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There is only one solitary passage in scripture pertaining to the "thousand years" (Rev 20:1-9), and that single passage is found in a book that is rich in symbolism. Zero mentions of a millennium may be found in the Old Testament, gospels, or epistles.
Here's how we know the "thousand years" of Rev 20 is a symbol and cannot be a true time period of history:
(1) Premillennialists divide the judgment of the living and dead into multiple events separated by a time period of one thousand years. Scripture, in contrast, says that Christ's judgment of the living and the dead occurs "at his coming" (2 Tim 4:1; Matt 25:31-46; Rev 11:15,17-18). Thus, premillennialism is false.
(2) Premillennialists divide the resurrection of the just and the resurrection of the unjust into multiple events separated by a time period of one thousand years. Scripture, in contrast, says that the resurrection of the dead occurs "at his coming" (1 Cor 15:22-23) and pertains to both the just and unjust together (John 5:27-29, Acts 24:15, Daniel 12:1-2). Thus, premillennialism is false.
(3) Premillennialists claim that the wicked are not judged and raised simultaneously with the righteous on "the last day." Scripture, in contrast, says that it is on "the last day" that Jesus both resurrects and judges the wicked together (Jn 12:48; Jn 6:44,54). Thus, premillennialism is false.
(4) Premillennialists claim that the "Thief in the Night" (Matt 24:43) speaks of some "rapture away of christians" that takes place seven years prior to the Day of the Lord/coming of Christ; they also claim that the "new heavens and earth" comes one thousand years after that. St. Paul, in contrast, says the "Thief in the Night" event is the Day of the Lord (1 Thess 5:2-5). Interestingly, St. Peter teaches that this same "Day of the Lord/Thief in the Night" event is simultaneous with the "passing of heavens and Earth" (2 Peter 3:10). Therefore we see that the "Thief in the Night," the "Day of the Lord," and "the passing of heavens and earth" are simultaneous, leaving no room for a literal thousand years in between the events. (Finally, we note that Jesus says the "Thief in the Night" event took place for the first-century church - Rev 3:2-3). No literal thousand years can be made to fit anywhere. The New Heavens/Earth and Second Coming are clearly simultaneous. Thus, premillennialism is false.
(5) Premillennialists claim that Christ's kingdom has been postponed and will begin at some future millennium. Scripture, in contrast, says that Christ's kingdom was established during his generation (Mark 1:14-15; Rev 1:5-6,9) and isn't limited to a thousand years. Christ's Kingdom is eternal (Isa 9:6-7), and Christ has been the King of Kings for twenty centuries now, as the only Sovereign of Heaven and Earth (Matt 28:18-19/Rev 1:5-6/1 Tim 6:15/1 Pet 3:22). We are not waiting for Christ to reign. He reigns, and the increase of his government has no end. Thus, premillennialism is false.
As we see, Premillennialists wrongly divide key events into many scattered events spread out over a long period of a thousand years, with some parts happening at some "rapture," some happening at the second coming, and some happening after the completion of a literal thousand years. That scheme clearly contradicts scripture. Scripture refutes premillennialism.
Here's how we know the "thousand years" of Rev 20 is a symbol and cannot be a true time period of history:
(1) Premillennialists divide the judgment of the living and dead into multiple events separated by a time period of one thousand years. Scripture, in contrast, says that Christ's judgment of the living and the dead occurs "at his coming" (2 Tim 4:1; Matt 25:31-46; Rev 11:15,17-18). Thus, premillennialism is false.
(2) Premillennialists divide the resurrection of the just and the resurrection of the unjust into multiple events separated by a time period of one thousand years. Scripture, in contrast, says that the resurrection of the dead occurs "at his coming" (1 Cor 15:22-23) and pertains to both the just and unjust together (John 5:27-29, Acts 24:15, Daniel 12:1-2). Thus, premillennialism is false.
(3) Premillennialists claim that the wicked are not judged and raised simultaneously with the righteous on "the last day." Scripture, in contrast, says that it is on "the last day" that Jesus both resurrects and judges the wicked together (Jn 12:48; Jn 6:44,54). Thus, premillennialism is false.
(4) Premillennialists claim that the "Thief in the Night" (Matt 24:43) speaks of some "rapture away of christians" that takes place seven years prior to the Day of the Lord/coming of Christ; they also claim that the "new heavens and earth" comes one thousand years after that. St. Paul, in contrast, says the "Thief in the Night" event is the Day of the Lord (1 Thess 5:2-5). Interestingly, St. Peter teaches that this same "Day of the Lord/Thief in the Night" event is simultaneous with the "passing of heavens and Earth" (2 Peter 3:10). Therefore we see that the "Thief in the Night," the "Day of the Lord," and "the passing of heavens and earth" are simultaneous, leaving no room for a literal thousand years in between the events. (Finally, we note that Jesus says the "Thief in the Night" event took place for the first-century church - Rev 3:2-3). No literal thousand years can be made to fit anywhere. The New Heavens/Earth and Second Coming are clearly simultaneous. Thus, premillennialism is false.
(5) Premillennialists claim that Christ's kingdom has been postponed and will begin at some future millennium. Scripture, in contrast, says that Christ's kingdom was established during his generation (Mark 1:14-15; Rev 1:5-6,9) and isn't limited to a thousand years. Christ's Kingdom is eternal (Isa 9:6-7), and Christ has been the King of Kings for twenty centuries now, as the only Sovereign of Heaven and Earth (Matt 28:18-19/Rev 1:5-6/1 Tim 6:15/1 Pet 3:22). We are not waiting for Christ to reign. He reigns, and the increase of his government has no end. Thus, premillennialism is false.
As we see, Premillennialists wrongly divide key events into many scattered events spread out over a long period of a thousand years, with some parts happening at some "rapture," some happening at the second coming, and some happening after the completion of a literal thousand years. That scheme clearly contradicts scripture. Scripture refutes premillennialism.
