The Revelation of Jesus Christ
“The Millennial Reign of Jesus” Rev 20:1-6
Review
Where are we in our study of the end times as revealed in the book of Revelation? The tribulation has ended. The accumulated wrath of God for the accumulated sin since the beginning has been poured out on the people and kingdoms of the earth through the various judgments. Romans 2:1-6
The final day of wrath and the revelation of the righteous judgment has passed awaiting one final hearing before the judge when all the wicked of the earth from the beginning whose names are not found in the book of life will receive final judgment and sentence. Jesus has gloriously returned to earth with His faithful followers and victorious angel army. The beast and the false prophet have been consigned to the lake of fire. Everyone who embraced the antichrist was killed and awaits final judgment. What will happen to all those who remained true during the tribulation along with the Jews who embrace their Messiah.
INTRODUCTION
Do you ever wish you could be in charge? Do you wish you could be responsible for seeing that thing get done properly? Ever want to be involved in government? Well, if you are a follower of Jesus, a day is coming when you will be directly involved in governing the Kingdom of God.
Revelation describes a period of 1,000 years. The duration of Christ’s earthly reign is mentioned only here (six times). The fact of an earthly reign of Christ is mentioned multiple times throughout the Bible.
Two things are described in this passage.
The binding of Satan the dragon of old in the abyss
The reigning of the faithful on the earth
There are at least three views concerning the millennium. Just as there has been a great deal of discussion concerning the timing of the rapture of the church from the earth, there has also been considerable discussion concerning the timing of the 1,000 year reign of Christ on the earth. I feel the same way toward the discussion concerning the millennium as I do the rapture. We should invest more energy in the wonder of the actual even than the timing of the event. One book on the millennium devoted three quarters of the book on the theological discussion concerning the timing and only one quarter actually discussed the event itself.
I. Prologue
II. Messages to the churches
III. Last days
G. Marriage of the Lamb 19:7-11
H. Return of Christ 19:12-22
I. The MILLENNIUM 20:1-6
1. The Moment of the Millennium
The three main interpretations concerning the millennium hinge mostly on one’s method of Bible interpretation. I will first describe the three views and then look at how they are affected by one’s method of interpretation and which view best incorporates the teaching of the Scriptures regarding the future and end times.
A-millennial View
An “a” or “un” in front of a word negates the word that follows.
“a” moral means no moral implications
“un” American means views that do not correspond with American values.
“un” faithful means one who is not faithful.
An “a” millennialist is one who does not believe in a literal 1,000 year reign. They teach that from the ascension of Christ in the first century until His second coming, both good and evil will increase in the world as God’s kingdom parallels Satan’s kingdom. They teach that Satan is currently and actually or literally bound as taught in Rev 20 but evil will still increase.
When Jesus returns, the end of the world will occur with a general resurrection and we will all enter into the eternal state. The a-millennialist must spiritualize all of the future kingdom prophecies. There is no record of this view in the early church writings. It became the dominate view during the time of Augustine (354-430) and Jerome. It has been the predominate view all through recent church history.
Post-millennial view
The postmillennial view, by its name, believes that Christ will return AFTER (post) the millennium. They teach that the current age since the ascension of Jesus IS the millennial period described in Revelation 20 but does not necessarily represent a literal 1,000 years.
At the close of the church age, Jesus will return to earth after Christianity has grown in power and dominated the world for a long period of time. The postmillennialist believes that things will get better and better through the control of the church and there will be no need for a cataclysmic return of Christ to impose righteousness. Victory will result from the faithful application of the means available during our present age. This was a major view in America during much of the nineteenth century but fell out of favor until the 1960’s. The view has reemerged as under what is called the Christian Reconstruction movement. This movement believes that the command to dominate the earth must be achieved by Christians who transform the current governmental system into a theocracy. It is known by other names such as: Dominionism, Dominion Theology, Christian Reconstructionism, Theocratic Dominionism, Kingdom Now theology, and Theonomy
Pre-millennial view
The premillennial view teaches that Jesus will first (pre) return to the earth and then establish His earthly 1,000 year reign in fulfillment of the promised restored Davidic kingdom.
Both the “a” and “post” millennialist must deal with Revelation 20 by spiritualizing the 1,000 years mentioned six times in this passage. There cannot be a literal 1,000 years since both believe that the millennium began at the ascension of Jesus and we are well past 1,000 years since the ascension of Jesus. At that point, you must call on things like “a day in God’s eyes are like a thousand years”. With that reasoning, the millennium refers to an indeterminate amount of time. Since God did provide a literal time frame in a vision to Daniel called the 70 weeks of Daniel, there is no reason to believe that Jesus did not mean a literal 1,000 years in His revelation to John. Only the premillennialist holds to a literal 1,000 period in which Christ reigns over those who survived the tribulation without yielding to the antichrist.
