Part 6 – The Millennium was expected to end soon

In our previous article, we show that the disciples believe the Millennium begins when Christ ascends. But, if the Millennium starts then, when does it end? Most intuitively, the thousand years should be understood as a literal thousand years or perhaps even representative for a very, very long period of time. God owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10–11), does that mean cattle on the 1,001st hill doesn’t belong to him? While we may be comfortable assuming the thousand years lasts longer than a literal thousand, most of us will hesitate to imagine a thousand years lasting much shorter, say 30-40 years.

Although the idea of a Millennium lasting shorter than a literal thousand years is unintuitive, Revelation is a book full of symbols, especially numerical symbols (Revelation 17:9-12). At the end of the Millennium, five universe changing events happen, events that can only happen once and will never be repeated.

1. Satan is cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:7,10)

2. Death is cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14)

3. The wicked dead are resurrected (Revelation 20:5,11-14)

4. The dead are judged (Revelation 20:5,11-14)

5. The kingdom of heaven is established, symbolized in the “new heaven and earth” (Luke 21:29-33, Hebrews 12:25-29, Haggai 2:6-9,20-23, Revelation 21:1,3,7).

   Luke 21:31-33 ESV So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

We can reason that if these events only happen once, whenever the Bible talks about any of these events, it describes the end of the Millennium. Although it’s unclear if the thousand years should be interpreted literally, the Bible is clear that these five associated events are promised soon, without delay, at Christ’s near coming.

Death and Satan will be crushed soon

Paul tells us explicitly that Satan will soon be destroyed.

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

He alludes to the prophecy in Genesis concerning Satan’s final defeat:

Genesis 3:15 BSB And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

The “Seed,” likely referring to Christ will finally crush Satan under his feet. Death and Satan will be defeated at Christ’s coming.

1 Corinthians 15:21-26 ESV 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.

Satan is the ultimate of all Christ’s enemies. Paul does not mention multiple comings or distinguish between a distant and near return of Christ. As such, we must assume he intends this to be Christ’s nearest or only return, a return promised soon.

2 Timothy 4:1 LSV I fully testify, then, before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is about to judge [the] living and dead at His appearing and His Kingdom

So if Satan’s defeat is promised soon, if it’s promised to occur at Jesus’s return which is also soon, then doesn’t this imply the end of the Millennium is soon?

The wicked dead will rise soon

Although Revelation describes two resurrections, one at the beginning and one at the end of the Millennium, only the end of the Millennium includes the resurrection of the wicked dead (Revelation 20:11-15) because only the righteous rise in the first resurrection (Revelation 20:4). Therefore, if we identify the timing of the resurrection of the wicked, we are identifying the end of the Millennium. Paul and Peter tell us the wicked dead are about to rise, indirectly telling us the time of the end of the Millennium.

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;

2 Timothy 4:1 LSV I fully testify, then, before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is about to judge [the] living and dead at His appearing and His Kingdom

1 Peter 4:4-7 ESV With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does. 7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.

Jesus also promises the resurrection of the wicked dead will occur in his generation.

1. He says the time of unequaled distress since the beginning of the world will occur in their generation and will never be equaled again (Matthew 24:21, Matthew 24:34, Luke 21:36 NIV). He makes specific mention of Daniel (Matthew 24:15) and that the time he is describing is in fulfillment of what has been written (Luke 21:22).
2. Daniel prophesies that the resurrection and judgement of the wicked dead will happen at a time of distress unequaled since there was a nation (Daniel 12:1-2) and uses the same “book of life” terminology as the Great White Throne Judgement at the end of the Millennium (Daniel 12:1; Revelation 20:12).

Therefore, Jesus is telling his disciples that Daniel’s prophecy will be fulfilled in his generation (Matthew 24:34), a prophecy that promises the resurrection of the wicked dead at this same time. Since the resurrection of the wicked dead only happens at the end of the Millennium, Jesus is telling us the Millennium will end in his generation.

