The Millennial Reign
The Millennial Reign
Main idea
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III in this lecture addresses the subject “The Millennial Reign” and discusses the difference between some Protestants’ interpretation of Christ ruling on earth for a thousand years and the Coptic Orthodox interpretation. He affirms that the second coming of Christ is for judgment and not to establish a temporal reign on earth for a literal thousand years.
Key points
- The verses that some cite (like Isaiah and Revelation 20) are interpreted symbolically: the number one thousand is a symbol of perfection and not a literal chronological measure.
- The Church believes in one coming of Christ for judgment, and with this comes the general resurrection and the end of the world, not two or three comings.
- The kingdom of Christ already began on the cross where he bought people with his blood, and the kingdom is fundamentally spiritual and not a temporal earthly authority.
- Christ refused earthly kingship when it was offered to him, and he chose to be king by love and free will and the cross, not by political power.
- The millennium period is understood as a historical-spiritual time from the beginning of Christ’s reign on the cross until the end, and at its end a general apostasy and a final trial occur in which Satan is released to deceive the nations.
- The connection between “the binding of Satan” and the presence of troubles in the world: Satan’s binding is figurative and limited but not null, and therefore there are trials and sins still now, while the true kingdom is preserved for the faithful.
- A warning against spiritual pride: we must not boast because Satan is bound now; temptations and deceptions are possible if he is given space.
- Spiritual conclusion: texts should be understood by an Orthodox spiritual measure, and we should consider Christ’s reign as a reign of hearts, faith, and secret spiritual life rather than a temporary political dominion.
SpiritualReign
TheMillennium
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