What is the purpose of the 1000 Millenium?

[Leah]

If you read in the book of Revelation about the millenium, it talks about how Christ will establish His kingdom here on earth and that satan will be confined in the bottomless abyss. At the end of those 1000 years, satan will be released one last time and go out to deceive the nations to wage war with Christ.

Has anyone ever wondered why, though? Why will satan be confined for that amount of time, only to be released again?

I don't know about anyone else, but as I study the book of Revelation more and more, I notice there are some things about the end times that are much more than meets the eye.

And what about God's warning in chapter 22, verse 18-19?

 

[Leah]

And what about 22:10-15?

 

[Knee V]

And what about God's warning in chapter 22, verse 18-19?

What about it?

And what about 22:10-15?

What about it?

 

[Leah]

*Imana gets the impression that either people don't know the answer to my question, they're too scared/uneasy about talking about the end times or they just don't care. Or...perhaps it's all three.*

 

[Leah]

What about it?

What about it?

What do those verses mean?

 

[jckstraw72]

there is no literal millenial reign at the end of time. if Christ rules with His saints for 1000 yrs and then Satan is let loose what the heck is he going to do? With Christ ruling on earth with His saints i dont think there'd be a purpose to letting Satan out. The millenial reign is a symbol for the Church age aka right now. Christ is ruling with His saints in the Church, with Satan on a leash. He will be let off that leash in the end times before Christ returns.

 

[Leah]

there is no literal millenial reign at the end of time. if Christ rules with His saints for 1000 yrs and then Satan is let loose what the heck is he going to do? With Christ ruling on earth with His saints i dont think there'd be a purpose to letting Satan out. The millenial reign is a symbol for the Church age aka right now. Christ is ruling with His saints in the Church, with Satan on a leash. He will be let off that leash in the end times before Christ returns.

If this were the millenial reign right now, then how come there are wolves, snakes and hypocrits in the Church? And how come all kinds of perversion are tolerated in the Church?

This is not the millenial reign.

 

[PETE_]

If you read in the book of Revelation about the millenium, it talks about how Christ will establish His kingdom here on earth and that satan will be confined in the bottomless abyss. At the end of those 1000 years, satan will be released one last time and go out to deceive the nations to wage war with Christ.

Has anyone ever wondered why, though? Why will satan be confined for that amount of time, only to be released again?

I don't know about anyone else, but as I study the book of Revelation more and more, I notice there are some things about the end times that are much more than meets the eye.

And what about God's warning in chapter 22, verse 18-19?

here is a thought: how many times have you heard "the devil made me do it"

I think it is interesting that satan will be bound and the world will be ruled by our perfect King, and yet man will still rebel against God. We will get the clear picture that man is evil of his own choice. Even without bad influences and under the best of influences men will still choose to rebel.

 

[PETE_]

22:18-19. While on the one hand an invitation is extended to those who will listen, a word of warning is also given to those who reject the revelation of this final book of the Bible. A dual warning is given against adding to it or subtracting from it (cf. Deut. 4:2; 12:32; Prov. 30:6). How great will be the judgment of those who despise this book and relegate it to the mystical experiences of an old man, thereby denying that it is the inspired Word of God. Rejecting the Word of God is rejecting God Himself. And those who deny His promises of blessing and subtract from His truths will receive His judgment and will have no part in the tree of life or access to the holy city (cf. Rev. 22:14).​

http://www.christianforums.com/t4306995-what-is-the-purpose-of-the-1000-millenium.html#_ftn2http://www.christianforums.com/t4306995-what-is-the-purpose-of-the-1000-millenium.html#_ftnref2Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary.

