When Will the 1000 Years (Millennium) Begin?
According to Revelation 20:4-6, the 1000 years or the Millennium begins with the resurrection of the saints. The apostle John wrote,
“And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years” (Revelation 20:4-6).
Then, 1 Corinthians 15:51-55 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17 also tell us plainly that the resurrection of the saints, who are called “the dead in Christ,” occurs at the coming of Jesus Christ. Let’s read these references:
“Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:51-55).
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:16,17).
Thus, the return of Jesus Christ and the resurrection of the saints mark the beginning of the 1,000 years.
What Other Events Take Place at the Start of the 1000 Years?
Other events that take place at the beginning of the 1,000 years are: the most destructive earthquake and hailstorm that planet earth has ever experienced.
“Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him” (Revelation 1:7).
“There was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. … And great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent” (Revelation 16:18, 21 also Jeremiah 4:23–26; Isaiah 24:1, 3, 19, 20; Isaiah 2:21).
What Happens to the Wicked at That Time?
The unsaved living will be destroyed by glory of Christ at His second coming (Matthew 28:2, 4). The wicked, who are already dead when Jesus returns will remain in their graves until the end of the 1,000 years. They will be raised to receive their punishment and to die an eternal death (Revelation 20:9; 21:8).
“With the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked” (Isaiah 11:4).
“When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God” (2 Thessalonians 1:7, 8).
“Let the wicked perish at the presence of God” (Psalm 68:2).
“The rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished” (Revelation 20:5)
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
