There are four main views of the millennium. Now, before we dive in I want be to clear about something, just because you do not agree with a certain view, let's all be friends and loving. While some views may seem to have more merit than others, none are heretical. And we do not use this kind of language when referring to a view we don't personally hold. We speak with respect and realize that many honorable people have held each of the four views. We always are faithful to the Bible but recognize that sometimes we may not agree and our approach should always be with humility knowing any of us can err. I will present the different views as faithfully as I can without bias. I am going to present the four views in the accepted historical order, but even in doing so I want to warn you, please be aware that 3 of the 4 views have a long and deep history. But the accepted historical order is historic or classic premillenialism, amillennialism, postmillenialism, and dispensational premillenialism. I would also add that just because a theological position is older does not necessarily make the view more true, but the opposite is also true with more modern views. The reason I have chosen to use an historical approach is because I think it demonstrates how perspectives and theology can change over time and also explain why those shifts may occur.
Historic Premillennialism - Historic Premillennialism is sometimes confused with or mixed together with Dispensationalism. Let me be very clear, historic premillennialism is linked to early Church fathers and is an entirely different system from Dispensationalism. Of the four systems, historic premillennialism is the oldest. The earliest reference to this view of eschatology is Papias (80-155), who was Bishop of Hierapolis (modern Turkey) and according to Irenaeus (second century bishop) Papias was a hearer of the Apostle John and a companion of Polycarp. Other ancient proponents of historic premillennialism include Justin Martyr (100-165), Tertullian (155-240) and Irenaeus (140-203).
Historic Premillennialism views the kingdom of God being manifest through the first advent of Jesus, however the kingdom is not yet consummated. After the second coming of Jesus, there will be a millennial reign of Christ (1000 years) and this will be a literal reign on earth. After this reign of peace, there will be a final judgment and the new heaven and earth will be created. Basically you have the final destruction of evil happening in two stages. First, with the second coming, Satan is bound (Rev. 20) and the beast, false prophet and all those with them are destroyed (Rev. 19). At this time the first resurrection occurs and the saints rule with Christ for 1000 years. At the end of the thousand years, Satan is loosed and seeks those who would rebel against Christ. However, this rebellion is quickly snuffed out and Christ has finally defeated all of his enemies and the Devil is cast into the lake of fire. Then the last judgment and second resurrection will occur (this would include all those were not previously resurrected, however it should be noted this would have to include all people who lived and died during the millennial reign). Then the creation of the eternal state – new heaven and earth (Rev. 21) would occur.
Included in this view is that the kingdom of God advances until the end of the age (second coming of Jesus), but just before Jesus comes back there will be a great rebellion and tribulation for the Church. I think it is critical to understand that historic premillennialism is the oldest view and adamantly posttribulational. This means this view ascribes to the idea that believers will go through a great tribulation before Jesus comes back and they will not be delivered until after the entire tribulation has occurred (posttrib). The reason I point this out is because the Dispensational view of the end times which is also premillennial does not share this belief. Dispensationalists strictly believe in a pretribulational rapture of the Church. One of the most prominent modern proponents of historic premillennialism was George Eldon Ladd (1911-1982), who was a professor at Fuller Theological Seminary in California. Listen to what Ladd says about the modern pretribulational view:
The idea of a pretribulation rapture was not seen in the Scriptures by the early church fathers...they were futurist and premillennialist but not pretribulationalists... Pretribulationalism was an unknown teaching until the rise of the Plymouth Brethren among whom the doctrine originated.
I point this out to make a clear distinction between the ancient (historical) version of premillennialism and the more modern version. This is but one difference, but it is a very important one.
Now, let's change gears and think about how theology affects our lives. Really the most important aspects of any belief system is how it affects your thinking and daily life. I believe this is difficult when we think about eschatology, but the principle is still the same. So when considering any belief system first think about “is this true, is it sound theology and what the Bible teaches?” The second thing is how does this change my thinking, my daily life, my relationship with God and other people. And if you can't answer the second question, take the time to consider it. It has to be answered.
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