 

[PETE_]

22:10-11. Daniel was told that his prophecies would be “sealed until the time of the end” (Dan. 12:9). But John was told not to seal up the words of these prophecies. Again it should be emphasized that the viewpoint of some scholars that the Book of Revelation is an impenetrable puzzle is expressly contradicted by this and other passages. Revelation, both via its plain statements and its symbols, is designed to reveal facts and events relating to the second coming of Christ.
The exhortation which follows has puzzled some. Those who do wrong and are vile are encouraged to continue to do so, and those who do right and are holy are encouraged to continue to do so (Rev. 22:11). The point here is not to condone what is evil, but to point out that if people do not heed this prophecy, they will continue in their wickedness.
On the other hand those who do heed the prophecy will continue to do what is right. Relatively speaking, the time of the Lord’s return is near and no major changes in mankind’s conduct can be expected.​

http://www.christianforums.com/t4306995-what-is-the-purpose-of-the-1000-millenium.html#_ftn1http://www.christianforums.com/t4306995-what-is-the-purpose-of-the-1000-millenium.html#_ftnref1

 

[Leah]

Hmmm, interesting.

Thanks Pete.

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

Originally Posted by jckstraw72 there is no literal millenial reign at the end of time. if Christ rules with His saints for 1000 yrs and then Satan is let loose what the heck is he going to do? With Christ ruling on earth with His saints i dont think there'd be a purpose to letting Satan out. The millenial reign is a symbol for the Church age aka right now. Christ is ruling with His saints in the Church, with Satan on a leash. He will be let off that leash in the end times before Christ returns.

If this were the millenial reign right now, then how come there are wolves, snakes and hypocrits in the Church? And how come all kinds of perversion are tolerated in the Church?

This is not the millenial reign.

I would tend to agree especially since I view JESUS returning BEFORE the millienum.
Thanks for the response

 

[Dorothea]

If you read in the book of Revelation about the millenium, it talks about how Christ will establish His kingdom here on earth and that satan will be confined in the bottomless abyss. At the end of those 1000 years, satan will be released one last time and go out to deceive the nations to wage war with Christ.

Has anyone ever wondered why, though? Why will satan be confined for that amount of time, only to be released again?

I don't know about anyone else, but as I study the book of Revelation more and more, I notice there are some things about the end times that are much more than meets the eye.

And what about God's warning in chapter 22, verse 18-19?

Here's some info to read:

The Inconsistency of Chiliasm

There is presently a teaching about the thousand-year kingdom of Christ on earth prior to the Universal Judgment that is gaining increased acceptance among different Christian denominations. This teaching is known as chiliasm, from the Greek chiliasmos, meaning "a thousand years." The essence of this teaching is as follows: Long before the end of the world, Christ will once again return to earth, defeat the Antichrist, resurrect the righteous only, and establish a kingdom on earth in which the righteous, as a reward for their struggles and sufferings, will reign with Him for a period of thousand years, enjoying all the good things of temporal life. After this, another resurrection will follow in which the rest of the people will be raised from the dead. Then the Universal Judgment will take place, and God will reward the righteous and punish the sinners. The defenders of this teaching base their arguments on the vision of the Apostle John in the 20th chapter of the book of Revelation.


There it is said that an Angel descended from heaven and bound satan for a thousand years and that the souls of those beheaded for their witness of Jesus Christ and the word of God came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. "This is the first resurrection," says the book of Revelation (Rev. 20:5). "When the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations" (Rev. 20:7-8). Soon there follows the judgment of the devil and of those who were deceived by him. The dead will be raised up and judged according to their deeds: "... And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire … This is the second death" (Rev. 20:14-15). Upon those who have been resurrected in the first resurrection, however, the second death will have no power.

