Answers and Further Questions for an Amillenniel Scholar

The following is a Q&A submitted by an actual Amillenniel scholar defining what that eschatology holds to. This was his way of explaining the view, with a self-submitted question (Q), followed with his answer (A). After the (A), there will be a third paragraph or paragraphs in italics in which I will comment on the answer.

Now, this did not come from the most “out there” theologian who I cherry picked to get the worst example possible. This was from a man who in my opinion is actually a pretty high-level scholar. He is a “scholar in residence” at a Lutheran organization. I came across a video from him on youtube in which the title was about how the great commission is related to Daniel 7:14, and I was impressed. I have seen others, some interesting and good, others, not so much.

This Q&A seemed like a quick way to discuss his end-times theology. I saw another video in which he talked about the rapture in a way to refute the whole idea, but I couldn’t figure out what he really meant, other than that there was no tribulation or Kingdom after it, just a time when Christ comes back to earth to create a new heaven and a new earth, and that when He is doing it He will call the saints up to go back down with Him.

It seems like “the rapture” isn’t so much the problem, but the tribulation and Kingdom afterward that amillennialism has an issue with.

Here is the Q&A:

Q: What is Amillennialism?

A: Amillennialism is a view of the End Times that does not teach a literal thousand-year earthly reign of Christ. Instead, it understands the “thousand years” mentioned in Revelation 20 as a symbolic expression for the entire New Testament period.

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Q: When did the 1000 Years of Christ’s reign begin?

A: It began with his resurrection and ascension into heaven. At that point, Christ sat down at the right hand of the Father and began to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.

I do not disagree that Christ sat down at the right hand of the Father in Heaven. Also further, He is now seated “Far above all”, as the Apostle Paul proclaims in Ephesians 1:21–23. But that is not the end of the story. The same apostle also proclaims in his first epistle to Timothy that the same Lord Jesus Christ will in His times show “who is the blessed and only Potentate, King of kings, and Lord of lords”. This is future. He will show it. This comes to pass in Revelation chapter 19, which is followed by Revelation 20, the thousand years. In Revelation chapter 19, He smites the nations and rules them with a rod of iron. This is when He reigns as King of kings and Lord of lords on earth.

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Q: Is the “thousand years” in Revelation 20 a literal timeframe?

A: No. As with other numbers in Revelation, and apocalyptic literature in general, the “thousand years” are symbolic of a complete time period (10 x 10 x 10). It refers to the entire New Testament era—from Christ’s first coming until his second coming. The exact duration is not literal but represents the fullness of Christ’s reign from heaven.

There are a few issues here. The first thing that I would say is that I do not understand the use by many theologians and scholars of the term “apocalyptic literature”. The word apocalypse comes into English through Latin as “revelation”, yet the way the term is used it makes it to mean something mysterious and hidden that can’t be understood. It is an unveiling, but it is used as a term to hide it and make its meaning unknowable.

For instance, in Romans 16:25, we have, in Greek, κατὰ ἀποκάλυψιν μυστηρίου, or “kata apokalypsin musteriou”, which in English is “according to the revelation of the mystery”. The Apostle Paul continues saying how this was kept secret since the world began but is now made manifest.

Again, in Galatians 1:12, we have δι᾽ ἀποκαλύψεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, or “di apokalypseos Jesou Christou”, in English as “by revelation of Jesus Christ”, where Paul is declaring the source of the Gospel that he is preaching.

The book of the Revelation opens with Ἀποκάλυψις Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, or “Apokalypsis Jesou Christou”, the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Indeed, the book comes to us as “Revelation”, but it is well known that the Greek title is “Apocalypse”. This is “apocalyptic” literature, in the sense that it is revelatory. It is what the Lord Jesus Christ is telling John about what is going to happen. He is revealing it. Words sometimes take a life of their own in culture. Apocalypse now tends to mean something along the lines of a terrible time, as we can understand when we read the Apocalypse (Revelation), but that is not the real meaning of the word.

The term “thousand years” in Revelation 20, if used once, I suppose could mean a great many years, as when the Israelites sang “Saul killed his thousands, but David his ten thousands”. But “a thousand years”, or “the thousand years” are referred to six times in the first seven verses. “The thousand years” refers to a definite time. That is why it uses the definite article.

I also can’t say that I know of anywhere else in the scripture where 10 x 10 x10 is a way to symbolize completeness.

I would also have to say that the history of the “New Testament era” has not been a time even close to resembling the Kingdom of Christ as scripture portrays it. And if we say that the reign is only in heaven, what do we do with this?

Revelation 5:10 – “And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”

Revelation 20:6 — “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.”

Notice that this is on the earth, during the thousand years. I can’t think of anywhere on this earth that this could refer to, at any time since Christ ascended to heaven.

