The Millenial Kingdom

Past, Present, or Future

Premillennialism is the view that Rev. 20 is altogether eschatological.

George Eldon Ladd

A millennial

the view that God’s kingdom is already present in the world. the second coming of Jesus will bring the new heaven and earth. No 1000 years.

Post Millennial-believe that the millennium will come through Christian preaching producing a more godly, peaceful and prosperous world

Pre Millennial that Christ will come at the end of the tribulation and usher in the 1000 year millennium. A more literal translation.

Some think that this descent of the Lord will be post-millennial—that is, after the thousand years of his reign. I cannot think so. I conceive that the advent will be pre-millennial; that he will come first; and then will come the millennium as the result of his personal reign upon earth. Justification And Glory, Volume 11, Sermon #627 - Romans 8:30

Charles Spurgeon

Let us begin this morning by reviewing what we looked at last week. We looked at John’s statements of what he saw. The first “I saw” was of heaven opened and a rider on a white horse crowned with many crowns followed by a host of angels and saints from heaven . The rider is Jesus and he attacks the assembled armies of the earth and slays them with the sharp sword that comes out of his mouth. None of the angels or saints are armed.

The second “I saw” is of an angel calling the birds of the air to come and feast on the flesh of those that were slain.

The third “I saw” is of the beast and the false prophet captured and thrown into the lake of fire.

As we proceed to today’s scripture we can understand why some consider the two to be linked together because John continues his listing of “I saw” when he sees and angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the abyss and a great chain in his hand. The angel seized the dragon, ancient serpent, the devil, satan and bound him for a thousand years, threw him into the abyss, shut it, sealed it above him in order that he could not deceive anyone until the 1000 years were completed. The ironic part of this vision is that it was necessary that he be released for a short time. Wouldn’t we all ask “why Lord.”

The next “I saw” is of thrones in heaven on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge.

Mt. 19:28 

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes.

Paul wrote in 1 Cor. 6:2

1 Corinthians 6:2 NIV

Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases?

John then wrote “I saw” the souls of those beheaded because of the testimony about Jesus and the word of God. They had not worshipped the beast or its image and had not received the its mark. These are the saints who will judge the world and reign with Jesus for the 1000 years.

When we think of this time in history, it would have ben when Domitian was the Roman Emperor. He had instituted emperor worship. any who would not bow down and worship him would be killed. The lower classes would have been crucified while the upper classes and Roman citizens would have been beheaded. Many Christians lost their lives at this time. Another way of killing was to allow them to be attacked by wild animals in the coliseum.

Persecution and martyrdom of Christians still continues. I heard recently that more Christians have been killed for their faith in the last 100 years that all the previous years combined. The Voice of the Martyrs records what is happening to Christians around the world. It is interesting that part of the training for Christian workers in China includes a course titled; “How to survive torture” and another “How to Evade Capture.”

We need to pray and stay informed. We must not be assimilated into the culture of the world, but remain faithful to God and our Lord Jesus. Life in the Spirit not death in the way of the flesh.

The next part of this chapter tells of the release of satan. We would probably all ask the question “why”? If he is released people once again have a choice. John writes that many as the sands on the seashore will be deceived. Who are these? Think about how many would have grown up in this 1000 year time period, there is the promise that they would have long lives. It seems that satan is once again able to deceive and entice people to follow him. This time when they march on the Holy City God destroys them completely with the fire of his breath. The devil, satan is thrown into the lake of burning sulfur along with the beast and false prophet where they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

The next part of this chapter deals with the final judgement. John says “I saw” a great white throne . This is judgement for the unbelievers, any who have not already been brought forth. Picture a courtroom, but in this courtroom there is only a judge, there is no debate, no prosecutor or defense attorney, no other judge or jury. The books are opened. There is the book of life in which is recorded all those who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. This book of life is mentioned 7 times in Revelation. There are books of works that have a record of everything that a person has done in this life. There is also a book of remembrance that has a record of our tears. Unlike our current day courtroom there is a sentence without appeal and punishment without parole.

There is an illustration that I have heard that says when our sentence is pronounced Jesus steps forward to say I already paid the penalty for this person he is mine.

Where will you be on this day? What will be your destination? Life eternal with Jesus in heaven or eternal punishment with satan in the lake of fire?