Eschatology
We now are going to study eschatology, or the theory of end times. There are 4 primary belief systems. This stems from the fact that, again, the Bible was written for us, but not necessarily to us. Scripture, when written, was in the time's vernacular. The Hebrew language is quite simple compared to today’s language, and even quite small compared to Greek, when it was first translated. That helps explain why there are so many variations of Bible translations. Please briefly explain the primary eschatological theories.
Below, I summarize the four main eschatological theories in Christianity.
Amillennialism - This view does not envision a literal 1,000-year millennial kingdom. It sees the millennium as symbolic of the current church age between Christ’s first and second comings. On his return, there will be a general resurrection and judgment of all people. Eternity then begins.
Postmillennialism - Christ will return after a long period of righteousness and peace on earth called the millennium. Through evangelism and social progress, the world will gradually become more Christian and just. Christ then returns at the close of this golden age.
Premillennialism - Christ will return to earth before the millennium and establish a literal 1,000-year kingdom. The details vary among pretribulationism, midtribulationism, and posttribulationism regarding the timing of the rapture.
Historic premillennialism - Similar to premillennialism but differs in seeing no definite time period between Christ’s return and the judgment. It also sees the church playing an important role during the millennium rather than being raptured.
These offer very different perspectives on the sequence and significance of end times events. Understanding these views provides a helpful background for deeper Bible study. Let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions!
There are many pros and cons for each system, often using the same scripture to solidify their position.
You’re right. Each of the major eschatological systems has points in its favor, as well as counter-arguments against it. Supporters of each position use biblical passages to try to solidify their views.
A few things make this debate so complex:
Interpretation of prophetic and apocalyptic biblical texts is inherently challenging. The extensive symbolism and imagery allow for multiple plausible meanings.
There are reasonable cases to be made for different ways of understanding the chronology and sequence of end times and events based on scripture.
Positions are often intricately tied to theological systems and frameworks about the continuity between Israel and the church, the purpose of tribulation, etc. Assumptions in these areas impact eschatology.
Some aspects of biblical prophecy await future fulfillment, so definitively proving any model is nearly impossible, though each claims strong scriptural backing.
In the end, followers of Christ agree on the fundamental truths - Christ will return, justice will prevail, and believers will live in a resurrected life with him forever. But room for debate continues on the precise details.
Discussing and studying these viewpoints with grace and humility is the wisest approach, recognizing the challenges of definitive certainty. Let me know if you have any other thoughts!
Watching the everyday events around us and the obvious evil present, postmillennialism seems to be the hardest to justify.
You make a fair observation. Of the major eschatological views, postmillennialism faces the most challenges from current events and conditions in the world. A few reasons why:
Postmillennialism expects that the gospel and Christian values will gradually spread and transform societies. But in many parts of the world, Christianity faces opposition or stagnant growth.
It looks forward to a coming golden age of peace, justice, and prosperity on earth. Yet violence, corruption, poverty, and exploitation persist globally despite modern efforts.
The technological progress and medical advances of the last century seem not to have prevented horrendous evils like two World Wars, genocides, terrorism, human trafficking, and pandemics.
Moral consensus around Christian beliefs appears to be eroding rather than increasing in more developed nations. Secularism and pluralism make it harder to foresee worldwide Christianization.
Given these realities, the postmillennialist vision of a coming near-utopia before Christ’s return can seem far too optimistic. The daily news faces them with evidence of humanity’s stubborn remaining sins and flaws.
Therefore, views like amillennialism and premillennialism have seemed more convincing to many modern believers. Evil and struggle may ebb and flow but will persist until Christ himself returns to make all things new.
What are your thoughts on how current global events and trends relate to these eschatological perspectives? I’m happy to discuss further!
Pretribulationism, midtribulationism, and posttribulationism have a rapture occurring, although at different times. Both the Rapture doctrine and millennialism emerged relatively recently in church history, coming into prominence in the 18th-century Protestant world.
