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To: xzins
The fine print helps.

Ideally, but not necessarily. ;)

I was hoping they weren't calling Justin Martyr a heretic since he, too, was a premillennialist.

I am not an expert on the writings of early church saints, so I can't argue whether or not Justin's use of the term "1000 years" qualifies him as a premillennialist. I know the term was for some time a popular way to express a long period of time. I'm guessing that, after this council, the term got dropped like a bad habit, to avoid any further misunderstandings.

113 posted on 06/01/2004 4:01:07 PM PDT by monkfan (Mercy triumphs over judgement)
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To: monkfan
It pretty clear from his words that Justin Martyr did believe in a thousand year reign of Christ on the earth.

Justin Martyr

The Second Apology of Justin for the Christians

Addressed to the Roman Senate

Chapter LXXX -- The Opinion of Justin with Regard to the Reign of a Thousand Years. Several Catholics Reject It

And Trypho to this replied, "I remarked to you sir, that you are very anxious to be safe in all respects, since you cling to the Scriptures. But tell me, do you really admit that this place, Jerusalem, shall be rebuilt; and do you expect your people to be gathered together, and made joyful with Christ and the patriarchs, and the prophets, both the men of our nation, and other proselytes who joined them before your Christ came? or have you given way, and admitted this in order to have the appearance of worsting us in the controversies?"

Then I answered, "I am not so miserable a fellow, Trypho, as to say one thing and think another. I admitted to you formerly, that I and many others are of this opinion, and [believe] that such will take place, as you assuredly are aware; but, on the other hand, I signified to you that many who belong to the pure and pious faith, and are true Christians, think otherwise.

Moreover, I pointed out to you that some who are called Christians, but are godless, impious heretics, teach doctrines that are in every way blasphemous, atheistical, and foolish. But that you may know that I do not say this before you alone, I shall draw up a statement, so far as I can, of all the arguments which have passed between us; in which I shall record myself as admitting the very same things which I admit to you. For I choose to follow not men or men's doctrines, but God and the doctrines[delivered] by Him.

For if you have fallen in with some who are called Christians, but who do not admit this [truth], and venture to blaspheme the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; who say there is no resurrection of the dead, and that their souls, when they die, are taken to heaven; do not imagine that they are Christians, even as one, if he would rightly consider it, would not admit that the Sadducees, or similar sects of Genistæ, Meristae, Gelilaeans, Hellenists, Pharisees, Baptists, are Jews (do not hear me impatiently when I tell you what I think), but are [only] called Jews and children of Abraham, worshipping God with the lips, as God Himself declared, but the heart was far from Him.

But I and others, who are right-minded Christians on all points, are assured that there will be a resurrection of the dead, and a thousand years in Jerusalem, which will then be built, adorned, and enlarged,[as] the prophets Ezekiel and Isaiah and others declare.


116 posted on 06/01/2004 6:24:21 PM PDT by xzins (Retired Army and Proud of It!)
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