The Doctrine of Eschatology: Millennial Views
Chris Hefner
Key Text: Revelation 20:1-10
Major Millennial Views:
1. Premillennialism: Christ returns before the millennial reign.
2. Classic Dispensationalism: Schofield reference Bible; view is nearly heretical with God bringing about salvation in different ways in the OT as compared to the NT; very distinct views between promises to Israel and the church.
3. Progressive Dispensationalism: adopts much from inaugurated eschatology and the already/not yet tension; shaped by the Israel/church formulation from Covenant Theology. (In both forms of dispensationalism, God’s theological/historical interventions with regard to salvation and redemption are shaped by the dispensation [that is OT or NT] in which persons find themselves.
4. Historic Premillennialism: shares some similarities with the eschatological framework of progressive dispensationalism but is an altogether different system due to rejection of a dispensational understanding of redemption history.
5. Postmillennialism: Jesus’ return is ushered in by the spread of the gospel and the victory of the kingdom of God through his people.
6. Liberal Postmillennialism: the social gospel, the kingdom of God, and scientific advancements progress the world to an almost utopia before the return of Christ.
7. Theonomic Postmillennialism: the business of the church is to work toward a theocracy by integrating OT Law system with NT theology.
8. Dominion Postmillennialism: Charismatic in influence where the people of God gain “dominion” over wealth, prosperity, and the enemy to usher in the kingdom.
9. Reformed Postmillennialism: the millennial age commences at some point during the present age through the preaching of the gospel in which the kingdom of God triumphs over the kingdoms of this world.
10. Amillennialism: the millennium refers to the entire period of time between Christ’s two advents; thus the millennium in Rev. 20 is symbolic.
Theological Takeaway: No matter the eschatological millennial position you prefer, let the Bible interpret your position, not your position dictate the Bible.
Worship Takeaway: That Jesus is the Coming King means that we can worship him as the King today.
Evangelistic Takeaway: Our responsibility today as part of Christ’s here and now kingdom is to spread the gospel and make disciples.
Relational Takeaway: We should interact with patience and grace toward fellow believers who hold different views than we do.
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