The Great Trek of the Russian Mennonites to Central Asia, 1880-1884, Fred Richard Belk, 1976

inhabitants of the earth will become in- creasingly more spiritually enlightened as the time of Christ's appearing nears. The most commonly held view, however, has been that of amillennialism, which recognizes no special period in history in which an earthly reign will be established. Moreover, amillen- nialism rejects the ‘golden age’ theory, which postulates a gradual betterment or amelioration of society. God Himself will usher in the end times, which includes the second coming, judgment, and the be- ginning of the new creation. One or another of these three promi- nent views of millennialism has been held by small groups of Menno- nites, as well as members of other sects and churches throughout the centuries. The death of Christ, His resurrection, and second coming have been central themes of faith ever since the founding of the Christian church, but the intricate character of the second coming has usually been the object of mere speculation. The followers of second-coming eschatology are most dedicated among premillennial groups. According to Revelation, they believe, a tribulation of the entire world will take place before the second coming of Christ. Satan will come on earth in the form of a dragon to persecute Christians. In this, he will find his revenge for his fall 52 , The Great Trek of the Russian Mennonites from heaven. Multitudes of people will deny Jesus Christ because of the false promises of this Antichrist.‘ When things look darkest, Christ will come from heaven with a majestic appearance.® The antichristian empire will be destroyed, and the dragon will be thrown into the lake of fire for 1,000 years.® Dreamers through the years have sought utopias and “‘golden ages” connected with this thousand-year period. Although it is mentioned seven times in a few verses of Scripture,’ it is very incomplete in its description and detail. This left open doors for fantasy and mis- understanding. Early Christians sought a quick return of Christ. Exact dates for His return were predicted as the years progressed. The medieval emperor Otho III (983-1002) believed that the second coming would be during the year 1000. When it did not occur, the monarch became deeply depressed.* Joachim of Floris, a Roman Catholic abbot, said Christ would return in the year 1260. He even called Emperor Frederich II (1215-1250) the Antichrist.* Other theo- logical persuasions saw the Roman papacy as the Antichrist. During the Reformation a new millennial fervor began because of the trans- lation of the Scriptures into the language of the people. One Michael Stifel foretold the exact year, day, and hour Christ would return to set up His kingdom: October 19, 1533, at 8:00 a.m. In the sixteenth century the elector of Brandenburg, Joachim II, went to Kriegsberg near Berlin to be a firsthand witness to Christ’s second coming.'® However, in the face of national catastrophes interpreted as di- vine judgment; millenniali