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/mace'>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 forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all that make others offend, and those who do iniquity;
Jesus reply'd, I declare unto you, that in the new age, when the son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye that have followed me shall likewise sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
but Jesus answered them, ye know not what ye ask. can ye bear to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? they said to him, we can. he replied, ye shall indeed drink of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, I cannot grant to any but those whom my father has destin'd thereto.
for he that would save his life, shall lose it; and he that would lose his life out of love to me and the gospel, he shall save it.
and he called ten of his servants, to whom he deliver'd ten pounds: improve that, said he, till I return.
upon his return, being confirm'd king, he order'd the servants, he had trusted with the money, to appear, and inform him, what improvement each of them had made.
he answer'd, honest servant, that's well: since your industry has made so much of so little, I give you the government of ten cities.
his master replied, you shall be governor of five cities.
but they, who shall be accounted worthy to obtain the resurrection to an eternal life, shall have no concern in marriage, as being immortal:
for I tell you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine to the time when the kingdom of God shall come.
for the prince of the world is coming:
Being therefore in his presence, they asked him, saying, Lord, is this the time when you will restore again the kingdom to Israel? and he said to them, it is not for you, to know the times or the seasons, which the father hath reserv'd in his own disposal. read more. but ye shall receive the influence of the holy spirit, which will descend upon you: and ye shall be witnesses for me, in Jerusalem, in all Judea, and in Samaria, and to the remotest part of the earth.
Simon has related how God began to visit the Gentiles, to chuse from among them a people consecrated to his name.
for if the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead, dwell in you; he that raised up Christ from the dead, shall likewise restore your mortal bodies to life, by his spirit that dwelleth in you.
for I consider, that the sufferings of this present life are infinitely over-ballanc'd by that glory which shall hereafter be discovered to us. mankind impatiently desire that the divine being would display himself to his creatures, read more. who were not, by their own choice, expos'd to this uncertain state, but by virtue of him, who subjected them thereto: and therefore hope to be removed from this slavish condition of mortality to the free inheritance of divine glory. for we know that the whole creation groans, and labours with general pain even to this day. and not only they, but even those who have the first fruits of the spirit, even we our selves do inwardly groan for the fruit of our adoption, by the deliverance of our body from corruption.
now if their fall be to the advancement of the world, and the few converts among them bring in whole numbers of the Gentiles: how much more so will it be, when the Jewish body recover?
for, if by rejecting them, the world may be reconciled; what shall their restoration be, but a general resurrection?
You have already a sufficiency, you already abound, you live like princes in our absence: and would to God you did reign, that we too might have the advantage of your administration.
I shall now tell you a very great secret: we shall not all of us sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the sound of the last trumpet (for the trumpet shall sound) and the dead shall rise incorruptible; but as for us, we shall be changed.
in which you formerly liv'd, influenc'd by the customs of this world, and by the prince of the aerial powers, the spirits that now actuate the incredulous:
the justification which God grants to those who acknowledge Christ and the power of his resurrection, who suffer after his example, and die to sin, as he died to the world,
Christ is your life, and when he shall appear, then shall you also appear with him in glory.
if we suffer, we shall also reign: if we renounce him,
in a palace there are vessels not only of gold, and of silver, but of wood and of earth likewise: some are for honourable uses, and others for meaner purposes. he that is clear of vice, is a vessel of the first kind, sanctified and fit for the master's use, and qualified for every virtuous action.
'Tis not therefore to the angels that he has subjected the gospel state of which we are treating.
which shows that the people of God have a sabbath still to come.
which shows that the people of God have a sabbath still to come.
Wherefore Christ himself did not assume the character of an high priest; but it was confirm'd by him that said, "thou art my son, to-day have I begotten thee."
for, the information we gave you of the powerful advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, did not proceed from any artfully contriv'd fables, we our selves having been spectators of his majesty. for he received this honourable and glorious testimony from his father, when the voice broke out from the magnificent splendor, in these words, "this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased." read more. we our selves heard this voice, that came from heaven, when we were with him upon the holy mountain.
but the heavens and the earth now existing are kept in store by his Logos, reserv'd for the conflagration of doomsday, when the impious shall be involv'd in perdition.
