I. Introduction
A. A Thousand Year Reign
1. Within Christianity, there is a debate about when Jesus will return.
2. Even in the early days of the church, there was debate about Jesus’ return (1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11; 2 Peter 3:1-13).
3. There are several views of this return, but one of the most prominent holds that Jesus will return to establish a kingdom on earth and reign for 1,000 years.
4. Two main approaches to this are premillennialism and postmillennialism.
5. For the sake of time tonight, we will focus on premillennialism.
B. Premillennialism
1. Premillennialism is a false teaching regarding Jesus’ return.
2. Proponents of this teaching adhere to the idea that there will be a time when the rapture of Christians will occur (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
3. After the rapture, a seven-year tribulation will begin, initiated by the antichrist and culminating in Armageddon (Revelation 16:16), where Jesus will return and defeat the Antichrist. Those who come to believe in Jesus during this period will become citizens in the new millennial kingdom that Jesus establishes.
4. After the defeat of the Antichrist, Jesus will establish an earthly kingdom and reign from Jerusalem in the rebuilt temple for 1,000 years. The raptured will reign with Jesus over the millennial kingdom. This reign will be characterized by peace among all men.
5. Toward the end of the 1,000-year reign, Satan will be released from his prison, and there will (again) be a period of uprising.
6. At his defeat, Satan will be cast into a lake of fire, and there will be a time of judgment where everyone’s eternal destiny will be revealed.
7. Most millennialists take a very literal approach to passages like the one we heard read for us during the Scripture reading. They believe the 1,000-year reign is literal.
II. Interpreting the Text
A. Literal or ?
1. The Bible is written in such a way as to communicate truth simply, but that doesn’t mean that it’s always easy to understand.
2. The best among us sometimes struggle to understand passages because we are far removed from many of the events that are recorded. Language, culture, and a host of other elements change.
3. The Bible doesn’t just contain . The Bible also contains poetry, songs, etc. There are times it is important for us to understand what type of literature we are reading the Bible.
4. Apocalyptic Literature
a. Among the types of literature in the Bible we read is apocalyptic literature.
b. The very title of the book of Revelation in the Greek is ἀποκάλυψις (apokalypsis). This word means revelation or disclosure.
5. Rules for Interpreting Apocalyptic Literature
a. Apocalyptic literature conveys its message through symbols, and one must interpret them accordingly.
b. Avoid pressing symbols too far.
c. Never base a major doctrine on an obscure passage.
d. Never interpret a figurative passage in such a way that it contradicts plain teaching elsewhere.
6. Numbers and Symbols
a. Many millennialists would say the 1,000-year reign and 144,000 are literal, but the seven trumpets and seven bowls are figurative.
b. Numbers are a prominent feature in Revelation. They carry significant meaning but are not literal.
c. Most of the numbers considered literal by millennialists are simply variations or combinations of these numbers meant to convey a special point.
B. Nature of Revelation
1. Revelation was written to a people who were going through and would have to endure it for a long time to come.
2. It’s meant to the people of God living through great tribulation at the hands of the Romans to remember that Jesus has, and always will, win.
3. With these rules in mind, we can discover the truth.
C. Nature of the Kingdom
1. One challenge to millennialist teaching is the nature of the Kingdom. The is the Kingdom. It exists now; it is not something we are still waiting for in the future.
a. Jesus uses the terms “church” and “kingdom” interchangeably (Matthew 16:13-20).
b. Jesus is reigning now in the kingdom. He currently has absolute reign and rule (Matthew 28:18).
c. Jesus has completed His earthly ministry.
2. When closely reading some of the passages in question, there is no mention of Him setting foot on earth ever again. An earthly kingdom in the future makes no sense.
3. The church is the earthly part of the spiritual kingdom. (1 Peter 2:5)
4. We are currently living and with Christ in the Kingdom.
a. Colossians 1:13-14
b. Ephesians 2:1-7
5. When Paul wrote Colossians, the kingdom was already established. How else could the reader have understood Paul’s statement?
D. Eternal Kingdom
1. Being part of the church makes us part of the eternal kingdom, which Jesus will reign over until the end of all things.
a. Someday, we will be by Jesus to be with God forever in eternity.
b. 1 Corinthians 15:20-28
2. The thousand-year reign of Christ in Revelation 20 is simply a figure of the reign and rule of Christ in the Kingdom, which will never be shaken.
III. Conclusion
A. Kingdom Talk
1. Studying questions can be a bit confusing, but God’s word remains consistent in His desire to redeem mankind.
2. What really matters is that your name is not found in the Book of Life on this side of eternity; it won’t miraculously show up on Judgment Day. (Revelation 20:11-15)
B. Invitation