The Kingdom of God, Mentor Guide, MG02

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T H E K I N G D O M O F G O D

In regard to the consummation of the Kingdom, millennialism is critical, since these views tend to speak of the actual effects of Jesus’ kingdom rule in the world. The term itself, “millennium,” comes from a Latin word meaning thousand (in a similar way, so the word “ chiliasm ,” based on a Greek word, is similarly used). Millennialism refers to a particular doctrine of eschatology based on Revelation 20.1-10. In this text, John sees and describes Satan being bound and thrown into a bottomless pit for a thousand years. The dead in Christ are resurrected, who are given a position to reign on earth with Christ during the 1,000 year period, or millennium. Peace and shalom are experienced on earth as Yahweh’s shalom is finally experienced in this prolonged reign of Jesus, devoid of the lying and corrupting influence of the Evil One. One is reminded of the numerous Old Testament prophecies regarding the Son of David ushering in the reign of God on earth among the nations, with the transformation of all life in sync with God’s good and holy will (e.g. Isa. 2.1-4; 11.1-9). The following summaries of millennialism are sufficient for our task in speaking of the consummation of the God’s Kingdom. Some study of millennial views are important since they tend to speak to issues which can easily be missed or overlooked in traditional eschatological views. While virtually all Christian traditions in their eschatological treatments deal with the issues contained in this lesson (e.g., death, immortality, the end of the world, the final judgment of humankind, the rewards of the just, and the punishment of the lost, etc.), they may easily deal with issues relating to individual eschatology while ignoring issues of cosmic eschatology, which millennialism seeks to address. To their credit, various millennial discussions concern themselves with the nature and the status of humanity’s future life on the earth. A general knowledge of the arguments is sufficient for solid leadership preparation. The various tribulational views all are contingent and interact with the biblical teaching regarding “the great tribulation,” a term associated with the end times, and especially with the references and teachings of Jesus and the Apostle John. The exact term, “great tribulation” (Matt. 24.21; Rev. 2.22; 7.14, in the Greek thlipsis megale ), hints at the quality of the tribulation to occur at the end time, and may therefore

11 Page 116 Outline Point II

12 Page 118 Outline Point II-B