The Millennium and Why it Matters

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Jerry Amstutz - 1st service

Dean DeArmond - 2nd service

Please turn to Revelation 20.

And today’s passage is actually one of the most debated passages in all of Revelation. Why?

Let me read it.

Reminder that God is giving an amazing vision that overloads the senses to the Apostle John.

John is suffering for Jesus writing to a church that is suffering for Jesus in Romans Empire almost 2000 years ago, and applies to us to keep going—b/c it is worth it to follow Jesus.

Logan just preached 2 weeks ago chapter 19—on Jesus’ return—that is sandwhich by 2 feasts. Either we will be at the marriage feast of the Lamb—as His believers and bride, or be feasted on by the birds—a terrifying image of God’s judgment.

and the vision continues...

Revelation 20:1–6 NIV

1 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. 2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3 He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time. 4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

why is this debated?

it all comes down to how we interpret the 1,000 years referenced here in vs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. aka the Millennium.

There are 3 main views that I want to briefly explain...

and then show how this applies to us.

Let me name the 3 views and then explain them:

3 Views on the Millennium...

and I want take to do this—not to go down a theological rabbit trail, but because if you study Revelation 20 and have a Study Bible—a good Study Bible will often break it down into these 3 views.

(BTW—I have 2 good examples of Study Bibles up here)

Here are the 3 views on screen:

Post-Millennial

Pre-Millennial

A-Millennial

say those with me (I shortened them)

Post-Millennial: view that Christ will return after the 1,000 years (hence post) (Christ returns after the Millennium)

the 1,000 years is often taken symbolically here not literally.

often, this view believes that our world will get increasingly better b/c of the preaching and spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. we will enter a golden age—where more and more of society and every sector of society will become Christians—education, gov’t, business

and we may be in this millennium now or it is in the future, but after that period of time where the world gets better—Jesus will return and set up the new heaven and new earth forever; we will get a resurrection body, unbelievers will be judged, etc.

this view is in the minority view today; I don’t believe the world will necessarily get better before Jesus returns—in fact, we have good reason to believe things will be difficult. Paul said in the last days things will go from bad to worse.

the 2nd view and most popular view:

Pre-Millennial (and there are different shades of each view)

this is the idea that Jesus Christ will return bodily to this earth BEFORE the 1,000 year Millennial reign. (Christ returns before the Millennium)

often in this view—Christ returns literally and at this time all who are believers will get their resurrection body, and Christ will reign on this earth for a LITERAL 1,000 year reign; we will reign with him.

during this time, there will still be unbelievers on the earth, people without resurrection bodies; and people will still be born; people will still reject Christ, but it will be a true golden age;

at the end of the 1000 year reign, Armageddon will happen, Christ will defeat Satan fully and finally, and set up the new heavens and new earth

and I can see why many hold this view—because it comes right after what happens in chapter 19

the 3rd view and pretty popular:

A-Millennial view (we are in the Millennium now)

the A is misleading—because it implies “no millennium.” but that is not true. If you are in this camp, you believe that we are currently in the Millennium. The 1,000 years are interpreted not as a literal thousand year time—but a symbolic way of saying that we as Christians are currently reigning with Christ—especially and mainly in heaven when we die and are with Christ.

this 1,000 year began when Jesus rose from the grave, ascended to heaven, and poured out the Holy Spirit, and we are currently in it.

and it mainly, I repeat mainly takes place in heaven right now. When you and I die as believers like verses 4-6 mention, our bodies stay in the ground, and our souls go to be with Christ, and we reign with Christ in heaven now.

this 1,000 year reference is a reference to the entire period between Jesus’ 1st and 2nd coming.

Now that is a way over-simplified definitions..

people always want to know which one is right, and which one do you support Pastor Rick?

Let me give you my 2 cents, which is all it’s worth.

For the longest time, I supported the Pre-Millennial view. that Christ will come back before the 1000 year reign, which he will literally reign on this earth. and then after that 1,000 yr reign defeat Satan....

but I have changed my mind in going through Revelation—and I land more in the A-Millennial camp.

but I don’t feel like I have 100% certainty, and honestly, I don’t think it REALLY matters that much.

but here’s why I think an A-Mill view—works meaning—at some level, b/c Jesus has come, died, risen, and ascended, we are in the Millennium now. The 1,000 year reign is a symbolic # representing the entire period between Jesus’ 1st coming, and 2nd coming.

