Dr. Bradford Reaves
Crossway Christian Fellowship
Hagerstown, MD
www.mycrossway.org
We are now in a powerful point in the study of Revelation as we look tonight at the Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ. This is a promised Kingdom from God that the world has attempted to imitate and the now destroyed Antichrist wanted to control. It is a utopia of perfect peace that can only be realized at the Second Coming Jesus. When he comes, he destroys the Antichrist’s world-system and the armies at the Valley of Armageddon with just a word from his mouth. We know that he arrives back to earth riding a white horse and he will have the Church Triumphant, the Old Testament Saints, and the armies of Angels with him. He will land on the Mount of Olives where the mountain will be split in two and he will walk through the East Gate to setup his throne on at the Temple.
As we’ve studied the Book of Revelation, we saw how there is a chronological progression in the book. There are historical things that will happen in a precise order and Revelation should be interpreted that way, just as with all the Bible. There are times when John will outline a series of events and then he will go back and provide further detail of that event. For instance, we see how John is describing the last of the bowls in Chapter 16 and he gives an overview of what happens when the seventh bowl is poured out and then he goes back through Chapters 17-19 to provide specific events that will happen as a result of the bowl being poured out; namely the destruction of the false religion, then the destruction of Babylon the Great, and then the rejoicing of heaven, followed by the triumphant return of Christ in the Battle of Armageddon, as we just studied. It is not overly complicated, it is not some kind of mysterious code, it is a clear discernable picture and as the world continues moving in its current direction that picture is becoming even more clear.
There are those, who have attempted to write into Scripture a different interpretation, which has led to confusion and false teaching. Among those are various views on the Rapture and also the Millennium. I am going to cover these views before we get into the teaching on the Millennium, so you have a clear understanding. Just like the Rapture is clearly distinguished in Scripture and can be found in the Old Testament, the Gospels, and the letters to the Church, so can also the Millennium be seen throughout the entirety of Scripture.
We find references to the Millennium in 2 Samuel, the Psalms, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Zechariah, Matthew, the Parables, and more. So, a good understanding of the Millennium is to have a good understanding of the biblical description of the Kingdom of Heaven and we could spend several weeks on just that topic. We may do that after our study in Revelation.
Now, I hold fast to and most evangelical teachers understand the Millennium to take place after the Second Coming of Christ. And in the structure, pattern, and order of Scripture, that makes sense. We call this “premillennialism.” Meaning, when we interpret the Rapture, Tribulation, and Second Coming of Christ in relationship to the Millennial Kingdom - pre (before the) millennium. That comes from a literal interpretation of Scripture, meaning we take the Bible at its face value. We interpret the Bible with a literal historical, grammatical, contextual, hermeneutic because to do otherwise leads to inserting, changing, or allegorizing Scripture falsely.
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There are also two other views you must understand: postmillennialism and amillennialism.
1. Postmillennialism
Postmillennialism is the next most popular interpretation of Revelation 20 and it is most common in America. It says that Jesus will come back after the Millennium. And the basis of this is that the Postmillennialist believes that the Church is here to establish the Kingdom through taking over of the world’s systems (education, government, social services, etc) and eventually the Church will establish the Kingdom of God and at some point it will be setup well enough for Christ to come and take his throne.
So postmillennialism interprets all what we’ve studied as more allegory. It will be the Church that triumphs over the world of men, demons, evil, etc, and the church through spiritual warfare will win the final battle. Through the Church’s victorious advances in the world, things will get better and better until a world wide utopia is realized. Pat Robertson said when he was running for president that him being elected will help establish the kingdom (MacArthur)
This is where most kingdom-now theology emerges, the emergent church, hyper-spiritual warfare, liberation theology, the prosperity gospel, etc. come out of postmillennialism (Bennett Cortez, Sermon Central). They will say we are in the Millennial Kingdom now; the 1000 years isn’t a literal number.
There are a number of Problems with postmillennialism are numerous. “Those who hold to postmillennialism use a non-literal method of interpreting unfulfilled prophecy, often interpreting prophetic passages allegorically. The problem with this is that when the normal meaning of a passage is abandoned, its meaning can become entirely subjective. All objectivity concerning the meaning of words is lost. When words lose their meaning, communication ceases. However, this is not how God has intended for language and communication to be. God communicates to us through His written word, with objective meanings to words, so that ideas and thoughts can be communicated.” (Got Questions)
A major problem I have with postmillennialism, is the role of Israel. We know from our study of Revelation that the Tribulation is not about the Church, but God restoring Israel. Postmillennialism is rooted with replacement theology. Postmillennialism is church-centric, but we know that Scripture is covenant-centric and Israel is the center of God’s covenants.
