The Millennium

Biblical prophecy has a time distortion that makes it hard to tell when events will occur. It’s like looking at a mountain range from the ground. The valleys between peaks disappear, making the mountains seem close together when, in reality, they’re far apart.

This time distortion is why there are several interpretations of the Millennium—the thousand-year period when those who died for their faith will live again and rule the earth alongside Jesus. Some people don’t believe in the Millennium; others disagree on whether the Second Coming will occur before or after. But the Bible is clear: after the Battle of Armageddon, when God destroys evil and imprisons Satan, Jesus will come down and rule the earth for an extended period of time (Revelation 20:1-6).

Then, after the Millennium, the final battle will repeat itself. God will once again let Satan wage war, then defeat him. Then, God will begin the final judgment, in which Satan and everyone else will be sentenced based on their faith and the actions that came from it (Revelation 20:7-15).

But why would God repeat the “Final Battle?” Why not settle everything at Armageddon? Or, better yet, why not fix everything immediately after Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit? We can’t answer these questions; God’s plan is beyond our understanding. We can only trust that the results will be worth it.

The takeaway from the final battle’s repetition—and Revelation as a whole—is that life in this world is cycles of suffering and success that bring us closer to God if we let them. So, as we conclude our study of Revelation, remember to endure life’s ups and downs with joy, and encourage others to accept the gift of salvation that Jesus freely offers to everyone.

Watch the full sermon here.