The beginning of a new millennium is not the same as the Millennial Reign of Christ which follows the Tribulation. For information about Christ's Millennial Kingdom, see the section on The End/ New Beginning.
From a handfull of followers to its present status, Christianity is the world's largest religion (with 2.2 billion - 33% of the Earth's population). Amid much good that has come from the Christian system, there are also dark chapters, such as the Crusades.
As they look at the portrait and the mirror, the ideal
and the reality, one suspects that the honest realists among
them will say that for all the enormous flaws in the record,
the Christian venture has produced great human good and
innumerable positive contributions to culture.
Nov. 28th, 1999 - TIME Cover Story: Jesus of Nazareth- An Untold Story
Reynolds Price Calls Jesus 'The Single
Most Powerful Figure' in All of Human
History ---
But Price concludes Jesus' followers
have contributed 'heavily to the evils of
national and religious warfare,
institutional and individual hatred' ---
Oct. 1, 1999 - "Religion and Ethics Newsweekly" has compiled a list of what they think are the top religion stories of the past 1000 years. They include The Great Schism (Catholic and Orthodox Branches), The Crusades, The Spread of Islam, The Guttenberg Bible, Church support of art, music and intellectual life, Luther's 95 Theses, Missionary movements, Religious Liberty (Puritans), Challenges to religious ideas in the 19th century (Darwin, Frued, Marx), and The Holocaust.
Source: Maranatha Christian Journal
(Story no longer on line)
Jan. 11, 1999 - Chuck Colson's column in Christianity Today focuses on the bright side of the future for Christians who will not allow themselves to sink into despair, but will take advantage of good changes that are taking place as we face the new millennium.
The Church stands tall and keeps progressing through the ages in contrast to all the "isms" of our century (communism, socialism, nazism, liberalism, humanism, scientism) which have failed.
The dawn of the new millennium is a time for Christians to celebrate, to blow
trumpets and fly the flag high. To desert the field of battle now would be
historical blindness, betraying our heritage just when we have the greatest
opportunity of the century. This is the time to make a compelling case that
Christianity offers the only rational and realistic hope for both personal
redemption and social renewal.
Jan. 4, 1998 - This BBC article states that there are about 100 millennialists who have already come to Israel to wait for the return of Christ, and that thousands more are expected. One policeman expressed concern about the matter:
"If the Messiah
doesn't show up as expected, we fear some of the
disappointed believers may take matters into their own
hands to hasten along the end of time. Given all the
problems we have here already, Israel can ill afford a
Waco."
Comment: Balanced, Biblical Christians need to be very clear about the fact that we don't set dates or promote fear. Beware of being branded with these extremists.
Dec. 11, 1997 - Here we go! The lead article for US News Online for Dec. 15, signals the beginning of intense interest in the new millennium during the next two years. This article focuses on the negative teaching about coming destruction, and fringe groups like the Heaven's Gate Cult. It does at least mention some good done by premillennial groups.
In our opinion, responsible Bible teachers need to keep a positive tone. Remember that God's program is not likely to coincide with our calendar, and that we don't believe in "the end of the world," but in the end of this age which will usher in a new and better age. see Warnings and Cautions for a reminder not to set dates or try to positively identify Antichrist and his forces.
Though we do expect a literal fulfillment of the Tribulation
period described in the Book of Revelation, our emphasis is not on doom and
gloom, but on the eventual triumph of Christ and the establishment of His
Kingdom on Earth.
Jan. 1, 2000 - Ronald Regan and Margaret Thatcher were voted most valuable people of the century in a survey sponsored by Nando Times. Among males, Winston Churchill was second, and Billy Graham was third.
Dec. 30, 1999 - Kiribati will be the first nation to see the dawning of the new millennium. It is in the Pacific ocean about half-way between Hawaii and Australia.
Dec. 29, 1999 - from Wolf Blitzer - Information has been gleaned from arrests in Washington state and Jordan, as well as dependable intelligence sources, that point to the likelihood that some of Osama ben Laden's followers will try to target U.S. citizens at home and abroad during the millennial week-end.
Dec. 20, 1999 - Since starting in his garage in 1995, Jeff Bezos' Amazon.com now has 13.1 million customers and leads the e-commerce revolution which has revolutionized retail advertising and saled, and may reach $8 billion this year.
Nov. 19, 1999 - Let's hope BBC decides against including this in their 28 hour New Millennium Eve marathon broadcast:
How's this for a riveting climax to a marathon of millennium TV? Live
coverage from Easter Island of seven virgins entering a cave with a single naked man and later
emerging ``married.'' The interim logistics evidently still are being worked out.
Fortunately,many of the items they are considering to include in the big broadcast are more appropriate. There may be addresses by Pope, and the U.N. secretary general, Kofi Annan. Musical extravaganzas from Israel and Egypt are planned, along with lots of good "fun" events such as a Swedish wedding in an ice chapel.
Source: BBC News
The beginning of a new millennium is not the same as the Millennial Reign of Christ which follows the Tribulation. For information about Christ's Millennial Kingdom, see the section on The End/ New Beginning.
On the eve of the Year 2000, all across the country, teenagers will
be down in the "catacombs" (church basements, retreat centers, or
whatever space lends itself to transformation for the event). They
will enter into a simulation of the times that gave rise to John's coded
message of perseverance and hope to persecuted Christians so long
ago. The Catacomb Project will challenge youth to clarify and claim
their Christian conviction--and come forth in celebration. Youth also
will learn about people today who are persecuted for their beliefs.
Light the Night. Just as a PK conference is a catalytic event in a lifelong process of becoming
a man of integrity, so the New Years Eve multi-church gatherings will be catalytic events in the
processes of promoting lighthouses and of pursuing a vision for ministry to a city that is shared by all the churches within that city.
The multi-church New Year's Eve gatherings will include the following:
1.A special Light the Night video prepared over many months by seven of the great leaders and preachers of our day - spanning the spectrum of denomination and ethnicity.
2.Joint worship
3.Prayer for the churches and the city
4.Testimonies
5.Other features, as locally determined
The events will be locally organized and controlled. The process of creating the events will result in increased relationship, unity, and evangelism among the organizers and the participants. The Lord has commanded a blessing on such events (Ps. 133:3).
If churches unite across ethnic lines to put on these events, we could see a breakthrough in reconciliation within the Body of Christ as well as in its ministry to the watching world. Thiswas prayed for and promised by Jesus in John 17:21-23.
Lighthouses should invite non-Christians--particularly those who have been touched by their Lighthouse--to the multi-church gatherings.
The entry of the Year 2000 could be a defining moment for the church in America. Will we be found with our focus on the Lord or on the World? In fear or in faith? In unity or in isolation? The answers may determine whether we are on the brink of revival or judgment. (See Joshua 17)
Egypt will host one of the most spectacular events of the turn of the millennium at the site of the Giza Pyramids, the only remnant of the 7 Wonders of The Ancient World. The party will last from dusk on new year's eve until dawn of the first day of the new millennium.
The opera will feature fireworks, laser lights projecting images on the Pyramids, and lighting effects
``that will be seen for the first time in the world,'' Hosny told a news conference.
Egypt's Culture Ministry will foot the $9.5 million bill for the show. ``But a major budget was already
paid for by the pharaohs thousands of years ago, when they built the pyramids,'' Hosny said.
