Millenarianism

Refers to a Christian religious ideology usually based on an interpretation of Revelation 20. 1-7 which holds that there will be a thousand-year reign of the saints, either right before or after Christ's return. Millenarianism has had its followers since the early days of Christianity, but it became particularly popular in the 19th century, when groups such as the Plymouth Brethren and the Adventists embraced apocalyptic and millennial ideas. Recently the term has also been applied by social scientists to any religious group waiting for a sudden transformation of the world; such groups tend to become popular during times of social change or crisis.