Hank’s position, it allows for the newcomers, Protestants to duke it out.

[@jltc5478]

I agree that Amillenialism is not heresy but Hank's view needs to be clarified because if '1000 years' = 'eternity of vindication', Why do they come to an end according to Rev. 20?

[@faithalonekjv5123]

Christ comes everyday to save people and the temple is the Body of Christ, which is spiritual and eternal, with God as the head, the Saviour of the Body. Don’t confuse eternity (in Christ, spiritual Sabbath) with this world of darkness and carnal and temporal flesh.

[@bboed4469]

Partial preterists and amillenialists both agree that we have yet to see God's second coming, raising of the dead etc. Here they are similar. But partial preterits do not share the amillennialist view that right before Christ's second coming Satan is going to be let loose, the antichrist/Paul's man of inequity will appear, there will be Armageddon so to speak. Kind of a big difference. So no, it would be hard for an amillennialist to abandon their belief in the certainty of these events.

[@IvanIvanov-vy7pt]

Heresy is, IF and WHEN we discount nearly a whole chapter of the Bible and then build our own teaching on it.

[@tonymuse]

I think that a lot denominations and theological views are somewhat guilty of that.

[@kenzeier2943]

I was waiting for the guy that said it was heretical to say hey Hank can we burn him at the stake??!!!

[@seungjaeyune2008]

Jesus said 1 thousand six times at Rev ch.20 but people think it is nothing. this is heresy.

[@rolysantos]

Read Galatians 4:24, Paul says Abraham's 2 sons are "an Allegory." why? Because scripture DOES use allegory. Read 1 Cor 15, OT Israel was "after the flesh" NT Israel is "after the spirit.". Dispensationsl hermeneutics is the problem.

[@dennisreglingwondershowsfo6485]

Dispensationalism is the heresy. Totally nonscriptural.

[@fridge3489]

Amen! Christian zionism is categorically un-Christian

[@jonathanderekmoseley2130]

So if Hank does not agree with premillennialism or amillennialism then what group does he agree with? Does that group have a name?

[@BibleAnswerMan]

In The Apocalypse Code (www.equip.org/product/the-apocalypse-code-paperback/), Hank Hanegraaff briefly discusses millennium as a type of vindication language, wherein God vindicates those suffering for Christ over a short period (i.e. “ten days”) in that they reign with Christ forever (i.e. “a thousand years”). He writes, “though mistaken by many as a semi-golden age of Christian history-leading to much debate over whether the return of Christ will happen before (premillennialism) or after (postmillennialism) the millennium, or whether the millennium is symbolic of the period of time between Christ’s first and second advents (amillennialism)-the thousand years of Revelation are symbolic of the unique and ultimate vindication (qualitative) that awaits the martyrs who died under the first century persecution of the Beast” (Hank Hanegeraaff, The Apocalypse Code [Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2007], 274-275, cf. also ibid, 256-257n). Hank expounds on the millennium in Afterlife: What You Really Want to Know About Heaven, the Hearafter, & Near-Death Experiences (www.equip.org/product/afterlife/)

[@paulswilley3737]

Is hank still Eastern Orthodox

[@BibleAnswerMan]

@paulswilley3737 Yes. Hank is Eastern Orthodox.

[@ventronics98]

The problem with Amillenialism is that it takes Chapters of the Bible and says Oh this doesn’t mean what it clearly states. Rev 20 etc. And thru this they then decree that they are the true church and the people in Israel today play no part in Gods plan. And then they twist Election into- we’re saved and the rest of the world isn’t. So there is no reason to evangelize because “ they can’t be saved because they are not the elect” Yes Amillenialism is a slippery slope of changing Bible verses from their Literal meaning to whatever they want it to be via Aligorical rereading “let us give you the Real meaning of that”. And yes that is heresy.

[@3n1fss]

ventronics98 ah, so you take everything in Revelation literally?

[@ventronics98]

Unless it is clearly stated I.e. a parable. Remember God does not lie, nor deceive. Scripture interprets scripture- 2 Peter 1:20 Prophecy is not left to ones own interpretation “ So allegorical interpretations are .. made up. Listen I spent 3 years in a Presbyterian Church with a Amillenialist pastor that claimed that Israel ( the country) had no biblical meaning. That Revelation is a circular book. ( ignoring how ever chapter starts with , “ and then” or similar terminology clearly showing sequence. The issues with Amillenialism are clear from its name. It is A against what scripture clearly states.

[@rocketmanshawn]

It's symbolism, borrowed from the old testament no less, where it also wasn't literal either. It's not that symbols aren't true but rather that they are more true. Also who ever said that all Amills are Calvinists? There certainly are plenty but post-mill is gaining popularity in Calvinism too and that's far more troubling. Flinging the word heresy around like that...I hope you're prepared to give an account of every idle word.

