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/haweis'>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 the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
The Son of man shall send out his angels, and shall gather together out of his kingdom all things offensive, and those who practise iniquity;
Then said Jesus unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye who have followed me in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit on the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Then Jesus answering said, Ye know not what ye ask. Can ye drink of the cup that I am going to drink, and be baptised with the baptism with which I am baptised? They say unto him, We are able. And he saith unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of my cup, and with the baptism with which I am baptised, shall ye be baptised; but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, it is not in my power to bestow, but on those, for whom it was prepared by my Father.
For whosoever would preserve his life shall lose it; but whosoever would lose his life for my sake and the Gospel, he shall preserve it.
And calling his ten servants, he gave them ten manehs, and said unto them, Employ yourselves in traffic, till I come back.
And it came to pass, at his return, after receiving the kingdom, that he ordered the servants to be called, to whom he had given the money, that he might know what every one had gained by his traffic.
And he said unto him, Well done, good servant: because thou hast been faithful in the least matter, hold thou dominion over ten cities.
Then said he also to this man, Be thou also over five cities.
but they who are counted worthy to attain to that world, and the resurrection of the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:
for I say unto you, that I shall no more drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God come.
I shall not speak many things more with you: for the ruler of this world is coming, though in me he hath no part.
They then accordingly assembling together, asked him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time reestablish the kingdom of Israel? But he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times and the seasons, which the Father hath reserved under his own authority. read more. But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses for me, both in Jerusalem, and throughout all Judea, and Samaria, and unto the extremity of the earth.
Simon hath fully related, how at first God graciously looked upon [the Gentiles], to take from them a people for his name.
But if the Spirit of him who hath raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he who raised Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his indwelling Spirit in you.
For I reckon that the sufferings of the present moment are not worthy to be placed against the future glory that shall be revealed to us. For the eager expectation of the creation is waiting for the revelation of the children of God. read more. For the creation was made subject to vanity, not voluntarily, but by him who made it subject, in hope that the same creation shall be emancipated from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth together and travaileth in birth to this moment. And not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan in ourselves, expecting the adoption, the redemption of our body.
For if their stumbling is the riches of the world, and their diminution the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?
For if the rejection of them is the reconciliation of the world, what shall their recovery be, but life from the dead?
Now ye are full, now ye have grown rich, ye have reigned without us: and I wish indeed that you may reign, that we also might reign together with you.
Behold, I shew you a mystery; we shall not indeed all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
wherein in times past ye walked after the fashion of this world, after the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now worketh with energy in the children of disobedience:
that I may know him, and the virtue of his resurrection, and communion with his sufferings, being conformed to his death;
When Christ shall appear, who is our life, then shall you also with him be manifested in glory.
that I may make it evident, as I ought to speak.
if we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him: if we renounce him, he also will renounce us:
But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and pottery; and some for an honourable use, and others for baser service. If therefore a man preserve himself pure from these things, he shall be a vessel for honour, sanctified and highly useful to the master, ready for every good work.
For he hath not subjected the future world, of which we are speaking, to the angels.
A sabbatical rest then still remaineth for the people of God.
A sabbatical rest then still remaineth for the people of God.
So Christ also did not himself assume the glory to become high-priest, but he [gave it] who spake to him, "Thou art my Son; I have this day begotten thee."
For we have not followed artfully devised fables, when we made known to you the power and advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye-witnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when such a voice was sent forth to him from the transcendently magnificent glory, This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased. read more. And this voice we heard coming out of heaven, when we were with him on the holy mountain.
but the present heavens and earth by the same word are treasured up, reserved for fire at the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief by night; in which the heavens shall pass away with a rushing noise, and the first principles of matter in flames dissolve, and the earth and all the works upon it be burnt up. Seeing then that all these things must be dissolved, what manner of persons ought we to be in a course of holy conduct and acts of piety, read more. expecting and hastening towards the coming of God's day, at which the heavens on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements in flames be melted as wax? But we expect according to his promise new heavens and a new earth in which dwelleth righteousness.
