Part 5 – The disciples believe they are in the Millennium

The Millennium reign of Christ in Revelation 20:1-15 is a mysterious passage in the Bible. It has no prophetic precedent and sits inside one of the most symbol-driven books of the Bible within a prophecy that is promised to occur shortly (Rev. 1:1,3;3:10-11;22:6-7,10,12,20) and without delay (Revelation 10:5-7). But an investigation in the scriptures shows us the Millennium may actually have a precedent, although not in symbolic form.

One fact often taken for granted is that the Millennium can only happen once. At the end of the Millennium, several eternity changing events happen that can never be repeated.

1. Death is defeated forever (Revelation 20:5,14)
2. Satan is defeated forever (Revelation 20:7,10)
3. The final resurrection is finished (Revelation 20:11-15)
4. The unsubjected reign of Christ ends (Revelation 20:4) and God’s reign is established forever (Revelation 21:3-4,7)

No where else in the Bible do we find any prophetic precedent for a thousand year reign of Christ. But these other four events do have precedent in the Bible.

1 Corinthians 15:20-28 ESV But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. 28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.

Romans 16:20 ESV The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.

Acts 24:15 LSV having hope toward God, which they themselves also wait for, [that] there is about to be a resurrection of the dead, both of righteous and unrighteous;

Paul describes:

1. the defeat of death (1 Corinthians 15:26)
2. when Satan will be crushed, the most prominent of “all enemies” (1 Corinthians 15:25, Romans 16:20)
3. when the final resurrection will happen (1 Corinthians 15:21-22, Acts 24:15 YLT, 1 Peter 4:4-7)
4. when the unsubjected reign of Christ ends (1 Corinthians 15:27-28)

(It should also be noted in Acts 24:15, that Paul says the resurrection of the unrighteous is about to occur making it uncontrovertibly the final resurrection since the unrighteous are not raised in the first resurrection.)

It stands to reason that if both Paul and Revelation speak of the same eternity changing events, they both describe the end of the Millennium. After all, how can these once-in-an-eternity events happen twice? But the reign Paul describes has already begun (1 Corinthians 15:25, Ephesians 1:20-23, Hebrews 1:3-4,13, 2:8, 10:12-13).

Hebrews 10:12-13 ESV But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet.

Revelation is explicitly stated to be a book of symbols (Revelation 17:9-12), perhaps Paul describes the same reign more literally? The similarities don’t stop here.

The Millennium and Christ’s ascension begin the same way

The Millennium reign of Christ begins with:

1. the binding of Satan (Revelation 20:1-3)
2. the resurrection of martyrs who don’t accept the mark of the beast (Revelation 20:4)
3. the limited reign of Christ (Revelation 20:6)
4. the reign of the martyrs as priests with him (Revelation 20:6)

Paul also describes a reign of Christ that begins with:

1. a binding of Satan (Matthew 12:28-29, Luke 10:17-20, John 12:31-32, Jude 6)
2. a resurrection of saints (Matthew 27:51-53)
3. a limited reign of Christ at God’s right hand waiting until his enemies are defeated (1 Corinthians 15:25, Ephesians 1:20-23, Hebrews 1:3-4,13, 2:8, 10:12-13, 1 Peter 3:21-22, Revelation 3:21)
4. an ascension of resurrected saints with Christ into Heaven (Ephesians 4:8-10, Hebrews 12:1) as priests (1 Peter 2:5, 1 Peter 2:9-10, Revelation 1:5-6, Revelation 5:10)

Do Paul and Revelation describe the same reign? Though both reigns begin the same way, some questions must be answered. If we assume the beast is an end time tyrant, how do the saints resurrected with Jesus (Matthew 27:51-53) avoid his mark? How do we know this resurrection is really the first resurrection in Revelation? How do we know Satan is bound during Paul’s ministry if he seems to still be at work?

Is the resurrection of saints in Matthew the first resurrection in the Millennium?

Matthew 27:51-53 ESV And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

Jesus’s resurrection is described as the first resurrection (Acts 26:23, 1 Corinthians 15:20, Colossians 1:18) and happens at the same time as the resurrection of the saints in Jerusalem (Matthew 27:51-53). Interestingly, we could interpret Revelation 20:4 as:

Revelation 20:4 ESV They came to life [with Christ] and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

Such a reading suggests those who reign with Christ are also those who resurrect at the same time with him.

Revelation says only those who are “beheaded for the testimony of Jesus” and have not “worshiped the beast” are resurrected (Revelation 20:4). Matthew says only the “bodies of the saints” are resurrected at this time, but how do these saints avoid this mark and hold their testimony?

