the Lutheran view of the end times, a simple overview
the Lutheran view of the end times, a simple overview
Here’s a quick look at Revelation 20, the millennium, and the Lutheran view of the second coming.
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This is actually far more important than just wondering about the time of the lord’s return. One’s view on this shapes their understanding of the Church’s role in the world. Why are we here? What does the Lord expect or demand from us collectively? This telos or purpose will drive literally everything. It shapes our prayer life, sets our priorities, allows us to tell the difference between success and failure. It orients us in the present and to the future, motivating the sacrifices we make to realize that future. Get this wrong and you’ll wind up aiming at the wrong thing or worse yet aiming at nothing. In short it’s kind of a big deal.
I have no use for Reformed eschatology
I appreciate your explanation, and I agree and came to the same conclusion, 15 yrs ago, after being schooled by Ellis Skolfield. I attend a Southern Baptist Church and believe this to be, not denominational, but Spirit inspired understanding for all who love Jesus and His Word.
Oh my gosh, this is fabulous! I was raised LCMS and went all the way through the system as far as schools go graduating from Concordia Irvine. I was surrounded by all the different thoughts on revelation, post mil, a-mil, pre-mil you name it I heard it. This is so good with all these little visual aids. I love it! Just so you’re aware there is a Baptist (yes, I said Baptist) pastor in Hendersonville, Tennessee at Long Hollow church who is doing a study of Revelation. Guess what? It’s Lutheran theology! You should check it out. So cool that people that truly seek to interpret the scripture with scripture are coming to the Historical viewpoint of the church on this. Thank you for a great overview of this. It was wonderful! God bless.
Thanks so much for bringing these pieces together.
If the 1000 years is the church age and represents the time immediately post-ascension, that implies that all of revelation prior to chapter 20 was pre-ascension, before Revelation was written. Is that the Lutheran position?
I’ve been a Lutheran for 73 years. It’s the only religion that makes sense to me.
So are you saying thst az a Lutheran, you do or you do not, believe in the Rapture? The term Disoensationalism still confuses me. I shall habe to.listen to this pidcast a number of times .
Thsbk you for little sticky Post-It notes. It doesskeit easier to understand still.
I tend to think such theories were not up to standard had too much Guessworks, not reliable .But they put it up nicely and erred.
and like at my conception and birth, I will be ready for ANYTHING. Simple. Done. Worry about something else. You’re welcome.
I absolutely love that explanation Pastor Wolfmueller!
So, psalm 72 is……., the new heaven and the new earth?
Only a foolish unlearned Lutheran would believe satan is bound.
Amillennialism IS postmillennial! Almost everyone misrepresents modern postmillennialism as the obsolete Jonathan Edwards, 1740, "Golden Age" version with a literal 1000 year millennium. Which, BTW, was the inspiration for William Carey. This is tiny minority view of postmillennialism today.
Amillennialism was the reaction to that, recently BTW, and has hijacked all ancient postmillennial history, victorious and optimistic as its own, except for the optimistic part. Anyone in history that claims a non-literal millennium is called amillennial. But all are postmillennial! Amillennialists see a deteriorating world, rather that an overcoming Gospel. There are a few that call themselves optimistic amillennials, but these are really just less optimistic postmillennials.
Let’s talk.
I enjoyed the video BUT it was a BIT CONFUSING with the ‘little notes’ being moved around. PERHAPS if you had each view point of the end times listed on a sheet compared with the other view along with the TEXTS and how it applies to each view might might make the whole thing more understandable>…:):):)
Brother Bryan, where do you find "trouble" after Jesus returns to Armageddon? Is it because of the battle? I believe it will be over almost when it begins. Yes, it will certainly be trouble for those of the military who will be Jesus’ opposition at Armageddon! For the Jews, it will be RESCUE!
Do you believe that all the saints, both the OT and NT saints, will be in heaven for the marriage and supper, and then return on white horses with Jesus?
Do you know where in Revelation the 70th week begins and ends?
How can you align what Paul wrote, rapture before the start of the Day of the Lord, with your theory of the rapture seven years into the day of the Lord?
