Irenaeus of Lyons, a prominent second-century Church Father, is one of the earliest and most detailed proponents of a literal millennial reign of Christ. In his work Against Heresies (Adversus Haereses), particularly in Book 5, he articulates a belief in a future, earthly kingdom where Christ will reign with His saints for 1,000 years. This view, known as chiliasm (from the Greek word for “thousand”), reflects the common eschatological outlook of many early Christians.
Key Beliefs of Irenaeus about the Millennium
Literal Fulfillment of Old Testament Promises
Irenaeus believed that many Old Testament prophecies regarding the restoration of creation, the reign of the Messiah, and blessings upon God’s people would be fulfilled literally in the millennium.
For instance, he references Isaiah 11:6-9 (the wolf lying down with the lamb) and Isaiah 65:17-25 (long life and abundant prosperity) as depictions of the millennial kingdom.
I am quite aware that some persons endeavour to refer these words to the case of savage men, both of different nations and various habits, who come to believe, and when they have believed, act in harmony with the righteous. But although this is [true] now with regard to some men coming from various nations to the harmony of the faith, nevertheless in the resurrection of the just [the words shall also apply] to those animals mentioned. For God is rich in all things.
And it is right that when the creation is restored, all the animals should obey and be in subjection to man, and revert to the food originally given by God (for they had been originally subjected in obedience to Adam), that is, the productions of the earth.
But some other occasion, and not the present, is [to be sought] for showing that the lion shall [then] feed on straw. And this indicates the large size and rich quality of the fruits. For if that animal, the lion, feeds upon straw [at that period], of what a quality must the wheat itself be whose straw shall serve as suitable food for lions?
He viewed the millennium as a time when God would fulfill His promises to the patriarchs, particularly concerning the inheritance of the land and the restoration of Israel.
The predicted blessing [of Isaac to Jacob in Genesis 27], therefore, belongs unquestionably to the times of the kingdom, when the righteous shall bear rule upon their rising from the dead; when also the creation, having been renovated and set free, shall fructify with an abundance of all kinds of food, from the dew of heaven, and from the fertility of the earth…
The Earthly Reign of Christ
Irenaeus envisioned the millennium as an earthly reign of Christ following His second coming. He tied this belief to Revelation 20:1-6, interpreting the 1,000 years as a literal period during which Christ would reign with resurrected saints. This earthly kingdom would be characterized by peace, righteousness, and the abundance of creation, reflecting the removal of the curse brought about by sin.
The elders who saw John, the disciple of the Lord, related that they had heard from him how the Lord used to teach in regard to these times, and say:
“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.‘”
In like manner [the Lord declared] that a grain of wheat would produce ten thousand ears, and that every ear should have ten thousand grains, and every grain would yield ten pounds (quinque bilibres) of clear, pure, fine flour; and that all other fruit-bearing trees, and seeds and grass, would produce in similar proportions (secundum congruentiam iis consequentem); and that all animals feeding [only] on the productions of the earth, should [in those days] become peaceful and harmonious among each other, and be in perfect subjection to man.
And these things are borne witness to in writing by Papias, the hearer of John, and a companion of Polycarp, in his fourth book… And he says in addition, “Now these things are credible to believers.”
And he says that, when the traitor Judas did not give credit to them, and put the question, “How then can things about to bring forth so abundantly be wrought by the Lord?” the Lord declared, “They who shall come to these [times] shall see.”
A Precursor to the Eternal State
For Irenaeus, the millennium was not the final state of redemption but a preparatory phase leading to the ultimate new heavens and new earth described in Revelation 21-22. He saw it as a transition between the present age, marked by sin and death, and the eternal age of perfect communion with God.
Restoration of Creation
Irenaeus emphasized the restoration of creation during the millennium, drawing heavily on Pauline theology in Romans 8:19-23. He believed the millennial kingdom would involve the renewal of the physical earth, showcasing the harmony between humanity, creation, and God. This perspective aligns with his broader theology of recapitulation (anakephalaiosis), which holds that Christ restores all things lost in Adam.
Connection to the Creation Week
Like the Epistle of Barnabas, Irenaeus viewed the millennium as the fulfillment of a typological pattern based on the six days of creation. He argued that human history would last for 6,000 years (a “day” being 1,000 years, per Psalm 90:4), followed by a 1,000-year sabbath rest during Christ’s millennial reign.
For in as many days as this world was made, in so many thousand years shall it be concluded. And for this reason the Scripture says: “Thus the heaven and the earth were finished, and all their adornment. And God brought to a conclusion upon the sixth day the works that He had made; and God rested upon the seventh day from all His works.“
This is an account of the things formerly created, as also it is a prophecy of what is to come. For the day of the Lord is as a thousand years; and in six days created things were completed: it is evident, therefore, that they will come to an end at the sixth thousand year.
Why Did Irenaeus Hold to a Chiliastic View?
Irenaeus’s chiliastic beliefs stemmed from his high regard for Scripture, particularly the Old Testament, and his desire to demonstrate its fulfillment in Christ. He also sought to counter Gnostic heresies that rejected the goodness of the physical world. By affirming a future, earthly kingdom, Irenaeus upheld the goodness of creation and its ultimate redemption through Christ.
Conclusion
Irenaeus believed in a literal millennium—a future, earthly reign of Christ lasting 1,000 years—characterized by peace, righteousness, and the restoration of creation. He saw this period as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, a time for the vindication of the righteous, and a prelude to the eternal state. His chiliastic view reflects the early Church’s eschatological hope and its deep engagement with biblical prophecy.
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