At the end of the day, all things must be proven by scripture. While history provides valuable insights, it is scripture alone that should establish our beliefs. In this study we will surprisingly see how AMillennialism harmonizes with what the bible teaches about the end times. Not only that, but the truth about the millennium, where and when it takes place, gives us a far better hope in this present age than Premillennialism.
Understanding the truth about the millennium is key to one's walk with Christ. The implications of where and when the millennium takes place are far reaching for the Christian Congregation. It determines how you approach your daily life and how you view others, inside and outside the Congregation.
As we go through this study, we will see that the truth in regards to where and when the millennium takes place has a big part in shaping how a believer looks at life in general and looks at their own personal walk with Christ. It will change the way you approach ministry and the way you view your enemies. It will change your world view and your approach to where your loyalty lies in terms of citizenship. I will use Revelation 20 as my base passage of scripture to work from. Of course, we will span many texts of scripture to harmonize the AMillennial view. In short, the AMillennial view teaches that the New covenant Church age is the Millennial Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
Premillennialism, after a hiatus in the mainstream Churches, began popping up after the reformation started in the 1500's. The Anabaptists were the first ones after the reformation to teach premillennialism. Not all of them, the pioneer Anabaptists (swiss brethren) were AMillennialists as they had just broken off from the Zwingly Protestants who themselves were AMillennialists just like the rest of the Protestants.
Premillennialism gained popularity especially in the 1800's with three forms, Historical Premillennialism, which was a view held by some in the early Church. The second was Dispensational Premillennialism which had it's origin in the 1800's. The third was the Seventh-day Adventist understanding of Premillennialism which teaches that the Millennium is in heaven as opposed to earth (Historical and Dispensational view).
Post Millennialism was popular in the 1800's as it teaches that Christ second advent will occur after the world is Christianized. As we go through this study, we will talk about the dangers and pitfalls of both premillennialism and post Millennialism.
Within the AMillennial understanding of the end times, there are some varying views. They range from a preterist understanding of the end times to a futuristic view of the end times. However, traditionally AMillennialism teaches a historicist view of the end times. That is also my view (historicism). Historicism teaches that the prophecies of the book of Revelation span from the cross all the way to the establishment of the new heaven and new earth.
The AMillennial view teaches that Christ now reigns on earth in the heart of believers. A rather new alternate view teaches that Christ reigns with the saints in heaven now in the intermediate state. My view is the traditional one which teaches that Christ reigns in the hearts of believers now on earth. Also, I don't believe in the immortal soul doctrine so that eliminates the saints reigning in heaven now.
The AMillennial view teaches that Christian's are now reigning as kings & priests on earth and that Jesus is reigning over His Kingdom, which is on earth, from heaven and that He is currently sitting on the Davidic throne in the most holy place at the right hand of God. AMillennialism teaches that Christ was established as the King of His earthly Kingdom at His ascension. We will show this throughout the study. Let's now go to Revelation 20 and start this beautiful journey in understanding the truth about the millennium:
Revelation 20:1-15 (KJV)
1And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.2And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,3And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.4And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.5But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.6Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.7And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,8And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.9And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.10And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.11And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.12And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.13And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.14And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
This is the only place in scripture that speaks of a thousand year period. It's understandable that people would take this as a period that follows the second advent of Christ. If you read Revelation 19 and then go to Revelation 20 that seems to be the order of things as the first word in Revelation 20 is "And", however this could be the introduction to the next cycle that repeats the previous cycles in this prophetic book. Let's see whether or not this passage in Revelation 20 refers to a future time period or if it is a time period in which we are now living.
In verses 1-3, we see the binding of Satan by the Angel. The bottomless pit could be a reference to the depth of the earth and the earth itself. The identification of the Angel is none other than our Savior Jesus Christ. How do we know this? Let's go to Revelation 1:8:
"18I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."
The refrenced to hell and death are in regards to the grave which is in the depth of the earth. The speaker in this passage is our Jehovah Jesus Christ. It's the Son of God who possesses the keys to the bottomless pit. So the keys to the bottomless pit and hell and death are one and the same. This clearly indentifies the binding Angel in Revelation 20 as Jesus Christ.
