The Millennium literal or symbolic?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Apr 23, 2017
1,064
47
0
Psa 50:10 For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.

The beef on the 1001th hill are all mine - get yer hands off...
im calling the beef on the 1002nd hill!!!!!! steer clear
 

Endoscopy

Senior Member
Oct 13, 2017
4,028
400
83
Apokalupsis basically means events that were previously covered that are being revealed, an unveiling.



God the Father and the Lord would disagree with you. This thinking is the creme de la crème of why so many misinterpret the book of Revelation. Regarding the events contained within the book scripture says the following:

"The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ."

So, the book of Revelation is given by God the Father to the Lord to show all believers what must soon take place, those events all being related to the events of God's wrath via the seals, trumpets and bowl judgments, which will take place literally as they are written. We would not be able to know what those events were unless we read them in the literal sense. I have said it many times and I will continue to say it: people have no understanding if the severity and magnitude of God's coming wrath via the seals, trumpets and bowl judgments. And that because they distort the meaning by taking away the literal meaning.



The millennial period will be a literal thousand years just as it is states six times in Rev.20. Your conclusion is flawed because it is based on your reading of Revelation as being non-literal. Because of this all conclusions will be in error.



That's conjecture on your part. The fact is that the millennial period is mentioned by description in Dan.2:31-45. Jesus is that Rock that is cut out of the mountain without human hands and who falls on the feet of the statue, smashing it to pieces like chaff on a threshing floor and blown away by the wind without leaving a trace (end of human government). Then Rock becomes a huge mountain and fills the entire earth. which is an allusion to the millennial period which takes place after the statue which represents all human government is smashed to pieces. And the way in which they will be smashed to pieces will be carried out via the seals, trumpets and bowl judgments.

Maybe you should stop being concerned about man-made hermeneutics and just study the word of God in the literal sense until a symbolic, Hyperbolic, figurative or allegorical interpretation is required. read it in the literal sense until the literal sense doesn't make sense. That said, there is no reason to not interpret the thousand years of Rev.20 as being a literal thousand years. The context should always be considered first. In the case of Rev.20, there is nothing in the context that would lead the reader to apply another meaning other the literal. By doing so you are forcing the issue.
Years ago I studied Revelation with regards to the 4 different eschatological views. I was in a class taught by the pastors of the church. 1 view was non Biblical which is the one that has 2 seperate resurrections. The church had three pastors and they differed on which was correct. Each had chosen a different view. The problem is that Revelation is a type of book that is extremely difficult to understand what the actual future will be like. The symbolism makes it hard to know. God did this on purpose.
 

iamsoandso

Senior Member
Oct 6, 2011
7,850
1,565
113
Well,,,I'm just smooth stumped here Locutus... Lets say for instance that in Revelation 19:20 that the beast and the false prophet don't exist in the mill. kingdom because they are already cast into the lake of fire,,,and the devil from Revelation 20:2 was bound during it's time frame (literal or symbolic?...) and that he (the devil) don't deceive the world until after the mill. Revelation 20;3, then if that guy markus brings it up is it off base or not?

I mean if the beast and the false prophet have already come and then were dealt with prior to the mill. then in all of the reasonable explanations of eschatology should it not be quite reasonable then that the "beast" and his mark and the false prophet be explained before any proceed to the explanation of the millennium kingdom? Is it an unfair question if Markus brings it up also?
 
Last edited:

Locutus

Senior Member
Feb 10, 2017
5,928
685
113
I'll give you a few clues here Markus to what the binding of satan entailed:


Mat 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

Mat 12:29 Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.

Luke 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

Does this ring any bells in regards to the "millenium"?

Rom 16:20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Do you think the "soon" of Paul's statement is a dispensational "soon" or a real soon?

 

iamsoandso

Senior Member
Oct 6, 2011
7,850
1,565
113
I'll give you a few clues here Markus to what the binding of satan entailed:


Mat 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

Mat 12:29 Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.

Luke 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

Does this ring any bells in regards to the "millenium"?

Rom 16:20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Do you think the "soon" of Paul's statement is a dispensational "soon" or a real soon?



lol,then as it seems you do not regard any of the things I ask as being fulfilled in any way "symbolic", correct? And that in fact you perceive them as being fulfilled "literally" correct?

