What is the millennium in the Bible — In Biblical Context
The millennium refers to the thousand-year reign of Christ described in Revelation 20, during which Satan is bound and believers reign with Jesus.
The millennium refers to the thousand-year reign of Christ described in Revelation 20, during which Satan is bound and believers reign with Jesus.
"And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit." — Revelation 20:2-3 (KJV)
The Biblical Context
Revelation 20 describes a period of one thousand years when Christ reigns and Satan is imprisoned. Christians hold different views on this period: premillennialists believe Christ will return before the millennium to establish a literal earthly kingdom; postmillennialists believe the gospel will gradually transform the world before Christ returns; and amillennialists interpret the thousand years symbolically as the current church age. Despite these differences, all agree that Christ will ultimately triumph over evil and establish His eternal kingdom.
Where It Sits in Scripture
The core passage for this question, Revelation 20:2-3, sits inside Revelation 20. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.
"And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit."
Supporting Passages
"Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years."
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