The spelling of the word "Chiliast" is interesting and can be explained using IPA phonetic transcription. It is spelled /ˈkɪli.ast/, with the emphasis on the first syllable. The first syllable is pronounced with the "ih" as in "sit" sound, while the second syllable is pronounced with the "y" as in "yes" sound. The "i" in the word is pronounced with a short "ih" sound, and the second "i" in the word is pronounced with a long "ee" sound as in "ski". "Chiliast" refers to someone who believes in a thousand-year reign of Christ.
A chiliast is an adjective used to describe an individual or belief system that subscribes to millenarian eschatology, which refers to the belief in the imminent or eventual establishment of an earthly paradise or utopia lasting for a thousand years. Derived from the Greek word "chilioi," meaning "a thousand," chiliast represents a person who adheres to the belief in a literal interpretation of the biblical book of Revelation, particularly Chapter 20, which describes a thousand-year reign of Christ on Earth known as the Millennium.
Chiliasts typically anticipate the second coming of Jesus Christ and the resurrection of the dead, which are believed to usher in a period of profound peace, justice, and spiritual enlightenment. This belief system often involves the expectation of a final judgment, the defeat of evil forces, and the establishment of a harmonious society governed by godly principles. Chiliasts can be found in various religious traditions, such as branches of Christianity, where they are usually associated with a particular interpretation of end-times theology.
However, it is important to note that chiliast is not limited to religious contexts and can also be used to describe secular ideologies or individuals who advocate for a radical societal transformation leading to long-lasting prosperity and happiness. In such cases, chiliast is often employed metaphorically to convey a strong belief in the potential for fundamental societal change.
The word "Chiliast" comes from the Greek term "chilias", meaning "a thousand". It is derived from the Greek word "chilioi", meaning "a thousand years". "Chilioi" is the plural form of "chilio", which is the Greek word for "one thousand". This term is related to the biblical concept of the "millennium" or the thousand-year reign of Christ mentioned in the Book of Revelation.
The Greek term "chilias" was later Anglicized into "Chiliast" in English, referring to a person who believes in or advocates for the idea of a future thousand-year earthly reign of Christ. The term is commonly used to describe those who hold millenarian or millennialist views.