Chiliastic views in antiquity were spread chiefly among heretics. The Second Ecumenical Council in 381 AD., condemning the heretic Apollinarius, condemned his teaching about the thousand-year Kingdom of Christ. To put a stop to further attempts at introducing this teaching, the Fathers of the Council inserted into the Creed the words about Christ: "His Kingdom shall have no end." In other words, when Christ's reign begins there will be no interruptions in His eternal Kingdom. In more recent times, chiliastic views were resurrected in some Protestant sects. As has been indicated, in this teaching there are proposed two future resurrections and two judgments: one for the righteous and later another for sinners; and there are two future comings of the Savior. There is a purely earthly reign of Christ with the righteous ones as a definite historical epoch. Formally, this teaching is based on an incorrect understanding of the expression first resurrection, while inwardly its cause is rooted in many contemporary sectarians' loss of faith in eternal life and in the blessedness of the righteous in Heaven, with whom they have no communion in prayer. Another cause is to be found in utopian dreams hidden behind religious ideas and inserted into the mysterious images of the book of Revelation.
It is not difficult to see the inconsistency of the chiliastic interpretation of the 20th Chapter of the book of Revelation. Parallel passages in Sacred Scripture clearly indicate that the first resurrection signifies spiritual rebirth into eternal life through baptism. Here are some typical passages in apostolic epistles: "Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light … You are risen with Christ" (Eph 5:14; Col. 3:1 and 2:12; Eph. 2:5-6). Proceeding from this, by the thousand-year reign we must understand the period of time from the very beginning of the Church of Christ until the end of the world. In the 20th chapter of Revelation, St. John consoles the faithful with the thought that those who were killed for Christ did not perish. Instead, they reign in Heaven with their Savior.

The second death signifies the condemnation of sinners after the Universal Judgment. It does not concern "the resurrected in the first resurrection." This means that those spiritually regenerated in Christ and cleansed by God's grace will not be subject to Condemnation but will enter the blessed life of Christ's Kingdom.

It is important to understand that the 20th chapter of the book of Revelation does not introduce any new teaching about the end of the world and the Second Coming of Christ. Its purpose is to summarize the battle between the devil and the Church which permeates the whole history of mankind. The devil is defeated twice: first spiritually, by the redemptive death of the Savior, and at the end of the world, completely and finally, when he will be thrown into the lake of fire. Christian martyrs began to celebrate their victory over satan immediately following their death for Christ.

The Inconsistency of Chiliasm

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

Here's some info to read:

The Inconsistency of Chiliasm


*SNIP*

...It is important to understand that the 20th chapter of the book of Revelation does not introduce any new teaching about the end of the world and the Second Coming of Christ. Its purpose is to summarize the battle between the devil and the Church which permeates the whole history of mankind. The devil is defeated twice: first spiritually, by the redemptive death of the Savior, and at the end of the world, completely and finally, when he will be thrown into the lake of fire. Christian martyrs began to celebrate their victory over satan immediately following their death for Christ.

The Inconsistency of Chiliasm

Interesing post!

I looked at the greek of Reve 12:12 and 20:3 and different greek words are used for "few/brief" and for "time".
What is the difference? Thanks

Reve 12:12 Because of this be being merry! heavens and those in them boothing. Woe! to the land and the sea, that descended the Devil toward ye having great fury, being aware that brief/oligon <3641> time/kairon <2540> he is having.

Reve 20:3 And he casts him into the abyss and he locks and he seals over of him, that no he should still be deceiving the nations until should-be-being-finished the thousands years.
After these, it is binding him to be loosed him a little/mikron <3398> time/cronon <5550>.

Strong's Number G3641 matches the Greek &#8000;&#955;&#8055;&#947;&#959;&#962; (oligos), which occurs 43 times in 42 verses in the Greek concordance of the KJV

3641. oligos ol-ee'-gos of uncertain affinity; puny (in extent, degree, number, duration or value); especially neuter (adverbially) somewhat:--+ almost, brief(-ly), few, (a) little, + long, a season, short, small, a while.

Strong's Number G3398 matches the Greek &#956;&#953;&#954;&#961;&#8057;&#962; (mikros), which occurs 30 times in 30 verses in the Greek concordance of the KJV

3398. mikros mik-ros', including the comparative mikroteros mik-rot'-er-os apparently a primary word; small (in size, quantity, number or (figuratively) dignity):--least, less, little, small.

Strong's Number G5550 matches the Greek &#967;&#961;&#8057;&#957;&#959;&#962; (chronos), which occurs 53 times in 53 verses in the Greek concordance of the KJV

5550. chronos khron'-os of uncertain derivation; a space of time (in general, and thus properly distinguished from 2540, which designates a fixed or special occasion; and from 165, which denotes a particular period) or interval; by extension, an individual opportunity; by implication, delay:--+ years old, season, space, (X often-)time(-s), (a) while.

