Millennium 1

The MILLENNIUM
“the thousand year reign of Christ”

Key question

How do various Christian groups view the millennial kingdom of God?

Key text

Revelation 20:4
“. . . and those who had not worshipped the beast or his image, and had not received
the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand; and they came to life and reigned
with Christ for a thousand years.”

Key Definition

The Millennium
The millennium refers to the 1000 year period of the earthly reign of Christ in
fulfillment of the Abrahamic, Davidic, Palestinian, and New Covenants made with the
nation Israelß.

Introduction
1. The Abrahamic covenant promised a land to Abraham’s seed.
a. The promise that Abraham would father a great nation was both a personal and a
national promise. Gen.15:18-21
b. The promise to that nation of specific land as an inheritance was clear. Gen.12:7; 13:15,
17; 15:7-8, 18; 17:8; 24:7; 26:3; 28:13-14; 35:12; 48:4; 50:24.
c. The promise seems to be unconditional.
2. The Palestinian covenant promised a land (Palestine) to a people (Israel).
a. Gen.15:18 define the boundaries of the land promised Israel through Abraham.
b. Num.34:1-12 make it clear that Israel inherited and occupied that land for a period of
time.
c. Deut.30:1-10 makes it clear that Israel will one day again occupy this land but only
after she repents (while in her present dispersion) and returns to the Lord, (Jer.29:10-
Millennium 2

14). She will then be restored to the land and as a converted nation. She will see the
judgment of her oppressors and great prosperity.

Deut.30 “1 When all these blessings and curses I have set before you come upon you
and you take them to heart wherever the LORD your God disperses you among the
nations, 2 and when you and your children return to the LORD your God and obey
him with all your heart and with all your soul according to everything I command
you today, 3 then the LORD your God will restore your fortunes and have
compassion on you and gather you again from all the nations where he scattered
you. 4 Even if you have been banished to the most distant land under the heavens, from
there the LORD your God will gather you and bring you back. 5 He will bring you to the
land that belonged to your fathers, and you will take possession of it. He will make you
more prosperous and numerous than your fathers. 6 The LORD your God will circumcise
your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your
heart and with all your soul, and live. 7 The LORD your God will put all these curses on
your enemies who hate and persecute you. 8 You will again obey the LORD and follow
all his commands I am giving you today.”
d. Jer.16:15 "But, the LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of
the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again
into their land that I gave unto their fathers."
e. Amos 9:14-15 "And I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel, and they shall
build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the
wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. And I will plant
them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have
given them, saith the LORD thy God."
f. Paul writes in Romans 11:25-26 that all of Israel will be converted. Acts 15:14-16 tells
us that the "tabernacle of David" will be rebuilt. We read in Hebrews 8:8-10 that God
plans to make a "new covenant" with the house of Israel.
3. The Davidic covenant promised a Kingdom to a people (Israel).
a. II Sam.7:12-16 suggests that David would have a son who would succeed him and
establish his kingdom (vs.12) forever (vs.16).
b. Many passages in the Old Testament suggest that this kingdom would be a future
reality. Jer.23:5-6; 30:8-9; 33:14-17; 20-21; Ezek.37:24-25; Dan.7:13-14; Hosea 3:4-
5; Amos 8:11; Zech.14:4-9; Ps. 2; 18; 20-21; 45; 72; 89; 101;132; 144.
4. When John the Baptist and Jesus spoke of the coming kingdom, they seemed to have in
mind the promise made to David. Lk.1:31-33
5. Paul seems to clearly believe that the same Israel that has rejected her Messiah and his
Kingdom will one day repent and receive the blessings that were promised her. Rom.11
“12 Now if their transgression be riches for the world and their failure be riches for the Gentiles,
how much more will their fulfillment be! 13 But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles.
Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, 14 if somehow I might
move to jealousy my fellow countrymen and save some of them. 15 For if their rejection be the
reconciliation of the world, what will {their} acceptance be but life from the dead? 16 And if the
first piece {of dough} be holy, the lump is also; and if the root be holy, the branches are too.”
Millennium 3

