The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Eschatology Help!

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!

I am sure others, especially Pilgrim, will give you a better understanding of the terms mentioned. Basically, the categories are the methodology that some have used in interpreting Revelation. I am a little confused myself on if the 4 categories are completely separated apart from one another.

One's eschatology of pre-mill, post-mill and a-mill is fairly consistent in their understanding. Except when one's pre-mill turns into dispensational pre-mill which runs contrary to the other 3 (a-mill, post-mill and historic pre-mill).

I am a a-mill and I think the key is the understanding of the 'last days' as referring to the time of Christ's first coming and his second coming. We are presently in the last days. Christ already gained victory with His resurrection. Though Satan may have some power that God allows him, Satan is a defeated foe.

If you are a serious student, William Hendriksen's book, "More Than Conquerors", is more or less the standard for the A-mills.

Oh the confidence expressed that old Pilgrim will come along and offer some further explanations!

For now, I would concur that Hendriksen's book, More Than Conquerers is one of the best commentaries on Revelation available. On the broader perspective, i.e., on eschatology in general and Amillennialism specifically, Cornelius Venema's The Promise of the Future is likewise excellent. There are several articles on The Highway that are taken from that book.

ADDENDUM: Actually, Hitch will most likely jump in here too since he is an eschatological aficionado.

"HEY" Austin. I want to welcome you to THE HIGHWAY. Hope that you find a home here as many of us have done.



A very warm



No doubt that you have made your way to the Eschatology section of our web site found here. >Eschatology

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.