Strong's Number G2540 matches the Greek &#954;&#945;&#953;&#961;&#8057;&#962; (kairos), which occurs 87 times in 82 verses in the Greek concordance of the KJV

2540. kairos kahee-ros' of uncertain affinity; an occasion, i.e. set or proper time:--X always, opportunity, (convenient, due) season, (due, short, while) time, a while. Compare 5550.

 

[Stryder06]

If you read in the book of Revelation about the millenium, it talks about how Christ will establish His kingdom here on earth and that satan will be confined in the bottomless abyss. At the end of those 1000 years, satan will be released one last time and go out to deceive the nations to wage war with Christ.

Has anyone ever wondered why, though? Why will satan be confined for that amount of time, only to be released again?

I don't know about anyone else, but as I study the book of Revelation more and more, I notice there are some things about the end times that are much more than meets the eye.

This is a good question but not one that is too far from understanding. Satan's sentence to be bound for a thousand years in the bottomless pit is not what most traditional teachings proclaim it to be.

When Christ returns, He shall call forth the dead in Christ, those of us who are alive and remain shall be caught up with them, and together we shall ever be with the Lord. The wicked who have not died during the outpouring of God's wrath via the 7 last plagues will be destroyed by the brightness of His coming. This will leave the earth totally devoid of all life.

The earth in this state is a bottomless pit. Satan is bound on this earth by a chain of circumstance if you will. He has no one to tempt because they are either dead, or with Christ. During the millennial period, we will judge the wicked, and Satan and his angels. Once this is finished and the thousand years completed, we will return to earth for God to execute judgment. The wicked are called forth that they may receive their punishment, and when Satan sees the vast population he is free (loosed) to tempt them once more (or for a short season).

And the book goes on to speak of how Satan and his hosts shall be consumed by fire and the Lord will then recreate the earth.

And what about God's warning in chapter 22, verse 18-19?

This is a solemn warning indeed. There are people who work against the sayings of this book because they don't want others to be aware of the warning therein (and for other reasons as well). God has placed a high importance on this book and the warning is given for the same reason that any warning is given, to keep men from doing something they shouldn't do.

 

[eyzonthepriz]

If you read in the book of Revelation about the millenium, it talks about how Christ will establish His kingdom here on earth and that satan will be confined in the bottomless abyss. At the end of those 1000 years, satan will be released one last time and go out to deceive the nations to wage war with Christ.

Has anyone ever wondered why, though? Why will satan be confined for that amount of time, only to be released again?

Jesus said that the kingdom was here when in Luke 11:20 He said "but if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you."
He also said that men and women were entering the kingdom at that time in Luke 16:16 "The law and the prophets were until John:since that the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. We are living in the kingdom now, How? We are subject to Gods laws while living under national and societal laws. His laws of living superceed any and all. We are a citizenry within a citizenry until he returns and then the physical aspects will be visable.
The usage of 1000 years is just a way of saying a long time. Please consider the use of 1000 as a figure of speech, simular to how we say " I have a thousand things to do today!" Psalm 50:10 says speaking about God - "for every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills." See? there are more than 1000 hills on the planet right? Who owns the cattle on the 1001 hill?
Compare Luke 11:14-22 with Revelation 20:3.
In luke Jesus talks about himself being stronger than the strong man (satan). In Rev. 20:3 we read:
20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
20:3 And 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.

My main point of focus is in verse 2. The stonger man (Jesus) bound the strong man (satan) for a long time so that he what? Would not deceive the nations! When Jesus began his ministry, he made the gospel available and the devils were subject to him and did not hinder his message. He cast them out and forbade them to speak (see Luke 4:5).
I believe in verse 3 where it says "and after that he must be loosed a little season" Occurred in the 1800's. Consider all the deception that came from that decade. The cults, The Jehovah witnesses, Mormonism,Seventh Day Adventists, Darwinism. The Mary Mcdonald lies of a secret rapture popularized by John Darby and popularized by C.I.Scofeild. How many Christians know anything about the year 70 A.D. and give Jesus Christ the praise due for the precision of his words in Matthew 24? Hardly any because of this deception unleashed at satans loosing. LOOK INTO IT FOR YOURSELVES..

