[DreamsofPolycarp]

You quote Irenaeus, in his book "AGAINST HERESIES" is chapter 5 cdx 29. You quote out of context (have you read the original?) because the very next verse declares that For this is the last contest of the righteous, in which, when they overcome they are crowned with incorruption, implying that they go THROUGH the tribulation and are rewarded for it. This is also clear in several citations from the same work, that saints will be afflicted and suffer under the tribulation and reign of the antichrist.

It is interesting that you quote Irenaeus as it is quite clear from AGAINST HERESIES that MANY in the early chuch were NOT chiliast (although he was). That is, they did NOT believe in an earthly millenium. In fact, part of his writing here in the work you cited was directed to believers who clearly did NOT believe in a millenium. They believed that dead believers would go to heaven and a subsequent return to an earthly millennial kingdom would be a step back from the glories of the beatific vision. Irenaeus asserted that they would not share in the millenium, but that their souls would remain in Hades unitl Christ returns except for the martyrs. So, although Irenaeus (and probably Papias, whom Irenaeus cites) were chiliast, it is also clear that MANY early Christians simply were not.

Whatever they were, they were NOT advocates of a premillineal "rapture" and a reconstitution of the nation of Israel and the other loopy stuff you find in dispensational writings.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

DoP,

“Whatever they were, they were NOT advocates of a premillineal “rapture” and a reconstitution of the nation of Israel and the other loopy stuff you find in dispensational writings.”

When you make pejorative statements against other believers who have studied convictions, you come across as judgmental, critical, mean, etc. Is that really what you want?

ampu