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/mstc'>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
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there shall not one see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that railed upon me, see it. But my servant Caleb, because there is another manner spirit with him, and because he hath followed me unto the utmost: him I will bring into the land which he hath walked in, and his seed shall conquer it,
When the most highest gave the nations an inheritance, and divided the sons of Adam, he put the borders of the nations fast by the multitude of the children of Israel.
And Moses sware the same season saying, 'The land whereon thy feet have trodden, shall be thine inheritance and thy children forever because thou hast followed the LORD my God continually.'
My praise is of thee in the great congregation; my vows will I perform in the sight of them that fear him.
When thou lettest thy breath go forth, they shall be made; and thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
And much people shall go and say: come, and let us go up to the hill of the LORD and unto the house of the God of Jacob: that he may teach us his ways, and that we may walk in his paths. For out of Zion shall come the law, and the word of God out of Jerusalem. And he shall be judge among the heathen and tell many nations their faults. And they shall turn their swords into mattocks and their spears into scythes. One nation shall not lift up a sword against another, neither shall they teach to war any more.
Then shall the remnant in Zion and the remnant at Jerusalem be called holy - namely, all such as are written among the living at Jerusalem -
Then shall the wolf dwell with the lamb, and the Leopard shall lie down by the goat. Bullocks, Lions and cattle shall keep company together, so that a little child shall rule them. The cow and the Bear shall feed together, and their young ones shall lie together. The Lion shall eat straw like the ox, or the cow. read more. The child while he sucketh, shall have a desire to the serpents nest, and when he is weaned, he shall put his hand in to the Cockatrice den. No man shall do evil to another, no man shall destroy another, in all the hill of my Sanctuary. For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, even as though the water of the sea flowed over the earth.
No man shall do evil to another, no man shall destroy another, in all the hill of my Sanctuary. For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, even as though the water of the sea flowed over the earth.
They shall hang upon him all the glory of his father's house, of the children and children's children, all apparel small and great, all instruments of measure and music.
Upon the hill shall he take away the side veil that hangeth before the face of all people, and the covering wherewith all Gentiles are covered.
There shall be foot paths and common streets: this shall be called the holy way. No unclean person shall go through it, for the LORD himself shall go with them that way, and the ignorant shall not err.
But the wicked are like the raging sea, that cannot rest; whose water foameth with the mire and gravel.
The youngest and least shall grow into a thousand, and the simplest into a strong people. I the LORD shall shortly bring this thing to pass in his time.
The youngest and least shall grow into a thousand, and the simplest into a strong people. I the LORD shall shortly bring this thing to pass in his time.
There shall never be child nor old man, that have not their full days. But when the child cometh to a hundred years old, it shall die. And if he that is a hundred years of age do wrong, he shall be cursed.
The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat hay like the bullock. But earth shall be the serpent's meat. There shall no man hurt nor slay another, in all my holy hill, sayeth the LORD.
Then shall Jerusalem be called the LORD's seat, and all Heathen shall be gathered unto it, for the name of the LORD's sake, which shall be set up at Jerusalem. And from that time forth, they shall follow no more the imagination of their own froward heart.
Daniel spake and said, "I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the sea, and four great beasts came up from the sea, one unlike another.
As for the kingdom, power, and all might that is under the heaven: it shall be given to the holy people of the most highest, whose kingdom is everlasting. Yea, all powers shall serve and obey him.'
Then will I make a covenant with them, with the wild beasts, with the fowls of the air, and with everything that creepeth upon the earth. As for bow, sword and battle, I will destroy such out of the land, and will make them to sleep safely.
And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the multitude of people, as the dew of the LORD, and as the drops upon the grass, that tarrieth for no man, and waiteth of nobody.
Yea, even he shall build up the temple of the LORD. He shall bear the praise, he shall sit upon the LORD's throne, and have the domination. A priest shall he be also upon his throne, and a peaceable counsel shall be betwixt them both.
I will root out the chariots from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem, the battle bows shall be destroyed. He shall give the doctrine of peace unto the Heathen, and his dominion shall be from the one sea to the other, and from the floods to the ends of the world.
Moreover, upon the house of David and upon the citizens of Jerusalem, will I pour out the spirit of grace and prayer, so that they shall look upon me, whom they have pierced: and they shall beweep him, as men mourn for their only begotten son: Yea, and be sorry for him, as men are sorry for their first child
And the LORD himself shall be king over all the earth. At that time shall there be one LORD only, and his name shall be but one.
