Foursquare doctrine is generally premillennial as it was formulated in a time when the Dispensational Premillennial position was the dominant eschatology (end-times doctrine) of Bible-believing Christians. Yet, the focus of Foursquare doctrine is not on the specific timing of the rapture, nor on the essential nature of the millennium (areas of significant diversity of opinion).
The following is an excerpt from the official Foursquare Doctrinal statement. Note what it emphasizes and what it doesn't!
"We believe that the second coming of Christ is personal and imminent; that He will descend from Heaven 1in the clouds of glory with the voice of the archangel and with the trump of God; and that at this hour, which no man knoweth beforehand, the dead in Christ shall rise, then the 2redeemed that are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and that so shall they ever be with the Lord; that also seeing that a thousand years is as a day with the Lord, and 3that no man knoweth the hour of His appearance, which we believe to be near at hand, each day should be lived as though He were 4expected to appear at even, yet that in obedience to His explicit command, 5“Occupy till I come,” the work of spreading the gospel, the sending forth of missionaries, and the general duties for the upbuilding of the church 6should be carried on as diligently, and thoroughly, as though neither ours nor the next generation should live in the flesh to see the glorious day.Scripture References: 1. (1 Thessalonians 4:16,17); 2.(Titus 2:12,13); 3. (Matthew 24:36,42,44); 4. (Hebrews 9:28); 5. (Luke 19:13); 6. (Luke 12:35-37)"
We can all agree that Jesus is coming back (suddenly, at a time that we do not know) and that we need to be doing His work until he returns. All other issues surrounding the timing of Christ's return are secondary and should not be dogmatically held grounds for divisiveness.
The dominant theme of even the Book of Revelation is not a timetable for the return of Christ, but a spiritual encouragement to the Christian believer to "overcome" the idolatry and immorality so rampant in the world, rather than allowing themselves to be overcome by an anti-Christ world-view. Certainly an important issue today!
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Great response! Can you also create, or link to, a glossary of soem of the more theologically oriented terms in the posted answers?
There are at least three major issues of debate when discussing Christian doctrines of the end times (eschatology), and specifically the Book of Revelation. While there is not room in this format for me to answer exhaustively, I will do my best to lay out the major issues.
1) There are four different interpretive approaches to the Book of Revelation--Preterist, Historicist, Futurist, and Idealist. In addition, there are several "combo-plates" that draw from more than one of these approaches.
2) There are different positions on the Millennium (a doctrine based on Rev. 20 regarding a 1,000 year reign of Christ)and the timing of the return of Jesus Christ--Premillennial, Postmillennial, and Amillennial.
3) The timing of the rapture (a doctrine that Christians will be caught away to meet Jesus in the air) in relation to a period of intense tribulation at the end of human history.
Right now in most Christian media circles you only hear one position being presented. It is important to note that the church has held different positions on all three of these issues at different times. There are godly scholars representing all of the positions listed above. In fact, I would go so far as to say that if a person, or group, is dogmatically claiming sole possession of truth on these issues it is a good sign that they are in error.
A couple of excellent resources that I would recommend on this subject are Steve Gregg's "Revelation, Four Views: A Parallel Commentary" from Thomas Nelson Publishers, and "Expositor's Commentary Vol. 12 Hebrews--Revelation" from Zondervan. Alan Johnson is the very able writer of the commentary section on the Book of Revelation.
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