What are the Different End Times Theories:

Within the Christian Community, many different interpretations of the End Times exist. Most of these interpretations are held only by the fringe Christian groups and are entirely dismissed by both the majority of Christians and apologists. Today, two interpretations of the End Times dominate the Christian Church. The interpretation held by the majority of Protestants and made popular through movies and books is called: Dispensational Eschatology. The interpretation held by most apologists and scholars is called: Partial Preterist Eschatology.

These two theories regarding the End Times; Dispensationalism and Partial Preterism, could not be more different from one another. Because of these differences, divides have formed within the Christian Church. Before going any further, it is important we remember that these interpretations are secondary issues. Meaning we can and should debate the issue without dividing over the issue. Whether one is a Dispensationalist or Partial Preterist, they are still Christians. Because both of these theories are popular, we will evaluate both of them.

Origins of Dispensationalism:

Some Dispensationalist try to make the assertion the apostles were Dispensationalist. Therefore, the origins of Dispensationalism can be found in the early Church. However, this is a presumptuous statement. Trying to determine the Eschatological views of the apostles is a difficult task and is the goal of Eschatological debate.

What is not debated is Dispensationalism, as a formal eschatological theory, was developed in 1833 by John Nelson Darby (1800-1882). In 1819 Darby developed a theory that Israel and the Church were not the same thing. Prior to this theory, what is called replacement theology taught the Church is the continuation of Israel, or the Church israel.

Traditionally, Isaiah 32 was assumed to have been fulfilled when Christ arrived:

The Fortress will be abandoned,
the noisy city deserted;
citadel and watchtower will become a wasteland forever,
the delight of donkeys, a pasture for flocks,
till the Spirit is poured upon us from on high,
and the desert becomes a fertile field,
and the fertile field seems like a forest.

Isaiah 32:14-15

Prior to the arrival of Christ, Israel was a wasteland (spiritually speaking). Upon the arrival of Christ, Israel (represented by the Christian Church) is revived (again, spiritually speaking). Darby, believing the Church and Israel are distinct, concluded Isaiah 32 was not yet fulfilled and Israel would experience a revival at a future date, known as the dispensation of Israel.

Darby also theorized a rapture could occur at any moment. While a belief in the rapture was nothing new, most believed it would be immediately followed by the extinction of all mankind. Darby theorized the rapture may be followed by a tribulation, known as a pre-tribulation rapture.

The restoration of Israel in 1948 only fuelled the theory of Dispensationalism. Many Dispensationalist saw the restoration of Israel as the beginning of the End Times:

“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Matthew 24:32-35

Believing the generation that saw the restoration of Israel (represented by the fig tree) would be the generation that saw the rapture, Dispensationalist eagerly taught the rapture would come soon. This sensational warning won many converts to the Dispensational theory.

Origins of Partial Preterism:

When considering Partial Preterism it is important to distinguish Partial Preterism from Full Preterism. Full Preterist believe all prophecies, including the resurrection of believers and return of Christ were fulfilled in 70 AD with the destruction of the Temple. Partial Preterist only believe some prophecies were fulfilled in 70 AD and we are still waiting for the resurrection and return of Christ.

Determining the origins of Partial Preterism is difficult. Unlike Dispensationalism, the theory of Partial Preterism was not developed over a short period of time by one or even a few men. Many of the beliefs that constitute Partial Preterism have been around for as long as we can trace back. As early as the early 1600s we find arguments in favor of and against Preterism.

Many suspect Preterism was developed to defend the Catholic Church from accusations from Protestants that the Pope was the Antichrist and the Catholic Church was the “false prophet”. While Preterism was used to defend the Catholic Church, we have no reason to believe Preterism was developed for this purpose. In fact, many of the beliefs of Preterism existed long before it was used to defend the Catholic Church.

Differences between Dispensationalism and Partial Preterism:

Four key events regarding Armageddon dictate one’s belief concerning Eschatology: The Tribulation, The Great Tribulation, The Antichrist, and the 1000 year reign of Christ (the Millennial Kingdom). Below is a comparison of the two competing schools of thought regarding these events: Dispensational and Partial Preterism.

The Tribulation:

The Tribulation is a seven year period of Christian persecution. Typically The Tribulation refers to the first 31/2 years of the full seven years. The second 31/2years is often called The Great Tribulation. Prior to the time of The Tribulation, an Antichrist will rise to power. The Antichrist will then persecute Christians if they refuse to acknowledge him as God.

Scripture Reference: The Tribulation

Then he continued by saying to them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for My name’s sake.

Luke 21:10-12

Dispensational belief regarding the Tribulation:

Dispensationalists believe The Tribulation immediately follows the rapture of Christians. During this time, the Antichrist assumes his position as ruler of the world and declares himselfGod. During the Tribulation, Christians who converted after the Rapture are persecuted because they refuse to acknowledge the divine authority of the Antichrist. Dispensationalists believe this will endure for 31/2 years followed by the Great Tribulation.

Partial Preterist belief regarding the Tribulation:

Partial Preterist believe The Tribulation was fulfilled in the Neronian Persecutions; a 31/2 year persecution of Christians under Nero Caesar from 64AD – 68AD.

The Great Tribulation:

The Great Tribulation is considered the second half of the seven year Tribulation. During this time, the Antichrist will violate a treaty established with Israel and a tragic war will ensue for 31/2 years resulting in the destruction of the Jewish Temple.

Scripture Reference: The Great Tribulation

Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.”

Luke 21:5-6.