Let me just give you a couple reasons why:

Time moves funny in Revelation. (that doesn’t sound very scholarly)…but what do I mean? at the end of chapter 19, we read about how God judges the beast and false prophet and all unbelievers. that looks and sounds very final. but then in chapter 20 Satan is bound, and then will be released to deceive the nations. Who is he deceiving if God has already judged the unbelievers? so I believe we have chapter 19 happen and we get to the end of Jesus returning, and instead of chapter 20 happening right after 19—time backs up again. chapter 20 gives us another camera angle on time. Revelation has been doing that a lot. It will get to the end and then back up and tell us another perspective. 7 seals—7 trumpets—7 bowls

#’s are often symbolic in Revelation. 7 for instance…the 144,000, and now 1,000. 1,000 is often a # of completion in the Bible, too. God owns the cattle on a thousand hills. that is symbolic. 2 Peter — in your sight a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like a day. I believe this # again is symbolic—it is referring to a literal reality—we are reigning with Christ in heaven now, and especially those who have died—but it is representative of a long time. Revelation is called apocalyptic literature like the book of Daniel and Ezekiel in the OT—it is filled with overwhelming images. Even Satan is described as a dragon and a serpent—but I don’t believe He is literally those things; its images meant to teach us real truths.

if you read the rest of the NT—every time Christ comes back for His 2nd coming—we see this completion and finality to what He does. Unbelievers are judged. Believers are rewarded. He sets up his kingdom fully. There is no other reference to that being delayed by 1,000 years. and in the pre-mill view—it is just such a weird time—if Christ is reigning on earth—we have resurrection bodies, unbelievers are still around, people are still dying…weird.

now, one push back—if it is true that we are in a Millennial reign now. look at verse 2-3

Revelation 20:2–3 NIV

2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3 He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.

so you are telling me, Pastor Rick, that Satan has been bound? It certainly doesn’t feel like it. He seems to be pretty effective deceiving people. that’s a big pre-mill argument.

that is an excellent point.

my only response would be this—I do believe Satan is active—he is the father of lies, he is a lion prowling around looking for someone to devour.

but look at the next verses 7-8 carefully—to see what is Satan bound from doing.

Revelation 20:7–8 NIV

7 When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—and to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore.

Revelation 20:9–10 NIV

9 They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

so when Revelation says Satan is bound—it’s not that He is inactive or can’t do anything, that is a figurative way of saying he is bound from deceiving the nations at the end and gathering them for one last assault on the church. He is bound from deceiving the nations and bound from keeping the Gospel going forth—b/c the Gospel is going forth into every nation. When Satan is released from that—he will make one final assault on the church—this is Armageddon chapter 16 (and Jesus coming back chapter 19)

so post-mill

pre-mill

a-mill

let me give you some application—so what…why does this matter...

Remember John was getting this vision from God for the believers to persevere. Jesus is awesome-Jesus is worth it—don’t give into your sinful flesh, or the world aka Babylon, or Satan, the dragon...

Application:

keep going…keep enduring...

Keep the major things major, and the minor things minor

in a lot of ways—the 3 views I mentioned wherever you land—it honestly doesn’t really matter THAT much. your view on the Millennium is minor. It’s not worth dividing over as a church or with other churches and believers.

as long as you can affirm the major truths like last week — Easter Week—that Jesus came, He lived the perfect life on my behalf, He died the death in my place on the cross, he rose bodily, physically, victoriously from the grave, defeating sin, death, and the devil, bringing the kingdom of God.

and you can affirm that Jesus Christ will physically and literally return, set up his kingdom fully and finally, establish a new heaven and a new earth

those are major things; views on the millennium—are not life and death.

however, I still felt like this was worth exploring—b/c you may run across this; you need to be able to understand this—if a preacher on Youtube is saying their view is life and death on this—don’t believe it.

in fact, you will notice a lot of my teaching on Revelation has not been to be concerned with exact charts, timelines, etc…but on trying to get across God’s truth to His Church over the last 2,000 years.

a German theologian in the 17th century said, “in essentials unity; in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity.”

there are many others issues that we can make major that are actually minor.

Don’t give Satan more credit than he deserves. (vs. 1-3)

so back to 1-3—I argued that b/c Jesus Christ has come, lived, died, rose, ascended to heaven—and now reigns at the right hand of God…because of that Satan has been bound in some sense (not fully) but in some ways. The kingdom of God has come b/c of Jesus—not fully but substantially. between Jesus’ 1st and 2nd coming, in some ways, Satan has been limited. We actually say this back in chapter 12—when the archangel Michael kicks Satan out of heaven—I believe that happened at the resurrection and ascension of Jesus!

whether you agree with me or not on that—I hope that you can agree that we dare not give Satan more credit than is due. Yes he is still active, and he is like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. We respect him, but don’t fear him.

