Revelation. Vision 4. The Millennium.

[Marilyn C]

THE MILLENNIUM (Rev. 20)

The Millennium is the time which God promised to the nation of Israel. They would be the rulers over the nations of the world, under God. Satan would be bound for this period, and man will be able to learn God`s ways. The Lord Jesus will rule through Israel with a rod of iron, meaning consequences for actions.

Judgments

Satan is cast into the bottomless pit for a thousand years while Israel rules the nations of the world under Christ`s authority. He will be released after that time so as to test those upon the earth whether they will follow God or Satan.

`Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit & a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil & Satan, and bound him for a 1,000 years; and cast him into the bottomless pit, & shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while. (Rev. 20: 1 – 3)

The nations are also brought under Christ`s judgment when He returns. Those that looked after `His brethren,` the Jews will be able to go into the millennium while the others will be taken away in judgment. (Matt. 25: 31 - 46)

Rewards

Those of the nations who did look after Christ`s brethren, the Jews will go into the Millennium, (Matt. 25: 34 & 40) plus those of Israel (Zech. 13: 8 & 9) who receive their Messiah. The martyrs who had not worshipped the beast will be given life again and serve Christ as priests throughout the Millennium.

`And I saw thrones, & they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus & for the word of God, who had not worshipped the beast or His image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived & reigned with Christ for a 1,000 years. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the 1,000 years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and they shall reign with Him a 1,000 years.`(Rev. 20: 4 - 6)

 

[Marilyn C]

The Millennial Kingdom

After the triumph of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the defeat and disposal of every hostile & evil power, the time has come for the setting up of Christ`s Millennial Kingdom. This will be a wonderful time of blessing and fruitfulness for the nation of Israel and for those who obey Christ`s rule through them.

`Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord`s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, & shall be exalted above the hills; & all nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come & say, “Come, & let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, & we shall walk in his paths,” for out of Zion shall go forth the law, & the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.`(Isaiah 2: 2 & 3)

Peace and tranquillity will prevail with the absence of wars as people will stop making weapons and make farm tools instead. Rain will come in the right season to produce a good harvest with food and work for everyone. Thus people will live longer. However if there is disobedience then there will be consequences as the rulership is `with the rod of iron.`

`They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning - hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.`(Micah 4: 3) `I will cause showers to come down in their season;....then the trees of the field shall yield their fruit,...`(Ex. 34: 26 & 27)

There will be many generations of people during this thousand years and even though they have been under God`s blessing the human rebellious carnal will, still desires to have its own way. Thus when Satan is let loose, he deceives the nations who think they can again destroy God`s plan of rulership through Israel. This time God just sends fire from heaven as a complete judgment upon them.

`Now when the 1,000 years have expired Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, together them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea.

They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints & the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. And the devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Rev. 20: 7 – 10)

 

[Marilyn C]

Final Judgments

Here we are shown the most awe-inspiring vision of earth and sky being `rolled up.`

`Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.`(Rev. 20: 11)


Then we see the Lord Jesus Christ enthroned in Judicial Authority. This is the final great judgment where every person will be resurrected to appear before Him. Wealth, nobility, fame or earthly honours will be immaterial.

`And I saw the dead, small & great, standing before God, & books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.

The sea gave up the dead, who were in it, and death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works.`(Rev. 20: 12 & 13)

These books contain meticulous, accurate and complete records of every individual.

The `Book of Life,` the only one designated, is the one of supreme importance. Herein are recorded the only exemptions from this judgment. This is the register of the `Church, the Body of Christ,` already redeemed and enthroned in Heaven.

The names of the remaining books are not mentioned; nor need we speculate. However, what is certain, is that all who have rejected the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Saviour will be relegated to join Satan in the `Fiery Lake of Eternal Punishment.`

Whoever will be recorded as having never actually heard the Gospel: but, by their works have acknowledged and worshipped God, by virtue of the wonders of His Creation; they will be granted eternal life upon the earth.

`Then death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.`(Rev. 20: 14 & 15)