LESSON #6

THE MILLENIUM

Here is another of those words that doesn't appear in the Bible – "Millenium".  The word "millennium" means 1,000 years.  When we read Revelation 20:1-7 we see six references to a specific time of 1,000 years.  Read, count – see.  Bible students have made a proper noun of this period "The Millenium".

There are three ideas in religion about this period.

1.	Amillenial – There is no kingdom.  It is all just spiritually descriptive.  Simply, John did not see what he said he saw.  "I saw" verses 1 and 4.
2.	Postmillenial – That the world through preaching and social programs will get better and better until it is good enough for Jesus to come back and rule.  This was very popular until some realized that things were getting worse and worse.
3.	Premillenial – That Christ will return to this earth, establish His Kingdom and reign for 1,000 years.  The ones in this group believe the Bible literally and believe that Jesus could return for his own at any moment.  Obviously, we are in this group.

We cannot cover all the facts of this marvelous era in any one lesson; but here are some amazing facts from the Bible.

1.	Satan will be bound.  Revelation 20:1-3  No Sin Present.
2.	Jesus will rule the world  Psalm 2:7  Can you imagine.
3.	We will reign with him.  Revelation 20:4, 2 Timothy 2:12
4.	The capital of the world will be Jerusalem.  Psalm 2:6, Isaiah 62:7
5.	Prayers will be instantly answered.  Isaiah 65:24
6.	Animal Kingdom without fear.  Isaiah 65:25
7.	PEACE will cover the whole earth.  Isaiah 66:12, Isaiah 2:4
8.	Christ will be universally worshipped.  Zechariah 14:16

It is hard to imagine such a world as the one described in so many places in the Bible.  We should have learned by now that such a world with peace and prosperity could never come by peace movements or political manipulation.  It will come because God is in control.

The final act has to do with everlasting rule.  Certain things must be brought under control (1 Corinthians 15:24-28).  Remember that this is just the first 1,000 years of everlasting rule promised in Luke 1:32.