Are Millennialism and Tribulationalism the same?

Very simply put: No. The best way to separate these segments of a larger study, eschatology, is to start with the former and focus down to the later.
First, defining the term eschatology is important. This is the study of “End Times”, or “Final Things”. Within this specialty are many topics of interest. But it seems that most people who are starting out in their study of the “End Times” confuse these two.
If a person can get a foundational understanding on how these two are different, or what role or part they play with each other, then one can begin to build this part of their belief system within this framework. Once this framework is established, and then studying the scriptures will allow a person to place each new block of information into their framework. This will allow a person to begin to develop a cogent understanding of what the Bible truly says about the “Second Coming of Jesus Christ”.
The term millennium comes from the Latin word for “thousand years.” This is the thousand year reign of Christ mentioned in the book of Revelation. Premillennialism is the teaching that Christ will return to earth and establish His kingdom and reign for a thousand years. Postmillennialism is the teaching that Christ will return at the end of the millennium. In other words, the world will get better until the world turns into a millennial utopia. Christ will then return. Amillennialism is the teaching of a figurative kingdom. The initial “a” is a negative particle. This means “no millennium. Adherents believe that there will not be another earthly manifestation of Christ’s kingdom. The reference in the book of Revelation is figurative. Christ’s kingdom is in the hearts of believers and in heaven.
Now, let’s look at the subject of “Tribulation” or the “Great Tribulation”. This is the seven-year period, which will precede the millennial reign of Jesus Christ. There are three positions about this period. So, when we talk of the “Great Tribulation”, we are talking about a position that is premillennial. So all of the tribulation positions are premillennial. What differentiates the three positions is when Christ is to return to earth. These positions are the pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation, and post-tribulation rapture of the Church. The first position believes that the Church will be raptured out of this world as the tribulation begins. Mid-tribulationists believe that the Church will be taken up at the midpoint of the tribulation, the 3½-year point. The latter position teaches that the Church will go through the tribulation. Christ will return to the earth at the end of the tribulation, receive His Church, and establish His kingdom.
So, you see that Millennialism and Tribulationalism are two different subjects. The latter being part of one of the millennial positions, premillenial.

Security of the Believer

Question: To blaspheme God seems to be the only thing to deny salvation. After accepting Christ Jesus as your savior and never blaspheming God, can any sin from that point on deny your salvation?

Answer: This question of sin in a Christian’s life and the unpardonable sin is basically a question of the perseverance of the saints, security of the believer, or “once saved, always saved.” Can one who has been converted, or saved, lose this position before God? There are two different camps concerning this subject.

One position advocated originally by Jacob Arminius the possibility of a Christian losing his salvation. If a Christian commits some heinous sin and dies before confessing and asking for forgiveness for that sin, he is eternally lost.

On the other hand is that of John Calvin. Once a person is saved there is nothing that a person can do which would cause the forfeiture of his eternal soul to damnation. (II Tim 1:12)

There are three distinctions, which are important to understanding the Biblical doctrine of security of the believer.

1. There is a distinction between salvation and rewards. “We are saved by what Christ has done for us; we are rewarded for what we do for Christ.” It is a doctrine of salvation for the lost and rewards for the saved. Salvation is a free gift (Eph 2:8-9). Rewards are earned by work (II Tim 4:7-8). Salvation is a present possession (Rom 8:1). Rewards are a future attainment (Matt 16:27)
2. There is a distinction between true believers and mere professors.
3. A Christian cannot lose his salvation. But, there are three things that can be lost. He can lose his rewards (I Cor 3:15). He can lose the peace of God in his life. He can lose the joy of his salvation (Psalm 51:12).

* The Bible teaches this doctrine by direct statement (Phil 1:6; Rom 8:35-39).
* Eternal life is a present possession, not obtained after death (John 5:24).
* The Christian is born into the family of God, not stillborn (Gal 3:26; John 3:5-8).
* The believer’s life is hid in Christ (Col 3:3; Psalm 97:10).
* The believer has been sealed by the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:12-14).
* The believer has the Blood Atonement of Christ (Heb 9:11-14).
* Eternal security is based upon the honesty of God. Salvation is a gift (Rom 6:23; Eph 2:8-9)
* Eternal security has its basis in the prayers of Jesus (John 14:16-17; Luke 22:31-32; John 17; Hebrews 7:25).

The Unpardonable Sin (Matt 12:31)

This fatal sin is the denial of the Holy Spirit’s testimony to Jesus as Savior and Lord. This ultimately results in the rejection of the Son of God.


A good source is "A Layman's Guide to Baptist Beliefs" by Harold L. Fickett Jr.

The Galloping Theologian

Faith and Regeneration

Question: Which comes first, Faith or Regeneration?

Answer: Paul said, in Titus 3:5, we are saved by His mercy through the washing of regeneration and by the renewing of the Holy Spirit. When a person repents toward God by placing his Faith in Christ Jesus, he is born again (John 3:3). At the very moment of this turning in Faith, God Regenerates and renews.
The Galloping Theologian