Millennialism – 1000 Years – What Does the Bible Actually Say?

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The hopeless confusion surrounding the only possible path to human salvation, which the enemies of God and His Gospel certainly want, also affects the 1,000-year period described in the Book of Revelation, the Millennium. With amillennium, premillennium, and postmillennium, various versions are available, but only one is correct: the biblical version.

The popular views

More than three-quarters of Protestant Christians expect a kingdom of peace on earth lasting for 1,000 years. This is especially true for evangelicals in the USA. After an (ominous) first Antichrist sits in the “Temple of God” and then ends the sacrificial services of an even more ominous third temple, Christ will appear, put an end to all this activity, and subsequently establish the kingdom of peace (“premillennialism”). In conjunction with so-called dispensationalism, a large portion of Christians will be raptured from the earth before the appearance of the “Antichrist,” thus avoiding being exposed to the (equally ominous) seven-year tribulation period.

Amillennialism

As far as the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church are concerned, there will be no such 1,000-year Kingdom of Peace with Jesus Christ on earth. The Church advocates “amillennialism” and sees itself as the embodiment of the Kingdom established long ago on earth by Christ, and therefore sees no “reason” for any other period to replace this self-defined role of the Church of Rome. Therefore, there is no 1,000-year phase of earthly peace, for ultimately the Church itself is “the mystical body of Christ on earth” and the Pope is the (adorable!) Vicar of the Most High. The “without alternative” salvation of humanity. Christ himself will remain in heaven.

Postmillennialism

Another group holds the view that Jesus Christ will only return to earth after a period of 1,000 years of peace (“postmillennialism”). An earthly power will ensure “peace and order” during the millennium.

Connection between Millennium and Resurrection

All the above theories can only hold as long as they are not verified against the Bible’s descriptions. The Gospels do indeed describe how the actual course of events will unfold. However, the resulting picture looks completely different, and all those who hoped for an (ominous) second chance to confess their faith through an earthly kingdom of peace, because they were living in the right place at the right time, will be disappointed.

Author of the misleading information

First, it should be noted that the version of premillennialism, including the first appearance of the Antichrist, a seven-year period of tribulation, and the (secret) pre-rapture of Christian believers, only took shape during the 16th century. It was an idea of ​​”clever” Jesuits, which, during the Counter-Reformation, was intended to counter the insights of the Protestants. They recognized that the “son of perdition, man of sin, abomination of the earth, whore of Babylon” was the system of the papacy (Info).

For this reason, the Church of Rome saw it as necessary to introduce a new story into the world as a prophetic interpretation, one that removes the papacy from the focus of the clearly identified Antichrist. The “creationists” of the pre-rapture story can be named as the horse and rider. And the “poets and thinkers” of the Roman Church even received strong support from Protestant apologists. The actors included Ribera, Lacunza, Irwing, Darby and Scofield (Info).

Resurrections before and after the Millennium

Inevitably linked to the actual events before and after the 1,000-year period is the resurrection of those redeemed by Jesus Christ. As the Bible clearly describes, there will be two(!) resurrections. The first resurrection occurs with the return of Jesus Christ and concerns the saved people. The second resurrection applies to the lost people and occurs after the 1,000-year period. Daniel 12:2 describes these separate resurrections, as does John 5:29:

“And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” (Daniel 12:2)

“And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” (John 5:29)

Both events, the “resurrection of life” and the “resurrection of judgment,” occur separately in time. What will happen during the 1,000 years is described in Revelation 20. It also emphasizes that the condemned people will not be present at the first resurrection:
“But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.” (Revelation 20:5)

This process is helpful for understanding that there will be no 1,000-year Kingdom of Peace on Earth, but that this period will take place with the saved people in heaven, while all life on Earth will be extinguished (Info). “Almost all life,” because Satan will be bound on the desolate earth (“abyss”) and forced to 1,000 years of inactivity (Revelation 20:1-3). He “may” look at what his work has wrought.

Statements from the Bible about the Millennium

The closer this world approaches its end, the more furiously Satan and his fallen angels, the demons (Revelation 12:12), act. Their goal is to cause as much destruction as possible, including dragging all people into their inevitable doom. Therefore, the deceptions and seductions, the false teachings, and above all, the attacks against those who faithfully proclaim the Gospel, the Word of God, will increase massively.

This destructive activity will reach a climax, with even the deceived actively participating in the persecution of those who steadfastly adhere to God’s Word. The “famous” Mark of the Beast is the final test for God’s remaining faithful. Once the situation has been clarified once and for all and is also evident, the sealing of God’s people (Revelation 7) will take place and Jesus Christ will end His ministry as mediator for the people in the Heavenly Sanctuary.

Before Jesus’ return everything is certain

“It will be as it was in the days of Noah,” Jesus Christ said on the Mount of Olives (Matthew 24). This also applies to the finally closed gate of the ark. Whoever was inside the ark was saved, but whoever remained outside was lost. Thus, the end of the mediation by Jesus Christ corresponds to the closing of the gate of the ark. There is no more forgiveness of sins; it is over. Everything is decided, including who is saved and who is lost. With the sealing by God, people receive the “quality mark” as still living saved ones (firstfruits for God and the Lamb, Revelation 14:4) and are also protected from the following, long-foretold plagues (Revelation 16).

The final judgment, not for judgment but for execution, falls upon humanity and culminates in the seventh plague. The destruction of all life on the planet. This is also the moment when, shortly before, Jesus Christ returned to save His own. Not by setting foot on this earth, however, but to take the saved so that they would be where Jesus Christ is. In the Heavenly Jerusalem, the new city that will come to Earth after 1,000 years.

