ii
Abstract
The term chiliasm refers to the 1000 year era of abundant peace and prosperity
awaits planet earth which will be ushered in by Christ at his second coming. Belief in
chiliasm was common in the early church, although certainly not universally held.
Further, the view was held by some well recognized Christians writers, even as it was
opposed by others, both Christian and non-Christian alike. One of the major areas of
common ground held by proponents of chiliasm is a strongly literal hermeneutic. Their
opponents targeted these views as incredulous literalistic fantasies. The chiliasts
nevertheless taught that this era would be a time during which the saints would be
rewarded and nature would be restored after the destruction of the antichrist at Christs
glorious return. Overall, ancient chiliastic views have some points of similarity with, but
are significantly less developed than modern pre-millennial positions.