INTRODUCTION
Outline.
Reign (1000 years) at His Coming
Remarks.
1. In our lesson series today we are going to be discussing a theme: “the reign (1000 years) at his coming.” We have addressed the first two theories in pre-millennialism already in this lesson series: “the rapture and 7 years of tribulation,” of Christ at His coming.
2. We will now investigate the question, “will there be a 1000 year reign at His coming?” In Paul’s first Letter to the Corinthians, he renounces the theory of a 1000 year reign, when the Lord returns. He wrote: “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept. ... But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterwards they that are Christ’s at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he (Christ) must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death,” 1 Corinthians 15:20-26.
3. This Letter will settle the question of a 1000 year reign of Christ, upon the earth. Much of this theory is forged from the many “symbols and keys” mentioned in the Book of Revelation and prophetic utterances. We will discuss a few of them in this lesson. With this introduction, let’s consider our last lesson in this series.
BODY OF LESSON
REIGN AT HIS COMING
A. An overview of the 1000 year reign of Christ on the earth. Reference: See God's Prophetic Word, by Foy Wallace, p. 347-349; cf. Lion and the Lamb on Planet Earth, by Rodney Miller.1 There are many views regarding the pre-millennialist’s theories.
1. After Satan’s defeat in the battle of Armageddon: “Jesus will then establish his earthly, civil kingdom (like that of David), on earth. He will reign as King in Palestine (Jerusalem) for 1000 years. At the end of His 1000 years reign, the wicked dead will be raised, then all men will be judged and receive their eternal rewards.”1 This is the third part of the theory of pre-millennialism.
2. Text of discussion. Paul wrote: “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept. ... But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterwards they that are Christ’s at His coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he (Christ) must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death,” 1 Corinthians 15:20-26; Hebrews 2:14-15.
B. Christ is risen. Paul affirms: “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order; Christ the first fruits afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming,” 1 Corinthians 15:20-23. In these verses Paul establishes several things. Notice:
1. Christ is risen from the dead. Paul makes an empathic statement: “Christ is risen from the dead.” He states this from three sources. They are the:
a. Prophecy of scriptures, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.
b. Proven sighting (eyewitnesses), 1 Corinthians 15:5-10.
c. Preaching sanctioned (by God), 1 Corinthians 15:11-19.
2. Christ is the first fruits of them that slept. The ideal of “first fruits” goes back to the Old Testament “feast of weeks” or “Pentecost,” Leviticus 23:10-11; Romans 11:16. Paul’s mentioning of Christ being the “first fruits” is testimony there is more to come. In this case, Christ the first resurrected; at His come “others will be resurrected.”
3. In Adam all die, in Christ all shall be made alive: “And so it is written, the first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit,” 1 Corinthians 15:45; Genesis 2:7; John 6:39-40; John 6:54.
4. Every man in his own order: “Every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterwards they that are Christ’s at his coming,” 1 Corinthians 15:23.
a. Christ the first fruits: “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept,” 1 Corinthians 15:20.
1) Christ's resurrection is a pledge and earnest of our resurrection, if we remain faithful to our calling and election to Christ.
2) We are a part of the consecrated lump, and shall be made partaker of the blessings of the first fruits (the resurrection of Christ).
3) As Christ has risen, we shall also rise; just as the lump is holy, because the first fruit is holy. Paul wrote: “For if the first fruits be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches,” Romans 11:16.
4) Christ has not risen merely for himself, but as head of the body, the church; we too shall be raise like Him. So Christ's resurrection must, in order of nature, precede that of the saints. That He should be the “first fruits” of the resurrection of the saints.
b. Afterward they that are Christ’s: Christ rose as the first-fruits; therefore those that are Christ's shall also rise from the dead. Thus, this shall occur at His coming. Paul speaks of the “redemption of our mortal bodies.” Notice:
1) First, “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you,” Romans 8:11.
2) Further, “And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body,” Romans 8:23.
3) Finally, “And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption,” Ephesians 4:30. This will occur at His second coming.
c. At His coming. The resurrection and the redemption of our mortal bodies will occur when Jesus returns to raise the dead. Paul continues with the resurrection:
1) First, “So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption,” 1 Corinthians 15:42.
2) Further, “It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power,” 1 Corinthians 15:43.
3) Next, “It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body... Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual,” 1 Corinthians 15:44-46. Illustrate: The Glorious Body of Jesus, Philippians 3:20-21.
4) Additionally, “The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly,” 1 Corinthians 15:47-49.
5) Finally, “Now this I say, brethren... Behold, I show you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we (that are alive) shall be changed,” 1 Corinthians 15:50-52.
6) Conclusion, “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal shall put on immortality. So when this this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then, shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. ... Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ,” 1 Corinthians 15:53-57.
