THE MILLENIUM – REVELATION 20:1-6

THE MILLENIUM – REVELATION 20:1-6

A Paper

Presented to Professor O’Brien of

Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA

In Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for

Daniel - Revelation

BIBL 450

by

Robert Ortiz Jr.

May 9, 2013

THE MILLENIUM – REVELATION 20:1-6

            It is interesting how three different people can go to a Museum, find their way toward a gallery filled with Claude Monet’s work and gaze upon Beach in Pourville for example; these people are studying the very same painting and yet they can arrive at three very distinct interpretations of what they believe it speaks. They each look at the same lines and same colors, the same strokes and the same depth of artistry Monet exhibits, but what they see has a great deal to do with how they fit his work into the confines of their own lives. Did they have good experiences at the beach; perhaps terrible ones? Does it remind them of a quieter time in their childhood? So many aspects of one’s experiences fit into how they interpret the art and the role it plays in their final analysis. Also, what it is the interpreter wants to see affects what they actually see.

            And so it is with the Millennium, the one thousand year rule of Christ mentioned in Revelation chapter twenty, verses one through six. There are three prominent views pertaining to this eschatological theology: Premillennialism, Postmillennialism, and Amillennialism. Each view is derived from the very same Scripture. As with the painting aforementioned, it is what the interpreter brings to the table if you will, that affords the level of thought process behind each interpretation and its final analysis. Given that those who have varying views regarding this eschatology, especially with regards to the one thousand years, are generally Christians, does the study of end times play any significant part in their salvation? Is it so important to note who is right or wrong? Understanding the passage in Revelation that refers to Christ and His Millennial rule and all that it entails does in fact help to establish how one construes the entirety of God’s Word. And this in turn, determines how a Christian lives his or her life.

            The word Millennium is derived from the words mille (Latin for ‘one thousand’) and annum (Latin for ‘year’); chilias (the Greek word for ‘one thousand’) has also been used to relate the time frame of Christ’s literal reign on earth.[1] The Millennium will focus on Jesus Christ and His rule, it is His time to express Himself in all His glory and establish a time of peace and righteousness.[2] It will be a time where “the unveiled glory of Christ will shine in all of its fullness.”[3] Not only will all of Christ’s glory shine but He will also rule as King. There will be no democracy during this time; it will be a theocracy with the “King of Kings and Lord of Lord’s at the helm.”[4] Ed Hindson states, “The idea of the kingdom of God (referring to the Millennial Kingdom) on earth is central to all biblical teaching…the concept of the kingdom is closely associated with that of the King…there can be no true kingdom with a king.”[5]

The rule of Christ the King over the Millennium is the key to bringing about a time of peace and prosperity so many Christians are looking forward to. Hindson notes that “During the Church age, the kingdom of God is in our midst (Luke 17:21).”[6] He goes on to say that we as Christians become citizens of the kingdom of God by faith in Christ our Lord and King.[7] Now, some would use this (and so many others) text to communicate their belief that the Millennium is not going to literally manifest. Nonetheless, as citizens of the kingdom of God, Christians will have the awesome pleasure of being part of the literal kingdom Jesus will have rule over and enjoy the wonderful benefits that come along with it.

According to Joe Jordan, during the Millennium there will be “a time of both political and spiritual rule.”[8] The state of affairs will be one of justice, authority, and righteousness. The poor will be treated as they should be (if there are any poor), and violators of Yeshua’s rule will be judged accordingly. The spiritual aspect of the Millennium says Jordan, will be righteousness and a free flowing manifestation of the fullness of the Holy Spirit and God’s holiness.[9] He goes on to say “everything from work to worship will be holy.”[10] In Zephaniah 3:9 and Isaiah 45:13 we find that the Prophets see the Millennium age filled with untainted language and worship.

R.G. Clouse maintains “the Millennium is concerned with the future of the human community on earth.”[11] This appears to fall in line with Jordan’s assessment of the participants of the Millennium which include Old Testament Saints (Daniel 12:1-2, 6, and 13), Tribulation Saints both Jew and Gentile – living and resurrected, and the Church of Jesus Christ.[12] The “Martyrs,” the ones that “have lost their lives because they have held fast to the faith of Jesus” and have seemingly been overcome by the beast (Satan) but in reality are the ones that are justified and triumphant, “this is the meaning of the Millennium,” says Resseguie.[13] These are the participants of the Millennium.

Another aspect of the Millennium is the binding and of Satan. According to the passage John sees an,

Angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.[14]

Hindson cites Robert Mounce who says “The purpose of the confinement is not punishment. It is to prevent him from deceiving the nations.”[15] Mounce also mentions that this is indicative of a complete shutdown of Satan’s influence; this is not a mere “curbing of his activities.”[16] Given how the Millennial Kingdom will operate, this makes a great deal of sense. Peace, prosperity, righteousness, holiness, and all that Revelation and corresponding Scripture attest to will certainly perform at its height without evil influence. That is not to say that there will be no sign or manifestation of it, and it is certainly not to say that God cannot have His own way under any circumstance.

