History and Doctrine of the Millennium

DOCTRINE OF THE MILLENNIUM IN THE THIRD CENTURY

The christian writers of the third century are important for their number and character in this inquiry. At the head of the column in time. HDM 18.1

Tertullian stands, A. D. 220; having a character changeful, and a reputation of faith unsound at last; nevertheless, esteemed as an honest and important witness of the customs and opinions of the church in his day. He explicitly mentions the millennium, and identifies it with the New Jerusalem bride in Revelation 21., and also with the new heavens and earth, Isaiah 65:17, and adds: “After the thousand years, in which is included the resurrection of the saints rising earlier or later according to their merits; then we being changed in a moment into angelic matter, shall be transferred to the celestial kingdom.” ¹ It is enough that in his view the millennium is the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven, instead of springing up in this world. HDM 18.2

A. D. 240. Origen says: “The general resurrection of the flesh, which is common to all, is yet future, to be accomplished in the second advent of the Lord:” ² showing that he paid no regard to that distinction of which Tertullian speaks. It is remarkable that so great a visionary and scholar as Origen should never speak of the millennium, except to condemn, if it was much known and respected in the churches of the East, before the middle of the third century. HDM 18.3

A. D. 250. Novatian, first antipope in the annals of Rome, wrote a treatise called Regula Fidei, the rule of faith,-which does not mention the millennium any way. HDM 18.4

A. D. 250. St. Cyprian, bishop of Carthage, an extraordinary man, and one of the most eminent of the martyrs and christian fathers, has left many valuable works, in all of which he appears to have been waiting for the coming of the Lord, to overthrow Antichrist, and to give his saints their eternal portion in the promised kingdom of heaven. HDM 18.5

“It were a self-contradicting and incompatible thing for us,” he says, “who pray that the kingdom of God may quickly come, to be looking unto long life here below.” ³ “Let us ever in anxiety and cautiousness be awaiting the sudden advent of the Lord.” p. 149. For “as those things which were foretold are come to pass, so those will follow which are yet promised; the Lord himself giving assurance and saying, When ye see all these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Dearest brethren, the kingdom of God has begun to be nigh at hand; reward of life, joy, eternal salvation, perpetual happiness, and possession of Paradise lately lost, are already coming nigh, while the world passes away.” p. 217. HDM 18.6

Dionysius of Alexandria, A. D. 258, wrote two books on the promises, in reply to Nepos, a millenarian. The books are lost; but a portion is preserved by Eusebius, from which I copy as follows: HDM 19.1

“But since they (the millennaries) bring forth a certain book of Nepos, on which they much rely, as if it demonstrates to conviction that Christ’s kingdom will be on earth, etc., and since the book is published, and is considered by some to be most convincing; and since some teachers count the law and the prophets nothing, and neglect the gospel, and despise the apostolic epistles, and boast of the doctrine of this book, as if it were some great and hidden mystery; and permit some of the more simple of our brethren to think nothing elevated and lofty, either of the glory or divinity of our Lord’s epiphany, or of our resurrection from the dead, and of our gathering, and of our likeness unto him; but persuade them to hope for only small and mortal things in the kingdom of God, even such as are visible now; it therefore becomes me to dispute the matter with Nepos.” HDM 19.2

From this it appears how little he regarded the millennium of time. HDM 19.3

Methodius, bishop of Tyre, and a martyr, A. D. 260 nearly, said: “And truly it is expected that creation will be disturbed as if it would perish in that conflagration, that it may be renewed, for it will not be annihilated: since we ourselves renewed, and free from pain, shall live in that same renewed world. So Psalm 103.: Thou wilt send forth thy Spirit, and they shall be created, and thou wilt renew the face of the earth: to wit, from that time God will make a most delightful atmosphere. And since after this world the earth will be preserved yet, it is entirely necessary that its inhabitants should be such as will neither die any more, nor marry, nor be given in marriage; but should be like the angels, unchangeably in immortality, and occupied in the highest. Hence it is foolish to ask what manner of life their bodies will enjoy, seeing that this air, nor world, not any of these things, will survive.” ¹ HDM 19.4

These are the most eminent fathers of the third century. Fragments of the writings of others remain; but nothing to give any new aspect to this inquiry can be expected from them. The millenary doctrine, as held by Irenæus, does not appear, except as it may be reflected in Dionysius from Nepos. Certainly it does not seem to have acquired strength or favor. On the contrary, its tendency was downward; the Eastern churches reject and the Western fail to cherish the doctrine, in the third century. HDM 20.1