“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near. Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are in the midst of the city must leave, and those who are in the country must not enter the city; because these are days of vengeance, so that all things which are written will be fulfilled. Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days; for there will be great distress upon the land and wrath to this people; and they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”

Luke 21:20-24

Dispensational belief regarding the Great Tribulation:

While Dispensationalists recognize the Temple was destroyed by the Roman Army in 70AD, they believe the Temple will be rebuilt then destroyed again when the Antichrist attacks Israel. According to Dispensationalists, the Great Tribulation will consist of the Antichrist revealing his true nature followed by a great war that will last for 31/2 years.

Partial Preterist belief regarding the Great Tribulation:

Partial Preterist believe The Great Tribulation was fulfilled in the First Roman-Jewish war; a 31/2 year war from 66AD – 70AD launched by Nero Caesar’s General Titus against Israel; resulting in the destruction of the Jewish Temple.

The Antichrist:

The Antichrist, often called the Beast, is a ruler of the final world empire. This figure declares himself God and persecutes any Christian who refuses to acknowledge his divine title. The Antichrist will declare war on Israel which will last for 31/2 years. According to Revelation, the number “666″ is associated with the Antichrist. However, early copies of Revelation reveal the number 616 instead of 666. The Bible teaches that those who follow the Antichrist will receive a mark on their right hand and forehead.

Scripture Reference: The Antichrist

“Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary And its end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined. And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate.”

Daniel 9:26-27

Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things? And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-10

Dispensational belief regarding the Antichrist:

Dispensationalists believe we are still waiting for the Antichrist. After the Great Tribulation, Jesus Christ will appear and destroy the Antichrist. According to Dispensationalists, this is Jesus Christ’s second coming. Dispensationalist also believe an a literal “Mark of the Beast” as described in Revelation. They often suggest this may be a tattoo, microchip, or other form of permanent marking.

Partial Preterist belief regarding the Antichrist:

According to Partial Preterism the vast majority of “End Times Prophecies” were fulfilled in the destruction of the Roman Empire and rise of the Christian Church. Partial Preterist believe Nero Caesar, the last Roman Emperor from the Julio-Claudian Dynasty, and the Roman Empire was the Antichrist. While Partial Preterist believe in a literal second coming of Christ, they believe the statements regarding the arrival of Christ to destroy the Antichrist are figures of speech meaning Christ’s wrath will be brought upon the Roman Empire. They often reference Old Testament examples of such language being used to describe God’s wrath:

The oracle concerning Egypt Behold, the LORD is riding on a swift cloud and is about to come to Egypt; The idols of Egypt will tremble at His presence, And the heart of the Egyptians will melt within them.

Isaiah 19:1

Partial Preterist also dismiss a literal mark of the Beast on the right hand and forehead. Again, they state this is a very common figure of speech used in the Old Testament to mean one is a follower:

“And it will be like a sign on your hand and a symbol on your forehead that the LORD brought us out of Egypt with his mighty hand.”

Exodus 13:16

The 1000 year reign of Christ:

The 1000 year reign of Christ is often called the Millennia (meaning 1000 years). According to Revelation, after the destruction of the Antichrist and his Empire, the Kingdom of God will rule for a thousand years, during which no other world empires shall emerge.

Scripture Reference: The 1000 year reign of Christ

Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

Revelation 20:4

Dispensational belief regarding the 1000 year reign of Christ:

The vast majority of Dispensationalists are Premillennialists and believe in a literal 1000 year reign of Christ. This reign of Christ follows the destruction of the Antichrist and end of The Tribulation. After the 1000 year reign of Christ, the Devil will be allowed to bring havoc for a short time before the world is destroyed.

Partial Preterist belief regarding the 1000 year reign of Christ:

Partial Preterist site the Hebrew use of the number 1000 as meaning “the rest of” or “all of”:

He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth. He remembers his covenant forever, the word he commanded, for a thousand generations,

Psalm 105:7-8

According to Partial Preterism Revelation 20 is saying the Roman Empire will collapse, no other world empires will arise and Christ will reign until his second coming. Partial Preterists are Amillennialists and therefore do not believe in a literal thousand year reign of Christ. Instead, they believe Christ reigns now and will continue to do so until his return.

The Problem with Dispensationalism:

A great deal of excitement is involved when anticipating the fulfillment of prophecy. However, legitimizing the perception of Dispensationalism involves isolating parts of scripture from its context and relating it to another isolated text of scripture. Often, alleged prophecies pertaining to the “End of Days” were already fulfilled in past events. These prophecies could not be attributed to the “End of Days” without first delegitimizing their amazing and compelling fulfillment.

A common argument used by Dispensationalist when defending their beliefs is they maintain the most literal interpretation of the Bible. While this is no doubt true, it is also a discrediting argument for Dispensationalism. The idea the Bible should be, or was meant to be, taken literally and never symbolically is unfounded. Symbolism and figures of speech is common, and in fact predominant, within the text of the Bible. When we refer to Christ as the Lamb of God we are not suggesting Jesus Christ is literally a farm animal. When Christ instructs not to throw our “pearls before swine”, he is not giving us advice on how to conduct ourselves around pigs and jewelry.

When reading the Bible, we must understand it was not written to us. It was written to the contemporaries of the authors of the books of the Bible. Paul wrote his books to the churches and people of his time. The way they spoke and figures of speech they were familiar with were different then our modern vernacular. Without first understanding the hermeneutics of the time period during which a book of the Bible was written, one can not declare they know what is to be taken literally and what is symbolic or a figure of speech.