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The picture of the future described in the prophecies contains three prominent features which Christians have ordered according to the above mentioned influences: (1) The 'tribulation', which involves the appearance of an evil world power that persecutes the true believers. This power is represented symbolically as the Beast or referred to as the (or an) Antichrist. (2) The eventual triumph of good over evil and the establishment of the millennial Kingdom of God. (3) The Second Advent of Christ. (171:2) That the 'tribulation', or persecution of the righteous, was to occur before the establishment of the millennium, or Kingdom of God, has essentially been accepted throughout the history of Christian interpretation. However, when Christ was to return in relation to these events has remained an issue of dispute. Some Christians argued, and still do, that Christ will return after the Christians have themselves established the Kingdom of God on earth. This view is known as 'post-millennialism', that is, Christ will return after the establishment of the millennial Kingdom. Others maintained that when Christ returns He will establish the Kingdom Himself. This view is known as 'pre-millennialism'.
(171:3)
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