Jesus Reigning King

The late Charles Dickens begins his novel “Christmas Carol” with these opening words:

Marley was dead: to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that. … Old Marley was as dead as a door-nail. … There is no doubt that Marley was dead. This must be distinctly understood, or nothing wonderful can come of the story I am going to relate.

As we continue in our study of Revelation and go into chapter 20 I open with these words From 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 12-14; 20-22…

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 NASB95

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

1 Corinthians 15:12–14 NASB95

Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain.

1 Corinthians 15:20–22 NASB95

But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.

Christ is Risen… and because He has risen we have the HOPE of the resurrection!

As we read through this book of Revelation in a LITERAL fashion, we see God’s plan unfolding for us. I want to read our ten verses today and then progress through them with you as we see a sequential flow presented to us.

Join with me as we read, hear, and heed the words of God to us. I want to begin in verse 20 of chapter 19 so we can clearly see the sequence of events here… Revelation 19:20-20:10

Revelation 19:20–20:10 NASB95

And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh. Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 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 completed; after these things he must be released for a short time. 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 testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who 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 rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years. When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison, and will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war; the number of them is like the sand of the seashore. And they came up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, and fire came down from heaven and devoured them. And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

Unfolding Victory

As these verses unfold we see God deals with Satan uniquely…

Bound for 1000 years

Until the 1000 years are complete

The Resurrected Saints Reign with Christ for 1000 years

The rest of the dead do not Resurrect until the 1000 years complete

The first Resurrection reign with Christ 1000 years

Satan is released briefly when the 1000 years are complete

In the first ten verses of chapter twenty “One Thousand Years” is mentioned six times!

We observe that God is dealing with His enemies…

The beast and False Prophet are cast into the Lake of Fire (Eternal Punishment)

Those who followed and worshiped the Beast, worshiped his image, and took the mark suffered DEATH… (Waiting)

“THEN” Satan (John makes sure we know who it is speaking of) is cast into the Abyss or bottomless pit

A strong angel given power by an Almighty God (Satan is no match!)

We saw this earlier when the strong angle with the key opened it up to release the demonic creatures

Placed there for 1000 years “until” : a continuous extent of time up to a point (1000 years complete)

“SO THAT” he cannot deceive… Peter writes that “Satan is prowling seeking who he can devour”

In 1 John 5:19 John would write: “We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” but in the Abyss that power is no longer

No longer will he have influence and No longer will he deceive

With Satan and his unholy trinity removed from the picture, those who follow him dead and gone enters in a new rule, a righteous rule… a rule where Jesus Christ will sit on the throne of David and rule the earth from Jerusalem! There will be:

Peace on earth

Justice for all / safe communities

Strong marriages

Healthy homes

Harmonious Relationships

Moral purity and integrity

Imagine a world in which Satan can no longer manipulate leaders, tempt sinners, take advantage of the weak, or corrupt the strong!

Verses 4-6 shares concerning who will reign with Christ during this One Thousand Year Reign of Christ…

The Millennial Reign

Genesis has been described as “Paradise Lost” if so then Revelation can be described as “Paradise Found!”

What the first Adam destroyed through sin

We see Jesus restore through the conquering of sin and evil

It is during this Millennial Reign we see things restored back to Eden

MILLENNIAL = is like many words (Rapture) a Latin word “mille” meaning thousand and “annum” meaning year.

Theologically speaking this church’s doctrine holds to a Pre-millennial view of end time events, meaning we see in a literal reading of scripture that Jesus Christ returns “pre” or before the “Thousand year Reign of Jesus Christ”

Post-Millennial hold that the thousand years represent the triumph of the gospel in the period leading up to the second coming of Christ. The return of Christ will follow the Millennium

Amellinnialism denies that there is any literal Millennium or reign of Christ on earth. The millennial reign of Christ is a spiritual reign in the hearts of believers.

There are multiple reasons we hold this view as one studies scripture in a literal & grammatical approach but as we look at our passage today I want to draw from these verses the hope of the resurrection...

