The Question:

In Revelation it says that Jesus will rule and reign for a thousand years. Why only a thousand? I thought he would rule forever. Will it take Jesus a thousand years to set up his kingdom?

VJ from Nevada

Millennial Reign (Part 1)

Yes, Jesus Christ will rule forever. In fact, his rule has already begun. Remember that he was there at the beginning of creation. He also came to earth, conquered sin and death when he died on the cross and rose again on the third day. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” (Revelation 22:13)

However, within the scope of eternity there is a natural time line. The book of Revelation gives us some information (but not all) about the ending of the natural time and the transition into the great forever. The thousand year reign spoken of in Revelation 20:6 is also often called the millennial reign.

During this time “the souls of those who had been beheaded because of the testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:4)

Basically, we are now in a period where we are waiting for the Second Coming of Christ. When he comes back he will physically rule on the earth for one thousand years. During that time, Satan will be chained in the abyss. When the thousand years is up, Satan will be released for a time and will deceive people and nations once again.

Finally, there will be a great war and Satan will lose (of course!) and then he will be “thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” (Revelation 20:10) Afterward, there will be a new heaven and new earth and we will go into eternity.

Even though this is all stated in scripture, no one knows how to interpret it all perfectly. There are many opinions about exactly how it will happen. That doesn’t really matter because the truth is that we will see it as it is happening and understand it at the right time.

The other important thing to remember about the End Times is this that Jesus said: “‘Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.'” (Revelation 22:12) BE READY!