Saints Reign With Christ Series

Tom Lowe

10/18/17

Book of Revelation

Lesson: V.A.2: Saints (Martyrs And Faithful) Reign With Christ (Rev. 20:4-6)

Scripture (Rev. 20:4-6, KJV)

4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Introduction

Who are they who will reign with Christ in heavenly glory here on earth for one thousand years? There is much speculation and much disagreement as to who these are. Some say they are saints; some say they are angels. We will find the answer to this question and some others in this section.

The first ten verses of chapter 20 of Revelation include all of the specific Biblical teaching on the thousand-year reign of Christ. In spite of volumes which have been written on the subject, John gave only a few specific details. During the Millennium, Satan will be bound; the faithful Christian martyrs will be raised from the dead at the beginning of the reign; they will set on thrones and will share Christ’s reign on earth; their state is blessed because they have no fear of the second death and they serve God and Christ as priests.

The sovereignty of Christ as MAN (Psalm 8) and as King (Psalm 2) is Bible truth. A royal reign to be displayed for one thousand years here on this earth is unquestionable according to Scripture. The prophets of old saw it in a vision. Judah sang about it. The prophecy from Isaiah to Malachi speaks of its glory, blessing and splendor. The earth is to be delivered from the curse under which it has so long groaned and travailed. God created Adam and gave the earth to him. Adam subleased it to the devil, and when the lease runs out the sub-lease is no good. One day Adam’s day will be over and the day of the Lord God Almighty will come in. He will literally banish Satan from the earth, and the earth will be delivered from the curse. “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever” (Revelation 11:15).

In Revelation 11:15 the reign was announced. In chapter 20 it has actually come to pass. Verses four through six are extremely important and unique, for here alone is revealed a summary of those who will share with Christ in the Millennium, in the reign of righteousness and glory here on earth.

Commentary

4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Satan has been bound and thrown into the Abyss so that for a thousand years he will not be able to deceive the nations. Here Revelation describes who will take part in that thousand-year reign of Christ, free from the influence of evil.

Furthermore, Christ’s victory will be a long reign—1000 years. The triumph of evil had been very brief. The two witnesses of God (11:3) had been killed and had lain exposed in dishonor on the street but “three days and a half.” God raised them from the dead. The dragon had attacked the mother of the Messiah, but his power was limited to three and one-half years (12:14). Christ will reign for 1000 years. The 10 Kings had power for only “one hour” (17:12); Christ will reign for a thousand years. Satan will be loosed for a “little while,” but Christ will reign for 1000 years.

“I saw thrones . . . ” Daniel in exile and John the Beloved in exile saw “thrones” in a vision . . . the same “thrones.” When Daniel saw them they were unoccupied; John saw them occupied: “they sat upon them.” In Daniel 7:9 we read “Till the thrones were cast down.” But in the Hebrew language, this verse should read, “Till the thrones were placed.” Daniel beheld the vision until the thrones were established. He does not lead us into the Millennium, but simply to the beginning of it. He breaks off his prophecy at the beginning of the Millennium where one “like unto the Son of man” receives from the Ancient of Days the universal and everlasting kingdom (Daniel 7:13, 14{9]).