Jew Gentile Jew

Israel Israel Gentiles “Fullness Israel The end
chosen set aside grafted in of Gentiles” grafted back of time
6. Rom.11 seems to support the view that God’s dealing with Israel is in some way distinct from
His dealing with the church and that it is not yet finished. I Cor.10:32 “Give no offense either
to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God;”

Israel Church age Israel

Jewish remnant & Gentiles
7. The Scripture speaks of “the Day of the Lord” as a future time of judgment of Israel (Amos
5:18) and the nations (Obadiah 15) with repentance and blessings to follow (Zeph.3:9-20). In the
NT the phrase is linked to the time of Christ’s second coming ( I Cor.1:8, 5:5; Phil.1:6,10, 2:16;
II Thess.2:2). Could it be that this time coincides with the restoration of Israel spoken of in
Rom.11?

Israel Amos 5:18-20

The 2 nd
coming of Christ = Judgement “the Day of the Lord”
II Thess.2:2 Nations Obadiah 15

Moses 1st Advent 2nd Advent

Israel Church age Israel

“The Day of the Lord”
8. The restoration of Jews to the land of Palestine is a part of God’s promise to the nation Israel and
is to come after Israel’s spiritual renewal. Deut.30:
“1 When all these blessings and curses I have set before you come upon you and you take them
to heart wherever the LORD your God disperses you among the nations, 2 and when you and
your children return to the LORD your God and obey him with all your heart and with all your
soul according to everything I command you today, 3 then the LORD your God will restore your
fortunes and have compassion on you and gather you again from all the nations where he
scattered you.”

1st Israel Amos 5:18-20

Retribution “the Day of the Lord”

II Thess.2:2 Nations Obadiah 15
The Call of Israel Messiah 2nd Repentance
3rd Land Deut.30

Restoration
Phil.1:6 Spirit Jer.31:31-34
Millennium 4

9. Matt.24-25 (and the Epistles) speak of a period of “tribulation” that will come before Christ’s
return and a period of judgment that will follow His return. Luke’s version of Jesus’ words
(Lk.21:24) has the second coming of Christ following the “fulfillment of the time of the
Gentiles.” Does this reference Paul’s “fullness of the Gentiles” in Rom.11:25? Mark speaks of the
gathering of the Diaspora. Does this reference the OT promise of Israel’s restoration?

Matthew 24-25
Beginning of birth pangs Great Tribulation Coming of Christ Parables Final Judgment
24:4-14 24:15-28 24:29-31 24:32-25:42 25:31-46
• False Christs, • Desecration • Cosmic signs • Fig Tree
• Wars & rumors of wars • Tribulation • Christ is seen • Servants
• Famine & earthquake • False signs • Trumpet sounds • Virgins
• Believers hated • Elect gathered • Talents
• Conflict within the church “Jerusalem will be
• False prophets “will gather together His
trampled underfoot, by
• Many will be misled elect from the four winds,
the Gentiles until the
• Lawlessness from the farthest end of the
times of the Gentiles
• Love will grow cold earth, to the farthest end of
be fulfilled.” Lk.21:24
• World evangelism heaven.” Mk.13:27

II Thessalonians, II Peter, and Revelation

Beginning of birth pangs Great Tribulation Coming of Christ Final Judgment

I Thess.5:1-11 II Thess.2:1-12 I Thess.4:13-18

Rev.6-7 Rev.8-18 Rev.19
SEALS TRUMPETS II Pet.3:3-13 II Pet.3:3-13
(Antichrist) (wrath on all)
BOWLS
(wrath on nations)

Beginning of Great Final

birth pangs Tribulation Judgment
Moses 1st Advent 2nd Advent

Israel Church age Israel

10. In Rev.20 we read of a thousand year (millennial) reign of Messiah.

“4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given to them. And I {saw} the
souls of those who had been beheaded because of the testimony of Jesus and because of the word
of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark
upon their forehead and upon their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a
thousand years. 5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were
completed. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first
Millennium 5

resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of
Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.”
a. This text is the only clear reference to “a thousand year” reign of Christ.
b. The two resurrections seem to represent two spiritual conditions rather than two kinds of
resurrection.
c. Is this “thousand year” period the fulfillment of the promises made to Israel? It seem s to fit.

