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Historic Premillennialism. Jesus’ return will be preceded by signs and followed with a period of 1000 ears when Jesus will reign on earth as King. The return of Christ and the rapture are the same thing. (Papias, Irenaeus, Justin Martyr, Tertullian, George E. Ladd, J, Barton Payne, Alexander Reese, Millard Erickson.)

Dispensational Premillennialism. Jesus will come for his church (rapture) the 7-year tribulation will take place, then Jesus will return² with the church to earth to reign for 1000 years. (Modern: J.N. Darby, C.I. Scofield, Lewis S. Chafer, John Walvoord, Charles Feinberg, Charles Ryrie.)

Postmillennialism. The millennium is the earthly period of increasing peace and prosperity as the gospel is taught through teaching, preaching, evangelism and missionary activities. This age will be followed with Christ’s return. (Augustine, Loraine Boettner, S. Hodge, Charles Hodge, W.G.T. Shedd, A.H. Strong, B.B. Warfield, Daniel Whitby, James Snowden.)

Amillennialism. The millennium is figurative, not literal. We are living in the millennium as good and evil are growing in parallel. Jesus is reigning now in the hearts and minds of the faithful through his Word, his Spirit, and his church. Jesus’ second coming terminate the age and immediately precede the final judgment. (Louis Berkhof, G. Berkouwer, William Hendriksen, Abraham Kuyper, Leon Morris, Anthony Hoekema, Reformed theology, Roman Catholic Church.)

 

Notes:
(1) Adapted from: Charts of Christian Theology and Doctrine. H.Wayne House (1992), Zondervan Publishing House. Pgs. 133-136.
(2) This requires two future 'comings' (Greek: parousia, parousia) of Christ (a 2^nd and a 3^rd coming)!

Updated 2-13-2006
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