7) Summary: Paul affirms that at Christ’s second coming there will be a resurrection and a change by both the dead and those yet alive. It will occur at the last trump, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. And the dead shall be raised incorruptible, having immortality and eternal life, 1 Peter 1:3-5; 2 Peter 1:3-4. Notice:
a) Paul’s instruction to Timothy: “Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling... But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,” 2 Timothy 1:9-10.
b) Peter’s words to the saints: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,” 1 Peter 1:3-4; 2 Peter 1:10-11.
c) Jesus speaks of the resurrection: “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation,” John 5:28-29.
i. The "hour" is coming in which "all that are in the graves" will hear his voice, and be raised, both the good and the evil. This will occur in the same "hour"; not after 1000 years.
ii. Pre-millennialists insist that prophecy must be taken literally; this therefore, leaves no room for 1000 years between the resurrection of the good and the evil. It will happen in the very “same hour.”
iii. The event after the resurrection of the good and evil; will be their appearance at the judgment seat of Christ, Matthew 25:30-47; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 22:12-13.
d) Paul speaks of the resurrection: “But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust,” Acts 24:14-15. Notice:
i. Paul speaks of only (one) general resurrection (“There shall be a resurrection of the dead.”) This resurrection will occur at the Lord’s second coming.
ii. The just and the unjust, at the same time (“shall be raised from the dead.”)
iii. There is no mention of two resurrections, separated by a 1000 years. There was no mention of a 1000 year reign before or after (“the resurrection of the dead.”)
C. Then cometh the end. We now come to the real importance of this lesson. The End! What happens immediately after the clause: “they that are Christ’s at his coming,” verse 23; and the empathic statement: “Then cometh the end,” verse 24. Let’s be clear Paul’s view of what will occur immediately after the return of Christ is far different; than those who believe, teach and preach the “pre-millennialist’s” doctrine. Notice:
1. Paul states: “Then cometh the end.” When He (Christ) shall have:
a. Delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father (not set it up).
b. Put down all rule and all authority and power (not set it up), 1 Corinthians 15:24.
2. Pre-millennialists states: “Then begin the rapture.” Jesus will:
a. Make an invisible appearance.
b. Jesus will raise the righteous dead.
c. The rapture will begin in earnest (righteous caught up into heaven).
d. This will prompt the “seven years of tribulations” upon the earth.
3. There is no mentioning of these events in Paul’s Letter to the Corinthians.
4. Illustrate: R-7, 1000. The rapture, 7 years tribulations and 1000 year reign of Christ.
D. Christ must reign. Paul further wrote: “For he must REIGN, TILL he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death,” 1 Corinthians 15:25-26. Notice:
1. Paul affirms these 3 things:
a. “Christ must reign, till.” This statement notes that Christ was currently reigning, and shall reign “till,” which is an adverb of time. Christ was then reigning over His kingdom, when Paul wrote this Letter to the Corinthians. He is reigning NOW!
b. Christ “is alive who was dead, and liveth forever,” Revelation 1:18; Revelations 2:8. He doth now reign, and will continue to reign; till the redemption of our mortal bodies is complete; and the destruction of all Christ’s enemies, and then death itself.
c. Christ reigns NOW over His kingdom. Paul wrote, “For He must reign till:”
1) “He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father.”
2) “He shall have put down all rule and all authority, and power.”
3) “He hath put all enemies under his feet.”
4) “The last enemy shall be destroyed which is death.”
2. The pre-millennialist affirms: 1000 year reign will begin at the Lord’s visible return after the “rapture and the 7 years of tribulation.”
3. When did Christ begin His reign? Paul states Christ: “shall reign till He returns and delivers up the kingdom to God, the Father.” Paul’s instruction concerning the reign of Christ is different to that of the pre-millennialist. Therefore, it is necessary for us to investigate when did the reign of Christ begin?
4. Peter on Pentecost. Peter’s interprets David’s prophecy regarding the resurrection and reign of Christ on David’s throne. Notice: “Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David... He ...Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne... Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand. Until I make thy foes thy footstool,” Acts 2:29-35.
5. Peter states regarding Christ resurrection and reign:
a. “Christ was RAISED from the dead to SIT on his (David’s) throne.”
1) He is prophesied to sit on David’s throne, Psalms 16:9-11; Psalms 132:11; 2 Samuel 7:12-13.
2) He was raised to sit on David’s throne, Luke 1:32-33; Acts 2:30-32; Romans 1:3-4; 2 Timothy 2:8.
b. “Christ is NOW exalted at the right hand of God.”
1) He is prophesied to be exalted, Hebrews 1:2-3.
2) He is now exalted at the right hand of God, Acts 2:33; Philippians 2:5-11.
c. “Christ has ASCENDED into the heavens.”
1) He is prophesied to have ascended into the heavens, Daniel 7:13-15.
2) He has ascended into the heavens, Acts 1:11; Acts 2:34; Acts 7:56; Ephesians 1:20-21.
d. “The LORD said unto my Lord (Christ): Sit thou on my right hand.”
1) He is prophesied to sit on the right hand of God, Psalms 110:1.
2) He now sits at the right hand of God, Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 1:13; Acts 2:34, 1 Corinthians 15:25.
e. “Until I make thy FOES thy footstool.”