Israel Church age Israel

The Millennial Kingdom
st
1 2nd
Resurrections

11. The Kingdom is a puzzle that is best understood as “the age to come” that coexists (in a mystery
form) with this present evil age until Christ returns.
a. It is a present reality - Rom.14:17, Matt.12:28; yet it is to follow Christ’s second coming -
Matt.25:34, I Cor.15:50.
b. It is physical - Matt.13:41,43; Rev.11:15; yet it is spiritual - Lk.17:20-21.
c. It is something we have now entered - Matt.21:31, Col.1:13, Lk.16:16; yet it is something we
will enter at Christ’s return - Matt.8:11, II Pet.1:11.
d. It is at work in the world today - Matt.13; yet it is not of this world - Jn.18:36.
e. It is God’s reign - Ps.145:11; yet it is God's realm - Lk.16:16.

“this age” (evil)

Moses 1st Advent 2nd Advent

Israel Church age Israel

The Mystery form The Millennial form
“the age to come” (Kingdom)

12. Christians have recognized that many of the Kingdom promises to Israel in the OT have been
applied (in the NT) to the church (Acts 2:17-21 {Joel 2}). Does this mean that the church is the
New Israel? It is hard to spiritualize all of the OT promises made to Israel (Deut.30) and apply
them to the church.
Millennium 6

Moses 1st Advent 2nd Advent

Israel Church age Israel

The Mystery form The Millennial form
Kingdom Applied to the church
Promises Applied to the nation Israel
from the O.T.
NOTE: The question is - how are we to understand this reference to “the thousand years” (the
millennium)? There are three views.
A. Amillennialism (realized millennium)
1. It emphasizes the present reality of the Kingdom as a part of our current experience.
a. The book of Revelation is largely fulfilled.
b. The great tribulation pictured in Revelation deals with the persecution of believers
under Judaism and Rome.
c. The preaching of the gospel set up the Kingdom and broke down the Roman empire.
d. The millennium is realized now.
e. The Kingdom was never intended to be a golden or perfect age.
f. The 1000 years of Revelation 20 refer to the “church age.”
2. Acts 2:34-36 “For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says: The
Lord said to my Lord, Sit at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies a footstool for Thy
feet. Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both
Lord and Christ - this Jesus whom you crucified.”

View #1 Amillennialism
Statement of The Bible predicts a continuous parallel growth of good and evil in the world between the first coming
View of Christ and the second coming of Christ. The kingdom of God is now present in the world through
his Word, his Spirit, his church. The position has also been called “realized millennialism.”

Proponents Oswald Allis, Louis Berkhof, G.Berkouwer, William Hendriksen, Abraham Kuyper, Leon Morris,
Anthony Hoekema, other Reformed theologians, and the Roman Catholic Church.

Arguments For Arguments Against

The conditional nature of the Abrahamic covenant (as well as Many passages show that the Abrahamic Covenant was
the other covenants) indicates that fulfillment of it, or the lack unconditional and was to be literally fulfilled by Israel.
of it, is transferred to the church through Jesus Christ
(Gen.12:1-3; Rom.10; Gal.3:16).

The land promises of the Abrahamic covenant were expanded This position has problems in being hermeneutically
from Jews to all believers and from the land of Canaan to the consistent in the interpretation of the Scriptures. It
new earth. spiritualizes passages that can clearly be understood
literally.

Prophecy demands a symbolic approach to interpreting the The chronology of Revelation 19-20 is continuous and
Bible. Therefore, prophetic passages can be understood in describes events that will occur in the end of the
the overall framework of Godʼs outworking of his covenant Tribulation and prior to the thousand-year reign of Christ.
Millennium 7

(e.g., Rev.20).

The Old and New Testaments are bound together in unity Scripture does not clearly reveal a covenant of grace.
under the covenant of grace. Israel and the church are not two This is a theological term coined to fit into the amillennial
distinct programs but one unified outworking of Godʼs scheme of eschatology.
purposes and plans.

