Amillennialism is a theological interpretation that holds there is no literal thousand-year reign of Christ on Earth, as mentioned in Revelation 20. Instead, it posits that Christ reigns spiritually from heaven during the current church age, and the “millennium” is understood as a symbolic period of time that represents the present age of the Church before the final judgment.
Scripture
1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain.
2 And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years,
3 and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while.
4 Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who 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 for 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 is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.
Amillennialism Defined in the Bible
Amillennialism asserts that the “millennium” described in Revelation 20 should not be interpreted as a literal thousand-year reign; rather, it signifies the present Church age where Christ reigns spiritually from heaven. This view emphasizes the belief that Christ’s kingdom is already inaugurated through His resurrection and ascension, as seen in passages like Matthew 28:18, where Jesus proclaims that “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” This interpretation shifts the focus from a future earthly kingdom to the spiritual reign of Christ among His people today.
In addition to Revelation 20, amillennialists often reference 1 Corinthians 15:24-25, which speaks of Christ reigning “until he has put all his enemies under his feet,” indicating that the fullness of His reign encompasses the entirety of the Church age. This further underscores the belief that the effects of Christ’s sovereignty are fully realized in the lives of believers and the church as it engages with the world. Hence, the emphasis of amillennialism lies in the present reality of Christ’s kingdom rather than a future, physical dominion, aligning it with the overarching biblical themes of God’s already-but-not-yet kingdom, as seen throughout the New Testament.
Building upon the principles of amillennialism, proponents often highlight the notion of the kingdom of God as a present reality rather than a future, physical manifestation. This perspective is supported by the teachings of Jesus found in various parables. For instance, the parables of the mustard seed and the leaven (Matthew 13:31-33) illustrate how the kingdom begins small and is gradually realized throughout human history, suggesting a spiritual reign that permeates life in the current age. These images resonate with the amillennialist view that Christ’s authority is actively at work within believers’ hearts and through the church’s mission, shaping the moral and spiritual landscape of the world.
Moreover, amillennialism also affirms that the final culmination of God’s kingdom will occur at Christ’s return, where He will fully establish His reign in a renewed creation. This eschatological hope aligns with scriptures that speak about the new heaven and new earth, like in 2 Peter 3:13. Believers are encouraged to live in anticipation of this future fulfillment while recognizing that they are currently part of the kingdom through their faith. The tension between the “already” and “not yet” of Christ’s reign is a central theme in the New Testament, conveying the idea that while the full realization of God’s kingdom awaits, its transformational effects are already at work in the lives of those who follow Christ, reinforcing the position of amillennialism within biblical theology.
Understanding the Kingdom of God
Amillennialism emphasizes the belief that the Kingdom of God is a present reality rather than a future event. This perspective suggests that Christ reigns spiritually from heaven and that His kingdom is manifested through the church on earth. The focus is on the transformative power of the Gospel in the lives of believers and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit, which collectively contribute to the establishment of God’s reign in the world today.
The Nature of Christ’s Reign
In amillennial thought, Christ’s reign is understood as a spiritual dominion rather than a physical or political one. This interpretation highlights the significance of Christ’s victory over sin and death, asserting that His authority is exercised through the hearts and lives of believers. The emphasis is on the internal and communal aspects of faith, where the church plays a crucial role in reflecting God’s kingdom through love, justice, and mercy in the world.
The Eschatological Perspective
Amillennialism presents a unique view of eschatology, or the study of end times, by asserting that the “millennium” described in biblical texts is not a literal thousand-year period but rather a symbolic representation of the current church age. This understanding encourages believers to live in anticipation of Christ’s return while actively engaging in the mission of the church. It fosters a sense of hope and responsibility, urging Christians to work towards the fulfillment of God’s purposes in the present, rather than waiting for a future, earthly reign.
How to Deepen Your Faith and Understanding of Scripture
Deepening your faith and understanding of Scripture is a journey that requires both intention and openness. Start by setting aside dedicated time each day for prayer and reflection, inviting the Holy Spirit to guide your understanding as you read. Choose a specific book of the Bible to study deeply, perhaps one that resonates with your current life situation, and consider using a study guide or joining a small group for discussion. Journaling your thoughts and questions can also help you process what you’re learning and how it applies to your life. Remember, it’s not just about acquiring knowledge; it’s about allowing the Word to transform your heart and actions. Embrace the practice of memorizing verses that speak to you, and let them serve as reminders of God’s promises throughout your day. As you engage with Scripture, be patient with yourself—faith is a journey, and every step you take brings you closer to a deeper relationship with God.
Bible References to Amillennialism Explained:
Matthew 24:29-31: 29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
2 Peter 3:8-13: 8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness,
12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!
13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
1 Corinthians 15:20-28: 20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
21 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.
27 For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him.
28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.
John 5:28-29: 28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice
29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.
Daniel 7:13-14: 13 I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.
14 And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.
Isaiah 65:17-25: 17 “For behold, I create new heavens
and a new earth,
and the former things shall not be remembered
or come into mind.
18 But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness.
19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress.
20 No more shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not fill out his days, for the young man shall die a hundred years old, and the sinner a hundred years old shall be accursed.
21 They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
22 They shall not build and another inhabit;
they shall not plant and another eat;
for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be,
and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
23 They shall not labor in vain
or bear children for calamity,
for they shall be the offspring of the blessed of the Lord,
and their descendants with them.
24 Before they call I will answer;
while they are yet speaking I will hear.
25 The wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain,” says the Lord.
Romans 8:18-25: 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.
20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope
21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.
23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?
25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18: 13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.
14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.
16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
Therefore encourage one another with these words.
2 Thessalonians 1:6-10: 6 since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you,
7 and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels
8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,
10 when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.
Hebrews 12:22-24: 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering,
23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,
24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
Acts 2:29-36: 29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.
30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne,
31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.
32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.
33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.
34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand,
35 until I make your enemies your footstool.”
36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Ephesians 1:20-23: 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,
21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,
23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Colossians 1:13-20: 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,
14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,
20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.