Pastor Bryan, I am LCMS. I studied Greek and Hebrew. For the last 15 years now I have studied the "end times." In the last 10 years I have been involved with Youtube and Facebook groups. I did this because there is very little discussion of the end times in the Lutheran church. It seems that every time a congregation wants to study the last days, they request the book of Revelation. However, it requires a great amount of understanding of the rest of Scripture to even begin to understand the Revelation.
When I first started searching the internet, I was shocked to hear that people actually believed that Jesus returned in 70 AD. Wow! What a crazy belief. I have to say that if it weren’t for my Greek, I could honestly see how that could have swayed me to believe this nonsense. As I continued to defend the faith against this heresy, my faith grew ever stronger. It seems strange to say, but Preterism, because it is so challenging with all the time statements, has actually helped me to understand my own view of the end times better, which is Amillennialism.
After more than 4 years of discussions, I am now convinced more than ever that we need more clarity when discussing our beliefs. I noticed that you use the term "church age." Although I understand the term, I think it originated with Premillennialism so as to distinguish it from another age – the post-Parousia Millennium. Why, instead of calling it "the church age," do we not call it what it is, "The age of the Messiah" or "The Messianic age"?
In Galatians 4:4 and Ephesians 1:10 says that "the fullness of time" came when Jesus was born. Because the word for time (kairos) is plural in Ephesians, it means that the fullness of the ages had arrived in God’s plan of redemption. What is "the last time" or age? The Messianic age. As I continued this study I learned about what Paul calls "the long ages past" (Romans 16:25; Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:26). So, there were multiple ages in the past and now the fullness (the end goal) of those ages has resulted in the Messianic age.
Notice how this understanding shows the weaknesses of both Preterism, with its view of the so-called "Mosaic age." and Premillennialism with its post-Parousia Millennium. If there are only 1) multiple ages in the past, 2) the present evil age, and 3) the age to come, why do people insist on other ages? The reason Postmillennialists are often Preterist is because they believe in "the pseudo- Mosaic age." Such an age is never mentioned in Scripture. Often they think that this age ended in 70 AD, therefore, the Old Covenant must have ended in 70 AD. But if this is true, then the New Covenant was not in effect at the cross, which is absurd. Either that, or you have some overlapping of the Old and New Covenants, which is easily disproven (Hebrews 8:13; 9:8; 10:9). The defeat of Satan was at the cross (Romans 7:1-4; Ephesians 2:14-16; Colossians 2:13-15; Hebrews 2:14).
Premillennialism is also easily shown to be a misunderstanding of Scripture. Many Premillennialists are forced to admit that Jesus is presently reigning, but they say that it is not in a governmental way. Huh? How can they say this when Psalm 110:1-4 and Hebrews 1:13 state that Jesus is ruling in the midst of His enemies now. Also, in Hebrews 10:13, it states that since that time (the time of the Ascension when Jesus sat down at the right hand of God), He waits for His enemies to be made His footstool.
I know that Amills believe in a two-age model. That is a different way of looking at things and it is not wrong, but I think we also have to realize that there were multiple ages in the past (5 to be exact) and multiple ages to come (Ephesians 2:7). These are really ages within ages. That explains the "long ages past" in Paul’s epistles. But most importantly it explains the age in which we live – the Messianic age.
There is another term we can use for this "Messianic age." It is the age in which the RESTORATION of all things takes place. In Isaiah, we see that the last age is the consummation of all the ages (1 Corinthians 10:11; Hebrews 9:26), which began with Jesus’ first advent. Needless to say, I have a whole new appreciation of Christmas now. No wonder the angels sang "Glory to God in the Highest. And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased" (Luke 2:14). And when I read all the Christmas narratives in Matthew and Luke, I am overflowing with joy. The new age had arrived (Matthew 4:16).
