Journal: Chafer Theological Seminary Journal
Volume: CTSJ 06:2 (Apr 2000)
Article: Israelology Part 5 of 6
Author: Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum

CTSJ 6:2 (April 2000) p. 35

Israelology
Part 5 of 6

Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum*

[*Editor's note: Arnold Fruchtenbaum earned a B.A. degree from Cedarville College, a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. from New York University. He is the founder of Ariel Ministries, Tustin, CA, a ministry to Jewish people around the world; he holds Bible conferences in most English speaking countries around the globe. Arnold is also an adjunct professor at Chafer Theological Seminary. CTS accepts Dr. Fruchtenbaum’s bi-annual five-week study tour of Israel for academic credit. His e-mail address is [email protected].]

Israel Future
(Part Two)

The Basis for the Messianic Kingdom

Many like to charge that Dispensationalism’s belief in a Millennium relies entirely on one passage, Revelation 20. Since that book does contain many symbols, critics claim that it is foolish to take the one thousand years literally. Though valid against Covenant Premillennialism,1 the charge is not true of Dispensational Premillennialism. First, although the Book of Revelation uses many symbols, it (and other Scriptures) explains each symbol. Second, never does this book use years in a symbolic way. If they are symbolic, John leaves the symbolism unexplained. The mention of 1,260 days, 42 months, and 3½ years are all literal and not symbolic. Hence, no basis exists for taking the one thousand years as anything but a literal one thousand years. Those who desire to spiritualize Scripture assume the burden of proof. Likewise, without objective proof spiritualizing yields a subjective interpretation. The phrase one thousand years only appears in Revelation 20; however, John

CTSJ 6:2 (April 2000) p. 36

uses this phrase six times within this one chapter, emphasizing the literal nature of the one thousand years. Although Revelation 20 is the only passage of Scripture specifying the Millennium’s length, it is not foundational for the Dispensationalist’s belief in the Messianic Age.2 Two foundations exist.

The first foundation consists of the numerous Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah coming to reign on David’s throne over a peaceful kingdom. A literal interpretation of the many Old Testament passages concerning the Messianic Kingdom leads to Dispensational Premillennialism. Israel, in the period of the Messianic Kingdom, is a major theme of the Old Testament prophets and the high point of their prophecy.3 T...