Would you explain the difference between the amillennial, pre-millennial and post-millennial interpretations of the book of Revelation? -- Charles Cardo (Tampa)
Those who endeavor to take Revelation literally insist on a thousand-year reign, or "millennium" (Revelation 20). The dispute is about the position of Jesus' second coming. Some say it will come after the millennium (the post-millenniallists). Others, the majority in fact, put the second coming before the millennial rule (the pre-millennialists). Millennialists believe that the kingdom of God will be wrought on earth through a slow and gradual process, while amillennialists deny that the numerical picture in Revelation 20 should be taken literally in the first place. (I myself fall into this camp.) Once again, the most popular interpretation is the Premillennial one, which gained real traction only in the late 19th century.
For more, please hear my audio series, Revelation and the End of the World.
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