This brings us naturally to consider what the Bible teaches concerning that coming kingdom, a period commonly referred to as the Millennium. The word comes from two Latin words, mille, meaning “thousand”, and annus, meaning “year”. Although the word itself does not appear in our English Bibles, Revelation chapter 20 speaks six times of a period of “a thousand years”.
There are three principal views of this period. Premillennialism teaches that Christ will return before the Millennium and reign personally upon the earth for a literal thousand years. Amillennialism understands the Millennium as a picture of Christ’s present heavenly reign, extending from His resurrection until His return. Postmillennialism expects the preaching of the gospel to produce an extended period of widespread righteousness and blessing, after which Christ will return.
We believe that Scripture teaches a future, literal reign of Christ upon the earth. The One who was rejected here will be vindicated here. The place of His humiliation will become the sphere of His displayed glory. Four scriptural truths support this conclusion.
1. Revelation chapter 20 describes a thousand-year reign
Revelation chapter 20 states six times that this reign will last for a thousand years. There is no compelling reason to turn this repeated time period into an indefinite symbol. When Peter recalls Psalm 90 verse 4 and states that “with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day” (2 Peter 3:8) he is simply reminding us that God is eternal and outside of time, not giving us licence to translate a thousand years into some other length of time such as one day. When Jeremiah prophesied that Judah’s desolation would last seventy years, Daniel understood those years in their ordinary sense (Jeremiah 25:11; Daniel 9:2). The reading of the thousand years in Revelation chapter 20 should be approached in the same way.
The chapter also tells us that Satan will be bound and prevented from deceiving the nations during this period (Revelation 20:1-3). That cannot describe the present age. Scripture warns believers that the devil prowls about “like a roaring lion” (1 Peter 5:8), blinds the minds of unbelievers (2 Corinthians 4:4), and disguises himself as “an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14). Satan is active now. His complete restraint, described in Revelation chapter 20, must therefore be future.
2. Believers of this age will share in that reign
God has promised that His people of this current age will share in the future reign of Christ. Revelation chapter 5 celebrates the worthiness of the Lamb who was slain and who ransomed people for God from every tribe, language, people and nation. Those whom He has redeemed “shall reign on the earth” (Revelation 5:9,10).
Paul likewise writes, “if we endure, we will also reign with him” (2 Timothy 2:12 ESV). Christ endured rejection before entering His glory, and believers are called to follow Him in that path. Our hope is not present ease, wealth or prominence. Faithfulness may involve suffering now, but it will be answered by association with Christ in His coming reign.
The Corinthians are also reminded that “the saints will judge the world” (1 Corinthians 6:2). Paul uses this future responsibility to expose the shame of believers who were unable to settle present disputes in a godly way. Those who will one day share in Christ’s righteous government should display His wisdom and character now.
3. A future Millennium fulfils God’s promises to Israel
The Old Testament contains many promises to Israel which have never yet been fulfilled as their original hearers would naturally have understood them (Isaiah 11:10-12; Jeremiah 31:31-37; Ezekiel 36:24-28). Israel’s unbelief brought solemn discipline (Deuteronomy 28:15,36,37), but the faithfulness of God is not dependent upon the faithfulness of man (Romans 3:3,4; 11:28,29).
In Psalm 89, God speaks of His covenant with David: “I will not violate my covenant or alter the word that went forth from my lips” (Psalm 89:34 ESV). Paul makes the same point concerning the nation of Israel: “the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29). God’s own character guarantees the fulfilment of His word.
After the resurrection of Christ, the disciples asked, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). The Lord did not tell them that their expectation of a restored kingdom was mistaken. He told them that its timing belonged to the Father and directed them to their present responsibility as His witnesses (vv.7,8).
Zechariah chapter 14 describes a day when the Lord’s feet will “stand upon the Mount of Olives”, Jerusalem will be delivered, and “the LORD will be king over all the earth” (Zechariah 14:4,9 ESV). Isaiah 11 describes conditions which have never existed since sin entered the world: the wolf dwelling with the lamb, the leopard lying down with the young goat, and the earth being full of the knowledge of the Lord (Isaiah 11:6-9). These promises look forward to a restored creation under the righteous government of Israel’s Messiah.
4. The utter sinfulness of man will be finally exposed
During the Millennium, Satan will be bound, creation will enjoy remarkable blessing, and the world will experience the perfect government of Christ. Yet Revelation 20:7-10 reveals that, when Satan is released at the end of the thousand years, multitudes will join his final rebellion.
Those who enter the kingdom will have received Christ, but children will be born during that long period. Like every child of Adam, they will possess a sinful nature and will need the regenerating grace of God. Outward submission to Christ’s rule will not necessarily mean inward faith in Him. When Satan is released, any rebellion concealed within the human heart will be brought into the open.
The Millennium will therefore provide the final demonstration that man’s fundamental problem is not his environment. Even under perfect government, in a world of peace and abundance, the unrenewed heart will remain opposed to God. Man needs more than improved circumstances, he needs new life through the gracious work of God (1 Timothy 1:14-16).
The King will reign
The Millennium will display the faithfulness, wisdom and glory of God. His promises to Israel will be fulfilled, His Son will be vindicated in the world which rejected Him, His redeemed people will reign with Him, and the true condition of the human heart will be fully exposed.
The Millennium itself will eventually come to an end. It will be followed by the eternal state, when God’s redeemed people will dwell in the new heavens and the new earth, bringing God’s prophetic purposes to their final consummation (Revelation 21:1-5). It is important, however, not to pass too quickly from the Tribulation to the eternal state and overlook the thousand-year reign of Christ upon this earth.
The One who was crowned with thorns will be manifested as King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16). He will rule, not with the corruption, weakness and injustice which mark human government, but in perfect righteousness (Isaiah 32:1). For the believer, this truth is not merely a matter for prophetic discussion. It calls us to loyalty to the rejected King now, and fills us with confidence that the purposes of God cannot fail. “He must reign” (1 Corinthians 15:25).
(This article is based on Chapter 8 of His Coming, titled “The Millennium”, by Paul Coxall; the book is available here.)
