Journal: Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Volume: JETS 18:4 (Fall 1975)
Article: The Problem Of An Intermediate Kingdom In I Corinthians 15:20-28
Author: Wilber B. Wallis

JETS 18:4 (Fall 1975) p. 229

The Problem Of An Intermediate Kingdom
In I Corinthians 15:20-28

Wilber B. Wallis*

I. The discussion of the problem of an intermediate or millennial kingdom in I Corinthians 15:23 and 24 has been clarified in recent years by two monographs. The first of these, Das tausenjahrige Reich, by Hans Bietenhard (Zurich 1955) is a spirited exposition of the chiliastic position. Thus, at the conclusion of-Bietenhard’s able survey article, “The Millennial Hope in the Early Church,” he writes:

Today, it is admitted on all hands—except for a few Roman Catholic exegetes—that only an eschatological interpretation is consistent with the text [of Revelation 20]. If the question is still open whether the hope is to be maintained or not, it will now be decided by other than exegetical and historical considerations.1

Bietenhard takes a similar confident line in the book before us, as he discusses the binding of Satan portrayed in Revelation 20:1–3.

… now the originator of rebellion will for a time be made harmless. In a methodical progression step by step evil will be made harmless and be removed. Indeed precisely from this view of a methodical progression in the destruction of evil at the Parousia there arises the untenability of the church-historical interpretation of the Millennium. (p. 20)

Bietenhard discusses the question of two resurrections on pages 52 to 67. He follows A. Schweitzer’s idea that Paul arrived at the belief in two resurrections because of the death and resurrection of Christ (p. 60). Bietenhard recognizes that Paul says nothing specific about a thousand year period lying between the two resurrections. Paul simply declares that the third tagma will follow the second (p. 61). Bietenhard offers the interesting idea that John may have learned of Paul’s double-resurrection doctrine when he came into Asia Minor. John then accepted this idea and gave it precision on the basis of further revelation (p. 61). Bietenhard argues that Paul leaves room for an end-historical kingdom such as Revelation portrays. He says:

… Paul knew of the present Lordship of Christ which extends over this age, but he did not yet know of a kingdom of Christ in the sense of Revelation 20. According to Paul, Christ rules until that point in time when death as the last enemy will be destroyed. This event takes place according to Revelation 20:14 as an act of the last judgm...