Biblical prophecy has a language of its own. Some words are familiar but might be misunderstood because much of what we “know” about them comes from the culture. Other terms can stump even the most seasoned Bible students. If you are new to prophecy or could use a refresher, this guide will help you make sense of the terms you will encounter as you study the Millennium.
Antichrist or Beast From the Sea
Global power will consolidate under one ruler during the Tribulation. He will directly oppose Christ and ruthlessly persecute anyone who becomes a Christian. Thankfully, when Jesus returns to commence His millennial reign, He will put a once-and-for-all end to the evil of the Antichrist, casting him into the Lake of Fire at the end of the Tribulation.
Related Scripture: Revelation 13:1-10; Revelation 19:20
Recommended Reading: Biblical Truth About the Antichrist: Critical Facts You Should Know
Armageddon
The Tribulation period will end abruptly when Jesus Christ defeats the forces of evil in earth’s final battle—the Battle of Armageddon. Christ’s victory over Satan and his armies will begin the process of inaugurating His golden kingdom.
Related Scripture: Revelation 19:11-21
Recommended Reading: What Do We Know About the Battle of Armageddon?
Christ’s Return
Jesus Christ’s return will occur in two stages. First, He will call all believers to join Him in heaven (this is the Rapture). Seven years later, He will return to defeat the Antichrist and rule the earth in righteousness (this is the Millennium).
Related Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Zechariah 14:4
Recommended Reading: What is the Difference Between the Rapture and the Second Coming?
Crystal River
In the Millennium, a river will flow beneath the temple and irrigate the Negev Desert and turn the Dead Sea into a living paradise. It is a precursor to the crystal river that will flow from beneath God’s throne and irrigate the new earth.
Related Scripture: Ezekiel 47; Revelation 22:1
Recommended Video: When Jesus Touches Jerusalem
False Prophet or Beast From the Earth
This religious leader will use his influence to implement the mark of the Beast and unite the world under the Antichrist’s leadership during the Tribulation. The false prophet shares the same fate as the Antichrist; both will be defeated by Jesus Christ at the Battle of Armageddon and cast into the lake of fire before the 1,000-year Millennium.
Related Scripture: Revelation 13:11-18; Revelation 19:20
Recommended Video: What Will Happen to the Antichrist and the False Prophet When Jesus Returns?
Great White Throne Judgment
After the 1,000-year Millennial reign ends, every human being who has not responded by faith to God’s grace throughout human history will stand before Christ at the Great White Throne and be sentenced to eternal condemnation.
Related Scripture: Revelation 20:11-15
Recommended Reading: The Great White Throne Judgment
Jesus
All biblical prophecies point to Jesus Christ’s arrival two thousand years ago or His return at the end of time. His first appearance fulfilled more than three hundred prophecies, giving us great confidence in those that remain.Jesus will fulfill those remaining prophecies during the coming Golden Age, His 1,000-year Millennial reign. He is at the center of all the blessed hope we have for the Millennium, as it will be His physical, personal presence that restores the world and ushers us into eternity.
Related Scripture: Revelation 19:11-16; Revelation 1:1-8
Recommended Reading:The Remarkable Return of the Reigning King Jesus Christ
Judgment Seat of Christ
This judgment occurs at the beginning of the Tribulation, immediately following the Rapture. All who trust Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will stand before Him, in heaven, to be judged and rewarded. The reward we receive at the Judgment Seat of Christ determines how we will serve as a representative of Christ during the Millennial kingdom, and from there the endless realms of eternity.
Related Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:9-10
Recommended Reading: The Great White Throne Judgment
Lake of Fire
In one of the most satisfying verses in the Bible, we learn how the Millennium will end: Satan will be cast into the lake of fire, the setting of his eternal torment. The Antichrist, the False Prophet, Death, Hades, and all who do not know Jesus as their Savior will also spend eternity in the lake of fire.
Related Scripture: Revelation 20:10, 14-15
Recommended Reading: Biblical Truth About the Antichrist: Critical Facts You Should Know
Martyrs
Many who embrace Jesus Christ during the Tribulation will be killed because of their faith, for which they will be eternally rewarded. This group of people will have special roles to play in the Millennial period: They will reign with Christ as priests of God.
Related Scripture: Revelation 6:9-11; 20:4,6
Recommended Reading: What Do We Know About the Battle of Armageddon?
