Reference: Thousand Years
Fausets
The millennium. The period of Christ's coming reign with His saints over this earth, delivered from Satan's presence. As Satan and His kingdom in successive stages sink, Christ and His kingdom rise (Revelation 19-20). Satan, having been foiled in his last desperate attempt to overthrow Christ's kingdom by Antichrist or the beast, shall by the just law of necessary retributive consequence be bound immediately afterward and imprisoned in the bottomless pit a thousand years. (See ANTICHRIST.) On the same just principle they who have suffered for Christ, and not worshipped the Godopposed world power, shall come to life again and reign with Christ (2Ti 2:12), at His coming, a thousand years. Their resurrection is "the first resurrection." (See RESURRECTION.) "The rest of the dead live not again until the thousand years are finished: blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection; on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years."
Ten, the "world number", raised to the third power, the "divine number", expresses the world pervaded by God. Possibly the "thousand" may extend much longer than the literal number. So also (Php 3:10.) Paul's ambition was to "attain the resurrection from out of the rest of the dead" (exanastasis). So our Lord declares (Lu 20:35), "they who shall be accounted worthy to obtain the resurrection from the dead cannot die any more, for they are equal unto the angels, and are children of God, being children of the resurrection." Again, to the apostles (Lu 22:18), "ye are they who have continued with Me in My temptations, and I appoint unto you a kingdom as My Father hath appointed unto Me, that ye may eat and drink with Me at My table, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel." Again (Mt 19:28), "ye that have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit upon the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel."
Those "beheaded (virtually or actually, literally, hatcheted) for Jesus and for the word of God" stand first; then they" who have not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads or in their hands," i.e. did not treat the world's riches, ambitions, and pleasures as their portion. Jesus implies, in reply to the request of Zebedee's two sons, that there are places of peculiar honour reserved by the Father for those who drink Christ's bitter cup (Mt 20:22-23). Thus, "whosoever shall lose his life for Christ's sake (in will or deed) shall save it" (Mr 8:35). Satan thought to destroy God's people by persecutions (just as previously to destroy Christ, Revelation 12); but the church is not destroyed from the earth, but raised to rule over it; Satan himself is shut up for a thousand years in the "abyss" (" bottomless pit"), preparatory to the "lake of fire," his final doom. As before, by Christ's ascension, he ceased to be accuser of the brethren in heaven, so during the millennium he ceases to be seducer and persecutor on earth.
As long as he rules in the darkness of the world we live in an atmosphere tainted with evil physical and spiritual (Eph 2:2). Christ's coming will purify the world (Mal 3:3). Sin will not wholly cease, for men shall be still in the flesh, and therefore death will come, but at long intervals, life being vastly prolonged as in the days of the patriarchs (Isa 65:20); but sin will not be that almost universal power that it is now. Satan will no longer seduce the flesh, nor be the "god" and "prince of this world" (Joh 14:30; 2Co 4:4), which now "lieth in the wicked one" (1Jo 5:19). The flesh, untempted from without, shall become more and more subject to the spirit. Christ with His saints, in transfigured bodies, will reign over men in the flesh. The millennial nations will be prepared for a higher state, as Adam would have been in paradise, had he never fallen (Re 21:1-24,26).
This will be the manifestation of "the world ("age", aion) to come" already set up invisibly in the saints in "this world" (Heb 2:5; 5:5). As each seventh year was Israel's year of remission, so of the world's seven thousands the seventh shall be its sabbatism (Heb 4:9, margin). Papias, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Cyprian, expected an earthly millennial kingdom; not until millennial views carnally confounded the state of the transfigured king-priests with that of the subject nations in the flesh, and the church itself sought a present visible kingdom with Rome as its center, instead of hoping for it only when Christ shall come, was the doctrine abandoned by the church and apostasy set in. Earth, not becoming transfigured until after the millennium, shall not be, during it, the meet home for the transfigured saints; but from heaven they with Christ rule the earth, the comparatively free communion between the heavenly and earthly churches being typified by Christ's communion at short intervals with His disciples during the 40 days between His resurrection and ascension.
Old Testament prophecy everywhere anticipates Christ's kingdom at Jerusalem: Jer 3:17; Isa 4:3; 11:9; 35:8; 22/type/godbey'>60:22,22; Ezekiel 37 to 48, etc., etc. He confirms His disciples' expectation of it, but corrects their impatience to know the time (Ac 1:6-8). The kingdom begins, not as the carnal Jews thought, from without, but from within, spiritually; then when Christ shall be manifested it shall be manifested outwardly (Col 3:4; 1Jo 3:2). The papacy blasphemously anticipates the visible headship which Christ shall then assume, "reigning as kings" without Christ (1Co 4:8).
