This article is the first in a three part review of the book A Case for Amillennialism: Understanding the End Times by Kim Riddlebarger. This book changed my perspective of eschatology dramatically.
The word eschatology comes from the greek word ἔσχατος (eschatos, “the last”), and means the study of last things. It can be used in a personal sense when talking about final states such as heaven and hell, but is also used in a general sense when speaking of the events associated with Christ’s second coming and the culmination of the world as we know it.
When I became an Evangelical Christian and began a serious study of theology, my understanding of the last days didn’t change much. The LDS concept of the end is very similar to the dispensational movement that has been sweeping through Christianity for the last several decades, most notably in the Left Behind series of fiction novels.
With the exception of the rapture, Mormons agree with nearly every eschatalogical truth-claim dispensationalists make. For instance, LDS prophets have repeatedly taught that the Lord has dispensed truth to the world at different times and in sundry ways throughout the course of history. They believe that we are currently in the last dispensation, which began when revelation was given to the prophet Joseph Smith (dispensationalists are waiting for the last dispensation, which they believe will begin when Christ returns). When Christ comes, Satan will be bound, the first resurrection will take place, and “Christ will reign personally upon the earth”1 for a thousand years—the Millennium. At the end of the thousand years, Satan will be loosed for a short time and a great battle will take place. At the end of the battle will come the second/last resurrection and the final judgement. This is consistent with a straightforward reading of Rev. 19:11-21 and Rev 20:1-15. Because they believe that the second coming will happen before the Millennium, Mormons fall loosely under a category of belief known as dispensational premillennialism.
My own study of theology upon leaving Mormonism has been greatly influenced by a theology professor named Millard Erickson. I’ve never met the man, but a trusted pastor recommended his books to me and I own several of them, including his 1,400-page systematic theology textbook simply titled, Christian Theology. In his writings, Erickson cautiously aligns himself with historic premillennialism—that is, he does not agree with the tenets of dispensationalism, but does agree that there will be an earthly millennial reign of Jesus Christ after the second coming.
Upon reading Erickson’s arguments for historic premillennialism and against other eschatalogical positions, I became convinced that his position was the most biblical. Recently, I began a new job at a local Christian bookstore, and was first introduced to a position known as amillennialism by the owner of the store. I was skeptical at first, but he showed me a few scriptures that got me thinking. I decided to really study this out to an extent that I never have before, and consequently started reading the book that is the subject of this review.
Amillennialism asserts that the thousand year period mentioned in Rev. 20:1-6 is simply the stretch of time between the first and second advents of Christ, and, therefore, the Millennial reign of Christ and binding of Satan are present realities. The second coming, the resurrection, and the final judgment will all take place on the last day of time as we know it, and will usher in the eternities.
Riddlebarger makes quite an extensive argument for the amillennial position, sufficiently overcoming nearly all the difficulties and presenting a few of his own difficulties for proponents of the opposing views. He is thoroughly biblical and careful to examine the whole of scripture before making any conclusions about single obscure passages. I personally found his argument to be slightly disorganized and repetitive, but it was nonetheless convincing.
In part two I’ll explain some of the scriptural arguments for both premillennialism and amillennialism. Stay tuned.
- Joseph Smith, Articles of Faith 1:10. [↩]
Joey, since you were once a Latter-day Saint, what was taught about the judgment of the Lord at the second coming(?) when man will be assigned one of the degree of glories? In other words, what about those who are progressing at the time of the judgement? Will their progression be damned (stopped)?
Joey, I should probably explain a little more my questions about the judgement in my last comment. Latter-day Saints believe we continue to progress after we die. Won’t the judgement stop this progression when Christ comes in judgement?
I am not Joey, but I feel it might be appropriate to have a current Latter-day Saint answer questions about LDS doctrine.
I want to carefully answer your questions. Will you please help me understand them, Terry?
When you say, “Latter-day Saints believe we continue to progress after we die,” how do you understand what that means? In other words, what kind of progression do Mormons believe we will make after death?
You also refer to the “time of the judgement,” “the judgment of the Lord at the second coming,” and a time “when man will be assigned one of the degree of glories.” As you understand, do Mormons believe that these three happenings will occur at the same time?
Thanks Steve. Your first question:
To start in clarifying my questions, let me start with the ultimate goal of Mormonism, which is to have eternal life, to live with the Father, to be, as He is, a god. “On the other hand, the whole design of the gospel is to lead us onward and upward to greater achievement, even eventually, to godhood. … It is a grand and incomparable concept: As God now is, man may become!” (Living Prophet and President Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, November 1994, p. 48.)
Elder Joseph Fielding Smith offers this counsel: “Salvation does not come all at once, we are commanded to be perfect even as our Father in heaven is perfect. It will take us ages to accomplish this end, for there will be greater progress beyond the grave.” (Ensign, May 1989, p 20.)
“All spirits are in adult form … spirits may progress from one level to another as they learn gospel principles and live in accordance with them … The Church is organized in the spirit world, with each prophet standing at the head of his own generation.” (Gospel Principles, pp. 290f.)
According to these Church authorities and official church documents, progression to godhood continues after death, and this is what I am referring to regarding progression. I hope this answers your first question.
