The most controversial chapter in the Bible (Revelation 20 & the Millennium)

Some have commented that Revelation 20 is the most debated and disagreed-over chapter in the Bible among Christians. This of course should come to no shock for us as we've been studying and discussing many highly controversial topics regarding Revelation. 

Today, I am not going to resolve the controversial topics debated by Christians in this chapter. What I'm going to do is display a few of the things discussed in those debates, and then conclude by demonstrating that even in this most debated passage, Christians (regardless of their side in the debates) ought to take comfort, and grow in confidence in Christ from this passage. 

Of course we've covered and discussed over the summer the various approaches to the book of Revelation by Christians through the centuries. By way of refresher, you can be reminded of the four major interpretive perspectives on Revelation: 

1. Futurist (Click here to read more of the Futurist perspective on Revelation)

2. Historicist (Click here to read more of the Historicist perspective on Revelation)

3. Preterist (Click here to read more of the Preterist perspective on Revelation)

4. Spiritualist (Click here to read more of the Preterist perspective on Revelation)

Each of the 4 interpretive perspectives brings something unique and different in seeking to understand Revelation. However, when Christians arrive at Revelation chapter 20, there is a massive shift in the conversation. 

A word of disclaimer, this is my endeavor to quickly summarize views that have nuance, supporting arguments, and rely on many other passages of scripture. Please do not take this as an exhaustive study or in any way an attempt to persuade for one of these views over the other. I'm not even going to tell you which view I have held, or do currently hold (although I'm sure some of you know or can guess). This is a brief introductory overview to get your "feet wet".  

The subject matter that Christians differ on within Revelation 20 is the topic of the "Millennium". The word "χίλια" occurs 6 times in Revelation chapter 20. Here is what the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament says about this word and its Greek usage:

chiliás [a thousand], chílioi [a thousand]

A. Greek Usage. The term chílioi (a “thousand”) occurs from the time of Homer. In combinations it may precede or follow. With it collective words are often singular, e.g., “a thousand horse.” chili- is a common prefix. The chiliétēs is the period of the soul’s journey in Plato, and the chilíarchos is the leader of a thousand men. Multiples take the appropriate number in front, e.g., dischílioi for “2,000.” The word chiliás denotes a “thousand,” and the plural chiliádes may signify a large number beyond computation.

Gerhard Kittel, Gerhard Friedrich, and Geoffrey William Bromiley, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Abridged in One Volume (Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans, 1985), 1316–1317.

The various perspectives on Revelation 20 involve different understandings of this particular time referenced as the "Millennium" ("χίλια") and the return of Christ. We can see that the elements involved in the discussion are the circumstances or setting, and the return of Christ. So with the elements of the discussion before us, let us read the controversial passage and consider the three primary views on the passage:

20:1 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. 2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3 He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time. 4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years. 

7 When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—and to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. 9 They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. 

11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:1-15)

What are the three major views on this passage? 

The first view holds that Christ's return comes BEFORE the age described by the thousand years. This view in Christian theology is called "PRE-millennialism". Generally, Premilleniallists see the 1,000 years as a calendar date of specific accuracy. Christ will physically return and then usher in 1,000 years of rule in Jerusalem, providing earthly reigning bliss with his people. Premillennialists often see the physical geographic city of Jerusalem as being very key to Christ's return.

The second view holds that Christ's return comes AFTER the age described by the thousand years. This view in Christian theology is called "A-millennialism". Generally, Amillennialists see the 1,000 years metaphorically as a symbolic description of the spiritual reign of Christ. The present time (between Christ's birth, and until Christ's return) is often referred to as the "church age" by Amillennialists. Christ will physically return after the symbolic period of the millennium. 

The third view holds that Christ's return comes AFTER the age described by the thousand years. While the timeline of Christ's return is similar to the Amillennial position, this third view sees the 1,000 years as representative of a glorious golden age of evangelism and deep spiritual maturity. This view in Christian theology is called "POST-millennialism". In this approach, Christ physically returns after an unprecedented era of gospel success in influence which is symbolized by the 1,000-year Millennium. 

As you can see there are multiple complexities involved in both the passage of Revelation 20, and in the interpretation of events. Let me encourage you that thankfully none of these positions are solely reliant on Revelation 20 for their understanding. In other words, none of these approaches are the result of isolated interpretations divorced from the rest of God's word. The scriptures in both the Old and New Testaments speak voluminously about the coming final culminating day of the Lord. Each of the three above-described systems views those passages slightly differently. 

Take a deep breath. None of these positions deny: 

• the wrath of God against sin.
• the need for a savior.
• the death of Jesus.
• the resurrection of Jesus.
• the deity of Jesus.
• the atoning work of Jesus.
• the present significance of Jesus in daily living now.
• the everlasting significance of Jesus in eternity.
• the call to live a holy life now in anticipation of a holy resurrected life on the other side of Christ's return. 

None of these three positions (PRE-millennial, A-millennial, or POST-millennial) in themselves are heresies that deny the above essential points of the gospel. Let's leave any accusations out of the discussion. When discussions and debates do occur regarding interpreting Revelation 20 we need to remember that this is a family discussion between brothers and sisters in the Lord. 

This family (the body of Christ, his church) is one whom Christ loves so much he gave himself up on the cross for us (Ephesians 5:25)! We are fellow citizens of God's household with one another (Ephesians 2:19)! So when we discuss and debate these interpretations, let us do so in such a way that rather than becoming quarrelsome as the world does (it takes no indwelling of the holy spirit to be contentious) we disagree in love (1 Corinthians 13:4-7), debate with humility (Philippians 2:1-4), and discuss the millennium with the intent to build up (Colossians 4:6). 

In Conclusion, today, let me encourage you (regardless of discussions and debates on the millennium). The things which unify us far outweigh the things which differentiate us. Even on such a topic as the most controversial chapter in the Bible! 

While we may all have differing understandings and convictions regarding the proper outlook on the millennium and the setting of Christ's return, there is unity, harmony, and agreement that Christ is going to return. His return is something that is not controversial among Christians. This is one of the distinctive unifying beliefs of Christians, and it has been since the first century. 

In the Apostle's Creed (One of the oldest and most widely used summaries of Christian essential beliefs) there are 12 statements or stanzas. The 7th statement is "inde venturus est iudicare vivos et mortuos." - "who will come again to judge the living and the dead.". This statement is made in regard to Jesus. That it is Jesus "who will come again". His coming is not in dispute. 

In the controversy over the details, we ought not lose out on the hope of every believer! That just as Christ was raised to life, all who have faith in Christ shall be raised to eternal life with Him. Evil does not win. Christ is the conqueror. The wicked do not prosper forever. The suffering of God's people does have an end. Corruption has an expiration date. Goodness has no end. Delight in God is the everlasting destiny of every single one of Christ's people. 

Christ's return is something all Christians can rejoice in, delighting together that we have become heirs of an everlasting joy untouchable by sin or death.