The dead are about to be judged

Some scholars believe the Bible promises two or more separate great judgements involving different individuals and times. Three controversial passages, the Son of Man Judgement (Matthew 16:27-28), the Sheep and Goats Judgement (Matthew 25:31-33,34,41), and the Great White Throne Judgement (Revelation 20:11-15) are said to be describing separate events. However, all three may describe the same judgement. They all use nearly identical language, contain an element that can only happen once and never be repeated, and are each individually promised to occur soon.

Should we dismiss such identical language?

The three judgement passages have nearly identical language.

We should not be quick to dismiss what is likely an intended similarity.

How many times can the kingdom be established?

Each judgement passage describes the arrival of the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 16:28, Mark 9:1, Matthew 25:34, Revelation 21:7).

Matthew 16:28 BLB there are some of those standing here who shall not taste of death until they have seen the Son of Man coming in His kingdom

Matthew 25:34 ESV Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’

Revelation 21:7 ESV The one who conquers will have this heritage

Daniel prophesies the kingdom of heaven will arrive only once and remain forever (Daniel 2:44).

Daniel 2:44 BSB In the days of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will shatter all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, but will itself stand forever.

Something that remains forever is only established once and cannot be repeated. If all three of these passages describe the arrival of the kingdom of heaven, how can they describe separate judgements?

All three judgement passages are promised soon

Even if these passages are describing separate judgements, they each individually are promised to occur soon.

The Son of Man Judgement is promised soon

Matthew 16:27-28 BLB For the Son of Man is about to come in the glory His Father, with His angels, and then He will give to each according to his deeds. Truly I say to you, there are some of those standing here who shall not taste of death until they have seen the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.

The disciples will not all die before they see the Son of Man Judgement.

The Sheep and Goats Judgement is promised soon

Luke 21:34-36 is a parallel passage to Matthew 24:36-25:46. Two different accounts of the same words.

1. In Matthew 25 concerning the Sheep and Goats Judgement, Jesus tells them, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour” (Matthew 25:13 ESV).

2. Luke also tells them to “watch” because the “day” they will “stand before the Son of Man” is “about” to happen.

   Luke 21:34-36 NIV “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

3. From the parallel passages, we notice “that day” refers to the return of the Son of Man in the Sheep and Goats Judgement (Matthew 24:37,39,42,44,46,25:31-46).

After putting together the parallel passages Luke 21:34-36 and Matthew 24:36-25:46, we see that the Sheep and Goats Judgement is promised soon.

The Great White Throne Judgement is promised soon

1. At the Great White Throne Judgement, the dead are raised (Revelation 20:13), death is defeated forever (Revelation 20:14), and the Kingdom of Heaven is delivered to the saints (Revelation 21:7)

2. The 7th trumpet (Revelation 11:15) is the last trumpet in Revelation and is the only trumpet with which the dead are raised (Revelation 11:18) and the kingdom is delivered to God (Revelation 11:15,17)

3. Paul says the very moment (in the twinkling of an eye) when the last trumpet is blown the dead are raised, death is defeated, and the kingdom is delivered to God (1 Corinthians 15:24-26,51-55)

4. The last trumpet can only be blown once, death can only be defeated once, and the kingdom of heaven can only be established once (Daniel 2:44)

5. Revelation is a cyclical book written in apocalyptic form with repeating elements making it impossible to interpret linearly.

   1. Every Island and mountain is flattened twice (Revelation 6:14; Revelation 16:20)
   2. Water turns to blood twice (Revelation 8:9-11; 16:3-6)
   3. Stars fall to earth three times (Revelation 6:13; 8:12; 12:4)
   4. Mounted troops from Euphrates gather for battle twice (Revelation 9:14-16; 16:12-16)
   5. John falls at angel’s feet to worship him and is rebuked twice (Revelation 19:10; 22:8-9)
   6. Wicked dead are resurrected and judged twice (Revelation 11:18; 20:11-15)
   7. The marriage of the lamb takes place twice (Revelation 19:6-9; Revelation 21:2,9-10)
   8. God wipes away every tear from saints eyes; they never thirst again and receive water from springs of life twice (Revelation 7:14-17; 21:4,6-7)

6. Therefore the 7th trumpet is also the Great White Throne Judgement

7. The angel of Revelation tells John the events he sees are about to happen (Revelation 1:1,3;3:10-11;22:6-7,10,12,20)

8. The angel, speaking on behalf of God, swears an oath that the blowing of the 7th trumpet would not be delayed any longer (Revelation 10:5-7)

   Revelation 10:5-7 NIV Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven. 6 And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, “There will be no more delay! 7 But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.

