The Amillennial Perspective in Eschatology

Eschatology: New Heaven and New Earth

I

The eschatological position that I identify with is amillennialism, which posits that Christ established His Church and the ultimate act of Redemption through His death on the Cross and the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles after the Resurrection and Ascension, and that He thus reigns from Heaven, where His true kingdom is. Through His Church, Christ is always with the world. This view is based on several verses in Scripture that indicate that God’s kingdom is spiritual and not of this world but rather of the next. These verses are Matthew 12:28, Luke 17:20-21, and Romans 14:17 to name just a few. This view also holds that the millennium or thousand year period referenced is more figurative than literal, but that the binding of Satan has been achieved through the sacrifice on the Cross, though Satan may still oppose the Church and try to thwart Christians from reaching the spiritual kingdom in Heaven. Satan’s binding is primarily to be understood in the sense that Christ has the ultimate victory and will save those who have faith in Him (Cox, 1966; Provan, 1987).

II

In light of the amillennialist position, the New Heaven and the New Earth refer to the permanent and final reign of Christ the King following His return at the end of the world—i.e., the second coming, at which time the Final Judgment will take place and the new heaven and earth will be effected. The new heaven and earth represent the perfecting of creation once more in the light of Christ Who will be recognized by one and all as the Lord God of creation and who will reign.

III

Two key passages that directly and explicitly mention “new heaven” and “new earth” in the Bible are: Isaiah 65:17 and 2 Peter 3:13. Isaiah 65:17 is situated in the context of prophecy, and Isaiah states that those who are blessed are blessed by the God of truth, who will “create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things will not be remembered or come to mind” (Isaiah 65:17). This prophecy deals with the establishment of Christ’s Church in Jerusalem, where the sacrifice on the Cross will be the defining point in history, because it is the pathway to Heaven, where God’s kingdom is.

Peter likewise anticipates this kingdom and extols the followers of Christ to get ready for it—because that is what they are working towards achieving. It is also a reminder that the things of this world will pass away because Christ will come again to judge one and all on the Day of the Lord: “As you anticipate and hasten the coming of the day of God, when the heavens will be dissolved by fire and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with God’s promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, as you anticipate these things, make every effort to be found at peace with Him, without spot or blemish” (2 Peter 3:12-14). Peter urges the Christians to live in the way of God and not partake of sin so that they may take part in the new kingdom of God, which is where all goodness is found.