Will He Appear By 2000?

Will The Messiah Appear On

or Before the Year 2,000 A.D?

By Dr. Lee Warren, B.A., D.D.

(c) May/June 1995 PLIM REPORT

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See Related Articles: REVELATION & END TIME PROPHECIES

Introduction

The answer to this question is unequivocally and categorically No! The Messiah will not physically appear nor establish His kingdom on earth by the second millennium as most Christians believe and teach. Neither is the erroneous doctrine true that the entire physical universe will end within the next five years. This is not to say that there will never be a fulfillment of the prophecies in the book of Revelation, nor an end of time, space, and matter, but it will definitely not be on or before the year 2000 A.D. In fact, this article will show that these end time prophecies dont have any scriptural basis.

Why has the 1000 year period been associated with the end?

Historically, the association of the 1000 year period with the end of the world has been deeply embedded in the Christian/Judeo psyche. In theology, the study of the last things or the end of time is called eschatology. Since the Apostle John wrote about the sons reigning with the Messiah for 1000 years in the book of Revelation (Rev. 20:4), believers have eagerly awaited this event. As we approach the year 2000 A.D., there is a great deal of anticipation building among Christian denominations who believe that the Messiah will appear by the end of the second millennium.

Will the Messiah set up His kingdom at the end?

After Pope John Paul II got shot on May 13, 1981, in St. Peter, by a Turk Mehemet Ali Agca, many of his closest friends said he viewed his attempted assassination as an omen that something would occur in the world by the year 2000. Gordon Thomas & Max Morgan-Witts state: "Those closest to John Paul ... became convinced that, in the wake of the shooting, the pope was motivated, perhaps even obsessed, by the thought that something dramatically decisive would happen to the world by the year 2000. ... They have noticed his growing commitment to eschatology, which incorporates the view based on biblical teachings that God will inaugurate his kingdom through a series of "happenings" to close the second Christian millennium, December 31, 1999 (Pontiff, (© 1983 Doubleday, p. 442)."

Will Gods kingdom be established physically or spiritually?

The Holy Father, who is the head of the largest Church in Christendom, believes that God or Elohim will inaugurate His kingdom in a physical form. However, the establishment of a physical kingdom contradicts the scriptures. When the Pharisees of Israel asked the Messiah when His kingdom would come, He answered: "The kingdom of Elohim (God) cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of Elohim (God) is within you, (Lk. 17:20-21)."

The Apostle Paul knew that the translation into the kingdom involved a spiritual process. He wrote: "Giving thanks unto the Father ... Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son (Col. 1:13; Rm. 14:8):" Paul used the past tense ("hath") in referring to mankind being delivered and translated because twenty-five years after the fact he wrote about Pentecost which began the Present Kingdom Age (Acts 2:1-4). When the Apostles became aware of the ever presence of the Messiah within them, they HAD BEEN delivered from darkness and translated into the kingdom. So the obvious question to ask is: Why is all of Christianity looking for the Messiah to establish a physical kingdom on earth if His kingdom is within you?

What did the Messiah say about His kingdom?

The disciples asked the Messiah about the restoration of His kingdom at His ascension from Mt Olive. They asked: "... Master (Lord), wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: ... (Acts 1:6-8)." The Messiah knew the Kingdom was spiritual and would be revealed on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4).

After instructing them of the great commission at Galilee (Matt. 28:16), the Messiah also told His disciples that He would be with them. "... lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen (Mt. 28:20)." Now if the Messiah will be revealed in the hearts and minds of the true sons (Jn. 14:14-26; Col. 1:26; 1 Cor. 6:19-20); why should we be looking for Him to appear again physically?

Are some just looking for the end of the world, not the Messiahs appearance?

Now some groups dont believe that the Messiah will physically appear by the second millennium, but they do anticipate the end of the world. Dr. Henry C. Kinley, the founder of the Institute of Divine Metaphysical Research, Inc., was quoted as saying we would not see the year 2000 A.D. "... Yahshua the Messiah said in the 24th Chapter of Matthew "UNLESS THESE DAYS BE CUT SHORT !!! NOW YOURE JUST NOT GOING UP TO AD 2000!!! There wont be any overtime. And I tried my best to make you CONSCIOUS of that before we pull the curtain down or before the curtain rains down on this age ... (see "Love and Lust" lecture paper, p. 8)." If he was speaking literally, he is in error. If he was speaking allegorically, he has not been understood. In short, the year 2000 A.D. represents a spiritual principle above the obvious number of years since the Messiah's birth.

A Norfolk Virginia newspaper quoted Dr. Kinleys successor, Dr. Robert Harris, a licensed, medical doctor and international vice president and dean of the Institute of Divine Metaphysical Research, Inc., as saying the world will end in 1996 A.D. at the Virginia state convention. We quote excerpts from the Virginian-Pilot, The Ledger-Star, March 5, 1994, later in the paper (See "Has I.D.M.R. joined into the folly?," p. 20). It will be interesting to watch the years preceding 2000 A.D. to see what events transpire.

Have end time prophecies failed?

Religious history, especially since the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, is littered with failed prophecies. Christian sects have prophesied dates for the second coming of Christ, the end of the world, and the last Judgment. Ironically, most of these so-called prophecies have missed their mark. When these end time events did not occur according to the calculations of the religious sects, many groups dissolved and their members became disillusioned. According to the scriptures, this makes them all false prophets (Deu. 18:20-22).

Have the Jehovah Witnesses prophesied the end of the world?

The Jehovah Witnesses are an excellent modern day example of a Christian sect who has repeatedly announced the end of the world. This group has done so over 25 times from 1877 to 1975 A.D. Why did they not learn their lesson after two or, at the most, three failed attempts to predict the end of the world? Their continued failures show one or two things. Either their sheer stupidity is unmatched in our modern times or they have poor psychic abilities. Both situations are bad and have jeopardized their credibility. Since they are supposed to be communicating with the Creator, we wonder why they cant get His messages right; or should we believe that the Creator is changing His mind.

In our modern times, other religious groups are still prophesying dates such as 1996, 1997, 1999, etc., for the end of the world. Note that we began this paper with a reference from Dr. Harris who says the world will end by 1996 and a quote about the Pope who believes Gods kingdom will come by 12/31/99. We can safely predict that their prophecies will fail as those of their predecessors have failed. Our arrival into the 21st century will prove that the Christians, and others, interpretations of the scriptures were erroneous.

How do secular groups foretell the end of the world?

Nonreligious groups use the prophecies of one of the most popular 16th century prophets, Michelle Nostradamus (1503 - 1566), to calculate the end. Both Catholics and Protestants believed this French physician and astrologer was a heretic. Nostradamus made over 1,000 prophecies in a book called Centuries published in 1555. He saw visions which have been interpreted as false Messiahs like Hitler that would be a terror to the world in the year 1999 A.D. (Century X:72) and foretold that a few years into the seventh millennium the graves would open (Century X:74). We will discuss some of his prophecies in more detail later in this article (see "Who was Nostradamus," p. 34). Now we must understand why Christianity repeatedly missed the mark.

Why has Christianity incorrectly prophesied the end?

Christianity has failed to prophecy correct dates for the end because they have grossly misinterpreted the scriptures. Various Christian denominations have repeated their error over and over again for the last two thousand years. The basis for their misinterpretation deals with two schools of thought about the 1,000 year cycle also called the millennium.

Will the creation last only 6000 years?

