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Premillennialism …. and J.R.R. Tolkien and Lord of the Rings
I’m rereading “Lord of the Rings” (see previous post on the Christian Worldview and Tolkien), this time in a one volume Kindle edition. Now I recall also, from reading the Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien a few years ago, that in one letter he mentioned his belief in premillennialism:
but certainly there was an Eden on this very unhappy earth. We all long for it, and we are constantly glimpsing it: our whole nature at its best and least corrupted, its gentlest and most humane, is still soaked with the sense of ‘exile’. … As far as we can go back the nobler part of the human mind is filled with the thoughts of sibb, peace and goodwill, and with the thought of its loss. … Of course, I suppose that, subject to the permission of God, the whole human race (as each individual) is free not to rise again but to go to perdition and carry out the Fall to its bitter bottom (as each individual can singulariter). And at certain periods, the present is notably one, that seems not only a likely event but imminent. Still I think there will be a ‘millennium’, the prophesied thousand-year rule of the Saints, i.e. those who have for all their imperfections never finally bowed heart and will to the world or the evil spirit.
In Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” we can see several things that serve as good illustrations of premillennialism. One part of this, our expectancy in this age, is brought out early on, in chapter 2 of Fellowship of the Ring. At this point Bilbo has left the Shire, Frodo has taken possession of Bag End, and Gandalf has gone away, only returning occasionally over the next 17 years. During this time, unusual events are occurring in the world, rather like eschatological events. Most of the Hobbits are caught up in their everyday lives and uninterested in anything outside their little world. Yet Frodo is intently observing, and diligently seeks out whatever news he can get, from the dwarves and Elves that pass through the Shire. Later on, Sam is likewise listening to outside news and wondering about it.
The equivalent in our world, is well expressed by J.C. Ryle in his commentary on Luke 21. From Luke’s account of the Olivet Discourse, verses 25-33. From Ryle’s commentary:
The general duty which these words should teach us is very plain. We are to observe carefully the public events of the times in which we live. We are not to be absorbed in politics, but we are to mark political events. We are not to turn prophets ourselves, but we are to study diligently the signs of our times. So doing, the day of Christ will not come upon us entirely unawares.
Are there any signs in our own day? Are there any circumstances in the world around us which specially demand the believer’s attention? Beyond doubt there are very many. The drying up of the Turkish empire,—the revival of the Romish church,—the awakened desire of the Protestant churches to preach the Gospel to the heathen,—the general interest in the state of the Jews,—the universal shaking of governments and established institutions,—the rise and progress of the subtlest forms of infidelity,—all, all are signs peculiar to our day. All should make us remember our Lord’s words about the fig-tree. All should make us think of the text, “Behold, I come quickly.” (Revelation 22:7).
Book 6 in Tolkien’s epic (in Return of the King) notes the dawning of a new era, the ending of Middle Earth’s Third Age and the beginning of the “Fourth Age.” This Fourth Age marks the defeat and destruction of Sauron and his kingdom — the Dark Lord, representative of Satan and his evil kingdom. The Fourth Age is marked by peace, safety, and good and wise government. The king, Aragorn descendant of the great kings of earlier ages, has “returned.” The time of the Stewards of Gondor — like God’s people, described as stewards in this time before Christ returns — has come to its proper end. The kingdom has been established anew, with the line of the kings of Gondor, starting with Aragorn, reigning over a world at peace and the enemy defeated.
Tolkien has given this great picture, in this literary work, of how believers should be watching and ready for Christ’s Return, and then of what the Millennial Kingdom will be like.
I am planning to consider more of such ideas, how we see Christian truth in great literary works such as Tolkien’s, in future posts.
For those interested, here are some good online resources, that have provided similar type articles about Christianity related to Tolkien and other imaginative fiction:
Scripture Thoughts 