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Williams
1
terms of chapters 20 and 21 of the Book of
Revelation.
2
After the year 1,000 A.D. the thought of a
literal thousand year period faded; Augustine's
post-millennialist construction became instead
amillennialism, the Biblical "thousand years"
being merely figurative. Indeed, during the
Middle Ages the thought of a literal millennium
was generally regarded as heretical.
Amillennialism is still taught in schools of
thought such as that represented by
Westminster Theological Seminary.
3
The essential reasons for holding to a literal
millennium is that it represents the faith of the
early Church, the teaching handed down by the
Apostles, and that it provides an understanding
of Revelation 20 which is harmonious with
other Biblical passages, and which is obtained
from a consistent and literal rendering of the
Scriptures. Those who choose to deny a literal
millennium must provide strong reasoning for
their decision. It is not a belief which can be
derived from Scripture, but rather one which
must be learned outside of it.
RECCOMENDED READING
4
Zoba, W. 1995, `Future Tense', Christianity
Today, vol. 39, no. 11.