As for that day of the Lord, it will advance like a thief: then the heavens will rush with violence, the boiling elements will be dissolved, and the earth with all its contents, shall be burnt away. Since then this whole system is to be destroyed, how holy should your conduct be, and how ardent your piety? read more. expecting, and vehemently desiring the day of the Lord would come, when the heavens all on fire shall be dissolv'd, and the elements shall melt with intense heat. As for us, in consequence of his promise, we expect a new heaven, and a new earth, where justice shall reside.
we know that we are the children of God, and the rest of the world are subject to the evil spirit.
who hath made us kings and priests to his God and father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
to him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my father in his throne.
and hast made us kings and priests unto our God: and we shall reign on the earth."
and hast made us kings and priests unto our God: and we shall reign on 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 cover them, as a pavillion.
The seventh angel sounded, and there were great voices in heaven, crying, "the kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever."
happy and holy are they that have 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.
Afterwards I saw a new heaven, and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were vanished; and there was no more sea .
Afterwards I saw a new heaven, and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were vanished; and there was no more sea .
Afterwards I saw a new heaven, and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were vanished; and there was no more sea . and I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, descend from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. read more. then I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying, "behold, the tabernacle of God is with men: he will dwell with them, they shall be his people, God himself shall be with them, as their God. God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; there shall be no more death, sorrow, or crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former state of things is passed away." he that sat upon the throne, said,
God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; there shall be no more death, sorrow, or crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former state of things is passed away." he that sat upon the throne, said, "behold, I make all things new." and he said write: "for these words are true and authentic." read more. and he said to me, "it is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end: to him that is a-thirst I will freely give of the fountain of living water. he that overcomes, shall inherit these things: I will be his God, and he shall be my son. but the fearful, and incredulous, the abominable, the murderer, the licentious, the poisoner, the idolater, and every lyar shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: this is the second death." Then there came to me one of the seven angels, who had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, "come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the lamb's wife." and he carried me away in an extacy to a great and high mountain, and shewed me the city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God.
and he carried me away in an extacy to a great and high mountain, and shewed me the city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. it blaz'd with the glory of God: her luminary was like that of a brilliant, even like a jasper, as transparent as crystal.
it blaz'd with the glory of God: her luminary was like that of a brilliant, even like a jasper, as transparent as crystal. her walls were large and high; the gates were twelve; and at the gates twelve angels, with the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel inscrib'd thereon.
her walls were large and high; the gates were twelve; and at the gates twelve angels, with the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel inscrib'd thereon. on the east were three gates; on the north, three gates; on the south, three gates; and three gates on the west.
on the east were three gates; on the north, three gates; on the south, three gates; and three gates on the west. the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the names of the twelve apostles of the lamb.
the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the names of the twelve apostles of the lamb. he that talked with me, had a golden reed to measure the city, its gates, and its walls.
he that talked with me, had a golden reed to measure the city, its gates, and its walls. the city was a square, the length being as large as the breadth: he measured the city with the reed, and found it twelve thousand furlongs: the length, the breadth, and the height of it were equal.
the city was a square, the length being as large as the breadth: he measured the city with the reed, and found it twelve thousand furlongs: the length, the breadth, and the height of it were equal. he measured the wall, and it was an hundred and forty four cubits, according to the common measure, which was what the angel employed.
he measured the wall, and it was an hundred and forty four cubits, according to the common measure, which was what the angel employed. the wall was built of jasper; and the city was of pure gold, as pure as glass.
the wall was built of jasper; and the city was of pure gold, as pure as glass. the foundations of the citywall were embellished with all manner of precious stones. the first foundation was of jasper; the second, of sapphire; the third, of chalcedony; the fourth, of an emerald;
the foundations of the citywall were embellished with all manner of precious stones. the first foundation was of jasper; the second, of sapphire; the third, of chalcedony; the fourth, of an emerald; the fifth, of sardonyx; the sixth, of sardius; the seventh, of chrysolite; the eighth, of beryl; the ninth, of a topaz; the tenth, of a chrysoprasus; the elventh, of a jacinth; the twelfth, of an amethyst.
the fifth, of sardonyx; the sixth, of sardius; the seventh, of chrysolite; the eighth, of beryl; the ninth, of a topaz; the tenth, of a chrysoprasus; the elventh, of a jacinth; the twelfth, of an amethyst. the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each single gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as splendid as glass.
the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each single gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as splendid as glass. I did not see any temple there: for the Lord God almighty, and the lamb are its temple.
I did not see any temple there: for the Lord God almighty, and the lamb are its temple. the city had no need either of the sun, or of the moon to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the lamb is the luminary thereof.
the city had no need either of the sun, or of the moon to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the lamb is the luminary thereof. the nations shall walk by its light, and the kings of the earth bring all their glory and magnificence into it.
the nations shall walk by its light, and the kings of the earth bring all their glory and magnificence into it.