Amillennialism or Premillennialism?

[dzheremi]

I think there maybe some variation on the exact beginning. Some may say it started on the day of His incarnation or birth, others at the start of His ministry after defeating Satan's temptations, during the Resurrection or at Pentecost. But at one of those events heralded in the millenial reign

Yes. Thank you for this. I've heard in my own Church that it began with His incarnation, while others say it began with the harrowing of Hell (cf. entering the strongman's house and taking his goods as a metaphor for the freeing of those who were captive in Hades), so what I'm really wondering about by this question is the range of thought about this in the EO Church.

 

[ArmyMatt]

I was under the impression that Amillenialists believed that we are already in the millennium and that Christ is reigning in his saints.

Amillennialism - Wikipedia

except we would say the righteous are ruling on earth during the millennium.

 

[Gifts From Above]

except we would say the righteous are ruling on earth during the millennium.

I believe that article makes that clear.

 

[Gifts From Above]

except we would say the righteous are ruling on earth during the millennium.

If that’s the case though how do you explain all the evil in the world?

 

[buzuxi02]

Yes. Thank you for this. I've heard in my own Church that it began with His incarnation, while others say it began with the harrowing of Hell (cf. entering the strongman's house and taking his goods as a metaphor for the freeing of those who were captive in Hades), so what I'm really wondering about by this question is the range of thought about this in the EO Church.

I'm not sure if many of the Fathers made definitive statements as to when as an exact starting point. Usually we generically say the millenial reign started with the first coming and ends with the second, and even then, it ends just prior to that. When the gospel is preached to the ends of the earth followed by the removal of the restraining force.
Jesus cried out on the cross, "It is finished", so in my opinion there is leeway as to which event(s) ushered all this in.

If that’s the case though how do you explain all the evil in the world?

When Christ said to his disciples he saw Satan cast down from heaven, it was tied to the 70 preaching the gospel and their ability to cast out the demons. He tells them if a city does not welcome them to leave but to always remember the kingdom of God has come upon the world. It does not signify a peaceful utopia just the ability to cast them out and plunder their goods (harvest souls) (Luke 10:17-20).

Then we have the parable of entering the strong man's house and binding him and plundering his house. This gives us the sense as to what is meant by binding Satan and plundering his house:

But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.”

25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? 27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. Matt 12

 

[ArmyMatt]

I believe that article makes that clear.

the opening paragraph hints that it's symbolic.

 

[ArmyMatt]

If that’s the case though how do you explain all the evil in the world?

because Christ still allows it. that doesn't mean He isn't ruling and reigning in His saints on earth.

 

[Justin-H.S.]

I’ve never seen Orthodox eschatology ‘labeled’ with these fancy names like amillennialism, dispensationalism, or whatever. I’ve just always heard that if we had to give it a label the closest to our eschatology would be “partial preterism.” It’s been described to me as we are already in the end times.

 

[Gifts From Above]

I’ve never seen Orthodox eschatology ‘labeled’ with these fancy names like amillennialism, dispensationalism, or whatever. I’ve just always heard that if we had to give it a label the closest to our eschatology would be “partial preterism.” It’s been described to me as we are already in the end times.

Partial preterism is eschatology indeed but the millennium is a whole other issue.

 

[Justin-H.S.]

Partial preterism is eschatology indeed but the millennium is a whole other issue.

They sound the same to me, and for what it’s worth I’ve never heard an Orthodox cleric use any this terminology. Is it common in the Orthodox Church to use this language? I’ve heard it described, but never labeled like that. The term I hear the most in the Church is “The Last Judgement.”

The End of Time Is Probably Not What You Think - Glory to God | Ancient Faith Ministries

 

[All4Christ]

They sound the same to me, and for what it’s worth I’ve never heard an Orthodox cleric use any this terminology. Is it common in the Orthodox Church to use this language? I’ve heard it described, but never labeled like that. The term I hear the most in the Church is “The Last Judgement.”

The End of Time Is Probably Not What You Think - Glory to God | Ancient Faith Ministries

I don’t hear it labeled frequently in the Church, but Chiliasm is condemned as a heresy. The concept of Christ reigning from the first coming to the second is very Orthodox.

Amillenialism has variations as well. Some versions are different than what we believe, while the more traditional understanding is much closer. For example, one version finds fulfillment in the present age on earth in the church, while the other finds fulfillment in heaven in the saints.