Sermon Tone Analysis

Characteristics of the millennium

Satan is bound

“the Abyss” is the subterranean place of confinement for Satan and evil spirits.

See also

Martyred believers are raised to reign with Jesus Christ

Those who have suffered for the gospel receive their promised reward.

See also ; ;

Satan’s release and final overthrow

See also ; ; ; ; ;

The millennium will be a golden age on earth

The OT looks forward to a period of universal peace and prosperity on earth.

Both pre- and postmillennialists see this as a reference to Jesus Christ’s future earthly reign.

See also ; ;

The premillennial interpretation

The premillennial order of events

Jesus Christ’s return.

Premillennialists understand the events of Revelation chapter 19 to precede those of Revelation chapter 20; Satan bound for 1,000 years; a “first resurrection” of believers to share Jesus Christ’s reign over the earth; Satan’s release and final overthrow; the general resurrection of all people to face God’s judgment

A first resurrection of believers

This passage allows the idea of a gap between the resurrection of believers and the eternal age.

See also

God’s future earthly reign

See also ; ;

Believers will reign with Jesus Christ

Premillennialists take this to refer to an earthly reign.

See also ; ;

Difficulties with premillennialism

Scriptures that depict a single resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked:

;

Jesus Christ’s parables of the kingdom depict a single occasion of separation and judgment:

; ;

The postmillennial interpretation

The rapid spread of the gospel

See also

A future turning to God

; ;

Difficulties with postmillennialism

The fortunes of the gospel and the church appear to be at a low ebb before Jesus Christ returns:

; ;

Jesus Christ’s reign is not postponed to some future era; it has begun already:

; ;

The amillennial interpretation

Satan was defeated at Jesus Christ’s first coming

See also ; ;

Interpreting the “first resurrection”

As a reference to the soul entering heaven after death:

;

As spiritual resurrection to new life in Christ:

; ;

Dangers of the amillennialist view

The future hope of believers is not only a spiritual reality:

;

Though defeated, Satan should not be underestimated:

; ;