REVELATION
1000 Years of Peace, Then War, Then
Judgment
Revelation 20
Jerry A Collins
SCC
What is the purpose of Satan’s binding?
What difference will the 1000 year reign of Christ
make?
What is the relationship between the great white
throne and the 2nd death?
Growing
up in the sixties and seventies I heard many songs that spoke of the necessity
of love and peace for mankind. ‘What the world needs now is love sweet love’
‘War is not the answer’ ‘the answer is blowing in the wind’ ‘war huh what is it
good for absolutely nothing’ and so many many others.
We do long for a world of peace, love, respect and justice. Our songs reflect
that. Many passages in the Bible indicate that a reign of peace and justice on
earth will follow the second coming of Christ (Ps 2; 24; 72; 96; Isa 2; 9:6-7; 11-12; 63:1-6; Jer
23:5-6; 30:8-11; Eze 40ff; Dan 2:44; 7:13-14; Hosea
3:4-5; Amos 9:11-15; Micah 4:1-8; Zeph 3:14-20; Zech
8:1-8; 14:1-9; Mt 19:28; 25:31-46; Acts 15:16-18; Rom 11:25-27; Jude 14-15; Rev
2:25-28). The world will get what it longs for when Jesus comes to reign here.
1. JESUS WILL REIGN ON EARTH FOR 1000 YEARS 1-6
5
times in these verses John tells us of this 1000 year period of time.
Satan will be bound 1-3 This millennial age is a rule of divine
righteousness. It is also God’s final test of fallen humanity under the most
ideal circumstances. So all outward sources of temptation must be removed so that
man can show what he is apart from satanic influence. So an angel with a key to
the abyss and a great chain takes hold of Satan who is called by four names.
(1) Dragon 12:3-4, 7, 9, 13, 16-17; 13:2, 4, 11;
Thrones and resurrection 4-6 When this reign begins John sees thrones and people
on them giving judgment, possibly faithful believers who returned with Christ
19:14 receive authority from Him and take charge of the earth under Christ’s
rule. John then sees souls of ones beheaded 17:6; 18:24 because of (1)
testimony of Jesus (2) word of God (3) not worshipped the beast of his image
(4) had not received mark of beast on forehead or hand. They are resurrected
and join us as we reign with Christ on the earth. In contrast with these
resurrections (Bride and Trib saints) the unbelieving
dead of every age are not resurrected yet vs 5—not
until the 1000 yr reign is completed. This ‘first’ resurrection refers to all
believers of every age even though heir resurrections will be at different
times. Various groups of the righteous will experience resurrection at various
times and all of it is part of the first resurrection in contrast to a second
resurrection where God will raise all of the wicked at one time—at the end of
the millennium vs 12-13. The times God raises
believers as part of this 1st resurrection are (1) xians at the rapture 1 thess
4:13-18 (2) trib believers at beginning of 1000 yr
reign (3) Ot believers most likely at same time Isa 26:19-21; Eze 37:12-14; Job 19:25; Dan 12:1-3). (4) 1000 yr believers
who die during 1000 yr cf vs
12-13 & 1 Cor 15:23. These are blessed (favored)
and holy (set apart) for the 2nd death has no power over them—that
is the lake of fire. Jesus last enemy he abolishes is death 1 Cor 15:26. So the 1st resurrection delivers
believers from the lake of fire. This blessing includes being priests of God
and Christ—unlimited access & intimate relationship with God. These will
reign with Him during this 1000 yr period. The overcomers
of
When
believers are taken at the rapture the Trib begins
with all unbelievers tho many quickly believe. At 2nd
coming all unbelievers taken and 1000 yr begins with all believers tho people born many unbelievers. So people during 1000
have a sin nature—need to be saved. Outward conformity to Christ’s law
necessary but with Satan bound & many temptations removed because of
Christ’s righteous reign a test to determine true heart condition
necessary—tests God often took in the past. Even a righteous reign and all
blessings does not change heart.
Satan released 7-10 Immediately nations
are deceived from all over the earth coming with antagonism against God as Gog and Magog (ruler and the
people in rebellionj against God enemies of
Great White Throne
11-15 This is a
sovereign throne where everything is justly considered and decided. Not
arbitrary or capricious. This throne stands alone vs
11—none of the things of earth will distract. No place is found for homes,
wardrobes, cars, collections. Just a person standing alone in
presence of his/her judge. Does not mater how long a person has been
dead or condition of their body or location of it—all came
forth 12-13. ‘Hades’ is place where unrighteous await judgment lk 16. Does not
matter persons importance or significance or lack of any on earth. There
is no partiality with God Rom 2:11. Evidence is found in books. A book of life
13, 15 opened and only way to escape this judgment is to have your name in it
and only way to do that is to believe vs 15—it is the
book of life of the Lamb who has been slain Rev 13:8. A book of deeds opened
twice judged according to deeds 12-13. Think of all we can store today on a
disk and God will have His data on each one there. Mt