When did the church decree there won't be a literal millennium?

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justcatholic,

You are correct with what was posted concerning Justin Martyr, but neglected to reconcile one with the other. You cannot ignore:

“I admitted to you formerly, that I and many others are of this opinion, and [believe] that such will take place, as you assuredly are aware; but, on the other hand, I signified to you that many who belong to the pure and pious faith, and are true Christians, think otherwise.” (Ibid. 80)

Certainly Justin Martyr does not declare this belief as infallible. Why would you?

What is your implication? Do you believe in a “rapture” followed by a 1000 year reign? Perhaps it is helpful if you can detail what exactly you believe will happen.

For instance: Do you believe that Christ came and defeated Satan by dying on the cross, and serving as the Lamb of God, but then ascended into heaven, leaving us to our own devices until some period of time (2,000+ years at the latest count) goes by and then will come again and reign for 1000 years? What then? Will Christ relinquish His throne to Satan, let the faithful have a battle, and then…?

Thanks,

MilesJesu
 
Miles, it’s pretty plain to me. There will be a future tribulation. The church will be persecuted. There will be a Antichrist. Then at the close of all this, Christ will return, overthrow the Antichrist and begin his reign in Jerusalem for 1,000 years and the resurrection will occur. Nothing hard about that.
 
But he (Justin Martyr) also admits that there is a difference of opinion:

“I admitted to you formerly, that I and many others are of this opinion, and [believe] that such will take place, as you assuredly are aware; but, on the other hand, I signified to you that many who belong to the pure and pious faith, and are true Christians, think otherwise.” (Ibid. 80)
 
From the CCC:
676 The Antichrist’s deception already begins to take shape in the world every time the claim is made to realize within history that messianic hope which can only be realized beyond history through the eschatological judgment. The Church has rejected even modified forms of this falsification of the kingdom to come under the name of millenarianism
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,576 especially the “intrinsically perverse” political form of a secular messianism.577
 
A 1944 pronouncement of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome clarifies the Church’s position:

“In recent times on several occasions this Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Holy Office has been asked what must be thought of the system of mitigated Millenarianism, which teaches, for example, that Christ the Lord before the final judgment, whether or not preceded by the resurrection of the many just, will come visibly to rule over this world. The answer is: The system of mitigated Millenarianism cannout be taught safely.”

Rome has spoken, the matter is closed – at least for Catholics who don’t insist on their own fallible interpretation of Scripture in opposition to the clear teaching of the Church.
 
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justcatholic:
Miles, it’s pretty plain to me. There will be a future tribulation. The church will be persecuted. There will be a Antichrist. Then at the close of all this, Christ will return, overthrow the Antichrist and begin his reign in Jerusalem for 1,000 years and the resurrection will occur. Nothing hard about that.
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The church is okay with the antichrist and the tribulation. Your view of 1000 year reign however has been condemend and I suggest you rethink it. The Church is wiser than you in this matter and is the pillar and support of the truth. Trust not in your own understanding Prv. 3:5 tells us.

Blessings
 
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