When Is the 1000-Year Reign of Christ?

by Robert Harkrider
via Timberland Church of Christ

One of the most highly publicized teachings today in the religious world is the 1,000-year reign of Christ. Phrases such as “It’s a sign of the times,” “The rapture is coming,” and “The kingdom of God on earth is about to be established” are flung at people from every source of mass news media. Because of the excitement stimulated by premillennial prophets, many have been led to believe the Bible must teach it. However, the foundation of the premillennial concept is based on many misused passages, and its basic conclusions contradict many of the clear truths of the Bible.

Revelation 19 and 20 have been the paradise of the advocates of this doctrine. Indeed, it bristles with questions. When is the battle of Armageddon? What is signified by the 1,000-year reign? Why must Satan be loosed after he has once been sealed? Whatever answers we give, let us be certain they are consistent with the theme and purpose of Revelation, i.e., a relevant message for the first-century Christian (Revelation 1:1-2; 22:6,10). Furthermore, ensure we are not in conflict with the clear teaching of the rest of the Bible.

Remember the Curse for Adding to This Book (Revelation 22:18-19)

Things that Are Not Mentioned in Revelation 20:1-10

1. This is the only chapter in the Bible that mentions Christ's 1,000-year reign. Because modern preachers emphasize this subject, one might think it is found more often in the Bible with clearer descriptions than herein.
2. Premillennialists make many claims to justify their doctrine that are not even mentioned in this passage. We must not add more than is there! For example:
   1. It does not mention the second coming of Christ.
   2. It does not mention a bodily resurrection.
   3. It does not mention a reign of Christ on earth.
   4. It does not mention the literal throne of David.
   5. It does not mention Jerusalem of Palestine.
   6. It does not mention us. “They lived and reigned with Christ ....”
   7. It does not mention Christ on earth.
3. On what grounds can we teach a doctrine from this passage that is not mentioned?

Is This to Be Understood Figuratively or Literally?

1. The Book of Revelation is unlike any other book of the New Testament because it is written in signs and symbols. However, the premillennialist must interpret this chapter differently if there is to be a literal 1,000-year reign with Christ.
2. The problem is in being consistent. Even the premillennialist wants some of the terms to be understood symbolically. For example, consider his problem if these terms are literal:
   1. Key
   2. Chain
   3. Bottomless Pit
   4. Dragon, that old Serpent
   5. Seal upon the Devil
   6. Souls of the Beheaded
3. In this book, wherein numbers are used symbolically throughout, no rule of interpretation would justify making this number literal in Revelation 20. The number is a multiple of 10, which is the number meaning fullness or completeness. This reign with Christ indicates an unbroken and full period of rule.

Armageddon, the Battle of That Great Day of God Almighty

The “King of kings and Lord of lords” Comes Forth to Battle (Revelation 19:11-16)

1. At this point in the Revelation letter, we are prepared to witness a great struggle. We have learned much about the power of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet (see Revelation 12, 13). We are now given a striking description of the strength of the King of kings.
2. Christ is pictured riding a white horse and coming to judge and make war.
3. The devil has also gathered his army to fight at a “place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon” (Revelation 16:12-16).

The Battle of That Great Day (Revelation 19:17-21)

1. Like the 1000-year reign, “Armageddon” is mentioned in only one chapter of the Bible (Revelation 16:16). Like the 1000-year reign, its context indicates it is to be understood figuratively.
   1. If the battleground is a literal place, the generals fighting for the devil will look like frogs! (Revelation 16:13)
   2. Furthermore, there must be space for one of the armies to have 200 million horsemen (Revelation 9:16).
   3. There will also be a great river of blood 200 miles long (Revelation 14:20).
2. Armageddon means “hill of Megiddo,” which was literally in the Valley of Jezreel, where many famous battles were fought. Historically, It stood as a famous battleground between the forces of good and evil.
   1. At Megiddo, Barak and Deborah overthrew the kings of Canaan (Judges 5:19); Gideon defeated the Midianites (Judges 6:33); Saul was defeated by the Philistines (I Samuel 31:8); Ahaziah died of Jehu’s arrows (II Kings 9:27); and here Pharaoh-Necho overthrew Josiah (II Kings 23:29-30).
   2. In Revelation, it stands symbolically for the battleground where the army of God finally clashes with Satan’s and overcomes.
3. This place described in Revelation is not located on the Earth's maps. The battle is between righteousness and evil, and righteousness is the victor! The whole thrust of Revelation is to assure the saints of this victory and to keep them from giving in to the pressures of emperor worship (Revelation 16:15).
4. The Battle of Armageddon was over when the persecuting Roman Empire fell, and the false emperor worship ceased. The beast and the false prophet were “taken” (Revelation 19:20-21).

The 1000 Year Reign of Christ Is Now Being Fulfilled

The Binding of Satan (Revelation 20:1-10)

1. When Christ came and then arose from the grave, He bound Satan so far as limiting his power over sin and death (Matthew 12:28-29; Hebrews 2:14-15; Ephesians 4:8).
   1. Through Christ, we can now resist and be delivered from the power of Satan (I Peter 5:8-9; James 4:7).
   2. This does not mean sin came to an end, but the bondage of sin was broken, and men now choose which lord they shall serve (Romans 6:16-18,23).
2. However, the binding of Satan in Revelation 20 describes the limiting of Satan’s power in yet another way. He shall never abolish the church! Revelation 20 occurs after the cross and during a period when the church is under severe persecution. At Armageddon, the beast and false prophet have been defeated (Revelation 19), and now the scene turns to the victory over Satan.
3. This binding seems to represent the vindication of the cause of Christ in overcoming this Roman persecution. Never before nor since has the church been put under the severe test it suffered under this world rule, which tried to enforce emperor worship.

They Lived and Reigned with Christ for a Thousand Years

1. The cause of Christ is vindicated, and the kingdom shall never be destroyed. This is “the first resurrection.“ Revelation was written when the cause of Christ was about to be crushed, or so it seemed. Those who refused to worship the emperor as Lord were being persecuted, some to the point of death. Instead of the cause for which they died being abolished, the persecutors shall be brought to an end, and the cause of the Lord shall be resurrected.
2. Therefore, the first resurrection is the emergence of Christ's cause out of apparent defeat (like in Ezekiel 37:14). Those who participated in this period of struggle shall be joyously and victoriously rewarded (Revelation 2:7, 10, 11).
3. The thrones John saw were occupied by those who had been beheaded for the witness of Jesus and the word of God. They had not worshipped the beast nor his image, nor had they received the mark of the beast.

Conclusion

The 1000-year reign of Christ taught in Revelation 20 represents a full and complete period of time now in progress. Neither Satan nor any other force can alter God's purposes (Hebrews 12:28).