Millennialism
By: Sonya H Mirza
Origins of Millennialism
-theology of several famous pastors such as Hal Lindsey, John Walvoord, and J. Dwight Pentecost supported the doctrine of the historical Church's belief of the new coming of Christ.
- The church was facing persecution from the Romans, so the book of Revelations were created.
-The book of Revelations supported the concept of returning to paradise.
Origins of Dispensational Premillennialism:
-During the early 19th century, John N. Darby advocated for Chiliasm.
-He is the Father of Dispensational Premillennialism.
-Created the second philosophy of the new-coming of Christ-- the rapture and the appearing.
Origins of Postmillennialism:
-During the Industrial Revolution in the late 18th and early 19th centuries people attempted to create Utopian societies.
-They failed and this led them to support the post-millennialism philosophy.
-Philosophy was interpreted from the Bible itself.
Origins of A-millennialism:
-believes to be traced back to Augustine (AD 400)
- He advocated amillennial teachings.
-A-millennialism became a predominant philosphy in the Church after many scripters became amillennial advocates.
Important Beliefs
Millennialism is the belief that Jesus Christ will return to earth and bring peace and prosperity for 1,000 years. However, there are four types of Millennialism. Premillennialism and Postmillennialism.
Premillennialism beliefs:
-the second coming of Jesus Christ will happen before the millennium.
-the second coming will commence a battle between the good and evil, which will then create the 1,000 year "Golden Age".
Dispensational Premillennialism beliefs:
-there will be 2 stages of the coming. The rapture and the appearing
-the rapture will happen at any moment and is the "blessed hope' for the Church.
Postmillenialism beliefs:
-Jesus Christ will return to earth after the establishment of the "Millennial Kingdom of Peace and Righteousness"
A-Millennialism beliefs:
-The second coming of Jesus Christ will cause the end of the world, or the Day of Judgement.
Important Leaders
William Miller
preacher William Miller concluded when the coming of Christ would occur. By predicting the exact date ( October 21, 1844) he gained many followers of Millerism . However, when the day did occur, his followers were disappointed to find that nothing had happened, but sparked a new religion known as the Seventh-Day Adventists.