© 2006 F. O’Donoghue
The term Amillennialism refers to the eschatalogical view which rejects the idea of a literal thousand year reign of Christ on this earth (as taught by Premillennialism), or a thousand years of peace and righteousness on this earth just before Christ returns (as taught by Postmillennialism).
Amillennialists contend that the millennium of Revelation 20 speaks of the entire era between Christ’s first coming (Pentecost) and last coming (just prior to Judgment). This is not a new understanding of the millennium, but rather clearly implied in the early historic creeds of Christianity. The Amillennial view was held by such theologians as Augustine, Calvin and Luther. It is the position of the Reformed Confessions, and therefore of all truly Reformed believers.
Revelation 20:1-10 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 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. And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
The book of Revelation is written in symbolic and figurative language, and cannot therefore be interpreted literally at all times, studied using precise chronology, or taken in a consecutive order. Repeatedly, the apostle John recapitulates, presenting the reader with different perspectives of the same period of time (for an example of this, compare: Rev 6:12-16 / Rev 16:15-19 / Rev 14:17-20).
Regardless of how we view the first ten verses of Rev 20, it doesn’t make sense to place all of the events in the future.
Since this passage refers to a vision, with the angel, the chain, and the binding referred to in figurative language, it is reasonable to approach the thousand years in like manner.
The death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ holds enormous significance for the both the Church, and Satan:
John 16:11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
Rev. 12:7-9 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
The Amillennial view on Revelation 20, is that Satan (who derives his power from God – Job 1), has his power curbed during the present age.
This is the true significance of his binding for a thousand years in verse 2. Although Satan, desires to muster his entire strength against the Church in order to destroy her, he is prevented from achieving this.
Although Satan goes about ‘as a roaring lion’ (1 Pet 5:8), he is not able to vent his full fury upon the Church. He is bound (restricted) from the time of Christ’s ascension until just before His glorious return. After this, he is loosed for a short while (little season).
The apostle John refers to souls who were beheaded:
Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
These souls are reigning with Christ during the same thousand years in which the devil is bound. These beheaded souls are saints who have already died, and are in heaven, reigning until the general resurrection of the dead. At that time all those that are Christ join Him in heavenly perfection and glory. Anyone who does not belong to him (those he never knew), are spiritually dead already, and shall not live after the resurrection, when they face the second death (Rev 20:14).
Just as the parable of the sower in Matthew 13 demonstrates, the wheat and tares grow together. The kingdom of this world (Satan’s empire), culminates in the man of sin (also known as the son of perdition or the Antichrist), while under God’s longsuffering grace, the full harvest of His children comes to fruition. God’s eternal purpose is achieved, as His Church is saved from out of the midst of the world for His eternal glory.
Conclusion
The Amillenial interpretation of the thousand year reign of Christ is a natural, consistent explanation of the many scriptures which refer to Christ’s return.
1. The world is not improving, or subject to Christian influence, wickedness is on the increase, and wars abound (Matt. 24:6,7).
2. The majority of mankind is not saved, and the true Church of Christ (in any era) is small and despised (Luke 12:32 and Matt, 22:14).
3. There is only one true church and a single covenant, which is comprised of the spiritual seed of Abraham; including both Jew and Gentile believers (Gal. 3).
4. The Church is not spirited away from the earth prior to the great tribulation, but on the earth to endure tribulation (Matt. 24:22).
6. Believers are to expect the apostasy and a great falling away from the faith in the ‘last days’ (Matt. 24:10-12 / Tim. 4:1).
7. There will be a single resurrection of all the dead upon Christ’s return in judgment (John 5:28-29).
8. This return of Christ is near, and no man knows the day or the hour (1 Peter 4:7 / 1 John 2:18).
For further understanding, read The First Resurrection
