Glossary of Terms

Key Terms and Definitions for Understanding Early Church Eschatology

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | L | M | N | O | P | R | S | T

A

Amillennialism

The view that there is no literal future 1000-year reign of Christ on earth. Instead, the millennium is understood as the current church age, with Christ reigning spiritually through the church. This view emerged in the 3rd century and became dominant after Augustine.

Appears in: Articles 3, 5

Antichrist

A future world ruler who will oppose Christ and persecute believers during the final period before Christ's return. Early church fathers expected a literal person who would reign for 3.5 years (half of Daniel's 70th week).

Appears in: Article 2

Apostolic Fathers

Christian writers of the late 1st and early 2nd centuries who had direct contact with the apostles or their immediate disciples. Includes Clement of Rome, Ignatius, Polycarp, and Papias.

Appears in: Article 3

B

Bar Kokhba Revolt

The final Jewish revolt against Rome (AD 132-135) led by Simon Bar Kokhba. Its failure resulted in Jews being banned from Jerusalem and contributed to the church's increasing separation from its Jewish roots.

Appears in: Article 1

C

Chiliasm (KIL-ee-azm)

From Greek "thousand," another term for premillennialism. The belief in a literal future 1000-year reign of Christ on earth. This was the dominant view in the early church before Constantine.

Appears in: Articles 3, 5

Church Fathers

Early Christian writers and theologians (approximately AD 100-450) whose writings shaped Christian doctrine and practice. Divided into Apostolic Fathers, Ante-Nicene Fathers, and Post-Nicene Fathers.

Appears in: All articles

Constantine Shift

AD 313 - The legalization of Christianity by Emperor Constantine through the Edict of Milan. This fundamentally changed the church's relationship to power and dramatically affected eschatological expectations, contributing to the rise of amillennialism.

Appears in: Article 3

D

Dispensationalism

A theological system developed by J.N. Darby (1800s) featuring sharp Church/Israel distinction, pre-tribulation rapture, and seven dispensations of God's dealings with humanity. Has no precedent in the early church.

Appears in: Articles 2, 5

E

Eschatology (es-kah-TOL-oh-jee)

The study of "last things" or end times, including death, judgment, heaven, hell, the return of Christ, and the eternal state. From Greek eschatos (last) and logos (study).

Appears in: All articles

F

Faithful Remnant

In Paul's theology, Jewish believers who accepted Jesus as Messiah, demonstrating God's faithfulness to ethnic Israel (Romans 11:1-5). One of Paul's three categories along with unbelieving Israel and believing Gentiles.

Appears in: Articles 1, 4

G

Great Tribulation

In early church thought: either (1) the entire church age of persecution, or (2) a future period of intensified persecution under Antichrist. Modern dispensationalism sees it as a distinct 7-year period after the rapture.

Appears in: Article 2

H

Hellenization

The process by which Greek philosophy and culture influenced Christian theology, leading to more allegorical interpretation and less literal understanding of prophecy. Particularly evident in the Alexandrian school (Clement, Origen).

Appears in: Articles 1, 3

Historic Premillennialism

The view that Christ returns after the tribulation to establish a literal millennium. Similar to early church chiliasm but more systematized. Distinguished from dispensational premillennialism by lacking pre-tribulation rapture.

Appears in: Article 5

I

Imminent Intratribulationism

Larry Crutchfield's term describing the early church's view: expecting Christ's imminent return while experiencing ongoing tribulation. They weren't waiting for tribulation to begin—they were already in it.

Appears in: Article 2

J

Justin Martyr

Christian apologist (c. AD 100-165) who first introduced the phrase "spiritual Israel" for the church—terminology not found in Paul's writings. Both defended literal millennium and initiated replacement theology language.

Appears in: Articles 1, 3

M

Millennium

The thousand-year period mentioned in Revelation 20. Premillennialists see it as future and literal, amillennialists as present and spiritual, postmillennialists as a golden age before Christ's return.

Appears in: All articles

N

New Jerusalem

The heavenly city described in Revelation 21-22. Early chiliasts expected it to literally descend to earth during the millennium. Amillennialists interpret it as the church or heaven.

Appears in: Article 3

O

One New Man

Paul's phrase (Ephesians 2:15) for the church composed of believing Jews and Gentiles united in Christ. Not replacement of Israel but creation of something new preserving both identities.

Appears in: Articles 1, 4

Origen (OR-ih-jen)

Influential theologian (c. AD 184-253) from Alexandria who systematically opposed literal millennium through allegorical interpretation. His methods profoundly influenced later rejection of chiliasm.

Appears in: Article 3

P

Papias (PAH-pee-us)

Bishop of Hierapolis (c. AD 60-130), "hearer of John" and earliest witness to chiliastic beliefs outside Scripture. Taught vivid material millennium with abundant fruitfulness.

Appears in: Article 3

Postmillennialism

The optimistic view that the church will gradually improve the world, ushering in a golden age before Christ returns. Completely absent from early church; emerged only in 17th-18th century Protestant dominance.

Appears in: Articles 3, 5

Pre-tribulation Rapture

The belief that the church will be removed from earth before the tribulation period. Central to dispensationalism but lacking clear precedent in early church (except possibly the disputed Ephraem text).

Appears in: Articles 2, 5

Premillennialism

The belief that Christ will return before establishing a literal 1000-year kingdom on earth. The dominant view of the early church, also called chiliasm.

Appears in: Articles 3, 5

R

Rapture

The catching up of believers to meet Christ in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Early church expected this at Christ's visible return after tribulation, not as a separate earlier event.

Appears in: Article 2

Replacement Theology

The belief that the church has permanently replaced Israel in God's purposes. Also called supersessionism. Not taught by Paul but introduced by Justin Martyr's "spiritual Israel" language.

Appears in: Articles 1, 4

S

Spiritual Israel

Justin Martyr's innovative phrase (c. AD 155) claiming the church as the "true Israel." This non-biblical terminology became foundational for replacement theology but appears nowhere in Paul's writings.

Appears in: Articles 1, 4

Supersessionism

Another term for replacement theology - the view that the church supersedes or replaces Israel. Developed gradually from Justin Martyr through Augustine.

Appears in: Articles 1, 4

T

Tribulation

In early church understanding: (1) ongoing persecution throughout church history, (2) historical events like AD 70, and (3) future intensification under Antichrist. They didn't separate "church age" from "tribulation period."

Appears in: Article 2

Two-Stage Coming

Dispensational teaching that Christ comes secretly for the church (rapture) then visibly seven years later (second coming). No early church precedent for this distinction.

Appears in: Articles 2, 5

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