Which leads me to my being stumped,,,why do you take such a leap to the mill. kingdom being fulfilled "symbolic" and see the others as literal?
 

shrume

Senior Member
Jun 26, 2017
2,193
463
83
I'll give you a few clues here Markus to what the binding of satan entailed:


Mat 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

Mat 12:29 Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.

Luke 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

Does this ring any bells in regards to the "millenium"?

Rom 16:20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Do you think the "soon" of Paul's statement is a dispensational "soon" or a real soon?
It's a biblical "soon". It has not happened yet.

Satan is still the accuser of the brethren (Rev 12:10). He was still able to hinder Paul (1 Thes 2:18) and gave him a thorn in the flesh (2 Cor 12:7). He still roams about seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet 5:8). He is still the god of this age (2 Cor 4:4). He is still in control of this world (1 John 5:19).
 

Locutus

Senior Member
Feb 10, 2017
5,928
685
113
lol,then as it seems you do not regard any of the things I ask as being fulfilled in any way "symbolic", correct? And that in fact you perceive them as being fulfilled "literally" correct?

Which leads me to my being stumped,,,why do you take such a leap to the mill. kingdom being fulfilled "symbolic" and see the others as literal?
What lies behind the symbols was of course fulfilled literally, I have address the rest of your question yet - get ready to leave tomorrow from work.

The symbolic "millenium" was the "rule" of the saints (144k of the 12 tribes) in the 1st century AD.

I've asked before, are these people James is writing to "chopped liver" - James calls then first fruits as does John in the revelation.

Don't you think these "first fruits" had a crucial role in the 1st century?

James 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

James 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.

Ask yourself this, how can James be speaking to the first fruits in the 1st century AD and also have some folks called first fruits in a supposed future "millennium'?
 

Locutus

Senior Member
Feb 10, 2017
5,928
685
113
It's a biblical "soon". It has not happened yet.

Satan is still the accuser of the brethren (Rev 12:10). He was still able to hinder Paul (1 Thes 2:18) and gave him a thorn in the flesh (2 Cor 12:7). He still roams about seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet 5:8). He is still the god of this age (2 Cor 4:4). He is still in control of this world (1 John 5:19).
Wrong - this was only applicable during the 1st century AD his "rule" ended after he was loosed for a season during the war of 66-70AD
 

iamsoandso

Senior Member
Oct 6, 2011
7,850
1,565
113
What lies behind the symbols was of course fulfilled literally, I have address the rest of your question yet - get ready to leave tomorrow from work.

The symbolic "millenium" was the "rule" of the saints (144k of the 12 tribes) in the 1st century AD.

I've asked before, are these people James is writing to "chopped liver" - James calls then first fruits as does John in the revelation.

Don't you think these "first fruits" had a crucial role in the 1st century?

James 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

James 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.

Ask yourself this, how can James be speaking to the first fruits in the 1st century AD and also have some folks called first fruits in a supposed future "millennium'?

lol, well was James writing to them(on earth) and saying they were a "KIND of first fruits" or were they already in heaven as it is in Revelation?
 

shrume

Senior Member
Jun 26, 2017
2,193
463
83
Wrong - this was only applicable during the 1st century AD his "rule" ended after he was loosed for a season during the war of 66-70AD
Satan has not yet been bound.

A look at the evening news should alert you to that fact...
 

Locutus

Senior Member
Feb 10, 2017
5,928
685
113
Rev 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

This was literal but John is using some "symbolism" here, can I explain how it worked out. Not yet and maybe never - just as I can't work out how Jesus' resurrection "worked".

Rev 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

Rev 20:3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

Ok, we know that Jesus saw satan fall, the bottomless pit is figurative of that fall, which with no bottom he could not escape until he was let loose for a little season (war of 66-70 AD)

The time spent in the bottomless pit included the ministry period given to the apostles in the 1st century AD (that he should deceive the nations no more):

Mark 13:9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.

Mark 13:10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
 

iamsoandso

Senior Member
Oct 6, 2011
7,850
1,565
113
Rev 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

This was literal but John is using some "symbolism" here, can I explain how it worked out. Not yet and maybe never - just as I can't work out how Jesus' resurrection "worked".