How do the resurrected martyrs avoid the mark of the beast?

These holy people could be the prophets and Jews who prophesy and teach about the Messiah in the Old Testament to previous generations and are killed for their testimony. Jesus states the Old Testament scriptures and Moses “testify” about himself and that he is written about in the Law, Prophets, and Psalms (John 5:39,46, Luke 24:44) and the prophets that deliver this message are murdered for their testimony (Matthew 23:29-32).

A friend of mine, Robert Cruickshank, in an unpublished manuscript argues that these saints are also martyrs and Matthew intends to connect “the tombs” of “the saints” risen at Jesus’s resurrection (Matthew 27:51-53) with the “the tombs” of martyred “prophets” and “righteous” mentioned in Jesus’s accusation against the Pharisees (Matthew 23:29-32).

In his manuscript, he quotes Richard W. Engle that the beast is greater than a symbol for Rome/Nero. It “became a symbol for great kings and empires who punished Israel or whom Israel should avoid” (p.103-104). Egypt/Pharaoh (Ezekiel 29:2-3) and Babylon/Nebuchadnezzar (Jeremiah 51:34) are described as “serpents” or “beasts” towards God’s people and those who hold to the testimony of the Messiah in their prophets suffer at their hands. The Christian Jews also would naturally contrast receiving the mark of the beast “on their foreheads or their hands” with not serving God’s laws or holding faithfully to their testimony about Christ (Exodus 13:9, Deuteronomy 6:4-8, Revelation 14:11-12).

How do we know these martyrs reign with Christ?

Ephesians indicates that the resurrected martyrs in Matthew ascend with Christ into Heaven.

Ephesians 4:8-9 NIV This is why it says:

“When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.”

9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)

If Christ’s reign begins when he ascends, perhaps the reign of these martyrs also begins after they ascend. In fact, throughout Revelation we see evidence that saints already reign in Heaven before the first resurrection (Revelation 4:10) and Christians are presently identified as priests (1 Peter 2:5, 1 Peter 2:9-10, Revelation 1:5-6, Revelation 5:10).

Some non-canonical writings state thousands of those who come back from the dead rise with Jesus into the clouds (The Gospel of Nicodemus, Vol 8, Chapter I, The Archko Volume found here http://www.bibleprobe.com/descent.htm). Perhaps this is also why Hebrews says we are surrounded by such a “great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1)? Perhaps these are the same witnesses who are given authority to judge (Revelation 20:4)?

Matthew and Revelation describe the same resurrection

Cruickshank points out that Matthew 27:51-53 is strikingly similar to Ezekiel 37:1-4 (p. 76-83) which prophesies about a resurrection of Israel and Ezekiel 37-48 is strikingly correlated with Revelation 20-22 (p. 87).

Matthew and Ezekiel both:

1. include the Spirit raising the bodies of many holy people (Ezekiel 37:2,11 Matthew 27:52)
2. include an earthquake (Ezekiel 37:7, Matthew 27:51)
3. include the tombs or graves being opened (Ezekiel 37:12, Matthew 27:52)
4. involve the resurrected bodies being lead into the Holy City afterwards (Ezekiel 37:12, Matthew 27:53)

Ezekiel 37-48 and Revelation 20-22 also both seem to prophecy about the same events.

If A = B and B = C then A = C. If Matthew is connected to Ezekiel and if Ezekiel is connected to Revelation, then these striking similarities suggest Matthew 27 and Revelation 20 are connected and likely both describe the first resurrection of the Millennium.

How is Satan bound during Christ’s ministry?

In one place, Jesus describes how he metaphorically binds Satan during his ministry.

Matthew 12:28-29 NIV But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. “Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.

In another place, he describes how he sees Satan fall like lightning from Heaven and gives his disciples authority over all demons (Luke 10:17-20) and says when he is lifted up, “the ruler of this world will be cast out” (John 12:31-32). Jude, writing after Christ’s ascension states:

Jude 6 NIV And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.

It seems the demons Jesus binds in his ministry are presently waiting for the great judgment on the day of his coming.

Cruickshank believes Satan is bound during Jesus’s testing in the wilderness after his baptism when he says, “Be gone, Satan!” (Matthew 4:10). In his sermon delivered at Berean Bible Church, he connects this binding with the binding of Satan in Revelation 20.

The Gospel of Nicodemus describes Satan’s binding at Christ’s death

The Gospel of Nicodemus tells us when Christ descends into Hades he orders Satan to be bound in Hades until his second appearance.