The first school of thought believes that according to Biblical chronology 2,000 A.D. ends 6,000 years of history, beginning with Adams expulsion from the Garden. The year 2000 A.D. begins the seventh thousand year period or the Sabbath millennium which they believe will end the physical world. The Sabbath millennium is based on the writings of the Apostle Peter (2 Pet. 3:8) and Barnabas, the alleged companion of Paul, who we will quote later in this paper (see "What did Barnabus write about the millennium?," p. 13). However, upon closer investigation, these concepts were prevalent in many Hebrew sects that predate the Messiah.

Peter and Barnabus both wrote that 1 day = 1,000 years so, 6 days = 6,000 years. Here the six thousand years are correlated with the six days of creation that Elohim worked. He rested on the seventh day according to Moses vision. Israel under the Law also worked six days and rested on the seventh, the Sabbath day. This means that under the Law it was mandatory that all things must rest on the Sabbath, as Elohim did (Ex. 20:8-11). The question that arises is: Does the completion of 6,000 years or the beginning of the seventh or Sabbath millennium mean a literal end of the world?

Will the Messiah literally reign 1000 years on earth?

The second school of thought consists of many Christian leaders who interpret Revelation 20th chapter literally. The Apostle John wrote in Revelation that the sons or saints of Elohim would reign with the Messiah a thousand years (Rev. 20:4-6). They believe that the Messiah will appear physically on or before the year 2,000 A.D. to literally begin His 1,000 year reign.

It is interesting to note that they would interpret this 1000 year reign literally when all scholars agree that Revelation is a symbolic book and the images that John saw cant be found in the natural creation. Why would anyone assume that this 1000 year period was literal?

The Apostle Paul said: "...The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit [life giving spirit, 1 Cor. 15:45]." If the last Adam (the Messiah) was spiritual, it would be impossible for Him to reign 1000 years in a physical body. This shows the Christians foolish blunder. Unless they understand the scriptures spiritual principles, they will continue to make absurd mistakes in interpreting symbols.

What other scriptures do scholars use to confirm the end of the world?

Scholars use the Messiahs response to His disciples in the 24th chapter of Matthew to explain the end of the world and the signs of His Second coming which are tied to the millennium concept. Most think he was prophesying the state of the world before it ends. Upon closer investigation we find out that the Messiah was speaking of the end of His current age (the Post Diluvian Age), and not the end of the literal sun, moon, and stars.

What three points will this article address?

The intent of this article is to show and prove that the Messiah will not physically appear nor will the physical universe end on or before the year 2000 A.D. This is not to say that there will never be an end of the physical universe. Neither are we saying that a profound, world wide change will not occur in the current political, economic and religious system beginning in the next century. Second, as stated earlier, we will also prove that views on the following issues have been grossly misinterpreted from the Apostles down to the present day. The 1000 year cycle, the 6000 years from Adams fall to the year 2000 A.D., and other biblical scriptures have been used as the basis for prophesying the literal end of the world. Third, we will examine some of the past failed prophecies, according to the scriptures and the tabernacle pattern, to see their errors and arrive at a true divine understanding of the matter. We must keep an open mind, not be swayed by bias, and most of all ask the Holy Spirit for an understanding.

Finally, due to space limitations, there won't be any discussion of numerous non Judea-Christian views on the end of the world, such as those of the ancient Egyptians, Persians, and the American Hopi Indian. If students of divine metaphysics do any investigation of other societies, they will discover that the end of the world is an universal phenomenon prevalent in most cultures.

Is the pattern the archetype of all things?

Dr. Henry C. Kinley stated the importance of the tabernacle in his book Elohim the Archetype Original Pattern of the Universe as follows:

"Every event in the past, present and that which is to come was Foreknown and Predestinated by the Yahweh-Elohim of this Stellar Universe, and precisely carried out, according to the design and operation of the Divine Pattern of the Tabernacle (p. 55; Vol. 1, see Isa. 48:9-10).

Well, out of my forty years of personal experience, plus an intensified and inexhaustible, scientific and philosophical research; or since Yahweh showed me the Divine Vision with the Revealed interpretation of its meaning, I have NOT found one so-called religious Faith that fully realizes that Yahweh-Elohim is, a "Universal Spirit Pattern" with an IMMUTABLE SPIRIT LAW embodied within Himself, by which He established the perfection of the operation of His Revealed Eternal Purpose. Or in other words, Yahweh declared the end from the beginning. This same Universal Spirit Pattern with the Spirit Law embodied therein was revealed to Moses, the Prophets and Apostles by His Spirit, which is sufficient to RECONCILE the world to the ONE and ONLY TRUE YAHWEH and the ONE and ONLY TRUE WAY to Universal Truth, Righteousness, Joy and Perfect Peace. Frankly and honestly speaking, the true knowledge and understanding of the "Divine Pattern" and its unerring "Spirit Law" operation, manifesting Yahweh and His Purpose through every cosmic phase of nature, and throughout the Dispensations and Ages is the "Supreme Test" of every human creatures personal experience, understanding and knowledge of Yahweh and His Kingdom (Vol. 4, p. 2)".

Before we begin our investigation we must examine the disadvantages of Biblical calculations.

DIVINE CHRONOLOGY

What are the drawbacks of divine calculations?

One of the first drawbacks of any Biblical prophetic calculation is understanding that the numbers alone are insufficient to predict future events. We understand the unerring accuracy of the prophetic calculations AFTER the event has occurred. In short, with hindsight we are able to have 20 20 vision.

Ever since Yahweh showed the millennium to the Apostle John and the 70 weeks of prophecy to Daniel in divine visions (Dan. 9:24), men have tried to wrestle with these secrets. But Yahweh hid their meaning from them. In fact, Yahweh told Daniel that he would die before the things that he saw and wrote about would transpire. The dreams and visions Daniel saw would not be revealed until the time of the end (Dan. 12:4), which is the coming of the Messiah (Lk. 24:44-46). Without experiencing Yahwehs divine revelation, men can never fully understand these calculations.

For example, the Jewish prophets saw symbolically the coming of the Messiah in visions and tried to explain the exact time the Messiah would come using their intellect. Paul wrote about this. "Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of the Messiah (Christ) which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of the Messiah (Christ), and the glory that should follow (1 Pet. 1:10-11)."

Ironically, the Hebrew religious leaders who had the Law and prophets (Isa. 8:19-20) in their possession were upstaged by some Gentiles. The three wise men (Magi), saw a star or vision of an angel in the East, and revealed the Messiahs birth to all Jerusalem (Mt. 2:1-4; Isa. 11:10; 1 Kings 4:30). [NOTE: The number of men who sought the king of the Jews is not mentioned in the scriptures although traditionally their number has been reported to be three.] These three men did this when the elders and priests of Israel could not. They not only had the Old Testament, a book full of divine numbers telling them of the Messiahs coming, but also priestly commentaries, such as the Talmud, a book of oral commentaries on the Law. At a preordained time, the Creator revealed the mysteries of the Messiahs birth.

So if the Jews had visions and failed to decipher their meaning, how can someone that has not experienced a vision or revelation decipher it? This is the position Christendom finds itself in trying to interpret the writings of Revelation.

Do divine messengers always herald prophetic events?

What is usually forgotten with any calculation of a prophetic event is that there was always a herald or messenger to announce its approach. Man has never figured out the time of a prophetic event before the event occurred with his reasoning or intellect (1 Pet. 1:18-21).

It is a fact that all new epochs or eras were always heralded in by some spiritual sign, vision, dream, etc. King Solomon points out the importance of visions. "Where there is no vision, the people perish: ... (Pro. 29:18)." The calculations point out the unerring accuracy of Yahwehs purpose operating down throughout the ages after the event has occurred. Although prior ages have ended, none have ever ended time. The fact remains that the time of the end of the physical universe is hidden in Yahweh.

