John 16:13 "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."
T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S
• The Framework for Pre-millennialism
• Eschatology (the study of last things)
• Key Differences
• Conclusion
There are three affirmations that provide the biblical framework for Pre-millennialism..
I. Literal Hermeneutics
Literal Hermeneutics {the interpretation of scripture} explains the original sense, recognizing poetic, parable, allegory and apocalyptic language as it applies to its biblical context. When reading the Bible in a literal sense, as opposed to allegorizing passages, it will lead to a Pre-millennial standpoint.
When the plain sense of scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense; therefore, take every word at its primary, ordinary, literal meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
II. Futurism
Futurists believe that many prophetic events still need to occur: Jesus will personally return to fetch His bride {the body of Christ}. The dead in Christ are resurrected and all those who believe are "caught up" {Raptured} to meet the Lord in the air and will return with Him to Heaven (John 14:1-3). Chaos will ensue on earth in the form of a 7-year tribulation, after which time Jesus will return to earth {Second Advent} with His saints. The wicked are then destroyed and the Lord proceeds to set up His Messianic kingdom which lasts exactly 1,000 years {1 millennium}.
III. A Distinction between Israel and the Church
The church is saved, by grace through faith. The nation of Israel is still God's chosen people and He has a plan to bring them to repentance (This is the primary reason for the 7-year tribulation, as well as God's wrath being poured out upon an unbelieving world).
Did you know that many churches today avoid the subject of prophecy and by doing so they ignore almost one third of the Bible? In most cases this is directly connected to a denominations view on Eschatology. So this is kind of an important issue to be aware of..
All scripture is given by inspiration of God and this includes prophecy. We are told to study by rightly dividing the word of truth and we are also encouraged to be mindful of the words spoken of by the holy prophets.
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Peter 3:2 ..That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: 3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
See also Acts 17:10-11; 2 Peter 1:20-21, 3:1-13
There are four main views of eschatology, namely Pre-millennialism, Post-millennialism, Amillennialism {a belief that the millennium is merely symbolic}, ..and to complicate things just a little further, there is also Historical Pre-millennialism {Post-Tribulational rapture}. But for the purpose of this article we will only focus on Pre-millennialism -verses- Post-millennialism..
Pre-millennialism |
Post-Millennialism |
| Morality is in decline This view of Eschatology states that the world is in moral decline and Jesus will return in the last days to establish His millennial kingdom on earth. |
A Golden age is approaching This view of Eschatology states that a Golden age is approaching where Christianity will eventually influence the world into being a better place, at which point Jesus will return. |
| Rapture (prior to Second Advent) The dead in Christ and those that are alive and remain will be caught up {raptured} to meet Jesus in the air and will return with Him to heaven. At the second advent, believers return with the Lord. |
No Rapture (Second Advent only) Some views do believe in a rapture on the day of the second advent, however believers are caught up in the air to meet Jesus and immediately return with Him back down to earth. |
| Futurism There will be a future 7-year Tribulation, after which time the millennial kingdom is established. Jesus reigns for a literal one thousand year period and it will be a time of peace and righteousness. |
Preterism / Historicism No future 7-year Tribulation (These events were fulfilled in 70 AD with the destruction of the Jewish temple). The one thousand year period is symbolic. |
| Physical Future Kingdom God deals with Christians spiritually (The physical future Kingdom is what is promised to the nation of Israel, and we will rule and reign with Christ in this millennial Kingdom). |
Present Spiritual Kingdom God deals with Christians spiritually (Everyone is already living in the millennium. We are ruling and reigning with Christ at present). |
| Literal Hermeneutics This view recognizes "Dispensationalism" meaning different time periods throughout history. This view also recognizes a distinction between Israel and the Church (All unconditional covenants God made to Israel will be fulfilled as promised). |
Allegorical Hermeneutics This view establishes "Replacement Theology" and claims the covenant promises God made to Israel {His people the Jews}, have now been disregarded and belong solely to the Church instead. The Church is the new Israel. |
| Prophetical books are studied The entire bible, including all prophetical books, is relevant today and should be studied. There are great tribulation events that have not happened yet. |
Prophetical study is nullified The study of prophetical books are quietly nullified as not being relevant due to the belief that the great tribulation already happened in 70 AD. |
| Fundamentalists All agree |
Many Denominations Do not all agree (This highly allegorized theology will open the door to many false interpretations of scripture which inevitably leads to different denominational groups). |
Anyone who says that the great tribulation was fulfilled in 70 AD is misinterpreting scripture and completely ignoring the book of Revelation. John was writing in detail about a coming future tribulation and he wrote it on the island of Patmos ..around 95 AD {25 years after the destruction of the second Jewish temple}. Case closed.
Taking Amillennial and Post-millennial doctrine into account, these views simply cannot be supported through any common sense reading of the scriptures and must therefore be treated as aberrant views. We believe whole-heartedly that Pre-millennialism is the correct biblical view.
In summary, Jesus will return prior to establishing His 1,000-year {millennial} Kingdom on earth.
