Online Journal Article: "An Amillennial Response To A Premillennial View Of Isaiah 65:20" JETS 61.3 (2018): 461–92

https://www.etsjets.org/files/JETS-PDFs/61/61-3/JETS_61.3_461-492_Beale.pdf

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From the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society (JETS)

JETS 61.3 (2018): 461–92
AN AMILLENNIAL RESPONSE TO A PREMILLENNIAL
VIEW OF ISAIAH 65:20
by G. K. BEALE
Abstract: This essay argues that Isa 65:20 is not about a temporary reversible millennium
in which there is actual death but about the eternal irreversible reality of there being no untimely death in the everlasting new creation. I adduce seven main lines of argument in favor of this:
(1) discussion of a translational problem in 65:20, which could support premillennialism or
could fit into an amillennial view; (2) the eternal new creation context of Isa 65:17–19 and
65:21–25 points to the probability that 65:20 is also about the eternal new creation; (3) the
use of Genesis 3 in Isaiah 65, which points to an eternal new creation context; (4) the eternal
new creation context of Isa 65:17–25 is supported further by its use of Isa 25:7–10, which is
about there being no death any longer in the new, eternal age; (5) arguments favoring a figurative view
of Isa 65:20; (6) the use of Isaiah in Rev 21:1–22:4 is figurative, thus pointing to Isa 65:20 being
a depiction of the irreversible, eternal new creation; (7) the irreversible nature
of eschatology itself favors the conclusion that Isa 65:20 is not about a temporary, eschatological millennial state but about the eternal new heavens and earth.
Key Words: eschatology, inaugurated eschatology, premillennialism, amillennialism, new creation