Before we examine the religious significance of the year 2,000 A.D., secular or non-religious history indicates great changes have taken place based on a 500 year cycle.

500 YEAR CYCLES

What do 500 year cycles historically prove?

The 500 year cycles prove the validity of the 1,000 year cycles. Historians know that each century that can be divided by 500, such as, 500 A.D., 1000 A.D., 1500 A.D. and 2,000 A.D., has witnessed major changes in western civilization (see diagram on p. 8). James Dale Davidson and Lord William Rees-Mogg in their book The Great Reckoning (Simon & Schuster ©1993) explain that major changes and events in history occur after each 500 year cycle starting with the Messiahs birth. They state:"... Precisely five centuries ago, in this decade at the end of the fifteenth century, the Gunpowder Revolution exploded in Europe and Columbus sailed for America. It was in the 1490s that Western Europe finally emerged from the demographic depression that began with the Black Death in 1348. Indeed, it was then that the world first began to think of itself as a world. Five centuries earlier, at the turn of the tenth century, the Middles Ages began as the European economy recovered from the long coma known as the Dark Ages. Five hundred years before that, at the end of the fifth century, Rome fell, as the last legions in Gaul disintegrated. And twenty centuries ago, in this decade, Christ was born (p. 29)." What the 500 year cycles infer is that if history repeats itself, there will be some great changes to come in the world around the year 2,000 A.D. and thereafter.

Can 500 year cycles be found in Biblical history?

We can also show these 500 year cycles to be in operation before the Messiahs birth. Biblical chronology verifies these cycles (see diagram below and on p. 7). Abraham was born approximately 2,000 years before the birth of the Yahshua (in 1995 B.Y. commonly known as B.C. or before Christ). Nearly 500 years later, around 1500 years before the birth of the Messiah, Israel made their exodus from Egypt (in 1490 B.Y.). At the same time they received the laws of Yahweh at Mt. Sinai, and specifications for the tabernacle that was built and dedicated. Again, approximately 500 years later, 1,000 year before the birth of the Messiah, Solomons temple was completed and dedicated (in 1000 B.Y.). Approximately 500 years later, Zerrubabels temple was built and dedicated after Israel came out of Babylonian captivity (in 457 B.Y.). Finally, the Messiah was born 500 years later. These 500 year cycles before the Messiahs birth verify and complete the 500 year cycles after his birth. (For a more detailed explanation of these cycles, see What is the 490 Year Cycle on p. 7 in the January/February 1993 "PLIM REPORT.")

What is the true meaning of the 500 year cycles?

These five hundred year cycles are in reality an approximation of Daniels 70 weeks of years prophecy 70 x 7 years = 490 years. He wrote: "Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy (Dan. 9:24)."

This 70 week cycle or 70×7 (490 year cycle) beginning with the edict of Artexerxes (a Persian king who allowed Israel to rebuild Jerusalem in 457 B.Y.) was fulfilled with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that dedicated the tabernacle of men in 33 or 34 A.D. in Jerusalem. This began a great era or age for mankind where all humans could speak to their creator within without a mediator (I Tim. 2:5) and understand the Law and Prophets (Acts 2:1-4; I Cor. 6:19-20).

Thus, Yahweh dedicated every physical Israelite temple and tabernacle on 490 year or 500 year cycles before the Messiahs birth and death (see diagram below and on p. 7), that ended with mans body or temple being dedicated at Pentecost (1 Cor. 6:19-20). These cycles not only repeat themselves in our Present Kingdom Age of Grace, but in the Ante and Post Diluvian Ages. This is why big changes always occur every 500 years in the history of mankind.

Is repetition of a number always accurate proof?

I have to admit that even though you can see the repetition of a prophetic calculation, this does not mean you have a complete understanding of its use in prophecy. Using Daniels prophetic calculations of 70 weeks (70 × 7 = 490 years), you can show that an age ends after four cycles of 490 years which equals 1,960 (4 x 490) years. There were four cycles of 490 years in the Post Diluvian Age beginning with the birth of Abraham (1995 B.C.) and ending with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in A.D. 33 in principle (see diagram on p. 7).

Although the Ante-Diluvian Age was only 1656 years long, there is a principle of four 490 year cycles (1960, see diagram on p. 9) in that age. Now since A.D. 34 which begins the Present Kingdom Age, there were four cycles of 490 years, 4 × 490 years = 1,960 years that represented an end of an age or era (see diagram on p. 9).

Now 1989/1990, along with the four year error in the Messiahs birth in our current calendar, represents a very significant year since the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in A.D. 33½ every 490 year cycle from A.D. 33 a Pope died, resulting in four Popes deaths (see above diagram). In 523 A.D. Pope Hormisdas (514-523 A.D), the 52nd pope, died. In 1013 A.D. Pope Sergius IV (1009-1012) half year, the 143rd pope, died. In 1503 A.D. two popes died. Pope Alexander VI (1492-1503 A.D.), the 215th pope and Pope Pius III, the 216th pope died.

33 A.D. Messiahs & Judas death

+490 years

523 A.D. Pope Hormisdas died

+490 years

1013 A.D. Pope Sergius IV died

+490 years

1503 A.D. Popes Alexander VI & Pius III died

+490 years

1993 A.D. time from the Messiah's birth + 4 year error

- 4 year error (for details see "How did an error in the calendar occur?, p. 19") 1989 A.D. time from the Messiah's birth on our calendar

1989 A.D.

+ 4 year error

1993 A.D. =

-1960 years = 4 x 490 years from 33 A.D. year of the Messiahs death

Based on the above evidence, I wondered if another pope would die in 1989. I thought that the city of Rome would be destroyed as Revelations 17th Chapter states (Rev. 17:16) by its bitter enemy the Communist Russian Kremlin in 1989/1990.

I was proven wrong when Rome was not destroyed. But what did happen in 1989 was that Communist Russia fell without a shot being fired. This ended the Cold War era between the U.S., Europe, and Communist Russia that had existed for over 70 years. A new era began that no one expected. This resulted in many defense plants being closed down on both sides and massive layoffs of white collar workers since neither side needed to maintain a war machine.

So clearly the 490 year cycles work, but I had misinterpreted the manifestation of what would endRussia, not Rome. Now we will proceed to discuss the millennium concept before the Christian era.

ORIGIN OF THE MILLENNIUM CONCEPT

What was the origin of the 1,000 years?

There were many writings that refer to the prophetic 1000 years that the Jews never accepted as canonized (official) books of the Old Testament. However, the Apostles in the New Testament referred to some of these unaccepted writings.

Unknown men penned writings during the time of the prophets or they wrote other books after the scriptures became canonized. What this means is that Yahweh spoke to more people than just the prophets who wrote in the Old Testament.

Which writings are unaccepted?

These unaccepted writings were of two types: (1) The Apocryphal and (2) Pseudepigrapha. The Apocryphal traditionally consists of 14 or 15 books that are a part of the Roman Catholic Bible, but are not contained in the Protestant Bible. Apocryphal is a Greek word meaning "hidden."

The second group of books are called Pseudepigrapha which means false or spurious writings. Some of these writings are definitely erroneous, but there are some that are true. According to The Dictionary of the Bible by James Hastings, 13 books compose the Pseudepigrapha. They are as follows: the three versions of Enoch [the Ethiopic or 1 Enoch, the (Slavanic) Secrets of Enoch, the 3rd Enoch]; the Book of Jubilees; The Psalms of Solomon; The Assumption of Moses; The Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs; The Ascension of Isaiah; The Apocalypse of Ezra; the Apocalypse of Baruch; The Sibylline Oracles; 3rd Maccabees; Fourth Maccabees; The Lives of the Prophets; and The Testament of Solomon (p. 820-823). Only teachers of the scriptures and those initiated in the esoteric priestly orders knew of these writings.

