revelation: history of millennial theories biblical...

Revelation:History of Millennial Theories

I. Millennium—Old TestamentA. no explicit referencesB. issue of kingdom of David promisesC. issue of eschatological prophecies

II. Millennium—New TestamentA. one explicit verse (Rev. 20:4)B. issue of allusions: Mt. 19:28; 25:31–46; Lk.

14:14; 1 Cor. 15:22–25; 1 Thess. 4:13–18

Biblical Background

History of Millennial TheoriesI. Early Period to Reformation

A. Patristic ApocalypticChiliastic Apocalyptic (c. 130)

introduced through Papias, IrenaeusJewish, materialistic, world-age schemes

Montanus Apocalyptic (c. 172)predicted New Jerusalem’s arrival in Papuzaearly illustration of Revelation as problematicEastern Church becomes suspicious of book


A. Patristic ApocalypticConstantinian Apocalyptic (d. 337)

Greek Orthodox—rejection of bookRoman Catholic—interpretive paradigm shifts

deferred timing (Anno Mundi math)symbolic timing (Augustine, amillennialsim)“Last Emperor” myth: predicating end time“City of God”: from eathly Rome to heavenCouncil of Ephesus (431): amillennialism is canonized


B. Millennium Apocalyptic (A.D. 1000)Bede (d. 735): new Anno Christi mathAdso of Montier-en-Der (d. 992): the maturing Antichrist mythPope Sylvester II (d. 1003): millennial fever

C. Crusade Apocalyptic (A.D. 1095)Hildegard of Bingen (d. 1179)

latent anti-SemitismAntichrist art


C. Crusade Apocalyptic (A.D. 1095)Joachim of Fiore (d. 1202)

signs of the times: Muslim onslaughtperiodizing precipice

History of Millennial TheoriesII. Reformation to American Revolution

A. Reformation Precursors (1400s)Radical movements (radical tendencies)

Hussites: radical movement in BohemiaTaborites: violent splinter group

John Wycliff (papacy as Antichrist)papal reform hopes dashedintroduces papacy as Antichrist tradition

History of Millennial TheoriesII. Reformation to American Revolution (continued)

B. ReformationMartin Luther: premillennial paradigm shift

periodizing revived: starts protestant useAntichrist slander: legitimates its useapocalyptic art: transforms its strategyradical rhetoric: unleashes its potential

Radical Anabaptists: violent movementsThomas Müntzer; Münster rebellionreveals radical abuse of Revelation traditions

History of Millennial TheoriesII. Reformation to American Revolution (continued)

Catholic Reactionfuturism (Ribera): displaces meaning futurepreterism (Alcazar): displaces meaning past

C. Colonial Apocalyptic (1700s)Puritan Apocalyptic: civic millennialism

Episcopal reform inspires postmillennialism“New World” ideology of American colonies

Revolutionary Apocalyptic: millennial destinyapocalyptic frame of colonial revoltAmerica’s millennial destiny ideology

History of Millennial TheoriesIII. Nineteenth-Century America

A. MormonismJoseph Smith, Jr. (d. 1844): new revelationspostmillennialism becomes a religion, society

B. Millerism (Adventism)First stage—original Millerites

William Miller (d. 1849): failed predictionsthree adjustments for movement’s survival

new teaching (heavenly tabernacle)new timing (creates third advent)new strategy (precisely imprecise)


B. Millerism (Adventism)Second stage—Seventh-Day Adventists

Ellen G. White (d. 1915): new revelationsreinvents original Millerite movementSunday worship as mark of the beast

Third stage—splinter AdventistsH. W. Armstrong: Worldwide Church of God

Americanized “British Israelism”G. T. Armstrong: The Church of God International


B. Millerism (Adventism)Third stage—splinter Adventists (continued)

Worldwide Church of God (H. W. Armstrong)Americanized “British Israelism”Garner Ted’s defection (Ch. of God Intern.)

Jehovah’s Witnesses (Russell & Rutherford)Watchtower Bible and Tract SocietyRussell: WWI = end; failed 1914 predictionRutherford: “Jehovah” God’s true name; Jehovah’s Witnesses only true church


B. Millerism (Adventism)Third stage—splinter Adventists (continued)

Branch Davidians: David KoreshMount Carmel Compound, Waco, TXgovernment standoff; firey end

History of Millennial TheoriesIII. Nineteenth-Century America (continued)

C. Darbyism (Dispensationalism)Origins: Plymouth Brethren (1820s)Americanization—John Nelson Darby

rejected Brethren leader (teachings, control)migrates to America, fresh start (1850–60s)

doctrinal innovations/aberrationsseven dispensations (salvation systems)two covenants (Israel, church)one great parenthesis (Daniel’s 70th week)secret rapture (invisible coming)

History of Millennial TheoriesIII. Nineteenth-Century America (continued)

C. Darbyism (Dispensationalism)historical animosity: antipathy to historyAmerican dominance

Scofield Reference Bible (1909, 1917, 1967)Scofield institutionalized (Dallas Theological)Scofield popularized (Late Great Planet Earth)

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History of Millennial Theories

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History of Millennial Theories

History of Millennial TheoriesIV. Modern “Signs of the Times” Preaching

A. tenacity of social ills = evil’s last flingB. mainline liberalism = great apostasyC. wars, nuclear holocaust = ArmageddonD. Common Market = revived Roman EmpireE. earthquakes, natural disastersF. cold war polarities = Ezekiel’s Gog/MagogG. state of Israel, 1948 = “this generation”H. computers, Internet = knowledge increaseI. bar codes, etc. = mark of the beastJ. CNN = “every eye will see him”

History of Millennial TheoriesV. Conclusions

A. Conclusion 1: Millennial interpretation is an exegesis of the the times, not the text.

B. Conclusion 2: Millennial theories are generated by specific historical contexts and paradigm shifts.

Amillennialism: Augustine, Constantine (4th)Premillennialism: Luther, Reformation (16th)Postmillennialism: Puritans, New World (18th)

C. Conclusion 3: Nineteenth-century movements continue to dominate American millennial thought with an imminence theme, signs of the times preaching, and abberant teachings.

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