Dr Paul Allen

Theologians refer to the thousand-year period in Revelation 20 as the millennium. Here are the three basic positions on the millennium: Premillennialism: The millennium is the long period (perhaps a literal 1,000 years) when King Jesus will rule on earth. Jesus will return before the millennium (hence premillennialism). Amillennialism (or inaugurated or realized millennialism): The millennium began when Jesus rose from the dead and will conclude when he returns to earth. Believers who die during this period reign with King Jesus in heaven. When Jesus died and rose again, he decisively defeated Satan and “bound him” (Rev 20:2–3; cf. Matt 12:28–29; John 12:31–32). At the end of this age, Satan will furiously attempt to attack God’s people one last time (Rev 20:7–10). Postmillennialism: The millennium is a Christian golden age on earth. The reign of Christ from heaven will lead the church to triumph through the gospel with the result that Christianity will pervade the cultur

As believers, we know it will end. And we know some of the how it will end—at least who wins in the end. We’ve done our best to mine the prophetic texts in Scripture to gain more and more detail that can be quantified and systematized to tell us how the world might end. It’s comforting to know the details of something coming, even if it’s ultimately beyond your control. To know what’s ahead gives us some sense of security. So, for 2,000 years, Christians have tried to piece together what the Bible says about the end. A wide swath of orthodox interpretations is possible. This post explains the four broad eschatological (end times) categories: amillennialism, postmillennialism, historic premillennialism, and dispensationalism. Each of these views proposes a different take on three key aspects of the end of the world: the millennium, the binding of Satan, and the relationship between Israel and the church. Amillennialism Amillennialism’s name is a clear giveaway to its defini