Chiliasm
CHILIASM
From Greek χιλιάς (1,000) or millenarianism, from Latin mille (1,000) teaches the visible personal rule of Christ on Earth for a millennium before the end of the world. Its most ancient form, based on a literal interpretation of Revelation 20, speaks of the resurrection of the just and that of the damned. The first will be followed immediately by the millennium; the second will precede the last judgment. The Holy Office censured a recent revival of the idea: "A system of mitigated millenarianism cannot safely be taught" (H. Denzinger, Enchiridion symbolorum, ed. A. Schönmetzer [32d ed. Freiburg 1963]3839).
Bibliography: j. michl and g. englhardt, Lexikon für Theologie und Kirche, ed. j. hofer and k. rahner, 10 v. (2d, new ed. Freiburg 1957–65) 2:1058–62. g. gilleman, "Condamnation du millénarisme mitigé," Nouvelle revue théologique 67 (1945) 239–241.
[g. j. dyer]