What do you think of Amillenialism?

[aReformedPatriot]

What do you think of Amillennialism?

[novcncy]

What do you think of Amillennialism?

As in no millenial kingdom? Are you seriously asking this question, or are you just trying to stir up discussion?

[aReformedPatriot]

I am seriously asking this question and hoping to stir up some discussion. It is a view point that I do not really know anything about, yet.

[Paleoconservatarian]

It's not the most optimistic eschatological views, but I prefer amillennialism to premillennialism. Many of my heroes are amills, too. I was an amill. I still am, in a sense.

[Paleoconservatarian]

As in no millenial kingdom? Are you seriously asking this question, or are you just trying to stir up discussion?

No, as in the millennial kingdom exists today.

[Joykins]

The church is the millenium, it is spiritual.

Edited to add: I find it persuasive, but I try not to pin prophecy down to only one meaning.

[novcncy]

No, as in the millennial kingdom exists today.

Oh, that's in interesting concept. So basically the belief is that the devil is presently bound with chains and in the bottomless pit (Revelation 20:1-3), and this present state of things in the world is the product of God's and the saints' leadership (Revelation 20:6)? I suppose that if that's the case, people better watch out when Satan is loosed!!! An interesting concept indeed.

[Joykins]

Oh, that's in interesting concept. So basically the belief is that the devil is presently bound with chains and in the bottomless pit (Revelation 20:1-3), and this present state of things in the world is the product of God's and the saints' leadership (Revelation 20:6)? I suppose that if that's the case, people better watch out when Satan is loosed!!! An interesting concept indeed.

Not precisely.

http://www.religioustolerance.org/millenni.htm

Amillennialism: (Also known as Nonmillennialism). Although this belief system was present from the early days of Christianity, St. Augustine (354 - 430 CE) was largely responsible for the establishment of amillennialism as formal church belief. It remained the generally accepted system throughout Christianity until the 19th century. Many mainline Protestant denominations -- including many Reformed theologians and some Baptists -- still teach Amillennialism. They believe that the Kingdom of God is present in the world today through the presence of the the heavenly reign of Christ, the Bible, the Holy Spirit and Christianity. Both good and evil will continue in the world until the current Church Age ends suddenly as Christ returns to the sky above the earth. The Rapture follows. The Redeemed are transported to heaven where they will adopt spiritual bodies. The majority of humanity will be sent to Hell at this time for eternal punishment. The world will be abandoned. History is no more. Under this belief system, we are currently living in the Millennium and in the Tribulation period. Events described in The Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21) and in most of the book of Revelation are seen as occurrences which have already happened, or which are symbolic in nature and not to be taken literally. The Antichrist is looked upon figuratively and not as a real person. Amillennialism has gone out of favor in most conservative Protestant theological circles.

[Paleoconservatarian]

I'd be wary of anything you hear from religioustolerance.org. Almost every amillennialist I know believes in a bodily resurrection, and in a literal Antichrist. Bah, there are all sorts of holes in that description.

[PlumTea]

What do you think of Amillennialism?

I don't know much about it myself, other than a little of what read in various threads. My church is pre-mill, and of the views I've heard I feel that it is the best.
Christ rules in the millennium; the world isn't to be ruled by Christ right now..

[Joykins]

I believe there are many antichrists.

[PlumTea]

I believe there are many antichrists.

I agree. We've had several and there probably are more. However, I think there is a difference between an antichrist and the Antichrist.

Perhaps, it is similiar to how christians are all 'little christs', but there is only one Christ.

[Paleoconservatarian]

I agree. We've had several and there probably are more. However, I think there is a difference between an antichrist and the Antichrist.

I agree with this. As for the big guy himself, I think we should consider Nero Caesar. Many amills (and postmills) believe him to be the Antichrist (or Beast), and also believe that there are many antichrists.

[arunma]

Well keep in mind that while John refers to the presence of many antichrists, Paul also refers to one "man of lawlessness" who will be revealed at some point in the future.

[HumbleMan]

Maybe I'm not understanding, but Amill beliefs sound kinda like preterism to me.

[PlumTea]

I think preterists mainly are amil or post-mill.
People that are amill or post-mill aren't necessarily preterist

[Joykins]

I agree with this. As for the big guy himself, I think we should consider Nero Caesar. Many amills (and postmills) believe him to be the Antichrist (or Beast), and also believe that there are many antichrists.

I tend to agree (that Nero is the archetype Antichrist probably meant in the initial prophecy, but there are many who fit the mold--IMO actually some more antichrist in that they are cult leaders), but I'm not so totally sure I'd develop a theology based on it.

[Joykins]

I think Preterists actually believe the 2nd coming has already taken place.

[PlumTea]

From what I understand there are two sorts of preterists. One group believes everything has already happened including the 2nd coming, the other believes much has already happens, but Jesus hasn't come back yet.