Bible students may be surprised to learn that certain Bible verses from these unofficial books, that the early Christian church fathers rejected, are quoted in some books of the Bible. Ungers Bible Handbook states that their early church fathers questioned the authenticity of the book of Jude because it contained certain verses quoted from the Book of Enoch. "... Jude was questioned also because it allegedly quoted from the apocryphal book of Enoch (1:9; 5:4; cf. Jude 14-15, p. 886). The Dead Sea Scrolls founded in 1948 verified that many ancient teachers used these unofficial books along with the official scriptures.

The Dead Sea Scrolls also revealed the writings of the Jewish Essene sect (formed about 200 years before the Messiahs birth), who believed that the end of the world and the coming of the Messiah was near. The Essenes taught a pure form of religious ritual which they thought the majority of the Jews had abolished. They interpreted the Hebrew prophets literally when they said that the Messiah would set up His kingdom on earth (Isa. 11th Chapter).

When was the millennium first revealed?

The time that mankind first became aware of the millennium will probably never be known, for other cultures such as Babylon and Persia had similar concepts. Nevertheless, most Biblical scholars know that numerous Jewish sects used the millennium to determine the appearance of the Messiah, the establishment of His kingdom, and the end of the world before the Apostles writings and the birth of Christianity. When we examine these unofficial books, especially the Pseudepigrapha, we find they prophetically mention the 1,000 years or millennium.

Which unaccepted writings refer to the millennium?

In examining some of the unofficial books, especially the Pseudepigrapha, they do reveal some interesting notions about the millennium despite the fact that their authors are in doubt and many doctrinal points may contradict both the Old and New Testaments. The chief characteristics of these books are that they are apocalyptic (or prophetic, i.e. a work that claimed to reveal that which was hidden).

There are three versions of the Book of Enoch. The Ethiopian version was the oldest one written between 100 and 200 years before the Messiahs birth. The (Slavonic) Secrets of Enoch was written between the 1st through the 7th century of the Christian era. The last version, whose date of publication is uncertain, was called the Third Enoch. The authors of these versions of Enoch are in doubt, even though the writers who wrote them used the pen name of Enoch (Gn. 5:22), the patriarch translated before the birth of Noah.

What do the books of Enoch say about the millennium?

The Book of Enoch speaks of a millennial Sabbath or rest, the day of Judgment of mens souls and the resurrection. The Dictionary of the Bible states the importance of the Book of Enoch in understanding the New Testament. "The importance of Enoch is great for the understanding of the eschatology of the NT [New Testament] and the methods of apocalyptic [Daniel and Revelation] (p. 821). The Book of Enoch states: "And after this, on the seventh day of the tenth week, there shall be an everlasting judgement, which shall be executed upon the Watchers; and a spacious eternal heaven shall spring forth in the midst of the angels. The former heaven shall depart and pass away; a new heaven shall appear... (translated by Richard Laurence, L.L.D., 1883, p. 152, chp. XCII:16-17)."

Here we have the seventh day or the Sabbath mentioned with the 10th week and new heaven and earth coming forth. These 10 weeks of Sabbath years (10 × 7) or 70 years correlate with the time Israel spent in captivity to Babylon (Jer 25:11-14) before they were released to return to their own land to rebuild the temple. Clearly, this showed that the Jews did see the significance of the Sabbath principle in prophecy.

The Slavonic Secrets of Enoch is somewhat an extension of The Book of Enoch. In chapters 25 through 30, the author uses King Davids 90th Psalm verse 4 to correlate the six days of creation with the 6,000 years of mankinds history. The author thought that after the 6,000 years, a new day or Sabbath would begin. Here again we have a piece of literature that is not a part of the Christian canonized Bible nor the New Testament. However, it adds some light to the millennium. There is no direct mention of the millennium in the 3rd Enoch.

Does the Essenes Book of Jubilee mention the millennium?

According to many scholars, The Book of Jubilee, which is a part of the Pseudepigrapha, was written by more than one author and its content referred to the millennium. There were five manuscripts found in the Dead Sea scrolls that belong to the Essene sect. The Dictionary of the Bible, said that the Essenes believed the world was about to end and expected to live 1,000 years during the Messiahs reign.

The Books of Jubilee were written about 200 years before the birth of the Messiah. It is from the Essenes that Biblical scholars get a view of how other religious sects viewed the prophecies of the Old Testament before the coming of the Messiah.

Did others Jews write about the 1000 years?

The Dictionary of the Bible states that the millenniums origin can be found in Hebrew writings. The meaning of the word chiliasm [the Greek word for 1,000 or the millennium] states the following. "The roots of chiliasm can be traced to the late Jewish expectation, discernible also in the prophets, of an earthly reign of the Messiah prior to the final consummation. 2 Es. 7:28 [2 Esdras in the Apocrypha] envisaged it as lasting 400 years, but some rabbis preferred 1,000 years; they taught that human history down to the coming of the Messiah would last 6,000 years, corresponding to the six days of creation, and the Messiahs 1,000-year reign would correspond to the Sabbath. These ideas passed from Judaism to Christianity by way of the Book of Revelation (James Hastings, p. 136-137)."

Other authors confirm that the millennium concept predates the Christian era.

Gareth Knight in his book Magic and the Western Mind (© 1991 Llewellyn Pub.) confirms this. "... It is true however that much millennial thought stemmed originally from Jewish Messianic aspirations (p. 79)."

n Quoting Dr. Hebert Lockyer in his book All the Doctrines of the Bible (©1964 Zondervan Books) he states: "In this case the doctrine of the Millennium makes sense when viewed in the light of the context. Further, proof of it is altogether independent of Johns statement as to its precise length. ... Walter Scott reminds us that According to Jewish reasoning the six millenniums drawing to a close answers to the six days in which the heavens and earth were made, the seventh sabbatic day of rest looking forward to that long and blessed Sabbath of a thousand years. There remaineth therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God (Heb. 4:9 R.V., p. 283)"

Does the Jewish and Christian concept of the millennium differ?

Dr. Theodore Olson in his book Millennialism, Utopianism, and Progress (©1982 University of Toronto Press) verifies that there is basically no difference between the Jewish and Christian view of the millennium. He states: " ... The role of Jesus apart, Jewish millennialism and Christian millennialism do not differ in their conception of the end-time (p. 14)."

How did the Jews view the millennium concept?

The Jews realized that the seventh millennium was significant. Writings of Jewish mysticism showed how the Jews viewed the millennium concept. The book of Zohar, deals with the inner spiritual, mystical, and symbolic meaning of the first five books of the Bible (Torah). Zohar was written in the 13th century A.D., but earlier writings go back to the first century A.D.

Raphael Patai writes in The Messiah Texts (1979 Avon Books) the following explanation of the spiritual Sabbath from the Zohar." Rabbi Shimon began and said: "... This verse speaks about the exile of Israel. For when they are in exile, at the time in which they will be remembered [and redeemed], they will be remembered in the mystery of the [Hebrew letter] vav (vau), that is, in the sixth millennium [for the vav (vau) has the numerical value of six] ... Happy will be all those who will remain in the world at the end of the sixth millennium to enter into [the millennium of] the Sabbath.... (Zohar 1:119a)."

What does the Talmud say about the millennium?