REMEMBER… CHRIST IS RISEN and as such He is the “First Fruits” of the Resurrection of the dead.

John sees thrones and he sees those who rule with Christ for this thousand years… IT IS THOSE RESURRECTED!

The ones who died because they would not take the mark of the beats or worship him

Those who died following Christ / Those who believed!

The first resurrection began with Jesus at the tomb three days after He died for your sin and mine!

Those who believe will be resurrected to life with a new body!

There will be those who are caught up and meet Christ in the air (1 Thessalonians)

There will be the Two Witnesses who are resurrected (Revelation 11)

The tribulation saints… and I believe here we will see the Old Testament saints a part of First Resurrection John is writing about here!

YET… if we are in the Millennial times right now as a reference to a long period… !!!

Where are those resurrected?

Have we missed it? Paul wrote to Timothy to be warned about those who would say this… 2 Timothy 2:16-18

2 Timothy 2:16–18 NASB95

But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some.

Of course this would be upsetting! This is our HOPE! Jesus is risen and we too will be risen!

Or do we have to do away with the resurrection all together like the Sadduccees must we relegate the resurrection to “JUST A SPIRIT THING?”

If so then is Christ resurrection just spiritual? NO!!!!

He rose in bodily form therefore we too will be resurrected to a new body!

Those resurrected will rule with Christ in their resurrected bodies over those who are still in their earthy bodies...

WHO WILL WE RULE?

Initially there may be a smaller number…

There are the 144,000 Jews set aside during the tribulation

There will be Jews and Gentiles who did not worship the Beats or take his mark who were not yet martyred

Ezekiel states in this time they will marry and have children… IMAGINE the growth over 1000 years!

In 1000 AD the world population was 310 Million

In 2000 AD the population was over 6 Billion

Now imagine… no wars, disease, scripture says that for a young man to die at age 100 will be tragic to die at such a young age!

Sadly we are reminded of mankind’s heart… in verses 7-10 we see what happens at the end of this 1000 years…

Mankind’s Heart

Christ Himself reigns… a PERFECT KING! and we see the hearts of man… James describes man’s heart so well James 1:13-15

James 1:13–15 NASB95

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

MANKIND is without excuse… even with a perfect King ruling, things restored back to Eden, a legit Heaven on Earth situation… we see mankind.

Those who live in the thousand year reign will go in with sinful natures still and those born will carry that on as well

The sin nature is still active and they revolt against a Holy, Righteous, Sovereign Ruler Jesus Christ

Their number is astounding

They have no concern for the One they approach (Forgetting Gog & Magog) reference to the end of the tribulation destruction by God

They surround Jerusalem and I imagine there is NO FEAR, NO PANIC, and NO WORRY from those with Christ

Rather there may be a worship service worshiping our God and Savior Jesus Christ

There may be grief for those who do not see or realize, those who have rejected the TRUTH for the DECEPTION of Satan!

THE RESULT???

They are devoured by fire and die

Satan this time is thrown into the Lake of Fire & Brimstone

This is not the picture here of Satan having his rule and fun… this place was designed and created for Satan and his demons as a punishment… and those who reject Christ will find themselves joining him at the second resurrection (more next week)

What To Take Away

Two things I want us (myself included) to walk away today understanding…

I want to CAUTION you from participating in the blame game concerning sin!

When we sin it is too easy to blame satan, the world, blame other’s actions (this is a copout)

We need to take responsibility our own depraved hearts and minds

I want you to hold onto the blessed HOPE we have understanding that we can look forward to the First Resurrection as ones who have trusted in Jesus Christ

Romans 6:5 “For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection,”

Philippians 3:10–11 “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”

The resurrection is foundational to our HOPE and the POWER in which we live this life for Him

Jesus Christ is Risen… and He will one day Reign on this earth supreme!

You needed to remember coming into this message

You need to remember this leaving here today!