Posted on 03/09/2011 12:14:56 PM PST by SeekAndFind
A majority of evangelical leaders believe that Jesus Christ will return to earth and then reign with his followers for 1,000 years, a new survey shows.
This end times theology is called premillennialism and 65 percent of surveyed evangelical leaders identify with it.
As part of its monthly poll, the National Association of Evangelicals surveyed its board of directors, which include the CEOs of denominations and representatives of a broad array of evangelical organizations, on their eschatological beliefs.
"It’s in our human nature to want to prepare ourselves – physically, emotionally, spiritually – for what might be ahead," said NAE President Leith Anderson.
The poll, released this week, found that 13 percent of those surveyed are amillennialists – believing that the non-literal millennial reign of Christ is happening now as Christ reigns at the right hand of the Father.
Four percent believe Christ's second coming will occur after the 1,000-year period during which the nations will be progressively converted to Christianity. This is postmillennial theology.
Seventeen percent, meanwhile, identify with "other" end times theology.
While most of the evangelical leaders hold to a premilliennial belief – in which the 1,000-year period is one of worldwide peace and righteousness and precedes the end of the world – even within this belief system there are variations.
Premillennialists disagree on the timing of the rapture, whether Christians will rise and join Jesus during or after the tribulation period – which comes before the return of Christ.
Nevertheless, many evangelical leaders agree that focusing on the specifics of the last days can be a distraction from living faithfully in the present, according to the survey.
Roy Taylor, stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church in America, commented, "As far as predicting the approximate time of Christ’s Second Advent is concerned, I have resigned from the Planning Committee and have joined the Welcoming Committee."
Also, given the various views on the end times, Open Bible Churches, an association of evangelical Pentecostal/Charismatic churches, amended its Statement of Faith to give ministers and constituents greater freedom in teaching eschatology.
Open Bible Churches' faith statement on the second coming of Christ simply states: "We believe the second coming of Christ will be personal, visible, and triumphant."
Baptist ping
I know one thing for sure, Yeshua is not coming back in secret. It will be with a SHOUT, TRIUMPHANTLY. Secret returns and dark happenings are the methods of the adversary.
That would include me...
I'm not sure how anyone makes that connection. I am endlessly amused by end times "headline chasers" but I've never thought that was a reason to consider them to be living any less "faithfully in the present." If anything it should be a spur to live more faithfully.
I'm always slightly amused by these polls because they suggest that a significant minority of "evangelicals" don't believe this will happen. Since this belief comprises a core tenet of evangelicalism, I'd say these "other Christians" are impostors; many of them probably would also say that Jesus was an invented myth, as is most of the Bible.
It's kind of on the same order as having a "church" of homosexual "christians."
Actually, that 17% would be the historic Christian view.
have you guys ever heard of “Left Behind?” They actually came out with a “Left Behind” computer game where one part of it is you try to convert sleazy looking unbelievers into conservative dressed believers. The even worse thing is you can play the Anti-Christ’s side
I kid you NOT!
http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/leftbehindeternalforces/review.html
How would you characterize this “other” end time eschatology, then?
END TIMES PING LIST PING.
With so many organized churches today joining together in the social utopia is it any wonder that there is no consensus? I wouldn’t dare identify with any one of them.
RE: the historic Christian view.
How does the historic Christian view understand the millenium? Thanks.
ping
I don’t consider it a core belief. I don’t believe or disbelieve any of this. Sort of none of my business.
My business is to be ready for Jesus’ return.
“t’s kind of on the same order as having a “church” of homosexual “christians.”
Post-mills are like fags! Nice!
Wrong, you mis-read me. I said those who think Jesus is just a myth are on the order of those who are “fag churches.” And some of these “evangelicals” polled believe just this.
I'm sure the 17% includes a variety of views. Mine is Preterism.
muslim terrorism all over the planet
aids
drugs
abortion
obama
hard not to believe in the end times..............
It's great to see they take Scripture at it's Word.
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