WHEN DOES THE THIRD MILLENNIUM BEGIN?

Does that matter? For example, would the start of the third millennium mark the beginning of the Thousand Year Reign of Jesus Christ, referred to in the book of Revelation? No. The Bible nowhere indicates any link between the third millennium and the Thousand Year Reign of Christ.

Jesus warned his followers against speculating about dates. He told disciples: "It does not belong to you to get knowledge of the times or seasons which the Father has placed in his own jurisdiction." (Acts 1:7) Earlier, Jesus revealed that even he did not then know when God would execute judgment on this wicked system, paving he way for Christ's Millennial Rule. He said: "Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens n or the Son, but only the Father." -Matthew 24:36.

Is it reasonable to expect that Christ will return exactly 2,000 years from the date of his birth as a human? No, it is not. Jesus must have known the date of his own birth. And he certainly knew how to count 2,000 years from that date. Yet, he did not know the day and hour of his coming. Obviously, it would not be that simple to pinpoint the date of his return! The 'times and seasons' were in the Father's jurisdiction-the time-table his alone to know.

Furthermore, Jesus did not command his followers to wait for him a specific geographic location. He told them, not to gather together and wait, but to scatter to "the most distant part of the earth" and make disciples of people of all the nations. He has never rescinded that command. -Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:19, 20.

Next time: Will Their Millennial Hopes Be Dashed?

Watchtower, 1999