The kingdom of God is central in biblical history. It was central The position clearly does not see Godʼs having a place
in the Old Testament, in Jesusʼ ministry, and in the church for Israel in the future. Amillennialists have difficulty in
and will consummate with Christʼs return. There is no need to explaining Romans 11.
call for a kingdom at a later time, for the kingdom has always
been.

History is moving toward the goal of the total redemption of The total redemption of the universe is the goal of all
the universe (Eph.1:10; Col.1:18). millennial views. This does not specifically support an
amillennial view.

Revelation 20:4-6 refers to the reign of souls with Christ in Revelation 20:4-5 clearly refers to a resurrection, yet the
heaven as he reigns by his word and his spirit. amillennialists avoid the issue. Forms of the Greek word
ZAO “to live” are used this way for resurrection in John
5:25 and Revelation 2:8.

The New Testament often equates Israel and the church as a National Israel and the church are treated as distinct in
unity (Acts 13:32-39; Gal.6:15; I Peter 2:9). the New Testament (Acts 3:12; 4:8-10; 21:28; Rom.9:3-
4; 10:1; 11; Eph.2:12).

Amillennialism

Second coming
Creation Resurrections
Judgments
Church period =
New heaven and earth
Tribulation and Millennium
B. Postmillennialism
1. Postmillennialism “emphasizes the present reality of the Kingdom as yet unrealized but possible
before Christ’s return. This view places a big emphasis upon the effects of evangelizing the
world and subsequent transformation of its social structures. “That view of last things which
holds that the kingdom of God is now being extended in the world through the preaching of the
Gospel and the saving work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of individuals, that the world is
eventually to be Christianized, and that the return of Christ is to occur at the close of a long
period of righteousness and peace commonly called the “Millennium.” . . . the second coming
of Christ will be followed immediately by the general resurrection, the general judgment, and
the introduction of heaven and hell in their fullness.” Loraine Boettner, The Millennium P.14
2. Key passages - Ps.47, Matt.24:14 (28:18-20).
3. This was the view of Augustine in the fourth century and is popularized
today as “Reconstructionism.” (see apttoteach.org theology file #809 )

View #2 Postmillennialism
Statement of Postmillennialists believe that the kingdom of God is now extended through teaching, preaching,
View evangelization, and missionary activities. The world is to be Christianized, and the result will be a long
period of peace and prosperity called the Millennium. This will be followed by Christʼs return. This
Millennium 8

position is seemingly gaining more adherents in contemporary circles, such as the Christian
Reconstruction Institute for Christian Studies. The leading proponent of traditional postmillennium was
Loraine Boettner. See his book The Millennium,(Philadelphia: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing
Co., 1957).

Proponents Augustine, Loraine Boettner, A. Hodge, Charles Hodge, W.G.T. Shedd, A.H. Strong, B.B. Warfield,
Joachim of Fiore, Daniel Whitby, James Snowden, Christian Reconstructionists

Arguments For Arguments Against

The rule of the Spirit of God in the heart of the This view fails to deal adequately with Revelation 20 in
believer is in one sense a millennium (John 14-16). formulating and defining its concept of the Millennium.

The universal diffusion of the gospel is promised by The Great Commission does command universal gospel
Christ (Matt.28:18-20). proclamation, but the world is characterized by spiritual decline,
not spiritual growth.

Christʼs throne is in heaven where he is now reigning Neither of these statements necessitates postmillennialism or
and ruling (Ps.47:2; 97:5). The church has the job of preclude a future earthly reign.
proclaiming that truth and seeing people come to
faith in him.

Salvation will come to all nations, tribes, peoples, While salvation will come to all nations, this does not mean that
and tongues (Rev.7:9-10). all, or nearly all, will be saved. Nor does the New Testament say
the Gospel is designed to improve the social conditions in the
world.

Christʼs parable of the mustard seed shows how the A majority of saved people on earth does not guarantee the
gospel extends and expands slowly but surely until it golden age that postmillennialism expects to come.
covers the whole world (Matt.13:31-32).

