Why Do Some Rebel in the Millennium (Rev 20)?

The term “Millennium” refers to a thousand-year reign of Jesus on earth, a concept derived from the Bible (**Revelation 19-20**). This period is envisioned as a time when Jesus’ prayer, **“Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10)**, is fulfilled.

**Revelation 20** describes Satan being bound during this thousand years, preventing him from deceiving the nations: **“And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season” (Revelation 20:3)**. This era is marked by healing and renewal, though not complete until the arrival of the “new heaven and earth”: **“And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him” (Revelation 22:3)**. However, after the Millennium, Satan is released and deceives the nations, leading to a massive rebellion against Jesus: **“And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea” (Revelation 20:7-8)**.

Understanding the Rebellion

The key question is how rebellion is possible after a thousand years under Jesus’ reign. The answer lies in the nature of the people living during the Millennium. Those who rebel are not yet glorified; they remain in their earthly, un-resurrected bodies, which are susceptible to sin and death.

Believers during the Millennium will exist in two states: glorified and unglorified. The “rapture,” a separate event from Jesus’ second coming, involves believers being taken up to meet Jesus and receiving glorified bodies: **“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)**. These bodies are imperishable and free from sin: **“So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption” (1 Corinthians 15:42)**. Those who survive the Great Tribulation and enter the Millennium will do so in their earthly bodies, without the glorified state, although they are free from Satan’s direct temptation during his binding.

The Role of Glorification

Glorification, occurring during the rapture or resurrection, transforms believers, making them incapable of sin. During the Millennium, glorified believers will not be able to sin, even when Satan is released. However, unglorified believers retain the ability to sin, and this vulnerability is exploited by Satan, leading to the rebellion.

Historical Parallels and Biblical Foundations

The concept of humanity’s susceptibility to sin, even in ideal conditions, is rooted in early biblical narratives. Adam and Eve’s fall in Eden illustrates this principle: **“But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:17)**. Their sin introduced mortality and susceptibility to sin to all humanity. Similarly, Noah, despite his righteousness, succumbed to sin after the Flood, demonstrating that even the best of humanity, in an unglorified state, cannot overcome sin: **“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD” (Genesis 6:8)**; **“And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard: And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent” (Genesis 9:20-21)**.

Paul emphasizes the importance of the resurrection in overcoming sin and death, stating that without Christ’s resurrection, faith is futile: **“And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:17)**. The glorified body, free from sin and death, is essential for eternal life with God.

The Ultimate Hope

The rebellion at the end of the Millennium underscores the necessity of glorification. The future new heaven and new earth promise a time when humanity will dwell with God without the threat of sin and death, made possible by Jesus’ victory over the grave: **“And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Revelation 21:3-4)**; **“And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him” (Revelation 22:3)**. This final state of glorification ensures eternal fellowship with God, free from deception and sin.

Consider This

The rebellion during the Millennium occurs because unglorified humans remain susceptible to sin. Like Adam and Eve in Eden, some will choose rebellion despite living in Jesus’ kingdom. This highlights the critical need for glorification, which is achievable only through Jesus, ensuring eternal life free from sin and death.