21
blessings of the kingdom. The second was for the wicked, for the purpose of eternal
judgement.
Tertullian writes of the desire of Christians for glorification "before we put off
the garment of the flesh." He asserts that this is the hope of those who are alive at the
coming of Christ. This translation is to occur at or about the time of the Antichrist.
Tertullian sees this doctrine taught in the Thessalonian epistles. Tertullian also believed
that Satan would be the first to be confined to the pit, after which the resurrection of the
righteous was to take place. Universal resurrection to judgment is to follow.
33
Commodianus believed that after six thousand years have been completed, some
will live again on the earth for 1000 years, after which the wicked are punished in fire.
34
Similarly, Lactantius, wrote that preceding the thousand years shall come what from his
description sounds much like Johns apocalypse, and possibly the prophecy of Ezekiel 38.
After the thousand years will come the loosing of Satan and final judgment.
35
To summarize, the authors cited offer a clear consensus as to what would happen
at the end of chiliasm: a final resurrection of the wicked which was to result in
judgement. Believers were not included in this judgement, having already been
resurrected prior to the kingdom that they might have their place in it.
Jerusalem and Chiliasm
Jerusalem also has a place in the beliefs of some of the fathers about chiliasm.
33
Ibid., 238.
34
Ante-Nicene Fathers, The Instructions of Commodianus. Vol.4, 218.
35
Ante-Nicene Fathers, The Divine Institutes, Vol.7, 221.