A thousand years
Day 719, Friday, July 31
Revelation Chapter 20
The study of the end times is called eschatology (“escha” rhymes with “Fresca”). For some Christians, and some denominations, eschatology is a very significant part of their understanding of God and of the Christian faith. Methodists typically do not give it much attention, as our focus tends to be on living faithfully in the here and now and being prepared to face God’s judgment, not trying to understand the exact mechanics of that judgment.
Some of the more controversial questions of eschatology come up in chapter 20. You are likely to find a variety of opinions on these within Methodism. The Global Methodist Church, like most Methodist groups, doesn’t take an official position on them. We affirm in our Catechism that “We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come,” and “The righteous rise to eternal life and the wicked to eternal condemnation.”
Millennialism
Chapter 20 refers to a time when Satan is bound, or constrained, but before he is thrown into the lake of fire. John sees a vision of an angel, and “He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.” After this thousand years, “he must be set free for a short time.”
Most Methodist theologians I’m familiar with are “amillennialists.” They do not believe in a literal 1,000-year time period, but instead interpret the millennium to be the period we are living in now, between the resurrection of Jesus and his final return. During this time, Satan remains present and active, but his efforts are limited by the presence of the church and faithful Christians. The world will be judged when Jesus returns.
Premillennialists believe that the return of Jesus (the second coming) and the final judgment will be two separate events—the second coming will begin the 1,000-year period, and the judgment will come at its end.
Postmillennialists believe there will be a literal 1,000-year period in which Satan will be bound, followed by both the return of Jesus and the final judgement. This differs from amillenniunism only in the presence of a literal, visible 1,000-year period.
Gog and Magog
Verse 8 envisions a great battle involving nations from the “four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog.” We first encounter the names Gog and Magog in Ezekiel. Some interpreters put great effort into identifying exactly which nations God and Magog are, but verse 8 suggests they are representative of many nations, “In number they are like the sand on the seashore.”
Book of Life
The Book of Life is also mentioned in other parts of scripture—and “The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.” To some, the use of the plural “books” suggests that there is also a book of mercy, which records the deeds of Jesus.
The book of life can be seen as fearsome judgment. It can also be seen as reassurance that God has seen us and understood us. Judgment is not arbitrary; it is based on our actions as view by God, who is both just and merciful.

Friday meditation

Song of Solomon 6:13b-7:9a
He
Why would you gaze on the Shulammite as on the dance of Mahanaim? How beautiful your sandaled feet, O prince’s daughter! Your graceful legs are like jewels, the work of an artist’s hands. Your navel is a rounded goblet that never lacks blended wine. Your waist is a mound of wheat encircled by lilies. Your breasts are like two fawns, like twin fawns of a gazelle. Your neck is like an ivory tower. Your eyes are the pools of Heshbon by the gate of Bath Rabbim. Your nose is like the tower of Lebanon looking toward Damascus. Your head crowns you like Mount Carmel. Your hair is like royal tapestry; the king is held captive by its tresses. How beautiful you are and how pleasing, my love, with your delights! Your stature is like that of the palm, and your breasts like clusters of fruit. I said, “I will climb the palm tree; I will take hold of its fruit.” May your breasts be like clusters of grapes on the vine, the fragrance of your breath like apples, and your mouth like the best wine.

Prayer focus
Lord, your judgment is a mystery to us. Let us trust in you; we pray that by your grace our names will be found written in your book of life.

-Rev. Mark Fleming