Nuanced
Not a literal future period; New Jerusalem = New Church spiritually understood
Swedenborgianism does not teach a literal thousand-year millennium as a future physical event. The New Jerusalem described in Revelation is understood as the New Church established through the spiritual revelations given to Swedenborg. The thousand years represent an indefinite period of spiritual development and growth.
The millennial age is not something awaiting future fulfillment but something already inaugurated through the establishment of the New Church doctrine and continues to unfold through the spiritual development of its adherents. The symbolism of Revelation is consistently interpreted as spiritual rather than literal and temporal.
Key Distinctions
- Millennium view:
- the New Jerusalem = the New Church (Swedenborg's revelation); already unfolding spiritually
- Rapture view:
- not applicable; Second Coming already occurred through Swedenborg
- Israel role:
- symbolic — the New Church fulfills Israel's role
Scripture References
Sources
- Emanuel Swedenborg, True Christianity