In the Blog for week 50 we mentioned the major approaches taken by scholars to the Book of Revelation. Steve Gregg wrote a book in 1997 attempting to present the various interpretations of each section of the book from his reading of the various scholarly positions. He makes a good point by quoting another author on the subject,
Albertus Pieters wrote,
none of these schools of interpretation can claim any monopoly on scholarship or faith. Each group numbers many fine scholars and devout Christian believers. Therefore complete certainty in regard to the interpretation of the Apocalypse is not to be had. It is our duty to do the best we can, to study the various systems and accept the view that seems to us right, but always with a certain amount of reservation and of respect for the opinions of others.[1]
There is a new book coming out in February of this year by Bryan Chapell titled Are We Living in the Last Days?: Four Views of the Hope We Share about Revelation and Christ’s Return. From the excerpts that have been published it looks to be a very good and up-to-date treatment of the subject. It is available for pre-pub on Amazon and Logos software.
In Revelation chapter twenty we are introduced to a 1,000-year reign of Christ. It is more commonly known as the Millenium. As with different overall approaches to the Book of Revelation there are different approaches to the Millenium. Most Study Bibles will mention three views. They are Amillennialism, Premillennialism, and Postmillennialism. Premillennialism is further differentiated as Historical Premillennialism and Dispensational Premillennialism. The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary in an article on the Book of Revelation has a table with succinct definitions that are very good.
Amillennialism is defined as the “Viewpoint that the present rule of Christ in heaven or the present age of Christ’s rule in the church is the millennium; holds to one resurrection and judgment marking the end of history as we know it and the beginning of the eternal state.2”
Historical Premillennialism is defined as the “Viewpoint that Christ will reign on earth for 1,000 years following His second coming; saints will be resurrected at the beginning of the millennium, nonbelievers at the end, followed by the judgment.”2
Dispensational Premillennialism is defined as the “Viewpoint that Christ will reign on earth for 1,000 years, following His second coming; saints will be resurrected at the rapture prior to the tribulation and those who die during the tribulation at the beginning of the millennium.”2
Postmillennialism is defined as the “Millennial kingdom of Christ established in the first century and will continue to spread and increase until the time of final resurrection and judgment.”2
And there are even variations within the broad categories above such as the Mid-tribulation rapture position or the Pre-wrath rapture position.
There is a common denominator though and some will be happy just to hold to that. It is Christ wins and reigns in a new heaven and earth and the saved will be there with Him. Sin and death will be no more.
[1] Gregg, Steve. 1997. Revelation, Four Views: A Parallel Commentary. Nashville, TN: T. Nelson Publishers, p. 4-5.
2 Brand, Chad, Charles Draper, Archie England, Steve Bond, E. Ray Clendenen, and Trent C. Butler, eds. 2003. “Revelation, Book Of.” In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
