Millennium

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The period of 1,000 years referred to in Revelation chapter 20, during which Satan is bound and believers reign with Jesus Christ. This millennium is understood in different ways: as a period of unparalleled peace and prosperity for the church and the gospel at the end of this age, after which Christ will return (postmillennialism); as the time following Christ’s return when he will reign on earth (premillennialism); as a symbolic reference to the period between Christ’s first and second comings (amillennialism).

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Characteristics of the millennium

Satan is bound

“the Abyss” is the subterranean place of confinement for Satan and evil spirits.
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Martyred believers are raised to reign with Jesus Christ

Those who have suffered for the gospel receive their promised reward.
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Satan’s release and final overthrow

Revelation 20:7–10 NASB95
When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison, and will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war; the number of them is like the sand of the seashore. And they came up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, and fire came down from heaven and devoured them. And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
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The millennium will be a golden age on earth

The OT looks forward to a period of universal peace and prosperity on earth. Both pre- and postmillennialists see this as a reference to Jesus Christ’s future earthly reign.
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The premillennial interpretation

The premillennial order of events

Jesus Christ’s return. Premillennialists understand the events of Revelation chapter 19 to precede those of Revelation chapter 20; Satan bound for 1,000 years; a “first resurrection” of believers to share Jesus Christ’s reign over the earth; Satan’s release and final overthrow; the general resurrection of all people to face God’s judgment

A first resurrection of believers

This passage allows the idea of a gap between the resurrection of believers and the eternal age.
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God’s future earthly reign

Zechariah 14:9 NASB95
And the Lord will be king over all the earth; in that day the Lord will be the only one, and His name the only one.
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Believers will reign with Jesus Christ

Premillennialists take this to refer to an earthly reign.
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Difficulties with premillennialism

Scriptures that depict a single resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked:

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Jesus Christ’s parables of the kingdom depict a single occasion of separation and judgment:

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The postmillennial interpretation

The rapid spread of the gospel

Matthew 24:14 NASB95
“This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.
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A future turning to God

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Difficulties with postmillennialism

The fortunes of the gospel and the church appear to be at a low ebb before Jesus Christ returns:

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Jesus Christ’s reign is not postponed to some future era; it has begun already:

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The amillennial interpretation

Satan was defeated at Jesus Christ’s first coming

John 12:31 NASB95
“Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.
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Interpreting the “first resurrection”

As a reference to the soul entering heaven after death:

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As spiritual resurrection to new life in Christ:

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Dangers of the amillennialist view

The future hope of believers is not only a spiritual reality:

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Though defeated, Satan should not be underestimated:

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