An summary excerpt from Dr. Paul Benware’s Understanding End Times Prophecy: A Comprehensive Approach
VIEWS CONCERNING THE END TIMES
CATEGORY ONE: Second Coming of Christ
AMILLENNIALISM: Single event; no distinction between Rapture and Second Coming; introduces eternal state
POSTMILLENNIALISM: Single event; no distinction between Rapture and Second Coming; Christ returns after millennium.
HISTORIC PREMILLENNIALISM: Rapture and Second Coming simultaneous; Christ returns to reign on earth.
DISPENSATIONAL PREMILLENNIALISM: Second Coming in two phases; Rapture for church; Second Coming to earth seven years later.
CATEGORY TWO: Resurrection
AMILLENNIALISM: General resurrection of believers and unbelievers at second coming of Christ.
POSTMILLENNIALISM: General resurrection of believers and unbelievers at second coming of Christ.
HISTORIC PREMILLENNIALISM: Resurrection of believers at beginning of millennium; resurrection of unbelievers at end of millennium.
DISPENSATIONAL PREMILLENNIALISM: Distinction in resurrections: • Church at Rapture • Old Testament/tribulation saints at Second Coming • Unbelievers at end of millennium
CATEGORY THREE: Judgments
AMILLENNIALISM: General judgment of all people.
POSTMILLENNIALISM: General judgment of all people.
HISTORIC PREMILLENNIALISM: Judgment at Second Coming; judgment at end of tribulation.
DISPENSATIONAL PREMILLENNIALISM: Distinction in judgment: • Believers’ work at Rapture • Jews/Gentiles at end of tribulation • Unbelievers at end of millennium
CATEGORY FOUR: Tribulation
AMILLENNIALISM: Tribulation is experienced in this present age.
POSTMILLENNIALISM: Tribulation is experienced in this present age.
HISTORIC PREMILLENNIALISM: Postrib view: church goes through the future tribulation.
DISPENSATIONAL PREMILLENNIALISM: Pretrib view: church is raptured prior to tribulation.
CATEGORY FIVE: Millennium
AMILLENNIALISM: No literal millennium on earth after Second Coming; kingdom present in church age.
POSTMILLENNIALISM: Present age blends into millennium because of progress of gospel.
HISTORIC PREMILLENNIALISM: Millennium is both present and future. Christ is reigning in heaven; millennium not necessarily 1,000 yrs.
DISPENSATIONAL PREMILLENNIALISM: At Second Coming, Christ inaugurates literal 1,000-year millennium on earth.
CATEGORY SIX: Israel and the Church
AMILLENNIALISM: Church is the new Israel, no distinction between Israel and church.
POSTMILLENNIALISM: Church is the new Israel; no distinction between Israel and church.
HISTORIC PREMILLENNIALISM: Some distinction between Israel and church; future for Israel, but church is spiritual Israel.
DISPENSATIONAL PREMILLENNIALISM: Complete distinction between Israel and church; distinct program for each.
CATEGORY SEVEN: Adherents
AMILLENNIALISM: L. Berkhof, O. T. Allis, G. C. Berkhouwer
POSTMILLENNIALISM: Charles Hodge, B. B. Warfield, W. G. T. Shedd, A. H. Strong
HISTORIC PREMILLENNIALISM: G. E. Ladd, A. Reese, M. J. Erickson
DISPENSATIONAL PREMILLENNIALISM: L. S. Chafer, J. D. Pentecost, C. C. Ryrie, J. F. Walvoord