Many evidences exist showing that where the gospel The attitude of idealistic optimism overlooks the passages that
is preached, social and moral conditions are being reveal the distress and apostasy of the end times (Matt.24:3-14; I
greatly improved. Tim.4:1-5; 2 Tim.3:1-7).
Also, just as many evidences can be gathered to prove that the
condition of the world is declining.

Through the preaching of the gospel and the saving The use of an allegorical approach to the interpretation of
work of the Spirit, the world will be Christianized and Scripture in Revelation 20 is completely allegorizing the thousand
Christ will return at the end of a long period of peace year reign.
commonly called the Millennium.
There is a limited amount of scriptural support for this position.

Postmillennialism

Second coming
Creation Resurrections
Judgments

Church period Great Millennium = New heaven and earth

Tribulation extended time

C. Premillennialism
1. Emphasizes the future reality of the Kingdom (after Christ’s return).
2. I Cor.15:22-24, Dan.12:2, Jn.5:29
3. Rev. 20:1-9 is taken literally.
Millennium 9

4. This was probably the view of the first three centuries of the church.
5. This view is characterized by:
a. A very literal view of prophetic texts.
b. A distinct place for the nation Israel in history.
c. A dramatic manifestation of the Kingdom with Christ being physically present for 1000
years.
d. A generally pessimistic view of this present age’s potential for reform.

View #3 Historic Premillennialism

(Also called Classical and Nondispensational Premillennialism)
Statement of Premillennialists hold that the return of Christ will be preceded by certain signs, then followed by a
View period of peace and righteousness in which Christ will reign on earth in person as King. Historic
premillennialists understand the return of Christ and the Rapture as one and the same event. They
see unity. Therefore they stand apart from the dispensational premillennialists who sees these as two
events separated by the seven-year Tribulation. Premillennialism was the dominant eschatological
interpretation in the first three centuries of the Christian church. Early fathers Papias, Irenaeus, Justin
Martyr, Tertullian, and others held to this view.

Proponents George E. Ladd, J. Barton Payne, Alexander Reese, Millard Erickson

Arguments For Arguments Against

The chronology of Revelation 10-20 shows that The reign of Christ does not begin after the first resurrection for
immediately following the second coming of Christ he now reigns at the right hand of the Father (Heb. 1:3).
the following will occur: the binding of Satan (20:1-3),
the first resurrection (20:4-6), and the beginning of
the reign of Christ (20:4-7) for a “thousand years.”

At the present time, the church is the spiritual Israel. While the church benefits spiritually from the promises made to
God will return the nation of Israel to her rightful Israel, Israel and the church are never specifically equated.
place to fulfill the promises of the kingdom (Rom. 11)
A kingdom composed of both glorified saints and people still in
in the millennial kingdom. This passage supports the
the flesh seems too unreal to be possible.
teaching of verse 24: “How much more readily will
these, who are the natural branches be grafted into
their own olive tree?”

The Old Testament and Christ predicted a kingdom The kingdom is an overall teaching of the Bible. It now lies in the
in which the Anointed One would rule (Ps.2; church (Matt. 12:28; Luke 17:20-21). Christ reigns now in heaven
Matt.25:24). (Heb.1:3; 2:7-8).

As the prophecies of the Old Testament were fulfilled The interpretation of Revelation 20:1-7 does not necessitate
in the past, so those concerning the future will be literalism. These verses can be understood symbolically, since
too. This is an argument for consistency in the book of Revelation employs many symbols.
hermeneutics.

The church serves to fulfill some of the promises This view insists that the New Testament interprets the Old
made to Israel. Christ made this clear after the Jews Testament prophecies in cases where the New Testament
rejected him (Matt.12:28; Luke 17:20-21). actually is applying a principle found in an Old Testament
prophecy (Hos.11:1 in Matt. 2:15; Hos.1:10 & 2:23 in Rom.9:24-
26).
The understanding of “came to life” (Rev. 20:4) can be
Millennium 10

understood to mean “living,” and not resurrection.