Every one that remaineth then of all the people, which came against Jerusalem, shall go up yearly, to worship the King, even the LORD of Hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. And look: what generation upon earth goeth not up to Jerusalem for to worship the King, even the LORD of Hosts: upon the same shall come no rain. read more. If the kindred of Egypt go not up, and come not, it shall not rain upon them neither. This shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all Heathen, that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. Yea, this shall be the sin plague of Egypt and the sin plague of all people that go not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. At that time shall the riding gear of the horses be holy unto the LORD, and the kettles in the LORD's house shall be like the basins before the altar: yea all the kettles in Jerusalem and Judah shall be holy unto the LORD of Hosts: and all they that slay offerings, shall come and take of them, and dight them therein. And at that time there shall be no more Cananites in the house of the LORD.
And he shall sit trying and purging silver, and shall purify the sons of Levi, and shall fine them as gold and silver. And they shall bring offering unto the LORD of righteousness.
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 things that do offend, and all them which do iniquity,
Jesus said unto them, "Verily I say to you, When the son of man shall sit in the seat of his majesty, ye which follow me in the second generation shall sit also upon twelve seats, and judge the twelve tribes of Israel.
Jesus answered, and said, "Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of? And to be baptised with the baptism, that I shall be baptised with?" They answered to him, "That we are." And he said unto them, "Ye shall drink of my cup, and shall be baptised with the baptism that I shall be baptised with. But to sit on my right hand, and on my left hand, is not mine to give you: but to them for whom it is prepared of my father."
For whosoever will save his life, shall lose it. But whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.
And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, saying unto them, 'Buy and sell till I come.'
And it came to pass, when he was come again and had received his kingdom, he commanded these servants, to be called to him, to whom he gave his money, to know what every man had done.
And he said unto him, 'Well good servant, because thou wast faithful in a very little thing; Take thou authority over ten cities.'
And to the same he said, 'And be thou also ruler over five cities.'
but they which shall be made worthy to enjoy that world, and the resurrection from death, neither marry wives,
For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God be come."
Hereafter will I not talk many words unto you. For the chief ruler of this world cometh, and hath nought in me.
When they were come together, they asked of him, saying, "Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?" And he said unto them, "It is not for you to know the times, or the seasons which the father hath put in his own power: read more. but ye shall receive power of the holy ghost which shall come on you. And ye shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, and in all Jewry, and in Samaria, and even unto the world's end."
Simeon told how God at the beginning did visit the gentiles, and received of them people unto his name.
Wherefore, if the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from death, dwell in you: even he that raised up Christ from death, shall quicken your mortal bodies, because that this spirit dwelleth in you.
For I suppose that the afflictions of this life are not worthy of the glory which shall be showed upon us. Also, the fervent desire of the creatures abideth looking when the sons of God shall appear; read more. because the creatures are subdued to vanity against their will: but for his will which subdueth them in hope. For the very creatures shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption, into the glorious liberty of the sons of God. For we know that every creature groaneth with us also, and travaileth in pain even unto this time. Not they only, but even we also: which have the first fruits of the spirit mourn in ourselves and wait for the adoption and look for the deliverance of our bodies.
Wherefore, if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the gentiles, how much more should it be so if they all believed?
For if the casting away of them, be the reconciling of the world: what shall the receiving of them be, but life again from death?
Now ye are full: now ye are made rich: ye reign as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we might reign with you.
Behold, I show a mystery unto you: we shall not all sleep: but we shall all be changed, and that in a moment, and in the twinkling of an eye, at the sound of the last trumpet. For the trumpet shall blow, and the dead shall rise incorruptible: And we shall be changed.
in the which, in time past, ye walked, according to the course of this world, and after the governor that ruleth in the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of unbelief,
in knowing him, and the virtue of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his passions, that I might be conformable unto his death,
When Christ, which is our life, shall show himself; then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
that I may utter it, as it becometh me to speak.
If we be patient, we shall also reign with him; If we deny him, he also shall deny us;
Notwithstanding, in a great house are not only vessels of gold and of silver: but also of wood and of earth: Some for honour, and some unto dishonour. But if a man purge himself from such fellows, he shall be a vessel sanctified unto honour meet for the Lord, and prepared unto all good works.
He hath not unto the angels put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak:
There remaineth therefore yet a rest to the people of God.
There remaineth therefore yet a rest to the people of God.
Even so, likewise, Christ glorified not himself, to be made the high priest: but he that said unto him. "Thou art my son, this day begat I thee."
