Revelation 20 has become one of the most divisive chapters in the Bible. Fierce debates have arisen about Israel, timelines, notions of Antichrist and great tribulation periods that have frustrated and confused many. I certainly do not believe that issues of eschatology are matters worth dividing the church over. Yet, some denominations include particular millennial views as requirements for membership. I find this to be unfortunate. The purpose of this post is not to increase the divide (although I am sure there will be some healthy debate on the issue) but to show why I believe the Amillennial view to be a valid eschatological approach that deserves a second look. Even if we disagree, I think it is important to understand that other views have valid points that are worthy of respect and consideration.
A brief definition:
Amillennialism is the view that 1,000 year period mentioned in Revelation is a symbolic number that should be understood qualitatively rather than quantitatively. Also, amillennialists believe that the promises made to Israel, David, and Abraham in the OT find their fulfillment in Jesus Christ and the church in the present age. The "millennium" is a unspecified period of time between the two advents of the Lord Jesus. Christ is currently reigning in heaven during the period between the two advents. It rejects the notion of a 7 year tribulation, secret rapture and dispensational understanding of God's interaction with humanity. Rather, the second coming, resurrection of good and evil, rapture and judgment all occur on the same day and are not events spread out over years, decades or centuries.
Defending a symbolic understanding of the 1,000 years:
Many object to Amillennialism because they claim it rejects a "literal" reading of Revelation 20. However, I find that those who claim to read Revelation "literally" quite simply do not. If so, then we must conclude that Jesus has seven eyes and seven horns, Jesus literally looks like a butchered lamb in heaven, dragons, beasts and locusts with hair will literally roam the earth, and a giant prostitute will ride around on a monstrous beast with multiple heads and crowns, drinking glasses of blood. I have yet to find someone who claims to read Revelation "literally" to make such an argument. So the question is not who interprets Revelation literally, but where do we draw the lines between that which is symbolic and that which is specific. I would argue that Revelation is full of symbolic numbers, such as 6, 7, 12 and multiples of 10. For instance, seven churches, seven eyes, seven horns, seven seals, seven lampstands, seven trumpets, seven heads, seven hills etc. Then there are ten heads, ten crowns, ten days of persecution, 10,000 x 10,000, 144,000 (10x10x10x12x12), and 1,000 years (10x10x10). In my estimation, pretty much all the numbers in revelation are symbolic. Are there really only 10,000 x 10,000 angels in heaven? Did John count them all? Are there really 2 million people in the army of Armageddon? Did John count them? Did Jesus really mean that people would only be persecuted for 10 days? If so, why does he say to remain faithful, even unto death?
The immanent return of Christ:
One reason I hold to the Amillennial view is that it makes the most sense of Christ's teaching about his return. It seems evident to me that Paul and the Apostles expected Jesus to return at any moment. They were not waiting for the Temple to be rebuilt (those that lived after 70AD) or the entire nation of Israel coming to faith in Christ. Neither is there any indication that they expected any sort of secret rapture that would take all the Christians out of the world. Rather, Jesus told his disciples to "watch" because they "do not know the day or hour." In fact, the entire point of all of Jesus' parables about his return is that it comes in a moment when no one is expecting it so therefore believers should live every moment like the Master will return. There is no indication that his return will be delayed for 7 years after an initial rapture. Moreover, there is nothing to indicate the "rapture" to be silent. Rather, Paul indicates that it will be preceded by the appearance of Christ, the voice of the archangel, the trumpet of God and the resurrection of the good and evil. In fact, when Jesus speaks of those who are "taken away" in Matthew 24, he is referring to the flood. Those who were "taken away" were the wicked while those who were "left" behind were the righteous (Noah and his family)! You do not want to be "left behind!"
The millennial age:
Finally, I think most of the views about the "millennial age" have absolutely nothing to do with Revelation 20. Revelation 20 says very little about the 1,000 years other than that Satan will be bound so that he can "deceive the nations" no longer. It never says anything about people living to be 300 years old or lions laying down with lambs. It says nothing bout the exaltation of national Israel. All of these concepts have been imposed upon Revelation 20 from the Old Testament. The only thing mentioned about Revelation 20 is the binding of Satan, his inability to deceive, and the coming to life of those who refused to worship the beast so they could reign with Christ 1,000 years.
My contention is that this "first resurrection" has to do with those who are baptized in Christ and die in the faith. As Jesus declared, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” (Cf. John 11:25–26) There is no place else in the NT that speaks of two resurrections of the righteous, except when referring to the "first resurrection" as being "raised with Christ" through faith in him. It only makes sense that those who take part of this first resurrection have no fear of the "second death" (hell). Moreover, the NT is very clear that Jesus came to "bind the enemy" and "render powerless" the works of the devil. The Gospel is the power of God to save all who believe. At one time, entire nations were deceived and enslaved. But now, by the preaching of the Gospel, the enemy is bound and powerless to prevent people from finding life and hope in Christ.