Jesus affirmed this in his ministry.

In Matthew chapter 12 (or Mark 3), Jesus is being confronted by the Pharisees after Jesus cast out a demon of a man who was both mute and blind. and the Pharisees attacked Jesus saying:

Matthew 12:24 NIV

24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.”

Jesus famously says

Matthew 12:25–26 NIV

25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?

and then he says in verse 28

Matthew 12:28 NIV

28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Matthew 12:29 NIV

29 “Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.

Jesus is saying by his work—casting out demons—He has begun and brought the kingdom of God.

Jesus has bound the strong man “Satan” - and is able to plunder his house by casting out demons.

with Jesus’ coming and work, Satan’s power is limited; he is bound in a sense.

In Luke chapter 10—Jesus sends out 72 to do ministry, preach, and cast out demons.

when they returned to Jesus and gave a report, look at what they say and Jesus says

Luke 10:17–18 NIV

17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” 18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.

Luke 10:19–20 (NIV)

19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions (reference to demonic powers) and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

one theologian says, “Jesus saw in the works his disciples were doing an indication that Satan’s kingdom had just been dealt a crushing blow—that a certain binding of Satan and restriction of his power had just taken place.”

Look at one more --- John 12:31-32 (Jesus said this)

John 12:31–32 NIV

31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”

this was right before Jesus went to the cross—In Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection from the dead, Satan will be cast out and bound so he can’t deceive the nations like he used to. in other words—people from every tribe, tongue, and nation can truly embrace Jesus by faith b/c of what Jesus did. Things are different now than they were in the OT—b/c Christ has come, He is victorious, He has poured out his Holy Spirit.

Satan is still active and deceiving, but he is on a leash.

this is meant to be so encouraging. it seems like Satan and his kingdom is winning—doesn’t it? John needed to be reminded that God is still in charge. In fact, Satan was dealt a huge blow at the cross. As Pastor Logan said, the battle was won there—he disarmed the powers and authorities—the Apostle Paul says.

we need to be reminded too of this.

in fact, even verse 1 reminds us that Satan is bound and kicked out by an angel—God doesn’t have to do it directly.

Satan is no match for God. Yes, we need to be aware of his schemes, yes he still deceives—but if you are in Christ, if He is your Savior and Lord---rest in Jesus Christ’s work and authority in your life. Greater is the one in you than the world.

and we need to be reminded that we have real power and authority as Christians—not ours—but through Jesus and the Spirit. we have authority to go and share the good news of Jesus, to represent Christ, to take the gospel to all peoples and nations, knowing that it can penetrate the darkest places and hearts. to pray against demonic powers, and to cast out demons.

#3 Remember—We are reigning with Christ now, and will one day when we die. (vs. 4-6)

Ephesians reminds us that if you are a believer---spiritually you are in Christ. and seated with him spiritually in the heavenly realms..

Ephesians 2:6 NIV

6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

spiritually speaking—we have been raised from our sins with Christ from the dead. and now sit with Christ, spiritually speaking in the heavenly realms—showing that honor and authority we have through Christ.

and in verses 4-6--

Revelation 20:4–6 (NIV)

4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. (thrones in Revelation are located in heaven) And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (so when they die, or we die as believers—Scripture says—we come to life. though death is an enemy—it actually enhances our real life—b/c we are with Jesus—and we reign with Jesus—He is the king of Kings—but our life with him in heaven is described that way now.)

5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended (that is the unbelievers).) This is the first resurrection.

6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

the first resurrection occurs when you and I die—our souls go to be with Jesus; our bodies stay here. at the 2nd resurrection when Jesus returns we will get a new resurrection physical body like Jesus’.

and the 2nd death—the 1st death is common to everyone; we are born in sin; wages of sin is death; the 2nd death is even worse—without Jesus—without surrendering to Him, we will die and face eternity away from Him.

but for those in Christ—we will be priests to God—meaning we have full incredible face to face access to God. and we will reign with him.

they can take our lives—God says—but it only leads to a promotion—life with Christ and reigning and ruling with Christ.

so your view on the Millennium—mine doesn’t ultimately matter…what matters is how we apply this passage and how it encourages us over 2 of our biggest enemies…Satan and death.

Future:

April 23: Revelation 20:8-15

April 30: Revelation 21:1-8

May 7: Revelation 21:9-27

May 14: Revelation 22:1-5

May 21: Revelation 22:6-21

May 28: Revelation Recap

June 4: Graduation Sunday

June 11: New Series

June 18:

June 25:

July 2:

July 9:

July 16:

July 23:

July 30:

August 6:

August 13:

August 20:

August 27: