Millennium — Christian faiths have various views on Christ's reign

The "Second Coming of Jesus Christ" is a subject often discussed in Christianity. Less often explored, however, are beliefs regarding the period after Christ's return — the "millennium."

Webster's Dictionary defines the millennium as "the period of a thousand years during which Satan will be bound and Christ will reign on the earth (Revelation 20:1-5)."

As with many topics, different Christian faiths have separate interpretations on what these 10 centuries following Christ's return to Earth will be like, or if they will exist at all.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a very extensive and explicit belief in the millennium.

Here is a sampling of beliefs from six Christian faiths and one other church on millennial beliefs:

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, Catholics believe these main points about the millennium:

• "The early return of Christ in all His power and glory.

• The establishment of an earthly kingdom with the just.

• The resuscitation of the deceased saints and their participation in the glorious reign.

• The destruction of the powers hostile to God, and at the end of the kingdom, the universal resurrection with the final judgment, after which the just will enter heaven, while the wicked will be consigned to the eternal fire of hell."

Catholics also believe, according to their Encyclopedia, "The duration of this glorious reign of Christ and His saints on earth is frequently given as one thousand years. Hence it is commonly known as the 'millennium.'

"This term of one thousand years, however, is by no means an essential element of the millennium as conceived by its adherents. The extent, details of the realization, conditions, the place of the millennium were variously described."

The Seventh-day Adventist Church has a different slant of the millennium. Its Web site (www.sdacc.org) says:

"The Millennium and the end of sin: The millennium is the thousand-year reign of Christ with his saints in heaven between the first and second resurrections. During this time the wicked dead will be judged; the earth will be utterly desolate, without living human inhabitants, but occupied by Satan and his angels. At its close Christ with his saints the Holy city will descend from heaven to earth. The unrighteous dead will then be resurrected, and with Satan and his angels will surround the city; but fire from God will consume them and cleanse the earth. The universe will thus be freed of sin and sinners forever."

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Adam and Eve should not have sinned, that God's plan was for the Garden of Eden state to continue forever. They believe "a new world" is at hand in the millennium.

This means: