Amillennialism

Amillennialism represents the theology that there is no 1000 year reign of Christ in the flesh here on the earth as indicated in Revelation chapter 20. The prefix “A”(pronounced ah) means “no” and millennium means 1000. Hence, no millennium. Amillennialism theology believes that the Kingdom of God is a present day reality with Christ ruling from heaven. This view is wide spread throughout Christianity including Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and many Protestant denominations. It has its roots in the teachings of men like Augustine, Calvin, Luther, and others. But, is it Scriptural ? It is a much disputed theology amongst Christians, many who believe in a literal reign of Christ here on earth, from a restored world capital of Jerusalem for 1000 years based on a literal understanding of Rev.20. Here’s what Rev. says about the period immediately following the great tribulation and Jesus’ second coming:

“He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the devil and satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years are finished……Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus…….they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison.….” (Revelation 20:2-7)

A simple basic hermeneutic (principal of scripture interpretation) states the following: If there is no inherent symbolism or reason to interpret metaphorically, the passage is to be interpreted as literal. Amillennialists interpret these passages as symbolic, without a clear textual basis. I personally follow a simple rule of scripture interpretation; The default hermeneutic is literal. This is the only objective approach. The subjective approach as demonstrated by amillennialism can be applied at whim. In the above scripture, a thousand means a thousand, with no supplied reason for any symbolism.

Make no mistake, Jesus will be returning shortly as a glorified man and will set up His Kingdom based out of Zion (Jerusalem) from where He will rule the world for a 1000 (millennial) year period assisted by His people (believers) who will rule and reign with Him. After the 1000 years comes satan’s release and final defeat and the “great white throne judgment” when all the rest of mankind will be judged. Concluding; “Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.” (1 Corinthians 15:28)