There are a few perspectives, usually classified according to
their viewpoints regarding the millennium.
(1) Premillenialism. Jesus will return before he establishes a
millennial kingdom on this earth.
(2) Postmillenialism. Christ will return after an earthly
kingdom is established.
(3) Amillennialism. They interpret all language about a final,
earthly realm of peace in a spiritual manner and believe no
historical period called the millennium does or will exist.
There are also Historic Premillenialist who expect Israelite
conversion and the Great Tribulation to occur before Christ's
return; and Dispensational Premillennialists who distinguish two
phases in Jesus' return-the rapture of the Church followed by the
Tribulation and Israel's conversion and Jesus' return to defeat the
Antichrist, bind Satan, and establish a Judeo-centric millennial
kingdom. There are also other topics like Universalism, the nature
of hell, the hope of resurrection and the intermidate state that
continue to be debated.
The Bible describes five major final events. Jesus' return,
defeat of evil, resurrection, judgment, and renewal of the cosmos.
In Matthew 24:3 Jesus' disciples ask him when shall these things be
and what is the sign of thy coming and the end of the world. Jesus
answers..
many will come in his name and deceive many
we will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but the end is not
yet
nation will rise against nation
there will be famine, pestilences, and earthquakes in diverse
places
These are all the beginning of sorrows.
Jesus' followers will be persecuted, hated and killed
the Gospel shall be preached in all the world and then the end
shall come.
It begins with us seeing " the abomination of desolation
"standing in the holy place. Then the great tribulation occurs. We
see the sign of the Son of man in heaven and we see Him coming in
the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Then Matthew 24:40
" Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the
other left " describes what has been called " The Rapture"
