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Considerations > Eschatological Options
ESCHATOLOGICAL OPTIONS
Four views constitute the options that are available when considering the future; the following is simply an overview:
See: A Recent Interpretation and Historical Overview
Return to: Considerations; Next Section: Apocalyptic Literature
For overview of THEOLOGY, see: Site Map - Theology
ESCHATOLOGICAL OPTIONS
Four views constitute the options that are available when considering the future; the following is simply an overview:
PREMILLENNIALISM – The Historic View
This was the view of the early Church;
The Church will be on the earth during the Great Tribulation
and will suffer under the Antichrist;
Christ returns after the Tribulation and just before the Millennium;
He will rule literally on this earth for one thousand years;
THE LORD’S RETURN IS A SINGLE EVENT!
AMILLENNIALISM – A Later View
Following Augustine this was the dominant view of the Middle Ages;
The time reference in Revelation to a Millennium is symbolic;
there is no literal Millennium;
The Millennium is synonymous with the age of the Church;
There may or may not be a period of Great Tribulation;
THE LORD’S RETURN IS A SINGLE EVENT!
POSTMILLENNIALISM – A Much Later View
This view arose after the Reformation;
The Millennium is brought about by the power of the Gospel
and the work of the Church;
The Millennium will be a golden age during which Christianity will triumph;
Christ returns to the earth after the Millennium;
THE LORD’S RETURN IS A SINGLE EVENT!
DISPENSATIONALISM – A Recent Interpretation
This view was developed after 1830;
Israel and the Church must be kept distinct;
Distinguishes between the Rapture and the Revelation;
views them as separate events;
Christ returns before the Tribulation—the Rapture;
Church is in heaven with Christ during the Great Tribulation on earth;
Christ returns after the Tribulation—the Revelation;
____________
We hold that pretribulationism is an inference
and not the explicit teaching of the Word of God . . .
Furthermore, we feel it is not a necessary inference,
but is a view which has arisen in comparatively modern times
in light of which Scripture has been interpreted.
George Ladd
This was the view of the early Church;
The Church will be on the earth during the Great Tribulation
and will suffer under the Antichrist;
Christ returns after the Tribulation and just before the Millennium;
He will rule literally on this earth for one thousand years;
THE LORD’S RETURN IS A SINGLE EVENT!
AMILLENNIALISM – A Later View
Following Augustine this was the dominant view of the Middle Ages;
The time reference in Revelation to a Millennium is symbolic;
there is no literal Millennium;
The Millennium is synonymous with the age of the Church;
There may or may not be a period of Great Tribulation;
THE LORD’S RETURN IS A SINGLE EVENT!
POSTMILLENNIALISM – A Much Later View
This view arose after the Reformation;
The Millennium is brought about by the power of the Gospel
and the work of the Church;
The Millennium will be a golden age during which Christianity will triumph;
Christ returns to the earth after the Millennium;
THE LORD’S RETURN IS A SINGLE EVENT!
DISPENSATIONALISM – A Recent Interpretation
This view was developed after 1830;
Israel and the Church must be kept distinct;
Distinguishes between the Rapture and the Revelation;
views them as separate events;
Christ returns before the Tribulation—the Rapture;
Church is in heaven with Christ during the Great Tribulation on earth;
Christ returns after the Tribulation—the Revelation;
____________
We hold that pretribulationism is an inference
and not the explicit teaching of the Word of God . . .
Furthermore, we feel it is not a necessary inference,
but is a view which has arisen in comparatively modern times
in light of which Scripture has been interpreted.
George Ladd
See: A Recent Interpretation and Historical Overview
Return to: Considerations; Next Section: Apocalyptic Literature
For overview of THEOLOGY, see: Site Map - Theology