Millennium
After Armageddon, Christ and His followers will return to rule the earth in peace and righteousness from His capital in Jerusalem for ten centuries. This 1,000-year reign is the bridge of time between the Tribulation and the new heaven, the new earth, and the city of New Jerusalem.
Also called: Golden Age, kingdom age, millennial kingdom.
Related Scripture: Revelation 20:1-10
Recommended Reading: What is the Millennium?
Mount of Olives or Mount Olivet
This hilly ridge on the east side of Jerusalem was the location of Jesus’ ascension to heaven after His resurrection. It will also be the first place to feel the soles of His feet when Jesus descends to earth at the Battle of Armageddon. He will split the mount in two, providing an escape route for the besieged residents of Jerusalem.
Related Scripture: Zechariah 14:3-4; Acts 1:11-12
Related Video: When Jesus Touches Jerusalem
New Heaven & New Earth
After the Millennium, we will transition with Jesus into our final, everlasting home. The present heaven and earth will be cleansed, glorified, and equipped for eternity. In the new heaven and new earth, God will dwell with His people in perfect harmony forever.
Related Scripture: 2 Peter 3:10-12; Revelation 21:1-8
Recommended Reading: How is the Millennium Different From Eternity?
New Jerusalem
Just as the earthly city of Jerusalem will be our Lord’s millennial capital, the eternal city of New Jerusalem will be His capital forever in the new heaven and new earth.
Related Scripture: Revelation 21:9-27;
Recommended Reading: Israel in the Millennium
Prophecy
Prophecy fulfills two purposes. It teaches, encourages, and comforts Christians by applying God’s truth to current circumstances, and it describes events that will happen in the future. It is through the lens of prophecy that we can healthily view the conflicts of today and find our hope for tomorrow.
Related Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:3
Recommended Reading: The Hope We Find in Bible Prophecy
Rapture
The Bible teaches that a great disappearance could occur any day now—the rapture of the church from this planet. Jesus will come in the skies and call His people upward to be with Him, causing millions or billions of people to instantly vanish from the earth. When the Rapture occurs, it will usher in the emergence of the Antichrist and the seven-year Tribulation. That means if the Rapture were to occur today, our world would only be seven years away from the Millennium!
Related Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Recommended Reading: What is the Difference Between the Rapture and the Second Coming?
Remnant or 144,000
These individuals will be Jews who accept Jesus Christ as their Savior during the Tribulation and proclaim the truth to a terrorized world Many within the 144,000 will be martyred because of their faith. When Christ returns at the end of the Tribulation, these 144,000 evangelists will enter the Millennial kingdom either as living survivors or in glorified bodies.
Related Scripture: Revelation 14:1-5; Revelation 7:9
Recommended Video: Tribulation Believers in the Millennium
Revelation
In the book of Revelation, God reveals details about the future that we would not otherwise know. It gives us a snapshot of the world’s final days. The central passage on the Millennium can be found in Revelation (chapter 20).
Related Scripture: The Book of Revelation
Recommended Article: The Hope We Find in Bible Prophecy
Second Coming
When the Tribulation reaches its climax, Jesus will defeat the Antichrist at the Battle of Armageddon and begin His Millennial Reign.
Related Scripture: Revelation 19:11-21
Recommended Reading: The Remarkable Return of the Reigning King Jesus Christ
The Dragon or Satan
Satan has opposed God’s plans since Eden. He delights in slandering God and accusing God’s children before the throne. Revelation 12 describes his final assault against Israel and her Messiah (Jesus), which will result in his utter defeat. During the Millennium, he will be imprisoned and unable to deceive the world as he has done so for centuries.
Related Scripture: Revelation 20:1-10
Recommended Reading: Embracing the Millennial Kingdom: A Thousand Years Without Satan
Tribulation
The moment after the Rapture, God’s Spirit will cease to restrain evil in the world. For seven years, God’s anger will burn against the wicked, and conditions will grow worse than they have ever been.The Tribulation ends with the glorious triumph of Jesus Christ when He returns to defeat the forces of the Antichrist and rescue His people. From here, the Lord will establish His millennial kingdom.
Related Scripture: Revelation 6-18
Recommended Reading: What Do We Know About the Battle of Armageddon?
Zion
This term can refer to Mount Zion in Jerusalem or New Jerusalem. When Jesus returns, He will stand on Mount Zion and welcome God’s children into the heavenly city.
Related Scripture: Hebrews 12:18-24; Revelation 14:1
Recommended Video: When Jesus Touches Jerusalem
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