Preterism – Past
An eschatological viewpoint that places many or all eschatological events in the past, especially during the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.
Amillennialism – Allegorical
This view is probably one of the most prevalent views today, particularly in the scholarly realm. They view most of the book of Revelation as past historical events or are spiritualized out of existence. Those who hold to this view see the millennium as prophetic of Heaven. They believe the world will get progressively worse until Christ returns.
Post Millennialism – Past
Believe most of Bible prophecy fulfilled in 70 A.D. They view Christ’s Kingdom/Gospel will exercise a transformational influence on world society and culture. The Great Commission is fulfilled by winning the majority of souls to Christ and nations being Christianized, righteousness abounding, wars ceasing, prosperity and safety flourishing. This “golden age” of spiritual prosperity may continue for centuries or even millennia, during which Christ’s Kingdom will be triumphant over the earth.
Historicism – Long Term
Is the view that most of Revelation describes the events of the last two-thousand years. Historicism teaches that prophecy is being fulfilled throughout history and continues to be fulfilled today. The Book of Revelation is a pre-written history of the Church from the time of its writing to the present day. There are Pre-Millennial, Amillennial and Post-Millennial proponents within Historicism.
Historical Pre-Millennialism Non-Dispensational
Christ’s return does not end history. Do not see a sharp distinction between Israel and the Church. There is no ‘secret rapture’. Great apostasy and tribulation before the return of Christ. The Church will be persecuted by the Antichrist.
Dispensational Pre-Millennialism – Futurist
Dispensationalist/Futurist interpretations generally predict a resurrection of the dead and a rapture of the living, wherein all Christians and those who have not reached an age of accountability are gathered to Christ at the time God’s kingdom comes on earth. They also believe a tribulation will occur – a seven year period of time when believers will experience worldwide persecution and martyrdom, and be purified and strengthened by it. Futurists hold varying views as to when the elect will be raptured: 1) before the tribulation – pre-trib; 2) near or at the midpoint of the tribulation – mid-trib; 3) at the midpoint of Daniel’s seventieth week – pre-wrath; 4) at the end of the tribulation – post-trib.
I titled this a “short” list with tongue in cheek. I searched and searched for something simple, but it doesn’t exist. And there are many many more definitions out there. I tried to list all the most commonly held views without sounding or being biased. If you find a bias, well, I don’t think any of us is completely un-biased. So I’ll show you my bias if you show me yours…then maybe we can honestly go to God and ask that He give us insight and understanding to find His bias/truth.
What’s your bias?
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