This passage introduces one of the most controversial subjects associated with eschatology in the modern church age. The arguments are ignited by taking literal approaches to understanding what John was describing in this other-worldly vision. And it is exacerbated by convolving the second coming of Christ with John’s vision. Revelation is an apocalyptic style of literature, while most of the Scriptures about the second coming of Christ are not.
There are three aspects involved in all the theories of the Millenium:
The second coming of Christ, commonly called the Rapture, is not explicitly part of John’s vision. It is, however, found in the non-apocalyptic scriptures. So, this will be an actual event as described in Acts and in the writings of Paul and other apostles.
Tribulation is found all through Revelation but not the “Great Tribulation” as is often defined in some dogmas. That said, a significant time of suffering often precedes a great move of God. Think the deliverance from Egypt for the Israelites. There were ten plagues against their oppressors and a miraculous exodus through the Red Sea. I could give many examples throughout history. So, yes, there will be tribulation, and certainly before the consummation of all things.
The reign of Christ for 1,000 years is called the Millenium. As I’ve stated earlier, the numbers in John’s vision are used as ways to describe something, not a literal count of people, years or days. The number 1000 is the number 10 multiplied by itself twice. It’s the number of completion. So, the reign of Christ will be complete, not temporary. My take is that it means forever. “He shall reign forever and ever.” – Revelation 11:15.
All the different ideas about the Millenium deal with the sequence of these three aspects. We’ll spend some time on this passage taking a look at these.
There are three aspects involved in all the theories of the Millenium:
- The second coming of Christ
- A great tribulation
- A thousand-year reign of Christ
The second coming of Christ, commonly called the Rapture, is not explicitly part of John’s vision. It is, however, found in the non-apocalyptic scriptures. So, this will be an actual event as described in Acts and in the writings of Paul and other apostles.
Tribulation is found all through Revelation but not the “Great Tribulation” as is often defined in some dogmas. That said, a significant time of suffering often precedes a great move of God. Think the deliverance from Egypt for the Israelites. There were ten plagues against their oppressors and a miraculous exodus through the Red Sea. I could give many examples throughout history. So, yes, there will be tribulation, and certainly before the consummation of all things.
The reign of Christ for 1,000 years is called the Millenium. As I’ve stated earlier, the numbers in John’s vision are used as ways to describe something, not a literal count of people, years or days. The number 1000 is the number 10 multiplied by itself twice. It’s the number of completion. So, the reign of Christ will be complete, not temporary. My take is that it means forever. “He shall reign forever and ever.” – Revelation 11:15.
All the different ideas about the Millenium deal with the sequence of these three aspects. We’ll spend some time on this passage taking a look at these.
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