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Fri 1/1/21

Revelation 20:1-10 … WHY CHRIST MUST REIGN FOR A THOUSAND YEARS BEFORE ETERNITY.

Q.1. Has the promise of Christ’s rule ever happened? Why should Israel be given a privileged place? Will earth still be the same? – (Isa.2:2-5; 4:2-6; 9:6-7; 11:1-9; Ezk.Chpts.40-48; 47:1-12; Zech.14:4-9; Rev.16:17-21) =

Q.2. When does the millennium take place? What is the purpose of the Millennial Reign of Christ? Who will feature in it? How does it differ from the eternal state? – (Isa.65:17-25; 2 Thes.1:4-10; 2 Pet.3:3-7; Rev.19:7-9, 11-16; 20:1-9) =

The Thousand Years

20 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit[a] and a great chain. 2 And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, 3 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.

4 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. 5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. 6 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.

The Defeat of Satan

7 And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison 8 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. 9 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[b] and consumed them, 10 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.

Suggested Answers:

Q.1. Has the promise of Christ’s rule ever happened? Why should Israel be given a privileged place? How does the church differ from Israel? – (Is.2:2-5; 4:2-6; 9:6-7; 11:1-9; Ezk.Chpts.40-48; 47:1-12; Zech.14:4-9; Rom.9:1-5; 11:1-24) =

  1. There are many specific prophecies given about Christ’s reign over Israel that have never been fulfilled (Is.2:2-5; 4:2-6; 9:6-7; 11:1-9; Ezk.Chpts.40-48; 47:1-12; Zech.14:4-9).
  2. Israel has a special place in the purposes of God for Planet Earth and the gospel was offered to the Jew first (Dt.4:5-8; 7:6-8; 28:1-14; Mt.10:6; 15:24; Rom.1:16; 2:9-10; 9:1-5; 11:1-24; 2 Pet.1:20-21).
  3. Though Israel rejected and had Jesus crucified, the foundation of the church was Jewish (Mt.27:25; Acts 1:4-8; 2:41-47; Eph.2:11-20).
  4. From the call of Abraham, Israel has been promised a land. The Christian believer’s citizenship is in heaven (Gen.15:1-21; 17:1-8; Phil.3:20-21).

Q.2. When does the millennium take place? Will earth be the same as now? What is the purpose of the Millennial Reign of Christ? Who will feature in it? How does it differ from the eternal state? – (Is.65:17-25; 2 Thes.1:4-10; 2 Pet.3:3-7; Rev.16:17-21; 19:7-9, 11-16; 20:1-9) =

  1. The Great Tribulation will be concluded with the Second Coming of Jesus Christ to earth with His saints (Zech.14:1-9; Mt.24:21-22, 29-31; 2 Thes.1:7-10; 2:8; Rev.19:11-16). The Millennial Reign of Christ will follow the return of Jesus Christ to earth (Rev.20:1-10).
  2. There is good reason to believe the Rapture is very soon. Just as God rested on the seventh day after the six days of creation, it suggests that the thousand-year reign of Christ will follow the prior six millennia (Gen.2:1-3; 2 Pet.3:8). The genealogies of the Bible reveal there have been about four thousand years before Christ and we are nearing two thousand years since the birth of the church. The beginning of the Millennial Reign of Christ following the seven year Great Tribulation would then be around 2033 years. Paul wrote – … in future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing (2 Tim.4:8).
  3. Both the destruction of the Great Tribulation and the description of the millennial kingdom make it clear that Planet Earth will be completely changed and re-landscaped (Is.2:2-5; 4:2-6; 11:1-9; Ezk.47:1-14; Zech.14:4-9; Rev.6:12-17; 16:17-21).
  4. During the millennium, Christ will rule in justice and righteousness (Is.9:6-7; 11:1-5; Rev.20:1-3). It will be a time when the nations will come under God’s perfect rule. No one will be able to blame their circumstances or Satan for their rebellion. Christian believers will reign with Christ (Zech.14:16-19; Rev.20:4-9).
  5. The nations can refuse to worship King Jesus and, after Satan is released toward the end of the thousand years, the nations will turn on Christ and His people proving that man’s real problem flows from his sinful nature ((Mal.14:16-19; Rev.20:7-10).
  6. No rebels will gain entrance into the new heaven and new earth (Rev.21:1, 8; 22:11, 15, 18-19).

(Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.)

If you have any queries about your readings, check Bible Commentary via sonic light.com  or discuss it with your Real Life Group leader or email paulh@cityreach.com.au

©PaulHoogenraad2009