Papias, an early Church Father and bishop of Hierapolis in Phrygia (c. AD 60–130), is one of the earliest known proponents of premillennialism, the belief in a literal thousand-year reign of Christ on earth following His return. Although his writings have not survived in full, fragments of his works are preserved in the writings of later Church Fathers such as Irenaeus and Eusebius. These fragments provide insight into his eschatological views.
Papias’ Beliefs About the Millennium
Literal, Earthly Reign of Christ
Papias held that the millennium described in Revelation 20 would be a literal, future, earthly reign of Christ. He believed this period would be characterized by abundant blessings and a renewal of creation, reflecting the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies about a restored paradise.
Irenaeus’ Testimony: In Against Heresies (Book 5, Chapter 33), Irenaeus reports that Papias taught about a time of material prosperity during the millennium, including specific, almost fantastical descriptions of fruitfulness:
The days will come, in which vines shall grow, each having ten thousand branches, and in each branch ten thousand twigs, and in each true twig ten thousand shoots, and in each one of the shoots ten thousand clusters, and on every one of the clusters ten thousand grapes, and every grape when pressed will give five and twenty metretes of wine.
And when any one of the saints shall lay hold of a cluster, another shall cry out, “I am a better cluster, take me; bless the Lord through me.”
Jewish Apocalyptic Influence
Papias’ millennial views were heavily influenced by Jewish apocalyptic traditions, which anticipated a messianic kingdom on earth. His descriptions reflect an expectation of physical, tangible blessings, such as the extraordinary productivity of the earth and a restored harmony in creation.
Close Ties to Apostolic Tradition
Papias claimed to base his teachings on the sayings of the apostles or those who had known them. Irenaeus connects Papias’ millennial views to the apostle John, suggesting that Papias might have interpreted Revelation 20 literally as part of the apostolic tradition.
Criticism and Reception of Papias’ Millennialism
Irenaeus’ Support
Irenaeus was a strong supporter of premillennialism and used Papias’ writings to defend the view. Irenaeus saw the millennium as a necessary stage in God’s redemptive plan, culminating in the eternal state.
Eusebius’ Dismissal
Eusebius of Caesarea (c. AD 260–340), a historian and advocate of allegorical interpretations, criticized Papias for his literalism and millennialism. Eusebius regarded Papias as a man of limited understanding:
[Papias] gives also other accounts which he says came to him through unwritten tradition, certain strange parables and teachings of the Saviour, and some other more mythical things.
To these belong his statement that there will be a period of some thousand years after the resurrection of the dead, and that the kingdom of Christ will be set up in material form on this very earth. I suppose he got these ideas through a misunderstanding of the apostolic accounts, not perceiving that the things said by them were spoken mystically in figures.
For he appears to have been of very limited understanding, as one can see from his discourses. But it was due to him that so many of the Church Fathers after him adopted a like opinion, urging in their own support the antiquity of the man; as for instance Irenæus and any one else that may have proclaimed similar views.
Eusebius rejected the materialistic descriptions of the millennium, favoring a more spiritual interpretation aligned with Origen’s allegorical method.
Legacy and Decline of Premillennialism
While Papias’ premillennialism influenced many early Christians, including Irenaeus and others, the view fell out of favor in the fourth century as allegorical interpretations of Revelation became dominant, particularly through the influence of Origen and Augustine.
Summary
Papias advocated for a literal, physical millennium, envisioning a future earthly kingdom characterized by extraordinary material blessings. His views reflected a Jewish apocalyptic framework and were rooted in his understanding of apostolic tradition. While his ideas were influential among early premillennialists, they faced criticism from later theologians like Eusebius, who dismissed his interpretations as overly simplistic and overly materialistic. Papias’ teachings provide one of the earliest and clearest examples of Christian premillennialism.
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