A Balanced Approach to the Millennium
1. Christians have had, and now have, various beliefs about the millennium. Adherents of each theory believe that the Bible supports their view (see the chart below).
2. Almost all Christians agree that Christ will return, and that there will be a judgment. For the faithful, there will be an eternity of perfection and glory with God.
3. The eternal age is much more glorious than the millennial age, no matter how the millennium is understood. At best, the millennium is second-best.
4. The precise chronological sequence is not an essential part of the gospel. The gospel is about how to enter the kingdom, not the chronological or physical details of particular phases of that kingdom. Since the New Testament books do not emphasize the nature of the millennium, we conclude that it is not a central plank in the church's commission. People can be saved without any particular belief about the millennium.
5. Although the Worldwide Church of God has traditionally been premillennial, the church does not require its members to believe that Christ will set up a temporary kingdom after he returns. We are sure that, no matter what Christ does after his return, no one will be disappointed. Millennialism is not a doctrinal point on which we must seek conformity.
6. This point is not central to the gospel, and members may have different opinions on it. As a church, we put more emphasis on a) the church's current responsibilities in this age, b) the fact that Christ will return to rule and judge, and c) on the eternal age after the millennium, which is much more glorious.
7. Members should acknowledge that other Christians sincerely believe that the Bible teaches something else. They should not condemn or ridicule those who hold other views. We encourage members to focus on the bigger picture that we all hold in common. See points 2 and 3. Members may wish to educate themselves about other views by reading books such as Robert Clouse, The Meaning of the Millennium: Four Views (InterVarsity, 1977) and/or Stanley Grenz, The Millennial Maze (InterVarsity, 1992).
The Millennium: Four Major Views
dispensational premillennialism |
``historic'' premillennialism |
postmillennialism |
amillennialism |
|
Old Testament prophecies |
strong tendency toward literal interpretation |
more figurative meanings allowed; perfection mixed with imperfection |
mostly figurative, based on NT uses such as Acts 2:16-21; 15:15-18 |
mostly figurative, based on NT use of OT prophecies |
Israel and the church |
clearly distinct; the millennial kingdom will be dominated by Jews |
many prophecies may apply both to the church now and to Israel later |
possibly a small role for Israel as a special nation |
all ``Israel'' prophecies apply to the church, the new Israel |
return of Christ |
yes —- seven years before the millennium for the rapture, then just before the millennium begins |
yes —- just before the millennium begins |
yes —- after the millennium |
yes —- after the millennium |
Rev. 20:1-3 |
Satan will be bound after Christ returns |
Satan will be bound after Christ returns |
Satan will be or has been bound 1,000 years or a long time before Christ's return |
We are now in the millennium. Satan was bound at Christ's first coming, is now unable to stop the gospel |
Rev. 20:4-6 |
saints will be immortal, reigning with Christ over mortals on earth |
saints will be immortal, reigning with Christ over mortals on earth |
the gospel will achieve such success that the 1,000-year golden age will develop from the church age |
the saints ``live again'' in the church age by being born again; another view is that they reign in heaven |
resurrection(s) and judgment(s) |
two or three |
two |
one |
one |
advocates |
C. Scofield, D. Moody, J. Walvoord, Hal Lindsey, D. Pentecost |
Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, G.E. Ladd, W. Grudem, M. Erickson |
some liberals, A.H. Strong, G. Bahnsen, some Calvinists |
Augustine, Luther, Calvin, L. Berkhof, most mainline churches |
key scriptures |
OT prophecies; 1 Th. 4; Rom. 11:26 |
Rev. 2:26-27; Rev. 20:1-10 |
Matt. 28:18-20; Matt. 13:31-33 |
Matt. 12:28f; John 5:28f; 2 Pet. 3:10 |
By Michael Morrison and J. Michael Feazell
Copyright 1997 Worldwide Church of God
Click here for a letter Richard J. Foster wrote to those on his Renovaré mailing list. It provides some helpful comments about speculations about prophecy, including millennial questions.