            So when will the Millennium take place? Jesus said, “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”[17] What is known is that Jesus will come to rule on earth for one thousand years after the “Tribulation period and before the establishment of the new heavens and new earth” according to Revelation 20.[18] This is the Premillennialist view of the one thousand year reign of Christ. Hindson and Hocking cite Ryrie, who states,

All forms of Premillennialism understand that the Millennium follows the second coming of Christ. Its duration will be 1,000 years; its location will be on earth; its government will be theocratic with the personal presence of Christ reigning as King.[19]

This view is widely accepted among many Christian circles.[20] In fact for the first three hundred years of early Church history “It is generally recognized within the scholarly world of early church historians that Premillennialism was the most widely held view of the earliest church tradition.”[21]

Premillennialism, following its basic form follows a specific timeline as outlined by Hindson and Hocking, 1) the rapture, 2) the tribulation, 3) Christ’s return, 4) defeat of the Antichrist, 5) Satan being bound, and 6) the Millennial reign of Jesus Christ.[22] The Messianic age is a term used in relation to the Millennium; referred to as the “golden era” it speaks to Israel and her role in the Millennium. Hindson states, “God’s promises to Israel include her earthly and spiritual blessings.”[23] Clouse states that “the Jews will figure prominently in the future age because the Premillennialist believes they will be converted in large numbers and will again have a prominent place in God’s work.” [24]This age will reveal itself as a benefit to all believers.

Premillennialism has its opponents for sure. Amillennialist and Postmillennialist have something to say with regards to the one thousand year reign of Christ. For the most part, there are common beliefs within the scope of Scripture that all three groups hold. It is within the sphere of eschatology and that of the Millennium that the differences are illustrated.

Amillennialist do not believe there will be a literal one thousand year reign of Christ on earth.  The thought is that the Millennium spans the time from His resurrection until the time of His second coming. Thomas Ice confirms that Amillennialist believe “Christ’s kingdom ‘is not of this world’ but He reigns in the hearts of His people on earth.”[25]  They also express that there will be no rapture, and that Satan is currently bound up in the Church age. Is this view accurate, biblical even? Ice states “the Bible just does not teach it.”[26]

This is a challenging concept to embrace when one considers that the Bible clearly teaches Christ will return in chapter nineteen of Revelation. Revelation chapter twenty tells us that Christ will establish His kingdom and rule on the earth for one thousand years. Ice states there is simply no biblical support for Amillennialism and that it lacks “consistent hermeneutics.”[27] Amillennialism also seeks to demonstrate that the one thousand year rule of Christ referred to in Revelation is nothing more than symbolism of a kingdom that is here and now and that Christ rules through the Word and through the Holy Spirit.

How does one deal with the reality that Revelation (and its correlating Scripture) does not fit this interpretation? As Thomas Ice states it, “the New Testament epistles written to instruct the church during this current age, do not teach or assume that this age is the kingdom.”[28] In Second Timothy chapter four we find clear language from Paul with regards to the Lord and His kingdom being a future event. It also speaks to the arrival of the kingdom of God at Christ’s second coming.

Amillennialism wants to extinguish Israel from the plan of God in end times as well. It “confuses” Israel and the Church as Ice resounds it. God has made numerous promises to the Church at large and has already fulfilled some of those and has yet more to come. He also has a very specific plan for Israel and how they will figure into the Millennium; the 144,000 to name just one.

Postmillennialist believe that God’s kingdom, which will come in the future, will do so through preaching and teaching, activities that will ultimately result in a more godly people in a more “godly, peaceful and prosperous world.”[29] It all works it out as people become Christians. Evil is not completely out of the picture, it will merely be in a lessened state as the mindset of Christians increase in morality and spiritual influence.[30] Ice tells us that postmillennialism is “similar to Amillennialism, bit it adds a positive twist.”[31] It is difficult to see how a positive twist can be placed on theology that blatantly disagrees with clear and sound exegesis regarding the one thousand year rule of Christ and all that surrounds it. Postmillennialist and Amillennialist have similar views because they refuse to embrace the facts and look at the painting (the Word of God) as it was meant to be viewed. Ultimately, the artist has a clear interpretation in mind when he paints, and that interpretation is the correct one, no other.

The Premillennialist view is clearly the right choice as it pertains to the discussion of Revelation chapter twenty and the thousand year reign of Christ. The Old Testament foretells a future messianic kingdom in Isaiah 2, 11, and 65. The role of Israel makes it clear that God will fulfill His promises to them, promises that include a literal kingdom being returned (Isaiah), Abraham’s children receiving land forever(Genesis, Psalm), Ezekiel’s Temple (Ezekiel), the Throne of David in Jerusalem and Christ ruling from therein (2 Samuel, Luke).

Then there is the issue of the binding of Satan, the Bible very distinctly teaches it to be a future event. He cannot be bound up now as some would have it seem, especially when the Word is plain that he is very active. Hindson cites Walvoord’s many examples of this fact, he (Satan) is the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4), blinds the minds of the unbelieving (2 Corinthians 4:3-4), prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2), angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14), and lastly, prowls about like a roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8).[32] There is certainly no shortage of activity on the part of that old serpent the devil or Satan.