Revelation 12:7-9 (KJV)
7And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,8And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.9And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
The phrase "the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan" in verse 2 of Revelation 20 links this vision with the above passage in Revelation 12. This is in reference to Christ’s exaltation to heaven. It was the exaltation of Christ to heaven that commenced the war of Revelation 12:7-9 and it was Michael The Archangel, who is Jesus Christ, that defeated and cast out Satan from heaven to earth (bottomless pit). Verse 8 says there was no place found anymore in heaven for Satan hence him being bound to the bottomless pit (earth and depth of the earth "hell and death"). Since it was Michael The Archangel who cast out Satan to the earth (kicking out of heaven thereby binding him) and it was an Angel who bound Satan to the earth in Revelation 20 and it was Jesus who said that He had the keys to the depth of the earth (bottomless pit), then Michael, the Angel and Jesus are all one and the same.
Revelation 12 and Revelation 20 are describing the same sequence of events. So when did this all take place (the war in heaven and the binding of Satan)? The war of the angels was the result of Christ's exaltation upon Satan and his forces. Satan's defeat relates especially to his work as the accuser of the brethren in the court of heaven (Job 1:6-11, 2:5, Zechariah 3:1-5).
Christ's atoning death redeemed His people from sin (Revelation 1:5, 5;9, 7:14). In fact, it was Christ's shedding of blood that granted us to be kings and priests unto God and his Father:
Revelation 1:5-6 (KJV)
5And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,6And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
This is significant as John the beloved tells us that it was Jesus shedding of blood on the cross that made us kings and priests. Brethren, one can't be a king unless there is a kingdom in which to be a king of.
The war in heaven was an instrument to implement the results of Christ's victory over Satan at the cross. Satan continues to rage on earth, however we will see that it him being cast out of heaven and bound to the earth and depth of the earth (bottomless pit), that brought forth the establishment of the Kingdom of Jehovah God and the Power of His Christ. The Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of Christ are synonymous (one and the same).
Revelation 12:10-13 (KVJ)
10And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.11And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.12Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.13And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
Verse 10, a loud voice announces the full arrival of the Kingdom of God and Christ which is equivalent to salvation, a reference to Christ’s victory at the cross. The setting up of Christ's Kingdom is right after His resurrection, ascension, the war in heaven which resulted in the casting out (binding) of Satan to the earth and depth of the earth. The Devil deceiveth (present tense) the whole world but now he is in retreat before the armies of the Lamb (Revelation 17:14). The Devil knows his time is short (verse 12 of Rev 12). Why is this? Because Christ had taken up His Kingdom and power and has bound the Devil and cast him out. We have already read in Revelation 20:1-3 that Michael who is Christ bound the Devil to initiate the thousand years. The question is, during what period of time do these thousand years fall in? We know that Christ binding of the devil starts the thousand years, so let's see some scriptures that tell us when the binding of Satan took place:
Mathew 12:28-29 (KJV)
28But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.29Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.
The Kingdom of God is come meaning it was at the doorstep. Jesus was proclaiming the arrival of the Kingdom during His earthly ministry. Jesus defeats Satan and brings the reign of Jehovah into people's lives through the Holy Spirit with which Jehovah anointed Him (Christ ).
The spoiling of goods and the plundering of possessions. The Kingdom of God was making a profound impact against the kingdom of darkness, showing that Christ decisively defeated the Devil in His coming (bind the strong man).
Luke 10:17-20 (KJV)
17And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.18And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.19Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.20Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
"Satan as lightning fall from heaven". The preaching of the Kingdom is God's means not only of saving His people but also of judging the powers of darkness. "tread on serpents". Christ was already giving His people victory over Satan, as God had promised after the fall of man (Genesis 3:15, Romans 16:20). Though many reject the gospel, Christ is still today triumphing over Satan.
"rejoice not....but rather rejoice". While spiritual gifts and success in ministry are a cause of joy, a Christian's primary and constant cause for rejoicing is that God has chosen him to be a citizen in the Kingdom (your names are written in heaven; Isaiah 4;3, Philippians 4:3).
Are you starting to see a pattern? The defeat of Satan and his subsequent binding took place during the earthly ministry of Jesus as well as His resurrection and ascension.
Luke 11:20-22 (KJV)
20But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.21When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:22But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.
The finger of God is symbolic of God's power to judge His enemies (Exodus 8:19). "The kingdom of God is come". Jesus earthly ministry inaugurated God's Kingdom. Jesus miracles are a sure sign that the King has come to overthrow the powers of darkness. This happened during Jesus first advent.
"strong man" Satan, depicted as a captor who has a careful watch and armament over his own. "a stronger than he" Jesus has come to undo the works of the Devil and so destroy Satan's authority over His (Jesus) people.
