What is amillennialism?
Amillennialism is the view that the "thousand years" of Revelation 20 is symbolic — picturing the entire church age between Christ’s first and second comings. There is no literal earthly millennium; Christ reigns now from heaven through his church.
Augustine held this view; most of the Reformed and Lutheran tradition has followed. The number 1,000 in Revelation is read as the completeness of God’s reign, not a literal countdown.
In amillennialism the "tribulation" is the church’s suffering throughout history, not a separate seven-year period. The "millennium" is now — life under Christ’s reign while evil still resists.
It expects Christ’s return, final judgment, and the new heavens and new earth — same finish line, different shape of the road.
Original BibleDawn answer · reviewed 2026-06. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.