A second issue is that both the “a” and “post” millennialist must account for the binding of Satan in the abyss and prevented from influencing the people of the earth that is clearly taught in Rev 20. Both believe Satan is currently bound and gagged. One believes evil still increases even without Satan’s direct influence. The other believes that righteousness will progress and eventually overcome evil just prior to the return of Jesus.
I have some basic issues with these views.
Paul and Peter both leave post ascension instruction concerning our dealings with Satan.
We are told to resist, rebuke, battle, and stand against. Paul goes as far as to tell us that that battling Satan and his sorry soldiers IS our primary battle. Paul talks about the prince of the power of the air now energizing the sons of disobedience.
Also, with this view, the appearance of the dragon in the end times and his energizing the antichrist must be explained. They explain it through a historist view of revelation which considers that the events in revelation have already come to pass in history.
Also, it is very difficult for me to believe that, given the current deterioration of society all over the world, Satan is currently bound. He seems alive and active to me. His evil influence is the only way to explain the horrific events we see happening day after day. He continues to deceive the nations. The end time is all about his deception of the nations and peoples of the earth. Revelation specifically indicates that Satan will no longer be able to deceive the nations while incarcerated in the divine incinerator.
Finally, all the Old Testament prophecies including Paul’s teaching in Romans 9-11 regarding Israel and the promise of a future glorious restoration and kingdom must be explained or explained away. All of these “millennial” prophecies must be understood symbolically rather than in a literal way because there is nothing so far that corresponds to the promises presented there.
2. The Marvel of the Millennium
Let us first glean information concerning the millennium from our passage which highlights two main points.
God prevents Satan from deceiving and influencing humanity for 1000 years.
Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time.
God dispatches an angel from heaven to chain up Satan the dragon, the serpent of old, the devil and seals him up in the abyss for a thousand years. Satan’s main function is deception.
This “binding” prevents any further deception and influence for a period of 1,000 years.
It will be like it was in Eden before Satan was allowed to tempt humans.
Christ will reign over the earth for 1,000 years with his appointed rulers.
Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years. Revelation 20:1-6
Who is they “they” on the thrones? Not only does Jesus reign, but He resurrects those who had sacrificed their life during the tribulation because of their devotion to God. This is called the first resurrection which comes in four phases or stages. It is a resurrection to new life.
A second resurrection of the unbelieving dead for judgment will take place later.
This will be a resurrection to judgment.
They will serve as rulers and priests to God. The song to the Lamb in chapter 5 referenced this privilege for followers of Jesus.
"You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth." Revelation 5:10
Other passages indicate that believers raised at the rapture will also rule during this time. This is all we know from Revelation concerning the 1,000 years. Other passages paint a more detailed picture of the nature of this culmination of history.
The duration of the Millennium
As we have discussed, there is no reason to reject a literal 1,000 year interpretation of Rev 20.
The Government of the Millennium
This will be a pure theocracy. Christ will be in complete charge. Jesus will personally and visible rule from the Holy City; Jerusalem. He will establish a perfectly righteous rule over the entire earth. He will always execute perfect justice in EVERY case. Jerusalem will become the center of rule. The city that received so much persecution and unrest will be the very center of world peace.
Scripture appears to indicate that King David will hold some exalted position in the millennial kingdom (Jer 30:9; Ezk 37:24-25). The twelve apostles will be commissioned to rule over the twelve tribes (Matt 24:29-30).
Those faithful to employ what Christ gave them will be rewarded with ruling responsibilities.
The church will also enjoy ruling responsibilities.
The nature of the millennium
Spiritual Blessings of the Millennium
Peace
This is one of those wonderful passages of Scripture:
And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. (Isaiah 2:4)
This will not be experienced until the Millennium. Only then will there be world peace.
The day is coming when there will be peace. In fact, Isaiah also indicates in chapter 9 that there will be no end to His peace.
Righteousness
And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever. (Isaiah 32:17)
Our Lord will be a King who reigns in righteousness (Isa. 32:1). Righteousness will be the belt of His loins (11:5). With righteousness He shall judge the poor (11:4; 16:5). Zion shall be called the city of righteousness (1:26). Only the righteous shall enter the kingdom at its inauguration (Matt. 25:37), and those who thirst after righteousness shall be filled (5:6).
Holiness
And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remains in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem. (Isaiah 4:3)
Holiness is one of the things that characterizes the Millennium. The word holiness literally means separation, a thing set apart. We shall be holy as He is holy. There will be a separation from all that is contrary to God’s moral law.
Glory
Not only does Isaiah mention peace, righteousness and holiness, but we’re also told here that glory is another spiritual blessing during the Millennium.
When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning. And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night for upon all the glory shall be a defence. (Isaiah 4:4, 5)
God’s glory will be continually evident throughout the Millennium.
Joy
Therefore with joy shall you draw water out of the wells of salvation. And in that day shall you say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. (Isaiah 12:3, 4)
To grant those who mourn in Zion, Giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified. Isaiah 61:3
Instead of your shame you will have a double portion, and instead of humiliation they will shout for joy over their portion. Therefore they will possess a double portion in their land, Everlasting joy will be theirs. Isaiah 61:7
Comfort
And in that day you shall say, O LORD, I will praise You: though You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD Yahweh is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. (Isaiah 12:1, 2)
Full Knowledge
And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORDS’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (Isaiah 2:2, 3)
"But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days," declares the LORD, "I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. "They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them," declares the LORD, "for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more." Jeremiah 31:33-34
Prosperity and fruitfulness
The earth will be increasingly productive throughout the Millennium as wilderness and desert places become useful (Isa. 35:1–7). One harvest will be followed by another (Amos 9:13–14). Social needs and injustices will be eliminated (Ps. 72:12–13). The curse to which the earth was subjected when Adam sinned will be reversed, though not completely lifted until the end of the Millennium when death will be finally conquered.
There are numerous other passages that describe this new order of things. The desert blooms.
The curse retreats. The chaos will give way to complete harmony. It seems that God will bring about a significant restoration of the earth even before the compete renewal of the heavens and the earth mentioned later just after the millennium. It will happen at the return of Jesus.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. Romans 8:18-21
Perhaps the discussion of the renewed heaven and earth takes place before the millennium and the New Jerusalem comes down as the new capital city.
All nature will be at peace.
And the wolf will dwell with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the young goat, And the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little boy will lead them. Also the cow and the bear will graze, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The nursing child will play by the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child will put his hand on the viper's den. They will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD As the waters cover the sea. Isaiah 11:6-9
Universal Worship
Full knowledge of the Lord will cover the earth during the Millennium (Isa. 2:2–3). Apparently sacrifices will again be offered in a temple which will be built and in operation during the Millennium (Ezek. 40–48) as a means of memorializing the death of Christ. Religious holidays will also be observed during the Millennium (46:1–15; Zech. 14:16). All the nations will willingly come to the temple in Jerusalem and worship.
Society will experience great joy and healing
The wilderness and the desert will be glad, and the Arabah will rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it will blossom profusely and rejoice with rejoicing and shout of joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They will see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God. Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble. Say to those with anxious heart, "Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; the recompense of God will come, but He will save you." Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. Then the lame will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will shout for joy. For waters will break forth in the wilderness and streams in the Arabah. The scorched land will become a pool and the thirsty ground springs of water; in the haunt of jackals, its resting place, Grass becomes reeds and rushes. A highway will be there, a roadway, and it will be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean will not travel on it, but it will be for him who walks that way, and fools will not wander on it. No lion will be there, nor will any vicious beast go up on it; these will not be found there. But the redeemed will walk there, and the ransomed of the LORD will return and come with joyful shouting to Zion, with everlasting joy upon their heads. They will find gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
Isaiah 35:1-10
Longevity will be the standard.
"I will also rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in My people; And there will no longer be heard in her The voice of weeping and the sound of crying. "No longer will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his days; For the youth will die at the age of one hundred And the one who does not reach the age of one hundred Will be thought accursed. "They will build houses and inhabit them; They will also plant vineyards and eat their fruit. "They will not build and another inhabit, they will not plant and another eat; For as the lifetime of a tree, so will be the days of My people, and My chosen ones will wear out the work of their hands. "They will not labor in vain, or bear children for calamity; for they are the offspring of those blessed by the LORD, and their descendants with them. Isaiah 65:19-23
This will be a most significant period in the plan of God for the ages. It was the subject of a majority of the prophets. Their description of an eternal kingdom of peace and prosperity was never realized in history. Only at the millennium will those promises come true.
We too will not only enjoy the experience but be a vital part of it. Even yet, it is NOT the final destiny of God’s people. There is yet to come the dawn of everlasting life on earth. Yet to be unveiled is the promised life on the new heavens and earth that shall never end.
