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The word “millennium” is not found in the Bible; however, the thousand year period of Christ’s rule over the earth is mentioned six (6) times in the twentieth chapter of Revelation. The word “millennium” is derived from Latin words which simply mean “thousand years.” The Millennium will be a period during which Satan will be bound in the Abyss: “And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years” (Rv. 20:2). The binding of Satan prepares the earth for the Millenial Reign of Christ, who comes to earth, as described in Revelation chapter nineteen, as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (vv. 15, 16). The resurrected Church saints together with the Tribulation saints will reign with Christ in His millennial kingdom: “And they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years” (Rv. 20:4b); “But they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years” (Rv. 20:6b). (See also Rv. 19:7–10, 14.)

There are three theories about the time relationship of the Millennium to the Second Coming:

This theory puts the Millennium before the Coming of Jesus. According to this theory, based on an interpretation of the parables of the “leaven” and the “mustard seed,” the Church will gradually, through the preaching of the Gospel and the promotion of social justice, overcome war and evil in the world; after which, Christ will come. Post-millennarians believe that universal peace and righteousness will be accomplished by the Church gradually, rather than by the Coming of Christ in power. Two world wars in this century, together with increasing crime, violence, and the threat of a nuclear holocaust have largely disproved this optimistic theory.

Amillennarians spiritualize all references relative to Christ’s Reign and apply them to His spiritual rule over the hearts of believers. The Old Testament prophecies concerning Christ’s ruling on the throne of David are likewise applied to the Church. All promises to Israel are fulfilled by blessing upon the Church, inasmuch as the Church is the spiritual Israel. According to the Amillennial theory, a national Israel has no further destiny that differs from that of the other nations. Paul’s teaching about the natural and wild branches of the olive tree in Romans chapter eleven quite clearly refutes the spiritual or figurative interpretation of Israel.

Pre-millennarians interpret Scripture literally, or better, naturally. Differences in the method of interpretation of prophecy lead to differences in theory. When one departs from a natural interpretation of Bible prophecy, he then can only speculate. If everything is a symbol rather than a real event, the symbols can be made to mean anything the interpreter wants them to mean. Taking the book of Revelation and the kingdom prophecies naturally, the pre-millennarian believes that when Christ comes again, he will then, and only then, establish His Reign of peace and righteousness over the earth. He believes in a literal rule of Christ on the promised throne of David, when He, together with the Redeemed of the Church age, will reign over the regathered and saved remnant of Israel and the righteous Gentile nations. The pre-millennarian does not confuse Israel with the Church, nor the Church age with the millennial age; for him the schedule of future prophetic events is:

Among the millennial family of nations, the nation of Israel will occupy the central place:

When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel. For the Lord’s portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of His inheritance. He found him … he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of His eye (Dt. 32:8–10).

It was revealed to Mary, by the angel, that Jesus was destined, as the promised Messiah, to reign upon the throne of David:

He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David: and He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end (Lk. 1:32, 33).

It is true that the Church has entered into the spiritual blessings first given to Israel (Eph. 1:18, 3:6; 1 Pt. 2:9, 10); but that fact does not change God’s purpose for national Israel (Is. 61:1–62:4; 66:7–24; Rom. 11:13–28). It seems clear that Israel will be the ministers and missionaries to all the nations during the Millennium, directing the Gentile inhabitants of the earth to serve and worship the Lord (Is. 61:4–11). While Israel will have the preeminence among the nations during the Millennial Reign of Christ, the Church in her glorified state will sit in judgment over the tribes of Israel (Mt. 19:28; Lk. 22:29, 30).

At the Coming of Christ to Reign, there will be a Judgment of Gentile nations, referred to in Matthew as the “sheep” and “goat” nations (Mt. 25:31–36). The sheep nations are judged apt for kingdom blessing on the basis of their treatment of the Lord’s “brethren” (Israel). That there will be Gentile nations on the millennial earth is clear from Revelation 20:7, 8; Isaiah 2:1–5; 11:5–10; 60:1–5; and Zechariah 14:16–21. It was revealed to Daniel in a vision that the Christ would have dominion over a kingdom which would include all nations:

I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a KINGDOM, that all people, NATIONS, and languages should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away. … (Dn. 7:13, 14)

The Church will bear a different relationship to the millennial kingdom than either the restored nation of Israel or the Gentile nations. These latter will be earthly peoples; and even though they will live under the ideal conditions of an earth freed from the curse, they will have mortal bodies and they will pursue normal earthly occupations. There will be universal peace, justice and holiness because of the Sovereign Rule of Christ, but there will not be absolute perfection in the earthly inhabitants (cf. Is. 11:4; 65:20; Zec. 14:17–19.) On the other hand, the Church and all saints who have had part in the First Resurrection will rule and reign with Christ (Rv. 2:26, 27; 3:21; 5:9, 10; 20:6). They will not be confined to the earth, for they have glorified bodies and they will have access to Heaven and earth (Rv. 19:6–14; Mt. 22:30, 31; Lk. 20:35, 36). Jesus said to His disciples, “In my Father’s house are many mansions [abiding places]”; then He added, “I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself. …” (Jn. 14:3). Paul spoke of his hope of a better place than this earth: “ … Having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is FAR BETTER … ” (Phil. 1:23). When the Apostle said “for me to die is GAIN,” he meant “gain” over life at its best, not at its worst; for he had just declared, “for to me to live is CHRIST.” The believer, even now, is seated together with Christ in heavenly places (Eph. 2:6); therefore, in our resurrected state we will always occupy heavenly places even while we are sharing rule over the earth with Christ (Mt. 25:21; Lk. 19:17–19). That the Church saints will be equipped for both heavenly and earthly environments is suggested by three things: (1) The saints in the resurrected state will be like the angels (Lk. 20:35–38); and angels often ministered to men on earth. (2) Jesus after His Resurrection appeared to His followers on earth for forty days. (3) At the Death of Jesus, many saints arose from their graves and appeared unto many persons (Mt. 27:52, 53).

1. Christ’s Millennial Reign will be characterized by universal justice and righteousness(Jer. 23:5, 6; Is. 11:3–5; 52:1, 16; Ps. 72:1–8).

2. All the earth will be under the righteous discipline of King Jesus; and all who disobey will be disciplined (Zec. 14:16–21).

3. There will be peace among all the nations during the Millennial Rule of Christ (Ps. 72; Is. 2:4; 9:5, 6; 32:1, 17, 18; Mi. 5:4, 5).

4. There shall be happiness and joy in His kingdom (Is. 9:2–4; 25:6–9; 35:10).

5. In Christ’s kingdom, the people of the nation of Israel will enjoy health and longevity (Is. 35:5, 6; 65:20–22).

6. On the millennial earth there will be great material prosperity (Ps. 72:15, 16; Am. 9:13–15; Zec. 3:10; 8:12).

7. Under Christ’s Reign, the earth will be freed from the curse (Rom. 8:19–22; Is. 55:13; 41:18, 19).

With the removal of the curse, wild animals will lose their ferocity (Is. 11:6–9; 65:25; Ez. 34:25, 28; Hos. 2:18).

^{^[1]}Duffield, Guy P. ; Van Cleave, Nathaniel M.: Foundations of Pentecostal Theology. Los Angeles, Calif. : L.I.F.E. Bible College, 1983, S. 543