premillennialism

American  

[pree-mi-len-ee-uh-liz-uhm] / ˌpri mɪˈlɛn i əˌlɪz əm /

noun

1. the doctrine or belief that the Second Coming of Christ will precede the millennium.

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premillennialism British  

/ ˌpriːmɪˈlɛnɪəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. the doctrine or belief that the millennium will be preceded by the Second Coming of Christ

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Other Word Forms

• premillennialist noun

Etymology

Origin of premillennialism

First recorded in 1840–50; premillennial + -ism

Example Sentences

Christian Zionism: Primarily an evangelical doctrine, originating in 19th-century British premillennialism, that regards supporting the State of Israel as crucial to fulfilling prophecies in the Book of Revelation.

From Salon

Postmillennialism encourages a much more socially and politically activist orientation than premillennialism,

From Salon

Premillennialism: The belief that Jesus will physically return to the Earth heralding a literal thousand-year messianic age of peace.

From Salon

It provides a reason for political activism in a way that premillennialism did not.

From Salon

The Trains subscribed to a “Christian fundamentalist belief system known as premillennialism” and saw police officers as “monsters and demons,” Deputy Commissioner Tracy Linford of the Queensland Police Service said earlier this year.

From New York Times