Satan = strong man
Jesus = a stronger than he
Satan's kingdom = Palace
Subject's of Satan's kingdom = his goods
Binding of Satan = taketh from him all his armour
Jesus bringing salvation to the subjects of Satan's kingdom= divideth his spoils
This all happens at the casting out of devils and the preaching and presence of Jehovah's Kingdom. In context, this happened (binding of Satan and arrival of the Kingdom) during Jesus first advent. The advancement of the Kingdom still happens today and will continue to happen
until the second advent when the Kingdom realizes it's fullness.
Romans 16:20 (KJV)
20And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Though many reject the gospel, Christ is still triumphing today over Satan. Christ's triumph over Satan is applied to the redeemed as joint heirs with Christ and therefore as more than conquerors through Him.
Genesis 3:15 (KJV)
15And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
The singular seed points to Jehoshua, the Champion of Jehovah's people who will bring them victory over Satan by His grace. The was the promise of the Redeemer to come rescue man.
The victory of Jehoshua over the Devil took place during His ministry, death, burial, resurrection and ascension. We have the victory now and have had it since the cross.
John 12:31 (KJV)
31Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
Christ's death is a mysterious conquest of man in rebellion against Jehovah. Satan is the spiritual ruler of fallen man. "Cast out" figurative language for Christ's decisive victory over the Devil. This is significant because it proves that Satan was bound and cast out during Jesus earthly ministry and also at His death, resurrection and ascension. This ties in with Satan's binding at the beginning of Revelation 20:1-3. This proves that we have been in the millennial reign of Christ since His ascension into Heaven. Let's go to Colossians 2:13-15 for further evidence of this.
Colossians 2:13-15 (KJV)
13And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;14Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
It is Jehoshua's death, burial and resurrection that provides us with forgiveness of sins and the blotting out of our sins. In verse 15, Jehoshua spoiled the principalities and powersof darkness.
The word "spoiled" comes from the Greek word "apekduomai" (Strongs 554) and means "to divest wholly oneself, or (for oneself) despoil: - put off, spoil"
In order to spoil (divest, strip) Satan's kingdom, Jesus had to bind him first. Again this took place during the time of Jesus ministry. We are seeing that the binding of Satan which initiates the millennium took place during Jesus life and was finalized at His ascension which established His Kingship.
In verse 15 of Colossians 2, it says that Christ triumphed over the powers of darkness at the cross. This is a once and for all defeat of Satan and was done at the cross. In order to have done the spoiling of Satan's palace (kingdom), Jesus first had to bind him. Again, this proves that the binding of Satan was done during Jesus first advent which initiated the millennium.
Hebrews 2:14 (KJV)
14Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
This passage in Hebrews makes it clear that through His death, burial and resurrection, Jehoshua destroyed the Devil. This is a once and for all destruction of the Devil. Again, this proves that the millennial reign of Christ began at this period in history not in some future thousand years after His second advent. Jesus death bound and spoiled the devil coinciding with the binding of Satan in Revelation 20:1-3 which began the millennium. Now you might say that the Devil isn't destroyed as he still has influence in the world. The passage isn't referring to the Devil's destruction as a conscious being but rather his ability to deceive the nations. Only those who reject the gospel give place to Satan to deceive them. Let's look at the definition for destroy in the greek:
"Katargeo" is the greek word (2673 strongs) for destroy and it means "to be rendered entirely idle (useless), literally or figuratively: - abolish, cease, cumber, deliver, destroy, do away, become (make) of no (none, without) effect, fail, loose, bring (come) to nought, put away (down), vanish away, make void".
The above definitions can be applied literally or figuratively. In Satan's case, we may use the figurative understanding of him being destroyed meaning that his being is not destroyed but rather his ability to deceive. What is destroyed, abolished, vanished and put away regarding Satan? His ability to deceive the nations. The glorious gospel of Jesus Christ has gone to the four corners of the world and has given light to the nations. Satan can no longer obscure God's love for humanity which was manifested in God giving us His only begotten Son to die for our sins.
Those who are deceived by Satan are those who rejected the truth that they might be saved (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12). The above definition of destroy above says to render useless or idle. This is how we have to look at our enemy. We often ascribe to Satan too much credit. In the life of the believer, Satan's has been rendered useless and idle because he can't deceive us due to our receiving the glorious gospel of the Son of God. As long as we abide in Christ and Him in us we are protected from Satan's deceptions.
Unbelievers are deceived because of their rejection of the gospel not because Satan had the sovereign ability to deceive them. These unbelievers then open themselves to further deception from Satan. You might say "how come many Christians are still deceived?" This is because they veer off the narrow road of their own accord which usually starts with disregarding the word of God as the final authority in their lives.
