The Pan-Millennial

“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” — 1 Corinthians 13:12
 
Have you ever seen Christians argue more about the timeline of Christ’s return than they rejoice that He’s coming?
 
When I was in college, I thought there were only three views about the thousand-year reign of Christ. Premillennialists believe Jesus comes before it. Postmillennialists believe things will get better and better and then Jesus comes. And amillennialists say the thousand years shouldn’t be taken literally.
 
I asked one of my professors in front of the whole class which one he was. He looked at me and said, “I’m neither. I’m a pan-millennial. I believe it’s all going to pan out in the end. I’m on the welcoming committee for whenever Jesus comes.”
 
Now let me tell you where I stand. I take God’s Word literally unless God makes it clear that’s not what He means, and you ought to do the very same thing. Study it. Know what you believe and why.
 
But I’ve never forgotten that professor’s answer, because he put his finger on something. Paul says that right now we see in a mirror dimly. We know in part. Some of the details of the last days are a puzzle, and some brothers and sisters who love Jesus just as much as you do read them differently.
 
What we do see clearly is this. Jesus is coming, and it will be Jesus Himself. That’s enough to get excited about.
 
So don’t let your prophecy chart make you proud or quarrelsome. If you’ve been arguing with another believer over the end times, call him this week and tell him you’re glad you’ll be standing together on the welcoming committee. Then spend more time getting ready to meet Jesus than arguing about when He’ll come.