FBCD_FaithEssentials_June_FlipBook

Todd Gaddis

The term “thousand years,” which appears six times in as many verses (Revelation 20: 2-7), merits detailed discussion as well. Many call this period the “millennium” or “millennial reign of Christ,” staunchly believing that it refers to a literal thousand years. But, remember, much of Revelation is written in apocalyptic language, where numbers often possess symbolic meaning (Revelation 5:11, 11:4, 14:1). As George Ladd states, “It is difficult to understand the thousand years for which he was bound with strict literalness in view of the obvious symbolic use of numbers in the Revelation. A thousand equals the third power of ten—an ideal time. While we need not take it literally, the thousand years does appear to represent a real period of time, however long or short it may be.” 1 I am in complete agreement with Ladd. If this unsettles you, consider the words of the apostle Peter : “With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day” (2 Peter 3:8). No one but God knows for sure. What we can confirm, though, is that after the thousand years , “Satan will be released from his prison, and will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth” (Revelation 20:7,8). This short-lived freedom continues until he is eliminated for good as fire from heaven destroys the fallen ones and Satan himself finally and permanently joins the beast and false prophet in the lake of burning sulfur (Revelation 20:10). Lastly, this heavenly condition involves physical renovation and spiritual renewal. Although this won’t be equal to the new heaven and new earth that follows the Great White Throne Judgment (see chapter 18), it will be a vast improvement over what remains after the tribulation. As a result of this “Time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time” (Daniel 12:1), the following will take place: “NEVER GIVE UP HOPE”

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