On Sunday, we started a section of Scripture known as the Olivet Discourse, Jesus’ description of the end times. There probably isn’t an issue in the church that is more disagreed on, and from which some of the crazier theories begin to emerge. Much of this comes from the ‘system’ that people put the facts into. I mentioned that I had cut a large section from the beginning of the sermon and this is some of the information that I hoped to convey in that intro:
HELPFUL TERMS
Church Age | the time from Pentecost in Acts 2 until Christ returns
Eschatology | study of the Bible’s teaching about the events surrounding the Second Coming of Jesus
Millennium | the thousand year reign of Jesus on Earth described in Revelation 20
• Premillennial | the millennium is a future event; Jesus return will initiate the millennium
• Amillennial | the millennium is symbolic of His present reign among His people
• Postmillennial | the millennium is a time in which the world submits to Jesus and is at peace;
Jesus returns after the millennium
Preterism | the belief that some, if not all, biblical prophecies about the end times refer to specific events that have already happened
Rapture | event when Jesus returns for His people
Tribulation | time when disasters occur on earth and those faithful to Jesus suffer persecution
FOUR MAIN ESCHATOLOGICAL VIEWS
The reason why people are so far apart on translating the details is because of the system that they are placing these details into. The story that you believe that God is telling greatly affects how the pieces work. Here are the four main views that exist in the Church (know that many people fit into hybrids of these models).
Dispensational Premillenialism | the belief that Jesus will come back to earth after a seven year tribulation and will rule during a 1000-year millennium of peace (most dispensational premillenialists also believe that believers will be raptured before the tribulation). In the tribulation, many Jews turn to Christ and the Promised Land is returned to the nation of Israel.
Scriptural Support | 1 Thess. 5.9, Rev. 3.20, Genesis 15.7-21, Rev. 4-19 (fact that the church is not mentioned)
Prominent Theologians | Harry Ironside, John MacArthur, Charles Ryrie, Chuck Smith, J Nelson Darby, Norman Geisler
Historical Premillenialism | the belief that Christians will remain on Earth during the tribulation; the tribulation will purify the church by rooting out the false believers, and Jesus will return to reign on Earth for the millennium. The church has replaced Israel as God’s chosen people.
Scriptural Support | 2 Thess. 2.3-4, Rev. 2.22-23, Rev. 13.7, Jer. 7.6-7, Rom. 9.6-8
Prominent Theologians | Early Church Fathers, Charles Spurgeon, George Ladd, John Piper, Francis Schaeffer
Amillenialism | the belief that the millennium is the spiritual reign of Christ in the hearts of His followers. The tribulation represents the persecution of Christians over time in the church age. References to Israel are representative to the people of God on earth.
Scriptural Support | 2 Peter 3.8, Rom. 11.13-15, Dan. 12.2-3, John 5.28-29, Rev. 13.7
Prominent Theologians | John Calvin, Martin Luther, Abraham Kuyper, Stanley Grenz, JI Packer
Postmillenialism | the belief that the millennial reign represents a large period of time in which the world will submit to Jesus Christ through the preaching of the gospel and peace and prosperity will reign. Jesus will return at the conclusion of the millennium.
Scriptural Support | Matt. 24.14, Rom. 11.13-15, Dan. 12.2-3, John 5.28-29, Rev. 20.4
Prominent Theologians | Johnathan Edwards, BB Warfield, Charles Hodge, RC Sproul, Doug Wilson
For a great discussion of the differences between these views, watch An Evening of Eschatology, found here: http://www.desiringgod.org/conference-messages/an-evening-ofeschatology
‘Postmillennialism seems to honor the power of the gospel and the promises for the Old Testament for the triumph of God’s people over all the nations. Amillennialism seems to honor the warnings of bleak end times as well as the seamlessness between Christ’s coming and the immediate destruction of death, the removal of the enemies of the cross, and the beginning of the new heavens and new earth. Premillennialism seems to honor the plainest meaning of Revelation 20 and the seemingly literal meaning of many Old Testament promises.’
– An Evening of Eschatology (information page)
