BibleTrekToday.com

The thousand years of peace

Scripture reading for December 29th: Revelation 20

Key Scriptures: Revelation 20:1-5 “Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while. Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the Word of God, and those who 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 for a thousand years.”

The events that John saw next are commonly referred to as the millennial (thousand year) reign of Christ and refer to a period of time where Christ comes back to earth and Satan is bound and locked away. Christ brings with Him His Bride and they also rule with Him on earth and exercise authority on His behalf. This ‘Bride” is the composed of people of faith who have repented of their sins and died in faith, some through martyrdom. They are resurrected to rule and reign with Christ. At the end of the thousand years, Satan is released for a very short time before the final judgment and sentencing of him, his angels, and all who followed them to eternal torment in the Lake of Fire.

Revelation 20:7-10 “And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, God and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. . . .but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”

Faith confession and prayer: Father God, thank You for Your righteous judgment on Satan, the deceiver and accuser of Your people. I look forward to the thousand years of peace on earth under Your righteous rulership. Do whatever is necessary in my life to prepare me to be with You and enjoy that peace. Use me to help others to find a place in Your bridal company through faith in Jesus Christ and have their names written in Your heavenly register, the Book of Life.

Revelation 20:11-12,15 “Then I saw a great white throne and Him Who was seated on it. From His presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. . . . .And if anyone’s name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”