What are some potential dangers based on differing millennial views?

Spiritual snobbery: Clearly, as Bandy stated, holding differing views on the millennium should not be a hindrance to fellowship between Christ–followers, nor should holding to a particular view be seen in any way as a statement about a person’s salvation. Adhering to a particular view has nothing to do with a person’s relationship with God. That relationship is determined by our response to the cross—not holding to a particular view on eschatology.

Chronological Snobbery: Many eschatological schemes begin with the assumption that Christ’s return must be soon because we are here. With an implicit claim of superiority over previous generations, certainly Jesus must return for us even though he didn’t return for them. Jesus reminded his disciples that the times and seasons are in the Father’s hands (Acts 1:7), so we can assume that the timing of Christ’s return will be governed by the Father’s purposes—not our presence.

Escapism: In recent years, many who are vocal about their readiness for the Lord’s return have been accused of escapism—using Jesus’s return as an excuse to disengage from important contemporary issues like social justice, creation care, and more. The concern is that too much focus on the second coming causes an attitude of, “Why bother? When Jesus comes back he’ll take care of all that anyway.” Clearly, we are called to care about issues that concern the welfare of others (Micah 6:8) and the welfare of the creation our God has given us to steward (Genesis 2:15), which means that escapism is not an option.

Ignoring the return of Christ: However, fear of escapism is no excuse to ignore the promised reality that Jesus will return. We are more than just earthbound creatures—we do have a home in the presence of our God to anticipate when all will be made right. For that reason, Paul says that the reality of the Lord’s return offers comfort to those who have had loved ones taken by death (1 Thessalonians 4:18) and that living in the awareness of his coming can motivate us to live for Christ in our own generation (1 Timothy 6:14). That same apostle promises a special blessing for all those who “love Jesus’s appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8).

In the penultimate verse of the Bible, the apostle John responds to Jesus’s promise to return by saying “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:21). May we also be anxious for his second coming.