The millennium was believed by the early church to be a literal 1,000 years in accordance to the time period we recognize today. During Augustine (A.D. 400), the literal view became abandoned for the most part, in favor of spiritual Old Testament prophesies. The Roman Catholic Church and its scholars today are not permitted in the belief of the Millennium Period. They look at it as the Jewish Apocalyptic Movement.

A renewed interest in prophecy occurred during the Nineteenth Century which led a great revival of the early church's view. Today, Christians generally take one of three positions. The first view Amillinialism. This group takes the one thousand years as symbolizing Christ's present rule from Heaven. In other words, there is "no thousand years". They believe in only a general resurrection and a general Judgment. Therefore this view does not believe Satan is bound during the thousand year period nor a literal thousand year future reign of Christ.

The second view, known as Post-Millennial, is beginning to fade in today's society. This group believes the thousand years represent the spiritual victory of the Gospel over the forces of evil. They feel the growth of the gospel will cause the world to get better and better until the present order blends into a millennium period of righteousness. Their belief is that Christ will return to Earth once the spiritual battle has been won, following will be the final judgment and then eternal order.

The third view is known as the Pre-Millennial View. Pre-Millennialists believe Christ will return to the earth and set up His kingdom to reign here for a literal one thousand years. There is two broad types within this view, Dispensation pre-millennialism and Historic pre-millennialism. In the Dispensational view, the believer takes the thousand years to be a literal both to fact and number. The millennium is seen to follow the seven year tribulation period known as the Great Tribulation. Directly before this tribulation occurs Christ raptures his church and at his second return bring back with him the saints to reign the earth. During this time Satan is bound to a literal bottomless pit and for a literal one thousand years. This view of future events also incorporates much of the Old testament prophecy to be fulfilled during the millennium period. The second view, Historical pre-millennialism holds to a literal future reign of Christ, during which Satan is bound for a thousand year period. Many who holds this view sees the thousand years as a symbolism of a number and possibly may not be an actual one thousand years as we know time today. This view also sees the rapture to occur during the middle of the tribulation period with a single return of Christ, unlike Dispensational which sees Christ's second coming set into two phases.

The Millennium is an era in the world's future. During the period of this Kingdom Age, the Lord Jesus receives from God the rule and government of the earth. He will rule this period unlike other ages and deal with mankind in a special way. It is said in scripture He will rule the world with a "Rod of Iron." This time period has several descriptive titles, each shining light on the understanding of the scope and characteristics of this time period in relation to man and God.

The Kingdom Reign is looked at as the long expected day of the Messiah. This will be a day of righteousness and peace. During this time period, the earth will not know of any wars. Jerusalem will be rebuilt and adored as the center of the earth. Christ will rule a universal law with worship and blessing.

There are several major features of the Millennium. First and foremost, all who enter into the Millennium will be saved and relate to Christ's physical presence. Children will enter the Millennium without judgment, and during the Millennium, many others will be born. Because of Christ's presence, the full knowledge of the Gospel will be known by all. The adults, both Gentile and Israelite entering into the Millennium will be indwelled by the Holy Spirit. A part of the blessing of the new Covenant is the promise for the saved that God will speak to their hearts. There will not be any hindrance of preaching God's word during this time.

One wonderful feature of this kingdom will be the temple described in great detail in the book of Ezekiel. Worship and praise and memorializing will be of Christ, to include religious Holidays will be observed during the Millennium. (Ezek 40-48) (46:1-15; Zech 14:16)

Of course, righteousness and justice will prevail during this period, as well as health and prosperity. With complete knowledge of God and total blessings available, man will find his problem is his own heart and not the lack of any given item from God. Once God shows this great revelation proof to man by allowing Satan to be loosened for a short season at the end of the Millennium, eternity and glory shall be forever more. For God has a purpose and plan to show man his own nature, and the Millennium is the final direction in which God shares His plan with man.