Rev 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

Rev 20:3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

Ok, we know that Jesus saw satan fall, the bottomless pit is figurative of that fall, which with no bottom he could not escape until he was let loose for a little season (war of 66-70 AD)

The time spent in the bottomless pit included the ministry period given to the apostles in the 1st century AD (that he should deceive the nations no more):

Mark 13:9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.

Mark 13:10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

oops Shroom already gave you the scriptures showing you that he was in the world in post #126 remember? are you modifying things along the way?
 

Locutus

Senior Member
Feb 10, 2017
5,928
685
113
Satan has not yet been bound.

A look at the evening news should alert you to that fact...
Nothing to do with the evening news - men do not need satan to go horribly wrong.
 

Locutus

Senior Member
Feb 10, 2017
5,928
685
113
oops Shroom already gave you the scriptures showing you that he was in the world in post #126 remember? are you modifying things along the way?
Nope I just dispute his understanding. Just because satan was bound does not mean in totality.
 

iamsoandso

Senior Member
Oct 6, 2011
7,850
1,565
113
Nope I just dispute his understanding. Just because satan was bound does not mean in totality.

I agree with him and liked his post when he posted it and why is because he gave you the scriptures as proof,,,,just for the record= he proved the devil was in the world when you think he was bound in the pit...
 

Locutus

Senior Member
Feb 10, 2017
5,928
685
113
I agree with him and liked his post when he posted it and why is because he gave you the scriptures as proof,,,,just for the record= he proved the devil was in the world when you think he was bound in the pit...
Just because you agree with him means nothing, has he proven his "case" I think not - do you think after Christ saw satan fall that he still had access to the heavens?

Rev 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Rev 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

If he was not cast out, then he can still accuse the brethren day and night and still has the power of death and Christ has not conquered:

Heb 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

So what you two are effectively claiming is Christ's death has not destroyed him that had the power of death.

But most deny what is also said in Hebrews:

Heb 10:37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

This is when the power of satan was crushed as Paul said - soon, not a "biblical" soon but an actual soon.

Rom 16:20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

I guess Paul should have said "biblically soon" so the Romans would not be expecting this for 1970 years and counting into the future.

Good way to make the words of Paul of none effect. And let's not forget what John said at the beginning and end of his revelation :

Rev 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ..................which must shortly come to pass

Rev 22:6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.

I'll get back to you shortly......
 
Last edited:

iamsoandso

Senior Member
Oct 6, 2011
7,850
1,565
113
Just because you agree with him means nothing, has he proven his "case" I think not - do you think after Christ saw satan fall that he still had access to the heavens?

Rev 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Rev 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

If he was not cast out, then he can still accuse the brethren day and night and still has the power of death and Christ has not conquered:

Heb 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

So what you two are effectively claiming is Christ's death has not destroyed him that had the power of death.

But most deny what is also said in Hebrews:

Heb 10:37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

This is when the power of satan was crushed as Paul said - soon, not a "biblical" soon but an actual soon.

Rom 16:20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

I guess Paul should have said "biblically soon" so the Romans would not be expecting this for 1970 years and counting into the future.

Good way to make the words of Paul of none effect. And let's not forget what John said at the beginning and end of his revelation :

Rev 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ..................which must shortly come to pass

Rev 22:6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.

I'll get back to you shortly......

Is 1Chorinthinians 15:26 written in future or present tense?,,, and does your eschatology agree with it? Paul saw it as future,,,meaning it was not present tense...
 

Ahwatukee

Senior Member
Mar 12, 2015
11,159
2,373
113
Nope I just dispute his understanding. Just because satan was bound does not mean in totality.
Greetings Locutus!

First of all, there is nothing in the context of the scripture that would suggest a temporary binding of Satan in the Abyss. If you will notice it states that he will bound for a thousand years and that he will be let out for a short season at the end of the thousand years. In addition, the scripture states that while Satan is bound in the Abyss, he will not be able to deceive the nations during that entire thousand years, which means that he will have no exposure to the surface of the earth and its inhabitants during that entire thousand years.

According to scripture at the end of the thousand years he will be released from the Abyss and will perform one last act of rebellion and following that he will be thrown into the lake of firer. All of this is plainly stated in the scripture.