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).
Characteristics of the millennium
Satan is bound
Revelation 20:1–3 “the Abyss” is the subterranean place of confinement for Satan and evil spirits. See also Luke 8:31 parallels Matthew 8:29, Mark 5:7
Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the Abyss, holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. And he threw him into the Abyss, shut it, and sealed it over him, so that he could not deceive the nations until the thousand years were complete. After that, he must be released for a brief period of time.
Martyred believers are raised to reign with Jesus Christ
Revelation 20:4–6 Those who have suffered for the gospel receive their promised reward. See also Romans 8:17; 2 Timothy 2:11–12; Revelation 2:10
Then I saw the thrones, and those seated on them had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or hands. And they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years were complete. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection! The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.
Satan's release and final overthrow
Revelation 20:7–10 See also Ezekiel 38:1–4, Ezekiel 38:15–16, Ezekiel 38:18–22, Ezekiel 39:2–5; Zechariah 14:2; Romans 16:20
When the thousand years are complete, Satan will be released from his prison, and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth — Gog and Magog — to assemble them for battle. Their number is like the sand of the seashore. And they marched across the broad expanse of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. But fire came down from heaven and consumed them. And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, into which the beast and the false prophet had already been thrown. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
The millennium will be a golden age on earth
Isaiah 2:2–4 parallel Micah 4:1–3 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. See also Isaiah 11:6–9, Isaiah 51:4–5, Isaiah 65:25
In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. And many peoples will come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways so that we may walk in His paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. Then He will judge between the nations and arbitrate for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer take up the sword against nation, nor train anymore for war.
The premillennial interpretation
The premillennial order of events
Revelation 19:11–13 Jesus Christ's return. Premillennialists understand the events of Revelation chapter 19 to precede those of Revelation chapter 20; Revelation 20:2–3 Satan bound for 1,000 years; Revelation 20:4–6 a “first resurrection” of believers to share Jesus Christ's reign over the earth; Revelation 20:7–10 Satan's release and final overthrow; Revelation 20:11–15 the general resurrection of all people to face God's judgment
A first resurrection of believers
1 Corinthians 15:22–25 This passage allows the idea of a gap between the resurrection of believers and the eternal age. See also 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17
For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ the firstfruits; then at His coming, those who belong to Him. Then the end will come, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father after He has destroyed all dominion, authority, and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.
God's future earthly reign
Zechariah 14:9 See also Daniel 2:44; Zephaniah 3:11; Zechariah 14:16–21
On that day the LORD will become King over all the earth— the LORD alone, and His name alone.
Believers will reign with Jesus Christ
Matthew 19:28 Premillennialists take this to refer to an earthly reign. See also Luke 22:29–30; 1 Corinthians 6:2; Revelation 5:9–10
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Difficulties with premillennialism
Scriptures that depict a single resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked: Daniel 12:2; John 5:28–29; Matthew 13:40–43, Matthew 13:49–50, Matthew 25:31–32
The postmillennial interpretation
The rapid spread of the gospel
Matthew 24:14 parallel Mark 13:10 See also Matthew 13:31–33 parallels Mark 4:31–32, Luke 13:18–21
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
A future turning to God
Psalm 22:27–28; Isaiah 19:19–24; Zechariah 2:11
Difficulties with postmillennialism
The fortunes of the gospel and the church appear to be at a low ebb before Jesus Christ returns: Matthew 24:9–12 parallel Luke 21:12–17; 2 Timothy 3:1–5, 2 Timothy 3:12–13; Matthew 28:18; Acts 2:33–36, Acts 7:55–56
The amillennial interpretation
Satan was defeated at Jesus Christ's first coming
John 12:31 See also Matthew 12:29 parallels Mark 3:27, Luke 11:21–22; Luke 10:18–20; Colossians 2:14–15
Now judgment is upon this world; now the prince of this world will be cast out.
Interpreting the ``first resurrection''
As a reference to the soul entering heaven after death: Luke 23:43; 2 Timothy 4:7–8; Romans 6:5; Ephesians 2:6; Colossians 3:1
Dangers of the amillennialist view
The future hope of believers is not only a spiritual reality: Romans 8:19–21; Revelation 21:1; 1 Peter 5:8; 1 John 5:19; Revelation 12:17
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.