Gospel of Nicodemus Part II – The Descent of Christ into Hell Chapter 6 (22).

Then the King of glory seized the chief satrap Satan by the head, and delivered him to His angels, and said: With iron chains bind his hands and his feet, and his neck, and his mouth. Then He delivered him to Hades, and said: Take him, and keep him secure till my second appearing.

Although non-canonical writings don’t hold the same credibility or authority as inspired scripture, this does at least demonstrate one view in the early church and supports the theory that Satan is bound during Jesus’s ministry.

How is Satan bound?

But what is Satan bound from doing? We can’t say Satan is prevented from all activity if he blinds the minds of unbelievers (2 Corinthians 4:4, Mark 4:15).

Revelation 20:3 BLB And he cast him into the Abyss, and shut and sealed it over him, so that he should not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed. After these things it is necessary for him to be released for a little time.

Whatever Satan is bound from doing, he will be eager to do once he is released. And what does Revelation 20 say he does when released? He gathers the nations Gog and Magog together and deceives them to war against the saints (Revelation 20:7-9). The word “nations” may also be translated “Gentiles,” so that we may suppose Satan is specifically limited from deceiving the Gentiles for a time as indicated by Paul’s flourishing ministry among them. More likely, however, it seems Satan is prevented from bringing nation-state persecution against Christians until the end.

This binding is reminiscent of Satan’s limitations in persecuting Job.

Job 1:8-12 NIV Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”

9 “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. 10 “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. 11 But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”

12 The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.”

Satan was permitted to make life uncomfortable for Job, to take his possessions, etc… but was not permitted to harm Job himself. Perhaps in a similar way, Satan was allowed to persecute the saints for a number of years, but not wipe them out under state sponsored genocide.

Although Christians are tolerated by the Romans and Jews for 30-40 years and Paul even uses his Roman citizenship to protect himself, around 62-64AD, Jews expel Christians from Jerusalem after killing James and Nero blames the fire of Rome on Christians ordering the full force of the Roman state to hunt, torture and kill Christians across the empire. This may be in-fact the meaning of Jesus’s words concerning the great tribulation and persecution of the elect (Matthew 24:22). We explore the historical fulfillment of Revelation more in the article, “How did the Millennium end?“

So it seems that although Satan is not bound from all activity, he is prevented from deceiving nations to go to war against Christians for a time.

Both reigns must be the same

With these problems resolved, it seems Paul and Revelation each describe the same reality; Paul in a literal fashion and Revelation in a symbolic fashion. In each:

1. Satan is bound (Revelation 20:1-3, Matthew 12:28-29, Luke 10:17-20, John 12:31-32, Jude 6)
2. the faithful martyrs are resurrected (Revelation 20:4, Matthew 27:51-53)
3. Christ reigns for a limited time until his enemies are defeated (Revelation 20:6-10, 1 Corinthians 15:20-28, Ephesians 1:20-23, Hebrews 1:3-4,13, 2:8, 10:12-13)
4. the resurrected martyrs reign with him (Revelation 20:4, Ephesians 4:8-10) as priests (Revelation 20:6, 1 Peter 2:5, 1 Peter 2:9-10, Revelation 1:5-6, Revelation 5:10)

At the end of either reign:

1. Death is defeated forever (Revelation 20:5,14, 1 Corinthians 15:20-28)
2. Satan is defeated forever (Revelation 20:7,10, 1 Corinthians 15:20-28)
3. the final resurrection is finished (Revelation 20:11-15, 1 Corinthians 15:20-28, Acts 24:15)
4. the unsubjected reign of Christ ends (Revelation 20:4) and God’s reign is established (Revelation 21:3-4,7, 1 Corinthians 15:20-28)

Except for the thousand years, both reigns perfectly describe the same eternity-changing end and start. Since Revelation is a highly symbolic book (Revelation 17:9-12), and since Paul describes a reign that begins at Christ’s ascension into Heaven (1 Corinthians 15:20-28, Ephesians 1:20-23, Hebrews 1:3-4,13, 2:8, 10:12-13), we sensibly conclude that the Millennium reign begins when Jesus ascends into Heaven and is present during Paul’s ministry.

If the Millennium begins with Jesus’s ascension, when does it end? 1030AD? Is it still happening today? Or is 1,000 years a symbolic number?

Coming up next

In our next article, “The Millennium was expected to end soon,” we will show that not only has the Millennium begun, but the disciples and God promise it will soon end.