The "a" in the word amillennialism negates the term just as in computer programming where "NOT" in front of a T/F variable reverses the state. Amillennialists are not unilaterally negative about everything, for they believe in the Second Coming of Christ who will initiate the eternal state. But they don't believe that there is an interim segment created by a First Resurrection and then a Second Coming. There is a specific time for the return at the end of the church age because there are prerequisite events which must transpire. Jesus explained, "'There will be signs . . . for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory'" (Lk 21:26-27).
But since they don't take everything literally they tend to be spiritualists or idealists. Symbolism and figures of speech are more meaningful to them. Historical events themselves have secondary importance whereas allegories teach principles. The book of Revelation deals with tribulation in the world, but to an idealist, the descriptions sound more like science fiction. They would rather see it as a conflict between good and evil as history progresses. The end result would be the triumph of righteousness over sinfulness. However, the symbolic figures in the book are not impractically detached because their behavior has counterparts in sinful human activity.
You could say that Jesus' disciples were interested in eschatology--the theological study of the end times. They asked, "'What will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?'" (Mt 24:3). Later Jesus encouraged them saying, "'I am with you always, even to the end of the age'" (28:20). But he also said, "'That day and hour, no one knows . . . but My Father only'" (24:36). There are numerous events in the last days written about in the book of Revelation. Near the end of the book Satan is locked up for a "thousand years" (Rev 20:3). There is the Latin word "millennium" which means one thousand. Peter said "with the Lord one day is as a thousand years" (2Pe 3:8). Is this time increment literal or symbolic? It is not a reference made just in passing because it is used in Revelation 20 verses 2,3,4,5,6 and 7. Bible students have traditionally tried to place Jesus' Second Coming in relation to the Millennium. However, different interpretations of this time period have developed. The group designated as amillennialist denies that there will be a literal, future millennium.
Amillennialists believe in the return of Christ and a future perfect kingdom. To them the church age is synonymous with a reigning Christ who rules from heaven spiritually through living believers. Also, many of them believe that deceased believers are participating from their heavenly location. Therefore, the thousand year reference is figurative and allegorical. The allegories provide spiritual lessons. Using Revelation 20:1-3 they say that because of Satan's defeat at the cross there is no need for allocating a unique thousand year period since he cannot deceive the nations (:3). Others see the millennium as the "new heaven and the new earth" (21:1). They accept a simpler explanation of things as opposed to the extremely literalistic interpretation of dispensational premillennialists. Some adhere to progressive parallelism which professes that Revelation 20:1-6 reflects the history of the church age. They argue that the church in the New Testament replaces Israel and that it is fulfilling Old Testament prophecies. They cite that Constantine had created a millennium-like environment. In fact, Augustine's advocating a figurative explanation carries on in Roman Catholic doctrine today.