I am just curious as to the general opinion of my readership in regards to the 'thousand years' in Revelation. Toward what position do you lean? I will briefly describe the order of events in each view below:
Historic Pre-Millennialism (world getting worse) Tribulation, 2nd Coming, 1000 years, Judgment Day Dispensational Pre-Millennialism (world getting worse) Rapture, 7 year tribulation, 2nd Coming, 1000 years, Judgment Day Post-Millennialism (world getting better) Christianized 1000 years, 2nd Coming/Judgment Day (same event) A-Millennialism (world getting worse, church getting better) Millennium (symbolic for church age), 2nd Coming/Judgment Day (same event) Pan-Millennialism (I don't even know enough to guess and I don't care) It'll all pan out in the end* The above are generalities & sweeping statements. There is actually a fairly wide range of thought within each group.
6 comments:
I would describe myself as an amillennialist, except that I don't believe the millennium to describe the church age, but to be one picture of what Christ's reign looks like. That said, I don't know exactly how to read the post-millennium happenings of Satan and judgment.
I assume you are referring to Revelation 20:7-15 specifically? No doubt, that is a pretty difficult passage. I tend to think of Satan's release as an event that will occur just prior to the 2nd Coming (I tend toward interpreting 20:9b AS the 2nd Coming). His release is allowed for the purpose, in my mind, of aiding the final 'separation' of the wheat and the weeds within the institutional church. In other words, persecution usually causes the weeds to abandon field, so to speak.
just got an email from Sabrina Beverdam --- did you get it? she has a blog (sent to lots of people, didn't bother to check if you were on it)
sabrinainkorea.blogspot.com
thanks sarah, i added Sabrina :)
Which one to you pick if you feel it is worng to try to figure out or have an opinion on the events revelation or if you beleive that trying to figure it out induces your own personal tribulation?
I guess ultimatly I'll go with Doc Taylor - Post-trib and hoping I'm wrong.
I certainly agree that too much emphasis is placed on millennial views and end-times in general.
But I also observe an increasing apathy toward such things and I want to share my reasons for thinking these issues are important.
One's millennial view, especially for those who think about the issue, very practically affects one's mindset about the world. For instance, pre-millennialists generally think the world is getting worse and worse and is doing so inevitably. In that system, we are just 'holding on till Jesus comes.' Post-millennialists are the opposite. They think it is our duty and mission to Christiandize the world. And they think God will succeed in accomplishing this through the church, so they are quite optimistic. Amillennialists specifically think that Satan is currently bound, so this impacts the degree of victory they feel the church can have in Christ (as compared to Satan being 'alive and well' in premillennialism).
It impacts a lot
Premillennialists usually have less concern for the environment. After all, who cares? It won't be here long anyways. Post-millennialists are usually in favor of theocratic-like political ambitions. Amillennialists are often a-political, focusing solely on the church's role in the world.
Take the Middle East Crisis
Premillennialists mock peace talks, declaring them meaningless. Postmillennialists consider them very important. Amillennialists have no allegiance to political Israel and usually speak up for the Palestinian Christians.
Obviously I'm stereotyping and generalizing, but these issues to make a difference in our daily mindsets and handling of world affairs.
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