Revelation Chapter 20 raises the issue of the ‘1000 year reign of Christ.’ Christians have long debated the precise meaning of this phrase found in Chapter 20, verse 4. Division and discord among believers are common over this chapter, which has been called, ‘the most popular chapter in all of Revelations!’
Historically, the first 300 years of the Christian Church found the Church Fathers in fierce opposition to each over of the specific meaning of the Millennium. Augustine in the Fourth Century A.D., presented a view that claimed the Millennial reign as purely symbolic and not a literal 1000 years. Augustine’s position remained the majority view of Christians up until the 1700’s. The 18th Century American Preacher Jonathan Edwards held to a view of Christ returning after the Millennium called ‘Post-Millennialism’, and today many conservative Christians hold to a view of Christ returning before the Millennium, or ‘Pre-Millennialism.’
Here is a quick overview of the three main positions as well as my opinion.
- Pre-Millennialism - This view states that Christ will return to earth, destroy evil and then will reign for 1000 years. At the end of the 1000 years, Satan is cast into Hell, and then the New Heaven and the New Earth begins.
- A-Millennialism - Christians who hold to this view see the discussion of the Millennium as symbolic of the Church Age. This view claims that the ‘Millennium’ refers to the time between the First Coming of Christ and the Second Coming of Christ. This in-between time is not a literal 1000 years but a symbolic reference- representing the Church.
- Post-Millennialism -This view believes that the 1000 year reign of Christ will be a time when the Gospel triumphs in the world; leading to a period of peace and world-wide prosperity. After this time of Christian growth and the Gospel’s expanding influence, Christ will return and bring with Him the New Heaven and Earth.
As Christians we hold certain truths with closed fists and other truths with open hands. The things we hold tightly are the non-negotiables of the faith: the divinity of Jesus, brokenness of humanity, the sacrificial death and bodily resurrection of Christ, the infallibility of God’s Word, etc... But there are other issues that the Bible is not that clear on -issues where Christians have contrary opinions. I believe that the Millennial question is a secondary belief, one that should not cause divisions among believers and one that we should hold with a gracious open hand.
With this in mind, it appears that the the Pre-Millennial position is the clearest reading of Revelation 20. Christ will return to earth and will bind Satan for a period of 1000 years. After this Satan is released, then committed to Hell. God will judge the world and this will be the end of Satan, Evil and the forces of Darkness.
While I hold the Pre-Millennial view, I also affirm that my personal view of the Millennium is not really the main point of this passage. Revelation 20 teaches us so much more than whether the Millennium is literal or symbolic! Revelation 20 shows us that God is sovereign, that Satan’s actions are futile and that Believers in Christ will ultimately be victorious. Whatever Millennial position we hold- we all can agree with this truths and say, ‘Amen and Amen!’
What is your view and why do you hold to this position? Write in your comments and let’s continue the discussion...
6 comments:
I listened to an eschatology forum this past week where pre-millenial and a-millenial were discussed. Both sides made pretty interesting arguments. The a-milleniallist brought up there is only one last day so end of rev 19 and end of 20 are probably the same event. Also he asked if Jesus is reigning with us at the end of rev 20 what possible threat could satan be to us? But the pre-m person mentioned how it seems unlikely Satan is bound right now he seems too active... the a-m person had an answer of course... and it kept going.
The premillenial view does seem to be the simplest reading of the text and that to me is a strong argument they have.
I keep thinking God must not think we need to know all of the details otherwise He would have told us right? I agree that we should try to promote harmony and try to respect the different views. I have been really impressed at how thoughtful and impressive the scholars are in all three camps that all seem to love God and his Word. Fascinating stuff.
Another view which seems to be overlooked is in 2 Peter 3:10 where at Christ's Return the earth is burned up; " but the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, and the earth also and the works therein shall be burned up. Which may lead us another revealed truth standing that at Christ's return the saints on earth are taken spiritually and placed in the new earth and new heaven... What makes this even more believable is that this is where New Jerusalm in it's true description would seem more appropriate for the Lord to reign from. Of course the controversy here would be that after the 1000 years are up Satan would be loosed in the new earth where the saints are ruling with Christ and here he deceives them, and multitudes would march against the Lords throne. This perspective is something I, myself, am still researching and praying over but challenges the existing ones. Thank you for sharing the churches sermons on-line.
There is also several views in the Pre-millenial view. Pre-trib, Mid- trib, Post Trib, and Partial rapture. Of the three Millenial views. I personnel have held all these views at one time or another.
They all can be pick apart with problems. I prefere to call myself a Pan-Millenialist = It will all pan out in the end.
Personally, I have come to the conclusion that the most important thing for me to do right now is trust God’s plan. Part of that trust is in knowing that God reveals things to me in His time.
That being said I am inclined to believe in the Pre-Millennial view. The Post-Millennial view seems to take things slightly out of order in saying that Christ returns after the 1000 years, unless I missed something in the events described in chapter 19. The A-Millennial view doesn’t sit well with me. It is my understanding that when scripture states a specific time period it is to be taken literally (as in “1000 years” or “6 days”).
Pastor Jonathan, last week you asked the question, "why is Satan released at the end of the Millenium"? (Rev.20:7)
I was taught that although people who were saved prior to the rapture will go into the Millenium as spiritual beings who will no longer be "married or given in marriage" and therefore will not have children, people who receive Christ during the Tribulation and who live through it, will go into the Millenium in their physical bodies. These people will continue to have children born to them throughout the next 1000 years. It should be easy for these people to accept Christ and be saved since there will be no evil in the world while Satan is bound, but some won't. Therefore, at the end of the Millenium Satan must be let free so people have a choice between him and Jesus, as we all do now. At that point Christ will destroy those who don't choose Him, and Satan will be banished to the lake of fire for eternity.
I also think that the reason for the Millenium in the first place is that way back in the Old Testament, David was promised that his descendant, the Messiah, would rule on earth. That prophecy hasn't yet been fulfilled, but will be when Christ rules on earth during the Millenium.
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