The theology of Revelation and of the last days & return of Christ (what theologians call eschatology) is a tricky roadmap to understand.  So many beliefs exist it is hard to understand them all!  Here are a few terms and a great chart to help us understand some of the terms that are often associated with Revelation.

Rapture – the belief that Christians will be taken up to heaven before the final return of Christ.  It is closely associated with pre-millennial theology.  It comes in 3 basic “flavors” – pre-, mid-, and post-tribulation

Millennium – the 1,000 year reign of Christ.  Seen as a literal 1,000 years by some and as a symbolic reference to Christ’s eternal reign by others.

Tribulation – a time of great persecution and destruction.  Often seen as a 7 year period, based on the prophecy of Daniel 9:22-27.  It is closely related to the rapture in that three beliefs concerning the rapture are closely related to the tribulation.  (See Rapture above)  Below is a chart which diagrams the three views of the rapture & second coming in relation to the tribulation.

Millennial – referring to the timing of the second coming of Christ.  The three prevailing views are:

Amillennial – belief in only a symbolic millenium and that Christ’s return and final judgment come at one time at the end of time

Premillennial – belief that Christ will return before the millennium and that the final judgment will follow the millennium

Postmillennial – belief that Christ will return and bring final judgment after a literal millenium (unlike the symbolic mellinnium of amillennialism)

Here is a chart to help us understand the differences: