The concept of a thousand-year reign of Christ, also known as the millennium or millennial kingdom, comes from Revelation 20:1-6 in the Bible. This passage describes a period of a thousand years during which Satan is bound and thrown into the abyss, and resurrected believers reign with Christ on the earth.
There are several main purposes and characteristics of the millennium that can be gleaned from Revelation 20 and related biblical passages:
1. Fulfillment of Old Testament promises to Israel
Many Old Testament prophecies speak of a future restoration and exaltation of Israel under the righteous rule of the Messiah. For example, Isaiah 2:2-4 prophesies that “the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains” and “all the nations shall flow” to it. Ezekiel 37:24-28 foretells Israel permanently dwelling in their land under “David My servant [who] shall be king over them” in an everlasting covenant of peace. Passages like these suggest a literal earthly kingdom centered in Jerusalem, with Christ reigning from David’s throne over Israel and the nations.
The millennium is thought to be the fulfillment of these and other OT prophecies regarding the preeminence of Israel in the kingdom of God. Revelation 20:4 specifically mentions the resurrected saints reigning with Christ for the thousand years, including the tribes of Israel.
2. Reward for faithfulness
Revelation implies that the millennium will be a reward for believers who were faithful to Christ, especially those who were martyred. Revelation 20:4 says the resurrected saints “had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands.” They are granted authority to reign with Christ for the thousand years.
This reward is not salvation, which is by grace through faith alone. Rather, it is an additional blessing for obedience, perseverance, and sacrifice. Other passages speak of rewards in the kingdom for faithfulness (Matthew 19:28-30; 25:14-30; Luke 19:11-27). The millennium can be viewed as such a reward – a special honor for those who served Christ through hardship.
3. Fulfillment of the Abrahamic and Davidic Covenants
The Abrahamic Covenant promised blessing and land to the descendants of Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3; 15:18-21). The Davidic Covenant promised an unending royal dynasty through David’s offspring (2 Samuel 7:8-16). The millennium will see these covenants literally fulfilled as Christ reigns from Jerusalem over Israel in the promised land.
Thus the millennium demonstrates God’s faithfulness in keeping His covenant promises. His sworn blessings upon Israel will ultimately be realized in and through the Messianic kingdom.
4. Answer to the Prayer “Your Kingdom Come”
In instituting the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught believers to pray “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). The millennium will partially answer this prayer as God’s kingdom will literally come to earth. The will of God will reign supreme over the world like never before.
While the prayer will find ultimate fulfillment in eternity in the new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21-22), the millennium provides a substantial down payment. For a thousand years, righteousness will prevail as God’s will holds sway over all the earth.
5. Vindication of God’s Sovereignty
Satan’s binding during the millennium demonstrates God’s supreme sovereignty over all powers and authorities. Even the great adversary who has exercised dominion over the fallen world cannot thwart or resist God’s kingdom purposes. The reign of Christ for a thousand uninterrupted years proves God’s dominion is absolute.
In addition, the millennial kingdom displays God’s sovereignty over the earth itself. As Romans 8:19-22 indicates, the earth is longing to be set free from its bondage to corruption and brought into the freedom of God’s children. The millennium will see the earth restored to fruitfulness and righteousness.
So the kingdom represents God’s sovereignty both over rebellious powers and the earth itself, reversing the damage done by sin and bringing creation into greater harmony with Him.
6. Restrainer of Evil
During the millennium, Satan will be bound and unable to deceive the nations (Revelation 20:1-3). The saints will reign with Christ, implying a worldwide government administering righteousness and peace (Revelation 20:4-6; Psalm 2:6-9). Thus, the influence of evil over the earth will be dramatically curtailed.
While sin will not be totally absent (as evidenced by the rebellion at the end of the thousand years, Rev 20:7-9), the pervasive influence of sin and Satan will be greatly diminished. This demonstrates again God’s sovereignty over evil during this age.
7. Opportunity to Reverence and Worship Christ
With Satan bound and Christ reigning in Jerusalem, the world will have the opportunity to see God’s kingdom manifested on earth as never before. They will be able to behold Christ’s righteousness and glory (Isaiah 11:9). All nations will go up to Jerusalem to worship the Lord and honor Him during the appointed feasts (Zechariah 14:16-19).
Unlike previous generations, the millennium presents an exceptional opportunity for people across the globe to reverence and worship Christ in an atmosphere where evil constraints are removed and God’s kingdom is openly manifested.
8. Preparation for Eternity
Though perfect and idyllic in many respects, the millennial kingdom will not be the eternal state. It will be an intermediate step preparing redeemed humanity for the ultimate realization of God’s kingdom. There will still be death, sin, and rebellion at the end of the thousand years (Revelation 20:7-10).
But life during the millennium will prepare resurrected saints for eternity. It grants them authority to reign with Christ (Revelation 20:4, 6) – excellent preparation for their everlasting reign in the eternal kingdom (Revelation 22:5). They will also help maintain order and teach God’s ways to earthly survivors who will likely then populate the new heavens and new earth.
9. Satisfaction of the Desire for Justice and Righteousness
The millennium will bring long-awaited justice, as oppressors are removed from power and Christ’s righteous government rules the earth (Psalm 2:6-9; Isaiah 11:3-5). The saints are avenged as those who killed them are judged (Revelation 19:2). Messianic prophecies of peace and prosperity will become reality. There will be no more corrupt governments exploiting people.
This will provide much satisfaction to those who suffered injustice on earth. The Prayer of the Martyrs will be fulfilled: “How long until you judge and avenge our blood?” (Revelation 6:10). God’s kingdom will right the wrongs of this age.
10. Demonstration of Humanity’s Sin Nature
Despite the utopian conditions of the millennial kingdom, rebellion will exist at the end, showing that mankind’s sin nature was not eradicated (Revelation 20:7-10). People will still refuse to submit their lives to Christ even during His earthly reign. This demonstrates the need for the new heavens and new earth where sin no longer exists.
The millennial rebellion reminds us that Christ’s reign transforms social structures but cannot completely transform human hearts. Only the eternal state will abolish sin from human nature and make righteousness an unstained reality.
In summary, the thousand-year reign of Christ will fulfill Old Testament promises, reward the saints, satisfy the desire for justice, vindicate God’s sovereignty, restrain evil, give opportunity for worship, prepare God’s people for eternity, and demonstrate the persistent sinfulness of man’s heart. It ushers in God’s kingdom on earth, answering the prayer “Your kingdom come,” though awaiting final consummation in the eternal state. This glorious millennial kingdom under the Messiah shows God’s faithfulness and the certainty of His purpose being fulfilled on earth as it is in heaven.