The End Times Explained: For Regular People
- Thad DeBuhr
- Jun 9
- 11 min read
It's been an amazing journey working through the book of Revelation together on the Live Daily Bible Podcast and diving deep with the study guides. Honestly, it's been so refreshing and encouraging to see so many of you tuning in live and using those guides—we have about 100 people getting them every day!
Naturally, studying Revelation and all this engagement has brought out a lot of questions. And questions are great! Apart from a few random "haters" in the live chat now and then (you've probably seen a few!), everyone asking questions or sharing different opinions has been incredibly respectful and genuinely interested in learning for the sake of unity, not just arguing.
Because so many good questions have come in, I thought it would be helpful to put together a "regular person's guide to the end times" kind of blog. This is for all of us (me included!) to walk through the various views, what they're called, what those weird names mean, and—most importantly—to really think about what Jesus taught, what the Apostles taught, and what the early church believed.
Let's Talk "End-Times Views"
When people talk about the "end times" from a biblical perspective, they're talking about the study of "last things" – what the Bible says about the end of the world, Jesus's return, judgment, and how everything finally wraps up. This whole area of study is called eschatology. Because the Bible contains many prophecies and uses a lot of symbolic language, Christians have developed different ways of understanding how these events will unfold. Here are the main views, often categorized by how they interpret the "millennium," a thousand-year period mentioned in Revelation 20:
Various Views of the End Times
Premillennialism:
Definition: This view believes that Jesus will return before a literal 1,000-year reign on Earth. After a period of great trouble (the "Tribulation"), Jesus will come back, defeat evil, and establish his kingdom on Earth for a thousand years. After this 1,000-year reign, there will be a final judgment and then the eternal state (new heavens and new earth).
Sub-types:
Historic Premillennialism: This is the older version. It believes the Church will go through the Tribulation and then Jesus returns to set up his earthly kingdom.
Dispensational Premillennialism: This is a more recent and very popular view, especially in the US. It often includes a "secret rapture" where Christians are taken off the Earth before the Tribulation, allowing God to focus on Israel. After a seven-year Tribulation, Jesus returns visibly to establish his 1,000-year reign. This view often emphasizes a sharp distinction between God's plans for Israel and for the Church.
Postmillennialism:
Definition: This view believes that Jesus will return after a long period (which might be a literal 1,000 years or just a long, undefined time) where Christianity and God's influence become dominant worldwide. They believe the world will gradually get better and better through the spread of the Gospel and the Church's efforts, leading to a "golden age" on Earth. After this period, Jesus will return, and then comes the final judgment and the eternal state.
Amillennialism:
Definition: This view believes that the "thousand years" in Revelation 20 is symbolic, not a literal 1,000-year period on Earth. They see it as referring to Christ's spiritual reign in heaven and through the Church on Earth right now, between his first coming and his second coming. They believe that Christ is currently binding Satan, and the "millennium" is the entire current age of the Church. Jesus will return once at the very end of this age, bringing about the resurrection, final judgment, and the eternal state all at once. The term "a-" means "no" or "not," so it means "no literal millennium on Earth."
Preterism:
Definition: As discussed, preterism (from Latin praeter meaning "past") interprets some or all biblical prophecies as having already been fulfilled.
Partial Preterism (or Classical Preterism): Believes most prophecies (like the destruction of Jerusalem, the Antichrist, the Tribulation) were fulfilled in the first century AD (especially around AD 70), but still affirms a future, physical Second Coming of Christ, a future bodily resurrection, and a final judgment.
Full Preterism (or Hyper-Preterism): Believes all biblical prophecies, including the Second Coming, resurrection, and final judgment, were fulfilled spiritually in the first century AD (specifically by AD 70). This view is generally considered outside mainstream Christian orthodoxy because it denies a future physical return of Christ and a literal bodily resurrection.
Historicism:
Definition: This view interprets prophecies (especially in Revelation) as a symbolic roadmap of church history from the first century until the Second Coming. Adherents try to match prophetic symbols with specific historical events throughout the centuries. Many Protestant Reformers held this view.
Idealism (or Spiritual Approach):
Definition: This view sees the prophecies, especially in Revelation, primarily as symbolic representations of timeless spiritual truths about the ongoing conflict between good and evil, God's ultimate victory, and the spiritual realities experienced by believers. It doesn't necessarily tie prophecies to specific historical events (past or future) or a strict chronological timeline.
