Read Revelation 20:1–6
If today’s passage left you feeling unsure, fear not— you are in good company. The details in this passage are frequently debated. Here we glimpse two events: first, an angel locks Satan in the abyss for a thousand years, and second, martyrs come back to life and reign with Jesus for the same time. But where in the timeline does this thousand years occur? Is it before or after the Second Coming of Christ? And are the thousand years literal or figurative?
Throughout church history, three major views have developed on the timing and nature of the thousand years (a.k.a. “millennium”): amillennialism, postmillennialism, and premillennialism. Each view is nuanced, but we will hit only the highlights here. In amillennialism, the thousand years are symbolic and happening now, and the spread of the gospel proves that Satan’s power has already been limited. In this view, Christ will return after the symbolic millennium. Postmillennialism argues that the spread of the gospel will gradually lead to a peaceful time (a figurative thousand years). At the end of this time, Christ will return to earth. Premillennialism claims that Christ will return prior to the thousand years of peace. Opinions within premillennialism differ on the other details: the millennium could be literal or figurative, and it could happen before or after the (literal or figurative) seven years of tribulation. Postmillennialism rises in popularity during times of peace, while premillennialism increases during times of war. Regardless of world events, we know that one day evil will be limited, Jesus will return, and Believers will reign with Him.
So, what do we do with all this information today? We can find hope in the certainty of Christ’s return, and we can rest in the fact that His Spirit never leaves us. Look at Jesus’ promise in John 16:33: “You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” As Believers, we are not promised easy lives—some of us may end up martyrs—but we are promised redemption. Death will turn into eternal life, and Believers once held captive by sin will freely reign with their Savior.
