Questions about the timing of the thousand years

[DavidPT]

Some think it's meaning in this age and that it's not a literal thousand years. Others believe it happens in the next age after Christ has returned.

Maybe what needs to be figured out first, what can occur during the thousand years and what can't.

I would like to pose some questions then.

1----can satan deceive any nations during the thousand years?

2----can satan wage war with anyone during the thousand years?

3----can saints be persecuted and killed during the thousand years?

4----can satan continue to do what is said of him in 1 Peter 5:8, during the thousand years?

5----does satan still act as god of this world during the thousand years, where he can still continue to blind the minds of them which believe not?

6----can anyone begin reigning with Christ after the fact, meaning they weren't yet reigning with Him when the thousand years initially began, but begin reigning with Him at some future point during the thousand years?

If you were to ask a Premil all 6 of these questions, I'm pretty sure all would be in full agreement about the answers. The answers to all 6 questions being no. But not everyone is Premil though.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

Some think it's meaning in this age and that it's not a literal thousand years. Others believe it happens in the next age after Christ has returned.

Maybe what needs to be figured out first, what can occur during the thousand years and what can't.

I would like to pose some questions then.

1----can satan deceive any nations during the thousand years?

2----can satan wage war with anyone during the thousand years?

3----can saints be persecuted and killed during the thousand years?

4----can satan continue to do what is said of him in 1 Peter 5:8, during the thousand years?

5----does satan still act as god of this world during the thousand years, where he can still continue to blind the minds of them which believe not?

6----can anyone begin reigning with Christ after the fact, meaning they weren't yet reigning with Him when the thousand years initially began, but begin reigning with Him at some future point during the thousand years?

If you were to ask a Premil all 6 of these questions, I'm pretty sure all would be in full agreement about the answers. The answers to all 6 questions being no. But not everyone is Premil though.

I am a partial Preterist so I view the 1000 year reign as.... forever.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Some think it's meaning in this age and that it's not a literal thousand years. Others believe it happens in the next age after Christ has returned.

Maybe what needs to be figured out first, what can occur during the thousand years and what can't.

I would like to pose some questions then.

1----can satan deceive any nations during the thousand years?

2----can satan wage war with anyone during the thousand years?

3----can saints be persecuted and killed during the thousand years?

4----can satan continue to do what is said of him in 1 Peter 5:8, during the thousand years?

5----does satan still act as god of this world during the thousand years, where he can still continue to blind the minds of them which believe not?

6----can anyone begin reigning with Christ after the fact, meaning they weren't yet reigning with Him when the thousand years initially began, but begin reigning with Him at some future point during the thousand years?

If you were to ask a Premil all 6 of these questions, I'm pretty sure all would be in full agreement about the answers. The answers to all 6 questions being no. But not everyone is Premil though.

I tend to ask the question to live in and then leave it at that.

are the nations currently being deceived by satan? Yes or No.

An additional question is sometimes necessary: Was there ever a time when the nations were not deceived by satan?

If the nations are being deceived, whatever the millennia refers to, is obviously not happening. When it does happen, it happens, and when it is over, it's over.

 

[rainingviolets]

I am a Premillennialist and you are correct, my answer to all 6 questions is no. My son, however, is an Amillennialist and his answers would vary greatly from mine. Amillennialists reject Revelation Chapter 20 - that Christ will have a literal, physical thousand year earthly reign.

 

[Douggg]

@DavidPT

1----can satan deceive any nations during the thousand years?
no

2----can satan wage war with anyone during the thousand years?
no

3----can saints be persecuted and killed during the thousand years?
no

4----can satan continue to do what is said of him in 1 Peter 5:8, during the thousand years?
no

5----does satan still act as god of this world during the thousand years, where he can still continue to blind the minds of them which believe not?
no

6----can anyone begin reigning with Christ after the fact, meaning they weren't yet reigning with Him when the thousand years initially began, but begin reigning with Him at some future point during the thousand years?
maybe

 

[mkgal1]

Amillienialists reject Revelation Chapter 20 - that Christ will have a literal, physical thousand year earthly reign.

It's not a rejection of Rev 20 - it's merely a different interpretation than premillienials. This article may be a helpful outline for anyone wishing to understand that interpretation: Revelation Chapter 20: Introduction and Outline

I am an Amillennialist "because of" Revelation 20

Another belief about the millennium is that it took place from the throne of King David to the throne of Christ (Matthew 1:17 ~ So there were fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen generations from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen generations from the exile to Babylon to the Christ.)

 

[DavidPT]

I am a partial Preterist so I view the 1000 year reign as.... forever.

In order for a position like yours to even work, the 6 questions I posed, all of your answers would have to be no. Because if any of them are yes, the following is what you end up with.