Your second question:
Yes, when Christ returns, is it taught that He will judge all mankind and assign them a degree of glory at this time? I read this somewhere (Ensign? Conference?) I will try to find it and quote it to you.
When answering, please back up what you say with official church documents (BOM, D&C, Gospel Principles, Life and Teachings of Jesus And His Apostles, etc.) Cite your sources, so I may read them also. Thanks, Steve.
Terry
Thank you for answering my questions and helping me better understand your thoughts.
Now that I know where you are coming from, allow me to restate your question. I want to make sure I answer it in later posts. Please let me know whether I am correctly interpreting your question.
As you have shown, Mormons believe the purpose of life (and eternity) is to become like God. After death, we continue to progress towards that goal.
You want to know if, in Mormon theology, the judgment of Christ at the second coming halts all such progression–technically limiting the number of people who become like God to those who have achieved perfection before the second coming.
Is that right?
Yes, that’s the question. Just curious and pondering the thought. Is there LDS teaching that speaks of this issue?
Terry
The Question:
An Answer:
Personally, I hope the second coming doesn’t end all progress towards becoming like God. I don’t think there is enough time for most people (especially me) to become like God before the second coming.
I will attempt to show that progression continues for some and technically ceases for others at the time of judgment.
Becoming Like God
As a father of a little girl, I come close to tears when I think of my love for my daughter. I am overjoyed when she learns, grows, and develops. Without question, I want her to be as wise, smart, strong, talented, and good as possible.
I like to think God has blessed me with some wisdom, intelligence, strength, talents, and goodness of my own. I am certainly not jealous of my daughter when she gains these traits as well. In fact, I would love her to have everything I have and much more. Her successes make me very happy and proud. Furthermore, when I help my daughter grow and succeed, I feel like a successful father.
Just as I want everything for my daughter, our Heavenly Father wants to give everything he has to each of us (see D&C 84:38, Romans 8:16-18, Luke 12:42-44, Luke 15:31, Revelation 21:7).
Progression can be Eternal
Of course, becoming like God takes ages. We began our progression in the pre-earth life. On earth, we obtain a body and receive knowledge and experience in earthly things (much like a youth leaves his parents to receive a college education). Here we prepare “for a future eternity after the resurrection where [we] will continue to gain knowledge and intelligence. This gradually unfolding course of advancement…began in a past eternity and will continue in ages future…” (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, “Eternal Progression,” emphasis added).
Even if we become like God, we will continue to progress, as he does.
Each new generation of spirit children adds to his glory, just as grandchildren and great-grandchildren on earth add to the glory and joy of their progenitors.
Progression will Cease for Some
Eternal progression like God’s progression is limited to those who receive an inheritance in the Celestial Kingdom (see D&C 76:50–70 and D&C 132:19–25). Others become as angels who do not progress eternally like God does (see D&C 76:71–88 and D&C 132:15–17). Such a cessation of progression may be termed damnation. However paradoxical it may sound, this damnation remains a salvation from the fall, from death, and from hell. Most of those who never become like God still go to one of the mansions of our Father; they still go to “heaven,” a place much better than earth (see D&C 76:89–91).
Time of Judgment
So, Terry, when God assigns most people to a “lesser degree of glory,” they lose their ability to progress and become like God. I do not know if progression immediately ceases, but that person can never progress to the level of God.
However, when God assigns someone to the highest degree of the Celestial Kingdom, that person never stops progressing.
When we understand that it takes ages to become like God, and that even God is still progressing (in the ways mentioned above), we see that progression can be eternal, and the time of judgment does not stop progression for everyone.
As you mentioned, the end of progression is equivalent to damnation. Thank God that progression does not have to end!
(Terry, I did not address whether “the judgment,” “the time we are assigned to ‘degrees of glory,'” and “the second coming” are all the same thing. I personally think there are many different times and types of judgments. Elder McConkie lists at least five different Judgement Days in the Mormon Doctrine entry entitled “Judgment Day.”)
Thank you for letting me respond to your question. To what degree did I answer it? Did I generate any more questions?
Thanks for the data, Steve, I’ll read the scriptures you supplied. Today many Evangelicals, Mormons, Catholics, and Protestants fail to realize God’s Law and His justice when He will judge all mankind, especially when witnessing to others. There is a website you should check out, all should, to see how well we are progressing according to God’s standards. Go to http://www.needgod.com. Be patient, some pages are a little slow in moving to the next. If you love your daughter as much as you say, and I don’t doubt you a bit because I have a 9 month old daughter too, you will share this website’s information with her some day.
God bless you richly as you seek Him,
Terry
Thank you for the link. I went to the site. I appreciate the doctrinal points that it makes:
We are all damned without our Redeemer, none excepted. We must have faith in him, repent of our sins, and make him our master, or we cannot be saved. When Christ is our master, we love him, we serve him, and we keep his commandments. But, our loving, serving, and keeping of commandments does not save us; Christ saves us.
I know God will be completely Just when judging mankind. He will also be merciful. He can only be just and merciful because of the Savior. He will exact punishment, but the Savior has paid the price for us, if we have faith and repent of all our sins.