Understanding End Times Terminology

We hear much talk about the end times (what theologians call eschatology) but the terms used are not always clear to people.  So lets take a look at a few of the key terms.  

Millennium 
*Found in Revelation 20
*A millennium is 1000 years
*It refers to the 1000 year reign of Christ on this earth after the Second Coming.  
*Some view the 1000 years as literal while others see it as symbolic of an ideal time period.  
*Occurs after the Great Tribulation and before the new heavens and new earth.
*A time of great peace and righteousness.
A time when sin and sorrow are greatly reduced though not fully eradicated until the new heavens and new earth. 
*Some see it as symbolic of the church age and not a literal reign of Christ on this earth.  

Great Tribulation
*A 7 year period at the end of history.
*Some view it as a literal 7 years while others see it as a symbolic number.  
*God's wrath will be poured out, there will be intense persecution, and great trouble. 
*The Antichrist will arise during this time period.  

Rapture
*It means to be caught up
*It refers to believers being caught up to be with the Lord.  

(Two different views of the rapture)
Pretribulationalists
*(Pre) means before, so before the tribulation.
*This view holds that Christ will return before the tribulation to rapture his church.  
*This view holds that the church will not go through the Great Tribulation.  
*The rapture and the Second Coming are seen as separate events.  

Posttribulationists
*(Post) means after, so after the tribulation.
*This view holds that Christ will return after the tribulation to receive believers. 
*This view holds that the church will go through the tribulation.  
*The rapture and the Second Coming are seen as the same event.