Tag: thousand years
The Thousand Year Reign
Scripture reading for December 30: Revelation 20
Those who have studied Scripture love to look at how God will bring everything on earth and heaven together. Revelation 20 tells us how God will lock up Satan in a pit for a thousand years. He will be bound with a great angelic chain and locked away to keep him from deceiving the nations. It also reveals that the Devil will be loosed again for a short time after that thousand years.
“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.” Revelation 20:4
Those believers coming out of the great tribulation through martyrdom were now seated on thrones as judges! This great reversal occurs when Jesus Christ sets up the millennial kingdom. These who had stood firm for Jesus and proclaimed God’s Word now were rewarded as Jesus promised. They had refused the mark of the beast and refused to bow to the religious and political system of Babylon. They now ruled in the Kingdom of Peace with the Prince of Peace!
“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, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved City, 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 . .” Revelation 20:7-10
After the thousand years, Satan is again allowed to deceive those who will refuse to accept the truth of Christ Jesus as Lord during this thousand years. Deceived by Satan, these will gather together and surround Jerusalem to challenge Jesus and the saints. This foolish move will bring their destruction by fire and Satan’s return to the lake of fire! At the great White Throne judgment, all rebels and those not written in the Book of Life will be thrown into the lake of fire, which is the second death. Sobering truth about our need to remain faithful and humble!
As we end this year, be sure that you know true salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Check your heart and surrender again to the King of kings. Invite Him to lead you into His eternal kingdom coming soon!
The Thousand-year Reign of Jesus!
Scripture reading for December 27th: Revelation 20, Psalm 108, Ecclesiastes 10
Revelation 20: 4-6 “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 rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with Him for a thousand years.”
Following the return of the King of Kings, John observes the binding and imprisonment of Satan in the pit, locked away for a thousand years. Then thrones for judgment were set up and the souls of the martyrs came to life and reigned with Jesus Christ for the thousand years. These who were restored to life were part of what Scripture calls the ‘first resurrection.” This first resurrection company had remained true to Jesus Christ, even unto death and were rewarded with priesthood and rulership along with Christ in the kingdom of peace established by Him on the earth. Death did not have the final say! Faith in Jesus Christ will bring deliverance and full reward! Happy is the land that has the Son for King!
Psalm 108:5-6 “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let Your glory be over all the earth! That Your beloved ones may be delivered, give salvation by Your right hand and answer me!”
Prayer: Father God, we Your people long for the return of Jesus Christ as King of Kings! We long for peace and justice on earth, as only You can give. We pray that Jesus Christ be exalted over all the earth and His glory will fill the heavens and earth as He restores His people to their full salvation! How blessed and holy are those who will share in this first resurrection!
Ecclesiastes 10:17 “Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of the nobility, and your princes feast at the proper time, for strength, and not for drunkenness!”
Martyrs become priests for a thousand years!
Scripture reading for December 28th: Job 34-36, Revelation 20
Revelation 20:4-6 “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 rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with Him for a thousand years.”
As God’s righteous judgments are falling, John sees thrones set up for judgment and those given authority to judge were placed on them. These are likely the saints who had been raptured earlier before these final judgments. He also saw the souls of those martyred for faith in Jesus Christ and God’s Word coming to life again and reigning with Christ for a thousand years. We are told this is the ‘first resurrection’. Blessed are those that have a share in this resurrection. At the end of the thousand years, Satan will be released for a short time to come out and deceive the nations again. Evidently a large number will follow him into the final battle where fire falls from heaven and consumes them all. How we all need to cling to Christ and His Word!
Revelation 20:7-9 “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. And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, . .”
Prayer: Father God, thank You again that You do not pervert justice. You keep all Your faithful promises both for justice and also for reward for faithful servants. I look forward to Your great rapture of the Church and then the first resurrection before Your millennial reign. Give me and all who follow You grace to stay true during the trials of the last days and to faithfully serve You alone!
Job34:12 “Of a truth, God will not do wickedly, and the Almighty will not pervert justice.”
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.”
God’s not slow!
Scripture reading for November 18th: 2nd Peter 3
Have you ever wondered if God was watching the events of this world? Do you sometimes feel that God is slow to respond to the cries of His people during times of testing or persecution? These questions plagued the church in Peter’s day as well as ours. Peter closed this last letter with advice that relates to believers of all generations and cultures!
“First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ He promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word, the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.” (2nd Peter 3:3-7)
Peter went on to teach that “the Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2nd Peter 3:9) God is merciful and patient. He would rather see men and women saved than to see them destroyed. He judged the world the first time with water. He is now waiting until the final judgment by fire. Today is the day to buy your “fire insurance”! Call on Jesus Christ to save you and become His disciple!
The Lake of Fire!
Scripture reading for December 29th: Revelation 20:1-15
Not all are part of the heavenly army of the King of Kings. The first to be dealt with was the dragon, Satan. He was bound by a great chain and thrown into the Abyss to keep him from deceiving the nations. The set time was a thousand years or what we would call a millennium. (Revelation 20:1-3)
Next John witnessed a resurrection of the souls who had been beheaded for their testimony of Jesus. These souls came to life and were given authority to judge on the earth and reign with Christ for a thousand years. ” (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who have part 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.” (Revelation 20:5-6) This is the fifth ‘blessed’ statement of Revelation. These martyrs are now rewarded with rulership with Christ on the earth for his thousand-year reign.
The ‘second death’ is a term defined in this chapter for John. At the end of the thousand years, the devil is released for a short time. He goes out and deceives the nations again and the gathers them for battle. Fire comes from heaven and devours those who are deceived and the devil is thrown into the lake of fire along with the beast (anti-Christ) and false prophet. This lake of fire and burning sulfur is the ‘second death’. (Revelation 20:14) This lake of fire has been long prepared for the devil and his angels who rebelled against God.
However, there will be multitudes of people who will also go to this horrible place of burning sulfur. John saw a great white throne and God as judge. Death and Hades were opened and a second resurrection company of those who had died in their sins were brought before the judge. Books were opened that held the record of their evil deeds and sins. Another book, the Book of Life, was examined to find their names. “If anyone’s name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:15) Each person answered personally to God! Is your name in His Book of Life?