Bible Students

The Millennial Kingdom of Christ is a hot topic of debate in today’s eschatological scene. The Millennial Kingdom, found in places like Isaiah and Revelation 20, is the kingdom which Christ will rule, where Satan is bound up from largely impacting certain people. Across the board, Premillennialists, Postmillennialists, and Amillennialists seem to agree on these basic ideas of the Millennial Kingdom. The eschatological view I hold to is known as the Premillennial view. This view has several characteristics that set it apart from both the Postmillennial view and the Amillennial view. These views have significant differences in both the timings and natures of the Millennial Kingdom. It would be helpful to begin with defining the different viewpoints. 

To begin, the Premillennial view, which I hold, states that Christ’s second coming is right before the Millennial Kingdom. This kingdom is physically on earth for a literal 1,000 years, where Christ will physically reign on earth. The Postmillennial view states that Christ’s second coming comes right after the Millennial kingdom. In contrast, Postmillennialists believe Christ’s second coming is immediately after the Millennial Kingdom. The Millennial Kingdom is currently happening, and began at the destruction of the temple in AD 70 until Christ’s second coming. Amillennialists believe Christ is reigning over earth in heaven currently, since the time of the crucifixion. Christ’s return will be some time in the future.

The Premillennial view, I believe, is the view with the most scriptural support. Firstly, I believe the Millennial Kingdom is not yet. There are a few reasons for this. Firstly, in Revelation 20:2-3, Satan is bound and thrown into the bottomless pit. There are a few possible interpretations of this. This passage could do nothing in relation to sin in the world, since people can choose to sin without the influence of Satan. Alternatively, this could mean that Satan cannot influence at least a certain group of people, which would mean sin would be decreased in the world. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary seems to agree with the second interpretation: “For a thousand years on this earth, within history, the activity of Satan leading humankind into false worship and active rebellion against God and his people will be totally curbed under the authority of Christ and His kingdom.” Now, this could either mean that Satan has no influence on the people of God, or this could mean that Satan has no influence on the people of the world. I believe the first interpretation does not do the passage justice. The Life Application Commentary presents this interpreation: “Others explain, however, that the word nations is always used in Revelation to describe unbelievers. It seems clear, therefore, that Satan will be bound and locked away from deceiving the unbelievers…while Christ rules during this period…During this time, the unbelievers will experience true justice and God’s perfect rule over the earth.”.

Now, if Satan is not allowed to attack the children of God during the Millennial Kingdom, then that must mean that aspect of the Millennial Kingdom is not active now. For, who can deny that the children of God are fought against by Satan? This must mean the Millennial Kingdom is yet to come. As shown, I believe the Millennial Kingdom will be a future kingdom, and one where Satan is bound. 

Another characteristic of the Millennial Kingdom is its physical and literal nature and timing. In Revelation 20:4, John writes that the resurrected will reign with Christ for 1,000 years in the Millennial Kingdom. In addition, Isaiah 65 also refers to the Millennial Kingdom in terms that do not match the timing of a present kingdom but do offer real physical results of the kingdom’s presence. In Isaiah 65:20, Isaiah writes that in the Millennial Kingdom, no longer will children die in infancy, but live to be hundreds of years old. If the Millennial Kingdom is now, then Isaiah was mistaken. It seems unlikely that Isaiah would describe the future kingdom in such terms if he was referring to an age where infants certainly do die in infancy, as they do now. Unless, one is to attempt to say Isaiah 65 is about the future age in Heaven, which would be to include death in the new Heaven, which is absurd. Revelation speaks of the Millennial Kingdom as if it is a physical event, and one not reflected in this time. Isaiah speaks of the Millennial Kingdom as one that is a physical event, and one not reflected in this time. Scripturally, the consensus is clear: The Millennial Kingdom is a physical 1,000-year reign of Christ. 

Now, one might present the historical evidence, as The IVP Bible Background Commentary does. Keener writes, “‘Amillennialists’ like Augustine, Calvin, and Luther usually have taken it as symbolic for the present age…” which shows that at least some church fathers believed in Amillennialism. However, the appeal to the historicity of a belief only goes to far, as Premillennialism was also a prominent idea in the early church. 

Now, eschatology is one of the most overemphasized studies of Scripture. The practical impact of eschatological views is little to none, at least between the most popular positions. When one only considers their own views, one may miss other applicable truths that other frameworks hold. For example, often Premillennialists believe the world will progressively get worse until the return of Christ, whereas Postmillennialists believe the world will get better. As a Premillennialist, I must guard my heart against the brief that no matter what I do, the world will continue to get worse. That may lead to a defeatist attitude, where I do not even attempt to make a positive impact in the world. That is absolutely anti-gospel. However, there are also some good applications one can take from Premillennialism.Firstly, the Lord is coming back physically. His reign will be a comfort to the world and partial fulfillment of the labors the church has aimed to undertake. Secondly, Satan will be bound. Satan, the greatest adversary of the church (though, possibly second to the church itself), will be bound up in a time of grace for all men. I believe though, something that overshadows all other applications, is that Christ is reigning on this earth, not the new earth, during the Millennial Kingdom. Only those who love Him will benefit. The kingdom is coming, and it is coming quickly. Therefore: What could be a more encouraging thing to look forward to in light of evangelism, missions, and discipleship? As Christians, we right now have the opportunity and responsibility to prepare the earth and the hearts of the people for our Christ. That is our calling and our fulfillment, to ready a place for Him to reign. Amen.

Bibliography
Barker, Kenneth L. eds John R. Kolenberger III. The Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary.
Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Corporation, 1994..
Barton, Bruce, Philip Comfort, Grant Osborne, Linda K. Taylor, and Dave Veerman. Life
Application New Testament Commentary. Carol Stream, Illinois: Tyndale House
Publishers.
Cannon, Andrew Paul. “Premil, Postmil, and Amil: Distinctives.” Christoa.com , 13 Feb.
2021, https://christoa.com/2021/02/13/premil-postmil-and-amil-distinctives/.
Keener, Craig S.. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament . Downers Grove,
Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.