Carol Swenson
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Basic Theology
Things to Come
Eschatology means the theology of last things. That study can cover all things that were future at the time of their writing, or it can include only those things which are still future from our present vantage point. It deals with the consummation of all things, both those things which relate to individuals and to the world.
![[Smile]](smile.gif) Premillennialism
The second coming of Christ will be followed by the establishing of His kingdom on earth for 1,000 years.
DOCTRINAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PREMILLENNIALISM
A. Concerning the Bible
Premillennialists hold a high view of Scripture. It is probably safe to say that pretribulational premillennialists believe in the inerrancy of the Bible almost without exception.
B. Concerning the Millennium
All forms of premillennialism understand that the Millennium follows the second coming of Christ. Its duration will be 1,000 years; its location will be on this earth; its government will be theocratic with the personal presence of Christ reigning as King; and it will fulfill all the yet-unfulfilled promises about the earthly kingdom.
C. Concerning the Covenant
Premillennialists understand that the promise of the Abrahamic Covenant giving to Abraham’s descendants the land from the river of Egypt to the River Euphrates has never been fulfilled but will be fulfilled in the coming millennial kingdom (Gen. 15:18). The promises of the Davidic Covenant also necessitate the establishment of the millennial kingdom for their fulfillment (2 Sam. 7:12-16).
D. Concerning The Church
Dispensational premillennialists consistently distinguish the church from Israel. Because the church does not fulfill the yet-unfulfilled promises made to Israel, there must be a time when they will be fulfilled, and that time is in the Millennium.
Amillennialism
View that holds that there will be no Millennium before the end of the world and teaches a parallel development of good and evil until the end.
DOCTRINAL CHARACTERISTICS OF AMILLENNIALISM
A. Concerning the Bible
In general, amillennialists hold a high view of the inspiration and authority of the Bible. If some do not, it is not their amillennialism that causes this. One need only recall names like Oswald T. Allis, William Hendriksen, and Anthony A. Hoekema, all amillennialists, yet strong proponents of the infallibility of the Scriptures.
B. Concerning the Millennium
Among conservative amillennialists two views exist concerning the Millennium. One sees fulfillment of millennial passages to be in the present age by the church on earth (e.g., Allis and Berkhof). The other finds fulfillment by the saints in heaven now (e.g., Warfield and Floyd Hamilton). Both views agree that there will be no future earthly kingdom.
C. Concerning the Covenants
Premillennialists lean on the argument that the biblical covenants contain promises yet unfulfilled and requiring an earthly Millennium if they are fulfilled literally. Amillennialists say that those promises are fulfilled spiritually in the church, or that the promises need not be fulfilled at all since they were conditional and the conditions were not met.
D. Concerning the Church
Amillennialists see the church as fulfilling God’s promises in an antitypical and spiritual way. The church is a heavenly, spiritual kingdom, whereas the Millennium of premillennialism is a carnal, earthly kingdom. (But cannot the church be described as earthly and carnal? And cannot the future kingdom be described as spiritual?) The church fulfills the promises, and the new heaven and new earth which immediately follow the Church Age consummate history.
Postmillennialism
The kingdom is now being extended in the world by preaching the Gospel so that the world will be Christianized for a millennial time after which Christ will return.
DOCTRINAL CHARACTERISTICS OF POSTMILLENNIALISM
A. Concerning the Bible
Biblical postmillennialists believe in the authority of the Bible. Of course, liberals who expect a Golden Age to come through human efforts have a kind of postmillennial view of history though it is not biblically based.
B. Concerning the Power of God
Their confidence in the power of God causes them to believe that the Great Commission will be fulfilled in that most of the world will be saved. To believe otherwise makes the Commission ineffective and the power of God impotent.
C. Concerning the Church
The church, fulfilling the Great Commission, will be the instrument to bring about and promote the Millennium on earth.
D. Concerning the Return of Christ
Postmillennialists believe in the actual return of Christ at the conclusion of the Millennium. His return will be followed immediately by the general resurrection and judgment.
E. Concerning the Millennium
1. Length. The Millennium, according to postmillennialism, will be an extended period of time, not necessarily a thousand years. It may perhaps be much longer than a literal 1,000 years.
2. Beginning. Some understand that the Millennium will begin gradually; others see a more abrupt beginning to the spread of righteousness throughout the earth.
3. Characteristics. The Millennium will be a time of peace, material prosperity, and spiritual welfare on the earth. However, not all will be saved, nor will all sin be eradicated. But Christian principles will be the rule, not the exception, and sin will be reduced to negligible proportions.
4. Activities. Some postmillennialists allow for a brief time of apostasy at the conclusion of the Millennium just prior to the return of Christ (see Boettner, p. 69).
F. Concerning Satan
Postmillennialists understand Satan is bound at all times in that he is always under God’s control. But he will be bound at the beginning of the Millennium in a special way according to Revelation 20. However, this has not yet occurred since we are not yet in the Millennium but are at this time laying the foundations for the Millennium.
Posts: 6787 | From: Colorado | Registered: Dec 2007
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