amillennialism
|a-mil-len-ni-al-ism|
/ˌeɪmɪˈlɛnɪəlɪzəm/
no literal thousand-year reign
Etymology
'amillennialism' originates from Greek and Latin elements: specifically the Greek prefix 'a-' (privative) meaning 'not' combined with Latin 'millennium' (from Latin 'mille' meaning 'thousand' and 'annus' meaning 'year') plus the suffix '-ism' (from Greek '-ismos' via Latin/French) denoting a doctrine.
'amillennialism' was formed in modern English by attaching the Greek prefix 'a-' to 'millennialism' (itself from Latin 'millennium'); the term emerged in theological writing (notably in the 19th century) to name the doctrine denying a literal thousand-year earthly reign.
Initially it meant the doctrinal stance denying a literal thousand-year earthly reign described in Revelation; over time it has remained specialized to denote that theological interpretation of the millennium.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a Christian theological view that the 'millennium' mentioned in Revelation is symbolic rather than a literal future thousand-year earthly reign of Christ; the current church age is understood as the fulfillment of the millennium and Christ's second coming will coincide with final judgment.
Many theologians who hold amillennialism interpret the millennium in Revelation as a symbolic depiction of Christ's present reign rather than a literal 1,000-year earthly kingdom.
Antonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/06 04:05