TRIBULATION AND MILLENNIAL VIEWS

TRIBULATION AND MILLENNIUM VIEWS; By Russell Earl Kelly, PHD; October 30, 2019

POST-MILLENNIALISM:

This was the most popular interpretation before two world wars.

1.THE CHURCH AGE IS THE MILLENNIUM.

2. The Church’s influence will grow and prosper.

3. The Church will evangelize the whole world.

4. Life will be better and better on earth.

5. Jesus Christ will return.

6. Judgment will occur.

7. Eternity will follow.

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISM:

1. The SDA Church will evangelize the world to warn it of Christ’s return.

2. A prophetic time of 1260 years from 538-1798 is the reign of the Antichrist Roman Catholic Church persecuting the Church.

3. Antichrist, will die, be resurrected and persecute Sabbath-keepers who do not worship on Sunday.

4. Following a period of great crisis of faith, Christ will return, resurrect saints, catch up Sabbath-keepers and kill all who do not worship on the Saturday-Sabbath.

5. The 1000-year Millennium occurs on desolated Earth inhabited only by Satan.

6. The 1000-year Millennium will end when Satan and resurrected unbelievers are judged and quickly destroyed in the Lake of Fire.

7. Eternity follows.

AMILLENNIALISM:

1. Often found in history among Church theologians, this interpretation began growing around 1850.

2. There will be no literal 1000-year reign of Christ on earth.

3. God’s promises to national Israel ended at Calvary.

4. Prophecy, especially Revelation, is to be interpreted symbolically.

5. The Church is now spiritual literal.

6. The 7 churches, 7 seals, 7 trumpets, 7 vials and 1000-years of Revelation cover the same period of the Church Age.

7. Jesus will return at the end of a period of tribulation.

8. One resurrection and one judgment will be followed by eternity.

PRE-TRIBULATIONISM:

1. Popular during the first 300 years of the Church, this interpretation gained around 1850 because of the literal interpretation by John Nelson Darby.

2. The unconditional promises to national Israel are interpreted literally.

3. Differences between promises to the Church and national Israel are emphasized.

4. Restoration of national Israel and removal of the Church before tribulation are taught.

5. Seven years of tribulation and great tribulation precede the Second Coming in glory.

6. A literal 1000-year Messianic reign of Christ on earth is prominent.

7. A final resurrection, destruction of earth, judgment and eternity on a new earth follow.