Lastly, postmillennialism is popular when things are going well, but usually wanes when things in the world start going awry. Postmillennialism lost much of its popularity among theologians during the Great Depression and World Wars. When things in the world seem to be more prosperous, it gains popularity. We know, however, the world is heading in a certain trajectory.
Matthew 24:21-22 “21 “For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. 22 “And unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.”
2. Amillennialism
The other theological interpretation of the Millennium is Amillennialism, meaning no (a) millennium. The amillennialist will say there is no kingdom being established. The way things are today are how things are going to be, for better or for worse. So the premillennialist says things are going to get worse and then Jesus cleans house and sets up his kingdom. The postmillennialist says that things are getting better and when Jesus comes after the Church has finished its job, the kingdoms of this world and the Kingdom of God will merge. And the Amillennialist says that everything just goes its course and there is not establishment of the Kingdom of God
The amillennialist has a major problem with interpretation because the Millennial Kingdom described in Revelation 20 is clear that Satan is bound. How can Satan be bound when Scriptures clearly say that Satan is actively working to hinder the saints, blind the minds of men, and roaming around the earth roaring like a lion (Acts 5:3, 2 Corinthians 4:4, 1 Peter 5:8, 1 Thessalonians 2:18).
Historically, the Church in earliest post-apostolic eras understood the millennium of Revelation 20 to be a literal 1000 year period in which Christ would rule. “Papias, Barnabas, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Tertullian all give evidence of this fact in their writings” (MacArthur). It wasn’t until some 400 years later that other teachings began manifesting.
Now we ask you, brothers, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, 2 that you not be quickly shaken in your mind or be alarmed whether by a spirit or a word or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 Let no one in any way deceive you, for it has not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the sanctuary of God, exhibiting himself as being God. (2 Thessalonians 2:1–4 LSB)
3. The Premillennial Exposition Revelation 20:1-6
1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 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 finished. After these things he must be released for a short time. 4 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 witness of Jesus and because of the word of God, and who also 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. 5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection. Over these the second death has no authority, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years. (Revelation 20:1–6 LSB)
It is clear that our world is continuing into a progressive state of chaos. Man is continually and futilely attempting to bring about his own idea of world peace and perfection, but it will only lead to his destruction. He is following the satanic forces that influence him and his agendas. When the rapture occurs, I believe it will bring about a global crisis and power vacuum so that the people of the world will be hungry for someone to lead them out of the chaos and restore normalcy. This will be the entrance of the Antichrist and the inauguration of what we known as the 70th week of Daniel or the 7-year Tribulation. As we previously learned, Jesus returns to utterly destroy this man-made, satanically led kingdom. Now, with Jesus physically back to earth and the Battle of Armageddon won, John describes an angel binding Satan and throwing him into Hell.
John’s use of the phrase, “And I saw” is a continuation of sequential visions throughout the book of Revelation. With that, we see the emphasis on the progression through Revelation. We don’t know who the angel that John sees. Some have speculated that this is Michael, since Micheal is noted in other places in Scripture as being the archenemy of Satan. For instance, in Jude 9, “9 But Michael the archangel, when he, disputing with the devil, was arguing about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”
Satan is powerful, but he is not all-powerful. All it takes is one angel to bind him and lock him into the abyss (Tsarfati). The angel takes Satan, binds him in chains and throws him in the abyss for 1000 years. Some ask what is the abyss. 2 Peter 2:4 describes it “For if God did not spare angels who sinned, but cast them into the pit and delivered them to chains of darkness, being kept for judgment;” It is a place reserved for judgement for the demons, unclean spirits, and demons. It is not the final lake of fire, but rather a holding place that was made for all the fallen angels and those who reject God’s grace through the cross.
Luke 8:31 “And they were pleading with Him not to command them to go away into the abyss.” Gives reference to this place and it is clearly a separate place from the eternal suffering
“Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; (Matthew 25:41 LSB)
We know that when the angels binds and throws Satan into the abyss, the Angel has a key and it is sealed. Look at the result of this in verse 3: Revelation 20:3 “3 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.
With Satan gone there will no more satanic deception. The nations and the people no longer be under Satanic rule. There will, continue to be see in the unregenerate and those who are not resurrected from the corruption of sin.
The only ones left here on earth will be God and man - those who have been resurrected and those who are still in corruptible flesh (Tsarfati). “There will be no satanic enterprise, there will be no satanic ideologies, no satanic philosophies, no demonic theories of anything. There will be no satanic theories of morality. There will be no satanic theories of justice. There will be no satanic theories of social behavior, social life. There will be no satanic maxims, opinions, ideologies of any kind existent anywhere on the globe. The whole demonic world is incarcerated along with their leader, and Jesus Christ sets the agenda for all of the world.” (MacArthur).
