chiliad
I have a thousand questions. Why do men take up swords to slay one another? Why do words pierce the inner fibre of our being? Why do flames devour, raging winds wreak havoc, and earthquakes create cracks to swallow the earth? Why does the beaming smile of a little child light up my world? Why does the string of a cello vibrate my innermost rhythms? Why is the church today more like a luxury liner instead of a battleship ready to fight for the souls of men?
Indo-European etymologists believe that the word “thousand” or “chiliad” in Greek means “swollen hundred.” There really was no word for “thousand” so it referred to very large numbers. In the Psalms, David makes reference to God:
He remembers his covenant forever, the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations, the covenant that he made with Abraham, his sworn promise to Isaac, which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant, Psalm 105:8-10 or perhaps:
For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night. Psalm 90:4
And Peter, Jesus’ apostle, gives us a true figure as well:
But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 2 Peter 3:8
And so, for thousands of years, the real purpose of the church is to bring unbelievers to Jesus. Jesus told his disciples, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned".” (Mark 16:15-16) Yet many Christians indulge in the peaceful comforts of the world. What would really happen if we looked squarely in the face of thousands of people on this planet “who are currently heading for an eternity in hell, while never having heard of Jesus? Would we decide it was time to move this ship back into battle, or would we continue to sit back on the pool deck while we wait for the staff to service us another drink?” - David Platt
Eternity is forever. I would rather live my life as if there is a God and die to find out there isn’t, than live my life as if there isn’t and die to find out there is.
Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years. Rev. 20:6
Maybe it’s time to put on our armour and fight the real battle - the spiritual war that is raging across our nations. How are you sharing God’s love and promises in your life today?