Christians believe Christ will return but disagree on how His return will progress. An understanding of the coming millennium is essential to how someone will interpret this concept.
- Eschatology is the study of the last things.
- The Church does not possess unity in interpreting Revelation 20’s description of the 1,000-year reign of Christ.
Premillennialism
- The prefix –pre means “before.”
- Premillennialism is the belief that the return of Christ will precede a literal, earthly kingdom on earth for a millennium.
- This view would support a chronologically successive interpretation of Revelation 19’s final battle and 20’s millennium.
- Within this belief, two different versions exist: dispensational premillennialism and historic premillennialism.
Historic Premillennialism
- This view holds that the present age will eventually experience a brief period of tribulation followed by Christ’s return to usher in a kingdom on earth.
- Christ’s return will be accompanied by a resurrection of believers and a public rapture.
- Jesus will physically reign as king over all the earth.
- Satan is bound during that time but will be released, leading many astray.
- Christ defeats all rebellion, judges all humanity, and initiates the final state.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
- Is Israel’s restoration spiritual or national?
- Is the progression biblically acceptable, chronologically understandable, or both?
Dispensational Premillennialism
- Dispensational theology was introduced in the nineteenth century by John Nelson Darby, who believed that biblical history is divided into certain ages or dispensations.
- Dispensational premillennialists hold that the existing Jewish state will literally experience the Old Testament prophecies regarding the kingdom.
- This view believes that the millennium is a literal thousand years.
- The distinguishing characteristic of this view has to do with the prominence of Israel’s restoration.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
- Does God have different plans for Israel and the Church?
- Is this belief system too new to be accurate?
Amillennialism
- The prefix –a means “no.”
- Amillennialists believe that Christ is currently reigning in heaven between His two comings.
- This group takes 1,000 years to be a symbolic number representing the gospel’s advancement and the world’s hostility.
- During this time, Satan is hindered but not wholly ineffective.
- Satan will increase opposition before Christ’s return, only to be soundly defeated.
- Amillennialists interpret all kingdom descriptions within the tension of already/not yet (some promises we experience now; some will be shared after Christ’s return).
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
- While Satan was defeated at the cross, has he been “sealed in the abyss” during this present time?
- Are we experiencing the reign of the saints in the world?
Postmillennialism
- The prefix –post means “after.”
- Postmillennialists believe that Christ will return after the millennium.
- Those holding this belief do not interpret the millennium as a literal thousand years.
- While sharing many views with amillennialists, postmillennialism holds that the Church will gradually experience success and achieve a golden age on earth.
- They hold that the gospel will continue to impact the world until we reach a majority level of human flourishing.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
- Are we witnessing gradual and continual progress around the world?
- Does the Bible teach a symbolic or literal rule for the people of God?
Essentials
- If your view has Christ victorious in the end, you can find commonality with others who disagree on the details.
- Ensure that your eschatology comes from Scripture more than stories or speculation.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.travisagnew.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Travis-2021-2.jpg?resize=100%2C100&ssl=1)
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.