And although there are many, many avenues to proving the literal Millennium, the fact that Revelation mentions the chiliasm six times in chapter twenty says something about God’s desire to make sure we understand He means it to be literal.

Christ died on a Cross to take the sins of the world upon Himself so that humanity can be made right with God and not suffer the penalty of sin and death it so rightly deserves. He accomplished so much in His earthly ministry: teaching, healing, casting out demons, raising the dead, calming storms, and so much more. Why then is it so hard to embrace the reality the thousand year reign (it is a rhetorical question, yes). Many in the Christian world, going back hundreds, even thousands of years simply do not want to embrace what they do not understand. Revelation is absolutely fantastic, something right out of a science fiction movie. But science it surely is not. And fiction it surely is not.

At the end of the day, Christians must embrace God for who He is and not box Him in. He makes it perfectly clear what is to be symbolic in His Word, and what is to be taken literally. He leaves plenty of clues. The Christian must trust Holy Spirit, and embark on sound biblical study to come to a final analysis that he/she must live with. Looking at the same painting, but trusting the artist and not one’s own intellect. 

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[1] Joe Jordan. “Millennium.” in The Popular Encyclopedia of Bible Prophecy, ed. Tim LaHaye, Ed Hindson (Eugene: Harvest House Publishers, 2004), 234-235.

[2] Ibid, 235.

[3] Ibid, 235.

[4] Revelation 19:16, NIV.

[5] Ed Hindson. The Book of Revelation: Unlocking the Future, ed. Mal Couch (Canada: AMG Publishers, 2002), 199.

[6] Ibid, 201.

[7] Ibid, 201.

[8] Jordan, 236.

[9] Ibid, 236.

[10] Ibid, 236.

[11] R.G. Clouse. “Views of the Millennium.” In Evangelical Dictionary of Theology 2^nd Edition, ed. Walter A. Elwell (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2001), 770.

[12] Jordan, 237.

[13] James L. Resseguie. Revelation of John: A Narrative Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2009), 247, http://site.ebrary.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/lib/liberty/docDetail.action?docID=10595435 (accessed May 10, 2013).

[14] Revelation 20:1-3, NIV.

[15] Hindson, 201.

[16] Ibid, 201.

[17] Matthew 24:36, NIV.

[18] Ed Hindson, David Hocking. The Book of Revelation: Unlocking the Future, ed. Mal Couch (Canada: AMG Publishers, 2002), 279.

[19] Ibid, 279.

[20] There are varying views within Premillennialism regarding the Tribulation. This paper will not focus on that end.

[21] Thomas Ice. “A Brief History of Early Premillennialism.” Liberty University Article Archives, 2009. Pre-Trib Research Center. http://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1021&context=pretrib_arch (accessed May 10, 2013).

[22] Hindson and Hocking, 280.

[23] Hindson, 200.

[24] Clouse, 770.

[25]Thomas Ice. “Millennium.” in The Popular Encyclopedia of Bible Prophecy, ed. Tim LaHaye, Ed Hindson (Eugene: Harvest House Publishers, 2004), 18.

[26] Ibid, 19.

[27] Ibid, 19.

[28] Ibid, 21.

[29] Clouse, 771.

[30] Ibid, 770.

[31] Thomas Ice. “Postmillennialism.” in The Popular Encyclopedia of Bible Prophecy, ed. Tim LaHaye, Ed Hindson (Eugene: Harvest House Publishers, 2004), 275. 

[32] Hindson, 202.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Clouse, R.G. “Views of the Millennium.” In Evangelical Dictionary of Theology 2^nd Edition, ed. Walter A. Elwell (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2001).

Hindson, Ed. The Book of Revelation: Unlocking the Future, ed. Mal Couch (Canada: AMG Publishers, 2002).

Hindson, Ed; Hocking, David. The Book of Revelation: Unlocking the Future, ed. Mal Couch (Canada: AMG Publishers, 2002).

Holy Bible, NIV Version 2011.

Ice, Thomas. “Millennium.” in The Popular Encyclopedia of Bible Prophecy, ed. Tim LaHaye, Ed Hindson (Eugene: Harvest House Publishers, 2004).

Ice, Thomas. “Postmillennialism.” in The Popular Encyclopedia of Bible Prophecy, ed. Tim LaHaye, Ed Hindson (Eugene: Harvest House Publishers, 2004).

Ice, Thomas. “A Brief History of Early Premillennialism.” Liberty University Article Archives, 2009. Pre-Trib Research Center. http://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1021&context=pretrib_arch.

Jordan, Joe. “Millennium.” in The Popular Encyclopedia of Bible Prophecy, ed. Tim LaHaye, Ed Hindson (Eugene: Harvest House Publishers, 2004).

Resseguie, James L. Revelation of John: A Narrative Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2009), http://site.ebrary.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/lib/liberty/docDetail.action?docID=10595435.