Day 27 of Revelation Study: Kingdom Controversy

The Thousand Year Reign

To be honest and upfront, this is the only passage in Scripture which specifically gives an allotted period of time [i.e. 1000 years] for the kingdom which the prophets spoke of long ago. After the Great Tribulation period, when Christ defeats His enemies, our Lord will reign supreme on this current Earth for one thousand years. John emphasizes this number six times within the first seven verses. There are some who do not believe this is referring to a literal thousand-year reign but, if we allow the text to speak for itself, I believe it is an undeniable truth of Scripture. What we must take note of is that nothing in the entire book of Revelation even remotely suggests that the various numbers presented are not literal time allotments.

What I mean to say is that every single number, from chapter one through twenty-two, which is given in the book of Revelation is always seen as literal. Do many of them also have a figurative representation? Absolutely! Many of them consist of both a figurative and a literal representation of whatever their object is in the text. For example: the seven churches have both a literal representation [i.e. seven local churches] and a figurative representation [i.e. the universal Church]. This is known as dual representation. Both interpretations are correct. However, either interpretation without the other leads into a wrong interpretation of the overall book.

When chapter eleven speaks of the two witnesses and informs us that they will prophesy for 1,260 days, our natural inclination should always be to interpret that time allotment as literally 1,260 days. After all, why would it be anything else? Now, do not misunderstand me, if the text somehow informs us that the number is figurative then we should treat it as such. However, there is nothing in the book of Revelation which would suggest anything other than a literal reading of the lengths of time which are given. The thousand years may indeed have a figurative representation of Christ’s eternal rule and reign, but it nevertheless maintains a literal representation of a future millennial kingdom which will be here on this Earth.

Don't believe me? Check it out for yourself.

More Examples:

• Smyrna’s ten days of intense persecution (2:10). While even I have some thoughts as to what this number could represent, there is nothing in the surrounding context that would give us any indication that this was not literal. Some argue that since we do not have this time recorded in our history books it cannot be true; but I dare say that most of human history has not been written down yet has happened. Imagine yourself in the shoes of one of the individuals in the church of Smyrna. I know that if I am told something is going to happen for ten days, I do not try and reinterpret it. I understand it as ten literal days.

• The seven horns and seven eyes (5:6). The answer to this is obvious because Jesus tells us that these are a figurative representation for the literal Holy Spirit. Look back at chapter one to see how this is referring to the seven literal outpourings of the Holy Spirit.

• The four horsemen (6:1-8). These are figurative representations of four literal judgments.

• The number 666 (13:18). This is really the only one that could be argued but again, like every other number in the book of Revelation, this one also maintains both a figurative and a literal fulfillment.Though there are not 666 literal objects or persons in view here, this number is used to reveal the fact that evil and sin always fall short of God's glory (cf. Romans 3:23). There are three sets of sevens in this book [i.e. the seven pastors, churches, and spirits]. The person who receives this mark is literally choosing to place themselves under the authority of the leadership of the Anti-Christ [one singular man], the entire institution of immorality and, ultimately, the main evil spirit [i.e. Satan]. Therefore, even this three-digit number expresses both realms of interpretation. It is figurative in its representation as a number lower than seven and it is literal in its representation of real life entities. While the number seven suggests an idea of fullness or perfection, six just does not measure up. It is imperfect, incomplete, and lacking.

Continue on to read about chapter 21.

*Click here to read the purpose of this blog series.