For example, keeping in mind, only hypothetically speaking here since you didn't indicate one way or the other as to how you might answer those 6 questions. Let's say you said yes to number 4. Since you indicated the thousand year reign is forever and you also indicated satan, that during the thousand year reign, he can still do what is said of him in 1 Peter 5:8, that would logically add up to satan doing that forever since the thousand year reign is forever.

What I tend to think you might be neglecting to take into account here, is the following for one.

1 Corinthians 15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.

I'm not certain what the 'till' in verse 25 might mean to you, but I know what it means to me though.

 

[Dave L]

Some think it's meaning in this age and that it's not a literal thousand years. Others believe it happens in the next age after Christ has returned.

Maybe what needs to be figured out first, what can occur during the thousand years and what can't.

I would like to pose some questions then.

1----can satan deceive any nations during the thousand years?

2----can satan wage war with anyone during the thousand years?

3----can saints be persecuted and killed during the thousand years?

4----can satan continue to do what is said of him in 1 Peter 5:8, during the thousand years?

5----does satan still act as god of this world during the thousand years, where he can still continue to blind the minds of them which believe not?

6----can anyone begin reigning with Christ after the fact, meaning they weren't yet reigning with Him when the thousand years initially began, but begin reigning with Him at some future point during the thousand years?

If you were to ask a Premil all 6 of these questions, I'm pretty sure all would be in full agreement about the answers. The answers to all 6 questions being no. But not everyone is Premil though.

Revelation 20;

The angel = Greek for messenger

the chain = the message (gospel); The gospel sent to the whole world.

the 1000 years = Satan bound from deceiving the elect. The saints rule over him. the 1000 years end = Satan loosed.

Note the 1000 years are not the kingdom. Satan attacks the kingdom when they end and he is loosed.

Satan loosed = the Post Christian era (we now live in = immanent return of Christ) the gospel message falls on deaf ears, the world assails the Church from all quarters ushering in the end.

“Jesus said, “This voice has not come for my benefit but for yours. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out.” (John 12:30–31)

So in essence, Revelation 20 is a panorama of the entire New Covenant era. Not a physical kingdom of the future.

 

[miamited]

Hi david,

Well, as I understand the Scriptures, the 1,000 year reign of Christ upon the earth will be after the rapture and after all the wicked have drawn themselves up to do battle against Israel. After those events, then God will raise up all those who died with Jesus as their Savior and they will live 1,000 years with him upon this very earth that we are living on today.

God bless,
In Christ, ted

 

[Dave L]

Hi david,

Well, as I understand the Scriptures, the 1,000 year reign of Christ upon the earth will be after the rapture and after all the wicked have drawn themselves up to do battle against Israel. After those events, then God will raise up all those who died with Jesus as their Savior and they will live 1,000 years with him upon this very earth that we are living on today.

God bless,
In Christ, ted

This is not what Jesus taught. He said his kingdom is not of this world. It comes without observation. And only the born again can see it. You need to adjust Revelation which is symbolic to Jesus' words that are literal.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

1 Corinthians 15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.

He already did this by his death, resurrection and ascension. He said so himself:

28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

 

[DavidPT]

@DavidPT

1----can satan deceive any nations during the thousand years?
no

2----can satan wage war with anyone during the thousand years?
no

3----can saints be persecuted and killed during the thousand years?
no

4----can satan continue to do what is said of him in 1 Peter 5:8, during the thousand years?
no

5----does satan still act as god of this world during the thousand years, where he can still continue to blind the minds of them which believe not?
no

6----can anyone begin reigning with Christ after the fact, meaning they weren't yet reigning with Him when the thousand years initially began, but begin reigning with Him at some future point during the thousand years?
maybe

I noticed that you answered maybe to number 6. I don't see how though. That would indicate there are future bodily risings from the dead throughout the thousand years since it is those bodily rising from the dead who have part in the first resurrection then reign with Christ a thousand years. Resurrections throughout the thousand years might possibly work for a position such as Amil, since their position involves spiritual resurrections and not bodily ones. Can't see it working out if someone is Premil though.

 

[BABerean2]

Some think it's meaning in this age and that it's not a literal thousand years. Others believe it happens in the next age after Christ has returned.

Maybe what needs to be figured out first, what can occur during the thousand years and what can't.

I would like to pose some questions then.

1----can satan deceive any nations during the thousand years?

2----can satan wage war with anyone during the thousand years?

3----can saints be persecuted and killed during the thousand years?

4----can satan continue to do what is said of him in 1 Peter 5:8, during the thousand years?

5----does satan still act as god of this world during the thousand years, where he can still continue to blind the minds of them which believe not?

6----can anyone begin reigning with Christ after the fact, meaning they weren't yet reigning with Him when the thousand years initially began, but begin reigning with Him at some future point during the thousand years?

If you were to ask a Premil all 6 of these questions, I'm pretty sure all would be in full agreement about the answers. The answers to all 6 questions being no. But not everyone is Premil though.