For we followed not deceitful fables when we opened unto you the power, and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but with our eyes we saw his majesty: Even then, verily, when he received of God the father honour and glory, and when there came such a voice to him from that excellent glory. "This is my dear beloved son, in whom I have delight" - read more. This voice we heard when it came from heaven, being with him in the holy mount.
But the heavens verily and earth which are now, are kept by the same word in store, and reserved unto fire, against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
Nevertheless, the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in the which day, the heavens shall perish with terrible noise, and the elements shall melt with heat, and the earth, with the works that are therein, shall burn. If all these things shall perish, what manner persons ought ye to be in holy conversation, and godliness: read more. looking for, and hasting unto, the coming of the day of God, in which the heavens shall perish with fire, and the elements shall be consumed with heat. Nevertheless, we look for a new heaven, and a new earth, according to his promise, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
We know that we be of God, and that the world is altogether set on mischief.
and made us kings and priests unto God his father, be glory, and dominion for evermore amen.
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my seat, even as I overcame and have sitten with my father, in his seat.
and hast made us unto our God, kings and priests and we shall reign on the earth."
and hast made us unto our God, kings and priests and we shall reign on the earth."
therefore are they in the presence of the seat of God and serve him day and night in his temple, and he that sitteth in the seat will dwell among them.
And the seventh angel blew, and there were made great voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world are our Lord's and his Christ's, and he shall reign for evermore."
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection. For on such shall the second death have no power, for they shall be the 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 were vanished 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 vanished 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 vanished away, and there was no more sea. And I, John, saw that holy city, new Jerusalem, come down from God out of heaven prepared as a bride garnished for her husband. read more. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them. And they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. And there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, neither crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the old things are gone.
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. And there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, neither crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the old things are gone. And he that sat upon the seat said, "Behold I make all things new." And he said unto me, "Write, for these words are faithful and true." read more. And he said unto me, "It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning, and the end. I will give to him that is athirst of the well of the water of life, free. He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues: and talked with me saying, "Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife." And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and a high mountain, and he showed me the great city, holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and a high mountain, and he showed me the great city, holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the brightness of God. And her shining was like unto a stone most precious, even a Jasper clear as Crystal:
having the brightness of God. And her shining was like unto a stone most precious, even a Jasper clear as Crystal: and had walls great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels: and names written, which are the twelve tribes of Israel:
and had walls great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels: and names written, which are the twelve tribes of Israel: on the east part three gates, and on the north side three gates, and towards the south three gates, and from the west three gates.
on the east part three gates, and on the north side three gates, and towards the south three gates, and from the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the Lamb's twelve apostles.
And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the Lamb's twelve apostles. And he that talked with me, had a golden reed to measure the city withal and the gates thereof and the wall thereof.
And he that talked with me, had a golden reed to measure the city withal and the gates thereof and the wall thereof. And the city was built four square, and the length was as large as the breadth of it, and he measured the city with the reed twelve thousand furlongs: and the length, and the breadth, and the height of it, were equal.
And the city was built four square, and the length was as large as the breadth of it, and he measured the city with the reed twelve thousand furlongs: and the length, and the breadth, and the height of it, were equal. And he measured the wall thereof a hundred and forty four cubits: the measure that the angel had was after the measure that man useth.
And he measured the wall thereof a hundred and forty four cubits: the measure that the angel had was after the measure that man useth. And the building of the wall of it was of jasper. And the city was pure gold like unto clear glass
And the building of the wall of it was of jasper. And the city was pure gold like unto clear glass and the foundations of the wall of the city was garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third a chalcedony, the fourth an emerald:
and the foundations of the wall of the city was garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third a chalcedony, the fourth an emerald: the fifth sardonyx: the sixth sardius: the seventh chrysolite: the eighth beryl: the ninth a topaz: the tenth a chrysoprasus: the eleventh a jacinth: the twelfth an amethyst.
the fifth sardonyx: the sixth sardius: the seventh chrysolite: the eighth beryl: the ninth a topaz: the tenth a chrysoprasus: the eleventh a jacinth: the twelfth an amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls, every gate was of one pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, as through shining glass.
The twelve gates were twelve pearls, every gate was of one pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, as through shining glass. And there was no temple therein. For the Lord God almighty and the lamb are the temple of it.
And there was no temple therein. For the Lord God almighty and the lamb are the temple of it. And the city hath no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to lighten it. For the brightness of God did light it: and the lamb was the light of it.
And the city hath no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to lighten it. For the brightness of God did light it: and the lamb was the light of it. And the people which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth shall bring their glory unto it.
And the people which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth shall bring their glory unto it.