Author: Christ the King

Baptized in 1991. Confirmed Roman Catholic 2015. I am married and the father of two sons. My education includes a B.A. in Geography and Urban planning. My interests are in reading the Bible and good books like Will Durant's, The Story of Civilization.

Dispensational Premillennialism


Most who hold to this view are pre-tribulationiats; believing Revelation 4:1-2 to describe the rapture of the church before the tribulation period begins. The rapture and the second coming of Christ are believed to be two separate events. As opposed to others who hold that the church will be raptured during the tribulation; known as “ mid-tribulationists.” It is believed that Jesus Christ will return to earth after the seven-year tribulation to rule and reign on earth for a thousand years( millennium) of peace. God will still honor his covenant with Israel; giving them the land promised to them in Genesis 15:8.

Does Scripture Support This View?

“God will remove Christians before the tribulation (1 Thess. 5:9; Rev. 3:10). God’s promises to Israel were unconditional (Gen. 15:7-21). The church is not specifically mentioned between Revelation 4 and 19.

when and by whom was this view popularized?
This view emerged in the 1800s among the Plymouth Brethren. It increased in popularity in the 1800s and remains widespread today. Supporters include J. Nelson Darby, C.I. Scofield, Hary A. Ironside, Gleason Archer, Donald G. Barnhouse, Hal Lindsey, Chuck Smith, John MacArthur, Charles Ryrie, Charles Stanley, Norman L. Geisler, and Tim LaHaye.”(Rose Book of Bible Charts, Maps, & Timelines, p. 166)

God has not revealed the time of Christ’s return. Therefore, the setting of dates is fruitless and unbiblical speculation. Revelation speaks of “a thousand years” that Satan will be bound and some of God’s people will come to life and reign with him.

Christians have interpreted the millennium in different ways, but what is clear from scripture is that all humanity will acknowledge that Jesus is Lord over all creation. After this present age Christ will judge the whole world once and for all. At this time the righteous wrath of God will be unleashed on a rebellious world.

Unbelievers will be judged, and punished; those who refuse Gods grace and forgiveness in Christ will suffer eternal punishment in hell. However, in this age the church is called to warn people everywhere to repent and flee from the wrath to come when Christ returns as judge. Believers and unbelievers alike will be judged by Christ. God seeks to motivate his people to holiness by the rewards they will receive, and ultimately Christians can only stand before God because of Christ’s completed work on the cross. Our justification is only the perfect righteousness imputed to us who have faith in Jesus Christ. Believers are shielded from sins penalty because of his righteousness, and not our own false security of self-righteousness. Those who trust in Christ for their salvation have no fear of final judgment.

The New Heavens and New Earth

John’s revelation gives a powerful glimpse of the end of all things. Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth for the first heaven, and the first Earth had passed away. And the sea was no more and I saw the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adored for her husband. The entire world that was subject to futility and decay in the fall will be free from bondage when God makes everything new.”(ESV Study Bible, Crossway p. 2533)