This week in 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Paul speaks about the second coming of Jesus. The events leading up to the second coming are further described in Chapter 19 and 20 of Revelation. In Revelation 20:3 John introduces the idea of a 1000 year period when Satan will be bound and Jesus will reign on the earth. Christians have come to call this "the millennium". Since the time of John, Christians have developed three views about how the millennium will take place.
Amillennialism: this belief is that Jesus's death initiated the millennium when he conquered death and sin by his resurrection. They believe Jesus sacrifice is the event that bound Satan allowing the gospel to would spread on the earth until Christ's second coming. Right before Christ's second coming, Satan would be loosed for a short period before being banished forever. At Christ's second coming, everyone will be resurrected and judged.
Postmillennialism: This is similar to Amillennialism in the belief that Jesus will come at the end of the millennium, but in Postmillennialism, the millennium doesn't begin at Jesus resurrection. Instead, as Christianity spreads, people begin to live like they are part of the Kingdom of God. Once they are worthy, people live in love and peace for 1000 years before Satan is loosed for a short season and there is one last battle in which Satan is cast out and Jesus returns to welcome all who have slept in righteousness into his presence.
Premillennialism: In this theory, Christian's prepare for Jesus' second coming. Life becomes difficult for them, but then Jesus comes and claims his place as ruler of the earth. Jesus reigns personally on the earth for 1000 years, during which people live in peace. Then Satan is loosed for a short time before the final resurrection and judgement.
In the Topics and Questions part of the website of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the article about the Millennium suggests that church adopts the Premillennial view. It states "When we speak of “the Millennium,” we refer to the 1,000 years following the Savior’s Second Coming (see Revelation 20:4; Doctrine and Covenants 29:11). During the Millennium, “Christ will reign personally upon the earth” (Articles of Faith 1:10)."
The Church also holds to the Lord's statement in Matthew 24:36 "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only."
The question in my mind is what will bring about the millennium. One view is that the world will slowly get more wicked until it is ready for destruction. Then the Lord will step in, destroy the wicked, and then the righteous will live in peace. Another view is that people must become more and more righteous, preparing to receive the Lord as our sovereign. Once we are righteous enough and worthy enough, Jesus will return and set up his kingdom. I have heard both opinions hinted at in Conference talks.
I personally hope it is the second scenario. Some people talk as if the world is getting more wicked, yet there are a lot of key indicators that suggest that people in general are more righteous now than they were 50 years ago. Racial prejudice is much less common, as is discrimination against women and minorities. Abortions are much lower than they were in the 80's and 90's, as are violent crimes. War related deaths have been way lower since 2000 than during any similar time period the 20th century.
Yes, there are terrible things in the world, and people do wicked things. It may be that the world will take a turn for the worse and mankind will be saved from the brink of destruction by the advent of the Savior. No matter which scenario comes to pass, I think we are better off trying to continue to lead the world toward righteousness instead of just bemoaning its wickedness.
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