The Millennium of Revelation 20:1-4

Abstract

"The Book of Revelation has been described as ''the playground of the eccentrics". Nowhere is this more evident than in the variety of ways in which the idea of the final parousia of Jesus Christ has been interpreted, particularly in connection with its relationship to the millennium described in 20: 1-4. There are a number of curious, not to say downright bizarre, interpretations which may be noted in passing. It would take too much space to discuss these at length but given the centrality of the millennial kingdom within discussions of Revelation in particular, and within Christian apocalyptic literature in general, it seems appropriate that we mention briefly some of these interpretations as well as some of the critical reactions to them"