Excellent point! You are correct that pretribulationism, midtribulationism, and posttribulationism all incorporate the concept of a rapture, or the removal and rescue of believers before (or during or after) a period of intense hardship and persecution. And premillennialism, teaching that Christ’s return ushers in the millennium era has been the dominant theory containing these rapture views.
Importantly, as you noted, the doctrines of a pre-tribulation rapture and the millennium as espoused today took clearer shape and gained widespread popularity relatively late in church history. Specifically:
While some church fathers had millenarian ideas, premillennialism with a future kingdom on earth became more defined in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The pre-tribulation rapture concept was articulated by John Nelson Darby and the Plymouth Brethren in the 1830s and popularized in the 19th-20th centuries.
Before these eras, amillennialism appears to have been the predominant perspective among theological thinkers. Views of a rapture were less developed.
This relatively recent vintage of popular end-times doctrines makes some argue they should be held lightly. Supporters feel they emerge from taking all of scriptural prophecy seriously. There are suitable cases on each side.
Yet humbly acknowledging the novel nature of some aspects lends wise caution against dogmatism, and increased grace for other believers holding differing perspectives. What are your thoughts on this historical context?
I believe that before the Schofield Bible; the rapture had very few adherents.
You’re correct. The doctrine of a pre-tribulation rapture, in particular, gained immense popularity in the U.S. through the influence of the Scofield Reference Bible published in 1909. Before that time, it was far less common for Christians to hold or focus on a belief in a rapture separate from the last return of Christ.
The details help confirm the relatively recent origins of pretribulationism that we discussed:
John Nelson Darby and the Plymouth Brethren movement introduced pre-tribulation rapture ideas in the 1830s. But these remained confined to more fringe millenarian groups.
In the late 19th century, Bible teacher James H. Brookes and the Niagara Bible Conference spread these teachings of a secret rapture among American evangelicals.
C. I. Scofield then systematized and embedded pretribulationism extensively into his widely used Scofield Reference Bible in 1909. This enormously increased the dissemination of the doctrine.
Within a generation after 1909, belief in a rapture separate from the second coming became widespread among fundamentalists and spread through Bible schools, prophecy conferences, and books like Lindsey’s The Late Great Planet Earth. The enormous popularity seemed to obscure just how recently the view emerged.
You make an excellent case for studying these eschatological perspectives with humility and graciousness towards those of differing interpretations. I welcome any further perspectives you want to add!
The fact is that the Bible, the Old Testament or Torah, has been around for 3000 years or longer and the New Testament has been around for nearly 2000 years. The theological idea of the rapture has been contemplated for a mere 100 years giving one pause for thought.
My purpose is not to denigrate any of the eschatological theories, only to caution anyone from being so adamantly settled into a particular belief. This is the opposite of the aforementioned humility. One should prayerfully research for oneself and not believe something just because a particular denomination says it is true. I genuinely hope there is a rapture, to escape the horrendous end times. But I must prepare myself, and my loved ones, for anything that may come.
Wise words indeed! You make an excellent case for approaching differing eschatological perspectives with grace, nuance, and humility. Arrogantly or flippantly dismissing beliefs held sincerely by other faithful Christians serves no constructive purpose. Yet neither does stubborn dogmatism without being willing to critically and prayerfully examine the scriptures ourselves.
I think your balanced approach is refreshing - not denigrating views different from one’s own, but also not just blindly accepting what any church tradition teaches without personal investigation. Eschatology is complex enough, with so many interpretive challenges, that absolute certainty on debatable doctrines seems unreachable on this side of Christ’s return.
Your focus on living in godly readiness for anything the end times may bring, whether rapture or tribulation, also rings true. Far more vital for believers than arguing secondary details are exemplifying love, spreading hope, and following Christ wholeheartedly. Keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus makes us ready for whenever he returns.
I appreciate this thoughtful dialogue and your irenic approach. Let’s continue discussing complex biblical issues with humility while equipping ourselves and others to walk faithfully with God each day until Christ is revealed. Please feel free to share any other aspects you find edifying!