We know that we are of God, and the whole world is under the power of that wicked one.
and made us kings and priests to his God and Father; to him be glory and might for ever and ever. Amen.
He that overcometh, I will give to him to sit on my throne, as I also have overcome, and have sat down with my Father on his throne.
and hast made us for our God kings and priests, and we shall reign upon the earth.
and hast made us for our God kings and priests, and we shall reign upon the earth.
Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.
And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of the world are become our Lord's, and his Messiah's, and he shall reign for ever and ever.
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection; over these the second death hath no dominion: but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and they 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 were passed away; and there was no more sea.
AND I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
AND I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, descending from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. read more. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall pitch his tent with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, their own God. And God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more; nor shall mourning, nor crying, nor toil be any more: because the former things are passed away.
And God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more; nor shall mourning, nor crying, nor toil be any more: because the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Lo! I make all things new: and he said unto me, Write that these sayings are true and faithful. read more. And he said to me, It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end; I will give to him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be to him a God, and he shall be to me a son. But to those who shrink back through fear, and to the infidels, and to the abominable, and to murderers, and to whoremongers, and to those who use magical incantations, and to idolaters, and to all liars, is their portion [appointed] in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death. And there came to me one of the seven angels who held the seven vases full of the seven last plagues, and he talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. And he bore me away in spirit unto a great and exceeding high mountain, and shewed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,
And he bore me away in spirit unto a great and exceeding high mountain, and shewed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God: and her brilliance was like the most precious gem, as a jasper stone, transparent as crystal;
having the glory of God: and her brilliance was like the most precious gem, as a jasper stone, transparent as crystal; and she had a great wall and lofty, having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names inscribed on them, which are those of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.
and she had a great wall and lofty, having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names inscribed on them, which are those of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. From the east three gates; from the north three gates; from the south three gates; from the west three gates.
From the east three gates; from the north three gates; from the south three gates; from the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. And he that talked with me held a golden cane to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.
And he that talked with me held a golden cane to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. And the city is a quadrangle, and the breadth of it is just as much as the length of it; and he measured the city with the cane, twelve thousand furlongs: the breadth, and the length, and the height of it, are exactly proportioned.
And the city is a quadrangle, and the breadth of it is just as much as the length of it; and he measured the city with the cane, twelve thousand furlongs: the breadth, and the length, and the height of it, are exactly proportioned. He measured also the wall of it a hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, for such is that of an angel.
He measured also the wall of it a hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, for such is that of an angel. The structure of the wall of it was jasper, and the city pure gold, like clear glass.
The structure of the wall of it was jasper, and the city pure gold, like clear glass. And the foundations of the walls of the city were adorned with every precious stone: the first foundation a jasper; the second a sapphire; the third a chalcedony; the fourth an emerald;
And the foundations of the walls of the city were adorned with every precious stone: the first foundation a jasper; the second a sapphire; the third a chalcedony; the fourth an emerald; the fifth a sardonyx; the sixth a sardius; the seventh a chrysolite; the eighth a beryl; the ninth a topaz; the tenth a chrysoprasus; the eleventh a jacinth; the twelfth an amethyst.
the fifth a sardonyx; the sixth a sardius; the seventh a chrysolite; the eighth a beryl; the ninth a topaz; the tenth a chrysoprasus; the eleventh a jacinth; the twelfth an amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve several pearls; every one of the gates was of one pearl; and the street of the city was pure gold, as transparent glass.
And the twelve gates were twelve several pearls; every one of the gates was of one pearl; and the street of the city was pure gold, as transparent glass. And I saw no temple therein; for the Lord God Almighty is the temple thereof, even the Lamb.
And I saw no temple therein; for the Lord God Almighty is the temple thereof, even the Lamb. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon to shine upon it: for the glory of God illuminates it, and the Lamb is the lamp thereof.
And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon to shine upon it: for the glory of God illuminates it, and the Lamb is the lamp thereof. And the nations of those that are saved shall walk about in the light thereof; and the kings of the earth shall bring their glory and their honour into it;
And the nations of those that are saved shall walk about in the light thereof; and the kings of the earth shall bring their glory and their honour into it;