It is interesting that another long-held belief in Christendom (“Historic Premillennialism”) has been the idea that the events of the book of the Revelation are a description of the entire “New Testament Era”, or as some call it, “the Church Age”. It is telling that a time in history can be said to be the worst time of the history of the world and the best time by people that are claiming to get their view from the same source. These are living the same history!

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Q: What is the “first resurrection” mentioned in Revelation 20?

A: The first resurrection refers to spiritual resurrection—that is, those who come to life through faith in Christ. Believers experience new life in him now, during this present reign.

This resurrection in Revelation 20 is of the souls beheaded for the witness of Jesus. This is not those “dead in trespasses and sins” receiving new life in Christ, this is those who died for Christ being brought back to life to reign with Him. This is not the same thing. While it is true that when we believe in Christ we are saved by grace through faith and given new eternal life, that is not the resurrection. There is a warning in the scriptures about the overthrow of faith that happens when some teach the resurrection is past.

2 Timothy 2:17–19 — “And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

Notice how it says this will eat as a canker. Don’t think of this as like a “canker sore”, for this comes to English through Latin as CANCER. This is a cancerous teaching, for there is a future resurrection that we are told to look forward to, the redemption of the body. I do not say that this particular teacher says that there is no future resurrection, for I have heard him say many times teaching that indeed we can look forward to it. But the second resurrection in Revelation 20 is the dead standing before the great white throne, judged according to their works, and those not found written in the book of life are cast into the lake of fire. Where can teaching like this lead? There is indeed a resurrection to look forward to. We are now looking forward to the one where we meet the Lord in the air. Those who come to faith during the time of “the Apocalypse” can be assured that they will be raised from the dead to reign with Christ.

Revelation 2:10 — “…be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”

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Q: What about Satan being “bound”?

A: During this New Testament period, Satan is bound—his power is severely limited by Christ. He can no longer deceive the nations in the way he once did. However, near the end of this era, he will be released for a short time, leading to increased opposition and persecution.

By looking at the recorded human history of the so-called “church age”, I cannot understand that argument. Just the history of “the Church”, better described as “Christendom”, to say that Satan is bound is absurd.

Even further, let’s not walk by sight, but walk by faith in what the word of God through His apostle Paul says concerning this present age:

Ephesians 6:11–12 — “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

Galatians 1:3–4 — “Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:”

2 Corinthians 4:3–4 — “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

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Q: What happens after this millennial reign?

A: At the end of this symbolic millennium, Christ will return, defeat all evil, and bring about the second resurrection—the bodily resurrection of the dead. Believers will be raised to eternal life with Christ.

But Christ returns before the thousand years. Revelation 19 precedes Revelation 20. The bodily resurrection of the dead is said clearly to be the first resurrection. This is trying way too hard to hold on to tradition that is clearly wrong. I understand holding on to wrong tradition when you don’t know any better, but at this point we really need to go with “what saith the scripture”. There is really not much else to say on this one.

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Q: Has amillennialism been the dominant view throughout church history?

A: Yes. A non-literal understanding of the 1000 years has been the prevailing eschatological view for most of church history worldwide. Though other views have gained popularity in modern times, especially in some evangelical circles, amillennialism remains the historic and global majority position in Christian theology.

“The prevailing eschatological view” is really a way to say the Roman Catholic view which unfortunately passes as the “historic Christian faith”. The Lutheran and Reformed churches have sadly not left the RCC far enough behind. Ultimately, the view leads to the church on earth, i.e., some form of Christendom, being the kingdom. The RCC has taken that upon itself as the mediator between God and man with its pope being “the vicar of Christ”.

I understand that there have been many wrong “millenarian” movements throughout the years, but they have mostly been attempts to establish the kingdom on earth rather than seeing that it is Christ, and Christ alone, who will establish it. He will show in His time that He is the blessed and only Potentate, King of kings and Lord of lords.

Failure to understand the revelation of the mystery has brought about the failure to understand the revelation of Jesus Christ according to prophecy as well. We are not in the tribulation, nor are we in the millennium. We would not need to speculate about either. We are living under the dispensation of the grace of God, in which it is said also by the Apostle Paul that “Behold now is the accepted time, behold now is the day of salvation.”

It will not always be the day of salvation. The day of His wrath will come, followed by the day of His reign in righteousness and peace — the millennium — where Christ will reign on the throne of David on earth. Read the prophets with open eyes to what the Word of God is saying.

When the Lord addressed the men on the road to Emmaus after His resurrection, He declared:

“…O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory?” (Luke 24:25–26)

These believed about the glory, but not the suffering. We now believe the suffering, let us also believe the glory.