The Millennium

What is the millennium? Students of Scripture are divided over the interpretation of a passage in the Bible which refers explicitly to a period of time 1,000 years long, which is sometimes called the Messianic Kingdom Age in dispensationalism. Some have tended to interpret those 1,000 years as a future literal period of time. Others have preferred to interpret the 1,000 years symbolicly, and have rejected the idea that the book of Revelation intended to literally predict a future era exactly 1,000 years in duration. These views are known as amillennialism and pre-millennialism.

Those who interpret the 1,000 years literally often believe this is a a time after Jesus has personally returned to earth to rule the planet from Jerusalem. Those who believe the 1,000 years are to be interpreted symbolicly are called "amillennialists." Amillennialism means "no millennium." Amillennialists deny there is a future literal 1,000 year period when Jesus rules as King from Jerusalem. They prefer to take the Scripture symbolicly, often referring to a present "reign" which is construed to be a spiritual "millennium" which is now transpiring spiritually on the earth or in heaven or both.

The Apocalyptic Rapture Exodus examines the history of pre-millennialism and amillennialism in church history as they relate to the interpretation of the book of Revelation.