What is the millennial kingdom? And what is its true meaning?

The Book of Revelation tells us that our Lord Jesus will rule on earth for a thousand years (Rev. 20:1–15). During this period, Satan, who had previously entered into a battle against the Church, would be bound; and he, his angels, and his followers will be defeated in the Battle of Armageddon. Some have fallen into erroneous interpretations here because they failed to distinguish between the symbolic material contained in the Book of Revelation and the literal, material interpretation of that material. Origen ,¹²²⁵ St. Dionysius of Alexandria ,¹²²⁶ Methodius of Olympia ,¹²²⁷ St. Basil of Caesarea ,¹²²⁸ St. Gregory Nazianzus ,¹²²⁹ St. Epiphanius of Salamis ,¹²³⁰ St. Jerome ,¹²³¹ and St. Augustine¹²³² all resisted this incorrect thought.

This literal interpretation is adopted by the Jehovah’s Witnesses, who believe that Christ will reign materially for a thousand years and establish an earthly kingdom. They also reject the doctrines of the Holy Trinity, the sacraments of the Church, and the veneration of saints.

We need to understand that the Book of Revelation hides divine mysteries behind the veil of symbols. This leads us to the following conclusions:

First: It is clear that the period of a thousand years is symbolic. St. Peter says, “But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day” (2 Pet. 3:8). The biblical millennium refers to the victory of the Church and the fulfilment of the message of the Gospel throughout the whole world. It is a prophecy of the establishment of God’s reign over hearts, where Satan is bound and greatly weakened by people’s acceptance of the true faith and the enlightenment of all nations by the Gospel in the last times.

1225 Origen of Alexandria, De Principiis (On First Principles) 2.11.2 (ANF 4:297).

1226 Eusebius of Pamphili, Ecclesiastical History 7.24.1–4 (NPNF II/1:308; PG 20:693).

1227 St. Methodius of Olympus, The Banquet of the Ten Virgins 9.1–3 (ANF 6:344–346).

1228 St. Basil of Caesarea, Letters 186–368 263 (FOTC 28:241; PG 32:980).

1229 St. Gregory of Nazianzus, Letters 102 Also to Cledonius (NPNF II/7:443–445; PG 37:197).

1230 St. Epiphanius of Salamis, Against Heresies 77.36–39 (PG 42:697).

1231 St. Jerome, Commentary on Isaiah 9.33 (ACW 68:472).

1232 See St. Augustine of Hippo, City of God 20.7–9 (NPNF I/2:426–431).

Second: This millennium will be brought to an end by Satan when his chains will be released for a while in the time of the antichrist; but the Lord Christ, in His second coming, will judge Satan and his evil angels and servants. After the Last Judgment, believers will enjoy the all-blessed kingdom of God, while unbelievers who insisted on not repenting will be expelled.

Third: When the governor Pilate accused the Lord Christ of setting Himself up as a king, the Lord did not deny that He was a king, but said to him, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). Is it plausible that the King of kings and the Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16) will change His mind and make Himself the king of an earthly kingdom?

Fourth: The Book of Revelation warns us against straying from its words: “For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. He who testifies to these things says: ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen” (Rev. 22:18–21).