Mr. Patai also quotes in his book from the Babylonian Talmud. After the Bible it is the most important resource book of Jewish religion and history. It was compiled in the sixth century after the birth of the Messiah. "... For six thousand years the world will exist, and for one thousand years it will lie waste ... Just as in the Sabbatical year [the fields] lie fallow for one year every seven years, so the world will lie waste for one thousand years in seven thousand ... In the school of Elijah it was taught: For six thousand years the world will exist: [there will be] two thousand of Tohu [void], two thousand years of Tora, and two thousand years of the Messiah ... ( 97a-b)"

Here again, we have in Jewish literature the concept of the Sabbath millennium being correlated with the Sabbatical year. This correspondence shows that the Jews knew that in order to understand the Sabbath (7th) millennium, it had to be compared with the Sabbath year. It was also used to determine the reign and the coming of the Messiah.

Who wrote about the millennium in the Old Testament?

King David was the first to mention the thousand years in the Old Testament when he used it in reference to guard duty watches in the night. He wrote: "For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night (Ps 90:4)." There were four watches in a 12 hour night before the day light period began. Each watch was three hours long: 6 pm to 9 pm, 9 pm to midnight, midnight to 3 am, 3 am to 6 am (new day). The relationship between watches in the night and the thousand years are as follows: 1 watch = 1,000 years, so 4 watches in the night = 4,000 years (see diagram).

This is also the number of years from the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the garden to the birth of the Messiah. 4,000 years can also be verified by the 4th day of creation when the sun was placed in the sky (Gn. 1:14-19). The sun is a type of the Son of Elohim who is the light of mans consciousness. Israel held the lambs over 4 days in Egypt before they were slain (Ex. 12:3-6). These lambs typified the Messiah, who is the lamb of Yahweh (Jn. 1:29). These 4 days foretold of the Messiahs appearance on the earth plane 4,000 years after Adams death. There is no other mention in the Old Testament of this 1,000 year cycle. It cannot be found in the Bible any more until after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in AD 33.

Is the 1,000 year cycle in the New Testament?

Writings in the so-called New Testament revealed the millennium or the 1000 years and its importance in prophecy to the masses. The writings of the Apostle Peter and Barnabas, who wrote about the same time as the Apostle Paul, pointed out the relationship between the Sabbath, the thousand year cycle, and judgment. Peter stated the following: "But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with Yahweh (the Lord) as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day (2 Pet. 3:8)." Here, Peter says 1 day = 1,000 years.

What did Barnabas write about the millennium?

Barnabas, the alleged companion of the Apostle Paul, wrote a book called The Epistle of Barnabas about 60-90 A.D., that was not included in the King James version of the Bible. It was not a canonized book by Protestants nor by the Roman Catholics. He wrote: "And even in the beginning of the creation he makes mention of the sabbath. And God made in six days the works of his hands; and he finished them on the seventh day, and he rested the seventh day, and sanctified it. Consider, my children what that signifies, he finished in six days. The meaning of it is this; that in six thousand years the Lord God will bring all things to an end. For with him one day is a thousand years; as himself testifieth, saying, Behold this day shall be as a thousand years. Therefore, children, in six days, that is, in six thousand years, shall be accomplished. And what is that he saith, And he rested on the seventh day: he meanth this; that when his Son shall come, and abolish the season of the Wicked One, and Judge the ungodly; and shall change the sun and moon, and stars: then he shall gloriously rest in that seventh day (The Lost Books of the Bible, chp. 13:3-6, Bell Publishing Company, 1979 New York, p. 160-161)."

From this quote we see that 6 days = 6,000 years. Now Barnabas believed that 6,000 years was supposed to be the end of time or the Sabbath millennium. Many biblical scholars use this quote to justify that the end of the world will occur at the end of 6,000 years. Many use Revelation 20th Chapter to prove their point.

What did Revelation reveal about the 1,000 years?

The Apostle Johns panoramic vision in Revelation showed that the saints would reign with the Messiah a thousand years. Many Christian doomsday prognosticators or prophets associate the 1,000 years with some future event and choose this scripture in Revelation as the basis for their view.

John states the following in his vision. "And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Yahshua (Jesus), and for the word of Elohim (God), and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with the Messiah (Christ) a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of Elohim (God) and of the Messiah (Christ), and shall reign with him a thousand years (Rev. 20:4-16)."

When did the 1000 years occur?

The sons or saints 1,000 year reign with the Messiah is not some futuristic event, but has already occurred in the past. This 1,000 years are not a literal thousand years as many presuppose. The day the Messiah resurrected with all the souls in the graves is the 1,000 year day that the sons reigned with the Messiah; for 1 day = 1,000 years (2 Pet. 3:8). Matthew wrote the following about the day of the resurrection. "And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many (Mt. 27:51-53)."

These souls resurrecting out of the graves fulfilled the valley of dry bones, which typified dead Israel, that Ezekiel the prophet saw in his vision (Ezk. 37:1-14). When Joshua the son of Nun caused the sun to stand still for a day in Canaan Land while the Israelites got victory (Jos. 10:12-13) this points to the Messiah reigning with the sons on the day of the resurrection. They had gotten victory over death and the graves (Hos. 13:14). The Messiah and resurrected souls also fulfilled Adam and Eve, his bride, in the Garden of Eden for a day (1000 years in principle) before the transgression. [Note: Another discussion of their 1000 years can be found in the Sabbath section (see "Were Adam and Eve in the Sabbath?," p. 24).] A question that must be asked is how much did the Apostles understand about these 6 days = 6,000 years?

Did the Apostles have a full understanding of the Old Testament?

What most biblical scholars and students fail to understand is that the Apostles knowledge of the Old Testament increased over time. When they received the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, they did not receive a full understanding of everything in the Old Testament instantaneously. It is apparent from their writings that they did understand that the Messiah had fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Covenant, such as bringing an end to physical sacrifices (Mt. 5:17-18; Lk 24:44-45). When we keep in mind that the Holy Spirit is the teacher (Jn. 14:26), we understand why all things were not revealed to the Apostles all at once.

There are many instances in the New Testament where the Holy Spirit spoke through them, but the Apostles did not fully understand their own utterances. For example, on the day of Pentecost Peter said: "For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith Elohim (God), I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: ... (Acts 2:15-17)."

Peter did not understand what Yahweh meant by all flesh, for he thought it meant only the Jews. It was not until seven years later, when the Gentiles received the Holy Spirit, that he realized that Yahweh was no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34-48). Peter had to wait seven years before he fully understood what Yahweh meant by all flesh. Neither did Peter, as a man, understand the vision of the sheet full of animals that was let down three times before the grafting in of the Gentiles (Acts 10:9-13).

Did Yahweh reveal all prophetic events to the Apostles?

None of the Apostles had the vision of John which he wrote in the book of Revelation for they were all dead. This proves that there were more lessons to learn in this age. We must remember that the purpose of Yahweh is unfolding like a flower breaking forth from its bud. The Apostles (likened unto the bud) were at the beginning of this age and we (likened unto the flower in full bloom) are at the end.

Did the Apostles understand the millennium?

It is quite apparent that many of the Apostles and others used the millennium or the thousand year cycle with a limited understanding of it (Dn. 12:2-4). If the Holy Spirit had given them a full understanding of the millennium, they would not have implied that the end of the world and the appearance of the Messiah was about to transpire during their life time. Paul wrote: "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great Elohim (God) and our Saviour Yahshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ, Tit. 2:13); ..." One does not look for the Messiah to appear if he knows that He is going to appear thousands of years later.

