History and Doctrine of the Millennium

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I. FROM THE BEGINNING TO A. D. 373

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The word millennium simply means a thousand years. In this sense, the world has seen five millenniums, and above eight tenths of the sixth. Tradition, by an erroneous chronology, has long regarded the seventh as near, and has expected it to bear such a relation to the previous six millenniums, as the Sabbath of rest bears to the six days of labor in the week; ¹ but it is not to be followed by another six of labor: it is to be an eternal rest, in holy bliss, for the chosen people and faithful. ² The time is definitely a thousand years; but it has ever been, and now is, more generally received, in an indefinite sense, for a longer period; nobody can tell how long, but as probably three hundred and sixty thousand years, as one thousand. HDM 1.1

In this common sense I chiefly use the word millennium, to designate a period of heavenly bliss, commencing in the conclusion of this world, and running into eternity with unknown limits; a period of which all prophets have prophesied, ³ and poets have sung; ⁴ the golden age and restitution of all things, for which creation longs with outstretched neck in earnest expectation, ⁶ and we ourselves groan within ourselves, constantly praying, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, as in heaven so in the earth.” It is the resurrection of the dead, in angelic natures, to inherit the promised land in the new earth forever and ever. ¹ HDM 1.2