Millenarianism, also known as millenarism, is a belief in a coming fundamental transformation of society, in part through supernatural action, after which “all things will be changed”. In religious context, it often refers to the doctrine of or belief in a future thousand-year age of blessedness, beginning with or culminating in the Second Coming of Christ. It can also refer to a belief in a future golden age of peace, justice, and prosperity. Millenarianist movements were often religious, but they can also be secular.
These movements believe in radical changes to society after a major cataclysm or transformative event. Millenarian movements often envision three periods in which change might occur. First, the elect members of the movement will be increasingly oppressed, leading to the second period in which the movement resists the oppression. The third period brings about a new utopian age, liberating the members of the movement.
Millenarian movements are often born of frustration, despair, or demoralization and seek to cut through a hopeless situation with a promise of a millennium – a promise of good government, great happiness, and prosperity.
From their earliest manifestations, their beliefs have divided into two tendencies:
- Those based on a hierarchical imperial vision of a coming kingdom that will be overseen by a just, if authoritarian, ruler who will conquer the forces of chaos. The philosopher king, the benevolent autocrat.
- Those linked by a popular vision of holy anarchy, in which man’s domination of his fellow man will cease. The City on the Hill, the Global Village.
The key determinant of millennialism’s impact on society is timing. As long as the day of redemption is yet to come, millennial hopes console the suffering and inspire patience and political quiescence. Driven by a sense of imminence, however, believers in apocalyptic millennialism can become disruptive and even revolt against the sociopolitical order in an attempt to bring about the promised kingdom of peace.
In some cultures, millenarianism has taken the form of cargo cults. The cults blended Christian missionary teaching concerning the eventual millenarian resurrection of Christ with the culture’s own myths in which mythical ancestors would become transformed into powerful beings and dead would return to life.
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