What Did the Apostles Believe?
The Apostles certainly believed in the imminent return of Jesus Christ and the resurrection of the dead. They lived with a strong sense of expectation that the "last days" had already begun with Jesus's resurrection and ascension.
Imminence: Passages like James 5:8 ("The coming of the Lord is at hand"), 1 Corinthians 7:29 ("The appointed time has grown very short"), and 1 Peter 4:7 ("The end of all things is at hand") suggest they believed Jesus's return was close, perhaps even within their lifetime (e.g., 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17, where Paul speaks of "we who are alive and remain").
Physical Return: They consistently taught a future, physical, visible return of Jesus Christ (Acts 1:11: "This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven").
Bodily Resurrection: The bodily resurrection of Christ was central to their message, and they firmly believed in a future bodily resurrection for believers (1 Corinthians 15, Philippians 3:20-21).
Judgment: They taught about a future judgment (2 Corinthians 5:10, 2 Peter 3:7).
"This Generation": When Jesus said "this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place" (Matthew 24:34), the Apostles likely understood "these things" to include the destruction of Jerusalem and the fall of the Jewish system, which indeed happened within that generation. However, they still looked forward to a broader, cosmic end.
It's important to note that the Apostles weren't systematic theologians building out comprehensive "end times charts" like we see today. Their focus was often on practical living in light of Christ's imminent return and the hope of resurrection. They taught readiness, holiness, and evangelism, rather than predicting specific dates or detailed sequences.
What Did the Early Church Leaders Believe and Why?
The early Church Fathers, those who led the Church in the centuries immediately following the Apostles, generally held to a form of Premillennialism, often called Chiliasm (from the Greek word for "thousand").
Belief in a Literal Millennium (Chiliasm/Historic Premillennialism): Many prominent early Church Fathers, such as Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Tertullian, and Hippolytus, believed in a future, literal 1,000-year reign of Christ on Earth after his physical return. They saw this as a time of peace, righteousness, and restoration, sometimes akin to a return to the Garden of Eden.
Why?
Literal Interpretation of Revelation 20: They often interpreted Revelation 20 (the chaining of Satan and the 1,000-year reign) quite literally.
Jewish Background: Coming from a Jewish context, many early Christians expected a literal earthly kingdom for the Messiah, as prophesied in the Old Testament. This expectation was naturally carried over into their understanding of Christ's second coming.
Comfort in Persecution: The early church faced immense persecution. The idea of Christ returning to establish a just, peaceful, and prosperous earthly kingdom provided immense hope and comfort to believers enduring suffering and injustice. It was a tangible vision of justice and vindication.
"Six Days of Creation" Analogy: Some Fathers, like Barnabas and Irenaeus, used a common theological analogy: God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. Since "a day is as a thousand years to the Lord" (2 Peter 3:8), they speculated that human history would last 6,000 years, followed by a 1,000-year Sabbath rest (the millennium) before the eternal state.
Shift Towards Amillennialism (with Augustine): While Premillennialism was dominant in the early centuries, the view began to wane, and Amillennialism gained significant traction, especially with Augustine of Hippo (late 4th/early 5th century AD).
Why the shift?
Failed Predictions and Disillusionment: As time passed and Christ did not return for the earthly millennium as some had perhaps too eagerly expected, some Christians became disillusioned.
Problematic "Millennial" Movements: There were some radical and even heretical groups who used literal millennial expectations to justify extreme behaviors or date-setting, which brought discredit to the literal interpretation.
The Rise of the Christian Roman Empire: After Emperor Constantine made Christianity legal and eventually the state religion (in the 4th century), the Church's position in the world drastically changed. Instead of being persecuted, the Church was gaining power and influence. This led some to believe that perhaps the Kingdom of God was already being realized on Earth through the Church's growing dominance, making a future literal earthly kingdom seem less necessary or appealing.
Augustine's Influence: Augustine's highly influential work, City of God, interpreted the millennium symbolically as the present reign of Christ with his saints (the Church) in heaven and on Earth. He saw the binding of Satan as happening during Christ's first coming. Augustine's strong theological arguments effectively shifted the mainstream view of the millennium from a literal future reign to a spiritual present reality for many centuries in Western Christianity.
