Eschatological View Comparison

Eschatological View Comparison

Eschatological View Comparison
 
Anthony Hoekema’s book, The Bible and the Future, discussed four different eschatological views.   Those views are as follows: amillennialism, postmillennialism, historic premillennialism, and dispensational premillennialism. The following paper will attempt to compare the different views.
The Amillennialist view on the end times is often misunderstood. Many people think that it suggests there will be no millennium and that it disregards the first 6 verses of Revelation 20.   In reality it believes that the millennium spoke about in scripture is present but invisible, not literal.   This view is held by most Reformed Christians.   Amillennialist also believe that the promises to Israel in the Old Testament are fulfilled by Christ and the Church now, which is essentially when they believe that the “Millennium” is present, until Christ returns. They believe that thousand years are not literal, but are symbolic of the present age. This belief also holds the view that Satan is bound up and he is no longer able to deceive the nations until right before the Lord returns. At that point Satan is unbound and there will be great evil, but that will finally destroyed the Lord at His final return. Then there will be the resurrection and judgment for all men and women and then the new heaven and earth will be established.
Amillennialist believe that scripture interprets scripture and that the context is important. The resurrection in Revelation 20, they believe to speaking of a spiritual resurrection and that it is the passing of soul’s into God’s Presence. They believe that the second death spoke of there is speaking of hell.
Postmillennialist believe that the millennium spoke about in Revelation 20 is an actual period of a thousand years. They believe that this thousand years is a time of peace in the world and that is precedes the return of Christ and His Judgment.   There is debate on if it comes on gradual or if it begins...