The Messiah was born into the earth plane 4,000 years, after the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden according to Bible chronology. Since the Messiah only lived 33 years, an obvious question about the Apostles understanding of the end of time arises. From their own calculations, they had 2,000 years of time left from the Messiahs birth before 6,000 years passed. So, why would they write that the Messiah would soon appear during their lifetime? The only conclusion left is that AT THIS TIME they did not have a complete understanding of the 1,000 year cycle.

Who believed the 6,000 year tradition?

Many pagan and traditional religions, such as Jews, Christians, and Islamics, believed the world would only last 6,000 years and then be physically consumed. They believed that God would appear, intervene in our present system, and bring an end to the world. Some refer to the fact that Noah was 600 years old (Gn. 7:10) when the flood destroyed the earth, which is an end as the 6th day of creation was the end of creation. Both the number '6000' and '600' represent the number '6' for 0's have no value.

Arnold D. Ehlert supports this in his book A Bibliographic History of Dispensationalism (Grand Rapid; Baker Book House, 1965. He states that D. T. Taylor in his book The Voice of the Church has done extensive investigation on the six and seven thousand year traditions. The following conclusions were found by these two authors:

	The 6,000 year tradition is founded in a number of pagan sources which include the Chaldean, Egyptian, Etruscan, Persian, Zoroasterian, and the Sibylline Oracles.
	The millennium concept, as stated earlier, was in existence in the Jewish tradition. The 6000 years was a part of the Talmud, called the Mishna. The Talmud, written in the beginning of the second century after the Messiahs birth, was a set of oral interpretations and commentaries of the scriptures. There were other Jewish commentaries called the Midrash written from 400 - 1200 A.D. that also refer to the 6000 years.
	In the Christian tradition, the prominent early church fathers commonly believed in the 6000 years and the end of the world. Because they did not have a full understanding, they all looked for a literal, physical end. Some of these believers were Justin Martyr (100- 163 A.D.), who died about the time of the Apostle John according to Halleys Bible Handbook, 24th edition. Irenaeus (130-? A.D.) was a pupil of Polycarp, who was a pupil of the Apostle John. Jerome (340-420 A.D.) was the most learned of the Latin Fathers who translated the Bible, called the Vulgate, from Greek to Latin. Augustine (354-430 A.D.) was Bishop of Hippo, North Africa.
	From the middle ages (13th century) through the nineteenth century which include the Jehovah Witnesses and the 7th Day Adventists, etc., were ardent exponents of this 6,000 year tradition. The problem with the 6,000 years was that no one knew when the period ended. Many Christians tried to add the 1,000 years in Revelation or include the 2,300 days of Daniels prophecy (Dan. 8:14) to various points in time to arrive at the 6,000 years. Each group had a different way of arriving at the end of time.

Has anyone else reigned for 1000 years?

The significance of these thousand years can be seen on other patriarchs and prophets. Adam lived 930 years after his spiritual death and expulsion from the garden (Gn. 5:5). This means he lived 70 years short of a 1,000 years, that is a day with Yahweh. Methuselah was the oldest living man; for he lived 969 years (Gn. 5:27). This is 31 years short of a 1,000 years. Israel did not spend a 1,000 years in the promised land from the time Joshua the Son of Nun (1450 B.C.) led them there until Babylon carried them into captivity (2 Kgs. 25th) and Solomons Temple was destroyed (586 B.C.).

In short, no man or kingdom has literally reigned for 1,000 years. Only the Messiah completed and fulfilled this 1,000 years by resurrecting with the sons and reigning with them that one day (Matt. 27:51-53). Spiritually, those of us that are illuminated are in the Day of Yahweh which is the 1,000 year day. The Apostle Paul said that we are children of the light, not of darkness (I Thess. 5th Chapter).

Does the Day of Yahweh put another 1000 years in the calculation?

Since the day of the Messiahs resurrection is counted by some as 1,000 literal years according to Revelation, they add another 1,000 years to the 6,000 years of time from Adam to the year 2,000 A.D. When you include the day of the Messiahs resurrection, this totals 7,000 years from Adam to the year 2,000 A.D. Have we been at rest or in a Sabbath for the last 1,000 years? Will the year 2,000 A.D. be 8,000 years from Adam? The problem with adding an extra thousand, literal years into the equation, is the end of the 6,000 year period is uncertain.

There is no scriptural support for adding the day of Yahweh (1,000 years) to 6,000 years to arrive at the correct time of the end. Doing so is sheer speculation. Clearly, the day of the Messiahs resurrection further clouds the issue on when does the Sabbath or seventh millennium begin. Did it begin with the year 1,000 A.D. or does it begin with the year 2,000 A.D.? Since 1,000 A.D. has come and gone with no end, the arrival of the year 2,000 A.D. will finally judge the matter and eliminate all quibbling and arguments.

THREE AGES OF TIME

Does 6,000 years cover a period of three ages?

What many Christian organizations do not teach is that there are three ages in time beginning with the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the garden to our present time A.D. 1995. The Apostle Paul spoke of these previous ages. "Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; (Eph. 3:5)."

Here Paul refers to past ages in the plural tense. The Apostle Paul was translated (Acts 9th Chapter) during our Present Age of Grace that began in Jerusalem in A.D. 33. Prior to our age there were two other ages: the Ante-Diluvian Age, which was before the flood and the Post-diluvian Age, which was after the flood (see diagrams on p. 17 and p. 18). They began and ended as follows.

1) The Ante-Diluvian Age began with the spiritual death of Adam and Eve and their expulsion from the garden. The flood ended the first age that was 1,656 years long. You can calculate this number by adding up all the genealogies of people that Moses listed in Genesis born in the first age (Gen. 5th chp.).

2) The Post Diluvian Age began after the flood and ended with the death, burial, and resurrection of the Messiah. This age was 2,377 years long.

3) The Present Kingdom Age of Grace began with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and will end when the Messiah is universally revealed from heaven ushering everything back into eternity.

How long are the ages?

The first two ages were a total of 4,033 years long. The Messiah was manifested in the earth on the 4,000th year to fulfill the sun being put in the sky on the 4th day of creation, according to Moses vision. An Irish-English archbishop named Ussher (1581-1656 A.D.) calculated one of the most accurate, biblical, chronological dates (4,004 B.Y.) from Adam to the Messiahs birth. The extra 4 years is due to the 4 year error by Dionysius the Little in the 6th century (see details in "How did an error in the calendar occur?," p. 18). So, Ussher was pretty accurate. 4 days = 4,000 years and the Messiah lived 33 years. His death ended the Post Diluvian Age, a total of 4,033 years from Adam. Assuming that 6 days = 6,000 years, and the universe will end before 2,000 A.D., the year that begins the seventh thousand millennium, the maximum number of years in our present age would be 1,967 years.

6,000 years = 6 days (2 Pet. 3:8)

-4,033 years = the length of the first and second ages

1,967 years = maximum length of the Present Age if time does not exceed 6,000 years.

Do the ages correspond to the pattern?

The tabernacle pattern confirms that the three ages in time are not the arbitrary contriving of someones imagination, but were divinely ordered (see diagram on this page and on p. 18). Our very existence is based on the three fold pattern from the atom that is threefold (proton, neutron, electron) to living cells (nucleolus, nucleus, cell body). Medical science has discovered that the formation of a human in the womb is divided into three periods called trimesters.

The three compartments in the tabernacle in ascending order are the 1. Court Round About, 2. The Holy Place; 3. the Most Holy Place. They correspond to the ages as follows.

