Dr Paul Allen

Theologians refer to the thousand-year period in Revelation 20 as the millennium. Here are the three basic positions on the millennium: Premillennialism: The millennium is the long period (perhaps a literal 1,000 years) when King Jesus will rule on earth. Jesus will return before the millennium (hence premillennialism). Amillennialism (or inaugurated or realized millennialism): The millennium began when Jesus rose from the dead and will conclude when he returns to earth. Believers who die during this period reign with King Jesus in heaven. When Jesus died and rose again, he decisively defeated Satan and “bound him” (Rev 20:2–3; cf. Matt 12:28–29; John 12:31–32). At the end of this age, Satan will furiously attempt to attack God’s people one last time (Rev 20:7–10). Postmillennialism: The millennium is a Christian golden age on earth. The reign of Christ from heaven will lead the church to triumph through the gospel with the result that Christianity will pervade the cultur...

In the ongoing debate between premillennialism and amillennialism, the most fundamental disagreement concerns the thousand-year reign of Christ in Revelation 20. Premillennialists believe the thousand years refers to a future reign of Jesus on earth, an intermediate kingdom between His Second Coming and the final consummation. But amillennialists believe it describes the current reign of Christ throughout the present age. For this reason, while premillennialism affirms an earthly kingdom between the present age and the eternal state, amillennialism denies this intermediate kingdom, arguing instead that the present age will be followed immediately by the new heavens and new earth. One of the most difficult problems for amillennialism involves the “first resurrection” in Revelation 20:4-6. In this passage, the apostle John describes individuals who “came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years” (v. 4), designating this coming to life as “the first resurrection” (v. 5). Ac...