   How awkward it must be to say, “There will be no more delay [in the distant future]!” as some suggest to excuse this promise. The angel doesn’t describe a supposed separation being removed in the distant future between the 7th trumpet and mystery of God being accomplished. The delay that is ending is between the time the mystery of God was announced to the prophets and it finally being accomplished at the fast approaching blast of the 7th trumpet.

9. God uses the word “delay” the way we understand it (Ezekiel 12:21-28)

10. God says to delay in fulfilling your oath is sin (Deuteronomy 23:21-23)

11. God cannot sin

12. Therefore God does not delay in fulfilling the Great White Throne Judgement

Summary

Although there is no prophetic precedent for the thousand year reign of Christ, the universe changing events at the end of the Millennium are frequently talked about and without exception, they are all promised a soon fulfillment.

1. Paul promises Satan and death will be crushed at Jesus’s approaching return.
2. Paul and Peter promise the wicked dead will rise soon.
3. Jesus promises Daniel’s prophecy about the wicked dead rising at the time of distress will be fulfilled in his generation.
4. All passages concerning the great judgement are promised soon and are the one-and-the-same event.
5. God swears the Great White Throne Judgement will no longer be delayed.

Therefore, we conclude that the Millennium begins with the ascension of Christ and is promised to end within their generation, making its literal span nearly forty years. But this begs the question, why does John state his reign will be a thousand years if it’s only forty?

Why call it a thousand years if it’s not a thousand?

Jewish Rabbis and Christians living in Jesus’s time believed the world is divided up in 7 figurative millennia corresponding to the 7 days of creation with the Messianic age being the 6th millennia (Genesis 2:2-3, Psalm 90:4, Hebrews 4:8-11). When God’s kingdom arrives, it marks the beginning of the 7th millennia or “cosmic Sabbath,” an eternal time period.

A thousand years refers to the full length of each age and although it is debated, many of the scholars expect the 6th millennia to last well below a thousand years. Those days are also called the “days of the Messiah,” and are believed to be a period of transition between the former ages and the eternal age to come. Some even argue this eon will last only 40 years:

R. Eliezer [c. 80-120 AD] said, “The days of the Messiah will be forty years.”

R. Akiba [c. 120-140 AD] said, “Forty years, as long as the Israelites were in the wilderness.”

Most consider it to be a time of great anguish:

B. F. Westcott (1889). Jewish teachers distinguished a ‘present age’ (this age) from ‘that age’ (the age to come). Between ‘the present age’ of imperfection and conflict and trial and ‘the age to come’ of the perfect reign of God they placed ‘the days of the Messiah,’ which they sometimes reckoned in the former, sometimes in the latter, and sometimes distinct from both. They were, however, commonly agreed that the passage from one age to the other would be through a period of intense sorrow and anguish, ‘the travail-pains’ of the new birth (Mt. 24:8). The apostolic writers, fully conscious of the spiritual crisis through which they were passing speak of their own time as the ‘last days’ (Acts 2:17; James 5:3; comp. 2 Tim. 3:1); the ‘last hour’ (1 John. 2:18); the ‘end of the times’ (1 Peter 1:20; 2 Pet. 3:3); ‘the last time’ (Jude 18).

What the Rabbis Said about the Millennium by Edward E. Stevens

Remembering that Revelation is a highly symbolic book, written to a first-century audience who are familiar with these concepts, it’s quite plausible that John is communicating what will happen during the 6th millennium, the present age, the “days of the Messiah.”

Coming up next

If the Millennium is promised to finish soon, where in history can we find it’s fulfillment? In our next article, “How did the Millennium end?” we will explore some possible historical fulfillments for this incredible event.