	Court Round About - Ante Diluvian Age (or the age before the flood)
	Holy Place - Post Diluvian Age (or the age after the flood)
	Most Holy Place - Present Kingdom Age of Grace

Now that we have shown that the structure of the ages conforms to the tabernacle pattern, we will proceed to show how the opening and closing of the ages also conforms to the tabernacle pattern.

What event opened and closed each age?

The spiritual death of Adam and Eve began time (Rom. 5:12-14), the Ante-Diluvian Age, as we know it to be, just as the slain Lamb in Egypt began the time of Israels exodus (Ex. 13:4). The change in their spiritual state and condition ended Adams and Eves Sabbath in the garden. So their death and expulsion from the garden represented two steps in the pattern. Their expulsion symbolizes the gate or entrance into the Court Round About of the tabernacle and their death represents the brazen altar of sin sacrifice.

The flood that ended the first age represents the laver and first vail in the tabernacle pattern. The brazen laver in the tabernacle was where the high priest washed himself and the sacrifice. The first vail divided the Holy Place from the Court Round About. In Israels migration, the Red Sea represented the laver and the opening of the sea symbolized the first vail or entrance into the Wilderness.

Noah leaving the ark began the Post Diluvian Age (Gn. 8:13-16). The Messiahs death brought this age to an end. This Post-Diluvian Age is represented by the Holy Place and the Wilderness in Israels migration. The Messiahs death is correlated with the Second Vail that divides the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place and the River Jordan that divides the Wilderness from Canaan Land. It was at the River Jordan that Joshua the Son of Nun gave Israel 30 days to mourn Moses death and three days to prepare victuals (30 +3 = 33) before they entered the promised land (Deu. 33:8; Jos. 1:11). The Second Vail is the sixth step and the total of its digits (3 + 3 ) equals six.

The outpouring of the Holy Spirit began this Present Kingdom Age that corresponds with the Most Holy Place in the tabernacle or Canaan Land.

How did Joachim divide the ages ?

Without the tabernacle pattern and the scriptures there is no way to rightly divide the ages correctly. The Roman Catholic monk Joachim, born in Sicily (1135-1202), tried to divide the ages by using the Trinity (Father, Word, and the Holy Spirit). Joachim did not believe in the literal end of the universe as many of his predecessors did. He believed the corruption in the Roman Catholic Church would end and a new age would begin.

According to Yuri Rubinsky and Ian Wiseman, Joachim received a series of visions in 1183 in a monastery, that "... would drastically change the nature of the Christian End of the World (A History of the End of the World, © 1982 Quill), p. 77)." Joachim divided the past, present, and future history of mankind into three periods or ages. Using the Trinity Joachim defined these ages as follows: " ... the age or status of the Father and of the Law (a period of time beginning with Adam and lasting to Christ) ... the status of the Son and of the Gospel (the time of the order of clerics, it starts with Josiah, bears fruits with the life of Christ, and lasts until the defeat ... of the Antichrist); and the status of the Holy Spirit, the time of the order of monastic contemplation, beginning with the life of St. Benedict (the sixth century founder of the Benedictine order), culminating in the final days and lasting until the End of the World (p. 77)." Joachim had the right idea, but without the tabernacle pattern to designate the open and close of each age, Joachims division of the ages was wrong.

What reaction did the church have to Joachims theory?

Many of the thirteenth century religious leaders thought that Joachim was charging the church with abandoning the true, spiritual religious observance. Joachim described the third age, as "a time of renewal; a purified churchfar less institutional and rational, far more spiritual (A History of the End of the World, © 1982, Quill, p. 78)," His concept was revolutionary and had a great impact on the theologians of his day. His view turned mens hearts and minds away from the Roman Catholic Church over which the popes presided. Yahweh has always shown men the churchs hypocrisy throughout time.

Joachims gained the reputation as the foremost apocalyptic theologian of his time. For the remaining part of his life numerous popes, kings (most notably Richard the Lion Hearted of England), queens, and emperors consulted him. Many historians called him the most influential European until Karl Marx (The Elements of Prophecy by R. J. Stewart, p. 106.). All of Joachims works were finally condemned by the Lateran Council of bishops in 1,215 A.D.

What were Joachims other ideas about time?

Joachim also thought the 42 months or 1,260 day prophecy written in the books of Daniel and Revelation pointed to the end of the second age in the year 1260 A.D. which was after Joachims death. This date did not bring the new order as many of Joachim's followers had hoped. Now according to Maurice Keen who wrote The Pelican History of Medieval Europe: "... Joachim believed this third age was close at hand. Moslem and Christian authority alike pointed to the dawn of a new era, beginning in the year 1260. There would be signs to herald the new order, tribulations and the reign of an Antichrist. The Church of the third age would be a new church of monks, freed from the cares of the world, living by the spirit ... (p. 160)" Again, we have someone using the prophecies of Daniel and John without any understanding of the Scriptures to stir up people into believing the end of the world was near. This shows and proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Roman Catholic Church never had any understanding of the scriptures even to this day.

Were Joachims theories accepted?

Many in Joachims day accepted his prophecies which brought about a division between the Churchs and the individuals view of Spirit. Because of the many long Crusade wars against the Moslems under Pope Innocent III (1198-1216), the churchs corruption became manifest to the masses.

The impact of Joachims apocalyptic visions can be measured by Pope Celestine Vs resignation six months after being elected pope in 1294. Joachims view of a purified, renewed church caused Pope Celestine V to renounce the material trappings of the Church. Yuri Rubinsky and Ian Wiseman wrote: "Since that time he has been treated both as a saint and a heretic and is the subject of great debate in academic circles even today (A History of the End of the World (© 1982 Quill, p. 78)."

THE FOUR YEAR ERROR

How did an error in the calendar occur?

Most Christians who are looking for the year 2000 A.D. to come, dont realize that there is a four year error in the calendar. In the sixth century after the Messiahs birth, Dionysius the Little, a Roman Catholic monk, developed the Christian calendar (see diagram on p. 20). He divided time between B.C. (before Christ) and after His birth A.D. (anno Domini in the year of the Lord). This calendar began January 1, 754 AUC (ab urbe condita - from the foundation of the city of Rome). This date was chosen as the result of numerous Roman Catholic churches in the sixth century trying to decide the most correct method for calculating Easter.

According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, Dionysius the Little made a four year error in this calendar that still has not been corrected. It states: "Somehow Dionysius reckoned the birth of Christ to have occurred in 753 auc; but the Gospels state that Christ was born under Herod the great-i.e., at the latest in 750 auc. Dionysius dating was questioned by the English saint Bede in the 8th century ... Nevertheless, it has continued in use to the present day, and as result, the Nativity is reckoned to have taken place in or shortly before the year 4 B.C. when Herod died, (Vol. 4, p. 580)." Rev. Alexander Hislop in his book Two Babylons confirms this. "Dionysius the Little, to whom also we owe it, ... the date of the Christian era, or of the birth of Christ Himself, was moved FOUR YEARS from the true date. Whether this was done through ignorance or design may be a matter of question; but there seems to be no doubt of the fact, that the birth of the Lord Jesus was made full four years later than the truth (p. 105-106)."

In short, Dionysius said the Messiahs birthday was four years before it actually occurred (see diagram on p. 20). At the time the Messiah was born, Dionysius said he was four years old.

To understand the four year error in terms of our current year 1,995 A.D., we must add four years to arrive at the corrent number of years since the Messiahs birth.

