Is the ''millennium'' only in Revelation?

by Marcus Booker
Many people have assumed that the concept of the millennium, or the "thousand years" appears only in Revelation. But doesn't Peter also speak of a "thousand years" in a curiously similar context?Many people have assumed that the concept of the millennium, or the "thousand years" appears only in Revelation. But doesn't Peter also speak of a "thousand years" in a curiously similar context?Assuming as I do that the John who wrote Revelation is the same as the apostle John, then he was a pillar in the assembly at Jerusalem alongside of Peter. The two apostles, being of such close proximity for so long, would probably use many of the same idioms and expressions. For instance, they both seem to call Jerusalem "Babylon" (see the end of Peter's first Epistle, where Peter sends greetings from "Babylon").

But there is another possible idiom that they may have shared. They both seemed to call the period until the judgment a "thousand years," with reference to Psalm 90:4.

It seems to me, then, that the "thousand years" is not to be found in Revelation exclusively, as most people have claimed or assumed. It is in 2 Peter as well, which might shed light upon the concept of the "millennium" that everyone seems so concerned about.

Notice that in Revelation 20-21 there is fiery judgment, a thousand years, and a new heavens and a new earth. Curiously enough, in 2 Peter 3 there is also fiery judgment, a thousand years, and a new heavens and a new earth. May there be some connection between these two passages? Might one shed light upon the other, and vice versa?

Peter says, "but beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." He then says, "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

Peter, it would seem, speaks of the same so-called "millennium" as John. He uses the language to speak of the time of trial coming upon the assemblies in Christ preceding the judgment upon their persecutors when the power of the new covenant would utterly destroy the first covenant.

Using the words "thousand years," therefore, does not mean to communicate the notion of "a very long time." Rather, it means only that God is longsuffering and will not execute His vengeance until the cup of iniquity is full and His patience exhausted. God is said to afford ample time and opportunity for sinners to repent.