When Christianity became a worldly power under Constantine, the future hope was weakened by joy over present success (Bengel); the church becoming a harlot ceased to be the bride going to meet her Bridegroom. The saints' future priesthood unto God and Christ "in His temple" (Re 1:6; 5:10; 7:15; 20:6) is the ground of their kingship toward men. Men will be willing subjects of the transfigured priest-kings whose power is the attraction that wins the heart, not counteracted by devil or beast. Church and state will be coextensive; and the church and the world no longer in mutual repulsion. The distinction between them shall cease, for the church will be co-extensive with the world. The veil shall be taken off Israel first, then off all people, and the kingdoms of this world shall be the kingdoms of Christ (Re 11:15; Isa 25:7). Christ's glorious appearing, the church's transfiguration, antichrist's destruction, and Satan's binding, will dispose the nations to embrace the gospel.
As a regeneration of elected individuals "taken out" from Jews and Gentiles (Ac 15:14) goes on now, so a regeneration of nations then. As the church begins at Christ's ascension, so the visible kingdom at His second advent. What the transfigured priest-kings shall be in heaven, that the Israelite priest-kings shall be on earth. A blessed chain of giving and receiving: God, Christ, the transfigured bride, i.e. the translated church, Israel, the world of nations. The outpouring of the Spirit on Israel (Zec 12:10) will usher in the new period of revelation, which has been silent so long as Israel, God's chosen mediator of revelations, and of establishing His manifested kingdom on earth, has been in the background. God from the first, in dividing to the nations their inheritance, when He separated the sons of Adam, set their bounds "according to the number of the children, of Israel" (De 32:8). Now is the time of preaching; then shall be the time of liturgy of "the great congregation" (Ps 22:25; Ezekiel 40 to 48; Zec 14:16-21; Isa 2:3).
Art and music will be the handmaids to spiritual worship, instead of drawing off the soul to sensuousness. Society will be pervaded by the Spirit of Christ. Earthly and heavenly glories shall be united in the twofold election: elect Israel in the flesh shall stand at the head of the earthly nations; the elect spiritual church, in the heavenly kingdom, shall reign over both. These elections are for the good of those to whom they minister respectively; compare, as to Israel's mediating blessedness to the nations
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Blessed are they that mourn: because they shall be comforted.
The Son of man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and those who do iniquity,
And Jesus said to them, Truly I say unto you, that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man may sit upon the throne of His glory, you shall also sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And Jesus responding said, You know not what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup which I am about to drink? They say to Him, We are able. And He says to them, You shall indeed drink my cup, but to sit on my right, and on my left, this is not mine to give, but it belongs to those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.
For whosoever may wish to save his soul shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his soul for my sake and that of the gospel shall save it.
And calling his ten servants, he gave to them ten pounds, and said to them, Operate till I come.
And it came to pass, when he returned, having received the kingdom, and he said, that those servants should be called, to whom he had given the money, in order that he might know what each one had gained by their merchandise.
And he said to him, Well done, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in the least, have thou authority over ten cities.
And he also said to him, Be thou over five cities.
but those counted worthy to attain that age and the resurrection, which is from the dead,
for I say to you, I shall from now drink no more from the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God may come.
I shall no longer speak many things with you, because the prince of the world comes: and he has nothing in me;
Therefore indeed having assembled, they asked Him saying, Lord, do you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? He said to them; It is not your province, to know the times or seasons, which the Father placed in His own authority. read more. But you shall receive the power of the Holy Ghost having come upon you, and shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and all Judea, and in Samaria, and into the extremity of the earth.
Symeon hath related how God in the first place interposed to take a people from the Gentiles, in His name.
But if the Spirit of Him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one having raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also create life in your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who dwells in you.
For I reckon that the sufferings of these present times are not worthy to be compared to the glory which is about to be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature awaits the revelation of the sons of God. read more. For the creature has been subordinated to mortality, not willingly, but through Him who subordinated it; therefore indeed pursuant to hope, the creature itself shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. For we know that all creation groans together and travails together until now; and not only so, but we ourselves, having the earnest of the Spirit, and we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption of sons, the redemption of our body.
But if the fall of them was the riches of the world, and the depletion of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?
For if the casting away of them was the reconciling of the world, what will their reception be, but life from the dead?
Already are ye filled, already have ye become rich; you did reign without us: and I would indeed that you did reign, in order that we also might reign along with you.
Behold, I speak to you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
in which at one time you walked about according to the age of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit which is now working in the sons of disobedience;
to know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
when Christ, your life, may appear, then will you also appear with him in glory.
in order that I may manifest the same, as it behooves me to speak.
if we endure, we will truly reign with him: if we shall deny him, he will also deny us:
But in a great house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also wood and stone, the former truly indeed unto honor, but the latter unto dishonor. Therefore if any one may cleanse himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, having been sanctified, well pleasing to the Lord, having been prepared unto every good work.