This restoration is seen especially in the fulfillment of Isaiah 49 and 61, but there are many others. Isaiah 49 is quoted by both Jesus and Paul (Matthew 4:16-21; 2 Corinthians 6:2). Jesus called it "the year of the Lord’s favor" (the year of Jubilee) when captives would be set free. Paul tied it to "the ministry of reconciliation" (2 Corinthians 5:17-18) and the restoration that would take place in "the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2). I believe the reason this is talked about so little is because people do not understand the importance of Jesus’ first advent. They often have very little understanding of what Jesus was actually doing. Yes, he was dying for our sins, but there was much more happening. He was defeating Satan and taking away his power. He was casting down "the accuser of the brethren" (Revelation 12:7-11) and binding the strong man (Matthew 12:29; Mark 3:27; Luke 11:21) and bringing in the kingdom (Matthew 12:28, 32). Isaiah 49 speaks of the restoration. It also shows how that restoration is possible:
" Can the prey be taken from the mighty man,
or the captives of a tyrant be rescued? Surely, thus says the LORD,
“Even the captives of the mighty man will be taken away,
and the prey of the tyrant will be rescued;
For I will contend with the one who contends with you,
and I will save your sons" (Isaiah 49:24-25).
Yours in Christ,
Jeff
The use of visual tools is wonderful and a great teaching aid.
On another note the – old earth camp also latches onto 2 Peter 3:8 (..one day is like a thousand years..) to undermine the seven days of creation in Genesis as historical narrative.
In my Heremeneutics framework an overarching principle is that the three most important interpretation rules are context, context, context. The 2 Peter verse is linked to Psalms 90:4 – providing insight that Apostle Peter’s readers should not lose heart because God seems slow at fulfilling His promises because He is patient, and also because He is not bound by time as we are. Therefore, I don’t see 2 Peter 3:8 as pertaining to Genesis or Revelation. If the Scripture has more than one meaning it has no meaning at all – John Owen
When exegeting verses we have to be careful or you can turn God into a cosmic chicken (Psalm 91:4).
Could you please explain how the devil walking around like a lion seeking people to devour fits in with amillinianism?
No
In the end, at The End, won’t every one be surprised?!?!?
If a study of the end times doesn’t cause one to appreciate the Gospel even more, then it is not a balanced view. Thank you Pastor for teaching that Satan must be bound for the Gospel to be preached. Satan must be bound before the restoration can begin.
What happened to Historicism Premillennial Bible Prophecy View?
This was the Virw of the Reformers.
I wonder if there is a time when it becomes more apparent to us that the devil is bound. I often think we live in that time with so many nations being drawn to Christ. Even in the worst, most totalitarian regimes, Christ reigns and claims souls for His Kingdom
Thank you for this, Pastor! For the first time, I understand why we are amillennialists.
The belief in death is a false belief, since there is no death. We are spirits not physical bodies. The 1000 years just means a long period of time where humans will live with this wrong belief. Once humans can see beyond their ego (the devil) they will be free of the devil. First resurrection is the change in belief, the new information, the message of the bible. Second resurrection is the ascension above or beyond your ego. Riddle solved. You are very welcome.
Without watching this fully, I am guessing the general Lutheran view on eschatology is Amill…..am I correct?
Not convinced in the slightest
This is one of the best teaching on edn times. It is fab to know we are living in the millienimum time. Praise God. ❤
The Catholic Church is why A Millennialism was taught throughout time. They are not exactly trust worthy. All the other numbers in Revelation are an exact, not symbolic. There are way to many things that make no sense with A Millennialism. ALSO… Revelation 20 4-6 says "This is the first resurrection. " so its clearly not the 2nd resurrection bc it says right there its the 1st!
Very helpful, thank you. I think this view makes a lot of sense biblically.
Superb job, Brian. And I like the movable cards, your compact Bible, and seeing how much use it’s been through.
Genesis 3:15 and Job
The devil had to approach God to inflict pain on Job, that sounds like a short chain, right?
