Systems of Theology

Eschatology Supplement

1. Christian Interpretations of the End Times (see Rev 20:1-10)

A. Premillennialism

B. Amillennialism

C. Postmillennialism

2. Types of Premillennialism

A. “Earthly Program” Premillennialism (see Dan 9:24-27)

1. Pre-tribulational

2. Mid-tribulational

3. Post-tribulational

B. “Historic” Premillennialism

3. The End Times and Systems of Theology

A. Dispensational Theologies

1. Classic Dispensationalism

a. Pretribulational Premillennialism only

2. Revised Dispensationalism

a. Pretribulational Premillennialism (95%)

b. Midtribulational Premillennialism (4%)

c. Posttribulational Premillennialism (1%)

Systems of Theology: Eschatology Supplement © 2004 by R W Glenn 1

 3. Progressive Dispensationalism

a. Pretribulational Premillennialism: Though they advocate this position, they

leave room for mid- and post-tribulational views. “While most
dispensationalists probably hold to a pretribulation rapture of the church as
being in certain respects more harmonious with dispensationalism in general,
many would not desire to make this a determining touchstone of
dispensationalism today.”1

B. Non-Dispensational Theologies

1. Covenantalism

a. Historic Premillennialism

b. Amillennialism

c. Postmillennialism

2. New Covenant Theology

a. Historic Premillennialism

b. Amillennialism

4. Concluding Observations

A. Both dispensational and non-dispensational theologies allow for premillennialism.

B. Only dispensational theologies are “Earthly Program” premillennialist eschatologies.

C. Only non-dispensational theologies allow for amillennial and postmillennial readings

of the events of the end times.

1
Robert L Saucy, The Case for Progressive Dispensationalism: The Interface between Dispensational and
Non-Dispensational Theology (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing, 1993), 8-9.

Systems of Theology: Eschatology Supplement © 2004 by R W Glenn 2

 Eschatology Charts2

Premillennialism

Amillennialism

Postmillennialism

Pretribulational Premillennialism (Earthly Program Premillennialism)

2
Taken from Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (Grand Rapids,
MI: Zondervan, 1994), 1109-11.

Systems of Theology: Eschatology Charts © 2004 by R W Glenn 3