The Millenium Kingdom

The study of end times (Eschatology) is always a hot topic and invited many observers. Sermons or seminars that focus on themes about the end times are always filled with people. They're curious to know if the second coming of the Lord Jesus' time (second coming) is near? What are the signs before the coming of the Lord? When will the Kingdom of 1000 years of existence? As if the kingdom of the year 1000? Usually these things are always curious of each person.

In connection with the end of time, need to understand that the verses which contain about the end times are the verses written in apocalyptic language and style are prophetic. Therefore, caution is needed in interpreting it. It takes knowledge of the style of apocalyptic literature in the days of the first century, the background of writing the book, the purpose of writing and so on. One of the important topics in the end times is the Kingdom of the year 1000 (The Millennium Kingdom). There are three main interpretations of the principle of the churches in the world in looking at it. Here's his review:

I. Pre-Millennium

This view states that Christ will come again before the kingdom of a thousand years. They argue that the parousia (second coming of Christ) will occur two times. First, Christ will come secretly to the believer and bring all believers to awan-awan/angkasa (Rapture) for about 7 years. Second, Christ will come with people who believe the earth and with them Christ will reign on earth for a thousand years.

At this time Satan bound for 1000 years. After this period over 1000 years, Satan will be released for a short time, but Christ will soon destroy it. Then formed a new heaven and earth. During the period of appointment of the above, there will be a great torture on earth.

Pre-Millennium view itself is divided in two different teaching in view of the coming of the Lord Jesus, namely:

1. Premillenium - dispensational

This view states that Christ will come again before the kingdom of a thousand years. They argue that the parousia (second coming of Christ) will occur two times. First, Christ will come secretly to the believer and bring all believers to awan-awan/angkasa (Rapture) for about 7 years. Second, Christ will come with people who believe the earth and with them Christ will reign on earth for a thousand years.

At this time Satan bound for 1000 years. After this period over 1000 years, Satan will be released for a short time, but Christ will soon destroy it. Then formed a new heaven and earth. During the period of appointment of the above, there will be a great torture on earth. Extreme dispensational groups instead of two types of interpreting the Gospel, the gospel of grace and the gospel of the kingdom. Grace is the Gospel to the Gentiles, while the gospel of the kingdom is for the Jewish people. Gospel of the kingdom will have an impact during the year 1000, in which Jews who have not repented will have the opportunity to believe at that time.

2. Historical Premillenium

This view says that Christ will come back for a second time and with the believers will reign for 1000 years. In addition, this group also believe that there are two resurrections. First, at the beginning of parousia, ie at the beginning of the millennium. The second resurrection is the end of the millennium.

This view is based on Revelation 20, where they argued that a literal 1000 years and the first resurrection in verse 6 is the resurrection of the body. This group also argues that in the days before the Millennium will be a terrible ordeal, world chaos and great suffering. But at the worst situation is, Christ will come to earth and founded the kingdom of a thousand years. According to this view, this period is a time of peace and truth.

II. A-Millennium

No 1000-year Kingdom is physically (kingdom with a King). Today is the 1000 year. Kingdom of 1000 years (Revelation 20) have been commenced in Christ sitting on David's throne when He ascended into heaven, after he breathes his Spirit on the day of Pentecost was fulfilled or a time period starting from the first coming of Christ until the second coming of Christ.

At this time, Satan bound in the sense not to impede and stop the spread of the gospel and can not deceive the nations. According to this view, during the period of this year 1000 souls of believers who have died are now in heaven. They now live and reign with Christ, while they await the resurrection of their bodies. Thus, the millennium of Revelation is not literal, but says a long enough period. A thousand years is considered multiples of 10, which means that states the perfect number, so a long time.

There's even a view that Satan bound for 1000 years was declared the victory of Christ is perfect. So, people die (martyr) who live again (Revelation 20: 4) in a spiritual sense (not the resurrection of the body). They are, who are spiritually alive, ruling with Christ in heaven for the year 1000.

George E. Ladd mengatakan: “Adalah sulit untuk memahami 1000 tahun di mana ia (setan) diikat secara harfiah, mengingat angka-angka dalam Wahyu yang jelas simbolis. 3rd rank in 1000 = 10 - an ideal time. "Thus, the concept of A-1000-year Millennium period understood as figurative figures showing the fulness of time the Lord of the unknown.

C. J. Haak, the Reformation Dogmatics, pp. 353, explains: The term Kingdom of 1000 years (in real terms) is not written in Revelation 20. Ruling is the souls in heaven, the Christians who have died, so it was not on earth. Government has been in effect since the day of Pentecost.

III. Post-Millennium

According to this view, there will be a great evangelism on earth. This is the fulfillment of Mat.24: 14, "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a testimony to all nations, after it did arrive it was the end". They believe that gold will come during the Church. The prayer taught by Jesus, "Come kingdom on earth as in heaven", will actually happen. Reign of Christ, where He ruled the hearts of men, will occur completely and is universal.

According to this group's view, the world will come no difference in essence with the world today. The present world will increasingly change as the spread of the Gospel and the world more and more people became Christians. Crime is not lost at all, but less and less until they reach a minimum point. This situation is changing as a result of the human heart in the earth. Things are getting better, all the problems that occurred will be resolved. The world became Christian world filled with peace. This period is called the millennium. Second coming of Christ will be closed during that millennium. Only after that there is no resurrection of the dead and famous figures terakhir.Dua judgments of this conservative Postmillennialisme is Jonathan Edward (1703-1758), a leader in the American reformer in the 18th century, and Charles Hodge (1797-1878), the famous theologian in Princeton, USA around the 19th century.

Loraine Boettner, who represented this group in his article writes, "The kingdom of God is currently extended in this world through the preaching of the Gospel and the saving work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of everyone. This world will eventually Christianized, and the Parousia (second coming of the Lord Jesus) will occur at the end of a long period of peace and truth, which is commonly called the millennium.

Conclusion

The concept of the Kingdom of the year 1000 was understood differently. Some view it as a kingdom that is already present since the Ascension of Christ into Heaven, and has been operating in spirit (A-Millennium), there is also the opinion that the 1000-year kingdom will later be physically present on Earth after Jesus' second coming (Pre-Millennium) , and the third view that the world would be better because everyone will believe in Jesus, this time called the 1000-year period (Post-Millennium).

These differences is not significant and do not need to debate, because it is not the essence of the Christian faith is "Salvation" (Salvation) in Jesus Christ. Think of these differences as a richness of thought in the life of faith of every believer, in anticipation of the second coming of the Lord Jesus. Time would determine the outlook is most appropriate. Maranatha!