In summary, while the Apostles lived with a strong sense of the "last days" having begun and an eager expectation of Jesus's physical return and bodily resurrection, they didn't lay out detailed charts. The early Church largely adopted a literal interpretation of a future 1,000-year reign (Premillennialism/Chiliasm) due to biblical interpretation, Jewish background, and the hope it offered. However, practical experience and the influential theological work of figures like Augustine led to a significant shift towards a symbolic understanding (Amillennialism) for much of Christian history.
So, How Should We Think About All This?
Understanding these different views of the "end times" can seem like a lot, and it's easy to get bogged down in the details. But for someone who follows Jesus, the most important thing isn't just knowing all the theories. It's about how these beliefs shape your everyday life, how you interact with others, and what your ultimate hope is.
Think about it: Jesus and his earliest followers, the Apostles, didn't leave us detailed timelines or complex charts about the future. What they did focus on was how we should live right now, knowing that God is in control and that Jesus is coming back.
Here are some key takeaways from Jesus and the Apostles that should guide any Christian, regardless of their specific "end times" view:
Live with Expectation, Not Obsession:
What Jesus Taught: Jesus often spoke about his return being sudden and unexpected, like a "thief in the night" (Matthew 24:43-44). He warned against trying to pinpoint dates, saying only the Father knows the day or hour (Matthew 24:36). His main command was to "be ready" – to live faithfully in the present.
What the Apostles Taught: They echoed this. Paul told believers to "be awake and sober" (1 Thessalonians 5:6), not to get caught up in endless debates or distractions. The expectation of Jesus's return was meant to inspire a holy and purposeful life, not a fearful or idle one.
How to Think, Talk, and Act: Instead of obsessing over future timelines or trying to guess dates, focus on living each day for Jesus. Talk about the hope of his return, not just the fear of judgment. Act like someone who is prepared for their master to come home at any moment – diligent in their work, loving to their family, and serving their community.
Focus on the Core Message: Jesus Died, Rose, and Will Return:
What Jesus Taught: The central message of Jesus's ministry was the Kingdom of God, his death, and his resurrection. He told his followers to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20), sharing this good news.
What the Apostles Taught: The very first sermons by the Apostles (see Acts 2, 3, 10) centered on Jesus's death, resurrection, and his future role as judge. This was the foundation of their faith and their mission. While there are many different ways to interpret prophecies, the core belief in Jesus's return and his ultimate victory is shared across almost all Christian traditions.
How to Think, Talk, and Act: Don't let disagreements over specific end-times views overshadow the fundamental truths of the Gospel. When you talk about your faith, emphasize what unites Christians: Jesus's saving work and his promised return. Actively share the simple, powerful story of Jesus.
Prioritize Love and Unity, Not Division:
What Jesus Taught: Jesus's greatest commands were to love God and to love your neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39). He also prayed for his followers to be unified, "that the world may believe" (John 17:21). Disagreements over non-essential doctrines can often tear apart the very unity Jesus prayed for.
What the Apostles Taught: Paul constantly urged believers to live in peace and unity, bearing with one another in love (Ephesians 4:1-3, Colossians 3:13-14). He warned against endless arguments over "controversial questions" that don't build up faith (1 Timothy 1:4).
How to Think, Talk, and Act: Recognize that sincere Christians can hold different views on the end times. Approach these discussions with humility and respect. If someone has a different view than you, listen to them and try to understand their perspective. Don't let disagreements over these complex topics cause division within your church or among your friends. Focus on showing Christ's love to everyone, regardless of their eschatological chart.
Embrace Hope, Not Fear:
What Jesus Taught: Jesus's message, even about challenging times, was ultimately one of hope. He assured his disciples that he would come again to take them to be with him (John 14:1-3).
What the Apostles Taught: The New Testament speaks of the Second Coming as the "blessed hope" (Titus 2:13). It's a promise of ultimate victory over evil, the end of suffering, and eternal life with God.
How to Think, Talk, and Act: Your hope in Jesus's return should be a source of strength and comfort, not anxiety. Talk about the future with confidence in God's plan. Let this hope motivate you to persevere through challenges and to live justly, knowing that every act of love and righteousness contributes to God's unfolding kingdom.
Ultimately, while understanding biblical prophecy is valuable, a genuine follower of Jesus will always prioritize living out the teachings of love, faith, and readiness, knowing that the specific timing and details of the future are in God's perfect hands.
RESOURCES TO HELP YOU GROW AS A CHRISTIAN
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Well explained with an excellent summary of where to "hang your hat". Thanks Thad.