For he did not submit the world to come, concerning which we speak, to angels.
Therefore there is a sabbatism left for the people of God.
Therefore there is a sabbatism left for the people of God.
Likewise Christ also did not glorify himself to become a high priest, but the one having spoken to him, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee:
For not having followed cunningly devised fables, have we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but having been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For having received from God the Father the honor and glory of such a voice having been borne to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. read more. We, being with him in the holy mount, heard this voice borne from heaven.
but now the heavens and the earth have been kept according to the same word, being reserved for fire in the day of judgment and the destruction of the ungodly people.
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief; in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements being scorched up will be dissolved, and the earth and the works in it will be burnt up. Then all these things being dissolved, what kind of people does it behoove you to be in holy deportment and godliness, read more. looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, in which the heavens being on fire will be dissolved, and the elements being scorched up are melted? But, according to his promises, we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, wherein righteousness dwells.
We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the evil one.
and He made us a kingdom, priests unto God even his Father; to him be glory and dominion unto the ages of the ages; amen.
The one conquering, I will give unto him to sit with me on my throne, as I indeed have conquered, and sat down with my Father on his throne.
and didst make them a kingdom and priests unto our God: and they shall reign on the earth.
and didst make them a kingdom and priests unto our God: and they shall reign on the earth.
On account of this they are before the throne of God, and they worship him day and night in his temple, and the one sitting upon the throne will spread his tabernacle over them.
And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in the heaven, saying, The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord, and his Christ; and he will reign until the ages of the ages.
Blessed and holy is the one having part in the first resurrection: over these the second death has no authority, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth passed away; and the sea is no more.
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth passed away; and the sea is no more.
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth passed away; and the sea is no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of the heaven from God, prepared as a bride is adorned for her husband. read more. And I heard a great voice speaking from the throne, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with the people, and he will tabernacle with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them: and he will wipe every tear out of their eyes; and there will be no more death, neither will there be any more sorrow, nor crying, nor pain: because the former things have passed away.
and he will wipe every tear out of their eyes; and there will be no more death, neither will there be any more sorrow, nor crying, nor pain: because the former things have passed away. And the one sitting on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he says, Write: that these words are faithful and true. read more. And he said to me, They are done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. To him who thirsts I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely. The one conquering shall inherit all things; and I will be to him God, and he shall be to me a son. But to the cowardly, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and the murderers, and the fornicators, and the sorcerers, and the idolaters, and all liars, shall be their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. And one of the seven angels having the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues, came and spoke with me, saying, Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb. And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of the heaven from God,
And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of the heaven from God, having the glory of God: and her light was like a stone most precious, as a crystalline, jasper stone;
having the glory of God: and her light was like a stone most precious, as a crystalline, jasper stone; having a wall great and high, having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written upon them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel.
having a wall great and high, having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written upon them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel. From the east, three gates; and from the north, three gates; and from the south, three gates; and from the west, three gates.
From the east, three gates; and from the north, three gates; and from the south, three gates; and from the west, three gates. And the wall of the city having twelve foundations, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
And the wall of the city having twelve foundations, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. And the one speaking with me, had a measure, a golden reed, that he might measure the city, and its gates, and its wall.
And the one speaking with me, had a measure, a golden reed, that he might measure the city, and its gates, and its wall. And the city lies foursquare, and its length is as great as the breadth. And he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs; and the length, and the breadth, and the height of it are equal.
And the city lies foursquare, and its length is as great as the breadth. And he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs; and the length, and the breadth, and the height of it are equal. And he measured the wall of it, a hundred and forty-four cubits, the measure of the man, that is of the angel.
And he measured the wall of it, a hundred and forty-four cubits, the measure of the man, that is of the angel. And the building of the wall was jasper: and the city pure gold, like transparent glass.
And the building of the wall was jasper: and the city pure gold, like transparent glass. And the foundations of the wall of the city were ornamented with every precious stone: the first foundation, jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedon; the fourth, emerald; the fifth, sardonyx;
And the foundations of the wall of the city were ornamented with every precious stone: the first foundation, jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedon; the fourth, emerald; the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, hyacinth; the twelfth, amethyst.
the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, hyacinth; the twelfth, amethyst. The twelve gates are twelve pearls; each one of the gates was of one pearl. And the street of the city is pure gold, like transparent glass.
The twelve gates are twelve pearls; each one of the gates was of one pearl. And the street of the city is pure gold, like transparent glass. And I saw no temple in it: for the Lord God Almighty, and the Lamb, is its temple.
And I saw no temple in it: for the Lord God Almighty, and the Lamb, is its temple. And the city has no need of the sun, nor of the moon, that they may light it:
And the city has no need of the sun, nor of the moon, that they may light it: and the nations will walk about through its light: and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it.
and the nations will walk about through its light: and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it.