The Millennium: Four Major Views

dispensational premillennialism

"historic" premillennialism

postmillennialism

amillennialism

Old Testament Prophecies

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strong tendency toward literal interpretation

more figurative meanings allowed; perfection mixed with imperfection

mostly figurative, based on NT uses such as Acts 2:16-21; 15:15-18

mostly figurative, based on NT use of OT prophecies

Israel and the Church

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clearly distinct; the millennial kingdom will be dominated by Jews

many prophecies may apply both to the church now and to Israel later

possibly a small role for Israel as a nation.

all "Israel" prophecies apply to the Church, the new Israel

return of Christ

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yes - seven years before the rapture, then just before the millennium begins

yes - just before the millennium begins

yes - after the millennium

yes - after the millennium

Rev. 20:1-3

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Satan will be bound after Christ returns

Satan will be bound after Christ returns

Satan will be or has been bound 1000 years or a long time before Christ's return

We are in the millennium. Satan bound at Christ's first coming, is unable to stop the gospel

Rev. 20:4-6

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saints will be immortal, reigning with Christ over mortals on earth

saints will be immortal, reigning with Christ over mortals on earth

gospel will achieve such success that 1000 year golden age will develop from church age

saints "live again" in church age by being born again; another view is they reign in heaven

resurrection(s) & judgement(s)

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two or three

two

one

one

advocates

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C. Schofield, D. Moody, J. Walvoord, Hal Lindsey, D. Pentecost

Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, G.E. Ladd, W. Grudem, M. Erickson

some liberals, A.H. Strong, G. Bahnsen, some Calvinists

Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Lberkhof, most mainline churches

key scriptures

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OT Prophecies; 1 Th. 4; Rom. 11:26

Rev. 2:26-27; Rev. 20:1-10

Matt. 28:18-20; Matt. 13:31-33

Matt. 12:28f; John 5:28f; 2 Pet. 3:10