Many of the early church fathers held to this view of It is not easy to place the church fathers definitely into one view of
eschatology. eschatology. Also, doctrine is not determined by a survey of
church fathers, but by study of Scripture.

A literal 1000-year earthly reign is referred to in only The Old Testament prophecies provide the basis for New
one passage (Rev.20:1-6) and it is mentioned in Testament prophecies. The New Testament sets the place and
apocalyptic literature. The Old Testament cannot be duration of the Millennium (Rev.20:1-6), and the Old Testament
used to supply material on the Millennium. gives much of the nature of the Millennium.

Romans 11:26 says that national Israel will be Many passages in the New Testament dissolve distinctions
converted. between Israel and the church (Gal.2; 28-29; 3:7; Eph.2:14-16).

God has made a special place for national Israel in Israel was chosen as a nation through which the Messiah would
his program. come. Since Jesus finished his work, Israelʼs unique purpose has
been fulfilled.

View #4 Dispensational Premillennialism

Statement of Adherents of this school are represented by those who generally hold to the concept of two-stages in
View the coming of Christ. He will come for his church )Rapture) and then with his church )revelation). The
two events are separated by a seven-year Tribulation. There is a consistent distinction between Israel
and the church throughout history.

Proponents J.N. Darby, C.I. Scofield, Lewis Sperry Chafer, John Walvoord, Charles Feinberg, Herman Hoyt, Harry
Ironside, Alva McClain, Eric Sauer, Charles Ryrie

Arguments For Arguments Against

This view maintains a consistent hermeneutic that allows Israel fulfilled its land promises once in the conquest
Israel to fulfill promises given to them and the church to fulfill (Josh. 21:43, 45). Its purpose of bringing forth the
its promise. Messiah has also been fulfilled.

The “coming to life” (Rev.20:4-5) being designated as the first This resurrection is not a bodily-resurrection because
resurrection supports this view. This resurrection precedes the only one bodily resurrection occurs. (John 5:28-29; Acts
millennial reign. 24:15). This is a spiritual resurrection.

Scriptures reveal both a universal and a mediatorial kingdom Godʼs rule over the creation has always been through a
which are two aspects of Godʼs rule. The mediatorial kingdom mediator. Thus his mediatorial rule cannot be restricted
is the Millennium, in which Christ will reign on earth. to the Millennium.

A literal reading of Revelation 19-20 leads to a dispensational Much of Revelation must be understood symbolically
premillennial view. Other views must spiritualize the events. because of its apocalypic nature.

The Abrahamic covenant will be completely fulfilled in Israel The promises made to Old Testament Israel were
(Gen.12:1-3). Its outworking is seen in the Palestinian, always conditional, based on Israelʼs obedience and
Davidic, and new covenants. The church shares the blessings faithfulness. The new covenant is for the church, not for
of the new covenant, but does not fulfill its promises Israel.
(Ga.3:16).

The concept of a literal earthly kingdom teaching in both Old The New Testament, which is the sole authority for the
and New Testaments supports this view. church, replaced the Old Testament and its promises.

The Millennium is possible and necessary because not all of Israelʼs disobedience negated their promises, which
the promises given to Israel have been fulfilled. were based on their faithfulness (Jer.18:9-10).

The Old Testament describes the kingdom as a literal on- The New Testament shows that Christ established a
earth reign of Messiah over the whole world. kingdom at his first coming and is now reigning over the
Millennium 11

whole world.

Premillennialism

The Cross
Creation Resurrection Second Resurrections
Pentecost coming Judgments

Jewish period Church age Great Millennium New heaven and

Tribulation earth

Questions that you should be able to answer.

1. Specific facts you should know.
a. What are the three views of the millennial kingdom?
b. What is the Biblical basis for the premillennial view?
c. What is the strongest Biblical support for the amillennial view?
2. Issues that you should be able to discuss.
a. Discuss the relative merits of each millennial view from Scripture.
b. How important are these various views to ones orthodoxy?
3. Questions you should wrestle with.
a. How literally are we to understand the Old Testament covenants?