IS THE PRE-TRIBULATION & PRE-MILLENIAL POSITION OF THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD TENABLE?

200O years ago people were waiting for the promised Messiah, who has come, who have risen and who will come again.

I believe this was the belief of the early church followers as well, and the soon coming of the Lord proved to be the catalyst that drove the early church to spread the gospel with an urgency. Jesus too warns us in Mathew 24: 37-39 that the tribulation period was going to come and overtake the world like the floods that came during the time of Noah. Jesus then gives us a picture of the rapture in Mathew 24:40-42 about two people being in the field and at the mill and one will be taken and the other left. This tells us that the rapture which Paul again mentions in I Thessalonians 4:16-18 will be for a select few and its a prelude to the tribulation. Hence I believe as the early church fathers believed that Jesus is coming soon to take away his bride the church before the tribulation .

Jesus will make his presence known to the world during the tribulation when he comes and destroys the anti Christ and his armies and sets up the millenium Kingdom for a thousand years.

It is during the millenial reign of Christ that the prophecies of the old testament prophets will come true who spoke about Jesus coming to sit on the throne of David and reign from Jerusalem

The book of Revelation 20:4-6 tells us that Jesus will come again to the earth together with the saints who were raptured and rule the earth for a thousand years. It will an unprecedented era like never before, where peace and righteouness reigns and and the lion and the lamb dwell together, it will be a reflection of the garden of Eden.

So i do agree with the position of the assemblies of God.

NECF survey says that 75% of Churches is Charismatic? Is Charismatic the same with Pentecostal. Where have the Pentecostal Churches gone in Malaysia?

I tend to agree with survey that was taken by NECF that 75% of churches is charismatic. before i share my view on this stand that i have taken, i would answer the question " is charismatic the same with Pentecostal".
The answer definitely is no. Sad to say many born again Christian still does not know the difference between Pentecostal and charismatic.
PENTECOSTALS
Pentecostals are an organized movement: there are specific denominations (such as the Assemblies of God, Full Gospel assembly and independent churches) that officially codify Pentecostal belief. Pentecostal have two main things that set set them apart from charismatic that is:

1. Pentecostal believe that subsequent to the reception of the Spirit in salvation( Romans 8:9), the baptism in the Holy Spirit is given for power witness ( Acts 1:8) and that it is evidenced initially by speaking in tongues( Acts 2:4)

2. Pentecostal expect the word to be confirmed with signs following ( Mark 6:20), this includes healing, casting out of demons and miraculous manifestation of God’s power, giving the Holy Spirit freedom to work and being a prophetic voice not only to church but to the nation.

CHARISMATICS

Charismatics are Christians who hold Pentecostal beliefs but belong to churches that are theologically non-Pentecostal. Examples include Oral Roberts (United Methodist), Pat Robertson (Southern Baptist), the late Brian Hathaway (Plymouth Brethren), Bill Subritsky (Anglican), Larry Christenson (Lutheran), Jack Deere (Presbyterian), and Francis MacNutt (Roman Catholic). Charismatics believe in the doctrine of Tongues, they do not place as much of an emphasis on this doctrine as Pentecostals do. In other words, it is possible to receive the baptism and not speak in tongues.

The early church knew they had received the power Jesus had promised ( Acts 1:8), and they moved in that power, doing the same works he had done ( John 14:12). They feared God more than they feared death. Once Pentecostals churches in Malaysia was operating, demonstrating expecting the same power in Gospels and acts but it sad to say that Pentecostal church in Malaysia today has begun to lost its Pentecostal heritage. I tend to agree with survey taken by NECF. The use of the term “Pentecostal “is not intended to glorify denomination. Using the title “ Pentecostal “ does not make an individual or a church Spirit filled . Some are Pentecostal in name only.

Sad to say many Pentecostal church in Malaysia have been busy with it’s church politics, building fun and affairs of its own. Even thou the survey sure that 75% percent of churches are charismatic but still there is 25% percent of church who are Pentecostal. It took simple and ordinary people to change the history of Christianity in the book of acts. One outpouring in Azusa birth the Pentecostal movement. God still can use this 25% of Pentecostal church to change the History in our nation.