The Promise of a New Millennium

Reflections by the Presiding Bishop and Conference of Bishops
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

As the year 2000 approaches, there is a growing sense of anticipation around the globe. Despite protests that the new millennium technically begins on December 31, 2000, it is abundantly clear that for the general public, when the number "two" appears on the calendar, the celebration will begin.

The Millennium

What will the world be celebrating at the turn of the millennium? It will be more than a momentary observance of a rare calendar event. Like a birthday or anniversary, it is a natural invitation for us to reflect on our past and to look ahead to the future.

Why 2000? Why the third millennium? The reason is Jesus Christ. For centuries dates have been designated as "B.C." (before Christ) or "A.D." (from the Latin anno Domini which means "in the year of our Lord"). Early societies typically marked time by reference to their king or emperor. When Christians placed the initials A.D. after the calendar year, it was a great statement of faith: Jesus is Lord. Although secular historians use other designations today, for Christians A.D. is a powerful reminder that Jesus Christ is Lord "yesterday, today and forever."

The Millennium, Second Coming and the End of the World

The early Christians "lived on tiptoe," peering expectantly to the future. They lived in the early glow of the Resurrection, and anticipated that their beloved Jesus would return soon. Their hope in Jesus' "Second Coming" looked for the fulfillment of history and God's final triumph over sin, death and evil . As the third millennium nears, we remember the impassioned prayer of hope that marked early Christian worship: "Maranatha", i.e., "Our Lord, come."

When Jesus was asked about his return, he said, "About that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father" (Mark 13:32). Despite various "millennialist" theories throughout the centuries, there is no biblical basis for equating a year 1000 or 2000 with Jesus' return, the coming of the Kingdom of God, or the end of the world. When the Bible mentions "a thousand years" (Revelation 20:2-6), it refers to a period of time and not a specific date. As Christians, we live each day as if it could be the last, and embrace each new day as a gift of God. Whether "the close of the age" comes soon or millennia hence, Jesus has promised to be with us (Matthew 28:20). When that day comes, it will not be a time of fear for the Christian, but a time of completion.

A Time to Look Back

The end of the second millennium invites us to reflect on the past thousand years of the church. There has been tremendous expansion of the Christian church since the year 1000, for which we thank God. But not all has been good; in fact, there has been much for which we must repent. Too many wars have been fostered in the name of religion; our sin against God has too often turned to hatred and deadly sin against one another.

For Lutherans and others, the second millennium of Christian history is indelibly marked by the Protestant Reformation, a Christian reform movement initiated by Martin Luther. In a time stained by corruption in the church, Luther sought to restore the centrality of the Gospel as the "true treasure of the church." Regrettably, the effort for reform led to divisions, and although some progress toward reconciliation has been made, competition and mistrust among churches remain.

This millennium also saw a great worldwide missionary effort, in response to our Lord's command to "go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19). In spite of shortcomings and sins, millions were reconciled to God through faith in Jesus Christ. Yet there are millions more who do not know the love of Christ. Even as we "wait for the blessed hope of . . . Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13), we are keenly aware that we have urgent missionary work to do.

A Time to Look Ahead

What will be the shape of the Church's mission in the year 2000 and beyond? Many cultures have become increasingly secular. Like the earliest Christians, we are unlikely to serve and witness in a world where those in power view the Christian church as a partner or an indispensable guiding light. But whether Christianity is a central institution in society or a mission from the margins of society, the basis for our hope and our mission remains the same, "Remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20).

We know some of the challenges that lie ahead. Acknowledging the divisions and distrust between nations, religions, races and even among Christians we are called to work for reconciliation and peace. In a divided Church we are called to demonstrate the power of the Gospel to make us one. In a world where resources are often concentrated in the hands of a few, we are called to work for equity, justice and dignity on behalf of the poor and oppressed. As part of God's creation, we are called to be wise stewards of the earth in the face of forces that exploit, consume, or pollute the environment.

There is much about the future that could give us pause as Christians, but we are not afraid. We move into the third millennium in the confidence that Jesus will be Lord of this millennium too. We remember his assurance that even the gates of Hades will not prevail against us as we carry out his mission (Matthew 16:18). Whatever the years may bring, we have a Lord who is faithful to his promises. May we be faithful too!

A resource for study, "The Year of Our Lord 2000," was prepared as a
pastoral letter from the Presiding Bishop and Conference of Bishops of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. These reflections are based upon
that pastoral letter.
Festival of the Reformation, October 31, 1998