Definition

Noun: 1. A belief in a future thousand-year period of peace, righteousness, and prosperity, often associated with the Second Coming of Christ: Chiliasm is a theological term for the belief in a literal millennium as described in the Book of Revelation in the Christian Bible. 2. Millenarianism: More broadly, chiliasm can refer to any belief in a coming golden age or utopia that will radically transform the world.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The early church's chiliasm influenced its expectations for the end times.
  • Some scholars distinguish between different forms of chiliasm in Christian history.

Advanced Usage

• Historical Context: Chiliasm was particularly prominent among some early Christian groups and has reappeared in various movements throughout history.

  • The theologian's work focused on the decline of chiliasm in mainstream Christian thought after the fourth century.

• As a Theological Concept: Often discussed in contrast to other interpretations of biblical prophecy, such as amillennialism.

  • The debate between proponents of chiliasm and its critics shaped the conference.

Variants and Related Words

• Chiliast (noun): A person who believes in chiliasm.
  • The chiliast preached about the imminent millennium.
• Chiliastic (adjective): Relating to or characterized by chiliasm.
  • The movement had a distinctly chiliastic worldview.

Synonyms

• Millenarianism: Belief in a future thousand-year age of blessedness.
• Millennialism: Another term for the belief in a literal millennium.

Related Phrases

• The Millennium: The thousand-year period itself, central to the concept of chiliasm.
  • Their faith was centered on the hope of the millennium.

Noun

1. belief in the Christian doctrine of the millennium mentioned in the Book of Revelations