Our world is sinful and broken. But believers in Jesus Christ look forward with great hope to His return to restore the earth one day. This restoration includes a wonderful period of 1,000 years during which Christ will reign with His saints on Earth (Revelation 20:1–6). During this time, believers will experience peace, joy, and comfort. Lifetimes will be extended, animals will be at peace with one another, war and disease will be replaced with obedience and holiness, and Jerusalem will be the center of the world from which Christ will reign.
We call this period the Millennium, which comes from two Latin words: mille, meaning “thousand,” and annum, meaning “year.” However, theologians hold differing viewpoints as to the timing and nature of Jesus’ return in relation to the Millennium.
Postmillennialism
Postmillennialism is characterized by the belief that the Kingdom of God is present on Earth and that Jesus will return to Earth after the Millennium ends. Postmillennialists believe the church’s suffering will end and that a time of righteousness on Earth through the Holy Spirit’s saving work will occur before Christ returns. In this view, the Great Commission will become increasingly successful and grow the church, leading to a time of peace and prosperity. They believe this to be the Millennium, followed by Christ’s Second Coming.
Postmillennialists believe the church’s suffering will end and that a time of righteousness on Earth through the Holy Spirit’s saving work will occur before Christ returns.
This view trusts that the majority of people will be saved, and due to the united desire to seek God’s will, there will be a golden age of peace. Postmillennialists believe the Holy Spirit will convict most people’s hearts and that Christian influence will greatly further the Kingdom of God on Earth. In this case, most of the world living by God’s Word would create universal prosperity, initiating the Millennium before Christ’s return.
Amillennialism
Amillennialists believe in a symbolic Millennium that occurs before the Second Coming. They teach that the church is Israel and that we presently live in the Millennium as Christ and the saved souls in heaven reign. They believe Satan is currently bound, as he cannot prohibit the gospel’s spread, yet he persecutes the church. This view defines the 1,000 years of Revelation 20 figuratively, believing Christ’s rule from heaven spiritually fulfills this prophecy. Amillennialists believe Jesus inaugurated the Kingdom of God, which they equate with the Revelation 20 Millennial Kingdom, at His First Coming, as He said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Matthew 3:2).
Amillennialists believe in a symbolic Millennium that occurs before the Second Coming.
Amillennialism teaches that there is no future Israel and that God’s promises to the nation are fulfilled by Jesus Christ and the church during this present Church Age. Its proponents believe no future fulfillment is required because the church fulfills these promises.
Premillennialism
Premillennialists believe that the Rapture of the church will occur before the Tribulation. After the seven years of Tribulation, Jesus will return with the raptured church, ushering in the Millennium. Then, the Millennium will occur after Jesus’ future Second Coming. Premillennialists believe that the church is not Israel and that Jesus will reign from Jerusalem in the rebuilt Temple for 1,000 literal years.
Premillennialists believe that the Millennium will occur after Jesus’ future Second Coming.
Dr. Andy Woods made several observations defending Premillennialism:
1. “Although [Christ] is referred to as the head of His body the church (Ephesians 1:22; 4:15; 5:23; Colossians 1:18) or the groom of His bride the church (Ephesians 5:25), He is never specifically designated as the king of His church.”
2. Biblical prophecy concerning the coming Kingdom differs from the present spiritual realities in the Church Age. For example, during the Kingdom, Christ will rule the world with a rod of iron (Psalm 2:9; Revelation 12:5), delivering immediate justice against sin (Zechariah 14:16–18; Revelation 20:7–10), while the Church Age is characterized by spiritual immaturity (1 Corinthians 3:1–3).
3. The New Testament describes the church as an heir of the coming Kingdom, not a ruler in a present kingdom (Acts 14:22; 2 Thessalonians 1:5; 2 Timothy 4:18; 2 Peter 1:11).
4. The church does not presently reign in Kingdom glory; it suffers within a hostile, sinful world (John 15:18–19; Romans 13:12; 2 Timothy 3:12).
Which View Is Best?
Having taught the Holy Scriptures for 49 years, I am increasingly concerned about false teaching in eschatology. The apostle Paul warned young pastor Timothy that “in the last days perilous times shall come” (2 Timothy 3:1). I believe we are living in those perilous times.
Remember Dr. David L. Cooper’s rule of biblical interpretation: “When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense.” By interpreting Scripture literally, we believe the premillennial understanding of Jesus’ return to Earth. I encourage you to pray for the Lord’s direction as you faithfully study Scripture, seeking to know Him better and looking with great hope to His return to reign with His saints.
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Comments 2
Thank you for the article. I’m confused about your statement that “Premillennialists believe that the Rapture of the church will occur before the Tribulation.” I know premillennialists who believe in different timings of the Rapture – before or during the Tribulation or at the Second Coming – but before the beginning of the Millennium. Could you clarify that, please? Maranatha.
You didn’t include either the post-trib or mid-trib rapture. Premillennialism does include them, as well as mid-tribs. To be fair, you should have at least mentioned them.