Missing Millennium (1)

Many Christians believe in the millennium, a future, thousand year period of blessing on earth. When they read scriptures that speak of hope, they often think of the millennium. Unfortnately, this is a false hope that has robbed Christians of true hope.

The gospels never mention a millennium. Jesus began his ministry by proclaiming “The kingdom of God is near” (Mark 1:15) and he continued to speak about the Kingdom throughout his ministry. He was very precise about when it would come.

I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power (Mark 9:1).

Jesus did not refer to a future generation. He said that those standing in front of him would see the kingdom coming. That should make us think. He said that the kingdom is at hand, but he never mentioned a millennium that is far off.

The New Testament epistles never mention a millennium. Paul reminded the church again and again that Jesus is Lord. He has been raised to the right hand of the father and he is king of kings and lord of all. He never mentioned a future millennium. This is odd, if the millennium is our hope.

The book of Revelation begins with Jesus reigning. John saw a worship session in heaven.

In a loud voice they sang:
Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honour and glory and praise!
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth
and under the earth and on the sea,
and all that is in them, singing:
To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honour and glory and power,
for ever and ever! (Rev 5:12-13)

This is what John saw taking place in the first century. You have to go to Revelation 20 to get a hint of a millennium, but even here an event called a millennium is not mentioned. This is really strange, if a millennium is core part of God's plan.

What we have in Revelation 20 is two statements.

Satan is seized and bound for a thousand years (Rev 20:2,3).

The saints come to life and reign with Christ for a thousand years. This is the first resurrection (Rev 20:5,6).

These two statements raise a couple of simple questions.
How long?
When?
I will answer these questions tomorrow.