The Feast Of Tabernacles And The Millennium In History.pdf

Lester L. Grabbe's article, "The Feast of Tabernacles and the Millennium in History," explores the extrabiblical writings from Jews and early Christian fathers that discuss the Millennium and the Feast of Tabernacles. Key points include:

1. Papias' Saying: One of the earliest church fathers, Papias, recorded a saying about the Millennium, describing a future time of abundance and blessing on earth.

2. Jewish Literature: Jewish writings before and during the first century A.D. expressed a strong belief in God's Kingdom on earth, with descriptions of peace, prosperity, and long life. Some, like the Book of Jubilees and the Apocalypse of Baruch, even mentioned a messianic figure bringing about these changes.

3. Catholic View: Early Catholic figures like Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Hippolytus, and Victorinus accepted the Millennium, often interpreting it literally and connecting it with the Feast of Tabernacles.

4. Opposition to Millennium: While belief in the Millennium was nearly universal in the second century, some figures like Marcion and Origen rejected or criticized the idea of a literal, earthly reign of Christ and the saints. By the fourth century, belief in the Millennium was more criticized and less universally accepted.