Dear Rhody

There are so many ways to consider the Millennium as it is really one of the central themes of the Bible. We are aware of this even though that particular word does not appear in the text. However, the phrase one thousand years does appear and that in the context of the reign of our Lord and Savior.

Although the chronology shows we are within the parameters of the Millennium, we often forget or fail to consider that it is still a future event because the particular part of the Millennium that we all long for is still somewhat future, i.e., that part which falls under the inauguration of the New Covenant whereby mankind will receive its long promised blessing of receiving an opportunity for eternal life.

I would suggest firstly that you might consider that from the very beginning the LORD considered the beginning of a day or epoch as starting with the night first and then the day, with the morning falling in between as in the creative days (Genesis 1:5). Likewise we see that in the Millennial day the evening also comes first, i.e., the Gospel Harvest, which was the final test upon the Church; then the ensuing Time of Trouble which began in 1914, the beginning of a great darkness.

We remember that Jesus was resurrected early in the morning and likewise His great reign as King begins very early in the Millennial morning before the world in general arises with their eyes open. The work of our Lord Jesus in the glorious time in which we live is set in stages and we must learn to be very patient and not find ourselves giving Him commands as to where we think He should be in His schedule. We understand that He is currently still seeking those who would follow Him and walk by faith and not by sight.

The prophecies given in the book of Daniel have a lot to say in regards to this time and it is in part because of them that we have the understanding that this Millennial day had its beginning in 1874 (hand in hand with the chronology already given). You will find a study of the book of Daniel with the aid of the second and third volumes of Pastor Russells writings very satisfying along this line. (links available on this site for this material)

Another line of thought that we might follow is that of the destructive demolition work that the Lord must do before He begins to set up His Kingdom on earth; indeed, a very necessary part. The Time of Trouble mentioned above and also embedded in the book of Daniel (12:1) must first pass and have its work before the blessing of ransom and restitution can really begin.

We see all about us in every country on earth, the devastating turbulence of human passion as society totters back and forth. Nations scramble to hold themselves together as the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. We have been assured by our Lord that this trouble will continue until the whole fabric of society comes apart and is destroyed at His feet. 2 Peter 3 gives us much information along this line. Let us take a look at versus 7-13:

7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

We notice that the reference in this verse to this catastrophic trouble calls it the judgment day. The heavens are the higher controlling powers of civil and ecclesiastical rulers. The earth here represents the social fabric, i.e., human society as now organized under Satans control. This is the second earth, the first being that of Noahs day before the flood as mentioned in vs. 5 and 6.

8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

This verse gives an important clue to us as to the Millennium. These thousand years mentioned are the same as mentioned in Revelation 20:4 wherein the body of Christ is spoken of as living and reigning with Him over the earth for 1000 years, and you will note from this chapter of 2 Peter that it all begins with clamor and disruptive turbulence all over the world. We are not to be ignorant according to the Apostle that the judgment day of vs. 7 is the thousand years of vs. 8. This is one of the main keys to understanding the time and nature of the biblical Millennium. The fire in verse 7 is the trouble of this great day and well symbolizes the time in which we are living as we witness this social fabric being torn from end to end.

9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

The purpose of this great trouble early in the Millennium is to soften the hearts of humanity while the Lord allows them to see that all of the trinkets that we gather in our short lives are very meaningless and that there are greater things yet to be seen. The attitude of our God toward sinners is not that of punishment and torture, but that of seeking to bring them all to repentance and these experiences that humanity is presently enduring will go a long way towards that end.

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Indeed, this Millennial day had crept in as a thief in the night, so much so that many of the brethren who have been enlightened with a goodly amount of truth are having difficulty seeing just what the situation is. However we are not to be in ignorance (1 Thessalonians 5: 1-4) as we look about and see the facts being fulfilled as we watch what the Apostle here calls the passing away of the heavens with a great noise. This has particular reference to the present powers of the air under Satans control amongst both men and angels, especially within the Nominal Church system, passing noisily out of existence. In 1 Peter 4:17 the same Apostle intimates that this judgment or reckoning begins with the Church, or those who have called themselves by His Holy Name. The elements of the heavens spoken of here are the component parts that make up the present order of things amongst ecclesiasticism. It is fraught with tyranny, ignorance and superstition. It contains both the Capital element and the labor element as the churches have aligned themselves with the worlds governments and institutions, and these elements do battle with one another thus creating heat. The fire has extended itself to the social structure of humanity as foretold in this verse in the words the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

This verse speaks of the attitude that we should seek to develop in light of all of this information and the fulfillments of it in our midst. Recognizing that all these things are coming to pass before our eyes is proof also that the Millennium has indeed begun, for these things were not to happen until such time. It is thus proclaimed by the Apostles to be the last days or more correctly translated the last one of the days (2 Timothy 3:1). Notice that Peter also uses this same phrase in 2 Peter 3:3. The Old Testament Prophets often used the phrase in that day when speaking of this great millennial period and of the great events that would take place. That day is the millennial day that is as a thousand years that Peter spoke of. Isaiah 29:18; Jeremiah 30:8; Ezekiel 38:19; Amos 8:9; Zechariah 2:7; etc.

12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

The looking here is the command for us to be watchful in this time period to be looking for the evidence that we are in that specific time. The Apostles looked for it and the Church all down through the Gospel Age looked for it, but it was not yet due. It came due during the ministry of our dear Pastor Russell, having begun just shortly before he began to preach. It was the Parousia (translated in this verse coming) of the day of God. In the largest sense of the word our Pastor told us that the Parousia is the Millennium. The next verse tells us what we should also be looking for as to our future

vs 13... Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

we are to look for the new heavens and the new earth, i.e., the new spiritual powers that are Christ and His Anointed (Revelation 11:15) and the new arrangement for earthly society based on love and justice rather than might and oppression. This is the new social order of Messiahs Kingdom for which we have prayed.

Well dear one, I hope this information is of some help to you

jonalfred