Well, I suppose I could write for a long time on this. But I would rather hear from you. What are your thoughts?
A brief definition:
Amillennialism is the view that 1,000 year period mentioned in Revelation is a symbolic number that should be understood qualitatively rather than quantitatively. Also, amillennialists believe that the promises made to Israel, David, and Abraham in the OT find their fulfillment in Jesus Christ and the church in the present age. The "millennium" is a unspecified period of time between the two advents of the Lord Jesus. Christ is currently reigning in heaven during the period between the two advents. It rejects the notion of a 7 year tribulation, secret rapture and dispensational understanding of God's interaction with humanity. Rather, the second coming, resurrection of good and evil, rapture and judgment all occur on the same day and are not events spread out over years, decades or centuries.
Defending a symbolic understanding of the 1,000 years:
Many object to Amillennialism because they claim it rejects a "literal" reading of Revelation 20. However, I find that those who claim to read Revelation "literally" quite simply do not. If so, then we must conclude that Jesus has seven eyes and seven horns, Jesus literally looks like a butchered lamb in heaven, dragons, beasts and locusts with hair will literally roam the earth, and a giant prostitute will ride around on a monstrous beast with multiple heads and crowns, drinking glasses of blood. I have yet to find someone who claims to read Revelation "literally" to make such an argument. So the question is not who interprets Revelation literally, but where do we draw the lines between that which is symbolic and that which is specific. I would argue that Revelation is full of symbolic numbers, such as 6, 7, 12 and multiples of 10. For instance, seven churches, seven eyes, seven horns, seven seals, seven lampstands, seven trumpets, seven heads, seven hills etc. Then there are ten heads, ten crowns, ten days of persecution, 10,000 x 10,000, 144,000 (10x10x10x12x12), and 1,000 years (10x10x10). In my estimation, pretty much all the numbers in revelation are symbolic. Are there really only 10,000 x 10,000 angels in heaven? Did John count them all? Are there really 2 million people in the army of Armageddon? Did John count them? Did Jesus really mean that people would only be persecuted for 10 days? If so, why does he say to remain faithful, even unto death?
The immanent return of Christ:
One reason I hold to the Amillennial view is that it makes the most sense of Christ's teaching about his return. It seems evident to me that Paul and the Apostles expected Jesus to return at any moment. They were not waiting for the Temple to be rebuilt (those that lived after 70AD) or the entire nation of Israel coming to faith in Christ. Neither is there any indication that they expected any sort of secret rapture that would take all the Christians out of the world. Rather, Jesus told his disciples to "watch" because they "do not know the day or hour." In fact, the entire point of all of Jesus' parables about his return is that it comes in a moment when no one is expecting it so therefore believers should live every moment like the Master will return. There is no indication that his return will be delayed for 7 years after an initial rapture. Moreover, there is nothing to indicate the "rapture" to be silent. Rather, Paul indicates that it will be preceded by the appearance of Christ, the voice of the archangel, the trumpet of God and the resurrection of the good and evil. In fact, when Jesus speaks of those who are "taken away" in Matthew 24, he is referring to the flood. Those who were "taken away" were the wicked while those who were "left" behind were the righteous (Noah and his family)! You do not want to be "left behind!"
The millennial age:
Finally, I think most of the views about the "millennial age" have absolutely nothing to do with Revelation 20. Revelation 20 says very little about the 1,000 years other than that Satan will be bound so that he can "deceive the nations" no longer. It never says anything about people living to be 300 years old or lions laying down with lambs. It says nothing bout the exaltation of national Israel. All of these concepts have been imposed upon Revelation 20 from the Old Testament. The only thing mentioned about Revelation 20 is the binding of Satan, his inability to deceive, and the coming to life of those who refused to worship the beast so they could reign with Christ 1,000 years.
My contention is that this "first resurrection" has to do with those who are baptized in Christ and die in the faith. As Jesus declared, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” (Cf. John 11:25–26) There is no place else in the NT that speaks of two resurrections of the righteous, except when referring to the "first resurrection" as being "raised with Christ" through faith in him. It only makes sense that those who take part of this first resurrection have no fear of the "second death" (hell). Moreover, the NT is very clear that Jesus came to "bind the enemy" and "render powerless" the works of the devil. The Gospel is the power of God to save all who believe. At one time, entire nations were deceived and enslaved. But now, by the preaching of the Gospel, the enemy is bound and powerless to prevent people from finding life and hope in Christ.
Well, I suppose I could write for a long time on this. But I would rather hear from you. What are your thoughts?