Let’s briefly look at some millennial definitions. First of all, what does “millennium” mean?
In eschatology (the study of Last Things) millennium is a word used for a period of time. It is taken from the Latin meaning “thousand.” In Revelation 20:1-7 the Greek word “chilioi” (thousand) is used six times and essentially means one thousand years.
There are three main millennial views:
Amillennialism
In Greek grammar a word is negated by placing the letter “a” in front of it. Hence the word amillennialism actually means “no millennium.” The confusing aspect of this is that amillennialists believe we are living in a current “millennium” and it is spiritual. Accordingly, they say there will be no future literal, physical millennium. The eternal state immediately follows the second coming of Christ.
Amillennialists also take the view that the church is the New Spiritual Israel.
Postmillennialism
The term post – millennial expresses the idea that Christ returns after the millennium. Postmillennialism agrees with the amillennial view that there is no literal future thousand years. Some postmils see the millennium as a future spiritual state. They view the present age as slowly merging into a future spiritual millennium. This future “golden age millennium” is achieved by Christians spreading the gospel. Christ returns some time following the “golden age” period and the eternal state is ushered in.
Postmillennialists also see the church as the New Spiritual Israel.
Premillennialism
Premillennialism is the view that there will by a literal future period of one thousand years which is initiated by Christ’s second coming. The termination of this thousand year period ushers in the eternal state. See Revelation chapter 20 and 21. Premillennialism may also be divided into two categories: Historic Premillennialism and Dispensational Premillennialism.
a) Historic Premillennialism
While there are variations within HP – proponents generally hold to Covenant Theology. A summary of Covenant Theology states that:
Covenant theology holds to two or three theological covenants. They believe there is a Covenant of Works (between God and Adam), a Covenant of Grace (between God and the elect, some say all of fallen humanity), and possibly a Covenant of Redemption (among the Members of the Godhead). None of these are found in the Bible. Concerning the Covenant of Works, Hodge states directly that it “does not rest upon any express declaration of the Scriptures.” ~ Charles Ray, “Systematic Theology and Premillennialism,” The Conservative Theological Journal, Vol. 8 No. 24, August, 2004, 165-191, p. 168.
Many blur the distinctions between Israel and the church and use the New Testament to reinterpret the Old Testament prophecies – especially regarding Israel (Blomberg, Ladd etc). This blurring of Israel and the church means that HP proponents do not necessarily see a need for the existence of national Israel prior to Christ’s second coming. They also deny Israel’s prominence during Christ’s millennial rule.
More can be said here, but this is a general guideline.
b) Dispensational Premillennialism
This last view is the one which we hold to. Dispensational Premillennialism draws a firm distinction between Israel and the church. It does not reinterpret the Old Testament using the New Testament. It teaches that Israel must be in the land prior to Christ’s return and that it features prominently in the millennial period. Furthermore, Dispensational Premillenialism teaches that the seven year period prior to Christ’s return is Daniel’s 70th week. See HERE
For those interested in further millennial studies, more information can be obtained from John Walvoord’s website HERE.
I also highly recommend reading Paul N. Benware’s Understanding End Times Prophecy
Purchase Paul Benware’s Understanding End Times Prophecy !
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