[mesue]

Amillennialism is a belief that Jesus will not reign on this earth, but is already reigning from heaven and in our hearts. Other major views are Premillennialism, the belief that Jesus WILL physically reign, on the earth, at some point in the future, AFTER his second coming and Postmillennialism, which usually holds that the church will gradually take over the world and reign for 1,000 years BEFORE Jesus second coming.
I haven't given it much thought as to what I am. But after reading the above definition I know that I am a Premillennialist.

[Paleoconservatarian]

Amillennialism and postmillennialism are partial preteristic (to what extent is another matter). Full or consistent preterism is the belief that Second Coming has already happened. No orthodox Christian believes this, however, and thus orthodox (or partial) preterists still look forward to it.

[MrJim]

All the positions believe in a second coming--after that by and large everyone can present a good arguement for what they believe.

I'm probably amil though I'm not dogmatic about it. The idea is not so much when He returns but be ready whenever He does. Eschatology is a very uninvestigated position for me and frankly holds little interest. There is so much about today to spend too much time wondering about tomorrow. And there are some that eschatology is the end-all and be-all of Christianity.

[PlumTea]

I believe Jesus 'is already reigning from heaven and in our hearts', but I disagree that that is the millennium. The millenium is only 1000 years and ends with the great white throne judgement. Christs reign in heaven and our hearts is forever.

[JimfromOhio]

I had to think since I am not up to-date on these....

Amillennialism is a belief that Jesus will not reign on this earth, but is already reigning from heaven and in our hearts.

Premillennialism, the belief that Jesus WILL physically reign, on the earth, at some point in the future, AFTER his second coming.

Postmillennialism, which usually holds that the church will gradually take over the world and reign for 1,000 years BEFORE Jesus second coming.

My Anabaptist church have this statement of faith:
SECOND COMING. The personal, visible, and imminent return of Christ to remove His church from the earth (1 Thess. 4:16-17) before the tribulation (1 Thess. 1:10; Rev. 3:10), and afterward to descend with the Church to establish His millennial kingdom upon the earth (Rev. 19:11-20:6).

I looked at my profile and I put down for End Times View:
Postmillennialism, Pretribulation

The bottom line.... I don't know LOL sorry I will look into this more. I never put this high in my priority of my Biblical studies over the years.

[Paleoconservatarian]

Postmillennialism, which usually holds that the church will gradually take over the world and reign for 1,000 years BEFORE Jesus second coming.

Many postmills (myself included) do not believe in a literal 1,000 years.

My Anabaptist church have this statement of faith:
SECOND COMING. The personal, visible, and imminent return of Christ to remove His church from the earth (1 Thess. 4:16-17) before the tribulation (1 Thess. 1:10; Rev. 3:10), and afterward to descend with the Church to establish His millennial kingdom upon the earth (Rev. 19:11-20:6).

I looked at my profile and I put down for End Times View:
Postmillennialism, Pretribulation

This is premillennialism, not postmillennialism.

[Carrye]

Eschatology is a very uninvestigated position for me and frankly holds little interest. There is so much about today to spend too much time wondering about tomorrow.

I tend to agree. There are a lot of things that I can know about, and there are many that I can't. I respect the ones I can't . . . perhaps even more than the ones that I can. But I'd rather spend my life growing in relationship to God rather than speculating on what the end times might look like. After all, where did that kind of speculation get the Jews?

[JimfromOhio]

Many postmills (myself included) do not believe in a literal 1,000 years.



This is premillennialism, not postmillennialism.

Cool... thanks !! I will change my profile :)

[Paleoconservatarian]

Cool... thanks !! I will change my profile :)

Glad to be of service. :wave:

[PaladinGirl]

I'd be wary of anything you hear from religioustolerance.org. Almost every amillennialist I know believes in a bodily resurrection, and in a literal Antichrist. Bah, there are all sorts of holes in that description.

What's wrong with religoustolerance.org? Most of the information I've ever seen on their website was pretty accurate. :confused:

[FreeinChrist]

For clarification -

regarding postmillennialism, it is a belief that Christ returns after a period of time, but not necessarily 1,000 years. postmillennialists do not take Revelation 20:4-6 literally at all. Christ returns then after this indefinite period of time. Also, they see the world as being Christianized - getting better and better.
It has been less favored this last century. Previously it was big in Reformed churches.

Amillennialism - no literal millennial reign. Christ is reigning now. They may or may not beleive in a future Antichrist, time of trouble before the Second coming. Some are preterists, some are not.


As for me, I do not beleive amillennialism as Satan is suppose to be shut in a pit and unable to deceive the nations for the same period of time. But I believe he has been very active. And I believe that Paul did not see Satan as confined either or we wouldn't read about him being the "prince of the power of the air" or "hindering" him, or get that advice about spiritual armor.


I am premil - I beleive that Christ reigns over His church now, He will reign (and include us) over the earth from jeruslaem for 1000 years after the Second coming, and He will continue to reign from the New Jerusalem for ever and ever and ever.
I beleive Satan is very active and we need to resist him .

[JPPT1974]

Christ will return to us one day but when and if is all up to God. Not even the Son Jesus nor do the angels in heaven know. Let's be prepared for that day.