 

[Dorothea]

Interesing post!

I looked at the greek of Reve 12:12 and 20:3 and different greek words are used for "few/brief" and for "time".
What is the difference? Thanks

Reve 12:12 Because of this be being merry! heavens and those in them boothing. Woe! to the land and the sea, that descended the Devil toward ye having great fury, being aware that brief/oligon <3641> time/kairon <2540> he is having.

Reve 20:3 And he casts him into the abyss and he locks and he seals over of him, that no he should still be deceiving the nations until should-be-being-finished the thousands years.
After these, it is binding him to be loosed him a little/mikron <3398> time/cronon <5550>.

Strong's Number G3641 matches the Greek &#8000;&#955;&#8055;&#947;&#959;&#962; (oligos), which occurs 43 times in 42 verses in the Greek concordance of the KJV

3641. oligos ol-ee'-gos of uncertain affinity; puny (in extent, degree, number, duration or value); especially neuter (adverbially) somewhat:--+ almost, brief(-ly), few, (a) little, + long, a season, short, small, a while.

Strong's Number G3398 matches the Greek &#956;&#953;&#954;&#961;&#8057;&#962; (mikros), which occurs 30 times in 30 verses in the Greek concordance of the KJV

3398. mikros mik-ros', including the comparative mikroteros mik-rot'-er-os apparently a primary word; small (in size, quantity, number or (figuratively) dignity):--least, less, little, small.

Strong's Number G5550 matches the Greek &#967;&#961;&#8057;&#957;&#959;&#962; (chronos), which occurs 53 times in 53 verses in the Greek concordance of the KJV

5550. chronos khron'-os of uncertain derivation; a space of time (in general, and thus properly distinguished from 2540, which designates a fixed or special occasion; and from 165, which denotes a particular period) or interval; by extension, an individual opportunity; by implication, delay:--+ years old, season, space, (X often-)time(-s), (a) while.

Strong's Number G2540 matches the Greek &#954;&#945;&#953;&#961;&#8057;&#962; (kairos), which occurs 87 times in 82 verses in the Greek concordance of the KJV

2540. kairos kahee-ros' of uncertain affinity; an occasion, i.e. set or proper time:--X always, opportunity, (convenient, due) season, (due, short, while) time, a while. Compare 5550.

Thanks. We in the Orthodox Church, do not focus on Revelations (we do not read it in any of our services). And it is quite dangerous to try to interpret and understand such a confusing book on one's own. We are told to prepare ourselves for His Coming, and to be strong in our faith. I have read that the whole purpose of Revelation is to prepare ourselves for persecutions to come and to not lose our faith, but to stay vigilant and stedfast.

All of these attempts at decoding numbers and such will just drive a person crazy. All that is needed is to keep His Commandments, know His Word, and prepare ourselves for His Return, whenever that may be.

 

[PROPHECYKID]

Ask yourself this question about the 1000 year "reign on earth". If after the second coming, Jesus comes to earth (where we are) to set up a kingdom, when will the promise of John 14: 1 - 3 be fulfilled? When Jesus comes back, isn't he coming to take us back to where he is? The place where he had gone to prepare for us?

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

Ask yourself this question about the 1000 year "reign on earth". If after the second coming, Jesus comes to earth (where we are) to set up a kingdom, when will the promise of John 14: 1 - 3 be fulfilled? When Jesus comes back, isn't he coming to take us back to where he is? The place where he had gone to prepare for us?

Then who will be the ones left to dwell in the Millenium?

 

[PROPHECYKID]

Then who will be the ones left to dwell in the Millenium?

Ahhhh. These are good questions. You notice that they can't both happen at the same time. When and how do you think the promise will happen considering the millennium.