Revelation 20: 1-10


Did you know a time will come on Earth when the Garden of Eden will be restored? A golden age is coming when there’ll be no more poverty, prison, mental institutions, or army bases. Can you imagine no violence or crime? Everyone having all their heart desires? Tools of war will be relics of the past. The wolf and lamb will lie down together, Israel will be restored to her land, Jerusalem will be the world’s capital, resurrected saints will rule and reign with the Lord Jesus Christ. “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea” (Habakkuk 2:14).


That golden age is the Millennium—a 1,000-year reign of Christ on earth described in Revelation 20:1-7. We know it’s 1,000 years, for it says so six times in these verses. 


But theologians have divided opinions about the Millennium. You need to know about the controversy. 


  • Amillennialists believe there is no Millennium. They’ve spiritualized away the Millennium prophecies. 

  • Post-millennialists believe Jesus comes after the 1,000 years of peace, doing away with the imminent return of Christ. The Church brings in the golden age by Christianizing the world. 

  • Premillennialists believe Jesus will return to reign from Jerusalem. We must get people ready by preaching the Gospel. I am a premillennialist.


Here are four truths about this golden age of 1,000 years: 


Satan’s forceful restraint. In the Millennium, Satan will be confined to “the bottomless pit” until after his final rebellion when he’s cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10). Today, he walks about as a roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8). 


He’s both your adversary and God’s. He fights every plan and mars every creation of God, including you. Read his story in Isaiah 14:12-15. 


The Savior’s future reign. Jesus Christ will literally reign on Earth for 1,000 years. During the Millennium, the “Golden Age”:


  • Human kingdoms will be changed. (Isaiah 2:2-4) Jesus reigns and the saints reign with Him.

  • The animal kingdom will be changed. (Isaiah 11:6-9) The lion will lie down with the lamb.

  • The mineral kingdom will be changed. (Isaiah 35:1-10) Deserts will become veritable gardens.


Sinners’ final rebellion. After Satan is locked away for 1,000 years, he’s released for one final fling to demonstrate the wickedness of the human heart. The unsaved will join forces with Satan for one final battle against God.


Sin’s fixed resolution. A time will come when sin is finished. Satan and his angels will be cast headlong into the lake of fire. If you follow Satan, I want to say it kindly but forcefully, that’s where you will end up. 


Here is the order of final events: 


  • In the Millennium, the golden age,

Satan is bound for 1,000 years. 

Jesus reigns over a peaceful Earth. 

We reign with Him. 

Israel is back in her land. 

The bride of Christ, the Church, is with the bridegroom.

The King is on His throne.

  • Then, some in this perfect environment rebel against God one final time. 

  • Jesus quashes that rebellion. 

  • Satan and his angels are cast into the lake of fire forever.

  • Jesus says, “Father, here is the kingdom. I now deliver it to You.”


Be encouraged. The Gospel hasn’t failed. 


Anticipate! Jesus could come at any moment.


Evangelize. Tell people about Jesus so they can be saved. 


Examine. Are you sure you’re saved? Grace is God’s love for you, reaching down, saying, “I love you. I sent My Son to die for you.” Faith is your hand reaching up to God. When you put your hand of faith in God’s hand of grace, that’s salvation. 


Go to lwf.org/discover-Jesus to learn more.