Detailed description of the return of Jesus

The Bible also provides clear descriptions of the process of Jesus Christ’s appearance (Info). These are very important clues, because there will be a fake return of Jesus, the ultimate deception. But this return will serve the visions of the erroneous teachings about a thousand-year kingdom of peace and thus allow a “pseudo-Christ” to roam the earth.

This imposter will also perform “signs and wonders” and formulate new “divine laws.” But as Paul already said, the following also applies here:
“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:8)

If the appearance of a “figure of light” deviates from the biblical descriptions, it’s a deception, period. It’s that simple.

The Bible about the period of 1000 years

During the 1,000-year period, “judgment will be held,” as stated in Revelation 20:4, by the redeemed. Here, too, it is not about finding a judgment, but about proving that God’s judgment was just. Everything that was hidden becomes apparent here. After all, all(!) judgments against all(!) people, whether dead or alive for 5,100 years, had already been decided before(!) Jesus Christ returned to earth. This is even compellingly logical, for how else could it be clear at Jesus’ return who would rise as saved and who would remain in the grave as condemned? Revelation 22:12:
“And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.“

The reward is eternal life. Conversely, “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).

After the 1,000 years, Satan will be released again for a short time. This will be followed by the second resurrection, the “resurrection to eternal shame and contempt (Daniel 12:2)” or “resurrection to judgment” (John 5:29). Humanity’s guilt has long been established; otherwise, they would have been present at the first resurrection. This is the judgment of the declaration and justification of judgment. In his final stand, Satan will deceive humanity once again and incite them to attack the new Jerusalem that has arrived on earth. They will thereby demonstrate their unchanged character. God’s judgments are just.

With the fire falling from heaven, all living things outside the new city will be destroyed. It’s over, done with. Incidentally, there is no such thing as an eternally burning hell. That’s the version of those who prefer to follow in Satan’s footsteps and portray God as an incredibly cruel tyrant. The Bible is also clear on the subject of “hell” (Info).

Related misconceptions

The biblical description of the sequence of events, from the massive seductions and deceptions in the end times to the grand finale of the destruction of all rebels against God, differs massively from the many fables and tales. These fantasy stories, primarily created by the Jesuit order, have in common that they are intended to immediately dissuade people from recognizing the Church of Rome as God’s great enemy, while simultaneously leading their lives carelessly and ignorantly, without realizing that in their current state, God is hopelessly lost.

One variant of this error is, “There’s another chance, so why obey God today when I can make up for it later?” Another variant is, “God loves us all and therefore will not destroy what he loves so much.” Yet another variant is, “Laws are abolished, only love counts.”

None of these variants highlight:
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)
“He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” (1 John 2:4)

The law, law and law

It was, is, and remains until the end the law of God, which is at the center of the great adversary’s attacks. While nine out of ten commandments are quite easy to understand, as they could also address “human morality,” one commandment is not so self-evident. The Fourth Commandment, the Sabbath! This commandment of God, which He established in the completion of His creation, is the “framework” of the entire law and therefore was the main target of attack even in the early days of the Roman Church (Info).

Have you kept all of God’s commandments, but “just” one thing? The Gospel also has an answer to this:
“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” (James 2:10)

The Sabbath commandment IS one of ten (Exodus 20:8-11). Why Sunday? The Roman Catholic Church best answers this question – here.

The process at a glance – Biblical references

The Bible describes openly and in a way that is easy to understand which events will take place in which order from now on, if we look at it soberly.

Only then will the new heaven and the new earth follow. All sin is erased, no more suffering, no more tears, no more death. Jesus Christ restores the condition as it was in the time of Adam and Eve before the first fall. Thus, everything is “very good” (Genesis 1:31).

Simply accept the grace of God

Humans cannot earn or work for their salvation. Not through “good behavior” or good works. God owes nothing to any human being. If God weren’t the God of love, which He truly is, then a single stroke of the hand would have been enough to put an end to this unspeakable activity. But:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Like the life of every living creature, everything is a gift from God, made reality through Jesus Christ. Thus, God’s grace is not forced by anything, but rather by His love. God offers to accept the path of salvation (the gospel) opened by pure, loving grace. He does not force, nor does He coerce. Man freely decides whether to accept the gift or reject it.

The choice is between eternal life or eternal death. But eternal life by no means takes place on this contaminated, degenerate earth. As shown above, first comes the ultimate test of faithfulness, then the plagues, followed by the return of Jesus Christ with the resurrection of the saved, their taking them to a dwelling place in the heavenly place prepared by God for the next 1,000 years. The earth is depopulated of all living things, except for the adversary wandering there. This is followed by the resurrection of the lost and their extinction after the judgment has been pronounced and justified. Sins are eradicated, and the polluted earth is cleansed. A new earth and a new heaven are created. From now on, eternity follows.

The Tragedy of Deception

The truly tragic thing is that most people are not lost because they have transformed into “biting, raging, all-destroying monsters,” but because they disregard, reject, or transgress God’s law, mistakenly believing that their actions would please God (or rather, nature and “Mother Earth”). However, they could have found the truth when the Holy Spirit was still knocking at their door, when the proclamation of the Gospel was heard throughout the world. Somehow, for whatever reason, they rejected it.

They will be where there is “weeping and gnashing of teeth” (e.g., Matthew 8:12). This symbolic language illustrates the condition of people when they realize they have been deceived and are therefore irreversibly, irrevocably, lost for all eternity. Eternal non-existence instead of eternal life. Howls of despair and gnashing of teeth in pure rage.

But that doesn’t have to be the case. There is still (some) time to accept the truth, the Word of God. The Lord will, with great joy, send His Spirit to guide those who have arrived or returned with all wisdom and understanding. The first will be last, and the last will be first. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve served God for decades or in the last 30 minutes of your life. There is only one reward, and that is eternal life. So, while you still have breath, accept the truth, because:

Bible verses from King James Version (1611)

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