Colossians 1:26-27 (KJV)
26Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:27To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Before Christ's first advent, the mystery of God's truth was hidden from ages and generations. Only by revelation of God could one know the mystery of Jehovah's purposes in salvation. God's plan of salvation was not clearly seen until the arrival of Christ and His subsequent death and resurrection. The content of the gospel that is now fully revealed is described in verse 27, namely that the gentiles enjoy full participation among the people of God. All those trustingin Christ enjoy His covenantal presence.
Satan cannot deceive the Gentiles anymore as the mystery of godliness which is Christ in us by His Spirit has been made manifest.
1 John 4:9 (KJV)
9In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him
God sending His only begotten Son to die for the world's sins was a revelation of His immense love for us. John 3:16 shows that God's love for humanity can no longer be obscured and hidden hence leaving no place for the Devil to deceive the nations. There is no excuse for the unbeliever as Satan has not deceived them into unbelief, but rather by their own rejection of God's Son they have opened the door for the enemy's deception. In other words, Satan can no longer hide the fact that we have a God that loves His creation. The death of Jehovah's Son, which has been proclaimed throughout allthe world, prevents the Devil from deceiving the nations concerning God's love.
This is what it means in the book of Revelation when it reads "that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled".
Of course, at the end of time Satan will be allowed to deceive the nations and perhaps this is that very time. He can deceive the nations again because of the great apostasy of Christendom and the world's casting off of restraint and godly principles and wicked atheism.
So now back to Revelation 20, we have shown that the binding and spoiling of Satan took place during Jesus earthly ministry and subsequent death, resurrection and ascension to Heaven. We have seen that Christ obtained total victory over Satan at the cross. If the binding of Satan already took place during this time period of Jesus first advent then we can safely conclude that we are already living in the millennial reign of Christ.
Let's go to verse 4 of Revelation 20 and do our due diligence to show that Christ is reigning now on the Davidic throne from heaven over His millennial Kingdom on earth.
Revelation 20:4 (KJV)
4And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Jehovah's medatorial Kingdom has already come in it's spiritual reality to His people.
John 18:36-37 (KJV)
36Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.37Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
Jesus Kingdom is not political (of this world) but is spiritual (John 3:3-6), for He rules His subjects not by coercive force but through their faith (heareth my voice) in His Word (bear witness unto the truth). Jesus was not a violent political revolutionary.
Romans 14:17 (KVJ)
17For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Though Christ's Kingdom has not come in open glory, it has already arrived in the holiness of Jehovah's people, though not in rules about mere externals (meat and drink) but by the inward graces of the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 1:19-23 (KJV)
19And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,21Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Jehovah creates faith by applying the divine power of Christ's resurrection to His elect. Jehovah's power comes to us in Christ through our union with Him in His resurrection. God's power comes to us in Christ, through our union with Him in His resurrection. "At His own right hand in the heavenly places". This refers to Jesus ascension into Heaven in order to receive His Kingdom. Jesus ascension to heaven followed shortly after His resurrection. He went to sit at the right hand of the Father in the most holy place (heavenly places).
This is a clear passage alluding to the installment of Christ as King and His Kingdom being established. Jesus was given a position of Lordship above all kings and angels:
Psalm 110:1-2 (KJV)
1 Jehovah said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.2 Jehovah shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
This is a prophecy of Jehoshua's ascension into Heaven (Hebrews 1:8). David the earthly ruler of Jehovah's Kingdom, acknowledged that his descendant, Christ, would be sovereign over him "my Lord". We know that Jehoshua sat at Jehovah's right hand at His ascension (Hebrews 1:8) so this passage is prophesying that event. Jehoshua is given the place of supreme honor and authority over all things in heaven and in earth.
Matthew 26:63-64 (KJV)
63But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.64Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
Jehoshua's Sonship gives Him the rightful Kingly inheritance to sit at the right hand of God the Father. His reference to coming in the clouds of heaven speaks of His ascension as noted in Daniel 7:13-14:
"13I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.14And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed."
This passage in Daniel 7 is key in determining exactly when Jehoshua received His Kingdom. Just as Psalm 110, Psalm 45, Psalm 2, Hebrews 1:7-9, describe, Jehoshua receives His Kingdom at the time of His ascension into Heaven and is granted by the Father to sit at His (the Father's) right hand. Daniel 7 can only be in regards to Christ’s ascension into Heaven following the 40 days spent on earth after His resurrection. All of these passages correspond to each other in reference to the same event.
Acts 2:32-36 (KJV)
32This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.33Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.34For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,35Until I make thy foes thy footstool.36Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
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