Different Views of Christian Eschatology and the End Times
While there are numerous variations in millennialist teaching today, a fourfold categorization has been widely accepted: (l) dispensational premillennialism; (2) historic premillennialism; (3) postmillennialism; and (4) amillennialism. These represent various Christian Eschatologies (End-Time Theologies) which have been generated by Christian theologians over the last 2,000 years. Of the first three categories, all of which hold to a millennium or utopian age on this earth, the most commonly held view is dispensational premillennialism.
Understanding Dispensational Premillennialism
Dispensationalists usually divide God’s dealings with humanity into seven distinct “dispensations.” A dispensation is defined as “a period of time during which man is tested in respect to his obedience to some specific revelation of the will of God.” In each of these periods, a distinct revelation of God’s will is dominant and tests mankind’s obedience to God.
The following table outlines these seven periods according to dispensational teaching:
| Dispensation Name | Scripture Reference |
|---|---|
| Innocence | Gen. 1:28-3:6 |
| Conscience or Moral Responsibility | Gen. 4:1-8:14 |
| Human Government | Gen. 8:15-11:32 |
| Promise | Gen. 12:1-Ex. 18:27 |
| The Law | Ex. 19:3-Acts 1:26 |
| The Church | Acts 2:1-Revelation 19 |
| The Millennial Kingdom | Revelation 20 |
Distinctive Features and Emphases
- Literal Interpretation: Dispensationalists argue for the necessity of the literal interpretation of all of the prophetic portions of Scripture.
- Two Redemptive Plans: Dispensationalists insist that God has two redemptive plans, one for national Israel, and one for Gentiles during the “church age.”
- The Rapture: There is a “rapture” of believers when Jesus Christ secretly returns to earth before the seven year tribulation period begins. Believers do not experience the persecution of the Anti-Christ who rises to prominence during this “tribulation period.”
- The Second Coming: The visible and physical second coming of Christ occurs after the great tribulation. Those who are converted to Christ during the tribulation, including Jews (the 144,000) who turn to Christ, go on into the millennium to re-populate the earth.
The signs of the end of the age (i.e., the birth of the nation of Israel, the revival of the Roman empire predicted in Daniel as seen through the emergence of the EEC, the impending Russian-Arab invasion of Israel, etc.) all point to the immediacy of the secret return of Christ for his church. The millennium is marked by a return to Old Testament temple worship and sacrifice to commemorate the sacrifice of Christ. At the end of the millennium, the “great white throne” judgement occurs, and Satan and all unbelievers are cast into the lake of fire.
Leading Proponents
Popular dispensational pastors and writers include: Charles Swindoll, Dave Hunt, Jack Van Impe, Charles Stanley, Chuck Smith and the Calvary Chapel movement. Other leading proponents include the Scofield Reference Bible, Ryrie Study Bible, Hal Lindsey’s book, The Late Great Planet Earth, John Walvoord, Charles Ryrie, J. Dwight Pentecost, Norman Geisler, and Charles Feinberg.
Other Eschatological Perspectives
While often popularly confused with “dispensational premillennialism” with but a mere disagreement as to the timing of the “rapture,” historic premillennialism is, in actuality, a completely different eschatological system, largely rejecting the whole dispensational understanding of redemptive history. When Jesus began his public ministry the kingdom of God was manifest.
Regarding other views, some Christians believe that ALL may be saved in the end as everything and everyone will be in God. This is contrasted by the view that life is going to continue pretty much the way it is until Jesus’ second coming and the heavens and earth will be renewed somehow. Some of us will live forever with resurrected bodies and some of us will be destroyed. This perspective suggests that as humans we have free will and perhaps there will be some folks who will reject love even in the end.