1) He is prophesied to have all His foes put under His footstool, Psalms 110:1.
2) He is now reigning until all His enemies are put under His feet, 1 Corinthians 15:25-26; Acts 2:35.
6. Conclusion: Peter preached Christ was raised from the dead, to sit on David’s throne; once he ascended (return) into the heavens. Christ ascended into heaven to be exalted at the right hand of God. Christ took His seat at the right hand of God, to begin His reign, which will continue until God makes Christ’s foes His footstool. Peter preaching agrees with Paul narrative regarding the resurrection and reign of Christ over His kingdom. Christ reigns over His Kingdom NOW, Mark 9:1; Colossians 1:13; Revelation 1:9; Acts 8:12.
E. The 1000 year reign. Paul makes no mention of a 1000 year reign of Christ upon the earth in Palestine, the city of Jerusalem. He states: “Christ is coming; and that will be the end.” I suggest the following regarding this teaching.
1. The problems with pre-millennialists, they use: “keys, symbols and prophetic statements” to be the foundation of their doctrine.
a. The principles of sound “hermeneutic”2 will use the: “New Testament text to interpret the Old Testament prophetic utterances,” where appropriate. Peter wrote: “No prophecy of scriptures is of any private interpretation,” 2 Peter 1:20-21.
b. Pre-millennialists use Old Testament scriptures (prophetic utterances) and the “keys and symbols” from the Book of Revelation to establish their pre-millennial teachings. They use these “keys and symbols” to interpret the clear passages of the New Testament regarding its teaching.
2. This action is a reverse of sound interpretation principles. Let me illustrate a few of their passages of scripture that are used to establish their teaching. Notice:
a. Joel’s prophecy of the “out pouring of the Holy Ghost,” Joel 2:28-29.
1) Has this prophecy already been fulfilled, or is it something yet in the future?
2) Using the New Testament scriptures to interpret this prophecy, Peter said: “This is that which was spoken of by the prophet Joel,” Acts 2:14-17. Anytime we see a “this is that”; that will be “the end of that.” We have our interpretation, no more debate or discussion is needed.
b. The battle of Armageddon: “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us,” Psalms 2:1-3; Revelations 16:14-16.
1) Does Psalms; or Revelation give prophetic meaning to a “battle of Armageddon?”
2) Using the New Testament scriptures to interpret these prophecy, we consider the Apostles prayer: “And being let go, they... lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord ... Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilot, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, For to do whatsoever thy hand and counsel determined before to be done,” Acts 4:23-31. According to Peter, this battle has already been fought and won by God’s anointed.
c. The rule of Christ: “The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool,” Psalms 110:1.
1) Does this Psalm prophesy of an event to be fulfilled regarding the reign of Christ?
2) Using the New Testament scriptures we can see it has already been fulfilled.
a) Peter’s statement on Pentecost, Acts 2:30-35.
b) Paul’s letter to the Hebrews, Hebrews 1:13.
c) Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, 1 Corinthians 15:25.
d) Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, Ephesians 1:20-23.
e) Peter’s letter to the saints, 1 Peter 3:22.
3. There are many more passages that they use; which can be properly understood by using the techniques I have just illustrated. This lesson cannot, or will not deal with all their teachings in this lesson; but we have sought to provide a foundation to understand the errors of pre-millennialism, Matthew 22:29. As I hasten toward my conclusion, I leave these final thoughts with you. Notice:
a. We should always: “Rightly divide the word of truth,” 2 Timothy 2:15.
b. I charge you to: “Seek ye out of the book the Lord, and read, no one of these shall fail,” Isaiah 34:16; Nehemiah 8:8.
4. References:
a. I recommend the [Neal – Wallace Discussion on “The thousand Years Reign of Christ”] by Foy E. Wallace, Jr., Publication, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Copyright 1933. This discussion was conducted at Winchester, Kentucky, during January 2 to 6, 1933.
b. 1God's Prophetic Word, by Foy Wallace, p. 347-349; cf. Lion and the Lamb on Planet Earth, by Rodney Miller.
c. 2Merriam-Webster, since 1828, by Merriam-Webster, Incorporated (merriam-webster.com), 2017.
CONCLUSION
A. Outline.
Reign (1000 years) at His Coming
B. Summarize main points.
1. We investigated the question, “will there be a 1000 year reign at His coming?” In Paul’s first Letter to the Corinthians, he renounces the theory of a 1000 year reign, when the Lord returns.
2. He wrote: “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept. ... But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterwards they that are Christ’s at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he (Christ) must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death,”1 Corinthians 15:20-26.
3. This Letter settled the question of a 1000 year reign of Christ, upon the earth. Much of this theory was formulated from the many “symbols and keys” mentioned in the Book of Revelation and numerous prophetic utterances. We found this theory to be without merit and false teaching.
C. Invitation. Present the plan of salvation. H, B, R, C, B.
D. Exhortation.
E. Motivation.
