"But Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee." (Isaiah 49:14,15)

One’s position on the millennium often stems from one’s ecclesiology, that is, what a person believes is true about the church. It would be good to examine the underlying theological viewpoints which undergird these various views. Namely, who is Israel? What is the church? What is God’s plan for Israel? Is there future for national Israel? For answers to these questions, we’ll need to examine the Scriptures.

There are two main views concerning the roles of the nation of Israel in God’s plan. One view holds that Israel was God’s chosen people, but has now been set aside because of their disobedience and rejection of Christ. Israel was judged in the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 70 AD, and the church has replaced Israel as the new people of God. The Church inherits the blessings promised to Israel in the Old Testament, and these blessings are not to be understood literally, but spiritually. This view has been called Replacement Theology.

The other position believes that, though Israel was judged and set aside by God for their disobedience and rejection of the Messiah, this judgement is not permanent. The Church has a role to play in the plan of God, but it is not as a replacement for Israel. Rather, Israel does have a future in the plan of God, and the promises given to Israel will be fulfilled in Israel. This view is part of what has been called Dispensationalism.

Ammillennialism and Postmillennialism are based on Replacement Theology. Since Israel no longer has a role in God’s plan, there is no need of a future 1000-year kingdom where Israel will be the chief nation on earth. Premillennialism, however, believes that God’s promises to Israel, as of yet unfulfilled, will be fulfilled to Israel in a future time called the Millennium. The question for us is, ‘What does the Bible teach?’

"I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin." (Roman 11:1)

"For the LORD will not cast off his people, Neither will he forsake his inheritance." (Psalm 94:14)

"For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people." (1 Samuel 12:22)

"But Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee." (Isaiah 49:14,15)

"Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD ; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD , and I will not keep anger for ever." (Jeremiah 3:12)

"For the Lord will not Cast off for ever: But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion According to the multitude of his mercies." (Lamentation 3:31,32)

"For I am the LORD , I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." (Malachi 3:6)

"And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day." (John 6:39)