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/worsley'>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 will send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all that commit offences, and those who do iniquity, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire,
And Jesus said unto them, Verily I tell 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 upon the twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel:
But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask: are ye able to drink of the cup which I am going to drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They replied, We are able. And He saith unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of my cup, and shall be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on my right hand and on my left is not mine to give, but to those for whom it is prepared by my Father.
for he that would save his life, shall lose it; but he that would lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, shall save it.
And he called ten of his servants, and delivered to them ten pounds, and said, Trade with them till I come.
And when he was returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to be called to him, to whom he had delivered the money, that he might know what use each had made of it.
And he said to him, Well done, thou good servant, as thou hast been faithful in a very little, thou shalt be governor over ten cities.
and he said to this likewise, Be thou also over five cities.
But they who are counted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:
For I tell you, that I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine, till the kingdom of God shall come.
I shall not have much more conversation with you: for the prince of this world is coming; not that he hath any thing in me,
Being therefore come together they asked Him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? And He said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or seasons, which the Father hath reserved in his own power. read more. But ye shall receive power from the holy Spirit coming upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth.
---Simeon hath related, how God at first condescended to take out of the Gentiles a people to his name.
And if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead, dwelleth in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead, will also restore your mortal bodies to life, by his Spirit that now dwelleth in you.
And I account the sufferings of this present time not worthy to be set against the glory that shall be revealed to us. For the earnest expectation of the world is waiting for the revelation of the sons of God: read more. (for the world was subjected to vanity, not willingly, but through him who made it subject:) in hope that they also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole world groaneth, and doth as it were travail in pain together even to this day. And not only others, but those also who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit the redemption of our body.
Now if their fall be the riches of the world, and their diminution be the riches of the Gentiles, how much more will their fulness be?
for if the rejecting of them be the reconciling of the world, what will the receiving them again be but life from the dead?
Ye are now full, ye are now rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I wish ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.
Behold, I tell 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 sound of the last trumpet (for the trumpet shall sound) and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed:
in which ye formerly walked after the manner of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that still operates in the children of disobedience:
and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable to his death;
When Christ, who is your life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.
Behave yourselves wisely towards them that are without,
if we suffer, we shall also reign with Him: if we disown Him, He will also disown us.
In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, some for meaner uses. If therefore any one purify himself from these corruptions, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified and fitted for the Master's use, being prepared for every good work.
For He hath not subjected to angels the world to come, of which we speak.
There remaineth therefore a rest for the people of God:
There remaineth therefore a rest for the people of God:
So also Christ did not glorify himself to be made an high-priest; but He that said unto Him, "Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee."
For we did not follow artfully devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; but were eye-witnesses of his majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when a voice came to Him from the magnificent glory, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." read more. And this voice, from heaven we heard, when we were with Him in the holy mount.
But the heavens and the earth, that now are, by the same Word are kept in store, reserved unto fire on the day of judgement and destruction of ungodly men.
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements being set on fire shall be dissolved, and the earth and the works therein shall be burnt up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in holy conversation and godliness, read more. expecting and hastening on the coming of the day of God, whereby the heavens being set on fire shall be dissolved, and the burning elements shall be melted. But we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwelleth.
We know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth under the wicked one.
and 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 I will grant to sit with me on my throne, as I also have overcome, and am set down with my Father on his throne.
and hast made us to our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
and hast made us to our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in his temple: and He that sitteth upon the throne shall dwell among them.
And the seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of the world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Anointed, and He shall reign for ever and ever.
This is the first resurrection. Happy and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on these the second death has no power, 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 former heaven and the former earth passed away, and there was no more sea.
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the former heaven and the former earth passed away, and there was no more sea.
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the former heaven and the former earth passed away, and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, descending from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned 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 among them, and they shall be his people, and God himself, even their God, will be with them. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall be death no more, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall be death no more, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And He said to me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. read more. And He said to me, It is done. I am the Alpha and 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 a God to him, and he shall be to me a son. But the fearful, and faithless, and abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death. And there came unto me one of the seven angels, who had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and he spake with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. And he carried me away in spirit to a great and high mountain, and he shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God:
And he carried me away in spirit to a great and high mountain, and he shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God: and her light was like a most precious stone, even as a Jasper-stone resembling crystal:
and her light was like a most precious stone, even as a Jasper-stone resembling crystal: having also a great and high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and there were names inscribed, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel.
having also a great and high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and there were names inscribed, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel. On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on 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 had a golden reed to measure the city, and it's gates, and it's wall.
And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and it's gates, and it's wall. And the city was four-square, it's length being as much as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed twelve thousand furlongs: the length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.
And the city was four-square, it's length being as much as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed twelve thousand furlongs: the length and the breadth and the height of it are equal. And he measured the wall of it an hundred forty four cubits according to the measure of a man, for such was that of the angel.
And he measured the wall of it an hundred forty four cubits according to the measure of a man, for such was that of the angel. And the structure of its wall was of Jasper, and the city pure gold, like transparent glass.
And the structure of its wall was of Jasper, and the city pure gold, like transparent glass. And the foundations of the wall of the city were set off each with precious stones: the first foundation a jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony,
And the foundations of the wall of the city were set off each with precious stones: the first foundation a jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth an emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprasus, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth an amethyst.
the fourth an emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprasus, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth an amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each of the gates was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold like resplendent glass.
And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each of the gates was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold like resplendent glass. And I saw no temple in it: for the Lord God almighty, and the Lamb, are the temple of it.
And I saw no temple in it: for the Lord God almighty, and the Lamb, are the temple of it. And the city hath no need of the sun, nor of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God enlighteneth it, and the Lamb is it's light.
And the city hath no need of the sun, nor of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God enlighteneth it, and the Lamb is it's light. And the nations of those that are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth bring their glory and their honor into it.
And the nations of those that are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth bring their glory and their honor into it.