[@Mrm1985100]

@@ventronics98 Revelation is filled with apocalyptic symbolism

[@Randall_beatley]

Revelation is like a football broadcast. It may show the same play from 7 different angles but it’s the same play. The book is apocalyptic in genre and should not be read as anything differently. Being apocalyptic also allows for the events to be written out of chronological order.

[@NephilimFree]

Yes, it is. Revelation 20

[@J-PLeigh8409]

The belief that some disspensationalist were said to have, is, or sounds absolutely unbiblical, a rebuilt temple w/ animal sacrifices for sins? No thank you, Christ Jesus died once for all. Rom 6:10 For the death He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life He lives, He lives to God

[@rtpricetag3536]

First, unless you are a Catholic, there is no Millennium, because this is the Latin translation of a Greek numeric (not language) from Greek math theorem base-10, in which the root 'Chili' represents the 10x3rd power (plural) 'Thousands', and the Greek numeric "Chilioi' agreed by scholar and theologian found in earliest accepted manuscripts, this stem-numeric 'Chilioi' also with 'Chilias' translates (plural) 'Thousands'. Both of two events (Rev-20) called the same 'Chilioi' have different beginnings, and last different length, which in fact (Satan released, and saints reign with Christ, have not yet ended). The two Greek "Chilioi etee" translated properly is "Thousands Years", or translated properly into English would be "Thousands of years', and this 'Thousands of years' ends when Satan is released from the abyss (read Rev 20:1-7 again). The reign of saints with Christ (now) will never end, it is this (earth age) that ends when Satan is released for his (David 70th Week prophecy) 'ruler over earth for a short time', that ends in final judgment. Were you resurrected (made alive again/born again) when you believed (dead in sin), and received the HS (now alive in Christ), certainly you were, and as long as you remain in Christ, you will reign with Christ forever... see: rtpricetag,home.comcast.net/~rtpricetag/Millennium.html

[@marketingonline2948]

Hahahah, good point about we do not have get devided, But your stand in this debate is extremely vague. You should define yourself because there's only one stand which true...

[@MsVern01]

Partial preterism. Partial preterism holds that most eschatological prophecies, such as the destruction of Jerusalem, the Antichrists, the Great Tribulation, and the advent of the Day of the Lord as a "judgment-coming" of Christ, were fulfilled either in A.D. 70. The Second coming and the resurrection of the dead, however, have not yet occurred in the partial preterist system.

[@christianmollo3239]

As usual... Huh ??? Never answers these questions

[@RPSanAnto]

It's short no its not heretical. It seems some Dispensationalist believe so, with their very relatively new eschatology.

[@SpcMedia21]

I am a Pan-Mil. meaning, it will all PAN OUT in the end

[@AhavatYeshua]

Yes, it is heretical! Exegesis goes out the window. Amillennialists love to hear themselves speak. But it’s like they are telling some weird story of their own. Very sloppy interpretation of the Scriptures, and very subtle attempt to misguide the ignorant and immature believers. Lord please open the eyes of these people and let them see Your truth for all its worth!

[@MarkRobbinsMR954]

Amillenialism is fertile ground for partial preterism. Most amillenialists will become partial preterists. Partial Preterists just don't want to go too far and promote things that most christians would regard as heresy - like - no future coming of Jesus, no great white throne judgement, no end of time, no eternal torment, no bodily resurrection. I really don't see any difference between a partial preterist and a amillenialist, do you?

[@admiralmurat2777]

Mark Robbins what Eternal torment? You mean age abiding chastening? Learn Greek

[@rocketmanshawn]

What an odd generalization. When in fact all Amill do believe in a future return of Jesus and a bodily resurrection. And just to be clear it's the full preterist that denies a whole mess of biblical things, partial preterism is largely orthodox in their understanding.

[@SupernaturalByDesign]

Amillennial view is heretical

[@tonymuse]

Dispy alert!

[@Mrm1985100]

LOL

[@mcconkeyrichard]

here is the problem with Hank he believes that God is through with ethnic Israel and has no plans form them in the (f) which is unbibical

[@admiralmurat2777]

Richard mcconkey lol Zionism and Christianity Don't mix.

[@weeperman6659]

Jesus himself says in John that ethnicity is over, God can raise up sons of Abraham from stones if he wants. The true Israel is those who believe, no matter what their ethnic heritage is. This is also abundantly clear in the book of Hebrews, from start to finish, this is one of the main points made in it.

[@fridge3489]

Nah. Jesus doesn't want me to support killing Palestinians

[@Flashkidgotsuspended]

AMEN! FK

[@1rmikeratliff]

I am no longer as "in tune" with what Hanegraaff teaches. I have listened to him since 1990 and read all of his books. Most of his writings are great with the exception of "Apocalypse Code" in which I think Hank went off the reservation. The bible is not allegory in any since. Hermeneutics and confirming scripture with scripture is the key. I think the answer Hank gave was a non answer, in fact I think that nearly all of the answers he gives since moving to S Carolina are non answers. To v

[@christianmichael9367]

Dang right its unbiblical