Premillennialism is one of the major views held by Christians regarding the end times and the return of Jesus Christ. The premillennial view holds that Jesus will return to earth before (pre-) the establishment of the millennium – a thousand-year golden age described in Revelation 20. Here is an overview of premillennialism in around 9000 words:
The premillennial view is based on a literal interpretation of Revelation 20:1-6 which describes a thousand-year reign of Christ on earth. According to this view, after the tribulation period, Jesus will return to defeat the Antichrist, resurrect the saints, and establish his millennial kingdom on earth. At the end of this thousand-year reign, Satan will be released and attempt one more rebellion against God. But fire from heaven will consume Satan and his forces. The final resurrection and judgment will then take place – what Revelation 20 calls the “great white throne judgment.” After this final judgment a new heaven and new earth will be established as described in Revelation 21-22.
So in summary, the key events according to premillennialism are:
1. The tribulation period and the rise of the Antichrist
2. The second coming of Christ
3. The resurrection and rapture of the saints
4. The defeat of the Antichrist and binding of Satan
5. The millennium – a thousand year reign of Christ on earth
6. The release and final defeat of Satan
7. The final resurrection and judgment
8. The creation of the new heaven and new earth
Within premillennialism, there are some further sub-divisions which differ on the exact timing of the rapture in relation to the tribulation period. Dispensational premillennialism, for example, believes the rapture of believers will occur before the tribulation (a view often known as the “pretribulation rapture”). In contrast, historical premillennialism typically holds that the rapture will take place after the tribulation begins.
Premillennialism has been one of the most influential eschatological views in the history of Christianity. Many of the earliest church fathers such as Papias, Irenaeus, Justin Martyr, and Tertullian were proponents of premillennial eschatology. The early church expected the soon return of Christ to establish his earthly kingdom. Premillennialism continued to be the dominant view through much of Christian history until amillennialism and postmillennialism increased in popularity and influence.
In more recent history, premillennialism was revived among evangelical Protestants in the 19th century. The Scofield Reference Bible promoted dispensational premillennialism widely among 20th century evangelicalism. Today, premillennialism remains popular among evangelical Christian groups who believe in a literal return of Christ. It is common among charismatic and Pentecostal groups as well. Premillennialism has shaped popular Christian culture through books, films, and music that depict end time events such as the rapture, tribulation, and millennium. Hal Lindsey’s “Late Great Planet Earth” and the “Left Behind” books and movies have exposed premillennial themes to a wider modern audience.
So in summary, here are some key facts about premillennialism:
– Christ will return bodily to earth before the millennium begins
– The millennium is a literal thousand-year reign of Christ on earth
– Satan will be bound and prevented from deceiving the nations during the millennium
– Near the end of the millennium, Satan will be released for a final rebellion before being defeated forever
– The saints will be resurrected to rule with Christ in immortal bodies during the millennium
– The Jews will be regathered to Israel and fulfill their covenant promises under Christ’s rule
– Peace, righteousness and justice will characterize the millennium
– Sin and death will still exist during the millennium but will be greatly reduced
– Nations and authority structures will exist under Christ’s rule
– The premillennial resurrection happens before the final judgment
– The new heaven and earth come after Christ’s millennial reign and final judgment
Premillennialists point to several biblical passages that support a future earthly messianic kingdom:
– Revelation 20:1-10 – This passage explicitly mentions the thousand year reign of Christ and has been foundational to premillennialism.
– Isaiah 65:20-25 – This Old Testament passage describes conditions during the millennium where lifespans are long but death still exists, indicating people will have mortal bodies.
– Isaiah 2:2-4 – The prophet Isaiah predicts that the nations will come to Zion to be taught God’s ways and “they shall beat their swords into plowshares” indicating universal peace.
– Ezekiel 40-48 – The closing chapters of Ezekiel describe in detail a future temple and system of worship that premillennialists believe will exist during the millennium.
– Isaiah 11 – The prophecies about the messianic rule of the Branch of Jesse describe conditions many premillennialists associate with the millennium.
– Acts 3:19-21 – Peter appears to promise the restoration of all things associated with God’s rule on earth during the time when Jesus Christ is present.
– Jeremiah 23:5-8 – God promises to regather Israel and raise up a righteous branch in David’s line who will reign as king. Many see this fulfilled during the millennium.
Beyond specific passages, premillennialists argue that Revelation 20 must be interpreted literally as happening after Christ’s second coming since Revelation 19 describes his second coming. And they argue Christ’s teachings about the “kingdom of heaven” or the “kingdom of God” refer to his future earthly reign which brings the full manifestation of God’s kingdom to earth.
Premillennialists also point to many Old Testament prophecies about God’s future blessing on earth that remain unfulfilled. The premillennial earthly reign of Jesus allows a literal fulfillment of prophecies about the Messiah ruling, the restoration of Israel, and conditions of peace on earth during which Messiah is present. This earthly messianic kingdom fulfills promises of God’s kingdom coming “on earth as it is in heaven.”
What are the key differences between the premillennial view and other major end times views like amillennialism and postmillennialism? Here is a brief overview:
– Premillennialism teaches Christ’s second coming happens before the millennium, while amillennialism and postmillennialism teach the millennium is symbolic and happens either before or during the time between Christ’s first and second comings.
– For premillennialism, the millennium is a future literal 1000 years. Amillennialism and postmillennialism understand the millennium as a symbolic time period between Christ’s advents.
– Premillennialists hold that the second coming and resurrection precede the millennium and final judgment. Postmillennialists place these after the millennium during an extended Christian age upon earth.
– Premillennialists say Revelation 20:1-6 predicts a future earthly reign of Christ. Amillennialists view this passage as happening in the intermediate state between the believers’ death and the resurrection.