1,995 A.D. = number of years from the Messiahs assumed birth on the present calendar

+ 4 year error in the current calendar due to Dionysius miscalculation in the 6th century

1,999 years = correct number of years from the Messiahs birth

This means that next year, 1,996 A.D., will really be the year 2,000 A.D. when we add the four year error (see Elohim the Archetype Pattern of the Universe, Vol. 1, p. 93-94).

1,996 A.D = number of years from the Messiahs assumed birth

+ 4 year error

2,000 years = correct number of years from the Messiahs birth

1000 YEAR CONCEPTS AFTER PENTECOST

What millennium concepts arose after the Apostles died?

From the second through the fifth centuries many erroneous concepts arose concerning the end of the world and the millennium. These brought about great debate. The early Christian church and assemblies of the Apostles did not have an official position on the 1,000 years at this time. In fact, there were divisions among many of the so-called early church fathers that included the Apostle Johns disciples and their generation of students. Here are some brief explanations of these doctrines.

	Chiliasm is the Greek word for 1000 which is another explanation of the Apostle Johns 1,000 years or millennium. Those who believe in chiliasm teach that these 1,000 years or the millennium is a physical, literal span of future years in which Christ will return to the earth.
	According to the Dictionary of the Bible and Halleys Handbook of the Bible (© 1962 24th edition), the early fathers believed that the Millennium doctrine was an essential part of the Church faith. Some who believed this were: Justin Martyr who lived from 100 - 167 A.D. and Iranaeus who lived from 130 - 200 A.D. Iranaeus was a pupil of Polycarp (69-156 A.D.) who was a student of the Apostle John.
	Other early church fathers, such as, Origen (185 - 254 A.D.) and Augustine (354 - 430 A.D.), taught against this literal interpretation of the millennium and the physical kingdom of the Messiah, according to the Dictionary of the Bible.
	Tyconius, a North African Christian scholar born in the second century, believed: " .. that the millennium was already in progress, brought about by Jesus crucifixion; ... (A History of the End of the World by Yuri Rubinsky and Ian Wiseman, p. 59)." Tyconius also expected the world to end in 380 A.D.
	In 431 A.D. the council of bishops of the Roman Catholic Church met at Ephesus in what is called Turkey today. They condemned, as superstition, the literal understanding of these 1,000 years or millennium.

What occurred at the end of the first thousand years?

When the first thousand years after the Messiahs birth ended in 999 A.D., many in the Roman Catholic Church anticipated end time events. Both priest and laity thought the world would end, the antichrist would appear, and the Messiah would setup His kingdom. A History of the End of the World explains the prevalent thought about the millennium at this time. "The year 1000 marked the end of the first millennium since Jesus birth, and, theoretically, the end of the sixth millennium since the creation of the world, and therefore, according to some, the time of the Second Coming (p. 64)."

Richard Erdoes wrote of the events that occurred on the last day of the year 999 A.D., when Pope Sylvester II reigned. "... the old basilica of St. Peters at Rome was thronged with a mass of weeping and trembling worshipers awaiting the end of the world. This was the dreaded eve of the millennium, the Day of Wrath when the earth would dissolve into ashes. Many of those present had given away all their possessions to the poorlands, homes, and household goods--in order to assure for themselves forgiveness for their trespasses at the Last Judgment and a good place in heaven near the footstool of the Almighty. ... Many expected the Last Judgment to be held at Jerusalem, and, throughout the year 999, the number of pilgrims converging upon the Holy City were compared to an immense, desolating army. Often these pious wayfarers had also sold their worldly possessions to finance their pilgrimage (A.D. 1000 (Harper & Row, Publishers, © 1988, p. 1-2)."

Did strange things occur at the end of the first millennium?

Historians of this era recorded unusual events that tended to increase the pandemonium as one got closer to the year 1000 A.D. Many people interpreted these phenomenal events as proof of the end of the world. Some of the accounts taken from the book A History of the End of the World follow.

A Burgundian monk, Raoul Glaber (985-1047) wrote five book called Histories, which give accounts of the events in the year 1000. Glaber wrote that as the year 1000 A.D. approached, many signs or omens pushed the people into a frenzy, such as wars, invasions, famines, and plagues. In 993 Mount Vesuvius erupted causing vast destruction and the Church of St. Peter caught on fire. In the year 999 Pope George V (996-999) died. Glaber also showed that after the year 1000 had past, many began to believe that 1033 would be the year of the end. In short, there was no end to the people of this era accepting one date after another for the end of the world (p. 64).

Monk Tritheim wrote that there were violent earthquakes that shook Europe and many buildings were destroyed in the year 1000 A.D. There was also a comet that appeared in the heavens causing fear among many (p. 66).

Why do end-time prophecies continue?

After the historical debacle that occurred at 1000 A.D. and with history littered with so many blunders, you would think Christendom would be a little hesitant about declaring the year 2,000 A.D. as the time of the Messiahs appearance and the end of the world without some irrefutable proof.

If these Christian denominations would read the words of the Messiah, who they claim to believe, He told His disciples on Mt. Olive about the end of the world (age). "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only (Mt. 24:36)." Many of the past and present day religious zealots ignore these words of wisdom. In the past, many superstitious and erroneous beliefs, along with the false prophets of which the Messiah warned us, clouded mans understanding of the end.

Are Christians anxiously awaiting the end?

With the approach of the year 2,000 A.D., which is 2,000 years from the Messiahs birth, many Christians are being whipped into a frenzy believing that the Messiah will soon make His physical appearance on earth. This fixation with the end on a 1,000 year period or millennium has strange effects on mankinds psyche. People look forward to some change, new order, or the appearance of a messianic figure. The chaotic situation in the world tends to correspond with the confused, violent condition the Messiah said would exist before the end (Matt. 24:___).

Has I.D.M.R. joined into the folly?

During the Virginia state convention, Mark OKeefe, a writer for the Virginian-Pilot, The Ledger-Star, a Norfolk, Virginia newspaper, wrote an article March 5, 1994, on the Institute called "Believers say the world will come to end by 96." Mr. OKeefe quoted Dr. Robert Harris, International Vice President and Dean of the Institute of Divine Metaphysical Research, Inc. (I.D.M.R.) as prophesying that the end will occur in 1996. Mr. OKeefe wrote: "In two years, 1996, mankind will be the equivalent of six days old. Like God, man must rest. The Earth will end in an instant. It just cant be anymore, said Robert Harris, international dean of the group." Mr. OKeefe continues by writing that members of the Institute: "dont save for retirement or their childrens college education ... [They dont] worry about the job market. Thats because they know something you dont. By 1996, the world is going to instantly end. ... How it will all end, they dont know. But end it will, within two years. ..." (Also see http://www.csicop.org/sb/9409/endofworld.html, http://www.csicop.org/sb/9409/endofworld.html,

http://www.watchman.org/cultindx.htm.)

"End-of-the-world religious scenarios are nothing new. With a new millennium just around the corner, doomsday prognostications are increasing so fast that an academic newsletter attempts to keep track of them ..."

Victor Jackson, a convention attendee who is a senior at Cleveland State University is quoted as saying: "I cant look to long-range plans or anything like that. I just have to take it day by day knowing the Creation wont be here in four or five years, knowing that there will be no world by the year 2000." Even within their own group, contradictions exist. Some are saying the world will end within two years and some within the next five years; total confusion.

For those that order the May/June 1995 issue, here are some of the subtitles for the remaining part of the issue article.

CHRISTIAN MILLENNIAL CONCEPTS

How does Christian theology explain the 1,000 years or millennium?

Are all Old Testament prophecies literally fulfilled?

Why do Christians err by literally interpreting the scriptures?

Why are their different millennial theories?

How do Roman Catholics view the millennium?

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