Biblical Holiness and Premillennialism
Two Scriptures are very emphatic here:” And every
man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure” (1 John
3:3, KJV); “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray your
whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our
Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:32, KJV). If the millennium is not real,
then is the Lord really coming, and is there anything to get ready for and be
pure about? Or if the millennial dawn arrives after the whole world abandons
sin and gradually converts to Christianity, how does present-tense holiness
connect to an event that may be a thousand years hence? (An important caveat
here: It is a stretch to blame amillennial thought for the pervasive carnality
of weak believers.)
A.B. Simpson saw premillennialism as a great and
powerful instrument in the life of a believer. “This is an intensely practical truth—a
great level that will uplift the world into a fitness to receive Him. It is intimately
associated with holiness, ‘He that hath this hope purifieth himself even as He
is pure’ (1 John 3:3)” (A.B. Simpson, “How I was Led to Believe in Premillennialism,”
The Christian and Missionary Alliance Weekly, November 13, 1891).
The Apostle Paul yearned for this coming crown,
but also believed there would be a crown for those that “Love his appearing” (2
Timothy 4:8, KJV). The author of Hebrews wrote, “Follow peace with all men, and
holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14, KJV). . .
this soundly biblical doctrine is there, and it is unavoidable. It is part of
the authentic Christian message and is biblically linked to the return of Jesus
Christ. Premillennialism is a theological option which stimulates a vibrant
personal faith and encourages, even demands, an ardent pursuit of holiness. (K.
Neill Foster, “Premillennialism, the Scriptures and Convergent Issues.” in K.
Neill Foster and David E. Fessenden, Essays on Premillennialism: A Modern
Reaffirmation of an Ancient Doctrine [Camp Hill, Pa.: Christian
Publications, Inc., 2002], 59-73, here, pp. 67-68)
