Week 26, Day 5: 1,000 Year Reign
Today’s Reading: Revelation 21:1-22:21
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
I wanted to emphasize the symbolic language that we see used in Revelation, especially when we come to chapter 20. So many people today believe in doctrines that have their roots in Revelation chapter 20. So many have as their central belief and teaching that a 1,000 year reign of Christ on earth is coming along with the rapture. There is so much that they teach that comes from Chapter 20 and Matt 24. So I want to just point out a few places in the immediate context that most folks would agree are showing the use of symbolic language. Ask your friends who believe these things, are these things literal or figurative?
In Chapter 19
The great harlot – vs. 2
Her smoke rising up forever and ever – vs. 3
the white horses – vs. 11, 14
eyes are a flame of fire – vs. 12
many diadems on His head – vs. 12
His robe dipped in blood – vs. 13
a sharp sword coming out of His mouth – vs. 15
name written on His thigh – vs. 16
the beast – vs. 19
the false prophet – vs. 20
the mark of the beast – vs. 20
In chapter 20
the key of the abyss – vs. 1
those beheaded – vs. 4
lake of fire and brimstone – vs. 10
the 1000 year reign – vs. 4
How many things have to be clearly symbolic before we accept that the 1000 year reign is symbolic as well. It is difficult for me to see placing so much ephasis and forming so much teaching around this passage when it clearly has so many symbolic images used. The way folks talk, everything else could be symbolic but the 1000 year reign has to be literal, why? Is it not reasonable to see that the 1000 year reign is also symbolic of something instead of being a literal, earthly reign for 1000 years? I do believe that the first step to convincing people to consider letting go of teaching the 1000 year reign as literal is to show just how much in the context is symbolic. It is not consistent for us to pick and choose which part of the text we want to make a literal portion. Especially to then go on to placing so much emphasis on that doctrine. The 1000 year reign has become the “main dish” at many denominations. The only reason I can see for this is because it sounds exciting and gives them opportunity to speculate on the present day “signs”. Let us be prepared to be able to ask what they think about these other symbols and try to help lead them to consider that this is not something to be viewed as literal but rather figurative.
Unfortunately, I do not have a good suggestion as to what the 1,000 year reign is refering to.
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