Sunday, June 21, 2009

SDA's are...

categorized as historic (as opposed to Dispensational) Premillennial (Christ's coming before the millennium of Rev. 20:1-6). Though we are categorized here, our view of the judgment is unique to us (The Investigative Judgment is taking place right now). Also, as opposed to the thousand years being spent on earth, we believe it is spent in heaven.
Traditionally, our Church's method of prophetic interpretation has been historic (Historicism: Text is fulfilled during the span of Christian History. Text is taken as symbolic of real events, rather than literally true).

Here are the short definitions of the opposing views:
On the Millennium
Postmillennialism is an interpretation of chapter 20 of the Book of Revelation which sees Christ's second coming as occurring after the "Millennium".
Amillennialism is a view in Christian end-times theology named for its rejection of the theory that Jesus Christ will have a thousand-year long, physical reign on the earth. (adherents include Lutheran, Reformed and Anglican.)
Prophetic Interpretation
Preterism: Past, first-century fulfillment of literary text; real events
Partial preterism: Most of prophecies of Revelation fulfilled in first century, with exception of second coming and last judgment
Full preterism: All prophecies of Revelation fulfilled in first century, including second coming and last judgment
Futurism: Future, and in some cases imminent fulfillment of literal text; real events
Idealism: Present continual fulfillment of symbolical or literary text; spiritual events
In the Christian community there is little agreement on the Judgment aside from that it will happen at some point.

So we are historic premillennialists. Traditionally interpreting prophecy with the historic method. With the proprietary belief of the investigative judgment.

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