Originally Posted by Austin
hey this is my first post, and i'm relatively new to the reformed faith. this website and forum has helped me a lot with questions i have had and i have been convinced and am pretty sure that concerning the doctrine of election is correct in the sense of reformed faith, now after having a general idea of Eschatology i have had few questions and any help would be appreciated!

i am confused on the differences from (Amil, post mil, and pre mil ) vs. that of four categories (Preterits, historicist, futurist, and idealist)

i understand the differences from pre mil and post mil and how they are describing a physical "golden age" on earth before or after christ return and how Amil is the idea of "realized millennium" (i am not quite fully convinced which i agree with yet, but i seem like i am leaning towards Amil) however i am still trying to understand how these ideas fit or exist with (Preterist, historicist, futurist, and idealist) how do these relate? thanks!
Within this forum the main question has nothing to do with the various millennial fairy-tales but centers rather on whether there exists true warrent for general optimism as regards the effect of the gospel in history. This boils down to understanding many OT passages ,coupled with our Lord's own recorded instructions, and Apostolic references of both the glorious kingdom and the horrible destruction/judgement. A prime example is Pete's conflagration; Is this a picture of the end of history or the end of the Old Covenant? Obviously connected then, is the 'great tribulation' ,AntiChrist, future or passed?
Which view is correct has a great deal to show us regarding our expectations.
I'm on the (long term) optimist's side, Post Millennial. The Post Millennial the A- Millennial and the Dispensationalist will to a man assert the Scripture as final authority. Still the AM and the DF will ,in matters eschatological , point away from Scripture to recent history to help prove their interpretation correct. Usually something like 'Its only obvious things are getting worse and worse , never before has... ' My response has been the same for a long time. When,in general terms, was life better? A hundred years ago? Five hundred? One thousand? Since everything has become steadily worse and worse point to the time when everything was better, that shouldnt be difficult.

To answer directly the PM view requires more preterism than most A-Mill views , just as the A-Mill must contain more futurism. Exactly where the necessary lines are to be drawn will be debated so long as history continues but dont be put off by terms, it is essential to believe in prophecy, some fulfilled some yet to take place. However I dont believe this grants license to say its unknowable or to be wishy-washy. Take a stand, with a willingness to correct course as needed,recognizing at once our clouded view and God's perfect revelation.

Last edited by Hitch; Sun Jun 16, 2013 12:55 PM.