Missing Millennium (2)

How long is the thousand year epoch?

The answer to the first question seems obvious, but is not. The number “one “thousand” could be taken literally, but many of the numbers in revelation are not literal, so we should not just assume that is the case. One thousand is ten to the power of three. Ten symbolises completeness. Three symbolises divine perfection. Therefore ten to the power of three symbolises God’s perfect completeness. In Jewish literature of the time, the expression “one thousand years” was often used to refer to a “very long time”. This is the most likely what John means. Satan will be bound and the saints will reign for as long as is needed for God to complete his purposes. That could be a very long time.

When does the thousand years begin?

This is a far more important question and easier to answer. John tells us the two things that happen at the start of this “long” season, so its beginning is easy to identify. The two events that mark the beginning of the season are:

1. Satan is bound (Rev 20:2).
2. The saints are raised to life – the first resurrection (Rev 20:4).

If we can identify when these two events take place, we know when the long season begins.

1. Satan was Bound by the Cross
The Bible teaches that Satan was bound at the cross.

And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross (Col 2:15).

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity, so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil (Heb 2:14).

These verses are very clear. The devil was totally defeated by the cross. Jesus made the implications clear when he was challenged about why he was able to cast out spirits.

How can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house (Matt 12:29).

He was able to cast out spirits because Satan was bound. The early church was able to heal the sick and cast out demons, because the devil was bound by the cross. After his resurrection, Jesus said,

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me (Matt 28:10).

All means all. If Jesus had all authority in heaven and on earth, that means that Satan has none. He was stripped of power and bound by the cross.

2. First Resurrection
We are raised with Jesus when we believe in him.

I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life; he has crossed over from death to life (John 5:24).

Those who believe in Jesus were raised to life when Jesus was raised to life.

God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus (Eph 2:4-6).

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life (Rom 6:4).

Christians were raised to life in the resurrection of Jesus. This is the first resurrection.

Already Started
The scriptures quoted above represent the clear teaching of the scriptures. The same themes are repeated again.

• The devil and his angels were bound by the cross.
• Christians (the saints) were raised to life in Jesus resurrection.

The two events marking the beginning of the “long season” have already occurred. They took place at the end of Jesus ministry on earth. The thousand years have already begun.