The future is always the unknown in many ways. We don't know everything about what God will yet do.
This should define much of our attitude about the future.
Rev 20:1-6 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand.
And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years;
and he threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any
longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time.
Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who
had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not
worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and
they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection.
Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power,
but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.
Views On The Millenium (Rev 20:6)
Amillennialism (aka 'aaaahhhhh mil')
Amillennialism has enjoyed the broadest support historically (since the 4th century when Augustine
developed it.) Amillennialists believe that there is no literal '1000 year reign' of Christ over the Earth to come, and that there is
no future significance to genetic/national Israel (the promises are realized in the Church).
- Broadest support in the Church across history (4th century forward)
- '1000 year reign' is a metaphor for the Church age.
- The promises to Israel are fulfilled in the Church ( the NT does apply several OT promises to the Church [1 Peter], and also
emphasizes the unity between Gentiles and Israel (Gal. 3:28,29)
Postmillennialism (aka 'post mil')
This view holds that the world will be eventually Christianized, with a resulting period of peace and prosperity (the
Millennium), followed by Christ's return. Postmillennialists believe that the return of Christ occurs after the
Millennium (which is not always held to be literally 1000 years), and that there is no future significance to
genetic/national Israel
- Support primarily in the Romantic period (i.e. 1800s) ending with WWI (nobody was optimistic anymore)
- 1000 year reign will occur once the Earth becomes suitably Christian
- The promises to Israel are fulfilled in the Church ( the NT does apply several OT promises to the Church [1 Peter], and also
emphasizes the unity between Gentiles and Israel (Gal. 3:28,29)
Premillennialism (aka 'pre mil')
Premillennialists believe that the Christ will return and establish a global kingdom for 1000 years. This reign
will include a restoration of genetic/national Israel. Subdivisions within Premillennialism :
Dispensational Premillennialism
- strongly emphasizes a 7 year period known as the Tribulation (characterized by
global persecution of Christians and the divinely caused disasters). Dispensational Premils believe
that Christ will come back for his Church in an event distinct from his final return known as the 'Rapture'.
Historic Premillennialism
- the only known view of the church prior to Augustine. Historic Premillennialists are either post trib or do
not interpret the tribulation as a literal 7 year period.
- Literal 1000 year reign after Christ's return (Christ returns 'Pre' the millenium)
- Genetic/National Israel will become significant during the Millenium
Two Types :
Dispensational Premillennialism
- strongly emphasizes a 7 year period known as the Tribulation (characterized by global persecution of
Christians and the divinely caused disasters).
- believes that Christ will come back for his Church in an event distinct from his final return known as the 'Rapture'.
Views On The Rapture :
1. Pre-Tribulation Rapture (aka pre trib) : Christ 'raptures' the Church before the Tribulation begins.
2. Mid-Tribulation Rapture (aka pre trib) : Christ 'raptures' the Church in the middle of the Tribulation (after
3.5 years; the last 3.5 years are called the 'Great Tribulation'.
3. Post-Tribulation Rapture (aka post trib) : Christ 'raptures' the Church after the Tribulation as part of his
return to start the Millenium (Christians meet Christ in the air and return with him to reign.)
Historic Premillennialism
- the only known view of the church prior to Augustine.
- either post trib or do not interpret the tribulation as a literal 7 year period.
I am a premil guy; I strongly respect the other views, but I lay my hat with the premil crowd. Why am I premil?
- I believe that Rom 9-11 clearly lays out a plan for genetic/national Israel in the future.
Rom 11:25-27 For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery-so that you will not be wise
in your own estimation-that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in;
and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, "The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness
from Jacob." "This is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins."
Paul is probably quoting Isaiah 59:20 in 11:26 and Jer 31:33,34 in 11:27
- I believe that Rev 19,20 clearly places the return of Christ before the 1000 year reign
The passage seems to clearly place the return of Christ before the 100 year reign of Rev 20:6
I have no substantial opinions beyond that; frankly, I prefer a 'wait and see' attitude.
The relevant passages in the Bible are quite confusing : see Daniel 9:20-27, Zecharaiah, Revelation, etc.
An end to sin
Hell - Sinners are cast into Hell for 'eternal destruction' (2 Thess 2:9) and "eternal fire" (Jude 7, Rev 20:15).
Rev 20:15 And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
Heaven - The effects of sin are removed (Rev 21:4) and the struggle with sin is removed (1 John 3:2,3).
The effects of sin are removed.
Rev 21:4 He shall wipe away every tear from their eyhes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall
no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.
Our struggle with sin is removed.
1 John 3:2,3 "Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We
know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is."
Hell - God avenges injustice/sin (bear in mind that justice is a positive term, something we hope for)
Rev 6:10 "How long, O Lord, holy and true, wilt Thou refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell
on the earth?"
Rom 12:19 "'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay', says the Lord." (Deut 32:35)
Psalm 139:19-22 "O that You would slay the wicked, O God; Depart from me, therefore, men of bloodshed.
For they speak against You wickedly, And Your enemies take Your name in vain.
Do I not hate those who hate You, O LORD ? And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?
I hate them with the utmost hatred; They have become my enemies."
Heaven - We enjoy intimacy with God
"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I
have been fully known." (1 Cor 13:12)
God is in Charge
God will set all things right (he is holy and he is loving)