SPECIAL TOPIC: MILLENNIUM

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE MILLENNIUM (from my
commentary of Revelation 20 online)

A. Chapter 20 must be related theologically to chapters 19 (the Second
Coming) and 21-22 (the eternal kingdom). The interpretive question is whether
the Second Coming precedes the millennial reign of Christ, if so then some form
of pre-millennialism is inevitable (if this is to be interpreted as historical
narrative). But what if chapters 20-22 are a new unit that recapitulates
chapters 17-19 (cf. W. Hendriksen, More Than Conquerors, this is my
personal view of Revelation also, see my commentary online)? This change would
be similar to the recapitulation between the seals, trumpets, and bowls, if so,
then some form of idealism or amillennialism fits best.

B. Chapter 20 introduces several theological concepts not revealed in other
parts of the Bible:

1. a two-stage resurrection

2. a limited temporal reign of martyrs

3. a Messianic earthly reign for 1,000 years

4. an ineffectual reign of the Messiah (mankind rebels again at the
instigation of Satan after a 1,000 year reign of Christ)

5. another battle with unbelievers after the Great White Throne judgment

C. Difficulties in interpretation exist because of

1. The theological distinctives of chapter 20

2. The ambiguity in several key areas

a. Satan’s binding, Rev. 20:2

b. number of groups in Rev. 20:4

c. who is involved in the first resurrection, Rev. 20:5

d. the who, where, and how of this reign with Christ, Rev. 20:6e.where do
“the nations” in Rev. 20:8 come from

f. meaning and location of “the beloved city,” Rev. 20:9

g. who is involved in the White Throne Judgment of Rev. 20:11-15 and how it
relates to Matt. 25:31ff

3. There is a great lack of agreement among godly, believing commentators,
even those of the same millennial theory. One’s millennial theory should not
affect the reality of a physical, literal Second Coming which is referred to
often in the NT.

4. Some good quotes by people I trust

a. in his commentary, Revelation, George E. Ladd says “American
Evangelicalism has placed an unwarranted emphasis on this doctrine of
millennium. . .One thing is clear; he (Jesus) is not concerned to teach a
temporal earthly kingdom before the eternal order in the Age to Come.”

b. in Word Pictures in the New Testament, A. T. Robertson says, “This
wonderful book was written to comfort the saints in a time of great trial, not
to create strife among them” (pp. 457-458).

c. in Worthy is the Lamb, Ray Summers says, “This chapter needs to be
approached with great humility of spirit, a recognition of its difficulties, an
avoidance of dogmatic statements, and respect for the honest interpretation of
others. This chapter has been a bitter debating ground for Christians for many
centuries” (p. 202).

d. in his commentary on The Book of Revelation, New International
Commentary Series, Robert H. Mounce, says, “Judging from the amount of
attention given by many writers to the first ten verses of chapter 20, one would
judge it to be the single most important segment of the book of Revelation. The
tendency of many interpreters at this point is to become apologists for a
particular view of the millennium. Without denying the significance of this
important passage, it should not be elevated above such basic themes as the
return of Christ, the final judgment and removal of all wickedness, and the
splendor of the eternal state. A careful reading of the millennial passage (Rev.
20:1-10) will show that it is perhaps limited to the resurrected martyrs alone,
and that it contains no specific indication that their reign with Christ takes
place on earth or that it necessarily follows the second advent” (p. 351).

D. The millennial reign is not the same as

1. the Messianic Age, or

2. the Kingdom of God (both #1 and #2 are eternal, cf. Dan. 7:14,27; Isa.
9:7; Luke 1:33; 2 Pet. 1:11; Rev. 11:15; 22:5)

E. The concept of a 1,000 years of bliss with Christ may have come from the
idea of 6,000 years of history and then a Sabbath rest of prosperity from
Genesis 1. It seems this (historical pre-millennialism) was part of some early
Christian writings (cf. Epistle of Barnabas 15 and II Enoch 33).

F. This chapter is obviously inspired revelation and has a divine purpose.
However, what is that purpose: (1) outlining end-time events or (2) giving
spiritual insight into the spiritual struggle of every age?

Interpreters must be careful of pushing their own agenda and not John’s.
Curiosity, one-upmanship, or loyalty to a theological position or teacher has
caused a legion of interpretations and bad attitudes. John’s agenda/purpose is
conveyed in his choice of genre and his choice of OT, not NT, imagery! Taking
apocalyptic literature literally is not a sign of conservatism, but misguided
enthusiasm! Why do modern interpreters try to make some of John’s symbols
literal and others figurative? They are all figurative (this does not mean they
are not true)! John’s end-time presentation is primarily an OT structure. He
seems to purposely ignore Jesus’ and Paul’s eschatological teachings. The
biblical writers, both OT and NT, do not reveal a systematic eschatology. They
certainly present truth, but not in a logical, chronological, or systematic way!
Let us affirm the central truths of the visions and not be dogmatic about the
details.

G. This chapter has been made to bear theological weight out of proportion to
its place in the overall structure and message of the book of Revelation, and
for that matter, the NT! This is not the major emphasis of the author! The
millennium is a precursor to the eternal reign of God. Only Revelation chooses
to mention this temporal Messianic reign. It appears in a genre that
communicates truth by means of symbolic language. Personally, it is not the
millennial reign that surprises me (in light of OT texts), but

1. the two-stage judgment

2. the mixing of resurrected saints and normal humans together in an earthly
setting

3. the presence of rebellion after a lengthy Messianic reign

Will Christ’s personal reign be ineffectual in bringing mankind unto
righteousness even with the absence of Satan? Or is this a symbolic way to
clearly show the extent and debauchery of human kind?

H. God help us all in light of Rev. 22:18-19! We are all affected by our sin
nature, our age, our experience, and our teachers!