To be fair, my Lutheran doctrine that focuses only on passages in The Revelation does not answer the questions posed by Old Testament dual prophecies (especially Ezekiel, Daniel and others) as well as Matthew 24, John 14, I Cor. 15, Romans 14 and I Thess. 4. Only by ignoring or dismissing these many other passages can one firmly believe in the a-millennial, orthodox teaches of Rome and the Lutheran Church. Is that a fair way to dissect to core of this debate? Hardly. In the end, God didn’t ask any of us, it will happen in a flash and I’m along for the bus ride to heaven. Hopefully it’s a vehicle a lot more fun than a dumb bus. 🙂
Since Lutherans are already apostate why would anyone listen to them
Good teaching, i like your illustrations. I used to be a dispensationalist, not anymore, Scripture doesn’t substantiate it. Nelson Darby Plymouth Brethren teachings concocted this stuff. I think A-mill view isn’t correct (Puritans held this), I am between a post and pre mil with a pre-wrath position of the rapture. This secret rapture stuff is deceptive. The idea that the Devil is bound it nonsense. that were in the 1000 years millennial is nuts. I like what this guy said, I am a "Pan-Mill" it will all Pan out LOL.
THIS is what my former non-Lutheran pastor explained back in 2012 which started my journey to the sacraments and the wonderful freedom in the Gospel as taught in the Lutheran Confessions.
Excellent
Bryan, you may find this useful in your ministry:
The time, two times, and half a time of Daniel 7:25 began on February 9, 2025. Trump is the Little Horn of Daniel 7:8.
We can know "when" we are on God’s prophetic calendar. It is written in the book of 2nd Esdras. Chapter 11 contains a prophecy that describes a line of American presidents, four of whom are still alive, and two of them are being kept until "the end." All of them are old men. "The end" is fast approaching.
Ezra wrote Second Esdras, chapters 11, 12, and 13 many centuries ago, long before the United States existed, yet he accurately describes a line of 15 US presidents starting with Hoover. This 100-year-long prophecy began fulfilling on March 4, 1929. It is now 96% complete. Its perfect fulfillment to this point has established its credibility. Ezra was not guessing.
I have condensed the prophecy into a series of short lessons – my gift to you. Please allow me to guide you through them, step by step, and into understanding. Blessings to you and your loved ones.
LOL. Noah and the 7 were lifted up from the wrath below for the ones that found the door shut. Your lack of discernment is concerning, you shouldn’t be making videos. There is more than two Rapture verses in the bible.
Isa. 26:19-21 is a Pre-Trib Rapture in perfect harmony with Jn. 14:1-4, Rev.6:11, 12:5-12.
2nd Thess. 2:3 is "The Departure come first.
The 5 wise virgins are waiting for HIS early coming, the foolish are Post-Trib virgins.
You need to pray for your discernment, instead of your Lutheran pay check.
This is an excellent, biblical explanation – and I’m not Lutheran! Many, many thanks!
What about the thief on the cross he wasn’t baptized but Jesus said today you will be with me in paradise
you believe satan has been bound a thousand years? I say his time is short after accusing my brethren 2000 years. Rev. 12:5 is the Rapture of the man child aka the Body of CHRIST. Verses 7-10 is a war of railing accusations over the Pre-Trib Raptured Church. He is rebuked by the blood of CHRIST in verse 11. We rejoice and dwell in heaven the 7 yeas and woe to the inhabitants on earth satan knows his time is short.
Very interesting- wow they have alot of recreation opportunities there!
@rickhuntling7338
0 seconds ago
@nathanjstoic "no one is saying satan has been bound 1000 years but he is still bound. You can’t rebuke nonsensical gibber out of your own mouth. You can’t rebuke satan rules the earth along with all its evil, filth, suffering and war. You swallowed a Lutheran pile of lies if you think that CHRIST Kingdom of no more tears and suffering has been on going for almost 2000 years. Oh, by the way, when did a thousand years equal 2000 years?
You calling me a fool puts you in danger of hell fire son, Mat. 5:22
You’re dismissed, you’re a waste of my time; Mat. 7:6
@Dr. Jordan B Cooper is this accurate for the Lutheran belief?
Reading the Bible without anyone pushing there views.. i believe Historic premillenialism makes the most sense. I dont see how a pre trib rapture makes any sense bc its not said in scripture, but the Millennium is future.. the rapture seems to come at the end of the tribulation.