Book of Revelation: Perspectives on the Millennial Kingdom
Part of the Book of Revelation For Dummies Cheat Sheet
The exact meaning of the Millenium, the 1,000 year reign that John speaks of in Revelation 20, is a centuries-old debate in Christian circles. One problem comes from the different interpretations concerning the meaning of the Millenium. The following chart can help you sort out these respective viewpoints:
| Category | Premillennialism | Amillennialism | Postmillennialism |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginning of the Millennium | Jesus's Second Coming | Jesus's resurrection | When a majority of the of the Millennium world's population converts to Jesus |
| Duration | 1,000 years or a long period of time | Undetermined; lasts until Jesus's Second | Undetermined; lasts until Jesus's Second |
| Jesus's type of reign | Physical, earthly | Spiritual (through conversion) | Spiritual (through conversion) |
| Tribulation (period of suffering before Jesus's Second Coming) | Literal 7-year period | Brief period before Jesus's Second | Brief period before Jesus's Second |
| Timing of the rapture (transport of believers to heaven) | Before the Tribulation, halfway through, or after it | Occurs as part of Jesus's Second Coming | Occurs as part of Jesus's Second Coming |