You should also ask how many mortals will survive the "flaming fire" found in 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10?

Next ask how many mortals are alive on the planet after Matthew 25:31-46?

Then ask Paul when Christ judges the living and the dead, as found in 2 Timothy 4:1?

Then ask what happens at "the time of the judgment of the dead" in Revelation 11:18?

Then ask if the Book of Revelation is in chronological order?

.

 

[DavidPT]

He already did this by his death, resurrection and ascension. He said so himself:

28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

Allow me to offer this perspective then. It's not that Jesus quits reigning altogether at some point, it's that He quits reigning in the sense having to do with judgment, etc. After everyone has been cast into the LOF that are going to be cast in there, why would Jesus need to continue reigning forever as judge and jury of those that end up lost? There would be no such thing as that ever happening again once the GWTJ is over. He still reigns forever and ever though, just not in a sense having to do with judgment and the dealing with enemies of God, etc.

 

[DavidPT]

You should also ask how many mortals will survive the "flaming fire" found in 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10?

Next ask how many mortals are alive on the planet after Matthew 25:31-46?

Then ask Paul when Christ judges the living and the dead, as found in 2 Timothy 4:1?

Then ask what happens at "the time of the judgment of the dead" in Revelation 11:18?

Then ask if the Book of Revelation is in chronological order?

.

And you should at least try and answer some if not all of those 6 questions I posed in the OP. That would be a good start.

 

[rainingviolets]

It's not a rejection of Rev 20 - it's merely a different interpretation than premillienials. This article may be a helpful outline for anyone wishing to understand that interpretation: Revelation Chapter 20: Introduction and Outline

Thank you for this. My son is always "gifting" me with books on amillennialism that would require me to obtain several doctorates to simply understand the introductions. (I'm not stupid. He's just really smart.) Hopefully your information will give me a greater understanding of the topic.
One question: The word does mean "no millennium", doesn't it?

 

[PROPHECYKID]

Hi david,

Well, as I understand the Scriptures, the 1,000 year reign of Christ upon the earth will be after the rapture and after all the wicked have drawn themselves up to do battle against Israel. After those events, then God will raise up all those who died with Jesus as their Savior and they will live 1,000 years with him upon this very earth that we are living on today.

God bless,
In Christ, ted

When will God create a new heaven and earth. Would it be before the thousand years of after?

 

[Maria Billingsley]

He quits reigning in the sense having to do with judgment, etc

How can Jesus Christ of Nazareth quit reigning when scripture says He reigns forever and ever and always has since He is the I AM. He put an end to the second death and all those who believe in Him partake in His Kingdom. There is nothing left to be done.

I think you are trying to fit a narrative into a flawed theological system. But that is fine, a lot of people are part of this system.

Hebrews 1
5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? 6 And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. 7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.
8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom. 9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: 11 They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; 12 And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

 

[PROPHECYKID]

Some think it's meaning in this age and that it's not a literal thousand years. Others believe it happens in the next age after Christ has returned.

Maybe what needs to be figured out first, what can occur during the thousand years and what can't.

I would like to pose some questions then.

1----can satan deceive any nations during the thousand years?

2----can satan wage war with anyone during the thousand years?

3----can saints be persecuted and killed during the thousand years?

4----can satan continue to do what is said of him in 1 Peter 5:8, during the thousand years?

5----does satan still act as god of this world during the thousand years, where he can still continue to blind the minds of them which believe not?

6----can anyone begin reigning with Christ after the fact, meaning they weren't yet reigning with Him when the thousand years initially began, but begin reigning with Him at some future point during the thousand years?

If you were to ask a Premil all 6 of these questions, I'm pretty sure all would be in full agreement about the answers. The answers to all 6 questions being no. But not everyone is Premil though.

The problem is that people identify with a label and allow a label to dictate their beliefs and unable to see things objectively. The answer to all of these questions is no and its just basic easy to answer questions.

I will ask you this question. Is the new Jerusalem descending upon the earth after it is recreated or before?

 

[DavidPT]

Thank you for this. My son is always "gifting" me with books on amillinnealism that would require me to obtain several doctorates to simply understand the introductions. (I'm not stupid. He's just really smart.) Hopefully your information will give me a greater understanding of the topic.
One question: The word does mean "no millennium", doesn't it?

When it comes to Amil vs Premil, speaking for myself, I see some things that appear to fit Amil better than it does Premil. Yet I also see some things that appear to fit Premil better than it does Amil. Even though I'm Premil I'm not fully closedminded to Amil, though I really should be since all hardcore Amils are obviously fully closedminded to Premil. I'm yet to encounter one hardcore Amil who isn't fully closedminded to Premil.

I'm presently a hardcore Premil, yet I'm not fully closedminded to Amil. Maybe that makes me more reasonable overall than them? I dont know.