In the last article I posted for the MarketFaith Newsletter on January 27, I presented a brief summary of the four diverse views of evangelical Christians on the question of the Millennium. They are Historic Premillennialism, Dispensational Premillennialism, Postmillennialism, and Amillennialism. In looking at the various views, we established one important principle: whatever a person’s millennial view may be, even if he or as she is dogmatic about it, we should never make that a point of fellowship or acceptance among Christians. See the article here: http://www.marketfaith.org/2021/01/whats-all-the-confusion-about-the-millennium-tal-davis/
In any case, it occurred to me that many Christians really do not even know where they stand on that question. Most probably have a position they accept, but don’t know, or didn’t know, there are other views held by Bible believing Christians. So I have put together this short seven question multiple choice quiz for you to take. Answer each one as best you can according to your own beliefs. After you finish I believe it can help you know your own personal millennial position.
- I believe that before Christ will return:
a. The Gospel will be preached around the world and good and evil will co-exist, but many people will receive Christ as Savior and Lord.
b. The Gospel will be preached around the world and many signs of His return will be seen, especially the return of the Jewish people to their homeland and the battle of Armageddon.
c. The Gospel will be preached around the world and good and evil will co-exist. But as the Gospel is spread and the church grows, there will be an increase of goodness leading to a time of peace and prosperity in the world.
d. Same as a.
e. None of the above. - I believe that:
a. Jesus’ Second Coming will occur immediately before a literal thousand year period when He will rule the world directly.
b. There will be two stages to the coming of Christ. First, the church will be raptured out of the world, and seven years later, after the Great Tribulation, He will come to rule for a thousand years.
c. Christ will return after an extended time of peace on earth and the spread of Christianity.
d. Christ will return and then will be the final judgment.
e. None of the above. - I believe when Christ returns:
a. The dead in Christ (i.e.: those who were saved before they died) will be raised and accompany Him to the earth before the thousand years of His rule.
b. The dead in Christ will be raised and accompany Him to the earth after the seven years Tribulation, and before the thousand years of His rule.
c. The dead in Christ will be raised when Christ returns after an extended time of world peace.
d. The dead in Christ will be raised and accompany Him to earth for the final judgment.
e. None of the above. - I believe when Christ returns:
a. Those believers still alive at His coming will meet Him, along with the raised dead in Christ, in the air and accompany Him to institute the thousand years of His rule.
b. Those believers still alive at His coming will be raptured from the earth before the Tribulation and, seven years later, accompany Him, along with the raised dead in Christ, to institute the thousand years of His rule.
c. Those believers still alive at His coming will meet Him and the raised dead in Christ in the air after an extended time of world peace and before the final judgment.
d. Those believers still alive at His coming will meet Him and the raised dead in Christ in the air, and then will come the final judgment.
e. None of the above. - I believe that during the thousand years of Christ’s rule on earth:
a. Satan and his demons will be bound.
b. There will be great peace on earth.
c. War will be ended.
d. There will be no thousand years of Christ’s rule on earth.
e. a, b, and c above. - I believe that after the thousand years of Christ’s rule on earth:
a. Satan will be released for short time.
b. Jesus will institute the final judgment.
c. Satan and his demons will be cast into the lake of fire.
d. There will be no thousand years of Christ’s rule on earth. But Jesus, at His return, will institute the final judgment, and Satan and his demons will be cast into the lake of fire.
e. a, b, and c above. - I believe at the final judgment:
a. All people who have accepted Jesus as their Savior and Lord will be granted eternal life.
b. God will create a new Heaven and new earth and He will dwell with His people forever.
c. Christians, especially those martyred for their faith, will receive rewards for their faithfulness.
d. Those people who have rejected Jesus Christ as their Savior will be judged and forever separated from God.
e. All of the above.
Now let’s analyze your responses to see what millennial perspective is most consistent with your beliefs.
- If you selected answer a or d, then your answer is consistent with either a Historic Premillennial or Amillennial perspective. If you selected b, then you are consistent with a Dispensational Premillennial view. If you selected c, then you are consistent with a Postmillennial view. If you selected e, then you may not believe in the second coming at all.
- If you selected answer a, then your answer is consistent with the Historic Premillennial perspective. If you selected b, then you are consistent with a Dispensational Premillennial view. If you selected c, then you are consistent with a Postmillennial view. If you selected d, then your answer is consistent with an Amillennial view. If you selected e, then you may not believe in the second coming at all.
- If you selected answer a, then your answer is consistent with a Historic Premillennial perspective. If you selected b, then you are consistent with a Dispensational Premillennial view. If you selected c, then you are consistent with a Postmillennial view. If you selected d, then you are consistent with an Amillennial view. If you selected e, then you may not believe in the second coming at all.
- If you selected answer a, then your answer is consistent with the Historic Premillennial perspective. If you selected b, then you are consistent with a Dispensational Premillennial view. If you selected c, then you are consistent with a Postmillennial view. If you selected d, then you are consistent with an Amillennial view. If you selected e, then you may not believe in the second coming at all.
- If you selected answer a, b, c, (or e) then your answer is consistent with either Historic Premillennial, Dispensational Premillennial or Postmillennial views. If you selected d, then you are consistent with an Amillennial view.
- If you selected answer a, b, and c, (or e) then your answer is consistent with either Historic Premillennial, Dispensational Premillennial or Postmillennial views. If you selected d, then you are consistent with an Amillennial view.
- All answers, a. b, c, and d, (or e) are consistent with all of the millennial views.
So how does this help you know which millennial perspective you believe? Its simple.
- You may be a Historic Premillennialist if you answered each or most as follows: 1.a or d; 2.a; 3.a; 4.a; 5.e. 6.e; 7.e.
- You may be a Dispensational Premillennialist if you answered each or most as follows: 1.b; 2.b; 3.b; 4.b; 5.e; 6.e; 7.e.
- You may be a Postmillennialist if you answered each or most as follows: 1.c; 2.c; 3.c; 4.c; 5.c; 6.e; 7.e.
- You may be an Amillennialist if you answered each or most as follows: 1.a or d; 2.d; 3.d; 4.d; 5.d; 6.d; 7.e.
Whichever millennial view is closest to your own, then God bless you. If you still do not know where you stand on this theological issue, you may want to do some reading. A good resource is: The Meaning of the Millennium: Four Views, edited by Robert Clouse (Grand Rapids: InterVarsity Press, 1997). In any case, remember, the important thing is that you believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. That is the only thing that will really matter whether He comes before the millennium, after the millennium, or if there is no millennium at all.
© 2021 Tal Davis