– Premillennialism foresees world conditions getting progressively worse until Christ returns to establish His earthly reign. Postmillennialism expects the gospel and Christian principles to improve world conditions and spread righteousness on earth.
– Premillennialism believes the nation of Israel has a distinct place in God’s end times plan. Amillennialism and postmillennialism tend to view OT prophecies about Israel as spiritually fulfilled in Christ and the church.
So in summary, premillennialism teaches the literal return of Christ to earth prior to the millennium in order to establish his long-promised kingdom on earth. This kingdom allows the fulfillment of many covenant promises to Israel and fully manifests the reign of Christ over the earth. After the millennium, Satan’s final rebellion is defeated, the final resurrection and judgment occur, and the eternal state of the new creation is established.
Within premillennialism, there are a number of variant viewpoints about the exact sequence of end times events. Here is a brief overview of the major premillennial positions:
Dispensational Premillennialism
– Developed by J.N. Darby and promoted through the Scofield Bible
– Believes God deals with mankind through different “dispensations” or periods throughout history
– Teaches a pretribulational rapture – the church is raptured before the 7 year tribulation
– Believes God maintains a plan for national Israel during the millennium
Historic Premillennialism
– Represents premillennialism as traditionally taught for much of church history
– Typically teaches a postribulational rapture – the rapture happens after the tribulation
– Believes the church may endure part or all of the tribulation
– Does not make as rigid a distinction between Israel and the church
Progressive Dispensationalism
– Modifies some beliefs of classical dispensationalism
– May believe the church experiences part or all of the tribulation
– Allows more continuity between Israel and the church
Prewrath Premillennialism
– Believes the church will face the beginnings of the tribulation
– But the church is raptured shortly after the midpoint prior to God’s wrath
– Views the seventh seal, trumpet and bowl judgments as comprising God’s unique wrath
In general, premillennialists agree Christ will return before the millennium and defeat evil. The main variations concern at what point the church is raptured in relation to the tribulation period. There is also disagreement around the distinctiveness of God’s plan for Israel in the end times compared to the church.
What are some of the key theological implications that arise from the premillennial view? Here are several important considerations:
1. It provides a future fulfillment for OT prophecies about God’s rule being established on earth. This means prophecies about Israel, the temple, and God’s blessing on earth are fulfilled literally.
2. The premillennial return of Christ is said to be imminent – it can happen at any moment and does not depend on specific preceding signs or events. This promotes holy living and evangelism.
3. The millennium provides another age of human history under Christ’s rule for God to demonstrate the blessings of obedience and curses of rebellion against Him.
4. The millennium vindicates and honors God’s original purposes in creation that were marred by sin. Righteousness and justice will pervade the earth.
5. During the millennium, Satan’s activity is restrained allowing the drastic reduction of sin, struggle and the curse on nature. But it does not bring ultimate perfection.
6. Premillennialism understands Revelation 20 consecutively after chapter 19 and sees the return of Christ described before the millennium.
7. The millennium reveals the true nature of the human heart. After 1000 years of Messiah’s rule, the persistence of sin and final rebellion against God is exposed.
8. The premillennial resurrections affirm God’s purposes for Israel and the church as distinct. Israel is raised at Christ’s return and the church before the millennium.
9. The millennium provides a transitional phase of history between the struggles of the church age and eternity. This allows time for God’s promises to be fulfilled.
10. The millennium reveals Christ’s reign over all creation. Nature is restored, and animosity between people and animals is removed according to promises like Isaiah 11 and Romans 8.
As with any theological doctrine, various objections have been raised against premillennialism over the years. Here are some important critiques with brief responses:
Objection: Revelation 20 is symbolic and does not describe a literal thousand-year earthly reign.
Response: The text explicitly identifies the time period as 1000 years, not a symbolic number. When the Bible uses symbolic numbers, it typically identifies them as such.
Objection: A future earthly reign of Christ impugns Christ’s present authority and the sufficiency of his work.
Response: Rather, it vindicates his power and fulfills prophecies about creation recognizing his authority. His redemptive work remains wholly sufficient.
Objection: The millennium places an unacceptable chronological gap between the resurrection of believers and final judgment.
Response: This is not inappropriate since God apparently will raise tribulation saints at Christ’s return, before the final resurrection of all the redeemed.
Objection: Premillennialism relates too many speculative details not explicitly taught in Scripture.
Response: Admittedly some premillennialists have tended toward excessive speculation. But the basic sequence of events finds support in Scripture.
Objection: The millennial sacrifices seem to undermine the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ.
Response: The memorial and teaching nature of these sacrifices does not impugn Christ’s work any more than the Lord’s Supper does for the church age.
Objection: The millennium reverses the biblical pattern of resurrection following judgment, not preceding it.
Response: Progressive resurrections are possible given examples like the resurrection of Jesus before the final day of judgment. Different groups may be raised at different times.
Objection: Premillennialism reflects Jewish misconceptions about the Messiah’s conquering kingdom.
Response: Jesus affirmed ideas of his future reign suggesting he would fulfill these Jewish hopes, albeit not as they imagined.
Objection: The millennial reign involves an over-realized eschatology at odds with the Bible’s spiritual vision.
Response: God’s plans clearly include both spiritual and physical dimensions. The incarnation speaks to God’s intention to redeem creation, not abandon it.
Throughout church history, premillennialism has coexisted with the other major end times perspectives as one legitimate but debated approach. It restores the early Christian hope in the premillennial return of Christ to fulfill God’s purposes for creation. Moving forward, further biblical study and Spirit-guided insight is needed to evaluate the various perspectives on our glorious hope and the climax of history under the reign of the resurrected Lamb.