Lets Bury the Millenium

The millennium is a “one word” doctrine. By that I mean that the expression “one thousand years” is only used once in the Bible (in Rev 20:4).

The book of Revelation is full of complex imagery which is often difficult to interpret. Many of the numbers cannot be taken literally. To take a number that is used once in an obscure book and build an entire doctrine around it is extremely foolish. One-word doctrines are dangerous.

The millennium is a doctrine for doubters. A quick read through John 13-16 gives the impression that Jesus considered the Holy Spirit to be pretty capable. In contrast, the doctrine that the kingdom of God cannot come until Jesus returns presumes that the Holy Spirit is unable to complete the job he was given to do, and that Jesus has to come back and do it for him. A little thought shows that this is a bizarre idea.

The truth is that there is nothing that Jesus can do that the Holy Spirit cannot do (except die on the cross, but that does not need to be done again). In fact, the Holy Spirit can do more, because he is not confined to one place as is Jesus. That is why Jesus said it was better for him to go away, so the Holy Spirit could come. Belief that it is better for the Holy Spirit and the church to go away, so Jesus can return is lack of faith in the Holy Spirit. Lack of faith in the Holy Spirit is really lack of faith in God. Despite a growing emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit, most Christians implicitly believe that he will be a failure.

The millennium is a doctrine for the disobedient. Jesus commanded his disciples to preach the gospel of the kingdom. If he is going to return to establish the kingdom, we do not need to bother obeying his command.

The millennium is a doctrine for the defeated. This doctrine requires the devil will defeat the church, so Jesus will need to return to establish victory. This is the opposite of what the scriptures teach about the church. Eph 3:10 declares that the church will defeat the principalities and powers.

I believe that the millennium that came from the devil, because he is the only one who benefits from it. It is time for this doctrine to be assigned to the theological waste bin where it belongs.

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