Premillennialism is a Christian eschatological view that interprets the return of Jesus Christ as occurring before (pre-) a literal thousand-year reign (the millennium) on earth. According to premillennialists, Christ will return to establish His kingdom, during which time He will reign for a thousand years before the final judgment and the creation of a new heaven and new earth. This view contrasts with amillennialism, which sees the millennium as symbolic of the current church age, and postmillennialism, which holds that Christ will return after a period of Christian dominance and peace on earth.

Biblical Foundations of Premillennialism

The Millennium in Revelation

The key scriptural foundation for premillennialism is found in the book of Revelation, where the thousand-year reign of Christ is described.

• Revelation 20:1-6: “And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time… They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years… This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.”

This passage is the most explicit reference to a thousand-year reign of Christ and forms the basis for the premillennial interpretation.

Old Testament Prophecies

Premillennialists also find support for their view in various Old Testament prophecies that speak of a future, messianic kingdom characterized by peace, justice, and righteousness.

• Isaiah 11:6-9: “The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them… They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” Premillennialists interpret this passage as describing the conditions of Christ’s millennial reign on earth.
• Zechariah 14:9: “The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.” This prophecy is seen as referring to the future reign of Christ, when He will rule visibly over all nations.

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament contains various teachings of Jesus and the apostles that premillennialists interpret as pointing to a future, literal reign of Christ on earth.

• Matthew 19:28: “Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.'” Premillennialists view this promise as indicating a future, earthly reign of Christ with His disciples.
• Acts 1:6-7: “Then they gathered around him and asked him, ‘Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He said to them: ‘It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.'” The disciples’ expectation of a restored kingdom is seen as consistent with the premillennial hope of a future reign of Christ.

Historical Development of Premillennialism

Early Church and Patristic Thought

Premillennialism, often referred to as “chiliasm” in the early church, was a widely held view among the early Christian theologians.

• Papias (c. 60-130): Papias, an early church father, was a strong advocate of premillennialism. He believed that Christ would return to establish a thousand-year reign of peace and prosperity on earth.
• Irenaeus (c. 130-202): Irenaeus, a disciple of Polycarp (who was a disciple of the Apostle John), also held to a premillennial view. In his work Against Heresies, Irenaeus defended the belief in a future, literal reign of Christ on earth, based on both Old and New Testament prophecies.

Decline in the Middle Ages

During the medieval period, premillennialism declined in favor of amillennialism, largely due to the influence of theologians like Augustine of Hippo.

• Augustine of Hippo (354-430): Augustine’s shift from premillennialism to amillennialism marked a significant turning point in Christian eschatology. In his later writings, Augustine interpreted the millennium symbolically, viewing it as the present reign of Christ through the Church rather than a future, literal kingdom on earth.
• Amillennial Dominance: Following Augustine, amillennialism became the dominant eschatological view in Western Christianity, especially within Roman Catholicism and, later, Protestantism.

Revival in the Reformation and Post-Reformation Era

The Reformation led to a renewed interest in biblical prophecy, and premillennialism began to regain popularity, especially in the 17th and 18th centuries.

• Puritan Millenarianism: Some Puritan theologians, influenced by their focus on biblical prophecy, revived premillennial ideas, anticipating a future millennial kingdom as part of God’s redemptive plan.
• Dispensationalism: In the 19th century, the rise of dispensationalism, particularly through the teachings of John Nelson Darby and the widespread influence of the Scofield Reference Bible, gave premillennialism a significant boost. Dispensational premillennialism introduced a detailed eschatological framework, including the rapture, the tribulation, and the millennial reign of Christ.

Modern Premillennialism

Today, premillennialism remains a prominent eschatological view, particularly among evangelical Christians, with significant influence in various denominations and movements.

• Evangelicalism: Premillennialism is especially popular in evangelical circles, where it is often associated with a literal interpretation of Scripture and a focus on prophecy and the end times.
• Popular Culture: Premillennial ideas have been popularized in contemporary culture through books, films, and sermons, most notably through the Left Behind series, which depicts a premillennial, dispensational view of the end times.

Key Doctrines of Premillennialism

1. Literal Interpretation of Prophecy

Premillennialism is characterized by a literal interpretation of biblical prophecy, particularly those related to the end times and the millennium.

• Isaiah 65:17-25: “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth… The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain.” Premillennialists interpret such prophecies literally, expecting a future fulfillment during Christ’s millennial reign.

