Amillennalism is a somewhat confusing term. The “A” means “no” or “non” so the term means no millennium. This actually isn't all that helpful to what amillennialism actually is. Kim Riddlebarger in his book, A Case for Amillennialism, uses the term “realized” millennialism to describe himself. The reason there is confusion around this topic is because the term and even the position was not recognized until the twentieth century. However, the ideas have been around a very long time. Another point of confusion and why the term was not used is because this view was called postmillennial. Why? Because the amillennial view believes that Jesus will return after the millennial age. It is believed that Abraham Kuyper (1837-1920) was the first to use the term “amillennialism”. Yet, this view has been a dominate view since Augustine (354-430). The reason Riddlebarger and others use the term “realized” is first to get away from the confusing “a” but also because the belief system argues that the present reign of Jesus Christ in heaven is in fact the millennium of Revelation 20.
Historically speaking, amillennialism has been around since ancient times. While Augustine is often credited with the establishment of this view, and with good reason, the ideas of spiritualizing the millennium were around before him. We know that Clement (150-215) and Origen (184-254) of Alexandria both had this view. For instance, Origen criticized the literal interpretation of the Bible. He believed the focus should be on spiritual blessings instead of physical, and that the purpose of Scripture interpretation was to find spiritual meaning. But it was Tyconius, a fourth-century theologian, and Augustine who made amillennialism the predominate view for over 1000 years. Tyconius' Book of Rules established prophecies to be interpreted spiritually instead of literally. And while Augustine was first drawn to premillennialism, he established the amillennial view of Revelation likely because of the influence of Tyconius.
Amillennialism teaches that the Bible does not say there will be a period of world-wide peace and righteousness (millennium) on earth before the end of the age. This view asserts that Revelation 20 is referring to the entire Church age, from the first advent of Jesus to the second coming. Christ's second advent will usher in the resurrection of the dead, the final judgment and then the creation of the eternal state – new heaven and earth. Amillennialism also teaches a parallel of good and evil until the second coming. When looking at Revelation 20, amillennialists view the binding of Satan taking place at the first coming with the victory of Jesus on the cross and resurrection. So Satan was bound at the first coning of Jesus but will be released for a short time at the second coming. So, for the amillennialist the millennium of Revelation 20 is a long period of time, 1000 years being symbolic, between the two advents of Jesus. And while evil still persists in the world, Satan is bound by Christ's victory and the presence of the kingdom of God. The reign of Christ is in heaven during this interadvental age.
At the end of the millennial age, Satan will be released and a great rebellion will occur against the authority of Jesus. At this time the resurrection will commence and Jesus returns to defeat Satan and gives his final judgment for all people.
The truth is the amillennial view was established by Augustine and has been the dominate theology in the Church ever since. Most people do not realize this because of the rise of postmillennialism a few centuries ago and the popular Dispensationalism of the twentieth century. Riddlebarger has noted that with American evangelicals stressing the importance of literal interpretation of Biblical prophecy, many believe that amillennialism is equated with liberal Potestanism or Roman Catholicsm. He further writes that postmillennialism and amillennialism have suffered greatly at the hands of popular prophecy writers.
In our last segment we noted how premillennialism has a history with the early church fathers. Amillennialism also has a long history stretching back to antiquity. And even the critics of this view attest to its longstanding historical view in Christianity. John Walvoord writes in The Millennial Kingdom, “Because amillennialism was adopted by the Reformers, it achieved a quality of orthodoxy to which its modern adherents can point with pride. They can rightly claim many worthy scholars in the succession from the Reformation to modem times...The weight of organized Christianity has largely been on the side of amillennialism.”
Now, I want to pause her for just a moment. The two views we have discussed have great historical value. Both have roots in historical Christianity. We shall see moving forward if this is true for the final two views. Again, I want to emphasize that theology should inform but also be practical. So my question is how does amillennialism affect your life. Now don't answer too quickly, it may not be so obvious. All belief systems affect how you think and act. If you believe that both the goodness of God and the evil of Satan (Matthew 13, Wheat and Tares) are co-existing and advancing, then you will likely prepare yourself accordingly. You will realize the need for warriors and protection.
Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. Nehemiah 4:17-18
But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. Luke 22:36
How does the view affect your life, your prayers, your attitudes? Think about that, your theology determines your life.
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