I find it hard to fathom that such a small passage has caused so much debate over the centuries in the Christian world. Yet several distinct camps have formed in eschatology (= a study of the last things). The basic debate revolves around where Christ's return fits in with the Millennium or 1,000 year rule of Jesus.
But before we get to the actual views, we need to understand several rules of good debate. A good argument is not based on the scholars of the past or the present who held to a particular view. Saying that I believe in this particular view because Jimmy Christian believed it in the second century is not, when you think about it, a good argument. The world has enough sycophants. We don’t need to add to the list. We can find scholars past and present who stand on every side of the fence. Secondly, a good counter argument is not made by looking at how some tenants of that particular view lived their life or acted. Every view has positive and not so positive tenants. Every view can be built up or pulled down by anecdotes from follower’s lives and actions. Thirdly, a good argument using the Bible consistently and thoroughly rather than building its foundation on one verse or concept of Scripture.
So let’s briefly see what each school of millennial views believes.
The Post Millennial view believes that after Christ’s first coming the church age commenced. Throughout the church age God’s Kkingdom on earth would continue to expand. At some time in this church age, satan will be bound and this will usher in the Golden Age, the Millennium of 1,000 years where Christianity will be the major dominant force. Throughout this time many Jews (144,000?) will be saved. All will be well in that 1,000 year time frame. Towards the end of the 1,000 years or just after it, satan will be released and the final Armageddon battle will ensue. Jesus will return, bringing judgement and salvation. The elect will enter eternal life in the new heaven and earth and the condemned will be punished.
The Premillennial View
Unfortunately the Premillennial view is complicated because we have to distinguish between the Historical Premillennial view and the Dispensational view.
According to Historic Pre-millennialism, Christ’s first coming (life, death, resurrection and ascension) ushers in the Church age which witnesses the signs of times in chapters such as Matthew 24. Just before the end, there will be two great signs - Israel will be converted and the tribulation (a time of immense persecution and suffering) will occur. This will end with the battle of Armageddon. After this Christ will return. Having won that great battle He will raise all dead believers and bind satan for 1,000 years and thus rule on earth for 1,000 years with his people. Towards the end of this reign satan will be released for a short time and there will be a second resurrection of believers who died in the millennial age and all the wicked throughout the ages. This resurrection ushers in the final judgement after which the new and eternal heaven and earth will begin.
Dispensational Pre-millennialism has a three fold repetition of Christ’s ‘coming’, resurrection and judgement. As with other Pre-millennial believers they also believe that Christ will return before the millennial rule. Jesus’ death and resurrection and ascension begin the church age, at the end of which Christ partially returns (parousia) to take up believers to be with Himself. Living New Testament believers are raptured to be with Christ and dead New Testament believers are resurrected to be with Christ. These people are invited to the 7 year marriage supper of the Lamb.
The 7 year tribulation then begins with many Jews being converted. Things go down hill and this period climaxes with the great tribulation. The battle of Armageddon follows and Jesus returns fully to win the battle by binding satan, and to set up the millennial kingdom on earth. Christ resurrects the tribulation martyrs and Old Testament believers who reign with him for the 1,000 years.
The nations are then judged (sheep and goats judgement). At the end of this millennium satan is loosed. He leads the world against the believers but Christ comes to cast satan into the bottomless pit.
After this all the wicked who are dead and the saints who died in the millennial period will be resurrected. This leads to the great white throne judgement which is followed by eternity.
The Amillennial View
The Amillennial view believes that the 1,000 years of Revelation 20 is a figurative symbol that is occurring in the here and now, the church age. While the other views break up Revelation 20 into symbolic and literal elements (the chains are symbolic. The time frame is not) the Amillennial view treats them all as symbolic. It believes that Christ is reigning now in heaven and His kingdom is expanding on earth. Christ bound satan in his first coming so that his impact and influence on the world was and would be far less than it was previously. The signs of the times (Matthew 24 etc) appear throughout this millennial time or church age to some degree. It is generally agreed within this camp that the signs will intensify and get worse as we near the second coming.
There are varying beliefs about the Jews being converted but towards the end of this time satan will be released. The church will almost be destroyed in the great battle of Armageddon but Christ will appear and bring victory. Satan will be cast into the eternal pit and all peoples will be resurrected and judged. All people will be sentenced to either eternal life or eternal death.
In this view Christ comes first in flesh, is crucified and risen. He ascends to the heavenly realms and sits at the Father’s right hand. At some unknown time He will return in victory to judge the living and the dead. There are no partial comings or secret comings only one visible end time coming.
Prayer:
Use the space provided to add your own prayer points.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that your church would be reaching out to the world because Jesus has promised to come again to judge the living and the dead. Pray that both you and your church would see and have the urgency of bringing people into the kingdom before it’s too late.
¥ Pray that our children’s ministry would grow and reach out to many families, again bringing them into the Lord’s kingdom.
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