We also know that this is a temporary arrangement. Verse 3 also tells us that Satan must be released for a short time. These leaves the question why the Millennial Kingdom? Why not just throw Satan into the fires of hell for eternity immediately?
Why the Millennium?
Verse 4 gives us the first answer. Revelation 20:4 “4 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 witness of Jesus and because of the word of God, and who also 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 first reason for the Millennium is so that God can reward the faithful saints of the Old and New Covenant. Additionally, the bible says that all believer from every age will reign with Christ during this time (Hitchcock).
?And Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Matthew 19:28 LSB)
Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? If the world is judged by you, are you not worthy to constitute the smallest law courts? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more matters of this life? (1 Corinthians 6:2–3 LSB)
‘And he who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, TO HIM I WILL GIVE AUTHORITY OVER THE NATIONS; 27 AND HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON, AS THE VESSELS OF THE POTTER ARE BROKEN TO PIECES, as I also have received authority from My Father; 28 and I will give him the morning star. (Revelation 2:26–28 LSB)
So part of this period is a time of judgement. This is when we will see the seperating of the sheep from the goats. Everything that we have ever done will come to perfect light. We’ll get into the Great White Throne Judgement of Christ in more detail next week in our study of Chapter 21.
Secondly, I believe that the Millennium will be a period of time when the earth will be restored to its original glory and purpose. Some believe that much of what happens in the Tribulation (the earthquates, the asteriods, the leveling of the mountains, etc.) all provide a foundation for the earth to be restored. Isaiah 35:1-7 tells us that the earth will become amazingly productive and beautiful. Even the desserts will blossom like a rose (Hitchcock)
“For behold, I am creating a new heavens and a new earth; And the former things will not be remembered or come upon the heart. (Isaiah 65:17 LSB)
But according to His promise we are looking for NEW HEAVENS AND A NEW EARTH, in which righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:13 LSB)
“I will cut a covenant of peace with them and cause harmful beasts to cease from the land so that they may live securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. 26 “I will make them and the places all around My hill a blessing. And I will cause showers to come down in their season; they will be showers of blessing. 27 “Also the tree of the field will yield its fruit, and the earth will yield its produce, and they will be secure on their land. Then they will know that I am Yahweh, when I have broken the bars of their yoke and have delivered them from the hand of those who enslaved them. (Ezekiel 34:25–27 LSB)
Dwight Pentecost writes, “God’s purpose for the earth would be unrealized the the problem generated by Satan’s rebellion would never be resolved. Thus the physical, literal, reign of Christ on earth is the theological and biblical necessity...”
It is also here that Christ, the second Adam will do what the first Adam fail to do; it is a full culmination of history to restore what was broken by the power of sin in man (Boice). There has never been a time when the Gospel will be so perfectly preached as it will be during this time.
Another reason for the Millennium is the procreation of man. There is still the fulfillment of Genesis 1:28
God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that creeps on the earth.” (Genesis 1:28 LSB)
Up until this point any person that survives the Tribulation is not redeemed, but now there is no corruption of sin for man to be born into. The population of the earth has been decimated by man rebellion against God, but there will be people who survive the tribulation that will live under the reign of Christ. Amir Tsarfati writes, “the world population around 1000 AD was 310 million, now it is 8 billion. Can you imagine the population explosion that will take place on the earth over a period of 1000 years in a world without the diseases, natural disasters, and violence of our times?”
Lastly, we see in the Millennium the second resurrection. Revelation 20:5-6 “5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection. Over these the second death has no authority, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.”
Now what is the second resurrection. The bible describes two resurrections that will take place. The first resurrection identifies those involved as “blessed and holy.” the second death mentioned in Revelation 20:14 has not power over these people (GotQuestions.org). This is what takes place during the rapture according to 1 Thessalonians 4:16).
The Second resurrection is when the wicked or those who died apart from the redemption of Christ are raised to be judged by Christ at the Great White Throne. It is here that they will be casted into the lake of fire for their eternal damnation.
Which throne will you appear before? Will you appear before Christ to receive the victor’s crown for the life you lived in faith in Jesus Christ (c.f. 2 Timothy 4:8, Isaiah 28:5, James 1:12, Revelation 2:10, 1 Peter 5:4) or will you appear before Christ to receive the sentence all receive who refuse the salvation available freely to all of us today?