2. The Second Coming of Christ

Premillennialism holds that Jesus Christ will return visibly and bodily to earth before the millennium to establish His kingdom.

• Revelation 19:11-16: “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True… On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” This passage describes Christ’s return in glory, which premillennialists believe precedes the millennium.

3. The Millennium

The millennium is understood as a future, literal thousand-year reign of Christ on earth, during which time Satan will be bound, and peace and righteousness will prevail.

• Revelation 20:2-3: “He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended.” Premillennialists view this as a literal period of Christ’s reign on earth.

4. The Role of Israel

Many premillennialists, particularly dispensationalists, believe that the millennium will include a literal fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel, with Israel playing a central role in Christ’s kingdom.

• Romans 11:25-26: “I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, and in this way all Israel will be saved.” Dispensational premillennialists interpret this as indicating a future restoration of Israel during the millennium.

5. Final Judgment and New Creation

Premillennialism teaches that after the millennium, Satan will be released for a final rebellion, followed by the final judgment and the creation of a new heaven and new earth.

• Revelation 20:7-10: “When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations… But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur.” This passage describes the events following the millennium, leading to the final judgment.
• Revelation 21:1: “Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.” Premillennialists believe this new creation follows the final judgment and marks the beginning of the eternal state.

Protestant Emphasis in Premillennialism

The Authority of Scripture

Premillennialism is grounded in a high view of Scripture, emphasizing the literal fulfillment of biblical prophecy and the authority of the Bible in shaping eschatological beliefs.

• 2 Peter 1:19: “We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” This verse reflects the Protestant emphasis on the reliability of Scripture, which premillennialists apply to their interpretation of prophecy.

The Expectation of Christ’s Return

Premillennialism strongly emphasizes the imminent return of Christ and encourages believers to live in anticipation of His coming kingdom.

• 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17: “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” This passage highlights the expectation of Christ’s return, which is central to premillennial thought.

The Role of Israel in God’s Plan

Premillennialism often emphasizes the ongoing significance of Israel in God’s redemptive plan, seeing the millennium as the fulfillment of God’s promises to the Jewish people.

• Jeremiah 31:31-34: “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah.” Premillennialists see this covenant as having a future, literal fulfillment during the millennium.

Encouragement for Holy Living

The anticipation of Christ’s return and the coming kingdom motivates believers to live holy and obedient lives, knowing that their actions have eternal significance.

• 2 Peter 3:11-12: “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.” Premillennialism encourages believers to live in light of the future reality of Christ’s return and the establishment of His kingdom.

Practical Implications of Premillennialism in Christian Life

Evangelism and Mission

The belief in Christ’s imminent return and the coming millennium fuels a sense of urgency in evangelism and mission, as believers seek to share the gospel before the end times.

• Matthew 24:14: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Premillennialists often see the spread of the gospel as a precursor to the return of Christ and the establishment of His kingdom.

Hope and Encouragement

Premillennialism provides hope and encouragement to believers, assuring them that despite present trials, Christ will return to establish His righteous rule on earth.

• Titus 2:13: “While we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” The promise of Christ’s return is a source of hope for believers, motivating them to persevere in faith.

Ethical Living and Accountability

The belief in a future judgment and the establishment of Christ’s kingdom encourages ethical living and accountability, knowing that Christ will reward faithfulness and judge unrighteousness.

• 2 Corinthians 5:10: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” Premillennialism emphasizes the importance of living righteously in light of the coming judgment.

Conclusion

From a Christian worldview, Premillennialism is an eschatological perspective that emphasizes the literal interpretation of biblical prophecy, the imminent return of Christ, and His future reign on earth for a thousand years. Grounded in a high view of Scripture, premillennialism asserts that the millennium is a literal, future event in which Christ will establish His kingdom on earth, fulfilling God’s promises to Israel and the Church.

Historically, premillennialism has roots in early Christian thought, with a revival of interest during the Reformation and a significant resurgence through dispensationalism in the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, it remains a prominent eschatological view within evangelicalism and other Protestant traditions.

Premillennialism encourages believers to live with a sense of urgency, hope, and accountability, motivated by the expectation of Christ’s return and the establishment of His kingdom. It provides a framework for understanding the end times and the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan, offering assurance that Christ will ultimately triumph and reign in righteousness.